LEBANON: INAUGURAL JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 BEIRUT 001497

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR A/S HOOK AND PDAS WARLICK
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MCDERMOTT
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER
OSD FOR EDELMAN/LONG/STRAUB/DALTON
JOINT STAFF FOR RANK/GARAVANTA
CENTCOM FOR ALLARDICE/MACLEAN/PADDOCK
DIA FOR LARSON/CRONIN/KRAUSE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR MCAP MARR IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: INAUGURAL JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION

REF: BEIRUT 1449

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

SUMMARY
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1. (C) MinDef Elias Murr and ASD for International Security
Policy Mary Beth Long chaired the inaugural U.S.-Lebanon
Joint Military Commission (JMC) October 6. Murr opened the
session by warmly welcoming the U.S. delegation and
expressing his deep gratitude for U.S. assistance, especially
during the ongoing financial difficulties in the United
States. Murr outlined the Lebanese defense policy for the
delegation and reaffirmed his strong commitment to strong
bilateral ties between the United States and Lebanon. Murr
expressed the view that there should be no limit on Lebanon's
capacity to fight terror and, therefore, there should be no
veto on assistance to Lebanon. He informed the delegation
that the LAF was meeting with the Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) that same day, October 6, without the participation by
UNIFIL, and would convey to the IDF that the JMC would
benefit Israel as well as Lebanon. Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) Commander General Jean Kahwagi seconded Murr's
positions and stressed that the LAF needs to increase its
capabilities, modernize, and transform into a modern army as
quickly as possible. Kahwagi also provided an update on the
deployment of Syrian troops to the northern Lebanese border
(Septel, Beirut 1449). Assistant Secretary Mary Beth Long
told Murr that the U.S. shares the same goals as the Lebanese
Army and that we must work towards sustainable and viable
solutions for the LAF that will produce results in six to
eight months. The topic of AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters was
discussed. Both sides agreed to an inspection of the Cobras
in Jordan. At the conclusion of the JMC, both sides signed a
Defense Cooperation Framework (DCF) and released a joint
press statement (see text para 15). End summary.


2. (SBU) The DOD-State Joint Military Commission team first
visited Minister of Defense Elias Murr at his office in Yarze
on Monday, October 6 for an executive session. Also present
in the meeting was the LAF Commander, General Jean Kahwagi.
U.S. members of the JMC attending the meeting were Ambassador
Sison; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International
Security Affairs Mary Beth Long; Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Frank
Ruggiero; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for NEA David
Hale; ARCENT Commander Lieutenant General James Lovelace,
CENTCOM J-5 Major General Robert Allardice; Joint Staff J-5
Brigadier General Ralph Baker; and Defense Attache.

OPENING REMARKS BY MINDEF -
THANKFUL FOR CONTINUED US ASSISTANCE
--------------


3. (C) Murr opened the meeting by noting his appreciation of
the continued U.S. support in light of the current financial
environment. MinDef Murr stressed the importance of the JMC
for Lebanon as it is the first agreement at the political
level between the Lebanese Army and the United States. While
stressing the historic nature of the JMC, Murr also cautioned
us that the message from the JMC should be that "we are not
making a movie," implying that that the JMC had to produce
other results besides speeches and scripts. ASD Long seconded
this idea saying, "Yes, we cannot be seen as all talk and no
action."

MANY MEDIA DISCUSSIONS ON HELICOPTERS
MURR SAYS HE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THEM
--------------


4. (C) Murr explained to ASD Long that there has been much
speculation in the local media recently regarding the
acquisition of attack helicopters for the LAF. Murr said
that he has not responded to these reports because it is more

BEIRUT 00001497 002 OF 005


important to send a different message concerning U.S.
support. Specifically, Murr wants to send the message that
the U.S. will support the LAF without a political quid pro
quo requiring the LAF to back the U.S. in regional security
operations. (Comment: While this could be seen as a reference
to U.S. missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is much more
likely that Murr was referring to support for Israel against
Hizbollah. End Comment.)

LEBANESE DEFENSE POLICY DEFINED
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5. (C) Murr quickly moved to explain that the LAF is already
assisting the United States by conducting its assigned
missions in Lebanon such as fighting terrorism and supporting
UNSCR 1701. "Our policy is a free Lebanon, a unified
Lebanon; we will protect (UNSCR) 1701, Lebanese borders,
Lebanese civilians, and fight terrorism," said Murr. While
stating that the LAF has already been conducting these
missions, Murr was quick to remind us that "we are at the
beginning of this battle and it is important that we don't
(speak past) each other today."

THERE CAN BE NO VETO FROM ISRAEL
WHILE WE ARE FIGHTING TERRORISM
--------------


6. (C) The MinDef became quite forceful when describing the
task of fighting terrorism. "There can be no limits on
fighting terror. There can be no veto because of any country
like Israel over support for the LAF. We have heard about
this veto in the media," said Murr. Murr went on to stress a
need for a media campaign to dispel reports that Israel has
the final veto over support to the LAF.

MEETING BETWEEN THE LAF AND IDF
--------------


7. (C) Murr informed us that there was a meeting taking place
in Naqoura, Lebanon between LAF Officers and Israeli Defense
Force Officers concurrently with the JMC meeting. He said
that the meeting was being held outside of the tri-partite
process that normally includes UNIFIL participation (Naqoura
is the site of UNIFIL's headquarters). Murr related that the
purpose of this meeting was to inform the Israelis that the
JMC in Beirut was for their benefit as well as for the
benefit of Lebanon. Murr also said that his officers would
inform the Israelis that they do not get a veto over Lebanese
Army relations with the United States.


8. (C) "I know Israel has a problem with Hizbollah. I did
not create this problem," Murr said, asserting that "we pay
the price" for the 2006 Hezbollah-Lebanese war. Murr
continued by reminding us that since 1943, no equipment given
to the LAF has ever been given to another organization such
as Hizbollah. ASD Long responded saying, "You have a perfect
accountability record. Not other army in the region can say
that."

GENERAL KAHWAGI WELCOMES THE DELEGATION,
STRESSES NEED FOR CAPABILITIES OVER EQUIPMENT
--------------


9. (C) Kahwagi, in his first meeting with a foreigndelegation since being named LAF Commander, came sraight to
the point. "I don't want to ask you for lists of equipment.
Our main mission is to fight terrorism, defend the borders,
and help the people of Lebanon. It is for these reasons that
I need to modernize and transform the army to accomplish
these tasks," said Kahwagi. Kahwagi re-emphasized that he
does not want to focus on equipment lists, but he also
reminded us that he is receiving much pressure, both
privately and in the media, concerning his relationship with
the USG. Kahwagi told us that these attacks essentially
accuse him of working with the Americans but getting no real

BEIRUT 00001497 003 OF 005


help from them. "We need to show (these people) that we will
have a modern army," said Kahwagi.

ASD LONG OPENING REMARKS:
WE HAVE THE SAME GOALS
--------------


10. (C) ASD Long opened her remarks by saying that "these are
our same goals." She also assured MinDef Murr that the
U.S.-Lebanon defense relationship is not related to the
ongoing financial crisis in the United States as it is an
enduring relationship that has an enduring commitment to the
LAF. ASD Long asked ARCENT Commander LTG Lovelace and
CENTCOM J-5 MG Allardice to brief ARCENT and J-5 roles in
Lebanon. LTG Lovelace explained that his command is committed
to the Comprehensive Training Program (CTP) and that he looks
forward to working with Embassy Beirut and the LAF to
implement this program. Lovelace affirmed that the Acting
CENTCOM Commander LTG Marty Dempsey and incoming CENTCOM
Commander General David Petraeus have wholeheartedly endorsed
this plan. Lovelace told Murr that, "we are anxious to
help." MG Allardice seconded this desire to help the LAF.
Allardice acknowledged that the Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) process is frustrating, but he committed his staff to
helping the LAF leverage the system to their benefit.

A TRULY HISTORIC OCCASION
THE FIRST COOPERATION SINCE 1983
--------------


11. (C) Murr reminded the JMC delegation of the deep ties
between the U.S. Department of Defense and the LAF. He also
recounted the dark days of the Syrian occupation of Lebanon
where, "you could not see one U.S. officer at MoD." Murr
remarked that this was the first time since 1983 that so many
U.S. trainers would be in Lebanon to help the LAF (Note. In
1983, under the Lebanese Army Modernization Program (LAMP),
U.S. Army Brigadier General Marty Fintel opened an Office of
Military Cooperation at LAF HQ in Yarze. The LAMP program saw
upwards of 200 U.S. soldiers on the ground in Lebanon as the
entire LAF was transformed from a French colonial militia to
a heavy U.S. Infantry Brigade structure. This training also
included extensive training by U.S. Special Forces in the
Bekaa Valley which resulted in the creation of the five LAF
Intervention Regiments. All of these structures remain until
this day with little modernization having occurred in the
intervening twenty-five year period. The LAMP training
mission was completely independent from the Marine Corps'
participation in the Multi-National Force in Beirut during
this same period. End Note.)

DEFENSE COOPERATION FRAMEWORK
--------------


12. (C) Murr told ASD Long and the delegation that he had
presented the question of his signing the Defense Cooperation
Framework (DCF) to the cabinet but the cabinet had taken no
action. He said that he and Kahwagi would take sole
responsibility for the document. Murr claimed that signing
this document without the cover of the full cabinet posed a
great political risk for him and for Kahwagi. Murr said that
they needed cover from the U.S. Explaining that the JMC was
Kahwagi's first meeting with any European or Arab delegation,
Murr stressed that Kahwagi cannot afford to suffer from
political "overload." The DCF cannot be seen as only a
political agreement between the U.S. and Lebanon, but it must
also produce strong technical support as well. Murr gave a
somber prediction if the DCF is not successful in showing the
Lebanese that "the ways of old (Syria) were not helpful. I
will lose politically; Kahwagi will lose militarily; and the
whole program will fall down." (Note: See the end of this
cable for the full text of this agreement. End Note.)

ASD LONG TO MINDEF
WE WILL WORK WITH YOU

BEIRUT 00001497 004 OF 005


--------------


13. (C) ASD Long acknowledged that there are many challenges
in Lebanon that must be faced. Even so, we must look down the
road six to eight months so that we, the USG, are able to
deliver on expectations garnered from the DCF. ASD long
promised that OSD would go to Congress and brief them on the
LAF's three and five year plans (septel) briefed during the
JMC to ensure that Congress understood the LAF's
requirements.
DISCUSSION TURNS TO HELICOPTERS
AGREEMENT REACHED ON INSPECTION
--------------


14. (C) As one of the last topics covered, ASD Long presented
a discussion on the way forward for helicopters for the LAF.
ASD Long explained that there were several commercial options
available to the LAF for short-term solutions. Kahwagi said
that he did not want to introduce another aviation system
into his inventory for a short term acquisition saying, "we
don't need more problems." Murr said that both he and
Kahwagi wanted to pursue the option of the AH-1 Cobra
helicopters in Jordan. ASD Long stressed her strong
reservations about the Cobras because of sustainability
issues. Even so, Murr said that he wanted to proceed with
assessing the helicopters saying, "This will be nice to
announce. We want to say that an LAF team will go to Jordan
to make a report to the LAF Commander." Kahwagi then said,
"I will send a team and if they are not supportable, maybe we
can ask for UH-60 Blackhawks." All sides agreed that an
assessment of the Jordanian Cobras should be the next step.
Murr closed this topic echoing Kahwagi's comment that if the
assessment comes back negative, then the LAF will then look
for other options.

UNITED STATES - LEBANON
DEFENSE COOPERATION FRAMEWORK
--------------


15. (C) The Lebanese Ministry of Defense and U.S. Department
of Defense are pleased to renew the cooperative relationship
that has characterized U.S. - Lebanon relations for over
fifty years. The Joint Military Commission (JMC) was the
instrument of the renewal of our defense relationship. The
2008 JMC is the first in what will be an annual series of
meetings between our defense establishments. The Lebanese
Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense are
determined to strengthen their cooperative ties. Going
forward, elements of our relationship will include:

Training - The multi-year Comprehensive Training Program will
enable us to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese
Armed Forces (LAF) and to construct a national training
facility for the LAF. Additional Joint Combined Exchange
Training will help us build upon existing training
cooperation, focused on sophisticated skill sets. Increased
IMET-funded programs will foster enduring ties between our
military services.

Foreign Military Sales - The U.S. Department of Defense
supports the LAF's requirements for equipment appropriate to
the LAF's unique mission. The Department of Defense will be
receptive to LAF requests for future assistance and will work
closely with the LAF to jointly determine the best solutions
to the LAF,s requirements.

Funding - The U.S. Department of Defense will endeavor to
find a predictable, reliable funding stream to support LAF
modernization.

Absorption Capacity and Force Transformation - Both the
Lebanese Defense Ministry and U.S. Department of Defense will
work to expand to the LAF's ability to plan and conduct its
modernization.


BEIRUT 00001497 005 OF 005


Promoting Lebanese Sovereignty: As Lebanese President Michel
Sleiman stated in his inaugural speech, the LAF has
increasingly gained the confidence of the Lebanese people,
starting with its deployment to the South and in its defeat
of terrorists at Nahr al-Bared. The U.S. Department of
Defense looks forward to helping President Sleiman achieve
his objective of promoting Government of Lebanon sovereignty
over Lebanese territory.
The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes the historic,
unifying, and vital role of the LAF in promoting national
security and combating terrorism. A strong LAF is essential
to extending the authority of the Government of Lebanon over
all Lebanese territory to ensure the Government is the sole
political and military authority in the country.

Signed, 6 OCT 2008

For the U.S., ASD Long

For Lebanon, MinDef Murr

End text.


16. (C) Assistant Secretary Long has cleared this cable.
SISON