GUIDANCE: GA SPECIAL SESSION ON THE HUMANITARIAN

UNCLAS STATE 002008 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA UNSC PREL IS SY KPAL SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: GA SPECIAL SESSION ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA; JANUARY 8, 2008 ¶1. (SBU) At the request of the Non-Aligned Movement, the UN General Assembly may hold on January 8 or 9 a resumption of its Emergency Special Session on "Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory." This emergency session last convened on December 15, 2006. USUN is authorized to draw on the talking points in paragraph 2 for its participation at this session. Mission may modify these points as necessary to reflect updated developments both diplomatically and on the ground, but should consult with the Department in doing so. ¶2. (U) Begin Talking Points: -- The United States is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. We are extremely saddened by the loss of innocent life. We are grateful for the efforts of the ICRC, UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies for their courageous actions during this difficult situation. -- Secretary Rice has been working around the clock to try to end the violence in Gaza through continuing contacts in the region as well as with the Security Council and visiting Foreign Ministers here in New York. -- We welcome the initiative of Presidents Mubarak and Sarkozy in seeking an immediate, durable and sustainable cease fire. Negotiators from Israel and Hamas arrived in Cairo today for separate talks with the Egyptian government on the situation. -- (USUN should insert a brief update on status of January 8 UNSC action here.) -- The General Assembly plays a vital role in the United Nations and the international system. The United States, as a Charter Member of the UN is particularly appreciative of that role. But the Assembly must be careful it does not undermine ongoing diplomatic activity to halt the violence in Gaza with empty and one-sided rhetoric. -- This is especially so when the Security Council is actively seized of the matter. Under Article 12(1) of the Charter, the Council has primacy. While the Assembly can discuss this matter, there should be no product while the Security Council is still actively engaged. -- This Special Session should also not be allowed to devolve into a platform for criticism just as every effort is being made to find a mechanism to bring the conflict to a halt. The Assembly must exercise great caution that its deliberations are not seized upon by terrorist groups as encouragement or justification for their unlawful actions or to further inflame tensions and spread violence and hostilities in the region. -- Mr. President. It is imperative that any ceasefire is durable and sustainable, and that it ensures the safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians alike. -- The situation before the current events in Gaza was clearly not sustainable. The people of Gaza watched as insecurity and lawlessness increased and as their living conditions grew more dire because of Hamas,s actions. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis lived under daily threat of rocket attack, a circumstance no country would be willing to tolerate. -- An effective ceasefire must include an end to the smuggling into Gaza including preventing the reopening of the tunnel system through which Hamas obtained arms and explosives, and the reopening of crossings so that Palestinians can benefit from humanitarian goods and basic supplies. -- The United States has been carefully following developments regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We applaud Prime Minister Olmert's initiative to open a humanitarian corridor to alleviate civilian suffering and are in constant contact with the Government of Israel regarding humanitarian priorities. The people of Gaza must have a lifeline to goods and supplies and to sanitation and medical help. -- We deeply appreciate the dedicated efforts of UNRWA and the ICRC to deliver assistance to civilians, and have urged real-time, ground-level coordination between international organizations and Israeli combatant commanders to ensure relief workers can carry out their work in safety. We would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families and colleagues of the UN aid workers who died in Gaza today. -- We were informed earlier today that UNRWA and ICRC suspended operations due to security and coordination concerns. We hope the new coordination cell Israel has set up at Ramat Aviv to augment the one at Erez Crossing will enable the resumption of their efforts. -- The United States is the largest single-nation donor to the Palestinian people through our support to UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority. In addition to the more than $555 million the U.S. provided last year, including $185 million for UNRWA, we have also provided $85 million in response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and will contribute more emergency aid if that is needed. -- In the aftermath of this crisis, the international community must be prepared to adopt an intensive reconstruction initiative, perhaps through a donors conference, to complement the efforts of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. -- Our goal must be the stabilization and normalization of life for the people of Gaza. This will require a principled resolution of the political challenges in Gaza that ultimately reestablishes the Palestinian Authority,s legitimate control. The November 26 Arab League statement will serve as an important guide in these efforts -- efforts that are ably led by Egypt. -- UN Security Council Resolution 1850 describes the principles to chart a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike -- noting a lasting peace can only be based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition; freedom from violence, incitement, and terror; and the two-state solution, building upon previous agreements and obligations. End points. RICE