Cablegate: Panama Seeks Balance On Nam Lebanon Resolution
VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHZP #2088 2972009
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 242009Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9214
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0226
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//J5/J2/POLAD//
UNCLAS PANAMA 002088
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA LE IS PHUM PREL PTER PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA SEEKS BALANCE ON NAM LEBANON RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 176793
1. (SBU) Panama will seek a balanced approach on
Israel/Lebanon issues but cannot guarantee it will vote
against the NAM resolution on Lebanese children's human
rights, MFA Sub-Director for Exterior Politics Vladimir
Franco told Poloff October 24. Franco said Panama could not
decide its vote without reading the text of the proposed NAM
resolution.
2. (SBU) Franco emphasized that Panama does not necessarily
support all NAM actions and reiterated Panama's role as a
balancing voice within the organization. However, Franco
said it was difficult for Panama to seek any kind of balance
unless Israel complies with its obligations from previous UN
resolutions. If Israel does not fulfill its obligations,
there can be no balance, added Franco. He agreed to pass the
U.S. non-paper to the MFA Director of Organization Affairs.
ARREAGA