LEBANON: VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WITH PM SINIORA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 000596 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA ALSO FOR IO A/S BRIMMER P FOR DRUSSELL, RRANGASWAMY DRL/NESA FOR WHITMAN OVP FOR HMUSTAFA USUN FOR WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER NSC FOR SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT DOD/OSD FOR FLOURNOY/KAHL/DALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2019 TAGS: OVIP PGOV PREL PTER PREF KPAL UNSC IR IS LE SY SUBJECT: LEBANON: VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WITH PM SINIORA REAFFIRMS U.S. SUPPORT BEIRUT 00000596 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In a May 22 meeting with Vice President Joe Biden, PM Siniora thanked the United States for its support for Lebanon's institutions, sovereignty and independence. He added that Lebanon supports Israeli-Palestinian peace, but not if the ultimate solution involves permanent resettlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Siniora added that Lebanon wants full implementation of UNSCR 1701 by the Israelis and friendly relations with Syria, but also relations based on mutual respect. Regarding Lebanon's June 7 parliamentary elections, Siniora predicted that March 14 could win by a few seats if March 14 leaders "got their act together" and became a unified coalition. The Vice President responded that U.S. support for Lebanon's institutions will be there as long as the Lebanese want it, and stronger than ever before. However, he added that Israeli-Palestinian peace would not guarantee peace in the region; if the GOL did not have sovereignty over all its territory, Lebanon could be used as a conduit for other countries wanting to destabilize the region. End summary. SUPPORT FOR LEBANON IS IMPORTANT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During his May 22 visit to Lebanon, Vice President Joe Biden met with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at his office in the Grand Serail. On the U.S. side, the Vice President was accompanied by the Ambassador, National Security Advisor to the Vice President Antony Blinken, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Joseph McMillan, Senior Advisor to the Vice President for the Middle East and South Asia Herro Mustafa, National Security Council Director for Syria, Lebanon and North Africa Meaghen McDermott, and Embassy notetaker. On the Lebanese side, PM Siniora was accompanied by Antoine Chedid, Lebanese Ambassador to the United States and Roula Noureddine, Advisor to the Prime Minister. ¶3. (C) Siniora opened by thanking the U.S. administration for its unwavering support and commitment to Lebanon's independence and sovereignty, especially during difficult times such as the Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) battle against Fatah al-Islam terrorist at the Palestinian refugee camp Nahr al-Barid in 2007. Siniora described U.S. support for Lebanese institutions, especially the LAF, as very important, adding that Lebanon counts on this support. He also thanked the U.S. for its commitment to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. ¶4. (C) The Vice President responded that the U.S. support for Lebanon's institutions will be there as long as the Lebanese want it. He noted hat Lebanon was the first Middle East country he ad visited as Vice President because President Obama wanted to highlight to other countries in the region Lebanon's importance to broader U.S. regional policy goals. The U.S. commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and independence is real, he stressed. The U.S. desire to talk to others in the region to solve other regional conflicts does not mean the U.S. will sacrifice Lebanon. The Vice President added that the U.S. will continue its support of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, highlighting the recent $6 million additional U.S. contribution to the court. LEBANON SUPPORTS ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN BEIRUT 00000596 002.2 OF 003 PEACE, NOT AT LEBANON'S EXPENSE -------------- ¶5. (C) Siniora thanked the Vice President for the U.S. administration's central role in the Israeli-Palestinian issue and expressed his appreciation for recent statements of support for a two-state solution by high-ranking U.S. officials. He noted that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the "mother" of all issues in the region, as well as the solution to many of the region's problems, adding that he is looking forward to President Obama's June 4 speech in Cairo. ¶6. (C) Siniora said Lebanon is committed to the Arab Peace Initiative and will play a positive role in the peace process. However, he noted that while Lebanon is committed to a real and permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such a peace could not be at the expense of Lebanon's delicate confessional balance. Lebanon could not support any solution that resulted in the permanent resettlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, as this would jeopardize Lebanon's fragile democracy, Siniora added. ¶7. (C) The Vice President pointed out that on the second day of his Administration, President Obama appointed Senator George Mitchell as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, highlighting U.S. commitment to peace in the region. He said the U.S. supported key elements of the Arab Peace Initiative, but noted that now is the time for Arab countries to make a move and put something on the table. ¶8. (C) The Vice President added that while now may not yet be the time, at some point Lebanon has to be willing to sit down at the peace table and talk to Israel. However, even if there is a solution tomorrow to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it would not guarantee peace in the region if the Government of Lebanon did not have sovereignty over all its territory. Lebanon could be used as a conduit for other countries wanting to destabilize the region if Lebanon is not strong and does not have sovereign control over all its territory, he warned. REGIONAL POLITICS, ISRAEL -------------- ¶9. (C) Siniora added that the Government of Lebanon wants "real implementation" of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He welcomed the Israeli handover of cluster bomb strike data, but complained the handover could have been made years ago and not at the expense of the hundreds of Lebanese who lost their lives due to unexploded ordnance. Siniora pointed out that the Israelis continue to occupy northern Ghajar village, still conduct overflights of Lebanese territory, and have yet to delineate the border. ¶10. (C) Siniora added that Israeli fears that a withdrawal from northern Ghajar would be portrayed as a victory for Hizballah were ironic since Israel had already delivered a victory to the group by returning some of its fighters directly to Hizballah, instead of to the Government of Lebanon, in July 2008. The Israeli occupation of Sheba'a Farms is also an issue that gives Hizballah an excuse to maintain its arms, he said. The current U.S. administration's focus on the Israeli-Palestinian issue is in contrast to the Israelis, whose main focus is on Iran and the threat it poses to Israel, Siniora noted. ¶11. (C) Regarding UNSCR 1701, the Vice President said is was clear that both sides are in violation of the agreement. Hizballah has not disarmed and the Government of Lebanon did not exercise full control over all its territory. In BEIRUT 00000596 003.2 OF 003 addition, Lebanon has not delineated the border with Syria or Israel and weapons continue to flow from Syria to militias, such as Hizballah. The Vice President reiterated his point that Lebanon could be used as a conduit for other countries wanting to destabilize the region if the Government of Lebanon does not have sovereign control over all its territory. IRAN -------------- ¶12. (C) Siniora worried that Iran's rhetoric portraying itself as the defender of Islam and its continued "hijacking" of the Palestinian issue boosted the Iranian regime's credntials and increased its regional influence. Asolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict woulddeprive Iran of one of its hijacked causes, Siniora added. The lack of a solution or hope for a solution to this problem will increase radicalization in the region and strengthen Iran's hand, he warned. ¶13. (C) The Vice President dismissed the notion that the two problems, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, could not be dealt with simultaneously, stressing that both issues could be tackled at the same time. However, the Vice President said, if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon it would be the single most destabilizing thing to happen, as it would lead to an regional arms race. SYRIA -------------- ¶14. (C) Siniora stressed that Lebanon wants friendly relations with its neighbor; Lebanon was not a satellite state in Syria's hands. Siniora supported United States dialogue with Syria, but advised the United States to approach its engagement with Syria without making any "advance payment." The Vice President responded that the Obama Administration is prepared to talk to anyone as long as they are willing to "unclench their fists." ELECTIONS -- TELL MARCH 14 LEADERS TO BE UNIFIED -------------- ¶15. (C) Siniora said March 14's success in the upcoming June 7 parliamentary elections depends on the coalition's ability to work together in a unified manner. He predicted that March 14 would win the elections by a few seats if the group could end its petty feuding and come together. This message needs to be repeated to other March 14 leaders, Siniora urged. He added that Lebanon is committed to a transparent process that respects the will of the Lebanese people. Regarding his own candidacy in the election, Siniora said he had not intended to run for parliament, but the thought of the opposition winning a seat in his native city of Sidon convinced him to throw his hat in the ring. He added that in his opinion, Hizballah does not want to rule the country, only to be left alone to do its will. He said the group does not want the responsibility that comes along with governing Lebanon. ¶16. (U) The Office of the Vice President has cleared this message. SISON