Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIRUT3538
2006-11-03 16:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:  

LEBANON: ORTHODOX BISHOP AUDI CRITICAL OF AOUN,

Tags:  PREL PGOV LE 
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PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHLB #3538/01 3071640
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 031640Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6321
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0455
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003538 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: ORTHODOX BISHOP AUDI CRITICAL OF AOUN,
HIZBALLAH


Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).

SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003538

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: ORTHODOX BISHOP AUDI CRITICAL OF AOUN,
HIZBALLAH


Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).

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


1. (C) The Ambassador met November 3 with the Greek Orthodox
Metropolitan, Bishop Ilias Audi, to request Audi's assistance
in reducing tensions in Lebanon by dissuading his followers
from walking out of the government or taking to the streets.
Bishop Audi shared his view of the situation, said that he
believes Aoun followers will take to the streets if there is
no new government. He expressed fear and loathing for
Hizballah. He said he would talk to his followers about
respecting the democratic process and resisting attempts to
bring down the government. End Summary.

REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador called November 3 on the Greek
Orthodox Metropolitan, Ilias Audi, bishop and head of the
Greek Orthodox Church in Lebanon. The Ambassador conveyed
deep USG concern about tensions in Lebanon, and in particular
the disturbing political rhetoric of Free Patriotic Movement
(FPM) leader General Michel Aoun. If the Berri-sponsored
national consultations do not result in a cabinet expansion,
Aoun seems to have plans to take his followers to the
streets, along with members and supporters of Hizballah. The
Ambassador requested Audi to counsel his followers to show
restraint.

HIZBALLAH NOT LEBANESE AT HEART
--------------


3. (C) Audi referred to reports in the paper that the
previous day's discussion between the Ambassador and Aoun was
"frank" and indicated that he understood that the term
"frank" was used to mean confrontational. Audi then shared
his views on Hizballah. He believes that Hizballah, whether
or not it "won" the war, destroyed Lebanon. He questioned
whether Hizballah is really Lebanese, saying that in
Hizballah-dominated regions there are no Lebanese flags, no
playing of the national anthem, nor any other indication of
Lebanese patriotism. Hizballah does not care whether it
destroys the country. Now Hizballah is seeking to regain its
position after the war, especially as many Lebanese are
blaming Hizballah for the lost summer tourism season and

Lebanon's ever more strained financial situation.


4. (C) Bishop Audi, referring to Hizballah specifically "as
they are now," said that if Hizballah does choose to
overthrow the GOL, "no one can stop them." He believes that
Hizballah Secretary General Nasrallah is more of a partner to
Iranian clerics than a mere adherent, and Hizballah sees
itself as a spiritual extension of Iran. He cited a
Hizballah leader referring to Iran as holding a position for
Lebanon's Shia much as the Vatican is to Catholics. He
further referred to a local Iranian trade fair as filled with
pictures and tapes of Nasrallah. He discounted the notion
that Syria is any more than an intermediary. Nasrallah can
easily reject Syrian demands now, Audi said, claiming that
Syria then calls Iran to ask requests be passed to Nasrallah.

AOUN AND HIZBALLAH USING EACH OTHER
--------------


5. (C) Audi was very impassioned when talking about
Nasrallah's recent interview, saying that he could not bring
himself to listen to it, but only read it the next day. He
said that Nasrallah "lies" and judges everyone. Hizballah
regards the Aoun bloc as a way to reach the necessary
majority -- Shia plus a large percentage of Christians -- and
as providing protective cover outside of the Shiite south.
Aoun in turn sees the alliance with Hizballah as a route to
the presidency, or at least a way to disturb the current
balance of power.


6. (C) Asked to elaborate about Aoun, the Bishop was blunt,
saying that he believes that the only reason that Aoun
returned from exile was to achieve the presidency, and
(hinting at Syrian collusion) that "he must have been sent."
MP Michel Murr told him that if Aoun became president, Aoun
would "take care of everything," including the removal of
Lahoud. Audi believes that Murr told the Patriarch the same
thing. Audi said that Aoun is not a "man of ideals" and not

BEIRUT 00003538 002 OF 002


a leader.

ORTHODOX MINISTERS WALK-OUT?
--------------


7. (C) Of the three Greek Orthodox members of the cabinet,
only Environment Minister Yaacoub Sarraf might decide to
leave if Hizballah and Aoun called for a walk-out. Audi
believes that Sarraf would be inclined to leave, but he said
he told Sarraf that "he hopes they will be together." He
said that Sarraf, while not considering the Siniora
government corrupt, nevertheless believes it is not honest
and might be compromised.

CHARLES RIZK FOR PRESIDENT
--------------


8. (C) Audi asked himself who would make the best president
from among current Lebanese politicians, and answered that he
believed strongly in Charles Rizk, the current Minister of
Justice. He was very positive about Rizk on all counts. In
his view, Rizk had successfully maintained good relations
with virtually all significant political factions in Lebanon,
and "he is not a Syrian." Rizk thus could bridge the
differences, Audi said, lamenting that Maronite Patriarch
Sfeir characteristically will not be explicit about advancing
a presidential candidate.

CRITICISM OF USG "DECLARATIONS"
--------------


9. (C) Audi said that when the USG makes "declarations" it
hurts the situation in Lebanon. It would be better, in his
opinion, if the USG could quietly persuade Aoun that his
actions are destroying his country, and that the USG will not
interfere with democratically-rendered changes in government.

FELTMAN