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