Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIRUT1547
2006-05-17 15:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:  

MGLE01: KINDER, GENTLER SALLOUKH SEES FULL

Tags:  IO KDEM LE PGOV PHUM SY IS 
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P 171551Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3578
INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001547 


SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2016
TAGS: IO KDEM LE PGOV PHUM SY IS
SUBJECT: MGLE01: KINDER, GENTLER SALLOUKH SEES FULL
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1559 THROUGH NATIONAL DIALOGUE

REF: BEIRUT 1484

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b)
and (d).

SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001547


SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2016
TAGS: IO KDEM LE PGOV PHUM SY IS
SUBJECT: MGLE01: KINDER, GENTLER SALLOUKH SEES FULL
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1559 THROUGH NATIONAL DIALOGUE

REF: BEIRUT 1484

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b)
and (d).

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


1. (C) Summary: IO A/S Silverberg, Ambassador and emboff met
with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh on May 15 in the first
official meeting of A/S Silverberg's Beirut schedule. During
the QQ:R$o1QQ~impression that Prime Minister
Siniora and his delegation (which included the FM) had made
in Washington. Salloukh characterized the Washington visit
as productive, but noted the need for follow-up on important
bilateral and multilateral issues, specifically on current
and pending UN action in Lebanon. On UNSCR 1559, Salloukh
sees a role for "negotiation" through the ongoing National
Dialogue to deal with the issue of disarmament of Hizballah.
Salloukh signaled clear support for the UNIIIC, and evinced
no problem with its eventual transition to an international
tribunal. End Summary.


UNSCR 1559 FOLLOW-ON AND ROLE OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh brightened
considerably as A/S Silverberg's conveyed to him Secretary
Rice's best wishes. But the usually serious and rather dour
FM quickly reverted to form, albeit with a slightly kinder
and gentler tone, as he outlined what he saw as the major
challenge of implementing UNSCR 1559. He noted that the
primary component of the resolution, i.e., the withdrawal of
Syrian troops from Lebanon, had already been accomplished.
What remained was the "minor" issues of border demarcation
with Syria and Hizballah's arms. Salloukh reported that
these remaining points were "up for discussion," part of the
four-month old "National Dialogue" set to reconvene in the
Lebanese Parliament on May 16. Salloukh, responding to A/S
Silverberg's comment on the importance of a strong follow-up
resolution to UNSCR 1559, commented on the increased interest
of the Russians in the resolution text. In response to A/S

Silverberg's concern that the Russians were not on the same
page as the P-3, Salloukh said that other international
parties needed to comply with UNSCR 1559, to include the
U.S., Israel, and Syria.


3. (C) Salloukh expected that the National Dialogue would
focus on three files in the its upcoming sessions: the
Lebanese Presidency, Hizballah's arms, and the "new" issue of
economic reforms. (Note: As a member of the Council of
Ministers but not an elected Deputy to Parliament, Salloukh
does not participate in the National Dialogue sessions. End
Note.) Ambassador Feltman asked for Salloukh's assessment of
the likelilhood of the National Dialogue reaching a consensus
on Hizballah's arms. Salloukh tersely replied that he hoped
they would come to an agreement. Salloukh agreed with the
Ambassador that Lebanon needs a strong army. He added that
when Lebanon has a strong army, there would be no need for a
"resistance,", i.e., an armed Hizballah.


4. (C) Salloukh explained the disconnect he sees between the
views of the Lebanese government and people, particularly on
economic reform. He argued for caution with labor reforms
and noted the need for positive economic results as soon as
possible. He assessed that the May 10 demonstration in
Beirut (see reftel) resulted from a "poor media campaign" on
economic reform issues. Salloukh criticized the GOL for not
distributing details of its reform policy paper to the
public, thus provoking unnecessary anxiety and
misunderstanding among workers. Salloukh denied that any
party aimed to bring down the Government with the
demonstration. When asked by the Ambassador how the
protesters' chants in support of Syria and Iran should be
interpreted, Salloukh laughingly replied, "There are many
voices in Lebanon . . . . This was a demonstration against
poverty, not against the government."


UNIIIC: "EVEN THE SYRIANS LIKE HIM"
--------------


5. (C) Salloukh reiterated the GOL's support for the UN
International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC)
and its chief, Serge Brammertz. Salloukh offered that,
"truth serves the interest of Lebanon." Salloukh noted that
the decision of the Lebanese Cabinet to request a one-year
extension to the UNIIIC mandate was without controversy.
Salloukh hoped that Brammertz's contract would be extended to
provide continuity. Noting that Brammertz had a great
reputation in Lebanon as a professional, scientific judge, he
said he is so well respected that, "even the Syrians like
him." On the eventual transition of the UNIIIC from
investigation to tribunal, Salloukh warmly welcomed
cooperation with the UN to implement the necessary changes to
Lebanese law to allow for the effective prosecution of
suspects in the Hariri assassination.

UNIFIL AND THE ISRAELI BORDER
--------------


6. (C) The FM philosophized on the need for a calm, stable
situation to allow Lebanon's major issues to be resolved. A
recent increase in tension along the Israeli border impeded
this process. Salloukh hypothesized that the recent
elections in Israel and the new government "testing its
boundaries" might explain the increase in Israeli
overflights.


7. (C) In response to A/S Silverberg's query on GOL thoughts
on the upcoming (July) UNIFIL mandate renewal, Salloukh
strongly affirmed GOL support for extending UNIFIL's mandate
without any reduction in numbers. UNIFIL's mission, he
explained, provides the stability and calm necessary for
peace. "We are fed up with wars and violence," explained
Salloukh, addding that, "We have enough martyrs."


UNRWA, HAMAS, AND THE PALESTINIANS
--------------


8. (C) Turning to the issue of the Palestinian refugees in
Lebanon, A/S Silverberg inquired whether improvements were
being made to overall conditions inside the camps. The FM
admitted that improvements must be made in living conditions
and that discussion had begun on how to accomplish this.
Salloukh asked that financial consideration be given to Arab
countries "hosting" Palestinian refugees. Characterizing the
Palestinian refugees as "an international responsibility, not
just an Arab one," Salloukh called on donor countries to
alleviate the burden assumed by Arab countries by absorbing
Palestinian refugees. A/S Silverberg underscored that the
U.S. had provided substantial funding and support for
humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees, including
our UNWRA funding this year.


9. (C) On the Hamas-led government in the Palestinian
Authority, Salloukh urged the U.S. to "give them time" and
predicted that the mood "will change" with greater
governmental responsibility. Salloukh pointed to recent
positive statements by Hamas, and recalled Secretary Rice's
comments to him about U.S. intentions during his Washington
visit.


10. (C) Comment: The normally dour Salloukh was more relaxed
than usual, sharing an uncharacteristic hearty laugh when the
Ambassador asked about the yellow and ORANGE flower
arrangement on the table and wondering whether it might
symbolize the agreement with the Hizballah-Aoun political
coalition. Commenting on his recent travel to Washington,
Salloukh appeared happy to report on the "cordial" relations
between him and the Secretary, asking A/S Silverberg several
times to pass his regards to the Secretary. Regarding his
visit to the White House, Salloukh remarked that meeting
President Bush up close, "changes your impression for the
better." Salloukh's inclusion in the PM's visit to
Washington seems to have affected the pro-Hizbullah
Minister's attitude to the USG on a personal level, if not on
a political one. End Comment.


11. (U) A/S Silverberg has cleared this cable.


FELTMAN