PRIME MINISTER SHARON ON PRESIDENT ABBAS' EFFORTS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001854

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2005
TAGS: PREL KWBG PTER IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER SHARON ON PRESIDENT ABBAS' EFFORTS,
DISENGAGEMENT, REGIONAL POLITICS


Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told CoDel
Pelosi March 21 that disengagement is a "pre-roadmap" step,
and that real progress will depend on the ability of
President Abbas and the PA to dismantle terrorist
infrastructure. In his view, this has not yet happened,
although Abbas has demonstrated his desire for increased
coordination with Israel on security issues. Sharon noted
that Hamas is becoming a legitimate political factor within
Palestinian society while at the same time continuing
full-steam to build up its military capability. If Hamas
makes significant gains in the upcoming PLC elections, he
warned, it will be in a position to undercut Abbas' policies
by force if necessary. Sharon touched on the issue of the
security fence, emphasizing that Israel would continue to
take into account Palestinian humanitarian issues and the
need for international access to holy sites. On settlements,
Sharon stated that "any community built based on a government
decision" is legal. He also discussed regional issues,
expressing support for greater democracy in Lebanon while
noting that Hizbollah remains a threat to Israel, and stating
that Israel will not attack Iran as a means of preempting its
nuclear agenda. He expressed concern over Iran's growing
arsenal of long-range missiles, and was skeptical that the
Security Council will be able to halt the country's
progression towards nuclear capability.

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Abbas Has Not Done Enough
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2. (C) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told CoDel Pelosi March
21 that he is fully committed to carrying out his
disengagement plan in a timely fashion despite opposition
from the right wing of his own party. He called the current
situation a "pre-roadmap phase", but emphasized that Mahmoud
Abbas and the PA must take specific steps to dismantle
terrorist infrastructure in order for the road map to begin
again in earnest. In Sharon's view, Abbas has made clear his
desire for increased coordination with Israel on security
issues, but has not carried out the weapons seizures and
arrests that are required in order for a total cessation of
hostilities to take place. He noted that despite deployment
of PA forces into the Gaza Strip, weapons smuggling is still
prevalent. "We can only rely on acts in the Middle East, not
words," he quipped, adding incitement against Israel remains
prominent in PA schools.


3. (C) Terrorist factions like Hamas have only temporarily
agreed not to act against Israel, Sharon said, and it will
become increasingly difficult for Abbas to fight terrorism
now that Hamas is strong in Gazan local government. While it
prepares for the July PLC elections, it continues to expand
its arsenal and grow its military capability -- if it makes
significant gains in July, Hamas will be in a position to
"sabotage" Abbas' policies.

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Security Fence Will Take Palestinian Lives,
International Pilgrims into Account
--------------


4. (C) In answer to a question, the Prime Minister noted the
"strictness" of the High Court regarding the security fence,
and said that the GOI had changed the fence route several
times in response to Court decisions. The fence is not
political, he insisted, but has become a hot-button issue all
the same. He emphasized that despite controversy, the fence
has saved many Israeli lives by "preventing Palestinians from
entering Israel." In planning the fence route the GOI has
attempted to minimize its impact on Palestinian livelihoods.
In addition, he said, Israel will continue to prioritize
international access to holy sites, something he noted that
the Ottoman, British, and Jordanian authorities did not allow
while in power.

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Settlements Provide Security
--------------


5. (C) On settlements, Sharon told CoDel Pelosi that "any
community that was built on the basis of any government
decision before 2001 is legal." He said that the GOI and the
Palestinians will work out details on the removal of West
Bank settlements once final status negotiations have begun,
but underscored his view that "major settlements" will remain
part of Israel. Sharon emphasized that settlements provide
Green Line Israel with a measure of security from terrorist
attacks, as well as much-needed stability on water issues.
Israel has always been willing to share water with the
Palestinians, but remains convinced that it must control
water sources, a view reaffirmed by the "speed" with which
the PA ruined the Gaza aquifer.

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Lebanon, Syria, and Iran
--------------


6. (C) Sharon expressed his support for the withdrawal of
Syrian troops from Lebanon and praised anti-Syria
demonstrations there as a step towards democracy. He noted,
however, that Hizbollah troops are still positioned on the
border with Israel, causing daily disturbances and keeping
tensions high. These forces must be dealt with, he said,
before Israel can consider Syrian withdrawal a success. When
that happens, he said, Israel "will be happy to sign a peace
agreement with Lebanon." Sharon also emphasized that while
Israel will not take military action against Iran as a means
of thwarting its nuclear ambitions, he is skeptical that the
Security Council will be able to halt Iran's progress.
Israel is particularly concerned about the 1,500 km range
missiles already in Iran's possession, and the 2,500 km and
even 5,000 km missiles Sharon believes it is developing and
may be fitting for nuclear warheads.


7. (U) CoDel Pelosi did not have the chance to clear this
cable.

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