TUENI ASSASSINATION DEMARCHE DELIVERED FM SAYS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005128

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV LE SY KU
SUBJECT: TUENI ASSASSINATION DEMARCHE DELIVERED FM SAYS
PRESSURE ON SYRIA TO INCREASE, FEARS LEBANON NOW DIVIDED

REF: A. STATE 223709


B. BEIRUT 3956

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: During a December 14 meeting, the
Ambassador shared with Kuwait FM Shaykh Dr. Mohammed U.S.
views on the assassination of Gebran Tueni and encouraged the
GOK to publicly condemn the murder. The FM responded that
the situation in Lebanon was quite serious and said the GOK's
primary concern was the "polarization" of the country. He
was concerned about pro-Syria elements in Lebanon and what
appeared to be an ability to strike anyone at any time. He
reported GOK and GCC support for UN Security Council
Resolutions and said international pressure on Syria was
mounting. He said al-Asad felt the pressure, and pointed to
his absence from the recent OIC conference in Mecca. He
encouraged Syrian cooperation with the UN investigation and
dismissed any attempt to narrow the focus of the
investigation to prompt greater SARG cooperation. End
Summary.

Kuwait Strongly Supports Security Council Resolutions
-------------- --------------


2. (C) The Ambassador shared with Foreign Minister Shaykh
Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah during a December 14
meeting U.S. condemnation of the assassination of Gebran
Tueni and concerns about the role of Syria in recent events
in Lebanon. He encouraged the GOK to issue statements
similar to those released by the Secretary and President, and
invited the FM's views on the situation. Shaykh Dr. Mohammed
said former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and MP Gebran Tueni
were very close to Kuwait. The position of Kuwait, and of
the GCC as well, was to support the applicable UN Security
Council resolutions. He also reported more regional pressure
on Syria, citing President Bashar al-Asad's absence from the
recent Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting. He
cited an increase in the criticism of Syria from within
Lebanon, referring to Marwan Hamada's, "the living martyr,"
public accusations of al-Asad's involvement in Tueni's death.

Lebanon is now Evenly Divided
--------------


3. (C) The FM informed the Ambassador that Kuwait's primary
concern was the "polarization" of Lebanon" and described the
country as evenly split and said Syria's allies in Lebanon,
found among Hizbollah, some elements of the Maronite
community, and Amal, were not pushovers. He said they would
do almost anything to shield Syria from serious international
repercussions. He said Tueni's assassination sent a
frightening message that Syria's sympathizers "can get you at
any time and in any place." He added that it appeared that
Tueni's murder was an "inside job," commenting that the
December 12 trip was unplanned.

All Eyes on the UN
--------------


4. (C) He further commented that people were paying close
attention to the Mehlis report and what would unfold at the
UN. The U.S. and French positions were clear, but it was
important to watch what other permanent members, such as
Russians, would do. He restated GOK concern for the
stability of the Lebanese government, noting that the Shi'a
bloc had suspended its participation and that other political
figures had called for "governing with an international
flavor" which no one understood. He asserted that Lebanon's
problems could not be solved with increased financial
assistance. What was needed was realpolitik on the ground.

Syria Must Cooperate
--------------


5. (C) Continuing with a more focused discussion on Syria,
the FM lamented that things were not going well. He said the
Tueni assassination increased the pressure on Syria, and the
SARG must act appropriately to ease the pressure. Syria had
agreed to continued cooperation with the UN investigation,
but the FM said it was unclear whether such cooperation would
include making more witnesses available. He was also
critical of Syria's initial response to the investigation
that it was an intent to destabilize the Syrian government.
Shaykh Dr. Mohammed stressed that a criminal case was being
investigated and speculated that the Syrians would "play
ball," but not to the extent where the regime could be
destabilized. He said the investigation was further

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complicated by the announcement of Mehlis' resignation.
Commenting on ways to encourage SARG cooperation with the UN
and international community, Shaykh Dr. Mohammed said
"conspiracy theorists" in the press proffered a "Lockerbie
Solution." He dismissed this proposal, saying the Lockerbie
issue was fairly limited and the people would not be happy
with such an approach in Lebanon.

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