Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT580
2009-05-27 15:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:  

LEBANON: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST,

Tags:  LE PGOV PINR PREL SA RU 
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VZCZCXRO3991
PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLB #0580/01 1471523
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 271523Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4963
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0285
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3819
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 3963
RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000580 

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DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, AND NEA/ARP
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: 05/28/2014
TAGS: LE PGOV PINR PREL SA RU
SUBJECT: LEBANON: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST,
ELECTIONS IN VISIT TO LEBANON

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

SUMMARY
---------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000580

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DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, AND NEA/ARP
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: 05/28/2014
TAGS: LE PGOV PINR PREL SA RU
SUBJECT: LEBANON: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST,
ELECTIONS IN VISIT TO LEBANON

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

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


1. (C) Russian FM Sergei Lavrov made a one-day visit to
Lebanon May 25. Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Alexander
Chvykov told the DCM on May 27 that the trip had three
purposes: discuss bilateral relations, express support for
Lebanon's stability ahead of the June 7 parliamentary
elections and extend an invitation to the GOL to participate
in Russia's planned international conference on the Middle
East. Lavrov called for the results of the election to be
recognized by the Lebanese and the international community.
Chvykov reported that Russia plans to send a delegation of
Russian MPs to Lebanon to observe the June 7 Lebanese
elections.


2. (C) Chvykov also discussed the arrival in Lebanon that day
of the new Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon. DCM briefed Chvykov
on the May 22 visit of Vice President Joseph Biden; Chvykov
was most interested in hearing about US military assistance
to Lebanon. End Summary.

RUSSIA-LEBANON TIES
--------------


3. (C) DCM, accompanied by PolOff, met with Russian Deputy
Chief of Mission Alexander Chvykov on May 27 at the Russian
Embassy in West Beirut. Chvykov noted that Syria's ambassador
to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali was arriving in Beirut that
day, 11 days before the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Chvykov said that during his May 25 visit to Beirut, Russian
FM Sergei Lavrov met with President Michel Sleiman, Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Lavrov also visited the tomb of assassinated ex-premier Rafiq
Hariri, where he briefly saw the slain leader's son, Saad
Hariri, but did not meet with him, according to Chvykov.
Before coming to Beirut, Lavrov met with Lebanese FM Fawzi
Salloukh in Damascus while both were attending the 36th

Foreign Ministers session of the Organization of Islamic
Conference.


4. (C) According to Chvykov, Lavrov's visit focused on three
issues: bilateral ties, the June 7 parliamentary elections,
and the Middle East and Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. On
bilateral ties, Chvykov said that Russia would like to
continue its increased commercial cooperation with Lebanon.
Chvykov noted that Lavrov said that Russia will respect the
decisions of the Lebanese people after the June 7 vote, and
the FM assured the Lebanese that bilateral cooperation with
all political figures will continue regardless of the outcome
of the elections.

RUSSIA SUPPORTS FREE, FAIR,
TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS
--------------


5. (C) On the parliamentary elections, Chvykov reported that
Lavrov expressed in all his meetings Russia's support for
Lebanon's stability and the efforts of the Lebanese
authorities to hold free, fair, and transparent parliamentary
elections. Lavrov said the international community must
recognize the result of Lebanon's general election next month
irrespective of who wins a majority. He said that a
six-member delegation headed by the chairman of the Russian
parliament's International Affairs Committee, Mikael
Margelov, will arrive to Beirut the week of the elections to
observe the vote. The delegation will have same privileges as
other observation missions, in accordance with Interior
Ministry rules.

MIDDLE EAST PEACE
--------------


BEIRUT 00000580 002 OF 002



6. (C) On the issue of Lebanon and the Middle East peace,
Chvykov said that Lavrov highlighted the need for a
comprehensive approach to Middle East peace to help resolve
Lebanese-Israeli issues and bring stability to the wider
region. According to Chvykov, Lavrov extended an invitation
to the GOL to participate in an upcoming international
conference on the Middle East in Moscow, and Russia expects
Lebanon to participate in the conference. Lavrov informed the
Lebanese that Moscow intends to organize several meetings in
June with members of the Quartet and Arab League members; he
was not sure if these meetings would be held jointly.

MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND DEMINING
--------------


7. (C) DCM provided Chvykov with a readout on the May 22
visit to Lebanon of US Vice President Joseph Biden. Chvykov
listened politely and focused his questions on US military
assistance to Lebanon. He inquired about the delivery of M60
tanks to the Lebanese army. DCM told him some tanks have
already been delivered, while the rest are in the pipeline.



8. (C) Chvykov reported that Russia has expressed an interest
in becoming more involved in demining efforts in Lebanon. He
said that a Russian project proposal has been submitted to
the GOL and is awaiting a response.

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


9. (C) Press reported that new Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon
Ali Abdel Karim Ali arrived by car from Syria on May 27 and
will present his credentials to President Sleiman on May 29.
Some Lebanese press outlets reported (falsely) the arrival of
10 MiGS in Lebanon. Chvykov did not raise the issue of MiGS
in the meeting. End Comment.
SISON