Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIRUT2769
2006-08-25 17:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: TASHNAG INSECURE ABOUT TURKISH TROOPS
how-toVZCZCXRO1560 OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHLB #2769/01 2371716 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251716Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5262 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 3362 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 0002 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 0045 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0173 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1034
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002769
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER KPKO AR TU LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: TASHNAG INSECURE ABOUT TURKISH TROOPS
REF: BEIRUT 2721
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason 1.4(d).
SUMMARY
--------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002769
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER KPKO AR TU LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: TASHNAG INSECURE ABOUT TURKISH TROOPS
REF: BEIRUT 2721
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason 1.4(d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) During an August 24 meeting with the Ambassador,
poloff, and pol FSN, Armenian-Lebanese politician Hagop
Pakradounian (MP for Bourj Hammoud) claimed that the entire
Armenian community in Lebanon opposes the deployment of
Turkish troops as part of an augmented UNIFIL, adding that
they suspect Turkey's motives. He has spoken with Government
of Lebanon (GOL) officials on the subject, but it seems he
has found little traction with his arguments. The Ambassador
took note of the Armenian community's concerns, but said that
the U.S. would not create obstacles to a speedy deployment of
UNIFIL-plus. In a discussion of the Lebanese political
situation, Pakradounian -- who is part of Michel Aoun's bloc
-- expressed displeasure with Free Patriotic Movement leader
Aoun's vocal and unquestioning support for Hizballah's right
to bear arms. END SUMMARY.
"WE FEEL INSECURE"
--------------
2. (C) Pakradounian said that his concerns are not based on
politics (as a member of the Tashnag party, Pakradounian is
loosely pro-Syrian, though more out of convenience than
conviction),but on Turkey's lack of a "peacekeeping
mentality." Turkey has bad relations with virtually all of
its neighbors. Apart from the "genocide" committed against
the Armenians in World War One, Pakradounian remarked that
the Lebanese do not remember fondly the era of Ottoman rule
over Lebanon. Pakradounian said Turkey is only keen to
participate in UNIFIL-plus as a pretext for expanding its
influence in the Middle East and to win brownie points with
the European Union and deflect criticism of its human rights
record.
3. (C) Pakradounian said that the other Armenian-Lebanese
party, Ramgavar, also oppose the Turkish deployment, as do
the three Armenian religious leaders in Lebanon (Orthodox,
Catholic, and Protestant) and Cabinet Minister Jean
Hogasapian (a Hariri man whose opinions Pakradounian normally
disdains). Pakradounian added that, even far from Ankara,
Armenians still feel very insecure about "the Turks." "We
feel concerned. We understand we need Turkish troops. But
they will come with all of their 'networks'."
4. (C) Pakradounian said he had raised this with President
Lahoud, who is Armenian on his mother's side. Lahoud had
been sympathetic but said that the matter is out of his
hands. PM Siniora told Pakradounian that the GOL is
desperate to get the augmented UNIFIL on the ground. "He
says he's been kissing everyone's ass, and still they are not
coming." Pakradounian said Siniora believes Turkish forces
in Lebanon would serve as an effective counterweight to Syria
(given Turkey's history of forcing Syria to back down under
the threat of military force). Pakradounian also mentioned
in passing that he would worry about what would happen if
some Armenian decided to take a violent act against one of
the Turkish soldiers.
5. (C) Saying that "we expect the U.S. will help us out,"
Pakradounian asked what the USG can do. The Ambassador
responded that ten days had now passed since the fragile
cessation of hostilities went into effect, with still no date
set for the first significant UNIFIL-plus deployment. While
taking not of the Armenian-Lebanese concerns, the USG would
not throw up any more obstacles to the UNIFIL deployment,
lest the violence re-erupt in the interim.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) While the Armenians associated with Tashnag stuck
with the pro-Syria camp following the March 14 protests, they
do not seem to be uncomfortable supporting Hizballah's
continued right to bear arms beyond government control.
BEIRUT 00002769 002 OF 002
Pakradounian indicated he is not pleased with Michel Aoun's
unabashedly pro-Hizballah stance during the recent conflict
(even Aoun has begun to tone it down of late, perhaps
realizing he is angering Christians of all denominations).
Perhaps we can get the Armenian-Lebanese to join the
multi-confessional public chorus for Hizballah to disarm.
The Ambassador promised Pakradounian to pay a visit to
Tashnag party headquarters in Bourj Hammoud (a
largely-Armenian Beirut neighborhood not far from the
Embassy) as soon as the situation in Lebanon has stabilized.
FELTMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER KPKO AR TU LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: TASHNAG INSECURE ABOUT TURKISH TROOPS
REF: BEIRUT 2721
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason 1.4(d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) During an August 24 meeting with the Ambassador,
poloff, and pol FSN, Armenian-Lebanese politician Hagop
Pakradounian (MP for Bourj Hammoud) claimed that the entire
Armenian community in Lebanon opposes the deployment of
Turkish troops as part of an augmented UNIFIL, adding that
they suspect Turkey's motives. He has spoken with Government
of Lebanon (GOL) officials on the subject, but it seems he
has found little traction with his arguments. The Ambassador
took note of the Armenian community's concerns, but said that
the U.S. would not create obstacles to a speedy deployment of
UNIFIL-plus. In a discussion of the Lebanese political
situation, Pakradounian -- who is part of Michel Aoun's bloc
-- expressed displeasure with Free Patriotic Movement leader
Aoun's vocal and unquestioning support for Hizballah's right
to bear arms. END SUMMARY.
"WE FEEL INSECURE"
--------------
2. (C) Pakradounian said that his concerns are not based on
politics (as a member of the Tashnag party, Pakradounian is
loosely pro-Syrian, though more out of convenience than
conviction),but on Turkey's lack of a "peacekeeping
mentality." Turkey has bad relations with virtually all of
its neighbors. Apart from the "genocide" committed against
the Armenians in World War One, Pakradounian remarked that
the Lebanese do not remember fondly the era of Ottoman rule
over Lebanon. Pakradounian said Turkey is only keen to
participate in UNIFIL-plus as a pretext for expanding its
influence in the Middle East and to win brownie points with
the European Union and deflect criticism of its human rights
record.
3. (C) Pakradounian said that the other Armenian-Lebanese
party, Ramgavar, also oppose the Turkish deployment, as do
the three Armenian religious leaders in Lebanon (Orthodox,
Catholic, and Protestant) and Cabinet Minister Jean
Hogasapian (a Hariri man whose opinions Pakradounian normally
disdains). Pakradounian added that, even far from Ankara,
Armenians still feel very insecure about "the Turks." "We
feel concerned. We understand we need Turkish troops. But
they will come with all of their 'networks'."
4. (C) Pakradounian said he had raised this with President
Lahoud, who is Armenian on his mother's side. Lahoud had
been sympathetic but said that the matter is out of his
hands. PM Siniora told Pakradounian that the GOL is
desperate to get the augmented UNIFIL on the ground. "He
says he's been kissing everyone's ass, and still they are not
coming." Pakradounian said Siniora believes Turkish forces
in Lebanon would serve as an effective counterweight to Syria
(given Turkey's history of forcing Syria to back down under
the threat of military force). Pakradounian also mentioned
in passing that he would worry about what would happen if
some Armenian decided to take a violent act against one of
the Turkish soldiers.
5. (C) Saying that "we expect the U.S. will help us out,"
Pakradounian asked what the USG can do. The Ambassador
responded that ten days had now passed since the fragile
cessation of hostilities went into effect, with still no date
set for the first significant UNIFIL-plus deployment. While
taking not of the Armenian-Lebanese concerns, the USG would
not throw up any more obstacles to the UNIFIL deployment,
lest the violence re-erupt in the interim.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) While the Armenians associated with Tashnag stuck
with the pro-Syria camp following the March 14 protests, they
do not seem to be uncomfortable supporting Hizballah's
continued right to bear arms beyond government control.
BEIRUT 00002769 002 OF 002
Pakradounian indicated he is not pleased with Michel Aoun's
unabashedly pro-Hizballah stance during the recent conflict
(even Aoun has begun to tone it down of late, perhaps
realizing he is angering Christians of all denominations).
Perhaps we can get the Armenian-Lebanese to join the
multi-confessional public chorus for Hizballah to disarm.
The Ambassador promised Pakradounian to pay a visit to
Tashnag party headquarters in Bourj Hammoud (a
largely-Armenian Beirut neighborhood not far from the
Embassy) as soon as the situation in Lebanon has stabilized.
FELTMAN