MGLE01: DEMARCHE DELIVERED REGARDING U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001734 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016 TAGS: KDEM LE PFLP PGOV PTER SUBJECT: MGLE01: DEMARCHE DELIVERED REGARDING U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN REF: SECSTATE 87682 Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador conveyed reftel talking points to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Siniora applauded the Secretary's statement and said it was an important step for SIPDIS the United States and Iran to work diplomatically in solving regional security issues. Siniora also agreed that the onus of responsibility is now on Iran to suspend its enrichment activities and join a dialogue. Despite his praise for the statement, however, the Prime Minister stopped short of committing his government to a public statement regarding the Secretary's remarks and Iran's responsibility. The SIPDIS Ambassador reiterated the importance of public support for this initiative. ¶2. (C) The Prime Minister did mention that he had just met Iran's new ambassador to Lebanon earlier in the morning. He said that the new ambassador seems to be much more pragmatic and flexible than his predecessor, and that he hoped that Tehran would share these values when it comes to Lebanon and regional security issues. ¶3. (C) The Prime Minister's senior advisor, Dr. Mohammad Chatah, noted that the Secretary's announcement opened the door for discussion on other issues as well, and asked if the United States hoped to use this opportunity to engage Iran on other issues of regional importance. The Ambassador replied that Iran's enrichment activities remain of primary concern for the United States and would be the primary focus for now, to the best of his understanding. ¶4. (C) After seeing the PM, the Ambassador also briefed Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr on the U.S. approach toward Iran and asked Murr for help in getting the GOL to produce a supportive public statement. Murr agreed to help. FELTMAN