Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIRUT3042
2006-09-19 16:01:00
SECRET
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: UNIFIL HITS MILESTONE FORCE LEVEL,
how-toVZCZCXRO7721 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHLB #3042 2621601 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 191601Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5671 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1223 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0308 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1166
S E C R E T BEIRUT 003042
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/FO:ATACHCO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2016
TAGS: IS LE PREL
SUBJECT: LEBANON: UNIFIL HITS MILESTONE FORCE LEVEL,
EXPANDS BORDER MONITORING
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: 1.4 (d)
S E C R E T BEIRUT 003042
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/FO:ATACHCO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2016
TAGS: IS LE PREL
SUBJECT: LEBANON: UNIFIL HITS MILESTONE FORCE LEVEL,
EXPANDS BORDER MONITORING
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (S) We were told today by Milos Strugar, UNIFIL spokesman,
and by Imran Reza, Senior Advisor in the UN Office of the
Personal Representative of the Secretary General (UNOPRSG),
that UNIFIL forces in Lebanon have reached the 5000 troop
level. Except for troops transiting in and out through
Beirut and technical experts working on border points (land,
air, and sea),the entire force is deployed in the south.
2. (S) UNOPRSG is keeping this milestone quiet for now and
will make a public announcement following the next tripartite
meeting, among LAF, IDF and UNIFIL commanders, later this
week.
3. (C) Following General Pelligrini,s public criticism last
Friday of GOL foot dragging, Prime Minister Siniora seconded
an advisor member from his office to assist UNIFIL in
overcoming logistical impediments that were affecting
operations.
OBSERVER MISSIONS
--------------
4. (S) Geir Pedersen, UNOPRSG chief, told us on September 18
that his office and UNIFIL have been sending expert observers
to the Syrian border and to Lebanese ports by helicopter and
land to monitor LAF deployments and smuggling. According to
his office, the mission has received excellent cooperation
from the LAF. The Embassy has asked for an outbrief by the
observer team.
5. (C) French and Italian naval patrols are coordinating
their efforts with UNIFIL and the LAF in Naqoura.
Coordination with the GOL is occurring via periodic meetings
in the Prime Minister's Office.
6. (C) According to a Lebanese Foreign Ministry source,
UNIFIL has opened a coordination office in Tel Aviv and has a
coordination center in northern Israel working with the IDF.
FELTMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/FO:ATACHCO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2016
TAGS: IS LE PREL
SUBJECT: LEBANON: UNIFIL HITS MILESTONE FORCE LEVEL,
EXPANDS BORDER MONITORING
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (S) We were told today by Milos Strugar, UNIFIL spokesman,
and by Imran Reza, Senior Advisor in the UN Office of the
Personal Representative of the Secretary General (UNOPRSG),
that UNIFIL forces in Lebanon have reached the 5000 troop
level. Except for troops transiting in and out through
Beirut and technical experts working on border points (land,
air, and sea),the entire force is deployed in the south.
2. (S) UNOPRSG is keeping this milestone quiet for now and
will make a public announcement following the next tripartite
meeting, among LAF, IDF and UNIFIL commanders, later this
week.
3. (C) Following General Pelligrini,s public criticism last
Friday of GOL foot dragging, Prime Minister Siniora seconded
an advisor member from his office to assist UNIFIL in
overcoming logistical impediments that were affecting
operations.
OBSERVER MISSIONS
--------------
4. (S) Geir Pedersen, UNOPRSG chief, told us on September 18
that his office and UNIFIL have been sending expert observers
to the Syrian border and to Lebanese ports by helicopter and
land to monitor LAF deployments and smuggling. According to
his office, the mission has received excellent cooperation
from the LAF. The Embassy has asked for an outbrief by the
observer team.
5. (C) French and Italian naval patrols are coordinating
their efforts with UNIFIL and the LAF in Naqoura.
Coordination with the GOL is occurring via periodic meetings
in the Prime Minister's Office.
6. (C) According to a Lebanese Foreign Ministry source,
UNIFIL has opened a coordination office in Tel Aviv and has a
coordination center in northern Israel working with the IDF.
FELTMAN