LEBANON: CODEL SHAYS MEETS ACTING FM - OR DID THEY?

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001199 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MARCHESE/HARDING E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL SY IS LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: CODEL SHAYS MEETS ACTING FM - OR DID THEY? Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman for Reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During CODEL Shays's brief meeting with Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri, the group discussed the August 6 re-appearance of Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh in his official office and his decision to resume "management" of foreign relations for the first time since submitting his resignation in November 2006,when opposition ministers resigned from the cabinet en masse. Mitri explained that Salloukh wants foreign ministry staff to report to him, but he has no intention of resuming diplomatic or protocol activities. The March 14-led Council of Ministers officially welcomed Salloukh's return. Mitri wonders if this partial return is indeed a positive sign. The brief meeting concluded with Mitri's overview of Lebanese regional relationships. End Summary. Who is the Foreign Minister? -------------- ¶2. (C) Representative Chris Shays (R-CT),the Ambassador, two staffers, and Special Assistant met with Acting FM Mitri on August 7 to discuss Lebanese internal and external political affairs. The Ambassador jokingly asked Mitri if he was still the Acting FM. Mitri confirmed press reports that Foreign Minister Salloukh had indeed returned to the Ministry for a few hours on August 6 for the first time since resigning on November 11, 2006 from PM Siniora's cabinet. Salloukh and other pro-Syrian cabinet members resigned en masse at that time in a move widely seen as intended to cause the Siniora government to fall. Mitri explained that, technically, Salloukh is still the Foreign Minister as his resignation was never accepted by the Prime Minister and the cabinet. While Salloukh and the five other ministers who resigned have been collecting paychecks for their governmental duties, they have effectively been absent for almost nine months. ¶3. (C) The remaining ministers in the Council of Ministers, all March 14 allies, formally welcomed the return of Salloukh to government. However, Mitri noted that Salloukh's return was only partial. Salloukh told the foreign ministry staff that he would be "managing" operations from his private apartment. Salloukh will not resume his full duties and still refuses to perform certain official diplomatic functions. There is no indication that the Salloukh will encourage the President to sign letters of accreditation for Lebanese diplomats who have recently been dispatched to 43 posts around the world with only "Charge d'Affaires ad interim" or similar titles. And there is no indication that Salloukh will encourage the President to accept new accreditations from foreign chiefs of mission proposed to be assigned to Beirut (to the palpable dismay of one American in the room). Mitri said that morale in the foreign ministry was at an all-time low. There is an uneasy and mistrustful atmosphere and many people are saying they don't even want to come to work anymore. Mitri ended this portion of the discussion by informing Rep. Shays that he had indeed spent the majority of his time during the last eight months performing diplomatic duties and very little time on his Minister of Culture portfolio. ¶4. (C) Later, March 14 cabinet member Marwan Hamadeh told Ambassador and DCM that the primary motive for Salloukh's unusual appearance was to assure an ally's assignment to the vacant senior finance and administration post at the Ministry. Hamadeh confirmed that he and his March 14 cabinet allies saw their welcoming Salloukh's return as a way to underscore their role as the legitimate government that should be functioning fully. Relations in the Region -------------- ¶5. (C) At Representative Shay's request, Acting FM Mitri provided an overview of Lebanon's relations with regional neighbors. ¶6. (C) Syria: Mitri called Syria a permanent factor in Lebanon's foreign and domestic policy. He said that the opposition party in Lebanon is controlled by Damascus and that the upcoming presidential elections could be disrupted if Syria feels it does not have a say in the outcome. He said that, although there is no smoking gun, Syria's BEIRUT 00001199 002 OF 002 "nuisance capacity" is obvious given the recent political assassinations of anti-Syrian leaders in Lebanon. According to Mitri, Lebanon's security is endangered by the build-up of armed Palestinian factions in the border area. When asked why the Syrians can't learn to be productive regional partners, Mitri mentioned the complicated historical ties between Lebanon and Syria. However, he emphasized Lebanon's current value as a bargaining chip for Syria. He said that the Syrians always hold out the promise of Lebanese stability in order to gain concessions for themselves in other areas from the international community. ¶7. (C) Turkey, Greece and Cyprus: While Lebanon does not have long-standing intimate ties with Turkey, the relationship began to expand under former PM Hariri's leadership several years ago. In contrast, Lebanon's relationships with Greece and particularly Cyprus have always been close. Mitri, a Greek Orthodox Christian himself, noted the religious and cultural ties between the countries and said that Cyprus, in particular, had always provided the Lebanese people with a safe-have during times of trouble. Lebanon's changing relationship with Turkey raised eyebrows in Greece and Cyprus, but Mitri said that the GOL is trying to convince the parties that it wants to maintain friendly relations with all sides. "We have enough love in our hearts for both of them," said Mitri. ¶8. (C) Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia: Mitri said that Lebanon has excellent relations with these states and praised their support for Lebanon. He began an interesting discussion about the GOL's need for caution in regional affairs, but the meeting was interrupted by the PM's Advisor, who arrived to escort the CODEL to their meeting with the Prime Minister. Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) Mitri did not appear to be distressed or personally offended by Salloukh's semi-return to office. He agreed with the Council of Ministers' decision to welcome Salloukh back, but Mitri wants to see a full and responsible return to the office. He seemed a bit weary and more than ready for some clarity and closure on the issue. End Comment. FELTMAN