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