LEBANON FOLLOW UP TO THE CAIRO SPEECH: CONSULTATIVE PROCESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BEIRUT 000833 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/P FOR GBEHRMAN NEA/ELA, NEA/FO ALSO FOR IO A/S BRIMMER P FOR DRUSSELL, RRANGASWAMY USUN FOR WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER/GERMAIN NSC FOR MCDERMOTT, SHAPIRO DOD FOR FLOURNOY/KAHL/DALTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON OEXC OSCI PREL SCUL SENV SOCI TNGD TSPL LE REFS: A) STATE 71325 B) BEIRUT 627 C) BEIRUT 621 SUBJECT: LEBANON FOLLOW UP TO THE CAIRO SPEECH: CONSULTATIVE PROCESS FOR MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Beirut contacted Lebanese stakeholders - including youth, civil society partners, and political interlocutors - to solicit feedback about specific recommendations and suggestions to achieve priorities outlined by President Obama during his June 4 speech in Cairo, (ref A). Comments about the speech were generally positive, and the Lebanese are anxious to see action follow the words. The feedback received suggested that many Lebanese are eager for more intercultural exchange but would also like to see the West have a more robust appreciation for Arab culture. There is a belief among the Lebanese that radicalism is driven by poverty and hopelessness and that support for programs focused on economic and business development in the region, coupled with education programs, can combat extremism. Many Lebanese youth are interested in increased economic opportunities and were especially intrigued by the President's focus on "green alternatives," but currently lack the resources to initiate projects. To illustrate how current programs can also support the Cairo Initiatives, we detail several of the existing USAID, Public Diplomacy, MEPI, and Office of Defense Cooperation programs that Embassy Beirut actively promotes and supports. There are two significant challenges to achieving success with the Cairo Initiatives in Lebanon: (a) the need for additional funding and human resources and (b) a Lebanese sensitivity to the "Muslim engagement" term in this confessionally-diverse country with a significant Christian population. End summary. POST OUTREACH -------------- ¶2. (U) In response to ref A, Post solicited feedback from civil society interlocutors, journalists, educators, and political contacts in response to initiatives outlined in President Obama's June 4 Cairo speech. (Note: Initial reactions to the speech are included in refs B and C. End note.) As part of Embassy Beirut's ongoing efforts to engage Lebanese audiences on the speech, to date we have conducted the following activities: -- Roundtable: The Ambassador held a roundtable discussion at her residence with eight influential, multi-confessional Lebanese opinion-makers representing a diverse range of political, civil society and NGO leaders. These individuals provided feedback on the President's speech (ref B) and insightful thoughts on future directions programming should take to support the articulated initiatives. -- Reaching out to youth: the Public Affairs Section (PAS) promoted the speech using several IIP multimedia resources including live webcast and SMS services, as well as English and Arabic websites, both before and after the President's speech. The Public Affairs and Political sections used Embassy Beirut's Facebook networking site extensively to spread the President's message and provoke discussion among Lebanese youth. -- MEPI alumni: POL contacted MEPI alumni (a significant number of whom are women) by e-mail and Facebook to gauge their impressions of the speech and elicit suggestions for programs which we will consider in the context of on-going projects or possible future programming. ¶3. (U) The Embassy Country Team has reviewed current and future programming for areas of synergy to support the President's outlined initiatives. We will continue to expand this list as we meet with stakeholders, community members and other social advocates who desire positive change within Lebanon. AREA FOR ENGAGEMENT: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT -------------- ¶4. (U) Numerous contacts expressed the idea that the West should make more of an effort to understand Arabs, instead of always explaining western positions and ideas. One moderate journalist said that he was "very encouraged" by the speech. He liked that it BEIRUT 00000833 002 OF 005 promoted "intercultural dialogue through encouraging many Americans to study abroad in Arab countries" because he believed that it would help the United States make better policy decisions if it understood the "Arab mentality." A project coordinator for a local youth-oriented NGO liked the President's idea that "education and innovation will be the currency in the 21st century" and suggested that if the U.S. is serious about helping the Middle East develop, it needs to invest in social issues, health, education, and technology, as well as women's rights. ¶5. (U) Current programs that U.S. Embassy Beirut actively promotes and supports related to human development include: -- USAID: Economic Support Fund assistance strengthens basic and higher education in Lebanon by providing assistance to 283 public schools. The program improves learning environments through infrastructure repairs, providing equipment such as science laboratory materials, classroom equipment and computer laboratories, as well as extracurricular activities to enhance the students' skills and learning experience. USAID is also focused on decreasing student drop-out rates (particularly girls). Over the past three years, USAID has also supported two American educational high school institutions, the American Community School and the International College. Furthermore, USAID supports three American accredited universities, which provide students with the opportunity to receive an American-style education in Lebanon. Under the newly-adopted five-year USAID strategy for Lebanon, a competitive scholarship program for economically disadvantaged students will facilitate raising the overall quality of education. -- Public Affairs: Mission officers actively participate in a variety of outreach programs, including at the four American Corners which are used as programming bases. In all programs, the Public Diplomacy Section (PD) strives to have the variety of Lebanese religious confessions and regions represented. Core U.S. values, including the importance of education, diversity, gender equality, and peaceful resolution of differences, are emphasized in youth programs as well as individual interactions with university students. Key PD-managed programs include the J. William Fulbright program and the Near East/South Asia undergraduate scholarship programs. Other programs, such as the Access English Microscholarship and Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs, both of which are specifically for disadvantaged high school-aged youth, further the goals of developing a sense of self-worth in the students and allowing them to obtain language and social skills to mitigate strife. These goals are also reached through an active sports diplomacy program which brings youth together with coaches trained to teach teamwork as well as resolve cultural conflict situations. The popular International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) meets the needs of Lebanese professionals at several stages during their careers. These programs provide skill-based training while reinforcing U.S. values. The PAO meets regularly with university presidents individually and in groups to discuss how their institutions of higher learning leverage their individual areas of expertise to form consortia to benefit Lebanon more widely, e.g. forming "centers of excellence." Realizing the need for women throughout Lebanon to learn English, the Section designed "Teaching Women English" (TWE). This program, funded with 2007 supplemental funding, has proven to be a great success. With additional funding, TWE could extend its reach and have a significant impact in underserved communities. -- MEPI: The Women Political Leaders program enabled approximately 10 Lebanese women from different political factions to participate in an election observation program in the U.S. in anticipation of the June 7 Lebanese parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, the Student Leaders Program sends university students to the U.S. for leadership training. For the first time, the FY2009 program will include several Palestinian participants who reside in some of Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps. AREA FOR ENGAGEMENT: ENTREPRENEURSHIP BEIRUT 00000833 003 OF 005 -------------- ¶6. (U) MEPI alumni expressed concern that the lack of economic opportunity in the region contributes to radical political activity. One MEPI alumnus commented that poverty is the "fuel" of Islamic radicalism and believes that the U.S. can address this aspect of radicalism by encouraging economic growth in the Muslim world. ¶7. (SBU) Current USG programs in Lebanon geared towards economic empowerment include: -- USAID: Microfinance: Through a mixture of loans and grants, current and future USAID programs provide technical assistance for business plans and remove barriers by increasing women's access to finance. USAID will continue expanding these programs to support economic growth in Lebanon by increasing incomes and jobs primarily in the agribusiness tourism sectors located in peri-urban and rural areas. Increased income and employment opportunities for youth in these expanding sectors can be significantly enhanced through complementary technical training, including career counseling and guidance, and on-the-job training and placement programs in assisted enterprises. Job creation through other sectors such as solid waste treatment plants and forestry activities under environmental programming are targeted in the newly-adopted USAID strategy. -- MEPI: MEPI funds several projects to develop small businesses. For example, MEPI funded the Women's Cooperative Association of Rashaya-Wadi El-Taym, giving it a bus to allow an impoverished women's cooperative to sell its produce in different geographical areas and increase its income. Also, the Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF) project builds the capacity of small-scale breeders living in the Akkar region to improve the quantity and quality of dairy production, which will lead to rising incomes. -- USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI): USAID/OTI funds numerous projects to support vocational training for youth from marginalized and impoverished areas. In a recent program for youth in the Akkar area, one of the country's least developed regions, OTI funded a youth-led program through a local NGO to provide four months of hands-on training in filming and directing, theater makeup and hairdressing for 50 youth from five marginalized villages. The participants will apply what they learn by producing short-films about issues facing youth in the region. The training will increase work opportunities for youth to work such as hairdressing and makeup, services commonly used for weddings and social events. In Northern Beqaa, training has been provided through a grant to teach sewing and related marketing skills through a local NGO. The products made during the practical portion of the training are sold through exhibitions and youth are equipped with skills needed to start their own home enterprises. OTI continues to expand programming to provide economic opportunities for those at-risk throughout the country. AREA FOR ENGAGEMENT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY -------------- ¶8. (U) Several MEPI alumni respondents were excited by the President's "green" message, noting that he stressed the importance of empowering Arabs to seek "green alternatives" for industry and agriculture to revive the economy. One MEPI alumnus working for an environmentally-focused NGO welcomed the comments and hoped that the U.S. launch of a fund to support technological development will trigger a greener focus among Arab leaders. ¶9. (U) Current and planned programs include: -- USAID: Forests covered 35% of Lebanon in 1965; they now cover only 13% of the country due to forest fires and lack of proper urban planning. Loss of forest cover contributes to increasing carbon BEIRUT 00000833 004 OF 005 emissions, floods, soil erosion, and landslides. USAID will work with government, communities, and civil society to identify methods to protect and regenerate forests based on their watershed, income-generation, and carbon sequestration values, along with cultural values. Development of tree nurseries will be designed to also increase income for local communities, particularly unemployed youth. Further incentives for forest conservation include the sustainable harvesting and sale of high value forest products such as pine nuts. Where possible, activities will be associated with sites for eco-tourism, will work to physically link forest patches to remaining natural forests, and will engage and train youth in conservation. USAID also funds programs which address solid waste pollution of the Litani River by constructing low-tech waste water treatment plants. USAID will continue to directly fund and leverage resources to build, rehabilitate or expand facilities meant to store, distribute and treat water for domestic and industrial usages under the new five year strategy. Programs include developing citizens' awareness of management of water resources; promoting user participation and decentralization in water resource management, and enhancing coordination mechanisms for managing water resources such as aquifers or river basins. -- MEPI: MEPI funds the Benefaction-Spikes Association project to repair the water supply network in Nabha village of Baalbeck, Bekaa, as well as the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC) project to start a campaign in Lebanon inspired by the "Smokey Bear campaign", which is considered as the longest running public service campaign in the USA. -- USAID/OTI: OTI provided a grant to a local NGO to work with a core group of 35 youth who were trained in advocacy and political activism on environmental issues. Those youth then went out and engaged 500 people in small-scale environmental campaigns in Beirut, Aley, and the south of Lebanon. As a result, the youth were able to initiate renovation of a public park in a southern village, raise awareness of the dangers of plastic bag use in collaboration with local business and use street performances to deliver messages about preserving the environment. OTI continues to seek out opportunities to work with NGOs in the communities on "green" projects. -- ODC: The Office of Defense Cooperation is successfully using CENTCOM Humanitarian Assistance funds, construct fire stations in remote areas, renovate schools, and increase the capacity of Badaro Central Hospital by constructing an emergency and X-ray room and renovating the operating room. ¶10. (U) Despite Post's efforts, our current programs could and should be expanded. Lebanon lacks even a rudimentary recycling program, and, in fact, rock quarrying has devastated the environment. To further the President's agenda to promote alternative energy sources, especially in a region so dependent on a fossil-fuel economy, Post suggests monitoring the development of the American University Beirut (AUB) Institute for Energy and Natural Resources. This institute was recently created with five million dollars in seed money from an AUB trustee. As UAB further develops the institute's potential, it may become an excellent funding vehicle for promoting "Green" Cairo Initiatives. AREA FOR ENGAGEMENT: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Post observed that a number of Facebook and e-mail responses from MEPI alumni offered opinions on the Quranic references in the speech. Their comments reveal a deep divide between Muslims and Christians in their perceptions, suggesting that creating true interfaith partnership is important but extremely challenging. For example, a number of Lebanese Muslims expressed their belief that the President was finally acknowledging them, and it was clear that many Muslims feel marginalized by the West. However, one Lebanese Christian warned us to "keep an eagle eye on the expansion of Muslims in the world" saying that it's not "innocent" and noting that there are mosques in Rome but not churches in Saudi Arabia. BEIRUT 00000833 005 OF 005 ¶12. (SBU) Members of the MEPI-funded Lebanese Shadow Government commented that the political issues that have built up the mistrust between the U.S. and the Muslim world are not solely related to Muslims. Rather, they appear in communities where Islam is perhaps the dominant faith and/or identity but is not exclusive. Consequently, they believe that Obama's speech ignored other communities -- not only religious ones, but also cultural and political. Post often seeks participants for IVLP programs on interfaith dialogue, but few Lebanese have participated over the years. ¶13. USAID/OTI: Funding has been provided for numerous activities which promote peace-building, conflict resolution activities with a focus on youth. A recent project supported the rehabilitation of a large public stairway linking two rival communities (the Alawite area of Jabal Mohsen and the predominately Sunni area of Bab el Tabbeneh). Both of these marginalized neighborhoods in Northern Tripoli harbored deep rooted hostilities and mistrust due to recurrent fighting over the years. With the grant from OTI through a local NGO, the stairway was rehabilitated to encourage greater interaction between both communities along with the creation of a playground and small library for children in an area adjacent to the stairway. Students of both communities painted murals along the renovated stairway and participated in workshops to further strengthen communication and facilitate reconciliation. The stairway was opened in mid-July 2009 and citizens from both communities are now interacting and finding ways to further improve their neighborhoods jointly. USAID is expanding funding through OTI to work with nascent Civil Society and NGO organizations. We are actively expanding outreach dialogue and seeking ideas for additional programming in this area. COMMENT -------------- ¶14. (SBU) In Lebanon, current USG programs address several of the target areas outlined in President Obama's June 4 Cairo speech. However, challenges to "Muslim engagement" in Lebanon include the need for additional program funding and human resources. In addition, several of our interlocutors, particularly youth, found the Cairo Initiatives necessary, but argued for implementation in all Arab areas, including in Lebanon's Christian communities. ¶15. (SBU) Embassy Beirut will continue to pursue assistance programming targeted at focus areas in the Cairo speech with vigor. Such programs significantly improve the image and credibility of the United States by creating new opportunities for the Lebanese, who are often disappointed by their weak state institutions. We will also continue to provide S/P with periodic updates, as requested.