Wikileaks Cables: Secret Relations between “Israel”, Gulf Countries
New- released WikiLeaks documents have uncovered a deep alliance between "Israel" and Gulf countries.
One of the cables dispatched from Tel Aviv on March 2009, refers to a meeting between US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and "Israeli" Foreign Ministry's Deputy Director General for Middle East Jacob Hadas Handsaman, Egyptian daily al-Masry al-Youm reported.
Document classified as confidential with the number 000605 and the Code on 12 March 2009, lists the discussions focused on Lebanon, and integration with Syria, and relations of "Israel" with the countries of the Gulf.
In the details, Feltman met with officials in the "Israeli" Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 March to discuss his upcoming visit to Syria, the Zionist government talks with the United Nations on the village of Ghajar, Security Council resolution 1701, and relations of "Israel" with Mauritania and the Gulf States.
The General Deputy Director of the North American Pena Baruch viewed that "U.S. engagement with Syria can be positive as long as it avoided European errors of improving relations, even when Syria refrains from providing any improvements to its policies."
As for the "al- Ghajar" Aviator Manor, the General Deputy Director of International Organization Affairs emphasized that "the technical talks were proceeding well, but it is likely that there is no political agreement until the formation of the new "Israeli" government," adding that "Israel" did not give up yet willingness to involve Lebanon in the direct process."
Jacob Hadas Handsaman, the Deputy of General Director for the Middle East, told Feltman that ""Israel" is still going in quiet relations with the Arab countries, as it supports UAE and Bahrain against Iran, as well as Egypt's willingness to talk about the Iranian threat without fear. However, Oman and Qatar are seeking to continue to move towards Iran, and it is also believed that Qatar is seeking to push Mauritania away from the West."
Hadas stressed that "America has to reassure Arabs that we understand what Iran is and that we will not give much in return for little."
"Israel" Supports The Appropriate Involvement with Syria
Under this title, Jacob Amitai the deputy director of the Center for Policy Research in the "Israeli" Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that "if he had talked with the Syrians, he would have warned them from sending advanced weapons to Hizbullah, supporting Palestinians, and Fatah al-Islam in Lebanon which will lead to destabilize the region through its support for Hamas and other groups."
At this point, Feltman answers that the United States analysis is almost identical with the views in "Israel", and that his message to Syria will be a results of that analysis: "We are not willing to enter into partnership for it sake only."
Feltman focused on three points:
"The first is to look at foreign fighters who enter Iraq through Syria, which is dangerous because it directly threatens American lives."
"Second, we will be watching Syria's support for Hamas in the light of the international community's work to rebuild Gaza."
" Finally, we will work to ensure that the movement of advanced "land - atmosphere" Syrian missiles, to Hizbullah is stopped and here we hope that there exists new areas showing progress to reflect the seriousness of the Syrian side, and does not threaten the survival of the regime."
Feltman acknowledged that isolating Syria from Iran could be even more complicated.
Answering Feltman's question whether the Arab fear of Iran could lead to more Arab openness towards "Israel", Hadas replied "Egypt seem more willing to publicly confront Iran if it succeeded in bringing Saudi Arabia along with it, while the United Arab Emirates is now tougher with Iran" calling "Sultanate of Oman and Qatar "the prisoners in the wrong direction."
Hadas complained of Mauritania's decision to expel the "Israeli" ambassador, who has three days to leave Nouakchott before the arrival of Gaddafi for an official visit, saying that "Mauritania seem to follow Qatar's path."
"Qatar needs the "Israeli" cooperation to help in the reconstruction of Gaza, but they already tried to circumvent the "Israeli" government," explaining that "Qatar sent a load to Egypt in the hope that the Egyptians allows it to pass through Rafah, and when it failed Qatar turned to "Israel" to send the load under the cover of non-governmental organizations" Hadas said confirming that "there are a lot of aid waiting to enter Gaza, but contributions of countries which do not have relations with "Israel" will not get priority in that process."
According to Hadas, "Qatar is keen at its relationship with Iran because it believes it will suffer of side effects if any action is taken against Iran, either by stray missiles or an Iranian response."
The "Israeli" official then added that relations between Qatar and "Israel" were even affected Doha's belief that Tel Aviv maintains secret and powerful ties with Riyadh.
Hadas said it was "becoming disappointing after Oman's ongoing efforts to accommodate Iran," noting that "the Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi seems to agree that Iran does not pose a threat."
On the other hand, Hadas praised the Bahraini regime adding that "Kuwait will follow the consensus (GCC), while Yemen is a source of smuggling between Iran and Gaza," he said.
