VOTE IN THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE GOLDSTONE

UNCLAS STATE 115531 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM XA XF SUBJECT: VOTE IN THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: STATE 112828 ¶1. This is a demarche request. Action addressees are requested to demarche host governments, drawing from the suggested talking points in paragraph 4. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. In REFTEL the Department requested that posts demarche host governments to encourage votes against the draft resolution on the Goldstone Report. The resolution, entitled "Follow-up to the report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict" was put to a vote on November ¶5. The resolution passed 114-18-44, with 16 not participating; the votes in AF countries were 32-0-8, with eight not participating. AF abstentions and absences helped to significantly limit the margin of votes by which the resolution was adopted. OBJECTIVE -------------- ¶3. Objective: Thank host governments for their abstentions and absences in the vote. TALKING POINTS -------------- ¶4. (U) Suggested talking points: -- For Embassies Addis Ababa, Bujumbura, Kampala, Mbabane, Monrovia, Nairobi, Ougadougou, and Yaounde: The United States thanks you for abstaining from the vote on the resolution addressing the Goldstone Report. We appreciate your helpful role in limiting the margin of one of the most important votes of the year -- For Embassies Abidjan, Antananarivo (for Madagascar), Kigali, Libreville (for Sao Tome and Principe),Lome, Malabo, Port Louis (for the Seychelles),and Praia: The United States thanks you for not participating in the vote on the resolution addressing the Goldstone Report. We appreciate your helpful role in limiting the margin of one of the most important votes of the year ¶5. (U) The Department greatly appreciates posts' assistance and support. Action addressees are requested to deliver the demarche by Tuesday, November 10. Please direct any questions and responses to AF/FO Jun Bando or AF/RSA Learned Dees. CLINTON