GOI DISCUSSES EU-BAM RENEWAL WITH USSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 000825

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/9/2017
TAGS: PREL KWBG KPAL ETRD EFIN EU IS
SUBJECT: GOI DISCUSSES EU-BAM RENEWAL WITH USSC

REF: TEL AVIV 0612

Classified By: Acting DCM Marc Sievers, Reasons: 1.4 (B and D).


1. (C//REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, and GBR) In a March 7 meeting
with USSC Dayton and attended by the MoD Political-Military
Director's advisor Oded Herman, MFA Senior Deputy Director
General Ambassador Yossi Gal expressed the GoI's strong
interest in renewing the EU-BAM mission, contingent upon
receiving satisfactory answers from the EU on the issues of
transit through Rafah of people and goods of concern. Gal
initially insisted on holding the renewal contingent on there
being clear positions by all of the involved parties on
procedures to prevent the flow of large sums of cash through
Rafah. USSC Dayton explained the limited value to pushing
the EU-BAM, which serves as a monitor, and not a policy
maker, to encourage the Palestinians and Egyptians to change
their rules. USSC Dayton pointed to the absence of repeat
incidents of the flow of large sums of cash through Rafah as
proof that recent decisions by the involved parties to not
allow the flow of more than USD 10,000 through Rafah are
working. Gal agreed to consider this perspective as well as
a proposal by LTG Dayton to announce the opening of Rafah for
three days each week to preclude chaos at the crossing on the
limited days it is open. Gal said the GoI is amenable to
signing the Customs Protocol following unspecified "minor
changes."


2. (C//REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, and GBR) Gal conveyed his
concern that discussions on the impediments to the continuous
operations of Rafah Crossing are occurring in two separate
channels, namely, the USSC-led Security Working Group and the
EU's bilateral meetings with the GoI on the extension of the
EU-BAM mission led by EU-BAM Head of Mission LTG Pietro
Pistolese and European Union Special Representative Marc Otte
(reftel). USSC Dayton agreed to Gal's suggestion for a
trilateral meeting with Gal, Otte, and USSC Dayton at the end
of March to synchronize efforts on the renewal of the EU-BAM
mission and resolve impediments to continuous operations of
the Rafah Crossing.

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