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

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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