Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09WARSAW1005
2009-09-29 15:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Warsaw
Cable title:
POLAND WELCOMES TRILATERAL MIDDLE EAST MEETING
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C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001005
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CE (GLANTZ) AND NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS PL
SUBJECT: POLAND WELCOMES TRILATERAL MIDDLE EAST MEETING
REF: STATE 99834
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001005
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CE (GLANTZ) AND NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS PL
SUBJECT: POLAND WELCOMES TRILATERAL MIDDLE EAST MEETING
REF: STATE 99834
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) GoP officials were pleased that U.S., Israeli, and
Palestinian leaders met last week. Although the Poles
discerned little progress, they saw the symbolic talks as
establishing a precedent for more detailed discussions in
coming months and, more importantly, demonstrating a renewed
U.S. commitment to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP). So
concluded Ambassador Witold Smidowski, the MFA's Coordinator
for Israel, Palestinian, and MEPP Affairs. Smidowski, who
completed a six-year ambassadorial stint in Tehran last year,
added that Poland would continue to do whatever it could to
support MEPP efforts in the UN, EU or, if appropriate,
bilaterally. At a minimum, it was important that the major
players coordinate their positions and maintain pressure on
both Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to reach an
agreement. However, Smidowski said only the U.S. could exert
sufficient influence on the Israelis to extract concessions,
especially cessation of settlement construction.
2. (C) Smidowski said Poland will soon provide law
enforcement training to members of the PA police and border
guard service. The plan has been under discussion for almost
two years, but the final elements are falling into place, and
the GoP hopes to complete the project by the end of 2009.
3. (C) Looking ahead, the Ambassador said the GoP's approach
to the Middle East was going through a transition. Poles
will focus more on relations with the Gulf States, partly
because the majority of governments in this sub-region are
relatively moderate and partly because of the economic and
energy opportunities for Poland. But Smidowski assured us
that Warsaw would not neglect relations with Tel Aviv. To
this end, Smidowski said Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar
Pawlak, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and Sejm Speaker
Bronislaw Komorowski would all be making separate trips to
Israel by the end of the year. Sikorski, at least, will also
visit Palestinian territory. In addition, PM Donald Tusk
will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar in October or November.
TULLEY
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CE (GLANTZ) AND NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS PL
SUBJECT: POLAND WELCOMES TRILATERAL MIDDLE EAST MEETING
REF: STATE 99834
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) GoP officials were pleased that U.S., Israeli, and
Palestinian leaders met last week. Although the Poles
discerned little progress, they saw the symbolic talks as
establishing a precedent for more detailed discussions in
coming months and, more importantly, demonstrating a renewed
U.S. commitment to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP). So
concluded Ambassador Witold Smidowski, the MFA's Coordinator
for Israel, Palestinian, and MEPP Affairs. Smidowski, who
completed a six-year ambassadorial stint in Tehran last year,
added that Poland would continue to do whatever it could to
support MEPP efforts in the UN, EU or, if appropriate,
bilaterally. At a minimum, it was important that the major
players coordinate their positions and maintain pressure on
both Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to reach an
agreement. However, Smidowski said only the U.S. could exert
sufficient influence on the Israelis to extract concessions,
especially cessation of settlement construction.
2. (C) Smidowski said Poland will soon provide law
enforcement training to members of the PA police and border
guard service. The plan has been under discussion for almost
two years, but the final elements are falling into place, and
the GoP hopes to complete the project by the end of 2009.
3. (C) Looking ahead, the Ambassador said the GoP's approach
to the Middle East was going through a transition. Poles
will focus more on relations with the Gulf States, partly
because the majority of governments in this sub-region are
relatively moderate and partly because of the economic and
energy opportunities for Poland. But Smidowski assured us
that Warsaw would not neglect relations with Tel Aviv. To
this end, Smidowski said Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar
Pawlak, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and Sejm Speaker
Bronislaw Komorowski would all be making separate trips to
Israel by the end of the year. Sikorski, at least, will also
visit Palestinian territory. In addition, PM Donald Tusk
will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar in October or November.
TULLEY