Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AMMAN8745
2006-12-06 15:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDANIAN FM OFFERS SUPPORT TO LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO8050 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHAM #8745 3401530 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061530Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5973 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008745
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: PREL LE JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FM OFFERS SUPPORT TO LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
REF: BEIRUT 03757
Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008745
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: PREL LE JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FM OFFERS SUPPORT TO LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
REF: BEIRUT 03757
Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In a move calculated to show support for the Siniora
government, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelilah al-Khatib
visited Beirut on December 4. He met twice with Prime
Minister Siniora, as well as with Speaker of Parliament Nabih
Berri, former President Amin Gemayel (father of recently
assassinated minister Pierre Gemayel),and Ministers Marwan
Hamadeh, Ghazi al-Aridi, and Nayla Mouawad. FM Khatib
delivered a letter to PM Siniora from King Abdullah conveying
Jordan's concern for Lebanon's plight. Khatib pointedly did
not call on President Lahoud.
2. (C) During a December 6 meeting back in Amman, Khatib told
Ambassador that he found PM Siniora calm and resolute,
determined to stick to constitutional procedures rather than
be moved by street demonstrations. Khatib said he appealed
to Berri's ego, noting that the Arab world looked to him for
leadership in resolving Lebanon's crisis. Berri maintained
that he did not want the Siniora government to collapse, and
asked Khatib to pass on that reassurance.
3. (C) As is their nature, Khatib's interlocutors tried to
draw Khatib into the specifics of the negotiations on a
"blocking minority" in the cabinet, as well as deals on the
Hariri tribunal, Paris III, the fate of Lahoud, and a new
electoral districting law. While fascinated by the details,
Khatib claimed to have held himself aloof. He also rebuffed
one dangerous proposal from Berri to join an Arab mediation
committee composed of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.
Khatib saw this as a transparent effort to bring Syria in
"through the back door."
4. (C) Amin Gemayel described his conversation with Hassan
Nasrallah along the same lines provided to Ambassador Feltman
(reftel),emphasizing Nasrallah's negative, even dismissive
views of the Syrian leadership. Following his meeting with
Siniora, Khatib offered strong, unqualified support for
Siniora's government, telling media that Jordan "pledges
support to all Lebanese people and Lebanese constitutional
institutions," and calls for "activating all constitutional
channels and institutions to find a way out of the problem."
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
HALE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: PREL LE JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FM OFFERS SUPPORT TO LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
REF: BEIRUT 03757
Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In a move calculated to show support for the Siniora
government, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelilah al-Khatib
visited Beirut on December 4. He met twice with Prime
Minister Siniora, as well as with Speaker of Parliament Nabih
Berri, former President Amin Gemayel (father of recently
assassinated minister Pierre Gemayel),and Ministers Marwan
Hamadeh, Ghazi al-Aridi, and Nayla Mouawad. FM Khatib
delivered a letter to PM Siniora from King Abdullah conveying
Jordan's concern for Lebanon's plight. Khatib pointedly did
not call on President Lahoud.
2. (C) During a December 6 meeting back in Amman, Khatib told
Ambassador that he found PM Siniora calm and resolute,
determined to stick to constitutional procedures rather than
be moved by street demonstrations. Khatib said he appealed
to Berri's ego, noting that the Arab world looked to him for
leadership in resolving Lebanon's crisis. Berri maintained
that he did not want the Siniora government to collapse, and
asked Khatib to pass on that reassurance.
3. (C) As is their nature, Khatib's interlocutors tried to
draw Khatib into the specifics of the negotiations on a
"blocking minority" in the cabinet, as well as deals on the
Hariri tribunal, Paris III, the fate of Lahoud, and a new
electoral districting law. While fascinated by the details,
Khatib claimed to have held himself aloof. He also rebuffed
one dangerous proposal from Berri to join an Arab mediation
committee composed of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.
Khatib saw this as a transparent effort to bring Syria in
"through the back door."
4. (C) Amin Gemayel described his conversation with Hassan
Nasrallah along the same lines provided to Ambassador Feltman
(reftel),emphasizing Nasrallah's negative, even dismissive
views of the Syrian leadership. Following his meeting with
Siniora, Khatib offered strong, unqualified support for
Siniora's government, telling media that Jordan "pledges
support to all Lebanese people and Lebanese constitutional
institutions," and calls for "activating all constitutional
channels and institutions to find a way out of the problem."
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
HALE