Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIRUT3125
2006-09-27 13:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: CODEL LAHOOD MEETS WITH PM SINIORA
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003125
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: IS LE MARR PREL PTER SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: CODEL LAHOOD MEETS WITH PM SINIORA
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 003125
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: IS LE MARR PREL PTER SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: CODEL LAHOOD MEETS WITH PM SINIORA
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: 1.4 (d)
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Calling on Prime Minister Siniora in the Grand Serail
September 2, CODEL Lahood expressed its support for Lebanon.
Siniora was adamant that the air and sea blockade be lifted
so that attention could be turned to the "major political
flaw" that Hizballah committed. He thanked the USG for its
role in the Stockholm Donors Conference. Turning to Sheba'a
Farms, the PM said an Israeli withdrawal from the area would
be a great investment for Lebanon and Israel. He ended the
discussion with an indirect message to PM Olmert. End
Summary.
SUPPORT
--------------
2. (C) CODEL Lahoud, consisting of Congressmen Ray Lahood,
Charles Boustany and Silvestre Reyes, visited Prime Minister
Siniora in the Grand Serail September 2. Rep. Lahood
expressed to PM Siniora his continued support for Lebanon.
He told Siniora that he very much respects his work and is
committed to the reconstruction of Lebanon. Rep. Lahood and
Rep. Boustany both insisted that they are did not share the
view of Rep. Lantos (who visited Lebanon on August 26) that
the distribution of reconstruction aid should be linked to
conditions on arms smuggling in Lebanon.
AIR AND SEA BLOCKADE
--------------
3. (C) Siniora described Israel's air and sea blockade an
"unacceptable and explosive" matter. Arguing that Israel was
flaunting the will of the international community, he cited
UNSCR 1701 which calls on both Lebanon and the international
community to take steps to lift the blockade. He recounted
the steps that GOL is taking to secure the borders: 7,500
soldiers have been deployed to the south so far; 8,600
soldiers are posted on the eastern and northern borders;
Germany is providing GOL with equipment and assistance to
secure the eastern and northern borders; Italian soldiers, as
part of UNIFIL, have arrived in Lebanon while Spanish and
French soldiers are expected soon.
4. (C) Siniora called on Rep. Lahood to use his contacts and
discussions to stress that the international community must
do its part to lift the blockade. Israel does not have the
authority to act on behalf of the entire international
community, he exclaimed while slapping his leg. He warned
that the situation is escaping his hands and that extremists
can use the effects of the blockade to win sympathy. The
blockade is the top priority and is diverting attention from
the "major political flaw" that Hizballah committed.
UXO AT THE AIRPORT
--------------
5. (C) Ambassador informed Siniora of a report DAO received
that a 2000 pound unexploded bomb was lodged 7 feet under the
middle runway at the airport. When airport authorities could
not remove the unexploded ordinance they poured concrete over
it. Ambassador stressed that if this is the case USG would
not use the airport and would encourage others to boycott the
airport.
6. (C) In an apparent moment of surprise Siniora assured the
Ambassador that this was the first he heard of it and
immediately called the Minister of Public Works Mohammed
Safadi and Director General of Civil Aviation Hamdi Shok.
While on speakerphone both men assured Siniora that all four
unexploded bombs were removed from the airport and destroyed.
(Note: Subsequent contact with Lebanese and French UXO
disposal teams informed us that this is not the case and that
the large bomb remains buried under the runway, though
further studies indicated that it is not considered likely to
explode. End Note.)
STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE
--------------
7. (C) With a genuine smile PM Siniora thanked the USG for
its efforts in making the donor's conference in Stockholm a
success. He acknowledged the empathy and support that was
shown by the international community for Lebanon. He
attributed much of this to Secretary Rice. He called the
Secretary a great supporter and sympathizer for Lebanon. The
SIPDIS
GOL will begin working on producing results with the money
BEIRUT 00003125 002 OF 002
that was pledged. He agreed that the process would be
complicated because of the restrictions placed on the
donations. However, he assured Rep. Lahood that he is
determined to rehabilitate Lebanon in a timely,
cost-effective, and transparent fashion.
SHEBA'A FARMS
--------------
8. (C) Turning his attention to Sheba'a Farms, Siniora
insisted that this is Lebanese territory. Syria has a vested
interest not to sign papers to this effect because it would
affect Syrian negotiations with Israel on Golan Heights and
take away a card Syria uses to interfere in Lebanon. He said
it would be very helpful for Sheba'a Farms to be placed under
UN control until Lebanon and Syria resolve the issue. In
doing so Sheba'a Farms would no longer be occupied by Israel.
9. (C) Israel's presence in Sheba'a Farms only serves as an
excuse for Syria and Iran to justify their intervention in
Lebanese politics. In addition it is the reason Hizballah
will use to remain armed. Siniora called an Israeli
withdrawal from Sheba'a Farms the "least expensive political
and strategic decision with the greatest return" for Lebanon
and Israel.
Israeli Soldiers
--------------
10. (C) When asked about the kidnapped Israeli soldiers,
Siniora stated that he is ready to arrange a deal. He
claimed that in the past he made comments, albeit indirect,
about brokering a deal for the Israeli soldiers but did not
receive a response from Hizballah nor GOI. Siniora is now
minimizing his role because Italy, Germany, Jesse Jackson,
and Kofi Annan have roles in this issue.
Message to PM Olmert
--------------
11. (C) Siniora acknowledged that he couldn't have direct
talks or a unilateral peace with PM Olmert, but asked Rep.
Lahood to deliver a message to Olmert with the "appropriate
filters." Force alone will not solve problems. In 1982
Israel entered Lebanon to destroy the PLO, but only managed
to plant the seeds for Hizballah. Israel is less secure
today. Although Israel destroyed Lebanon in this latest
conflict it is obvious that new areas of Israel are under
threat. Addressing core issues and being firm is the only
way to solve problems. Any progress that is made on
Palestine, "the core issue," will help moderate Arabs have a
greater voice.
12. (C) Siniora advised that Olmert should move quickly to
turn the current situation around or he will be the victim of
his own actions. The blockade in Lebanon must be lifted.
The withdrawal of Israeli troops must be expedited. Sheba'a
Farms, the property of Lebanon, should be under UN control.
Siniora advises that peace is not a principle of meters of
land, instead the boundaries of 1967 must be respected.
13. (U) This cable has not been cleared by the CODEL.
FELTMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2016
TAGS: IS LE MARR PREL PTER SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: CODEL LAHOOD MEETS WITH PM SINIORA
Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: 1.4 (d)
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Calling on Prime Minister Siniora in the Grand Serail
September 2, CODEL Lahood expressed its support for Lebanon.
Siniora was adamant that the air and sea blockade be lifted
so that attention could be turned to the "major political
flaw" that Hizballah committed. He thanked the USG for its
role in the Stockholm Donors Conference. Turning to Sheba'a
Farms, the PM said an Israeli withdrawal from the area would
be a great investment for Lebanon and Israel. He ended the
discussion with an indirect message to PM Olmert. End
Summary.
SUPPORT
--------------
2. (C) CODEL Lahoud, consisting of Congressmen Ray Lahood,
Charles Boustany and Silvestre Reyes, visited Prime Minister
Siniora in the Grand Serail September 2. Rep. Lahood
expressed to PM Siniora his continued support for Lebanon.
He told Siniora that he very much respects his work and is
committed to the reconstruction of Lebanon. Rep. Lahood and
Rep. Boustany both insisted that they are did not share the
view of Rep. Lantos (who visited Lebanon on August 26) that
the distribution of reconstruction aid should be linked to
conditions on arms smuggling in Lebanon.
AIR AND SEA BLOCKADE
--------------
3. (C) Siniora described Israel's air and sea blockade an
"unacceptable and explosive" matter. Arguing that Israel was
flaunting the will of the international community, he cited
UNSCR 1701 which calls on both Lebanon and the international
community to take steps to lift the blockade. He recounted
the steps that GOL is taking to secure the borders: 7,500
soldiers have been deployed to the south so far; 8,600
soldiers are posted on the eastern and northern borders;
Germany is providing GOL with equipment and assistance to
secure the eastern and northern borders; Italian soldiers, as
part of UNIFIL, have arrived in Lebanon while Spanish and
French soldiers are expected soon.
4. (C) Siniora called on Rep. Lahood to use his contacts and
discussions to stress that the international community must
do its part to lift the blockade. Israel does not have the
authority to act on behalf of the entire international
community, he exclaimed while slapping his leg. He warned
that the situation is escaping his hands and that extremists
can use the effects of the blockade to win sympathy. The
blockade is the top priority and is diverting attention from
the "major political flaw" that Hizballah committed.
UXO AT THE AIRPORT
--------------
5. (C) Ambassador informed Siniora of a report DAO received
that a 2000 pound unexploded bomb was lodged 7 feet under the
middle runway at the airport. When airport authorities could
not remove the unexploded ordinance they poured concrete over
it. Ambassador stressed that if this is the case USG would
not use the airport and would encourage others to boycott the
airport.
6. (C) In an apparent moment of surprise Siniora assured the
Ambassador that this was the first he heard of it and
immediately called the Minister of Public Works Mohammed
Safadi and Director General of Civil Aviation Hamdi Shok.
While on speakerphone both men assured Siniora that all four
unexploded bombs were removed from the airport and destroyed.
(Note: Subsequent contact with Lebanese and French UXO
disposal teams informed us that this is not the case and that
the large bomb remains buried under the runway, though
further studies indicated that it is not considered likely to
explode. End Note.)
STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE
--------------
7. (C) With a genuine smile PM Siniora thanked the USG for
its efforts in making the donor's conference in Stockholm a
success. He acknowledged the empathy and support that was
shown by the international community for Lebanon. He
attributed much of this to Secretary Rice. He called the
Secretary a great supporter and sympathizer for Lebanon. The
SIPDIS
GOL will begin working on producing results with the money
BEIRUT 00003125 002 OF 002
that was pledged. He agreed that the process would be
complicated because of the restrictions placed on the
donations. However, he assured Rep. Lahood that he is
determined to rehabilitate Lebanon in a timely,
cost-effective, and transparent fashion.
SHEBA'A FARMS
--------------
8. (C) Turning his attention to Sheba'a Farms, Siniora
insisted that this is Lebanese territory. Syria has a vested
interest not to sign papers to this effect because it would
affect Syrian negotiations with Israel on Golan Heights and
take away a card Syria uses to interfere in Lebanon. He said
it would be very helpful for Sheba'a Farms to be placed under
UN control until Lebanon and Syria resolve the issue. In
doing so Sheba'a Farms would no longer be occupied by Israel.
9. (C) Israel's presence in Sheba'a Farms only serves as an
excuse for Syria and Iran to justify their intervention in
Lebanese politics. In addition it is the reason Hizballah
will use to remain armed. Siniora called an Israeli
withdrawal from Sheba'a Farms the "least expensive political
and strategic decision with the greatest return" for Lebanon
and Israel.
Israeli Soldiers
--------------
10. (C) When asked about the kidnapped Israeli soldiers,
Siniora stated that he is ready to arrange a deal. He
claimed that in the past he made comments, albeit indirect,
about brokering a deal for the Israeli soldiers but did not
receive a response from Hizballah nor GOI. Siniora is now
minimizing his role because Italy, Germany, Jesse Jackson,
and Kofi Annan have roles in this issue.
Message to PM Olmert
--------------
11. (C) Siniora acknowledged that he couldn't have direct
talks or a unilateral peace with PM Olmert, but asked Rep.
Lahood to deliver a message to Olmert with the "appropriate
filters." Force alone will not solve problems. In 1982
Israel entered Lebanon to destroy the PLO, but only managed
to plant the seeds for Hizballah. Israel is less secure
today. Although Israel destroyed Lebanon in this latest
conflict it is obvious that new areas of Israel are under
threat. Addressing core issues and being firm is the only
way to solve problems. Any progress that is made on
Palestine, "the core issue," will help moderate Arabs have a
greater voice.
12. (C) Siniora advised that Olmert should move quickly to
turn the current situation around or he will be the victim of
his own actions. The blockade in Lebanon must be lifted.
The withdrawal of Israeli troops must be expedited. Sheba'a
Farms, the property of Lebanon, should be under UN control.
Siniora advises that peace is not a principle of meters of
land, instead the boundaries of 1967 must be respected.
13. (U) This cable has not been cleared by the CODEL.
FELTMAN