LEBANON: PROMINENT SUNNI MODERATE SEES COMPROMISE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003648

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: PROMINENT SUNNI MODERATE SEES COMPROMISE
OPTIONS


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

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


1. (C) A respected Sunni moderate, Tamam Salam, says that
the Christian/Hizballah alliance is no bad thing for
confessionally riven Lebanon, and he indicated that Syria is
the major problem in the current political crisis. He both
defended and criticized Hizballah. Openly sharing his views,
both positive and negative, of key players in Lebanon, he
sees the immediate future as "uneasy." End Summary.

DON'T CALL HIZBALLAH TERRORISTS
--------------


2. (C) Tamam Salam, the scion of one of Lebanon's most
distinguished Sunni families, met with the Ambassador and
emboff on November 15 to exchange views. Jumping right into
the conversation with a caution to the USG, Salam said that
the U.S. cannot go on labeling Hizballah as terrorists. He
criticized the Secretary's speech in Saudi Arabia, saying
that if Israel cannot take out Hizballah, how could the
much-weaker Lebanese Armed Forces? As he definitively linked
regional changes to changes in Lebanon, Salam said that the
U.S. image in Lebanon was very badly damaged during the first
weeks of the war. Improvement might come with the cessation
of the Israeli overflights, and some movement on the issue of
Sheb'a Farms.


3. (C) Salam argued that that the Aoun/Hizballah alliance is
a good thing, and serves to de-confessionalizes the
situation. The Sunni/Shiite divide is greater than
Muslim/Christian differences, although he pointed out that
outside Lebanon groups like Hizballah and Hamas are viewed
first as warriors with a common goal -- Israel -- and not as
different Muslim sects. Although he stated that Hizballah
"understands its limits" and does not want to take over, he
later added that Hizballah wants to bring the government
down, "even by lynching."

SYRIAN PARANOIA WILL HURT EVERYONE
--------------


4. (C) Syria is the biggest problem, according to Salam.
Syria wants Lebanon to fail completely in their own absence,
something that Iran does not necessarily want, but will
allow. Pointing out that the Syrian "vendetta" was not
obvious in previous years when he met with SARG President
Asad, he cited an Arabic proverb to the effect that there are
none so bitter as Syrians toward their friends. He pointed
out that recently, Syria has been spending money in Lebanon,
to buy allies and influence, as opposed to taking it out, the
practice followed during Syria's occupation. Charles Ayyoub,
the editor of the pro-Syrian sensationalist paper, Ad-Diyar,
is on their payroll, he said. Salam scoffed at the Ad-Diyar
report that morning claiming that 50,000 U.S. troops would be
moved from Iraq to pro-March 14 areas of Lebanon to keep
control.


5. (C) Salam provided a list of Syria's grievances. Syria is
claiming that Saudi Arabia is trying to squeeze it
financially. Syria opposes the international tribunal on the
Hariri assassination. All of Syria's actions since Rafiq
Hariri's murder have appeared to be an admission of guilt.
But in addition, Syria does not want to cede its influence in
Lebanon to anyone. Painting a picture of Syrian paranoia, he
said that Syria doesn't trust Nasrallah either. Salam
pointed out that King Abdullah personally told him that he
had given Asad a way out of the Hariri assassination
accusations, but Asad didn't take it, probably because he was
pressured by Asad family connections.

GRADING THE PLAYERS
--------------


6. (C) Willing to share a bit of gossip, Salam said that
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh is working miracles, and
added that Finance Minister Jihad Azour is also doing a good
job. He said that both are holding back those who want to
take advantage of the crisis, and have a lot of credibility.
He also admires PM Siniora and Speaker Berri, saying that
they are both trying to do something good. Berri is clever
and resilient, and the recent trip to Iran will give him
street credibility.

BEIRUT 00003648 002 OF 002




7. (C) Less happy with Saad Hariri (who, of course, is the
political head of the Sunni family that greatly eclipsed the
Salam family's political fortunes),he pointed out that
Hariri's attitude of, "if you are not with us, you are
against us" was unlike what his father would have done.
Salam said that Hariri treats politics like business deals,
and his supporters are "bad."

COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) Salam was curiously detached and dispassionate when
talking about the immediate future of Lebanon. He referred
to the present crisis as "an uneasy time," surely an
understatement. He refers to Hizballah as though it were an
errant child. Although Salam said that moderates are not
being heard or accepted, he did not offer any possible
solutions. End comment.

FELTMAN