ISRAELI MOD ON LEBANON WITHDRAWAL, OVERFLIGHTS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003784

SIPDIS

PENTAGON FOR OSD/ISRAEL DESK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS PARM ASEC LE IS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI MOD ON LEBANON WITHDRAWAL, OVERFLIGHTS,
AND U.S.-ORIGIN WEAPONS

REF: BEIRUT 3002 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 (B and D).


1. (C) Summary: Amos Gilad, the director of the
military-political division at the Israeli Ministry of
Defense, told the Ambassador September 21 that Israeli forces
would need another one-to-three weeks to complete their
withdrawal from Lebanon. He stressed that this delay is for
purely technical reasons; the GOI's decision to withdraw
remains unchanged. Gilad praised the IDF's "excellent"
cooperation with UNIFIL and Lebanon, and assured the
Ambassador that the withdrawal is being fully coordinated
with both. The Ambassador raised IDF seizures of U.S.-origin
weapons and ammunition from a Lebanese Joint Security Force
barracks (reftel) and urged the GOI to avoid any steps that
might impinge upon the security of the Presidential
delegation visiting Lebanon on September 22. The Ambassador
and Gilad also discussed China, arms transfers to Venezuela,
and implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access
(septels). Gilad was joined by MOD Political Adviser Haggai
Alon, MOD Senior Adviser Baruch Spiegel, and other officials.
End summary.

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IDF Withdrawal Proceeding Smoothly;
Could take up to Three Weeks
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2. (C) The Ambassador asked about reports that IDF Chief of
Staff LTG Halutz had announced a delay in the withdrawal of
Israeli forces from Lebanon. Gilad reassured him that the
political decision to remove all Israeli troops from Lebanon
remains unchanged. Defense Minister Peretz and Halutz had
hoped to complete the withdrawal prior to the Jewish New Year
(beginning on September 22),he added, but "technical
matters" have delayed the final withdrawal for one-to-three
weeks. He said that UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) require additional time to organize liaison and
logistics for the hand-over of remaining territory to them.
Gilad claimed that all IDF withdrawals are being "fully
coordinated with the Lebanese." The IDF has experienced "no
problems" working with UNIFIL and the LAF, he said, and "the
whole process is proceeding smoothly." Note: The IDF told
DAO that they are also pleased with the level of cooperation
but are not yet satisfied with the liaison mechanism
currently in place with the LAF and UNIFIL. End note.


3. (C) Gilad said that he expects the cease-fire to hold
because Hizballah is concentrating its efforts on
reconstruction. He expressed more concern about the
long-term stability of the Golan Heights, which he believes
may experience problems in 2007 following recent statements
by Syrian President Asad. Gilad stressed that Israel's
immediate concern is to prevent resupply of Hizballah across
the Syrian-Lebanese border and -- to a lesser extent -- to
ensure that the strengthening of the LAF proceeds in
accordance with Israeli (and Lebanese) interests. He was
unaware of any major resupply effort for Hizballah at this
time, but claimed that some weapons are being sent through
Turkey to Syria for transshipment to Lebanon (NFI).

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Overflights to Continue - for now
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4. (C) The Ambassador noted that Israeli overflights of
Lebanese territory have been criticized by the UNSYG and
remain a problem for the Siniora government. Gilad replied
that "overflights will continue" due to their intelligence
value and because the UN forces have not fully deployed. The
Ambassador urged all sides to think creatively to find a
solution that would meet Israel's security needs without
requiring such flights. Gilad said he would do so, adding
"in the future it will stop, I'm sure."

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GOI Seizure of Weapons from JSF in Lebanon
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador asked about IDF seizures of U.S.-origin
weapons and ammunition from the Lebanese Joint Security Force
barracks in Marjayoun during the recent conflict (reftel).
Uncertain of the facts surrounding the seizure, Gilad
conferred with Alon before asking "we didn't give them back?"
The Ambassador mentioned that the Defense Attache's office
had provided the IDF with details of the missing U.S.-origin
equipment; Gilad asked that this information also be relayed
to the political side of the MOD.

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Safety of U.S. Presidential Delegation in Lebanon
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6. (C) The Ambassador noted that a Presidential delegation
consisting of U.S. business leaders will arrive in Lebanon on
the evening of September 22. He urged the GOI to avoid any
steps that might endanger the safety of these visitors.
Gilad replied, "there is no reason you cannot trust us." He
also volunteered to inform Israeli security agencies of the
delegation's plans.

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