PM FAYYAD TALKS ROAD MAP WITH LTG FRASER,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000172 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2018 TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PINS IS SUBJECT: PM FAYYAD TALKS ROAD MAP WITH LTG FRASER, INTRODUCES SECURITY CHIEFS Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: PM Salam Fayyad told LTG William Fraser January 29 that freezing settlement construction is the top Palestinian priority for Roadmap implementation. He said the PA will be pragmatic and also seriously address Israeli security concerns. He urged GoI compliance with the obligation to re-open Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, which he said are closed for political, not security, reasons. He said Fraser should not allow the GoI or the PA to use domestic politics as an excuse for not moving on the Roadmap. Fayyad noted that the Roadmap allows only three security services and asked Fraser not to focus on this number, but rather on effective command and control. PM Fayyad also convoked the security chiefs to meet LTG Fraser. END SUMMARY. Israeli and Palestinian Roadmap Obligations -------------- ¶2. (C) LTG William Fraser and PM Salam Fayyad discussed Roadmap monitoring and Fraser's new mission January 29. PM Fayyad urged LTG Fraser not to accept political excuses for inaction from the GoI or the PA, and pledged not to make them. PM Fayyad said freezing settlement construction is the top priority for Palestinians, who want "100 percent performance" on this "litmus test" for Israeli seriousness about the Roadmap. ¶3. (C) PM Fayyad said he knows that the GoI redeploying its forces to pre-intifada positions is inconsistent with the current GoI security concept. He suggested finding an "interim" option that helps the PA, which is deploying PA security forces (PASF) in the West Bank to address law and order issues and which is undermined by IDF operations in the same areas. "We want to be pragmatic," he said, "and this issue does not impact us permanently, as the settlements do." Fayyad underscored that he will take seriously any Israeli concern about the impact of Road Map implementation on security. ¶4. (C) PM Fayyad said the continued closure of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem is unrelated to security concerns, but to political will. Opening these institutions, he said, help start Roadmap discussions -- compliance is easily assessed, since institutions are "open or closed." He added that this issue is also unrelated to discussions of Jerusalem as a permanent status issue. ¶5. (C) Fayyad said the PA is "not interested in point scoring, but in outcomes." He said his office will be the PA clearing house for Roadmap issues, and security advisor BG Hazem Attallah and Hala Rashed (of the PLO Negotiations Support Unit) from his office will be the points of contact for Fraser's team. Broader Focus on Security Branches -------------- ¶6. (C) PM Fayyad asked LTG Fraser to consider carefully the Roadmap's "artificial" requirement of three security services and not to "get bogged down" on this number. Fayad said his own focus is on effective command and control relationships. He called for a clear delineation between organizations, adequate coordination systems and an effective command structure, he said, noting that the requirement for three services derived from historical concerns over past Palestinian leaders (i.e. former President Arafat) that have changed over time. Fayyad said an effective PASF command structure is more important than the number of security services. "Do we have a commander who can order the Presidential Guard and National Security Forces at one time?" should be the question, Fayyad said, underscoring that the answer now is no. Security Chiefs Pledge Cooperation -------------- ¶7. (C) PM Fayyad convoked the PA security commanders to meet LTG Fraser and emphasized to them and to LTG Fraser that security restructuring and fulfillment of Road Map commitments is critical. The PA, he said, will meet its own commitments and not give any excuses for the GoI not to meet its commitments. Security attendees: Deputy Interior Minister: BG Raji al-Nijmi JERUSALEM 00000172 002 OF 002 PM's Military Advisor: BG Hazem Attallah National Security Forces (NSF): MG Thiab Ali (Abu al-Fatah) Civil Police: MG Kamal al-Shaykh Preventive Security Organization (PSO): BG Zakariya Muslih al-Tarifi (Abu Ali) (Note: PSO Chief Ziad Hab al-Rih was in the U.S. End Note) Civil Defense: BG Ibrahim Atiani (Sakr Mujahib) General Intelligence (Mukhabarat): MG Tawfiq al-Tirawi Military Intelligence (Istikhbarat): BG Majid al-Farraj ¶8. (C) MG Tirawi said the PASF are imperfect and have made mistakes, but also accomplished a great deal since Hamas' June 2007 takeover of Gaza and is working hard to fight terror. He said the GoI does not acknowledge these achievements, but he hopes to cooperate with the GoI and restore mutual confidence. MG Ali welcomed LTG Fraser and said he hopes their joint efforts will fulfill Palestinian national aspirations. BG al-Nijmi said LTG Fraser's presence symbolizes USG support and commitment, and the Palestinian security establishment has improved significantly in recent months primarily with PA resources. He said the PASF need more resources, especially vehicles, radios and weapons, to increase effectiveness. BG al-Farraj said the USG's third-party monitoring role is helpful and will answer Israeli claims that there is no Palestinian partner on security. He said political leadership has assisted recent PA efforts to fight militants and disorder, and the PA leadership and security chiefs share a vision of achieving statehood peacefully. He said no country has 100 percent security and 10 percent failure does not mean less than 100 percent commitment and effort. ¶9. (U) LTG Fraser did not clear this message. DUFFY