UN/EU/WEOG/ISRAEL: EU MAY RELENT AT CND, UNEP, ILO

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002990

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2014
TAGS: PREL AORC IS NL KCRM UNEP WIPO ILO EUN
SUBJECT: UN/EU/WEOG/ISRAEL: EU MAY RELENT AT CND, UNEP, ILO

REF: A. THE HAGUE 2870

B. STATE 235219

C. ROME 4280

Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).


1. (C) The EU is looking anew at ways to include Israel in
WEOG deliberations, particularly in the CND, UNEP and IOL,
Pieter Ramaer (MFA deputy in the UN department) told Poloff
November 16. At the EU's CONUN meeting November 15, Ramaer
reported, the Dutch circulated our ref b notes (that we had
discussed with them, ref a) and the meeting "went into them
in detail." "EU Partners agreed to take a fresh look at
options in various fora," Ramaer said. He conceded that the
EU might see this as an opportunity to win points with Israel
at this critical time by relenting where possible on Israeli
WEOG participation.


2. (C) Elaborating for Poloff on November 16, Marwieke
Tillema, of the same office, said the Dutch have asked their
Ambassadors in Vienna, Nairobi, and Geneva to canvass EU
partners for advice on the implications of any changes and
then report back to The Hague prior to the next CONUN on
December 6. At that meeting, the EU wil see if they can make
some kind of positive decision on including Israel in WEOGs
outside of New York.

COMMENT


3. (C) Ramaer's comments may indicate fresh momentum for
WEOG to admit Israel, for example in less-politicized fora
such as CND, UNEP, and ILO. The Dutch, at least, appear
sensitive to the idea that giving Israel this long-sought
prize could improve relations with Europe (and Isreali views
of the Quartet) at a critical moment. It may be useful to
follow up Dutch approaches in Vienna, Nairobi, and Geneva to
see if this issue develops any traction.
SOBEL