Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV2436
2005-04-18 14:37:00
SECRET
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

GENERAL WARD AND ISRAELI DEFMIN DISCUSS

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002436 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC KPAL KWBG IS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: GENERAL WARD AND ISRAELI DEFMIN DISCUSS
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN SECURITY ISSUES

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Gene A. Cretz; Reasons: 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002436

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC KPAL KWBG IS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: GENERAL WARD AND ISRAELI DEFMIN DISCUSS
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN SECURITY ISSUES

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Gene A. Cretz; Reasons: 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).


1. (C) Summary: Lieutenant General Ward and the Charge met
with Defense Minister Mofaz in Tel Aviv on April 13, 2005, to
review the current security situation in Israel and the
Occupied Territories. General Ward said he sees the lack of
trust and partnership on both sides as contributing to a
negative atmosphere that undermines Israel's main peace
partner, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas. He
suggested that the GOI consider ways to move forward on the
discussions of fugitives and the handover of Qalqilya to the
PA security forces, and improve movement and quality of life
for the Palestinians. Mofaz agreed that Abbas is a serious
partner, but charged that the PA has violated its agreement
on fugitives, failed to prevent rocket attacks against
Israel, and is sending mixed signals on weapons smuggling
from the Sinai. Mofaz insisted that the PA act quickly to
both coordinate disengagement from Gaza/the northern West
Bank and confront Palestinian terrorist organizations. End
Summary.

-------------- ---
Building Trust and a Capable Partner;
Israeli Complaints About PA Actions and Inaction
-------------- ---


2. (C) General Ward updated the minister on how he views
current progress with the Palestinian Authority, calling the
situation "not all good, but also not all bad." General Ward
said he sees the lack of trust and partnership on both sides
as contributing to the focus on negative issues. He
expressed concern that this strategy runs the risk of
becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy and urged the GOI to move
beyond the "glass half-empty" approach. General Ward agreed
that President Abbas's actions to date are imperfect and
incomplete. He cautioned the minister, however, that
constant references to the PA's failures could undermine
Abbas in a way that is not in Israeli or U.S. interests.
General Ward said that if Abbas is the best partner
available, then Israel and the United States should try to
assist him and acknowledge any positive steps he makes.

Specifically, General Ward suggested that finding a way to
move forward on the discussions of fugitives and the handover
of Qalqilya to the PA security forces, and to improve
movement and quality of life for the Palestinians could
assist Abbas in his efforts.


3. (C) Mofaz agreed that the GOI views Abbas as a serious
partner, but then repeated the GOI's "glass half-empty" view
of the PA's performance to date. Mofaz insisted that the PA
must act quickly to coordinate disengagement from Gaza/the
northern West Bank and must also confront Palestinian
terrorist organizations. He complained that time is running
out for the PA to name a person or agency to coordinate
disengagement. (Note: PA Prime Minister Ahmad Quraya',
Minister of Civil Affairs Mohammed Dahlan, and Interior
Minister Nasser Yusif all have disengagement roles. End
note). On security, Mofaz said the GOI believes that the
terror organizations are getting stronger and that no PA
security agency is dealing with them on the ground. He
acknowledged that Abbas understands the problem, but claimed
that PA forces do not obey the President's occasional orders
to take action. The result, Mofaz said, is that Abbas
coordinates his moves with both the PA and the terror
organizations, but controls neither.


4. (C) On the subject of fugitives, Mofaz agreed that the GOI
should continue its efforts to make progress and noted that
the GOI-PA fugitive committee would meet "this week or next."
He charged that the PA has clearly violated the agreement on
fugitives. Mofaz said the two sides had agreed that the
fugitives must disarm, desist from terrorist attacks, submit
to supervision by the PA, and exclude themselves from
membership in PA security organizations. He complained that
15 of the 17 Jericho fugitives had been accepted into the PA
security forces after promising to renounce terrorism, a
direct violation of the agreement. (Note: The PA has a
different interpretation of the agreement. Interior Minister
Nasser Yusif told ConGen Jerusalem that the Sharm al-Shaykh
understanding does not exclude fugitives from joining the PA
security services, and maintained that absorbing fugitives is
the most effective tactic available to the PA to bring
militants under control. Yusif also claimed that all of the
Jericho fugitives on the IDF's list are under PA supervision,
as are all of the Tulkarm fugitives on the list except for
four individuals who fled the city. End note).


5. (C) The minister also protested the PA's unwillingness or
inability to prevent the firing of "nearly 100" rockets and
missiles at Israeli targets on April 9. Addressing the
incident that preceded the attacks, Mofaz said that there was
no question that the three Palestinian youths killed by the
IDF near the Philadelphi fence had been smuggling weapons.
General Ward acknowledged the seriousness of the rocket
attacks. He suggested that an IDF review of procedures for
the use of deadly force might help limit the negative effects
of future provocations. Mofaz agreed, saying the IDF would
impose "strict regulations" to ensure that similar incidents
do not recur in the current tense atmosphere.


6. (C) After listening to Mofaz's points, General Ward noted
that he has a strong two-fold message for President Abbas.
First, the PA needs to end personnel discussions and appoint
new security chiefs who can make progress on reform, training
and effective operations. Second, the PA needs to coordinate
with the GOI on disengagement. General Ward reiterated his
suggestions that both sides look for ways to create a more
positive atmosphere. He also repeated his suggestion that
the GOI consider actions to strengthen Abbas's ability to
make progress.

--------------
Update on Smuggling Activities from the Sinai
--------------


7. (S) According to Mofaz, internal turmoil in the PA is
undermining the anti-tunnel work in the Philadelphi Strip.
He said the Preventive Security Organization is working to
locate and destroy tunnels at the same time that PA Military
Intelligence is smuggling weapons and contraband through the
tunnels. Mofaz updated General Ward on a recent
anti-smuggling operation on the Israel-Egypt border in which
the IDF intercepted 66 Kalashnikov rifles being transported
into Israel from the Sinai. Mofaz claimed that smugglers are
increasing their efforts to move weapons from the Sinai to
the West Bank, noting that the IDF is stopping some -- but
not nearly all -- of this activity.

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