LEBANON: SLEIMAN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ARAB PEACE WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000440 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S WARLICK P FOR DRUSSELL STATE PASS TO OVP HMUSTAFA USUN FOR WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER NSC FOR SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT DOD/OSD FOR FLOURNOY/KAHL/DALTON DRL/NESA FOR WHITMAN, BARGHOUT E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC LE SY SUBJECT: LEBANON: SLEIMAN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ARAB PEACE WITH CODEL CARNAHAN Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Meeting with President Sleiman April 9, visiting Congressional Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO),Mazie Hirono (D-HI),Jim McDermott (D-WA),Ben Chandler (D-KY),and Diane Watson (D-CA),accompanied by the Ambassador and Poloff, stressed U.S. support for Lebanon's independence and sovereignty and thanked Sleiman for working to ensure stability in his country. Sleiman, expressing his appreciation for substantial U.S. aid to Lebanon, argued that peace in the region was essential in order to protect the multi-confessional diversity of the Middle East, especially of Lebanon. The June 7 parliamentary elections would occur on time, Sleiman said, although he was unsure about the results. ¶2. (C) In a separate meeting, Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee MP Abed al Latif Zein echoed similar themes. He thanked the U.S. for its strong support and noted that President Obama's recent statements on the need for a two-state solution in Israel and the Palestinian territories had calmed Lebanese concerns about the new Israeli government. Latif Zein also emphasized that Lebanese parliamentary elections would occur peacefully. End summary. ¶3. (C) In addition to the Congressional members, the visiting delegation included: Judge Debra Carnahan, Director of Interparliamentary Affairs Kay King, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Professional Staff Member John Lis, HFAC Professional Staff Member David Beraka, and USAF Colonel Joey Booher. REGIONAL PEACE POSSIBLE -------------- ¶4. (C) Visiting Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO),the Ambassador, and the accompanying Congressional delegation expressed U.S. support for Lebanese independence and diversity in an April 9 meeting with President Michel Sleiman. Sleiman said he looked forward to continued cooperation with the U.S. and thanked the CODEL for substantial U.S. aid provided to Lebanon. Sleiman told Representatives that the U.S. could play a role in encouraging acceptance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative (API). ¶5. (C) CODEL Carnahan reiterated the U.S. Administration's focus on the Middle East and efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Responding to a question from Representative Diane Watson, Sleiman assessed a two-state solution was the only possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Sleiman, the Israeli-Palestinian issue was the biggest challenge to peace in the wider Middle East region, and it was the duty of the international community to work towards peace. ¶6. (C) Sleiman emphasized the Palestinian right of return was particularly important for Lebanon. Although no new Palestinians were arriving in Lebanon, the overall number of Palestinians in the country continued to increase because of a high birth-rate among Palestinians Lebanon's refugee camps, Sleiman said. He argued the Israeli-Palestinian issue should be addressed now in order to prevent the continued rise of extremism. Although Sleiman vewed the new Israeli government as "extremist," e expressed hope that the new U.S. administration could help both sides work toward a solution. ¶7. (C) Sleiman expressed support for U.S. outreach toward Syria. He also argued U.S. relations with Iran were important. Iran held a key position in the region, Sleiman said. He noted that Shia Muslims in Lebanon historically BEIRUT 00000440 002 OF 002 looked toward the religious leaders of Iraq but, following destabilization in Iraq, Lebanese Shia began to see Iranian ayatollahs as their religious guides. Noting the complex and changing Middle East region, CODEL Carnahan thanked Sleiman for his role in providing stability in Lebanon. ELECTIONS CALM, WHAT NEXT? -------------- ¶8. (C) Congressman Ben Chandler expressed U.S. appreciation of Sleiman's efforts to encourage moderation in the region and in Lebanon. On elections, Sleiman said the atmosphere was "good" and did not foresee any obstacles to a successful election day on June 7. On the other hand, Sleiman expressed uncertainty about the election results; he said the difference between the winners and the losers would be small, probably no more than two seats. No independent bloc would take shape before elections, Sleiman said, but four or five independent candidates could win seats in the new Parliament. ¶9. (C) Representative Carnahan asked about the alliance between some Christian parties and Hizballah in Lebanon. Sleiman said he was hopeful that Christians could come together after the election and establish relations with both Shia and Sunni political parties. He saw the political landscape changing after elections mainly through the strengthening of the position of the President. Christians would not unite before elections, Sleiman assessed. MP LATIF ZEIN ECHOS SLEIMAN -------------- ¶10. (C) Similarly, Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee MP Abed al Latif Zein said the region would not be at peace until the Israeli-Palestinian issue was solved, in a separate April 9 meeting with the visiting CODEL. He noted that Lebanon was the country most affected by Palestinian refugees and urged a solution based on UNSCR 194, which stipulated the Palestinian right of return. Latif Zein, echoing Sleiman, said President Obama's recent statements of support for a two-state solution had quieted some concerns about the stance of the new Israeli government. ¶11. (C) Latif Zein also expected the Lebanese election to take place without any major security incidents. He credited internal stability to the efforts of President Sleiman and to the fact that both minority and majority factions were seeking victory in the election. In Latif Zein's opinion, a national unity government -- like the current government in Lebanon -- was not an ideal solution. The opposition should be outside the government, he said. CODEL Carnahan reiterated that stability in Lebanon was vital to the region. ¶12. (U) CODEL Carnahan has cleared this message. SISON