Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV4799
2005-08-03 11:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

SHARON AND CHIRAC'S PARIS HONEYMOON: DOWNPLAYING

Tags:  PREL PTER MNUC FR IR 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 004799 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER MNUC FR IR IS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: SHARON AND CHIRAC'S PARIS HONEYMOON: DOWNPLAYING
CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

REF: PARIS 5263

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b
,d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004799

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER MNUC FR IR IS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: SHARON AND CHIRAC'S PARIS HONEYMOON: DOWNPLAYING
CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

REF: PARIS 5263

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b
,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. In an August 2 meeting, French Charge
d'Affaires Christophe Bigot told the DCM that Prime Minister
Sharon and French President Jacques Chirac agreed in advance
to downplay their differences on peace-process issues and
instead focus on enhancing bilateral relations during
Sharon's three-day visit to Paris. Bigot attributed the
success of Sharon's visit to four factors: (1) the death of
Yasir Arafat, who, Bigot noted, had been friendly with
Chirac; (2) agreement on issues related to Lebanon, Syria,
and Iran, all of interest to Israel; (3) a good chemistry
between Chirac and Sharon; and, (4) France's actions to
combat domestic anti-Semitism. The most specific issue
related to disengagement raised by Chirac during the visit,
Bigot noted, was Chirac's request that Sharon allow the
Palestinian Authority (PA) to receive lethal aid to help
re-build the PA's security forces. Bigot highlighted that
the GOF is already planning a visit by Foreign Minister
Philippe Douste-Blazy for September 4, a possible visit by
its defense minister, and high-level GOF representation at
the November anniversary of slain former PM Yitchak Rabin, to
build on Israeli-French rapprochement. The French
acknowledged a dramatic turn in the relationship and now hope
to build on it. END SUMMARY.

--------------
Honeymoon in Paris
--------------


2. (C) French Charge Bigot attributed the overall success of
the Chirac-Sharon meetings to a willingness on both leaders'
part to avoid contentious issues -- mainly on the peace
process and post-disengagement -- and instead focus on
rebuilding their bilateral relationship. Bigot said that
there was GOI-GOF agreement to focus on bilateral issues in
advance of the visit. For example, the two leaders did not
discuss the separation barrier or settlements in any detail,
Bigot said. In response to the DCM's question, Bigot said
that the two leaders did not focus on post-disengagement

issues either. He noted that the GOF did not raise the issue
of an international conference on the Middle East, since it
believes that it would have been senseless to discuss this
issue if the GOI did not already support it.

--------------
Chirac Makes Bid for PA Ammunition Assistance
--------------


3. (C) Bigot noted that while Chirac and Sharon skirted most
peace process and post-disengagement issues, Chirac did make
a bid for Sharon to allow the PA to receive ammunition in
order to re-build its security forces. Chirac was "acting on
behalf of (Secretary Rice)" by making this request, Bigot
underlined. He added that this was "the most clear and
direct request" made by Chirac to Sharon during the visit.

-------------- --------------
GOI and GOF Share Common Interests on Syria, Lebanon, Iran
-------------- --------------


4. (C) One of the main factors, according to Bigot, that
contributed to the success of Sharon's visit, was that GOF
views on Lebanon, Iran, and Syria were now "more connected to
Israel's philosophy" and that Israel and France shared common
interests regarding these countries. Regarding Hizballah,
Bigot underlined that it was surprising that Sharon did not
press for EU designation of Hizballah as a terrorist
organization or raise its opposition to GOF contacts with
Hizballah. Bigot said that, instead, Sharon was more
interested in discussing how to disarm Hizballah. Sharon
also was interested in the extent to which the GOF is
coordinating with the USG on dealing with Hizballah, Bigot
said.


5. (C) Bigot stressed that while Sharon and Chirac wanted to
discuss Iran and Syria, Sharon focused mostly on Iran and the
GOF on Syria. "Sharon always went back to Iran," Bigot
commented, noting that Sharon was very interested in when the
GOF would advocate bringing Iran's nuclear program to the
UNSC. Bigot added that Iran's actions in the coming days to
adhere to its commitment will determine what will be done,
including in the UNSC. Bigot noted that Israel sees France
as taking a stronger stand against Iran's nuclear program, in
comparison to either Germany or the UK.

-------------- --------------
Sharon Acknowledges French Efforts Against Anti-Semitism
-------------- --------------


6. (C) Bigot underlined that another factor contributing to
the visit's success was Sharon's acknowledgment of GOF
actions against domestic acts of anti-Semitism. Bigot noted
that acts of anti-Semitism in France had dropped by half
during the past year, due in large part to the GOF's efforts.
In response to the DCM's query about the GOF's reaction to
Sharon's direct appeal to French Jews to immigrate to Israel,
Bigot noted that the GOF was not offended since Sharon did
not link his immigration appeal to the problem of French
anti-Semitism. Bigot noted that the GOF was offended last
year when Sharon appealed to French Jews to immigrate to
Israel in order to leave what Sharon characterized as an
atmosphere of anti-Semitism. His leaving out the phrase this
time was a welcome and appreciated change, said Bigot.

--------------
Bigot: Israel and France Need to Catch Up
--------------


7. (C) Bigot expressed the hope that Israel and France could
now have a "normal relationship." He noted that during "all
these years (the GOF) had been modest.... and could have been
doing more," specifically in military and intelligence
cooperation. In response to the DCM's query, Bigot said that
the issue of arms trade with China did not come up during
Sharon's visit. He noted that the GOF "is not a strong
advocate of an arms embargo on China" so that it was not a
"natural" issue to discuss. Bigot said that military trade
between Israel and France is not significant and has not been
since the 1967 Six-Day War. He said that the only
cooperation of note is Israeli sales of ammunition to France
and some cooperation concerning UAVs.

--------------
Sharon and Chirac have Chemistry
--------------


8. (C) Bigot also attributed the visit's success to the good
chemistry between Chirac and Sharon (see reftel). Both
leaders served as agriculture ministers, Bigot said, and come
from a "populist approach." He also noted that the
atmosphere between the two leaders had improved because
Arafat is no longer on the scene. Chirac's relationship with
Arafat had been a point of contention with Israel, Bigot
commented. Bigot said that the GOF intends to build upon
this rapprochement, first with a visit by French Foreign
Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy scheduled for September 4, an
upcoming visit by its defense minister, and high-level GOF
representation at the November anniversary of slain former PM
Yitchak Rabin.

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