Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MOSCOW1340
2008-05-14 12:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
LEBANON: RUSSIA SENDS SIGNAL TO SYRIA AND IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO4079 PP RUEHBW RUEHROV DE RUEHMO #1340 1351249 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141249Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8065 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001340
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE SY RS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: RUSSIA SENDS SIGNAL TO SYRIA AND IRAN
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001340
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE SY RS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: RUSSIA SENDS SIGNAL TO SYRIA AND IRAN
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) On May 15, MFA Director for Middle East Affairs Sergey
Vershinin said that in the wake of FM Lavrov's May 13
conversations with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora and
Egyptian FM Aboul Gheit, Russia had sent a "signal" to
Damascus and Tehran that it was necessary to create the "most
positive conditions possible" for the successful work of the
Arab League delegation that is arriving in Beirut. Referring
to the MFA's statement on the Siniora telephone call,
Vershinin stressed that Russia's "principled position" was to
support the constitutional institutions of Lebanon. Russia
considered the Arab League initiative the most effective
lever at this stage to halt the bloodshed and restore a
political dialogue. Vershinin clarified that Russia had not
received responses from Syria or Iran, but reiterated that
Deputy Foreign Minister Saltanov appreciated his discussion
with A/S Welch over next steps on Lebanon.
2. (C) Lebanese First Secretary Nagi Khalife told us that his
government had called upon Russia to press Damascus and
Tehran while fully understanding the limits of Russian
influence. Lebanon regularly sought Russian intervention
with Syria, but saw little result. This occurred most
recently when parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri came
to Moscow in November 2007 seeking Russian support in ending
the political deadlock over electing a new President.
Khalife maintained Russia was only partly sincere in calling
for an end to what an MFA spokesperson referred to as
"selfish foreign interference" in Lebanon, with the GOR not
wishing to press its Syrian ally too hard.
RUSSELL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE SY RS
SUBJECT: LEBANON: RUSSIA SENDS SIGNAL TO SYRIA AND IRAN
Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) On May 15, MFA Director for Middle East Affairs Sergey
Vershinin said that in the wake of FM Lavrov's May 13
conversations with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora and
Egyptian FM Aboul Gheit, Russia had sent a "signal" to
Damascus and Tehran that it was necessary to create the "most
positive conditions possible" for the successful work of the
Arab League delegation that is arriving in Beirut. Referring
to the MFA's statement on the Siniora telephone call,
Vershinin stressed that Russia's "principled position" was to
support the constitutional institutions of Lebanon. Russia
considered the Arab League initiative the most effective
lever at this stage to halt the bloodshed and restore a
political dialogue. Vershinin clarified that Russia had not
received responses from Syria or Iran, but reiterated that
Deputy Foreign Minister Saltanov appreciated his discussion
with A/S Welch over next steps on Lebanon.
2. (C) Lebanese First Secretary Nagi Khalife told us that his
government had called upon Russia to press Damascus and
Tehran while fully understanding the limits of Russian
influence. Lebanon regularly sought Russian intervention
with Syria, but saw little result. This occurred most
recently when parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri came
to Moscow in November 2007 seeking Russian support in ending
the political deadlock over electing a new President.
Khalife maintained Russia was only partly sincere in calling
for an end to what an MFA spokesperson referred to as
"selfish foreign interference" in Lebanon, with the GOR not
wishing to press its Syrian ally too hard.
RUSSELL