Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE3953
2009-01-15 00:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:
LEBANON: URGING GOL ACTION TO STEM UNSCR 1701
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #3953 0150036 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 150028Z JAN 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT IMMEDIATE 9900 INFO RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 6443 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 6925 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM IMMEDIATE 4079 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 4511
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 003953
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: URGING GOL ACTION TO STEM UNSCR 1701
VIOLATIONS
REF: BEIRUT 60
Classified By: NEA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAVID M. HALE
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 003953
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: URGING GOL ACTION TO STEM UNSCR 1701
VIOLATIONS
REF: BEIRUT 60
Classified By: NEA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAVID M. HALE
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.
SUMMARY
--------------
2. (C) On January 14, unknown persons in south Lebanon
launched rockets towards Israel, the second rocket attack
from Lebanon into Israel in one week. No organization has
claimed responsibility for the most recent attack or the
earlier January 8 rocket attack, although many observers
are pointing fingers at the Syria-based Palestinian Front
for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC)
Both the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) have condemned these incidents. However, these
rocket attacks represent a flagrant violation of UN Security
Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701. The GOL must
proactively seek to halt additional attacks and to
reaffirm its commitment to UNSCR 1701, to prevent a
widening of the Gaza conflict into Lebanon.
OBJECTIVES
--------------
3. (SBU) Charge should pursue the following objectives
with senior interlocutors on Thursday, January 15:
-- (C/REL) Emphasize that the GOL should continue to show
restraint in regard to Israeli military responses,
aggressively investigate the January 8 and January 14
rocket incidents in coordination with UNIFIL, and take
action to prevent future attacks.
-- (C/REL) Stress that continuation of attacks against
Israel could lead to massive Israeli retaliation and
expansion of the Gaza conflict across Lebanon's borders,
with disastrous consequences for Lebanon.
-- (C/REL) Encourage the Council of Ministers to issue a
strong, and unanimous, statement condemning the attacks
and reiterating the GOL's continuing commitment to USNCR
1701.
-- (C/REL) Emphasize that continuing incidents out of
Lebanon distract from international efforts to bring
resolution to the Gaza crisis.
-- (C/REL) Note that the GOL's inability to prevent rocket
launches from its territory or to take steps against those
responsible could undermine U.S. support for Lebanon and
especially assistance to the LAF.
-- (C/REL) Underscore that full implementation of
Resolution 1701 is critical for Lebanon's internal
stability and for international support for Lebanon.
Violations such as the recent rocket attacks will not be
tolerated.
REPORTING DEADLINE
--------------
4. (U) Embassy Beirut should report results by cable to
NEA/ELA Deputy Director Stephen Newhouse and Lebanon desk
officer Matt Irwin by Thursday, January 15.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: URGING GOL ACTION TO STEM UNSCR 1701
VIOLATIONS
REF: BEIRUT 60
Classified By: NEA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAVID M. HALE
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.
SUMMARY
--------------
2. (C) On January 14, unknown persons in south Lebanon
launched rockets towards Israel, the second rocket attack
from Lebanon into Israel in one week. No organization has
claimed responsibility for the most recent attack or the
earlier January 8 rocket attack, although many observers
are pointing fingers at the Syria-based Palestinian Front
for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC)
Both the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) have condemned these incidents. However, these
rocket attacks represent a flagrant violation of UN Security
Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701. The GOL must
proactively seek to halt additional attacks and to
reaffirm its commitment to UNSCR 1701, to prevent a
widening of the Gaza conflict into Lebanon.
OBJECTIVES
--------------
3. (SBU) Charge should pursue the following objectives
with senior interlocutors on Thursday, January 15:
-- (C/REL) Emphasize that the GOL should continue to show
restraint in regard to Israeli military responses,
aggressively investigate the January 8 and January 14
rocket incidents in coordination with UNIFIL, and take
action to prevent future attacks.
-- (C/REL) Stress that continuation of attacks against
Israel could lead to massive Israeli retaliation and
expansion of the Gaza conflict across Lebanon's borders,
with disastrous consequences for Lebanon.
-- (C/REL) Encourage the Council of Ministers to issue a
strong, and unanimous, statement condemning the attacks
and reiterating the GOL's continuing commitment to USNCR
1701.
-- (C/REL) Emphasize that continuing incidents out of
Lebanon distract from international efforts to bring
resolution to the Gaza crisis.
-- (C/REL) Note that the GOL's inability to prevent rocket
launches from its territory or to take steps against those
responsible could undermine U.S. support for Lebanon and
especially assistance to the LAF.
-- (C/REL) Underscore that full implementation of
Resolution 1701 is critical for Lebanon's internal
stability and for international support for Lebanon.
Violations such as the recent rocket attacks will not be
tolerated.
REPORTING DEADLINE
--------------
4. (U) Embassy Beirut should report results by cable to
NEA/ELA Deputy Director Stephen Newhouse and Lebanon desk
officer Matt Irwin by Thursday, January 15.
RICE