Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV3144
2006-08-10 13:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
LEBANON: GOI EXPLAINS CABINET DECISION TO GERMAN
how-tonull Carol X Weakley 08/11/2006 04:46:44 PM From DB/Inbox: Carol X Weakley Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 03144 SIPDIS CXTelA: ACTION: POL INFO: AMB AID ADM RSO CONS ECON DCM DAO IPSC PD IMO RES DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: DCM:GCRETZ DRAFTED: POL:SCROWLEY CLEARED: POL:NOLSEN VZCZCTVI937 PP RUEHC RUEHXK RUCNMEM DE RUEHTV #3144/01 2221354 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101354Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5530 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003144
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS LE GM IS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GOI EXPLAINS CABINET DECISION TO GERMAN
FM; LITTLE DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BUNDESWEHR PARTICIPATION
IN INTERNATIONAL FORCE
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz; Reasons 1.4 (B an
d D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003144
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS LE GM IS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GOI EXPLAINS CABINET DECISION TO GERMAN
FM; LITTLE DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BUNDESWEHR PARTICIPATION
IN INTERNATIONAL FORCE
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz; Reasons 1.4 (B an
d D).
1. (C) Summary: In meetings with German FM Frank-Walter
Steinmeier on August 9, PM Ehud Olmert, FM Tzipi Livni, and
DefMin Amir Peretz explained a security cabinet decision that
reportedly authorizes a possible expansion of the scope of
Israeli military operations in Lebanon. According to the MFA
and the German Embassy, the Israelis informed Steinmeier that
such steps could be postponed for "a couple of days," while
negotiations on a UNSCR continue in New York. Both sides
told post that there was no detailed discussion of draft
UNSCR texts or of a possible German troop contribution to an
international force in Lebanon, although Livni told the press
that the GOI has no objection to the Bundeswehr's
participation. Steinmeier repeatedly urged his hosts to take
advantage of the opportunities offered by the Lebanese
cabinet's announcement that the LAF would deploy 15,000
troops into southern Lebanon at the time of a ceasefire. EU
HighRep Javier Solana is scheduled to visit Israel on August
13. End summary.
-------------- --
Visit Overshadowed by Security Cabinet Decision
-------------- --
2. (C) Steinmeier's visit was overshadowed by an August 9
decision by the Israeli security cabinet that reportedly
authorized Olmert to expand the scope of military operations
in Lebanon. According to the Germans, Olmert's explanation
of the decision to Steinmeier ended with a warning that "I
can hold back the generals for a short time -- a couple of
days at most -- and then I have to unleash them." In this
context, Olmert encouraged Steinmeier to help the UN "get the
job done." In a separate meeting, Livni reiterated that the
GOI prefers a diplomatic solution. She portrayed the
security cabinet's decision as a means of providing the Prime
Minister with an option for further military operations if
negotiations in New York reach an impasse or "take too long."
3. (C) In a discussion prior to the security cabinet session,
Peretz reportedly complained that negotiations on a UNSCR are
headed in the wrong direction. Peretz, who -- according to
the German Embassy -- appeared emotional and exhausted,
reportedly said that if the UN cannot act to remove the
Hizballah threat "then the IDF will do it." When Steinmeier
asked if this meant that the efforts in New York are in vain,
Peretz quickly reassured him that Israel "will be the first
one to accept a resolution."
-------------- --------------
Little Discussion of Possible German Troop Contribution
-------------- --------------
4. (C) According to the Germans, Steinmeier did not go into
any detail discussing UNSCR drafts or the possibility of
Bundeswehr troops participating in an international force in
Lebanon. When asked about German troops in her press
conference with Steinmeier, Livni replied "this is a decision
that will be made separately and independently by the German
government. From the Israeli Government's point of view, of
course we have no objection." Note: The Israeli press has
reported some opposition to the idea of German troops
patrolling Israel's borders. High-ranking Israeli officials
have told post that Olmert and Chancellor Merkel have
discussed the possibility of a German troop presence along
the Syrian-Lebanese border (and at ports and airports in
Lebanon) to help enforce an international arms embargo on
weapons not destined for the LAF or international troops.
End note.
5. (C) Arriving from Beirut, Steinmeier described the
Lebanese government's decision to deploy up to 15,000 troops
into the south at the time of a ceasefire a "break through."
he urged the GOI not to miss this "window of opportunity" for
successful passage of a UNSCR.
6. (C) Despite media reports to the contrary, Steinmeier did
not raise any Palestinian issues. The German Embassy said
that Steinmeier is planning another Middle East trip in the
near future. Any new visit is likely to follow a stop in
Israel by EU HighRep Solana, which EU representatives say is
scheduled for August 13.
********************************************* ********************
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: 08/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS LE GM IS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GOI EXPLAINS CABINET DECISION TO GERMAN
FM; LITTLE DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE BUNDESWEHR PARTICIPATION
IN INTERNATIONAL FORCE
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz; Reasons 1.4 (B an
d D).
1. (C) Summary: In meetings with German FM Frank-Walter
Steinmeier on August 9, PM Ehud Olmert, FM Tzipi Livni, and
DefMin Amir Peretz explained a security cabinet decision that
reportedly authorizes a possible expansion of the scope of
Israeli military operations in Lebanon. According to the MFA
and the German Embassy, the Israelis informed Steinmeier that
such steps could be postponed for "a couple of days," while
negotiations on a UNSCR continue in New York. Both sides
told post that there was no detailed discussion of draft
UNSCR texts or of a possible German troop contribution to an
international force in Lebanon, although Livni told the press
that the GOI has no objection to the Bundeswehr's
participation. Steinmeier repeatedly urged his hosts to take
advantage of the opportunities offered by the Lebanese
cabinet's announcement that the LAF would deploy 15,000
troops into southern Lebanon at the time of a ceasefire. EU
HighRep Javier Solana is scheduled to visit Israel on August
13. End summary.
-------------- --
Visit Overshadowed by Security Cabinet Decision
-------------- --
2. (C) Steinmeier's visit was overshadowed by an August 9
decision by the Israeli security cabinet that reportedly
authorized Olmert to expand the scope of military operations
in Lebanon. According to the Germans, Olmert's explanation
of the decision to Steinmeier ended with a warning that "I
can hold back the generals for a short time -- a couple of
days at most -- and then I have to unleash them." In this
context, Olmert encouraged Steinmeier to help the UN "get the
job done." In a separate meeting, Livni reiterated that the
GOI prefers a diplomatic solution. She portrayed the
security cabinet's decision as a means of providing the Prime
Minister with an option for further military operations if
negotiations in New York reach an impasse or "take too long."
3. (C) In a discussion prior to the security cabinet session,
Peretz reportedly complained that negotiations on a UNSCR are
headed in the wrong direction. Peretz, who -- according to
the German Embassy -- appeared emotional and exhausted,
reportedly said that if the UN cannot act to remove the
Hizballah threat "then the IDF will do it." When Steinmeier
asked if this meant that the efforts in New York are in vain,
Peretz quickly reassured him that Israel "will be the first
one to accept a resolution."
-------------- --------------
Little Discussion of Possible German Troop Contribution
-------------- --------------
4. (C) According to the Germans, Steinmeier did not go into
any detail discussing UNSCR drafts or the possibility of
Bundeswehr troops participating in an international force in
Lebanon. When asked about German troops in her press
conference with Steinmeier, Livni replied "this is a decision
that will be made separately and independently by the German
government. From the Israeli Government's point of view, of
course we have no objection." Note: The Israeli press has
reported some opposition to the idea of German troops
patrolling Israel's borders. High-ranking Israeli officials
have told post that Olmert and Chancellor Merkel have
discussed the possibility of a German troop presence along
the Syrian-Lebanese border (and at ports and airports in
Lebanon) to help enforce an international arms embargo on
weapons not destined for the LAF or international troops.
End note.
5. (C) Arriving from Beirut, Steinmeier described the
Lebanese government's decision to deploy up to 15,000 troops
into the south at the time of a ceasefire a "break through."
he urged the GOI not to miss this "window of opportunity" for
successful passage of a UNSCR.
6. (C) Despite media reports to the contrary, Steinmeier did
not raise any Palestinian issues. The German Embassy said
that Steinmeier is planning another Middle East trip in the
near future. Any new visit is likely to follow a stop in
Israel by EU HighRep Solana, which EU representatives say is
scheduled for August 13.
********************************************* ********************
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