Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TELAVIV2030
2008-09-05 16:14:00
SECRET
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
MFA DG ABRAMOVICH AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS GEORGIA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTV #2030 2491614 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 051614Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8315 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1979 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 2035 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0200 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0115 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0168
S E C R E T TEL AVIV 002030
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PREL MASS RU GG IS
SUBJECT: MFA DG ABRAMOVICH AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS GEORGIA
Classified By: Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
S E C R E T TEL AVIV 002030
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PREL MASS RU GG IS
SUBJECT: MFA DG ABRAMOVICH AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS GEORGIA
Classified By: Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (S) Summary. The Ambassador and MFA DG Abramovich
discussed Georgia September 4. Abramovich said Israel was
tracking Western reactions carefully and trying to analyze
Russia's objectives. MFA and MOD are reviewing Israeli
arms sales to Georgia and he expected approval soon to sell
mine clearing equipment. The Israelis reiterated a request
for an update on U.S. plans to provide military equipment
to Georgia. The Ambassador noted the Vice President's
visit and said the Israeli Embassy in Washington would be
briefed on the results. He also undertook to follow up
regarding U.S. military sales. Abramovich noted that he
would visit Moscow September 8-9 in advance of a visit
planned by Prime Minister Olmert September 15-16. End
Summary.
2. (S) During a September 4 meeting with MFA Director
General Aharon Abramovich, the Ambassador asked how Israeli
thinking about Georgia had developed since his August 19
discussion with Foreign Minister Livni. Abramovich said
Israel was trying to understand Russia's objectives, adding
that they do not think the Russians intend to withdraw from
the areas under their control. Israel is following
carefully what the U.S. and EU are doing, he said, noting
that the EU is "not united." The Ambassador observed that
the EU was united on the view that Russian actions were bad
but less so about what to do about it.
3. (S) The Ambassador noted that Vice President Cheney is
traveling in the region, and said he would follow up to
make sure the Israeli Embassy in Washington gets a briefing
on the Vice President's trip. The U.S. wants all of
Georgia's friends to maintain normal relations with
Tbilisi, support its independence and integrity, and
to resume military assistance. Abramovich said Foreign
Minister Livni had spoken a few days earlier on a Russian
television channel and had made clear that Israel would not
recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia, stressing Israel's
support for Georgia's territorial integrity.
4. (S) Abramovich said the MFA was working with MOD to
review all Georgian requests for arms and military
equipment sales. The GOI is about to decide to send
Georgia mine clearing equipment; other sales are still
under consideration. Abramovich's office director Alon
Ushpiz reiterated an Israeli request for an update on
U.S. plans to provide military assistance to Georgia in
order to inform their own decision-making process.
5. (S) The Ambassador asked if PM Olmert had set a time
for his planned visit to Moscow. Abramovich said he was
preparing to visit Moscow September 8-9 in advance of a
visit by PM Olmert September 15-16.
********************************************* ********************
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.
********************************************* ********************
CUNNINGHAM
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PREL MASS RU GG IS
SUBJECT: MFA DG ABRAMOVICH AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS GEORGIA
Classified By: Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (S) Summary. The Ambassador and MFA DG Abramovich
discussed Georgia September 4. Abramovich said Israel was
tracking Western reactions carefully and trying to analyze
Russia's objectives. MFA and MOD are reviewing Israeli
arms sales to Georgia and he expected approval soon to sell
mine clearing equipment. The Israelis reiterated a request
for an update on U.S. plans to provide military equipment
to Georgia. The Ambassador noted the Vice President's
visit and said the Israeli Embassy in Washington would be
briefed on the results. He also undertook to follow up
regarding U.S. military sales. Abramovich noted that he
would visit Moscow September 8-9 in advance of a visit
planned by Prime Minister Olmert September 15-16. End
Summary.
2. (S) During a September 4 meeting with MFA Director
General Aharon Abramovich, the Ambassador asked how Israeli
thinking about Georgia had developed since his August 19
discussion with Foreign Minister Livni. Abramovich said
Israel was trying to understand Russia's objectives, adding
that they do not think the Russians intend to withdraw from
the areas under their control. Israel is following
carefully what the U.S. and EU are doing, he said, noting
that the EU is "not united." The Ambassador observed that
the EU was united on the view that Russian actions were bad
but less so about what to do about it.
3. (S) The Ambassador noted that Vice President Cheney is
traveling in the region, and said he would follow up to
make sure the Israeli Embassy in Washington gets a briefing
on the Vice President's trip. The U.S. wants all of
Georgia's friends to maintain normal relations with
Tbilisi, support its independence and integrity, and
to resume military assistance. Abramovich said Foreign
Minister Livni had spoken a few days earlier on a Russian
television channel and had made clear that Israel would not
recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia, stressing Israel's
support for Georgia's territorial integrity.
4. (S) Abramovich said the MFA was working with MOD to
review all Georgian requests for arms and military
equipment sales. The GOI is about to decide to send
Georgia mine clearing equipment; other sales are still
under consideration. Abramovich's office director Alon
Ushpiz reiterated an Israeli request for an update on
U.S. plans to provide military assistance to Georgia in
order to inform their own decision-making process.
5. (S) The Ambassador asked if PM Olmert had set a time
for his planned visit to Moscow. Abramovich said he was
preparing to visit Moscow September 8-9 in advance of a
visit by PM Olmert September 15-16.
********************************************* ********************
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.
********************************************* ********************
CUNNINGHAM