Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LJUBLJANA307
2009-10-01 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA FAVORS EU ABSTENTION ON GOLDSTONE REPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO9118 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0307 2741403 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011403Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7512 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0251 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0294
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000307
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KISL KPAL
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA FAVORS EU ABSTENTION ON GOLDSTONE REPORT
REF: A. REF: (A) STATE 98567
B. (B) LIBBY-FREDEN E-MAIL DATED 9/30/09
Classified By: POL/ECON Chief TJEvans , E.O. 12958: 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000307
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KISL KPAL
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA FAVORS EU ABSTENTION ON GOLDSTONE REPORT
REF: A. REF: (A) STATE 98567
B. (B) LIBBY-FREDEN E-MAIL DATED 9/30/09
Classified By: POL/ECON Chief TJEvans , E.O. 12958: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On October 1, Pol/Econ Chief used the occasion of a
previously scheduled lunch to discuss refs (A) and (B)
talking points concerning the Goldstone Report with MFA's
Andrej Benedejcic, MFA's Director General for Security Policy
and Multilateral Political Affairs. The MFA's Section for
Human Rights falls within his Directorate. Benedejcic was
well-acquainted with ref (A) talking points and was
interested to know of any major changes now that the U.S. had
completed its review of the Goldstone Report. Pol/Econ Chief
laid out ref (B) points, and Benedejcic was attentive,
nodding in agreement that the HRC's recommended referral of
the report to the ICC was not correct. He smiled knowingly
at ref (B)'s characterization of the report's recommendation
for overlapping referrals to the UNGA and UNSC as a
"mishmash." (Note: Benedejcic has a first-hand knowledge of
UN procedures, having served in Slovenia's UN Mission in New
York during its non-permanent membership on the UNSC.)
2. (C) Benedejcic said Slovenia was in favor of a EU
abstention on any resolution that would constitute a blanket
endorsement of the report. He said EU representatives in
Geneva were meeting "at this moment" to attempt to reach a
consensus for abstention. He thought this consensus might be
within reach, but understood that the Netherlands may come
down in favor of voting "no." He hoped this didn't happen,
because in the worst case it could create a situation in
which Slovenia felt compelled to vote "yes." He noted that
when Slovenia last abstained in the EU on this issue the
government was hotly criticized for its lack of resolve in
condemning Israeli actions. He said, "you can still see the
graffiti criticizing that decision on the walls around
downtown Ljubljana." So there is no way, he said, that
Slovenia could consider voting "no," but it is firmly in
favor of an EU consensus decision to abstain.
3. (C) Benedejcic seemed to appreciate our point that the
HRC, having commissioned the report, should now handle it
internally. He agreed that referral of the report out of the
HRC could have negative implications for the U.S.
administration's efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. He also noted that Slovenia was pleased that the
U.S. had joined the HRC and welcomed its active role there.
SHULTZ
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR AND IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KISL KPAL
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA FAVORS EU ABSTENTION ON GOLDSTONE REPORT
REF: A. REF: (A) STATE 98567
B. (B) LIBBY-FREDEN E-MAIL DATED 9/30/09
Classified By: POL/ECON Chief TJEvans , E.O. 12958: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On October 1, Pol/Econ Chief used the occasion of a
previously scheduled lunch to discuss refs (A) and (B)
talking points concerning the Goldstone Report with MFA's
Andrej Benedejcic, MFA's Director General for Security Policy
and Multilateral Political Affairs. The MFA's Section for
Human Rights falls within his Directorate. Benedejcic was
well-acquainted with ref (A) talking points and was
interested to know of any major changes now that the U.S. had
completed its review of the Goldstone Report. Pol/Econ Chief
laid out ref (B) points, and Benedejcic was attentive,
nodding in agreement that the HRC's recommended referral of
the report to the ICC was not correct. He smiled knowingly
at ref (B)'s characterization of the report's recommendation
for overlapping referrals to the UNGA and UNSC as a
"mishmash." (Note: Benedejcic has a first-hand knowledge of
UN procedures, having served in Slovenia's UN Mission in New
York during its non-permanent membership on the UNSC.)
2. (C) Benedejcic said Slovenia was in favor of a EU
abstention on any resolution that would constitute a blanket
endorsement of the report. He said EU representatives in
Geneva were meeting "at this moment" to attempt to reach a
consensus for abstention. He thought this consensus might be
within reach, but understood that the Netherlands may come
down in favor of voting "no." He hoped this didn't happen,
because in the worst case it could create a situation in
which Slovenia felt compelled to vote "yes." He noted that
when Slovenia last abstained in the EU on this issue the
government was hotly criticized for its lack of resolve in
condemning Israeli actions. He said, "you can still see the
graffiti criticizing that decision on the walls around
downtown Ljubljana." So there is no way, he said, that
Slovenia could consider voting "no," but it is firmly in
favor of an EU consensus decision to abstain.
3. (C) Benedejcic seemed to appreciate our point that the
HRC, having commissioned the report, should now handle it
internally. He agreed that referral of the report out of the
HRC could have negative implications for the U.S.
administration's efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. He also noted that Slovenia was pleased that the
U.S. had joined the HRC and welcomed its active role there.
SHULTZ