ARAB LEAGUE'S AMRE MOUSSA ON DARFUR AND HAMAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002133

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM IS SU EG KPAL
SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE'S AMRE MOUSSA ON DARFUR AND HAMAS

Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and
Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa discussed regional
affairs, including Syria, Iraq, Darfur, and Hamas, during a
chance meeting in the airport VIP lounge on April 4. On
Israel/Palestine, Moussa said the League is urging Hamas to
commit to the Arab Initiative and pressed the USG not to take
drastic action during the first 100 days of the Hamas
government. On Sudan, Moussa said Salim Ahmed Salim, the
AU's Chief Negotiator on Darfur, told him that there is a
50/50 chance of reaching an agreement on security and a
framework for reconciliation by the end of April. If this
succeeds, Moussa said the League will reconsider its stance.
End summary.


2. (C) Syria and Iraq: A/S Welch sarcastically welcomed the
Arab League's position on Syria, noting that, because the
League routinely says one thing and does the opposite, the
League's actual policy on Syria is likely to be different
from its stated position (to support Damascus) and thus in
harmony with U.S. objectives. On Iraq, Moussa confirmed that
there is a split among the Shia and asked what the Secretary
had achieved during her recent visit. A/S Welch told Moussa
that the Secretary pressed for the immediate formation of a
new government and greater cooperation among the key
personalities.


3. (C) Israel/Palestine: Moussa said the League is urging
Hamas to commit to the Arab Initiative and pressed the USG
not to take drastic action during the first 100 days of the
Hamas government. Hamas wants a ""clean"" government, Moussa
observed. He also argued that the Initiative meets all
parties' objectives because Hamas would be working
non-violently within a framework for peace to achieve two
states and would therefore implicitly recognize Israel. A/S
Welch disagreed strongly, explaining that while the USG would
not criticize Hamas for endorsing the Initiative, it
represents less than Abu Mazen's commitment, which the
international community supports. A/S Welch also said
Hamas's ongoing ""subcontracting"" of its violent operations is
a real concern.


4. (C) Moussa pressed for details on what Hamas will get in
exchange for cooperation. A/S Welch said that it would take
six weeks for Israel to form a platform, but noted there must
be a Palestinian partner for negotiations. Without this,
Israel would move to protect the interests of its citizens.
When Moussa urged the USG to give Hamas a ""grace period"" --
and not suspend financial aid -- A/S Welch underlined that
there would be no/no aid to a Hamas government. But
humanitarian aid would continue directly and through
organizations such as UNICEF and WFP, the A/S Welch said.
Moussa retorted that the Arabs and Europeans would fund the
government themselves. A/S Welch disagreed, predicting the
Europeans will not support the government. Welch also warned
that when Hamas feels it has accomplished its mission in Gaza
and the West Bank, it will look to expand its influence
elsewhere in the region (Egypt and Syria) because Hamas is
more ""ikhwan"" (Muslim Brotherhood) than it is Palestinian.
Welch noted the new Palestinian FM dreams of a map of the
Middle East that does not include Israel.


5. (C) Sudan: Moussa said Salim Ahmed Salim, the AU's
Special Envoy and Chief Negotiator for the Abuja talks, told
him that there is a 50/50 chance of reaching an agreement on
security and a framework for reconciliation by the end of
April. If this happens, Moussa said, the League will rethink
its position.


6. (U) A/S Welch cleared this cable.
RICCIARDONE