Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK1717
2006-09-01 22:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

AMB WOLFF AND UN U/SYG GAMBARI DISCUSS ARAB LEAGUE

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC 
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 012234Z SEP 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0082
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 1222
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM IMMEDIATE 0730
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001717 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC
SUBJECT: AMB WOLFF AND UN U/SYG GAMBARI DISCUSS ARAB LEAGUE
PROPOSAL FOR MEPP MINISTERIAL

Classified By: Amb. John Bolton. E.O. 12958. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001717

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC
SUBJECT: AMB WOLFF AND UN U/SYG GAMBARI DISCUSS ARAB LEAGUE
PROPOSAL FOR MEPP MINISTERIAL

Classified By: Amb. John Bolton. E.O. 12958. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: DPR Amb Wolff advised UN U/SYG Ibrahim
Gambari August 31 that the USG is highly skeptical about a
Security Council ministerial on the peace process at this
time. Amb Wolff noted, moreover, that since the Arab League
has been unable to explain the purpose of the meeting, has
failed to provide for Israeli involvement, and has bypassed
the Quartet and Roadmap, we currently oppose the Arab League
initiative. Gambari said he had heard similar concerns from
the other members of the P5, and explained he continued to
engage with the Arab League to "probe for answers."
Acknowledging that time is limited, Gambari asked the USG "to
leave room to be persuaded." End Summary.

UN and Arab League
--------------


2. (C) U/SGY for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari told Amb
Wolff August 31 that he has been consulting with the P5 on
the Arab League proposal to hold a Security Council
ministerial on the Middle East peace process during the
General Debate of the UN General Assembly, when ministers
travel to New York. Gambari recalled that he had circulated
a nonpaper on the proposal prepared by the Arab League to P5
Ambassadors on August 22. Since that time, he had received a
note verbale reiterating the request for a Security Council
ministerial from the Egyptian Permanent Representative
(e-mailed to NEA). He also shared a draft op-ed by AL SYG
Amre Moussa.


3. (C) Gambari said he had solicited P5 views on the
following questions: do you support the proposed ministerial
meeting; do you support the international conference proposed
in the nonpaper; what is your view of the continuing role
and relevance of the Quartet; what is your view of the future
of the Roadmap; what is the proper role of the Security
Council in the Middle East Peace Process. Gambari said the
other members of the P5 had underscored the ongoing need for
the Quartet, and their objection to Moussa's assertion that
"the Quartet is dead." While noting the Roadmap is behind
schedule, they had also endorsed its continuing relevance.
He said Russia and China had been the most supportive of the

ministerial and conference, but even they had said those
meetings needed to be properly prepared. Gambari reported
the general view that the Security Council could play a
helpful role of encouragement or catalyst to the peace
process, but that the Council should not replace the Quartet.


4. (C) Gambari's special assistant for Middle Eastern
affairs, Steven Siquiera, reported that he had asked the Arab
League "what's your Israel strategy" but received no reply.
Gambari explained that the Arab League maintained the purpose
of the ministerial is to galvanize the parties to the
conflict to carry out their commitments and to address the
"core" problem in the region.

USG Views
--------------


5. (C) Amb Wolff advised Gambari that the USG has been
waiting for clarification from the Arab League. Regrettably,
the AL had failed to respond to questions posed by the USG,
other Security Council members, and indeed the UN. The Arab
League had not articulated the objective of the meeting,
other than to provide a forum for statements. The AL had not
shared any proposal regarding Israeli engagement. While
Moussa had apparently ceased publicly declaring that the
Roadmap is dead, the Arab League proposal did not appear to
recognize a continuing role for the Quartet and the Roadmap.
Amb Wolff reported that earlier in the day he had met the
Algerian charge who admitted he had no idea at this point
what the Arab League intended to achieve.


6. (C) Turning to the environment in the UN, Amb Wolff
described for Gambari his experience with recent statements
on the Middle East by leading members of the NAM, OIC, and
the AL in General Assembly fora. Recalling that the Arab
League had stated its wish for a "positive" tone during the
proposed ministerial, Amb Wolff reported he had seen no
evidence of a change in rhetoric. Rather, these delegations
continued making statements that are heated and unbalanced.
This experience raised doubts about the assertion that a
Security Council ministerial would mark a break from business
as usual. For all these reasons, Amb Wolff concluded, the
USG remained skeptical in general about a meeting and
consequently, if asked today to respond, we would oppose it.
We are reluctant to commit our Secretary of State to an
effort that could lead to a counterproductive outcome.

USUN NEW Y 00001717 002 OF 002




7. (C) Gambari thanked Amb Wolff for USG input, and said the
UN and other P5 members shared U.S. concerns. He said he
would continue to engage with the UN to "probe for answers,"
and asked the United States to "leave room to be persuaded."
But he admitted that the September 21 proposed date for the
ministerial left little time to resolve the outstanding
questions.
BOLTON