LEBANON: SINIORA TELLS CODEL ACKERMAN SOLVING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001759 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA ALSO FOR IO A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER NSC FOR AMBRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS LE SY SUBJECT: LEBANON: SINIORA TELLS CODEL ACKERMAN SOLVING ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT MUST BE PRIORITY Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In a December 13 meeting with CODEL Ackerman, Prime Minister Siniora pushed for the U.S. to find an equitable solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Solving the Palestinian problem, he said, would solve other regional and world problems. Siniora said Lebanon sought an "excellent relationship" with Syria, although several issues still needed to be resolved, including border delineation. Siniora thanked the CODEL for continued U.S. support to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces, but also argued for increased support to moderates to preserve Lebanon's multiculturalism and democracy. End summary. SOLVING THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT SOLVES A HOST OF REGIONAL PROBLEMS -------------- ¶2. (C) CODEL Ackerman, accompanied by Ambassador and Emboffs, met with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora December 13 at Baabda Palace. Codel members were Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-NY, chairman of the HFAC subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia; and subcommittee members Rep. Jeff Flake, R-AZ; Rep. Joe Wilson, R-SC; Rep. Brian Higgins, D-NY; Rep. Ron Klein, R-FL; as well as subcommittee staffers David Adams, Greg McCarthy, and Howard Diamond. Ackerman began the meeting by reassuring Siniora that the U.S. was, and would remain, a "friend of Lebanon" and would continue to support Lebanon's state institutions. Siniora replied that Lebanon appreciated U.S. support. However, he continued, solving the Arab-Israeli conflict would solve many problems in the region, including Lebanon's territorial issues. These issues (Ghajar and Sheba'a) also bolster Hizballah's argument to maintain its weapons and Iran's objective of "defending Islam," he noted. ¶3. (C) Siniora argued that the Palestinian problem was becoming worse, socially, economically, politically and on humanitarian grounds. This situation, he said, fosters extremism which creates larger security challenges for Lebanon and others. Siniora complained that Lebanon had been used as an open battleground between the Palestinians and the Israelis. If Israel withdrew from Ghajar and Sheba'a Farms and was committed to a return to its pre-1967 borders, Lebanon was prepared to recognize Israel in the name of peace, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UNSCRs, Siniora affirmed. Lebanon, he said, no longer wanted to be an issue "on the table," but rather desired to be "at the table." Ackerman acknowledged that a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue was important and affirmed that U.S. support to Lebanon was not predicated on any other regional discussions or initiatives. LEBANON-SYRIA RELATIONS -------------- ¶4. (C) In response to Rep. Wilson's inquiry about the status of Lebanon-Syria relations, Siniora reported that Lebanon was keen to have "excellent relations" with Syria, although there were outstanding issues that must be resolved. Siniora specifically noted the delineation of the Lebanon-Syria border, Lebanese detainees in Syria, and a resolution to Palestinian military camps in Lebanon near the Syrian border that the SARG supports. Siniora said he hoped that the two countries would open embassies by the end of the year. Syria, he said, had attempted to "clone" Lebanon on a Syrian model years ago, but had failed. The reason was that Lebanon remained a "free" country, while Syria was a "controlled state." U.S. SUPPORT SHOULD FOCUS ON LAF AND MODERATES -------------- BEIRUT 00001759 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Siniora thanked the CODEL for U.S. assistance to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). A strong LAF, he said, was important for the defense of Lebanon's sovereignty and independence. The U.S. appreciated the difficult work involved in upgrading the LAF, said Ackerman. For this reason, the CODEL conveyed a continued commitment to assist the LAF in the new U.S. administration, saying that "U.S. policy will remain consistent." ¶6. (C) Siniora warned that Lebanon's multicultural system could face "deep consequences" if moderates were not supported. Lebanon, he said, was "unique" because it was the only country in the Arab world that has a "rotation of power; a real democracy." Ackerman replied that the U.S. would continue to encourage moderate voices and strengthen state institutions. Siniora asserted that moderates who focused attention and action on the underlying social and economic problems were Lebanon's only tools to combat extremism at its roots. SISON