ISRAELI DDG HIGHLIGHTS GROWING INTEREST IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L UNVIE VIENNA 000652 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2022 TAGS: PREL SNAR KCRM SUBJECT: ISRAELI DDG HIGHLIGHTS GROWING INTEREST IN INCREASING CONTRIBUTION TO UNODC Classified By: Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte for reasons 1.4 (c) and (e ) (C) Summary. At a meeting on December 10 with DCM and MsnOff, Israeli MFA Deputy Director General for International Organizations Eviatar Manor outlined Israel's plans for participation in UNIDO and UNODC and requested U.S. views on these organizations. According to Manor, Israel's involvement with UNIDO is "on probation," but Jerusalem is considering increasing its involvement with and possibly financial contributions to the work of UNODC. End Summary. (C) At a December 10 meeting with DCM and MsnOff, Israeli MFA Deputy Director General for International Organizations Eviatar Manor surveyed Israel's involvement with the UN organizations in Vienna and sought U.S. views on the agencies. Manor noted that Israel's participation in UNIDO is "on probation." Although Israel contributed about 450,000 Euros to the organization this year, it sees involvement with this agency as a test to see if it serves Israel's goals and is a fruitful relationship to continue, given the "high price" of participation. If they do not see positive benefits in 12-18 months, they will withdraw from the organization. (C) However, Israel finds that its goals more closely align with UNODC and is looking to increase its cooperation, possibly including becoming a Major Donor. (Comment: a member state must contribute at least $500,000 in a given year and not be a recipient of UNODC assistance in order to qualify as a Major Donor.) Manor indicated that one of the factors Israel will consider when weighing its contribution will be U.S. attitudes on the perceived benefits of UNODC. The top UNODC issues of Israeli concern are human trafficking -- which Manor noted is of particular interest because of the trafficking of Eastern European women into Israel across its border with Egypt -- and money laundering -- which is of interest, in part, because of its connection to crime, terrorism, and drugs. Manor spoke positively of UNODC's projects to work with the Palestinian Authority on policy and drug control issues. Israel also has a special interest in the drug issue since it is a current member of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Israel recently invited UNODC DG Costa to Israel and he is tentatively scheduled for a one-day trip on January 8, following a visit with the Palestinian Authority. (C) When asked about Israel's interest and engagement on Afghan/Iran border issues and the related drug trade, Manor responded by citing Israel's general concern about Iran as a strategic threat, noting that Israel is aware of the drug problem among Iran's population and that Iran is a "victim of its neighborhood" on drug-related issues. Nevertheless, the drug issue does not factor into discussions of Iran's "character" and the issue is not allowed to "generate compassion" for Iran. Rather, Israel remains focused on attempts to isolate Iran. (C) Action request: Mission would appreciate Washington and Tel Aviv input on whether we should encourage or press Israel to increase funding for specific UNODC projects and how we might leverage Israel's interests in the Major Donors group. SCHULTE