LEBANON: NEW INDEPENDENT SHIA MINISTER CALLS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 001113

SIPDIS

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS SY LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: NEW INDEPENDENT SHIA MINISTER CALLS FOR
STATEMENT TO ADDRESS HIZBALLAH ARMS

REF: A. BAGHDAD 2298

B. BEIRUT 515

C. BEIRUT

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

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


1. (C) In a courtesy call by Charge Grant, newly appointed
non-Hizballah Shia Minister Ibrahim Shamseddine praised Saad
Hariri's recent trip to Iraq as an important step in
improving Arab-Iraqi relations and reducing Iranian influence
over Lebanese Shia. He stressed his own independence and
ability to talk to all sides, including Hizballah, with one
notable exception: fellow Shia Speaker Berri. He believes
the ministerial statement must address the issue of
Hizballah's arms, making it clear that the state had
exclusive competence in deciding when to use them. End
summary.

SUPPORTED BY ALL,
EXCEPT BERRI
--------------


2. (C) During a July 25 meeting with Charge Grant, A/DCM, and
Senior LES Political Advisor, newly appointed Minister of
State for Administrative Reform Ibrahim Shamseddine a
non-Hizballah Shia appointed to the cabinet by the majority,
stressed his independent stature, but indicated he shares a
"similar vision" with March 14. He stressed his intentions
to abide by the constitution and laws, adding that he will
push people to "play by the rules and not through outside
deals," which he deemed a major problem in Lebanon.
Shameseddine also said that although he is able to talk with
all parties, he is not a mediator, but instead adheres to his
own "convictions and beliefs."

PRAISE FOR SAAD'S
VISIT TO BAGHDAD
--------------


3. (C) Shamseddine praised Saad Hariri's recent visit to Iraq
(Ref A) adding that it should be repeated to help normalize
Sunni-Shia relations. He stressed that the Iraqi Shias
should be part of the Arab world, calling for better
Iraqi-Arab relations and denouncing what he perceived to be
an Arab boycott of Iraq. His impression was that the U.S.
was not doing enough to encourage Arab states to have good
relations with Iraq, and urged the U.S. to push for a visit
by the Saudi Foreign Minister to Baghdad. He added it is
crucial for the Lebanese Shia to see that Iraq is gaining
back its position in the Arab world, because this would help
reduce Iranian influence over the Shia.


4. (C) While he praised the Shia religious leader in Iraq,
Ali Sistani, he nevertheless noted that the religious leaders
in Iran are "better" in the sense they hold both the
political and religious hats at the same time. He also
indicated that Sistani, as a religious leader, should be more
visible and outspoken. He said Iraqi Shias are not aspiring
for an Islamic state as in Iran, but instead seek fair
representation in the political system.

A UNIQUE ROLE: SHIA CABINET MEMBER NAMED BY THE MAJORITY
--------------


5. (C) Shamseddine expressed his pleasure at the "honorable"
manner in hich he became a minister. Rather than
horsetrading, his nomination was the result of a consensus
among President Sleiman, majority leader Saad Hariri, and
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. However, Speaker Nabih Berri
appeared threatened by his appointment. Shamseddine said
Berri, a fellow Shia, knows that he is "not part of his team"
but would adopt a "Vaseline approach" of being openly
practical without attempting to challenge him bluntly.
"Berri is smarter than that," he commented.


6. (C) Hizballah, which he labeled a whole "establishment"

BEIRUT 00001113 002 OF 003


rather than a "one man show," could have vetoed his
nomination, but refrained from doing so, perhaps under the
belief that Berri would oppose him. Shamseddine said he had
a better relationship with Hizballah, with whom he talks and
whom he praised for maintaining an open dialogue, than with
Berri, with whom he does not, and whose advisors he dubbed
"simple people." However, he added that he does have a good
relationship with Berri's party Amal in general, while
Hizballah is aware that it will not succeed in bringing
Shamseddine to its side.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT MUST
ADDRESS HIZBALLAH'S ARMS
--------------


7. (C) Shameseddine stressed that the government's statement
to parliament must mention something about Hizballah's arms.
The opposition was exhibiting the same "trend" of making high
demands, insisting on using the word "resistance," he said,
although it was not yet clear whether this was simple a
negotiating technique or a final position.


8. (C) Shameseddine said he believed the statement should
mention that the GOL is committed to the liberation of all
occupied territory and the resistance should include all
Lebanese, along the lines of "it is the GOL's responsibility
to take every step to liberate occupied land." Such language
would imply that the resistance could be one of the means
available to the state to achieve its goal, but that it would
be the tool of a formal partnership between the state and
Hizballah. "The jewel of the GOL is in its own legitimacy,"
he said, suggesting that the state should have the exclusive
right to decide when to use the resistance. He warned that
clear language on this issue was imperative; otherwise, "we
will be building another brick in the wall of Hizballah's
state."

HIZBALLAH IS RELAXED
--------------


9. (C) Shameseddine noted that the 1960 electoral law would
allow the Shia, who are present almost everywhere in the
country, to have a strong influence on the outcome of the
2009 parliamentary elections. However, he noted that
Hizballah is "drafting" people by paying them USD 200 each.
He indicated that Hizballah feels relaxed and safe, as
clearly displayed in its current negotiations over the
ministerial statement.

IRAN TO BLAME FOR
LEBANESE-SYRIAN PROBLEMS
--------------


10. (C) Shameseddine blamed Iran for problems between Lebanon
and Syria. While he favored better Lebanese-Syrian
relations, he stressed that Syria should not be allowed to
interfere in Lebanon, and argued that Lebanon should conduct
its affairs in a transparent manner to avoid making the
Syrians feel threatened as if "a plot is being planned
against them."

COMMENT
--------------


11. (C) Shamseddine's association with March 14, combined
with Saad Hariri's recent meeting with Sistani in Iraq, could
help improve March 14's credibility with Lebanese Shia
looking for an alternative to Hizballah. For the Siniora
government, Shamseddine's presence in the cabinet ensures
that the opposition cannot play the "Shia" card by having all
the Shia ministers resign, thereby declaring the government
illegitimate, as it did in 2006.


12. (C) Shamseddine took pains to stress his independence to
us, albeit making it clear he favors March 14. As always, we
are impressed with his integrity (although we note than in
previous meetings he downplayed any aspirations of entering
politics) and his commitment to the role of the state and
institution-building. Though not as revered as his father,
former Imam Mohammad Mehdi Shamseddine, Ibrahim enjoys the
respect of the Shia community

BEIRUT 00001113 003 OF 003


GRANT