MFA DG ABRAMOVICH AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS GEORGIA

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