CONTINUED ROADWORK AND CONSTRUCTION ON POLICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001420 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2017 TAGS: PBTS KWBG PREL IS SUBJECT: CONTINUED ROADWORK AND CONSTRUCTION ON POLICE STATION AT E-1 REF: JERUSALEM 867 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: PolOff observed July 2 that construction work continues in the E-1 area between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem, and the exterior of the police station building is near complete. Retaining walls for roadways and grading along the hillsides leading up to and surrounding the police station were completed since ConGen last visited the site on May 10. (Note: Photos emailed to NEA/IPA. End Note.) End Summary. ¶2. (C) On a July 2 visit, PolOff observed that the exterior of the police station building at E-1, the area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, is nearly complete. Parking and driveway areas immediately surrounding the police station have been paved, and a small building at the entrance to the police compound has been built. Workmen are working on small projects on the exterior of the police station. PolOff observed no change in the area suspected of being prepared for housing. ¶3. (C) PolOff also observed continued work on the main road climbing up to the police station. The road is unpaved, but the retaining walls appeared complete, and extra fragments of retaining wall were lying on the roadside. A backhoe and bulldozer were breaking up and moving rocks from the edges of the unpaved road. The road network does not appear to have been extended since PolOff's last visit, but grading has been completed along hillsides leading up to and surrounding the police station. WALLES