FM SHALOM QUESTIONS ABU MAZEN'S DETERMINATION IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006383

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2014
TAGS: PREL ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: FM SHALOM QUESTIONS ABU MAZEN'S DETERMINATION IN
MEETING WITH CODEL HAGEL/BIDEN

Classified By: DCM Gene A. Cretz for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: While expressing optimism about the
opportunities presented by the PA transition, FM Shalom, in a
December 1 meeting with Codel Hagel/Biden, questioned Abu
Mazen's commitment to dismantling terrorist infrastructure,
to stopping incitement and to stepping away from Arafat's
legacy. In response to comments by Senators Biden and
Feinstein about limitations on Abu Mazen's capabilities to
exercise security control, Shalom insisted that having the PA
security forces on the PA payroll gives Abu Mazen the levers
he needs to deliver on security. He expressed concern that a
terrorist attack could destroy the opportunities of the
moment if Abu Mazen is not seen at the time to be making
maximum efforts to combat terror. He urged the Codel to help
convince moderate Arab states to reopen embassies in Israel
and/or to return their ambassadors. On other regional
issues, Shalom said Israel does not oppose diplomatic efforts
to block Iran's nuclear aspirations, but that other tools
exist. He called Assad's peace overtures encouraging but
meaningless as long as Assad continues to allow terror groups
to operate against Israel from Syria. END SUMMARY.

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Dealing with the New PA Leadership
--------------


2. (C) In a December 1 meeting with Senators Chuck Hagel,
Joseph Biden, Dianne Feinstein, and Lincoln Chafee (Codel
Hagel/Biden),Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said the GOI
wants to seize the opportunities of the post-Arafat
transition. The GOI, he said, will do all it can to
facilitate the PA elections, but will defer other
coordination until after the elections. Charge, Senate staff
and military escorts from the Codel, and poloff also attended.


3. (C) In other comments about dealing with the new PA
leadership, Shalom said that:

-- Incitement remains a problem. The head of the Palestinian
broadcasting authority had just stated publicly that he had
no instructions to change the content of broadcasts. Abu
Mazen could "easily" deal with incitement "in one day" by
issuing orders against incitement in broadcasting and
textbooks. Shalom said he was optimistic, however, that the
Israeli-Palestinian committee on incitement created when Abu
Mazen was prime minister would soon resume its work.

-- The GOI wants to coordinate with the PA on security
issues. Neither side wants Palestinian extremists to take
over.

-- Disengagement must not be seen as a shortcut to final
status talks. Fulfilling each stage of the roadmap is
essential to building confidence.

-- The GOI will coordinate with Egypt on stopping smuggling
into Gaza, and favors the expansion of QIZs in Egypt.

-- Once the GOI and PA resume negotiations, Arab countries
that reduced the level of their diplomatic contacts with
Israel should reopen their embassies and/or return their
ambassadors. He urged the Codel to use its stop in Jordan to
ask King Abdallah to return Jordan's ambassador to Israel.

-- The first Palestinian terrorist attack against an Israeli
target could be a "catastrophe" for the peace process if the
PA has not already begun doing all it can to dismantle
terrorist infrastructure. Israel "would have to react" and
the situation would regress to what it was before Arafat's
death.


4. (C) Sen. Biden told Shalom that members of the Codel, in
their meeting with Abu Mazen the previous day, had emphasized
the overarching need for Abu Mazen to deal with security
issues. In response, Abu Mazen, according to Biden, said he
would take clear steps on security after the PA elections,
but stressed that he needs help because he does not control
all of the PA security organizations. Biden asked whether
the GOI and PA were trying to reach common assessments of
Abu Mazen's security capabilities.


5. (C) Shalom insisted in his reply that Abu Mazen has the
capabilities required to deal effectively with the terrorist
groups. He questioned, however, whether Abu Mazen has the
will. Shalom asserted that Abu Mazen controls a security
force of 62,000 men, all of whom are on the PA payroll. He
insisted that paying all the security force salaries gives
Abu Mazen all necessary control.


6. (C) Sen. Feinstein told Shalom that Abu Mazen had
impressed her. She said she found him committed to reform,
aware of the need to stop incitement, and a leader with
vision. She asked what the U.S. could do to help Abu Mazen
succeed. Shalom replied that Abu Mazen has the tools he
needs to deliver results. He expressed concern that Abu
Mazen's "first statements" as Arafat's successor spoke about
preserving Arafat's legacy and the Palestinian claim to a
right of return to Israel. Feinstein said that Abu Mazen had
asked for help in unifying the PA security forces. She asked
what could be done to bolster Abu Mazen's position. Shalom
replied that Israel is in favor of support for Abu Mazen, and
that Palestinians need better infrastructure and government
services. Abu Mazen, he said, should do his part by
resettling Palestinians out of refugee camps.

--------------
Regional Issues
--------------


7. (C) Shalom commented that elections in Iraq could have a
dramatic impact on the region by isolating extremist regimes,
such as in Iran. He complained that "the Europeans" did not
take the Iranian threat seriously until Iran developed
missiles capable of reaching Europe. While the GOI does not
oppose diplomatic efforts to block Iran's development of
nuclear weapons, he said that other means exist. He
underlined the need to refer consideration of Iran's nuclear
program to the UN Security Council.


8. (C) Shalom decried Iran's support for terrorism against
Israel, asserting that Iran now sends money to the families
of Palestinian suicide terrorists. Syria, he said, helps
provide Iranian missiles to Hizballah, some 13,000 of which
are now arrayed against Israel. President Assad's peace
overtures to Israel are encouraging, but meaningless, in
Shalom's estimation, if Assad takes no action against
terrorist groups operating from Syria. Asked about the
certainty of GOI assessments about Hizballah's missile
strength, Shalom said that Israel can "see" the missiles, and
that Syria and Hizballah do not deny their existence.


9. (U) Codel staff cleared this message.


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