Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA502
2008-05-16 08:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS REQUEST TO BUILD ON ARAB
how-toVZCZCXRO5909 PP RUEHBC RUEHBW RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHBY #0502 1370821 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 160821Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9574 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0100 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0153 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 3051 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE PRIORITY 5259 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH PRIORITY 3541 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY PRIORITY 3453 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0643 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000502
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/ERA JEFFREY GAIUQUE
DEPT. ALSO FOR NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWING AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS REQUEST TO BUILD ON ARAB
LEAGUE EFFORTS FOR LEBANON
REF: STATE 52061
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Grace C. Stettenbauer for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000502
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/ERA JEFFREY GAIUQUE
DEPT. ALSO FOR NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWING AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS REQUEST TO BUILD ON ARAB
LEAGUE EFFORTS FOR LEBANON
REF: STATE 52061
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Grace C. Stettenbauer for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Charge and POLOFF delivered reftel demarche to
Deborah Stokes, First Assistant Secretary, and Andrea
Faulkner, Assistant Secretary, South and West Asia, Middle
East and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade. Stokes advised that the GOA would look closely at the
reftel points and advise after further consultation within
the government.
2. (C/NF) Stokes indicated that the GOA has been alarmed by
recent events in Lebanon. Stokes and Faulkner shared that
the GOA has been reviewing its terrorist designation for
Hizballah relevant to Australian consular affairs in Lebanon.
Given Hizballah's recent gains in "territory", the points
and degree of contact with Hizballah, as well as the
desirability of such contact, are being reconsidered. The
GOA estimates there are 25,000 Australians in Lebanon. There
was also an initial reaction that the U.S. description of
Australia's designation of only Hizballah's "External
Security Organization" as terrorist was perhaps too narrow.
Faulkner agreed to check and advise of any differences.
3. (C) In anticipation of further questions from the GOA
regarding the possible recall of ambassadors from Syria or
Iran, we request guidance from the Department on possible
parallel or other U.S. action.
STETTENBAUER
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/ERA JEFFREY GAIUQUE
DEPT. ALSO FOR NEA/ELA FOR MATTHEW IRWING AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS REQUEST TO BUILD ON ARAB
LEAGUE EFFORTS FOR LEBANON
REF: STATE 52061
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Grace C. Stettenbauer for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Charge and POLOFF delivered reftel demarche to
Deborah Stokes, First Assistant Secretary, and Andrea
Faulkner, Assistant Secretary, South and West Asia, Middle
East and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade. Stokes advised that the GOA would look closely at the
reftel points and advise after further consultation within
the government.
2. (C/NF) Stokes indicated that the GOA has been alarmed by
recent events in Lebanon. Stokes and Faulkner shared that
the GOA has been reviewing its terrorist designation for
Hizballah relevant to Australian consular affairs in Lebanon.
Given Hizballah's recent gains in "territory", the points
and degree of contact with Hizballah, as well as the
desirability of such contact, are being reconsidered. The
GOA estimates there are 25,000 Australians in Lebanon. There
was also an initial reaction that the U.S. description of
Australia's designation of only Hizballah's "External
Security Organization" as terrorist was perhaps too narrow.
Faulkner agreed to check and advise of any differences.
3. (C) In anticipation of further questions from the GOA
regarding the possible recall of ambassadors from Syria or
Iran, we request guidance from the Department on possible
parallel or other U.S. action.
STETTENBAUER