GUIDANCE: 3RD COMMITTEE RESOLUTION ON

UNCLAS STATE 116553 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA IS SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: 3RD COMMITTEE RESOLUTION ON "PALESTINIAN SELF-DETERMINATION" REF: MASILKO-GARUCKIS EMAIL OF 11/10/09 ¶1. (U) This is an action message. ¶2. (U) Mission should call for a vote and vote "no" on Third Committee Agenda Item 68: "The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination." (REF) Mission should draw of para 3 blocks in presenting an explanation of vote (EOV). ¶3. (SBU) Begin EOV Blocks: -- With respect to the situation in the Middle East, the United States has clearly stated our policy that there should be two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. We back up our policy with substantial diplomatic support for both sides and significant financial support to the Palestinian Authority and to the Palestinian refugees receiving support from UNRWA, for which the United States is the largest single donor. -- We see no contradiction whatsoever between support for the Palestinian people and support for Israel. We are deeply discouraged, therefore, to once again be presented with an unbalanced resolution that -- unlike the UNGA's action with respect to any other member state, geographic are or issue -- places demands on the Israeli side while failing to acknowledge that both sides have obligations and must take difficult steps toward peace. -- Resolutions such as this one presuppose the outcome of permanent status issues, such as the right of return and the status of Jerusalem, that properly belong in bilateral negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, making it that much more difficult to resolve them. Resolutions such as this one also undermine the institutional credibility of the UN, which, through the Quartet, has an important role to play in supporting the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. -- For these reasons, the United States has voted "no" on this resolution today. End EOV blocks. CLINTON