LEBANON: PLO REPRESENTATIVE IN LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 001284 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017 TAGS: PGOV KPAL PTER KPAO LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: PLO REPRESENTATIVE IN LEBANON Classified By: Charge d'Affairs William Grant for Reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Abbas Zaki, the PLO Representative in Lebanon, told the Charge on 8/21 that he has faith in the GOL's promise to rebuild the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp on its original site. Lebanese politicians, though divided on domestic issues, are united in their desire to help the Palestinian refugees displaced by fighting and that reconstruction will not be delayed by the presidential elections this fall. Expectation management will be key and the GOL, PLO, and UNRWA must show progress during the two years it could take to rebuild. Zaki has drafted a blueprint for further plans to cooperate with the GOL, he hopes to work cooperatively with the Lebanese authorities to secure the camps, and he will continue to push for increased employment rights for Palestinian refugees who reside in Lebanon. Separately, the UNRWA Director for Lebanon expressed concern that the government is considering returning refugees to a location different from the original camp site. End Summary. PLO REPRESENTATION IN LEBANON -------------- ¶2. (C) Charge and Special Assistant met 8/21 with Abbas Zaki, the Palestinian Liberation Organization representative in Lebanon, in his office. The PLO Executive Committee opened an official office in May 2006 and they hope to have permission from the GOL to open a full-fledged embassy in the near future. Zaki arrived in Beirut in 2005 and began working with GOL representatives to establish the office and to develop a blueprint for an agreement to improve conditions for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. NAHR AL-BARID: ZAKI BELIEVES GOL'S PROMISE TO REBUILD -------------- ¶3. (C) Discussing the Nahr al-Barid battle, Zaki said that, at the beginning of the conflict, the PLO was able to "control" the Fatah al-Islam (FAI) militants inside the camp. He said he had developed plans to use other individuals within the camp to neutralize the FAI problem, but was told by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to hold off on any action. Once the fighting broke out, Zaki originally asked the LAF for a cease-fire but was able only to achieve a "period of calm" to evacuate civilians from the camps. Zaki said he has played a useful role for the GOL in recent months. The PLO has not allowed the violence to spread to other camps in the country and also is performing security and background checks on any individuals trying to enter the camps via Syria. ¶4. (C) Turning to humanitarian concerns, Zaki admitted that the PLO and the GOL must work together to provide humanitarian assistance for the refugees. He said that the Saudi government has donated USD 12 million and emergency checks have been issued to the affected families for the amount of USD 1,333. Zaki stressed the need for an international donor campaign to help these "victims of terrorism." He has met with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, who agreed to provide assistance. Zaki also worried about the public relations aspect of UNRWA's plans to issue checks for USD 5,000 to the refugee families. Last year, Hizballah issued checks for USD 12,000 to families who had lost their homes during the Israeli conflict. Zaki implied that hearts and minds will be lost when UNRWA only comes up with less than half of that amount. Zaki also mentioned that Hamas would become more heavily involved with humanitarian relief efforts. Iran has provided funding for Hamas-run food kitchens and they may shortly be distributing USD 2,000 relief checks to affected families. Zaki warned that Hizballah and Iran are spreading rumors that "FAI gave the LAF an excuse to destroy the camp in order to make way for a U.S. military base." He wants to make sure refugees are not swayed by extremists simply because those organizations are the ones able to offer the most humanitarian aid. MUST REBUILD IN THE SAME PLACE -------------- ¶5. (C) Charge asked Zaki's views about rebuilding Nahr al-Barid on the exact site of the destroyed camp. "Yes. We BEIRUT 00001284 002 OF 003 must. This is a test", he replied. He admitted that it will likely be a two year process, given the need to clear mines, boobytraps and rubble. According to Zaki, the key will be managing expectations and being honest with the people. The PLO, the GOL and UNRWA must be seen as making continuous progress in order to reassure families that they will be able to return to their homes. In the meantime, he mentioned that two plots of land had been identified near Nahr al-Barid and the Bedawi camp to act as sites for temporary shelters. ¶6. (C) Zaki said he had no problem with the GOL's plans that Lebanese security forces will provide the internal security for the newly rebuilt Nahr al-Barid. Before the battle, the PLO provided internal security at Nahr al-Barid and they still provide it at the eleven other refugee camps in Lebanon. Zake said that, in fact, the GOL had not shown a desire to go into the other camps to pursue known criminals and this has created difficult living conditions form the residents. In general, he feels that weapons outside of the camps should be eliminated and weapons inside the camps should be "organized." ¶7. (C) Zaki is confident that Nahr al-Barid will be rebuilt regardless of the outcome of this fall's presidential elections. He said that he has excellent working relationships with both March 8th and March 14th political leaders. He can always get an appointment to see political figures when he needs to discuss important issues and he feels that internal political disputes will not overshadow the real humanitarian crisis. LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE: PLO PROMISES TO COOPERATE WITH THE GOL -------------- ¶8. (C) Zaki spent some time outlining elements of the agreement he originally proposed to the GOL in 2006. The PLO, he said: - wants to put the past behind them, moving beyond old wounds to focus on future achievements; - promises not to interfere with the internal politics of the GOL; - promises to follow the rule of law; - pledges that refugee camps will not be used as safehavens for criminals; - wishes to play a role in the organization of their own security; - would like to expand economic and cultural opportunities for Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon; and - will advocate for the civil rights of the refugees, e.g., access to water, power and telecommunications infrastructure ¶9. (C) Zaki said that he had made great headway on these issues with Lebanese political leaders from all parties. Former skeptics acknowledged the need for change and pledged to work cooperatively with Zaki. However, his efforts were set back when the July 2006 war broke out with Israel. The PLO office had only been open for one month and Zaki felt the Palestinians lost traction in their negotiations as a result of the conflict. LONG-TERM ISSUES FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN LEBANON -------------- ¶10. (C) Zaki said that his primary goal is to provide a "civil life" for his people. He said he has personally told Hizballah SYG Nasrallah that Hizballah should not use the Palestinian plight as a weapon in its fight with the GOL. However, Zaki did state that the laws governing Palestinians in Lebanon are unfair compared to those in Syria and Jordan. He wants the international community to remember that Lebanon is a special case. ¶11. (C) In terms of security, he wants to work with the GOL to create a Palestinian unit within the LAF, under LAF control and under the supervision of the LAF's Chief of Staff. This unit of Palestinians could work in partnership with the LAF to maintain security inside the camps. Zaki also reported progress on other issues. The GOL has recognized Palestinian passports and Zaki has been able to issue forms of ID to a number of resident Palestinians who were not granted historical refugee status. Zaki has paid particular attention to judicial issues and has worked to ensure swift and fair trials for Palestinians accused of BEIRUT 00001284 003 OF 003 crimes in Lebanon. He said once the trials were heard in open court, evidence was often found to be insufficient and the suspects were released. His main goal now is to focus on the Palestinians' right to work. He believes increased employment opportunities will solve many of the economic problems facing the refugees. GOVERNMENT CHANGING ITS PLANS ON RESETTLEMENT LOCATION? -------------- ¶12. (C) In a separate conversation, UNRWA Director for Lebanon Richard Cook called Charge to express concern about an apparent turn in the government's plans for post-conflict resettlement. Cook said that in a meeting on 8/21, PM Siniora had favored rebuilding Nahr al-Barid at a new, nearby location because of problems with disputed land titles at the original location. Cook is concerned that the refugees and PLO leaders will balk at rebuilding anywhere but the original site and will accuse UNRWA of betraying them. He said he had raised his concerns at the meeting and that Siniora became agitated and said he would contact the UNRWA Commissioner General. COMMENT -------------- ¶13. (C) Zaki certainly painted a rosy and cooperative picture. However, it is likely that this issue will be politicized in the future. When the dust settles and the press displays the utter destruction of the camp, critics of the government may criticize the LAF loss of life, the overwhelming force the LAF used against the FAI, and damage to the civilian communities surrounding the camps. The GOL's reconstruction record is mixed, as many Lebanese families are still homeless one year after the cessation of the conflict with Israel. Zaki may be over-optimistic about the challenges involved in reconstruction at Nahr al-Barid. End Comment. GRANT