MGLE01: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON ELECTORAL LAW

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001416 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH PARIS FOR ZEYA LONDON FOR TSOU E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM KMPI LE SUBJECT: MGLE01: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON ELECTORAL LAW Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Summary: During a May 2 meeting with emboffs, Electoral Law Reform Commission member Ziad Baroud expressed cautious optimism that the Commission would delineate Lebanon's electoral districts and complete its draft electoral law by the end of May. Baroud, corroborating earlier reports by Paul Salem and Michel Tabet, said that Commission members are now working well together, having overcome tensions caused by the March resignations, and is close to agreement on the electoral districts. Baroud said that outstanding issues include finalization of the southern and Beirut electoral districts, as well as the possibility of a bicameral legislature. He said that the Commission would resolve these issues by May 29, however, and "definitely" will not request another extension. End summary. ¶2. (C) On May 2, emboffs met national Electoral Law Reform Commission member Ziad Baroud in his Achrafieh law office. Baroud echoed comments made during the previous week by Commission members Paul Salem and Michel Tabet that the Commission is constructively working to delineate Lebanon's electoral districts and turn their draft law over to the Prime Minister. Baroud was cautiously optimistic that the Commission would finish the draft law by its May 29 deadline. "This is it," he said, "we have to finish it this time. We're not going to ask for another extension." ¶3. (C) According to Baroud, the Commission is still trying to decide on the designation of the southern electoral district. One plan on the table is to combine Jezzine, Sidon, and Zahrani into one electoral district; this plan is opposed by some Commission members who feel it will isolate the Shi'a population of Tyre. Baroud explained that there is no reason to include Tyre, because it is geographically separate from the other districts. However, this issue is still under consideration. ¶4. (C) Slightly more worrying, according to Baroud, are two proposals by Commission chair Fouad Boutros. Baroud said that, during last week's meeting, Boutros declared that he thought Beirut should be divided in to several electoral districts as well. Baroud said he thought this would send the wrong message, in risking the "Balkanization" of Beirut and promoting sectarian extremism. He also said that a plan submitted by Boutros and Commission secretary Nawaf Salam is back on the table. This plan would create a bicameral legislature with 64 representatives elected at the qada (small administrative district) level, and 64 elected at the muhafaza (governorate)level. Baroud said this proposal violates the Ta'if Accords, which stipulate that the muhafaza should be the sole electoral district. Baroud said he would oppose this plan if it went any further. FELTMAN