PM FAYYAD AND CODEL ACKERMAN: SECURITY,

S E C R E T JERUSALEM 001831

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR WATERS/ABRAMS/SINGH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS
SUBJECT: PM FAYYAD AND CODEL ACKERMAN: SECURITY,
CHECKPOINTS, AND SALARIES


Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) Summary. On August 29, PA Prime Minister Salam
Fayyad told CODEL Ackerman that the August 28 meeting between
PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and GoI PM Ehud Olmert
was "positive, but general." He said that another meeting
should be held soon to prepare for the November international
meeting. Fayyad said that with GoI coordination, he will
deploy security forces on West Bank streets. He said to
improve Palestinians' mobility, the GoI must remove some West
Bank checkpoints and road blocks. He said the PA can pay
salaries only until the end of 2007 and asked CODEL Ackerman
for USG financial support. Fayyad added that by dissolving
103 charitable organizations in the West Bank, he is
attacking Hamas' financial infrastructure. End Summary.

Abu Mazen-Olmert Meeting Read-out
--------------


2. (S) At an August 29 meeting in Ramallah with CODEL
Ackerman (Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and John Hall (D-NY),PM
Fayyad said that August 28 discussions between Abu Mazen and
Olmert in Jerusalem were "positive, but general." He added,
"I hesitate to express a strong sense of hope as this process
will take a long time." Fayyad said borders and settlements
pose a large challenge to negotiations, as "land swaps" have
yet to be defined, there are settlements deep inside the West
Bank, and any agreement must provide for a West Bank-Gaza
land passage. Emphasizing the need for action prior to this
fall's international meeting, Fayyad said another Abu
Mazen-Olmert meeting should be held in coming weeks.

Security
--------------


3. (C) On West Bank security, Fayyad said he wants to
deploy several hundred security personnel in all major West
Bank cities to control the streets. "If we start to
regularly patrol the streets of Nablus," he explained, "we'll
be able to keep the bad guys away." Fayyad said that while
his Israeli counterparts agree this plan is logical, he is
waiting to receive support from the GoI to ensure the
deployment's success.


4. (S) Fayyad said ten days ago the PA gave the GoI a list
of 260 fugitives, of whom the GoI approved 110. He said if
his government does not deal with the fugitive problem
immediately, it will be difficult to provide effective
security. Fayyad said security is a prerequisite for
political negotiations.

Checkpoints
--------------


5. (C) Fayyad told CODEL Ackerman that the GoI must closely
examine the 500-plus checkpoints and road blocks in the West
Bank. He said that the removal of checkpoints in the West
Bank is not a bilateral issue, but rather a decision that the
GoI needs to make itself, and the GoI should move rapidly to
remove some to restore a degree of mobility to Palestinians'
daily lives.

Salaries
--------------


6. (C) Fayyad said the PA has enough funds to pay salaries
through the end of 2007. He stressed the need to continue
paying salaries after this to "ensure what happened in Gaza
does not happen in the West Bank." Fayyad asked CODEL
Ackerman for USG financial assistance.

Hamas in Gaza
--------------


7. (S) Fayyad told CODEL Ackerman that the June Hamas
takeover of Gaza was primarily due to a command and control
problem within the security forces. Fayyad said he sees no
place for Hamas in the government and that the government
will not engage Hamas unless it disarms completely and fully
accepts the government's authority in Gaza. Fayyad added
that by dissolving 103 charitable organizations in the West
Bank, he is attacking Hamas' financial infrastructure.


8. (U) CODEL Ackerman did not have the opportunity to clear
this cable.
DUFFY