VZCZCXRO9322
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1676 2260547
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 140547Z AUG 07
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8670
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001676
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
WILLIAMS/SHAMPAINE/BELRADE; PRM FOR PDAS GREENE AND
PRM/ANE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID IS KPAL KWBG OVIP
SUBJECT: FAYYAD TELLS CODEL BAIRD THAT ADDITIONAL USG
ASSISTANCE NEEDED
1. (SBU) Summary: During an August 9 meeting with the
Consul General and CODEL Baird, Palestinian Authority (PA)
Prime Minister Salam Fayyad expressed his hope that
additional U.S. assistance arrives quickly to improve the
lives of Palestinians. Fayyad said that the future of the
West Bank/Gaza depends on disarming militias and the
establishment of law and order. He stated that PA actions
will be pitted against Hamas' words, resulting in increased
public support for the PA. End summary.
Security First
--------------
2. (SBU) During a meeting with the Consul General and U.S.
Representative Baird on August 9 in Ramallah, PM Fayyad
underscored that in order to weaken Hamas, the PA needs to
move forward quickly with its plan to restructure its
security forces and to disarm militias. He described the
disarmament of militias as the fundamental key to Palestinian
success. Fayyad said that any economic progress in the West
Bank and Gaza will not be sustained without the establishment
of law and order throughout.
U.S. Support Needed Quickly;
Winning With Good Works
-----------------------
3. (SBU) Fayyad stated that U.S. economic assistance will be
essential during the upcoming months. He said he hoped for
an expression of strong U.S. financial support to the
Palestinians that will: (1) arrive quickly and (2) improve
basic infrastructure to inject life into the Palestinian
economy, which, he said, is critical for engine of
sustainable job creation. Fayyad said that he plans to work
to attract international capital investment through the
construction of Palestinian industrial parks. Fayyad
underscored that his government will "lead with action, not
words."
Palestinian Openness To The World
---------------------------------
4. (SBU) Fayyad told Baird that in order to defeat Hamas,
the PA needs to implement its vision of an open society and
economy that responds to Palestinian needs. He added that
Palestinian potential lays in openness to the world, not
hostility toward it. Fayyad said that the combination of
improved security and economic progress may improve
Palestinian sentiment toward the prospects of a two-state
solution, which has been diminished in recent years due to
the separation barrier and reduced access and movement.
Fayyad Not Sensitive About Pro-U.S. Stigma
------------------------------------------
5. (SBU) Responding to Representative Baird's question about
the local perception of Fayyad's close relationship to the
U.S., Fayyad said that he is not sensitive about the "U.S.
ally stigma," as he would like all Palestinians to take his
approach to the U.S. - "your country can be our model," he
remarked. Fayyad said he wanted to be explicit and direct
with his Palestinian constituents and the USG about the
dangers of radicalization and the importance of increased
U.S. support.
6. (U) CODEL Baird did not have an opportunity to review
this message.
WALLES