PRCS HEAD SAYS KEY MOU IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002473

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS
SUBJECT: PRCS HEAD SAYS KEY MOU IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
REMAIN UNRESOLVED


Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. During a June 14 meeting in Ramallah with
Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) president Yunis
al-Khatib, the Consul General encouraged al-Khatib to work
diligently to resolve the outstanding issues in advance of
the June 20 International Conference of the Red Cross and the
Red Crescent in Geneva. Al-Khatib said that key elements of
the November 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the
Agreement on Operational Arrangements (AOA) between PRCS and
Magen David Adom (MDA) remain unfulfilled. Al-Khatib said
that he is particularly concerned with securing MDA and
Government of Israel (GOI) recognition of the MOU provisions
dealing with the geographic scope of MDA and PRCS activities.
He said that the PRCS wanted to use existing West Bank
drivers and technicians to operate ambulances in Jerusalem.
End summary.

PRCS Head Disappointed
With Progress on MOU/AOA
--------------


2. (C) The Consul General emphasized to al-Khatib the
importance of a successful outcome at the June 20
international conference in Geneva. While the USG understood
that problems remain in the implementation of the MOU signed
in November 2005 between the MDA and PRCS, it would prefer to
use the time remaining before the conference to resolve them.
MDA and PRCS entry into the movement should not be postponed
further. Yunis responded that the final decision whether the
Palestinians will support entry of the MDA will be a
political one, adding that his main priority is to preserve
the neutrality of the PRCS in the challenging political
environment. Al-Khatib noted that the admission of the MDA
under any circumstances is not popular among Palestinians due
to ongoing Israeli military operations in the West Bank and
Gaza. Furthermore, the failure of the GOI to fully implement
the MOU has placed the PRCS in an untenable position due to
the divisive nature of Palestinian politics.


3. (C) Al-Khatib said that his main concern is not issues
relating to the Agreement of Operational Arrangements (AOA)
-- which outline arrangements enabling PRCS ambulances access
to East Jerusalem and freedom of movement in the West Bank
and Gaza. Rather, al-Khatib views the provisions in the MOU
which address the geographic scope of operations for the MDA
as a main concern. He said he is unaware of progress on this
issue. In line with the PRCS evaluation paper on
implementation, he suggested that the MDA needs to amend its
bylaws to conform to these provisions or send a letter to the
PRCS explicitly confirming a commitment to do so. (Note: The
PRCS views all areas occupied by Israel in 1967 as falling
under its geographic scope. End note.) Al-Khatib explained
that progress on this issue would make it easier for the PRCS
to be flexible on the ambulances and other issues falling
under the AOA.

East Jerusalem
--------------


4. (C) Al-Khatib said that the PRCS had agreed to be
pragmatic and include only those items in the AOA that were
realistic, and which the MDA and Israeli MFA indicated they
could implement. Regarding the stationing of PRCS ambulances
in East Jerusalem, al-Khatib indicated that the PRCS
preferred to use five new PRCS ambulances for its East
Jerusalem operations. (Note: Al-Khatib mentioned that an
additional 12 new PRCS ambulances have been stuck in Ashdod
port for three months. End note.) However, the GOI
insisted, and the PRCS eventually agreed, that PRCS will
purchase five 2002-year models from the MDA for use in
Jerusalem. Al-Khatib said that he also agreed to affix them
with Israeli license plates. However, he objected to
registering the ambulances with the Red Crescent Maternity
Hospital, since there is no legal connection between the PRCS
and the Hospital. Al-Khatib also insisted that drivers and
technicians from the West Bank staff the vehicles in
Jerusalem. (Note: The GOI has requested that only Jerusalem
ID-card holders or Israeli citizens staff the ambulances.
End note.) There are no existing PRCS personnel in Jerusalem
that can operate the ambulances, al-Khatib said.


5. (C) The Consul General questioned whether a temporary
solution might be possible, whereby the ambulances would be
registered under the name of the Hospital while discussions
proceeded on a long-term solution. Al-Khatib expressed
skepticism that the GOI would agree to such terms, but noted

that progress on the outstanding MOU issues and/or assurances
from the Swiss or USG on its implementation might help. He
remarked that the AOA agreement allowing six ambulances and
22 drivers to enter Jerusalem from the West Bank had yet to
be fully implemented. He said that a PRCS analysis indicated
that those ambulances which attempted to enter Jerusalem in
May and June were denied entry in approximately 70 percent of
reported cases. This rejection occurred despite
clearly-marked signs at the checkpoints permitting entry for
the PRCS ambulances.

PRCS Funding
--------------


6. (C) Al-Khatib said that the situation for PRCS had
grown increasingly difficult under the current international
isolation of the Hamas-led PA. A significant portion of PRCS
salaries (USD 850,000) comes from the PA. Through the ICRC
and other international partners, such as the Norwegian and
American Red Cross, al-Khatib had succeeded in securing
approximately USD 10 million to cover operations, including
salaries, through September 2006.

Travel To Geneva
--------------


7. (C) Al-Khatib said that he will depart the West Bank
for Geneva on June 15 and plans to participate in a meeting
of the Arab Group prior to the June 20 conference. The
Consul General reiterated the importance of a constructive
Palestinian approach to the meeting. Among the Arab Group,
he urged the Palestinian team to stick to the relevant issues
and not give ammunition to other participants who are intent
on scuttling an agreement under any circumstances.

WALLES