OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM UNESCO SPECIAL SESSION: INDIA WILL TRY TO PLAY A MODERATING ROLE

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 001345 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNESCO E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2017 TAGS: PREL, KPAL, UNESCO, IS, IN SUBJECT: OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM UNESCO SPECIAL SESSION: INDIA WILL TRY TO PLAY A MODERATING ROLE REF: SECSTATE 33996 Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) (C) PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary (UN Economic and Social) Manjeev Singh Puri, and PolOffs followed up with MEA Acting Director (UN Economic and Social) T. Armstrong Changsan March 20, who stated that his understanding was that the special session would be "a dialogue on a positive note." When specifically pressed to have India change its position on the special session, Changsan said that U.S. concerns regarding the session had been noted, and that the Government of India would try to play a "moderating role" should such a session take place, but he would not commit to opposing the special session altogether. PolOff urged India to consult with the broader Asia Pacific Group (ASPAC) before taking a final position. PYATT