GERMANY CALLS FOR TRANSATLANTIC COORDINATION, CARE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000366 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL KWBG GM EUN SUBJECT: GERMANY CALLS FOR TRANSATLANTIC COORDINATION, CARE IN RESPONDING TO ANY PALESTINIAN RECONCILIATION AGREEMENT REF: STATE 27330 Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Stan Otto for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) MFA Near East Division chief Boris Ruge told Poloff March 27 that Germany agrees with reftel points but he stressed the need for the EU and the United States to exercise care and to coordinate when responding or reacting to any Palestinian reconciliation agreement. Ruge cautioned against the United States or the EU expressing immediate criticism or rejecting out of hand any agreement presented by PA President Abbas and Egypt, noting that such action could damage moderate Palestinians participating in the reconciliation efforts. Ruge said that the timing and manner in which the United States and the EU react to any Palestinian agreement is critical and should be coordinated. ¶2. (C) Ruge noted that in reftel points, we propose to send a unified message to Arab allies on "the continued importance of the Palestinian government's commitment to the Quartet principles." He said that he was under the impression that the United States was now referring to previous Palestinian agreements rather than to the Quartet principles, the prior being easier to endorse for Arab countries. He requested clarification on which terminology to use in this context: previous Palestinian agreements or Quartet principles. ¶3. (C) Ruge said that the informal Quad working group that Foreign Minister Steinmeier had proposed to S/E George Mitchell when they met in Sharm al-Sheikh March 3 would be a good forum to ensure coordination between the United States and the EU in addressing Palestinian reconciliation and other Middle East Peace Process issues. Ruge noted that the French, Brits, and the EU High Rep have agreed to participate and that the next step would be to set a time and place to meet. Ruge said the working group should meet soonest, perhaps around the time of S/E Mitchell's next visit to the Middle East when working-level officials could break off and meet, perhaps in Berlin. Koenig