US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV4799

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004799 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MNUC, FR, IR, IS, GOI EXTERNAL 
SUBJECT: SHARON AND CHIRAC'S PARIS HONEYMOON: DOWNPLAYING 
CONTENTIOUS ISSUES 
 
REF: PARIS 5263 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b 
,d). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY.  In an August 2 meeting, French Charge 
d'Affaires Christophe Bigot told the DCM that Prime Minister 
Sharon and French President Jacques Chirac agreed in advance 
to downplay their differences on peace-process issues and 
instead focus on enhancing bilateral relations during 
Sharon's three-day visit to Paris.  Bigot attributed the 
success of Sharon's visit to four factors: (1) the death of 
Yasir Arafat, who, Bigot noted, had been friendly with 
Chirac; (2) agreement on issues related to Lebanon, Syria, 
and Iran, all of interest to Israel; (3) a good chemistry 
between Chirac and Sharon; and, (4) France's actions to 
combat domestic anti-Semitism.  The most specific issue 
related to disengagement raised by Chirac during the visit, 
Bigot noted, was Chirac's request that Sharon allow the 
Palestinian Authority (PA) to receive lethal aid to help 
re-build the PA's security forces.  Bigot highlighted that 
the GOF is already planning a visit by Foreign Minister 
Philippe Douste-Blazy for September 4, a possible visit by 
its defense minister, and high-level GOF representation at 
the November anniversary of slain former PM Yitchak Rabin, to 
build on Israeli-French rapprochement.  The French 
acknowledged a dramatic turn in the relationship and now hope 
to build on it.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------ 
Honeymoon in Paris 
------------------ 
 
2.  (C) French Charge Bigot attributed the overall success of 
the Chirac-Sharon meetings to a willingness on both leaders' 
part to avoid contentious issues -- mainly on the peace 
process and post-disengagement -- and instead focus on 
rebuilding their bilateral relationship.  Bigot said that 
there was GOI-GOF agreement to focus on bilateral issues in 
advance of the visit.  For example, the two leaders did not 
discuss the separation barrier or settlements in any detail, 
Bigot said.  In response to the DCM's question, Bigot said 
that the two leaders did not focus on post-disengagement 
issues either.  He noted that the GOF did not raise the issue 
of an international conference on the Middle East, since it 
believes that it would have been senseless to discuss this 
issue if the GOI did not already support it. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
Chirac Makes Bid for PA Ammunition Assistance 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Bigot noted that while Chirac and Sharon skirted most 
peace process and post-disengagement issues, Chirac did make 
a bid for Sharon to allow the PA to receive ammunition in 
order to re-build its security forces.  Chirac was "acting on 
behalf of (Secretary Rice)" by making this request, Bigot 
underlined.  He added that this was "the most clear and 
direct request" made by Chirac to Sharon during the visit. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
GOI and GOF Share Common Interests on Syria, Lebanon, Iran 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
4.  (C) One of the main factors, according to Bigot, that 
contributed to the success of Sharon's visit, was that GOF 
views on Lebanon, Iran, and Syria were now "more connected to 
Israel's philosophy" and that Israel and France shared common 
interests regarding these countries.  Regarding Hizballah, 
Bigot underlined that it was surprising that Sharon did not 
press for EU designation of Hizballah as a terrorist 
organization or raise its opposition to GOF contacts with 
Hizballah.  Bigot said that, instead, Sharon was more 
interested in discussing how to disarm Hizballah.  Sharon 
also was interested in the extent to which the GOF is 
coordinating with the USG on dealing with Hizballah, Bigot 
said. 
 
5.  (C) Bigot stressed that while Sharon and Chirac wanted to 
discuss Iran and Syria, Sharon focused mostly on Iran and the 
GOF on Syria.  "Sharon always went back to Iran," Bigot 
commented, noting that Sharon was very interested in when the 
GOF would advocate bringing Iran's nuclear program to the 
UNSC.  Bigot added that Iran's actions in the coming days to 
adhere to its commitment will determine what will be done, 
including in the UNSC.  Bigot noted that Israel sees France 
as taking a stronger stand against Iran's nuclear program, in 
comparison to either Germany or the UK. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
Sharon Acknowledges French Efforts Against Anti-Semitism 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
6.  (C) Bigot underlined that another factor contributing to 
the visit's success was Sharon's acknowledgment of GOF 
actions against domestic acts of anti-Semitism.  Bigot noted 
that acts of anti-Semitism in France had dropped by half 
during the past year, due in large part to the GOF's efforts. 
 In response to the DCM's query about the GOF's reaction to 
Sharon's direct appeal to French Jews to immigrate to Israel, 
Bigot noted that the GOF was not offended since Sharon did 
not link his immigration appeal to the problem of French 
anti-Semitism.  Bigot noted that the GOF was offended last 
year when Sharon appealed to French Jews to immigrate to 
Israel in order to leave what Sharon characterized as an 
atmosphere of anti-Semitism.  His leaving out the phrase this 
time was a welcome and appreciated change, said Bigot. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
Bigot: Israel and France Need to Catch Up 
----------------------------------------- 
 
7.  (C) Bigot expressed the hope that Israel and France could 
now have a "normal relationship."  He noted that during "all 
these years (the GOF) had been modest.... and could have been 
doing more," specifically in military and intelligence 
cooperation.  In response to the DCM's query, Bigot said that 
the issue of arms trade with China did not come up during 
Sharon's visit.  He noted that the GOF "is not a strong 
advocate of an arms embargo on China" so that it was not a 
"natural" issue to discuss.  Bigot said that military trade 
between Israel and France is not significant and has not been 
since the 1967 Six-Day War.  He said that the only 
cooperation of note is Israeli sales of ammunition to France 
and some cooperation concerning UAVs. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Sharon and Chirac have Chemistry 
-------------------------------- 
 
8.  (C) Bigot also attributed the visit's success to the good 
chemistry between Chirac and Sharon (see reftel).  Both 
leaders served as agriculture ministers, Bigot said, and come 
from a "populist approach."  He also noted that the 
atmosphere between the two leaders had improved because 
Arafat is no longer on the scene.  Chirac's relationship with 
Arafat had been a point of contention with Israel, Bigot 
commented.   Bigot said that the GOF intends to build upon 
this rapprochement, first with a visit by French Foreign 
Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy scheduled for September 4, an 
upcoming visit by its defense minister, and high-level GOF 
representation at the November anniversary of slain former PM 
Yitchak Rabin. 
 
********************************************* ******************** 
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website. 
********************************************* ******************** 
KURTZER