LEBANON: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: LEBANESE

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001468 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING/DEMOPULOS, STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/FO:KHARRINGTON, MPOPAL, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENIV LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: LEBANESE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY REF: STATE 123573 ¶1. (SBU) Post has no objection to the proposed $75 million guaranty for an investment in the Lebanese American University (LAU) proposed by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in reftel. Post has previously investigated LAU with regard to OPIC insurance. ¶2. (U) As per reftel request for demographics for higher education in Lebanon, enrollment figures for the top eleven institutions of higher education in Lebanon are as follows: INSTITUTION 2005-06 2006-07 American University 7,313 7,068 of Beirut (AUB) Lebanese American 6,303 6,321 University (LAU) Haigazian 799 742 University (HU) Lebanese 70,627 71,210 University (LU) St. Joseph 9,718 11,500 University (USJ) Notre Dame 4,453 4,867 University (NDU) University 3,019 3,099 of Balamand (UOB) Beirut Arab 16,582 16,684 University (BAU) Sagesse University 2,050 2,500 Islamic University 3,000 3,500 of Lebanon (IUL) Antonine University 1,120 1,200 LAU enrollment, as provided by the school, was 46 percent female in 2005-06 and 44 percent female in 2006-07. Total enrollment in all universities increased by 3 percent in 2006-07. ¶3. (SBU) Regarding local development and community programs, LAU has a Center for Research and Development (CDR) established under a grant from USAID Lebanon in 1998. This center organizes numerous conferences on subjects such as public relations, community skills, strategic planning and management techniques. LAU also conducts studies and environmental programs on air quality management in urban and industrial areas. These programs continue to analyze the statistical validity of existing air pollution database information to develop optimal long-term air pollution monitoring programs. LAU carries out health impact analysis, investigates air quality management alternatives and public policy choices, and analyzes costs and benefits of alternative policy options to reduce air pollution. LAU also offers workshops to present and discuss the findings of the studies and to launch action plans with interested parties. ¶4. (SBU) In response to a previous request from OPIC (e-mail exchange),Post examined available information regarding the Board of Directors of LAU, with the finding of no adverse information. This includes further due diligence on two members: Mohammad Safadi and Gilbert Chagoury. No further action was deemed necessary. FELTMAN