Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TELAVIV3516
2007-12-13 16:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
ISN PDAS MCNERNEY'S DISCUSSION ON PSI AND UNFC
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTV #3516/01 3471655 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131655Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4583 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6245 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0573 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0147
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 003516
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP UNSC UNFC EG RU IS
SUBJECT: ISN PDAS MCNERNEY'S DISCUSSION ON PSI AND UNFC
ISSUES AT THE ISRAELI MFA (CABLE 5 OF 5)
REF: A. TEL AVIV 03385
B. TEL AVIV 03386
C. TEL AVIV 03514
D. TEL AVIV 03515
Classified By: Marc J. Sievers, Political Counselor.
Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 003516
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP UNSC UNFC EG RU IS
SUBJECT: ISN PDAS MCNERNEY'S DISCUSSION ON PSI AND UNFC
ISSUES AT THE ISRAELI MFA (CABLE 5 OF 5)
REF: A. TEL AVIV 03385
B. TEL AVIV 03386
C. TEL AVIV 03514
D. TEL AVIV 03515
Classified By: Marc J. Sievers, Political Counselor.
Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) During an October 24 meeting with an Israeli
inter-agency team at the Foreign Ministry that focused mainly
on the Iranian nuclear threat, ISN PDAS Patricia McNerney and
her delegation also exchanged views on the Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) and various resolutions in the UN
First Committee. The Israeli delegation, led by MFA Deputy
Director General (Strategic Affairs) Miriam Ziv, made the
following points:
A. Israel participated in a PSI exercise that took place in
Japan 12-15 October. The MFA owes the U.S. side an answer
regarding a proposal for Israel to participate in another PSI
exercise.
B. Israel is analyzing whether Egypt's attitude towards a
Middle East Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (MENWFZ) reflects a
change in policy. Israel was frustrated that reference to an
IAEA resolution made it into Egypt's annual MENWFZ resolution
at the UN.
C. Israel believes Iran may be behind Qatar's plans to
introduce a new resolution on Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
(NPT) violations and Chapter VI of the UN Charter.
In response, PDAS McNerney agreed to continue to consult on
Egyptian activism at the IAEA and UN regarding policy on the
MENWFZ. She said that the U.S. had tried to discourage the
Russians from tabling their resolution on Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) in Outer Space, and that the U.S. would vote
"no" on the annual PAROS resolution. END SUMMARY.
--------------
PSI: ISRAELIS SEEKING MORE INFORMATION
--------------
2. (C) Ambassador Ziv asked how much the PSI is actually
applied in counterproliferation efforts. PDAS McNerney
responded by noting an up-tick in interdiction activity since
the passages of UNSCR 1718 and 1737. McNerney said that PSI
partners along interdiction routes are helping the U.S. on
counterpliferation activities. She observed, however, that
the "legal disposition" issue (e.g., what to do with seized
materials) is a big issue that has seized the attention of
the PSI's Operational Experts Group. McNerney said that the
U.S. would continue to reach out to PSI countries to stop
proliferation. If another resolution were passed, it may
strengthen the impetus to get countries to use PSI.
3. (C) In response, the Israeli Defense Intelligence (IDI)
officer noted that Israeli MOD lawyers are skeptical of the
ability of PSI states to enforce various aspects of maritime
law. McNerney replied that this is why the current thinking
is to have interdicted ships taken into ports where states
then do not have to worry about maritime law.
4. (C) Ambassador Ziv noted that Israel owes the U.S. an
answer regarding a proposal to conduct a PSI exercise with
Israeli participation. Ziv sought clarification that PSI
focuses on missiles and WMD. She expressed some interest in
using terror finance as an element of an exercise. The MFA
representative noted that an Israeli team participated in a
PSI exercise that took place in Japan 12-15 October.
--------------
UN FIRST COMMITTEE AND IAEA CONFERENCE
--------------
5. (C) The MFA's new Arms Control Department director, Rodica
Radian-Gordon, and her deputy, Tamar Rahamimoff-Honig, led
discussion on Israel's UN First Committee agenda. They said
that Israel is currently analyzing whether the Egyptian
attitude towards the Middle East Nuclear Weapons Free Zone
(MENWFZ) is a change in policy or not. Radian-Gordon said
that Israel is not pleased that Egypt referred to the IAEA
Resolution (which was not adopted by consensus) in its MENWFZ
resolution at the UN First Committee. Nevertheless, she said
that even though Israel is not happy with this year's
proposed resolution, Israel would not break consensus. She
said Israel would be happy if other countries would voice
their opinion on the Egyptian resolution, either prior to the
vote, in Cairo, or as an Explanation of Vote. Radian-Gordon
said Israel's assessment is that the Europeans will not act.
She explained that other IAEA member states think that there
has been a change in Egyptian policy and thus expect more of
this in the future. Agreeing with PDAS McNerney's assertion
that the Egyptians are irritating everyone with their stance,
Radian-Gordon observed that this is why it is so difficult to
understand Egypt's agenda on the issue. One GOI paper, she
said, suggested that the GOE wants a UNSC resolution that
demands Nuclear Suppliers Group members not sell equipment to
non-NPT states. PDAS McNerney agreed with the proposal that
Israel and the U.S. continue to compare notes on the Egyptian
position.
6. (C) Discussion turned to Qatar's plans to introduce a new
resolution on violations of the NPT and Chapter VI of the UN
Charter. Radian-Gordon suggested that this might be a clever
way to undermine UNSC action on a third UNSC sanctions
resolution on Iran, or at least suggest a third way.
Radian-Gordon noted that the resolution would be problematic
if the Qataris decide to introduce it. She wondered if Iran
is behind the initiative.
7. (C) PDAS McNerney noted that the USG remained unsatisfied
with modifications made to New Zealand and Switzerland's
"de-alerting" resolution. On the resolution on CBMs in Outer
Space, McNerney said that we had tried to discourage the
Russians from introducing the resolution, but that they had
insisted that they would introduce it. Radian-Gordon replied
that the Russians told the Israeli MFA twice that they are
displeased that Israel will abstain on the CBM resolution.
8. (C) Regarding resolutions on Middle East issues, PDAS
McNerney said that the U.S. will vote "no" on the risk
resolution. PDAS McNerney said that the U.S. would vote "no"
on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS)
resolution.
9. (C) Radian-Gordon said that the Russians raised with
Israel the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.
PDAS McNerney replied that during their two-plus-two meeting
in Moscow, Secretary Rice and Defense Secretary Gates agreed
to a joint statement with the Russians on the INF treaty.
She noted that we welcome positive statements on the INF
treaty, but are not interested in any effort to renegotiate
it. She reported that the UK and France responded coolly to
Russia's joint statement proposal.
10. (C) In response to a request from the Israeli side, PDAS
McNerney updated them on the status of the agreement with
India on civil nuclear cooperation.
11. (U) ISN PDAS McNerney was not able to review this cable.
********************************************* ********************
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: 12/03/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP UNSC UNFC EG RU IS
SUBJECT: ISN PDAS MCNERNEY'S DISCUSSION ON PSI AND UNFC
ISSUES AT THE ISRAELI MFA (CABLE 5 OF 5)
REF: A. TEL AVIV 03385
B. TEL AVIV 03386
C. TEL AVIV 03514
D. TEL AVIV 03515
Classified By: Marc J. Sievers, Political Counselor.
Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) During an October 24 meeting with an Israeli
inter-agency team at the Foreign Ministry that focused mainly
on the Iranian nuclear threat, ISN PDAS Patricia McNerney and
her delegation also exchanged views on the Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) and various resolutions in the UN
First Committee. The Israeli delegation, led by MFA Deputy
Director General (Strategic Affairs) Miriam Ziv, made the
following points:
A. Israel participated in a PSI exercise that took place in
Japan 12-15 October. The MFA owes the U.S. side an answer
regarding a proposal for Israel to participate in another PSI
exercise.
B. Israel is analyzing whether Egypt's attitude towards a
Middle East Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (MENWFZ) reflects a
change in policy. Israel was frustrated that reference to an
IAEA resolution made it into Egypt's annual MENWFZ resolution
at the UN.
C. Israel believes Iran may be behind Qatar's plans to
introduce a new resolution on Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
(NPT) violations and Chapter VI of the UN Charter.
In response, PDAS McNerney agreed to continue to consult on
Egyptian activism at the IAEA and UN regarding policy on the
MENWFZ. She said that the U.S. had tried to discourage the
Russians from tabling their resolution on Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) in Outer Space, and that the U.S. would vote
"no" on the annual PAROS resolution. END SUMMARY.
--------------
PSI: ISRAELIS SEEKING MORE INFORMATION
--------------
2. (C) Ambassador Ziv asked how much the PSI is actually
applied in counterproliferation efforts. PDAS McNerney
responded by noting an up-tick in interdiction activity since
the passages of UNSCR 1718 and 1737. McNerney said that PSI
partners along interdiction routes are helping the U.S. on
counterpliferation activities. She observed, however, that
the "legal disposition" issue (e.g., what to do with seized
materials) is a big issue that has seized the attention of
the PSI's Operational Experts Group. McNerney said that the
U.S. would continue to reach out to PSI countries to stop
proliferation. If another resolution were passed, it may
strengthen the impetus to get countries to use PSI.
3. (C) In response, the Israeli Defense Intelligence (IDI)
officer noted that Israeli MOD lawyers are skeptical of the
ability of PSI states to enforce various aspects of maritime
law. McNerney replied that this is why the current thinking
is to have interdicted ships taken into ports where states
then do not have to worry about maritime law.
4. (C) Ambassador Ziv noted that Israel owes the U.S. an
answer regarding a proposal to conduct a PSI exercise with
Israeli participation. Ziv sought clarification that PSI
focuses on missiles and WMD. She expressed some interest in
using terror finance as an element of an exercise. The MFA
representative noted that an Israeli team participated in a
PSI exercise that took place in Japan 12-15 October.
--------------
UN FIRST COMMITTEE AND IAEA CONFERENCE
--------------
5. (C) The MFA's new Arms Control Department director, Rodica
Radian-Gordon, and her deputy, Tamar Rahamimoff-Honig, led
discussion on Israel's UN First Committee agenda. They said
that Israel is currently analyzing whether the Egyptian
attitude towards the Middle East Nuclear Weapons Free Zone
(MENWFZ) is a change in policy or not. Radian-Gordon said
that Israel is not pleased that Egypt referred to the IAEA
Resolution (which was not adopted by consensus) in its MENWFZ
resolution at the UN First Committee. Nevertheless, she said
that even though Israel is not happy with this year's
proposed resolution, Israel would not break consensus. She
said Israel would be happy if other countries would voice
their opinion on the Egyptian resolution, either prior to the
vote, in Cairo, or as an Explanation of Vote. Radian-Gordon
said Israel's assessment is that the Europeans will not act.
She explained that other IAEA member states think that there
has been a change in Egyptian policy and thus expect more of
this in the future. Agreeing with PDAS McNerney's assertion
that the Egyptians are irritating everyone with their stance,
Radian-Gordon observed that this is why it is so difficult to
understand Egypt's agenda on the issue. One GOI paper, she
said, suggested that the GOE wants a UNSC resolution that
demands Nuclear Suppliers Group members not sell equipment to
non-NPT states. PDAS McNerney agreed with the proposal that
Israel and the U.S. continue to compare notes on the Egyptian
position.
6. (C) Discussion turned to Qatar's plans to introduce a new
resolution on violations of the NPT and Chapter VI of the UN
Charter. Radian-Gordon suggested that this might be a clever
way to undermine UNSC action on a third UNSC sanctions
resolution on Iran, or at least suggest a third way.
Radian-Gordon noted that the resolution would be problematic
if the Qataris decide to introduce it. She wondered if Iran
is behind the initiative.
7. (C) PDAS McNerney noted that the USG remained unsatisfied
with modifications made to New Zealand and Switzerland's
"de-alerting" resolution. On the resolution on CBMs in Outer
Space, McNerney said that we had tried to discourage the
Russians from introducing the resolution, but that they had
insisted that they would introduce it. Radian-Gordon replied
that the Russians told the Israeli MFA twice that they are
displeased that Israel will abstain on the CBM resolution.
8. (C) Regarding resolutions on Middle East issues, PDAS
McNerney said that the U.S. will vote "no" on the risk
resolution. PDAS McNerney said that the U.S. would vote "no"
on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS)
resolution.
9. (C) Radian-Gordon said that the Russians raised with
Israel the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.
PDAS McNerney replied that during their two-plus-two meeting
in Moscow, Secretary Rice and Defense Secretary Gates agreed
to a joint statement with the Russians on the INF treaty.
She noted that we welcome positive statements on the INF
treaty, but are not interested in any effort to renegotiate
it. She reported that the UK and France responded coolly to
Russia's joint statement proposal.
10. (C) In response to a request from the Israeli side, PDAS
McNerney updated them on the status of the agreement with
India on civil nuclear cooperation.
11. (U) ISN PDAS McNerney was not able to review this cable.
********************************************* ********************
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