O 230757Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9899
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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.