GUIDANCE REQUEST: FORMER SLOVENIAN FM RUPEL ASKED

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000064

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA IS SI
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: FORMER SLOVENIAN FM RUPEL ASKED
TO LEAD UNHRC MISSION TO GAZA

REF: FREDEN-YEAGER/STORELLA E-MAIL AND RESPONSES.

Classified By: CDA Brad Freden, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY AND GUIDANCE REQUEST: CDA met March 11 with
former Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel ) now PM
Pahor,s diplomatic &Special Envoy8 ) at Rupel's request
to discuss a proposal that he lead a UN Human Rights Council
fact-finding mission to Gaza. Rupel said he was asked by the
Council President on March 9 to head the mission, and he is
looking for our views by OOB on March 12, when he is supposed
to reply to Council President Uhomoibhi. In a follow-up
conversation on March 11, CDA informally conveyed initial
feedback provided by Washington stakeholders via e-mail
(refs). In response, Rupel said he was hoping for "a
definitive position" from Washington, and that he would
likely base his decision on our advice. Please provide cable
or e-mail guidance by OOB Central European time March 12.
END SUMMARY AND GUIDANCE REQUEST.


2. (C) According to Rupel, the basis of the mission is a
resolution sponsored by Egypt, Pakistan and Cuba, on which
the EU abstained. He noted that the Israelis are vehemently
opposed to the mission and have threatened to deny visas to
its members. Rupel agreed that the resolution calling for
the missions was "one-sided.8 Nevertheless, he was trying
to determine whether having a diplomat from a small European
country lead the mission would help or hinder U.S. objectives
in the region. He said he had discussed the matter with the
EC's Javier Solana. Rupel described Solana,s position as
&ambiguous,8 noting the importance of the mission but also
Israel's opposition.


3. (C) Rupel said that Slovenian Prime Minister Pahor
supports his taking the position, but with an important
caveat: Rupel's leadership of the fact-finding mission must
not "cause problems for Slovenia." Foreign Minister Zbogar
reportedly encouraged Rupel, telling him that Israel might
benefit from having a &sympathetic8 country/individual lead
the mission, in which case Rupel would be a good choice.
Rupel asserted that Council President Uhomoibhi would like to
put a European in charge of the mission, and that the
Egyptians &would be thrilled8 if Rupel agreed.


4. (C) COMMENT. Rupel acknowledged the mission's flawed
mandate and that his leadership ) or the leadership of any
European diplomat ) would add credibility. On the other
hand, Rupel felt that he could also add much-needed balance
to the mission and its report. He is prepared to turn down
the offer -- in fact he said he at already drafted a letter
to that effect -- but wanted to consult with us first. He
asked us to consider the alternatives and advise him whether
or not his leadership of the fact-finding mission would be
useful.

FREDEN