Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT182
2009-02-17 11:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
Lebanon: Media Reaction - February 17, 2009
how-toO 171139Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4224 NSC WASHDC PRIORITY ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA PRIORITY
UNCLAS BEIRUT 000182
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - February 17, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
Media outlets highlighted the "serious events" that occurred over
the weekend: the commemoration of former PM Rafiq Hariri's
assassination, the stabbing of a Druze who participated in the
commemoration, efforts by MP Walid Jumblatt and MP Saad Hariri to
contain the repercussions of the stabbing and maintain calm, the
first commemoration of the assassination of Hizballah's military
commander Imad Mughnieh, and efforts by the Hizballah Secretary
eneral to emphasize the atmosphere of calm. The press also
highlighted an "important" revelation by Nasrallah in which he said
that Hizballah has the right to acquire air defense, as well as the
right to use it.
On the regional level, the press highlighted Senator Kerry's visit
to the region, as well as an expected visit by Congressman Howard
Berman to Syria.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"Nasrallah Reaches Out to Rivals, Warns Israelis to Stay Home; We
Have the Right to Air Defense" English-language, Beirut-based The
Daily Star
"Hariri Supports Junblatt's Efforts To Contain Anger in the Mountain
and Will Meet Mubarak in Cairo" Pro-Sunni Al-Liwa'
"Nasrallah: We Have The Right to Air Defense and To Use it If We
Want" Independent Al-Bayraq
"The Resistance Leadership Raises Israel's Concerns: We Have The
Right To Air Defense" Arab nationalist As-Safir
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Berman to Visit Damascus to Reinforce Lifting the Ban, but He is
carrying a Strong Message," an edtitorial by Nicolas Nassif in
pro-opposition Al-Akhbar (2/17):
"Lebanese visitors returned from Washington with information related
to the American position on Syria and Lebanon. On Syria, the
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Howard
Berman, will travel to Damascus soon on a visit that will increase
confirmation that the American political ban on Syria and Assad's
Regime has been lifted. The person who will be coordinating this
visit is his colleague Senator Kerry. Berman's visit is very
important because he is the Godfather of the Syria Accountability
Act that was issued in 2003. ...Berman is carrying a very strong
message to Damascus to urge it to cooperate seriously with
Washington so that Washington will not have to re-use President
Bush's policy towards Assad. ...In this regard, sources noted that
reports by Ambassador Sison to the State Department included fears
that were expressed by March 14 over this new U.S. policy toward
Syria and the possibility of its negative impact on Lebanon and its
current majority. ...Some sources believe that Hazem Ash-Shahabi,
who is the son of former General in the Syrian Army Hikmat
Ash-Shahabi, is actually behind Berman's visit to Damascus, because
he is a well-known personality in California. As for Lebanon, it is
believed that the State Department staff on Near East Affairs has
not been completed yet. So far, no one has been appointed to
replace Assistant Secretary Welch, although it is believed that
former Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman is one of the most
outstanding candidates for this post. ...Furthermore, it is
believed that David Hale, who was appointed as Feltman's assistant
has been withdrawn from this position and was appointed as a special
assistant to special Middle East envoy George Mitchell. This means
that Hale's next mission in the region will not have to do with
Lebanon, but with the peace process..."
Sison
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - February 17, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
Media outlets highlighted the "serious events" that occurred over
the weekend: the commemoration of former PM Rafiq Hariri's
assassination, the stabbing of a Druze who participated in the
commemoration, efforts by MP Walid Jumblatt and MP Saad Hariri to
contain the repercussions of the stabbing and maintain calm, the
first commemoration of the assassination of Hizballah's military
commander Imad Mughnieh, and efforts by the Hizballah Secretary
eneral to emphasize the atmosphere of calm. The press also
highlighted an "important" revelation by Nasrallah in which he said
that Hizballah has the right to acquire air defense, as well as the
right to use it.
On the regional level, the press highlighted Senator Kerry's visit
to the region, as well as an expected visit by Congressman Howard
Berman to Syria.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"Nasrallah Reaches Out to Rivals, Warns Israelis to Stay Home; We
Have the Right to Air Defense" English-language, Beirut-based The
Daily Star
"Hariri Supports Junblatt's Efforts To Contain Anger in the Mountain
and Will Meet Mubarak in Cairo" Pro-Sunni Al-Liwa'
"Nasrallah: We Have The Right to Air Defense and To Use it If We
Want" Independent Al-Bayraq
"The Resistance Leadership Raises Israel's Concerns: We Have The
Right To Air Defense" Arab nationalist As-Safir
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Berman to Visit Damascus to Reinforce Lifting the Ban, but He is
carrying a Strong Message," an edtitorial by Nicolas Nassif in
pro-opposition Al-Akhbar (2/17):
"Lebanese visitors returned from Washington with information related
to the American position on Syria and Lebanon. On Syria, the
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Howard
Berman, will travel to Damascus soon on a visit that will increase
confirmation that the American political ban on Syria and Assad's
Regime has been lifted. The person who will be coordinating this
visit is his colleague Senator Kerry. Berman's visit is very
important because he is the Godfather of the Syria Accountability
Act that was issued in 2003. ...Berman is carrying a very strong
message to Damascus to urge it to cooperate seriously with
Washington so that Washington will not have to re-use President
Bush's policy towards Assad. ...In this regard, sources noted that
reports by Ambassador Sison to the State Department included fears
that were expressed by March 14 over this new U.S. policy toward
Syria and the possibility of its negative impact on Lebanon and its
current majority. ...Some sources believe that Hazem Ash-Shahabi,
who is the son of former General in the Syrian Army Hikmat
Ash-Shahabi, is actually behind Berman's visit to Damascus, because
he is a well-known personality in California. As for Lebanon, it is
believed that the State Department staff on Near East Affairs has
not been completed yet. So far, no one has been appointed to
replace Assistant Secretary Welch, although it is believed that
former Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman is one of the most
outstanding candidates for this post. ...Furthermore, it is
believed that David Hale, who was appointed as Feltman's assistant
has been withdrawn from this position and was appointed as a special
assistant to special Middle East envoy George Mitchell. This means
that Hale's next mission in the region will not have to do with
Lebanon, but with the peace process..."
Sison