LEBANON: SLEIMAN PLEASED BY CT COOPERATION, US

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000231

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO/PDAS WARLICK
P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS LE SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: SLEIMAN PLEASED BY CT COOPERATION, US
SUPPORT FOR LEBANON

Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) President Sleiman discussed recent US-Lebanese
cooperation on counter terrorism and was pleased that the
U.S. had approved the provision of Raven UAVs to the Lebanese
Armed Forces. Embassy renews our suggestion that, if
possible, Sleiman be invited to Washington before the June 7
Lebanese election. End Summary.


2. (C) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, met with President
Michel Sleiman at Baabda Palace on February 26. Ambassador
praised Lebanon's cooperation on counter terrorism efforts,
noting in particular the recent excellent work by the
Lebanese Armed Forces intelligence chief (G-2) General Edmond
Fadel. Sleiman was clearly pleased at hearing about the
effective cooperation with the U.S. as well as the praise for
Fadel, noting with pride that he had personally selected
Fadel as G-2 in 2008.

AMBASSADOR INFORMS SLEIMAN ABOUT RAVEN UAVS
--------------


3. (C) Sleiman asked whether LAF Commander Jean Kahwaji,
currently in the U.S. as the guest of CJCS Mullen, would
return with "something" (a deliverable) for the LAF.
Ambassador informed Kahwaji that U.S. will deliver Raven UAVs
to Lebanon soon to help the LAF control Lebanon's borders, as
part of the ongoing USG train and equip assistance to the
LAF. Ambassador also reported that MARCENT commander LTG
Helland had visited the day before to begin discussions of
Marine Corps training of LAF personnel. She noted that the
training would begin after the June 7 parliamentary election,
likely in late summer or early fall. Sleiman was pleased
about both developments.

ASAD, MUBARAK, KING ABDALLAH TO MEET?
--------------


4. (C) Discussion turned to the upcoming Gaza donors
conference in Sharm el Sheikh and developments in
Saudi-Syrian relations. Sleiman hinted that there is a plan
for a meeting among Syrian president Asad, Egyptian president
Mubarak and Saudi King Abdallah, to take place in Cairo
sometime after Sharm but before the Arab League summit in
Doha at the end of March. He thought things were moving on
the Syria-Saudi front. Sleiman said that in Sharm el Sheikh,
PM Siniora will try to make contact with Qatari PM/FM Hamid
bin Jassim, if bin Jassim attends. Finally, Sleiman agreed
to discuss with Siniora the importance of assuring that the
role of the Palestinian Authority is supported in the Gulf
Cooperation Council's donation for Gaza. Sleiman thought
Siniora wanted to support the PA, but also wanted assistance
for Gaza to be used efficiently.

"WE HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT U.S. SUPPORT FOR LEBANON";
SYRIA; KEYTOUSHAS
-------------- --------------


5. (C) Ambassador informed Sleiman about the upcoming trip of
NSC Senior Director Daniel Shapiro and NEA Acting A/S Jeffrey
Feltman; the president immediately agreed to a meeting with
them. Sleiman was aware of the upcoming meeting between
Acting A/S Feltman and Syrian Ambassador to the U.S. Mustafa.
Ambassador noted that there remain key differences between
the U.S. and Syria, including Syria's support for terrorist
groups, interference in Lebanon, acquisition of nuclear and
non-conventional weapons, and human rights situation. She
emphasized that Lebanese interests will not be sacrificed.
Sleiman was grateful but relaxed about this: "We have no
doubt about U.S. support for Lebanon," he responded.


6. (C) Sleiman added that there was nothing new on when the
SARG would name an Ambassador to Lebanon, joking that the
Syrians will do it only when everyone stops pressuring them
to do it. "They don't respond well to pressure", he

BEIRUT 00000231 002 OF 002


commented. Sleiman also mentioned he will make a 24-hour
trip to Oman o February 28. (Note: Oman has pledged $4-5
million for Nahr al Barid Palestinian refugee camp
reconstruction. End note.)


7. (C) Referring to the GOL statements denouncing the latest
incident of Ketyousha rockets being launched from southern
Lebanon into Israel on February 21, Ambassador noted that
Sleiman's statement and those of PM Siniora and Speaker of
the Parliament Nabih Berri had all underscored Lebanese
support for UNSCR 1701. Speaking of Berri, Ambassador
informed Sleiman that there was no truth to recent reports in
some press outlets that the USG was working to keep Berri
from being named Speaker again after the next parliamentary
election or that the U.S. was behind Berri's bitter conflict
with Siniora over the 2009 budget. She also noted that an
article in the previous day's Al-Akhbar newspaper supposedly
quoting former Assistant for National Security Affairs to
former VP Cheney John Hannah was completely false. Sleiman
commiserated, commenting on the poor quality of certain
newspapers and media outlets.

COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) We would like to renew our request that we invite
Sleiman to visit Washington in 2009, ideally before the
Lebanese elections on June 7. Such a visit would underscore
that USG support for Lebanon, and for the Lebanese presidency
as a symbol of the institutions of state control, remains
strong. A visit to the White House will also highlight that
Lebanese moderates have a strong ally in the United States
(and are well-placed to defend Lebanese Christian interests).
End Comment.

SISON