UNIFIL-LED CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS TRAINING A

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000995

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2019
TAGS: MCAP MOPS PREL MARR KPKO UN IS LE
SUBJECT: UNIFIL-LED CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS TRAINING A
WORK IN PROGRESS

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

SUMMARY
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1. (C) The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) training program aims to
develop the Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) "soft power" in the
form of better community relations and services. COL John
Molloy, who heads the program, believes the optimal long-term
goal of CIMIC training could be the eventual displacement of
Hizballah by the LAF. Because the LAF does not currently
prioritize CIMIC missions, Molloy believes that raising the
profile of CIMIC within the organization is a critical step
to bring focus, resources and top-notch personnel to these
valuable operations. The USG might investigate ways to
support CIMIC expansion in the LAF as a way to encourage the
LAF to deploy in south Lebanon. End summary.

THE NEED FOR SOFT POWER
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2. (C) UNIFIL CIMIC training is focused on encouraging LAF
officers to project "soft power" by developing relationships
with local officials and improving local conditions through
community service projects, UNIFIL head of CIMIC training COL
John Molloy told POLOFF on August 27. The optimal long-term
goal of the training, Molloy believed, should be eventual
displacement of Hizballah by the LAF as the primary authority
in the border regions. Because the LAF has never before
played a CIMIC role, Molloy described the first goal of the
program as raising awareness of the potential benefits of
community liaison.

CIMIC NEEDS STATUS WITHIN THE LAF
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3. (C) Molloy decried the fact that recent graduates of the
program are likely not assigned by the LAF to CIMIC duties,
although UNIFIL has not actively tracked the post-training
assignments of the first 12 officers. The LAF headquarters
should establish a general officer-led J-9 CIMIC office,
Molloy underscored, in order to provide a formal career path
for CIMIC officers and soldiers by attracting top personnel
and resources. UNIFIL's first class included several
officers who were not active duty due to severe injuries
incurred during the 2007 assault on the Nahr al-Barid refugee
camp. These inactive officers were experienced officers
valued by the LAF for whom CIMIC presents a good career
option. Nevertheless, Molloy urged that the LAF invest in
CIMIC by dedicating talented active duty officers to the
program, as well. LAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
General Abdul Chehaytli has given the go-ahead for two more
UNIFIL-led CIMIC classes, thus indicating that the LAF
leadership understands the positive aspects of the program.
In time, Molloy mused, Lebanese CIMIC officers might also
serve in U.N. missions abroad.

MONEY CAN'T BUY THE LAF PUBLIC TRUST
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4. (C) Money alone is not sufficient to win the public's
"hearts and minds," Molloy insisted. UNIFIL only has about
$500,000 for its own Quick Impact Projects (QUIPs),he noted,
and expends $20,000 or less per project. The GOL, working
through the LAF, must transmit its concern for the public
interest with more personal and frequent community
relationship-building efforts. To that end, CIMIC training
is also targeted at impressing upon LAF leadership that
community efforts are an essential element in strengthening
public support for a more robust LAF presence in border
regions, Molloy reported. Because of the LAF's dire
financial situation, Molloy asked us to circulate a list of
basic office and radio communications equipment that donor
countries could provide to supplement UNIFIL's contributions.
He also requested that donors offer additional overseas
training opportunities.

COMMENT
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5. (C) The LAF currently lacks both a vision for CIMIC
programs and the basic resources to support them.
Nevertheless, the CIMIC program is gaining currency within
UNIFIL as a complimentary tool to aid in fulfilling UN

BEIRUT 00000995 002 OF 002


Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for enhanced
LAF presence and eventual control over UNIFIL's area of
operation south of the Litani River. As such, the USG might
investigate ways to support CIMIC expansion in the LAF as a
realistic way to encourage the LAF to deploy in south Lebanon
and develop the relationships that will make it more
effective when UNIFIL scales back its forces in the future.

SISON