LEBANON: NEW JUSTICE MINISTER WHOLEHEARTEDLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001111

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: NEW JUSTICE MINISTER WHOLEHEARTEDLY
SUPPORTS SPECIAL TRIBUNAL

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. William K. Grant for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The well-informed new Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar
emphasized his commitment to the Special Tribunal, while
stressing that he will not be as outspoken as his
predecessor, Charles Rizk. He plans to urge other countries
for additional financial contributions to the Tribunal.
Najjar intends to make his priorities judicial rotations and
depoliticizing the ministry.


2. (C) Najjar speculated that the cabinet statement may not
be approved within the thirty days stipulated by the
constitution, but he was not concerned about this prompting
the fall of the new government of PM Siniora. Najjar
expressed his appreciation for USG assistance to the Internal
Security Forces, saying internal security is of paramount
importance. End summary.

WILL PRESS COUNTRIES
FOR ADDITIONAL TRIBUNAL
FUNDING
--------------


3. (C) In a July 29 courtesy call by Charge Grant,
accompanied by PolOff, a meticulous, thoughtful Minister of
Justice Ibrahim Najjar expressed strong support for the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon. "Justice must be achieved,"
Najjar declared, calling the Special Tribunal an "opportunity
to collect evidence on those who have been trying to blow up
the country for the last fifty years." Najjar said he
wholeheartedly supported the Special Tribunal as a matter of
principle and of personal belief.


4. (C ) In response to hearing about USG support, Najjar
proposed that he would press European and other ambassadors
to contribute more when they pay him courtesy calls, and the
Charge endorsed his idea. He lamented that some countries,
singling out Italy and Russia in particular, are "giving too
little" to the Special Tribunal.


5. (C) However, he continued, he will not be outspoken in his
support because "(UNIIIC Commissioner) Bellemare needs a
cooling off period." (Comment: Najjar was intentionally
distancing himself from his predecessor, Charles Rizk, who at
times would brazenly criticize the UNIIIC process to the
press, putting him at odds with Bellemare. End comment.)
Najjar noted that he had a positive relationship with
Bellemare.

FIRST PRIORITY IS
JUDICIAL ROTATIONS
--------------


6. (C) Najjar said his first priority as the new justice
minister is to complete judicial rotations by "putting the
right judges in the right places." He reported that he
tasked the Higher Judiciary Council with submitting a
proposal on judicial rotations. Expecting to receive the
Council's recommendations shortly, Najjar said he will review
the proposal and assess its fairness himself. He explained
that this was his top priority because he hoped to improve
the reputations of the judges, most of whom he believes are
fair and competent.

DEPOLITICIZING THE MINISTRY
--------------


7. (C) Najjar's second goal is to depoliticize the Justice
Ministry and court system by sending the message that
everyone "must play by the rules." Confessing that he has no
interest in a political career, Najjar, who is 67, said he
has nothing to gain from accommodating those in the ministry.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea designated Najjar for
the cabinet and "Geagea knows my position and respects it,"
Najjar said.

CABINET STATEMENT MAY NOT

BEIRUT 00001111 002 OF 002


BE COMPLETED WITHIN 30-DAY
DEADLINE
--------------


8. (C) Speculating that the opposition may not have yet
decided whether to reach an agreement on the cabinet
statement, Najjar wondered if the Syrians were planning
"something else." Noting that the constitution allows for
thirty days to approve the cabinet statement, a deadline that
would end around August 11, Najjar, appearing unconcerned,
predicted that either an agreement will be reached or
President Sleiman will forge some sort of compromise.
Otherwise, he remarked, "parliament will decide" if the
committee charged with drafting the statement should fail.
(Note: The constitution does not state what occurs if there
is no agreement within thirty days of the cabinet formation.
End note.)

APPRECIATIVE OF USG
ASSISTANCE TO ISF
--------------


9. (C) Stressing the importance of internal security to
Lebanon, Najjar expressed his appreciation for USG assistance
to the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and requested that the
U.S. continue this assistance.
GRANT