LEBANON: GENERAL SLEIMAN ASKS ASD RODMAN FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 003721

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MOPS LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GENERAL SLEIMAN ASKS ASD RODMAN FOR
SUPPORT

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

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


1. (C) An interagency delegation led by ASD Rodman met with
LAF Commander Michel Sleiman and pledged USG support for
Lebanon and the LAF. Sleiman assured the visiting delegation
of the LAF's commitment to democracy, human rights, and the
fight against terrorism. Sleiman pointed out the difficult
missions the LAF had recently undertaken, as well as its need
for training, communications and transport equipment, and new
weapons systems. Finally, Sleiman gave a positive report on
the LAF's deployment to and surveillance of Lebanon's border
areas and relations with UNIFIL. End Summary.

SUPPORT FOR THE LAF
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2. (SBU) Assistant Secretary of Defense Rodman called on
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Michel Sleiman
on November 9. Accompanying Rodman was an interagency
delegation representing the Office of the Secretary of
Defense, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, CENTCOM, as
well as the Ambassador and representatives from Embassy
Beirut. Rodman noted that he had just participated with
Minister of Defense Murr in a ceremony to sign several
Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) for equipment needed
by the LAF. Rodman assured Sleiman that USG security
assistance is moving urgently through the pipeline. Lebanon
is a priority; there is wide support in the United States and
in the USG to help the people of Lebanon defend their
sovereignty.


3. (SBU) Sleiman thanked Rodman and assured him that the LAF
has "human values." Despite the fact that the force is small
and has complicated problems, the LAF adheres to the values
of democracy, human rights and freedom just as it combats
terrorism and fanaticism. Rodman noted that in Lebanese
opinion polls, the Lebanese overwhelmingly support their
army, and the Ambassador added that the Lebanese also support
international assistance for their army as well. Rodman
pledged the USG would do all it could to line up additional
international support for the LAF.


4. (SBU) Sleiman thanked Rodman for the USG support and noted
that the LAF is beginning to improve its cooperation with the
international community. There are new arrangements in place
for training and technical support, and the force is primed
for an infusion of USG and third-country security assistance.


5. (C) In addition, he noted, the LAF is taking
responsibility for three difficult areas: 1) defending and
establishing Lebanese sovereignty in the south; 2) monitoring
and preventing smuggling on the Syrian border, on the coast,
and internally; and 3) internal security in the context of
the tense political climate. In addition to these "heavy
responsibilities" the LAF has missions like any other
military. However, the force needs weapons, vehicles, boats
and other tools for mobility.


6. (C) Rodman cited the Central Command evaluation of the LAF
which had recorded qualitative improvements and increased
jointness, and suggested the USG may be able to provide
advice and improve the LAF's effectiveness. Sleiman
described the current year as "critical" for the LAF, citing
the upcoming presidential election and the implementation of
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which requires the LAF
to assert control over all areas of Lebanon. If the LAF
acquires more strength and training, he said, it can occupy
all areas of the country.

EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
--------------


7. (SBU) Sleiman began to describe the LAF's needs for the
USG delegation. The principal LAF needs are transportation
and general equipment for the anti-smuggling mission; radar
and other equipment for observation of the border; and
ammunition and spare parts for much of its existing weaponry
including the M113 armored personnel carrier.


8. (C) In terms of new capabilities, Sleiman said the LAF

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needs helicopters, in particular twin-engine helicopters
qualified for operations over water, to assert control over
its territory and control smuggling. The LAF currently has
no capability to operate over water safely or provide heavy
lift in mountain areas. This became clear when the GOL had
to request a firefighting helicopter from Cyprus to counter a
forest fire in 2005. In the same year, facing an Islamist
terror cell in a mountainous area, the LAF was forced to
deploy troops using UH-1 helicopters which were vulnerable to
ground fire.


9. (C) Sleiman also named helmets and body armor, HMMWV
vehicles, communications equipment, AT-4 unguided rockets,
anti-aircraft guns such as the Vulcan system, and wheeled
armored vehicles. Sleiman noted that the LAF's entire budget
is consumed by salaries and basic maintenance, including
facilities maintenance, and that there is no budget for
procurement of new systems or capabilities. Finally, Sleiman
appealed for help setting up training centers.

TRAINING
--------------


10. (C) Sleiman identified the principal constraint
inhibiting LAF training currently: the fact that the force is
fully deployed and occupied with its current mission. There
are no reserve units left, he pointed out, which could
participate in large training programs. However, the force
is expanding and hopefully can focus more on training in a
short while.


11. (SBU) The LAF prefers training with the US military,
Sleiman said, as opposed to training with third parties such
as regional militaries, and is hoping that the USG can design
a training program tailored for its needs specifically, as it
had done for Jordan. The LAF officer corps is very
well-educated and adaptable, he asserted, and Office of
Defense Cooperation Director LTC Aaron Oglesbee pointed out
that LAF officers consistently score high in US military
training programs.


12. (SBU) Senior Counselor for Coalition Affairs Debra Cagan
said that the USG would like to offer a full training program
to the LAF but that all its trainers are occupied in Iraq.
On the other hand, a program could be arranged with a third
country, and Cagan asked Sleiman which partners could best
assist Lebanon within its practical and political
constraints. Sleiman was not prepared to give a direct
answer, but noted that the Jordanian Armed Forces were
already providing training in Lebanon. Sleiman promised to
get back to the delegation via the Embassy with suggestions.
He added that the LAF needs training on type for new
equipment more than general training.

BORDER SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL
--------------


13. (C) Defense Attache LTC Kotlow noted that he had
discussed with Sleiman border surveillance equipment to free
up LAF troops which were stretched thin in their new
deployment. Sleiman said the LAF has 10,000 soldiers
deployed around Lebanon's borders.


14. (SBU) Rodman asked whether Sleiman was satisfied with the
LAF's control of south Lebanon, and Sleiman replied in the
affirmative. There have been no violations of 1701, he
claimed, no arms trafficking, and good relations with the UN
Interim Force for Lebanon (UNIFIL).


15. (SBU) Rodman noted that the USG is providing quiet
logistical support to UNIFIL and coordinating with France and
Italy on their mission with UNIFIL. He asked Sleiman if
UNIFIL has the right Rules of Engagement (ROE). Sleiman
replied in the affirmative, noting that UNIFIL has the right
to defend its soldiers and resolve issues. He hinted,
however, that the UNIFIL mission is evolving and that new
challenges are likely to emerge.


16. (U) This message has been cleared by ASD Rodman.
FELTMAN