Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS1817
2006-07-18 10:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

TUNIS-BASED PLO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SLAMS

Tags:  KPAL PREL TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1817/01 1991051
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 181051Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1314
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001817 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/IPA AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2016
TAGS: KPAL PREL TU
SUBJECT: TUNIS-BASED PLO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SLAMS
ISRAELI EXCESSIVE FORCE IN GAZA

Classified By: Ambassador William Hudson for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 001817

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/IPA AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2016
TAGS: KPAL PREL TU
SUBJECT: TUNIS-BASED PLO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SLAMS
ISRAELI EXCESSIVE FORCE IN GAZA

Classified By: Ambassador William Hudson for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary and Comment: PLO Foreign Affairs Minister
Farouk Qaddoumi on July 12 convened representatives of the
Americas for a rambling briefing, delivered in English,
entitled, "The Latest Developments in Palestine, especially
with the Current Israeli Occupation Forces Military Attacks
on the Gaza Strip and West Bank." The briefing, littered
with historical inaccuracies and colored by his own dubious
analysis of geostrategic issues, was largely devoted to a
history lesson of the MEPP. Notwithstanding his disclaimer
that he did not mean to be "threatening," Qaddoumi was quite
harsh in his assessment of the U.S. role in supporting Israel
in its excessive use of force in Gaza. Characteristically,
Qaddoumi's diatribe was delivered with nods and smiles in the
direction of Pol/Econ Counselor. Qaddoumi circulated a press
release publicizing a decree signed by PA President Mahmoud
Abbas affirming Qaddoumi's role in the conduct of Palesinian
foreign affairs. End Summary and Comment.


2. (C) The bulk of the 45-minute briefing consisted of a
lengthy history lesson of the Arab-Israeli peace process
according to Qaddoumi, i.e., not necessarily adhering to
historical fact. As he has done in previous such sessions,
Qaddoumi,s monologue was accompanied by a seemingly random
passing around of maps from various stages of the Oslo peace
process. He also circulated the 2004 exchange of letters
between President Bush and then-Prime Minister Sharon.
Scribbled on the top of Bush letter was a note (in Arabic)
that appeared to read: "The advice of America to her
student, Sharon." There were no questions from the audience.



3. (C) Lest his audience be in any doubt about his authority
to speak on his chosen subject, Qaddoumi circulated a copy of
a July 10, 2006, press release, datelined Ramallah (but
printed on the Tunis-based State of Palestine/Palestine
Liberation Organization Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political
Department letterhead),heralding PA President Mahmoud
Abbas, issuance of a decree designating Qaddoumi as the
Foreign Affairs Minister of Palestine, and, as such, entitled
to speak about the foreign affairs of the Palestinians and
representing it (sic) in the international arena. Apparently
quoting from the Abbas decree, the press release notes that,
"The politburo Tunis-based is the foreign affairs ministry
and the chief of the politburo is responsible for
Palestine,s political profile."


4. (C) Among the points Qaddoumi made:

-- "Mr. Olmert is destroying everything in the Gaza Strip,
using all of his force, not only killing "freedom fighters,"
but bombarding houses, killing women and children. 16,000
houses have been completely destroyed in the Gaza Strip and
West Bank."

-- "All this for one prisoner captured by Palestinians? One
armed solider? We have 9,000 POWs in Israel. He is a
soldier. We have a right to kill him because he is occupying
our country."

-- "Don,t worry about Hamas. Hamas is not accepted in this
part of the world. Our people are frustrated because there
is no peace. That is the reason for Hamas." (Note: This
message is at odds with more pro-Hamas Qaddoumi posturing
observed by another Embassy officer.)

-- "The PLO recognized Israel. Rabin recognized the PLO...
Article 6 of the Oslo Agreement says that the PLO should
negotiate with Israel and sign agreements on behalf of
national aQorities. So why are you asking the national
authority to recognize Israel?"

-- "I,m not threatening; just reading the future. Israel is
a tiny state. How will it continue to live when it is on bad
terms with the Arabs? The world has changed. There is more
than one superpower. More countries own atomic bombs,
including Arabs." (Note: It was not clear which Arab
countries Qaddoumi was referring to. He also went on to
condemn the U.S. for invading Iraq on the pretext of WMD's
when Iraq had no such weapons.)

-- "We don,t hate the U.S., but they provide arms and money
to Israel. The U.S. must put pressure on Israel to move
out.... It is the responsibility of the U.S. because the
whole thing is in a stalemate. Those who claim to be the
protectors of peace and security in the world must take
action. It is time to do something before it is too late.
Our people have to see that the international community and
the superpowers do something."

HUDSON