US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV6442

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 006442 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, ASEC, IS, UZ, GOI EXTERNAL 
SUBJECT: UN THIRD COMMITTEE: ISRAEL EXPLAINS PROBLEM WITH 
UZBEKISTAN RESOLUTION 
 
REF: A) TEL AVIV 6384 (NOTAL) B) STATE 204646 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Norm Olsen for reasons 1.4 (B) and ( 
D). 
 
1. (C) Following reftel (B) demarche, Israeli MFA Deputy 
Director General for Central Europe and Eurasia 
(A/S-equivalent) Mark Sofer contacted poloff to discuss 
Israeli difficulties with the Third Committee resolution on 
Uzbekistan.  According to Sofer, Israel does not intend to 
co-sponsor the resolution and plans to be absent during the 
vote.  Sofer noted that the GOI fully shares the USG's view 
of the human rights situation in Uzbekistan, but believes 
that the Karimov government would retaliate against any 
Israeli support by withdrawing security from the Israeli 
embassy in Tashkent, forcing its closure.  He claimed that 
the Uzbeks had previously withdrawn all police from guard 
duty at the embassy after they took issue with an interview 
by the Israeli ambassador following the July 2004 bombing 
attacks in Tashkent. 
 
2. (SBU) Sofer said that he plans to discuss Israel's 
concerns with EUR during a visit to Washington during the 
week of November 29, but wanted the USG to be aware of the 
GOI's position beforehand.  He added that Israel plans to 
co-sponsor and vote for the resolution on Turkmenistan. 
 
3. (C) Comment: Sofer is undoubtedly under intense pressure 
from FM Shalom to keep the embassy in Tashkent open.  Shalom 
has made the expansion of ties with states that have Muslim 
majorities his top public priority.  End comment. 
 
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