US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE2990

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002990 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2014 
TAGS: PREL, AORC, IS, NL, KCRM, UNEP, WIPO, ILO, EUN 
SUBJECT: UN/EU/WEOG/ISRAEL: EU MAY RELENT AT CND, UNEP, ILO 
 
REF: A. THE HAGUE 2870 
     B. STATE 235219 
     C. ROME 4280 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b) a 
nd (d). 
 
1.  (C)  The EU is looking anew at ways to include Israel in 
WEOG deliberations, particularly in the CND, UNEP and IOL, 
Pieter Ramaer (MFA deputy in the UN department) told Poloff 
November 16.  At the EU's CONUN meeting November 15, Ramaer 
reported, the Dutch circulated our ref b notes (that we had 
discussed with them, ref a) and the meeting "went into them 
in detail."  "EU Partners agreed to take a fresh look at 
options in various fora,"  Ramaer said.  He conceded that the 
EU might see this as an opportunity to win points with Israel 
at this critical time by relenting where possible on Israeli 
WEOG participation. 
 
2.  (C)  Elaborating for Poloff on November 16, Marwieke 
Tillema, of the same office, said the Dutch have asked their 
Ambassadors in Vienna, Nairobi, and Geneva to canvass EU 
partners for advice on the implications of any changes and 
then report back to The Hague prior to the next CONUN on 
December 6.  At that meeting, the EU wil see if they can make 
some kind of positive decision on including Israel in WEOGs 
outside of New York. 
 
COMMENT 
 
3.  (C)  Ramaer's comments may indicate fresh momentum for 
WEOG to admit Israel, for example in less-politicized fora 
such as CND, UNEP, and ILO.  The Dutch, at least, appear 
sensitive to the idea that giving Israel this long-sought 
prize could improve relations with Europe (and Isreali views 
of the Quartet) at a critical moment.  It may be useful to 
follow up Dutch approaches in Vienna, Nairobi, and Geneva to 
see if this issue develops any traction. 
SOBEL