LEBANON: CODEL ISSA MEETS WITH PM SINIORA

UNCLAS BEIRUT 002644

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: CODEL ISSA MEETS WITH PM SINIORA


SUMMARY
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1. PM Siniora described to Congressman Issa the serious
damage the present conflict has inflicted on his country, as
well as his hope that the American people would continue to
support the people of Lebanon. Congressman Issa praised PM
Siniora's leadership and courage during this difficult
period, and urged the Prime Minister to be steadfast so that
Lebanon would emerge from the conflict with its sovereignty
and unity intact. PM Siniora said that following 30 years of
Syrian domination, the Lebanese people were not about to give
up their hard-earned freedom, but he urgently asked the U.S.
and the other members of the international community to
support Lebanon generously in its time of greatest need. PM
Siniora specifically asked the U.S. to provide assistance
with reconstruction, particularly in the areas of
infrastructure and housing. End summary.


2. Congressman Darrel Issa and the Ambassador met with Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora at the Grand Serail in Beirut on
August 10. Senior Siniora advisor Rola Nouraddine also
attended the meeting, as did Congressional staffer James
Lewis and poloff (notetaker).

PM SINIORA'S OBSERVATIONS
--------------


3. PM Siniora stated that most Lebanese are astounded and
unable to understand the rationale for the damage that has
been inflicted on their country by IDF forces over the past
four weeks. Siniora, as he has numerous times in the past
weeks, appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities and
an agreement that would finally, after decades of instability
and violence, bring security to the border between Lebanon
and Israel.


4. Siniora emphasized that his seven-point plan, endorsed by
his Council of Ministers, had the backing of almost every
element of Lebanon's citizenry, and that if the UN Security
Council could adopt its principles, both Lebanon and Israel
would achieve what they had long sought -- a stable border
manned by their respective sovereign forces. The Prime
Minister pointed out that Lebanon's approach to the proposed
UN agreement incorporated the strengths of Lebanon's 1949
Armistice Agreement, and as such, would be broadly accepted
by the Lebanese people.


5. PM Siniora acknowledged that if a UNSC resolution could
be adopted, it would only be the first step in a process that
would require steady nerves and the courage to face issues
that have long plagued Lebanon's unity and now its fledgling
democracy. The Prime Minister said that the first few weeks
after the cessation of hostilities would be critical, not
only in terms of controlling military action, but in terms of
humanitarian relief and initiating and funding a
comprehensive reconstruction effort.

CONGRESSMAN ISSA RESPONDS
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6. In his comments to the Prime Minister, and later to a
gathering of national and international press, Congressman
Issa said the primary purpose of his visit was to demonstrate
the American people's solidarity with the people of Lebanon
during a time of great stress and danger. Congressman Issa
applauded the courage of the Siniora Government and the
Lebanese people and stated his conviction they would recover
from the destruction of a war they did not start, and
continue with the challenging work of building the Arab
world's most dynamic democracy.


7. Congressman Issa also said he would bring the story of
Lebanon and its people back to his colleagues in the U.S.
Congress. The Congressman stated he was confident that
Congress would respond generously through the various
instruments of the U.S. foreign aid program and that he would
closely monitor and support this effort until Lebanon fully
recovered. He completed his address with the observation
that Lebanon had no shortage of leaders, no shortage of
unity, and would suffer no shortage of support from America.


8. This cable was cleared by Congressman Issa.
FELTMAN