LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK WITH S/P GORDON:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000837 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, S/P USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM UNSC EAID LE SY IR SUBJECT: LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK WITH S/P GORDON: SPECIAL TRIBUNAL, ELECTORAL REFORM, AND ENERGY REF: BEIRUT 00822 Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) David Gordon, Director of Policy Planning, met with Acting Justice Minister Charles Rizk in his home on June 3. Rizk said that although the Tribunal should be above politics, in reality, it will likely play an important strategic role before the 2009 parliamentary elections. He would like UNIIIC Commissioner Daniel Bellemare to ensure that his public statements do not leave an impression that "there is no case." ¶2. (C) Rizk, a constitutional law specialist, also offered his thoughts on electoral reform. He believes that overseas voting rights for Lebanese citizens who still hold national ID cards would provide an important new dimension in the upcoming election. "The majority will be Maronite Christians, who will represent a new and important constituency for candidates to court." ¶3. (C) Finally, Rizk urged the USG to look at other high-impact support measures that would help Lebanon. He specifically asked for technical assistance for water resource management and also believes that Lebanon must begin to explore alternate energy sources to alleviate its current power supply problems. End Summary. Timing and Tone of Tribunal Announcements Will Be Critical -------------- ¶4. (C) The Director of the Office of Policy Planning David Gordon, his chief of staff Todd Deatherage, S/P staffer Whitley Wolman and the Charge, accompanied by Special Assistant, met with Acting Justice Minister Charles Risk in Beirut on June 3. Gordon began by assuring Rizk that the USG would continue to provide support in the Security Council for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, but cautioned that this investigation will be carefully lengthy and may not necessary be able to respond to requests for urgency. ¶5. (C) Rizk was pleased that Security Council had passed on June 2 an extension if the mandate of the UN International Independent Investigative Commission (UNIIIC),the body investigating the Hariri and other assassinations in Lebanon. He told Gordon that the work of the Commission and the Special Tribunal that will follow was at the very center of critical political issues in Lebanon and will likely dominate the atmosphere in advance of the 2009 parliamentary elections. "We must present the case by winter, in order to gain any political leverage from the indictments. People are frustrated by the delays." ¶6. (C) Rizk was displeased with UNIIIC Commissioner Daniel Bellemare's "lack of discretion" in recent public statements, saying that people were beginning to believe that there was no case against the perpetrators of the Hariri assassination. Gordon replied that Washington believes that a case and future indictments are possible. Rizk ended by saying that he would like Bellemare to acknowledge that his job description is different than his predecessor, Serge Brammertz. Bellemare is the prosecutor, as well as the investigator. Although the "prosecutor" title brings with it additional threats for Bellemare, Rizk said he must accept this. Bellemare lives in a guarded fortress outside of Beirut, unlike the Lebanese prosecutor, of the case, Sami Mirza, who has received specific personal threats from Hizballah. "Bellemare should 'take the heat' off of vulnerable Lebanese individuals." Overseas Voting Will Strengthen the Maronites -------------- ¶7. (C) Rizk informed us that there are approximately two million Lebanese citizens (i.e., persons holding national identity cards) living overseas. The majority are Maronites and represent an "interesting" new constituency that is removed from day-to-day- Aoun influence. "Candidates would have to court this group with serious and targeted messages. BEIRUT 00000837 002 OF 002 It will be a boon for the democratic process in Lebanon." He agreed with the Charge that President Sleiman's inaugural speech had "left the door" open for movement on this issue. Rizk assures us that overseas voting could be implemented by an administrative decree and does not require parliamentary consideration. "We already have this legal right and if you bring it to Parliament, Berri will just block it. We just need the Ministry of Interior to organize the balloting." Asking for USG Assistance for Water and Power Issues -------------- ¶8. (C) Rizk also asked that the USG consider funding a technical assistance program to help distribute water from the Chabroukh Dam along the Dog River in Mount Lebanon. "This is an Aoun area, but tangible USG assistance on the ground will deliver a number of political dividends for March 14 Maronites." ¶9. (C) Rizk also asked for USG assistance to address the poorly managed electrical distribution system in Lebanon, which costs the GOL approximately USD 1 billion annually. According to Rizk, the current privatization plan for Electricite de Liban, the national electricity company, is out of date. "There are some new technologies available which could used to tap Lebanon's hydroelectric, wind and solar resources -- we just need technical advice on how to proceed." ¶10. (U) S/P Director Gordon did not have an opportunity to clear this message before departing Beirut. SISON