Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TELAVIV605
2007-02-27 06:42:00
SECRET
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
IRAN: REPRESENTATIVE HARMAN'S FEBRUARY 20 MEETING
how-toVZCZCXRO8470 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHTV #0605 0580642 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 270642Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9622 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 6063 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
S E C R E T TEL AVIV 000605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IR IS
SUBJECT: IRAN: REPRESENTATIVE HARMAN'S FEBRUARY 20 MEETING
WITH ISRAELI DEPUTY DEFMIN SNEH
REF: A. TEL AVIV 559
B. TEL AVIV 542
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).
S E C R E T TEL AVIV 000605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IR IS
SUBJECT: IRAN: REPRESENTATIVE HARMAN'S FEBRUARY 20 MEETING
WITH ISRAELI DEPUTY DEFMIN SNEH
REF: A. TEL AVIV 559
B. TEL AVIV 542
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (S) During a February 20 meeting with Representative Jane
Harman (D-CA),Israeli Deputy DefMin Ephraim Sneh said that
he believes that the installation of a pro-American, secular,
democratic government in Iran can be far more easily
accomplished than many observers think. Saying that regime
change from within is by far the cheapest and most reliable
of the options being considered by those seeking to limit
Iran's influence in the world, Sneh claimed that it could be
effected with 400-500 million USD, the co-operation of the
British government, and a focused U.S. foreign policy.
2. (S) Sneh claimed that large segments of the Iranian
populace would support the overthrow of the mullahs, and
would go to the streets themselves if given the right
impetus. These segments include students, women, and
disaffected ethnic groups, including Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs,
and Azeris, who increasingly look to Baku rather than Tehran
for leadership. Sneh said that the U.S. should talk to
anyone in favor of regime change, most notably Prince
Pahlavi, outlawed groups such as the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK),
and human rights organizations within Iran. (Comment: The
Ambassador pointed out the impossibility of USG contact with
the MEK, as they are on the DOS state-sponsored terror list,
and many are in U.S. custody in Iraq. End comment.)
3. (S) Expressing his frustration with what he said was the
continued courting of Tehran by certain European states, the
Russians, and the Chinese, Sneh said that the only sanctions
that could pass muster with the international community would
be those so feeble as to permit Iran's continued pursuit of
nuclear weapons. The U.S. would be better served by
foregoing broad international consensus and choosing a few
partners -- partners willing to implement tough, targeted
sanctions that could drive a wedge between Tehran and its
citizens and increase frustration in the street.
4. (S) On the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Sneh stated that
the U.S. must continue to try to strengthen the hand of
Palestinian President Abu Mazen, and that U.S. wisdom, money,
and political will could bring about an agreement with Israel
that will permanently tip the political balance in the
Palestinian territories in Fatah's favor. He expressed his
view that the Secretary is "on the right track" with respect
to the conflict, and expressed appreciation for all of her
efforts.
5. (U) Representative Harman did not have an opportunity 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: 02/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IR IS
SUBJECT: IRAN: REPRESENTATIVE HARMAN'S FEBRUARY 20 MEETING
WITH ISRAELI DEPUTY DEFMIN SNEH
REF: A. TEL AVIV 559
B. TEL AVIV 542
Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (S) During a February 20 meeting with Representative Jane
Harman (D-CA),Israeli Deputy DefMin Ephraim Sneh said that
he believes that the installation of a pro-American, secular,
democratic government in Iran can be far more easily
accomplished than many observers think. Saying that regime
change from within is by far the cheapest and most reliable
of the options being considered by those seeking to limit
Iran's influence in the world, Sneh claimed that it could be
effected with 400-500 million USD, the co-operation of the
British government, and a focused U.S. foreign policy.
2. (S) Sneh claimed that large segments of the Iranian
populace would support the overthrow of the mullahs, and
would go to the streets themselves if given the right
impetus. These segments include students, women, and
disaffected ethnic groups, including Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs,
and Azeris, who increasingly look to Baku rather than Tehran
for leadership. Sneh said that the U.S. should talk to
anyone in favor of regime change, most notably Prince
Pahlavi, outlawed groups such as the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK),
and human rights organizations within Iran. (Comment: The
Ambassador pointed out the impossibility of USG contact with
the MEK, as they are on the DOS state-sponsored terror list,
and many are in U.S. custody in Iraq. End comment.)
3. (S) Expressing his frustration with what he said was the
continued courting of Tehran by certain European states, the
Russians, and the Chinese, Sneh said that the only sanctions
that could pass muster with the international community would
be those so feeble as to permit Iran's continued pursuit of
nuclear weapons. The U.S. would be better served by
foregoing broad international consensus and choosing a few
partners -- partners willing to implement tough, targeted
sanctions that could drive a wedge between Tehran and its
citizens and increase frustration in the street.
4. (S) On the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Sneh stated that
the U.S. must continue to try to strengthen the hand of
Palestinian President Abu Mazen, and that U.S. wisdom, money,
and political will could bring about an agreement with Israel
that will permanently tip the political balance in the
Palestinian territories in Fatah's favor. He expressed his
view that the Secretary is "on the right track" with respect
to the conflict, and expressed appreciation for all of her
efforts.
5. (U) Representative Harman did not have an opportunity 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