RUSSIAN DFM SALTANOV ON HAMAS VISIT TO MOSCOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001840 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV RS SUBJECT: RUSSIAN DFM SALTANOV ON HAMAS VISIT TO MOSCOW REF: A. MOSCOW 1638 ¶B. MOSCOW 1323 Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns. Reasons: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (C) On February 27 the Ambassador called on Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Saltanov to discuss the upcoming Hamas visit to Moscow and to underline the importance of coordination. Saltanov confirmed that the Hamas delegation, headed by Khalid Meshal and composed of Hamas outsiders, is set to arrive March 3. Scheduled for later that afternoon (after Friday prayers),the discussions will be led by Saltanov from the Russian side. A brief call on FM Lavrov is likely, but there is no plan for Meshal to visit the Kremlin or meet with Putin, Saltanov said. Though their schedule is not finalized, Hamas may also meet with Duma deputies and local Muslim leaders. If there are positive indications, he said, talks may continue on March 4. Any press statement "will depend" on the atmosphere and progress of the talks. ¶2. (C) Russia has "no illusions," Saltanov said, and expectations of a concrete outcome are low. The GOR intends to press the Quartet agenda agreed in London, anticipates "difficult" discussions, and views this visit as a chance to "talk sense" to Hamas. The prospect of Hamas' disarmament or recognition of Israel, Saltanov said, is unrealistic at this juncture. Instead, the GOR will focus on getting Hamas to acknowledge agreements undertaken by the Palestinian Authority (e.g., UNSC resolutions 1397 and 1515) and, possibly, buy into the Road Map. ¶3. (C) Saltanov underscored Russia's unconditional support for Abu Mazen as the keystone for progress on the Road Map and normalization in Israeli-Palestinian relations. In that vein, the GOR has pledged $10 million in support of the Palestinian Authority and agreed to coordinate next steps with Quartet Special Envoy Wolfensohn to ensure consistency within the Quartet and avoid funds diversion to extremists. The Ambassador welcomed Russia's willingness to work with Wolfensohn, and noted our continuing support for Abu Mazen as well as our continuing commitment to address Palestinian humanitarian needs through aid to UNRWA and NGOs. In terms of equipment, Saltanov said the GOR is still exploring ways to provide two civilian helicopters to the PA for exclusive use by Abu Mazen, but the possible delivery of 50 APCs remains on hold pending Israeli approval. ¶4. (C) Mindful of the possible impact of the Hamas talks on Israel's upcoming elections, the Russians are in frequent contact with the GOI, Saltanov said, and will reach out to A/PM Olmert after Hamas' departure. He expressed genuine sympathy for Olmert, calling him a capable interlocutor, and said the GOR is mindful of the sensitivity of the pre-election period in Israel. ¶5. (C) Saltanov said he believes President Putin intends to call President Bush after the Hamas visit. Saltanov added that he was aware of tentative plans for a Quartet Ministerial phone call on February 28, but thought FM Lavrov's schedule might preclude that (Lavrov travels to Budapest tomorrow with Putin). Ambassador urged Saltanov to persuade Lavrov to do a Quartet call prior to the Hamas visit, as a way of underscoring Quartet unity and consulting again before the Hamas delegation arrived. Saltanov said he understood, and would recommend that Lavrov follow through with a pre-visit call, as well as a post-visit debrief. ¶6. (C) Saltanov also noted that Aleksandr Kalugin will shortly be replaced by Sergey Yakovlev, until recently Russia's Ambassador in the UAE, as Russian Special Envoy to the Middle East. BURNS