Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM2170
2006-05-30 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

NATIONAL DIALOGUE PROCEEDING

Tags:  PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #2170 1501538
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301538Z MAY 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2441
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002170 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL DIALOGUE PROCEEDING

Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Chris Stevens, per reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002170

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL DIALOGUE PROCEEDING

Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Chris Stevens, per reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Palestinian President Abbas agreed with
Hamas representatives May 28 to divide the National Dialogue
into three separate tracks: a Ramallah track on the
prisoners' initiative; a Gaza track on easing Fatah-Hamas
tensions; and a PLO track, possibly to take place in Cairo,
on reforming and restructuring the PLO. On May 29, Abbas
departed for Tunis for meetings with Fatah Central Committee
(FCC) head Farouq Qaddumi. PLO Chief Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat
told APO May 30 that his office is preparing the legal
groundwork for a national referendum. End summary.

National Dialogue
--------------


2. (C) Representatives of the main Palestinian factions
May 27-29 continued discussions in Ramallah without
agreement. During a May 28 meeting chaired by President
Abbas, the participants agreed to divide the discussions into
three separate tracks:

-- A Ramallah track focused on reaching consensus on the
prisoners' initiative.

-- A Gaza track focused on reducing Fatah-Hamas tensions
surrounding the formation of a separate MOI Special Security
Force. Senior Fatah and Hamas officials in Gaza are to lead
these discussions in advance of more formal talks between
Abbas and PM Isma'il Haniyyah.

-- A separate track for discussions on reforming and
restructuring the PLO, with the aim of integrating Hamas and
PIJ into the PLO. Abbas announced his intention to hold a
meeting of PLO faction heads next month, possibly in Cairo,
to discuss these issues.


3. (C) During the May 28 meeting, Abbas rejected a Hamas
request to move all the National Dialogue talks to Gaza.
(Comment: Hamas likely views Gaza -- where it wields greater
authority -- a more suitable venue to influence the outcome
of the discussions. End comment.)

Abbas Travels to Tunis
--------------


4. (C) On May 29, Abbas departed the West Bank for Jordan
en route to Tunis for meetings with PLO Political Department
head and Fatah Central Committee (FCC) head Farouq Qaddumi.
Abbas reportedly intends to seek Qaddumi's support for a PLO
faction leaders meeting in Cairo. Abbas and Qaddumi will
also discuss Fatah reform, according to sources in Abbas'
office. Abbas is expected to return on June 2.

Erekat Readying Referendum
--------------


5. (C) PLO Chief Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat told APO May 30
that his Negotiations Support Unit is preparing the legal
groundwork for a possible national referendum. He
anticipated that the National Dialogue would fail and Abbas
would move to a referendum, which Hamas would oppose on legal
grounds.

Stevens