Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM3822
2006-08-24 15:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

PA PRESIDENT'S OFFICE DENIES SALARIES PAID TO

Tags:  ECON EAID EFIN KFTN PTER KWBG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #3822 2361513
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 241513Z AUG 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4509
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 003822 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/MAHER/WAECHTER;
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS; TREASURY FOR NUGENT/ADKINS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: ECON EAID EFIN KFTN PTER KWBG
SUBJECT: PA PRESIDENT'S OFFICE DENIES SALARIES PAID TO
HAMAS FORCE

REF: JERUSALEM 3717

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 003822

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/MAHER/WAECHTER;
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS; TREASURY FOR NUGENT/ADKINS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: ECON EAID EFIN KFTN PTER KWBG
SUBJECT: PA PRESIDENT'S OFFICE DENIES SALARIES PAID TO
HAMAS FORCE

REF: JERUSALEM 3717

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


1. (SBU) In an August 23 letter to the Consul General,
President Abbas's Chief of Staff Rafiq Husseini stated that a
story appearing in "Haaretz" newspaper alleging that Abbas
had paid salaries to 5,000 Hamas "Operational Force" members
"is totally untrue." Husseini added that the Office of the
President "has not and will not pay the operational force
salaries, and we remain true to our international
commitments..." (Note: Reftel reported PA President's
Office August 18 statement announcing payment of a flat-rate
allowance to 170,000 Palestinians, paid from Arab League
transfers and timed for the back-to-school period. End Note.)


2. (C) Husseini and Economic Advisor to the President
Mohamad Mustafa had earlier provided verbal assurances to
Econ Chief that the Hamas "operational force" was explicitly
left out of the disbursement of the flat-rate allowances.


3. (SBU) Begin text of letter:

Dear Mr. Walles:

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you and the
Government of the United States of America that what appeared
in "Haaretz" news flash today regarding giving salaries to
5,000 Hamas members of the operational force is totally
untrue. The Office of the President has not and will not pay
the operational force any salaries, and we remain true to our
international commitments and to the President's declared
position on the formation of this force.
I hope that this clarifies the position of the Office of the
President on this issue.

Yours Sincerely,
Rafiq Husseini
Chief of Staff

End Text.


WALLES