RUSSIA "SATISFIED" WITH ISRAEL ON GEORGIA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 002785 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR GG IR IS SY RS SUBJECT: RUSSIA "SATISFIED" WITH ISRAEL ON GEORGIA, ESPECIALLY HALTING ARMS SALES REF: MOSCOW 1991 Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle for reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Israeli Ambassador Azeri told the Ambassador that Russia had urged Israel not to resume arms sales to Georgia, but did not directly link this issue to Russian arms sales to Syria and Iran. The MFA explained that Russia was "satisfied" with Israel's position on Georgia, which did not criticize Russian actions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, indicating a desire to maintain strong bilateral ties. For its part, the GOR recognized Israeli concerns about Russian arms sales, and reiterated that it would not sell weapons to countries that would destabilize the Middle East. Russian arms sales to Syria and Iran would top the agenda of a potential Medvedev-Olmert meeting, the planning of which awaited the outcome of the Kadima party primary on September ¶17. The GOR understood that Western reaction to the Georgian crisis would further delay its planned Moscow Middle East Conference, which, along with Georgia, was on the agenda of DFM Saltanov's current visit to the region. End summary. Russia Emphasizes its Opposition to Arms Sales to Georgia -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Israeli Ambassador Azeri told the Ambassador on September 11 that Russia made clear to Israel its desire for a moratorium on arms sales to Georgia, without insisting that future sales be halted or explicitly linking this issue to Russian arms sales to Syria and Iran. Tel Aviv did, however, put a hold on resuming arms sales to Georgia at a time when Israel was pressing Russia not to sell certain weapons systems to Syria or Iran. This topic was discussed by PM Olmert during his August 20 phone call to Medvedev, and would be high on the agenda of a possible meeting with Medvedev in the weeks ahead. Lavrov told visiting Israeli MFA DG Abramovich on September 9 that the GOR recognized that the desire by some countries to "punish" Russia for its position on Georgia had dampened support for holding a Moscow Middle East Conference. Russia "Satisfied" With Israel's Response -------------- ¶3. (C) MFA Counselor for Israel and Palestine Viktor Simakov told us on September 15 that Russia was "satisfied" with Israel's "measured" position on Georgia, which recognized Georgia's territorial integrity but did not criticize Russian actions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Neither Moscow nor Tel Aviv wanted Georgia to damage bilateral ties that were presently at their "peak," and had maintained regular communication since the crisis began on August 8 (reftel). Israeli FM Livni called Lavrov on August 11 to explain Israel's position on Georgia, and to make clear that Israel had stopped all deliveries of military materiel to Georgia a week before fighting began in South Ossetia. Simakov credited Israel's ability to recognize that a crisis was brewing and respond accordingly. ¶4. (C) Simakov explained that Moscow had sent "clear signals" to Tel Aviv regarding the Russian position on the possibility of Israel reviving arms sales to Georgia, and, despite press speculation, did not tie this issue to Russian arms sales to Syria or Iran. The GOR had said on several occasions, most recently during Abramovich's meeting with Lavrov, that Russia would not sell regionally destabilizing weapons to countries in the Middle East. Simakov reiterated that Russia understood very well Israel's concern about either Syria or Iran obtaining the Iskander or S-300 missile systems. Russia had a similar long-standing request to Israel not to sell offensive weapons to Georgia, which likely explained reports that Israel had denied a Georgian request to purchase 300 tanks several months before fighting broke out in South Ossetia. ¶5. (C) Simakov said that an Olmert visit depended on the Israelis, who were awaiting the outcome of the September 17 Kadima party primary, after which Olmert could travel to Moscow as a caretaker PM. Simakov added that many within the MFA would prefer to see Livni become Israel's next Prime Minister - she was a "known quantity" who had demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of maintaining Russia-Israel relations. Moscow Middle East Conference a Victim of Georgia -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Simakov said that the proposed Moscow Middle East Conference, which had been tentatively planned for 2008, would be put on hold. The MFA saw this as a "consequence" of events in Georgia, especially the U.S.'s reaction to Russian MOSCOW 00002785 002 OF 002 actions. The GOR hoped to have a better sense of the possibility for a conference following the next Quartet Meeting on the margins of UNGA. The Moscow conference would also be an issue on the agenda of DFM Saltanov's current trip to the Middle East, which included stops in Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Saltanov would get updates on the various tracks in the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP),and use the opportunity to explain Russia's position on Georgia. ¶7. (C) Simakov added that there was a sense at the MFA working level that the current difficulties in Russia-U.S. relations would pass, and we would eventually find ourselves in a better environment. Russia was determined to continue cooperation on the MEPP, Iran, Afghanistan and other issues of mutual concern. BEYRLE