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DE RUEHMN #0004 0081539
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R 081539Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8695
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MONTEVIDEO 000004 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/BSC DASCHBACH AND CROFT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/2019 
TAGS: PREL KPAL IR UR
SUBJECT: URUGUAY: GOU AND URUGUAYAN PRESS KEEP BALANCE ON 
GAZA VIOLENCE 
 
REF: A. ASUNCION 0006 
     ¶B. 08 CARACAS 1784 
     ¶C. 08 BRASILIA 1685 
     ¶D. 08 LA PAZ 2671 
 
Classified By: DCM ROBIN MATTHEWMAN, FOR REASON 1.4(B) 
 
¶1. (U) Both the Government of Uruguay and most Uruguayan 
media have taken a balanced view of the situation in Gaza. 
The GOU's public comments have been limited to a single press 
release by the MFA December 29 that stressed the GOU's 
concern regarding the escalation of violence and urged all 
parties to cease hostilities (see para 5).  Outside the 
administration, a group of senators signed a statement 
expressing agreement with Mercosur's declaration calling for 
a cessation of all violence (Ref A). 
 
¶2. (C) Israeli ambassador to Uruguay Yoel Barnea told DCM 
that he had a positive conversation January 7 with acting FM 
Pedro Vaz. Vaz said that three principles guide Uruguay's 
foreign policy: compliance with international law; human 
rights; and solutions by peaceful means.  Uruguay's hope is 
that those principles are applied in the Middle East, Vaz 
said.  Barnea explained the reasons the GOI felt it had to go 
into Gaza, the results it seeks, and Israel's regrets over 
the loss of innocent life. 
 
¶3. (U) All local print, radio, and television sources are 
providing ample daily coverage of the conflict in Gaza with 
featured press in the international news sections and special 
correspondent reports in the morning and evening news.  In 
general, the press laments the violence but supports Israel's 
right to defend itself.  Only the far-left daily La Republica 
has evinced a strong sympathy with the Palestinians and 
condemned Israel's actions.  Many media outlets identify the 
coming U.S. administration, specifically president-elect 
Obama and Secretary designate Hillary Clinton, as the only 
possible mediators to broker peace in Gaza. 
 
¶4. (C) Comment: Uruguay's measured tones on this subject 
demonstrate its pragmatism and the value Uruguayans place on 
a balanced foreign policy.  Under FM Fernandez, the 
government has worked hard to strengthen its relationship 
with both Israel and the Arab world.  This underlines again 
the important role that Uruguay plays in the region and the 
world. 
 
¶5. (U) Informal translation of the MFA's December 29th public 
statement: 
 
The Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay expresses 
its deep sorrow and concern for the conflicts developing in 
the Middle East and the Gaza Strip, and deplores the 
escalation of violence that has caused innumerable victims, 
especially in the civilian population.  These acts damage and 
put at risk efforts toward a negotiated and peaceful solution 
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
 
The Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay urges the 
parties involved to make all necessary efforts to stop all 
types of hostilities, and to effect a truce that will permit 
the re-establishment of a constructive dialogue in search of 
a negotiated solution that will lead to security, stability, 
and the peaceful co-existence of the peoples of the region. 
End translation. 
 
Baxter