MFA ADVISES GIVING HAMAS TIME TO CHANGE, AVOIDING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000336

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KWBG AG
SUBJECT: MFA ADVISES GIVING HAMAS TIME TO CHANGE, AVOIDING
"SANCTIONS"

REF: STATE 27174

Classified By: Ambassador Richard W. Erdman, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) MFA Director General for Arab Affairs Bouzaher told
Ambassador, visiting NEA/MAG Director Jordan, and DCM January
26 that while Algeria agreed with the U.S. that Hamas must
change its position on peace with Israel, they disagreed
about "imposing sanctions." Bouzaher advised the U.S. and
Europe to "stick with the logic of respecting democratic
elections." Hamas would need to focus on maintaining a truce
and forming a government, and then it would have to address
the Palestinian people's desire for peace. Bouzaher
confirmed that Algeria would convey this message to Hamas at
the Khartoum Arab summit in March. Ambassador, drawing on
reftel talking points, stressed that while the U.S. welcomed
the Palestinian elections as having been peaceful and fair,
Hamas had to make choices. The U.S. could not provide
assistance to a terrorist organization, but we would continue
to support the humanitarian needs of the Palestinians. MAG
Director Jordan noted the Quartet's requirements that Hamas
abandon violence, recognize Israel, and accept past
agreements. Bouzaher said that once Hamas was in power, it
would have to adapt its rhetoric to reality. Arabs would not
understand, however, if the U.S. insisted on isolating and
sanctioning Hamas without giving it a chance to change. End
Summary.

PEACE PROCESS NOT MOVING BEFORE ELECTIONS
--------------


2. (C) Visiting NEA/MAG Director William Jordan, accompanied
by Ambassador and DCM, called on MFA Director for Arab
Affairs Abdelhamid Bouzaher January 26 (septel will report
discussion of relations with Morocco). Bouzaher began by
saying the election of Hamas was a new factor, but the peace
process had been stalled even before the elections. Algeria
had seen the death of Arafat, the election of Abu Mazen, and
the establishment of a truce which was respected by Hamas as
creating a real opportunity for progress, but Israel's
unilateral actions had complicated the situation. The
withdrawal from Gaza had been carried out outside the
negotiating framework with the PA and had thereby weakened
it. The U.S. had influence with Israel, but did not use it,
he claimed. As of the January 25 elections, the situation
was blocked. The Palestinian vote had reflected a
combination of protest against Fatah corruption and support
for the Hamas program. Hamas had enjoyed both strong
organization and funding "from who knows where."

DON'T IMPOSE "SANCTIONS"
--------------


3. (C) Now that Hamas was assuming power, it would not be
able to function if it insisted on its old positions,
Bouzaher continued. All the Arabs agreed Hamas had to
change, but they disagreed with the U.S. on "imposing
sanctions." He advised the U.S. and Europe to "stick with
the logic of respecting democratic elections." Mahmoud Abbas
remained a symbol of legitimacy. Hamas would need to focus
on keeping the truce and forming a government. They would
also need to address the desire of the Palestinian people for
peace. With time, the Hamas position would have to change.
Ambassador stressed the need for the international community
to send a united message to Hamas. Was Algeria conveying
this message? Bouzaher answered affirmatively and added that
the Khartoum Arab summit in March would provide an important
opportunity to weigh in with Hamas. The Palestinians,
including Hamas, understood Israel better than other Arabs,
he said, noting that Hamas' position would evolve in tandem
with Israel's.

HAMAS FACES CHOICE
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4. (C) Commenting on Secretary Rice's visit to the Middle
East, Bouzaher said he thought this had not been the best
time to call Hamas a terrorist organization. Why did the
U.S. not respect the outcome of the elections? Ambassador
pushed back, pointing out that the U.S. had publicly
recognized the elections as fair, but stressing that Hamas
faced a choice. The U.S., as well as the EU, had designated
Hamas as a terrorist organization and we could not finance it
as such. At the same time, Secretary Rice has said the U.S.
would not abandon the Palestinians and, as part of our review
of assistance, would continue to look for ways to address the
Palestinians' humanitarian needs. What was needed was for
Hamas to join the international consensus, otherwise it would
be isolated. Bouzaher said Algeria was sure Hamas would make

the right choice. The PLO charter had also called for the
destruction of Israel, but Fatah had amended it after Oslo.
The Israeli-Palestinian dialogue must resume.

CONTROLLING TERRORISM
--------------


5. (C) Ambassador asked whether Bouzaher thought Hamas could
keep the truce. Bouzaher said there were armed groups,
including Fatah factions, that were determined to fight, but
Hamas had proven discipline and would need to get control
over "individual actions." In addition, Islamic Jihad still
rejected the truce, but it was a small group without much
support. Israeli attacks complicated the situation and
engendered more violence. In addition, the economic
situation in Gaza was worse than before Israel's withdrawal.
The U.S. should use its influence in "positive ways" to
support confidence building measures. Arabs thought the U.S.
only supported Israel, there was a need to change that image.
Ambassador responded that Palestinian aspirations
could only be achieved through a two-state solution, based on
recognizing Israel's right to exist. Bouzaher commented that
Fatah had failed. Hamas was now in power and would need to
adapt its rhetoric to reality. Arabs would not understand,
however, if the U.S. sought to isolate and sanction Hamas
without giving it time to change.


6. (C) MAG Director Jordan said the U.S. position was
pragmatic but also based on principles we shared with the
Quartet: Hamas must renounce violence, recognize Israel, and
accept past agreements. If it did so, we could work
together, but if not, we would not be able to cooperate.
Ambassador added that violence strengthened the hawks on both
sides. It forced Israelis to think in terms of security
rather than how to make peace. Bouzaher agreed, saying it
was clear that violence would not produce results. Hamas had
already proposed a long-term truce, and President Abbas was
also insisting they accept past agreements. Bouzaher
concluded that once the peace process began to move forward
again, he was optimistic about the outcome.
ERDMAN