NORWEGIAN RESPONSE: HOST COUNTRY MEETINGS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000204 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2016 TAGS: PREL NO SUBJECT: NORWEGIAN RESPONSE: HOST COUNTRY MEETINGS WITH HAMAS REF: STATE 27174 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher W. Webster for reaso ns 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) The DCM delivered reftel talking points to MFA Director General Vegard Ellefsen on February 22. Ellefsen mentioned that at this point, Norway is concerned about how to manage funding to provide assistance to Palestinians while maintaining existing Palestinian Authority institutions. Specifically, the Norwegians would like to know whether Hamas' acceptance of conditions set by President Mahmoud Abbas (committment to prior agreements and recognition of Israel) would provide a way forward and whether the U.S. would support using funds from the World Bank multi-donor reform fund to support the Palestinians. ¶2. (U) Post would appreciate Washington's guidance on the questions raised by the Norwegians. Visit Oslo's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m WHITNEY