LEBANON: NEW FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000142

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: NEW FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL
EXPLAINS LEBANESE-SYRIAN RELATIONSHIP

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Section 1.4 (b)
.

SUMMARY
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1. (C) In a 1/26 meeting, Ambassador Hicham Dimachkieh, the
new Secretary General in the Foreign Ministry, discussed the
factors which complicate Lebanon's relationship with its
powerful and often obtuse neighbor. Exhibiting the caution
of a diplomat who worked for many years in Syrian-dominated
governments, Dimachkieh advised that while Lebanon would
insist on its sovereignty, consideration had to be given to
Syria's traditional influence and basic inability to
understand democratic norms. Dimachkieh said he was not
surprised by yesterday's violent Sunni-Shia clashes and
cautioned that such events would recur unless a comprehensive
political compromise were reached. He also emphasized that
regional developments, particularly movement in the Middle
East peace process, could dramatically improve the chances
for the forces of moderation and democracy in Lebanon and the
region. Finally, he noted the vast difference between
yesterday's outpouring of international assistance at the
Paris III conference -- for which he thanked U.S. leadership
-- and the chaotic scenes of violence in central Beirut. He
agreed with the Ambassador that the vast majority of
Lebanese, if given the choice, would vote overwhelmingly for
peace and stability. End summary.


2. (C) Ambassador Dimachkieh is a Sunni whose family
originally came from Saudi Arabia and Syria before settling
in Lebanon. He was recently appointed to the number two
position in the ministry. He met with the Ambassador and
Special Assistant on January 26, one day after serious
Shia-Sunni clashes in southern districts of the city left
four dead and more than 100 injured. Ambassador Dimachkieh
came to his post from an ambassadorial assignment in Berlin.
He was noticeably reserved in his comments concerning the
current political situation. (Note: As a Sunni whose cousin
works directly for PM Siniora, Dimachkieh, we would guess,
probably shares March 14 views but expresses them cautiously,
after decades of work in the Syria-dominated MFA. End note.)

TALE OF TWO CITIES
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3. (C) Dimachkieh expressed deep appreciation, not only for
the "extraordinary" assistance package announced at Paris
III, but for the leadership the U.S. has shown in gathering
international support for Lebanon's struggling democracy. He
agreed with the Ambassador that the stark contrast between
the spirit of cooperation and support displayed in Paris with
images of Shia and Sunni youths rampaging in south-central
Beirut was nearly incomprehensible. The career diplomat said
he understand the sectarian tension that has been generated
by decades of poverty and misunderstanding. He also believed
that a sense of frustration now so prevalent in the "Arab
street" played a critical role, because it breeds a misguided
sense that only violence and radical agendas can be effective
agents of change.


4. (C) Amb. Dimachkieh assured us that the vast majority of
Lebanese would choose the vision of Lebanon portrayed by PM
Siniora in Paris, but after decades of "overbearing outside
interference" the Lebanese people lacked self-confidence. He
concurred that "some political leaders" had deliberately and
cynically raised sectarian tensions to help them achieve
political goals, but he almost painfully avoided assigning
responsibility. All thinking Lebanese, he contended,
understand that the democratic process is the only logical
way to solve the country's long-standing problems. Almost
all Lebanese remember the devastation of the country's long
civil war and strive to avoid a return to those times.


5. (C) Interestingly, he also stated that yesterday's
violence just might produce some progress. Perhaps the
realization that the international community was ready and
willing to assist Lebanon would make yesterday's violence
appear that much more senseless and self-defeating.
Dimachkieh also pointed out that the violence demonstrated
that the institutions of a democratic state, especially its
security forces, were critical to the protection of its
citizenry and had to be encouraged and supported. He
conceded that the LAF in particular had come up lacking in
Tuesday's violence and had initially appeared hesitant to
separate the opposing groups of students yesterday. They

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improved their performance later in the afternoon and
enforced effectively last night's emergency curfew. The
diplomat said he was cautiously confident that the security
services would continue to improve and regain the respect of
Lebanon's citizens.

RATIONALIZES LEBANON'S CAUTION ON SYRIAN RELATIONS
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6. (C) Describing Lebanon as a small country in a dangerous
neighborhood, Dimachkieh argued that his country had to
exercise caution with its unpredictable and headstrong
neighbor. He used historical developments that occurred at
the founding of his country to explain (and perhaps
rationalize) Syria's obsession in trying to control Lebanon's
destiny. Although he emphasized that Lebanon's sovereignty
and independence were inviolable, he admitted that he "partly
understood" the obtuseness of the Syrian regime in not
according Lebanon the international respect it deserved. In
effect, Dimachkieh asked for patience as Lebanon worked in
its own way to establish normal bilateral relations with
Syria.


7. (C) Dimachkieh also addressed the growing regional
influence of Iran and once again exhibited an attitude that
veered dangerously close to accommodation. He said that
because of its history, Iran had expectations that its views
would be carefully considered by other nations in the region,
but once again quickly added that national self-determination
was paramount.


8. (C) As other interlocutors have recently argued, the new
Secretary General maintained that any movement on the Middle

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East peace process would have enormous benefits in Lebanon
and the region, particularly because it would include a
satisfactory resolution of the long-festering issue of
Palestinian refugees. This, he continued, would remove the
primary irritant in Middle East relations. He was convinced
that settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would
remove a critical weapon from Islamic extremists, whose
violence and influence was steadily spreading in the region.
Feeling that the time was right, Dimachkieh earnestly
requested the U.S. to dedicate its considerable influence to
push this effort as fast as possible.

LEBANON'S AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON
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9. (U) In response to an earlier inquiry, Amb. Dimachkieh
said paperwork for Lebanon,s Ambassador-designate to the
U.S., Antoine Chedid, is nearly complete. He said the
official decree that appoints Ambassador Chedid has already
been signed by Foreign Minister Salloukh and Finance Minister
Azour (as required by Lebanese law),and is now on the desk
of Prime Minister Siniora. Amb. Dimachkieh believes it will
be signed by Siniora this weekend and would be on the desk of
President Emile Lahoud (the final signature required)
sometime next week.


10. (U) Dimachkieh is confident President Lahoud will sign
the decree because it is contained in a package of seven
ambassadorial appointments coming to his desk. All the
assignments had been made before the Shia ministerial
walk-out on November 11. The Foreign Ministry understands
that time is running short to complete the appointment in
time for the next credentials ceremony at the White House.
FELTMAN