Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DOHA394
2009-06-15 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
QATAR SUPPORTS LEBANESE CHOOSING OWN GOVERNMENT,
how-toVZCZCXRO8943 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHDO #0394 1661423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151423Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9150 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0220 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1399
C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000394
NOFORN
SIPDIS
EMBASSY MANAMA PLEASE PASS TO A/S FELTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL LE QA
SUBJECT: QATAR SUPPORTS LEBANESE CHOOSING OWN GOVERNMENT,
LESS CLEAR ON VIEWS OF 2008 AGREEMENT
REF: SECSTATE 59757
Classified By: Amb. Joseph LeBaron for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
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(C/NF) KEY POINTS
--------------
-- Ambassador delivered reftel demarche June 11 to Qatar's
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Al-Mahmoud,
emphasizing the importance of Qatar making public and private
statements which encourage the peaceful formation of
Lebanon's next government, and affirm that the composition of
the next cabinet is entirely for the Lebanese to decide, free
from interference.
-- Al-Mahmoud responded that Qatar is "following the same
line. We are supporting the Lebanese choosing their own
government."
-- Al-Mahmoud did not, however, respond substantively to our
concerns about avoiding language supporting the idea that the
2008 Doha agreement governs the selection of the new
government.
--------------
(C/NF) COMMENT
--------------
-- This demarche was a necessary first post-election
consultation with the Qataris, but it will be important for
A/S Feltman to follow-up on the issue during his visit to
Doha this week (he has a confirmed meeting with Al-Mahmoud on
Tuesday).
-- The Qataris almost certainly believe the USG is involved
in working with the March 14th Coalition and other friends
and allies inside Lebanon on the composition of the next
cabinet, violating our own injunction to them. It will be
important to disabuse Qatar of that erroneous view.
End Key Points and Comment.
(C/NF) Post sent paper copies of reftel demarche to the
Qatari MFA June 11 and Ambassador delivered message to
Al-Mahmoud the same day. In addition to the points above,
Al-Mahmoud called attention to the public statements issued
by the Amir, Heir Apparent, and Prime Minister congratulating
the Lebanese on a successful election. (Note: On June 8, the
Qatar News Agency reported that Qatar welcomed the successful
elections and noted that the Amir, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani
telephoned Lebanese President Michel Suleiman to offer his
congratulations. An official source said the Amir hoped the
new Parliament would strengthen national unity between the
Lebanese people.)
LeBaron