Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV2940
2005-05-10 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
FINANCE MINISTRY DIRECTOR GENERAL TELLS AMBASSADOR
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 002940
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2015
TAGS: ECON EFIN KWBG IS ECONOMY AND FINANCE ISRAEL RELATIONS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: FINANCE MINISTRY DIRECTOR GENERAL TELLS AMBASSADOR
GOI ASSISTANCE REQUEST STILL AT PLANNING STAGE
Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 002940
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2015
TAGS: ECON EFIN KWBG IS ECONOMY AND FINANCE ISRAEL RELATIONS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: FINANCE MINISTRY DIRECTOR GENERAL TELLS AMBASSADOR
GOI ASSISTANCE REQUEST STILL AT PLANNING STAGE
Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador met May 9 with Finance
Ministry DG Yossi Bachar to discuss a full range of bilateral
economic issues, including Israel's request for U.S.
assistance to promote Negev/Galilee development, an overview
of the recently-concluded Joint Economic Development Group
(JEDG) meeting, IPR and other issues. During the meeting,
Bachar:
-- Noted the GOI has not yet fleshed out its plans for the
Negev/Galilee regions and the issue was not likely to be
raised formally by the GOI in the upcoming visit of PM Sharon
to the U.S.;
-- Said he would be chairing a meeting May 24 with all
involved ministries to consider next steps on the issue and
that he might travel to the U.S. for further discussions on
the issue;
-- Said the GOI did not yet have an exact accounting of its
disengagement expenses to provide to the USG, in part because
the possibility existed that the GOI would pay more for
compensation if it would help secure a successful, peaceful
disengagement;
-- Noted the April JEDG meeting had gone "smoothly" and MoF
and Embassy staffs were working on closing out remaining 2005
terms sheet issues;
-- Explained that he had possibly misspoken at the JEDG when
he claimed GOI legislation includes a 3.4% budget deficit
target, including disengagement, for 2006 as well as for
2005. Bachar promised to provide clarification soon;
-- Admitted he felt the GOI could have done more on IPR and
promised to look into ways to deal with the issue;
-- Promised to help resolve a major tax issue involving the
American International School; and
-- Said he would look into the GOI's purchase of a non-U.S.
scanner for the Haifa port utilizing US FMF funding.
End Summary
--------------
Israeli Negev/Galilee
Assistance Request "Not Ready"
--------------
2. (C) Bachar briefed the Ambassador on Israel's request for
U.S. assistance for Negev and Galilee development. He said
he had participated in a useful meeting with Deputy National
Security Advisor for Economic Affairs Shirzad, in which
Bachar had outlined some of the GOI's thinking on the issue.
Bachar termed the meeting a "kickoff" in which the "rules of
the game" had been discussed. Bachar said the GOI was
thinking along the lines of a long-term development plan
augmented by U.S. assistance, and not in terms of U.S.
assistance somehow related to an undefined plan. Bachar said
the meeting did not focus on potential U.S. assistance for
Israeli disengagement. Furthermore, it had generated no
follow-up taskings. Bachar seriously doubted whether the GOI
would be in a position to raise assistance for either
Negev/Galilee or for disengagement during the PM's scheduled
May 24-25 visit to Washington, although he noted he might
travel to Washington for further discussions.
3. (C) Bachar said the idea for resuscitating GOI plans for
the Negev and Galilee had originated with the PM's Director
General Ilan Cohen. Since then, Shimon Peres had taken the
lead on the civilian aspects of the development plan. Bachar
said the concept of such development was not new, but noted
that the GOI had decided to give them a newly energized push.
Bachar expected to chair a meeting of all involved
ministries on May 24 to consider next steps on the project.
4. (C) The Ambassador reminded Bachar that the USG was
waiting for an estimate of disengagement costs, which would
fulfill a request made by U/S Larson late in 2004. Bachar
noted that the GOI did not yet have "precise" numbers for
disengagement, noting that the main area of uncertainty
remained in the civilian sphere. The GOI, Bachar stressed,
would do almost whatever it took in order to make certain
disengagement went smoothly. If this took further
expenditures to keep the settlers quiet, so be it. Although
it was possible such expenditures could result in a higher
2006 deficit than currently estimated, Bachar said he was
committed to preventing such an outcome. Bachar hinted that
one reason the GOI did not want to provide an exact estimate
of disengagement expenses was that such an estimate would
provide settlers a stronger position from which to bargain
for higher compensation levels.
--------------
JEDG: A Good Meeting
--------------
5. (C) Bachar summed up the recently-concluded Joint Economic
Development Group (JEDG) meeting by noting that it had "gone
smoothly." MoF staff, he noted, were now working with the
Embassy to help iron out the details of the 2005 terms sheet.
(Note: The terms sheet outlines the specific economic terms
Israel must meet to receive future tranches of loan
guarantees. End Note) On a related note, Bachar said that
he believed he had erred when he informed A/S Wayne during
the JEDG that GOI legislation had institutionalized a deficit
level of 3.4 percent, with disengagement, for both 2005 and
2006, "I believe the legislation includes a specific level
for 2005 only." Bachar promised to supply the Embassy with
more specific information soon. The Ambassador noted that,
in relation to the Loan Guarantee Agreement, the U.S. had not
taken any settlement deductions since 2003. As a result, and
in view of Israel's continued funding of settlements, the GOI
had run up a potentially significant amount of future
deductions. Bachar said he recognized this fact. Econ
Deputy raised FinMin Netanyahu's reported intention to issue
a new, ambitious program of tax reductions this year, and
asked how Bachar saw that relating to the LGA language urging
the GOI to give due consideration to the reduction of Israeli
debt/GDP levels. Bachar responded that, although the GOI was
also concerned about overall debt levels, states with high
tax rates were at an economic disadvantage internationally.
---
IPR
---
6. (C) The Ambassador noted that, in the 2004 terms sheet,
the GOI had agreed to try to work out differences with the
U.S. on IPR. This had not yet happened, and Israel had now
been placed on the Priority Watch List. Although it was
unlikely Israel would be moved even higher on the list and
thus be subject to possible sanctions, the Ambassador noted
PWL was not a good place to be and urged Bachar to help out.
While noting that the MoF did not have primary action on the
issue, Bachar noted that "frankly, I think we could have done
better on this issue" and promised to see if he could help in
some way. The Ambassador also noted negative developments on
the patent term extension and promised to provide Bachar more
specific information on the issue.
--------------
American School Tax Issue
--------------
7. (C) The Economic Counselor outlined a disagreement
between the American International School and the GOI tax
authorities relating to whether the school would have to pay
VAT tax on property it had purchased for its new campus.
According to an agreement reached in the 1960s between then
Ambassador Barbour and then PM Golda Meir, the GOI agreed to
consider the school legally the same as the Embassy for tax
purposes. Unfortunately, it appeared the GOI was taking
advantage of the school's expansion to reevaluate this
agreement, a move that was in neither country's interest.
The Ambassador noted imposing a new tax on such a major
purchase could unnecessarily put the school's future into
question. Bachar appeared genuinely concerned over the
disagreement and promised to speak to the tax authorities to
reach a resolution.
--------------
Haifa Port Scanner
--------------
8. (C) The Ambassador closed out the meeting by noting the
GOI had decided to utilize USG FMF funding to purchase a
non-U.S. origin scanner at Haifa port. This was against both
the spirit and the letter of FMF and was unacceptable.
Bachar asked for more information on the issue and promised
to do what he could to correct the problem.
--------------
Bachar Committee
Recommendations to Knesset
--------------
9. (C) Bachar noted that, in spite of all the work the
ministry was doing to make certain disengagement proceeded
successfully, it had not dropped economic reform. In just
one example, he said that his own recommendations for
financial market reform would be submitted to the Knesset the
week of May 20.
********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
KURTZER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2015
TAGS: ECON EFIN KWBG IS ECONOMY AND FINANCE ISRAEL RELATIONS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: FINANCE MINISTRY DIRECTOR GENERAL TELLS AMBASSADOR
GOI ASSISTANCE REQUEST STILL AT PLANNING STAGE
Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador met May 9 with Finance
Ministry DG Yossi Bachar to discuss a full range of bilateral
economic issues, including Israel's request for U.S.
assistance to promote Negev/Galilee development, an overview
of the recently-concluded Joint Economic Development Group
(JEDG) meeting, IPR and other issues. During the meeting,
Bachar:
-- Noted the GOI has not yet fleshed out its plans for the
Negev/Galilee regions and the issue was not likely to be
raised formally by the GOI in the upcoming visit of PM Sharon
to the U.S.;
-- Said he would be chairing a meeting May 24 with all
involved ministries to consider next steps on the issue and
that he might travel to the U.S. for further discussions on
the issue;
-- Said the GOI did not yet have an exact accounting of its
disengagement expenses to provide to the USG, in part because
the possibility existed that the GOI would pay more for
compensation if it would help secure a successful, peaceful
disengagement;
-- Noted the April JEDG meeting had gone "smoothly" and MoF
and Embassy staffs were working on closing out remaining 2005
terms sheet issues;
-- Explained that he had possibly misspoken at the JEDG when
he claimed GOI legislation includes a 3.4% budget deficit
target, including disengagement, for 2006 as well as for
2005. Bachar promised to provide clarification soon;
-- Admitted he felt the GOI could have done more on IPR and
promised to look into ways to deal with the issue;
-- Promised to help resolve a major tax issue involving the
American International School; and
-- Said he would look into the GOI's purchase of a non-U.S.
scanner for the Haifa port utilizing US FMF funding.
End Summary
--------------
Israeli Negev/Galilee
Assistance Request "Not Ready"
--------------
2. (C) Bachar briefed the Ambassador on Israel's request for
U.S. assistance for Negev and Galilee development. He said
he had participated in a useful meeting with Deputy National
Security Advisor for Economic Affairs Shirzad, in which
Bachar had outlined some of the GOI's thinking on the issue.
Bachar termed the meeting a "kickoff" in which the "rules of
the game" had been discussed. Bachar said the GOI was
thinking along the lines of a long-term development plan
augmented by U.S. assistance, and not in terms of U.S.
assistance somehow related to an undefined plan. Bachar said
the meeting did not focus on potential U.S. assistance for
Israeli disengagement. Furthermore, it had generated no
follow-up taskings. Bachar seriously doubted whether the GOI
would be in a position to raise assistance for either
Negev/Galilee or for disengagement during the PM's scheduled
May 24-25 visit to Washington, although he noted he might
travel to Washington for further discussions.
3. (C) Bachar said the idea for resuscitating GOI plans for
the Negev and Galilee had originated with the PM's Director
General Ilan Cohen. Since then, Shimon Peres had taken the
lead on the civilian aspects of the development plan. Bachar
said the concept of such development was not new, but noted
that the GOI had decided to give them a newly energized push.
Bachar expected to chair a meeting of all involved
ministries on May 24 to consider next steps on the project.
4. (C) The Ambassador reminded Bachar that the USG was
waiting for an estimate of disengagement costs, which would
fulfill a request made by U/S Larson late in 2004. Bachar
noted that the GOI did not yet have "precise" numbers for
disengagement, noting that the main area of uncertainty
remained in the civilian sphere. The GOI, Bachar stressed,
would do almost whatever it took in order to make certain
disengagement went smoothly. If this took further
expenditures to keep the settlers quiet, so be it. Although
it was possible such expenditures could result in a higher
2006 deficit than currently estimated, Bachar said he was
committed to preventing such an outcome. Bachar hinted that
one reason the GOI did not want to provide an exact estimate
of disengagement expenses was that such an estimate would
provide settlers a stronger position from which to bargain
for higher compensation levels.
--------------
JEDG: A Good Meeting
--------------
5. (C) Bachar summed up the recently-concluded Joint Economic
Development Group (JEDG) meeting by noting that it had "gone
smoothly." MoF staff, he noted, were now working with the
Embassy to help iron out the details of the 2005 terms sheet.
(Note: The terms sheet outlines the specific economic terms
Israel must meet to receive future tranches of loan
guarantees. End Note) On a related note, Bachar said that
he believed he had erred when he informed A/S Wayne during
the JEDG that GOI legislation had institutionalized a deficit
level of 3.4 percent, with disengagement, for both 2005 and
2006, "I believe the legislation includes a specific level
for 2005 only." Bachar promised to supply the Embassy with
more specific information soon. The Ambassador noted that,
in relation to the Loan Guarantee Agreement, the U.S. had not
taken any settlement deductions since 2003. As a result, and
in view of Israel's continued funding of settlements, the GOI
had run up a potentially significant amount of future
deductions. Bachar said he recognized this fact. Econ
Deputy raised FinMin Netanyahu's reported intention to issue
a new, ambitious program of tax reductions this year, and
asked how Bachar saw that relating to the LGA language urging
the GOI to give due consideration to the reduction of Israeli
debt/GDP levels. Bachar responded that, although the GOI was
also concerned about overall debt levels, states with high
tax rates were at an economic disadvantage internationally.
---
IPR
---
6. (C) The Ambassador noted that, in the 2004 terms sheet,
the GOI had agreed to try to work out differences with the
U.S. on IPR. This had not yet happened, and Israel had now
been placed on the Priority Watch List. Although it was
unlikely Israel would be moved even higher on the list and
thus be subject to possible sanctions, the Ambassador noted
PWL was not a good place to be and urged Bachar to help out.
While noting that the MoF did not have primary action on the
issue, Bachar noted that "frankly, I think we could have done
better on this issue" and promised to see if he could help in
some way. The Ambassador also noted negative developments on
the patent term extension and promised to provide Bachar more
specific information on the issue.
--------------
American School Tax Issue
--------------
7. (C) The Economic Counselor outlined a disagreement
between the American International School and the GOI tax
authorities relating to whether the school would have to pay
VAT tax on property it had purchased for its new campus.
According to an agreement reached in the 1960s between then
Ambassador Barbour and then PM Golda Meir, the GOI agreed to
consider the school legally the same as the Embassy for tax
purposes. Unfortunately, it appeared the GOI was taking
advantage of the school's expansion to reevaluate this
agreement, a move that was in neither country's interest.
The Ambassador noted imposing a new tax on such a major
purchase could unnecessarily put the school's future into
question. Bachar appeared genuinely concerned over the
disagreement and promised to speak to the tax authorities to
reach a resolution.
--------------
Haifa Port Scanner
--------------
8. (C) The Ambassador closed out the meeting by noting the
GOI had decided to utilize USG FMF funding to purchase a
non-U.S. origin scanner at Haifa port. This was against both
the spirit and the letter of FMF and was unacceptable.
Bachar asked for more information on the issue and promised
to do what he could to correct the problem.
--------------
Bachar Committee
Recommendations to Knesset
--------------
9. (C) Bachar noted that, in spite of all the work the
ministry was doing to make certain disengagement proceeded
successfully, it had not dropped economic reform. In just
one example, he said that his own recommendations for
financial market reform would be submitted to the Knesset the
week of May 20.
********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
KURTZER