MALAWI: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UNGA ANTI-ISRAELI

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000624 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP: ANDREW MORRISON E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2019 TAGS: PREL UNGA KPAL MI SUBJECT: MALAWI: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UNGA ANTI-ISRAELI RESOLUTIONS REF: STATE 118799 Classified By: Kevin K. Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Mission, for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Post delivered reftel demarche on November 19 to GOM Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Political Affairs Paul Chiunguzeni. ¶2. (C) Chiunguzeni agreed that many of the UNGA resolutions on the Middle East which were offered and debated were redundant, saying, "The General Assembly certainly dwells on these resolutions and wastes a lot of time." However when pressed, Chiunguzeni acknowledged that Malawi would continue to make decisions regarding individual resolutions after consulting with its AU neighbors. ¶3. (C) On resolutions reaffirming the continued existence of the three specific UN bodies inherently biased against Israel, Chiunguzeni admitted that Malawi largely shared the USG's view on the matter, and that, "...it is something that we will continue to look into." He did not/not commit to a concrete position opposing these resolutions. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Chiunguzeni's response to this demarche reaffirms Malawi's continued desire to align with its neighbors on UNGA issues. Post will continue to encourage the GOM to approach UNGA issues more independently. BODDE