ZAMBIA SEEKING CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOME OF GOLDSTONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000726 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM KISL KPAL IS ZA SUBJECT: ZAMBIA SEEKING CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOME OF GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: STATE 106423 Classified By: DCM Michael Koplovsky, reasons 1.4, b/d. ¶1. (SBU) Zambian MFA International Organization official Mubukwanu told PolEcon Chief October 15 that the Zambian mission in Geneva would certainly be able to discuss its instructions on the Goldstone report with USMISSION Geneva. He regretted that he was not privy to the instructions given to the Zambian mission by Zambian Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma, who was unavailable. PolEcon Chief underscored that the Human Rights Council is the appropriate venue to discuss the report and the negative effect that sensationalizing the report could have on the comprehensive peace for which the Obama administration is striving. Mubukwanu was adamant that the Zambian delegation would not vote for anything "sensationalist" and reiterated his government's support for the peace process. ¶2. (C) Comment: Typically the GRZ votes solidly in favor of objectionable anti-Israel resolutions, in line with NAM and AU voting blocs. Mubukwanu may have been offering optimism out of ignorance of Zambia's position, but he may also have been reflecting a suspected, but yet-to-be-proven, GRZ desire to be more cooperative with the Obama administration. We suggest USMISSION Geneva engage the Zambian mission to ascertain if there is new flexibility in Zambia's position. Embassy Lusaka will raise the issue with PS Kapoma in a previously scheduled October 16 meeting. We regret that we were not able to reach him prior to the UNSC and HRC meetings. BOOTH