Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV543
2006-02-06 17:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

YOUR MEETING WITH ISRAELI FM TZIPI LIVNI

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000543 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SECRETARY RICE
NSC FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
WHITE HOUSE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
NEW YORK FOR AMBASSADOR BOLTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KWBG KPAL IS GOI INTERNAL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: YOUR MEETING WITH ISRAELI FM TZIPI LIVNI

REF: A) TEL AVIV 0515 B) TEL AVIV 0282 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000543

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SECRETARY RICE
NSC FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
WHITE HOUSE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
NEW YORK FOR AMBASSADOR BOLTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KWBG KPAL IS GOI INTERNAL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: YOUR MEETING WITH ISRAELI FM TZIPI LIVNI

REF: A) TEL AVIV 0515 B) TEL AVIV 0282 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) Tzipi Livni's first visit to Washington and New York
as Foreign Minister offers her a chance to demonstrate on an
international stage the same confidence, frankness and poise
that have made her one of Israel's most popular politicians.
Considered too young, at 47, to be Prime Minister Sharon's
deputy, Livni has assumed this role under Alternate Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert, even though Shimon Peres technically
outranks her. In parliament for less than seven years, Livni
has already held seven ministerial portfolios and has
developed into one of the most influential leaders of the
centrist Kadima party. She is still learning to juggle her
three current ministerial jobs while simultaneously
spearheading much of Kadima's campaign efforts and raising
two sons. In the event of a Kadima victory on March 28, this
former lawyer and Mossad agent will likely have her pick of
cabinet postings.


2. (C) The Foreign Minister has three clear priorities for
her February 6-8 visit: 1) discussing how to deal with the
Palestinians; 2) countering threats from Iran and Hizballah;
and 3) obtaining U.S. financial assistance for protecting the
border from Gaza to Eilat. Following Sharon's departure from
the political scene and the surprise Hamas victory, Livni's
visit comes at a time when the Israeli public is increasingly
worried about the future. The Israeli Government is
uncertain how to deal with the Palestinians and concerned
about what course the United States will ultimately take. As
a result, Livni will be seeking private and public
reassurances of our opposition to Hamas and support for
Israel.


3. (C) Livni is nervous about a possible U.S. rejection or
postponement of Israel's request for assistance. In the wake

of the victory by Hamas, she now sees protection of the
southern border as an urgent need and may press for inclusion
of funding for security upgrades in the USG's February budget
supplemental request. For her, such a step would boost both
Israel's security and Kadima's political future. It would
also provide a visible sign of U.S. support for
disengagement, the removal of illegal outposts, and efforts
to re-focus settlement activity away from the West Bank.
Livni and Olmert are anxious for good news from Washington to
help counter images of truncheon-wielding mounted policemen
charging lines of teenage protesters during the February 1
removal of part of the Amona outpost near Ramallah. They
also want to quiet criticism from the right following the
Cabinet's decision on February 5 to transfer tax and custom
revenues to the Palestinians.


4. (C) In discussions with the Embassy, Livni has predicted
that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- and not economic
issues -- will determine the winner of the March 28 Knesset
elections. Livni's position on peace with the Palestinians
has evolved over the years from vocal criticism of the Oslo
process to support for the roadmap and territorial compromise
as necessary steps to maintain Israel's Jewish character.
She has clear reservations about continued revenue transfers
to the Palestinians after Hamas forms a government and is
sensitive to U.S. pressure on the issue. She has, however,
admitted the logic of strengthening President Abbas before
Hamas assumes power. While in Washington, she needs to hear
that we are working to address Israel's concerns with
implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access,
particularly regarding the Rafah crossing. Her visit follows
what Livni describes as a "very positive" February 1 trip to
Cairo, where she met alone with President Mubarak for more
than two hours.


5. (C) Livni has welcomed the President's February 1 remarks
on Israel and Iran. She may reiterate Israel's view that the
Lebanese Armed Forces should deploy along the blue line to
prevent continued attacks by Hizballah.


6. (C) We understand that Livni is quite legalistic in her
approach to issues. Senior advisers at the MFA told us that
they are trying to get her to focus on the "bigger picture,"
i.e., the international political context in which events are
taking place. The Foreign Ministry staff has welcomed the
changeover from former Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who
did not have Livni's political savvy or influence with Sharon
and Olmert.

********************************************* ********************
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