OLMERT VISIT: AUSPICIOUS START

S E C R E T MOSCOW 012035

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR IS RS
SUBJECT: OLMERT VISIT: AUSPICIOUS START

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns: 1.4(B/D)


1. (C) Summary. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert's first working visit
to Moscow as prime minister coincided with the 15th
anniversary of Israel-Russia renewed diplomatic ties. The
issues discussed in Olmert's three meetings--with President
Putin, FM Lavrov and Defense Minister Ivanov--included the
Middle East, Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon. The October 18
meeting with Putin lasted over four hours and suggested that
the warm relationship that existed between Putin and Sharon
will continue with Olmert. Olmert is well known here, as he
sat on the intergovernmental commission before becoming Prime
Minister. Next on the bilateral agenda: the annual
intergovernmental commission, which convenes in Israel in
November. End summary.

Key Question: Situation in the Middle East
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2. (C) According to MFA Middle East Desk Director Vladimir
Baibakov, Olmert told the Russians that Israel adheres to the
"Roadmap" but was open to other suggestions for reviving the
peace process. He criticized GOR engagement with Hamas,
which Olmert's GOR interlocutors spun as Putin's effort to
ensure that all possible avenues to a peace process were
thoroughly explored. Olmert described his failed initial
efforts to engage with Hamas, and his reluctant conclusion
that Abbas is the only possible partner in Palestine.
According to Baibakov, Olmert, for the first time, mentioned
possible financial aid and assistance to Abbas's security
forces. The GOR welcomed Olmert's unconditional readiness to
meet Abbas.


3. (S) Presidential Administration foreign policy advisor
Sergey Prikhodko told the Ambassador that Olmert was
noncommittal on the GOR's renewed push to transfer 50 armored
transport vehicles to Palestinian security forces loyal to
President Abbas, with the Prime Minister "taking it under
consideration."

Lebanon: UNSCR 1701 a Good Basis
--------------


4. (C) Olmert told the Russians that he is ready to meet
with Lebanese PM Siniora. Olmert did not conceal his concern
about the border with Syria. Baibakov said the subject of
Russian weapons found in Hezbollah's possession was also
discussed. Baibakov thought that the source of the
weapons--he noted that Hezbollah is well armed with American,
Russian, French and even Israeli materiel--is less important
that the measures necessary to curb the flow of weapons. The
GOR continues to believe that only a comprehensive peace
process involving all parties, including Lebanon, Syria,
Palestine and Israel, can be successful.


5. (C) According to Prikhodko, Putin raised the GOR's
bilateral contribution of an engineering battalion, with the
President expressing skepticism over the viability of the UN
peacekeeping operation. Putin noted his preference for the
pragmatic objective of rebuilding bridges.

Iran: Let there be no Mistake
--------------


6. (C) Olmert devoted most of his time in Moscow to Iran,
where he disagreed with the GOR's "more flexible" position.
According to Baibakov, the GOR continues to believe that
ending negotiations with Iran complicates the international
community's efforts to track events there, and to find useful
pressure points. Olmert, according to Prikhodko, pushed back
strongly against the Russian assessment that Iran is 6-8
years away from being a nuclear power, arguing that the
Iranian regime could develop a nuclear weapon within 1-2
years.

Good Rapport
--------------


7. (C) Olmert is well-known here from his previous service
on the GOR-GOI intergovernmental commission, and is a
well-liked, native of Odessa. Prikhodko confirmed the good
rapport between the leaders, with Putin personally impressed
by his interlocutor, whom he thought was a strong leader as a
result of his initiation by fire in the Lebanon conflict.
The visit was marred by Putin's off-color remarks on the sex
scandal involving President Katsav, which was captured by
journalists. The next high-level GOR-GOI engagement will be
in the November session of the intergovernmental commission
in Israel.
BURNS