ISRAEL SUPPORTS COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES, CANNOT

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 002834 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G JOAQUIN FERRAO AND DRL/MGA GIANNI PAZ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL UNGA PGOV SUBJECT: ISRAEL SUPPORTS COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES, CANNOT SEND FM TO MALI REF: SECSTATE 129764 ¶1. (SBU) On September 18, Poloff delivered reftel demarche on priorities for the Communities of Democracies (CD) to Ron Adam, Director of the UN Political Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also handles the CD portfolio. Adam expressed Israel's support for the Community of Democracies, and said the Foreign Minister would try to attend the meeting chaired by Mali on the margins of UNGA. He could not commit the Foreign Minister, as she was leaving New York that day, October 1, and already had a fairly full schedule including an address to the General Assembly. Adam did indicate that if Secretary Rice thought it was of particular importance for FM Livni to attend the meeting, that we should communicate that as soon as possible. ¶2. (SBU) Adam noted that FM Livni would not be able to attend the biennial ministerial in Bamako, or provide direct support, as Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Mali. However, he said they were planning on sending working-level representation and were interested in seeing the draft communique being prepared for the ministerial when it was ready. ¶3. (SBU) Adam had not seen the proposal for a CD Secretariat, but responded positively to the idea and said SIPDIS the GOI would be interested in getting more information, including make-up of the small international staff, before the October 1 meeting. With regards to the other actions, Adam noted that Israel has already made a pledge to the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF). He said Israel is particularly interested in highlighting the role of NGOs, civil society and strong institutions in democracy building. ********************************************* ******************** 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