Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NICOSIA968
2007-12-11 07:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
NOD TO SLEIMAN "NO SURPRISE" TO CYPRIOTS
how-toVZCZCXRO8460 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHNC #0968 3450754 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 110754Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8385 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4285 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1025 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000968
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2017
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV LE CY
SUBJECT: NOD TO SLEIMAN "NO SURPRISE" TO CYPRIOTS
REF: SECSTATE 163945
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Schlicher, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000968
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2017
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV LE CY
SUBJECT: NOD TO SLEIMAN "NO SURPRISE" TO CYPRIOTS
REF: SECSTATE 163945
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Schlicher, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Polchief December 7 delivered Reftel points on
Lebanon to MFA Middle East Desk Officer Dionysus Dionysiou.
It was vital that Cyprus support immediate, "non-linked"
Lebanese presidential elections in its diplomatic discussions
and public commentary, he emphasized. Dionysiou responded by
noting that March 14's decision to back Armed Forces
Commander Michel Sleiman for Lebanon's top position had come
as no surprise to the RoC's charge d'affaires in Beirut, "who
knew about it for months." Cyprus considered Sleiman the
best candidate Lebanon realistically could expect, he
continued, given the fractious political environment in the
Levant. The RoC favored quick presidential elections in a
process that respected Lebanon's constitution, Dionysiou
added, although he acknowledged that Beirut's political power
brokers could and would twist the supreme law to accommodate
personal interests.
2. (C) Casting doubt on his envoy's prescience (or perhaps
his slowness in reporting),Dionysiou claimed to know nothing
of the Lebanese opposition demanding a "package deal" that
could take formulation of the cabinet and governing agenda
from March 14's hands; he promised to investigate and report
back with the RoC's position. Concluding the conversation,
Dionsyiou explained that Cyprus, as a small nation in a
dangerous neighborhood, must walk a careful line on Lebanon.
He therefore doubted his government would take a clear public
stand on the need for immediate, "non-linked" presidential
elections there.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2017
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV LE CY
SUBJECT: NOD TO SLEIMAN "NO SURPRISE" TO CYPRIOTS
REF: SECSTATE 163945
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald Schlicher, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Polchief December 7 delivered Reftel points on
Lebanon to MFA Middle East Desk Officer Dionysus Dionysiou.
It was vital that Cyprus support immediate, "non-linked"
Lebanese presidential elections in its diplomatic discussions
and public commentary, he emphasized. Dionysiou responded by
noting that March 14's decision to back Armed Forces
Commander Michel Sleiman for Lebanon's top position had come
as no surprise to the RoC's charge d'affaires in Beirut, "who
knew about it for months." Cyprus considered Sleiman the
best candidate Lebanon realistically could expect, he
continued, given the fractious political environment in the
Levant. The RoC favored quick presidential elections in a
process that respected Lebanon's constitution, Dionysiou
added, although he acknowledged that Beirut's political power
brokers could and would twist the supreme law to accommodate
personal interests.
2. (C) Casting doubt on his envoy's prescience (or perhaps
his slowness in reporting),Dionysiou claimed to know nothing
of the Lebanese opposition demanding a "package deal" that
could take formulation of the cabinet and governing agenda
from March 14's hands; he promised to investigate and report
back with the RoC's position. Concluding the conversation,
Dionsyiou explained that Cyprus, as a small nation in a
dangerous neighborhood, must walk a careful line on Lebanon.
He therefore doubted his government would take a clear public
stand on the need for immediate, "non-linked" presidential
elections there.
SCHLICHER