Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIRUT871
2008-06-10 16:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: DUTCH MAY END THEIR ASSISTANCE TO THE LAF
how-toVZCZCXRO5615 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHLB #0871 1621619 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101619Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2228 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2500 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2793 RHMFISS/USCENTCOM SPECIAL HANDLING MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000871
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO
DOD/OSD FOR EDELMAN/LONG/KIMMITT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2018
TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PINR PREL UNSC LE NE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: DUTCH MAY END THEIR ASSISTANCE TO THE LAF
Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000871
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO
DOD/OSD FOR EDELMAN/LONG/KIMMITT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2018
TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PINR PREL UNSC LE NE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: DUTCH MAY END THEIR ASSISTANCE TO THE LAF
Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) International donor country representatives working
with Lebanon's security sector met on June 9 to review donor
contributions to Lebanon's security agencies. Early in the
meeting, the Dutch Charge d'Affaires noted her embassy's
disappointment in the performance of GOL security agencies
during the conflict that took place in May between government
and opposition forces in the streets of Beirut and other
areas of Lebanon. She added that her embassy was considering
whether or not continue its assistance program to the GOL
security agencies. End Summary.
DUTCH MAY END
ASSISTANCE TO LAF
--------------
2. (C) In a June 9 International Donor Security Sector
Coordination meeting, Nelleke Kruijs Voorberge, Dutch Charge
d'Affaires, said her government was conducting internal
discussions about whether or not to continue its financial
assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) following what
she considered to be the LAF's "poor performance" in early
May during the armed clashes which took place between
majority and opposition militias. Voorberge questioned the
wisdom of continued support to the LAF, as well as the
Internal Security Forces (ISF),due to what she called a
"lack of visibility" in the streets following the takeover of
West Beirut by Hizballah forces. Dutch DATT Paul Flos
estimated the Dutch contribution to the LAF to be around $3
million.
3. (C) Most representatives from the other donor countries
said their governments had yet to make a decision as to
whether or not they would continue to provide financial
assistance to Lebanon's security agencies. The majority of
donors said their countries' would wait until after cabinet
decision are made and the national unity government is formed
to assess whether or not to continue assistance. Some
countries, such as Canada, would be barred from providing
financial assistance to certain ministries, depending on what
political party the minister belongs to.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) The Netherlands currently provides logistics,
maintenance, and driving instruction training to the LAF.
The Dutch have also supplied the LAF with over one hundred
four ton military trucks including spare parts. The end of
the Dutch assistance, if it comes to pass, likely will not
severely hurt the LAF. If other donors were to join them,
though, the situation might change. End Comment.
SISON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO
DOD/OSD FOR EDELMAN/LONG/KIMMITT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2018
TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PINR PREL UNSC LE NE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: DUTCH MAY END THEIR ASSISTANCE TO THE LAF
Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) International donor country representatives working
with Lebanon's security sector met on June 9 to review donor
contributions to Lebanon's security agencies. Early in the
meeting, the Dutch Charge d'Affaires noted her embassy's
disappointment in the performance of GOL security agencies
during the conflict that took place in May between government
and opposition forces in the streets of Beirut and other
areas of Lebanon. She added that her embassy was considering
whether or not continue its assistance program to the GOL
security agencies. End Summary.
DUTCH MAY END
ASSISTANCE TO LAF
--------------
2. (C) In a June 9 International Donor Security Sector
Coordination meeting, Nelleke Kruijs Voorberge, Dutch Charge
d'Affaires, said her government was conducting internal
discussions about whether or not to continue its financial
assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) following what
she considered to be the LAF's "poor performance" in early
May during the armed clashes which took place between
majority and opposition militias. Voorberge questioned the
wisdom of continued support to the LAF, as well as the
Internal Security Forces (ISF),due to what she called a
"lack of visibility" in the streets following the takeover of
West Beirut by Hizballah forces. Dutch DATT Paul Flos
estimated the Dutch contribution to the LAF to be around $3
million.
3. (C) Most representatives from the other donor countries
said their governments had yet to make a decision as to
whether or not they would continue to provide financial
assistance to Lebanon's security agencies. The majority of
donors said their countries' would wait until after cabinet
decision are made and the national unity government is formed
to assess whether or not to continue assistance. Some
countries, such as Canada, would be barred from providing
financial assistance to certain ministries, depending on what
political party the minister belongs to.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) The Netherlands currently provides logistics,
maintenance, and driving instruction training to the LAF.
The Dutch have also supplied the LAF with over one hundred
four ton military trucks including spare parts. The end of
the Dutch assistance, if it comes to pass, likely will not
severely hurt the LAF. If other donors were to join them,
though, the situation might change. End Comment.
SISON