UNIFIL: PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED NOTIFICATIONS FOR VISITS

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001211 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC KPKO UNSC LE SUBJECT: UNIFIL: PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED NOTIFICATIONS FOR VISITS TO THE EMBASSY NO LONGER NECESSARY REF: BEIRUT 998; USUN 00732 ¶1. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Beirut appreciates the efforts of USUN in bringing the issue of the suspicious incidents involving representatives of the Indian contingent of UNIFIL to the attention of the Asia and Middle East Director in the Office of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) detailed in reftel. In a meeting on July 21, 2008, POL officers from USUN delivered a message to DPKO asking that "Prior to any appointment at the U.S. Embassy, UNIFIL members should send an e-mail to DRSOBeirut@state.gov stating the time, date, and vehicle information". After a detailed review of existing consular and security procedures, post has determined that the information requested in that message can be obtained from alternate sources, and that rescinding this request will help avoid a double standard treatment of UN diplomatic personnel in Lebanon. ¶2. (SBU) Based on above determination, U.S. Embassy Beirut requests that USUN contact DPKO to express the Embassy?s deep appreciation for its assistance in handling these incidents. Post would also like to inform the DPKO Middle East Director that the Embassy has developed alternate procedures in order to obtain the previously requested information, and that advance submissions of information regarding visits of UNIFIL personnel to the Embassy are no-longer necessary. GRANT