MESSAGE TO THE ARAB LEAGUE: REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000545 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF AND AF/E; LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV IO IS SY DJ SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO THE ARAB LEAGUE: REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR ADVANCING THE PEACE PROCESS REF: SECSTATE 97599 Classified By: Pol/Econ Erinn C. Stott for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ delivered demarche per reftel 2 June to Director of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ali Hassan. Hassan replied the peace process was a sensitive issue to all Arab states. He continued that he believed Israel had a great deal of responsibility to take in the peace process. He stated that Arab countries have already taken the step of making a proposition to Israel during the Beirut Summit in 2002, that it was a decisive decision on the part of the Arab League and it was up to Israel to respond. He said he was optimistic with the new Palestinian leadership. Hassan said he believed the U.S. has shown an increased commitment to resolving the issue and that move has been appreciated by the Arab countries. He said it is very essential for this problem to be solved and each time the Arab League holds a summit, the mood is for positive movement forward on the issue. He continued that major issues such as settlements and the continued building of the wall could not be skipped. He commented that a comprehensive and sustainable solution is needed, but there is a great deal of responsibility that lies on the shoulders of Israel. He finally added that Djibouti has always supported the U.S.'s leadership role in this issue, but would like to see more commitment to finding a resolution. ¶2. (C) Hassan said he was not familiar with the Magen David Adom issue and would defer this to MFA's Director for International Organizations. RAGSDALE