NORWEGIAN MFA PREPARED TO MEET HAMAS MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000609 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER CVIS PGOV IS NO KPAL SUBJECT: NORWEGIAN MFA PREPARED TO MEET HAMAS MINISTER REF: OSLO 558 Classified By: P/E Counselor Mike Hammer, reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Acting MFA DAS for Middle East Affairs Joern Gjelstad called us on May 11 to inform us that the Norwegian MFA has learned that Hamas Refugee Minister Atef Adwan will travel to Norway from Sweden using his Swedish-issued Schengen visa either on May 11 or May 12. Gjelstad said that while no/no request had yet been made for a meeting with the MFA, Foreign Minister Stoere will stick by his decision that if Hamas representatives legally enter Norway and request meetings, they will be met at a "senior official" level, but not at the "political" level. Since Gjelstad's boss Kaare Eltervaag is traveling, Gjelstad -- who is clearly expecting a meeting request -- said that he would be the man who would meet with Atef Adwan. ¶2. (C) We again pressed Gjelstad that we believe that meeting with Atef Adwan or other Hamas representatives would be counterproductive. Gjelstad acknowledged that the MFA and Minister Stoere are well aware of our view, but that the MFA will follow Stoere's instructions. Gjelstad soughtQo reassure us that the message Adwan will hear is that Hamas needs to comply with the Quartet's demands. ¶3. (C) Action request. The press is already reporting on Adwan's expected visit to Norway and Adwan has said publicly that he will request a meeting with the Norwegian government. Given that we have already received press inquiries about our views if the MFA meets with Adwan, we would appreciate guidance as soon as possible. Visit Oslo's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m WHITNEY