LEBANON: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISITS WITH PRIME

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIRUT 001336

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISITS WITH PRIME
MINISTER SINIORA

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman for Reasons: Section 1.4
(b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (S) Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander United States
Central Command met with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora
on 8/29 in Beirut, Lebanon. During this introductory
meeting, ADM Fallon and PM Siniora discussed recent
fighting against terrorists in the Nahr Al Bared refugee
camp, Palestinian issues, the role of Syria and Iran in
Lebanon, as well as the role of USG military assistance for
the Lebanese Armed Forces. Primary conclusions from the
meeting are that Presidential elections in Lebanon are the
most important issue facing the country and that the USG
will not trade away Lebanese sovereignty. End summary.


WELCOME TO BEIRUT
YOU'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG
--------------


2. (S) PM Siniora warmly welcomed Admiral Fallon and
Ambassador Feltman to his office in the Grand Serail,
opening his remarks with comments of appreciation and thanks
for USG assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF),especially during the recent period encompassing the
Nahr Al Bared campaign. Siniora, in a reference to the
level of US military assistance in the early 1980s, told AMB
Fallon that his visit was important because "you have
been gone so long." ADM Fallon is the first four-star flag
officer to visit Lebanon since the Commandant of the Marine
Corps visited after the bombing of the Marine Barracks in

1983.


3. (S) ADM Fallon delighted his interlocutors with stories of
his time as a Midshipman in Lebanon aboard the USS
AMERICA in 1966 and his subsequent missions in Lebanon in

1983. These tangible ties to the Lebanese people resonated
strongly among our Lebanese hosts throughout the day,
especially with the military officers who remembered these
times with great nostalgia.

THE ARMY ENJOYS NATIONAL SUPPORT
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THEM
--------------


4. (S) Recalling his visit to Washington, DC last year,
Siniora recounted his discussion with President Bush about
the necessity to strengthen the LAF. While other Lebanese at
the time may have disagreed with his vision about the
importance of the Army and its degree of reliability, Siniora
feels that Nahr Al Bared has served as the litmus
test for support of the Army by the Lebanese people. While
it is unfortunate that Lebanon finds itself embroiled in
this war, Siniora seeks to turn this "unfortunate event" into
an opportunity for greater national unity and
stability throughout Lebanon.


5. (S) Siniora briefly outlined the numerous stresses his
government and the nation have suffered since taking office
two years ago, specifically citing the attempted
assassination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Defense Elias Murr, as well as the constant pressure being
applied by the Iranians and the Syrians.


6. (S) The main point of this exchange, according to Siniora,
is that ADM Fallon should understand that the Army
is supported by the people and the government. For this
reason, his government was able to take an "important and
courageous stand" that resonates in every aspect of the
country. This national support of the Army is not only
important in Lebanon, but also throughout the region.

DRAWING THE RIGHT CONCLUSIONS
NAHR AL BARED MUST BE REBUILT
--------------


7. (S) Siniora's first conclusion was that Nahr Al Bared must
be re-built. There was no mention of "tawteen" (i.e.,
"naturalization" or permanent settlement of Palestinians in

BEIRUT 00001336 002 OF 004


Lebanon, a long-standing Lebanese fear) or any of political
difficulties surrounding such an operation. Siniora is
confident that all of the Palestinians will return to the
camp and that the Lebanese government will control the
camp. The second conclusion is that the Army must remain
united at all costs.

ONE MAIN PROBLEM IN LEBANON
IT LEADS TO ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS
--------------


8. (S) Prime Minister Siniora related a complex and nuanced
weave of Palestinian issues in the context of a Lebanese
fabric. In a matter of fact manner, Siniora explained how
Lebanon has suffered for many years, both directly and
indirectly, because of this issue that resonates in so many
other parts of the Arab world. At one point, Siniora
exclaimed that many countries attempt to cash in their
"vouchers" of support for the Palestinians at the expense
of Lebanon.


9. (S) ADM Fallon said that the issue of Palestine is one of
the topics he hears about often, and sometimes as an
excuse. In response, Siniora deadpanned "Indeed, it is used
to avoid addressing issues, it consumes many efforts,
prevents democracy, leads to coup d'etats, undemocratic
behavior and a feeling of desperation." In Siniora's
analysis, the issue of Palestine has pushed people to find
refuge in "twisted religion." Even so, Siniora insisted
that the issue of the Palestinians in Lebanon must be
addressed because Lebanon is part of the Arab world.

SHEBA'A FARMS
A BLEEDING WOUND FROM SYRIA
--------------


10. (S) After recounting several foreign military campaigns
in Lebanon, primarily focused on the various Israeli
invasions, Siniora dusted off his standard message about the
"bleeding wound" of Sheba'a farms that the Syrians have
inflicted on Lebanon. In his calculation, Siniora sees the
issue of Sheba'a is one that the Syrians have kept
alive to use with the excuse of "unfinished business." If
this were resolved, Iran and Hizbullah would no longer have
a reason to cause so many problems in Lebanon.

HASSAN NASRALLAH AND IRAN
ARE THEY ONE IN THE SAME?
--------------


11. (S) Responding to ADM Fallon's inquiry about the role of
Iran in Lebanon, Siniora stated the Nasrallah was
Iran's representative in Lebanon. Siniora then spent time
explaining the evolution of Hizbullah from the Shia
welcoming Israeli troops in 1982 with flowers to Hizballah's
current hostile stance towards Israel which led
to war in July 2006. Siniora also reminded us that Mohamed
Khatami once said "Hizbullah is 100% an Iranian Party."
The message was clear, there is no equivocation on the part
of Siniora as to his view of Hizbullah and Iranian
collusion inside Lebanon.

THE SYRIAN REGIME
IT'S ALL ABOUT THEM
--------------


12. (S) Siniora explained his vision of Syria's strategic
priorities. First and foremost, the Syrian regime is
worried about its own survival. Second, it wants to maintain
its influence in Lebanon. Third, it wants to try
to regain the Golan Heights.


13. (S) Lebanon continues to be a captive of foreign regimes.
Iran and Syria continue to use Lebanon as a
battleground. Stressing the need for firmness with Syria,
Siniora also expressed a desire to see concrete results and
solutions with the Syrians. Noting that Syria cannot be
"wiped off the map," Siniora told us that ignoring and
isolating Syria is not the solution either. In fact, it is
as if we have placed a "cat in the corner." Eventually
that cat is going to become a nuisance to us. Lebanon is
forced by its geography to have good relations with Syria,

BEIRUT 00001336 003 OF 004


but these relations should be based on mutual respect. "We
should not he a headache for them, nor them for us."

THE WAY FORWARD WITH SYRIA
NO SACRIFICE OF LEBANON
--------------


14. (S) Even though Syria is a dishonest regime, Siniora told
ADM Fallon that the US and Europe most show Syria that
they are ready to engage with the regime if Syria is willing
to help. In Siniora's mind, the only way this can
happen is if the Syrians make an "advanced payment" before
any dialogue begins. He hears them say many things, but he
does not see much action on their part.


15. (S) ADM Fallon told PM Siniora that he holds no illusions
about Syria and that they will be a player in the
process. He emphasized that he thinks Syria's influence in
Lebanon and elsewhere goes beyond what is appropriate.
Leaning forward and drawing attention to the importance of
his next statement, ADM Fallon told PM Siniora, "We will
not make a deal with Syria at the expense of Lebanon. Your
country is light years ahead of how we see Syria."
Expressing appreciation, the Prime Minister responded to this
point saying, "we don't want Lebanon on the table for
trading."

NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR LEBANON
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
--------------


16. (S) The Prime Minister stressed that the election of a
Lebanese President is central to the continuation of a
democratic system and the acceptance of moderate and
democratic principles. "Lebanon as a model of co-existence
is no longer only important for Lebanon, it is also important
for the region, the Arab world, the Islamic
world."


17. (S) Adamantly, Siniora told ADM Fallon that there
absolutely should be no change to the Lebanese constitution
before the elections. He said that Syria used to do this all
the time. Rejecting this idea, the Prime Minister said
that Lebanon would become just like other Arab regimes if it
accepted Syria's attempts to "clone Lebanon using the
Syrian model." Indeed, Siniora feels that his government
must safeguard the sovereignty of Lebanon and not allow it
to become a battleground in the region. The consequences of
losing Lebanon will be to enflame other countries in the
region. "We need to put out fires here, not add to them."

WE WANT A UNIFYING PRESIDENT
BUT NOT A MILITARY PRESIDENT
--------------


18. (S) Siniora also sees the elections as a catalyst for
change in other parts of the country as well. The Prime
Minister sees these elections as a way for the state to
further extend the State's control over its people and
lands; however, this must be done with a President that is
committed to all of Lebanon who is not a threat to Syria.
After exclamations from his advisor Mohammed Chattah about
the Prime Minister being a threat to Syria, the Prime
Minister simply reiterated his previous assessment of Syria
saying, "Yes, yes. The Syrians want everything." Siniora
continued to outline his strategic vision for the Presidency
saying that he wants to see the State take full
control of Lebanon. "I'm not talking about a Middle Eastern
democracy; I want to fulfill the Western idea of
democracy."


19. (S) After Nahr Al Bared, there is nothing that can
guarantee the Lebanese people other than a proper state
with an Army that is not politicized. In an obvious
reference to Gen Michel Sleiman, the LAF Commander, the
Prime Minister said that the State should not attract Army
officers to become political.

CONTROL OF BORDERS, UNIFIL, AND
CLOSING COMMENTS ON COOPERATION
--------------


BEIRUT 00001336 004 OF 004



20. (S) ADM Fallon asked the PM about his view of border
control, especially with regards to the re-supply of
Hizbullah. The Prime Minister flatly responded that border
control will not be possible without the support and
cooperation of Syria. At this time, the PM assesses that the
Syrians are not cooperating, nor are they in the mood
to cooperate. Instead, the best alternative is the current
Arab-Islamic force that is being proposed for the border.
This is not to diminish the importance of the German Northern
Border Pilot Project, but that project is a
different matter that is an example inside of Lebanon for the
degree of cooperation it promotes among the security
agencies.


20. (S) Expressing satisfaction with UNIFIL, Siniora does not
think that the UNIFIL mandate will expand. In fact,
the Syrians rejected a call for UNIFIL to extend its
operation out to the eastern Lebanese border with Syria.


21. (S) The meeting closed with a warm atmosphere and good
rapport. The PM related personal stories of his time with
the late Rafiq Hariri when they were childhood friends. It
is evident that Siniora hopes to live up to the goals and
aspirations of the former Prime Minister. After a brief gift
exchange, Siniora reminded ADM Fallon that "nothing
succeeds like success. We are making progress; we have made
progress; we are succeeding."


22. Admiral Fallon has reviewed this cable.
FELTMAN