Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN74
2009-01-20 14:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMANY: INTERESTED IN GAZA ARMS INTERDICTION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000074
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P SPECIAL ASSISTANT CONSTANTINOS NICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS KPAL XG EG IR IS GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY: INTERESTED IN GAZA ARMS INTERDICTION
EFFORT, BUT STILL NEEDS TO DECIDE ON EXACT ROLE
REF: STATE 04900
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000074
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P SPECIAL ASSISTANT CONSTANTINOS NICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS KPAL XG EG IR IS GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY: INTERESTED IN GAZA ARMS INTERDICTION
EFFORT, BUT STILL NEEDS TO DECIDE ON EXACT ROLE
REF: STATE 04900
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).
1. (C) Post delivered reftel points to MFA Near East Office
Director Boris Ruge January 20 and sought confirmation of
Germany,s interest in participating in the U.S.-proposed
Gaza arms interdiction effort. Ruge was already well
familiar with the Amb. Mull,s January 15 presentation to
selected reps in Washington on this issue.
2. (C) Ruge said he could confirm Germany,s interest in
participating in the effort, including the planned workshop,
but added it was not yet clear what exact role Germany would
play. He said that all the various MFA offices that deal
with this question -- including the UN, NATO and ESDP offices
-- were scheduled to meet later that afternoon to discuss the
U.S. proposal. He suggested that we check back the next day
to get a read-out of the January 20 MFA meeting, which should
provide more clarity on what Germany will do. Ruge did not
rule out or give specific comments on any of the three
elements of the U.S.-proposed interdiction regime. Post will
report septel as soon as we receive further information on
Germany's internal deliberations.
3. (C) Ruge also noted that Chancellor Merkel, French
President Sarkozy and British PM Brown had written separate
joint letters to both Israel PM Olmert and Egyptian President
Mubarak on January 17, expressing their "readiness to take a
number of measures which will help stop the smuggling of arms
in Gaza." The letter (see para 4 below for the full text)
notes that the three leaders have been consulting closely
with each other and would work together with Israel and Egypt
to "specify" what those measures would be.
4. (SBU) Text of joint letter:
17 January 2009
Letter to President Mubarak/Prime Minister Olmert
ARMS SMUGGLING INTO GAZA
France, Germany, and the UK, together with other partners,
are supporting the efforts of the Israeli and Egyptian
Governments to reach a durable ceasefire in Gaza.
In this context we have expressed our readiness to take a
number of measures which will help stop the smuggling of arms
into Gaza. In the last days we have consulted closely with
each other and we will continue to cooperate, together with
the Israeli and Egyptian Governments, to specify these
measures.
We express our hope that a durable ceasefire in Gaza will be
followed by a new drive towards a lasting peace in the Middle
East.
We are writing in identical terms to the Prime Minister of
Israel/President of Egypt.
Nicolas Sarkozy
President of the French Republic
Angela Merkel
Federal Chancellor of Germany
Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the U.K.
Koenig
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P SPECIAL ASSISTANT CONSTANTINOS NICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS KPAL XG EG IR IS GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY: INTERESTED IN GAZA ARMS INTERDICTION
EFFORT, BUT STILL NEEDS TO DECIDE ON EXACT ROLE
REF: STATE 04900
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).
1. (C) Post delivered reftel points to MFA Near East Office
Director Boris Ruge January 20 and sought confirmation of
Germany,s interest in participating in the U.S.-proposed
Gaza arms interdiction effort. Ruge was already well
familiar with the Amb. Mull,s January 15 presentation to
selected reps in Washington on this issue.
2. (C) Ruge said he could confirm Germany,s interest in
participating in the effort, including the planned workshop,
but added it was not yet clear what exact role Germany would
play. He said that all the various MFA offices that deal
with this question -- including the UN, NATO and ESDP offices
-- were scheduled to meet later that afternoon to discuss the
U.S. proposal. He suggested that we check back the next day
to get a read-out of the January 20 MFA meeting, which should
provide more clarity on what Germany will do. Ruge did not
rule out or give specific comments on any of the three
elements of the U.S.-proposed interdiction regime. Post will
report septel as soon as we receive further information on
Germany's internal deliberations.
3. (C) Ruge also noted that Chancellor Merkel, French
President Sarkozy and British PM Brown had written separate
joint letters to both Israel PM Olmert and Egyptian President
Mubarak on January 17, expressing their "readiness to take a
number of measures which will help stop the smuggling of arms
in Gaza." The letter (see para 4 below for the full text)
notes that the three leaders have been consulting closely
with each other and would work together with Israel and Egypt
to "specify" what those measures would be.
4. (SBU) Text of joint letter:
17 January 2009
Letter to President Mubarak/Prime Minister Olmert
ARMS SMUGGLING INTO GAZA
France, Germany, and the UK, together with other partners,
are supporting the efforts of the Israeli and Egyptian
Governments to reach a durable ceasefire in Gaza.
In this context we have expressed our readiness to take a
number of measures which will help stop the smuggling of arms
into Gaza. In the last days we have consulted closely with
each other and we will continue to cooperate, together with
the Israeli and Egyptian Governments, to specify these
measures.
We express our hope that a durable ceasefire in Gaza will be
followed by a new drive towards a lasting peace in the Middle
East.
We are writing in identical terms to the Prime Minister of
Israel/President of Egypt.
Nicolas Sarkozy
President of the French Republic
Angela Merkel
Federal Chancellor of Germany
Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the U.K.
Koenig