MGLE01: PLO REP TO LEBANON LAUDS GOL'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002343

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2016
TAGS: IS KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
SUBJECT: MGLE01: PLO REP TO LEBANON LAUDS GOL'S
PALESTINIAN INITIATIVES

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Section 1.4 (b)
.

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


1. (C) The recently-appointed Palestinian Representative to
Lebanon, Abbas Zaki, described humanitarian conditions in the
12 refugee camps located in Lebanon as dire, requiring
immediate, comprehensive infrastructure and humanitarian
assistance. Representative Zaki praised the efforts of Prime
Minster Siniora in addressing issues that have been
resolutely ignored by previous Lebanese governments. He
said, however, the PLO also understands the Government of
Lebanon is constrained by its own economic challenges, not
the least of which remains its persistently high
unemployment. Zaki said political relations with the Siniora
Government have gotten off on the right foot and he is
looking forward to alleviating the long-standing despair in
the camps, which have made them fertile ground for radical
recruitment and activity. End summary.


2. (SBU) Palestinian Representative to Lebanon Abbas Zaki,
accompanied by Senior PLO Representative in South Lebanon,
Khalled Arif, met with PRM/ANE Office Director Richard
Albright and Regional Refugee Coordinator Claire Kaneshiro on
June 26 at the PLO's new Representative Office in West
Beirut. The office opened last month in a rented building
and is the first visible sign of the Lebanese Government's
new approach to Palestinian affairs, which is being managed
out of the Prime Minister's office by Ambassador Khalil
Mekkaoui. Embassy POLOFF also attended the meeting.

REFUGEE CAMP IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
--------------


3. (SBU) Following his strong endorsement of PM Siniora's
Refugee Camp Improvement Program, which will be managed by
UNRWA and is intended to address pressing infrastructure
needs in all 12 camps, Representative Zaki put forth his
contention that Lebanon is one country where expeditious and
significant improvement can be made in the refugees' lives.
He argued that with its recent change of philosophy toward
Palestinian refugees, the Government of Lebanon will now be a
reliable and essential partner for improvement.


4. (SBU) Zaki said he understood the limits of the GOL's
financial assistance, but he also maintained the Government
was creating an operating environment where donor countries
would feel confident their funded projects would be
effectively coordinated and result in real quality of life
improvements. Particularly concerning infrastructure
projects, Zaki said he felt committed GOL involvement would
ensure that the necessary infrastructure links (water,
electricity, sewage) to the communities surrounding the camps
would be coordinated and approved, if funding could be found.


5. (SBU) The newly appointed PLO official commended the
special effort PM Siniora had made in reaching out to the
donor community and said he believed the Government's
commitment was genuine and stable. He also emphasized that,
if successful, Lebanon would likewise benefit from
improvements in the lives of the refugees, particularly in
the matter of increased sectarian stability.


6. (C) While insisting the PLO remains the sole
representative of the Palestinian refugee community in
Lebanon, Zaki conceded that Sunni radicalism has taken root
in the more desperate camps, specifically mentioning Ain el
Hilweh, located outside Sidon. He admitted the PLO had
neglected its responsibilities in Lebanon, but its officials
are now committed to rectifying past mistakes. When asked
how the PLO was specifically answering the challenge of
increased radicalism, Zaki became vague and returned to the
need to address long-neglected health, education, water, and
shelter needs.

DIFFERENT PRIORITIES
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7. (SBU) When asked to prioritize those needs, Zaki
somewhat unexpectedly placed medical care for the camps'
increasing number of persons with severe illnesses -- heart
problems, cancer, diabetes, kidney failure -- as the most
pressing concern. Representative Zaki said the refugees'
meager resources prevented them from seeking critical
treatment, even though medical services were available in the

BEIRUT 00002343 002 OF 002


surrounding communities. His next stated priority was
education, specifically the alleviation of classroom
overcrowding and the lack of opportunity for post-secondary
study. Only then did Zaki mention the large infrastructure
projects that figure so prominently in GOL/UNRWA's new
program.


8. (SBU) Zaki explained the discrepancy between PLO and
UNRWA priorities as an unfortunate necessity to somehow
sequence a number of needs, all of which were pressing. He
once again pressed his position that due to the GOL's new
commitment, a unique opportunity had presented itself and
expressed his hope that the donor community would likewise
take a fresh approach to the refugee population in Lebanon.

REQUESTS THE US TO TAKE THE LEAD
--------------


9. (SBU) Representative Zaki admitted it was asking a great
deal, but said that unless the U.S. takes the lead in helping
to improve the refugees' situation in Lebanon, other donor
nations would probably not follow. He urged the U.S. to not
only donate resources, but to use its influence with its
allies in the humanitarian effort. Albright responded that
the U.S. had taken the lead in supporting Lebanon's National
Dialogue process, and as part of that effort, State/PRM was
examining appropriate projects for funding. He added that
the best way to attract continued support from the U.S. and
other donor countries was for the Lebanese Government, UNRWA,
PLO, and the camps' governing committees to coordinate
effectively in ensuring that the initial projects were
successful.

"WE ARE NOT A SECURITY RISK"
--------------


10. (C) When asked about security in the camps and whether
Lebanon's security forces would ever be able to operate in
them, Representative Zaki said the PLO would like to see that
happen. At the same time, Zaki said the refugees were
sensitive to non-Palestinians "treating them like slaves or
some sort of dangerous security risk." If the means could be
reached whereby Lebanon's security services would provide
safety for the camps just like they do in any Lebanese
community, it would be welcomed. He insisted that
Palestinians believe in the rule of law and promised, "if we
are given our rights and dignity, we will be even better than
the Lebanese in observance of the law."


11. (C) Representative Zaki closed the discussion by
emphasizing that time was of the essence. According to Zaki,
Lebanon's Palestinian refugee population was in many ways
worse off than any other Palestinian community and in certain
camps and gatherings, the sense of futility and desperation
were almost palpable. He maintained that the GOL's new
attitude and talk about planned improvements had raised
refugee expectations. Representative Zaki urged the donor
community to take advantage of an unprecedented opportunity
to improve the conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.


12. (U) PRM/ANE Albright has cleared this cable.
FELTMAN