Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TELAVIV2578
2007-08-24 11:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
ISRAELIS WAITING FOR EU WRITTEN REQUEST ON EU
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTV #2578 2361116 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241116Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2936 INFO RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 7734 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 002578
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KWBG IS EU
SUBJECT: ISRAELIS WAITING FOR EU WRITTEN REQUEST ON EU
POLICE MISSION
REF: STATE 116590
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 002578
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KWBG IS EU
SUBJECT: ISRAELIS WAITING FOR EU WRITTEN REQUEST ON EU
POLICE MISSION
REF: STATE 116590
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) The Ambassador raised reftel demarche requesting the
GOI provide timely diplomatic accreditation for members of
the EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EU
COPPS) with MOD Director General Buchris, MFA Director
General Abramovitch, MFA Senior Deputy Director General Gal,
and Vice Prime Minister Ramon. All of the Ambassador's
interlocutors responded positively, indicating that they did
not see a problem with providing the diplomatic accreditation
in principle, but without indicting detailed knowledge of the
issue. Ramon commented that the GOI had provided a similar
status to EU personnel involved in the EU BAM program at the
Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt before the crossing was
closed following the Hamas takeover in Gaza. We understand
that the issue also came up in an August 22 meeting between
Minister of Defense Barak and visiting former NEA A/S and
former Ambassador to Israel Edward Djerejian. Barak likewise
told Djerejian that he did not see a problem with the
accreditation.
2. (C) On the evening of August 23 the Ambassador received a
follow-up phone call from MFA Director for Western Europe
Shmuel Ravel, who explained that following a meeting with EU
Representative Marc Otte, a GOI inter-ministerial meeting had
approved in principle the diplomatic accreditation for the EU
COPPS, but final approval is contingent on Otte providing a
written request explaining the details of how many EU police
personnel will be involved in the program and what kinds of
equipment they plan to bring into the West Bank.
3. (C) Comment: The GOI believes the ball is now in the
EU's court. There was no mention in any of our conversations
of Israeli attempts to impose conditions on the EU other than
the written request for accreditation and the details of the
program. We stand ready to raise the issue again if USEU
learns that the EU has a different understanding of the state
of play.
********************************************* ********************
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
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KWBG IS EU
SUBJECT: ISRAELIS WAITING FOR EU WRITTEN REQUEST ON EU
POLICE MISSION
REF: STATE 116590
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) The Ambassador raised reftel demarche requesting the
GOI provide timely diplomatic accreditation for members of
the EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EU
COPPS) with MOD Director General Buchris, MFA Director
General Abramovitch, MFA Senior Deputy Director General Gal,
and Vice Prime Minister Ramon. All of the Ambassador's
interlocutors responded positively, indicating that they did
not see a problem with providing the diplomatic accreditation
in principle, but without indicting detailed knowledge of the
issue. Ramon commented that the GOI had provided a similar
status to EU personnel involved in the EU BAM program at the
Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt before the crossing was
closed following the Hamas takeover in Gaza. We understand
that the issue also came up in an August 22 meeting between
Minister of Defense Barak and visiting former NEA A/S and
former Ambassador to Israel Edward Djerejian. Barak likewise
told Djerejian that he did not see a problem with the
accreditation.
2. (C) On the evening of August 23 the Ambassador received a
follow-up phone call from MFA Director for Western Europe
Shmuel Ravel, who explained that following a meeting with EU
Representative Marc Otte, a GOI inter-ministerial meeting had
approved in principle the diplomatic accreditation for the EU
COPPS, but final approval is contingent on Otte providing a
written request explaining the details of how many EU police
personnel will be involved in the program and what kinds of
equipment they plan to bring into the West Bank.
3. (C) Comment: The GOI believes the ball is now in the
EU's court. There was no mention in any of our conversations
of Israeli attempts to impose conditions on the EU other than
the written request for accreditation and the details of the
program. We stand ready to raise the issue again if USEU
learns that the EU has a different understanding of the state
of play.
********************************************* ********************
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