LEBANON: PATRIARCH'S DISPLEASURE WITH AOUN'S

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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
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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
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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

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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