This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000599 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/ANP, 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2014 
TAGS: PREL NZ UNGA
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE ON ICJ ADVISORY OPINION ON 
ISRAELI SECURITY BARRIER 
 
REF: STATE 152014 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COUNSELOR 
TIMOTHY ZUNIGA-BROWN, FOR REASONS 1.5(B,D) 
 
 ¶1. (SBU/NF) Post delivered reftel demarche to Moira Turley, 
Middle East and Africa Division, New Zealand Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT.)  Despite strong support for 
the U.S. position, Turley stated that the GoNZ is deferring a 
final decision on its vote until it has seen the final text 
of the UNGA resolution.  Turley noted that the GoNZ agreed 
that the issue should not have been referred to the ICJ, and 
had publicly called for Israel to cease construction of the 
wall and return to the negotiating table.  Turley referred to 
a statement by New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Phil 
Goff, which noted that the wall is a barrier to the concept 
of a two-state solution, and impeded the right of the 
Palestinians to self-determination.  In his statement, Goff 
took the opportunity to call for the implementation of the 
Roadmap promoted by the U.S., UN, EU and Russia-- which New 
Zealand fully supports. 
 
¶2. (U) Begin Text of NZ FM Goff statement: 
 
Hon. Phil Goff 
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
Media Statement 
10 July 2004 
 
New Zealand has welcomed a strong ruling by the International 
Court of Justice that Israel's West bank barrier is illegal 
and that construction of it should be stopped immediately. 
 
Foreign Minister Phil Goff said the International Court, by 
an overwhelming 14-1 majority, had found that the barrier's 
construction was &tantamount to annexation8 and impeded the 
Palestinians, right to self-determination. 
 
&This decision comes on top of a recent Israeli High Court 
decision requiring the Israeli Defence Force to look again at 
the route of part of the wall,8 Mr. Goff said. 
 
&Israel needs to take serious note of the court's ruling, 
and of international opinion.  While it has a valid right to 
protect its people from suicide bombings, the construction of 
any wall should be on its legal 1967 border. 
 
&A combination of the wall built deep into occupied 
territory and the continued building of Israeli settlements 
on land it does not have rights to under international law, 
makes Israel's action look like de facto annexation. 
 
&I have personally seen the impact that the wall has had on 
Palestinian people; isolating towns, separating farmers from 
their land, and dividing families. 
 
&Even the Israeli High Court has ruled that the hardships 
experienced by Palestinians because of the wall were 
disproportionate to any benefit Israeli received through 
protection of its citizens. 
 
&The wall is a barrier to the concept of a two-state 
solution and to implementing the Roadmap promoted by the 
United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia, 
which New Zealand supports 
 
&New Zealand reiterates its own call for Israel to cease 
construction of the wall, in line with the International 
Court's ruling.  Both sides must come back to the negotiating 
table, which is the only path for achieving a sustainable 
peace,8 Mr. Goff said. 
 
End text. 
 
¶3. (C/NF) Comment:  Although the GoNZ agrees that the focus 
should remain on the Roadmap as a means to a peaceful 
settlement, it is unlikely to convert from an abstention to a 
no vote.  The GoNZ prides itself on its multi-lateral 
credentials and increasingly looks to the NAM for cover.  On 
this as on other issues, the GoNZ will likely see converting 
to a no vote as undermining NZ's ability to work with a 
"broad range" of parties (read NAM) in the UN. 
Swindells