SLOVAKIA REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR LEBANESE GOVERNMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000231 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR LEBANON DESK OFFICER MATTHEW IRWIN AND EUR/ERA JEFFREY GIAUQUE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2013 TAGS: PGOV PREL LE SY IR LO SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR LEBANESE GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 52061 ¶1. (C) DCM, in the absence of the Ambassador who was traveling in-country, delivered reftel points to MFA State Secretary Olga Algayerova on May 16 (FM Kubis is in Peru). Algayerova reaffirmed Slovakia's support for the Government of Lebanon and the March 14 movement, and said Slovakia will continue to encourage a peaceful solution both publicly and privately. Algayerova agreed that Hizballah should not be able to achieve gains from its recourse to violence and expressed backing for EU efforts to express solidarity with Lebanon's elected government. DCM stressed the need for the EU to take a new look at Hizballah and declare it a terrorist group, lest Hizballah see no cost to its violence against the Lebanese government and people. Algayerova requested that we inform her of reactions to this demarche from other EU capitals and provide further assessments of the situation in Lebanon as developments warrant. ¶2. (C) DCM noted that events in Lebanon and the results of the Lebanese National Dialogue in Doha May 16 may create the need for further bilateral expressions of support for the GOL and condemnation of Hizballah. The Slovak Foreign Ministry issued the following statement May 12 in the midst of the violence: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic condemns the latest acts of violence in Lebanon in the strongest terms and reaffirms its full support to the Lebanese government in its efforts to ensure the sovereignty of Lebanon. We urge the opposition led by HEZBOLLAH to stop all disruptive activities and start playing a constructive role in the country. We believe that the parties will solve the crisis only by peaceful means and preserve stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon." OBSITNIK