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