Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08UNVIEVIENNA652
2008-12-11 16:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
UNVIE
Cable title:  

ISRAELI DDG HIGHLIGHTS GROWING INTEREST IN

Tags:  PREL SNAR KCRM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUNV #0652 3461649
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 111649Z DEC 08
FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8809
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0226
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0009
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