Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CAIRO2855
2007-09-20 15:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

SEEKING ARAB SUPPORT FOR LEBANON BORDER MISSION

Tags:  PGOV PREL EG LE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #2855 2631537
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 201537Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6976
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002855 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EG LE
SUBJECT: SEEKING ARAB SUPPORT FOR LEBANON BORDER MISSION

REF: SECSTATE 131578

Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION STUART JONES.
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002855

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EG LE
SUBJECT: SEEKING ARAB SUPPORT FOR LEBANON BORDER MISSION

REF: SECSTATE 131578

Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION STUART JONES.
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) DCM and poloff delivered points in reftel to Arab
League and the Egyptian MFA September 19-20. The Arab League
welcomed USG interest on providing technical assistance for
the Syrian-Lebanese border, but was wary of deploying
personnel immediately. The MFA was supportive in principle,
but asked for more details, and warned that any international
activity on the Lebanese-Syrian border risked inflaming
tensions with Syria, and potentially backfiring on Lebanese
Prime Minister Siniora. End summary.


2. (C) DCM delivered points in reftel to Hisham Yousef,
Chief of Staff to Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa,
September 19. Yousef welcomed USG interest on the
Syrian-Lebanese border, noting that the Arab League supports
Lebanon in controlling its borders, and already has a
resolution empowering the Secretary General to take action.
Yousef said the Arab League envisions starting out with a
technical approach, first to see what is required, followed
by equipment and training. PM Siniora would need to send a
letter requesting support from the Arab League as the next
step.


3. (C) DCM broached the idea of a joint Arab League -
European Union monitoring mission that could include
personnel. Yousef welcomed the USG initiative but stopped
short of endorsing the joint mission. He urged that USG
officials who are engaged on this issue seek him out in New
York during the UN General Assembly.


4. (C) On September 20 Poloff raised points in reftel with
Egyptian MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for North American
Affairs Mohammad Abou el Dahab. Dahab said the GOE is fully
supportive of Lebanese sovereignty and that the GOE would
support in principle any effort to help the Lebanese control
their borders. That said, Dahab had many questions on the
specifics of timing, equipment, and possibility of personnel
on the border. Poloff said that the details were to be
determined, but the key is that Lebanon is supported, and
that Syria does not benefit, given its behavior. Dahab said
the key actor in all of this would be Siniora, who would have
to request the international support, but also cautioned
against potential backlash against the Siniora government as
a result of this initiative.


5. (SBU) We will continue to follow up with both the Arab
League and GOE.
RICCIARDONE