ISRAELI MFA INFORMED OF U.S. ENGAGEMENT WITH IRAN

S E C R E T TEL AVIV 001545 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2017 TAGS: PREL IR IZ IS SUBJECT: ISRAELI MFA INFORMED OF U.S. ENGAGEMENT WITH IRAN ON IRAQ REF: STATE 70894 Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d). ¶1. (S/NF) On May 24, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to MFA Director General Aharon Abramovitch, stressing the following points: -- President Bush has authorized Ambassador Crocker to meet with his Iranian counterpart to discuss Iraq. -- The USG believes that Iran's participation in the March 10 Iraq Neighbors Conference was a signal that it is willing to engage more seriously on Iraq's security. -- The meeting is being held at the request of the Iraqi government, but Ambassador Crocker will not be speaking for the Iraqi government. -- The U.S. relies on UNSCR 1546 as the legal basis for Ambassador Crocker's meeting with his Iranian counterpart. -- The Iran nuclear weapons issue will continue to be handled within the framework of the P-5 plus one, and other issues with Iran will only be discussed after it accepts the P-5 plus one's conditions. Nothing has changed concerning U.S. engagement with Iran. -- The U.S. is also informing the Gulf States, Jordan and Egypt of the May 28 meeting, and will inform Baghdad of the results. ¶2. (S/NF) Abramovitch thanked the Ambassador for the information but offered no response. ********************************************* ******************** 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