Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV1799
2006-05-09 12:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
EU AMBASSADORS SEEK CLARITY ON USG POSITIONS ON
how-to read a cableThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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
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
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