MFA REQUEST TO COORDINATE APPROACH IN EAST ASIA ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 002664 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018 TAGS: PREL EFIN KNNP IR IS IN XE SUBJECT: MFA REQUEST TO COORDINATE APPROACH IN EAST ASIA ON IRAN FINANCIAL PRESSURE REF: STATE 125551 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Luis G. Moreno, Reason 1.4 (B) (D) ¶1. (C) MFA Director of Political Research (INR A/S-equivalent) Nimrod Barkan November 26 requested that PolCouns convey to the Department an Israeli request for coordination of approaches in East Asian capitals regarding the importance of increasing financial pressures on Iran. Barkan, who had just returned from a visit to Japan, South Korea and Thailand, said the Israeli ambassadors in the region were concerned about the extent of East Asian economic involvement in Iran but felt that approaching host governments would be more effective if it could be coordinated with the U.S., UK and France. Barkan noted that Israeli embassies in Washington, London and Paris would be raising the same point shortly. Barkan said Israel's dialogue on Iran with India was of a more developed character, and therefore the Israeli request for coordination did not apply to India. ¶2. (C) Comment: We are not sure why Barkan did not mention Israeli plans to approach Germany and Italy, but they may have concluded that the U.S., UK and France would be more likely to support coordination with Israeli embassies on this issue. We would appreciate the Department's guidance on how to respond to Barkan's request, which may be presented in more detail in Washington shortly. ********************************************* ******************** 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. ********************************************* ******************** MORENO