LUXEMBOURG WANTS TO SUPPORT UNIFIL; HOPES TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000448 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2011 TAGS: MARR MOPPS PREL UN LE LU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG WANTS TO SUPPORT UNIFIL; HOPES TO QUANTIFY CONTRIBUTION SOON REF: A. STATE 134133 ¶B. LUXEMBOURG 438 ¶C. STATE 132517 Classified By: CDA Dan Foote; Reasons 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Charge' delivered ref A demarche August 16 to MFA Deputy Political Director Stephan Muller. Muller emphasized Luxembourg's support for UNSC 1701 and FM Asselborn's strong intervention in the EU to help develop acceptable language for the EU statement on Lebanon. Muller mentioned that both FM Asselborn and DefMin Schiltz have both expressed a high level of interest in Luxembourg's involvement in UNIFIL in some capacity, but Luxembourg is currently waiting for clarification from the UN and EU on the expanded mission's mandate, composition, etc. ¶2. (C) Muller explained that the EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC) is meeting on August 16 to discuss options for EU involvement in UNIFIL and in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. He expects this to help clarify possible areas of contribution for Luxembourg, as will the development of the expanded UNIFIL's mandate. Muller remarked that any decision to deploy troops would require approval by Luxembourg's Council of Ministers, which has its next meeting scheduled for August 25. He termed Luxembourg's current position as in the information-collecting phase, and stated that Luxembourg agrees that it is critical to decide and deploy UNIFIL assets as quickly as possible. GOL officials will continue to discuss this in the coming days as they determine the best way to contribute. ¶3. (C) While Muller mentioned that deployment of troops is not outside the realm of possibility, he also reiterated Luxembourg's usual stance of grave concern over the humanitarian situation. He stated that any contribution to UNIFIL would not diminish Luxembourg's current commitments to ISAF in Afghanistan. Comment: While it appears that Luxembourg may be considering a contribution of soldiers (on an understandably small scale),serious discussions within the government must take place before the GOL can present an adequate proposal for supporting UNIFIL. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon will also play a major role in this decision-making process. Post will continue to engage with the GOL in the coming days as this situation develops. End comment. FOOTE