EREKAT REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE TO SECURE RELEASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 003435 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016 TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG PHUM IS SUBJECT: EREKAT REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE TO SECURE RELEASE OF PLC SPEAKER Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) PLO Chief Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat August 6 faxed to the ConGen a letter addressed to NEA A/S Welch denouncing the August 5 IDF arrest in Ramallah of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Speaker Aziz Dweik. Erekat called the Consul General on August 6 to ask if the USG would intervene with the Government of Israel to secure the release of Dweik. The Consul General told Erekat that we would not intervene on behalf of the Hamas speaker. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text. Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department Ambassador David Welch Assistant Secretary Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs U.S. Department of State August 6, 2006 Dear Mr. Welch, The arrest of Dr. Aziz Dweik, head of the Palestinian Legislative Council by the Israeli army is a flagrant violation of international law and strong blow to Palestinian democracy. This action comes a few weeks after the massive arrests of many members of the PLC and ministers of the Palestinian Authority cabinet, who are still in Israeli jails without any charges. Israel's continuous disregard to signed agreements and internationally accepted norms, is an indication of a lack of desire to create an atmosphere conducive to a return to dialogue and putting an end to the current escalation of violence and tension. We urge you to interfere with the Israeli Government to secure the release of Dr. Dweik and the other members of the PLC and cabinet who were elected democratically by the Palestinian people. We also urge you to exert all efforts to stop the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Thank you and please accept my regards. Sincerely, Dr. Sa'eb Erekat Head of the Negotiations Affairs Department of the PLO Ramallah, Palestine End text. WALLES