ISRAELI AMBASSADOR: RUDD FIRM ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000747


NOFORN

NEA/IPA FOR SHAMPAINE, P FOR TESONE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2028
TAGS: PREL KINP IR IS AS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI AMBASSADOR: RUDD FIRM ON IRAN

REF: A. A) 07 CANBERRA 1738

B. B) CANBERRA 738


Classified By: Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan for reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
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1. (C/NF) The Israeli Ambassador believes PM Rudd is very
concerned about the Iranian nuclear program and firm in his
desire to do whatever possible to signal Australia's
opposition to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Rudd is worried
that the window for a "diplomatic solution" is closing and
that lack of progress could lead Israel to feel forced to use
"non-diplomatic means," according to Ambassador Yuval Rotem.
Iran has retaliated for perceived Australian slights by
taking steps to make the day-to-day functioning of the
Australian Embassy in Tehran more difficult, which has
constrainted Rudd's desire for symbolic measures to signal
Canberra's concern about the nuclear program. The Israelis
believe Rudd is very firm in his overall support for Israel.
End Summary.


2. (C/NF) Australian PM Kevin Rudd remains deeply concerned
about the Iranian nuclear program and Iran's threat to
international stability, according to Israeli Ambassador
Yuval Rotem. Noting that Rudd had taken a very strong stance
on Iran while Opposition Leader, including calling for
Iranian President Ahmadinejad to be prosecuted by the
International Criminal Court for his calls for the
destruction of Israel, Rotem told Econcouns July 21 that he
is confident that the PM's views on Iran remain very firm.
Saying he has discussed Iran with Rudd on several occasions
in the past few months, Rotem said that the PM is "deeply
worried" that Iran's intransigence means that the window for
a diplomatic solution is closing and that Israel may feel
forced to use "non-diplomatic" means.

Retaliation Against Australian Embassy in Tehran
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3. (C/NF)Asked how Rudd's views on Iran have manifested
themselves, Rotem said that Iran has reacted to the PM's
statements by taking "retaliatory measures" against the
Australian Embassy in Tehran. These measures make it harder
for the Embassy to conduct its day-to-day business, according
to Rotem. He said that DFAT Secretary Michael l'Estrange and
ONA Director General Peter Varghese had met several times to
convince the PM to think through the consequences of his
rhetoric on Iran. Though frustrated, Rudd accepts that he
must "keep his powder dry" in order to have the maximum
flexibility to take "serious steps," according to Rotem.

Israeli Views on Australia's Global PR Role on Iran
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4. (C/NF)Rotem said that Israel sees Australia as playing an
important role in the "global PR battle" on Iran because PM
Rudd is viewed favorably by the "European Left," many of whom
are skeptical about taking a tough line towards Tehran.
Rotem said Israeli Embassies in Europe have reported that
Rudd's policies are receiving a surprising amount of
QRudd's policies are receiving a surprising amount of
attention, particularly because of his withdrawal of
Australian troops from Iraq. The Israelis hope that Rudd's
position on Iran may help persuade skeptical Europeans, as
well as help reinforce the need for a tough line on Iran by
other countries.

Rudd Continues Strong Support for Israel
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5. (C/NF) Commenting that Israel had appreciated the very
firm support from former PM Howard as well as FM Alexander
Downer, Rotem said that Israeli officials would normally have
been concerned at the prospect of their defeat by the Labor
Party. However, this was not the case because Rudd had long
gone out of his way to stress his strong commitment to Israel
and its appreciation for its security concerns. Rotem said
that he has had excellent access to Rudd and noted that the
PM has taken a strong interest in even minor issues involving
Israel. In that regard, Rotem noted that this has created a
sometimes confusing situation where the PM's Office gets
involved in routine matters that are normally handled at the
working level within the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade (DFAT). He said that calls to DFAT are often returned
by the PM's Foreign Policy Advisor, Gary Quinlan. Commenting
that DFAT officials are very frank in expressing their
annoyance with the PM's micromanaging of foreign policy
issues, Rotem laughingly said that "while I understand their
point of view, how can I complain about having that kind of
attention from the PM."

Comment
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6. (C/NF) During his first meeting with the Ambassador
immediately after his election, Rudd described Ahmedinejad as
a "loathsome individual on every level" and said that the
Iranian President's anti-semitism "turns my stomach." He
noted that he knew enough about the complexities of Iranian
politics to understand that it was critical to ensure that
any action we take must serve to weaken Ahmedinejad, rather
than entrench him (ref A). Australia has also supported U.S.
efforts on Iran, most recently on preventing uranium
shipments to Iran (ref B).8

Bio Note
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7. (C/NF) Having arrived in Australia in July 2007, Rotem
has previously served as the Israeli Consul General in Los
Angeles as well as Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister David
Levy from 1996-1998. Before that, he was foreign policy
advisor to Foreign Ministers Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak,
after having served at the Israeli UN Mission in New York.