US embassy cable - 04TELAVIV6651

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006651 
 
SIPDIS 
 
CODEL 
 
DEPT FOR H AND NEA/IPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2014 
TAGS: PREL, KPAL, KWBG, IS, IR, ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS, GOI EXTERNAL 
SUBJECT: ISRAELI FM SHALOM OFFERS CAUTIOUS VIEW ON 
PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS TO CODEL LIEBERMAN/DAYTON 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer; Reasons: 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: While acknowledging that the situation had 
improved since Arafat's death, Israeli Foreign Minister 
Silvan Shalom told Senators Lieberman and Dayton on December 
28 that he is "discouraged" by Abu Mazen's recent remarks on 
the campaign trail.  Shalom interpreted the speech as an 
indication that Abu Mazen will not dismantle the terrorist 
infrastructure or compromise on Palestinian demands for a 
right of return to Israel.  Shalom said the Israeli 
Government is facilitating the Palestinian elections, but he 
expressed concern that the Palestinians will continue 
Arafat's policies and offer "the same old excuses."  In 
response to a question from the CoDel, Shalom outlined his 
proposal for another Aqaba conference, which he said would 
build confidence but avoid substantive issues.  Shalom told 
the CoDel that the way to deal with both the Palestinians and 
the Arab world is to embrace moderates and isolate 
extremists.  He said that the EU-3's position on Iran is 
"much better than before," but still in need of improvement. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
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Shalom Discouraged by Abu Mazen's Statements 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) In a December 28 meeting with Senator Joseph 
Lieberman, Senator Mark Dayton, the Ambassador, Senate staff, 
and military escort, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom 
said he is "very discouraged" by Abu Mazen's December 25 
election speech in which the Palestinian leader had been 
"tougher than Arafat."  Shalom interpreted the remarks as an 
indication that Abu Mazen will not dismantle the terrorist 
infrastructure and will continue to insist on the right of 
return.  Shalom questioned why the Palestinians would want to 
return to a Jewish state and, as he described it, trade their 
current Diaspora for another.  He expressed hope that Abu 
Mazen's actions would be guided by the comments he had made 
as Prime Minister and not the ones he is making on the 
campaign trail.  The Foreign Minister cautioned that he wants 
"everyone in the international community to ... be aware of 
what Mahmoud Abbas is saying." 
 
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Palestinian Elections and the Aftermath 
--------------------------------------- 
 
3. (C) Shalom said the Israeli government is "doing 
everything we can" to facilitate the Palestinian elections, 
including the provision of assistance to election observers. 
He added that he is more concerned, however, by "what will 
happen the day after" and by Palestinian actions following 
the first post-election terrorist attack.  He reiterated his 
call for the Palestinians to stop incitement against Israel, 
saying it is something Abu Mazen "could do in a day."  He 
acknowledged that it would take longer to fight terrorism, 
but insisted that a cease-fire is insufficient.  Shalom said 
that the Palestinians should begin a crackdown against 
terrorism the day after the elections. 
 
4. (C) Describing the CoDel's meetings with Abu Mazen, Abu 
Ala'a, and Salam Fayyad on December 27 (septel), Senator 
Lieberman said he was struck by the difference between the 
election rhetoric on campaign posters and the Palestinians' 
private comments.  In his meeting with the CoDel, Abu Mazen 
had focused on his commitment to end violence, discussed 
efforts to reach an agreement with Hamas, and candidly 
described problems with Palestinian security forces and the 
"chaotic situation" currently faced by the Palestinian 
Authority.  The Palestinians had also spoken in U.S. and 
Israeli terms about the rule of law, democracy, and 
transparency, he said. 
 
5. (C) Shalom agreed that the situation has improved 
following Arafat's death, but he expressed concern that the 
Palestinians will "use the same old excuses" to avoid real 
action.  He feared that after the elections they could again 
claim that the PA is too weak to confront extremists and that 
the Israeli military presence precludes PA action.  Shalom 
insisted that the PA end its tolerance of "alternate military 
structures" in its area of responsibility. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
Aqaba Conference to Jump Start Peace Process 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
6. (C) Senator Lieberman asked the Foreign Minister about his 
recent proposal for another Aqaba conference.  Shalom 
suggested that Abu Mazen, PM Sharon, King Abdullah, President 
Bush, and possibly President Mubarak meet "to give a jump 
start to the peace process."  He stressed that the gathering 
would have to wait until the Palestinians ended terrorist 
attacks.  It would build confidence, but "shouldn't deal with 
substance."  The substantive way forward is already laid out 
in the road map, he said. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
Shalom Doctrine: Assist Moderates and Isolate Extremists 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
7. (C) Shalom said that the way to deal with both the 
Palestinians and the Arab world is to "embrace the moderates 
and isolate the extremists."  He noted that moderates still 
fear Al-Qaeda, but they face a new international environment 
now that Arafat is dead, Saddam is in jail, and Qadhafi has 
changed policies.  Other countries realize that terrorism is 
not only an Israeli problem, which means Israel can finally 
be seen as being "on the side of the good guys."  Senator 
Dayton asked how the USG could encourage moderates in the 
Palestinian leadership.  Shalom replied that there are 
already positive signs, such as the recent letter by 
Palestinian intellectuals urging Abu Mazen to negotiate with 
Israel. 
 
8. (C) Shalom noted that Syria and Iran are supporting 
terrorism and should be isolated.  In response to a question 
from Senator Lieberman, Shalom said that European efforts to 
address the threat of Iran's nuclear program are "much better 
than before."  Israel is dissatisfied with the last agreement 
signed by the EU-3 and Iran, he added, but aggressive public 
diplomacy efforts have led to a greater appreciation of the 
threat by the Europeans. 
 
9. (U) Prior to departing to meet with PM Sharon, Shalom 
invited the senators to attend a special session of the UNGA 
on January 24 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 
liberation of Nazi concentration camps. 
 
10. (U) The CoDel did not clear this message prior to 
departing post. 
 
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