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
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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