LEBANON: GLOBAL INITIATIVE DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000289 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/HARDING STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/FO:ATACHCO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: GLOBAL INITIATIVE DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 21535 Polchief delivered reftel demarche on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism to Oussama Khacchab, Americas Desk Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who promised to pass the demarche points to his superiors. Khacchab asked whether the USG or other partners in the Global Initiative would offer travel funding to national delegations attending the Initiative's third meeting in Kazakhstan. Polchief responded negatively but promised that he would inform the MFA if funding becomes available. Khacchab pledged to explore the possibility of the MFA endorsing the Initiative's Statement of Principles. It is worth noting, however, that policy decisions at the Ministry have been stalled since the November resignation of the Foreign Minister as part of Lebanon's ongoing political crisis. FELTMAN