MGLE01: A/S HILLEN'S MEETING WITH ISF GENERAL RIFI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001466

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH
PARIS FOR ZEYA
LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2016
TAGS: PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER CASC LE
SUBJECT: MGLE01: A/S HILLEN'S MEETING WITH ISF GENERAL RIFI

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) A/S Hillen met with ISF General Ashraf Rifi at the
ISF headquarters in Beirut to discuss U.S. - Lebanese
cooperation on security assistance programs. Rifi thanked
A/S Hillen and the U.S. for our assistance, and said he
looked forward to a long partnership with the United States.
Rifi said that Lebanon is working to improve coordination
between its security services, and said that the Lebanese
would benefit greatly from any training programs the U.S.
could provide. He emphasized Lebanese efforts to combat
terrorism, including the ISF's January arrest of an al-Qaeda
cell in Beirut. Rifi said that all Lebanese are united
behind the idea of disarming local militias, but that actual
disarmament will take some time to ensure that the Lebanese
can do it in a safe and secure manner. End summary.

Lebanese Participants:
General Ashraf Rifi, Commander of the Internal Security Force
General Joseph Hajjal, Chief of State

U.S. Participants:
A/S for Political Military Affairs Dr. John Hillen
Major Reginald Robinson, US Air Force, Military Attach
Matthew William Lehrfeld, Special Assistant
RSO Art Balek
Matt Pilcher (Embassy Notetaker)

A STRONG U.S. - LEBANESE
PARTNERSHIP
--------------


2. (C) A/S Hillen opened the meeting by noting Lebanon's
importance as a strategic partner and ally for the United
States, and said that the United States hopes that to deepen
this relationship by working with Lebanon on a coordinated
security assistance package. A/S Hillen said that the U.S.
hopes to give Lebanon the tools it needs to build a
sovereign, free and secure Lebanon, and that Washington is
looking forward to General Rifi's visit in June. Rifi said
that he was looking forward to his Washington trip as well,
and that he was thankful for American assistance, especially
the FBI's USD 1.5 million forensic equipment donation kit
which had arrived at ISF headquarters that very morning.
Rifi said he knew the U.S. was working hard to quickly
deliver concrete assets, and that he appreciated the effort.
Rifi added that he appreciated the U.S. commitment at a time
when Lebanon is striving to overcome internal divisions and
build a strong, united country.

COUNTERTERRORIST EFFORTS
--------------


3. (C) Rifi said that one area of particular concern for the
ISF is Lebanon's counter terrorist program. He acknowledged
that Lebanon has a problem with terrorism, but noted the
ISF's success in a January raid on an al-Qaeda cell in
Beirut, one member of which, he claimed, is a lieutenant to
Abu Musab Zarqawi. RSO added that the ISF and Embassy
coordinate closely on counter-terror activities, and that the
Embassy's upcoming ATA program assistance would give the ISF
even more capabilities in this area.

MILITIAS
--------------


4. (C) A/S Hillen asked Rifi what his position was on
Lebanese militias. Rifi said it was a political issue and
that it was something all Lebanese have an interest in
resolving. He said there is a debate about Hizballah's
status as either a resistance or a militia, but said that the
fact that Hizballah's arms are now on the negotiating table
is itself a significant step forward. In terms of
Palestinian militias, Rifi said that all Lebanese are united
on the need to disarm Palestinian militias, he said that
doing so is only a matter of time. Rifi said that the GOL
will start with limiting Palestinian weapons outside the
camps. The next step, he said, it to remove the threat from
inside the camps as well, but he admitted that this will be
difficult because right now Lebanese security forces aren't
even allowed to enter the camps. Rifi worried about weapons

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and possible terrorist organizations operating inside the
camps, but said that it was an issue the Lebanese would have
to approach slowly and carefully in order to resolve the
problem and maintain stability and security at the same time.

KELSEY KLOTZ
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5. (SBU) Finally, A/S Hillen mentioned USG interest in
returning nine year old Kelsey Klotz to her custodial father
in the United States. A/S Hillen said that this is an
important issue at high levels of the USG. Rifi said that he
was aware of the issue, and that they knew where Klotz is
located. But because she is currently in a part of Lebanon
controlled by Hizballah forces, he said was concerned about
their ability to secure her custody safely. "We'll take care
of it, but we want to do it in a way that is safe."
FELTMAN