Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIRUT657
2007-05-10 13:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON
how-toVZCZCXRO1252 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHLB #0657 1301325 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101325Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8150 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1343 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0504
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000657
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LE
SUBJECT: URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON
UNHRC ELECTION
REF: STATE 63345
Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000657
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LE
SUBJECT: URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON
UNHRC ELECTION
REF: STATE 63345
Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) As of May 10, it appears that Lebanon has not yet
determined whether it will support the candidacies of
Slovenia and Bosnia, and refrain from support for Belarus, at
the May 17 elections for new members of the UN Human Rights
Council. The Ambassador met on May 10 with Prime Minister
Siniora's senior advisor Mohamad Chatah to raise points
reftel. Chatah observed that there is a special relationship
between Lebanese President Emile Lahoud (who is at odds with
Prime Minister Siniora) and Lukashenko of Belarus. Chatah
commented that this relationship gives the GOL, under
Siniora's direction, an added incentive not to support
Belarus' bid for the UNHRC. Chatah promised to raise this
issue with the Prime Minister, implying that the PM would not
want to do any favors for President Lahoud.
2. (C) DCM also raised on May 10 reftel points with
Lebanese MFA Director for International Organizations
Ambassador Antoine Chedid, who was familiar with the issues.
Chedid said that Lebanon, "is still figuring out what to do
and there is no final position as of now." He suggested that
there is, as usual, pressure for Lebanon to adhere to
whatever collective position the Arab League countries may
take. Chedid said that he personally is not in favor of
electing Belarus to the UNHRC, and he was sympathetic to the
arguments against Belarus set forth reftel. He gave no
assurance, or even a hint, however, that Lebanon would not
support Belarus if an Arab League consensus position evolves
in favor of Belarus. Chedid said he hoped that the GOL would
arrive at its decision early next week, and if so, he assured
us that he would get back in touch.
FELTMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, AND EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LE
SUBJECT: URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON
UNHRC ELECTION
REF: STATE 63345
Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) As of May 10, it appears that Lebanon has not yet
determined whether it will support the candidacies of
Slovenia and Bosnia, and refrain from support for Belarus, at
the May 17 elections for new members of the UN Human Rights
Council. The Ambassador met on May 10 with Prime Minister
Siniora's senior advisor Mohamad Chatah to raise points
reftel. Chatah observed that there is a special relationship
between Lebanese President Emile Lahoud (who is at odds with
Prime Minister Siniora) and Lukashenko of Belarus. Chatah
commented that this relationship gives the GOL, under
Siniora's direction, an added incentive not to support
Belarus' bid for the UNHRC. Chatah promised to raise this
issue with the Prime Minister, implying that the PM would not
want to do any favors for President Lahoud.
2. (C) DCM also raised on May 10 reftel points with
Lebanese MFA Director for International Organizations
Ambassador Antoine Chedid, who was familiar with the issues.
Chedid said that Lebanon, "is still figuring out what to do
and there is no final position as of now." He suggested that
there is, as usual, pressure for Lebanon to adhere to
whatever collective position the Arab League countries may
take. Chedid said that he personally is not in favor of
electing Belarus to the UNHRC, and he was sympathetic to the
arguments against Belarus set forth reftel. He gave no
assurance, or even a hint, however, that Lebanon would not
support Belarus if an Arab League consensus position evolves
in favor of Belarus. Chedid said he hoped that the GOL would
arrive at its decision early next week, and if so, he assured
us that he would get back in touch.
FELTMAN