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