US embassy cable - 04GUATEMALA1112

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001112 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND IO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2014 
TAGS: PREL, KPAL, GT, UNGA 
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA LIKELY TO ABSTAIN OR OPPOSE UNGA 
PALESTINIAN RESOLUTION 
 
REF: STATE 99626 
 
Classified By: Acting PolCouns Erik Hall.  Reason 1.5 (b&d). 
 
1. (C) The Ambassador raised the Palestinian resolution with 
Foreign Minister Briz on May 5, urging Guatemala to oppose 
the UNGA resolution on Palestine.  Briz said it was the first 
he had heard of the issue, and asked his staff to "look into 
it."  PolOff also delivered the demarche to Carla Rodriguez, 
Director General for Multilateral Affairs at the Foreign 
Ministry, who said no decision had yet been taken, but 
speculated that Guatemala might oppose the resolution but if 
not, would certainly abstain. 
 
2.  (C) According to Rodriguez, the GOG will be sensitive to 
the positions of other countries in Central America, Latin 
America and Europe on this issue.  Initial indications of the 
positions of other countries on the resolution were "not 
encouraging," she said.  Costa Rica plans to vote in favor, 
Salvador and Nicaragua plan to be absent, Honduras and the 
Dominican Republic plan to abstain or be absent from the 
session.  Rodriguez said she was not aware of the positions 
of Panama or Belize. Brazil, Mexico and Argentina will vote 
in favor or abstain.  The Europeans are divided between 
abstaining and opposing. 
HAMILTON