LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SALLOUKH MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003431 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2016 TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SALLOUKH MEETING WITH NEA DAS DANIN Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Christopher Murray. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh emphasized resolution of the Palestinian situation as the key to peace and stability throughout the region. He also indicated that improving Lebanese relations with Israel depended on Israeli withdrawal from Ghajar, Lebanon gaining control of the Sheba'a Farms area, and the halt of Israeli overflights of Lebanese airspace. Salloukh stressed Lebanon's support for UN Resolution 1701 through the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). He also highlighted cooperation within United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south, and the GOL's efforts in the upcoming Paris donor conference. End Summary. RESOLUTION OF PALESTINIAN SITUATION -------------- ¶2. (C) Visiting NEA DAS Robert Danin, Charge d'Affaires and poloff met October 18 with Foreign Minister Salloukh, who was accompanied by MFA IO director (and Ambassador-designate to Washington) Antoine Chedid. Salloukh emphasized that peace in the region depended on resolution of the Palestinian situation. He stated that the USG must make this its top priority to reduce the tension. He pointed out that "300,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon, and are alienated." He also blamed "weak" leadership in both Israel and the Palestinian Authority for not making "courageous decisions" to further progress. Danin responded that the U.S. was devoting significant effort to working for Middle East peace, as evidenced by Secretary Rice's recent trips to the region. Danin also pointed out that the Palestinian platform was critical, and that the Quartet had laid out the principles for international engagement: renunciation of terrorism, recognition of Israel, and respect for prior agreements, and that this was required before greater U.S. support for the Palestinian Authority could develop. PEACE WITH LEBANON DEPENDS ON ISRAEL -------------- ¶3. (C) Danin inquired about Lebanese positions towards Israel in the aftermath of the summer conflict. Salloukh stated that peace and good relations depended mostly upon Israel's actions. Complete Israeli withdrawal from the Sheba'a Farms and Ghajar areas, submission of all maps detailing areas of cluster bomb attacks, and a cessation to the violation of Lebanon's airspace by the Israeli air force were all necessary for achieving stability between the two countries. SALLOUKH: NO ARMS SMUGGLING ACROSS SYRIA/LEBANON BORDER -------------- ¶4. (C) Danin inquired about the smuggling of arms and rockets across the Syrian-Lebanese border. Salloukh replied that he was "confident" that no smuggling of armaments to Hizballah from the Syrian side of the border was taking place. He did not elaborate on the basis for his belief. Also, he was skeptical of the idea of having UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) forces monitor the Lebanon-Syria border, indicating that UNTSO is a product of the 1949 Armistice Agreement and has no present authority to operate anywhere but the Israel-Lebanon border area. He added that the Armistice agreement should be amended to take into account the 15,000 LAF and 5,000 UNIFIL troops now deployed in the south. PARIS DONOR CONFERENCE OUTLOOK -------------- ¶5. (C) Salloukh noted the upcoming donor conference planned for Paris in January 2007. Salloukh said that the measure of success would be based on the "amount of loans" obtained during the conference. He reported that Lebanese officials planned to make presentations on Lebanon's education, business and social reform agendas. He said Lebanon would emphasize its commitment that money pledged during the conference will be used correctly and not wasted. BEIRUT 00003431 002 OF 002 CURBING ANTI-ISRAEL RESOLUTIONS IN THE UNGA -------------- ¶6. (C) The Charge and Danin noted how recent resolutions presented at the United Nations condemning Israel were unhelpful in furthering the constructive efforts for peace in the region, and only served to discredit the international body. Salloukh avoided commenting on the UN anti-Israel resolutions directly, but countered by stressing his country's support for the USG on other UN issues, such as supporting Guatemala over Venezuela in the bid for a UNSC seat. ¶7. (U) DAS Danin has cleared this message. MURRAY