Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIRUT1416
2006-05-05 15:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
MGLE01: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON ELECTORAL LAW
how-toVZCZCXRO5701 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHLB #1416 1251543 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051543Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3378 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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
).
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
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