LEBANON: HARIRI WITH S/P GORDON WARNS AGAINST THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 000841

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, S/P
IO FOR A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR EAID UNSC LE SY IR
SUBJECT: LEBANON: HARIRI WITH S/P GORDON WARNS AGAINST THE
DANGERS OF IRAN AND SYRIA

REF: BEIRUT 713

BEIRUT 00000841 001.2 OF 003


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

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) Meeting with visiting Director of Policy Planning
David Gordon on June 3, majority leader Saad Hariri stressed
that Iran, with help from Syria, is taking over Lebanon. He
added that it is imperative that the U.S. formulate a strong,
coherent policy on Syria that stresses sticks as much as it
does carrots. Saad also discussed the Sunni mindset after
last month's fighting in Lebanon, a future trip by President
Sleiman to Washington, the urgent need for Israeli withdrawal
from Shebaa Farms, and U.S. assistance to Lebanon. Following
the lunch, we learned that Saad, unexpectedly, will not
include independent Tripoli MP Mosbah Ahdab in the next
cabinet. End summary.


2. (C) Policy Planning Director David Gordon and S/P officers
Todd Deatherage and Whitley Wolman, accompanied by the
Charge, Special Assistant, Pol/Econ Chief, ConOffs, and
senior LES political advisor, met with majority leader Saad
Hariri at his office in Qoreitem on June 3. Hariri advisors
Ghattas Khoury, Hani Hammoud, Nader Hariri, notetaker Nadine
Chehab and independent Tripoli MP Mosbah Ahdab also attended
the meeting.

IRANIAN TENTACLES ALL OVER LEBANON
--------------


3. (C) After thanking the U.S. for its continued support,
Saad said that the next few months will be critical for
Lebanon. As he has stressed previously, Iran has "put its
hand on Lebanon" and created a new political atmosphere in
the country. He noted that Iran is pouring money and weapons
into its surrogates in Lebanon, and recently Hassan Nasrallah
publicly stated that he is an adherent to velayat-e-faqih
(Persian concept of Islamic supremacy). Saad asserted that
Iran has a grand strategy in the region, with Iran's ultimate
goal the extension of its border next to Israel's. Saad
recounted a recent comment by Iran's Foreign Minister, who
told Saad in their May 26 meeting that this was Lebanon's
last war with Israel, implying an impending end to the
Israeli state.


4. (C) Commenting on the 2009 parliamentary elections, Saad
remarked that if Iran thinks March 14 will win, then it will
do something to prevent the elections from taking place.
Saad cautioned that the 2009 parliamentary elections will be
the most important in Lebanon's history and will decide what
type of country Lebanon will become.


5. (C) Director Gordon responded to Saad's concerns by saying
that the U.S. was indeed concerned about Iran and that the
Iranian issue would remain the biggest challenge in the next
administration. Gordon also noted that the U.S. is working
with partners in the region and at the UN Security Council to
counter Iranian actions. He added that U.S. was committed to
building up the security and civil institutions in Lebanon as
a counterpoint to Iranian's influence of instability.

US POLICY TOWARD SYRIA
--------------


6. (C) Saad then switched to Syria, accusing the U.S. of
having "no policy". He added that the only reason Iran is
such a big challenge in the region is because of Syrian help;
it is Syria that allows weapons and money to be transported
from its