DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOME FROM THE GOLDSTONE REPORT

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001834 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS (RAZZOUK/ENAV) AND NEA/IPA (GIAUQUE) GENEVA FOR CASSAYRE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2029 TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PTER, UN, KISL, KPAL, IS, EG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOME FROM THE GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: STATE 98567 Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor Donald A. Blome for reason 1.4 (b). 1. (C) On September 23, Economic-Political Minister-Counselor delivered reftel points on the Goldstone Report to MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for Human Rights Wael Aboulmagd, and separately to MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for the Americas Amin Meleka. Regarding USG principles for a balanced UN Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution (reftel), Aboulmagd identified three elements that he anticipated would be problematic for the GOE: noting the report without endorsing it, the definition of a "balanced" HRC resolution, and recognizing a state's right to legitimate self-defense. 2. (C) Aboulmagd explained that the GOE views the conflict as having been one-sided, so there would need to be discussions on what a balanced resolution would entail. He said the GOE is not certain that the issue of a state's legitimate self-defense is relevant to a HRC resolution. Aboulmagd noted that this was an initial response, and that the GOE is still studying the report. Scobey