WEST BANK POLITICAL REACTION TO ANNAPOLIS MIXED;

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002454

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: KWBG PINS IS PGOV
SUBJECT: WEST BANK POLITICAL REACTION TO ANNAPOLIS MIXED;
MOST SEE POSITIVE BEGINNING, BUT SAY CONCRETE PROGRESS
ESSENTIAL


Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas Duffy, for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. West Bank political contacts gave mixed
reviews to the Annapolis joint understanding and speeches.
Most offered praise for elements of the joint understanding,
especially the USG monitoring role, but expressed doubts
about Israeli seriousness to meet Roadmap obligations or
conduct serious permanent status negotiations. All said the
GOI should take actions on the ground to improve the
negotiating atmosphere and demonstrate to Palestinians that
there is a credible process. End summary.

Abd al-Qadr: Annapolis Statements Positive,
But Rapid, Visible Progress Essential
--------------


2. (C) PM Fayyad's Jerusalem Affairs Advisor and Fatah
leader Hatim Abd al-Qadr said the Annapolis conference and
joint statement indicate a positive beginning. However, he
said the real test of Israeli seriousness will be
negotiations that start December 12. Abd al-Qadr said the
PA's biggest achievement at Annapolis was securing U.S.
agreement to judge performance of Roadmap obligations. He
said he is encouraged by this development, which for him
indicates more serious USG engagement in the process. He
said his expectations for dramatic progress remain low given
the difficulty of the issues, but his confidence in the
process has increased due to a stronger USG role.


3. (C) Abd al-Qadr commented that the GOI should take
immediate steps to convince the Palestinian public that their
situation will improve. He said release of prisoners and the
lifting of closures/checkpoints are the most important
actions the GOI can take to improve Palestinians' lives and
perceptions of permanent status negotiations. Abd al-Qadr
said he doubts Israeli PM Olmert is strong enough to
implement a permanent status agreement even if the
negotiating teams reach one, but "he remains hopeful that the
general atmosphere will transform from war to peacemaking.8

Fatah Leader Faris: Annapolis Demonstrates
Political Will, But Political Ability Unclear
--------------


4. (C) Fatah leader Qaddura Faris said the Annapolis
speeches demonstrated seriousness on the part of all three
parties, and the meeting created a positive atmosphere to
start negotiations. However, he said he doubts PM Olmert has
the political strength to conduct serious negotiations. He
said he thinks Olmert's Knesset coalition is shaky and will
handcuff negotiating efforts. Faris said goodwill and
optimism from Annapolis will quickly dwindle if there are not
real steps taken to improve Palestinians' lives. He said
"serious prisoner releases," lifting closures and allowing
Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem to reopen will all
help convince Palestinians that a credible peace process is
underway, while Israeli incursions and arrest operations
create problems.


PLO ExComm Member: Israelis Not Serious
on Reaching Peace Agreement
--------------


5. (C) PLO Executive Committee (ExComm) member Saleh Rafat
(FIDA) said Annapolis was positive in that it initiated a USG
monitoring mechanism to judge both sides' Roadmap
performance, but he criticized the joint understanding as
demonstrating lack of Israeli seriousness. He said agreement
on permanent status issues requires Israeli political will
and a decision by PM Olmert, not just more negotiations.
Rafat said "President Bush's statement regarding the Jewish
nature of the Israeli state is harmful to the negotiations
process." He said as negotiations resume, the USG should
ensure that serious steps are immediately taken by the GOI to
include lifting internal West Bank roadblocks/checkpoints and
easing movement in general, releasing more prisoners, and
above all stopping IDF incursions into Palestinian towns. He
commented that the PA has met more than 90 percent of its
Roadmap obligations, and that it is time for ISRAEL to move
on its commitments. Rafat criticized the GOI for refusing to
reopen Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem.
DUFFY