Norwegian Newspaper has access to ALL 250,000+ Wikileak State Dept. Cables!!! Fasten Seatbelts!

[Peter Lemkin]

Was he cloned in Brazil?

....yes, and born to 'post'....:argue:

[Peter Lemkin]

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 06 BEIJING 003216

NOFORN

SIPDIS


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DEPT, FOR, DS/IP/EAP, DS/DSS/DO, DS/TIA/OSAC, DS/P/MECU,

DS/TIA/ITA, DS/DO/P, DS/ICI/CI, DS/T/ATA, DS/TIA,

DS/TIA/PII, DS/CC, EAP/CM, S/CT, CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, PASS TO

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) OPERATIONS

CENTER, HONG KONG FOR RSO AND LEGAT AND USSS, SHANGHAI FOR

RSO, SHENYANG FOR RSO,CHENGDU FOR RSO, GUANGZHOU FOR RSO,

USSS HQS FOR INV, OPO, HNL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2038

TAGS: ASEC, CASC, CH, CMGT, ECON, KOLY, OVIP, PREL, PTER

SUBJECT: BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

21, 08/21/2008

REF: A. BEIJING 3049

B. BEIJING 3171

C. BEIJING 3200

D. BEIJING 3117

Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Regan for reason 1.4 (b), (d)

1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on

security, public diplomacy, political, and consular

activities related to the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games

as of 08/21/2008.

2. (U) The interagency USG Joint Operations Center (JOC) can

be contacted on a 24-hour basis at the following numbers:

[TEXT REMOVED BY AFTENPOSTEN]

KEY ISSUES

----------

3. (SBU) The USG Delegation to the Olympics Closing

Ceremony--headed by Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Health

and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt--is scheduled to

arrive in Beijing on 08/21/2008. Delegation members also

include former State Department Under Secretary for Public

Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes and former Olympian

Michelle Kwan--who are already in Beijing to attend the

Games--as well as U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) President

Peter Ueberroth, and the U.S. Ambassador to Beijing.

4. (U) Typhoon Nuri continues to move through the South

China Sea on a northwesterly heading; the storm--which is

currently sustaining winds of approximately 90 miles per

hour--is expected to make landfall approximately 125 miles

from Hong Kong on the evening of 08/21/2008 and the morning

of 08/22/2008. Current estimates indicate that Hong Kong and

the southeastern coast of China will be hit with tropical

storm strength winds and rain throughout the day on

08/22/2008 before the storm is projected to dissipate on

08/23/2008, the day before the Olympics Closing Ceremony.

The final Olympics Equestrian event in Hong Kong is scheduled

to take place on the evening of 08/21/2008.

SECURITY ISSUES

---------------

5. (S/NF) Threats: Update on Threat to U.S. President:

The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) in mid-August

told U.S. officials of its findings regarding four telephone

numbers possibly associated with a plot to conduct an attack

against the President of the United States during the Olympic

Games (ref. a). Two of the numbers reportedly were no longer

working, one was connected to an associate of a World Uighur

Congress (WUC) member, and one was associated with the former

wife of a Norway-based East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)

member. In response to a U.S. request for more information

about the travel of an ETIM member between Dubai, Hong Kong,

and Beijing, the MSS claimed its investigation did not reveal

the individual had entered or exited China, but noted it was

continuing to investigate. The U.S. President departed

Beijing on 08/11/2008 without incident. (For additional

information, please see TD-314/061931-08, dated August 20.)

6. (S/REL to USA, IESC) Incidents: China Reportedly

Detains 35 Pakistanis: According to an 08/20/2008 article in

the Lahore Daily Times Online, Chinese authorities have

detained 35 Pakistanis visiting China on suspicion of

planning a terrorist attack to disrupt the Beijing Olympics.

Chinese officials reportedly sent a letter to the Pakistani

Government requesting detailed information on the arrested

individuals. Separate classified tearline reporting (ref. b)

had indicated on 08/18/2008 that "thirty-three suspected

terrorists may attempt to cross the border between Pakistan

and China with the intention of sabotaging the Beijing

Olympics. The suspected terrorists are of Chinese and

Pakistani descent and are allegedly being sent by various

unnamed terrorist organizations." At the 08/20/2008 Chinese

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press conference, the MFA

spokesman, responding to a reporter´s question, said the MFA

has "no relevant information" on the reported detentions but

offered to help update reporters on developments. For

analytical context and comment on this reporting, please

refer to the Threat Integration Center (TIC) 0500 Olympic

situation report dated 08/20/2008, which is available via the

National Counterterrorism Center´s NCTC Online site.

7. (S) Report of Explosives in Shanghai: According to

tearline language, "Olympics security forces in Shanghai were

dispatched to neutralize a possible explosive device on

08/19/2008." The JOC has no additional information to

confirm this report. Please refer to the Threat Integration

Center (TIC) 1700 Olympic situation report dated

08/20/2008--available via the NCTC online site--for

analytical comment.

8. (SBU) Update on Possible Beijing Truck Explosion: On

08/20/2008, the USG Open Source Center identified an Internet

posting from an alleged eye-witness to the reported

08/17/2008 truck explosion at a Beijing security checkpoint

(ref. c). In his statement, the witness claimed that a truck

caught fire and exploded in front of his bus at the Baimiao

inspection station; if accurate, this information appears to

undermine the statement made by the Hong Kong Information

Center for Human Rights and Democracy that the incident was

terrorism-related. In response to a request made by the

Olympic Security Coordinator (OSC) on 08/20/2008 for

additional information on the alleged truck explosion (ref.

c), the Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) has denied that

the incident occurred.

9. (SBU) Olympic Protests: Two More Americans Detained for

Pro-Tibet Protest: Shortly after midnight on 08/21/2008, a

California-based "Students for a Free Tibet" (SFT)

activist--who has previously notified the U.S. Embassy of

detained American protesters--informed American Citizen

Services (ACS) that two more SFT protesters were taken into

custody by the Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) for

unfurling a Tibetan flag and chanting "Free Tibet" at the

corner of Beichen and 4th Ring Roads near the Olympic Sports

Center Stadium. A German-Tibetan national and a UK citizen

were reportedly detained with the two Americans. ACS made

telephonic and written inquiries to the PSB seeking

confirmation of the detentions. With this incident, a total

of 35 American activists have been detained for staging

pro-Tibet protests since 08/06/2008.

10. (SBU) Six Americans Remain in Detention: Separately,

six other U.S. citizens remain in custody following their

detention on 08/19/2008 in conjunction with an attempt to use

lasers to project "Free Tibet" messages on buildings. (Note:

Three of these detentions were reported in ref. c. End

note.). Phone calls made to ACS by friends and family of the

Americans reveal that the six are part of a group called

"Free Tibet Reporters" (FTR) that has been filming and

supporting SFT protest activities in Beijing. The PSB is

handling this group differently than other pro-Tibet

protesters; while SFT protesters to date have all been

deported within 24 hours of their detention, all six FTR

members remain in police custody two days after being picked

up by the PSB. Persistent calls by ACS to the PSB on

08/21/2008 revealed that the PSB plans to keep this group in

administrative detention for 14 days. ACS continues to press

the PSB to provide consular access to the six on 08/22/2008.

11. (SBU) Five Americans Deported: On 08/20/2008, the

Beijing PSB informed ACS that the five U.S. citizen

protesters who unfurled a blue LED "Free Tibet" banner on

08/19/2008 (ref. c) had been deported to the United States

via an Air China flight at 1300 hours local time on

08/20/2008. According to a PSB source, Americans detained

for pro-Tibet protests are not held in regular detention

centers and are instead taken to out-of-the-way locations

such as a hotel or work unit until they are deported via

commercial aircraft.

SECURITY OPERATIONS

-------------------

12. (SBU) Update on FLO Security Efforts: As high-profile

U.S. Olympic teams move into medal competition, the focus of

the USG Field Liaison Officers (FLO) stationed at Olympic

venues throughout Beijing has increasingly turned to crowd

and access control coordination with Chinese security

personnel. In upcoming days, the U.S. Women´s Soccer, the

Men´s and Women´s Basketball, the Men´s and Women´s Water

Polo, the Women´s Softball, the Women´s Indoor Volleyball,

and the Men´s and Women´s Beach Volleyball teams are

scheduled to compete in gold medal rounds; the majority of

these teams have attracted large crowds of fans during

movements to and from the Olympic venues and, in the case of

Men´s Basketball, individuals without proper credentials have

been allowed into secure team areas on at least two occasions

(ref. b). FLO coverage is being adjusted to ensure maximum

security support for these teams. In addition, the OSC will

meet with Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) officials

on 08/22/2008 to again emphasize the importance of a robust

police presence for crowd and access control measures during

gold medal competitions.

13. (SBU) Equestrian Teams Begin Departure: According to

the Regional Security Officer (RSO) in Hong Kong, as of

08/21/2008, U.S. Olympic Equestrian team members and horses

have begun departing from Hong Kong. The remaining riders

are scheduled to depart on 08/23/2008 and 08/26/2008,

following the final day of competition on 08/21/2008.

14. (SBU) Peak Travel Days at BCIA: According to the

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) representative

assigned to the JOC, 08/25/2008 and 08/26/2008 will be peak

travel days in terms of departures at Beijing Capital

International Airport (BCIA). TSA noted that the surge of

Olympic departures will correspond to the beginning of

arrivals for the Paralympics and will likely put a strain on

airport services. The Paralympic Games are scheduled to

begin on 09/06/2008.

15. (SBU) Arrival of Vancouver OSC: Diplomatic Security´s

OSC for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games arrived in

Beijing on 08/20/2008; he is coordinating with the Beijing

OSC to review JOC and FLO operations in light of similar

efforts planned for the Vancouver Games.

VIPS

----

16. (U) Departure of Swimming Sensation: The USOC

confirmed that Michael Phelps--the U.S. swimmer who won 8

gold medals in Olympic competition--departed Beijing early on

08/21/2008. According to the USOC, Phelps is traveling to

London prior to returning to the United States.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

-------------------------------

17. (U) Cultural Outreach: The U.S. Embassy´s Public

Affairs Section (PAS) organized musical performances by two

American bands as part of the effort to promote American

culture during the Olympics. The first group, Sugar Mama and

the Cotton Band, performed on 08/20/2008 at the U.S.

Ambassador´s residence for a group of business leaders,

current and former Olympians, and other guests. On

08/21/2008, Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Trio--a

well-known band with ties to China--held two performances in

Beijing. The first performance at the American Center for

Educational Exchange was for an audience of Chinese students

from universities throughout Beijing, as well as officials

from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

China Academy of Social Sciences and the Foreign Affairs

Association. The second performance, held at the USOC´s USA

House, was for U.S. athletes and their invited guests.

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Trio are representing the

United States in the Cultural Olympiad, the official cultural

program of the Olympics.

CONSULAR AFFAIRS

----------------

18. (SBU) American Released on Bail: The U.S. citizen

involved in an altercation with a taxi driver 08/13/2008

(ref. c) was released on bail on 08/20/2008. According to

the Beijing PSB, if his family can reach a financial

settlement with the taxi driver, charges against the American

could be dropped.

19. (U) Chinese Tour Guide Released from Hospital: On

08/20/2008, China´s state-run press agency, Xinhua, reported

that the Chinese tour guide injured in the 08/09/2008 attack

against U.S. citizens at Beijing´s Drum Tower was released

from Sino-Japanese Hospital on 08/18/2008. Beijing Municipal

Health Director Deng Xiaohong stated that the woman received

chest wounds in the attack but that she had fully recovered;

he also dismissed recent press reports that the tour guide

had died on 08/12/2008 (ref. c).

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

-----------------

20. (U) Human Rights: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will

raise human rights issues when he meets with senior Chinese

leaders during his visit to Beijing for the Olympics Closing

Ceremony, according to a letter released by Brown´s office.

21. (U) MFA Press Conference: During a regularly scheduled

press conference on 08/20/2008, Chinese MFA spokesman Qin

Gang said all protests require approval of the Public

Security Bureau. However, pro-Tibet independence activities

will not be welcomQ by the Chinese people. Qin claimed to

have no information on reports that two elderly women were

sentenced to reeducation through labor following repeated

applications to protest. (Please see Beijing 3208, dated

August 20, for more details)

22. (U) Dutch Radio Station Evades Censors: The Dutch

commercial broadcaster Radio 538 on 08/19/2008 continued to

defy both the Chinese censors and the International Olympic

Committee (IOC) by broadcasting live from Beijing during the

Olympic Games, according to a Dutch radio report.

Officially, the only Dutch broadcaster registered to

broadcast from Beijing during the Olympics is public

broadcaster NOS. Unlike officially registered broadcasters,

Radio 538 is not required to send its feed through the

Olympics Broadcast Center, where Chinese authorities could

theoretically censor its output. Instead, Radio 538 is using

a complex system of integrated service digital networks

(ISDN) telephone lines to transmit its broadcasts out of

Beijing and to foil authorities´ attempts to block its

transmissions. Radio 538´s connection with its Beijing

studio has been down for only 20 minutes on one day since the

beginning of the Olympics, according to the Dutch radio

report.

RANDT

[Peter Lemkin]

Between 2005 and 2007 continued intense efforts from the Israeli side in order to halt the Iranian nuclear program. The Israeli strategy was to get the UN to take the hardest possible sanctions against the Iranian regime. To get the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA to more actively to denounce the Iranian nuclear program, was also imperative.

In two documents that are authored in the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, which Aftenposten obtained through Wikileaks, referred to Norway not in a flattering way in this context. The Israelis felt that Norway did not play as a team and was a brake in the effort to impose sanctions against the mullah regime in Iran. Both Americans and Israelis were also highly critical of the IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei, the fall of 2005 had been in Oslo to receive Nobel Peace Prize.

The criticism against Norway falls into a pattern: Previous documents from the American Embassy in Oslo, which is published by Aftenposten, shows that the then U.S. Ambassador Benson K. Whitney was salty in the criticism of what he said in a note refers to as Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre solo towards Iran. The fact that Norway had a so-called security policy dialogue with Iran, the embassy found very problematic.
Cons

In one of two documents from the U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv, where Norway is discussed, referred from a meeting between Director-General Gideon Frank at the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission and the U.S. Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Richard H. Jones, which took place on 7 February 2006:

- Frank and Levit (Frank's second in command) complained that Norway does not play a positive role in the IAEA, but not elaborated the matter further, it says.

One and a half years later, in October 2007, met State Secretary of the U.S. State Department, Patricia McNerney, a number of top officials and women from the Israeli Foreign Ministry and intelligence service.

During the conversation discussing the option to gather support for international sanctions against Iran. The Israelis point out that the U.S. has strong support from France in this case. The Germans will follow the French, believe Israeli Foreign Ministry.

A representative of the Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad inject that Europeans are generally little interest in sanctions, particularly in the Italy and Austria.

- The representative of the Israeli Foreign Ministry noted that Norway - which was not a member of the EU - was also problematic when it came to penalties, it says.
Sarcastic



Mohamed ElBaradei. PHOTO: AFP
While the Israelis quite soberly observes Norwegian reluctance to intervene too tightly against the mullah regime in Tehran, is the tone bordering on the sarcastic about Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, which had the task of monitoring the Iranian nuclear program.


When Americans and Israelis met on 7 February 2006, it was gone just two months ago, ElBaradei had been to Oslo and took his share of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2005. The commander of the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission makes it clear that he did not see on ElBaradei as some powerful player in the fight against the Iranian nuclear weapons:

- Israel looks at the IAEA's chief executive ElBaradei as a negative character who tries to go around Iran creates the problems, instead of going straight at them, they say.

The criticism of ElBaradei has not been any less during the meeting between Patricia McNerney and the Israeli state service woman Miriam Ziv:

- ElBaradei sees itself as a peacemaker who surrounds himself with a group of people that do not contradict him. The U.S. should warn him that his behavior threatens his reputation. In particular, it will go beyond repute ElBaradei on Iran actually acquiring nuclear weapons while he was still head of the IAEA, called it from Israeli sources. An official from the Israeli intelligence adds that ElBaradei sees itself as nothing less than a Dalai Lama-like type.

If many EU countries and Norway are printed on his passport by the Israelis, it is small items compared with the discussion that is part of China. A senior figure in Israeli intelligence says that one is unable to communicate with the Chinese because they "see the world differently." The Chinese have only one concern vis-à-vis Iran, namely that it may influence the relationship with the United States. Beyond the Chinese have no objections to having links with the mullah regime, suggested it.
------------------------------------------------
2/13/2009 14:48

"C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000115 SIPDIS EUR/NB, DRL, EUR/OHI, NEA/IPA E.O. 12958:

DECL: 02/04/2019

TAGS: PREL, KPAL, PGOV, PINR, IS, NO

SUBJECT: PART I: CONSTRAINTS ON NORWAY´S MIDDLE EAST ROLE? REF: A. OSLO 90 B. 06 OSLO 1047

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 b and d


Dokumentene

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1. © Summary: Norway aspires to be a leader in Middle East peace negotiations and could be a genuine asset in bringing peace to the region. Norway´s diplomatic principles, focus on dialogue, and mediation history have helped raise Norway´s profile as a peacemaker. Its tense relationship with Israel and anti-Semitism in Norway, as well as its approach to Hamas and Hamas positions, could constrain the effectiveness of Norway´s desired high-profile mediator role. Part II of this cable series explores the growth of anti-Semitism in Norway and Part III analyses Norway´s Foreign Minister´s critical role in elevating Norway on the world stage. End Summary. Norwegian Diplomacy:

Strengths and Desire for a Big Role
----------------------

2. © Shaped by FM Stoere, Norwegian foreign policy prioritizes peace promotion. Stoere is a skilled foreign minister, drawing on national traditions of international engagement, and adding his own focus on humanitarian aid and peace promotion to create an appealing portrayal of Norway as a world leader in peacemaking. Stoere dearly desires a central role in shaping Middle East peace and believes he has the ability to deliver. Norway brings clear strengths to the table. Stoere has been careful to maintain constant ties with Hamas (although no longer on the political level), steady and significant support for the Palestinian Authority and continued regular ties to Israel. Norway has a global reputation for expertise in peace negotiations in Guatemala, Tibet, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka among others, although their efforts have floundered lately. Norway also willing to spend substantial money in the promotion of peace. Norway´s non-EU membership can also at times be helpful. (Practically, Norway follows the vast majority of EU positions but has diverged, most notably in holding talks with the Tamil Tigers and Hamas, EU designated terrorist groups.)

Mediation Expertise
-------------------

3. © Norwegian society values dialogue above all. Talk, even without any expectation of results, is seen as valuable. Anyone who draws a line and refuses to talk to an opposing party is seen as a radical unilateralist. Conversely, Norwegians are extremely opposed to the use of military force to achieve goals, no matter how laudable.

4. © Compounding this aversion to force, Norwegians do not generally see any threats. For example, they do not see a danger from terrorism. (This attitude prevails in the MFA and other elites, despite FM Stoere´s hotel being attacked by suicide bombers in Kabul.) This societal attitude was demonstrated by Norway´s first terrorist case. Despite shooting at Oslo´s synagogue, planning to behead the Israeli ambassador and to attack the Israeli and U.S. embassies, the accused was convicted only of grave vandalism (although his strict sentence showed some understanding of the severity of the charges).

5. © Finally, Norway has substantial funds to back any mediating role it chooses to play. Rich with energy funds, it has for years been a leading donor to the Palestinian authority, most recently chairing the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee. Historically, it has been willing to commit to the long-term, funding projects to promote peace in Sri Lanka for example for over 27 years.

6. © Norway´s desire to make a difference combined with the willingness to expend time and money has made it a mediator in conflicts as far a field as Sri Lanka, Colombia, Haiti, and Sudan. It has elevated peace and reconciliation studies in its universities and reorganized its Foreign Ministry to showcase its expertise in this area. It revels in its self-described role as the ""moral superpower"" and points to the Oslo Peace Accords as a defining national moment.

Norway´s History with its Jewish Community and Israel
-----------------------------------------------------

7. © In the Middle East, however, its history may constrain the role it can play. Norway´s Jewish community has always been very small and based in the country´s biggest cities, Oslo and Trondheim. Challenges confronted the community early on. The birth of modern Norway was its 1814 constitution, which included a clause excluding Jews (later removed in 1851). In German-occupied Norway, Norwegian police cooperated with the Germans, rounding up almost all of the Norwegian Jewish population, most of which were sent to concentration camps.

8. © Post-war Norway cultivated close ties with Israel and much political support existed for Israel. The Norwegian Labor Party (long the dominant party in Norway) has historically had close ties to Israel´s labor party and Golda Meir visited Oslo and reportedly had a friendly personal relationship with Norwegian PM Gerhardsen. This resulted in Norway secretly providing heavy water to the fledgling Israeli nuclear program.

9. © The 1990s Oslo Process thrust Norway into Middle East politics for the first time and seemed to herald peace in the Middle East as well as a new peacemaker role for Norway. As the Oslo Accords crumbled, ties between Norway and Israel weakened. The Lebanon wars had a major impact, with approximately 20,000 Norwegians serving in UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon from 1978 to 1998. These soldiers came home with sympathetic reports about Palestinian refugees and negative impressions of Israelis. Israeli settlements and walls in the West Bank, and invasions of Lebanon and Gaza contributed to Norwegians´ increasingly negative view of Israel.

10. © This shift was so dramatic that a 2006 cartoon in a major newspaper depicted the PM of Israel as a concentration camp guard. During the 2006 war in Lebanon prominent author Jostein Gaarder made a statement saying ""I refuse to recognize the state of Israel"" and characterized Judaism as ""an archaic national and warlike religion."" (See septel and ref B for a detailed discussion of anti-Semitism in Norway.) By 2007, FM Stoere decided to recognize the Palestinian Unity Government, which included Hamas Ministers. Hamas´ vow to destroy Israel was ignored or characterized as only rhetoric by the Norwegians. Norway became the leading dissenter to international norms (only joined by Switzerland), willing to overlook Hamas´ stated aims in pursuit of dialogue at all costs. At this point, some Israeli officials began to characterize Norway as the most anti-Israel state in Europe.

(Note: Although the GON would deny it, there are clear signs that contacts with Hamas go beyond a tactical desire for dialogue to a level of sympathy for Hamas positions. The FM once told DCM for example that one could not expect Hamas to recognize Israel without knowing which borders Israel will have. While the FM expresses some sympathy for Hamas´ positions only in unguarded moments, other prominent Norwegians go further. End Note.)

11. © Norway´s growing minority population also plays a role in hardening public attitude toward Israel. The primary minority groups in Norway (25% of Oslo´s population) are Muslim and stem from Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan. They are interested in Middle East politics and not surprisingly very critical of Israel. (See reftel A.) ""Traditional"" Norwegians are independently quite critical of Israel as discussed above, but it is likely that this viewpoint will be re-enforced by the growing minority groups in Norway.

Gaza´s Impact
-------------

12. © The recent Gaza war further hardened anti-Israel attitudes in Norway´s public and elite opinion, with the notable exceptions of the Progress Party (about 25% of the vote) and the small Christian Democratic Party. However the size of recent pro-Israel (500) and anti-Israel demonstrations (over 10,000) illustrate the prevailing sentiments. (See reftel A.)

13. © Since the Gaza war, the question of whether anti-Semitism is on the increase became the subject of an intense public debate. Much of the debate centers on defining when comments by public figures are or are not anti-Semitic. Press coverage and public opinion of the Gaza war was overwhelmingly, and at times vehemently, anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian (viewing Israeli tactics as brutal and Palestinians as innocent victims). Therefore the question of anti-Semitism has often been phrased in terms of when criticism of Israel crosses the line into anti-Semitism. (See septel for a detailed discussion of the strong comments that have been made by leading Norwegian politicians questioning the ability of Jewish members of the Obama government to give unbiased advice and outlining the sense of threat felt by the Norwegian Jewish community.)

14. © On the official level, Hamas´ rocket attacks against Israel received criticisms, but the clear focus of Norwegian diplomacy encouraged Israel to be restrained and to maintain dialogue. While FM Stoere has been careful to criticize both parties, Norway clearly places most of the blame for the conflict on Israel´s policies.

Israel´s Reaction
-----------------

15. © The Israel Government has chosen, according to an Embassy official, to take a very low key approach to Norway´s negative views towards Israel. They see no point in openly pressing the government. With GON Ministers and Vice Ministers having a track record of meeting with Hamas, calling for boycotts of Israel, and showing up at violent anti-Israeli riots, the Israel Embassy holds out very little hope that the current GON can ever act moderately towards Israel. That said, they appreciate that the GON MFA is disciplining one of its own for anti-Semitic emails and that an initial meeting between FM Stoere and the Israeli Ambassador was very positive. They hope that small steps suchQs an R&D agreement may bring some slight warming of relations.

16. © However, the Israeli Embassy official noted that while his view of the GON may be negative, the view of Norway in the GOI is even less positive, and the view of the Israeli public which sees only negative items about Norway in the media is even less. Therefore, while Israel can tolerate Norway being the Chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Palestine (ADHL), the idea of any greater role for Norway in Middle East talks is unpalatable.

Comment
-------

17. © Norway, and particularly their charismatic Foreign Minister, has a strong interest in playing a peacemaker role. With money to spend and open channels to all parties in the conflict, they bring important assets to this role. However, Norway´s attitudes towards Israel and Hamas also constrain Norwegian diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Norwegian public and elite opposition to most of Israel´s actions and their view that Israel does not value dialogue is widely reported. A level of Norwegian sympathy for some Hamas´ positions, hidden behind its broad policy of dialogue with all, should be kept in mind as we engage with Norway on U.S. Middle East priorities. End comment.

WHITNEY

[Peter Lemkin]

11. January 2007 launched a Chinese ground-based missile into space. Target is a satellite that orbits 250 kilometers from earth.

PER ANDERS JOHANSEN

In a few minutes, the target is destroyed. The Americans could not believe what they saw - and got a shock when it dawned on them that the Chinese were able to shoot down a satellite that high.

Most of America's and NATO's high-tech weaponry, communication systems and missiles are dependent on satellites. The missile shoot-down showed that China was now able to knock out the West's military technological edge. The Chinese even claimed that the purpose was the peaceful, and that the goal was to press U.S. for negotiations on the elimination of weapons in outer space.

Secret U.S. notes that are leaked to Wikileaks and Aftenposten had access to, shows that there is a new and dramatic arms race in outer space, and that Americans are very concerned about the consequences:
China has conducted at least three secret missile attacks on satellites in space - in defiance of international agreements.

U.S. has been forced to change course on several of their costly satellites.
The International Space Station (ISS) had to be maneuvered away to reduce the risk of being hit by the waste from the Chinese nuclear tests.

The Americans discovered what was going on only when the Chinese SC-19-rocket appeared on the screens to the U.S. missile warning system.

"We have already introduced preventive measures for U.S. satellites to maneuver in order to reduce the likelihood of collision with the waste. Our experts estimate that to avoid collisions with the waste from China's tests, the International Space Station have to do maneuvers that otherwise would not have been necessary. "
One hundred years of threat

Since satellite shootings in 2007, the U.S. has discovered and followed over 2500 waste objects in orbit around the Earth, which all stem from the Chinese "anti-satellite test," showing the documents, which originally comes from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the U.S. State Department in Washington. U.S. estimates that the objects will be in orbit over the next hundred years. Today's world is highly dependent on satellites, whether it concerns weather forcasting and transportation to communications and research.

"Currently, 45 percent of all waste from parts of rockets and missiles into orbit generated by China," pointed out the Americans, who added that no other country is responsible for so much space garbage.

For comparison, the United States for 25 percent of the waste and Russia for 24 percent. In total there are approximately registered. 200000 junk parts in orbit around the earth. The Americans claim that their space junk since 1985 only due to mishaps and accidents.

West's Achilles heel

The most serious for the Americans is that China has shown that they are able to knock out all the technological advancement to the Americans.

- Satellites are incredibly important, whether it be on monitoring, GPS control or communication. If someone strikes out, then the whole of the western concept of military collapse at once. U.S. and NATO will simply lose all their military supremacy. Thus you can say that this is the Achilles heel of the U.S. military, "said department manager at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Ståle Ulriksen.

- Shootings in 2007 was a shock for the U.S., in line with the launch of Sputnik rocket. The Americans have since begun to protect themselves better. But it is difficult. It is cheaper and easier to build a rocket that shoots down a satellite, than to construct satellites with better protection, "said Ulriksen.
Hard phraseology

When China's satellite attack became known in January 2007, the Americans went out hard in the media. But the internal documents can be interpreted as if the Americans went even further in the bedroom. The notes show that the Chinese made it clear that they threatened "America's vital national and economic security."

"This is a very serious issue for the entire international community", said the Americans, who went so far as to warn the Chinese that any attempt to approach the U.S. satellites could be met with "a variety of means, both diplomatic and military" .

"The test poses no threat to any other country," replied the Chinese, referring to the United States conducted a similar machine-gunning of 20 years ago. The American diplomats shook his head, and reminded the Chinese that "the Cold War is over, 'since that time and" the world economy is now far more dependent on satellites than in 1985. "

When David Sedney, Deputy State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence in the United States, took up the issue again with China's Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jiey in December 2008, he was in violation of all diplomatic etiquette, simply interrupted:

"How long the U.S. will continue to raise this question? Such requests are meaningless, simply, "said a very curt Liu.

The new arms race in outer space may make it difficult to establish the international agreements to prevent a further escalation. The Americans also concluded that the case made it difficult to rely on China.
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S E C R E T STATE 001264

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2018 TAGS: PREL, PARM, MNUC, MARR, CH SUBJECT: SECOND DEMARCHE FOR CHINA REGARDING CHINAS JANUARY 2007 ANTI-SATELLITE TEST

REF: (A)07 STATE 4837 (NOTAL), (B)07 BEIJING 331, ©07 STATE 6192, (D)07 BEIJING 473, (E)07 BEIJING 2106, (F)07 BEIJING 3462, (G)07 TOKYO 2282, (H)SECDEFWASH 091500Z NOV 07, (I)SECDEFWASH 091518Z NOV 07, (J)SECDEFWASH 061700Z DEC 07

CLASSIFIED BY ACTING U/S FOR ARMS CONTROL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (T) JOHN C. ROOD, REASONS, 1.4 (B) AND (D).

1. (SBU) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. Ambassador or other senior Embassy official is instructed to seek a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver a demarche drawing upon the talking points in paragraph 3, which should be left as a non-paper as Embassy determines appropriate. Embassy is requested to deliver the demarche on Monday, January 7, and provide confirmation of delivery and any reactions provided at the time of delivery. Embassy may also draw upon the "if raised" talking points in paragraph 4, as necessary, and may volunteer this information as seems appropriate.

2. (S) BACKGROUND: On January 11, 2007 (UTC), China conducted an anti-satellite (ASAT) test by launching a ground-based weapon against one of its own satellites. On January 15, 2007, Ambassador Randt delivered a demarche to Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yefei. (REFTELs A and B) Then-Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Robert Joseph also demarched the Chinese Ambassador in Washington, D.C. (REFTEL C)

On January 21, 2007, AFM He delivered the Chinese Governments formal response, telling Assistant Secretary Hill that the test posed no threat to any other nation, targeted no third country, and that "for the time being, China has no plans for further tests." (REFTEL D) In reply, A/S Hill emphasized that the explanation did not square with Chinas stated position of not wishing to embark on any kind of arms race in outer space. A/S Hill cautioned AFM He that the U.S. remained concerned that China had not explained adequately the purpose of the test.

In nearly 12 months since the Chinese test, Beijing has provided no further explanation in diplomatic channels regarding many of the questions first raised on January 15, 2007. During military-to-military exchanges with senior Peoples Liberation Army officials last spring, China was only slightly more forthcoming. (REFTELs E and F)

In these military-to-military exchanges, Chinese military officials termed the event a "scientific experiment" and dismissed as overblown concerns about the leftover debris field. (REFTEL G) During a May 11, 2007, meeting with Central Military Commission Vice Chairman General Guo Boxiong, Commander of the United States Pacific Command (PACOM) Admiral Timothy Keating strongly challenged this explanation. Admiral Keating pointed out that the test had raised concern in many countries and was a "confusing" signal, inconsistent with Chinas stated interest in the peaceful use of outer space.

Senior Chinese officials have continued to decline to provide any meaningful response to expressed U.S. concerns about the ASAT during recent security dialogues with Secretary of Defense Gates and other senior DoD officials.

SIPDIS (REFTELs H, I and J) Chinese officials have also dropped the earlier talking point they were using regarding the position that China has "no plans for further tests."

3. (S//REL CH) BEGIN TALKING POINTS (SHOULD BE LEFT AS A NON-PAPER):

-- As Ambassador Randt explained in a demarche to Assistant Foreign Minister He on January 15, 2007, and in follow-up discussions throughout 2007 between senior U.S. and Chinese political and military officials in diplomatic and military-to-military channels, the United States remains concerned about the possibility of increased risk to human spaceflight, including the International Space Station and the U.S. Space Shuttle, resulting from Chinas flight-test of a direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon.

-- Debris from Chinas ASAT test has increased hazards to other peaceful uses of space in low earth orbit by the United States and other space-faring nations.

-- This is a very serious matter for the entire international community.

-- Unfettered access to space and the capabilities provided by satellites in orbit are vital to United States national and economic security. -- The United States considers space systems to have the rights of unhindered passage through, and operations in, space without interference.

-- Any purposeful interference with U.S. space systems will be interpreted by the United States as an infringement of its rights and considered an escalation in a crisis or conflict.

-- The United States reserves the right, consistent with the UN Charter and international law, to defend and protect its space systems with a wide range of options, from diplomatic to military.

-- Purposeful interference with the space systems of other nations which are used by the United States for peaceful purposes in pursuit of U.S. national interests also will be considered as contrary to the interest of maintaining international peace and security.

-- It has been nearly a year since China intentionally destroyed a satellite using a ground-based direct-ascent ASAT weapon.

-- Since this flight-test occurred on January 11, 2007, the United States has detected and tracked over 2,500 pieces of orbital debris directly attributable to this ground-based direct-ascent ASAT flight-test.

-- Our experts estimate that many of these pieces, and as many as 100,000 smaller debris objects, some of which will remain in orbit for the next 100 years.

-- Currently, of all identified satellite (spacecraft and rocket bodies) breakup debris now in low Earth orbit, 45 percent has been generated by China.

-- China is now responsible for more breakup debris in low earth orbit than any other state.

-- We have already been compelled to take precautionary measures to maneuver U.S. satellites to reduce the probability of collision with the debris. Our experts predict that to avoid collisions with the debris from Chinas test, the International Space Station may need to make maneuvers that otherwise would not have been required.

-- Chinas intentional destruction of a satellite, and the resultant creation of long-lived debris, is contrary to international Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. These guidelines were endorsed over four years before the ASAT test by Chinese government scientists.

-- Under the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, China may be liable for damage caused by debris from Chinas January 11, 2007, ASAT flight-test.

-- The contradiction between Chinas statements and actions in this area raise questions about the credibility of Chinas declaratory policies and commitments in other areas of national security affairs.

-- The United States believes Chinas development and testing of such capabilities is inconsistent with the constructive relationship that our Presidents have outlined, including in the area of civil space cooperation.

-- The inadequate nature of Chinas response to our January 15, 2007, demarche and your governments continued unwillingness to provide a full explanation for its actions call into question Chinas intentions in space and undermines trust.

-- As Secretary of Defense Gates noted in his meeting with President Hu on November 6, 2007, the United States remains interested in talking to China about Chinas anti- satellite weapons development.

-- Such a dialogue could help reduce the risk of misunderstanding or miscalculation.

-- As we look to the future, we expect China to bear in mind the requirement under Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty, to which China is party, for a State Party to "undertake appropriate international consultations" before proceeding with any activity that it "has reason to believe would cause potentially harmful interference with activities of other States Parties in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space."

-- The U.S. is refraining from any expansion of space- related cooperation with China. One of the primary reasons for this position is the continued lack of transparency from China regarding the full range of Chinas space activities. One sign of increased transparency would be forthright responses to the following questions:

-- What analysis did China perform to estimate the debris that would be caused by the intentional destruction of your satellite in the January 11, 2007, test?

-- What steps did China take to mitigate damage to the satellites of other countries?

-- What are Chinas future intentions for its direct- ascent ASAT development and testing program?

-- Will there be further tests of a direct-ascent anti- satellite weapon or other anti-satellite weapons, capabilities, or technologies?

If so:

-- How will your government ensure that further testing does not create new hazards for human spaceflight and other space activities?

-- What notification will China provide for any future ASAT tests?

-- Are you planning to deploy your ground-based direct- ascent ASAT, or other, similar weapons, capabilities, or technologies?

END TALKING POINTS AND NON-PAPER.

4. (S//REL CH) BEGIN "IF RAISED" TALKING POINTS:

a. If the Chinese counter with a statement such as: "The United States conducted an ASAT test in 1985 and also is responsible for most of the debris now in orbit," the U.S. response should be:

-- Currently, of all identified satellite (spacecraft and rocket bodies) breakup debris now in low Earth orbit, 45 percent was generated by China, 25 percent by the United States, and 24 percent by Russia. -- Hence, China is now responsible for more breakup debris in low earth orbit than anyone else.

-- All breakup debris attributed to the U.S. that is now in low earth orbit was caused by accidents (e.g., fuel tank explosions) and other unintentional events.

-- The vast majority of breakup debris created by China is the result of an intentional act.

-- The United States has not conducted an anti-satellite test since 1985. The Cold War is over and the world economy is now significantly more dependent on Low Earth Orbit satellites than it was in 1985. That is why so many countries have expressed concern about the Chinese test.

-- The majority of the debris created by the 1985 U.S. test reentered the atmosphere within less than three years, and none remains in orbit today.

-- The majority of trackable debris objects (e.g., those with areas larger than 10 square centimeters) created by Chinas ASAT test will remain in orbit until the late 2030s.

-- Less than three years after conducting this test, the United States adopted the first of a series of national policies directing all U.S. space activities to minimize the creation of debris.

-- In fact, the longevity of the debris resulting from the 1985 ASAT test led directly to U.S. Department of Defense and then national-level policies to minimize debris from space tests.

-- The U.S. has actively worked with other nations to protect the space environment for future generations. -- These efforts include development of voluntary guidelines in the Inter-Agency Debris Coordination (IADC) committee and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

-- The U.S. also supports consideration at COPUOS of new voluntary "Best Practice Guidelines" to ensure safe space operations by all spacefaring nations.

-- Chinas civil national space agency participated in developing the IADC and COPUOS debris mitigation guidelines, which specifically call for nations to refrain from any intentional destruction of satellites that might create long-lived debris.

b. If the Chinese counter with an assertion such as: "We believe the United States is pursuing space weapons," the U.S. response should be:

-- The United States does not have any "weapons" in space, nor do we have any plans to field such weapons.

c. If the Chinese counter with arguments related to U.S. missile defense, the U.S. response should be:

-- The U.S. missile defense system is strictly a defensive system. Missile defense protects people from attack. A Chinese attack on a satellite using a weapon launched by a ballistic missile threatens to destroy space systems that the United States and other nations use for commerce and national security. Destroying satellites endangers people.

d. If China raises questions relating to cooperation on future Shenzhou or other crewed space missions, the U.S. response should be:

-- The United States will continue to offer basic warning advisories which China might find helpful in protecting Chinese spacecraft carrying astronauts from collision with other space objects.

-- These advisories are offered in the spirit of cooperation and mutual assistance to minimize dangers to Chinese astronauts in their role as envoys of humanity in outer space.

END "IF RAISED" TALKING POINTS. RICE

[Magda Hassan]

This is highly significant. And as you say, it is not being covered in the US. Funny about that. :curtain:

[David Guyatt]

Agreed.

Imagine the cost of building protection into satellites as compared to building a missile to knock them out.

Naughty, naughty Chinese people who had amongst their number one Sun Szu, and his book the Art of War, in which (among many other things) he proclaimed:

Attack him (the enemy) where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

[Peter Lemkin]

This is highly significant. And as you say, it is not being covered in the US. Funny about that. :curtain:

Not being covered [the Aftenposten materials] as far as I can tell....amazing...but you must admit, this one is a bit embarrassing for the mighty superduperpower.

And remember we are looking at, at most, Secret, but a cable like this would have triggered a ton of messages in the Military and other branches of the Govt. on TOP SECRET and higher classifications as to what it means and what the **** to do about it [and how to handle it with a PR whitewash, when it does come to the surface]. Not to mention to crank up the number of spies and electronic spying on China........ So, every satellite, whether a 'star-wars' or communications or spy satellite is now vulnerable from another nation. Sort of levels the playing field - or the chess board some.

Good thing I like Chinese food! But if they become the new enemy, like they did with 'French fries', Chinese food will have to undergo a more 'correct' term..... "Can I have an order of Opium War special with chicken, please"

[Peter Lemkin]

Agreed.

Imagine the cost of building protection into satellites as compared to building a missile to knock them out.

Naughty, naughty Chinese people who had amongst their number one Sun Szu, and his book the Art of War, in which (among many other things) he proclaimed:

Attack him (the enemy) where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Well, it DOES seem they HAVE done THAT...amazing, with all the electronic and human spying.....

[David Guyatt]

Good thing I like Chinese food! But if they become the new enemy, like they did with 'French fries', Chinese food will have to undergo a more 'correct' term..... "Can I have an order of Opium War special with chicken, please"

It brings a whole new meaning to number to No.15 on my local take-away menu - namely "wandering dragon".

[Peter Lemkin]

Iraq invitational before the Gulf War
Egypt made a mis-successful attempt mediation before Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. Saddam Hussein had a long meeting with U.S. ambassador in Baghdad before he gave a clear signal to the invasion.
John Harbo

Beyond the summer of 1990, increasingly testy atmosphere between Iraq and Kuwait. The Iraqis were furious that Kuwait increased the pace of his recovery so that prices were pushed down. In the early hours of 2 August pulled the Iraqi army into the neighboring country and chased the ruling royal family to flee.

Just a week before it happened, had the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, a two-hour meeting with the Iraqi dictator. In the report she sent home after this meeting, states that the atmosphere was very good.

"The ambassador was summoned by Saddam Hussein in the middle of the day, and in addition, Foreign Minister Aziz, head of the president's office, two Stenographers and the Iraqi interpreter present," it was said. "Saddam, who was friendly, reasonable and even warm in the subsequent two hours, said he wanted the ambassador to convey a message to President Bush."
Mediation

Where did Saddam expressed his desire for friendly relations. The report also refers to the Egyptian President Husni Mubarak had arranged it so that the Iraqi and Kuwaiti delegation would meet in the Saudi capital Riyadh. And so were the Kuwaiti crown prince to come to Baghdad. Saddam promised that "nothing will happen before that."

But a few days later, the war that is a fact. U.S. President George Bush made sure that it was convened for an emergency meeting of the UN. The Americans reacted very strongly to the invasion, but what worried them even more was that the Iraqi army would move further south and threaten Saudi Arabia.
Missing?

A review of various reports that are leaked to Wikileaks and Aftenposten had access to, shows that there are surprisingly few stations in the area at the time of the invasion and during the ensuing war.

A key point is that the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad should have acted so that the Iraqis in one way or another have gotten the impression that the U.S. could accept the invasion of Kuwait. In conversation 25 July is not out of the minutes that were sent home, that it happened. Another key point is President Bush's call for the Shiite population in southern Iraq to revolt. It is also not mentioned in the available reports.

The U.S. ambassador made during the meeting with Saddam was to emphasize that the Americans wanted good relations and that they shared the concern they also assume Iraq had, for the development of the area.
Message

Ambassador April Glaspie said she wanted to emphasize President George Bush's desire for friendship between the United States and Iraq and, secondly, the desire both countries had for peace and stability in the area. However, she added:

-Is it not reasonable that we are concerned when both the president and foreign minister (Saddam Hussein and Tariq Aziz editor.) Say publicly that what Kuwait do the same as military aggression, and when we are told that parts of the Republican Guard have been sent to frontier? Is it not reasonable that we ask in a friendly way, not as a confrontation, what are your intentions?

Saddam replied that it was reasonable to ask about it, but picked back up what he claimed were measures taken by Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates that led to Iraq was hit financially.

A week after this meeting, the Iraqi army rolled into Kuwait. The country's ruler, Emir Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, arrived in safety at the last moment.
Hostages

In the weeks after the invasion the world could witness not only the brutal Iraqi occupation of the tiny oil-rich neighbor, but also how foreigners in Kuwait were taken hostage. Eventually they were transported to Baghdad before being released. In Saudi Arabia were collected large forces south of Kuwait City. It was expected that they would be moved north to strike against the Iraqi forces in Kuwait. But in addition, Americans gathered large forces further west, on the border between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. From there, they fell Iraqis in the back and chased them out in a humiliating retreat.
------------------------------------------------------------
1. SECRET - ENTIRE TEXT.

2. SUMMARY: SADDAM TOLD THE AMBASSADOR JULY 25 THAT MUBARAK HAS ARRANGED FOR KUWAITI AND IRAQI DELEGATIONS TO MEET IN RIYADH, AND THEN ON JULY 28, 29 OR 30, THE KUWAITI CROWN PRINCE WILL COME TO BAGHDAD FOR SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS. "NOTHING WILL HAPPEN" BEFORE THEN, SADDAM HAD PROMISED MUBARAK.

--SADDAM WISHED TO CONVEY AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT BUSH: IRAQ WANTS FRIENDSHIP, BUT DOES THE USG? IRAQ SUFFERED 100,000S OF CASUALTIES AND IS NOW SO POOR THAT WAR ORPHAN PENSIONS WILL SOON BE CUT; YET RICH KUWAIT WILL NOT EVEN ACCEPT OPEC DISCIPLINE. IRAQ IS SICK OF WAR, BUT KUWAIT HAS IGNORED DIPLOMACY. USG MANEUVERS WITH THE UAE WILL ENCOURAGE THE UAE AND KUWAIT TO IGNORE CONVENTIONAL DIPLOMACY. IF IRAQ IS PUBLICLY HUMILIATED BY THE USG, IT WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO "RESPOND," HOWEVER ILLOGICAL AND SELF DESTRUCTIVE THAT WOULD PROVE.

--ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE EXPLICIT, SADDAMS MESSAGE TO US SEEMED TO BE THAT HE WILL MAKE A MAJOR PUSH TO COOPERATE WITH MUBARAKS DIPLOMACY, BUT WE MUST TRY TO UNDERSTAND KUWAITI/UAE "SELFISHNESS" IS UNBEARABLE. AMBASSADOR MADE CLEAR THAT WE CAN NEVER EXCUSE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES BY OTHER THAN PEACEFUL MEANS. END SUMMARY.

3. AMBASSADOR WAS SUMMONED BY PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSAYN AT NOON JULY 25. ALSO PRESENT WERE FONMIN AZIZ, THE PRESIDENTS OFFICE DIRECTOR, TWO NOTETAKERS, AND THE IRAQI INTERPRETER.

4. SADDAM, WHOSE MANNER WAS CORDIAL, REASONABLE AND EVEN WARM THROUGHOUT THE ENSUING TWO HOURS, SAID HE WISHED THE AMBASSADOR TO CONVEY A MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT BUSH. SADDAM THEN RECALLED IN DETAIL THE HISTORY OF IRAQS DECISION TO REESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND ITS POSTPONING IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT DECISION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR, RATHER THAN BE THOUGHT WEAK AND NEEDY. HE THEN SPOKE ABOUT THE MANY "BLOWS" OUR RELATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO SINCE 1984, CHIEF AMONG THEM IRANGATE. IT WAS AFTER THE FAW VICTORY, SADDAM SAID, THAT IRAQI MISAPPREHENSIONS ABOUT USG PURPOSES BEGAN TO SURFACE AGAIN, I.E., SUSPICIONS THAT THE U.S. WAS NOT HAPPY TO SEE THE WAR END.

5. PICKING HIS WORDS WITH CARE, SADDAM SAID THAT THERE ARE "SOME CIRCLES" IN THE USG, INCLUDING IN CIA AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT, BUT EMPHATICALLY EXCLUDING THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY BAKER, WHO ARE NOT FRIENDLY TOWARD IRAQ-U.S. RELATIONS. HE THEN LISTED WHAT HE SEEMED TO REGARD AS FACTS TO SUPPORT THIS CONCLUSION: "SOME CIRCLES ARE GATHERING INFORMATION ON WHO MIGHT BE SADDAM HUSAYNS SUCCESSOR;" THEY KEPT UP CONTACTS IN THE GULF WARNING AGAINST IRAQ; THEY WORKED TO ENSURE NO HELP WOULD GO TO IRAQ (READ EXIM AND CCC).

6. IRAQ, THE PRESIDENT STRESSED, IS IN SERIOUS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, WITH 40 BILLION USD DEBTS. IRAQ, WHOSE VICTORY IN THE WAR AGAINST IRAN MADE AN HISTORIC DIFFERENCE TO THE ARAB WORLD AND THE WEST, NEEDS A MARSHALL PLAN. BUT "YOU WANT THE OIL PRICE DOWN," SADDAM CHARGED.

7. RESUMING HIS LIST OF GRIEVANCES WHICH HE BELIEVED WERE ALL INSPIRED BY "SOME CIRCLES" IN THE USG, HE RECALLED THE "USIA CAMPAIGN" AGAINST HIMSELF, AND THE GENERAL MEDIA ASSAULT ON IRAQ AND ITS PRESIDENT.

8. DESPITE ALL THESE BLOWS, SADDAM SAID, AND ALTHOUGH "WE WERE SOMEWHAT ANNOYED," WE STILL HOPED THAT WE COULD DEVELOP A GOOD RELATIONSHIP. BUT THOSE WHO FORCE OIL PRICES DOWN ARE ENGAGING IN ECONOMIC WARFARE AND IRAQ CANNOT ACCEPT SUCH A TRESPASS ON ITS DIGNITY AND PROSPERITY.

9. THE SPEARHEADS (FOR THE USG) HAVE BEEN KUWAIT AND THE UAE, SADDAM SAID. SADDAM SAID CAREFULLY THAT JUST AS IRAQ WILL NOT THREATEN OTHERS, IT WILL ACCEPT NO THREAT AGAINST ITSELF. "WE HOPE THE USG WILL NOT MISUNDERSTAND:" IRAQ ACCEPTS, AS THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, THAT ANY COUNTRY MAY CHOOSE ITS FRIENDS. BUT THE USG KNOWS THAT IT WAS IRAQ, NOT THE USG, WHICH DECISIVELY PROTECTED THOSE USG FRIENDS DURING THE WAR--AND THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE SINCE PUBLIC OPINION IN THE USG, TO SAY NOTHING OF GEOGRAPHY, WOULD HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE AMERICANS TO ACCEPT 10,000 DEAD IN A SINGLE BATTLE, AS IRAQ DID.

10. SADDAM ASKED WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE USG TO ANNOUNCE IT IS COMMITTED TO THE DEFENSE OF ITS FRIENDS, INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY. ANSWERING HIS OWN QUESTION, HE SAID THAT TO IRAQ IT MEANS FLAGRANT BIAS AGAINST THE GOI.

11. COMING TO ONE OF HIS MAIN POINTS, SADDAM ARGUED THAT USG MANEUVERS WITH THE UAE AND KUWAIT (SIC) ENCOURAGED THEM IN THEIR UNGENEROUS POLICIES. THE IRAQI RIGHTS, SADDAM EMPHASIZED, WILL BE RESTORED ONE BY ONE, THOUGH IT MAY TAKE A MONTH OR MUCH MORE THAN A YEAR. IRAQ HOPES THE USG WILL BE IN HARMONY WITH ALL THE PARTIES TO THIS DISPUTE.

12. SADDAM SAID HE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE USG IS DETERMINED TO KEEP THE OIL FLOWING AND TO MAINTAIN ITS FRIENDSHIPS IN THE GULF. WHAT HE CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY WE ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE DAMAGING IRAQ, WHICH IS WHAT OUR GULF MANEUVERS WILL DO.

13. SADDAM SAID HE FULLY BELIEVES THE USG WANTS PEACE, AND THAT IS GOOD. BUT DO NOT, HE ASKED, USE METHODS WHICH YOU SAY YOU DO NOT LIKE, METHODS LIKE ARM-TWISTING-

14. AT THIS POINT SADDAM SPOKE AT LENGTH ABOUT PRIDE OF IRAQIS, WHO BELIEVE IN "LIBERTY OR DEATH." IRAQ WILL HAVE TO RESPOND IF THE U.S. USES THESE METHODS. IRAQ KNOWS THE USG CAN SEND PLANES AND ROCKETS AND HURT IRAQ DEEPLY. SADDAM ASKS THAT THE USG NOT FORCE IRAQ TO THE POINT OF HUMILIATION AT WHICH LOGIC MUST BE DISREGARDED. IRAQ DOES NOT CONSIDER THE U.S. AN ENEMY AND HAS TRIED TO BE FRIENDS.

15. AS FOR THE INTRA-ARAB DISPUTES, SADDAM SAID HE IS NOT ASKING THE USG TO TAKE UP ANY PARTICULAR ROLE SINCE THE SOLUTIONS MUST COME THROUGH ARAB AND BILATERAL DIPLOMACY.

16. RETURNING TO HIS THEME THAT IRAQ WANTS DIGNITY AND FREEDOM AS WELL AS FRIENDSHIP WITH THE U.S., HE CHARGED THAT IN THE LAST YEAR THERE WERE MANY OFFICIAL STATEMENTS WHICH MADE IT SEEM THAT THE U.S. DOES NOT WANT TO RECIPROCATE. HOW, FOR EXAMPLE, SADDAM ASKED,CAN WE INTERPRET THE INVITATION FOR ARENS TO VISIT AT A TIME OF CRISIS IN THE GULF? WHY DID THE U.S- DEFENSE MINISTER MAKE "INFLAMMATORY" STATEMENTS?

17. SADDAM SAID THAT THE IRAQIS KNOW WHAT WAR IS, WANT NO MORE OF IT--"DO NOT PUSH US TO IT; DO NOT MAKE IT THE ONLY OPTION LEFT WITH WHICH WE CAN PROTECT OUR DIGNITY."

18. PRESIDENT BUSH, SADDAM SAID, HAS MADE NO MISTAKE IN HIS PRESIDENCY VIS-A-VIS THE ARABS. THE DECISION ON THE PLO DIALOGUE WAS "MISTAKEN," BUT IT WAS TAKEN UNDER "ZIONIST PRESSURE" AND, SADDAM SAID, IS PERHAPS A CLEVER TACTIC TO ABSORB THAT PRESSURE.

19. AFTER A SHORT DIVERSION ON THE NEED FOR THE U.S. TO CONSIDER THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF 200,000 ARABS WITH THE SAME VIGOR AND INTEREST AS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE ISRAELIS, SADDAM CONCLUDED BY RESTATING THAT IRAQ WANTS AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP "ALTHOUGH WE WILL NOT PANT FOR IT, WE WILL DO OUR PART AS FRIENDS."

20. SADDAM THEN OFFERED AN ANECDOTE TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT. HE HAD TOLD THE IRAQI KURDISH LEADER IN 1974 THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO GIVE UP HALF OF THE SHATT AL-ARAB TO IRAN TO OBTAIN ALL OF A PROSPEROUS IRAQ. THE KURD HAD BET THAT SADDAM WOULD NOT GIVE HALF THE SHATT--THE KURD WAS WRONG. EVEN NOW, THE ONLY REAL ISSUE WITH IRAN IS THE SHATT, AND IF GIVING AWAY HALF OF THE WATERWAY IS THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN THE CURRENT SITUATION AND IRAQI PROSPERITY, SADDAM SAID HE WOULD BE GUIDED BY WHAT HE DID IN 1974.

21. THE AMBASSADOR THANKED SADDAM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS DIRECTLY WITH HIM SOME OF HIS AND OUR CONCERNS. PRESIDENT BUSH, TOO, WANTS FRIENDSHIP, AS HE HAD WRITTEN AT THE ID AND ON THE OCCASION OF IRAQS NATIONAL DAY. SADDAM INTERRUPTED TO SAY HE HAD BEEN TOUCHED BY THOSE

22. AMBASSADOR RESUMED HER THEME, RECALLING THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD INSTRUCTED HER TO BROADEN AND DEEPEN OUR RELATIONS WITH IRAQ. SADDAM HAD REFERRED TO "SOME CIRCLES" ANTIPATHETIC TO THAT AIM. SUCH CIRCLES CERTAINLY EXISTED, BUT THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION IS INSTRUCTED BY THE PRESIDENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT CONTROL THE AMERICAN PRESS; IF HE DID, CRITICISM OF THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOT EXIST. SADDAM AGAIN INTERRUPTED TO SAY HE UNDERSTOOD THAT. THE AMBASSADOR SAID SHE HAD SEEN THE DIANE SAWYER SHOW AND THOUGHT THAT IT WAS CHEP AND UNFAIR. BUT THE AMERICAN PRESS TREATS ALL POLITICIANS WITHOUT KID GLOVES--THAT IS OUR WAY.

23. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS VERY RECENTLY REAFFIRMED HIS DESIRE FOR A BETTER RELATIONSHIP AND HAS PROVEN THAT BY, FOR EXAMPLE, OPPOSING SANCTIONS BILLS. HERE SADDAM INTERRUPTED AGAIN. LAUGHING, HE SAID THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR IRAQ TO BUY IN THE U.S. EVERYTHING IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR WHEAT, AND NO DOUBT THAT WILL SOON BE DECLARED A DUAL-USE ITEM- SADDAM SAID, HOWEVER, HE HAD DECIDED NOT TO RAISE THIS ISSUE, BUT RATHER CONCENTRATE ON THE FAR MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES AT HAND.

24. AMBASSADOR SAID THERE WERE MANY ISSUES HE HAD RAISED SHE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON, BUT SHE WISHED TO USE HER LIMITED TIME WITH THE PRESIDENT TO STRESS FIRST PRESIDENT BUSHS DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP AND, SECOND, HIS STRONG DESIRE, SHARED WE ASSUME BY IRAQ, FOR PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE MID EAST. IS IT NOT REASONABLE FOR US TO BE CONCERNED WHEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER BOTH SAY PUBLICLY THAT KUWAITI ACTIONS ARE THE EQUIVALENT OF MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND THEN WE LEARN THAT MANY UNITS OF THE REPUBLICAN GUARD HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE BORDER? IS IT NOT REASONABLE FOR US TO ASK, IN THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, NOT CONFRONTATION, THE SIMPLE QUESTION: WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS?

25. SADDAM SAID THAT WAS INDEED A REASONABLE QUESTION. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED FOR REGIONAL PEACE, IN FACT IT IS OUR DUTY AS A SUPERPOWER. "BUT HOW CAN WE MAKE THEM (KUWAIT AND UAE) UNDERSTAND HOW DEEPLY WE ARE SUFFERING." THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IS SUCH THAT THE PENSIONS FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS WILL HAVE TO BE CUT. AT THIS POINT, THE INTERPRETER AND ONE OF THE NOTETAKERS BROKE DOWN AND WEPT.

26. AFTER A PAUSE FOR RECUPERATION, SADDAM SAID, IN EFFECT, BELIEVE ME I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING: WE SENT ENVOYS, WROTE MESSAGES, ASKED FAHD TO ARRANGE QUADRAPARTITE SUMMIT (IRAQ, SAG, UE, KUWAIT). FAHD SUGGESTFD OIL MINISTERS INSTEAD AND WE AGREED TO THE JEDDAH AGREEMENT ALTHOUGH IT WAS WELL BELOW OUR HOPES. THEN, SADDAM CONTINUED, TWO DAYS LATER THE KUWAITI OIL MINISTER ANNOUNCED HE WOULD WANT TO ANNUL THAT AGREEMENT WITHIN TWO MONTHS. AS FOR THE UAE, SADDAM SAID, I BEGGED SHAYKH ZAYID TO UNDERSTAND OUR PROBLEMS (WHEN SADDAM ENTERTAINED HIM IN MOSUL AFTER THE BAGHDAD SUMMIT), AND ZAYID SAID JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET BACK TO ABU DHABI. BUT THEN HIS MINISTER OF OIL MADE "BAD STATEMENTS."

27. AT THIS POINT, SADDAM LEFT THE ROOM TO TAKE AN URGENT CALL FROM MUBARAK. AFTER HIS RETURN, THE AMBASSADOR ASKED IF HE COULD TELL HER IF THERE HAS ANY PROGRESS IN FINDING A PEACEFUL WAY TO DEFUSE THE DISPUTE. THIS WAS SOMETHING PRESIDENT BUSH WOULD BE KEENLY INTERESTED TO KNOW. SADDAM SAID THAT HE HAD JUST LEARNED FROM MUBARAK THE KUWAITIS HAVE AGREED TO NEGOTIATE. THE KUWAITI CROWN PRINCE/PRIME MINISTER WOULD MEET IN RIYADH WITH SADDAMS NUMBER TWO, IZZAT IBRAHIM, AND THEN THE KUWAITI WOULD COME TO BAGHDAD ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY OR, AT THE LATEST, MONDAY, JULY 30.

28. "I TOLD MUBARAK," SADDAM SAID, THAT "NOTHING WILL HAPPEN UNTIL THE MEETING," AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN DURING OR AFTER THE MEETING IF THE KUWAITIS WILL AT LAST "GIVE US SOME HOPE."

29. THE AMBASSADOR SAID SHE WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THIS GOOD NEWS. SADDAM THEN ASKED HER TO CONVEY HIS WARM GREETINGS TO PRESIDENT BUSH AND TO CONVEY HIS MESSAGE TO HIM.

30. NOTE: ON THE BORDER QUESTION, SADDAM REFERRED TO THE 1961 AGREEMENT AND A "LINE OF PATROL" IT HAD ESTABLISHED. THE KUWAITIS, HE SAID, HAD TOLD MUBARAK IRAQ WAS 20 KILOMETERS "IN FRONT" OF THIS LINE. THE AMBASSADOR SAID THAT SHE HAD SERVED IN KUWAIT 20 YEARS BEFORE; THEN, AS NOW, WE TOOK NO POSITION ON THESE ARAB AFFAIRS.

31. COMMENT: IN THE MEMORY QF THE CURRENT DIPLOMATIC CORPS, SADDAM HAS NEVER SUMMONED AN AMBASSADOR. HE IS WORRIED.

ACCORDING TO HIS OWN POLITICAL THEORIZING (U.S. THE SOLE MAJOR POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST), HE NEEDS AT A MINIMUM A CORRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH US FOR OBVIOUS GEOPOLITICAL REASONS, ESPECIALLY AS LONG AS HE PERCEIVES MORTAL THREATS FROM ISRAEL AND IRAN. AMBASSADOR BELIEVES SADDAM SUSPECTS OUR DECISION SUDDENLY TO UNDERTAKE MANEUVERS WITH ABU DHABI IS A HARBINGER OF A USG DECISION TO TAKE SIDES. FURTHER, SADDAM, HIMSELF BEGINNING TO HAVE AN INKLING OF HOW MUCH HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE U.S., IS APPREHENSIVE THAT WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND CERTAIN POLITICAL FACTORS WHICH INHIBIT HIM, SUCH AS:

--HE CANNOT ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE PERCEIVED AS CAVING IN TO SUPERPOWER BULLYING (AS U/S HAMDUN FRANKLY WARNED US IN LATE 1988);

--IRAQ, WHICH LOST 100,000S OF CASUALTIES, IS SUFFERING AND KUWAIT IS "MISERLY" AND "SELFISH."

32. IT WAS PROGRESS TO HAVE SADDAM ADMIT THAT THE USG HAS A "RESPONSIBILITY" IN THE REGION, AND HAS EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT AN ANSWER WHEN WE ASK IRAQS INTENTIONS. HIS RESPONSE IN EFFECT THAT HE TRIED VARIOUS DIPLOMATIC/CHANNELS BEFORE RESORTING TO UNADULTERATED INTIMIDATION HAS AT LEAST THE VIRTUE OF FRANKNESS. HIS EMPHASIS THAT HE WANTS PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IS SURELY SINCERE (IRAQIS ARE SICK OF WAR), BUT THE TERMS SOUND DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE. SADDAM SEEMS TO WANT PLEDGES NOW ON OIL PRICES AND PRODUCTION TO COVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

GLASPIE