Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV1843
2006-05-10 17:06:00
SECRET
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
OLMERT TO SEEK U.S. VIEWS ON CONVERGENCE PLAN IN
how-to read a cableThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 101706Z May 06
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 001843
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER ECON KWBG KPAL ASEC EG IS GOI EXTERNAL ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: OLMERT TO SEEK U.S. VIEWS ON CONVERGENCE PLAN IN
WASHINGTON
REF: TEL AVIV 1730
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 001843
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER ECON KWBG KPAL ASEC EG IS GOI EXTERNAL ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: OLMERT TO SEEK U.S. VIEWS ON CONVERGENCE PLAN IN
WASHINGTON
REF: TEL AVIV 1730
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Summary: According to Brig. Gen. (res.) Baruch
Spiegel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has a large agenda for
his discussions in Washington scheduled for May 23, including
the so-called convergence plan. Spiegel claimed that the
&plan8 is less a detailed strategy, than a general policy.
He indicated that Olmert will seek Washington,s feedback on
convergence. Spiegel said Olmert will likely raise U.S.
funding for scanners and other assistance for the crossings
if the funding is still being blocked by the time he goes to
Washington. The GOI still has not reached a decision
regarding contacts with PA officials working in entities
under Mahmud Abbas, although the new minister of defense Amir
Peretz is likely to decide on his position following a May 11
meeting that will also deal with the status of the crossings,
Spiegel said. In Spiegel,s view, Defense Minister Peretz
will take a more humanitarian approach than did former
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, and MOD officials will feel
more confident in voicing their views. If Olmert really will
be seeking U.S. views, this may be a good opportunity to
encourage engagement with Abbas and influence Olmert's own
views on unilateral disengagement from the West Bank. End
summary and comment.
--------------
OLMERT TRIP TO WASHINGTON
--------------
2. (S) Brig. Gen. (res.) Baruch Spiegel on May 8 briefed
Embassy Political and Economic counselors on preparations for
PM Olmert,s trip to Washington. Spiegel said that Olmert
would have a big agenda for his discussions with the
President. Topics included convergence, Iran, Syria,
Palestinians, the EU, the separation barrier, health issues,
and global terrorism. Spiegel doubted that Olmert will have
specific details of a convergence plan, and said that, to his
knowledge, no detailed plans have been formulated. (Note:
Deputy head of the national Security Council Eran Etzion
separately told Econ counselor that no interagency team
below the level of minister has met to plot out specific
parameters of a convergence plan. End note.) He predicted
that Olmert will instead share his general policy on
withdrawal from the West Bank. Spiegel said that he has
prepared detailed briefing material for Olmert on crossings,
Gaza humanitarian issues, Mahmud Abbas, and other issues and
there will be a preparation meeting for the PM prior to his
departure.
3. (C) Spiegel said that it was clear from his recent trip
to Washington that the U.S. is taking a potentially harder
line than Israel on assistance. For example, he said, the
U.S. is opposed to paying salaries of health care workers or
other civil servants. The GOI still does not have a
position. In addition, Spiegel said, the funding for
scanners and other assistance linked to the crossings has
been blocked along with assistance projects for the PA.
While the aid for the crossings will be reevaluated, he said,
the GOI had hoped that this assistance would not be lumped
with the other. Spiegel said that if this issue is not
solved before Olmert,s trip, the PM will likely raise it in
Washington.
--------------
GOI CONTACT WITH ABBAS
--------------
4. (C) Spiegel said that he is still waiting for
instructions regarding contact with PA officials, including
those working in entities under the president. Spiegel noted
that Saeb Erekat wanted to meet prior to his trip to Moscow.
(Note: Erekat called Spiegel during the May 8 meeting. End
note.) Spiegel stressed, however, that no meeting is
possible without official instructions from the GOI political
level. He said this affects GOI participation in the
security working group, mentioned in the Agreement on
Movement and Access. He said the current GOI policy is not
to have a &double-headed government8 approach to the PA
where it is permissible to talk to Abbas, but not to Hamas.
Spiegel revealed that there are differing ideas on which
approach to take with the PA, with Olmert, FM Livni, and
others each having their own views. He said that FM Livni is
not supportive of cooperating with Mahmud Abbas. Spiegel
said that there will be an internal meeting on May 10 with
new MOD Peretz where the status of the crossings and the
relationship with PA officials will be discussed. After the
MOD has a position, then it can be discussed further at the
highest level. Spiegel said he hopes the government would
make a policy decision on contacts before Olmert,s trip to
the U.S.
5. (S) Spiegel speculated that Peretz will be different from
Mofaz. He said that Peretz has a more open social and
humanitarian agenda that encompasses both Israelis and
Palestinians. Spiegel cited as an example Peretz, decision
to implement a plan, developed earlier this year, to allow
8,000 workers from the West Bank to enter Israel, although he
noted that Mofaz likely would have signed the order except
for the recent terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. Because of this
change in ministers, he said, COGAT Head Gen. Mishlev may
receive more support from the Ministry, and others would
likely be braver in voicing their views. Spiegel did not
expect, however, to receive clear instructions regarding
closures and access until Olmert returns from Washington.
--------------
CONVERGENCE PLAN/OUTPOSTS/HEBRON
--------------
6. (S) Spiegel said that the label &convergence plan8 is a
misnomer, because there is no specific detailed plan on
pulling back from parts of the West Bank. He said the
government is looking at the size and location of the
settlement blocks. One proposal, he said, would involve
moving 60,000-70,000 settlers. Spiegel said he prepares and
continually updates all the information about the settlements
that the government needs to reach its decision. He said
that he had written a recommendation that his job be split,
with COGAT responsible for the crossings and a special
administrative unit, possibly headed by a civilian, to cover
closures. He had also recommended that a special interagency
team work on convergence and use the data he compiles as a
reference. Olmert will seek feedback on the convergence idea
during his trip to Washington, Spiegel said.
7. (C) Regarding the recent removal of three settler families
from a house in Hebron, Spiegel said that the operation had
gone relatively smoothly, because the GOI had learned from
its experience in Amona. He said that in Hebron there had
been more dialogue, including with settler leaders, and less
physical force used. He said the GOI took the decision to
remove the families immediately after the court had found
that they were there illegally. He said the settlers would
not be allowed to return.
--------------
CUSTOMS PROTOCOL
--------------
8. (C) Spiegel said that EU-BAM Head of Mission General
Pietro Pistolese had recently passed him a report of a
meeting on Rafah with Saeb Erekat, which mentions that Erekat
has signed the letter regarding the customs protocol.
Spiegel noted that FM Livni "informally" had received a
letter regarding the customs protocol from the Ambassador.
According to Spiegel, a customs protocol will be a practical
benefit to all the crossings, if both sides are able to sign.
It would eventually permit imports through Rafah and would
help clear up the bottleneck at Karni. Spiegel applauded
General Dayton,s efforts to improve security at the
crossings and work with the Palestinians to prevent kassam
attacks.
--------------
TUNNEL DETECTION SYSTEMS
--------------
9. (C) Spiegel said he regretted not having the opportunity
to visit a location with a tunnel detection system during his
recent trip to Washington. He mentioned that the IDF Chief
of Engineers is planning a visit to the U.S. and would like
to view such a system. Spiegel said the Israeli defense
attach and consul are the points of contact for this issue
(reftel). He hoped that the U.S. security expert who will be
traveling to the region this month will be able to visit
Israel.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
10. (C) If Spiegel is correct that Olmert will be listening
as well as transmitting during his first visit to Washington
as Prime Minister, then the U.S. has a good opportunity still
to influence his thinking about unilateral disengagement from
the West Bank and to encourage Israeli engagement with Mahmud
Abbas and officials under him.
********************************************* ********************
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
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER ECON KWBG KPAL ASEC EG IS GOI EXTERNAL ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: OLMERT TO SEEK U.S. VIEWS ON CONVERGENCE PLAN IN
WASHINGTON
REF: TEL AVIV 1730
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) Summary: According to Brig. Gen. (res.) Baruch
Spiegel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has a large agenda for
his discussions in Washington scheduled for May 23, including
the so-called convergence plan. Spiegel claimed that the
&plan8 is less a detailed strategy, than a general policy.
He indicated that Olmert will seek Washington,s feedback on
convergence. Spiegel said Olmert will likely raise U.S.
funding for scanners and other assistance for the crossings
if the funding is still being blocked by the time he goes to
Washington. The GOI still has not reached a decision
regarding contacts with PA officials working in entities
under Mahmud Abbas, although the new minister of defense Amir
Peretz is likely to decide on his position following a May 11
meeting that will also deal with the status of the crossings,
Spiegel said. In Spiegel,s view, Defense Minister Peretz
will take a more humanitarian approach than did former
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, and MOD officials will feel
more confident in voicing their views. If Olmert really will
be seeking U.S. views, this may be a good opportunity to
encourage engagement with Abbas and influence Olmert's own
views on unilateral disengagement from the West Bank. End
summary and comment.
--------------
OLMERT TRIP TO WASHINGTON
--------------
2. (S) Brig. Gen. (res.) Baruch Spiegel on May 8 briefed
Embassy Political and Economic counselors on preparations for
PM Olmert,s trip to Washington. Spiegel said that Olmert
would have a big agenda for his discussions with the
President. Topics included convergence, Iran, Syria,
Palestinians, the EU, the separation barrier, health issues,
and global terrorism. Spiegel doubted that Olmert will have
specific details of a convergence plan, and said that, to his
knowledge, no detailed plans have been formulated. (Note:
Deputy head of the national Security Council Eran Etzion
separately told Econ counselor that no interagency team
below the level of minister has met to plot out specific
parameters of a convergence plan. End note.) He predicted
that Olmert will instead share his general policy on
withdrawal from the West Bank. Spiegel said that he has
prepared detailed briefing material for Olmert on crossings,
Gaza humanitarian issues, Mahmud Abbas, and other issues and
there will be a preparation meeting for the PM prior to his
departure.
3. (C) Spiegel said that it was clear from his recent trip
to Washington that the U.S. is taking a potentially harder
line than Israel on assistance. For example, he said, the
U.S. is opposed to paying salaries of health care workers or
other civil servants. The GOI still does not have a
position. In addition, Spiegel said, the funding for
scanners and other assistance linked to the crossings has
been blocked along with assistance projects for the PA.
While the aid for the crossings will be reevaluated, he said,
the GOI had hoped that this assistance would not be lumped
with the other. Spiegel said that if this issue is not
solved before Olmert,s trip, the PM will likely raise it in
Washington.
--------------
GOI CONTACT WITH ABBAS
--------------
4. (C) Spiegel said that he is still waiting for
instructions regarding contact with PA officials, including
those working in entities under the president. Spiegel noted
that Saeb Erekat wanted to meet prior to his trip to Moscow.
(Note: Erekat called Spiegel during the May 8 meeting. End
note.) Spiegel stressed, however, that no meeting is
possible without official instructions from the GOI political
level. He said this affects GOI participation in the
security working group, mentioned in the Agreement on
Movement and Access. He said the current GOI policy is not
to have a &double-headed government8 approach to the PA
where it is permissible to talk to Abbas, but not to Hamas.
Spiegel revealed that there are differing ideas on which
approach to take with the PA, with Olmert, FM Livni, and
others each having their own views. He said that FM Livni is
not supportive of cooperating with Mahmud Abbas. Spiegel
said that there will be an internal meeting on May 10 with
new MOD Peretz where the status of the crossings and the
relationship with PA officials will be discussed. After the
MOD has a position, then it can be discussed further at the
highest level. Spiegel said he hopes the government would
make a policy decision on contacts before Olmert,s trip to
the U.S.
5. (S) Spiegel speculated that Peretz will be different from
Mofaz. He said that Peretz has a more open social and
humanitarian agenda that encompasses both Israelis and
Palestinians. Spiegel cited as an example Peretz, decision
to implement a plan, developed earlier this year, to allow
8,000 workers from the West Bank to enter Israel, although he
noted that Mofaz likely would have signed the order except
for the recent terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. Because of this
change in ministers, he said, COGAT Head Gen. Mishlev may
receive more support from the Ministry, and others would
likely be braver in voicing their views. Spiegel did not
expect, however, to receive clear instructions regarding
closures and access until Olmert returns from Washington.
--------------
CONVERGENCE PLAN/OUTPOSTS/HEBRON
--------------
6. (S) Spiegel said that the label &convergence plan8 is a
misnomer, because there is no specific detailed plan on
pulling back from parts of the West Bank. He said the
government is looking at the size and location of the
settlement blocks. One proposal, he said, would involve
moving 60,000-70,000 settlers. Spiegel said he prepares and
continually updates all the information about the settlements
that the government needs to reach its decision. He said
that he had written a recommendation that his job be split,
with COGAT responsible for the crossings and a special
administrative unit, possibly headed by a civilian, to cover
closures. He had also recommended that a special interagency
team work on convergence and use the data he compiles as a
reference. Olmert will seek feedback on the convergence idea
during his trip to Washington, Spiegel said.
7. (C) Regarding the recent removal of three settler families
from a house in Hebron, Spiegel said that the operation had
gone relatively smoothly, because the GOI had learned from
its experience in Amona. He said that in Hebron there had
been more dialogue, including with settler leaders, and less
physical force used. He said the GOI took the decision to
remove the families immediately after the court had found
that they were there illegally. He said the settlers would
not be allowed to return.
--------------
CUSTOMS PROTOCOL
--------------
8. (C) Spiegel said that EU-BAM Head of Mission General
Pietro Pistolese had recently passed him a report of a
meeting on Rafah with Saeb Erekat, which mentions that Erekat
has signed the letter regarding the customs protocol.
Spiegel noted that FM Livni "informally" had received a
letter regarding the customs protocol from the Ambassador.
According to Spiegel, a customs protocol will be a practical
benefit to all the crossings, if both sides are able to sign.
It would eventually permit imports through Rafah and would
help clear up the bottleneck at Karni. Spiegel applauded
General Dayton,s efforts to improve security at the
crossings and work with the Palestinians to prevent kassam
attacks.
--------------
TUNNEL DETECTION SYSTEMS
--------------
9. (C) Spiegel said he regretted not having the opportunity
to visit a location with a tunnel detection system during his
recent trip to Washington. He mentioned that the IDF Chief
of Engineers is planning a visit to the U.S. and would like
to view such a system. Spiegel said the Israeli defense
attach and consul are the points of contact for this issue
(reftel). He hoped that the U.S. security expert who will be
traveling to the region this month will be able to visit
Israel.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
10. (C) If Spiegel is correct that Olmert will be listening
as well as transmitting during his first visit to Washington
as Prime Minister, then the U.S. has a good opportunity still
to influence his thinking about unilateral disengagement from
the West Bank and to encourage Israeli engagement with Mahmud
Abbas and officials under him.
********************************************* ********************
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