Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TALLINN174
2008-05-20 13:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:
ESTONIA ON ARAB LEAGUE SUPPORT FOR LEBANON
how-toVZCZCXRO8650 RR RUEHBC RUEHBW RUEHDE RUEHFL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTL #0174 1411315 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 201315Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0634 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0014 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0013 RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000174
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/NB KATHERIN GARRY
STATE FOR EUR/EU JEFFERY GIAQUE
STATE FOR MATTHEW IRWIN LEBANON DESK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE EU SY EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA ON ARAB LEAGUE SUPPORT FOR LEBANON
Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
REF STATE 52061
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000174
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/NB KATHERIN GARRY
STATE FOR EUR/EU JEFFERY GIAQUE
STATE FOR MATTHEW IRWIN LEBANON DESK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE EU SY EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA ON ARAB LEAGUE SUPPORT FOR LEBANON
Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
REF STATE 52061
1. Action Request- please see paragraph (4)
2. (C) On May 20, Poloff delivered points on Lebanon in
reftel to Juri Kahn, Division Director for Middle Eastern
Affairs at the Estonian MFA. Kahn replied that while
Estonia has no diplomatic relations and relatively little
experience in Lebanon, the GOE agrees with and will do what
it can to support the U.S. position. Kahn commented that
it appears the Lebanese constitution gives Hezbollah too
much bargaining power and suggested that perhaps Lebanon
needs to consider changing its Constitution. Kahn
questioned the utility of pushing for a compromise given
that Hezbollah is one of the parties.
3. (C) In the context of this discussion, Kahn raised the
possibility of Foreign Minister Paet traveling to Syria or
Lebanon in the near future to meet with political leaders
and encourage democratic reforms. The MFA recognizes that
the USG is looking for greater engagement from the
international community and the GOE is interested in
increasing its support. The MFA would welcome USG
assistance in drafting talking points and a message for FM
Paet to convey during a potential visit, Kahn added.
4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Through its work in Georgia,
Ukraine, Moldova and Kosovo, the GOE is building excellent
credentials for its ability to promote democracy and market
reform in the region. Although the GOE only has a minor
diplomatic presence in the Middle East (one representative
in Egypt) and generally defers to the EU on regional policy
issues , it is encouraging that the MFA is looking for ways
to increase Estonia's role. Post requests Department
guidance on how to respond to this proposal.
Phillips
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/NB KATHERIN GARRY
STATE FOR EUR/EU JEFFERY GIAQUE
STATE FOR MATTHEW IRWIN LEBANON DESK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE EU SY EN
SUBJECT: ESTONIA ON ARAB LEAGUE SUPPORT FOR LEBANON
Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
REF STATE 52061
1. Action Request- please see paragraph (4)
2. (C) On May 20, Poloff delivered points on Lebanon in
reftel to Juri Kahn, Division Director for Middle Eastern
Affairs at the Estonian MFA. Kahn replied that while
Estonia has no diplomatic relations and relatively little
experience in Lebanon, the GOE agrees with and will do what
it can to support the U.S. position. Kahn commented that
it appears the Lebanese constitution gives Hezbollah too
much bargaining power and suggested that perhaps Lebanon
needs to consider changing its Constitution. Kahn
questioned the utility of pushing for a compromise given
that Hezbollah is one of the parties.
3. (C) In the context of this discussion, Kahn raised the
possibility of Foreign Minister Paet traveling to Syria or
Lebanon in the near future to meet with political leaders
and encourage democratic reforms. The MFA recognizes that
the USG is looking for greater engagement from the
international community and the GOE is interested in
increasing its support. The MFA would welcome USG
assistance in drafting talking points and a message for FM
Paet to convey during a potential visit, Kahn added.
4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Through its work in Georgia,
Ukraine, Moldova and Kosovo, the GOE is building excellent
credentials for its ability to promote democracy and market
reform in the region. Although the GOE only has a minor
diplomatic presence in the Middle East (one representative
in Egypt) and generally defers to the EU on regional policy
issues , it is encouraging that the MFA is looking for ways
to increase Estonia's role. Post requests Department
guidance on how to respond to this proposal.
Phillips