Cablegate: Panama: Georgia Unscr Demarche Delivered

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #0670 2252223
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 122223Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2402
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0008
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0328
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0019

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000670

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS UNSC GE PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: GEORGIA UNSCR DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 86130

Classified By: AMBASSADOR BARBARA J. STEPHENSON. REASONS: 1.4 (D)

1. (C) "Panama is in favor of an immediate cessation of
hostilities," First VP and FM Samuel Lewis told Ambassador in
response to REFTEL demarche. Pressed that Panama's support
would be essential especially in the event that Russia
exercised its veto so that the Council could speak with the
loudest voice possible, Lewis commented that he would prefer
a "15-0" resolution to a "14-1" resolution in which Russia
vetoed. Ambassador underscored that it was unlikely that an
meaningful resolution could be crafted to ensure a unanimous
vote on this matter; Lewis accepted the point.

2. (C) Comment: Panama is loathe to be party to either side
of a split UNSC, even if Russia is isolated. Post will
follow ambassadorial-level demarche with further engagement,
to be reported SEPTEL, at the working level.
STEPHENSON

© Scoop Media