SWISS VIEWS ON LEBANON, SYRIA, AND HAMAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERN 001947

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA AND EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PTER MOPS SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS VIEWS ON LEBANON, SYRIA, AND HAMAS

REF: SECSTATE 172274

Classified By: Poloff Eric Lundberg, Reasons 1.4 b/d

1.(C) Summary: Switzerland strongly supports the Government
of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and shares our concern over
possible Syrian machinations in Lebanon. The Swiss believe
Syrian officials are genuinely interested in ending their
isolation, even if they are going about it in a completely
counterproductive manner. The Swiss see no substitute for
engaging Syria and Hamas and believe this can be helpful in
sending a tough message. Swiss DFA Special Advisor on the
Middle East Nicolas Lang would welcome the opportunity to
meet with USG officials in Washington to share views on the
current situation -- a visit Embassy believes would be
helpful towards aligning Swiss policy more closely with our
own. End summary.

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Swiss support Siniora
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2.(C) Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Ambassador
Nicolas Lang told Poloff on October 18 that Switzerland was
solidly behind the Siniora government in Beirut. He had also
learned from the Israeli Embassy the previous day about
possible Syrian moves along the lines described in reftel.
Lang said he considered Siniora to be a very reasonable man
and among the most constructive public figures in Lebanon.
Lang observed that Damascus and Hezbollah would make a
serious error in undermining the current government.

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Readout of trip to Damascus: Syria in a bubble
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3.(C) Having recently met in Damascus with Vice President
Shar'a, Foreign Minister Mouallem, and other officials, Lang
observed that Syrian officials were unreceptive to his advice
to offer confidence building measures on Lebanon or relations
with Israel in general. Lang described the Syrians as
"living in a bubble" and subject to "strange ways" in how
they go about what Lang earnestly believes to be a quest for
peace and economic growth. Shar'a, in particular, kept to
the theme that Syria could only negotiate on, say, the
demarcation of its border with Lebanon, as part of a
comprehensive agreement on the Golan Heights and other
remaining disputes. Lang's interpretation was that the Asad
government felt too vulnerable to pursue anything less. On
Syria's alliance with Iran, Shar'a quipped, "when one has one
friend, one is prone to dine with him quite frequently."

4.(C) Lang reiterated his long-held conviction that a
comprehensive peace between Israel and Syria was feasible,
along the lines outlined by Britain and the United States
several years ago. Lang disagreed with the USG's stance that
the Syrian and Hamas governments should be isolated,
insisting that more could be achieved through an engagement
that did not shy away from conveying a tough message. Along
these lines, he mentioned that Ambuehl was considering a
visit to Damascus in the near future. Poloff emphasized the
importance of not allowing Damascus to believe it could
divide the international consensus on Lebanon and the Road
Map to peace in the Middle East.

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Hamas: Hudna, with less pressure?
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5.(C) Regarding Hamas, Lang said he was concerned how Hamas
would react to Palestinian Authority President Abbas'
expected appointment of a technocratic government. Hamas was
"not in touch with reality," Lang agreed, but there were
grounds for some hope, considering the recent Hamas-produced
paper on "hudna" or a cease-fire with Israel. From his
discussions with more "moderate" Hamas officials, Lang drew
the conclusion that a workable relationship with Israel could
develop if Hamas leaders had less pressure from both inside
and outside the Palestinian community. This would depend,
Lang added, on the role Hamas chose to play once Abbas
decided on the next PA government.

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U.S.-Swiss Consulations in Washington?
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6.(C) Reviewing the recent U.S.-Swiss bilateral "Framework"
talks between Ambuehl and EUR Assistant Secretary Dan Fried,
Poloff and Lang observed that one deliverable called for a
Swiss Middle East expert to visit Washington for a

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discussion. Lang said that he would welcome the opportunity
to speak with NEA officials, if there is interest.

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Comment
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7.(C) The Swiss do not agree with efficacy of isolating Syria
or Hamas, but share our view on what each needs to do to
play a constructive role in the region. Unfortunately, our
differing approaches -- illustrated most dramatically by
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey's strident criticism of
the Israeli action in Lebanon last summer -- can contribute
to an unhelpful mixed Western message to the region. Embassy
Bern believes it would be valuable for NEA officials to meet
with Ambassador Lang in an effort to coordinate U.S.-Swiss
approaches to both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the
broader obstructionist behavior of Syria.
CONEWAY