Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV4112
2005-06-29 13:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

MFA DEMANDS EGYPT DO MORE TO PREVENT SMUGGLING

Tags:  PREL PGOV PREF PTER KWBG EG JO IS GOI EXTERNAL 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004112 

SIPDIS

NEA FOR WELCH, CHENEY/DIBBLE, E.
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2010
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PTER KWBG EG JO IS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: MFA DEMANDS EGYPT DO MORE TO PREVENT SMUGGLING
ALONG GAZA BORDER


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004112

SIPDIS

NEA FOR WELCH, CHENEY/DIBBLE, E.
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2010
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PTER KWBG EG JO IS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: MFA DEMANDS EGYPT DO MORE TO PREVENT SMUGGLING
ALONG GAZA BORDER


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


1. (C) Summary: Israeli MFA Director General Ron Prosor
stressed to visiting NEA A/S Welch, DNSA Elliott Abrams, and
the Ambassador June 17 that Egypt is doing "less than the
minimum necessary" to stop smuggling along the Egyptian-Gaza
border. Prosor floated the idea of allowing the Badr Brigade
to deploy along the Philadelphi Corridor and secure the
border from the Gaza side, an idea he said had been broached
recently by former Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Moulki.
With suitable safeguards in place, such as requiring the
brigade members, families to remain in Jordan, Prosor said
he thought the idea had some merit. Prosor expressed concern
that the June 16 EU statement that EU election monitors would
have contact with Hamas candidates as required in the course
of their duties could open the way for eventual recognition
of a political arm of Hamas. He denied absolutely that any
GOI officials, including COGAT officers coordinating
municipal affairs in the occupied territories, knowingly have
any contact with Hamas, saying that all contact is now routed
through PA ministries to avoid any occurrence. The GOI will
support Acting UNRWA Commissioner General Karen Abu Zayd for
the top position. End Summary.

--------------
Egypt Must do More to Fight Smuggling
--------------


2. (C) Israeli MFA Director General Ron Prosor, Deputy
Director General for North America Yoram Ben Ze'ev and senior
staff stressed that Egypt must do more to prevent smuggling
along the Gaza-Egyptian border in a June 17 meeting with
Deputy National Security Advisor Elliott Abrams, NEA
Assistant Secretary David Welch, and the Ambassador. Prosor
forcefully maintained that the GOE is "doing less than the
minimum required," while at the same time conditioning
further Egyptian efforts on an agreement with Israel on

establishing an Egyptian force along the border. The GOI
insists that Egypt take what Prosor termed "irrevocable
steps" to secure the border. A/S Welch agreed that Egypt
needed to do more, adding that the U.S. continues to press
the GOE directly on this issue.

--------------
Return of the Badr Brigade?
--------------


3. (C) Prosor floated possibly allowing the Badr Brigade to
deploy along Gaza's Philadelphi Corridor and secure the
border, an idea he said was broached to him in mid-June by
former Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Moulki and that he
though had some merit. Brigade members, families would be
required to stay in Jordan, sidestepping for the time being
right of return issues. No promises would be made with
regard to any return to the West Bank, but a successful
deployment in Gaza would position the brigade well for the
future. Finally, Prosor said that deploying the Brigade in
Gaza would help strengthen PA Minister of Interior Nasir
Yusif. Prosor said the MFA is checking to determine whether
the idea is an official or private initiative and would
present it to PM Sharon.

--------------
MFA Pushes Back Against EU Statement on Hamas
--------------


4. (C) Prosor also expressed GOI concern over the EU
statement that EU election monitors will, in the context of
monitoring the Palestinian Legislative Council election
campaign, "have contacts with all candidates," including
those of Hamas. A/S Welch reiterated that the U.S. policy
prohibiting contact with Hamas remains unchanged, adding that
the UK presidency in July might see a more cautious EU
approach on this issue. Prosor responded that the GOI is
worried that any EU contact with Hamas, even in the limited
context of election monitoring, will pave the way for
eventual recognition of a political arm of the organization
and the subsequent death of the roadmap. "If we don't make a
point now," Prosor said, "it will get away from us."


5. (C) Prosor and his team categorically denied that, after
a recent news story reported that COGAT officers had met with
Hamas municipal officials in the course of their duties, any
COGAT had any/any knowing contact with any Hamas-affiliated
individuals. All GOI or COGAT contact with municipalities
now goes exclusively through the relevant PA ministry, where
the GOI could be relatively assured that they would not
inadvertently come into contact with Hamas. Asked what
conditions the GOI would impose should it find itself in a
position where an issue was either so important or so urgent
that contact absolutely must be made, Prosor insisted that
the GOI had no criteria -- period. There would be no
contact. Prosor suggested that the GOI and the U.S. might
work together to develop joint criteria as a contingency.

--------------
Hizballah Provocations and KAZ for ComGen
--------------


6. (C) Prosor complained that Hizballah is trying to use a
water dispute in the northern town of Ghajar to provoke a
confrontation with Israel aimed, in Prosor's view, at shoring
up Hizballah's position as defender of Lebanon among the
Lebanese public. Prosor agreed with the Ambassador that
general provocations of this type are not new, but maintained
that the Syrian withdrawal provided a new context for them
that bears watching. Ben Ze'ev remarked that, since Canadian
Special Envoy to the Middle East Jill Sinclair declined to be
considered for UNRWA Commissioner General, the GOI would
support Acting ComGen Karen Abu Zayd for the top post.


7. (U) A/S Welch and DNSA Abrams cleared this message.

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