LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HE WILL RECONSIDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003232

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HE WILL RECONSIDER
ANTI-U.S. CAMPAIGN; MAINTAINS THAT INFORMATION ON ABDUCTED
ISRAELI SOLDIERS IS UN RESPONSIBILITY

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

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


1. (C/NF) Lebanon's Foreign Minister Salloukh gave mixed
signals on whether he understands the potential cost of the
recent campaign by pro-Hizballah forces to portray the recent
conflict in Lebanon as an American operation. He initially
failed to see the contradiction between issuing specious
charges against the U.S., while at the same time asking it to
lead the international effort to raise funds for the
country's reconstruction. But eventually he admitted that
the propaganda had gone too far. Salloukh similarly feigned
incomprehension of the Ambassador's assertion that the GOL
had an obligation to pressure Hizballah to act in accordance
with international standards on the issue of the kidnapped
Israeli soldiers. Salloukh initially tried to shift all
responsibility to UNSYG Kofi Annan, but then relented and
indicated he would see what could be done regarding whether
the soldiers were still alive. On the still-unresolved
issues of abducted minor AmCit Kelsey Klotz and our
extradition request for the TWA hijackers, the Foreign
Minister fell back on old, static positions. Salloukh did,
however, state he would support an expeditious approval of
the U.S.-Lebanon TIFA agreement. End summary.


2. (C/NF) FM Fawzi Salloukh, fresh from a extended
diplomatic mission to Cuba, New York, Paris, Strasbourg and
Berlin, met with the Ambassador and emboff on October 5 at
the Ministry. Commenting that his trip had been long, but
relatively successful, the Foreign Minister made special
mention of the "excellent and unexpected" Department security
he and President Lahoud had received in New York. He thanked
the Ambassador and said he had sent a letter to the Secretary
to express appreciation and admiration for DS agents in New
York. FM Salloukh also inquired whether the Secretary's
just-completed visit to the region had produced any results
that might affect Lebanon, or even the larger Middle East
Peace Process, but accepted that it was too early to draw any
conclusions.


3. (C/NF) The Ambassador mentioned that the date for the
proposed international donors' conference "Beirut I" was
quickly approaching and expressed his hope that preparations
were being made for a successful meeting. In response to
whether the increasingly fractious political forces would
allow Siniora's pro-reform government to proceed to the
conference with the necessary authority, Salloukh indicated
that the heated political discourse would soon subside, the
speed of which would be contingent on movement on certain
issues: reconstruction, Ghajjar village, and a more
inclusive approach to rule by the pro-reform majority.

RISKING INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
--------------


4. (C/NF) Responding to the Ambassador's concerns that
political rhetoric was hurting confidence in Lebanon, FM
Salloukh said he understood that political tension could play
havoc with Lebanon's economic recovery by driving away
potential investors and keeping those who fled the country
during the war away for extended periods. He said Lebanon
risked losing "perhaps billions" in critically needed
assistance if political immaturity and unrest prevail.
Exhibiting an appreciation of modern news cycles, he admitted
that Lebanon was "one international crisis" away from losing
the attention of the world community. Salloukh stated that
he would do "what he could" to ensure that Lebanon's
delegation to the conference was unified and prepared.


5. (C/NF) The Ambassador called for a cessation of an
orchestrated campaign to vilify the U.S. and its Ambassador
over the recent conflict. FM Salloukh acknowledged that he
and his Shia colleagues had exploited the situation and were
consciously managing the malignant "(This war was)
Made-in-America" media assault. Salloukh stubbornly defended
the campaign by focusing on the still-continuing casualties
from UXO accidents in the south and in Beirut's southern
suburbs.


6. (C/NF) In response, the Ambassador reminded the Foreign
Minister that he was playing a very risky game -- if the
Foreign Minister and his political allies continued their
dogmatic anti-American media effort -- he could not expect

BEIRUT 00003232 002 OF 002


the U.S. to act as if nothing had changed. After several
rhetorical volleys, Salloukh admitted that perhaps the
attacks had gone too far and it was now time to lower their
intensity. He said that he would speak with one of the more
strident newspapers tomorrow and implied that language and
tone would moderate.

FATE OF ABDUCTED ISRAELI SOLDIERS
--------------


7. (C/NF) The Foreign Minister was asked whether he saw any
incongruity in the fact that Hizballah was holding abducted
soldiers from a neighboring country and ignoring all
international standards of treatment, right under the nose of
the Government of Lebanon. He was asked whether this
audacity was not in fact making the government appear weak
and unable to control its territory.


8. (C/NF) FM Salloukh initially rejected all responsibility
for the matter, insisting that UNSYG Kofi Anan "had clearly
taken responsibility" for negotiating the release of the
soldiers. Salloukh even argued that the SYG had admonished
all other parties not to interfere in the process. The
Ambassador countered that surely the Foreign Minister and
several other members of the government could apply pressure
on Hizballah to act with a modicum of decency and at least
provide some "proof of life" to the soldiers' families. He
reminded Salloukh that the Lebanese prisoners in Israel were
not treated in the completely unacceptable manner that
Hizballah was employing.


9. (C/NF) Clearly uncomfortable with the request (and
mindful that his words would definitely be reported back to
Hizballah),the Foreign Minister barely whispered, "I may
make some effort, but I cannot promise anything." Salloukh
continued to insist that the issue was primarily between
Hizballah and the UN, but hinted that he understood the
reasonableness of the request.

TWO POSITIONS THAT NEVER CHANGE...
--------------


10. (C/NF) Salloukh's discomfort continued when he was
confronted with the long-unresolved humanitarian issue of the
abducted minor U.S. citizen Kelsey Klotz, who was illegally
transported to a Hizballah-controlled community more than two
years ago. The Foreign Minister argued that the Internal
Security Forces had been to the reported location of the
abducted child in Baalback, but had found nothing. (Note:
This version conflicts with earlier reports from the ISF, but
perhaps FM Salloukh was speaking without full confidence in
his facts. End note.) Salloukh argued, "I tried my best,
(ISF Commander) General Rifi tried his best-- we do not know
where she is." Salloukh even maintained that Hizballah
doesn't know where the child is and is "surprised" by the
continuous inquiries. But Salloukh acknowledged the
injustice of the situation and promised he would look into
the matter again.


11. (C/NF) The Foreign Minister grew more stubborn when
asked for the status of our ongoing request for extradition
of the four terrorist TWA 847 hijackers. Salloukh retorted,
"where are they now?" implying that one or more of the
terrorists may no longer be in Lebanon. But Salloukh then
undermined his position by stating he had heard one of them
"Marwan" was now stricken with cancer. He then refused to
discuss the matter any further.

...AND ONE THAT DID
--------------


12. (SBU) Concerning the final bilateral issue, the status
of the proposed TIFA, FM Salloukh stated that he fully
understood the economic benefits of increased investment and
trade with the U.S. He saw no reason why this mutually
beneficial agreement could not be concluded expeditiously and
assured the Ambassador it would have his full support in the
Council of Ministers.
FELTMAN