NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR GEN. JONES´ VISIT TO LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 000066 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MASS UNSC LE IS SY IR SUBJECT: NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR GEN. JONES´ VISIT TO LEBANON Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. National Security Advisor General Jim Jones explained to President Michel Sleiman, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Jean Kahwagi January 15 the U.S. administration,s intention to pursue additional sanctions against Iran at the United Nations after its failure to respond to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) outreach. He stressed President Obama,s commitment to peace in the Middle East, while assuring that no engagement would come at Lebanon´s expense. In addition, he highlighted U.S. support for Lebanese state institutions, particularly the LAF. ¶2. (C) Gen. Jones´ Lebanese interlocutors expressed support for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons, while PM Hariri stated that Lebanon,s domestic political situation limited its room to maneuver on Iran, particularly as Lebanon takes its non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The Lebanese leaders backed U.S. efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, noting Lebanon´s concern about the estimated 400,000 Palestinian refugees in the country, whom they believe should be allowed to return to Palestine. Hariri and Berri were optimistic about prospects for the new Lebanese government. Hariri and General Kahwagi highlighted the equipment and training needs of the LAF. All four leaders protested the inclusion of Lebanon on the Transportation Security Administration,s (TSA) list of countries of concern, as well as House Resolution 2278,s potential sanctioning of media outlets, including those carrying Hizballah,s al-Manar. Speaker Berri also drew attention to the continued need for assistance for demining activities in south Lebanon. End Summary. IRAN -------------- ¶3. (C) Gen. Jones articulated the U.S. administration,s disappointment that Iran had rejected an offer from the IAEA to negotiate regarding its nuclear program and underlined the dangers of Iran, a state sponsor of terror, gaining possession of nuclear weapons. He said the U.S. would pursue sanctions at the United Nations and would look to Lebanon as a new non-permanent member of the Security Council to provide robust leadership on the issue. President Sleiman stressed that Lebanon supported a nuclear-free Middle East and encouraged the U.S. to find a diplomatic solution to the issue, while General Kahwagi hoped the sanctions would be successful, because the Lebanese "are tired of wars." PM Hariri said he understood the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran, but Lebanon would need to tread carefully on the subject, toeing the Arab League line and weighing the domestic political balance when making decisions on Iran. Hariri asked for U.S. appreciation of Lebanon,s "difficulties and divisions" on the issue of Iran in the Security Council, noting his primary concern was internal stability. PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶4. (C) Jones conveyed President Obama´s determination to make progress on Middle East peace, and he reported his meetings in Israel and Palestine made him think a return to talks was on the horizon. The U.S., he said, hoped for "significant progress" before the Arab League summit in March. Speaker Berri spoke at length on the centrality of the conflict to regional stability and how the continuing conflict fuels extremism across the region. Both he and PM Hariri emphasized the need for the United States to "put all its weight" on Israel to move toward peace and to strengthen moderates in the Arab world. Hariri also focused on the fate of Lebanon´s estimated 400,000 Palestinian refugees whose presence, he explained, already jeopardized the delicate confessional balance in Lebanon and whose right of return the Lebanese would hold steadfastly. President Sleiman was supportive of U.S. efforts, reaffirming Lebanese support for the Arab Peace Initiative. He said he was in contact with Palestinian Pres ident Mahmoud Abbas, who felt it necessary to see the Israelis give at least a bit on the settlement issue before restarting talks. NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT "A POINT OF STRENGTH" -------------- ¶5. (C) PM Hariri thanked Jones for U.S. support for Lebanon´s sovereignty and independence. He opined that despite many commentators´ statements that the Cedar Revolution was "not as it used to be," the revolution had accomplished a great deal, such as getting the Syrians out of Lebanon, setting up the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to try those accused of political assassinations, and culminating in the March 14 victory in the June 2009 parliamentary elections. The new national unity government was not a sign of weakness, he asserted, but a point of strength, and he stressed the need to ensure that political differences did not get in the way of reform. "We think this government can accomplish things," Hariri emphasized. Speaker Berri was equally optimistic, saying he supported the new prime minister and hoped to get legislation moving in the parliament, as well, "to make up for lost time." BUILDING THE LAF TO PROTECT LEBANON -------------- ¶6. (C) In response to Gen. Jones´ remarks on Iran, PM Hariri stressed that the LAF should be the premier force in Lebanon in order to counter external influences. He noted the LAF´s needs for training, equipment and more advanced weaponry, which he said Lebanon would get from other sources if it could not get them from the U.S. "We can´t enforce (UNSCR) 1701 without a strong LAF and ISF (Internal Security Forces)," he asserted. President Sleiman expressed his gratitude for U.S. assistance to the LAF and noted that Defense Minister Elias Murr would travel to Washington in February for meetings of the Joint Military Commission (JMC). General Kahwagi, who was also preparing for the JMC, outlined the LAF´s three main missions: border protection, both against attacks on the Israeli border and smuggling from Syria; counterterrorism; and internal security, in conjunction with the ISF. He focused on the LAF´s need for close air support in addition to training and ammunition. Kahwagi said he hoped to be able to collaborate with the ISF when moving into difficult areas, as the LAF had in confronting criminal elements in the Bekaa Valley, but he emphasized that he wanted the ISF to be able to carry out its mission fully, so the LAF could concentrate on its own military responsibilities. TSA LIST AND H.R. 2278 -------------- ¶7. (C) All four Lebanese leaders brought up the inclusion of Lebanon on the list of countries of interest requiring enhanced TSA screening for travel to the U.S. The Lebanese complained that Lebanon had tracked and arrested numerous al-Qaeda terrorists and had cooperated in sharing information on terrorist activity. President Sleiman and PM Hariri both worried that the inclusion could cause a backlash among Lebanese, who wonder how counterterrorism cooperation with the U.S. benefits them. General Kahwagi said that Lebanon had prevented numerous attacks through its counterterrorism efforts, and wondered, "Why Lebanon?" when he saw the list of nations included on the list. General Jones noted that the new measures were a quick reaction to the Christmas Day bomb attempt. He said he had spoken to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano before his trip to confirm that the list was not definitive, and he underscored that the U.S. would work with countries on the list to allow them to be removed. ¶8. (C) The Lebanese also objected to the U.S. House of Representatives resolution sanctioning stations and satellite companies distributing content that incites violence against Americans, including Hizballah´s al-Manar TV station and al-Nour radio station. President Sleiman and PM Hariri stressed that they adhere strongly to Lebanon´s free press, despite disagreements they may have regarding content. Sleiman said that Hizballah "is not for terrorism," despite its disagreement with U.S. policy. Hariri clung to his argument that freedom of the press is sacrosanct in Lebanon, one of the few Arab countries with such freedoms. Jones noted that the U.S. administration does not have a position on the bill, which is a Congressional initiative, but he added that Hizballah is a designated terrorist organization in the United States. LAND MINES STILL A LETHAL THREAT IN THE SOUTH -------------- ¶9. (C) Speaker Berri showed General Jones a presentation from the Mines Advisory Group showing the work remaining to be done on demining in south Lebanon following the 2006 Hizballah-Israel war. He stressed that mines remained in agricultural areas in the south and that many people were still being injured or killed, with children mistaking the mines for dolls. Speaker Berri expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance to remove the mines, and he asked for more support to prevent further injuries. ¶10. (U) General Jones has cleared this cable. SISON