TFLE01: LEBANESE IN SIERRA LEONE APPEAL TO U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000603 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CASC ASEC MOPS SL LE IS SUBJECT: TFLE01: LEBANESE IN SIERRA LEONE APPEAL TO U.S. FOR STOP TO ISRAELI ATTACKS ¶1. SUMMARY: On July 25, five representatives from the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone met with the Ambassador and PolOff to present a letter asking for strong U.S. action to broker a ceasefire with Israel. The President of the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone said that the bombings are out of proportion to Hizballah's crime of kidnapping two Israeli soldiers and that women and children are needlessly suffering. He added that many of the Lebanese community's family members have been trapped in Lebanon and that the Sierra Leone Government has been of little help. Earlier, he gave a press conference at which his distanced the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone from Hizballah. Despite the issue being prominent in the news, neither the Government of Sierra Leone nor the non-Lebanese public has reacted. The Lebanese community, however, is distraught. END SUMMARY. ¶2. On July 25, five representatives from the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone met with the Ambassador and PolOff to speak out against Israel's "indiscriminate" bombings of Lebanon. They presented a letter (text in paragraph 7) and appealed for the U.S. to stop "dragging its feet" in calling for a cease fire. ¶3. Samir Hassanyah, the President of the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone, said that the group was calling on the Ambassador to formally read the letter of protest against Israel's actions and to ask for immediate intervention of the U.S. to reach a cease fire with Israel. The bombings, Hassanyeh said, are out of proportion to Hizballah's crime of kidnapping two Israeli soldiers. Hassanyeh said that the Lebanese community is looking to the international community, particularly the Americans, to mediate a fair peace in the Middle East to ensure that everyone -- including Israel -- enjoys an equitable solution. ¶4. Hassanyeh added that many of the Lebanese community's family members have been trapped in Lebanon and that the Sierra Leone Government has been of little help. Hisham Mackie (Sierra Leone's largest exporter of rough diamonds) added that his wife and children, who had been stuck in Lebanon, just escaped overland to Jordan. Mustafa Abu-Tarraf said that he is particularly concerned about the reports of Israel's possible use of chemical weapons against civilians. ¶5. The Ambassador offered his sympathy for members of the Lebanese community, especially those with family members who are trapped in Lebanon and reiterated U.S. support for the Government of Lebanon. He described U.S. efforts to address the emerging humanitarian situation and Secretary Rice's efforts to help establish conditions for a cease fire. Problems such as the Lebanese army's inability to deploy throughout the country and the use of Hizballah as a proxy by Syria and Iran both undermine Lebanon's fragile government, he said. The Ambassador added that he would bring the concerns of the Lebanese delegation to Washington's attention. ¶6. COMMENT: The Lebanese community in Sierra Leone is small but influential. The Lebanese dominate the country's primary export industry (diamonds) and own most of the restaurants, grocery stores, and businesses that well-to-do Sierra Leoneans and the expatriate community patronize. Although most Lebanese families have lived in Sierra Leone for generations, it is extremely difficult for them to obtain Sierra Leonean citizenship, so retaining close ties to Lebanon is the norm. The Lebanese have always enjoyed friendly relations with the U.S. Embassy and some Sierra Leone Lebanese hold U.S. passports. The appeal to the Ambassador was cordial, but it was clear that the representatives hold strong feelings about the events in Lebanon. There are reportedly 600 Sierra Leoneans (of African and Lebanese extraction) trapped in Lebanon, with an ineffectual consulate unable to protect its citizens from the violence. Although Lebanon has been prominent in the news, neither the Government of Sierra Leone nor the general public have reacted. The Lebanese community, however, is distraught. At various events this week neither the acting Head of State (Vice President) nor the acting Foreign Minister raised Lebanon with the Ambassador. Hassanyeh earlier sent a letter to the UN ERSG (Executive Representative of the Secretary General) asking for Secretary General Annan to seek a ceasefire, but got no response since the ERSG is out of the country. He also gave a press conference at which he distanced the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone from Hizballah. In our private conversations with Lebanese, their comments have ranged from criticism of Hizballah and Israel (mainly from Druze Christians) to belief (mainly from Muslims) that the U.S. could force Israel to cease fire. We have had several calls from Lebanese FREETOWN 00000603 002 OF 002 concerned about evacuating family members vacationing in Lebanon, especially from cases where some (but not all) family members are dual AmCits. We have referred those to the Embassy in Beirut. END COMMENT. ¶7. BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER From The Office of the President of the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone 25 July 2006 Your Excellency, The destruction of the infrastructure of Lebanon, the indiscriminate killings of innocent people, and the constant bombings of civilian areas has been condemned worldwide, and we are sure that Your Excellency has witnessed through the media the vast tragedy that is taking place in our country. The retaliation of Israel over the kidnapping by Hisbollah (sic) of two of their soldiers is way out of proportion, and this has been emphasized by United Nations agencies and other Humanitarian Groups worldwide. Your Excellency, hundreds of innocent children and women have been massacred by the Israeli bombings, and yet the super powers, and particularly the United States of America are seen to be dragging their feet to implement a cease fire between Lebanon and Israel. As representatives of the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone, we are asking through your Excellency that the United States in collaboration with other major powers play a more vital role to ensure not only that a cease fire is implemented, but a justified solution to the conflict be put in place. Finally Your Excellency we wish to assure you that the friendly and cordial relationship between our Community and your Embassy is appreciated. Yours sincerely For the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone Samir Hassanyeh President END TEXT OF LETTER HULL