SLOVENIA TO CONTRIBUTE TO LEBANON STABILIZATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000501 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE, IO/PKO, PM/RSAT E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA TO CONTRIBUTE TO LEBANON STABILIZATION FORCE Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Following up on the August 1 GAERC, Pol/Econ Chief met with Matej Marn, MFA Director of European Affairs on August 3. Marn said the GAERC went on for nearly 4 hours and he felt that the outcome was generally positive. He said FM Dimitrij Rupel made four key points on the need to achieve a unified EU position; protect civilians; ensure Lebanese Government control of the entire Lebanese territory; and ensure the security of Israel. Rupel also said that an immediate cease-fire, while preferable in many ways, was simply not a realistic demand at this time. Marn said that it was not finally agreed whether the international force that would go to Lebanon should be a peace-making force or a peace-keeping force, but either way, Slovenia was prepared to contribute. Marn also indicated that it was very important that the force include troops from the region such as Egypt, Turkey and perhaps other Muslim countries, however, the EU saw itself as taking the leadership role. 2.(C) Given that the Western Balkans is Slovenia's primary focus for troop deployment - it is planning to send an additional 600 troops to Kosovo in 2007 - Marn said Slovenia's contribution would necessarily be small. He thought, however, that Slovenia could be helpful in other ways. Marn specifically mentioned the Slovene NGO Together Foundation, which has years of experience from Bosnia to Chechnya in setting up programs to counsel children traumatized by war and other violent events. Marn said that the Slovene-run International Trust Fund for Demining (ITF) was specifically mentioned by Rupel at the GAERC as a resource for clearing mines in the border region between Israel and Lebanon. 3.(C) Marn recognized that Slovenia's financial contribution thus far was small, the smallest of all EU members in fact, but according to the Minister of Finance, there simply was no more money in the bank. Slovenia is preparing for the conversion to the euro in January and is therefore being extremely careful and conservative about government expenditures. 4.(C) Comment: The GOS and FM Rupel have chosen a pragmatic position on Lebanon. It demonstrates Slovenia's continuing evolution to becoming an active and proactive partner on important political and security issues. Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed Slovenia's willingness to contribute troops, funds and other humanitarian assistance before any such requests came from Brussels or Washington. End Comment. ¶5. Minimize Considered. ROBERTSON