LEBANON: PATRIARCH'S DISPLEASURE WITH AOUN'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000546 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA ALSO FOR IO A/S BRIMMER P FOR DRUSSELL, RRANGASWAMY USUN FOR WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER NSC FOR SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT DOD/OSD FOR FLOURNOY/KAHL/DALTON DRL/NESA FOR WHITMAN, BARGHOUT OVP FOR HMUSTAFA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS IS SY LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: PATRIARCH'S DISPLEASURE WITH AOUN'S AMBITIONS Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In a May 13 meeting with the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir declared that Free Patriotic Party (FPM) leader Michel Aoun's ambitions were too "hard to satisfy," and complained that Aoun wanted to be Lebanon's president "at any price." Sfeir also condemned Aoun for his recent criticism of President Michel Sleiman. Emphasizing that Lebanon has many difficulties, Sfeir declared the current national unity government ineffective. Sfeir underscored continued Maronite displeasure with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt over his derogatory remarks about them, and concluded that the rhetoric exchanged between Christian politicians was not acceptable. ¶2. (C) Sfeir expressed uncertainty over the June 7 parliamentary elections, saying Hizballah was strong in Baabda, the situation in Metn was "not clear," and Nayla Tueini's candidacy in her Beirut I district was a "good symbol" for the youth of Lebanon. Sfeir could not predict any outcomes, but noted that "money was flowing" in places like Keserwan, Aoun's home district. Commenting on his recent trip to Jordan with Pope Benedict XVI, Sfeir said criticism of the Pope was common in Beirut, but overall he viewed the Pope's trip to the Middle East a "good visit." End summary. AOUN: HE IS NOT SATISFIED -------------- ¶3. (C) In a May 13 meeting, the Ambassador, accompanied by PolMilOff, visited Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir at his residence in Bkirke. Sfeir declared it was hard to describe all of FPM leader Michel Aoun's "ambitions," because Aoun was "never satisfied." Sfeir condemned Aoun for his public attacks on Sleiman as "not good for the country" and as disrespectful of the office of the Presidency. (Note: Aoun was criticized in the press May 12 for describing Sleiman as an "accomplice" in spreading allegations that Aoun had plans to shorten the President's tenure. End Note.) Sfeir emphatically said "Aoun wants to be president." Sfeir agreed with the Ambassador that Sleiman was wise not to respond to Aoun's public attacks, looking more "Presidential" for doing so.. CHRISTIANS LACK RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER -------------- ¶4. (C) Sfeir described Sleiman's attempts to invoke "calm" during the pre-election period as helpful, but viewed Christian faction infighting as still troubling. Sfeir said Maronites were still upset with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt for his publicly-leaked criticisms in April against the Maronites. Sfeir viewed the political language between Christian factions as "not acceptable" and "lacking" respect for one another. Sfeir commented that the turbulence of the election period also stifled economic development and added to the gridlock inside the government with "nothing being accomplished." He concluded that the national unity government was ineffective. VIEWS ON THE ELECTION -------------- ¶5. (C) Sfeir remarked that "so much was unclear" in many electoral districts. He noted Hizballah candidates were strong in Baabda.(Note: It has two candidates on the March 8 list of six. End Note.) Sfeir, without elaborating, stated Metn, a FPM stronghold, but with five independent candidates challenging it on the March 14 list, was "not clear" in possible outcomes. Sfeir praised Nayla Tueini's candidacy as a "good symbol" for her Beirut I district and for Lebanon's youth. Overall, Sfeir could not predict what the new BEIRUT 00000546 002 OF 002 government would look like, but added the "money was flowing" in places like Keserwan, emphasizing it was Aoun's home district. (Note: Bkirke is located in Keserwan. End note.) Sfeir noted that the possibility of having independent lists in some districts -- e.g. Zahle and Keserwan -- could hurt March 14. THE POPE IN JORDAN -------------- ¶6. (C) Sfeir called his experience traveling with Pope Benedict XVI to Jordan a "good trip." He acknowledged that since returning from Jordan, he had not heard any criticism of the Pope's trip, however he noted there were always some naysayers no matter what happens. (Note: Newspaper As-Safir in particular has harshly condemned the Pope's statements in the West Bank and Nazareth. End note.) COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Sfeir, with his typical understated commentary, was engaged and frank about his distaste for Aoun. While not upbeat about current Christian squabbling, he was not overtly pessimistic either about the weeks to come. End comment. SISON