Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA726
2009-10-15 14:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

ZAMBIA SEEKING CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOME OF GOLDSTONE

Tags:  PREL PHUM KISL KPAL IS ZA 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLS #0726 2881436
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151436Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7359
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0514
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1403
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.

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