MGLE01: INDEPENDENT MP FRANJIEH TRIES A NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001050

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016
TAGS: IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
SUBJECT: MGLE01: INDEPENDENT MP FRANJIEH TRIES A NEW
APPROACH


Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman. Reason: Section 1.4 (b).

SUMMARY
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1. (C) MP Samir Franjieh, a founding member of the Qornet
Shehwan pro-reform movement, believes the March 14 coalition
has effectively worked its way into a trap, partly set by the
Syrian regime, by focusing almost exclusively on the
replacement of President Emile Lahoud. He contends that
changing the presidency at this stage is beyond the ability
of the pro-reform coalition and has, in effect, given the
Syrians a blocking veto over any further political progress.
Franjieh said the reform movement has been trying to
implement democratic change without having first established
a basis for it in civil society. He argued that Lebanon's
politicians are now almost completely disconnected from the
citizenry and have forgotten what last year's mass
demonstrations were actually supporting. Franjieh and
like-minded colleagues are preparing a "declaration of
democratic principles" that will be promulgated (and
adjusted) through a civil society campaign outside the normal
political process, and outside the control of the
crisis-prone political parties. End summary.


2. (C) Samir Franjieh, a Maronite member of parliament from
the Zgharta district east of Tripoli, met poloff on April 4
in Beirut. The former journalist and author was one of the
pioneers of the pro-sovereignty reform movement and first ran
for parliament in 2005 on a joint Future Movement/Lebanese
Forces electoral list. Franjieh has been keeping a low
profile the past few months after receiving threats from
unidentified (but presumably pro-Syrian) individuals.


3. (C) Franjieh readily acknowledged that Lebanon's
pro-reform movement is currently encountering heavy seas, but
argued it was not because they had lost the support of the
vast majority of the country's electorate. Rather, popular
support for democracy remains strong, but the leadership of
the reform movement had made two serious errors: first, they
attempted to tackle issues that were beyond their ability to
deliver, and second, they failed to clearly explain the
movement's democratic goals -- and benefits -- to the people
of Lebanon.

A MOVEMENT WITHOUT A FOUNDATION
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4. (C) Samir Franjieh said the movement was operating
without a civil society foundation and, as a consequence, was
extremely vulnerable to Syrian machinations. He argued that
any Syrian success, such as the recent Arab Summit, was made
easier because Siniora, Hariri and other March 14 leaders
appeared to be operating without the support of the general
public. In his analysis, Syria could take its time and
target each leader one by one, making it appear incompetence
and hubris caused their political failing, rather than a
concerted effort to destroy the reform movement by Syria and
its proxies.


5. (C) The former journalist argued that if democratic
reform was to succeed, the movement must re-establish its
connection -- and legitimacy -- with the Lebanese people. He
recalled that when it became clear several weeks ago the
reform movement was losing its momentum, several members
began to discuss a glaring political deficit, specifically, a
clear statement of democratic principles that would govern
Lebanon's transition to democracy. Without such a statement,
relatively minor setbacks would assume much greater
importance, and eventually prevent continued progress.


6. (C) Demonstrating an unexpected familiarity with
American history, he asked whether the US Constitution could
have been written and adopted by the people without first
having been proceeded by the Declaration of Independence.
Franjieh argued the Lebanese people need a similar
declaration, to explain long term goals and provide moral
support during what will surely be a lengthy struggle for
sovereignty and security.

RETURN TO THE BASICS
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7. (C) The member of parliament from Zgharta also said he
and like-minded legislators would ask the country's political
leaders to return to issues they could control, namely,
economic reform, a new electoral law, and a concerted effort
to increase transparency and reduce corruption. These

BEIRUT 00001050 002 OF 002


objectives, he argued, could be achieved within Lebanon,
without the need to wait for a recalcitrant Syria or the
intercession of a wavering Saudi Arabia. He said he would
urge the March 14 leadership to declare unambiguous support
for a genuine Lebanese presidency and a commitment to disarm
all militias, but to devote their full energies to those
goals they can actually attain.


8. (C) In terms of timing, Franjieh stated that his
colleagues would like to begin to circulate a "declaration of
democratic principles" in the next few weeks, using civil
society institutions and media to generate grass roots
support. He recognized that in a society accustomed to being
governed by strong leadership figures, the initial steps
would be difficult, but he asked whether there was any real
alternative. In his opinion, the political class was
"obsessed" with a few nearly intractable issues, and had
basically ignored the issues that the general public really
cared about: economic recovery, elimination of corruption,
re-establishment of domestic peace. With an ironic shrug, he
asked isn't that what political leaders were supposed to do.
FELTMAN