SENATOR SPECTER'S MEETING WITH LIKUD LEADER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005005 SIPDIS CODEL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2011 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IS IR SY KJUS IN SUBJECT: SENATOR SPECTER'S MEETING WITH LIKUD LEADER NETANYAHU Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reason 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Senator Arlen Specter (PA) and the Ambassador met with former prime minister (PM) and current Likud Party leader Binyamin Netanyahu on December 27 to discuss Syria and the Iranian nuclear threat. Senator Specter reported on Syrian President Asad's interest in negotiations with Israel. Netanyahu urged the U.S. to mobilize all its diplomatic and national efforts against Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons. End Summary. -------------- SYRIA -------------- ¶2. (C) Senator Specter shared his impression that President Asad is more assertive, does not like to be isolated, and indicated he could exert influence over the Hamas and Hizballah terrorist organizations. He also reported that Asad had denied arming Hizballah or assassinating Hariri, but Specter clarified that he did not necessarily believe these Syrian claims. Netanyahu responded by arguing that Syria was waging active low-intensity war on Israel through its support of Hizballah and Hamas and its alliance with the Iranian regime. Although he professed that he was not against talking with the Syrians, Netanyahu said he would only do so from a starting point of "non-war." -------------- Golan Heights -------------- ¶3. (C) Netanyahu commented that the recent Lebanon War had bolstered Asad's confidence; he asked what Asad wanted in return, to which Specter answered: "the Golan." Recalling his own negotiations with Hafez Al-Asad in the late 1990's, Netanyahu claimed that he had obtained Asad's assent to Israeli possession of Mt. Hermon without making any concessions regarding the Golan: "When Asad asked how many meters Israel would want on the Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, I replied 'miles.'" Netanyahu explained that while it was important to ascertain what Asad was willing to give (i.e., cessation of Hamas and Hizballah terrorism),what Israel gives to Syria must also be carefully considered. He stressed the strategic importance of Israel remaining on the Golan so as to enforce a peace agreement with Syria. -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶4. (C) Senator Specter reported that he had raised Iran with Asad, notably Ahmadinejad's assertion that there was no Holocaust and his "mad call to wipe out Israel." Although both Specter and Netanyahu agreed on the importance of UNSCR 1737, Netanyahu flagged with concern Iran's stated unwillingness to cooperate with the UN. Netanyahu characterized Ahmadinejad as representative of the "lunatic fringe" with aspirations to become a world power. Specter noted India's interest in not having another nuclear power in the region. Netanyahu praised President Bush's statements regarding how "unacceptable" it would be for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, and urged the U.S. to use "every means necessary" to prevent this scenario. Clarifying his position, Netanyahu said that only diplomacy backed up by other means (short of war) has a chance of working with Iran. -------------- TARGETED KILLING -------------- ¶5. (C) Netanyahu asked Senator Specter if the U.S. government had the right to "dispose of its enemies." Specter replied that if the U.S. captures its enemies, the government is obligated to try them: "You can't torture or kill them." Netanyahu replied that he would not like such constitutional restraints, to which Specter commented: "You can't pick and choose (from the Constitution)." ¶6. (U) CODEL Specter did not have an opportunity to review this message before departure. ********************************************* ******************** 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. TEL AVIV 00005005 002 OF 002 ********************************************* ******************** JONES