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O 221602Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0080
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS RIGA 000090
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL LG PHUM UNGA
SUBJECT: LATVIA WILL ABSTAIN ON GOLDSTONE RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 015722
(SBU) MFA Head of Human Rights Division Inese Freimane-Deksne
assured us February 22 that Latvia's position on Goldstone had not
changed. Consistent with Latvia's position at the UNGA in 2009,
the delegation would be instructed to abstain on the current
Palestinian text, she told us in response to reftel demarche.
While there was always a chance that EU discussions in New York
could create a consensus for a different vote, she thought it far
more likely that the EU would remain divided on the report. Latvia
had two principles to defend: that further discussion on Goldstone
should be limited to the Human Rights Council, and that nothing
done with regard to Goldstone should obstruct peace talks. Given
those principles, she had every expectation that Latvia would not
change its vote from an abstention.
GARBER