THE GOLDSTONE REPORT RE GAZA -- SEEKING INDONESIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001614 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, NEA/IPA (J.GIAUQUE),IO/RHS (C.ENAV AND K.RAZZOUK) NSC FOR D.WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019 TAGS: PREL KPAL PHUM IS ID SUBJECT: THE GOLDSTONE REPORT RE GAZA -- SEEKING INDONESIAN SUPPORT FOR CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOMES REF: STATE 98567 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission has discussed reftel message regarding the report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict with GOI officials, underscoring U.S. concern about the report's unbalanced focus on Israeli actions. We stressed the need to seek a constructive resolution on the matter in the UN Human Rights Council. Indonesian officials are still reviewing the report and look forward to further discussions on it in Geneva. They added that they had deep concerns about Israel's action during the Gaza conflict. END SUMMARY. REVIEWING USG POINTS ¶2. (C) Poloff discussed reftel concerns regarding the report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (the Goldstone Report) with officials in the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) on September ¶28. He noted that the report was unbalanced in its focus on Israel, and it made sweeping and unsubstantiated factual and legal conclusions. LOOKING TO CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOMES ¶3. (C) Poloff explained that the USG sought a constructive way forward and believed that the report should be handled within the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). He urged Indonesia to work with us to formulate a balanced resolution that recognized that the report but did not endorse it. He also noted that the report could have negative consequences for President Obama's efforts to advance a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He urged that Indonesia carefully review the report in light of the USG points, and seek constructive ways for all sides to look to the future and support the goal of a two-state solution. GOI STILL REVIEWING REPORT; CONCERNED ABOUT ISRAELI ACTIONS ¶4. (C) DEPLU interlocutors told us that the GOI is still reviewing the report and had not yet formulated a position on it. Indonesia supported President Obama's efforts to resolve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, and agreed that the international community must avoid outcomes that jeopardized the peace process. Indonesian officials said they looked forward to consultations with the United States regarding a resolution on the matter in the HRC. That said, GOI contacts underscored deep concerns about Israeli actions during the Gaza conflict and said that these concerns must be addressed in international bodies. HUME