EU AMBASSADORS SEEK CLARITY ON USG POSITIONS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 001799 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPAL KWBG IR IS KBTS ICRC ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI INTERNAL SUBJECT: EU AMBASSADORS SEEK CLARITY ON USG POSITIONS ON CONVERGENCE, ABBAS'S ROLE REF: STATE 63865 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador briefed some 25 EU ambassadors plus the Swiss and Norwegian ambassadors May 8 on USG policy regarding acceptable humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians; assistance to and contact with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas; the importance of EU solidarity in maintaining the Quartet position on Hamas; Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's upcoming visit to the U.S.; assistance for the border crossings; Iran; and Magen David Adom (MDA) issues. EU representatives sought clarity on USG policy on acceptable humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians, the role of Abbas, the GOI's convergence plan, a realistic timetable for identifying a negotiating partner, and the USG position on the GOI's policy on the Jordan Valley. Repeated themes from EU ambassadors were that GOI's policy on humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians seems to be more liberal than they had originally anticipated; that the GOI policy on Hamas and the PA is still "foggy," that Olmert's convergence plan still lacks detail, and that permanent borders should be determined through negotiations. End summary. -------------- On Assistance -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a May 8 briefing of EU ambassadors, the Ambassador covered five main areas: U.S. policy on acceptable assistance to the Palestinians and the need for continued EU solidarity on maintaining the Quartet principles on Hamas; USG contact and assistance policy with Abbas and on Hamas; Prime Minister Olmert's May 23 visit to Washington; Iran's nuclear program and USG opposition to Iran's serving on the UN Human Rights Council; and MDA issues. He also highlighted the status of the customs protocol between the GOI and PA, pitched the continued need for technical assistance for the crossings, especially on the Egyptian side of Rafah, support for the EU Border Assistance Mission, and discussed the EU position on assistance to the Multinational Force and Observers in light of the EU's May 15 meeting on the MFO. He noted the United States Security Coordinator's interest in convening a meeting of the security working group by the end of the month. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador noted the significant amount of continuing USG humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians despite the U.S. decision to cease any assistance to the Hamas-led PA. He commented that in some cases the USG's view of what is acceptable humanitarian assistance may be more restrictive than that of the EU. Austrian Ambassador Kurt Hengl, representing the Presidency, stressed that the EU wants to develop a common political, technical, and assistance approach with the USG toward the Palestinians. He commented that it is apparent to him from FM Tzipi Livni's recent meeting with EU HighRep Solana that GOI policy regarding Hamas and assistance issues is still "foggy." He agreed with the Ambassador that GOI policy seems to be more liberal than originally anticipated on humanitarian assistance. He referred to a May 7 Jerusalem Post article about a EU proposal that the Quartet create a fund to funnel humanitarian assistance directly to the Palestinian people, bypassing the Hamas-led PA. ¶4. (SBU) Czech Ambassador Michael Zantovsky asked about a May 5 Ha'aretz report stating that Labor MK Colette Avital claimed that Secretary Rice told her in their May 5 meeting in Washington that the USG is amenable to channeling humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through the office of Abbas. The Ambassador questioned the accuracy of the article, noting that the USG policy has not changed in that we oppose any U.S. funding being channeled through Abbas. He noted that Abbas himself has indicated he does not want to be such a conduit because it will inevitably subject him to unwanted pressure to divert the funds. ¶5. (SBU) Irish Ambassador Michael Forbes asked about USG policy on GOI non-transfer of tax revenues to the PA. He made the point that "attacking (the PA's) civil service is not the same as "attacking Hamas." The Ambassador responded that the USG has been consulting with the GOI on ways to use those funds for humanitarian purposes, such as for provision of water and electricity or for medical care. He noted that the GOI is providing the water and electricity and claims to have decided to cover medical care, but has not yet determined how to implement this pledge. Cypriot Ambassador George Zodiates asked about the possibility of funding the salaries of PA civil servants. The Ambassador noted that the U.S. has practical objections -- it would be hard to tell which civil servants on the list are Hamas-affiliated -- and policy objections -- paying salaries would take pressure off Hamas and help it hold on to power without changing its policies -- to this proposal. -------------- Crossings -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Regarding the crossings, Hengl said that the Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) is "very much in our heart" and said he hopes that it can serve as a "starting point" for other access projects such as a seaport and airport, again with third-country involvement. He indicated that the EU budget for Solana's office will be increased, and that additional funds, therefore, may be available for the border crossing assistance. -------------- On Hamas and Abbas -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Ambassador said that it is the USG's goal that Hamas not consolidate its power, or set down roots. He said that the U.S. wants to keep the pressure on Hamas to show that if it does not accept the Quartet conditions, there will be repercussions and to show the Palestinians that it is not in their interest that Hamas remain in power. UK Ambassador Simon MacDonald asked rhetorically what would be a realistic timetable to expect Hamas to change. MacDonald said Olmert had recently claimed that it would take Hamas a generation, or at the minimum 10 years, to change. MacDonald noted that the GOI needs Hamas to change within the next year or it will declare that no PA partner exists and will pursue its convergence plan unilaterally. He stressed that for the EU, negotiations between the GOI and Palestinians are a goal and that the EU "unequivocally" views Abbas as a partner. He noted, however, that Livni told EU ambassadors in Israel last week that she does not view Abbas as a partner. MacDonald then asked about USG policy regarding Abbas's political role or if a policy has been established yet. MacDonald confirmed that Olmert will visit the UK during the week of June 12. ¶8. (SBU) The Ambassador responded that the question is still open on what Abbas's role will be and that this is really a matter for the GOI to review. The Ambassador made clear that the USG continues to have contact with Abbas. He said that whether the USG will see Abbas as a possible partner depends on how Abbas delivers on various matters, such as the strengthening of crossings, addressing violence, and dealing with Fatah reform. The Ambassador pointed out that given the GOI's current composition -- which includes the Labor Party -- there could be some movement on the GOI's receptivity to dealing with Abbas. The Ambassador agreed that timing is important, especially in pressuring Hamas. If the international community only gently pressures Hamas, the Ambassador said, then Hamas could refuse to change and/or stay in power longer, thereby leaving the GOI with no partner. -------------- Questions About the Convergence Plan -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Several EU ambassadors echoed the view that details of the convergence plan are largely unknown at this point, with the Czech Ambassador referring to it as an idea, rather than a plan. They expressed interest on the USG position regarding the plan in light of Olmert's upcoming visit to Washington. Irish Ambassador Forbes said that the assumption exists in Israel that Olmert will get the USG's "blessing" for his convergence plan, since Olmert will likely determine that no partner exists. Forbes questioned how such a plan could determine the final borders of Israel without negotiations with the Palestinians. Swedish Ambassador Robert Rydberg said he understands there is some GOI expectation of a "quid pro quo," i.e. that the USG would accept the convergence plan in return for the GOI giving Abbas a greater political role. The Czech Ambassador said that the only real model the GOI has is that of disengagement and that as with disengagement, it may take a while for the details on convergence to take shape. He commented that it would be a mistake to reject convergence out of hand. Finnish Ambassador Kari Veijalainen said that the GOI and Palestinians need to negotiate on permanent borders. He asked whether the USG plans to develop a response to the convergence plan on its own or in coordination with the international community. Danish Ambassador A. Carsten Damsgaard asked whether the USG would negotiate with the GOI on the exact line of a new "border." Portuguese Ambassador Pedro Nuno Bartolo and Polish Charge Janusz Omietanski asked about USG policy regarding the GOI's stated intention to retain control over the Jordan Valley. ¶10. (SBU) In response to these comments and questions, the Ambassador said that he expects that the convergence plan will take time to develop and be accepted within Israel. He also observed that the USG would be reluctant to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinians regarding final borders and stressed that in any case Olmert's stated policy now is to rally international opinion around his plan, not to seek a separate USG position. Regarding the Jordan Valley, the Ambassador said he is aware of the GOI interest in retaining control over the Jordan Valley and agreed that the international community would likely view this as Israel's continued occupation of that region. -------------- Outposts -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Italian Ambassador Sandro DeBernardin asked about USG policy on the GOI's removal of illegal outposts. The Ambassador said that while we have some differences with the GOI over the number of illegal outposts remaining, USG policy on this issue has not changed and we are still engaged with the GOI on this issue. The Ambassador noted that Kadima's coalition agreement with Labor calls for the removal of outposts. -------------- Magen David Adom -------------- ¶12. (SBU) The Ambassador noted the June 20-21 meeting of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to amend the ICRC statutes to reflect the adoption of the third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, establishing the "Red Crystal" as a new protective emblem. He also highlighted progress in implementation of the MOU between the Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) (see reftel). Swiss Ambassador Francois George Chappuis said, unhelpfully, that he is aware of problems regarding the implementation of the MOU, including with the stationing of PRCS ambulances in East Jerusalem and priority access for PRCS ambulances crossing from the West Bank to East Jerusalem. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES