PRESSING UN ON LEBANESE TRIBUNAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000920 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV LE SY SUBJECT: PRESSING UN ON LEBANESE TRIBUNAL REF: A. WOLFF/FELTMAN TELECON 5/2 ¶B. USUN 891 Classified By: Amb. Alex Wolff for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a May 2 meeting with Nicolas Michel, the UN's Under Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Ambassador Wolff requested an update on the UN's efforts to draft a treaty to establish a tribunal to try any suspects in the murder of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Ambassador Wolff emphasized that this issue is a priority for the United States and others, and urged Michel to take steps to demonstrate movement. ¶2. (C) Michel said he was looking to wrap up the draft in the next 2 1/2 weeks, and plans to have two ICTY judges review the treaty this month. He said he is planning to travel to Lebanon the first week of June to consult formally with the Lebanese and has an open invitation for Lebanon's judges to consult with him at the UN. Michel shared his view that it would be inappropriate to establish the tribunal before UNIIIC Commissioner Serge Brammertz had developed his case, noting that a premature start could prove embarrassing if no prosecution was imminent and would run up costs. ¶3. (C) Ambassador Wolff observed that in the circumstance an open invitation may not be sufficiently specific. It is important before the Lebanese public and regional and international audiences to demonstrate that the UN is seen to be actively committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice. He urged Michel to stay focused on the matter and to find ways to demonstrate continued progress, including moving up his scheduled visit to Lebanon. BOLTON