MGLE01: AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001711

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: MGLE01: AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM
WITH JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK


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


1. (C) SUMMARY. U.S. State Department Coordinator for
Counterterrorism Ambassador Crumpton and the Ambassador
visited Justice Minister Charles Rizk to discuss the causes
and possible solutions to terrorism in the region. Rizk told
Ambassador Crumpton that the major cause of political
instability in Lebanon is the lack of a concept of a nation
state. Rizk and Ambassador Crumpton then discussed the
complexity of both Iranian society and the Lebanese militia
Hizballah. Rizk agreed with the Ambassador about a consensus
view in Lebanon to combat al-Qaeda. Rizk told Ambassador
Crumpton that USG assistance money could best be spent on
practical needs such as spare parts for helicopters. Rizk
favors a broadening of the mandate of the proposed special
tribunal with international character beyond Rafiq Hariri's
murder because he believes that the Lebanese judicial system
is not competent to solve all of the unresolved
assassinations in Lebanon. END SUMMARY


2. (C) After discussing his role in providing a USG policy
context and coordinating counterterrorism efforts, Ambassador
Crumpton thanked Minister Rizk for his efforts and his
determination in working with the USG on counterterrorism
issues. Crumpton told Rizk that the USG was looking at a
comprehensive, strategic approach, using regional partners,
to combat terrorism. According to Crumpton, the long-term
strategic objective of stopping enemy forces will be solved
by more than just law enforcement and military methods.
Economic development, the rule of law, and other instruments
of statecraft will be important, and regional solutions with
USG partners will help achieve these long-term goals.

POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN LEBANON CAUSED
BY LACK OF A CONCEPT OF A NATION STATE
--------------


3. (C) Rizk told Crumpton that the roots of terrorism can
be found in dire economic and political conditions, but he
stated that the main reason for political instability in
Lebanon is the absence of the concept of a nation state.
According to Rizk, some people in Lebanon pledge their
loyalty first to an Islamic, Arab, Syrian, Christian, or
Lebanese nation. Rizk stated that the Lebanese Muslim
community understood in 1943 that they were better off living
under a Christian president in an independent Lebanon rather
than controlling a small, insignificant province of Syria.
When Crumpton asked Rizk what would be the common bond among
the Lebanese, Rizk answered that Lebanon's diversity may
represent its common bond, as each of the three main
blocs--the Sunni, the Shiites, and the Christians--represent
roughly one-third of the population.

IRANIAN SOCIETY AND HIZBALLAH
COMPLEX AND MULTI-FACETED
--------------


4. (C) When Rizk told Crumpton that the USG should sit down
and talk to the Iranians concerning the nuclear issue,
Crumpton told him that the USG was very interested in working
with the European Union, the United Nations, Russia, and
others to achieve a diplomatic solution in Iran. Crumpton
told Rizk that the USG hasn't ruled out any possible deal
that would resolve the situation, and he hoped that Iran
would opt for the Libyan solution of renouncing terrorism and
integrating with the international community. Rizk told
Crumpton that he was in favor of USG diplomatic efforts, but
Iranian society is much more complex than Libyan society.
Crumpton stressed to Rizk that demographic changes in Iran
have created a population with a much different view than the
current leadership.


5. (C) Rizk told Crumpton that he had contrasting views of
Hizballah. He said that many Hizballah party members are
very sophisticated, intelligent, and responsible. Rizk said
Hizballah was "multi-faceted" and he prefers the order that
Hizballah provides in southern Lebanon to the anarchy that
was prevalent when the Palestinian Liberation Organization
controlled parts of southern Lebanon. While acknowledging
Hizballah terrorist actions, Rizk said that considering
Hizballah as only a terrorist organization "misses the
target." He told Crumpton that he must work with the Shiite
ministers on a daily basis, and some of the Shiite ministers
are very serious and hard working ministers.

LEBANESE CONSENSUS
OF FIGHTING AL-QAEDA
--------------


BEIRUT 00001711 002 OF 002



6. (C) Rizk agreed with the Ambassador that there is a
consensus in Lebanon on concerns about the destructive nature
of al-Qaeda. When the Ambassador asked about how the ISF
coordinates with the GOL decision makers and particularly
with the judiciary on court cases, Rizk said that the
Lebanese security apparatus was still in transition. Rizk
further stated that there is currently a lack of leadership
and no feeling of allegiance in the Lebanese army.

USG ASSISTANCE
MUST BE PRACTICAL
--------------


7. (C) When Crumpton asked how USG assistance could help
the GOL's counter-terrorism efforts, Rizk emphasized the need
for practical assistance, such as spare parts for
helicopters. When Crumpton asked Rizk about current rule of
law programs at the Ministry of Justice, Rizk said,
unfortunately, there is no current program in place other
than training programs for magistrates. When Crumpton asked
Rizk about Lebanese Ministry of Justice coordination with
other Ministries of Justice in the region, Rizk said that
there was infrequent collaborations on issues of regional
importance. He told Crumpton that only the Kuwaitis and
Qataris supported the GOL at a recent Arab League conference
when the Lebanese defended the rights of a free press when
dealing with security problems. Rizk further stated that
coordination with neighboring countries was difficult when
there was a lack of coordination on policy within Lebanon.
He compared GOL Cabinet meetings to a mini-United Nations.

ASSASSINATION PROBE
SHOULD BE EXTENDED
--------------


8. (C) When Ambassador Crumpton asked Rizk if he was
satisfied with counterterrorism legislation in Lebanon, Rizk
and his aides said legislation may be sufficient for internal
domestic terrorism, but Rizk stressed that international help
was needed for acts of terrorism that involve international
players. Rizk said he was in favor of the United Nations
Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) and its
extension. He said he favored UNIIIC head Brammertz's views
on extending the proposed special tribunal on the Hariri
assassination to other assassinations because the judicial
system in Lebanon is not competent to solve the unresolved
cases and many additional causal relationships between the
political murders could be uncovered through increased
investigations.
FELTMAN