E-1 UPDATE FROM MID-DECEMBER

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002566 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017 TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS SUBJECT: E-1 UPDATE FROM MID-DECEMBER REF: A. JERUSALEM 02197 ¶B. JERUSALEM 01806 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. PolOffs observed December 12 that construction work continues in the E-1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, and external structures at the police station building are nearly completed. The road leading to the police station is entirely paved, although sidewalks, medians and traffic circles remain unfinished. The newly paved road leads to a bridge that connects Ma'ale Adumim to E-1 over Highway 1. There are also newly cleared areas around E-1 that appear to be the beginning of new roads. (Photos will be available at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/jerusalem/ind ex.cfm after transmission of this cable.) End Summary. ROADS IN E-1 NEWLY PAVED -------------- ¶2. (C) PolOffs observed on December 12 that the road leading to the police station at E-1 is newly paved, starting at the exit from Highway 1 and leading all the way to the gates of the police station compound. Near the base of the hill, road lanes are divided by a median. The lanes converge and the median disappears part way up the hill. The road includes two paved scenic overlooks and three traffic circles. Sidewalks and medians remain unpaved. The newly paved road leads to a pre-existing bridge over Highway 1 that connects E-1 to Ma'ale Adumim. POLICE STATION NEARING COMPLETION -------------- ¶3. (C) The police station is nearing completion. Signs have been hung above the entrance identifying the building, and parking sheds have been built behind the station. The outdoor basketball court is paved, and hoops and nets have been hung. The gas station is complete except for the actual gasoline pumps. (Note: Workmen were working on the police station building, and PolOffs did not enter to assess construction progress inside the building. End Note.) NEW LAND CLEARED, POSSIBLY FOR NEW ROADS -------------- ¶4. (C) PolOffs observed two newly cleared areas that appear to be new roads. In one area, land has been cleared near the police station around a pre-existing unpaved road on the hillside leading north and west of the police station. In the second area, land has been cleared at the base of the hill leading into the area in the hills south and east of the police station. PolOffs observed workmen and red water pipes identical to those reported in Ref B Para 4 along an existing, unpaved road near Highway 1 several hundred meters west of the exit to the police station in E-1, indicating that the area is likely being prepared for a water system. WALLES