Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TELAVIV1285
2008-06-16 15:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
ISRAEL EXPECTS TO RELEASE EQUIPMENT FOR WAQF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTV #1285 1681518 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161518Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7146 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 4288 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 9920 RUEHFR/USMISSION UNESCO PARIS PRIORITY 0019
UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001285
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN AND LAURA GRITZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO SCUL KWBG JO IS
SUBJECT: ISRAEL EXPECTS TO RELEASE EQUIPMENT FOR WAQF
DOCUMENT CONSERVATION IN NEAR FUTURE
REF: STATE 60242
UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001285
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN AND LAURA GRITZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO SCUL KWBG JO IS
SUBJECT: ISRAEL EXPECTS TO RELEASE EQUIPMENT FOR WAQF
DOCUMENT CONSERVATION IN NEAR FUTURE
REF: STATE 60242
1. (SBU) Responding to reftel points, MFA Acting Director for
International Organizations Eli Ben-Tura told POLOFF June 16
that the GOI expects to release "in the very near future" the
shipment of technical equipment destined for use by the
Jerusalem Waqf to preserve Islamic-era manuscripts. Ben-Tura
said that "Customs has agreed and the paperwork is ready;"
all that remained was for Israel to receive Jordanian payment
for the storage costs. Barring any last-minute surprises,
the shipment should be released and in Waqf hands well before
the July 2 commencement of the World Heritage Committee
meeting in Quebec, he said.
2. (SBU) On the other issue raised reftel -- continuing
Israeli opposition to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection
and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions --
Ben-Tura was not aware of any change in Israel's position
since its 2005 vote, but acknowledged the European pressure
to sign the Convention. He vowed to discuss our points with
others and respond if anything changes.
********************************************* ********************
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
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN AND LAURA GRITZ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO SCUL KWBG JO IS
SUBJECT: ISRAEL EXPECTS TO RELEASE EQUIPMENT FOR WAQF
DOCUMENT CONSERVATION IN NEAR FUTURE
REF: STATE 60242
1. (SBU) Responding to reftel points, MFA Acting Director for
International Organizations Eli Ben-Tura told POLOFF June 16
that the GOI expects to release "in the very near future" the
shipment of technical equipment destined for use by the
Jerusalem Waqf to preserve Islamic-era manuscripts. Ben-Tura
said that "Customs has agreed and the paperwork is ready;"
all that remained was for Israel to receive Jordanian payment
for the storage costs. Barring any last-minute surprises,
the shipment should be released and in Waqf hands well before
the July 2 commencement of the World Heritage Committee
meeting in Quebec, he said.
2. (SBU) On the other issue raised reftel -- continuing
Israeli opposition to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection
and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions --
Ben-Tura was not aware of any change in Israel's position
since its 2005 vote, but acknowledged the European pressure
to sign the Convention. He vowed to discuss our points with
others and respond if anything changes.
********************************************* ********************
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