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### Viewing cable 06TELAVIV5004, OLMERT TELLS CODEL SPECTER HE IS SKEPTICAL ABOUT

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06TELAVIV5004 | 2006-12-29 14:22 | 2011-05-04 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tel Aviv

Appears in these articles:
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9097
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9096
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9097
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9098
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9099
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9100
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9102
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9103
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9104
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9099
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9105
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9106
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9107
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/9108

`

    VZCZCXRO6685
    OO RUEHROV
    DE RUEHTV #5004/01 3631422
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 291422Z DEC 06
    FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8505
    INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0313
    RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0287

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005004

    SIPDIS

    CODEL
    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2011
    TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IS KPAL SY ECON IR IZ GE
    SUBJECT: OLMERT TELLS CODEL SPECTER HE IS SKEPTICAL ABOUT
    SYRIA ABSENT CREDIBLE SIGNALS

    Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones. Reason 1.4 (B/D)

    ¶1. (C) Summary: Senator Arlen Specter (PA) briefed Prime
    Minister Olmert on President Asad's willingness to negotiate
    with Israel. Specter noted that Asad had expressed a
    willingness to exert Syrian influence over Hamas, and pledged
    to cooperate with the Hariri assassination investigation and
    UNSCR 1701 implementation. Olmert indicated that he expects
    a credible signal of seriousness from the Syrian leader
    before he would consider negotiations. Olmert stressed that
    his first priority is the Palestinian track, but he also
    indicated that he does wish to make peace with Syria. End
    Summary.

    -----
    SYRIA
    -----

    ¶2. (C) On the evening of December 27, Senator Specter and
    the Ambassador met with PM Olmert and his staff to discuss
    Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad. Senator Specter described
    what Asad had said to him regarding the Golan, Lebanon and
    the terrorist organizations, Hamas and Hizballah. Senator
    Specter reported that Asad offered to negotiate with Israel,
    "without preconditions." According to the Senator, Asad has
    something to offer vis a vis Hamas and Hizballah. Specter
    noted that one of Asad's objectives is the return of the
    Golan Heights. Specter shared his assessment that the Syria
    track was worth pursuing.

    ¶3. (C) PM Olmert responded that other international visitors
    to Syria had been "very unhappy" with Asad. For example,
    German FM Steinmeier reportedly told Olmert that Asad had
    claimed that Lebanon was "part of Syria." Olmert asked
    rhetorically why the GOI should work with a party that
    cooperates with terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, the
    PFLP and the PIJ. Wouldn't this violate the principle upon
    which the USG denies support for the Hamas-led PA? Olmert
    asked what Asad has to offer regarding Hizballah or Hamas?
    If, however, Bashar has something to offer, it may pave the
    way for something, Olmert conceded. Specter recounted
    asking Asad about Hamas, an organization whose aim is the
    destruction of Israel. Asad replied that "we can work on
    that," according to Specter, who understood this to mean that
    Asad has influence over the organization.

    ¶4. (C) PM Olmert expressed concern that if he should talk
    with Asad, Syria will get a stream of foreign visitors --
    before he brings about any change to his policies regarding
    Lebanon, Hamas, Iraq or Iran. Specter said that Asad "talks
    a positive game," and agreed it would be important for Olmert
    to be able to see concrete action regarding what he intends
    to do. Acknowledging that Asad has a "terrible record,"
    Specter cited the case of Libyan leader Qadhafi as an example
    of how it is possible to obtain a "change of heart" in an
    adversary. He also highlighted the signing by Iraqi and
    Syrian ministers of interior of a memorandum of understanding
    on joint security cooperation as possible progress. In any
    event, Specter commented, "Asad is what you have to work
    with. Although it may not work, there is no other key to the
    door." Specter stressed the importance of the GOI making its
    own sovereign decision regarding the pursuit of negotiations
    with Syria based on what is good for Israel. Olmert
    concluded that "if I get the slightest, credible signal (from
    Asad), I will take it very seriously. I am not saying no."

    ----------------------------------
    HARIRI ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION
    ----------------------------------

    ¶5. (C) Senator Specter reported that Asad had denied
    involvement in the Hariri assassination, and that Asad had
    told him he will cooperate with the UN tribunal. Specter
    added that UNIIIC had recently indicated that the SARG was
    cooperating with its work on the investigation of the Hariri
    assassination. Specter clarified that while he did not take
    Asad's claims at face value, they should be examined. Olmert
    asked his Military Secretary to provide Senator Specter with
    intelligence that Israel had obtained "proving that (Syria)
    was plotting the removal of Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora
    so as to prevent Siniora from approving the international
    tribunal regarding the assassination of former PM Hariri."

    -------------------------
    UNSCR 1701 IMPLEMENTATION
    -------------------------

    ¶6. (C) Senator Specter indicated that Syrian FM Walid
    Mu'allim had assessed the current cease-fire between Israel

    TEL AVIV 00005004 002 OF 002

    and Lebanon as "fragile" and in need of a "political
    solution." He and Asad had pledged to live up to UNSCR 1701,
    according to Specter, who said he warned the Syrian
    leadership that the USG would be watching Syria closely on
    the arms embargo issue. Specter added that Asad had denied
    shipping arms to Lebanon, colorfully insisting that only
    drugs, not arms, could be smuggled into Lebanon via donkeys.
    Olmert insisted that Asad violates the arms embargo "every
    day." "He's arming them on a daily basis. This is one area
    where I need a signal from him." In response to a question
    about evidence of such exchanges, Olmert claimed that Syrian
    arms reach Lebanon in containers shipped by train from Iran
    via Turkey. Olmert noted that Israel had conclusive
    physical evidence that Russian anti-tank missiles provided to
    Syria had been used in Lebanon during the summer war.

    ------------------------
    Missing Israeli Soldiers
    ------------------------

    ¶7. (C) Senator Specter informed Olmert that he had asked
    Asad about the fate of two Israeli soldiers abducted by
    Hizballah in July. Asad reportedly responded that
    (Hizballah) are prepared to give them back, but are "waiting
    on the mediator." Olmert said progress on such humanitarian
    matters would be a signal the Syrians could send to Israel:
    "I hope he (Asad) is not lying."

    ---------------------------
    Palestinian Peace Prospects
    ---------------------------

    ¶8. (C) PM Olmert highlighted recent actions by his
    government aimed at improving the quality of life of the
    Palestinians. He pledged to create a "new atmosphere" by
    improving movement and access. He noted Israeli forbearance
    in upholding the Gaza cease-fire for over a month, despite
    repeated Qassam rocket firings. Olmert informed the Codel of
    his plans to travel to Egypt on January 4 and his recent
    positive discussions with the King of Jordan.

    ----
    Iran
    ----

    ¶9. (C) Senator Specter asked Olmert for his assessment of
    Iran, sharing his own impression from meetings in India that
    the Indians are allies. Olmert stressed that Iran was a
    "moral issue of the highest priority." Olmert said the UN
    measures were "very important," but he thought that other
    measures could be taken as well, even if they are not all
    taken by the UN Security Council. For example, Olmert noted
    that certain financial measures could have a serious impact.
    Senator Specter agreed that we can do more on this front.

    ----------------
    Israel's Economy
    ----------------

    ¶10. (U) PM Olmert described the economic situation as
    Israel's most successful year ever -- despite the Lebanon
    war. He cited foreign direct investment of twenty billion
    USD, growth figures nearing five percent and nonexistent
    inflation as indicators of this success.

    ¶11. (U) The Codel did not have an opportunity to review this
    message before its departure.

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    JONES

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