FM LIVNI: ARAB LEAGUE PEACE COMMITTEE CAN PROVIDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 001110

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MEPN KPAL ARABL JO IS
SUBJECT: FM LIVNI: ARAB LEAGUE PEACE COMMITTEE CAN PROVIDE
POLITICAL HORIZON FOR ISRAEL

REF: CAIRO 1077

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 (B and D).


1. (C) Summary and comment: The MFA reports that FM Livni has
been actively lobbying both her Jordanian and Egyptian
counterparts prior to the meeting of the Arab League's
"Follow-Up Committee" scheduled for April 18 in Cairo
(reftel). Senior GOI officials, including PM Olmert, have
made public statements recently calling for talks with the
Arab states. The GOI's response to the formation of any Arab
League committee to discuss peace is likely to be positive,
although the Israelis' enthusiasm will be greatly dependent
upon the scope of the group's membership. End summary and
comment.


2. (C) Livni traveled to Jordan on April 15 following her
participation in the PM Olmert-President Abbas meeting in
Jerusalem earlier that day. Livni's special assistant Tal
Becker (protect),who took part in the meeting with FM
Al-Khatib, said the GOI was pleased with Jordan's view that
the Arab League should form a broad-based committee (i.e.,
not just Jordan and Egypt) to discuss its peace initiative
with Israel. According to the MFA, Al-Khatib also told Livni
that the Arab League proposal is a starting point for
negotiations. The Israelis took this to mean that the Arab
states would ultimately show flexibility on what the GOI sees
as the most problematic areas of the Arab League initiative
(i.e., refugees).


3. (C) Livni found less agreement from the Jordanians when
she presented her view that the Arab League should offer
Israelis a "regional political horizon" in advance of the
Israeli-Palestinian track. Al-Khatib replied that the Arab
League's decision to engage with Israel already represented a
significant concession in this regard. Livni's special
assistant said that the Israelis left the meeting concerned
that the two sides were "broadcasting on different
frequencies" when discussing what the Arab League working
group could accomplish.


4. (C) Livni also discussed the Arab League efforts with
Egyptian FM Aboul Gheit by telephone on April 15. According
to her staff, Livni was left with the impression that the GOE
had not yet made a decision on composition or direction for
the working group. Livni maintained that it would be better
for the Arab League working group to meet with the GOI before
it -- or a parallel working group -- begins activity at the
United Nations.


5. (U) Israeli leaders have made numerous public statements
recently calling for talks with Arab states. In the Cabinet
communique from April 15, PM Olmert "reiterated that Israel
is prepared to hold discussions with any group of Arab
countries on their and Israel's ideas and initiatives." In
an interview on April 17, Olmert restated his view that there
are "positive elements" to the "Saudi plan," adding "I'm
ready to sit with them and I'm ready to listen very carefully
to their proposals on the basis of this plan and to see how
we can work together to find a common ground that will lead
us to a more meaningful political process in the Middle
East." Following a meeting with Chinese diplomats on April
16, Livni said "as Israel is providing a political horizon
for the Palestinians, so should the Arab states provide a
political horizon for Israel, now, at this moment in time,
even before the end of the conflict." Vice PM Peres told
reporters "if Arab states decide to set up working groups, it
is important that we talk to them."

********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
JONES