MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE RECOMMENCES WITH

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000772 SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH PARIS FOR ZEYA LONDON FOR TSOU SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KISL KPAL KDEM LE PTER SUBJECT: MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE RECOMMENCES WITH JUMBLATT AT THE TABLE ¶1. (SBU) Lebanon's national dialogue resumed the morning of March 13, with the main discussion on Lebanese-Syrian relations. According to MP Boutros Harb, the atmosphere at the meeting was good. He said, "The simple fact that we are going to meet again this afternoon is a positive development." Harb said that the conferees agreed on the principle of establishing diplomatic relation through the creations of embassies in the two capitals. Harb also said that the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council would be dismantled. The attendees decided that the council had symbolized the era of Syrian hegemony over Lebanon. In the mutual security discussions, Hassan Nasrallah raised an old slogan that the "security of Lebanon depends on the security of Syria and vice versa." Harb objected to this formulation as outdated. He warned that Nasrallah's phrase could allow Syria to use it as a pretext in the future to compromise Lebanese security interests. In the end, the body adopted the Taif agreement formulation, which stipulates that Lebanon, "should not allow itself to become a means of access or a base for any force, state, or organization seeking to undermine the security of Lebanon or Syria. Syria, which seeks Lebanon's security, independence, unity and internal harmony among its citizens, should not permit any act that poses a threat to Lebanon's security, independence, and sovereignty." ¶2. (SBU) MP Elie Skaff told us that things are moving along well in the talks. He said that there was strong opposition from Jumblatt, Ja'ja' and Hariri to discuss possible relations with the Syrian regime. However, Skaff added his own thought that because of geography, Lebanon must have good relations with Syria. He also confirmed the agreement reached on the need to establish diplomatic relations with Syria. Skaff said the controversial issue of the Shebaa farms has been postponed to the March 13 evening session. MURRAY