Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUDHABI613
2008-05-19 10:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

LEBANON: UAE WILLING TO BE OPTIMISTIC ON DOHA TALKS

Tags:  PREL LE AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7444
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAD #0613 1401036
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191036Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0976
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0198
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0630
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000613 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA (IRWIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2018
TAGS: PREL LE AE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: UAE WILLING TO BE OPTIMISTIC ON DOHA TALKS

REF: STATE 52061

Classified by Charge d'Affaires Martin Quinn, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000613

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA (IRWIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2018
TAGS: PREL LE AE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: UAE WILLING TO BE OPTIMISTIC ON DOHA TALKS

REF: STATE 52061

Classified by Charge d'Affaires Martin Quinn, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) In a May 19 discussion of reftel points on Lebanon, the
Charge stressed to MFA Under Secretary Saif Sultan al-Aryani that the
USG supports ongoing Arab League mediation and condemns Hizballah
attempts to force negotiations at gunpoint. Al-Aryani agreed that
Hizballah's weapons were a problem and their use in recent weeks
broke promises made previously. He opined that parties to the
discussions in Doha were "getting closer by the day" as Lebanese
leaders spent time with one another and sensed that their own public
was blaming them for lack of progress. He was willing to be
optimistic that something positive could come out of the Doha talks
-- in which Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) continues to
participate.


2. (C) Characterizing the ongoing talks as something of a "last
chance" for the Lebanese, al-Aryani hoped for progress for the sake
of Lebanon and the region. Reminded that pressure on Syria and Iran
was also called for, al-Aryani said any immediate decisions in that
regard could impact ongoing discussions; the MFA prefers to see
whether things move forward in Doha rather than potentially upset the
balance by fingering Damascus and Teheran at this time. Charge
requested that the essence of reftel points be shared with AbZ,
reiterating our encouragement of the ongoing talks while stressing
again the unhelpful role of Hizballah.

QUINN