Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT1205
2006-08-08 12:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
TFLE01: OMANI FM ASSESSES BEIRUT AL MINISTERIAL
how-tonull Daniele A Schoenauer 08/09/2006 08:03:41 AM From DB/Inbox: Daniele A Schoenauer Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 01205 SIPDIS MUSCATCX: ACTION: POLE INFO: DAO PAO DCM AMB POLM OMC DISSEMINATION: POLE CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:GGRAPPO DRAFTED: POLE:BMGRIMM CLEARED: NONE VZCZCATI832 PP RUEHC RUEHEE RUEHTV RUEAIIA RHEHNSC RHMFISS DE RUEHMS #1205 2201233 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081233Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6998 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0155 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001205
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: OMANI FM ASSESSES BEIRUT AL MINISTERIAL
Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001205
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: OMANI FM ASSESSES BEIRUT AL MINISTERIAL
Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On August 8, the Ambassador spoke with Minister
Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi regarding the
August 7 Arab League meeting in Beirut. As expected, bin
Alawi affirmed the Arab League's unanimous support for the
Lebanese government, including full support for Prime
Minister Siniora's seven-point plan, which enjoys the full
support of the Lebanese cabinet. He cautioned that any
departure from this plan would inevitably result in the
government's dissolution. Bin Alawi commented that both the
Emirati and Qatari foreign ministers and AL Secretary General
Amr Moussa are en route to New York to advocate for the
seven-point plan's inclusion in the proposed UNSC resolution.
2. (C) Bin Alawi stressed that any proposed cease-fire must
also include the immediate withdraw of Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) from Lebanese territory. He noted that there was no
support from within the Lebanese government for any
resolution that did not call for the IDF's immediate
withdraw. Bin Alawi cautioned that any attempt to support
the IDF's continued presence in Lebanon would be viewed as
"acquiescing to occupation," which would lead to the
government's collapse. He further remarked that even
permitting the IDF to remain in Lebanon until the arrival of
an international stabilization force was a non-starter, since
it would likely provoke Hezballah attacks and undermine any
negotiated cease-fire. Bin Alawi stated that the Lebanese
government was readying 15,000 of its soldiers to move into
the south to take over IDF positions in Lebanon.
3. (C) Bin Alawi interpreted the term "disarming Hezballah"
as having "many meanings." He noted that disarming Hezballah
forces from south of the Litani River to the Blue Line would
be acceptable, but did not believe that Hezballah was ready
to disarm completely. Bin Alawi also noted that the Shebba
Farms dispute would have to be a part of any comprehensive
settlement plan, and that turning it over to the UN for
ultimate disposition among the parties would be the best
course of action.
4. (C) Comment. The Omani government and the Arab League
remain committed to ensuring that the Lebanese government
doesn't fall and ending the fighting. To this end, bin Alawi
is hopeful that the UNSC will favorably consider including
Siniora's seven-point plan in the proposed cease-fire. His
comments also reflect the Ministry's view that Hezballah will
remain a significant player in the region, regardless of the
immediate outcome of the conflict, until more time can be
spent on addressing the conflict's root causes.
GRAPPO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: OMANI FM ASSESSES BEIRUT AL MINISTERIAL
Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On August 8, the Ambassador spoke with Minister
Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi regarding the
August 7 Arab League meeting in Beirut. As expected, bin
Alawi affirmed the Arab League's unanimous support for the
Lebanese government, including full support for Prime
Minister Siniora's seven-point plan, which enjoys the full
support of the Lebanese cabinet. He cautioned that any
departure from this plan would inevitably result in the
government's dissolution. Bin Alawi commented that both the
Emirati and Qatari foreign ministers and AL Secretary General
Amr Moussa are en route to New York to advocate for the
seven-point plan's inclusion in the proposed UNSC resolution.
2. (C) Bin Alawi stressed that any proposed cease-fire must
also include the immediate withdraw of Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) from Lebanese territory. He noted that there was no
support from within the Lebanese government for any
resolution that did not call for the IDF's immediate
withdraw. Bin Alawi cautioned that any attempt to support
the IDF's continued presence in Lebanon would be viewed as
"acquiescing to occupation," which would lead to the
government's collapse. He further remarked that even
permitting the IDF to remain in Lebanon until the arrival of
an international stabilization force was a non-starter, since
it would likely provoke Hezballah attacks and undermine any
negotiated cease-fire. Bin Alawi stated that the Lebanese
government was readying 15,000 of its soldiers to move into
the south to take over IDF positions in Lebanon.
3. (C) Bin Alawi interpreted the term "disarming Hezballah"
as having "many meanings." He noted that disarming Hezballah
forces from south of the Litani River to the Blue Line would
be acceptable, but did not believe that Hezballah was ready
to disarm completely. Bin Alawi also noted that the Shebba
Farms dispute would have to be a part of any comprehensive
settlement plan, and that turning it over to the UN for
ultimate disposition among the parties would be the best
course of action.
4. (C) Comment. The Omani government and the Arab League
remain committed to ensuring that the Lebanese government
doesn't fall and ending the fighting. To this end, bin Alawi
is hopeful that the UNSC will favorably consider including
Siniora's seven-point plan in the proposed cease-fire. His
comments also reflect the Ministry's view that Hezballah will
remain a significant player in the region, regardless of the
immediate outcome of the conflict, until more time can be
spent on addressing the conflict's root causes.
GRAPPO