Wikileaks Leaks BAG Archives: Australia Related (Part-9)

197176
3/17/2009 6:35
09CANBERRA261
Embassy Canberra
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
P 170635Z MAR 09FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRATO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1208INFO AMCONSUL MELBOURNE PRIORITY AMCONSUL PERTH PRIORITY AMCONSUL SYDNEY PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000261 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV, SENV, AS

SUBJECT: GREENS' LEADER WELCOMES OBAMA, PESSIMISTIC ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Classified By: CDA Daniel A. Clune for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Green Party Leader Senator Bob Brown told Charge that the Greens could not support the Rudd Government's proposal for a 5-15% reduction in carbon emissions and will continue to press for a 40% reduction from 1990 levels. He said he looked forward to a good relationship with the United States now that Barack Obama was President. Brown also noted that he supported the U.S. reaching out to Iran but his party continues to oppose the presence of Australian troops in Afghanistan. END SUMMARY.

2. (U) The Charge met with Australian Green Party Leader Senator Bob Brown at Parliament House, Canberra on March 17. Brown, from Tasmania, has been leader of the Green Party since his election to the Senate in 1996. Brown was a vehement opponent of the Iraq War and Guantanamo and was ejected from the Australian Parliament when he heckled President George W. Bush during a speech in 2003. Brown said after the election that President Obama "raises the hopes of the world for a fairer, securer, more ecologically sound future." The Greens are now the third-largest political party in Australia, and although they hold only five seats in the Senate, combined with independent senators Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding, they form a block that has to be won over in order to pass legislation if the Coalition opposes it.

EMISSIONS TRADING

3. (C/NF) Brown said neither the Coalition nor the Greens would support the Government's emissions trading scheme (ETS). (NOTE: Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull announced March 14 that the Coalition would oppose the ETS "in its present form and on its current timetable.") The Greens could not in good conscience support the Government's targets of a 5-15% carbon emission reduction when the global warming situation was so dire. Brown noted that the key to any reduction is the target not the scheme but he did think that the Government's ETS would be a good fit with any international system. In general, Brown said, he preferred a cap to a carbon tax because it set a limit on emissions.

4. (C/NF) The Greens Leader said the current government in Australia had "lost its way" on combating climate change. Australia had the biggest coal industry in the world and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong had met with every coal and logging company in the country. Brown maintained that if Australia stopped logging that alone would cut carbon emissions by 15-20%. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES

5. (SBU) The Charge said he hoped that with a new government in the U.S., relations with the Greens could improve. Brown replied that he had great affection for the U.S. and the Greens wanted a good relationship. The Greens disliked the Bush Administration's policies, not the United States. President Obama was the world's great hope, Brown said, and he was attuned to what people were thinking.

CHINA, IRAN, AND AFGHANISTAN

6. (C/NF) Brown said China's treatment of Tibet was wrong, but Australia would not "look China in the eye" on the issue because the Government felt the trade relationship was too important. The Greens leader declared that he approved of President Obama's willingness to talk to Iran. He also stated that Australia should withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and send an equivalent amount of aid instead. The Charge noted that the U.S. was currently reviewing its policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to Qpolicy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to develop a comprehensive strategy. Brown said he would be pleased to receive updates on the situation.

NO CLIMATE LEGISLATION WITHOUT THE GREENS?

7. (C/NF) COMMENT: The Greens telegraphed their opposition to the ETS last weekend, when Deputy Leader Christine Milne told the press that a 5-15% reduction was "wildly inadequate and not even near the ballpark." The Greens, the Coalition, and independent senator Nick Xenophon have now expressed their opposition to the Government's proposed legislation, which has been referred to a two-month-long committee of inquiry in the Senate. With the Coalition and the Greens both opposing the ETS, its future seems to be in considerable doubt. Although deeply committed to environmental issues, the Greens stand to gain the most from knocking down the Government's ETS - any substantial delay is likely to lead to tougher targets, and disaffected Labor voters will most likely turn to the Greens to protest the Government's having "lost its way." CLUNE



163151
7/23/2008 7:57
08CANBERRA747
Embassy Canberra
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
07CANBERRA1738|08CANBERRA738
O 230757Z JUL 08FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRATO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9899INFO AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY BERLIN AMEMBASSY JAKARTA AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY SEOUL AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY TOKYO AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE AMCONSUL PERTH AMCONSUL SYDNEY USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI


C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000747 NOFORN NEA/IPA FOR SHAMPAINE, P FOR TESONE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2028 TAGS: PREL, KINP, IR, IS, AS

SUBJECT: ISRAELI AMBASSADOR: RUDD FIRM ON IRAN

REF: A. A) 07 CANBERRA 1738 B. B) CANBERRA 738 Classified By: Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan for reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary ------- 1. (C/NF) The Israeli Ambassador believes PM Rudd is very concerned about the Iranian nuclear program and firm in his desire to do whatever possible to signal Australia's opposition to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Rudd is worried that the window for a "diplomatic solution" is closing and that lack of progress could lead Israel to feel forced to use "non-diplomatic means," according to Ambassador Yuval Rotem. Iran has retaliated for perceived Australian slights by taking steps to make the day-to-day functioning of the Australian Embassy in Tehran more difficult, which has constrainted Rudd's desire for symbolic measures to signal Canberra's concern about the nuclear program. The Israelis believe Rudd is very firm in his overall support for Israel. End Summary.

2. (C/NF) Australian PM Kevin Rudd remains deeply concerned about the Iranian nuclear program and Iran's threat to international stability, according to Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem. Noting that Rudd had taken a very strong stance on Iran while Opposition Leader, including calling for Iranian President Ahmadinejad to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court for his calls for the destruction of Israel, Rotem told Econcouns July 21 that he is confident that the PM's views on Iran remain very firm. Saying he has discussed Iran with Rudd on several occasions in the past few months, Rotem said that the PM is "deeply worried" that Iran's intransigence means that the window for a diplomatic solution is closing and that Israel may feel forced to use "non-diplomatic" means.

Retaliation Against Australian Embassy in Tehran --------------------------------------------- ----

3. (C/NF)Asked how Rudd's views on Iran have manifested themselves, Rotem said that Iran has reacted to the PM's statements by taking "retaliatory measures" against the Australian Embassy in Tehran. These measures make it harder for the Embassy to conduct its day-to-day business, according to Rotem. He said that DFAT Secretary Michael l'Estrange and ONA Director General Peter Varghese had met several times to convince the PM to think through the consequences of his rhetoric on Iran. Though frustrated, Rudd accepts that he must "keep his powder dry" in order to have the maximum flexibility to take "serious steps," according to Rotem. Israeli Views on Australia's Global PR Role on Iran --------------------------------------------- ------

4. (C/NF)Rotem said that Israel sees Australia as playing an important role in the "global PR battle" on Iran because PM Rudd is viewed favorably by the "European Left," many of whom are skeptical about taking a tough line towards Tehran. Rotem said Israeli Embassies in Europe have reported that Rudd's policies are receiving a surprising amount of QRudd's policies are receiving a surprising amount of attention, particularly because of his withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq. The Israelis hope that Rudd's position on Iran may help persuade skeptical Europeans, as well as help reinforce the need for a tough line on Iran by other countries.

Rudd Continues Strong Support for Israel ----------------------------------------

5. (C/NF) Commenting that Israel had appreciated the very firm support from former PM Howard as well as FM Alexander Downer, Rotem said that Israeli officials would normally have been concerned at the prospect of their defeat by the Labor Party. However, this was not the case because Rudd had long gone out of his way to stress his strong commitment to Israel and its appreciation for its security concerns. Rotem said that he has had excellent access to Rudd and noted that the PM has taken a strong interest in even minor issues involving Israel. In that regard, Rotem noted that this has created a sometimes confusing situation where the PM's Office gets involved in routine matters that are normally handled at the working level within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He said that calls to DFAT are often returned by the PM's Foreign Policy Advisor, Gary Quinlan. Commenting that DFAT officials are very frank in expressing their annoyance with the PM's micromanaging of foreign policy issues, Rotem laughingly said that "while I understand their point of view, how can I complain about having that kind of attention from the PM."

Comment -------

6. (C/NF) During his first meeting with the Ambassador immediately after his election, Rudd described Ahmedinejad as a "loathsome individual on every level" and said that the Iranian President's anti-semitism "turns my stomach." He noted that he knew enough about the complexities of Iranian politics to understand that it was critical to ensure that any action we take must serve to weaken Ahmedinejad, rather than entrench him (ref A). Australia has also supported U.S. efforts on Iran, most recently on preventing uranium shipments to Iran (ref B).8 Bio Note -------- 7. (C/NF) Having arrived in Australia in July 2007, Rotem has previously served as the Israeli Consul General in Los Angeles as well as Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister David Levy from 1996-1998. Before that, he was foreign policy advisor to Foreign Ministers Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak, after having served at the Israeli UN Mission in New York.



186376
1/9/2009 8:03
09CANBERRA34
Embassy Canberra
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
09CANBERRA13
O 090803Z JAN 09FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRATO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0805INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY CAIRO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON AMEMBASSY TOKYO AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE AMEMBASSY JAKARTA AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY BERLIN AMEMBASSY ANKARA AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE AMCONSUL PERTH AMCONSUL SYDNEY NSC WASHINGTON DCUSEU BRUSSELSSECDEF WASHINGTON DCUSMISSION USUN NEW YORK



C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000034 NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/IPA, EAP, EAP/ANP P FOR TESONE, D FOR LEE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2019 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, IS, AS

SUBJECT: GAZA: AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE MAKES ISRAELI AMBASSADOR HAPPY

REF: CANBERRA 13 Classified By: Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary ------- 1. (C/NF) Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem is very satisfied with the Australian response to the fighting in Gaza. Australian Government statements, including vacationing PM Kevin Rudd's January 5 remarks, have emphasized the need for an end to HAMAS rocket attacks on Israel and halting arms shipments into Gaza. Most Australian media reporting has been "surprisingly balanced," according to Rotem, who commented that Australian protests have been "very limited" in comparison to those during the 2006 fighting in Lebanon and the 2003 operations in Jenin. Rotem said he had been impressed with Acting PM Julia Gillard, who has taken the lead in coordinating the GOA public and private response to the Gaza fighting. Gillard impressed the Israelis with her tough questions and understanding during a January 2 phone conversation with Israeli PM Olmert. Rotem is encouraging the "very pro-Israel" Rudd to visit Israel in March by suggesting that such a visit will increase his ability to be a player on Middle-Eastern issues, particularly Iran. Commenting that FM Stephen Smith has been "surprisingly absent" on Gaza, Rotem said Smith made clear that he did not want to interrupt his vacation to work on the issue. Rotem, who is also accredited to New Zealand, expressed amazement that Wellington has "been so reasonable" on Gaza, saying that this marks a real departure from the era of former PM Helen Clark. End Summary.

2. (C/NF) Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem told Econcouns January 9 that he is very satisfied with Australia's response to the Gaza conflict. Commenting that Australian Government statements have been "very balanced," Rotem said that he has worked closely with Acting PM Gillard and National Security Advisor Duncan Lewis to keep them informed of Israeli thinking and the latest developments. Rotem said that Gillard and Lewis have been very understanding of Israel's military action, while stressing the need to minimize civilian casualties and address humanitarian concerns. Rotem said that the Lewis and Office of National Assessments (ONA) Director General Peter Varghese "were nervous" about the possible consequences of the Israeli ground operations in Gaza. Along with Rudd's Foreign Policy Advisor Gary Quinlan, Lewis and Varghese are very interested in what is happening in the cease-fire talks in Cairo.

Gillard A Surprise ------------------

3. (C/NF) Rotem said that Gillard's public statements surprised many Israeli Embassy contacts as being far more supportive than they had expected. Israeli officials were supportive than they had expected. Israeli officials were impressed with Gillard's performance during a January 2 call with PM Ehud Olmert, he said, commenting that this was a relief because it had been very difficult to persuade Olmert to make the call. Rotem said that he received a readout highlighting that Gillard had asked tough questions and shown good understanding of the Gaza situation, while reassuring Olmert that Australia understood the reasons for Israel's actions. During a January 8 interview, Gillard told a reporter: "I did say in the early days and I would happily say it now that obviously there was Hamas shelling (sic) into southern Israel and Israel responded."

PM's Statement --------------

4. (C/NF) Rotem praised PM Rudd's January 5 statement (reftel) as being "very supportive" of Israel because of their emphasis on the need for halting arms shipments into Gaza as well as referring to HAMAS as a terrorist organization. He said that several senior Labor Party contacts have told him privately that the PM has been a bit jealous of the attention garnered by Gillard and that this led him to speak to the issue on January.

Playing to Rudd's Vanity ------------------------

5. (C/NF) Rotem said that he is encouraging PM Rudd to travel to Israel in March in order to strengthen his voice on Middle East issues, particularly Iran. Rotem has argued to Rudd and to National Security Advisor Lewis that being one of the first foreign leaders to meet the new Israeli leadership after the upcoming elections will give the PM more credibility with other Western leaders. Commenting that Rudd has a strong affinity for and good understanding of Israel, Rotem said that Israel recognizes that Australia will "never be the United States" but will listen to Canberra "when it is also clear that they are not the Europeans." Acknowledging that he is acting without instructions from Israel, Rotem said that Rudd is very interested in strengthening his ability to have a voice on Iran with the new U.S. Administration.

Tepid Public Reaction ---------------------

6. (C/NF) Commenting that the Australian public has shown little reaction to the Gaza fighting because it is happening when many are on vacation, Rotem termed the various demonstrations around Australia as small and ineffective at mobilizing broader public support. He said that they have tended to highlight divisions within the Arab community rather than reach out to the broader Australian public. This low-key public response is a sharp departure from the much more vocal and better-organized protests during the 2006 fighting in Lebanon and the 2003 fighting in Jenin. It has been encouraged by the Australian media's "even-handedness," though Rotem complained that "this has started to change since the ground offensive began."

Where's FM Smith? -----------------

7. (C/NF) FM Stephen Smith has been "surprisingly absent" on Gaza, according to Rotem, who said that he had approached the FM at the beginning of the conflict to suggest that this would be a good opportunity to take advantage of PM Rudd's Qwould be a good opportunity to take advantage of PM Rudd's vacation to take the lead on a high profile foreign policy issue. Smith had initially expressed interest, then sent word through an intermediary that he did not want to interrupt his vacation. Rotem noted that on several occasions he has been ordered to pass messages to the FM and that Smith's office has been unable to get in touch with him for several days.

Kiwi Surprise -------------

8. (C/NF) Also accredited to New Zealand, Rotem said that he was very surprised at the Kiwi response to the Gaza crisis. Saying that Israel had grown used to former PM Helen Clark issuing statements on Middle East issues "that could have been drafted in Damascus," Rotem said that the new Government has been a very welcome change. He commented that they had avoided making a public statement and then issued one that was "surprisingly balanced." Rotem said that this was a very welcome change and that it has been noticed in Israel. CLUNE



O 090803Z JAN 09FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRATO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0805INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY CAIRO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON AMEMBASSY TOKYO AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE AMEMBASSY JAKARTA AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY BERLIN AMEMBASSY ANKARA AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE AMCONSUL PERTH AMCONSUL SYDNEY NSC WASHINGTON DCUSEU BRUSSELSSECDEF WASHINGTON DCUSMISSION USUN NEW YORK