DEMARCHE: SUPPORT FOR THE LEBANESE ARMY

UNCLAS STATE 071850

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION

SECDEF FOR OSD MELISSA DALTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KU LE PREL PTER QA SA AE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: SUPPORT FOR THE LEBANESE ARMY


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs
three through six.

SUMMARY
--------------


2. (SBU) Posts are requested to seek host government
support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and,
specifically, to request funding for the purchase,
upgrade, and transfer of 56 of Jordan's U.S.-origin M60A3
tanks to Lebanon.

OBJECTIVES
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3. (SBU) Embassy Abu Dhabi is requested to pursue the
following objectives:

-- Thank the UAE for its generous support of the LAF,
including patrol boats, Gazelle helicopters, and $17
million for the purchase and refurbishment of the first 10
of 66 total M60A3s from Jordan, which arrived in Lebanon
on April 28.

-- Relay strong USG support for the transfer, which we
understand from the LAF that the UAE is considering, of
Puma helicopters and Hawk aircraft from the UAE to
Lebanon.

-- Note that we have been unable to secure any of the $98
million required to purchase, upgrade, and transport the
remaining 56 M60A3s from Jordan to Lebanon, and would be
most grateful for any further assistance from the UAE.

-- Note that we are making a similar request of Kuwait,
KSA, and Qatar and would welcome UAE support in
encouraging Gulf neighbors to follow the UAE example of
support for the national institutions of Lebanon.

-- Explain that, despite our strong support for the M60A3
transfer and our provision of over half a billion dollars
in assistance to the LAF since 2005, U.S. law prevents us
from funding the retransfer of U.S.-origin equipment such
as the tanks.

-- Assure the UAE we will coordinate a public affairs
strategy among the UAE, Lebanon, and Jordan regarding
provision and funding of the tanks.


4. (SBU) Embassy Doha is requested to pursue the following
objectives:

-- Note that since 2005, the USG has provided more than
half a billion dollars in support to the LAF.

-- Note also that several of Qatar's neighbors have
provided significant assistance, but that we are aware of
no Qatari aid to the LAF.

-- Suggest Qatar consider contributing to the $98
million required to purchase, upgrade, and transport the
remaining 56 of 66 M60A3s from Jordan to Lebanon as a
gesture of both concrete Qatari support for the LAF and
moderation in Lebanon, as well as a sign of Qatari-U.S.
cooperation on an issue of mutual concern.

-- Explain that U.S. law prevents us from funding the
retransfer of U.S.-origin equipment such as the M60A3s,
and that we are also requesting assistance from Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.


5. (SBU) Embassy Kuwait is requested to pursue the
following objective:

-- Seek a response to Secretary of Defense Gates' March 2
letter to Kuwaiti Minister of Defense al-Sabah seeking
Kuwaiti funding for the purchase, upgrade, and transport
of the remaining 56 of 66 M60A3s from Jordan to Lebanon.

-- Reiterate our request that Kuwait provide some or all
of the $98 million required for the remaining tanks.


6. (SBU) Embassy Riyadh is requested to pursue the
following objectives:

-- Thank Saudi Arabia for its generous financial and
political support to Lebanon, including to the LAF.

-- Note our understanding as of late 2008 that Saudi
Arabia is not inclined to provide further financial
support to the LAF.

-- Underscore that supporting the LAF remains a top
priority for the Obama administration, and in 2009 alone,
we anticipate providing over $200 million in funding,
bringing our total assistance to the LAF since 2005 to
more than half a billion dollars.

-- Request that Saudi Arabia reconsider the USG and LAF
request for $98 million to fund the purchase, upgrade, and
transport of the remaining 56 M60A3s from Jordan to
Lebanon.

-- Note that the UAE funded the first 10 tanks, which were
delivered to Lebanon on April 28, and that U.S. law
prevents us from funding the retransfer of U.S.-origin
equipment such as the M60A3s.

REPORTING DEADLINE
--------------


7. (SBU) Posts are requested to report the results of this
demarche to NEA Lebanon Desk Officer Christine Lawson and
NEA/ARP by Friday, July 17.

BACKGROUND
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8. (SBU) On January 14, 2009, the LAF and Jordan signed an
agreement to refurbish, upgrade, and transfer to Lebanon
66 of Jordan's U.S.-origin M60A3 tanks, with a package
price of $115 million. The USG is prohibited by law from
funding the retransfer of U.S.-origin equipment such as
the LAF-Jordanian deal, but has lent strong political
backing to the transaction, and is working to drum up
donor funding and to encourage further
military-to-military cooperation between Lebanon and
Jordan.


9. (SBU) The UAE provided $17 million for the first ten
tanks, which were delivered on April 28. Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait were both approached for funding on multiple
occasions in late 2008 and early 2009. Saudi Arabia,
which provided $100 million to the LAF during the Nahr
al-Barid crisis of 2007, was uninterested at the time in
providing additional support. Kuwait has yet to respond
to a letter from Secretary of Defense Gates requesting
funding for the tanks. We have not approached Qatar to
seek funding for the tanks, but view this request as an
opportunity to work with Qatar on an issue of mutual concern.



10. (SBU) Support for the LAF is an urgent priority after
the March 14 coalition's win in Lebanon's June 7
parliamentary elections. The LAF's already urgent need
for more training and equipment is heightened by the new
political mandate to continue consolidating the state's
control over Lebanese territory. PM-designate Saad Hariri
is already seeking a "Marshall plan" of aid for the LAF to
chip away at Hizballah's legitimacy and prepare the army
to confront other armed groups. We support his plan and w
ill continue efforts to strengthen Lebanese government
institutions, especially its security services, as the
best means to protect Lebanon's sovereignty and security.
CLINTON