Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LONDON837
2009-04-07 18:11:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy London
Cable title:  

IRAN/ISRAEL: REGIME INSIDER REPORTEDLY PASSES

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KPRP IA IR IS LE UK 
pdf how-to read a cable
INFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 
 DOEE-00 PDI-00 DS-00 EAP-00 DHSE-00 FBIE-00 VCI-00 
 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 
 VCIE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-00 NIMA-00 PA-00 
 PRS-00 P-00 SCT-00 DOHS-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 
 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 NCTC-00 ASDS-00 SCRS-00 DSCC-00 
 LBA-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 SCA-00 SAS-00 FA-00 
 SWCI-00 /000W
 ------------------4F3E72 071723Z /38

 
P 071811Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1932
INFO IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T LONDON 000837 


NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KPRP IA IR IS LE UK
SUBJECT: IRAN/ISRAEL: REGIME INSIDER REPORTEDLY PASSES
TOUGH PRIVATE MESSAGE ON ISRAELI HOSTAGES

REF: A. EMB LONDON (GAYLE) E-MAILS WITH NEA/IR 3/31/09
AND PREVIOUS

B. 08 LONDON 002691 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, Jr.
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


S E C R E T LONDON 000837


NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KPRP IA IR IS LE UK
SUBJECT: IRAN/ISRAEL: REGIME INSIDER REPORTEDLY PASSES
TOUGH PRIVATE MESSAGE ON ISRAELI HOSTAGES

REF: A. EMB LONDON (GAYLE) E-MAILS WITH NEA/IR 3/31/09
AND PREVIOUS

B. 08 LONDON 002691 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, Jr.
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)



1. (S/NF) Summary: IRGC figure Salman Safavi (refs) on
April 6 reportedly said Iran's senior leadership has "no
interest in engagement" with a Netanyahu government on the
subject of Israeli IDF hostages possibly held by Hamas,
according to a regular Embassy London contact who said he
has, at Israeli Embassy request, periodic contact with
Safavi. End Summary.

Continuing Talks Between
Israeli Embassy in UK and
Safavi, Conducted via Gluck
--------------


2. (S/NF) Rabbi Hershel Gluck, a UK citizen and regular
participant in policy discussions hosted by the U.S.
Embassy-supported NGO Next Century Foundation has previously
told (ref b) London Iran Watcher (poloff) of Gluck's periodic
private meetings held over the last several years in London
with Ayatollah Syed Salman Safavi, brother of ex-IRGC
commander and current Khamenei Military Advisor Rehman
Safavi. Gluck on April 7 told Poloff had just met with
Safavi, at the behest of the Israeli Embassy, with the fate
of Israeli IDF hostages possibly in the hands of Hamas or
Hizballah the focus. Gluck reports that Safavi speaks
elliptically and that, though Safavi refers specifically to
Hamas and Hizballah and to specific hostages as if they were
alive, he has never offered Gluck unambiguous "proof of
life." Gluck told Poloff he continues the conversations with
the realization that the IDF members involved may in fact be
long dead.


3. (S/NF) Gluck stated that Safavi is aware of Gluck's
relationship with the Israeli embassy, but that he is
uncertain whether Safavi is aware that Gluck discusses with
Poloff the substance of Gluck's private meetings with Safavi.


A Tough Line From Safavi, Which
Rabbi Sees as Bargaining Tactic
--------------


4. (S/NF) In response to a recent Gluck query about IDF
soldier Gila Chilat, who according to Gluck is believed by
many Israelis to be a hostage of Hamas and whom Gluck had
discussed with Safavi before, Safavi reacted furiously,
referencing numerous recent Palestinian deaths in Gaza and
saying "there can be no agreement after Gaza." Gluck said
this explosion was the most negative he had ever seen Safavi
in their multi-year relationship, but that this may well be
posturing for negotiating purposes. Gluck noted Safavi knows
the origin of their meetings and could, if his principals in
Tehran were truly disinterested, simply refuse to meet him.
Gluck also noted Safavi was uncharacteristically late for
their meeting, an omission which Gluck took to be part of the
message. Gluck also asked Safavi about missing Israeli Air
Force airman Rom Arad: Safavi reportedly responded Arad was
"not my responsibility;" Gluck said that, in the context of
their ongoing conversations, Safavi meant Arad, in contrast
to Chilat, is not being held by a client organization with
which Safavi or his principals have a relationship.

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LEBARON