Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM153
2007-01-26 07:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

U/S BURNS DISCUSSES NUG AND NEED TO WORK WITH

Tags:  PREL KWBG PBTS KHUM KPAL IS 
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VZCZCXRO9109
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #0153 0260718
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 260718Z JAN 07
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6463
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000153 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KWBG PBTS KHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: U/S BURNS DISCUSSES NUG AND NEED TO WORK WITH
ISRAEL WITH FAYYAD AND ABED RABBO

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000153

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KWBG PBTS KHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: U/S BURNS DISCUSSES NUG AND NEED TO WORK WITH
ISRAEL WITH FAYYAD AND ABED RABBO

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. In a January 20 meeting in Jerusalem with
U/S Nicholas Burns, PLC member Salam Fayyad and PLO Executive
Committee Member Yasser Abed Rabbo put the Fatah-Hamas
struggle in the context of the regional Iranian threat. They
discussed the possibility that PA President Mahmoud Abbas
(Abu Mazen) would agree to a Palestinian National Unity
Government (NUG) with Hamas, and Fayyad suggested that if the
current Hamas-led government does not fail on its own, Abu
Mazen should again consider dismissing it. Fayyad added that
Hamas will be a problem as long as Iran and Syria use it to
interfere in Palestinian affairs. End summary.

NUG: Viable Option
--------------


2. (C) PLO Executive Committee member Abed Rabbo told Under
Secretary Burns January 20 that Fatah must control key

SIPDIS
ministries if a NUG is formed. Abed Rabbo argued that the
public will give Abu Mazen and Fatah the credit if a NUG
improves the current difficult situation. PLC member Salam
Fayyad agreed, but emphasized that the negotiations over a
NUG must conclude quickly, one way or the other. If a NUG is
not possible, Abu Mazen must be decisive and consider
dismissing the current government. Fayyad said Abu Mazen
should try to create a NUG that includes Hamas, in order to
minimize its power. (Comment: Based on our other
conversations with Fayyad, such a government would only be
acceptable to him if it meets Quartet requirements. End
Comment). If he cannot erode Hamas' power in this way, Abu
Mazen should dismiss the government. Fayyad recommended
external support must be targeted to help Abu Mazen even at
the cost of easing the burden somewhat on the Hamas-led
government. He said that only actions and not words from the
international community will strengthen Abu Mazen at this
point.

Negotiations with Israel Important
--------------


3. (C) Fayyad explained that Palestinians must consider
their strategy in the context of regional issues and the
Iranian threat. He argued that the PA must cooperate with the
GOI for this reason even if a strategic relationship with
Israel is impossible while the occupation persists. He said
the starting point for such a relationship is better now than
in the past. Fayyad and Abed Rabbo said the results of
previous negotiations, including Camp David, Taba, and
informal discussions such as those in Geneva, should not be
discarded. Abed Rabbo said the refugee issue can be resolved
within a Palestinian state along 1967 lines. He rejected
provisional borders and said a temporary solution will only
perpetuate the problem. Abed Rabbo said the GOI needs a more
comprehensive approach to security, addressing it from a
regional point of view and not "a soldier on each hilltop."
Fayyad added that both sides must "move fast." He said the
GOI is more open now to talk about issues than in the past,
and it recognizes the step-by-step approach did not work.

Regional Assistance
--------------


4. (C) Fayyad and Abed Rabbo agreed the situation will not
improve without regional help. Fayyad said efforts must be
made to keep the Arabs focused on supporting Abu Mazen and on
starting a political process with Israel. Abed Rabbo
stressed that it is particularly important to have Egypt's
support. He said that Syria is attempting to affect the
Palestinian situation for better or worse. Fayyad added that
dealing with Hamas will be a long-term problem, and said that
until Iran and Syria are dealt with, Hamas will continue to
be a problem.

WALLES