Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT214
2009-02-24 11:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
Lebanon: Media Reaction - February 24, 2009
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000214
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - February 24, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
The Lebanese media highlighted visits by the head of the
International Commission investigating former PM Hariri's
assassination, Daniel Bellemare, to President Suleiman, Speaker
Berri, and Prime Minister Siniora to bid them farewell before he
left for The Hague. The press also noted that there were no
developments in the on-going conflict between the Speaker and the
Prime Minister over the budget.
An editorialist in Arab nationalist As-Safir newspaper reported
speculations that Senator Kerry "digested a lesson" about Lebanon
that was reportedly given to him by Acting A/S Feltman. The
editorialist sharply criticized Senator Kerry's statements about the
parliamentary elections and his style which "reminded the Lebanese
of Feltman's style," noting that "talking in this manner three
months before the elections is not wise...and may eventually
backfire." He also noted that, Feltman's support for the Cedar
Revolution did nothing "except deepen divisions and provocations...
"
Selected Headlines
--------------
"The Tribunal's Week: Bellemare Bids Farewell and Security Measures
To Protect the Lebanese Judges" Pro-Sunni Al-Liwa'
"1471 Days Later After Hariri's Assassination: The International
Tribunal To Open Today for Media Representatives" Pro-Hariri
Ash-Sharq
"Suleiman: Democracy is Acceptance of the Results of the Laws"
Pro-Hariri Al-Mustaqbal
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Feltman's Logic," an editorial by George Alam in Arab nationalist
As-Safir (2/24):
"It is being said behind the scenes that, before he came to Lebanon,
Senator Kerry...talked to Ambassador Feltman and digested a special
lesson about Lebanon which he (Kerry) cleverly reported when he came
to Beirut. ...The opposition is dealing with great care with the
U.S. involvement in the elections on March 14's side, and says that
this is not good for President Suleiman and his compromise role.
...Senator Kerry reminded the Lebanese of Ambassador Feltman's style
when he was in Beirut..., and boycotted the President (Lahoud).
Kerry's style seemed to revive (Feltman's) style when he ignored the
President's (Suleiman) status, and his effort to create compromise.
...The opposition believes that this manner in dealing with Lebanon
is a blatant strike against civil peace. ...What reduces the impact
of this American involvement, however, is the fact that the U.S.
Administration did not publicly adopt these (Kerry's) statements.
....Talking in this manner three months before the elections is not
wise...and may eventually backfire. In any case, U.S. support was
never beneficial, but many times was closer to propaganda. What did
this 'Feltmanian's' support for the Cedar Revolution do except
deepen divisions and provocations which is a burden on the shoulders
of all Lebanese without exception."
"Rockets in the South and Moving Explosions Are Pushing Diplomats
into Asking Questions," an editorial by Khalil Flayhan in moderate,
anti-Syrian An-Nahar (2/24):
"The security situation in Lebanon is back as a subject of concern
for Arab and foreign Ambassadors in Lebanon...particularly the
launching of the rockets against Israel. ...Despite the amateurish
set-up of the rockets, Ambassadors noted that those who launched the
rockets were clever enough to target civilian places inside Israel.
....Arab diplomatic sources in Beirut confirmed that there were no
documented answers to the questions about the security situation in
Lebanon. They described...the security situation as 'fragile' and
chaotic. ...The only positive element is the fact that there has
been no Hizballah operation against Israel through the
Lebanese-Israeli border since the end of the July war in 2006..."
"Kerry's Request for Syria to Interfere with Hizballah Raises
Questions," an editorial by Rosana Bou-Monsef in moderate,
anti-Syrian An-Nahar (2/24):
"Senator Kerry's visit...satisfied the Lebanese...and the Europeans
BEIRUT 00000214 002 OF 002
because...of his confirmation that the new U.S. Administration is
committed to Lebanon's sovereignty. ...Sources noted in particular,
however, Kerry's announcement that the U.S. wants Syria to help in
disarming Hizballah...because they know that the U.S. will enter a
maze over this issue with Syria...Some speculated that perhaps the
U.S. thinks that Syria might help in disarming Hizballah in return
for a greater Syrian influence in Lebanon. ...Others, however, say
that they have no fears and recall...that there are internationalresolutions now that deal with Hizballah's weapons. ...They
disclose that the U.N. is working on preparing a legal study about
the possibility of taking statements by Syrian officials into
consideration and use it as a legal confirmation of the Lebanese
ownership of the Shebaa Farms. ...But now, we have to take into
consideration the French experience with Syria and their feeling
that, as a first step, Syria is practicing blackmail by not
nominating a Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon..."
Grant
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - February 24, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
The Lebanese media highlighted visits by the head of the
International Commission investigating former PM Hariri's
assassination, Daniel Bellemare, to President Suleiman, Speaker
Berri, and Prime Minister Siniora to bid them farewell before he
left for The Hague. The press also noted that there were no
developments in the on-going conflict between the Speaker and the
Prime Minister over the budget.
An editorialist in Arab nationalist As-Safir newspaper reported
speculations that Senator Kerry "digested a lesson" about Lebanon
that was reportedly given to him by Acting A/S Feltman. The
editorialist sharply criticized Senator Kerry's statements about the
parliamentary elections and his style which "reminded the Lebanese
of Feltman's style," noting that "talking in this manner three
months before the elections is not wise...and may eventually
backfire." He also noted that, Feltman's support for the Cedar
Revolution did nothing "except deepen divisions and provocations...
"
Selected Headlines
--------------
"The Tribunal's Week: Bellemare Bids Farewell and Security Measures
To Protect the Lebanese Judges" Pro-Sunni Al-Liwa'
"1471 Days Later After Hariri's Assassination: The International
Tribunal To Open Today for Media Representatives" Pro-Hariri
Ash-Sharq
"Suleiman: Democracy is Acceptance of the Results of the Laws"
Pro-Hariri Al-Mustaqbal
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Feltman's Logic," an editorial by George Alam in Arab nationalist
As-Safir (2/24):
"It is being said behind the scenes that, before he came to Lebanon,
Senator Kerry...talked to Ambassador Feltman and digested a special
lesson about Lebanon which he (Kerry) cleverly reported when he came
to Beirut. ...The opposition is dealing with great care with the
U.S. involvement in the elections on March 14's side, and says that
this is not good for President Suleiman and his compromise role.
...Senator Kerry reminded the Lebanese of Ambassador Feltman's style
when he was in Beirut..., and boycotted the President (Lahoud).
Kerry's style seemed to revive (Feltman's) style when he ignored the
President's (Suleiman) status, and his effort to create compromise.
...The opposition believes that this manner in dealing with Lebanon
is a blatant strike against civil peace. ...What reduces the impact
of this American involvement, however, is the fact that the U.S.
Administration did not publicly adopt these (Kerry's) statements.
....Talking in this manner three months before the elections is not
wise...and may eventually backfire. In any case, U.S. support was
never beneficial, but many times was closer to propaganda. What did
this 'Feltmanian's' support for the Cedar Revolution do except
deepen divisions and provocations which is a burden on the shoulders
of all Lebanese without exception."
"Rockets in the South and Moving Explosions Are Pushing Diplomats
into Asking Questions," an editorial by Khalil Flayhan in moderate,
anti-Syrian An-Nahar (2/24):
"The security situation in Lebanon is back as a subject of concern
for Arab and foreign Ambassadors in Lebanon...particularly the
launching of the rockets against Israel. ...Despite the amateurish
set-up of the rockets, Ambassadors noted that those who launched the
rockets were clever enough to target civilian places inside Israel.
....Arab diplomatic sources in Beirut confirmed that there were no
documented answers to the questions about the security situation in
Lebanon. They described...the security situation as 'fragile' and
chaotic. ...The only positive element is the fact that there has
been no Hizballah operation against Israel through the
Lebanese-Israeli border since the end of the July war in 2006..."
"Kerry's Request for Syria to Interfere with Hizballah Raises
Questions," an editorial by Rosana Bou-Monsef in moderate,
anti-Syrian An-Nahar (2/24):
"Senator Kerry's visit...satisfied the Lebanese...and the Europeans
BEIRUT 00000214 002 OF 002
because...of his confirmation that the new U.S. Administration is
committed to Lebanon's sovereignty. ...Sources noted in particular,
however, Kerry's announcement that the U.S. wants Syria to help in
disarming Hizballah...because they know that the U.S. will enter a
maze over this issue with Syria...Some speculated that perhaps the
U.S. thinks that Syria might help in disarming Hizballah in return
for a greater Syrian influence in Lebanon. ...Others, however, say
that they have no fears and recall...that there are internationalresolutions now that deal with Hizballah's weapons. ...They
disclose that the U.N. is working on preparing a legal study about
the possibility of taking statements by Syrian officials into
consideration and use it as a legal confirmation of the Lebanese
ownership of the Shebaa Farms. ...But now, we have to take into
consideration the French experience with Syria and their feeling
that, as a first step, Syria is practicing blackmail by not
nominating a Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon..."
Grant