GUIDANCE: ECOSOC RESOLUTION ON REPERCUSSIONS OF

UNCLAS STATE 078243 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM ECOSOC UNGA KPAL IS SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: ECOSOC RESOLUTION ON REPERCUSSIONS OF OCCUPATION, JULY 28 REF: ROSS-GOLDSTEIN EMAIL OF 7/20/09 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. ¶2. (SBU) USUN should call for a vote and vote "no" on an ECOSOC resolution on the "economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," which will be presented the afternoon of July 28. The draft resolution is unbalanced and, therefore, unacceptable. ¶3. (SBU) As warranted, USUN may draw from the previous USG explanation of vote on this issue (REF),modifying it to reflect textual differences in the current resolution. The previous explanation of vote highlighted, in part, the following: -- The U.S. appreciates that the draft resolution highlights the importance of good governance, ensuring the safety and well-being of civilians, and halting all acts of violence, but will nevertheless vote against the resolution as it is fatally unbalanced, criticizing Israel while ignoring the targeting of civilians by Palestinian terrorists. -- We regret the violent loss of lives of both Palestinian and Israeli citizens. -- Moreover, the U.S. remains deeply concerned about the impact of the current humanitarian crisis on the entire Palestinian population. -- The U.S. remains committed to working with the Quartet and with regional states to move both parties forward towards the achievement of two states, living side-by-side in peace and security. The focus of the international community should be on helping both parties maintain progress toward that shared objective. -- One-sided resolutions only serve to undermine the ability of the United Nations to play a constructive role in furthering peace. CLINTON