LEBANON: UN DIRECTOR BUTTENHEIM SHARES CONCERNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001379

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK
P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS IS SY LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: UN DIRECTOR BUTTENHEIM SHARES CONCERNS
ABOUT THE COUNTRY

REF: BEIRUT 1348

Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


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


1. (C) In a September 17 Embassy meeting, visiting UN DPA
Director of Asia and Pacific Affairs Lisa Buttenheim
discussed the National Dialogue, 2009 parliamentary
elections, border security, Sheba'a Farms and the UN
International Independent Investigative Council (UNIIIC). She
noted that PM Siniora had raised, informally, the idea of a
"Mr. Sheba'a", an envoy who could engage with all the parties
interested in that issue to achieve a solution. Buttenheim
mused that new UN Special Coordinator Michael Williams might
be well suited for that role. End summary.


2. (SBU) On September 17, the Ambassador, DCM and PolOff met
with Lisa Buttenheim, Director of Asia and Pacific Affairs at
the UN Department of Political Affairs. DPA political
officer Michael Contet and Rami Shehadeh, Beirut-based
political officer with the office of the UN Special
Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) also attended.

THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE-TICKING
THE BOXES FROM DOHA CONFERENCE
--------------


3. (C) Buttenheim, commenting on the launch of the National
Dialogue the day before, noted that President Sleiman was
"ticking the boxes from Doha". DCM said U.S. had low
expectations for any dramatic outcomes from the Dialogue,
such as serious action on Hizballah's arms. There is a
widespread view now that the situation is relatively calm in
Lebanon and all parties should avoid disrupting that, he
said.

TALK OF DELAY IN 2009 ELECTIONS
--------------


4. (C) Buttenheim said she thought there was a perception
that the March 14 majority bloc was thinking about a delay in
the spring 2009 elections. She noted that majority leader
Saad Hariri had told her recently that parliamentary debates
on election law reform could be a "stumbling block", with
officials getting bogged down in the details. She had heard
comments that March 14 was concerned they would not be able
to rally or campaign effectively due to security concerns and
that it would be difficult to meet all the requirements for a
spring election, leading to talk of postponement.

BORDER SECURITY REQUIRES
INCREASED LEBANESE OWNERSHIP
--------------


5. (C) Buttenheim had just come from Tel Aviv, and conveyed
Israeli concern over inadequate border security on the
Lebanese/Syrian border. She said the Israelis believe more
could be done by the GOL through the strengthening of the
Lebanese Armed forces (LAF) and Internal security Forces
(ISF),especially since President Sleiman was formerly LAF
Commander. She questioned the concept of Hizballah "fitting
in" by relaying comments from a Hizballah official that "even
if Sheba'a comes back, we're not giving up our weapons."

A "MR.SHEBA'A"?
--------------


6. (C) Buttenheim noted that PM Siniora had raised, at least
informally, the idea of a "Mr. Sheba'a"; a UN envoy
designated to deal with the parties who have interest to
reach a solution on that issue. Noting that Michael Williams
would be arriving in early October as the new head of UNSCOL,
Buttenheim mused he could become "Mr. Sheba'a". "He knows
the country well, will hit the ground running and has good
standing with local actors" she said. She thought that the
possibility of progress on the issue of Ghajar village was a

BEIRUT 00001379 002 OF 002


"more tangible" issue.


VIEWS ON UNIIIC AND BELLEMARE
--------------


7. (C) Buttenheim said she had been impressed with the
dynamism of UNIIIC Commissioner Daniel Bellemare. She
believed that because he has retired from a distinguished
legal career, he has no professional conflicts, takes the
responsibility seriously and has no other agendas but to "get
it right." Ambassador agreed, adding that Bellemare's
relationship with Lebanese Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar
is very good; better than with the previous Minister. UNSYG
Ban has invested his prestige in UNIIIC, Buttenheim stated,
but the process will take time. (Reftel A)

SAUDI INVOLVEMENT AND "LEBANESE FATIGUE"
--------------


8. (C) DCM asked Buttenheim if there was "Lebanese fatigue"
in the UN Security Council. She thought not, but noted that
other issues, such as Georgia recently, have taken the
"oxygen from the room" at the UNSC.


SISON