GOI WILL NOT ATTEND GICNT WORKSHOP AND EXERCISE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 000753 SIPDIS ISN/WMDT FOR T. LOWE, M. TERHAAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2019 TAGS: MNUC MCAP PARM PINR PREL PTER KGIC KS IS SUBJECT: GOI WILL NOT ATTEND GICNT WORKSHOP AND EXERCISE PLANNING MEETINGS IN SEOUL REF: A. STATE 18574 ¶B. STATE 21325 ¶C. STATE 22354 ¶D. TEL AVIV 0698 Classified By: Political Counselor Marc Sievers, reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Due to the Passover Holiday, the GOI has opted not to attend the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) workshop and Exercise Planning Group (EPG) meeting hosted by the Republic of Korea in Seoul, April 14-16. According to MFA Arms Control Department Officer Israel Tikochinski, the GOI is reluctant to send experts from Jerusalem to attend the meetings which fall on the last days of the Passover holiday. Moreover, the Israeli embassy in Seoul also will be closed during this period, and therefore will be unable to cover the meetings for the GOI. Tikochinski reiterated the GOI's strong commitment to the GICNT, noting that the GOI is considering participation in GICNT workshops in Australia and Morocco in May and June ¶2009. Tikochinski discussed these issues with polmiloff on March 30. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv ********************************************* ******************** CUNNINGHAM