AMBASSADOR WAGNER PRESSES AFGHANISTAN AND MIDDLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000012 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017 TAGS: NATO PGOV PREL LU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR WAGNER PRESSES AFGHANISTAN AND MIDDLE EAST ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER ASSELBORN Classified By: DCM Steven Kraft for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On January 8, Ambassador Wagner met with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn. She outlined four priorities for the USG in the Middle East: success in Iraq; the MEPP; stability in Lebanon; and Iran. She noted that the U.S. would vigorously support creation of an independent Palestinian State as a key element in stabilizing the Middle East. She also told the FM that Syria and Iran's economic and political dominance in Lebanon was a serious challenge that had to be countered and that the U.S. was developing additional ideas in this area. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador also told him that the U.S. will soon be engaging with its partners to increase financial support of NATO provincial rescontruction efforts in Afghanistan and that Luxembourg could play a role in this regard. She emphasized that Europe needs to stay focused on seeing Kosovo successfully through the coming critical months. ¶3. (C) The Foreign Minister appreciated the Ambassador's comments and indicated he planned to attend the Lebanon international donor's conference in Paris January 25 and the January 26 NATO Ministerial. His principal substantive comment on the Ambassador's points concerned Syria. Asselborn echoed Prime Minister Juncker's opinion that Syria is the key to many of the problems in Lebanon, Iraq, and elsewhere in the Middle East and should be engaged at senior levels. Finally, he encouraged Secretary Rice to become more closely involved with the Quartet and said he welcomes the news on the MEPP. WAGNER