FAYYAD PREPARING FOR DONORS' CONFERENCE; ACTS TO

S E C R E T JERUSALEM 002171 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR A/S WELCH, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017 TAGS: KWBG PREL IS PGOV PTER SUBJECT: FAYYAD PREPARING FOR DONORS' CONFERENCE; ACTS TO CONTROL ISLAMIC CHARITIES Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Summary. Meeting with the Consul General in Ramallah on October 18, PM Salam Fayyad said the PA is preparing a comprehensive development plan, covering all key sectors, in advance of the December Donors' Conference in Paris. He said he wants the Conference organizers to coordinate fully with the U.S. on the Conference's agenda and programming. Fayyad said he is tired of being blamed by third parties for the closure of Gaza crossing points, which are under Israeli control. He noted that the PA released a statement on Zakat (Islamic charity) committees as part of its efforts to review all charitable societies and disrupt terror financing. End summary. PA Preparing Development Plan for Donor's Conference -------------- ¶2. (S) PM Fayyad told the Consul General October 18 that the PA is preparing a comprehensive development plan for donor review in advance of a planned December Donor's Conference. He said the plan may not be as detailed as he would like, but it will cover all key Palestinian sectors including economic development, infrastructure, governance, security and educational needs. Fayyad Ok with Paris Statement, But Wants U.S. Buy-in for Donors' Conference -------------- ¶3. (S) Reacting to French FM Bernard Kouchner's October 17 announcement (with Special Envoy Tony Blair and Norwegian FM Jonas Stoere) of France's willingness to host a December Donors' Conference for Palestinians, Fayyad said he has no problem with the French statement, but wants to ensure there is full agreement on the Conference's programming and intended outcomes. Noting that the Conference will be co-chaired by European countries, he said the PA is not looking for a special role itself, but cannot afford to alienate donors, including the U.S., by having the conference depart from well-established donor relationships. He said the U.S. and EU are critical players in making the conference a success, and he will tell the organizers that they must coordinate fully with the USG. PM Wants Out of Facilitating Gaza Access. . . Unless the PA Takes Control of Crossings -------------- ¶4. (S) Fayyad said he is tired of being blamed by third-parties for the closure of Gaza crossing points. As the GOI unilaterally controls access and the PA does not have an effective presence on the Gaza side, he said he no longer wants to be the address for third-party (i.e. European) requests to facilitate shipments. He said the situation would be different if the PA controlled the crossings. He noted that Abu Mazen was considering the idea of taking control of Gaza's crossings (which he said "was a dumb idea, but sometimes a dumb idea just might work"). He commented that the GoI could be fickle in responding to PA requests, noting that MoD Barak had denied something as simple as providing Eid sweets to Palestinian prisoners. PA Orders Review of All Zakat Committees in Push Against Terror Funding -------------- ¶5. (S) Fayyad noted that the PA released a statement on Zakat (Islamic charity) committees through the Ministry of Waqf/Religious Affairs on October 17. He said the PA will reorganize the Zakat/charity NGO sector as part of efforts to review all charitable societies and disrupt terror financing. (Additional details septel). WALLES