DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GOLDSTONE REPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000981 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2019 TAGS: AS IS KPAL PHUM PREL PTER SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: SECSTATE 112828 Classified By: POL/ECON COUNSELOR EDGARD D. KAGAN FOR REASONS 1.4(b)(d) ¶1. (SBU) Australia generally shares the U.S. position on the Goldstone report. Pol/Econ Couns delivered reftel demarche regarding the UNGA debate on the Goldstone report to Acting First Assistant Secretary Bassim Blazey of the International Legal Department. Blazey said that Australia is still reviewing the issue. He indicated that while they support the U.S. viewpoint, they may have fewer red lines. The non-paper was passed to Blazey and Neil Hawkins, Assistant Secretary for South and West Asia, Middle East and Africa. Australia will communicate their final decision directly to USUN. ¶2. (C) Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem told us November 4 that Australian officials &have the right position8 on the UNGA debate on the Goldstone Report but are concerned by reports that the EU may not have a unified position. Should this be the case, Rotem said that Australian officials are concerned that their position could draw more attention than if they are part of a common front with the United States and the EU. Should this happen, Rotem believes the final decision will be made by PM Rudd and Australian PermRep Gary Quinlan, who is very close to Rudd and whose views carry great weight with the PM. CLUNE