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AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY 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1'000 rows / 44'693 results
Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
07BEIJING6082 | DEMARCHE ON LEBANON TRIBUNAL CONTRIBUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-18 00:39:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC PTER LE CH |
07BEIJING609 | CHINA'S FIRST FTA SERVICES AGREEMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: China signed its first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Services with the ten countries of ASEAN in January, 2007 during the 12th Annual ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines. While initially opening a limited set of services, the agreement brings China and ASEAN closer to realiz [...] | 2007-01-26 08:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD WTRO ECON EINV CH XC AS NZ |
07BEIJING6114 | ILSA: IRAN-CHINA YADARAVAN OIL FIELD AGREEMENT [...] (C) Per reftel instructions, PolOff conveyed U.S. concerns about new reports that Sinopec plans to sign an agreement to develop the Yadavaran oil fields in Iran to Xu Wei, Deputy Director of the MFA West Asian and North African Affairs Department Iran and Turkey Division on September 18. Xu r [...] | 2007-09-18 08:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ETTC PREL ENRG EPET IR NL CH |
07BEIJING6121 | SEPTEMBER 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-18 10:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV SENV UNSC CH JA KN FR SF IN SU |
07BEIJING614 | FIRST THE PRD, THEN THE YRD... NOW THE BOHAI RIM? [...] (SBU) China's Central Government has backed the Bohai Rim Economic Circle (BREC) in Northern China as a key region for economic development in a manner often compared to the Pearl River Delta (PRD),emanating from Shenzhen-Guangzhou, and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD),anchored by Shanghai. The [...] | 2007-01-26 08:55:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV EFIN PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6155 | CHINA APPROVES SHANGHAI PORT FOR MEGAPORTS PILOT [...] (SBU) The Chinese State Council has approved the deepwater port of Yangshen in Shanghai as the Chinese location for the Megaports pilot program, MFA International Organizations Department Officer Song Jia told Poloff on September 19. FM Yang Jiechi will notify Secretary Rice of the Chinese de [...] | 2007-09-19 10:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PARM PREL CWC OPCW CBW CH |
07BEIJING6156 | CHINA URGED TO INVESTIGATE MISSILE-RELATED [...] (S) Poloff conveyed reftel points concerning efforts by Pakistan to acquire missile-related equipment from Chinese firms to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on September 19. 2. (S) Wang told Poloff that Beijing's policy on missile expor [...] | 2007-09-19 11:27:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC MTCRE KSCA CH PK |
07BEIJING6157 | REVISION OF PARTY CONSTITUTION: "BEGINNING OF HU [...] (C) This week's announcement that the Chinese Communist Party Constitution will be revised at the October Party Congress, apparently to incorporate key concepts associated with General Secretary Hu Jintao, signals a clear advance in Hu's consolidation of power and marks the "beginning of the H [...] | 2007-09-19 11:28:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6158 | LIU GUIJIN: U.S. VISIT A SUCCESS; DISCUSSES SUDAN, [...] (U) Summary: PRC Special Envoy for Darfur Liu Guijin described his recent trip to the United States as a success that resulted in increased understanding of China's Darfur policies at a September 18 press briefing. In response to questions, he said that the security situation in Darfur is im [...] | 2007-09-19 11:44:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH ZI ET |
07BEIJING6159 | SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: CHINESE AID TO [...] (C) Summary: China's aid policy toward Zimbabwe has not changed, and the current spate of reports regarding Chinese aid to Zimbabwe are all the result of a misunderstanding, MFA Zimbabwe Desk Officer Wang Xiao told PolOff September 19. The rumors re-ignited following a September 18 press conf [...] | 2007-09-19 11:51:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID CH ZI XA |
07BEIJING6168 | AUSTR STRATFORD'S MEETING WITH MOF A/S ZHU [...] (SBU) In a wide-ranging discussion September 13 with Ministry of Finance Assistant Minister Zhu Guangyao, Assistant USTR for China Tim Stratford outlined U.S. expectations for the upcoming Joint Committee on Trade and Commerce (JCCT) and discussed the status of various follow-up items from the [...] | 2007-09-20 02:57:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV CH |
07BEIJING617 | A/S SILVERBERG AND AFM CUI DISCUSS BURMA, HAITI, [...] (C) United Nations successes in 2006 benefited from P-5 cooperation, especially between the United States and China, Assistant Secretary for International Organizations (IO) Affairs Kristen Silverberg told Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai. U.S.-China cooperation resulted in the selecti [...] | 2007-01-26 10:10:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC CH BM IR KS KN SU |
07BEIJING619 | A/S SILVERBERG'S MEETINGS WITH FM LI, IO DG WU AND [...] (C) Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told A/S Silverberg Beijing hopes U.S.-China cooperation on international organizations issues will continue in 2007, with the United States and China addressing problems arising in various hotspots based on a constructive, cooperative, win-win approach. FM L [...] | 2007-01-26 10:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC CH IR KS KN SU |
07BEIJING6197 | CORRECTED COPY: SEPTEMBER 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING [...] Key points at the September 18 MFA Press Briefing were: -- No new date has been set for the Six-Party Talks. -- The Chinese government opposes the Dalai Lama's meeting with German Chancellor Merkel. -- China and Japan will hold consultations on the East China Sea in late October. -- T [...] | 2007-09-20 09:25:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV SENV UNSC CH JA KN FR SF IN SU |
07BEIJING6198 | SEPTEMBER 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, [...] Key points at the September 20 MFA Press Briefing were: -- No new date has been set for the Six-Party Talks and Chinese heavy fuel assistance to the DPRK is under "active preparation and implementation." -- DPRK VFM Kim Yong-il met with VFM Wu Dawei in Beijing on September 18 and is curren [...] | 2007-09-20 09:31:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV SENV CH JA KN KS RS TW IS GZ GM |
07BEIJING6199 | (S) CHINA URGED TO RECALL MISSILE-RELATED STEEL EN [...] (S) Poloff delivered retel message concerning China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation's efforts to supply Syria's Mechanical Construction Factory with missile-usable specialty steel to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on Se [...] | 2007-09-20 10:12:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC CH KS SY |
07BEIJING620 | "DEMOCRACY IS A GOOD THING" ARTICLE IGNITES DEBATE [...] (C) An article in the influential weekly Study Times strongly endorsing democracy as "the best" political system has stimulated sharp discussion in Chinese media and intellectual circles. Our contacts speculated that "Democracy Is a Good Thing," by progressive scholar and author Yu Keping, i [...] | 2007-01-26 11:11:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KCUL SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6201 | Staffdel Knauer Discusses Drug Export Safety with China [...] (SBU) Summary: In a meeting with Staffdel Knauer on September 3, officials at China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) described a rigorous inspection system for imports and exports of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs),but admitted that there is a "fatal" gap in the system be [...] | 2007-09-20 22:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO PREL HHS ETRD BEXP CH |
07BEIJING621 | HUMAN RIGHTS: AMCIT NASDAQ REP DETAINED THEN [...] (C) Chinese security officials detained and questioned AmCit Lawrence Pan, NASDAQ's chief representative in China, on the morning of January 26 in connection with NASDAQ's alleged "support" for Falun Gong activities in the United States. He was released the same afternoon, Hong Kong-based NA [...] | 2007-01-26 11:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV CASC CH |
07BEIJING622 | XINHUA RENEWS PRESSURE ON FOREIGN MEDIA PROVIDERS [...] (C) Representatives of the Associated Press (AP),Reuters, and Dow Jones (DJ) recently told emboffs that Xinhua is using the occasion of foreign financial wire services renewing their annual licenses to require them to sign distribution agreements with China Economic Information Service (CEIS [...] | 2007-01-26 12:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EFIN PREL KPAO KIPR ECPS CH |
07BEIJING6233 | CHINESE TERRORISM EXPERT CALLS HIZB UT-TAHRIR A [...] (C) Ma Pinyan, a terrorism expert at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, told Poloff September 1 that while violent terrorism is on the decline, Xinjiang authorities are concerned by the growth of non-violent fundamentalist movements like Hizb ut- Tahrir al-Islami (Islamic Party of Libera [...] | 2007-09-21 08:39:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV TI PK KG AF KZ CH |
07BEIJING6234 | BEIJING LEGAL SCHOLAR ALLEGES DPP UN REFERENDUM [...] (C) A Chinese legal scholar and National People's Congress (NPC) adviser specializing in Chinese constitutional issues, Wang Zhenmin (protect),alleged that passage of a Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) referendum endorsing UN membership "in the name of Taiwan" would be legally equiva [...] | 2007-09-21 09:13:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TW CH |
07BEIJING6253 | CHINA/SCO ECONOMIC CONFERENCE - FEWER SPEECHES, [...] (SBU) A September 2007 forum on economic cooperation among members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) had far fewer and lower ranking speakers than the previous year. The SCO Secretary General highlighted China's leading role in deepening friendship, cooperation and mutual economi [...] | 2007-09-24 03:10:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ECIN ETRD PREL PTER CH ZK |
07BEIJING6256 | THE HALAL NETWORK - NINGXIA REACHES OUT TO THE MUSLIM [...] Emerging economic ties between Ningxia Province and Islamic countries suggest a broader potential for expanded commercial interaction between China's Muslims -- which likely exceed 20 million and may number as many as 100 million according to unofficial estimates -- and their brethren in the M [...] | 2007-09-24 03:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6264 | CHINA'S NATIONAL RECALL SYSTEM: AN UNFUNDED MANDATE [...] (SBU) China unveiled its new national recall system for toys and processed food on August 31, a program spearheaded by the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Administration, and Quarantine (AQSIQ),the regulatory agency in charge of inspection for some aspects of domestic productio [...] | 2007-09-24 22:04:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO EAGR ECON HHS ETRD BEXP CH |
07BEIJING6266 | CHINESE MFA ON UNGA [...] (C) Drawing on Department guidance (Ref A),Poloff discussed the 62nd UNGA session with Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun on September 24 (the first date the MFA was available). Yao's key po [...] | 2007-09-24 22:04:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNGA SENV IR SU IZ BM LE CH |
07BEIJING6267 | CHINESE MFA ON UNGA [...] (C) Drawing on Department guidance (Ref A),Poloff discussed the 62nd UNGA session with Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun on September 24 (the first date the MFA was available). Yao's key po [...] | 2007-09-24 22:04:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNGA SENV IR SU IZ BM LE CH |
07BEIJING6286 | PARTY CONGRESS ECONOMIC POLICY IMPACT SEEN AS [...] (SBU) Several ECON contacts have told us that next month's Party Congress is unlikely to affect China's macroeconomic policies. One economic analyst opined that personnel changes at the Ministry of Finance could play a role in China's fiscal policy, but said the overall direction of reform wou [...] | 2007-09-25 07:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD ELAB PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6294 | SEPTEMBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BURMA [...] Key points at the September 25 MFA Press Briefing were: -- Stabiity in Burma serves the interests of Burma and the international community; China sticks toa policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. -- No information on upcoming high-level visits between Japan [...] | 2007-09-25 09:27:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV SENV UNSC CH JA KN KS RS TW BM GM |
07BEIJING6318 | RESOLUTION ON "CONDEMNING THE USE OF RAPE AS AN [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-26 08:11:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC UN PHUM KWMN SOCI |
07BEIJING6321 | SEPTEMBER 26 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN'S UN [...] Key points at the September 26 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The TAO expressed appreciation for U.S. opposition to Taiwan's referendum on UN membership and its efforts to enter the UN under the name "Taiwan." -- Taiwan will "get burned if it plays with fire," said the [...] | 2007-09-26 08:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW |
07BEIJING6338 | CHINA TELLS BURMA TO RECEIVE GAMBARI QUICKLY, [...] (C) Summary: In response to the Ambassador per ref A urging China to press the Burmese regime to exercise restraint, begin an inclusive dialogue on democracy, and accept a visit of UN Special Envoy Gambari immediately, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei stressed in a meeting on Septem [...] | 2007-09-27 08:44:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6339 | SEPTEMBER 27 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BURMA, SIX PARTY [...] Key points at the September 27 MFA Press Briefing were: -- China hopes all parties in Burma can "exercise restraint" so as to avoid escalation of the situation. China also urged the press to report truthfully and avoid "exaggerated hype." -- The Six-Party Talks are set to begin this evenin [...] | 2007-09-27 09:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV CH KN KS RS BM |
07BEIJING6342 | AFM HE YAFEI ON IRAN: CHINA SUPPORTS NEW UNSC [...] (C) Summary: China supports a new UN Security Council resolution on Iran when appropriate, but a new resolution should not hurt either the Iranian people or the legitimate economic and energy interests of China or other countries, Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei told the Ambassador [...] | 2007-09-27 10:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM PTER MNUC IR CH |
07BEIJING6347 | AQSIQ VICE MINISTER DISCUSSES SALMONELLA AND [...] (SBU) Summary: General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspecion, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) Vice Minister Wei Cuanzhong discussed with FAS Mincouns September 26 the issue of poultry import restrictions in both countries, salmonella-contaminated Chinese fish exports, possible contamination [...] | 2007-09-27 22:23:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO EAGR ECON ETRD BEXP CH |
07BEIJING6365 | MIGRANTS, MICROFINANCE, AND MEAT -- SHANXI'S RURAL [...] (SBU) Professors and students at Shanxi Agricultural University in Central China said on September 25 that rural development in the province is based on non-farm income, local microfinance models have been disappointing, and the province's residents are paying close attention to inflation. Loc [...] | 2007-09-28 07:39:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV SOCI CVIS CH |
07BEIJING6367 | CHINA/STEEL: XINJIANG MILL (SORT OF) CHARTS ITS OWN COURSE [...] (SBU) Econoff recently held a series of steel related meetings in Xinjiang Province with local government officials and the Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Company (Bayi). A Bayi executive told us that the company has successfully merged with Shanghai's Baosteel. Xinjiang Province Government supp [...] | 2007-09-28 08:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EIND ENRG ELAB SENV WTRO CH |
07BEIJING6374 | CHINA: FIVE REASONS FOR NO TELECOM [...] (SBU) Summary. On September 13, Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative (DAUSTR) for Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce Policy Jonathan McHale, accompanied by Econoffs, met with Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Director General of WTO Affairs Wang Zhen to discuss JCCT [...] | 2007-09-28 08:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECPS PGOV ASEC WTRO CH |
07BEIJING6376 | BEIJING-BASED G-5 CHIEFS OF MISSION ON EURO-RMB [...] (C) At the September 28 bi-weekly G-5 Chiefs of Mission gathering, French DCM Nicholas Chapuis said that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told Chinese economic ministers to "work on" the current Euro-RMB currency imbalance after French Finance Minister Lagarde invited China's attention to it. German [...] | 2007-09-28 08:59:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SENV ECON CH FR GM JA UK |
07BEIJING6394 | DEMARCHE ON REDUCTION OF IRAQI DEBT DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-28 10:01:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID EFIN IZ CH |
07BEIJING6395 | CHINESE MFA SAYS ONGOING CRISIS IN BURMA STILL NOT [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with Western Embassy officials on September 28, MFA Asia Department Deputy Director General Yang Yanyi delivered now familiar points on China's position on the crisis in Burma: China is concerned and supports UN efforts; the Burmese government should "properly handle" [...] | 2007-09-28 10:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6396 | ALL BUBBLES, NO BATH: HUNAN'S APPAREL FESTIVAL [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Poloff's attendance at a recent apparel festival as part of a larger trip to Hunan province highlighted the provincial Party leadership's desire to attract foreign interest and investment, but exposed their limited understanding of how to actually do so. Despite flying in parti [...] | 2007-09-28 10:27:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV BTIO EINV ECON CH |
07BEIJING6402 | AMBASSADOR URGES IMPROVED PRC COOPERATION ON [...] (C) Summary: In a September 28 meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on bilateral issues (septel),the Ambassador urged improved Chinese cooperation on Burma, Iran and other international issues and pressed for General Jing Zhiyuan of the PLA Second Artillery to accept STRATCOM's inv [...] | 2007-09-28 14:08:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PARM MARR MNUC CH BM IR SU |
07BEIJING6403 | SCO SECRETARIAT, PRC SCHOLARS DISAGREE ON SCO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Central Asian staff at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) secretariat and Chinese scholars offered clashing views on the SCO's mission, reflecting differences between China and other member states. Umad Azizov, an Uzbek at the SCO Secretariat, stressed the SCO's role in [...] | 2007-09-28 14:31:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER ETRD ENRG MARR ZK XD CH RS |
07BEIJING6456 | China/Central Asia - Weak Infrastructure and [...] (SBU) Transportation and logistics issues continue to hamper regional economic growth linking China and Central, West and South Asia. The widely hyped Horgos Cross Border trade area featured at last year's High- Level Forum on Regional Economic Cooperation in Urumqi is still under constructio [...] | 2007-10-04 08:45:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ECIN ETRD PREL PTER CH ZK |
07BEIJING6458 | CHINA "CAUTIOUS" ON FORMAL UNSC MEETING, BELIEVES [...] (C) Summary: In response to points in reftels, Chinese MFA officials referred to MFA press statements noting China's "positive appraisal" of UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's just completed mission to Burma. MFA officials advised caution on proceeding with a formal meeting of the UNSC on Bur [...] | 2007-10-04 09:10:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6498 | DISH DIFFUSION: PIRATE SATELLITE TV THRIVES IN [...] (C) China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) has been cracking down on illegal satellite television since July 2007, according to news reports. While police in several cities are confiscating illicit receivers, enforcement of China's long-standing ban on private sat [...] | 2007-10-05 08:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PROP PHUM SOCI KCUL KIPR CH TW HK JA RP |
07BEIJING6501 | LEADERSHIP RUMORS IN ADVANCE OF THE PARTY CONGRESS [...] (C) Contacts continue to speculate on impending high-level personnel changes as Beijing prepares for the opening of the 17th Communist Party Congress on October 15. Decisions have reportedly "largely" been made but remain "top sec ret," with last-minute changes still a possibility. A "core" o [...] | 2007-10-05 12:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6503 | LEADERSHIP RUMORS IN ADVANCE OF THE PARTY CONGRESS [...] (C) Contacts continue to speculate on impending high-level personnel changes as Beijing prepares for the opening of the 17th Communist Party Congress on October 15. Decisions have reportedly "largely" been made but remain "top secret," with last-minute changes still a possibility. A "core" of [...] | 2007-10-08 22:33:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6535 | CHINESE MFA ON MINUSTAH RENEWAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-09 07:57:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPKO PGOV UNSC HA CH |
07BEIJING6539 | PARTY SEVENTH PLENUM OPENS; FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR [...] (SBU) Final, formal preparations for the October 15 Party Congress began today with the announcement that the Seventh plenary session (plenum) of the 16th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee opened the morning of October 9 in Beijing, as expected (Ref D). According to the Xinhua Ne [...] | 2007-10-09 10:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6540 | OCTOBER 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BURMA UNREST, [...] Key points at the October 9 MFA Press Briefing: -- Burma has "become calmer" through the efforts of both the Burmese government and the international community. Any action by the UN Security Council should be "cautious and prudent" and calculated to promote "stability" within Burma. The "pr [...] | 2007-10-09 14:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV CH IN KN BM |
07BEIJING6579 | CHARGE PRESSES AFM HE TO BE FLEXIBLE ON P5-PLUS-1 [...] (C) Drawing on points in ref (A),Charge urged Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei on October 10 to remain constructively engaged on the P5-plus-1 process for dealing with Iran's nuclear program, and to attend the next Political Directors meeting. He also suggested that Beijing consider [...] | 2007-10-10 10:04:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL MNUC CH IR |
07BEIJING6580 | ILSA: IRAN-CHINA YADAVARAN OIL FIELD AGREEMENT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-10 10:16:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ETTC PREL ENRG EPET NL IR CH |
07BEIJING6581 | CHINA "STRONGLY DISSATISFIED" WITH LATEST UNSC [...] (C) Summary: Chinese AFM He Yafei called in the Charge on October 10 to deliver a message describing China's efforts to improve the situation in Burma and to express the Chinese government's "disappointment and dissatisfaction" that the latest U.S.-circulated UNSC Presidential draft statement d [...] | 2007-10-10 10:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6596 | CHINA MFA SIGNALS POSSIBLE WILLINGNESS TO APPROACH [...] (C) Poloff delivered Ref A points and concept paper on the "Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on the Spread of WMD in the ASEAN Regional Forum" in separate meetings with MFA Asian Affairs Department Regional Security Division Director Ma Jia and Arms Control and Disarmament Department Conventional [...] | 2007-10-11 07:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM ARF CH |
07BEIJING6606 | CHINA TIGHTENS MEDIA CONTROLS AS PARTY CONGRESS [...] (C) As the 17th Party Congress rapidly approaches, propaganda officials are telling Chinese news outlets to avoid "negative" reporting, according to numerous media contacts. News of accidents and disasters, especially mining accidents, will be tightly controlled. Media speculation about Part [...] | 2007-10-11 09:49:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PROP CH |
07BEIJING6607 | OCTOBER 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BURMA, ARREST OF [...] Key points at the October 11 MFA Press Briefing: -- The situation in Burma is "relaxing" and is "turning in a good direction." The international community should offer "constructive" help to allow Burma to realize stability, reconciliation, democracy and development. -- ROK consulate off [...] | 2007-10-11 10:07:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV CH BM KN KS JA VE CO |
07BEIJING6609 | CHINA INFLATION: ASSET AND CONSUMER PRICE PRESSURE IN [...] (SBU) Rising asset and consumer prices, and Central Government reactions to the increases, continued to draw attention during the recently concluded "Golden Week" period. With the 17th Party Congress set to open on Monday, October 15, inflation remains a predominant domestic economic concern. [...] | 2007-10-12 01:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ETRD EINV CH |
07BEIJING6637 | BEIJING-BASED G-5 CHIEFS OF MISSION ON BURMA, THE [...] (C) At the October 12 bi-weekly G-5 Chiefs of Mission gathering, UK Ambassador William Ehrman said that China's concerns in Burma are driven by the long common border, the 2.5 million ethnic Chinese in Burma, the 150,000 PRC citizens living there and the 3,000 Chinese companies active in the c [...] | 2007-10-12 08:28:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PHSA CH FR GM JA UK BM |
07BEIJING6638 | CHINESE IRAN EXPERT SAYS PRC SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: In an October 11 People's Daily report, China's former ambassador to Iran suggested the Six-Party Talks model could be applied to the Iran nuclear issue but that the United States would have to negotiate directly with Iran. A Chinese researcher claimed to PolOff that Beijing is [...] | 2007-10-12 09:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM PTER TBIO MNUC XF IR CH |
07BEIJING6640 | NORINCO VP EAGERLY ACCEPTS MEETING PROPOSAL [...] (S) Summary. China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) Vice President He Xiaodong eagerly accepted reftel invitation to meet in Washington the week of 29 October - 2 November. VP He understands the meeting is only for NORINCO executives and not for outside consultants. VP He stated that as [...] | 2007-10-12 09:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PREL CH ETTC PARM |
07BEIJING6641 | ROUNDUP OF DISSIDENTS, UNDESIRABLES AS BEIJING [...] (C) Security authorities appear to be rounding up a large number of petitioners, dissidents and other "undesirables" in advance of the 17th Communist Party Congress, which opens October 15. Police are detaining petitioners in Beijing and forcibly returning them to their home towns, contacts r [...] | 2007-10-12 10:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6652 | MEETING WITH MFA VICE MINISTER ZHANG YESUI [...] (U) Summary. On October 9, Deputy USTR Karan Bhatia and Department of Commerce Acting Under Secretary Christopher Padilla told MFA Vice Minister Zhang Yesui that the JCCT preparatory meeting with VM Ma were constructive and much work remains for the JCCT and SED. China should send an unequiv [...] | 2007-10-15 00:33:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD PREL CH |
07BEIJING6654 | UNDERLYING CHALLENGES HINDER RURAL FINANCE [...] (SBU) Promoting rural finance has been a Central Government priority during the past year, as government leaders recognize that the significant financial services gap in rural areas adversely impacts efforts to balance the economy. Rural finance reform was a primary focus of the National Finan [...] | 2007-10-15 03:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EAGR PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6655 | UNDERLYING CHALLENGES HINDER RURAL FINANCE [...] (SBU) Promoting rural finance has been a Central Government priority during the past year, as government leaders recognize that the significant financial services gap in rural areas adversely impacts efforts to balance the economy. Rural finance reform was a primary focus of the National Finan [...] | 2007-10-15 03:56:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EAGR PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6671 | CHARGE PRESSES MFA ON WSJ REPORTER'S VISA [...] (C) Summary: Per ref A, the Charge d'Affaires met with the MFA Information Department DG October 12 to press him to issue a residency permit to a Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal correspondent. The DG, Liu Jianchao, stressed that the visa denial for journalist Ian Johnson was due to [...] | 2007-10-15 09:37:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH |
07BEIJING6675 | U.S. FDA COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH CHINESE COUNTERARTS IN [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner traveled to Shanghai October 10-14 to deliver one of the keynote speeches at the Fifth Annual Sino-U.S Symposium on Medicine in the Twenty-First Century and to participate in the centennial anniversary c [...] | 2007-10-15 22:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON PREL HHS CH |
07BEIJING6676 | U.S. FDA COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH CHINESE COUNTERPARTS IN [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner traveled to Shanghai October 10-14 to deliver one of the keynote speeches at the Fifth Annual Sino-U.S Symposiu on Medicine in th Twenty-First Century and to participate in the centennial anniversary cel [...] | 2007-10-15 22:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON PREL HHS CH |
07BEIJING6689 | CHINA DEFERS TO GAMBARI ON TIMING OF RETURN VISIT [...] (C) Poloff conveyed reftel points October 16 to United Nations Affairs Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun. Yao said China supports UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's returning quickly to Burma, but "respects the judgment" of the UN Secretary-General and Special Envoy Gambari with regard to [...] | 2007-10-16 08:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6690 | OCTOBER 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA VISIT [...] Key points at the October 16 MFA Press Briefing: -- The U.S. presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor to the Dalai Lama will "seriously hurt" U.S.-China relations. -- Chinese participation in this week's scheduled P5-Plus-1 Political Directors' meeting was cancelled for "techn [...] | 2007-10-16 09:05:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV CH BM IR JA GM SU |
07BEIJING6716 | GERMAN EMBOFF CONFIRMS CHINA CANCELLED RULE OF LAW [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-17 08:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH GM |
07BEIJING6720 | PARTY BUOYED BY GOOD SOCIAL STABILITY, BUT [...] (C) China's leadership is holding its 17th Party Congress amid a backdrop of high economic growth and rising living standards that is keeping societal unrest in check, according to sociologists and mid- level government officials with whom we recently spoke. Most contacts say that the current [...] | 2007-10-17 11:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING6730 | CHINESE MFA ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS [...] (U) This cable contains an action request. See paragraph 4. 2. (C) Poloff on October 18 conveyed to MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department Human Rights Division Director Dong Zhihua reftel points soliciting support for U.S. priority resolutions in the UN General Assem [...] | 2007-10-18 07:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KTIA CH |
07BEIJING6732 | OCTOBER 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA VISIT [...] Key points at the October 18 MFA Press Briefing: -- China regards the Dalai Lama's visit to the United States as blatant interference in China's internal affairs that has greatly undermined the relationship between the United States and China. FM Yang strongly protested the visit in an Octo [...] | 2007-10-18 09:54:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH BM TU VM VT IN RS KN |
07BEIJING6733 | FM YANG "STRONGLY PROTESTS" DALAI LAMA'S U.S. [...] (C) Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed China's "strong opposition and indignation" to October 17 activities in connection with awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. FM Yang said that the United States' actions will have "severe adverse consequences for bilateral relatio [...] | 2007-10-18 10:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH IN |
07BEIJING6760 | PRESS BRIEFING ON OLYMPICS HELD OCTOBER 19 ON [...] A briefing on next year's Olympic Games was held October 19 as part of the series of press conferences staged in conjunction with China's ongoing 17th Communist Party Congrss. Liu Jingmin, who serves both as Beijing Vce Mayor and Executive Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee f [...] | 2007-10-19 12:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV KOLY CH |
07BEIJING6761 | CHINA'S 2008 WOMAN OF COURAGE: AI XIAOMING [...] Embassy Beijing is pleased to nominate feminist author, documentary filmmaker and activist Ai Xiaoming to receive the 2008 Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage. Ai has overcome police detention, physical assault and state censorship to fight for the rights of Chinese women. I [...] | 2007-10-19 13:21:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KWMN KPAO CH |
07BEIJING6774 | CHINESE MFA ON CANDIDACY OF DAVID WALKER FOR UN [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-22 06:51:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC UN UNGA |
07BEIJING6777 | HU JINTAO EMERGES FROM PARTY CONGRESS STRONGER, [...] (C) Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao has emerged from the 17th Party Congress stronger than before, but China's new leadership lineup revealed today indicates that he must continue to accommodate other interests within the Party. Hu Jintao was "reelected" to the top positions of Pa [...] | 2007-10-22 10:49:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6809 | BURMA POINTS DELIVERED TO MFA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-23 08:58:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6810 | OCTOBER 23 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, DALAI LAMA, [...] Key points at the October 23 MFA Press Briefing: -- China's new leadership committed to peaceful development and DPRK denuclearization process -- Regarding the Dalai Lama, the United States and China will hold "effective communication" -- EU-China dialogue on human rights "helpful" -- V [...] | 2007-10-23 09:11:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH |
07BEIJING6822 | DARFUR HEAVY SUPPORT DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] Drawing upon reftel, Poloff urged China to boost its assistance to the UNAMID peacekeeping operation in Darfur in an October 24 conversation with MFA International Organizations Department UN Division official Diao Junshu. Diao responded that she would pass the U.S. request on to her superiors [...] | 2007-10-24 08:49:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH |
07BEIJING6839 | CHINA MFA ON CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-25 04:25:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | UNGA ETRD PHUM UN CU CH |
07BEIJING6844 | OCTOBER 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: GAMBARI VISIT, J-10 [...] Key points at the October 25 MFA Press Briefing: -- UN Special Envoy Gambari met with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on October 24-25. -- China has taken note of the "untrue and groundless" reports in the Russian media th [...] | 2007-10-25 10:23:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH BM IR RS JA SU TU IZ PK |
07BEIJING6845 | CHIA TO SEND DG TO P5-PLUS-1 MEETING, SEEKS U.S. [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei told the Ambassador October 25 that he was unavailable to attend the P5-plus-1 Political Directors meeting on the Iran nuclear issue proposed for November 2 in London. Instead, China would send MFA Arms Control Department Director General [...] | 2007-10-25 10:39:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM TBIO MNUC IR CH |
07BEIJING6848 | CORRECTED COPY (PASS LINE ADDED) - (S) CHINA [...] (S) The Ambassador raised reftel demarche on the possible transit of military-related goods from the DPRK to a UN sanctioned entity in Iran through Beijing with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei (other subjects from that meeting reported septels) October 25. AFM He said China takes its nonp [...] | 2007-10-25 11:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL KNNP ETTC EWWT KN CH |
07BEIJING6849 | AFM HE YAFEI ON DAUB, RUSSELL AND SHAO CASES, U.S. [...] (C) Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei, accompanied by two MFA lawyers, raised the Daub lawsuit against the PRC Consulate General in New York with the Ambassador on October 25 and asked the USG to intercede and stop enforcement of the recent court order. He said the Chinese would have n [...] | 2007-10-25 11:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL OFDP CASC CJAN EAGR ECON ETRD WTRO |
07BEIJING6850 | AFM HE: PRC STUDYING UNAMID HELICOPTER REQUEST, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei told the Ambassador October 25 that the PRC was studying the request for helicopters in support of UNAMID deployment (reftels),but opined that Chinese helicopters "may not be up to the task." He alleged that the United States has influe [...] | 2007-10-25 11:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH |
07BEIJING6851 | GAMBARI TO PUSH DIALOGUE IN BURMA; CHINA STILL [...] (C) Summary: Drawing from Ref A talking points, the Ambassador encouraged UN Special Envoy Gambari October 25 to push for more concrete progress in Burma. Gambari confirmed that he will return to Burma "in the first week of November." In addition to praising Chinese efforts on his behalf, G [...] | 2007-10-25 23:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6857 | ECONOMIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF THE 17TH PARTY CONGRESS [...] (C) The outcomes of the 17th Party Congress indicate agreement among China's top leaders that economic policy should continue to promote rapid growth but at the same time shift the forces behind that growth away from investment and towards domestic consumption. As such, future policies will l [...] | 2007-10-26 05:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV ETRD EFIN EINV PREL CH |
07BEIJING6859 | RISING PRICES, RAPID GROWTH REMAIN ECONOMIC FOCUS [...] (C) China's most recent macroeconomic indicators showed inflation falling slightly, economic growth continuing to surge and asset prices spiraling upwards as the 17th Party Congress closed this week. Macroeconomic experts uniformly stated that recent food price pressure on the Consumer Price [...] | 2007-10-26 06:05:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD ELAB PGOV CH |
07BEIJING6863 | DEMARCHE ON DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES [...] (SBU) Per reftel request, Embassy on October 25 notified MFA in advance of the designation of Iranian entities. 2. (C) DCM Daniel Piccuta emphasized to MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Director General Liu Jieyi October 26 that the new measures announced by Secretaries Ric [...] | 2007-10-26 08:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM MNUC EFIN KNNP CH IR |
07BEIJING6864 | PRC LIMITS COVERAGE OF BURMA "DISTURBANCE," [...] (C) Despite having taken a largely hands off approach to managing coverage of Burma by relying on editors to engage in "self-censorship," Chinese authorities nevertheless have required reporters to restrict their description of events in Burma to words like "disturbance," so as not to legitimi [...] | 2007-10-26 10:16:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PROP CH BM |
07BEIJING6872 | S/CRS WORKS WITH CHINA ON A RECONSTRUCTION AND [...] (SBU) Summary: Visiting officials from S/CRS participated in a successful Reconstruction and Stabilization Workshop in Beijing on October 24-25. The MFA organized the workshop, with attendance by representatives of several Chinese ministries. Each side briefed on its international emergency [...] | 2007-10-29 05:48:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV CH KCRS |
07BEIJING6873 | CHINA REGRETS IT WILL NOT SUPPORT DAVID WALKER FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-29 05:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL AORC UN UNGA |
07BEIJING6889 | TREASURYS SMITH AND MEDEIROS MEETING WITH MOF A/S ZHU [...] (SBU) Summary: Treasury Deputy Chief of Staff Taiya Smith and Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) Political Advisor Evan Medeiros discussed preparations for the third round of the SED with Ministry of Finance Assistant Minister Zhu Guangyao October 10. Smith and Zhu agreed that the SED should fo [...] | 2007-10-30 06:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV CH |
07BEIJING6895 | MFA SAYS GAMBARI TO PUSH FOR DIALOGUE IN BURMA; [...] (C) Summary: The Burmese Government has agreed to a November 5 visit by UN Special Envoy Gambari, and during that visit Gambari hopes to push for dialogue between the regime and Aung San Suu Kyi, a more inclusive constitutional process and measures to improve economic development, an MFA Inte [...] | 2007-10-30 08:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING6899 | OCTOBER 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, [...] Key points at the October 30 MFA Press Briefing: -- China has expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" and opposition to Canada's hosting of the Dalai Lama. Canada should correct its actions to avoid further damage to bilateral ties. -- Japan's actions against Chinese activists near the Dia [...] | 2007-10-30 09:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH LA KN KS KZ JA VE CA IR |
07BEIJING6919 | OCTOBER 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: 17TH PARTY CONGRESS [...] Key points at the October 31 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The spokesman gave a summary of the "guiding ideology" and "overall requirements" for Taiwan-related work revealed in General Secretary Hu Jintao's political report at the recent 17th Party Congress. -- The s [...] | 2007-10-31 11:49:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD ECON MASS MNUC CH TW |
07BEIJING6932 | MORE BLEAK CONDITIONS IN NORTH KOREA [...] (SBU) Summary: The agricultural situation in North Korea continues to deteriorate according to UN FAO experts briefing Beijing-based diplomats. Although the spring harvest was better than usual, food shortages are still expected. Three major agricultural disasters hit the DPRK in 2007, includi [...] | 2007-11-01 06:41:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON EAGR PGOV CH KN |
07BEIJING6935 | CHINA AND SINGAPORE SUPPORT AN "INCLUSIVE [...] (C) Summary: Singapore and China expressed support for a more inclusive national reconciliation process in Burma during the October 26 visit of Singapore FM George Yeo to China, though neither Yeo nor Chinese FM Yang Jiechi articulated the elements of that process, according to MFA Asia Depar [...] | 2007-11-01 09:05:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM SN |
07BEIJING6936 | CHINA/ENERGY: TENSION AMID SHORTAGES AND PRICE HIKES [...] (SBU) Amidst fuel shortages and even the death of a line-jumper at a gas station in Henan Province, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has raised refined oil prices by USD 9/barrel and gasoline/diesel prices at the pump by 20 US cents per gallon. The goal is to encourage [...] | 2007-11-01 09:06:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG EINV PGOV EPET EFIN CH |
07BEIJING6937 | NOVEMBER 1 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA, BURMA, [...] Key points at the November 1 MFA Press Briefing: -- Countries that meet with the Dalai Lama have been deceived or wish to meddle in the internal affairs of China. Seeking to undermine China's policy of peaceful development in Tibet is doomed to failure. -- China hopes the relevant parties [...] | 2007-11-01 09:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH KN KS CA IR |
07BEIJING6938 | PRC-ISRAEL: FM LIVNI PRESSES BEIJING TO SUPPORT [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to an Israeli Embassy readout, visiting Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stressed to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi that efforts to achieve international consensus on the way forward with Iran have weakened existing sanctions against the [...] | 2007-11-01 09:58:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL MNUC ETRD CH IR IS |
07BEIJING6939 | A/S HILL-VFM ZHANG BILATERAL MEETING, OCTOBER 31, [...] (C) In an October 31 meeting with EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill and the Ambassador, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui urged the United States to be cautious on the Taiwan issue during this sensitive period, expressed opposition to "protectionist" U.S. Congressional resolutions an [...] | 2007-11-01 09:59:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM ETRD CVIS MASS CH TW KN XV |
07BEIJING6957 | POST FOLLOWS UP ONGOING MISSILE PROLIFERATION [...] (S) Poloff delivered ref A message informing China of an imminent shipment of ballistic missile parts from North Korea to Iran via a Beijing-bound Iran Air flight to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on November 3. 2. (S) Recalling Post' [...] | 2007-11-03 05:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL CH KN IR |
07BEIJING6971 | BEIJING-BASED G-5 CHIEFS OF MISSION ON FRENCH FM [...] (C) At the November 2 bi-weekly G-5 Chiefs of Mission gathering, French Ambassador Herve Ladsous reported that French FM Bernard Kouchner's visit to China was "extremely successful," with discussions on Burma, North Korea, foreign aid, the environment, human rights and Taiwan. Chief Iranian N [...] | 2007-11-05 09:02:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM CH FR GM JA UK BM IR |
07BEIJING6974 | A/S SILVERBERG MEETING WITH MFA IO DG WU HAILONG [...] (C) In an October 31 meeting, A/S Silverberg disagreed with her MFA counterpart's positive assessment of the situation in Burma; when MFA International Organizations Director General Wu Hailong called for the international community's patience, A/S Silverberg laid out specific steps the Burmes [...] | 2007-11-05 09:31:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF SY LE BM YI IR IZ KN |
07BEIJING6975 | CHINA WISHES TO WORK WITH USG TO PROMOTE STABILITY [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 9. 2. (C) Summary: China is deeply concerned about the current state of emergency in Pakistan and hopes Pakistan President Musharraf will maintain stability there, according to MFA Asian Affairs Director General Hu Zhengyue. Hu told Pol [...] | 2007-11-05 10:04:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM PHUM MNUC PGOV CH PK |
07BEIJING6976 | CHINA/RUSSIA/INDIA: PRC TALKS UP TRILATERAL [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Ministers from China, Russia and India met in Harbin October 24 for the seventh in their series of trilateral meetings. The role of the UN in the Asia-Pacific region was a key issue in talks, as well as climate change, counter-terrorism and scientific and academic exchan [...] | 2007-11-05 10:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM PBTS CH IN RU |
07BEIJING6977 | ARGENTINA DEMARCHES CHINA ON INTERPOL RED NOTICES, [...] (C) Poloff contacted the Argentine Embassy in Beijing regarding Argentina's effort to have INTERPOL issue six Red Notices for five current and former Iranian officials and one Lebanese national indicted by Argentine courts for their alleged roles in the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Jewish Mut [...] | 2007-11-05 11:12:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER AR CH |
07BEIJING6978 | Strategic Economic Dialogue Meeting on [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. and Chinese Government and industry representatives met October 29-30 to discuss transparency in administrative licensing, an outcome from the second round of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) held in May. The sides exchanged information on general licensing requireme [...] | 2007-11-05 23:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD CH |
07BEIJING6979 | 2007 U.S.-China Legal Exchange [...] (SBU) Summary: The Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Commerce held the 2007 U.S.-China Legal Exchange in Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai from October 22-27. The program consisted of U.S. and Chinese presentations on each country's inbound investment and trade secrets regimes as well as [...] | 2007-11-05 23:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV CH |
07BEIJING7004 | CONTACTS ASSESS HU JINTAO´S STRENGTH AFTER THE [...] (C) Chinese President Hu Jintao succeeded in further elevating his authority at the recently completed 17th Communist Party Congress, most Embassy contacts believe, though they differ to what extent. A minority of observers, however, argue he fell short of his goals. Despite Hu´s apparent gains, [...] | 2007-11-07 05:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING7005 | MFA: CHINA AND U.S. BOTH "GOOD INFLUENCES" FOR [...] (C) In the wake of Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar's October visit to the United States and signing of the USD 285 million Millennium Challenge Account aid package, Chinese and Mongolian officials underscored the "special" nature of Sino-Mongolian relations, but differed on China's view [...] | 2007-11-07 06:55:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CH MG |
07BEIJING7035 | OPEN BUT NOT TRANSPARENT: LOCAL REPORTERS [...] (C) Although the Communist Party employed a more sophisticated media strategy during the 17th Communist Party Congress October 15-21, local contacts tell us they were disappointed with the Party's tight regulation of domestic coverage while the Congress was in session. Press controls inside China [...] | 2007-11-08 10:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PROP CH |
07BEIJING7036 | NOVEMBER 8 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, BIBLE BAN, [...] Key points at the November 8 MFA Press Briefing: -- China requested that Iran "respond positively" and "attach importance to" the concern of the international community. (Note: some news organizations stated that China "demanded" Iran respond positively. The word in Chinese was "yaoqiu" whi [...] | 2007-11-08 10:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH KN KS PK IR AF ID VE SN |
07BEIJING7037 | COUNTERTERRORISM: PRC ADOPTING PRAGMATIC APPROACH [...] (C) PRC citizens have increasingly been victims of violence overseas in recent years, including murders and kidnappings in Africa and attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Despite evidence that some of these incidents specifically targeted Chinese and clear signs that the PRC is experimenting [...] | 2007-11-08 23:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PTER PREL CASC PGOV CH PK XA IZ AF UN |
07BEIJING7052 | CHINA/ENERGY: FUEL SHORTAGES TIED TO INDEPENDENT COMPANIES' SWING CAPACITY [...] (SBU) China's ongoing struggle with fuel shortages underscores the role of both independent refiners, which control approximately 15 percent of capacity, and independent retailers, which run half of the country's filling stations. Experts we spoke with believe that last week's gasoline and die [...] | 2007-11-09 08:26:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG EINV EPET EFIN CH PGOV |
07BEIJING7063 | POST RAISES ONGOING MISSILE PROLIFERATION MATTER [...] (S) Poloff delivered Part II of ref B message, concerning an ongoing transshipment via Beijing of ballistic missile parts from North Korea to Iran, to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on November 9. (Note: According to the MFA, Director G [...] | 2007-11-09 10:15:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC MTCR IR KN CH |
07BEIJING7064 | BEIJING-BASED G-5 CHIEFS OF MISSION ON PRC [...] (C) Discussion at the November 9 bi-weekly G-5 Chiefs of Mission gathering covered possible personnel changes resulting from the mid-October 17th Communist Party Congress and included speculation that Politburo members Zhang Dejiang, Li Keqiang and Wang Qishan would become Vice Premiers. The [...] | 2007-11-09 10:17:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON PHUM SENV CH FR GM JA UK BM |
07BEIJING7069 | CHINA: GREAT WHITE FLEET COMMEMORATION [...] (C) Post recommends against commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the Great White Fleet's visit to China. Although the circumnavigation of the Great White Fleet was a significant moment in American naval history, Post believes that, in China, commemorating this first display of U.S. globa [...] | 2007-11-13 00:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KPEO MASS MPOS CH |
07BEIJING7084 | NOVEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PRESS FREEDOM, [...] Key points at the November 13 MFA Press Briefing: -- Reports that China is building a database with information on foreign journalists are "completely false." No such database is being constructed. -- The recent visit of UN Special Envoy Gambari to Burma resulted in progress. China will [...] | 2007-11-13 10:26:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH JA IR BM |
07BEIJING7086 | CHARGE URGES VFM ZHANG YESUI TO INVESTIGATE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-13 10:33:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC MTCR IR KN CH |
07BEIJING7097 | NOVEMBER 14 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: ARMS SALES, [...] Key points at the November 14 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- The TAO held discussions yesterday with six Taiwan companies on how to push for the early resumption of sand exports to Taiwan. -- The TAO deferred to the MFA on the question of the United States' intention [...] | 2007-11-14 08:46:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD ECON MASS CH TW |
07BEIJING7098 | CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON CHINA-JAPAN TIES DESPITE LACK [...] (C) Chinese and Japanese contacts were cautiously optimistic about Japanese PM Fukuda's impact on China- Japan relations, highlighting his "balanced" approach, but they were hesitant to predict any significant developments in the near term. The October round of talks on joint energy explorati [...] | 2007-11-14 09:16:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CH JN IN |
07BEIJING7102 | UNGA RESOLUTION CONDEMNING RAPE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-14 09:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AORC KWMN SOCI UNGA CH |
07BEIJING7105 | S/P GORDON BILAT WITH VFM WANG YI: IRAN, BURMA, [...] (C) Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking with Policy Planning Director David Gordon November 13, stressed the need for the United States and China to continue their policy planning dialogue on long-term strategic issues. S/P Director Gordon emphasized to VFM Wang that the United St [...] | 2007-11-14 10:01:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS ENRG SENV KNNP ASEAN CH XA BM IR |
07BEIJING7107 | CONTACTS ON NEW POLITBURO STANDING COMMITTEE [...] (C) Many Embassy contacts have told Poloffs that the elevation of "fifth generation" leaders Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang to the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) at the recently completed 17th Communist Party Congress (Ref A) may be the Congress´s most significant outcome. Anointing Xi and Li as [...] | 2007-11-14 10:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING7125 | INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF THE UN FOOD AND [...] Poloff on November 8 conveyed to the MFA reftel points urging China to support the conclusions of the Independent External Evaluation (IEE) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and to support a leaner budget for the FAO. MFA International Organizations and Conferences [...] | 2007-11-15 08:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR AORC FAO UN CH |
07BEIJING7126 | CHINESE PARTICIPATION IN ASEAN MEETINGS: TWO [...] (C) Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei and MFA Asian Affairs Bureau Deputy Director General Yang Yanli separately previewed Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Singapore for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus 3 meeting and other ASEAN-related events November 18-22. AFM He said [...] | 2007-11-15 09:57:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CH BM |
07BEIJING7127 | NOVEMBER 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, U.S.-CHINA [...] Key points at the November 15 MFA Press Briefing: -- Foreign Minister Yang in Teheran urged Iran to "show flexibility and keep positive contact" with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Union (EU). -- China has seen the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review and [...] | 2007-11-15 10:02:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY CH IR AF JA FR UK MX |
07BEIJING7128 | PRC/IRAN: MFA READOUT OF FM YANG'S TEHRAN VISIT [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to an MFA readout, in meetings with President Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki, and chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Tehran, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that after five years of addressing the nuclear issue, "there is currently no re [...] | 2007-11-15 11:44:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL MNUC ETRD CH IR |
07BEIJING7137 | DG LIU JIEYI WARNS CDA ON SERIOUSNESS OF ANN DAUB [...] (C) MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Director General Liu Jieyi presented the same points to CDA as in DCM Zheng Zeguang's November 15 demarche to DAS Christensen (see ref) regarding the escalation of the Ann C. Daub Case. DG Liu emphasized that it is the responsibility of the United S [...] | 2007-11-16 09:06:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CJAN CH |
07BEIJING7153 | ELECTION FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF [...] (C) Poloff on November 19 conveyed to the MFA ref a points urging China to support U.S. candidate Pierre-Richard Prosper's reelection to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Committee). Guo Xiaomei of MFA's Treaty and Law Department, alluding to the P-5 "Gentleman's Agre [...] | 2007-11-19 08:57:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM UNGA CH |
07BEIJING7155 | IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT ON IRAN AND NEXT [...] (C) Drawing upon reftel points, PolMinCouns in a November 19 meeting with MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Deputy Director General Wu Haitao urged China to support adoption of a new UNSC sanctions resolution in response to Iran's failure to comply with its international obligations. [...] | 2007-11-19 10:33:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KNNP MNUC IAEA PARM AORC IR CH |
07BEIJING7173 | XINJIANG: CONTACT SAYS DEMONSTRATION, ARRESTS [...] (C) Summary: A three-day protest in Xinjiang in September highlighted the presence in China of Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami (the Islamic Party of Liberation),according to a well-connected Muslim contact. The protest was especially significant because it occurred in the more ethnically Han northe [...] | 2007-11-20 09:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER OREP CASC PGOV KIRF PK KG AF KZ CH TI |
07BEIJING7174 | MFA RESPONDS TO U.S. INFORMATION ON ONGOING [...] (S) MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue responded on November 20 to the U.S. message (Ref C) concerning the ongoing transshipment via Beijing of ballistic missile parts from North Korea to Iran. 2. (S) Wang told Poloff he was instructed to [...] | 2007-11-20 09:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC MTCR IR KN CH |
07BEIJING7175 | MFA: CHINESE ENGINEERS DELAYED BY LOGISTICS, UN [...] (C) Poloff on November 20 urged the MFA to speed deployment of the Chinese engineering force to Sudan and inquired about the reasons for the delay. Poloff noted that the delay in deploying the Chinese engineers is affecting follow-on deployments. MFA International Organizations and Conferenc [...] | 2007-11-20 09:56:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH |
07BEIJING718 | JANUARY 30 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, [...] Key points made at the January 30 MFA press conference were: -- The third phase of the fifth round of Six-Party Talks will begin on February 8. The Talks will focus on implementation of the Joint Statement and how to promote progress. Progress made will determine the Talks' duration. - [...] | 2007-01-30 10:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM TSPA CH KN XA SU TX LO |
07BEIJING7192 | CHINA/IPR: AMBASSADOR'S SIXTH IPR ROUNDTABLE [...] (SBU) On October 23-24, the China Mission held Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr.'s Sixth Annual Roundtable Discussion on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in China, with the theme "IPR Protection on the Ground - What the United States Embassy is Doing to Support Rights Holders in China, and What [...] | 2007-11-21 06:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD KIPR ECON WTRO PGOV CH |
07BEIJING7197 | VFM WANG YI BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON BURMA VISIT; [...] (C) Summary: Briefing the Ambassador on his recent trip to Burma, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the ongoing "political reconciliation and democratic process" are the domestic affairs of Burma and should therefore be addressed by the Burmese Government and people themselves. The internat [...] | 2007-11-21 10:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING721 | THE TROUBLE WITH KIDS: 20-40 GENERATION GAP [...] (C) It is fashionable among Chinese elites who were born in the 1960s or before to criticize current Chinese college students and recent graduates as self- absorbed and materialistic. Scholars and journalists have told us that in their view, a "20-40" generation gap is emerging between youn [...] | 2007-01-30 10:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCUL SOCI CH |
07BEIJING7210 | CHINA'S TAIWAN CONNECTION IN OPPOSING KOSOVO [...] (C) While denying that Kosovo independence would set any precedent for Taiwan, Chinese experts acknowledge that China's concerns over its own "sovereignty" and "territorial integrity" mean that China will be reluctant to support Kosovo's independence over the objections of Serbia. Views vary [...] | 2007-11-23 09:12:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC CH TW YI |
07BEIJING7213 | PRC/MEPP: PRC SUPPORTS ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE, BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: China's decision to send Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to the November 26-27 Annapolis conference on the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) demonstrates China's firm support for the international meeting, according to an MFA contact. Chinese public statements have played up the int [...] | 2007-11-23 09:41:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD ENRG PTER MEPP CH IS |
07BEIJING7226 | BEIJING-BASED G-5 CHIEFS OF MISSION ON SARKOZY [...] (C) At the November 23 bi-weekly G-5 Chiefs of Mission gathering, French Ambassador Herve Ladsous reported that French President Nicholas Sarkozy will discuss with Chinese leaders the sale of two third-generation European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) nuclear reactors, an investment protection agr [...] | 2007-11-27 00:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KOLY CH FR GM JA UK |
07BEIJING7229 | DEMARCHE ON U.S.-IRAQ BILATERAL RELATIONS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-27 03:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR MOPS PREL PGOV IZ CH |
07BEIJING723 | CPA'S LIU BAINIAN SAYS CHINA HAS TRIED TO EASE [...] (C) Vice-Chairman of the Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) Liu Bainian said China sought to ease tensions with the Vatican in the lead-up to Gan Junqiu's ordination as bishop of Guangzhou Diocese. Liu says China informed the Vatican of the pending nomination and has postponed appointment of [...] | 2007-01-30 12:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV CH VT |
07BEIJING7233 | OCTOBER PRICE SURGE ATTRACTS ATTENTION IN BEIJING AND [...] (SBU) Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rose to 6.5 percent year-on-year in October, tying with August's 11-year high, further exacerbating a major leadership concern (reftels). Food prices remain the primary contributor to price increases, as core inflation was low at 1.1 percent. Officia [...] | 2007-11-27 07:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ETRD EINV CH |
07BEIJING7239 | NOVEMBER 27 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, SIX-PARTY [...] Key points at the regular November 27 MFA Press Briefing: -- FM Yang told Secretary Rice in a November 26 meeting that China would play a constructive role on the Iran issue. -- China is still consulting with other parties on the date of the next Six-Party Heads of Delegation meeting. -- Chi [...] | 2007-11-27 23:24:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ECON MARR EFIN ETRD TBIO IR JA KN |
07BEIJING7251 | OLYMPIC DISAPPOINTMENT IN CENTRAL CHINA AS HENAN ON OUTSIDE [...] (SBU) Contacts in Henan Province said they are disappointed that Central China has been largely excluded from the events surrounding the 2008 Beijing Olympics even as they look forward to the Games as a "national event" and a "showcase." One official went so far as to say that because all of t [...] | 2007-11-28 08:08:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON KOLY ETRD EINV PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING7253 | BEIJING UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS ENGAGE S/P DIRECTOR [...] (C) Meeting with prominent Beijing scholars, Policy Planning Director David Gordon discussed U.S.-China strategic policy issues, Taiwan, democracy and U.S. alliances in Asia. His Chinese interlocutors questioned whether the United States views China as a threat and noted the contradictions bet [...] | 2007-11-28 08:56:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MARR MASS CH TW KS KN JA |
07BEIJING7254 | NOVEMBER 28 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: AGRICULTURAL [...] Key points at the November 28 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- SAIC DDG Pan Haimin discussed issues related to cross-Strait agricultural cooperation on the Mainland. -- The TAO had no comment regarding Chen Shui-bian's statements on use of martial law in Taiwan. -- Th [...] | 2007-11-28 09:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD ECON MASS CH TW |
07BEIJING7262 | U.S.-CHINA POLICY PLANNING TALKS: CHINESE (AND [...] (C) China's foreign policy must contribute to domestic economic development and be non-ideological and based on interests, not values, China's top policy planning diplomat told visiting U.S. Policy Planning Director David Gordon. U.S.-China relations have transcended the purely bilateral and a [...] | 2007-11-29 04:06:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PARM SENV IR KN JP IN AU CH |
07BEIJING7270 | DARFUR: THREATS TO CHINESE ENGINEERS WILL NOT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-29 09:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MARR PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH |
07BEIJING7271 | CHINA SUPPORTS BURMA GROUP OF FRIENDS IF BURMA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-29 09:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM UNGA BM CH |
07BEIJING7272 | SARKOZYING UP TO THE CHINESE: FRENCH PRESIDENT'S [...] (C) French President Sarkozy stressed China's and France's "shared vision" during a successful November 25-27 visit to China, French DCM Chapuis briefed Beijing-based diplomats November 28. The visit reaped over 20 billion euros of contracts for French firms, but focused on political issues. [...] | 2007-11-29 09:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD PHUM SENV EFIN PGOV FR CH TW IR |
07BEIJING7273 | PRC DENIAL OF USS KITTY HAWK PORT VISIT [...] (S) Summary: In response to our queries as to the reason for the recent PRC denial of port visit permission to the USS Kitty Hawk, officially the Chinese have been unwilling to say anything more than the United States "already understands" the reason. A Taiwan Affairs Office official, while c [...] | 2007-11-29 09:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | MARR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CH TW |
07BEIJING7274 | (CORRECTED COPY) SARKOZYING UP TO THE CHINESE: [...] (C) French President Sarkozy stressed China's and France's "shared vision" during a successful November 25-27 visit to China, French DCM Chapuis briefed Beijing-based diplomats November 28. The visit reaped over 20 billion euros of contracts for French firms, but focused on political issues. [...] | 2007-11-29 11:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD PHUM SENV EFIN PGOV FR CH TW IR |
07BEIJING7284 | (C) WHITHER NDRC? POST-PARTY CONGRESS RUMORS [...] (C) Post-Party Congress rumors and speculation by Embassy contacts indicate that the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC),China's top economic policymaking body, may soon undergo significant structural changes in the run-up to the March 2008 session of the National People's Congress [...] | 2007-11-30 02:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG EFIN EINV ETRD ELAB PGOV CH |
07BEIJING7295 | CHINA-INDIA DEFENSE TALKS BUILD CONFIDENCE, BUT [...] (C) Summary: The first Chinese-Indian "Annual Defense Dialogue," held in November, and mid-December's planned joint military exercises will bolster confidence in bilateral relations, according to Chinese MFA officials and academics and Indian Embassy officials. However, academics believe the [...] | 2007-11-30 10:36:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MARR MOPS CH IN PK |
07BEIJING7299 | PRC PREMIER WEN JIABAO AT ASEAN SUMMIT MEETINGS [...] (C) Summary: Premier Wen Jiabao's participation in the recent ASEAN Summit meetings in Singapore provided an opportunity for China to promote its vision of East Asia regional integration, according to MFA Asia Department ASEAN Division Deputy Director He Wei. Deputy Director He and Chinese s [...] | 2007-11-30 11:44:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CH ASEAN |
07BEIJING7329 | QINGHAI MUSLIMS, PART 1: GOVERNMENT CONTROLS, [...] (C) Government controls on Islam such as Hajj restrictions, training of imams and guidelines on mosque operations, persist in northwest China's Qinghai Province. During a September 14-19 visit, PolOff read a sign in one mosque in rural Haidong Prefecture that warns worshippers that religion m [...] | 2007-12-04 10:24:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV PTER CH PK SA |
07BEIJING7330 | QINGHAI MUSLIMS, PART 2: FOREIGN LINKS GROW [...] (C) Ties between Muslims in northwest China's Qinghai Province and those in the Middle East are on the rise because of widespread satellite TV use and an increasingly mobile populace. Qinghai contacts told PolOff September 14-19 (ref A) that many Muslim communities are trying to embrace more [...] | 2007-12-04 10:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV PTER PK CH SA |
07BEIJING7331 | XI JINPING SLATED FOR PARTY SCHOOL PRESIDENT, [...] (C) Summary: Embassy contacts have told PolOffs that newly-promoted Politburo Standing Committee Member Xi Jinping will soon be appointed president of the Central Party School (CPS),replacing former Politburo Standing Committee Member Zeng Qinghong, who retired at the mid-October 17th Party [...] | 2007-12-04 11:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SOCI KCUL CH |
07BEIJING7333 | December 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, KITTY HAWK, NEW [...] Key points at the December 4 MFA Press Briefing: -- Iran's nuclear issues: China opposes international proliferation of nuclear weapons -- China informed and allowed the USS Kitty Hawk to enter Hong Kong. -- New Catholic bishop in Guangzhou: Promote friendship between Vatican and China [...] | 2007-12-05 00:21:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH |
07BEIJING7334 | December 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, KITTY HAWK, NEW [...] Key points at the December 4 MFA Press Briefing: -- Iran's nuclear issues: China opposes international proliferation of nuclear weapons -- China informed and allowed the USS Kitty Hawk to enter Hong Kong. -- New Catholic bishop in Guangzhou: Promote friendship between Vatican and China [...] | 2007-12-05 00:21:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH |
07BEIJING7362 | CHINESE STEEL FIRM MAY BID $200 BILLION FOR MINING [...] (C) China's top steel maker, Baosteel, is considering a $200 billion bid for Rio Tinto, the UK-based mining giant currently targeted in a $134 billion offer from Australian mining firm BHP Billiton. Rio is among a handful of Western firms that dominate trade in the increasingly expensive iron [...] | 2007-12-05 09:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG EINV ETRD EFIN PREL CH |
07BEIJING7363 | U.S.-CHINA POLICY PLANNING TALKS: REGIONAL [...] (C) During the U.S.-China Policy Planning dialogue in Beijing in November, both sides agreed that the Six-Party Talks and APEC represent important parts of the existing East Asian regional architecture, and China and the United States have common interests in those institutions. The post-Six- [...] | 2007-12-05 11:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD EAID APEC SENV KN JP RU TW CH |
07BEIJING7364 | U.S.-CHINA POLICY PLANNING TALKS: AFRICA, ENERGY [...] (C) During the U.S.-China Policy Planning dialogue in Beijing in November, MFA Director General for Policy Planning Ma Zhaoxu said the United States and China have common concerns on African development issues. He expressed hope for the region and noted the importance of China as a model and [...] | 2007-12-05 12:07:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG ETRD EAID APEC SENV CH XA |
07BEIJING7371 | TREASURY U/S LEVEY DISCUSSES IRAN WITH CHINESE [...] (S) Summary. Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey met Chinese financial regulators and bank leaders on November 13 to warn China of the increasing risk posed by Iran to the Chinese financial system, as European banks curtail their relationships with Iranian entities. U/S Levey detailed the t [...] | 2007-12-06 06:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | CH ECON EFIN IR |
07BEIJING7375 | TREASURY U/S QUESTIONS VFM ZHANG YESUI ON PRC [...] (S) Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey met with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on November 13 to encourage the Chinese to do more in furtherance of international efforts to pressure Iran to give up its nuclear weapons program. U/S Levey outlined the threat posed to the integrity of the i [...] | 2007-12-06 08:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | CH IR PREL ETTC EFIN PARM |
07BEIJING7382 | CHINA/JAPAN HIGH-LEVEL ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, FORM WINS OVER [...] (SBU) Summary: Form prevailed over substance at the first ever China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) in Beijing December 1, 2007. The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura. Topics included macroeconomic policies, ec [...] | 2007-12-06 09:39:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD WTRO ECON CH |
07BEIJING7383 | DECEMBER 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY [...] Key points at the December 6 MFA Press Briefing: -- China believes the date for the next round of Six- Party Talks must be reached by consensus. -- China will "earnestly study" the NIE on Iran with relevant parties so as to push forward the proper settlement of the issue. -- On climate [...] | 2007-12-06 11:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH |
07BEIJING7384 | AMBASSADOR URGES CHINESE ACTION ON BURMA [...] (C) Drawing upon Ref A talking points, the Ambassador in a December 6 meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei urged China to press the Burmese regime to engage in an authentic dialogue with the opposition and include the opposition in efforts to draft a constitution. Drawing upon Ref [...] | 2007-12-06 11:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MASS PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING7385 | AMBASSADOR URGES CHINESE ACTION ON BURMA [...] (C) Drawing upon Ref A talking points, the Ambassador in a December 6 meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei urged China to press the Burmese regime to engage in an authentic dialogue with the opposition and include the opposition in efforts to draft a constitution. Drawing upon Ref [...] | 2007-12-06 11:58:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MASS PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING7386 | EAP A/S HILL'S DECEMBER 6 MEETING WITH VFM ZHANG: [...] (C) EAP Assistant Secretary Hill, accompanied by the Ambassador, raised U.S. concerns on Iran, Darfur, North Korean refugees, human rights and Burma with PRC Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on December 6. A/S Hill pressed the PRC to prevent further transfers of conventional weapons to Iran [...] | 2007-12-06 12:07:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM PREF PHUM MARR ETRD AMGT CH IR SU |
07BEIJING7388 | PRC-IRAN: AMBASSADOR BRIEFS MFA ON NATIONAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador told Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei December 6 that the recently released National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran's nuclear program indicates the continued need for IAEA and Security Council action on Iran's nuclear program. AFM He said China is st [...] | 2007-12-06 22:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL KNNP MNUC ETRD CH IR |
07BEIJING7389 | NOT-SO-SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT: LOOKING FOR FAST GROWTH IN [...] (SBU) Third-tier cities in Central China are aiming for more investment and faster growth even as the Central Government promotes "Scientific Development" following the 17th Party Congress. Hu Jintao's Scientific Outlook on Development calls for more balanced and sustainable development, but a [...] | 2007-12-07 00:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING7401 | BEIJING AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: NEW HUMAN AI CASE IN [...] (U) SUMMARY: China confirmed a human case of avian influenza on December 2, 2007. This is the fourth human case this year, three of which have died. The last case was reported in May 2007 (Ref A). In a divergence from past AI announcements, the Ministry of Health did not/not send around a form [...] | 2007-12-07 07:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KFLU EAGR CH |
07BEIJING7405 | PRC/MEPP: CHINA TO ATTEND PARIS CONFERENCE, LIKELY [...] (C) PolOff delivered reftel points urging China to attend the donors' conference in support of the Palestinians to be held in Paris December 17 to MFA West Asian and North African Affairs Department Levant Division Deputy Director Xu Chen. 2. (C) Xu said that China will attend the conference [...] | 2007-12-07 08:46:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PTER MEPP CH FR IS |
07BEIJING7407 | BEIJING TFCO CONTACT INFORMATION [...] (U) Per reftel (State 164437),Embassy Beijing's Terrorist Finance Coordinator is Rachel Brunette-Chen, Second Secretary, Economic Section. Her contact information is as follows: 86-10-6532-3831 x. 6859; BrunetteChenR@state.gov; ChenRX@state.sgov.gov. 2. (U) Deputy Terrorist Finance Coordina [...] | 2007-12-07 09:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETTC PTER KTFN |
07BEIJING7408 | DEMARCHE ON UNCITRAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-07 10:01:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC UNCITRAL CH |
07BEIJING7409 | CHINA'S "INDEPENDENT" PRESS: ECONOMIC OBSERVER [...] (C) Managers and journalists from the Economic Observer, China's only "private" (non-Party- affiliated) newspaper, which was launched as a nation- wide, weekly paper in 2001 and is owned by a commercial provincial holding company, told PolOffs recently that the Observer is alive and well and [...] | 2007-12-07 10:37:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PROP CH |
07BEIJING7430 | EU-CHINA SUMMIT REACHES AGREEMENT FOR MORE TALKS [...] (SBU) The EU-China Summit held in Beijing November 27-28, 2007 covered over thirty topics ranging from the EU arms embargo on China and human rights to macroeconomic issues and exchange rates. In a 47 paragraph joint statement, borrowing from last year's language, the two sides agreed to upgra [...] | 2007-12-11 02:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD WTRO ECON CH |
07BEIJING7434 | CHINA/IRAN: $2 BILLION YADAVARAN OIL [...] (C) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed media reports that China state-owned energy giant Sinopec sealed a deal with Iran to develop the Yadavaran oil field in Southwestern Iran. Media reports, some quoting officials at the signing ceremony that took place December 9, describe a s [...] | 2007-12-11 03:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PREL ECON EINV CH IR |
07BEIJING7435 | CHINA/IRAN: $2 BILLION YADAVARAN OIL [...] (C) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed media reports that China state-owned energy giant Sinopec sealed a deal with Iran to develop the Yadavaran oil field in Southwestern Iran. Media reports, some quoting officials at the signing ceremony that took place December 9, describe a s [...] | 2007-12-11 04:37:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PREL ECON EINV CH IR |
07BEIJING7445 | CHINA/IRAN: SINOPEC SAYS OIL DEAL DOES NOT HARM U.S. [...] (SBU) On December 11, Sinopec's Director General for International Affairs confirmed and elaborated on several elements of its deal with Iran to develop oil production at Yadavaran. He told us the activities to be undertaken in Iran constitute a services contract, not an investment. He argued [...] | 2007-12-11 23:27:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG PREL ECON EINV CH IR |
07BEIJING7446 | TIP: PRC RESPONSE TO USG CONCERNS PRIOR TO BEIJING COMMIT [...] (SBU) PolOff delivered reftel points on the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking (COMMIT) to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Treaty and Law Division Deputy Director Xu Yu on December 3. 2. (SBU) Noting that he shared our points with the Ministry of Public Security and o [...] | 2007-12-12 02:08:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN PHUM ELAB PGOV PREL CH BU |
07BEIJING7449 | DECEMBER 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SINOPEC IRAN DEAL, [...] Key points at the regular December 11 MFA Press Briefing: --Sinopec's Iran deal is a "business action" conducted on bases of equality and mutual benefit. The Chinese government does not need to comment on such a commercial deal. --Chen Shui-bian's UN referendum "seriously threatens peac [...] | 2007-12-12 04:11:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ECON EFIN ETRD IR JA RU KN KS VM |
07BEIJING7455 | CHINA TO SUPPORT DRAFT IRAQ UNSCR TEXT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-12 08:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL UNSC EFIN MARR IZ CH |
07BEIJING7457 | CHINA HOPES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION [...] (C) PolOff on December 12 queried Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Organizations UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun on China's reaction to the Troika's December 10 report on Kosovo. Yao said China appreciates the Troika's efforts to reach a solution acceptable to a [...] | 2007-12-12 09:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC TW YI CH |
07BEIJING7462 | MIGRANT MOTHER'S DEATH PROVOKES DEBATE ON [...] (C) The death of a desperately poor migrant worker and her unborn child at a Beijing hospital has generated public uproar and a wave of social criticism by intellectuals. The migrant, 22-year-old Li Liyun, died November 21 when her common-law husband refused to sign a permission form to allow [...] | 2007-12-12 11:20:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PROP SOCI CH |
07BEIJING7473 | DECEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, [...] Key points at the regular December 13 MFA press briefing: -- VFM Wu Dawei and ROK Ambassador Chun Yung-woo met this morning to discuss the Six-Party Talks and the "next stage of work." -- China hopes the Sudan Government can take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Sudan. [...] | 2007-12-13 09:40:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV JA KN KS SA IT FM SG FR LE IS |
07BEIJING7474 | TREASURY SECRETARY PAULSON DISCUSSES FINANCIAL SERVICES WITH CSRC CHAIRMAN SHANG [...] (C) Summary. Treasury Secretary Paulsn met with CSRC Chairman Shang Fulin in conjunction with the SED in Beijing on December 11. Shang briefed Paulson on recent progress in raising the quota for foreign investors in Chinese capital markets to USD 30 billion. He also emphasized plans to resu [...] | 2007-12-13 10:04:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | CH ECON EFIN |
07BEIJING7476 | XI JINPING APPOINTED PARTY SCHOOL PRESIDENT [...] (C) Xi Jinping, promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee at the mid-October Party Congress, has been appointed president of the Central Party School (CPS),according to University of Denver China scholar Zhao Suisheng (please protect). In a meeting with PolOff on December 11, Zhao (who is [...] | 2007-12-13 11:55:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CH |
07BEIJING7485 | ARMS WIDE OPEN, BEIJING WELCOMES U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT [...] (SBU) Summary: Even after a week of United States toy recalls totaling almost 5 million units, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Rich O'Brien received a cordial welcome from Beijing authorities, private industry, and the China Toy Association during a four day November visit. Meetings [...] | 2007-12-14 06:24:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO EAGR ECON HHS ETRD BEXP CH |
07BEIJING7486 | U/S JEFFERY DISCUSSES NEXT ROUND OF STATE-NDRC DIALOGUE [...] (SBU) Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs Reuben Jeffery and the Vice Chairman of China's National Development Reform Commission (NDRC),Zhang Xiaoqiang, met on the margins of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) on December 12 to discuss the upcoming 7th Ro [...] | 2007-12-14 07:27:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING7487 | MFA: CHINESE ENGINEERS TO DEPLOY BY JANUARY, NOT [...] (C) China anticipates that the remaining engineers being provided to Darfur as China's contribution to the Heavy Support Package will deploy by the end of January, Diao Junshu, the MFA International Organizations Department UN Division officer responsible for Sudan, told PolOff December 14. [...] | 2007-12-14 07:40:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MARR UNSC KPKO SU CH |
07BEIJING749 | PRC ACADEMICS ON NORTH KOREA [...] (S) In three recent conversations on North Korea, Chinese counterparts were consistent in their frustration with the DPRK and their contempt for Kim Jong-Il. One scholar dismissed recent rumors that Kim had been detained by the North Korean military but hinted that the DPRK leader may be suff [...] | 2007-01-31 11:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PREL PGOV KNNP CH KN |
07BEIJING7498 | EAP DAS CHRISTENSEN AND MFA DIRECTOR GENERAL LIU [...] (C) In a December 14 meeting with EAP DAS Thomas Christensen, MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Director General Liu Jieyi reviewed progress to date and challenges ahead for bilateral relations. He noted that the U.S. presidential election, the Olympic Games in Beijing, and the election [...] | 2007-12-14 09:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PREL PARM ETRD PHUM MARR CH TW IR BM SU UN |
07BEIJING7499 | EAP DAS CHRISTENSEN PRESSES CHINA ON IRAN, BURMA, [...] (C) Summary: EAP DAS Thomas Christensen told Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei that the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) only underscores the need for continued pressure on Iran, including via a third UNSC resolution. AFM He said that language in the UNSCR draft on export credits [...] | 2007-12-14 10:11:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM PREL KNNP MNUC ETRD CH IR SU BM |
07BEIJING750 | JANUARY 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: POSSIBLE VISIT OF [...] Key points at the January 31 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) press briefing were: -- TAO spokesperson Yang Yi would not confirm a possible visit by "President of the Legislative Yuan" Wang Jin-pyng in connection with the establishment of a national-level Taiwan Business Association. -- Yang c [...] | 2007-01-31 11:27:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW |
07BEIJING7513 | JADE IN OLYMPIC MEDALS: CHINESE, NOT BURMESE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-17 08:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KOLY CH BM |
07BEIJING7518 | XINJIANG: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZES, EXPORTS UIGHUR [...] (C) Officials in the cities of Kashgar and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) told Poloffs that XUAR authorities created programs to move Uighur laborers from rural Xinjiang to China's booming coastal cities to boost incomes for young workers from southern Xinjiang and "change [...] | 2007-12-17 10:11:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV ELAB KWMN CH |
07BEIJING752 | CHINESE SCHOLARS COMMENT ON ANTI-SATELLITE TEST [...] (S) Conversations with several Beijing scholars revealed that none were aware of China's January 11 anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test beforehand and were only able to speculate after the fact about its significance. President Hu Jintao would have known about the test in advance, though the [...] | 2007-01-31 12:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PREL PARM MARR PGOV CH |
07BEIJING753 | CHINA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN [...] Post is pleased to provide the names and thumbnail backgrounds of five women we consider the most influential in China (Ref A). Although women in China enjoy equal rights under law, in reality they often face considerable obstacles to advancement. The women we mention below have overcome th [...] | 2007-01-31 12:46:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KWMN CH |
07BEIJING7535 | GUANGZHOU INSURANCE CONFERENCE NOV. 28-29 [...] (SBU) Summary. Participants at the 8th annual China Rendezvous Insurance Conference in Guangzhou November 28-29 discussed insurance challenges in the China market for foreign insurance and reinsurance companies. Industry participants lamented the lack of insurance product awareness among the [...] | 2007-12-18 09:10:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD WTRO EFIN EINV CH |
07BEIJING7537 | DECEMBER 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, [...] Key points at the regular December 18 MFA press briefing: -- VFM Wu Dawei is currently in Pyongyang to discuss the next phase of the Six Party Talks. -- Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda has expressed his willingness to visit China, but the two sides have not yet decided a date for the visit. [...] | 2007-12-18 09:21:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV JA KN KS RS BL VM |
07BEIJING7538 | CORRECTED COPY: DECEMBER 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: [...] Key points at the regular December 18 MFA press briefing: -- VFM Wu Dawei is currently in Pyongyang to discuss the next phase of the Six Party Talks. -- Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda has expressed his willingness to visit China, but the two sides have not yet decided a date for the visit. [...] | 2007-12-18 09:48:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV JA KN KS RS BL VM |
07BEIJING7545 | TIP: COORDINATED MEKONG MINISTERIAL [...] (SBU) At the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and Inter Ministerial Meeting (IMM) in Beijing December 12-14, delegates from Burma, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam discussed regional cooperation and coordination o [...] | 2007-12-19 06:14:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN ELAB PGOV CH |
07BEIJING7550 | XINJIANG AUTHORITIES BLOCK UNSANCTIONED HAJJ [...] (C) Summary: A well-placed contact told Poloff December 3 that Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) officials seek to eliminate all Hajj pilgrimages other than those arranged by the Islamic Association of China (IAC). The contact said that Saudi Arabia requested China to prohibit Chinese M [...] | 2007-12-19 09:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF TI PK KG AF KZ CH |
07BEIJING7554 | CHINA: MODERATE INFLATION HERE TO STAY, EXPERTS SAY [...] (SBU) Beijing-based economists said this week that moderate inflation likely will continue in 2008, and they expect further administrative tightening measures by the Central Government in order to control prices. Their comments followed the government's announcement earlier this month that Chi [...] | 2007-12-20 01:05:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV ETRD EINV CH |
07BEIJING7557 | SED SESSION II: INTEGRITY OF TRADE, DECEMBER 12, 2007 [...] (SBU) Summary: During a December 12 working lunch, the United States and China stressed that product quality and the safety of food and drugs pose a complicated new challenge in a global economy. Both sides said trading partners should increase dialogue and cooperation and called for science- [...] | 2007-12-20 07:02:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EAGR TBIO BEXP HHS CH |
07BEIJING7567 | Avian Influenza Cases in Jiangsu - Latest Update [...] (SBU) Summary: Following the death of a twenty-four year old male from Avian Influenza (AI) in Jiangsu Province on December 2, the young man's 52 year old father developed symptoms and was confirmed positive for Influenza A H5N1 virus on December 6. The father had extensive close contact with [...] | 2007-12-20 08:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KFLU EAGR CASC CH |
07BEIJING7573 | CHINA'S CASTE SYSTEM: GOVERNMENT MOVES SLOWLY TO [...] (C) China's leaders, several contacts tell us, are increasingly concerned by the social inequalities created by China's household registration system ("hukou"),a legacy of the Mao era that prevents migrants from enjoying many of the social services available to native urban dwellers. China's [...] | 2007-12-20 09:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07BEIJING7575 | PM FUKUDA,S VISIT TO CHINA STILL IN THE PLANNING [...] (C) Preparations for Japan Prime Minister Fukuda's upcoming official visit to Japan are underway even though the dates of the visit and the agenda have yet to be agreed, MFA Asian Affairs Department Japan Division Deputy Director Lu Guijun told Poloff on December 19. Lu said the notional agen [...] | 2007-12-20 10:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CH JN |
07BEIJING7576 | LANZHOU: ISLAMIC LINKS, UNDERDEVELOPMENT KEEP [...] (C) SUMMARY: Contacts in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province in western China, told EmbOffs that Gansu sees things differently from Beijing on a range of issues. They stressed that western provinces now believe it is their turn to enjoy the fruits of China's rapid economic development and exp [...] | 2007-12-20 11:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF EINV CH TW |
07BEIJING7577 | DECEMBER 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PRODUCT [...] Key points at the December 20 MFA Press Briefing: -- On U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama's reported call for a ban on U.S. imports of Chinese toys, China believes that a few defective products should not be the grounds for an overall ban. -- China believes all sides will continue w [...] | 2007-12-20 11:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM MARR EIND CH BM IN KS KN |
07BEIJING7579 | SED III: OPENING SESSION, DECEMBER 12, 2007 [...] (SBU) At the December 12 opening session of the third round of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED),Vice Premier Wu Yi said the SED has improved not only bilateral business ties, but also overall Sino-U.S. relations and has attracted widespread international attention. Wu said th [...] | 2007-12-21 01:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EFIN EINV CH |
07BEIJING7581 | SED SESSION V: MERGING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND [...] (SBU) Summary: Session V of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) focused on the environmental protection achievements of both countries and sustainable development recommendations for the future. Several successful collaborative efforts on environmental protection were highlighted [...] | 2007-12-21 03:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG ETRD SENV KGHG TBIO CH |
07BEIJING7591 | SURPRISINGLY SMALL INCREASE IN CHINESE HAJJ [...] (C) Summary: Saudi Arabian Consul Majed Alshammary (protect) told Poloff December 13 that Saudi Arabia would admit 20,000 Chinese Hajj pilgrims annually if China permitted it, although China has stated it will allow 10,700 Hajj pilgrims in 2007. Alshammary said he is surprised that China did [...] | 2007-12-21 06:02:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF TI PK MY SA CH |
07BEIJING7593 | SED SESSION III: BALANCED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DECEMBER [...] (SBU) Summary. The third session of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) focused on Balanced Economic Development. Both sides agreed on the need for further economic reforms, but Chinese interlocutors insisted that reforms take place gradually to avoid "overshooting." The Chinese [...] | 2007-12-21 06:25:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD CH |
07BEIJING7595 | SED SESSION VI: ADVANCING BILATERAL INVESTMENT, [...] (SBU) Summary: During the December 13 investment session of the third SED, both sides agreed that increased Chinese investment in the United States would strengthen bilateral ties. Chinese officials expressed frustration over how the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIU [...] | 2007-12-21 09:36:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ETRD ECON CH |
07BEIJING7600 | SED SESSION VII: CONCLUDING SESSION OF SED III, [...] (SBU) At the Concluding Session of the Third Round of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED),Vice Premier Wu Yi said the meeting was held during a critical period of Sino- United States relations and that it was a complete success. She summarized three important accomplishments: a focus on a c [...] | 2007-12-25 23:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD WTRO EFIN EINV CH |
07BEIJING7610 | China Requests Date Change for UN ESCAP Meeting to May, [...] (SBU) Mr. Geng Shuang, MFA Director of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences, called Embassy to request the United States support the Chinese sponsored change of date for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asi and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) meeting to May [...] | 2007-12-27 05:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON CH |
07BEIJING7634 | DECEMBER 27 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: PM FUKUDA VISIT, EAST CHINA [...] Key points at the December 27 MFA Press Briefing: -- China extends a warm welcome to FM Fukuda, scheduled to arrive in China December 27. -- The spokesman said that the majority of DPRK nuclear disablement will be completed by the end of the year and that China hopes all sides will follow [...] | 2007-12-27 09:56:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM CH KS KN RS JA IN |
07BEIJING7654 | PRC/PAKISTAN: CHINA CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION [...] (C) Beijing condemns the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as a terrorist act, MFA Asia Department Director for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Zhang Yiming told PolOff December 28. China has sent condolences to Bhutto's family as well as the families of the [...] | 2007-12-28 08:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CH PK |
07BEIJING7657 | CHINESE DEMARCHE ON OPPOSITION "TURMOIL" [...] (C) MFA Department of Asian Affairs Deputy Director for Burma Chen Chen delivered the following "unofficial demarche" to PolOff December 29: BEGIN UNOFFICIAL DEMARCHE: - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has heard that a "Myanmar opposition clique" is "considering turmoil" against the Myanm [...] | 2007-12-29 08:17:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CH BM |
07BEIJING769 | ROK FOREIGN MINISTER SONG VISIT TO EIJING [...] (C) Foreign Minister Song Min-soon discussed bilateral relations with high-level Chinese officials and raised growing concerns about the treatment of North Koreans in China in a day-long series of meetings with ROK consular officers in the PRC on his recent visit to Beijing. Our PRC and ROK E [...] | 2007-02-01 08:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CMGT CH KS KN |
07BEIJING770 | FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES: PROBABLE INVESTMENT IN [...] (C) Top officials from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said in a January 25 meeting with Treasury Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Monetary Affairs Mark Sobel, Finatt Loevinger, and Econoffs, as well as a January 23 meeting that took place before Sobe [...] | 2007-02-01 08:41:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV CH HK |
07BEIJING772 | FEBRUARY 1 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: US-DPRK FINANCIAL [...] Key points made at the February 1 MFA press conference were: -- Despite comments from VFM Wu that the Fifth Round of Six-Party Talks would last 3-4 days, the MFA gave no timetable and had no substantive comments on the recent financial talks between the United States and the DPRK. -- The [...] | 2007-02-01 10:41:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CH |
07BEIJING773 | MFA CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTED U.S. SUPPORT FOR [...] (C) MFA North Americas Director General Liu Jieyi expressed concern to the DCM over Taiwan media reports alleging U.S. support for Taiwan's development of long-range attack capabilities. DG Liu cited reports of U.S. civilian companies' plans to sell equipment for Taiwan's Xiong Feng long-ran [...] | 2007-02-01 11:36:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR CH TW |
07BEIJING792 | CHINA/IPR: AMBASSADOR'S SIXTH IPR ROUNDTABLE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-21 06:42:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD KIPR ECON WTRO PGOV CH |
07BEIJING800 | CHINA'S LABOR MARKET: SURPLUS OR SHORTAGE? [...] (SBU) Summary. China simultaneously faces both a large labor surplus and shortages of labor in certain segments of its labor market. Workers with skills have ample employment opportunities, and some industrialized regions are experiencing shortages of even marginally skilled workers, whose [...] | 2007-02-02 02:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB ECON EINV PGOV PHUM SOCI CH |
07BEIJING804 | COMMUNIST PARTY SCHOOL PROFESSOR SAYS IVP CHANGED HIS [...] (SBU) Niu Xianfeng, an Associate Professor at China's Central Communist Party School, said that participation in an International Visitor's Program (IVP) in the United States in September 2006 changed the way he teaches his students, many of whom are high-level Communist Party officials from pr [...] | 2007-02-02 05:15:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV SCUL KPAO OEXC SOCI CH |
07BEIJING808 | BANK OF JAPAN REPRESENTATIVE'S CONCERNS ABOUT CHINA'S [...] (SBU) The Bank of Japan (BOJ) Chief Representative to China, Kiyoyuki Seguchi, said that BOJ is concerned that China's large balance of payments surplus and rigid exchange rate are contributing to excess liquidity, over-investment, and asset bubbles in real estate and stocks, increasing the ris [...] | 2007-02-02 06:17:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EAGR WTRO CH JP |
07BEIJING83 | Xie Zhenhua - sacked former Environment Minister - given [...] (SBU) Xie Zhenhua, the former Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA),who was sacked following the much publicized November 2005 chemical spill into the Songhua River, is about to be appointed as a Vice Chairman to the powerful National Development and Reform Commi [...] | 2007-01-04 09:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV PREL ENRG KSCA CH |
07BEIJING830 | HUMAN RIGHTS: POST RAISES CASE OF CANADIAN CITIZEN [...] (C) Poloff delivered reftel message concerning detained Canadian citizen Huseyincan Celil to Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Organizations Department Human Rights officer Xu Jing February 1, underlining that Chinese authorities should inform Celil's family of his whereabouts and all [...] | 2007-02-02 08:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL CH CA |
07BEIJING837 | HUMAN RIGHTS: ZHAO YAN RELEASE BEFORE FEBRUARY 18? [...] (C) Zhao Yan will "definitely" be released before Chinese New Year (which starts February 18),an unnamed Chinese government official told a Reporters Without Borders delegation visiting Beijing, according to New York Times Bureau Chief Joe Kahn. Kahn told Poloff on February 2 that Reporters [...] | 2007-02-02 09:17:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV CH |
07BEIJING86 | JANUARY 4 MFA BRIEFING: IRANIAN ENVOY TO BEIJING, [...] Key Points at the January 4 MFA Press Conference were: -- Ali Larijani, special envoy to Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will visit China January 4-5 to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue, bilateral relations and other issues of common interest. -- Although the MFA denies that the recen [...] | 2007-01-04 12:07:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CH |
07BEIJING860 | HUMAN RIGHTS: GAO YAOJIE BLOCKED FROM TRAVELING TO [...] (C) Local authorities have blocked Dr. Gao Yaojie, a well-know AIDS advocate from Henan province, from traveling to Beijing February 5 to complete visa processing for an upcoming trip to the United States, post has confirmed. Police continue toprevent Gao from leaing her home, Guo Tufei prot [...] | 2007-02-05 09:33:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL CH |
07BEIJING861 | MFA CONSIDERING PROPOSAL TO CO-HOST ARF [...] (C) The MFA will consider carefully the United States' proposals (reftel) that China co-sponsor, co- chair and join in the announcement of an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Intersessional Meeting on Non- proliferation, according to MFA officials from the Asia and Arms Control Departments. Poloff [...] | 2007-02-05 10:17:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KNNP ARF CH |
07BEIJING886 | HUMAN RIGHTS: DAS CHRISTENSEN RAISES GAO YAOJIE [...] (C) EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Christensen expressed deep concern about the detention of AIDS activist Dr. Gao Yaojie to MFA Director General for North American Affairs Liu Jieyi on February 6. Local authorities have prevented Dr. Gao, who exposed the widespread AIDS infections ca [...] | 2007-02-06 10:23:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV CH |
07BEIJING887 | MFA ON JAPANESE RESEARCH VESSEL DISPUTE [...] (C) The Chinese ship Dongfanghong, which was the subject of a February 5 Japanese diplomatic protest, is a civilian ship conducting normal scientific survey research, MFA Japan Division Deputy Director Lu Guijun told poloff February 6. Beijing had notified Tokyo in 2006 of the ship's research [...] | 2007-02-06 11:14:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR CH JA |
07BEIJING888 | DAS CHRISTENSEN DISCUSSES BURMA WITH MFA ASIAN [...] (C) EAP DAS Thomas Christensen underscored the need for continued international attention to Burma in a meeting with MFA Asian Affairs Director General Hu Zhengyue on February 6. The United States was disappointed by China's veto of the Security Council resolution on Burma. China should fin [...] | 2007-02-06 11:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CH BM AF |
07BEIJING889 | FEBRUARY 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING [...] Key points made at the February 6 MFA press conference were: -- The Six-Party Talks will resume February 8. -- The Deputy Spokesperson refused to comment on detained AIDS activist Gao Yaojie, referring questions to local authorities. -- China's anti-satellite test does not pose a threat [...] | 2007-02-06 13:05:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CH |
07BEIJING917 | DAS CHRISTENSEN'S MEETING WITH DG LIU JIEYI [...] (C) EVFM Dai Bingguo will represent China in the next Senior Dialogue following the expected confirmation of Deputy Secretary-designate Negroponte, MFA North American Affairs DG Liu Jieyi told EAP DAS Thomas Christensen. China is prepared to hold subdialogue talks on the Middle East, Africa, [...] | 2007-02-07 12:32:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KNNP CH SU IR |
07BEIJING921 | HUMAN RIGHTS: POST RAISES EXECUTION CASE OF UIGHUR [...] (C) Post contacted Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Organizations Department Human Rights officer Xu Jing February 8 to urge that China stay the execution of Uighur rights activist Ismail Semed, citing problems of due process and the requirement under Chinese law for a Supreme Court [...] | 2007-02-08 05:52:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV CH |
07BEIJING925 | DAS CHRISTENSEN'S MEETING WITH BEIJING [...] (C) EAP DAS Thomas Christensen expressed concern to leading Beijing University scholars about the implications of China's anti-satellite (ASAT) test. Dean of Beijing University's School of International Studies Wang Jisi (strictly protect) blamed "communication failure" within the Chinese Gov [...] | 2007-02-08 08:10:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR MNUC TSPA PGOV CH SU BM IR |
07BEIJING935 | HUMAN RIGHTS: POST AGAIN RAISES CASE OF DR. GAO [...] (C) The MFA is continuing to look into the case of Dr. Gao Yaojie, MFA International Organizations Department Deputy Director General Chen Xu stated in response to Polmincouns' delivery February 8 of a demarche (ref A) urging that China let Dr. Gao travel to Washington to be honored at the Vi [...] | 2007-02-08 09:56:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL CH |
07BEIJING938 | BEIJING WILL DECIDE POSITION ON MINUSTAH MANDATE [...] (C) Beijing will decide its position on the length of mandate extension for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) after President Hu returns from Africa on February 12, MFA International Organizations Deputy Director General Chen Xu said. Chen was responding to a demarc [...] | 2007-02-08 10:37:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC KPKO HA CH TW |
07BEIJING940 | FEBRUARY 8 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, [...] Key points made at the February 8 MFA press conference were: -- The Six-Party Talks resumed today with an open- ended schedule. Goals are to implement the Joint Statement and establish a mechanism for further progress. Relevant parties should address financial sanctions issues to allow th [...] | 2007-02-08 11:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM MNUC KN JA CH XA |
07BEIJING958 | GLOBAL INITIATIVE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO CHINA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-09 05:23:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KGIC MCAP PTER KNNP RU CH |
07BEIJING972 | DID HU JINTAO ASSESS VIETNAM'S POLITICAL REFORMS [...] (C) An officer at the Vietnamese Embassy said he finds credible reports circulating among ASEAN diplomats in Beijing that President Hu Jintao wrote the phrase "this is not Socialism" on a document Hu was given describing political reforms at Vietnam's April 2006 10th Party Congress. The ques [...] | 2007-02-09 12:53:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CH VN |
07BEIJING976 | HUMAN RIGHTS: POST DELIVERS SENATOR CLINTON LETTER [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-10 07:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL CH |
07BEIRUT1 | SAUDI AMBASSADOR ON HIZBALLAH VISIT, BERRI [...] (S) Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja, meeting with Ambassador Feltman on 12/30, said that Hizballah members Na'im Qassim and Mohammed Fneish would not have been reassured by their 12/27 audience with King Abdullah. Abdullah rebuffed their attempts to encourage a Saudi-Syrian dialogue, insist [...] | 2007-01-03 06:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1000 | LEBANON: BERRI ADMITS SCUTTLING THE ARAB LEAGUE [...] (C) In a 7/5 meeting, Speaker Berri gave his version of the demise of the Arab league initiative that collapsed in late June. While he tried to lay the blame on March 14th, it was clear that Berri had received instructions from Damascus to focus strictly on the "national unity government" -- [...] | 2007-07-06 07:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1005 | LEBANON: RIZK ON SPECIAL TRIBUNAL "HOMEWORK," [...] (S) Minister of Justice Charles Rizk told the Ambassador in a 7/5 meeting that he and PM Siniora had agreed that, at the beginning of next week, Siniora will send to the UN the candidates for judges and deputy prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Rizk would like us to whisper qui [...] | 2007-07-06 13:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1006 | LEBANON: GEAGEA SEES SECOND GOVERNMENT AVERTED, [...] (C) Samir Geagea received the Ambassador on July 6 in his recently completed home and Lebanese Forces office in Maarab. Other than the French initiative, the political situation is on hold, Geagea observed. The opposition is not currently working toward a second government, but President Laho [...] | 2007-07-06 13:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1018 | LEBANON: BERRI OFFERS GUARANTEE NOT TO TOPPLE [...] (C) According to a new proposal presented by a close aide of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the opposition finally will provide March 14 with the long sought-after guarantee not to resign from a national unity government. In return, the opposition wants its say in who will be Lebanon's next [...] | 2007-07-09 15:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT102 | LEBANON: SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL FINAL COORDINATION [...] (C) Embassy Beirut has completed a coordinated review of its Fiscal Year 2007 Section 1206 funding request for military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). All elements of the Embassy support this funding request. 2. (C) The Section 1206 request for Lebanon reflects a carefu [...] | 2007-01-19 11:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MASS PARM PGOV PREL PTER SY LE IS |
07BEIRUT1035 | EXAMINING LAF PERFORMANCE AND NEEDS, POST NAHAR [...] (S) During their 6/26 meeting in Paris, Prime Minister Siniora and Secretary Rice discussed the possibility of a further U.S. military assessment team to examine the training, equipment, and ammunition needs of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). We have been working with our Lebanese contacts [...] | 2007-07-12 15:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PARM LE |
07BEIRUT1047 | LEBANON: LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR PARIS CONFERENCE [...] (C) Lebanese political representatives have low expectations for the July 14-17 conference in St. Cloud, outside Paris, though many tell us they note a change in tone and rhetoric from some of Lebanon's more militant parties, such as Hizballah. The French also harbor no illusions about the co [...] | 2007-07-13 14:56:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1056 | LEBANON: NAHR AL-BARID: BIG STEP FOR LEBANESE [...] (C) As the Lebanese Armed Forces' eight week old confrontation with Fatah al-Islam nears its end, one thing is certain: after years of Syrian domination and internal passivity, the LAF has surprised most observers by showing that it can stand on its own two feet. Despite suffering what for L [...] | 2007-07-16 15:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT107 | LEBANON: GERMAN ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT LEBANESE [...] (C) The German Embassy DCM has provided us with an overview of German support for enhancing Lebanese government control over points of entry by air, sea, and land. She described activities launched after the adoption of UNSCR 1701 in August 2006, and which include customs assistance at Beir [...] | 2007-01-19 17:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | MOPS PTER LE GM SY |
07BEIRUT1074 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA LAMENTS BETRAYAL OF MARONITE [...] (C) A visibly upset PM Siniora told the Ambassador July 17 he was flabbergasted by what he saw as Maronite Patriarch Sfeir's ongoing attacks against GOL alleged efforts to marginalize Lebanon's Christian population. Stressing the GOL's policy of accommodating Christians was one of "conviction [...] | 2007-07-19 14:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT108 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA EXPECTS STRIKE ACTIVITY; [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora interpreted Friday night's televised interview by Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah as a clear indication that the anti-government March 8th coalition is not yet ready to negotiate a resolution to the current impasse. Siniora believes the disappointing turnouts of the [...] | 2007-01-22 06:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER EAID SY LE IS |
07BEIRUT1081 | LEBANON: KARAMEH WILL NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN SECOND [...] (C) A supporter of former PM Omar Karameh and Karameh's son Faisal told Poloff that Karameh, notwithstanding his rejection of the Siniora government, would not participate in a second government, discounting rumors that he would head such a government. The two stressed the elder Karameh's des [...] | 2007-07-20 14:56:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1082 | FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON LEBANESE DIALOGUE AT LA [...] (C) In a 7/19 meeting with the Ambassador, French Ambassador Bernard Emie noted that France's "extremely modest expectations" for the La Celle-St. Cloud talks "were not exceeded." But, in Emie's calculation, the "chemistry worked," breaking the ice between Lebanese participants who in some [...] | 2007-07-20 15:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1083 | AOUN SURVEYS POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, HIS ROLE AFTER [...] (C) In a July 19 meeting with the Ambassador, Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun was mildly positive about the recent Paris talks, noting that his "team" had played a constructive role. He expressed his willingness to be a facilitator in any future efforts to solve Lebanon's po [...] | 2007-07-20 15:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1087 | DISMAYED BY THE MARONITE PATRIACH, MARCH 14 [...] (C) Christians supporting the GOL are dismayed by what they see as a drift, if not shift, in the attitude of 87-year-old Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, away from March 14 values toward "neutral" positions that in practice benefit pro-Syrian forces. When the Patriarch came out recently in favor o [...] | 2007-07-23 15:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY VT |
07BEIRUT1088 | LEBANON: MIXED REACTIONS TO LA CELLE-ST. CLOUD [...] (C) Lebanese participants in the July 14-15 La Celle-St. Cloud talks told Embassy that the talks succeeded in breaking the ice among Lebanon's feuding political parties, who had not sat down together as a group since the spring 2006 national dialogue. Herded together in a two-star, unaircondi [...] | 2007-07-23 15:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT109 | LEBANON: AOUN CORNERED, CORRUPTED, OLD FRIENDS SAY [...] (S) Two longtime Michel Aoun supporters, one also a close friend of Walid Jumblatt, described Aoun as "cornered" in his standoff against the government of Prime Minister Siniora. While a reconciliation with Jumblatt could help resolve the political crisis, Aoun's son-in-law Gebran Bassil has s [...] | 2007-01-22 08:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1090 | HAMADEH ON FRENCH CONSULTATIONS WITH IRAN AND SYRIA [...] (S) Minister of Communications Marwan Hamadeh, just back from an extended stay in France, told the Ambassador in a 7/23 coffee that he was "unsettled" by a meeting he had last week with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whom Hamadeh describes as a "friend of 30 years." Before talking [...] | 2007-07-24 05:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1094 | COUSSERON ON LEBANON DIALOGUE INITIATIVE, REGIONAL [...] (C) Meeting with the Ambassador on 7/24, French Special Envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran discussed follow-on to the dialogue in La Celle-St. Cloud and his regional visits. He said that, although he heard "nothing new" after a day in Beirut, he favored trying to keep a French-sponsored process al [...] | 2007-07-24 15:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1095 | LEBANON: HARIRI WARNS OF LONG-TERM IRANIAN [...] (C) March 14 and Sunni leader Saad Hariri, back from an extended stay abroad, expressed his concerns about the new French government's Lebanon policy, Iran's long-term intentions in Lebanon (with General Michel Aoun's active participation),and the need for a tougher US policy on Syria. Hari [...] | 2007-07-24 16:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1096 | GEMAYEL UPBEAT ABOUT BY-ELECTION, ANXIOUS ABOUT [...] (C) In a July 23 meeting with the Ambassador, former President Amine Gemayel was confident he would win his murdered son Pierre's parliamentary seat in the Metn district by-election scheduled for August 5. Noting the polls gave him the advantage, he said his opponent, Free Patriotic Movement [...] | 2007-07-24 16:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT110 | SCENESETTER FOR PARIS III [...] (S) On the surface (and this is what we recommend emphasizing in our public messages),the January 25 Paris III conference is about Lebanon's proposed reform program and the financial assistance Lebanon needs to get through 2007 and move toward more sustainable debt levels. Lebanese from ac [...] | 2007-01-22 10:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | EFIN PREL EAID PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1100 | DESPITE MARCH 14 CONCESSIONS, HIZBALLAH REFUSES TO [...] (C) Despite what sound to be far-reaching concessions on the part of March 14 and GOL leaders, Hizballah rejected French Special Envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran's pitch to focus feuding Lebanese politicians on a package of initiatives. Hizballah also rejected renewal of the high-level National D [...] | 2007-07-25 07:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1102 | LEBANON: POST APPROVES SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-25 09:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | LE PARM PM PTER |
07BEIRUT1122 | LEBANON: CHRISTIAN LEADERS VIEWS LAF COMMANDER [...] (C) National Liberal Party leader Dory Chamoun sees a two-year presidency under Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Michel Sleiman as the only realistic option for resolving Lebanon's political crisis, and believes establishing the Special Tribunal before voting day will have a significan [...] | 2007-07-26 14:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1123 | LEBANON'S ACTING FOREIGN MINISTER ON VATICAN TRIP [...] (C) Meeting with the Ambassador on 7/25, Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri, just back from Rome, said that he found Vatican officials generally willing to push Christian MPs to participate in the Parliament session to elect Lebanon's next president. But while on board philosophically, the [...] | 2007-07-26 16:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY VT |
07BEIRUT1132 | LEBANON: BEIRUT ARCHBISHOP'S ASSESSMENT OF [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador and Special Assistant on July 27, Archbishop Boulos Matar, the Maronite archbishop of Beirut, shared his evaluation of the upcoming parliamentary by-elections in the predominantly Christian Metn district. Matar believes General Aoun's candidate wi [...] | 2007-07-27 15:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1134 | LEBANON: ARCHBISHOP DEPLORES SYRIAN INTERFERENCE [...] (C) In a July 26 meeting with the Ambassador and PolOff, Bishop Elias Audi, Metropolitan for the Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, asserted that Syria wanted to reestablish its presence in Lebanon, or barring that, control the country through proxies. According to Audi, the discord among Christ [...] | 2007-07-27 16:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1135 | LEBANON: PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTIONS: HARBINGER OF [...] (C) Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary by-elections are a critical precursor to the upcoming battle over the presidency. Not only do they represent an opportunity to boost March 14's dwindling (whether due to political assassinations or other intimidation) numbers, but the Metn race may well ma [...] | 2007-07-27 16:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1136 | LEBANON: GOL OUTLINES PLAN FOR REBUILDING NAHR [...] (C) The government official responsible for the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Ambassador Khalil Makkawi, outlined the GOL's plan to deal with the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp once the Lebanese Armed Forces' battle against Fatah al-Islam militants is over. Makkawi is aware of the po [...] | 2007-07-27 16:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER KPAO LE |
07BEIRUT1138 | DISGRUNTLED SWISS ENVOY TRASHES FRENCH DIALOGUE [...] (C) In a 7/26 meeting with the Ambassador, Swiss envoy Didier Pfirter projected both sour grapes and some reasonable-sounding analysis in trashing the French dialogue initiative. While smarting from being upstaged by the French diplomacy (with French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran refusing to [...] | 2007-07-29 08:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1139 | LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN ON THE PRESIDENCY [...] (C) In a 7/27 meeting with the Ambassador and DATT that concentrated mostly on the fighting in Nahr al-Barid (septel),Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman also spoke briefly of Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections. The Ambassador raised concerns that remarks attributed to Sle [...] | 2007-07-30 04:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PARM KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1142 | LEBANON: ECONOMY MINISTER NOW UPBEAT ON TELECOM [...] (C) Following a recent internal review of telecommunications privatization, Economy Minister Haddad was pleased with progress and hopeful that the sale of the two mobile licenses could be concluded by year-end. To complete the fixed-line sale, the GOL must sell 33 percent of the shares publi [...] | 2007-07-30 04:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1143 | LEBANON: POWER PRIVATIZATION MEETING MILESTONES, [...] (SBU) Acting Minister of Energy and Water Safadi says the GOL is committed to and is moving as scheduled on power sector reform. He is focused on quickly fixing Electricite du Liban's management and making the company viable for privatization. The GOL has started building financial accounts, [...] | 2007-07-30 04:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT1144 | MARCH 14 CONCENTRATES ON NASSIB LAHOUD AND BOUTROS [...] (C) While presidential politics are in suspended animation pending the outcome of the Metn elections on August 5, three options look increasingly likely as the 11/24 end of President Emile Lahoud's extended term approaches: 1) Parliament fails to achieve a two-thirds quorum, leaving either [...] | 2007-07-30 05:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1145 | KOUCHNER'S TRIP: LITTLE TO SHOW, BUT KOUCHNER TO [...] (C) Although MP Boutros Harb perhaps best summed up current French diplomacy as "wishful thinking politics," French Ambassador Bernard Emie provided the Ambassador a relatively upbeat description of Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's July 27-29 Lebanon visit. Emie said that getting togethe [...] | 2007-07-30 06:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1149 | LEBANON: FORMER PM MIKATI'S POLITICAL ASSESSMENT [...] (S) Summary: On July 30, the Ambassador and Special Assistant met with former Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss upcoming parliamentary by elections and the prospects of various presidential candidates. Mikati, who has traditionally been linked to President al-Assad of Syria, made commen [...] | 2007-07-30 14:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1153 | BERRI READY TO START DEALING ON PRESIDENCY [...] (C) Yanking the Ambassador into a private room on the margins of a larger 7/30 meeting (septel),Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, his voice lowered to a whisper, urged that the USG help to select acceptable candidates for Lebanon's presidential elections. On/about August 20, Berri will start [...] | 2007-07-31 09:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1156 | LEBANON: BERRI SAYS MARCH 14 SCUTTLED FRENCH [...] (C) French efforts produced nothing, Speaker Berri told the Ambassador, thanks to March 14's refusal to discuss Berri's latest initiative. To avoid a divided Lebanon the country needs a consensus president, Berri argued, and the opposition won't agree on a compromise candidate until it is par [...] | 2007-08-01 06:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1163 | SURPRISING MESSAGE FROM THE PRO-SYRIAN CAMP: [...] (C) In a 8/1 meeting with the Ambassador, former Minister Wadih al-Khazen -- close to both Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Maronite Patriarch Sfeir -- insisted that Emile Lahoud will leave the presidency on schedule on November 24. Khazen also made a surprising proposition: if the USG [...] | 2007-08-02 11:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1165 | LEBANON: RELIEF FOLLOWED BY DISMAY OVER MORATINOS' [...] (C) During a meeting with the Ambassador on 7/31, PM Siniora expressed relief that, in his view, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who had visited Lebanon earlier in the week, was finally waking up to the mischief and havoc Syria was foisting onto Lebanon. He expressed satisf [...] | 2007-08-02 12:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY SP |
07BEIRUT1168 | LEBANON: HARIRI PREOCCUPIED BY ELECTIONS, SYRIA, [...] (C) A somewhat subdued Saad Hariri told the Ambassador the polls looked good for March 14's Beirut by-election candidate Mohamed Itani in the Beirut by-election. His assessment of former president and March 14 ally Amine Gemayel chances in the Metn by-election was restrained. Hariri eagerly [...] | 2007-08-02 15:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1175 | OUTGOING FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON LEBANON DEVELOPMENTS [...] (S) Outgoing French Ambassador Bernard Emie, meeting with Ambassador Feltman on 8/4, insisted that his 60-minute farewell call on President Emile Lahoud was done for protocol purposes only. Lahoud took the occasion to praise what he claimed was a return to French even-handedness and hinted [...] | 2007-08-06 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1176 | LEBANON: MP BOULOS SEES AOUN STRATEGY AT ST. CLOUD [...] (C) Maronite MP Jawad Boulos outlined for the Ambassador what he saw as three different positions shared at La Celle-St. Cloud, talks in which he represented the Christian majority. March 14 will consider a package, of national unity government with a president. Rejecting the package approa [...] | 2007-08-06 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1177 | LEBANON: GEAGEA OUTLINES MARCH 14 PRESIDENTIAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-06 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1178 | LEBANON: GEAGEA OUTLINES MARCH 14 PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea outlined to Ambassador on August 2 the presidential election strategy he claims he and his March 14 allies have agreed on. He urged that USG treat all declared candidates, including Michel Aoun of March 8, equally in public so as to be seen as supportin [...] | 2007-08-06 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT118 | LEBANON: BERRI BACKS AWAY FROM RESPONSIBILITY; [...] (C) In a 1/22 meeting, Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed estimates heard in other quarters that Hassan Nasrallah and Michel Aoun are out to prove a point in the 1/23 demonstrations and intend to use every means available to portray the general strike as effective and broadly supported. Declarin [...] | 2007-01-23 06:56:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1186 | LEBANON'S METN BY-ELECTIONS: DID EVERYONE LOSE [...] (C) While the pro-independence March 14 majority and the Hizballah-Aoun opposition each picked up one seat in the parliamentary by-elections held 8/5 (reftel),the Hizballah-Aoun forces claim the bigger victory: before the two assassinations (of Pierre Gemayel and Walid Eido) that created t [...] | 2007-08-06 16:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1199 | LEBANON: CODEL SHAYS MEETS ACTING FM - OR DID THEY? [...] (C) Summary: During CODEL Shays's brief meeting with Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri, the group discussed the August 6 re-appearance of Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh in his official office and his decision to resume "management" of foreign relations for the first time since submitting hi [...] | 2007-08-08 05:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1208 | LEBANON: CBL GOVERNOR SALAMEH PESSIMISTIC ON [...] (C) Central Bank Governor Salameh says the GOL barely met its Emergency Post Conflict Assistance program targets, is not making satisfactory progress on reform, will have a hard time meeting further benchmarks, and could not meet the higher standards required for a formal IMF program. Salameh [...] | 2007-08-09 06:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT1209 | IRAN AND AOUN: THINKING ALIKE, ACCORDING TO [...] (S) Minister of Justice Charles Rizk, his presidential aspirant's heart beating faster than ever, told the Ambassador over an 8/8 lunch that he was delighted to receive Iranian Ambassador Mohammed Rida Chibani two days earlier. Chibani, who boycotts the Siniora cabinet in solidarity with Hiz [...] | 2007-08-09 07:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT121 | LEBANON: MARONITE PATRIARCH SEES CHRISTIANS [...] (C) Ambassador Feltman and econoff met January 23 with Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, who expressed his concern that Lebanese Christians are fighting each other and did not appear engaged in trying to de-escalate the nationwide strike. The Patriarch agreed with the Ambassador's assessment that ex [...] | 2007-01-23 17:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1217 | LEBANON: SINIORA SEES GOVERNMENT AS VICTOR IN [...] (C) A proud and upbeat Prime Minister Siniora told CODEL Shays that the GOL is the real winner in the parliamentary by-elections: the government held free and safe elections; opposition participation signaled government legitimacy; and Michel Aoun lost his mandate to speak for the majority of t [...] | 2007-08-09 13:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PREF LE |
07BEIRUT1218 | AOUNIST MP STRUGGLING TO PULL HIS BOSS BACK FROM [...] (C) On 8/8, Aoun bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan pleaded with the Ambassador for the USG to lighten up on Michel Aoun and also to help forge a genuine partnership between Aoun and the Hariri bloc. Aoun, who should be the best friend of America and the leader who can save Lebanon, risks being exploite [...] | 2007-08-09 14:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT122 | LEBANON: FORMER PRESIDENT GEMAYEL RECEIVES [...] (S/NF) On January 23, former President Amine Gemayel, father of slain Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel, informed the Ambassador that the Iranian Embassy in Beirut contacted him last week to invite him to Tehran, with the hint that Iran would support him as president in order to resolve Le [...] | 2007-01-23 18:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT1220 | LEBANON: BRIEFING PM AND DEFMIN ON USG BILATERAL [...] (C) Ambassador and EmbOffs gave a comprehensive briefing of USG bilateral military assistance for Lebanon to PM Siniora and DPM and Defense Minister Murr. This briefing highlighted the dramatic growth of grant assistance from FY 05 to FY 07 in response to Lebanon's recent emergency requests. [...] | 2007-08-09 14:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1221 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA COMMENTS ON EU BORDER [...] (C) On the margins of a briefing on USG bilateral military aid (reftel),Prime Minister Siniora shared his concern that EU initiatives to protect the border with Syria could produce more harm than good. He is concerned that the Syrians will get credit for participating in an international i [...] | 2007-08-10 05:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1222 | LEBANON: CONGRESSMAN SHAYS HEARS VIEWS ON THE [...] (SBU) Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) made his third visit to Beirut August 6-7, where he held meetings with PM Siniora, Acting FM Tarek Mitri (septels) and political figures Minister Mohamed Safadi, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, and March 14 MP Robert Ghannem. The visit occurred in the [...] | 2007-08-10 05:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1249 | MARONITE PATRIARCH FOR COMPROMISE PRESIDENT; [...] (S) In a 8/14 meeting with the Ambassador focused on Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir said that he opposes amending Lebanon's constitution -- a position that, if heeded by the MPs, would rule out LAF Commander Michel Sleiman's front-running presidential bid. [...] | 2007-08-15 14:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1250 | BERRI ON PRESIDENCY, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, [...] (S) In a 8/15 meeting with the Ambassador, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, quoting diplomatic traffic from the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, lashed out against the USG for opposing amendments to Lebanon's constitution. If for example the Lebanese want LAF Commander Sleiman as their next p [...] | 2007-08-15 15:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1252 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: BUILDING [...] (C) A clear pattern exists in Lebanon of Syria's allies trying to prevent free and fair elections. In summer 2004, efforts by the Lebanese and the international community failed to prevent the Syrian-directed, three-year term extension of Lebanon's president, Emile Lahoud. Lahoud's shamele [...] | 2007-08-16 13:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR FR |
07BEIRUT1253 | LEBANON: ARMY COMMANDER APOLOGIZES FOR INOPPORTUNE [...] (C) Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Michel Sleiman denied that his recent marks were an accusation against the US of providing insufficient military assistance, reaffirming instead Lebanon's deep appreciation for the USG's essential role in helping the army battle Fatah al-Islam extremi [...] | 2007-08-16 13:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1254 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: BUILDING [...] (C) A clear pattern exists in Lebanon of Syria's allies trying to prevent free and fair elections. In summer 2004, efforts by the Lebanese and the international community failed to prevent the Syrian-directed, three-year term extension of Lebanon's president, Emile Lahoud. Lahoud's shamele [...] | 2007-08-16 14:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR FR |
07BEIRUT1255 | LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF ADMIRAL FALLON [...] (C) Admiral Fallon: as the first CENTCOM Commander to visit Lebanon, your visit provides us an excellent opportunity to reinforce the message of strong U.S. support for Lebanon. Your visit comes during a critical period leading up to presidential elections this autumn, when the Lebanese are [...] | 2007-08-16 15:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1258 | LEBANON: TELEPHONE PRIVATIZATION SET TO GO [...] (C) Key players in the GOL program to privatize the telecommunications sector, including Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh, met with the DCM and EconOff to review the status of the program. All are in agreement that the plan can proceed on time if PM Siniora and the Higher Counc [...] | 2007-08-17 15:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT126 | MURR CLAIMS LAF COMMANDER'S COWARDICE WORKED TO [...] (S) In a meeting with the Ambassador on 1/24, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr acknowledged that Saudi-Iranian ties and a generalized fear of sustained violence helped persuade the March 8-Aounist opposition to suspend its road-blocking demonstrations after only one day. [...] | 2007-01-24 17:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PARM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1272 | LEBANON: MOVING TOWARDS THE LAUNCH OF THE GERMAN [...] (C) The German Border Security Pilot Program (BSPP) has made some strides and will "technically" be able to launch as scheduled on September 1. However, most of the equipment and capabilities will not be functional until approximately October 15. There are still unmet equipment needs and Ger [...] | 2007-08-21 14:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1284 | LEBANON: PLO REPRESENTATIVE IN LEBANON [...] (C) Abbas Zaki, the PLO Representative in Lebanon, told the Charge on 8/21 that he has faith in the GOL's promise to rebuild the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp on its original site. Lebanese politicians, though divided on domestic issues, are united in their desire to help the Palestinian refugees [...] | 2007-08-22 14:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KPAL PTER KPAO LE |
07BEIRUT1299 | LEBANON: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. CANDIDACY FOR [...] (SBU) Post deliverd reftel demarche to both Minister of Transportation Mohammed Safadi and Director General of Civil Aviation Dr. Hamdi Chouk. Dr. Chouk said Lebanon is always supportive of the USG in ICAO. 2. (SBU) Dr. Chouk will lead the GOL delegation to the ICAO meetings in Montreal [...] | 2007-08-24 14:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1301 | LEBANON: HIZBALLAH TELEPHONE NETWORK 'DISCOVERED' [...] (C) The Ministry of Telecommunications announced it had found an illegal telecom network established and operated by Hizballah in the parts of Lebanon Hizballah controls. Minister of Telecom Marwan Hamadeh initially said the GOL would react "fiercely" to what he portrayed as a surprising disc [...] | 2007-08-24 14:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER ECONEGE EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT1320 | LEBANON: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HEADED FOR A [...] (C) With less than one month to go before the beginning of the two-month presidential election period, the gulf between the majority March 14 and opposition March 8 appears to be widening. The battle currently is being fought in the Christian arena, split into two opposing camps: one, represe [...] | 2007-08-28 12:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT133 | SAUDI AMBASSADOR DOWNBEAT ON IRAN-SAUDI TALKS ON [...] (S) While acknowledging that he did not yet have a full read-out of Saudi-Iranian contacts, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Abdulaziz Khoja told Ambassador Feltman in a 1/25 meeting that he was "very pessimistic" about developments in Lebanon. He noted that he was leaving an hour later to fly t [...] | 2007-01-25 15:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY IR SA |
07BEIRUT1332 | LAF COMMANDER WON'T BE PRESIDENT, SAY MURR AND [...] (C) In separate 8/28 meetings with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr and March 14 presidential candidate Nassib Lahoud offered -- despite their deep political and personal differences -- surprisingly similar advice: the USG should not oppose the presidential ambitions of LAF [...] | 2007-08-30 15:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1333 | LEBANON: ACTING FM ON VATICAN RELATIONS AND THE [...] (C) On August 30, Culture and Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri told the Ambassador that Vatican officials were pleased to have recently spoken with the Secretary about the upcoming elections in Lebanon. The Vatican finds itself in agreement with the U.S. on the need for Lebanon to elect a [...] | 2007-08-30 15:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY VT |
07BEIRUT1334 | LEBANON: BERRI: FUTURE OF LEBANON DEPENDS ON [...] (C) Speaker Berri continues to insist on a two-thirds parliamentary quorum to hold a vote on the presidency, though he acknowledged that the constitution permits the vote to take place during the last ten days prior to the expiration of the current president's mandate with only a simple majori [...] | 2007-08-30 15:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1335 | LEBANON: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISITS WITH LEBANESE [...] (S) Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander United States Central Command met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Lieutenant General Michel Sleiman and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Elias Murr on 8/29 in Beirut, Lebanon at the Ministry of Defense. During these introductory meet [...] | 2007-08-31 04:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1336 | LEBANON: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISITS WITH PRIME [...] (S) Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander United States Central Command met with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora on 8/29 in Beirut, Lebanon. During this introductory meeting, ADM Fallon and PM Siniora discussed recent fighting against terrorists in the Nahr Al Bared refugee camp, Palestinian i [...] | 2007-08-31 04:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1342 | LEBANON: GEAGEA CHARTS MARCH 14 ELECTION COURSE, [...] (C) A thoughtful and deliberate Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea outlined March 14's presidential election strategy and the opposition's efforts to scuttle or otherwise disrupt the election. Geagea stressed that the U.S. could best serve itself and Lebanon in the period before the el [...] | 2007-08-31 15:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1343 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 PLANS FOR COUNTERING BERRI'S [...] (C) During a productive Saturday at the Serail, the Ambassador met on 9/1 with the Prime Minister, Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh, and Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad. The March 14 members were all discussing Speaker Berri's proposal announced to great fanfare the prev [...] | 2007-09-02 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1345 | LEBANON: GEMAYEL: OPPOSITION ARMING, MARCH 14 TO [...] (C) On August 31, former President Amine Gemayel told the Ambassador that Hizballah and Michel Aoun are arming their followers, constituting a growing military and security threat. He believes the opposition is intimidating March 14, and Hizballah-Aoun forces will act before the country can [...] | 2007-09-02 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1346 | WITH NAHR AL-BARID IN LAF HANDS, DEFMIN MURR [...] (S) On 9/3, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr called the Ambassador to report that the wife of Fatah al-Islam (FAI) leader Shakr al-Absi had positively identified the body of her husband, apparently killed on the last day of fighting on 9/2 in the Nahr al-Barid camp. Whil [...] | 2007-09-03 09:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER PARM LE SY QA |
07BEIRUT135 | LEBANON: EAC DISCUSSES 1/25 VIOLENCE; AGREES TO [...] (C) At 1800 hours on January 25 DCM chaired a full meeting of the Embassy's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to review the day's events and consider measures in response to the violence in Beirut and elsewhere on January 23, 24, and 25. The EAC made the following observations: (a) Leban [...] | 2007-01-26 07:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PTER KPAL LE |
07BEIRUT1355 | LEBANON: FORMER PM MIKATI: PRESIDENTAL ELECTION [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati believes it is now possible, although difficult, for Lebanon to hold a presidential election on time. Popular sentiment demands an election, and any party seen as preventing an election will pay. To that end, Speaker Nabih Berri is working with whom Mi [...] | 2007-09-05 09:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1360 | LEBANON: ITALIAN AMBASSADOR URGES URGENT US [...] (C) Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Checchia, accompanied by Second Secretary Carlo Jacobucci, met with the Ambassador September 5 to provide a readout of EU High Representative Javier Solana's September 6 visit to Beirut (Italy was acting on behalf of the EU presidency in the absence o [...] | 2007-09-05 15:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1361 | LEBANON: NAZEM KHOURY PLUGS FOR A SLEIMAN [...] (C) Former MP Nazem Khoury spoke glowingly of the Lebanese Armed Forces's (LAF) achievement at Nahr al-Barid and of LAF commander General Michel Sleiman's heroic role in the victory. Khoury discounted doubts about Sleiman's political allegiance; he was a man one could judge by his actions. [...] | 2007-09-05 15:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1366 | LEBANON: VATICAN SENDING RIGHT MESSAGE, BUT IS [...] (C) Vatican officials will send visiting Lebanese Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir all the right messages concerning Lebanon's sovereignty and the upcoming presidential election, according to a March 14 contact who just returned from his own trip to the Holy See. It remains to be seen, however, whet [...] | 2007-09-06 15:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1377 | LAHOUD'S LEGAL ADVISOR: MILITARY "SOLUTION" IF NO [...] (C) In a 9/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Selim Jeressaiti, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's legal advisor, stated that Lahoud's thinking regarding the presidential transition has evolved. Even if there is no consensus presidential successor, Lahoud will leave Baabda Palace at the end of h [...] | 2007-09-10 05:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1379 | LEBANESE ANALYZE SAAD HARIRI'S INTENTIONS [...] (S) In a one-on-one conversation on the margins of a larger session (reftel),former Prime Minister Najib Mikati told the Ambassador that, in two recent meetings, MP Saad Hariri complained that USG backing of Fouad Siniora was coming at Saad's expense. Hariri and his stepmother Nazek were t [...] | 2007-09-10 05:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1383 | LEBANON: FRENCH POSITION IS WORRYING [...] (S) The analysis in Embassy Paris' excellent reporting (reftel being the most recent) on what appears to be a dismaying shift in France's Lebanon policy corresponds with the Lebanese impression of French views. (As we will report separately, the Egyptians may also be moving in this directio [...] | 2007-09-10 15:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV LE FR SY IR |
07BEIRUT1384 | LEBANON: USG RESPONDS TO PM'S APPEAL TO REBUILD [...] (SBU) At a widely attended international donors conference on September 10, Prime Minister Siniora formally launched the appeal to rebuild the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp and to assist Lebanese citizens in the surrounding area who had been impacted by the 105-day armed conflict. UNRWA Commissi [...] | 2007-09-10 16:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KPAL PTER KPAO LE |
07BEIRUT1406 | LEBANON: MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS PRESS FOR [...] (C) Sheikh Salim Soussan, the Sunni Mufti of Sidon, and Sayyed Ali al-Amin, the independent minded Shi'a Mufti of Tyre, both conveyed messages of goodwill toward the US in September 10 meetings with Embassy staff. However, while Soussan focused on the volatile national and regional political s [...] | 2007-09-13 15:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1407 | JUMBLATT WORRIED SAAD HARIRI IS DRIFTING TO [...] (C) Asking to see the Ambassador urgently on 9/13, Druse leader and MP Walid Jumblatt expressed concern about Saad Hariri's thinking. The March 14 meeting the previous evening was difficult, Jumblatt said, because Hariri, Boutros Harb, and Mohammed Safadi were too ready to give in to Parliam [...] | 2007-09-13 16:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1408 | LEBANON: SINIORA: ELECTIONS PARAMOUNT, WITHOUT [...] (C) PM Siniora seemed surprisingly optimistic about the prospects for selecting a credible compromise presidential candidate in a September 12 meeting with visiting EEB PDAS Elizabeth Dibble. He reiterated his opposition to amending the constitution and stressed the election must be held wit [...] | 2007-09-13 16:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT141 | LEBANON: INTERIOR MINISTER INSISTS AOUN MARCHES [...] (C) On January 25, just as serious unrest at Beirut Arab University was beginning, Minister of Interior Hassan Saba told the Ambassador that the LAF would exercise more decisive control of the situation if further violence occurs. Minister Saba, whose ministry controls the ISF which has been [...] | 2007-01-26 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT142 | LEBANON: NEW FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL [...] (C) In a 1/26 meeting, Ambassador Hicham Dimachkieh, the new Secretary General in the Foreign Ministry, discussed the factors which complicate Lebanon's relationship with its powerful and often obtuse neighbor. Exhibiting the caution of a diplomat who worked for many years in Syrian-dominate [...] | 2007-01-26 18:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT1420 | LEBANON: PM WILL RECONSIDER INTERNATIONAL BORDER [...] (S/NF) During a September 15 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora said that he had not been given a copy of the Spanish proposal for an EU border mission. Worried about Syria's ability to manipulate the negotiations in its own favor, the PM agreed that the GOL should be given an [...] | 2007-09-16 08:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL IS LE SY |
07BEIRUT1421 | LEBANON: FRENCH CHARGE BRIEFS ON KOUCHNER VISIT, [...] (S) In a 9/14 meeting with the Ambassador, French Charge d'Affaires Andre Parant was at pains and obviously under instructions to play up the French-U.S. shared vision on Lebanon and to downplay any differences. He said that, while France hopes for a consensus president, France, like the U. [...] | 2007-09-16 08:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1422 | SAAD HARIRI ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) Meeting with the Ambassador on 9/15, MP Saad Hariri portrayed none of the proclivity to compromise on Lebanon's presidency that Walid Jumblatt darkly suspected only a few days earlier (ref a). Calling Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri "a liar," Hariri said that he was prepared to "go all th [...] | 2007-09-16 10:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1423 | LEBANON: AMAL AND AOUN IN GAME OF BRINKSMANSHIP [...] (C) Both Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) continue to dig in their heels in their efforts to determine Lebanon's next president. While Amal's strategy focuses on the constitution (which it interprets to require a two-thirds quorum to elect president) to ensure a candidate of its lik [...] | 2007-09-16 11:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1424 | LEBANON: CONSIDERING THE SO-CALLED CONSENSUS [...] (S) As we have reported, March 14 leaders say that Nassib Lahoud is their first choice for president, with Boutros Harb the fall-back; March 8 leaders at least tactically suggest Michel Aoun is their only candidate. At the same time there is considerable talk by both sides about finding a c [...] | 2007-09-16 12:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT143 | LEBANON: FORMER MINISTER EDDE SEES CHRISTIAN [...] (C) The Ambassador and Poloff met over lunch on January 24 with former Minister of Culture and the current President of the Maronite League, Michel Edde. He expressed his deep concerns for the future of Lebanon after the previous day's general strike and was especially troubled by scenes of L [...] | 2007-01-26 18:23:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1435 | SAMIR GEAGEA ON AOUN'S ARMS, PRESIDENCY [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting on 9/17, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea complained to the Ambassador that the LAF is looking the other way as Michel Aoun, Hizballah, Suleiman Franjieh, and other pro-Syrians establish plans for an armed takeover of Lebanon. He claimed credible information ab [...] | 2007-09-18 12:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1436 | LEBANON: READY TO MAKE FIRST CONTRIBUTION TO THE [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. 2. (C) Finance Minister Azour told the Ambassador on September 12 that, in addition to the $5 million the GOL plans to commit later this month to the account for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, taken from GOL contingency accounts, he [...] | 2007-09-18 15:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1439 | UN ENVOY ON HIZBALLAH'S 'OPENNESS' REGARDING [...] (S) UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pedersen, meeting with the Ambassador on 9/18, claimed to have detected a new openness by Hizballah regarding Lebanon's presidential elections when he met with his "usual contact" (known to be Wafiq Safa, Hizballah's security chief) earlier that day [...] | 2007-09-19 07:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT144 | LEBANON: INFORMATION MINISTER ON SYRIAN, IRANIAN, [...] (C) In a 1/26 meeting, Minister of Information Ghazi Aridi (Druse, allied with Walid Jumblatt) provided details on Syrian, Iranian, and Saudi diplomacy in recent days. Based on what he claims to know, Aridi was pessimistic that the 1/25 riots marked the end to the violence. Syria, he insis [...] | 2007-01-26 18:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY IR SA |
07BEIRUT1441 | LEBANON: FINNISH DIPLOMAT OFFERS VIEWS ON SYRIAN [...] (C) A visiting Finnish diplomat from Damascus sees Syria as pursuing a policy of "constructive chaos" in Lebanon, and views its motives for supporting an EU-proposed border mission as suspect. He perceives cracks in the Syrian regime that suggest its lifespan is limited, and advocated targeted [...] | 2007-09-19 14:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1442 | LEBANON: ANOTHER MP ASSASSINATED, ANOTHER BLOW TO [...] (C) March 14 MP Antoine Ghanem was killed September 19 in what appears to have been a targeted attack in Beirut's eastern suburb. Ghanem, a close ally of Druse leader Walid Jumblatt and Phalange leader Amine Gemayel, was a fervent critic of Syria. Ghanem's assassination comes at an especiall [...] | 2007-09-19 17:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1446 | LEBANON: PDAS DIBBLE'S VISIT REVEALS A FULL AGENDA [...] (C) During a September 12-14 visit, EEB PDAS Elizabeth Dibble met with GOL officials, bankers, and World Bank economists, who agreed on just two issues: continued U.S. support for Lebanon is essential during the upcoming presidential election period, and Lebanon has a lot to discuss at the upc [...] | 2007-09-20 13:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT145 | CHATAH GRATEFUL TO USG FOR PARIS III SUCCESS [...] (C) Mohamed Chatah, Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Siniora, gushed exuberantly about U.S. leadership in achieving a successful Paris III conference. He expressed delight as well with the CEO Partnership event, saying that the GOL would now hire someone to serve as permanent liaison with t [...] | 2007-01-29 06:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EFIN EAID LE SY |
07BEIRUT1451 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH URGES CONSENSUS PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir told the Ambassador on 9/20 that he continues to believe in the need for a consensus presidential candidate as the only way to avoid a divided Lebanon. He agrees, however, with the need to stick to the principles outlined in the annual Bishops' statement, [...] | 2007-09-21 12:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1454 | LEBANON: PHALANGE LEADER SAYS MARCH 14 WILL FIGHT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-21 13:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1456 | LEBANON: PHALANGE LEADER SAYS MARCH 14 WILL FIGHT [...] (C) In a September 20 condolence call on Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel following the September 19 assassination of March 14 Phalange MP Antoine Ghanem, the former President said March 14 will continue to fight back politically, despite the "apocalypse of Sin el-Fil". Gemayel stressed the [...] | 2007-09-21 14:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1457 | LEBANON: MURR REBUFFS REQUEST THAT LAF ACT [...] (S) In a 9/20 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Murr agreed that March 8 forces and their allies were better armed, equipped, and trained than the March 14 bloc, should street violence break out. He concurred that Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh and, to [...] | 2007-09-23 07:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PARM PTER KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1458 | LEBANON: HARB, MURR ACCUSE ROBERT GHANEM OF BEING [...] (S) As Lebanese muse about possible compromise presidential candidates, the name of West Biqa' MP Robert Ghanem -- an on-again/off-again affiliate (but not founding) member of March 14 -- comes up with increasing frequency. UN envoy Geir Pedersen was encouraged that Hizballah seemed open to [...] | 2007-09-23 07:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT146 | LEBANON: AOUN ADVISOR ADMITS ERRORS; CLAIMS THE [...] (C) In a January 26 meeting, MP Ibrahim Kanaan, a senior Aounist advisor, admitted to emboff that Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) made serious errors of judgment on January 23, the date of a violent general strike in Beirut that resulted in three deaths and numerous casualties. K [...] | 2007-01-29 06:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1461 | LEBANON: BERRI'S LATEST TWIST: A DISGUISED [...] (C) Following a lengthy discussion between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's senior advisor and Pol/Econ Chief, Berri, in the latest twist in the opposition's tireless efforts to gain control of the presidency, is proposing a one-month trial period for his initiative to seek a consensus candida [...] | 2007-09-24 07:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1465 | DUELING WITH LEBANON'S ARMY COMMANDER ON SECURITY [...] (S) In a 9/24 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman downplayed the risk of street violence. While Christian leaders allied with Hizballah like Suleiman Franjieh and Michel Aoun were actively arming their followers, Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces r [...] | 2007-09-24 13:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1468 | LEBANON: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: LEBANESE [...] (SBU) Post has no objection to the proposed $75 million guaranty for an investment in the Lebanese American University (LAU) proposed by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in reftel. Post has previously investigated LAU with regard to OPIC insurance. 2. (U) As per reftel re [...] | 2007-09-25 08:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | ENIV LE |
07BEIRUT1469 | LEBANON: IS SLEIMAN THE ACE UP BERRI'S SLEEVE? [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has again gone on the offensive, this time postponing parliament's presidential election for one month to allow time for March 14 and March 8 to reach a consensus candidate. In a move in which Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel appears to be the unwitting a [...] | 2007-09-25 08:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT147 | BERRI OFFERS TO REMOVE TENTS, RESTART DIALOGUE -- [...] (C) Since Friday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has sent, successively, his brother Mahmoud, his foreign policy advisor Ali Hamdan, and (resigned) Amal-aligned Minister of Health Mohammed Khalifeh to see the Ambassador. Their message: that the Speaker is ready to use his influence to calm [...] | 2007-01-29 06:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1482 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA: CABINET REAFFIRMS SUPPORT [...] (C) Although details of the meeting make the LAF-GOL discussions sound tense, Prime Minister Siniora described as "very good" the seven-hour cabinet meeting on 9/24. The meeting focused, the PM reported, on stopping groups from across the political spectrum from rearming and tightening cabin [...] | 2007-09-26 11:49:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KCRM PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1483 | LEBANON: BERRI INITIATIVE MOVING AHEAD [...] (C) As he promised he would, Speaker Berri called MPs to parliament on September 25 to begin the process of electing Lebanon's next president. Because only 74 MPs showed up, 12 short of the two-thirds majority needed to elect a president on the first round, the session was adjourned without a [...] | 2007-09-26 13:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1485 | LEBANON: FORMER PM MIKATI CLAIMS LAF COMMANDER [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 9/25, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati -- once and perhaps still close to Syria's Asad family -- stated his belief that LAF Commander General Michel Sleiman remains Syria's top choice for the presidency. Because of Hizballah's need to codd [...] | 2007-09-26 13:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1492 | LEBANON: CESAREAN SECTION FOR PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) A key Phalange party member sees the election of a March 14 candidate as Lebanon's next president as the only way to put a definitive end to Syrian influence, which extends throughout Lebanon's security apparatus. Assassinations of March 14 MPs will continue, he predicted, but the Septembe [...] | 2007-09-27 12:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT150 | LIST OF AL-MANAR SHAREHOLDERS: POTENTIAL NAMES FOR DESIGNATION? [...] (U) This is an action request -- please see para 8 below. 2. (S/NF) Embassy Beirut´s consular section has obtained, through the Lebanese commercial registry, the listing of the 38 shareholders of the Lebanese Media Group, aka Lebanese Communication Group, Hizballah´s parent company for Al-M [...] | 2007-01-29 10:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PINR ETTC PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1504 | LEBANON: LAUNCH OF GERMAN BORDER PROJECT [...] (C) Summary: At the weekly donors meeting for the German Northern Border Pilot Program (NBPP) on September 26, Detlef Karioth, Coordinator of the NBPP, announced that the operational launch date had been delayed for another four weeks until November 15. There are a number of reasons for this [...] | 2007-09-28 11:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1510 | LEBANON: IRANIAN GOLD FOR SALE? [...] (C) Iraqi businessman Dr. Sabah Hashem Allawi, brother of former Iraqi Prime Minister and current Iraqi MP Iyad Allawi, told DCM and Econoff on 9/11 that he had been asked to broker a sale of gold that he later learned was registered to Iran. Emboffs met Allawi at a lunch in Beirut arranged by [...] | 2007-09-28 13:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | EMIN ENIV ETRD PGOV PREL PTER IR LE |
07BEIRUT1511 | LEBANON: TACTICAL FLIRTATION (BUT NO STRATEGIC [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri appears, inadvertently, to be a miraculous match-maker: after years of political warfare, March 14 leaders and Michel Aoun's bloc are now gingerly exchanging tender glances, tentatively discovering beauties in each other that neither perceived before. Mar [...] | 2007-09-28 16:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1512 | LEBANON: GEAGEA: WHAT IS HARIRI COOKING UP? [...] (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea believes accepting Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun's offers of detente is the best way to coopt Aoun's presidential ambitions. He dismissed concerns that March 14's support could boomerang by increasing prospects for Aoun's candidacy, [...] | 2007-09-30 12:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1513 | LEBANON: ON EVE OF U.S. TRIP, HARIRI LOOKS AT [...] (C) On 9/28, MP Saad Hariri said he would have four requests for USG officials during his upcoming Washington consultations: first, accelerated support for the Lebanese army and police, including highly visible equipment to put Hizballah off balance; second, immediate embrace of Lebanon's n [...] | 2007-09-30 12:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1514 | LEBANON: MARONITE BISHOPS CALL FOR SOVEREIGN, [...] (C) In what many view as their clearest and most political statement ever, Lebanon's Maronite bishops issued their eighth annual "call" on September 19, a beacon of light on a day of tragic juxtaposition; just hours later a massive car bomb killed March 14 MP Antoine Ghanem, bringing to six the [...] | 2007-09-30 12:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1534 | LEBANON: A KINDER, GENTLER AOUN DISTANCES HIMSELF [...] (C) In a surprise change of heart, General Michel Aoun told the Ambassador he would not support a second government and hinted at a willingness to dissolve his 2006 MOU with Hizballah if he receives a better offer. Aoun, who has been reaching out to March 14 leaders in the past ten days, appe [...] | 2007-10-02 16:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1535 | LEBANON: WORRIES ABOUT RED LINES ON UNSCR 1559 [...] (S) Four well-informed Embassy contacts -- Walid Jumblatt, Nassib Lahoud, Boutros Harb, and journalist Sarkis Naom -- all argued in separate meetings with the Ambassador that pro-Syrian forces in Lebanon are using upcoming presidential elections to bury UNSCR 1559. They (and we) see this as [...] | 2007-10-02 16:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1539 | LEBANON: "SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM" TO SUPPORT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-03 08:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL UNHRC UNGA LE |
07BEIRUT1540 | LEBANON: ACTING FM MITRI BELIEVES UNSCR 1559 [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri does not believe the election of a new Lebanese president would necessarily fulfill the requirements of UNSCR 1559, as Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is now claiming so as to be able to assert that 1559 will no longer be needed after elections. On the [...] | 2007-10-03 08:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
07BEIRUT1544 | LEBANON: LEBANESE BANKS IN PLAY? [...] (C) Recent Rumors of the sale of BLOM Bank, to either Arab Bank or Audi Bank, were persistent enough to cause BLOM to issue a disclaimer. However, both BLOM and Audi tacitly admit unconsummated deals. Some regional player, almost certainly the Arab Bank, also tried to make a deal with one of [...] | 2007-10-03 14:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1545 | LEBANON: TELECOM SECTOR -- AS CONFUSING AS EVER [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-03 14:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1546 | LEBANON: TELECOM SECTOR -- AS CONFUSING AS EVER [...] (C) Both Telecom Minister Hamadeh and Transportation Regulatory Authority (TRA) Chairman Shehadi are optimistic about the launch of the mobile telecom sale, but Shehadi appears to be struggling to get the TRA up and running. In earlier meetings with USG officials, Hamadeh appeared to support [...] | 2007-10-04 08:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1547 | LEBANON: MURR BACKS GHANEM AS PRESIDENT, URGES [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 10/3, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr urged that the USG, in meetings with MP Saad Hariri in Washington, encourage a consensus president. The costs of a March 14-elected president are too high for Lebanon to bear, Murr [...] | 2007-10-04 08:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1554 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR ON PRESIDENTIAL NAMES [...] (S) In a brief one-on-one conversation with the Ambassador about upcoming presidential elections, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir ventured into the "name game." Nassib Lahoud is the best candidate, and Boutros Harb is "very good." But, as March 8 will not accept them, they, like Michel Aoun (unac [...] | 2007-10-04 15:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT156 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA DOESN'T SEE A NEAR TERM [...] (C) While warmly praising the U.S. and international support for Lebanon expressed at Paris III, Prime Minister Siniora was less hopeful regarding a near-term solution to his country's current political crisis. Siniora said that upon his return, he had reached out to Amal leader Nabih Berri [...] | 2007-01-30 07:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1563 | LEBANON: RETICENT PATRIARCH HINTS AT STRONG [...] (C) Maronite Patriarch Sfeir continues to receive a flurry of key visitors attempting to plead their interests, get his blessing, and squeeze out information from the tight-lipped yet influential cleric. While he offered little of his own thinking, he did inquire about MP Hariri's visit to W [...] | 2007-10-05 15:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1565 | LEBANON: DELAYS WITH GERMAN BORDER PILOT ENHANCE [...] (C) Summary: At the October 4 weekly meeting for the German Northern Border Pilot Program (NBPP),donors listened to the long list of continuing delays affecting the launch date of the NBPP. During the meeting the proposed ESDP mission to the eastern border was raised, but the EU representati [...] | 2007-10-05 15:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1572 | LEBANON: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON "CONDEMNING THE USE [...] (SBU) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Oussama Khachab, Head of the Americas Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khachab responded that the GOL believes condemning the use of rape as an instrument of state policy is a worthwhile subject to address and likely would not oppose the U.S.'s [...] | 2007-10-09 15:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1574 | LEBANON: PAPAL NUNCIO GLOOMY ABOUT CHRISTIAN [...] (C) The Papal Nuncio in Lebanon exhibited a general disdain for Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, the Maronite Christians, and the greater Lebanese Christian community regarding their disorganized, ineffective role in Lebanese politics today, calling the Maronite church a "grande folie." He stressed [...] | 2007-10-09 16:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1575 | LEBANON: NASRALLAH DWELLS ON ELECTION; [...] (C) Hizballah General Secretary Hassan Nasrallah in his annual al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day speech proposed three scenarios for solving Lebanon's political crisis, including a plan to hold a direct presidential election. PM Siniora and others interpreted Nasrallah's remarks as an effort to distor [...] | 2007-10-09 16:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1582 | LEBANON: CABINET APPROVES TELECOM SALE [...] (C) Summary: The GOL cabinet approved the sale of two mobile telephone licenses, with a call for bids this year and a final sale in early 2008. The cabinet also approved hiring of staff by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) with temporary exemption from GOL administrative proces [...] | 2007-10-10 14:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1584 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA SUPPORTS CONINUED NEGOTIATIONS [...] (C) During an October 10 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora expressed his desire to continue discussions on the EU proposal for enhanced security on the eastern border with Syria. During Siniora's recent visits to regional capitals, he found, to his surprise, that the Emir of [...] | 2007-10-11 06:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1585 | LEBANON: SUNNI MUFTI DEFENDS CHRISTIAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Sunni Grand Mufti Qabbani, stressing the Christian contribution to Lebanon's unique identity, asserts that the Sunnis are committed to the 1989 Ta'if Accord's 50-50 power-sharing arrangement between Christians and Muslims. Even if the Christian population dwindles, he said, this relationsh [...] | 2007-10-11 06:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1597 | LEBANON: ALTERNATIVE SHI'A ADVOCATES NOT UNITED [...] (C) Over the past few months a number of prominent Shi'a, including academics, journalists, and businessmen, have launched initiatives aiming to break what they believe is an Iran-funded Hizballah/Amal monopoly on Lebanese Shi'a political support. While these different Shi'a groups have held [...] | 2007-10-11 14:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1598 | LEBANON: FRENCH, SPANISH, ITALIAN FMS TO MAKE [...] (C) The French, Spanish, and Italian Foreign Ministers are planning a joint visit to Lebanon October 19-20 to meet with UNIFIL commanders and their national troop contingents in UNIFIL and aleo meet with key political leaders in Beirut. French Embassy DCM and poloffs told us that the French hop [...] | 2007-10-11 15:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1599 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF U/S DEFENSE EDELMAN [...] (C) Under Secretary Edelman: Welcome back to Lebanon. Your trip provides an excellent opportunity to reinforce the message of strong U.S. government support for Lebanon. You come during a critical period of the presidential election season. Parliament elects the president and is supposed to [...] | 2007-10-11 15:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT16 | FINANCE MINISTER AZOUR'S WISHFUL THINKING FOR [...] (S) In a January 2 meeting with the Ambassador, Minister of Finance Jihad Azour was less alarmist than Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh (reftel) regarding Lebanon's financial situation in 2007. But, like Salameh, Azour counted on a successful Paris III conference as the essential element i [...] | 2007-01-03 15:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | ECON EFIN EAID PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1600 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA COMMENTS ON THE ELECTIONS, [...] (C) During a October 10 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora expressed his dismay at some March 14 allies' willingness to give in so quickly to demands from the March 8 opposition that a consensus candidate for president be chosen. Siniora also stated his firm objection to a co [...] | 2007-10-12 07:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON IS LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1602 | LEBANON: SHIA MUFTI URGES U.S. DIALOGUE WITH [...] (C) On October 11, Acting Chairman of the Higher Islamic Council Sayyed Abed al-Amir Qabalan was jovial as usual, but adopted a more aggressive tone than in previous meetings with the Ambassador. He urged the US to engage with Hizballah, and stressed Hizballah's allegedly peaceful intentions [...] | 2007-10-12 13:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1603 | LEBANON: PRO-SYRIANS SEE ADVANTAGES TO [...] (S) Selim Jeressaiti, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's legal advisor, reported that LAF Commander Michel Sleiman remains the presidential candidate of choice for Hizballah and Syria. While expressing his own hope that a genuine consensus candidate would emerge instead, Jeressaiti argued th [...] | 2007-10-12 13:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1604 | LEBANON: LEBANESE RESIDENTS NEAR NAHR-AL BARID [...] (C) Summary: DCM and Emboffs met with mayors of municipalities located near the Nahr-Al Barid Palestinian refugee camp (NAB) during a trip to Tripoli October 9. The mayors praised the USG for its assistance to the local areas that were negatively affected by the 15-week battle at the camp, ad [...] | 2007-10-14 10:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON PGOV PREF PREL PTER |
07BEIRUT1610 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 CHRISTIANS SAY WITHOUT A MARCH [...] (C) March 14 Christian leaders Nassib Lahoud, Boutros Harb, and Nayla Mouawad are focused on obtaining a March 14 presidency, without which they say the coalition's ideals and accomplishments will be lost. All three leaders -- all of whom consider themselves presidential candidates -- noted [...] | 2007-10-15 15:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1612 | LEBANON: A PRESIDENTIAL VACUUM BENEFITS SYRIAN [...] (C) Former President Amine Gemayel expressed grave concern over the possibility of a vacuum in Lebanon's president. In his view, a vacuum would lead to a weakening of the March 14 majority and would enable Syria to manipulate the constitutional system in its favor. Gemayel is worried about a [...] | 2007-10-15 15:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1616 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER ADVOCATES "HALF PLUS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-16 15:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1617 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER ADVOCATES "HALF PLUS [...] (C) DPM Elias Murr agreed that a status quo scenario, i.e., a continuation of President Lahoud's and PM Siniora's mandates, was the opposition's current strategy on the presidential election. The best way to avoid this scenario, he argued, was a "half plus plus" candidate -- one who might not [...] | 2007-10-17 06:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1623 | LEBANON: "CHANGE AOUN" URGES GREEK ORTHODOX [...] (C) Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi is worried about March 8 and March 14's inability to date to find a solution to the presidential election impasse. He believes the key to a solution lies in a shift in General Michel Aoun's thinking, which begs the question, who is most suitable to infl [...] | 2007-10-17 14:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1625 | LEBANON: SINIORA TO USDP EDELMAN: ARMY IS KEY TO [...] (C) In an October 16 meeting with visiting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Eric S. Edelman and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Mark T. Kimmitt, PM Siniora stressed the need to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the best way to empower the Lebanese state and [...] | 2007-10-18 07:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS IR IZ LE |
07BEIRUT1626 | LEBANON: SLEIMAN DISAPPOINTS IN MEETING WITH USDP [...] (C) In an October 16 meeting with visiting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Eric S. Edelman and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense (DASD) Mark T. Kimmitt, a defensive Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Sleiman bristled at USG offers to participate in after action reviews wit [...] | 2007-10-18 07:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1633 | LEBANON: ON BORDER PROJECT, GERMANS LOOKING AHEAD [...] (C) A businessman whose firm is the logistical consultant for the German Northern Border Pilot Project (NBPP) told Poloff in an October 17 meeting that the NBPP continued to face serious delays and would not be fully operational by mid-February, rather than the target December 1 final deadline [...] | 2007-10-18 14:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PG PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1639 | LEBANON: MARONITE BISHOP ON PATRIARCHS' SEPARATE [...] (C) A hopeful yet concerned Boulos Matar -- the Maronite Bishop of Beirut -- reported on Patriarch Sfeir's efforts to prevent a presidential vacuum. Matar said the Patriarch is working with General Michel Aoun to move him from "king to kingmaker," and communicating with Hizballah to deliver th [...] | 2007-10-19 14:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1640 | LEBANON: IS AOUN'S ATTITUDE CHANGING? [...] (SBU) Some members of General Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement suggested to embassy contacts that Aoun is accepting that he cannot be elected president and is willing to support a consensus candidate elected by a two-thirds quorum. These members also report he opposes oppose a two-governm [...] | 2007-10-21 08:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1641 | LEBANON: LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN POSTURES AS [...] (S) Over an extended one-on-one dinner with the Ambassador on 10/18, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman (whose dinner invitation, we believe, stemmed from recognition of the abysmal impression he made on Under Secretary of Defense Edelman two days earlier, reftel) SIPDIS [...] | 2007-10-22 04:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PARM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1642 | LEBANON: INCREASINGLY HOSTILE RHETORIC WORRIES [...] (S) Some Lebanese contacts -- including relatively neutral figures like LAF Commander Michel Sleiman -- have connected a number of recent statements by Syrian and pro-Syrian figures to arrive at alarming conclusions. Believing that Lebanon is entering a particularly dangerous period, they wo [...] | 2007-10-22 04:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1644 | LEBANON: SWISS ENVOY SEES INITIATIVE STALLED DUE [...] (C) During an October 19 meeting with the Ambassador, Swiss Special Envoy to Lebanon Didier Pfirter said it was "unlikely" that a November meeting to further the Swiss initiative to resolve Lebanon's political crisis would take place. The main reason for the lack of optimism was the uncertain [...] | 2007-10-22 05:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1647 | LEBANON: SCENARIOS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-22 12:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1648 | LEBANON: OPPOSING THE "STATUS QUO" DELAY OF [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-22 13:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1650 | LEBANON: SCENARIOS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] (C) With one month remaining before the end of President Lahoud's mandate on November 23, the opposing parties are no closer to reaching consensus on his successor or on the correct procedure for choosing one. Speaker Berri has again postponed the parliamentary voting session, this time until [...] | 2007-10-22 14:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1652 | LEBANON: OPPOSING THE "STATUS QUO" DELAY OF [...] (C) Reftel discusses possible scenarios for Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections. But increasing evidence suggests that -- if the pro-Syrians can't impose their own candidate through pressure for "consensus" -- the "second government" option is no longer the pro-Syrians' weapon of choic [...] | 2007-10-22 14:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1656 | LEBANON: GEAGEA SUSPECTS A EUROPEAN PUSH FOR [...] (C) Following the French, Spanish, and Italian Foreign Ministers' visit to Lebanon, head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea believes the three FMs, possibly along with the Canadians, Australians, and Germans, are quietly pushing for General Michel Sleiman to be the next president, and he is c [...] | 2007-10-23 07:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1659 | LEBANON: A QUICK GUIDE TO THE PRESIDENTIAL [...] (SBU) The list of candidates to be Lebanon's president, by tradition a Maronite Christian, is growing longer as the end of current President Emile Lahoud's term on November 23 grows nearer. With its October 23 session now cancelled, parliament is scheduled to convene on November 12 in a second [...] | 2007-10-23 14:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT166 | LEBANON: RIAD SALAMEH: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OR [...] (C) Ministers Haddad and Azour shared with Ambassador some insight into the Central Bank (CBL) and its governor Riad Salameh, but stopped short of accusing him outright of malfeasance. However, they referred to the GOL/banking relationship as a "mess" and indicated that there are people who [...] | 2007-01-31 16:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1660 | LEBANON: MINDEF MURR OUTLINES STRATEGIC VISION FOR [...] (C) In an October 16 meeting with visiting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Edelman and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense (DASD) Kimmitt, a confident MinDef Murr SIPDIS outlined his views on Nahr al-Barid, border security operations, and his strategic vision for transformati [...] | 2007-10-23 14:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1661 | LEBANON: HARIRI RETURNS TO LEBANON, PURPORTS TO [...] (C) An alarmist Saad Hariri accused the U.S. of not doing enough to prevent Syrian interference in Lebanon, claiming the Europeans and Saudis are willing to follow a more aggressive U.S. lead. Now is the time to exert the utmost pressure to get Emile Lahoud out, Hariri argued, and March 14 ne [...] | 2007-10-23 15:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1664 | LEBANON: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: VIEWS ON KEY [...] (SBU) What are the views of the candidates for president on issues such as Hizballah, Syria, UN resolutions, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and revising Lebanon's election law? To answer that, embassy prepared the following summary of key candidates' views based on a review of source materia [...] | 2007-10-24 13:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1665 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 PLEASED WITH EUROPEAN VISIT, [...] (C) Telecom Minister Marwan Hamadeh described the October 20 Lebanese political leaders' meeting with visiting French, Italian and Spanish foreign ministers as positive, especially on UNIFIL, and denied reports the Europeans are pushing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as a [...] | 2007-10-24 13:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1670 | LEBANON: NEW CAMOUFLAGE FOR SLEIMAN [...] (C) Amal (and by extension, Syria) continues to appear to be seeking a presidential nomination for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman. Amal claims not to be pushing its own candidate, insisting the ball is now in the hands of the Christian leaders and the Patriarch. Once th [...] | 2007-10-26 08:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1677 | LEBANON: UPDATED DEMOCRATIC REFORM STATEGY [...] (C) Lebanon's democratic traditions go back at least to its initial elections, first held during the Ottoman rule Empire in 1854. The landmarks in Lebanon's democratic history are the 1924 Constitution, the National Pact of 1940, and the 1989 Ta,if Accord. Throughout Lebanon,s history democr [...] | 2007-10-26 13:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1678 | LEBANON: AOUN, CLAIMING THE ABILITY TO BOSS [...] (C) If Michel Aoun is thinking of realistic fall-back options to his presidential options as some of his advisors insist, he draws a line at discussing them. Yet his unusually passionless presentation differed from his sharp words, making us wonder -- especially when he threatened (or, some [...] | 2007-10-26 14:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1679 | LEBANON: EU, UN DIPLOMATS AGREE SLEIMAN IS [...] (C/NF) Over a 10/25 dinner hosted by the British Ambassador in honor of visiting UK Middle East envoy Michael Williams, the French Charge, UN Special Coordinator, UK Ambassador, Williams, and Ambassador Feltman all agreed: LAF Commander Michael Sleiman is the top choice of Syria and Hizball [...] | 2007-10-26 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1680 | LEBANON: EUROPEANS SEE PROGRESS ON PRESIDENCY [...] (C) The Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, reporting on the October 19-20 visit of the French, Italian, and Spanish foreign ministers to Lebanon, noted progress in Speaker Berri's efforts to reach a consensus candidate and more conciliatory tones on the part of both Berri and PM Siniora. Despite r [...] | 2007-10-26 15:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1699 | LEBANON: SINIORA ADVOCATES PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE [...] (C) In a 10/29 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora recommended simultaneous pursuit of two options regarding presidential elections. First, he urged continued push for an absolute majority ("half plus one") election, despite the fact that March 14 might not be able to p [...] | 2007-10-30 13:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1703 | LEBANON: TELECOM PRIVATIZATON LABOR WOES MAY [...] (C) Two well-placed telecom officials say the progress of the sale of the two initial mobile licenses is going well. Both view privatization of the fixed line company, Ogero, with dissatisfaction, due in large part to their negative feelings regarding the Ministry of Telecommunications's Direc [...] | 2007-10-31 13:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1712 | ON LEBANON'S PRESIDENCY, NAJIB MIKATI SAYS SAUDIS [...] (S) In a 10/31 meeting with the Ambassador, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati (once and perhaps still close to the Syrian regime) mused that Damascus has two preferred options for Lebanon's presidential elections: first, extending the status quo (with Emile Lahoud remaining in Baabda Palace [...] | 2007-11-01 13:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1713 | LEBANON: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SAYS USD FOUR [...] (C) Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh is preparing for possible financial chaos, if the political situation deteriorates. He is prepared to run a "legitimate" bank from anywhere, and can support the Lebanese pound for the short term. In the event of political instability, he believes it is [...] | 2007-11-01 13:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1714 | LEBANON: HARIRI BLOC WOULD ACCEPT PATRIARCH'S [...] (C) Parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri's cousin and Chief of Staff Nader recently delivered assurances on behalf of Saad to the Patriarch that his bloc would vote for any candidate selected by the Patriarch in order to avoid a presidential vacuum. Nader was skeptical, however, whether [...] | 2007-11-01 14:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1717 | LEBANON: A SHIA CRITIC OF TELECOM PRIVATIZATION [...] (C) Yassin Jabir, a Shia MP close to Speaker Berri, raised concerns about privatization of Lebanon's mobile telecom businesses, saying he is not opposed to privatization, only the GOL methodology. He advocates for a slower process, with more government control, to promote three objectives: le [...] | 2007-11-02 09:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ENIV PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1723 | LEBANON: ARMY COMMANDER, HIS PRESIDENTIAL [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 10/30, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman said that the LAF would try to "freeze" the situation on the ground, taking action against whichever side of Lebanon's cavernous political divide -- March 8-Aoun or March 14 -- woul [...] | 2007-11-05 04:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1724 | LEBANON: SAUDI AMBASSADOR OPPOSED TO "HALF PLUS [...] (C) Describing Hizballah as "evil," Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja said that Syria and Hizballah want to postpone presidential elections indefinitely. But a March 14-provoked absolute majority ("half plus one") election would also be destructive for Lebanon, he argued, and Saudi Arabia op [...] | 2007-11-05 04:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1725 | LEBANON WILL NOT ATTEND ARAB LEAGUE CENTRAL [...] (C) No one from the Lebanese Government will attend the upcoming meeting of the Arab League boycott in Damascus, Minister of Economy and Trade Sami Haddad told Ambassador and Econoff on November 1, 2007. During the meeting, he called the GOL's Israeli Boycott Office in his Ministry to verify [...] | 2007-11-05 04:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | AL ECON ETRD IS KBCT LE PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1728 | LEBANON: PREVIEWING U.S. RESPONSE TO AN ILLEGAL [...] (C) Summary: Representatives from the opposition, predictably, protested what they view as U.S. interference in internal Lebanese affairs in response to Ref A demarche regarding economic and travel ramifications for those who participate in an unconstitutional government in Lebanon. Many view [...] | 2007-11-05 08:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1729 | LEBANON: MESSAGE TO USG: BERRI WANTS A PRESIDENT [...] (C) Resigned Minister of Health Mohammed Khalifeh, close to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, delivered a surprising message to the Ambassador in a November 2 meeting: Berri really wants a president to be elected by the midnight November 23 deadline. This goes against speculation that Berri, b [...] | 2007-11-05 08:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1734 | LEBANON: ADMIN ISSUES PLAGUE UNIIIC STAFF [...] (C) Senior officials of UNIIIC report that the 40-plus staff of investigators are unhappy with the uncertainty they face regarding employment with the Special Tribunal, which has yet to open, and that this dissatisfaction is affecting productivity and willingness to staying on to work for the [...] | 2007-11-06 12:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1736 | LEBANON: BERRI URGES U.S. TO WORK ON AOUN [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri lamented the absence of parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri from Lebanon, which he said prevented efforts to reach a consensus presidential candidate on time. If no consensus candidate is named before November 12, Berri said he would set a new date for [...] | 2007-11-06 15:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1737 | LEBANON: FRENCH CHARGE ADVOCATES TOUGH MESSAGE TO [...] (C) French Charge Andre Parant reported that French officials delivered tough messages to their Syrian counterparts during their November 3-4 meetings in Istanbul, warning that France would hold Syria responsible if Lebanon is unable to elect a president by November 24. Locally, a stronger Ch [...] | 2007-11-06 15:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1747 | LEBANON: FRENCH CHARGE SAYS FRANCE WILL PUSH [...] (C) French Charge Andre Parant believes it may be possible to convince the Patriarch to provide a short-list of presidential candidates, although he agrees that letting him decide on the names could result in less than ideal candidates. France is determined to find a solution before the midni [...] | 2007-11-07 14:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1749 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI UNHAPPY WITH THE FRENCH AND [...] (S) Saad Hariri -- billionaire, Parliamentary majority leader, and prime minister-in-waiting -- is annoyed. In a 11/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Hariri claimed to have been betrayed by the French. Whereas he had carefully worked out an option for selecting presidential candidates that wou [...] | 2007-11-08 07:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1750 | LEBANON: UNIIIC COMMISSIONER: STILL MUM ON NEXT [...] (S) UNIIIC Commissioner Brammertz's next report to the UN Security Council is unlikely to provide any anxiously-awaited conclusions. However, recent results from forensic studies, combined with a promising new line of investigation involving telecommunications, could help make the connection b [...] | 2007-11-08 11:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1752 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR OPPOSED TO GIVING NAMES [...] (C) Maronite Patriarch Sfeir told the Ambassador on 11/08 that he is opposed to the French request that he provide a list of five acceptable presidential candidates for Saad Hariri and Nabih Berri to consider. First, he explained, he would offend all other Maronites if he would pick only fi [...] | 2007-11-08 14:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT176 | RIZK CLAIMS FRENCH, HARIRI BACKING FOR PRESIDENCY [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-02 07:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | FR KDEM KINL LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1760 | LEBANON: GEAGEA WARNS OF DANGEROUS GAMES, AND IS [...] (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea does not support France's efforts to convince the Patriarch to provide names of presidential candidates, fearing that, without an adequate safety net, this would lead to a weak president susceptible to Syrian and Hizballah influence. Citing Nassib Lahoud [...] | 2007-11-09 14:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1762 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA DOWNPLAYS SECURITY CONCERNS, [...] (C) PM Siniora confirmed that, in the event parliament fails to elect a president and his cabinet temporarily takes on presidential powers, he would move immediately to appoint new Shia ministers to replace the six opposition members who submitted their resignations one year ago. He claimed to [...] | 2007-11-09 14:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1764 | LEBANON: AOUN CLAIMS TO DROP OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) With the petulance of a sullen teenager who didn't get his way and whose unique genius is underappreciated, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun says he is bowing out of the presidential race, although he has yet (as of 11/9) to make an official announcement. He reportedly told his M [...] | 2007-11-10 10:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1769 | LEBANON: FM MITRI BELIEVES PATRIARCH COMMITTED TO [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri reported that the Patriarch is committed to carrying out the French initiative and elucidated on how it would work. Mitri said the Patriarch intends to solicit names from four Maronite leaders (two March 14 and two from March 8-Aoun) and will then come [...] | 2007-11-13 14:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1777 | LEBANON: AOUN DOWN ON THE FRENCH INITIATIVE [...] (C) General Michel Aoun remains as gloomy and dejected as he was during the last meeting with the Ambassador (reftel). While the French initiative seems to have picked up momentum elsewhere in Beirut in the last few days, Aoun shot down hope for the initiative, saying that he would not particip [...] | 2007-11-14 13:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1778 | LEBANON: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ADVANCING THE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-14 16:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1781 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 ANXIOUS, CONFUSED AFTER STRATEGY [...] (C) An anxious Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad on November 13 described a divided March 14 coalition strategy meeting the night before. While Christian leaders urged a half-plus-one presidential election (should no presidential solution be found before the expiration of Emile Lahoud [...] | 2007-11-15 08:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM UNSC LE FR SY |
07BEIRUT1786 | LEBANON: BERRI STILL OPTIMISTIC ON PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Berri, suggesting he had not yet seen the Patriarch's list of presidential candidates, nevertheless was optimistic that he and majority leader Saad Hariri would be able to reach a consensus. If, however, they are not able to agree on a candidate, Berri rejected the fall [...] | 2007-11-15 16:25:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1787 | LEBANON: FORMER PM SAYS IT'S A CRIME NOT TO ELECT [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, claiming, like many others, to have insider information on the Patriarch's list of presidential candidates, lamented the fact that the best candidate, Nassib Lahoud, would not be elected. He believed President Emile Lahoud would defy Hizballah's demand [...] | 2007-11-15 16:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1788 | LEBANON: PM SAYS FRENCH INITIATIVE KEY TO SUCCESS [...] (C) During a November 14 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora expressed his thoughts on how March 14 could out-maneuver the opposition and ultimately choose a strong consensus candidate by supporting the French initiative. Siniora said that Patriarch Sfeir,s list is the key to [...] | 2007-11-15 16:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PGOV PREL FR LE SY |
07BEIRUT1792 | LEBANON: AOUN REPRISING SPOILER ROLE, FRENCH [...] (S) If successful, the French initiative to solve Lebanon's presidential crisis will lead to a compromise president not wholly satisfactory to either the March 8 or March 14 political blocs. While far from ideal, that is probably the best solution possible, given domestic, regional, and int [...] | 2007-11-16 13:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1793 | LEBANON: SAUDI AMBASSADOR, JUMBLATT, HARIRI [...] (S) In back-to-back meetings on 11/16 with the Ambassador, Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja, Druse leader Walid Jumblatt, and Ghattas Hariri (advisor to Saad Hariri and passing a message from Hariri) all noted that they are expecting violence to begin on Tuesday, November 20. Jumblatt claime [...] | 2007-11-16 13:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL ASEC PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1797 | LEBANON: FATF IRAN STATEMENT DEMARCHE -- NO SUBSTANTIVE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-16 14:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM PREL MNUC ECON PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1799 | LEBANON: AOUN PLAYING FOR HIGH STAKES [...] (C) Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun continues to believe that he and only he deserves the presidency, and will not participate in any efforts, including the French initiative, to find a consensus, according to his advisor and son-in-law, Gebran Bassil. Bassil envisioned two scenario [...] | 2007-11-16 15:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1800 | PRESIDENT'S LAWYER INSISTS LAHOUD WILL LEAVE [...] Summary: (S) President Emile Lahoud's legal advisor Selim Jerissaiti insisted that Lahoud plans to leave the presidential palace at the end of his mandate on November 24 and will do so without taking what Jerrissaiti admitted would be the unconstitutional step of appointing a second governmen [...] | 2007-11-19 08:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | IS LE PARM PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1807 | LEBANON: GOL ATTENDING ANNAPOLIS; WILL DECIDE ON [...] (S) On November 19, the Ambassador, accompanied by DCM and PolOff, alerted Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri to the imminent issuance of Annapolis invitations. Mitri responded that Lebanon will be sending a delegation, but that the current political situation in Lebanon makes the GOL unable [...] | 2007-11-19 15:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | AMGT CVIS IS KPAL KWBG PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT1808 | LEBANON: GOL TO SUPPORT U.S. RESOLUTION ON [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-19 15:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC KWMN PGOV PREL SOCI UNGA LE |
07BEIRUT181 | LEBANON: PARIS III RESULTS PHENOMENAL, BUT LOTS [...] (C) Ministers Jihad Azour and Sami Haddad, clearly excited by the successful outcome of the Paris III Donor's Conference, want to make sure that the money pledged will be tied to reforms and spent with discipline. Chatting about the event, they are ready to tackle banking reform and to take [...] | 2007-02-02 16:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT1810 | LEBANON: SHIA POLITICIAN ON ELECTION, MARCH 14 [...] (C) Mohamed Beydoun, a Shia and former Amal MP, was pessimistic about the likelhood of the presidential election actually taking place by the midnight November 23 deadline. Beydoun said Syria is betting on an impasse following the failure of majority leader Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker N [...] | 2007-11-19 16:31:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1818 | LEBANON: AOUN PREDICTS VIOLENCE IF NO PRESIDENT IS [...] (C) Despite persistent rumors that he has made a deal over an abbreviated presidential term for Michel Edde, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun continues to reject any candidate on the Patriarch's list of seven other than himself. His only fall-back is an interim cabinet (which we pre [...] | 2007-11-20 14:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1819 | LEBANON: MICHEL EDDE ON HIS POSSIBLE ELECTION FOR [...] (C ) Former Maronite League president Michel Edde claimed to DCM and poloff over dinner on November 19 that in a meeting earlier in the day, Michel Aoun had given approval for an Edde "transitional" presidency, on a vague understanding that Edde will not serve a full six year term but resign a [...] | 2007-11-20 16:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER FR SY LE |
07BEIRUT1820 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENCY: GHANEM, EDDE, SALAMEH STILL [...] (S) Despite French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Special Envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran shuttling among the major political players, the French initiative to solve Lebanon's presidential election crisis is faltering. Only three names from the Patriarch's original list of seven potential [...] | 2007-11-20 16:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1824 | LEBANON: SHIA LAWYER ON ELECTION; SHIA ECONOMIC [...] (C) Prominent Shia lawyer Mohamed Matar believes Lebanon's real problem is not election of a president, but rather formation of a viable, effective government. Matar does not think the majority and opposition will resolve the deadlock by the November 23 deadline, a situation Syria would welco [...] | 2007-11-21 15:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1825 | BEIRUT EAC MEETING NOVEMBER 21, 2007 [...] (S) DCM chaired a meeting of the Beirut Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on November 21, 2007. Present at the meeting were POL, DAO, ODC, CONS, INL, MGMT, LEGATT, PD, USAID, GRPO and RSO. 2. (S) Pol/Economic Chief commented that the French initiative to settle the presidential selection i [...] | 2007-11-21 15:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC |
07BEIRUT1826 | LEBANON: ANNAPOLIS INVITATION DELIVERED; [...] (S) The DCM and PolOff presented reftel A invitation and talking points to Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri on November 21. Since we first raised the issue with Mitri on November 19 (reftel B),Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had sought the agreement of resigned yet in-office Foreign Minister [...] | 2007-11-21 16:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | AMGT PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL IS LE |
07BEIRUT1827 | LEBANON: ANNAPOLIS INVITATION DELIVERED TO ARAB [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-21 16:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL AMGT KWBG KPAL IS LE |
07BEIRUT1828 | LEBANON: RECONSTRUCTION LAGS IN THE SOUTH [...] (SBU) Alaa Abu Hommeen of the Lebanon Transparency Association (LTA) said in a November 13 meeting with PolOff that while reconstruction efforts in the south are visible, they are continuing to move at a slow rate due to corruption and a lack of transparency. Hommeen said that the primary obs [...] | 2007-11-21 16:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PGOV PREL UNDP LE |
07BEIRUT1829 | LEBANON: GOL UPDATE ON NAHR AL-BARID RECONSTRUCTION [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Khalil Makkawi, head of the GOL's Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Commission, expressed concern about the pace of reconstruction efforts in the Nahr al-Barid (NAB) Palestinian refugee camp. With the arrival of winter weather, many families are suffering in their less than [...] | 2007-11-21 16:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAL IS LE |
07BEIRUT1830 | LEBANON: ARAB LEAGUE SYG PREDICTS EDDE PRESIDENCY [...] (C) Visiting Arab League SYG Amr Moussa does not support the theory that chaos will result if no president is elected by the midnight November 23 expiration of President Lahoud's mandate. He believes either Michel Edde will be selected as the consensus candidate, or discussions will continue, [...] | 2007-11-21 16:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1831 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENCY: MICHEL EDDE'S VICTORY [...] (S) As of 11/21, Syria's allies continue to push hard for Michel Edde to be Lebanon's next president. Hizballah's Wafiq Safa predicted confidently to UN envoy Geir Pedersen that Saad Hariri, the strongest hold out against Edde, would eventually succumb to the pressure. Suleiman Franjieh tol [...] | 2007-11-21 17:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV KDEM PTER PREL LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1832 | LEBANON: HARIRI HOLDING FIRM, KEEPING "PLAN B" IN [...] (C) Majority leader Saad Hariri remains firm in his opposition to Michel Edde as president. Acknowledging that March 14 risked being blamed for blocking consensus, Hariri refuses to let the minority (with Syrian support) dictate Lebanon's next president to the majority. Having already conced [...] | 2007-11-23 04:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1833 | LEBANON: GOL UNLIKELY TO OPPOSE ANTI-ISRAEL UNGA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-23 12:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL UNGA IS LE |
07BEIRUT1834 | LEBANON: ANNAPOLIS DELEGATION CONFIRMED [...] (C) MFA protocol chief Georges Siam told DCM on November 23 that Lebanon's Annapolis delegation will be the Charge D'Affaires to the U.S., Antoine Chedid, and Charge d'Affairs to the UN, Nawaf Salam. This proposal, initially made by Acting FM Tareq Mitri, was recently confirmed by resigned yet [...] | 2007-11-23 12:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CVIS AMGT IS KPAL KWBG LE |
07BEIRUT184 | LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI SURPRISINGLY FOCUSES ON [...] (C) In a 2/2 meeting, Speaker Berri told the Ambassador that despite recent unproductive discussions between Saudi Arabia and Iran regarding Lebanon, he believes options now exist to escape from the current impasse. Specifically, he listed three ways to establish the "critical" Special Trib [...] | 2007-02-02 17:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1845 | LEBANON: SESSION TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT ADJOURNED TO [...] (SBU) On November 23, the Lebanese Parliament failed to elect a new president, even with the looming expiration of President Lahoud's extended mandate, which expires on midnight of November 23. Some 109 parliamentarians of 127 showed up in Parliament, but only 66 parliamentarians were present [...] | 2007-11-23 13:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT1849 | LEBANON: EMILE LAHOUD STILL INTENDING TO STEP [...] (C) Selim Jeressaiti, Emile Lahoud's legal advisor, told the Ambassador mid-morning today (11/23) that Lahoud will end his extended term as Lebanon's president as scheduled at midnight tonight. Jeressaiti said that Lahoud, despite tremendous pressure from Hizballah and Syria, will not appoi [...] | 2007-11-23 14:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1850 | LEBANON: BERRI ACCUSES HARIRI OF BLOCKING [...] (C) Speaker Berri continues his assertions that he is doing his best to reach a consensus president. All of Lebanon favored Michel Edde, he claimed, with the exception of majority leader Saad Hariri, who was blocking consensus. If no agreement is reached, Berri would postpone the November 23 [...] | 2007-11-23 14:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1852 | LEBANON: LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN WANTS NEW [...] (C) In a 11/24 one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman said all the right things: he and the army would respect and recognize the Siniora cabinet until Lebanon's next president is chosen, the army would strive to maintain security and stability, [...] | 2007-11-24 15:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1854 | LEBANON: HARIRI UNVEILS "PLAN B": SLEIMAN FOR [...] (S) Majority leader Saad Hariri, disgusted with the failed French initiative, resigned to the fact that March 14 is unable to elect one of its own candidates, and convinced the Syrians' real objective was a political void, now concludes that Syria has won. He does not believe PM Siniora's gov [...] | 2007-11-24 18:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1855 | LEBANON: HIZBALLAH'S STRONG CRITICISM OF ANNAPOLIS [...] (C) During a round of meetings the Ambassador had on November 23 and 24 focused on the presidency crisis, a number of Lebanese interlocutors expressed surprise about Hizballah's November 23 statement which carried particularly pointed criticism of the Annapolis Conference and Lebanese partici [...] | 2007-11-24 18:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PARM PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1856 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 CHRISTIANS CONTEMPLATING HALF [...] (C) March 14 Christians, following what the view as the failure of the French initiative and worried that the Siniora government will come under mounting attack if a president is not elected soon, are engaging the Maronite church in an attempt to revive support for a half plus one vote. Convin [...] | 2007-11-26 04:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1857 | LEBANON: MARADA FAVORS EDDE OR SLEIMAN [...] (C) Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh supports Michel Edde as president, but stresses the need to get Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on board and to find a candidate who can safeguard Hizballah's interests. He suggests that, if a consensus is not reached, Lebanese Armed Forces Comma [...] | 2007-11-26 04:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1860 | LEBANON: OPTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY [...] (S) Summary: March 14's Muslim leaders, convinced that international support (i.e., pressure on Syria) is not sufficient to guarantee the election and survival of a March 14 president, are now bent on pursuing an option that, until a few weeks ago, was an anathema to them: LAF Commander Mi [...] | 2007-11-26 13:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1863 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA NOT WILD ABOUT SLEIMAN, BUT [...] (C) PM Siniora blasted the French for mismanaging its failed initiative to find a consensus president and humiliating the Patriarch in the process, during a November 26 meeting with the Ambassador. An otherwise relaxed Siniora bristled at each mention of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel [...] | 2007-11-26 16:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1864 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER SUPPORTS ARMY COMMANDER [...] (C) Deputy PM and Defense Minister Elias Murr reported on November 24 that the army's deployment in downtown Beirut was proceeding smoothly, and he expected the situation to remain calm for the next few days (which it did). He fully supports Saad Hariri's "Plan B" to elect Lebanese Armed Force [...] | 2007-11-26 16:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1865 | LEBANON: GEAGEA AGAINST LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN FOR [...] (C) March 14 leaders are back at the drawing board brainstorming how to break the political impasse over the presidency. In an 11/25 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea rejected Saad Hariri's plan to elect Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman (reft [...] | 2007-11-26 16:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY FR PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1875 | LEBANON: TELECOM MINISTER OPPOSES CONSTITUTIONAL [...] (C) Telecom Minister Marwan Hamadeh fears electing Lebanese Armed Force Commander Michel Sleiman president would repeat mistakes of the past, mistakes that led to the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri. Hamadeh proposed instead that March 14 build on the positive momentum generated by Pr [...] | 2007-11-27 13:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1876 | LEBANON: AMINE GEMAYEL OPEN TO ARMY COMMANDER [...] (C) In a November 27 meeting with the Ambassador, March 14 member and former president Amine Gemayel did not altogether rule out the possibility of electing a strong March 14 president by a half plus one majority, but gave the impression he is gradually (if sullenly) accepting the candidacy o [...] | 2007-11-27 15:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1877 | LEBANON: WHY IS MARCH 14 READY TO CRY 'UNCLE' ON [...] (S) After we have been preaching unity to our March 14 and GOL contacts over the past few days, the message is taking hold: there is a March 14 leadership meeting tonight, and we detect a convergence of views among the major March 14 players. Yet, perversely, the unity points in the directi [...] | 2007-11-27 15:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1879 | LEBANON: BERRI PUTS BALL IN MARCH 14'S COURT [...] (C) Speaker Berri, still blaming others for failed efforts to reach a consensus president, now insists it is up to March 14 to make the next move, according to an advisor. Refusing to convene parliament absent a consensus, the Speaker continues to reject the possibility of a half plus one or [...] | 2007-11-27 16:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1884 | LEBANON: EVALUATING MICHEL SLEIMAN [...] (S) Reftel notes the reasons why March 14 leaders, after having courageously stood up against compromise with Hizballah and Syria for more than a year and despite three assassinations, are now moving forward with a plan to elect Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman as Lebanon's nex [...] | 2007-11-28 08:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1890 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI: WEIGHING PROS AND CONS OF [...] (C) Majority leader Saad Hariri, for lack of a better solution, is still intent on electing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president just two days from now. He claims to have received assurances from Sleiman on issues of key importance to the U.S. and believes he will [...] | 2007-11-28 16:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1894 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA WAITING FOR GREEN LIGHT TO [...] (C) PM Siniora, downplaying threats of violence, is ready to take the first steps toward amending the constitution to allow Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman to be elected president, once all of the March 14 leaders are on board. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, calling [...] | 2007-11-29 16:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1897 | LEBANON: GEAGEA PUTTING THE BRAKES ON SLEIMAN [...] (C) Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea, critical of majority leader Saad Hariri's attempts to force the presidency of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman on his March 14 allies, is not "adamantly against" the idea. However, he conditions his support on an LF say in the [...] | 2007-11-30 07:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1898 | LEBANON: MARONITE LEAGUE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SLEIMAN [...] (C) The president of the Maronite League, Joseph Torbey, and fellow prominent Maronite leaders enthusiastically expressed their support for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president. Citing the problems the next president will face as "Lebanese problems, not Maronite p [...] | 2007-11-30 11:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY LE |
07BEIRUT1899 | LEBANON: TRYING TO MAKE A SLEIMAN PRESIDENCY WORK [...] (S) Despite the backing of Saad Hariri, Fouad Siniora, Walid Jumblatt, and -- less enthusiastically -- Samir Geagea, Michel Sleiman does not yet have his six-year lease on the Baabda Presidential Palace locked in. Just as Hariri et al. had hoped, March 14's backing of Sleiman caught Hizballa [...] | 2007-11-30 12:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1904 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR ANNOYED AT AOUN, PREFERS [...] (C) In a 11/29 meeting with the Ambassador, a glum Maronite Patriarch Sfeir groused about Michel Aoun and complained that the French, in forcing him to give a list of presidential candidates, had promised him that one of those named on the list would be elected by the parliament. Why, Sfeir [...] | 2007-11-30 16:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1908 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 LEADER DECRIES PARTY'S [...] (C) National Bloc leader Carlos Edde expressed strong opposition and concerns regarding his March 14 allies' decision to back Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman for president. Edde's "gut feeling" was that Sleiman was Syria's choice for president, and that, by electing him, [...] | 2007-12-03 15:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1916 | LEBANON: INCREASING THE HEAT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL [...] (S) The pro-Syrian March 8-Aoun forces have much to gain, and March 14 forces much to lose, from the ongoing delay in filling Lebanon's presidential vacuum. Tactically, March 14 has more bargaining power on selecting the prime minister and cabinet if the normal constitutional processes are [...] | 2007-12-04 14:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1917 | POLITICAL CONSENSUS KEY TO OVERCOMING LEGAL [...] (SBU) With momentum for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman's presidential candidacy growing, attention is focused on the procedures for amending the constitution to allow a sitting high-level government official to run. March 14 announced on December 2 that Sleiman was its c [...] | 2007-12-04 15:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1919 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER REVEALS "PLAN C" IF [...] (C) Deputy PM and Defense Minister Elias Murr believes the opposition's efforts to reach a "package" deal on Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman's presidency will delay the election until next week. Murr agrees that such a package weakened the role of the president and, by imp [...] | 2007-12-05 10:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT192 | LEBANON: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR AGGRESSIVELY [...] (C) The Ambassador and Econoff met with Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Riad Salameh on February 1. Salameh was quick to emphasize his essential role in planning Paris III and in taking action to decrease the national debt now that Paris III is over. He expressed dismay at the smaller-than-e [...] | 2007-02-05 16:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1925 | LEBANON: ACTING FM MITRI CREDITS SECRETARY RICE [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri, who represented Lebanon in Annapolis, expressed satisfaction with the conference and hope for future steps, attributing his hope to the sincere dedication he sees in Secretary Rice. He explained to the Ambassador on December 6 that his own speech at t [...] | 2007-12-07 11:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IS PHUM FR SY PREF KPAL KDEM LE |
07BEIRUT1928 | LEBANON: MICHEL SLEIMAN ANNOYED AT AOUN [...] (C) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 12/6, LAF Commander Michel Sleiman expressed considerable annoyance with MP Michel Aoun, seeing Aoun as the primary obstacle preventing his election as Lebanon's next president. In a "who-does-he-think-he-is" sense of exasperation, Sleiman [...] | 2007-12-07 17:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT193 | LEBANON: MINISTER DECRIES OPPOSITION COUP [...] (S) According to Minister Nayla Mouawad, March 14 leaders feared an opposition coup d'etat, possibly with military connivance, during the week of the January 25 Paris III donor conference. Opposition leaders' statements and actions during the January 23 demonstrations appeared to bear out the [...] | 2007-02-05 16:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1931 | LEBANON: BERRI DEMANDING CONSENSUS ON HOW TO [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri insists on amending the constitution to elect Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president via methods that bypass the Siniora government. Blaming, as usual, everyone but himself for the ongoing impasse, Berri cites Free Patriotic Movemen [...] | 2007-12-10 05:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1936 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI: OPPOSITION DOESN'T WANT [...] (C) Majority leader Saad Hariri believes that the opposition's continuing efforts to block the election of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman reflect Syria's desire to maintain a presidential vacuum. Still disillusioned with the French and expressing frustration with US poli [...] | 2007-12-11 08:22:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1942 | LEBANON: HARIRI DETERMINED TO BE PM [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting at the end of a larger session (reftel),MP Saad Hariri told the Ambassador that he was determined to be Prime Minister in the cabinet to be formed after presidential elections. He said that, while in Saudi Arabia a few days earlier, he had a "heart-to-heart" tal [...] | 2007-12-11 14:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY SA JO |
07BEIRUT1943 | LEBANON: DELEGATION FOR PARIS DONORS CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-11 15:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IS KPAL AMGT KWBG LE |
07BEIRUT1944 | LEBANON: NGO HEAD SAYS HIZBALLAH FAVORS SHIA IN [...] (SBU) Dr. Abbas Yaghi, a Shia local community leader from the north Bekaa region and Shia rival of Hizballah, described to Emboffs what he sees as Hizballah's favoritism towards the Shia in south Lebanon, to the detriment to those Shia living in the north Bekaa. Yaghi noted the vast difference [...] | 2007-12-11 15:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1945 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA BLAMES REGIONAL ISSUES FOR [...] (C) PM Siniora believes Syria's attempt to use Lebanon as a pawn in its efforts to secure regional recognition is the primary reason for the opposition's obstacles to electing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president. Urging strong international support for Lebanon, h [...] | 2007-12-11 15:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1950 | LEBANON: MILITARY TARGETTED IN LATEST [...] (C) A car bomb killed Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Operations Director General Francois al-Hajj at approximately 7 a.m. on December 12, the second anniversary of March 14 MP Gebran Tueni,s assassination. The explosion occurred near LAF headquarters and the General's home in Baabda. The motive [...] | 2007-12-12 15:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1958 | LEBANON: CHRISTIAN LEADERS DISCUSS BG HAJJ [...] (C) The Charge met separately on December 13 with three Christian leaders, former president and Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk, and head of National Liberal party Dory Chamoun, to discuss Brigadier General Francois al-Hajj's assassination (Ref A) and the [...] | 2007-12-14 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PARM SY PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1959 | LEBANON: ARMY COMMANDER ASKS A/S WELCH TO DELAY [...] (C) Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman told visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch December 16 that the investigation into the December 12 assassination of General Francois al-Hajj was focusing on Islamic extremists suspected of trying to undermine the army. Palestinian [...] | 2007-12-16 13:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1960 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH TELLS BERRI NO MORE DELAYS FOR [...] (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch told Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on December 15 the time had come for Lebanon to elect a president. Now that the difficult work of finding a consensus candidate had been done, there were no more excuses for holding the election. In a clear warning t [...] | 2007-12-16 18:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1968 | LEBANON: NEA A/S WELCH'S DECEMBER 15 MEETING WITH [...] (C) In a December 15 meeting with NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr alluded to his strong belief that Hizballah and Syria had the most reason to assassinate General Francois Hajj. Murr also said he had positive leads to identify Hajj's [...] | 2007-12-17 17:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | OVIP MASS MOPS PARM PGOV PREL SY LE |
07BEIRUT1969 | LEBANON: ELECTION POSTPONED FOR THE NINTH TIME [...] (C) Despite an apparent agreement between majority leader Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on how to circumvent the constitutional obstacle to Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman's election as president, Berri once again postponed the parliamentary vote on Decemb [...] | 2007-12-17 17:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE |
07BEIRUT197 | IS SAAD HARIRI SURRENDERING TO HIZBALLAH'S DEMANDS? [...] (S) In 2/6 meetings with the Ambassador, March 14 and GOL figures expressed deep foreboding about a rumored offer that Saudi Arabia and Saad Hariri were on the verge of accepting from Iran, Syria, and Hizballah to solve Lebanon's political crisis. According to rumors, March 14 -- by accepti [...] | 2007-02-06 15:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY SA IR |
07BEIRUT1971 | LEBANON: WITH A/S WELCH, GEAGEA PRESSES HALF PLUS [...] (C) Visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch delivered three messages to Lebanese Forces head and March 14 leader Samir Geagea on December 15: one, the time has come to elect a new president; two, those in charge should take responsibility for solving the impasse, and if they don't, the U [...] | 2007-12-17 18:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1973 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH'S MEETING WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) During his December 15 meeting with Prime Minister Siniora at the Grand Serail, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch pledged continued U.S. support for the March 14 majority and democracy in Lebanon. He assured the PM that the USG would make no deal with Syria or others at the expense of L [...] | 2007-12-17 18:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1974 | LEBANON: JUMBLATT TELL A/S WELCH MARCH 14 MORE [...] (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch assured Druse leader Walid Jumblatt and other senior Druse officials of unwavering U.S. support for March 14 during his December 15-16 visit to Lebanon. Stressing the need for March 14 to remain united, he said the U.S. would support whichever course th [...] | 2007-12-18 08:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1978 | LEBANON: NEA A/S WELCH AND DAPNSA ABRAMS URGE [...] (C) Former President and Phalange leader Amine Gemayel hosted a December 19 luncheon for visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Assistant to the President SIPDIS and Deputy National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) Elliott Abrams, attended by a strong showing of March 14 Christian [...] | 2007-12-20 14:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY LE |
07BEIRUT1979 | LEBANON: WELCH AND ABRAMS MEET LEBANESE ARMY [...] (C) In a December 19 meeting with visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Assistant to the President SIPDIS and Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams, a confident Lebanese Army Commander Michel Sleiman discussed the ongoing investigation of General Francois Al-Hajj's [...] | 2007-12-20 15:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1981 | LEBANON: WITH A/S WELCH, HARIRI STEADFAST; WANTS [...] (C) During December 15, 18, and 19 meetings with majority leader Saad Hariri, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and DAPNSA Elliott Abrams (at the 18th and 19th meetings) reiterated U.S. support for March 14's resistance to the opposition's attempts to force concessions from the majority bef [...] | 2007-12-21 14:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT1982 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH AND DAPNSA ABRAMS WITH PM [...] (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) Elliott Abrams updated PM Siniora on December 18 on the December 17 Paris meetings regarding the Palestinians and on Lebanon. A/S Welch informed Siniora about a potential Arab L [...] | 2007-12-21 14:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP PARM PGOV PREL PTER FR LE SY |
07BEIRUT1984 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA TELLS A/S WELCH "I CANNOT DO [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora was grateful to receive a debrief on NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch's return visit to Lebanon. Speaking during the evening of December 19, A/S Welch and DAPNSA Elliott Abrams reiterated U.S. support for March 14 and the democratic processes in Lebanon. They ad [...] | 2007-12-21 15:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1985 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH WARNS BERRI TO HOLD ELECTION [...] (C) In a December 19 meeting with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) for Global Democracy Strategy Elliot Abrams discussed the continuing impasse on the presidential election. 2. [...] | 2007-12-21 15:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP PARM PGOV PREL PTER FR LE SY |
07BEIRUT1986 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH AND FRENCH CHARGE EXCHANGE [...] (C) During a visit to Beirut following the December 17 Lebanon Ministerial in Paris, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) Elliot Abrams discussed Lebanon's continuing political crisis with French Charge d'Affaires Andre [...] | 2007-12-21 16:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1987 | LEBANON: FORMER AMAL PARTY INSIDER SAYS SYRIA [...] (C) Former Amal member Mohamed Obeid believes the pro-government March 14 bloc has thus far mishandled the presidential election crisis. He claims the matter is now hinging on secret talks between Druse leader Walid Jumblatt and Parliament Speaker Berri, who would have to get Hizballah appro [...] | 2007-12-21 16:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT199 | LEBANON: ARAB LEAGUE TO SEEK LEBANESE DIALOGUE, [...] (S) Hisham Youssef, Deputy to Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, is visiting Lebanon to test the SIPDIS waters before Moussa resumes his mediation of Lebanon's political crisis. Moussa, in his continuing engagement with Lebanon, hopes to build confidence with the Lebanese opposition [...] | 2007-02-06 15:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1994 | LEBANON: UNIIIC REQUESTS U.S. SATELLITE IMAGERY [...] (U) This is an action request. 2. (S) Post received letters from UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) Commissioner Serge Brammertz with requests for possible satellite imagery related to several assassinations and assassination attempts in Lebanon over the past sev [...] | 2007-12-27 09:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER UNSC SY LE |
07BEIRUT1997 | LEBANON: HIZBALLAH'S ECONOMIC AGENDA [...] (C) Embassy contacts argue that Hizballah has no economic program because its goals are predominantly military and political. The group has, however, over the past fifteen years been forced to respond to domestic policy issues; since it joined goverment two years ago it has been forced to co [...] | 2007-12-27 15:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR KISL ECON EFIN PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT2 | OPTIONS FOR THE TRIBUNAL [...] (S) As the Christmas-New Year and 'Eid al-Adha holidays come to an end, the Lebanese seem no closer to completing the approval process for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. None of the options available to the GOL guarantee success; most ideas are unrealistic. Within GOL circles, there is g [...] | 2007-01-03 07:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PTER PREL KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT200 | LEBANON: SINIORA RECOMMENDS DUAL TRACK: [...] (C) In a 2/5 meeting with the Ambassador, PM Siniora interpreted Nabih Berri's support for a cross-confessional "tribunal document study committee" (reftel) as a Syrian ploy to avoid the fait accompli of a Chapter VII decision. Siniora maintained that Berri is clearly carrying out Syrian ord [...] | 2007-02-06 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT2007 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 TURNS DOWN LATEST FRENCH EFFORT [...] (C) Parliament Majority Leader Saad Hariri's advisor Ghattas Khoury, explained to CDA and Poloff that the latest French proposal on solving the political crisis in Lebanon -- based on a 15-13-2 cabinet -- would be rejected by the majority. Khoury referred to the initiative as a Syrian proposa [...] | 2007-12-28 16:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER FR LE QA SY UNSC |
07BEIRUT2008 | LEBANON: HOW TO HELP LEBANON FINANCIALLY NOW [...] (C) According to Finance Minister Jihad Azour, Lebanon's deficit situation is under control because tax revenues are up, but that the GOL faces problems paying its foreign currency debt in the first quarter of 2008. Contriubuting to Lebanon's first quarter debt crunch are the problems of red [...] | 2007-12-31 16:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON EFIN EINV LE PGOV PREL PTER |
07BEIRUT2009 | LEBANON: NEW YEAR'S EVE "YEAR IN REVIEW" WITH PM [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora conducted an informal "Year in Review" session with the Ambassador during a meeting on December 31, repeating some previously reported points about the threat to Lebanon's sovereignty in recent months. The Prime Minister also expressed surprising optimism about the [...] | 2007-12-31 16:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT204 | SAUDI AMBASSADOR CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC REGARDING [...] (S) In a 2/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja expressed cautious optimism that a solution to Lebanon's political crisis was starting to come together and could even be achieved quickly. While the proposed deal is similar to what we discussed yesterday in reftel [...] | 2007-02-07 16:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SA IR |
07BEIRUT207 | LEBANON: LAWYER FOR JAILED GENERAL JAMIL AS-SAYED [...] (C) Akram Azoury, attorney for the jailed former head of Lebanon's Surete Generale, Jamil as-Sayed, met with DCM February 5 to present the case for as-Sayed's release from prison. Azoury, a respected human rights lawyer, said that the only basis for the Lebanese government's incarceration of [...] | 2007-02-08 09:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCRM PTER SHUM LE SY |
07BEIRUT213 | HARIRI CALLS BERRI; EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE TO BE [...] (C) As a follow up to what Saudi Ambassador Khoja described as a "Berri initiative" earlier in the day (reftel),MP Saad Hariri, still in Riyadh, called Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday evening (2/7),in the first direct communication between Hariri and Berri since November. The [...] | 2007-02-08 16:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT214 | LEBANON: BORDER CLASH OVER IED REMOVAL [...] (C) According to the Embassy's contacts in Lebanon, there is a tense quiet across the shared border after last night's exchange of fire between Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Israeli Defense Force (IDF) units. The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) preliminary report of the inc [...] | 2007-02-08 16:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | LE MARR PGOV PREL |
07BEIRUT219 | LEBANON: MODERATE SHIA LEADER DISCUSSES STATUS OF [...] (C) In a 2/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Dureid Yaghi, a moderate, secular Shia who is Deputy Secretary of Walid Jumblatt's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in the Hizballah-stronghold of Baalbek, confirmed other reporting sources that Hizballah has re-established itself as the de facto go [...] | 2007-02-09 14:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CASC LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT22 | MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR ANNOYED AT LAHOUD, AOUN [...] (C) In a 1/2 meeting with the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, in an unusually grouchy mood, was sharply critical of President Emile Lahoud and MP Michel Aoun. In Sfeir's view, Lahoud should follow the Patriarch's advice to step down; Aoun should yank his followers from the downtown si [...] | 2007-01-04 13:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT220 | LEBANON: AOUNIST MP EXPLAINS THE GENERAL [...] (S) FPM MP Ibrahim Kanaan shared with us his views on party leader Michel Aoun, attempting to explain (while analyzing for himself) Aoun's motivations in collaborating with pro-Syrian political leaders and movements. Kanaan shared with us that the OrangeTV venture was flagging as a reflection [...] | 2007-02-09 16:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT221 | HARIRI'S ADVISOR CLAIMS BERRI NOT YET SERIOUS [...] (C) In a 2/10 meeting and lunch with the Ambassador, ex-MP Ghattas Khoury (accompanied by Nadar Hariri, cousin of Saad) expressed pessimism about the committee on which he serves that was set up as a result of a phone call between Saad Hariri and Nabih Berri (reftel). The March 8 representa [...] | 2007-02-12 06:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY IR SA |
07BEIRUT227 | MIKATI SAYS SINIORA NOW AS MUCH SYRIA'S PROBLEM AS [...] (S) Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati (please protect) told the Ambassador in a 2/12 meeting that his brother Taha had recently visited Damascus. Acknowledging how peculiar it is for the GOL to negotiate the Special Tribunal with those likely to be tried, Taha told Najib that the Syrians ar [...] | 2007-02-12 16:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT228 | LEBANON: TERRORIST FINANCE: HUMAN APPEAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-12 16:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | ECON EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT229 | LEBANON: LEBANESE FORCES' GEAGEA BELIEVES CIVIL [...] (C) In a 2/9 meeting with the Ambassador and emboff, leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF),Dr. Samir Geagea, stated that civil war is inevitable and there is no choice but to make appropriate preparations. He said U.S. help to the LF is the same as help to the Lebanese state, given that the [...] | 2007-02-12 17:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT231 | LEBANON: HARIRI BELIEVES ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL [...] (C) In a 2/12 meeting, Future Movement leader Saad Hariri said that despite premature reports of its demise, the Saudi initiative remains alive, even though the Iranian regime may be trying to back out of its previous commitments. In essence, the resolution is comprised of three parts: expe [...] | 2007-02-13 08:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT237 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 RESPONDS TO BOMBINGS AND WEAPONS [...] (S) In response to the morning's bus bombings, Communications Minister Hamadeh told us on February 13 that the March 14 group planned to stiffen its line on the tribunal and forge ahead with plans for a robust turnout on the two-year commemoration of Rafiq Hariri's assassination. The bombings [...] | 2007-02-13 17:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT238 | LEBANON: ACTING FOREIGN MINISTER ACCEPTS [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on 2/13, Acting FM Mitri accepted three U.S. demarches: a request that Arab League members take a measured approach to the newly-formed Palestinian National Unity Government; a request to order partly GOL-owned Arabsat television to cease broadcasting an [...] | 2007-02-14 11:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT24 | LEBANON: EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR BELIEVES NASRALLAH [...] (S) The Ambassador and Polchief called on Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Hussein Derar January 3 to request a readout of Derar's December 29 meeting with Hassan Nasrallah, the first meeting of any Egyptian Ambassador with the Hizballah leader, and the latest on the Amr Moussa initiative. Der [...] | 2007-01-04 17:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT240 | UNIFIL SAYS ISRAEL CROSSED BLUE LINE, BUT [...] (U) This is an action request -- please see para 12. SUMMARY ------- 2. (C) UNIFIL Force Commander Claudio Graziano, in a hastily arranged 2/13 briefing for P-5 and UNIFIL-contributing country COMs, criticized both the Lebanese and Israelis regarding the 2/5 and 2/7 Blue Line incide [...] | 2007-02-14 14:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS LE IS |
07BEIRUT250 | MINDEF MURR ON BUS BOMBING, HIZBALLAH WEAPONS, [...] (S) In a 2/14 meeting with the Ambassador and visiting NEA/ELA office director Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr stated that the 2/13 double commuter bus bombing was a sinister message aimed at him. The buses originated in his home village, an [...] | 2007-02-15 14:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER MASS PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT251 | LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER READY TO WORK ON [...] (C) Lebanon has reached a crossroads, Justice Minister Rizk told Ambassador Feltman, NEA/ELA Office Director Abercrombie-Winstanley, and Econoff on February 15. The March 14 coalition can now block political progress and let Hizballah take the blame, or restore national unity through the leg [...] | 2007-02-15 15:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT252 | LEBANON: BANKS COMMISSIONER WORRIED ABOUT BANKS, [...] (C) In a February 13 meeting with the DCM and visiting NEA/ELA Office Director, the head of Lebanon's Banking Control Commission, Walid Alameddine, expressed concern about the effect of the summer war on banking sector stability. Alameddine believes the GOL should not expect a large contribut [...] | 2007-02-15 16:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM PTER ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT253 | LEBANON: CITIBANK LEBANON DIRECTOR ANXIOUS FOR [...] (U) This message may contain proprietary information. Please protect accordingly. SUMMARY ------- 2. (C) In a February 13 meeting with the DCM and NEA/ELA Office Director, Citibank Lebanon's Director Walter Siouffi appeared shaken by the morning's bus bombings in Bikfaya, and viewe [...] | 2007-02-15 16:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL KCRM PTER LE |
07BEIRUT260 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA SEES PAUSE WHILE PARTIES [...] (C) In a 2/15 meeting, PM Siniora indicated only slight progress toward resolution of the country's political impasse. On the negative side, the Saudis "have stepped back," the Iranians are being opaque, Amre Moussa does not plan to return to Beirut anytime soon, and Speaker Berri will prob [...] | 2007-02-16 14:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT265 | LEBANON: ARMENIAN PATRIARCH SEES URGENT NEED FOR [...] (C) The Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, Catholicos Aram I, believes that Lebanon's political situation is so polarized between pro-government and opposition forces that unless some "bold initiative" is taken to change the current course of events, the outcome will be civi [...] | 2007-02-19 08:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF LE |
07BEIRUT269 | LEBANON: INDEPENENT SHIA ORGANIZING SLOWLY, [...] (C) Several Shia leaders in late January and early February described to Econoff their desire to organize larger groups to express their frustration with the current Shia parties as well as the March 14 and March 8 coalitions. Kafaat Movement leader Ahmed Al-Assad is increasingly visible in th [...] | 2007-02-20 10:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT280 | LEBANON: SHIA POLITICIAN REPORTS ON HIZBALLAH [...] (C) In a follow-up communication to a meeting held on 2/7, a moderate, non-Hizballah Shia political leader from Baalbek informed the Embassy that Hizballah has transferred "most" of its missile inventory from south Lebanon to the Baalbek district, where they exercise near complete control. D [...] | 2007-02-21 16:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT281 | LEBANON: UNIIIC ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE WORK BY [...] (C) In a 2/20 meeting, Peter Nicholson, chief investigator for UNIIIC, informed emboff that Commissioner Brammertz has instructed his staff to accelerate their pace in an effort to complete the investigation by the June 15 mandate expiration. Although Brammertz believes it is now likely tha [...] | 2007-02-21 16:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT284 | LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND [...] (C) One month after Lebanon held a successful Paris III donor conference, Minister of Economy and Trade (MOET) Sami Haddad heads to Washington from February 25-28. Haddad is a pro-reform, nationalist technocrat seeking change and a broader leadership role, but he has no independent political [...] | 2007-02-22 17:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT288 | LEBANON: COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS DEMARCHE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-23 12:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT289 | LEBANON: GLOBAL INITIATIVE DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-23 12:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT291 | LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR WALID JUMBLATT'S [...] (S) In his upcoming visit to Washington, Walid Jumblatt will focus on obtaining USG support for the establishment of the international tribunal and for confronting Syrian and Lebanese opposition pressure on the government. He will be interested in discussing with Washington leaders possible o [...] | 2007-02-23 13:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT309 | LEBANON: ACTING FM DISCUSSES CLUSTER BOMBS, [...] (C) On February 27 Acting Foreign Minister Tarek Mitri raised Lebanese concerns on cluster munitions, support for the Palestinian government, and most significantly, how to address Hizballah arms smuggling across the Syrian-Lebanese border. Mitri set forth standard positions on cluster bombs [...] | 2007-02-27 16:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL MARR KPAL LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT31 | LEBANON: ZAHLE MP DISSATISFIED WITH AOUN AND [...] (C) Zahle Member of Parliament Illy Skaff (allied with Michel Aoun) in early January shared with Ambassador Feltman and emboff his disatisfaction from Aoun amidst continued frustration with the Hariris. Yet, asked about Hizballah, Skaff stated that Christian fears of Sunni fundamentalism and [...] | 2007-01-05 16:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT314 | LEBANON: GERMAN INITIATIVE FOR NORTHERN BORDER [...] (C) Despite considerable planning and effort by German Federal Police officials who have been assigned to Beirut, it appears the German Pilot Border Project will not actually be implemented until sometime this summer. According to German representatives in Beirut, PM Siniora has given them v [...] | 2007-02-28 16:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT32 | LEBANON: MARCH 8-AOUN FORCES SUSPICIOUS OF ARAB [...] (SBU) Polchief called on Lebanese Ambassador to the Arab League Abdel Rahman Solh at his home in Ras Beirut January 4. Well into his 70's, Solh had a number of diplomatic postings when active in the Lebanese diplomatic service and also served as Assistant Secretary-General of the League before [...] | 2007-01-08 06:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT320 | LEBANON: UN MISSION TO LEBANON AND ISRAEL ON [...] (C) UN Senior Advisor Michael Williams visited Beirut February 27-March 1 to prepare a report to the SYG on implementation of UNSCR 1701. Williams remarks on his preceding visit to Israel were mostly negative. He was concerned at Israel's refusal to accept the visit of a UN cartographer to [...] | 2007-03-01 17:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER MARR LE SY SI |
07BEIRUT326 | LEBANON: POSITIONS FOR ARAB LEAGUE FOREIGN [...] (C) Polchief delivered ref (A) demarche to Oussama Khacchab, Americas Desk Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khacchab pointed out that Lebanon did not receive the agenda for the Foreign Ministers Meeting until late on March 1, and that its positions on several key positions remain u [...] | 2007-03-02 16:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IR SU IN PA |
07BEIRUT337 | LEBANON: INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR BORDER [...] (C) In a 3/2 meeting, the Border Security sub-group, a working-level unit of the larger International Security Assistance Donors Group that meets monthly in Beirut, discussed the current status of Lebanon's border security effort. Although the Siniora government wants the German-led Norther [...] | 2007-03-05 16:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER ARRMZY SY LE IS |
07BEIRUT348 | LEBANON: MINISTER HAMADEH DISCUSSES HIS UN [...] (C) In a 3/5 meeting with the Ambassador, March 14 leaders Marwan Hamadeh and Ghattas Khoury described their recent meeting with UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon in New York during which they argued that Chapter VII action may be the only realistic way to establish the Special Tribunal. They promised the [...] | 2007-03-06 16:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY SA |
07BEIRUT349 | LEBANON: BERRI DESCRIBES NEW PLAN TO RESOLVE [...] (C) Nabih Berri described a "new" plan as the last opportunity for Lebanon to avoid serious civil disobedience. He said that all sides (except possibly Michel Aoun) would emerge with their non-negotiable objectives intact. Under the Berri plan, the pro-government March 14 and opposition Mar [...] | 2007-03-06 17:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY SA |
07BEIRUT352 | LEBANON: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR CAMPAIGNS FOR THE [...] (C) Lebanon's Central Bank Governor, Riad Salameh, in late February for the first time publicly expressed his interest in the Presidency. Salameh has issued veiled criticism of the GOL economic reform program, demonstrating his differing policy priorities and personal views from the current l [...] | 2007-03-07 16:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT357 | LEBANON: NO PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN IRAQ SECURITY [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-08 10:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT37 | UPDATE ON TRIBUNAL: DOCUMENTS SIGNED, GOL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-08 12:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KCRM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT371 | LEBANON: MP CLAIMS AOUN READY FOR RAPPROCHEMENT [...] (C) Michel Aoun is embarked on a program to distance himself from the Hizballah-led opposition, according Aoun Bloc MP Ibrahim Kenaan. Aoun's public statements at variance with Hizballah positions, his courting of the international community, his support for the international tribunal, his de [...] | 2007-03-09 15:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT382 | IN ROUND THREE, HARIRI PITCHES BERRI ON 24-MEMBER [...] (S) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Saad Hariri met for the third time late on 3/12 in an attempt to forge a political compromise between the March 8 and March 14 movements. Hariri advisor Ghattas Khoury, who attended the talks, told us that, with no breakthrough on either the Special [...] | 2007-03-13 16:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT383 | LEBANON: GENERAL AOUN HOSTS AMBASSADOR IN [...] (C) Michel Aoun is seeking to portray himself to the USG (and possibly to Lebanon) in a new light -- not so close to Hizballah after all, skeptical of Syrian intentions and of President Lahoud, dismissive of Amal, and supportive of the international tribunal. He puts forth a vision of a nonco [...] | 2007-03-13 16:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT384 | LEBANON: SAMIR GEAGEA HOLDS SCANT HOPE FOR [...] (C) In a 3/12 meeting, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea supported the current Berri-Hariri talks aimed at solving Lebanon's political crisis as a "useful" endeavor, but was also certain they would ultimately fail. No matter how reasonable or constructive Berri appears, he cannot compromi [...] | 2007-03-13 16:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT387 | LEBANON: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DESCRIBES [...] (C) Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an Emergency Post Conflict Agreement (EPCA) are proceeding, but some of the IMF's conditions are unacceptable, Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Salameh told the Ambassador and Econoff in mid-March. Several of the IMF's conditions [...] | 2007-03-14 14:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL SY LE |
07BEIRUT39 | UPDATE ON TRIBUNAL: DOCUMENTS SIGNED, GOL [...] (C) At a meeting with the Ambassador on 1/6, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk confirmed that MOJ Omar Natour signed the two English-language documents related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon: the tribunal's statute and the agreement on its establishment between the UN and GOL. MOJ deli [...] | 2007-01-08 12:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KCRM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT395 | LEBANON: SENIOR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT CAUTIONS [...] (C) Senior MP Robert Ghanem, a moderate Maronite member of the March 14 movement and chairman of parliament's influential Judiciary Committee, told emboff on 3/14 that for the first time in months, he sees tentativeness in the actions of March 8th opposition forces. He said that Hizballah m [...] | 2007-03-15 15:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT397 | UN ENVOY PEDERSEN DEFENDS 1701 REPORT [...] (C) On March 15, the Ambassador met with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pedersen to review the Secretary General's report on the implementation of UNSCR 1701. The Ambassador noted changes made in the report subsequent to the widely circulated March 8 draft. Objecting to areas where [...] | 2007-03-16 09:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT402 | LEBANON: DEMARCHE ON UN REFORM [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-16 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT403 | LEBANON: FINANCE MINISTER CONCERNED ABOUT GOL [...] (C) Finance Minister Jihad Azour reported to us that none of the money pledged at Paris III has yet arrived, and Lebanon's short term financial situation is difficult but still manageable. The real problem is that continued political uncertainty is derailing Lebanon's anticipated cycle of ec [...] | 2007-03-16 15:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT405 | JUMBLATT FRETS THAT SYRIA IS PAINTING HIM AS PKK [...] (S) Over a 3/16 lunch otherwise dominated by discussion of Lebanon's domestic developments, Druse leader Walid Jumblatt told the Ambassador that he was deeply worried that Syria was implicating him with PKK terrorism. Former Syrian VP Abdulhalim Khaddam, who met with Jumblatt earlier that w [...] | 2007-03-19 08:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER LE TU IZ |
07BEIRUT407 | LEBANON: HADDAD UPBEAT ON WTO ACCESSION, [...] (C) Following his recent Washington trip, Economy Minister Haddad expressed regret that he had not seen more members of Congress, but he was optimistic about the aid promised at the Paris III donor conference. He understands USG wishes about debt reduction, and expects to discuss this again [...] | 2007-03-19 15:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON EFIN ETRD LE |
07BEIRUT408 | LEBANON: BANKS COMMISSIONER FRUSTRATED WITH GOL [...] (C) Banking Control Commissioner Walid Alameddine in early March expressed his concern that the GOL is not doing enough to promote financial stability. He argued that Lebanon urgently needs a more proactive government, and argued that that if the present stalemate is allowed to continue, fin [...] | 2007-03-19 16:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT414 | LEBANON: UNIIIC SENIOR INVESTIGATOR SAYS STEADY [...] (C) In a 3/19 meeting, UNIIIC chief investigator Peter Nicholson and senior investigator Rosemary Nidiry informed emboff that the Commission is now proceeding on the assumption that their mandate will be extended by the Security Council. Nicholson stated that the investigation has considera [...] | 2007-03-21 09:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KCRM LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT416 | LEBANON: TOP SHIA CLERIC URGES USG INVOLVEMENT IN [...] (C) In the course of a friendly 3/20 meeting, Lebanon's top official Shia religious cleric urged the USG to take an active and direct role in Lebanon's political crisis, as the Lebanese parties have reached an impasse they cannot overcome. This role could consist of pressuring the Lebanese pa [...] | 2007-03-21 11:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT42 | SINIORA PINS GOL SURVIVAL ON GENEROUS PARIS III [...] (S) In a 90-minute meeting with the Ambassador on 1/8, PM Fouad Siniora -- in crisis mode and interrupted frequently by security officers working to counter Tuesday's anticipated opposition escalation -- said that Lebanon's political and financial stability depends on a successful Paris III [...] | 2007-01-08 17:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL EFIN EAID ECON LE |
07BEIRUT423 | SAUDI AMBASSADOR BLAMES JUMBLATT FOR IMPASSE, AS [...] (C) Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja used a 3/21 meeting with Ambassador Feltman to blast Walid Jumblatt. Had it not been for Jumblatt's objections, Khoja said, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and MP Saad Hariri would be able to conclude a "declaration of intent" of how to end Lebanon's poli [...] | 2007-03-22 13:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT426 | FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON LEBANON DEVELOPMENTS [...] (C) In a 3/22 meeting with the Ambassador, French Ambassador Bernard Emie expressed concern that, with the departure of French President Jacques Chirac, France will lose its only strong advocate for Chapter VII approval of the Special Tribunal. The "entire French bureaucracy" is against pro [...] | 2007-03-22 16:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV LE SY SA FR |
07BEIRUT427 | LEBANON: AOUN SKEPTICS ON HIZBALLAH, POLITICAL [...] (C) Some of Michel Aoun's closest friends and MPs are unsure about the soundness of his arrangement with Hizballah and his fitness for the office of President. At a 3/21 dinner, they also observed that Hizballah's influence from abroad is incontestable, and that Iran has more control over it [...] | 2007-03-22 16:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT43 | LEBANON: MICHEL "THE COOK" MURR HAS RECIPES FOR [...] (C) Veteran politician, MP and Michel Aoun ally Michel Murr is working on a solution to the Metn by-election controversy that would bypass President Lahoud and install Amine Gemayel in the parliamentary seat left vacant by the assassination of his son. Murr also has a formula for the resoluti [...] | 2007-01-08 17:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT430 | LEBANON: SINIORA DETAILS TRIBUNAL STRATEGY [...] (C) In a 3/23 meeting, PM Siniora explained that he intends to take advantage of a flurry of diplomatic activity -- the upcoming visits to Beirut of Chancellor Angela Merkel, UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon, and U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as next week's Arab Summit -- to try to force the opposition [...] | 2007-03-23 16:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KCRM LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT44 | LEBANON: TASHNAQ MPS DISTANCE SELVES FROM [...] (C) Ambassador Feltman and Emboff met with Tashnaq Secretary General Hovig Mukhtarian and Members of Parliament SIPDIS Hagop Pakradunian and George Kassarji in early January. Tashnaq politicians distanced their party from the rest of the opposition, emphasizing their relative neutrality, ma [...] | 2007-01-08 18:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY LE |
07BEIRUT440 | LEBANON: SUNNI MUFTI SEES CRISIS OF IRANIAN, [...] (C) Lebanon's highest Sunni spiritual leader sees the country passing through its worst crisis ever, and lays the blame on a regional Shia resurgence powered by Syria and Iran. The Lebanese issues of the tribunal and cabinet expansion are mere pretexts for Hizballah and Amal to cripple Lebano [...] | 2007-03-26 15:31:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT446 | NON-PAPER ON UNSCR 1747 DELIVERED [...] (C) On 3/26, the Ambassador met Mohamed Chatah, Senior Advisor to PM Fouad Siniora, to discuss UNSCR 1747 and deliver reftel's non-paper on the importance of the resolution. Chatah, who acknowledged that neither he nor Siniora had as yet read the resolution's text, was intrigued by the lang [...] | 2007-03-27 12:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PARM LE IR SY |
07BEIRUT450 | LEBANON: MARONITE PATRIARCH ADOPTS SOME [...] (C) In a 3/26 meeting with the Ambassador, the Maronite Patriarch conveyed some surprisingly unhelpful positions regarding Lebanon's political impasse. Patriarch Sfeir, perhaps in an effort to appear strictly neutral to Lebanon's warring political factions, has apparently adopted some convi [...] | 2007-03-27 13:25:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT465 | LEBANON: FRANJIEH ADMITS OPPOSITION HOLDING [...] (C) On March 23, Suleiman Franjieh treated the Ambassador to a full menu of the opposition leader's controversial positions on Lebanon's political crisis. Franjieh expressed general support for the international tribunal, but warned that the opposition would use it as a bargaining chip to obt [...] | 2007-03-29 14:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT471 | LEBANON: HARIRI ENCOURAGED BY SUMMIT; SEEKS HELP [...] (C) Mustaqbal Party leader Saad Hariri believes statements made at the Arab Summit on the opening day of March 28 were helpful to the March 14 cause, as were private discussions between the Saudis and Syrian President Asad. Hariri was unaware of the applicability of UNSCR 1747 on Lebanon, but [...] | 2007-03-30 15:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT472 | LEBANON: BERRI SAYS OFFER IS STILL ON THE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-30 15:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT473 | LEBANON: BERRI SAYS OFFER IS STILL ON THE [...] (C) In a 3/30 meeting, Speaker Berri conveyed to the Ambassador his conviction that time is running out for a solution to Lebanon's crisis. If the current stalemate persists into the autumn, the Speaker predicts the emergence of competing national governments and serious instability. He urg [...] | 2007-03-30 15:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT477 | LEBANON: SPEAKER PELOSI MEETS WITH MP SAAD HARIRI [...] (SBU) Saad Hariri told CODEL Pelosi that progress in the region, and particularly in Lebanon, requires that the international community take a firm and united stand on Syria and Iran. The Syrian regime only understands force, and is becoming emboldened by the increased number of visitors to S [...] | 2007-04-02 16:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT482 | LEBANON: CODEL PEOSI MEETS SPEAKER NABIH BERRI [...] (C) Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri tld CODEL Pelosi on April 2 that it is the lack o Shia representation in the cabinet, and not theinternational tribunal, that is the real crux ofthe Lebanese political crisis. Berri refuses toconvene a formal session of Parliament or work wih the [...] | 2007-04-03 14:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT483 | LEBANON: CODEL PELOSI MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] (U) April 2, 2007 meeting in Beirut between CODEL Pelosi and Prime Minister Siniora. Lebanese Attendees: Prime Minister Fouad Siniora Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Elias Murr Ambassador Mohamed Chatah, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister Ambassador Antoine Chedid, Lebano [...] | 2007-04-03 15:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT514 | LEBANON: GOL REACTION TO USG PROPOSAL FOR CASH [...] (C) The GOL has reviewed U.S. proposals for conditionality on the USD 250 million cash transfer discussed at the Paris III Donors' Conference for Lebanon. The GOL response does not contain any surprises, and has the Lebanese most concerned about an increase in the gasoline tax. Arab donors h [...] | 2007-04-13 13:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON EFIN LE |
07BEIRUT524 | LEBANON: MODERATE REFORM MP BELIEVES CHAPTER VII [...] (C) In a 4/12 meeting with emboff, pro-reform MP Robert Ghanem suggested that Hizballah's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, acting under Syrian/Iranian orders, has altered his strategy following the collapse of the erratic Berri-Hariri talks. Ghanem maintained that once it became clear th [...] | 2007-04-16 12:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT528 | LEBANON: NORTHERN BORDER PILOT PROJECT [...] (C) On April 11, German Federal Police (GFP) representatives in Beirut released the draft concept paper for Lebanon's Northern Border Pilot Project, which is being developed and implemented by the GFP in coordination with senior leadership of the LAF, ISF, and Lebanon's Customs Police. The [...] | 2007-04-16 14:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT529 | LEBANON: STOPPING PKK TRAVEL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-16 15:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT533 | LEBANON: PROPOSED CHARITY DESIGNATION [...] (S) A proposed designation of the al-Mabarrat charity organization, founded by Lebanon's top Shia spiritual leader Sayyed Fadlallah, would risk material damage to USG relations with Lebanon's Shia community, while promising little if any impact on Hizballah. The Embassy maintains good relation [...] | 2007-04-17 12:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT535 | LEBANON: FORMER AOUNIST OPTIMISTIC FOR NOVEMBER [...] (C) Christian leader Michel Aoun,s former son-law, Sami Nader, is optimistic that Lebanon's political impasse can be resolved in November. He is developing an NGO and think tank to help educate Lebanese voters and the press to support presidential elections on time. He believes the oppositi [...] | 2007-04-17 12:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT536 | LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI INSISTS THAT A CHAPTER VII [...] (C) In a 4/17 meeting notable for Nabih Berri's casual attitude toward the Special Tribunal, Berri contended that even if the Security Council establishes the court under Chapter VII, the crisis in Lebanon would persist. Berri gave the impression that the tribunal was almost a side issue in [...] | 2007-04-18 10:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT539 | LEBANON: NO DELEGATION FROM BEIRUT TO WORLD [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-18 13:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV TPHY WMO LE |
07BEIRUT540 | LEBANON: MINISTERIAL DELEGATION TO ICI MEETING [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-18 13:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER EAID EFIN UN GCC IZ LE |
07BEIRUT552 | LEBANON: UN LEGAL ADVISOR URGES EARLY TRIBUNAL [...] (C) Near the conclusion of his Beirut visit, the UN Legal Advisor reported to us on 4/20 that Hizballah has still not revealed its reservations to the special tribunal for Lebanon but denies having issues with Article 3 (assigning responsibility to superiors) and has repeated its pledge to sup [...] | 2007-04-20 15:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT558 | PEDERSEN ON UN/OLA NICOLAS MICHEL VISIT: [...] (C) Summary: Over lunch with the Ambassador on 4/23, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pedersen reported that, in his final meetings in Lebanon before departing 4/21, UN/OLA chief Nicolas Michel failed in his last attempts to get the Lebanese to agree to approve the Special Tribunal t [...] | 2007-04-23 12:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC KCRM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT569 | ELIAS MURR CLAIMS LAHOUD PREPARED TO APPOINT ISSAM [...] (S) In a 4/23 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr added his voice to the rumors that Lebanese President Emile Lahoud plans to appoint a competing cabinet to reinforce the position that the Siniora cabinet is null and void. In Murr's version (wh [...] | 2007-04-24 13:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT57 | FORMER PM KARAMI SEEMINGLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH [...] (C) Responding to messages passed by the Karami family, the Ambassador called on former Prime Minister Omar Karami in his Beirut home on 1/9. The Sunni politician (and former MP) from Tripoli stated that the situation in Lebanon was deteriorating rapidly, and he questioned the tactics of the [...] | 2007-01-10 16:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT576 | LEBANON: SINIORA IN GO-SLOW MODE ON TRIBUNAL [...] (C) PM Siniora's recent trip to Egypt garnered an energy deal that could reduce Lebanon's dependence on Syria, but President Mubarak and Amr Moussa advised steadfastness, not confrontation, in the GOL's political conflict with Syria and its allies in Lebanon. Rumors of a Swiss track to solve t [...] | 2007-04-25 06:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM ENRG PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT58 | SENIOR STATESMAN YEARNS FOR "LOCKERBIE" SOLUTION [...] (C) Octogenarian senior statesman Fouad Boutros hosted the Ambassador to a one-on-one lunch on 1/9. Boutros (who has held public positions from the 1940s until his recent stint as head of the electoral reform commission) expressed deep concern that Lebanon is being destroyed because of the [...] | 2007-01-10 17:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM KCRM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT585 | LEBANON: NPT PREPCOM DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-25 14:22:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT587 | PEDERSEN BRIEFS ON UNSYG BAN'S TRIP TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) In a 4/25 meeting with the Ambassador, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pedersen said that, in terms of the Lebanon agenda, the Syrians -- as could have been predicted, he acknowledged -- offered "nothing" in UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon's meetings in Damascus the previous day. While adopti [...] | 2007-04-25 15:22:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT588 | LEBANON: BYBLOS BANK DEMARCHE RESPONSE [...] (S) On April 25 Econoff and Econ Specialist met with Dr. Francois Bassile, Chairman of Byblos Bank SAL. Dr. Bassile responded to reftel demarche questions as follows. 2. (S) Bassile said Byblos Bank does not transact any business with or on behalf of Bank Saderat. They do have some relati [...] | 2007-04-25 15:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PTER UNSC EFIN KTFN LE |
07BEIRUT590 | LEBANON: MOHAMMAD SAMMAK WORRIED ABOUT EXTREMISM [...] (C) Lebanon is proud of its tradition as the only Arab democracy in the Middle East; however democracy is not the priority for the country - national unity is, according to interfaith dialogue leader Mohammad Sammak. Sunni extremism, especially in northern Lebanon, is growing and is being fi [...] | 2007-04-25 15:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT591 | LEBANON: BRAMMERTZ SEES FEW COMPLICATIONS FROM A [...] (C) In a 4/25 meeting, UNIIIC Commissioner Brammertz informed the Ambassador that his sizable investigative team is moving steadily forward in all areas of inquiry: forensics, interviews, evidence prioritization and archiving, correlation of findings, and laying the groundwork for prosecutio [...] | 2007-04-26 05:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT592 | G-8 LUNCHEON REVEALS EU, RUSSIAN HESITATIONS ON [...] (C) Summary: A 4/25 luncheon for G-8 ambassadors revealed a three-way split regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Whereas all envoys agreed that Lebanese domestic approval is all but impossible, only the French and American ambassadors thought the UN Security Council should consider [...] | 2007-04-26 07:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV UNSC LE |
07BEIRUT60 | LEBANON: JUMBLATT SEES HIZBALLAH AS THREAT TO [...] (S) Druze leader Walid Jumblatt described arms smuggling from Syria to Hizballah as an elusive problem, and deemed the LAF incapable of taking on an anti-smuggling role while also protecting the GOL against demonstrators in the capital. Talk of divisions among March 8 coalition partners, or of [...] | 2007-01-11 08:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT602 | LEBANON:SAMIR GEAGEA ON THE TRIBUNAL, BOLSTERING [...] (C) In a 4/26 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea said the Special Tribunal is in the UN's hands and no longer achievable through Lebanese internal dynamics. He thought it important to launch the tribunal process and obtain UNSC approval before French Presi [...] | 2007-04-27 15:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT603 | LEBANON: MODERATE LEADERS ON CHAPTER VII: ONLY [...] (C) Influential Maronite leaders Nassib Lahoud and Sheikh Michel Khoury acknowledged that Chapter VII is now the only realistic means to establish the Special Tribunal, and has to be introduced soon. But both moderate leaders strongly cautioned that only one chance exists: if the Security [...] | 2007-04-30 06:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT607 | LEBANON: ARCHBISHOP AUDI FEARS TRIBUNAL WILL [...] (C) In a 4/27 meeting with the Ambassador, Archbishop Elias Audi, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, had no additional information on the attacks of the two murdered youths found last evening south of Beirut, but hoped it was not politically motivated because this could further escala [...] | 2007-04-30 12:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT610 | LEBANON: SPECIAL 301 DESIGNATION NOTIFICATION [...] (SBU) In accordance with reftel, emboff delivered talking points regarding Lebanon's continued designation as a Priority Watch List country to appropriate officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy and Trade. Lama Oueijan, Senior Advisor to Minister of Economy [...] | 2007-04-30 15:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD LE PGOV PREL |
07BEIRUT611 | SINIORA ON CABINET INITIATIVE, TRIBUNAL [...] (C) In a 5/1 meeting with the Ambassador, PM Siniora underscored his belief that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon must be established by the UNSC, as Lebanon's constitutional process is blocked. But he resisted sending a stronger, specific message requesting Chapter VII now. In what quickly [...] | 2007-05-01 15:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT618 | LEBANON: MINISTRY OF FINANCE STAFF REVIEWS [...] (SBU) In separate meetings with Ministry of Finance staff, the common view of their recent meetings in Washington was positive. While MOF Director General Alain Bifani gave a sharp, insightful readout of the meetings, his working level finance team were already focused on the next event, a E [...] | 2007-05-02 13:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT622 | LEBANON: THROUGH AOUN'S LOOKING GLASS: ARGUES FOR [...] (C) The Ambassador and Poloff visited General Michel Aoun and his chief advisor Gebran Bassil on May 2. Aoun's perceptions continue to be radically different from U.S. views despite similar stated goals of a free and democratic Lebanon. Aoun argued that appeasing and building trust with Syr [...] | 2007-05-03 08:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT623 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 ATTEMPTS TO COUNTER AOUN'S NEW [...] (C) Two founding members of the pro-reform March 14th movement expressed genuine concern that FPM leader Michel Aoun's shewd proposal to select Lebanon's next president by direct elections has to be effectively countered -- and soon. MP Samir Franjieh and former MP Fares Souaid argued that t [...] | 2007-05-03 09:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT624 | LEBANON: HIGHER COUNCIL FOR PRIVATIZATION SYG [...] (SBU) SYG Ziad Hayek does not believe early progress will be made in the privatization of Lebanon's mobile sector. There are "technical" solutions, but according to Hayek, PM Siniora has said he would prefer a new law. Privatization of the telecommunications fixed sector is also delayed, pri [...] | 2007-05-03 09:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BEXP ECON ECPS ENIV LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT633 | LEBANON: PRO-REFORM LEADERS URGE CHAPTER VII [...] (C) In a 5/3 meeting at the Embassy, a broad range of leaders from the March 14th movement, including Walid Jumblatt, Marwan Hamadeh, Ghattas Khoury and Nassib Lahoud, discussed the chances for a successful vote on a Chapter VII resolution, likely Syrian and opposition reaction to such a dev [...] | 2007-05-04 15:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT634 | KHOURY PITCHES JUMBLATT ON CABINET RESIGNATION [...] (C) Over a wine-lubricated dinner in Mukhtara on 4/28, Ghattas Khoury (former MP and now close advisor to Saad Hariri) worked to persuade Druse leader (and generous dinner host) Walid Jumblatt to back a radical, counterintuitive proposal: that the best way for the March 14 bloc to regain th [...] | 2007-05-04 15:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE |
07BEIRUT635 | LEBANON: FORMER AMBASSADOR FEARS IRANIAN [...] (C) Former Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Simon Karam expressed concerned that an allegedly Iranian-funded and Jihad al-Bina-managed highway linking Shia populations in the south and the Biqa' Valley could raise sectarian tensions and increase Hizballah's area of control. Meanwhile, the coun [...] | 2007-05-04 16:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT638 | LEBANON TRIBUNAL: CHATAH AND HAMADEH REVIEW DAYS [...] (C) Mohamad Chatah, Senior Advisor to PM Siniora, told the Ambassador in a 5/5 meeting that, based on his consultations in New York (reftel),he was awaiting receipt of a draft UNSCR regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Siniora's letter to the UN will be finalized according to the for [...] | 2007-05-07 07:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER UNSC SY LE |
07BEIRUT645 | FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON TRIBUNAL, BRAMMERTZ, [...] (C) In a 5/7 meeting with Ambassador Feltman, French Ambassador Bernard Emie, just back from Paris, reported that France wants to move quickly toward a simple UNSCR establishing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Emie agreed that it appears that the pro-Syrians already recognize the inevita [...] | 2007-05-07 14:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL UNSC LE SY |
07BEIRUT650 | LEBANON: INDEPENDENT SHIA POLITICIAN SUGGESTS [...] (SBU) Independent Shia political leader Mohammad Baydoun in early May expressed frustration that the March 14 movement continues to approach the Shia community exclusively through Nabih Berri, whom Baydoun considers an unreliable partner. The main impediment to progress in Lebanon is Hizballah [...] | 2007-05-08 16:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT651 | LEBANON: HARIRI PROMISES SINIORA WILL SEND SECOND [...] (C) Indicative of increasing momentum toward Chapter VII, March 14 parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri told the Ambassador in a 5/8 meeting that PM Siniora is about to send a second, more emphatic letter to UNSYG Ban Ki-moon. Although Chapter VII was not explicitly referred to in the d [...] | 2007-05-08 16:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT655 | NABIH BERRI SEEKS USG HELP TO DERAIL LAHOUD-SYRIAN [...] (S) Describing President Emile Lahoud as a "bastard," Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri used a 5/9 meeting with the Ambassador to seek USG help in derailing what Berri suspects is a diabolical Syrian-inspired plot Lahoud plans to implement to destroy Lebanon's parliament. (Yes, gentle reader, [...] | 2007-05-09 17:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT657 | URGENT: REQUEST FOR AMBASSADOR'S ASSESSMENT ON [...] (C) As of May 10, it appears that Lebanon has not yet determined whether it will support the candidacies of Slovenia and Bosnia, and refrain from support for Belarus, at the May 17 elections for new members of the UN Human Rights Council. The Ambassador met on May 10 with Prime Minister Sin [...] | 2007-05-10 13:25:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL UNHRC LE |
07BEIRUT66 | WHERE ARE THE DEMONSTRATORS? [...] (S) Curiously, the much ballyhooed "anti-Paris III" labor protests that the March 8-Aoun opposition promised -- from Michel Aoun's front yard -- would shake the foundations of the Siniora government this week have fizzled. After two days of lackluster turn-out, the General Labor Confederatio [...] | 2007-01-12 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT665 | PATRIARCH SFEIR UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT VATICAN [...] (C) In a 5/10 meeting with the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir downplayed the possibility of a special Vatican envoy helping to solve Lebanon's political crisis. A Vatican envoy, Sfeir said, would be perceived as coming to unite the Christians in advance of presidential elections. As t [...] | 2007-05-11 17:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT666 | LEBANON: AOUN ADVISOR'S RECONCILIATION INITIATIVE [...] (C) General Aoun's son-in-law and senior advisor Gebran Bassil provided details about Michel Aoun's anticipated initiative, which has yet to be publicly released. Bassil has been preparing the initiative for some time, but Aoun decided to wait until all of Lebanon's political players appeare [...] | 2007-05-11 17:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KCRM LE |
07BEIRUT673 | SCENESETTER FOR A/S WELCH'S 5/15-17/07 VISIT TO [...] (S) David: You last visited Lebanon in August 2006. Then, as now, Lebanon was in deep crisis. Yet the impact of today's crisis -- when Syria's allies seek to paralyze and make irrelevant the cabinet of Fouad Siniora and then install a pro-Syrian president in autumn -- stands in sharp contras [...] | 2007-05-15 08:25:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT68 | LEBANON: EAC TO ADDRESS THREATS TO EMBASSY [...] (S) On January 12 the DCM convened the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to review current threats in the wake of the early morning attack against Embassy Athens. EAC members discussed press reports of the Atnens attack, reftel description of an alleged missile threat against Embassy Beirut, [...] | 2007-01-12 17:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PTER CASC PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT690 | LEBANON: AOUN SAME GOALS, BUT DIFFERENT MEANS TO [...] (SBU) Former General Michel Aoun displayed to visiting NEA A/S Welch a friendly, near collegial demeanor as he outlined his plan for disarming Hizballah and assuring Hizballah supporters in southern Lebanon that a legitimate government can keep them safe from Israel. Welch said the U.S. woul [...] | 2007-05-17 11:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT691 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR DISMISSES POPULAR [...] (C) In a May 15 meeting with visiting NEA A/S Welch and the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir -- commemorating his 87th birthday on the same day -- reported that his rare visit to President Emile Lahoud the previous week was to warn against Lahoud's appointment of a second cabinet. Lahoud d [...] | 2007-05-17 12:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT692 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH AND PM SINIORA COORDINATE [...] (C) In a 5/16 meeting, PM Siniora informed the visiting NEA A/S Welch that he is ready to initiate an all-out final diplomatic push to garner support for Chapter VII to establish the Special Tribunal. Once the P-3 draft resolution text has been agreed upon, Siniora will concentrate on winni [...] | 2007-05-17 13:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT695 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA CONVOKES UNSC MEMBER STATE [...] (C) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: PM Siniora summoned the chiefs of missions of all UNSC member embassies in Beirut at 6:00 PM on May 16 to make a pitch for UNSC adoption of a Chapter VII resolution on the Special Tribunal. Present were the ambassadors of Italy, Russia, China, and Belgium; Char [...] | 2007-05-17 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC KCRM LE |
07BEIRUT696 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENTS WITH [...] (C) In a 5/15 meeting with Walid Jumblatt, Marwan Hamadeh, Ghazi Aridi and other March 14th figures, NEA A/S Welch assured them that U.S. support is non-negotiable and the pro-reform movement in Lebanon enjoys strong bi-partisan support in Congress. The state of play in the UN Security Coun [...] | 2007-05-17 16:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT697 | LEBANON: BERRI PRESENTS HIS ROADMAP: [...] (C) In a 5/16 meeting with A/S Welch, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri argued that the U.S. should welcome and support his announcement of, and commitment to, a 9/25 parliamentary session to initiate Lebanon's parliamentary elections. That date can be used as the action-forcing event to resolve [...] | 2007-05-17 16:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT698 | LEBANON: GEAGEA FOCUSES ON ELECTIONS WITH A/S [...] (C) In a 16 May meeting with visiting NEA A/S Welch and the Ambassador, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed confidence that the 14 March coalition could unite behind one presidential candidate. He insisted that March 14 would elect a president with a simple majority, but urged the [...] | 2007-05-17 16:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT699 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH VISITS FORMER PRESIDENT [...] (C) In a May 16 meeting with visiting NEA A/S Welch and the Ambassador, former President Amine Gemayel stressed the need for a successful UN Security Council vote to establish the tribunal to try suspects in the death of former Prime Minister Hariri. Gemayel also hopes for a strongly-worded r [...] | 2007-05-17 16:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KCRM PGOV PREL LE SY |
07BEIRUT701 | LAF COMMANDER FRETS ABOUT UNIFIL UNDER "TWO [...] (C) On May 16, NEA A/S David Welch met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Michel Sleiman. General Sleiman was confident that the LAF would maintain unity and remain neutral politically. However, he admitted that if President Emile Lahoud appoints a second government -- a scen [...] | 2007-05-18 09:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT704 | LEBANON: HARIRI FEELS GOOD ABOUT FRENCH AND BAD [...] (C) In a 5/15 meeting with A/S Welch, MP Saad Hariri reported with satisfaction about the start of his relationship with French President Sarkozy, which Hariri interpreted as a promising sign of continued French support. The Syrians, however, continue to worry Hariri. Having blocked the gover [...] | 2007-05-18 15:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT706 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH ASSURES CHRISTIAN LEADERS [...] (C) Christian leaders of the pro-reform March 14 Movement met on May 15 at the Ambassador's residence with NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch. In what was the A/S's first official meeting in Lebanon, the they expressed their hopes for the quick establishment of the Special Tribunal and noted [...] | 2007-05-18 16:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT707 | THE SEDUCTION OF THE WIDOW HARIRI: HOPES FOR [...] (C) Further to something we first mentioned in the 4/23/07 daily sitrep, beach resort owner and political gadfly Roger Edde has pursued a far-fetched plan to achieve his long-shot goal of becoming Lebanon's next president: he has dangled before the eyes of Rafiq Hariri's Paris-based widow N [...] | 2007-05-21 07:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT708 | LAHOUD'S LEGAL ADVISOR CLAIMS TWO-CABINET SCENARIO [...] (C) Judge Selim Jeressaiti has a tough job: to persuade otherwise intelligent people that President Emile Lahoud's views have constitutional weight. Lahoud's recent rambling, ridiculous, but damaging letter to the UNSYG Ban regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon was a Jeressaiti product [...] | 2007-05-21 09:31:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT709 | LEBANON: ATTACKS ON SINIORA ESCALATE, BECOME [...] (C) Summary: Attacks against Prime Minister Siniora, both in the press and in local conversations, have escalated and taken on a more personal tenor. These attacks, largely led by Hizballah, but with contributions from both Sunni and Shia individuals, have resurrected stories about Siniora a [...] | 2007-05-21 09:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT710 | LEBANON: EAC MEETS TO REVIEW VIOLENCE OF MAY 20-21 [...] (C) Summary: On May 21 at 0900 local, the DCM convened a full Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting to review the events of May 20-21 and to consider follow-up security measures. It was agreed that the Embassy would maintain its strict review of all off-compound moves, issue a U.S. citiz [...] | 2007-05-21 10:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC PTER LE |
07BEIRUT712 | HAMADEH, MURR ON TRIPOLI FIGHTS; SEEKING [...] (C) In a 5/21 meeting with the Ambassador, Minister of Communications Marwan Hamadeh and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr (who joined the conversation by speaker phone from Switzerland) previewed what they predicted wouuld be the conclusions of the cabinet meeting being h [...] | 2007-05-21 15:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM MOPS PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT713 | LEBANON: FOLLOW-UP EAC MEETING TO REVIEW SECURITY [...] (C) Summary: On May 22 the Embassy Beirut EAC reviewed security developments in Lebanon and corresponding measures to address continuing threats. The Embassy's RSO will stay in close contact with Lebanese Internal Security Forces to evaluate risks to off-compound moves of Embassy Beirut Am [...] | 2007-05-22 12:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC AMGT PTER CASC LE |
07BEIRUT726 | LEBANON: AOUN'S MESSAGE: FORGET ABOUT HIZBALLAH [...] (C) On May 22, an agitated Gebran Bassil insisted on calling on the Ambassador on behalf of General Aoun, but, even after an hour conversation, the reasons he requested the meeting remained obscure. Bassil stressed Aoun's support for the LAF, but said that the GOL had not heeded Aoun's warnin [...] | 2007-05-23 09:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT727 | LEBANON: SINIORA STRESSES TRIBUNAL, AMMUNITION [...] (C) In a May 22 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora urged a quick UN Security Council resolution establishing the Special Tribunal and expressed confidence that Indonesia, as a UNSC member, supports the tribunal. Siniora was convinced of Syrian involvement in the recent violenc [...] | 2007-05-23 09:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PARM MOPS LE SY |
07BEIRUT732 | ELIAS MURR, APPRECIATIVE OF USG HELP, PUSHES FOR [...] (C) Back in Beirut after another medical procedure in Switzerland, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr called the Ambassador today (5/23) with two messages. First, Murr noted that he had been fully briefed by LAF Commander Michel Sleiman and other officers on the planned US [...] | 2007-05-23 14:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PARM MOPS PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT733 | LEBANON: ISF'S GENERAL RIFI SEES SYRIA BEHIND [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on May 23, Director General of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) General Ashraf Rifi added his voice to the chorus of those who assume a Syrian role in the recent violence in Lebanon. Rifi supports immediate action to eliminate Fatah al-Islam from [...] | 2007-05-23 15:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT740 | SCENESETTER FOR CODEL PRICE'S 5/28-29/07 [...] (SBU) The House Democracy Assistance Commission last hosted Lebanese members of parliament (MPs) for a legislative strengthening visit to Washington in April. Then, as now, Lebanon was in deep crisis. Your visit comes amidst heightened tensions and renewed security concerns that will likely [...] | 2007-05-24 14:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT743 | DEFMIN MURR SAYS DECISIVE BATTLE WITH FATAH [...] (S) Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr told the Ambassador in a 5/24 meeting that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will initiate a major assault on Nahr al-Barid camp in about 4-5 days, the time needed to assemble troops and ammunition and clear the camp of as many civilians [...] | 2007-05-25 11:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PARM MOPS PTER PREF LE SY |
07BEIRUT744 | LEBANON: LAF COMMANDER SEES CRUCIAL MOMENT FOR LAF [...] (C) On May 25, the Ambassador met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Michel Sleiman. Sleiman indicated that it was important for the LAF to succeed in its fight with Fatah al-Islam at the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp, not only for its own credibility, but for Lebanon [...] | 2007-05-25 15:49:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT745 | LEBANON: UNIFIL COMMANDER POSITIVE ON MANDATE, [...] (C) UNIFIL Commander Major-General Claudio Graziano feels confident that UNIFIL's mandate would be renewed by the UNSC in August and, if given the opportunity for a wish list, he would like to expanded UNIFIL,s area of operations beyond the Litani River and have a clearer interpretation of the [...] | 2007-05-25 15:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT746 | MURR ON NASRALLAH SPEECH: HARMFUL, BUT GOL/LAF [...] (S) In a 5/26 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr attacked as "unacceptable" Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's televised speech the previous evening. While according to Murr Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman also [...] | 2007-05-28 05:23:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PTER PREL MOPS PREF MASS LE SY |
07BEIRUT747 | PM SINIORA RESOLUTE ON NAHR AL-BARID, MAKES FINAL [...] (S) In a one-on-one 5/28 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora speculated that the political will to "finish" Fatah al-Islam (FAI) had increased, not decreased, in the aftermath of Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's 5/25 televised address. SIPDIS He [...] | 2007-05-28 17:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PTER PREL PARM MASS MOPS LE SY |
07BEIRUT754 | LEBANON: EAC SETS TRIPWIRE OF ARMY ENTRY INTO [...] (S) On May 29, DCM chaired a full session of the Embassy Beirut EAC. Principal subjects included the increasing frequency of credible threat information against western and Lebanese government interests, tensions arising from the standoff at the Nahr el-Barad Palestinian refugee camp, and a [...] | 2007-05-29 12:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | ASEC CASC PTER LE |
07BEIRUT756 | LEBANON: PARLIAMENTARIANS STRESS COOPERATION, AID [...] (U) On May 28, the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) Legislative Strengthening Program brought together members of the U.S. House of Representativs and leading members of the Lebanese Parliament. The U.S. delegation held three sessions with the following groups of Lebanese MPs: M [...] | 2007-05-29 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID LE |
07BEIRUT757 | LEBANON: HARIRI TELLS THE HDAC THAT "DEMOCRACY IS [...] (SBU) Saad Hariri told members of the House Democracy Assistance Commission that the establishment of the International Tribunal investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and others would send a strong message throughout the Arab world. He warned that Syria is oppo [...] | 2007-05-29 15:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT767 | LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI DEFENDS CLOSURE OF [...] (C) In a 5/29 meeting with CODEL Price, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri thanked the delegation for its legislative strengthening assistance. Chairman Price expressed surprise and concern that Berri has not used the institution of the parliament to resolve the political impasse. Berri once aga [...] | 2007-05-31 13:23:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT769 | BERRI CLAIMS ONLY SINIORA'S RESIGNATION CAN SAVE [...] (C) Conveying a message to the Ambassador on 5/30 via an aide, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned that President Emile Lahoud plans to announce the dissolution of parliament in the coming weeks, using a dubious constitutional interpretation (described reftel). Hinting at fears of Syrian [...] | 2007-05-31 15:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT771 | LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI LASHES OUT AFTER TRIBUNAL [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri lashed out at CODEL Leahy and the Ambassador during a meeting on 5/31, the day after Chapter VII adoption of UNSCR 1757 to create an international tribunal. Berri's advisor, before the meeting, highlighted to Emboffs the communique Berri had just issued, wh [...] | 2007-05-31 16:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT772 | LEBANON: SINIORA CALLS FOR "CONVIVENCIA" [...] (SBU) In a meeting with the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC),Prime Minister Siniora shared his own understanding of the Lebanese will to live with one another. He insisted that Lebanon must exert sovereignty over its own lands, which in his definition include Sheb'a Farms. Recover [...] | 2007-05-31 16:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT773 | LEBANON: CODEL LEAHY MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) On 5/31, PM Siniora conveyed to CODEL Leahy his sincere gratitude for U.S. leadership in yesterday's UN Security Council vote for resolution 1757, which will establish the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. He said the June 10 sunset clause was almost irrelevant because Speaker Berri will co [...] | 2007-05-31 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT777 | LEBANON: ECONOMY MINISTER REVIEWS WTO MEETINGS [...] (C) Minister of Economy and Trade (MOET) Sami Haddad expressed frustration that, in his view, U.S. trade negotiators asked more of Lebanon than they have asked of other recent WTO members. He argued that any message of strong American political support to the besieged GOL is not trickling dow [...] | 2007-06-01 11:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT780 | LEBANON: EAC CONVENES TO REVIEW COMBAT AT NAHR [...] (C) The full Embassy Beirut Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened at 1600 hrs. local to review security threats in the aftermath of the Lebanese Armed Forces' entry into the Nahr el-Barad Palestinian refugee camp. The EAC confirmed that off-compound personal moves have been suspended and [...] | 2007-06-01 14:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC AMGT PTER CASC LE |
07BEIRUT782 | LEBANON: EAC REVIEWS COMBAT AT NAHR EL-BARAD; [...] (C) On June 2 at 1300 hrs. local, the DCM chaired a full emergency action committee (EAC) meeting to review the status of military operations at the Nahr el-Barad Palestinian refugee camp and related security threats throughout Lebanon. The EAC agreed to lift the suspension of all off-compou [...] | 2007-06-02 11:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PTER CASC AMGT LE |
07BEIRUT783 | LEBANON: AOUN BLOC TELLS HDAC THEY ARE THE [...] (SBU) On May 28, Aoun bloc member Ibrahim Kenaan told visiting members of the House Democracy Assistance Commission that the Aoun bloc was the original opposition; this status derives from the bloc having always opposed any government formed via elections that took place under the old Syrian- [...] | 2007-06-02 12:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT784 | POST-TRIBUNAL POLITICAL INITIATIVES: WHICH IS THE [...] (S) With the passage of UNSCR 1757 on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the international community handed a significant victory to the March 14 and GOL leaders. While figures such as Saad Hariri have strained to project a spirit of magnanimity toward Hizballah and its allies in the afterma [...] | 2007-06-02 13:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT785 | DEFMIN MURR ON NAHR AL-BARID FIGHT [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on the evening of June 2, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr, while describing that day's house-to-house combat in Nahr al-Barid as "tough," forcefully rejected the worry of some Lebanese politicians that the LAF had, on the s [...] | 2007-06-03 07:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PTER PREL MASS MOPS LE SY |
07BEIRUT789 | LEBANON: ECONOMY MINISTERS UPBEAT ON FINANCES, [...] (C) Ministers Azour and Haddad met the Ambassador on June 1 ahead of a ministerial meeting scheduled to give political affirmation to the LAF's military operations in Nahr al-Barid. Haddad described his determination to use economic policy to address extremism. Azour reassured us that the GO [...] | 2007-06-04 08:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL PTER LE |
07BEIRUT794 | HADDAD, AZOUR CONVINCED SYRIA WANTS RIAD SALAMEH [...] (S) After shooing out their staff members and Embassy notetaker after a lengthy meeting on economic and financial matters (reftel),Minister of Finance Jihad Azour and Minister of Economy and Trade Sami Haddad told the Ambassador on 6/1 that they were deeply concerned about the "charm offens [...] | 2007-06-04 16:25:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT805 | LEBANON: A/S SILVERBERG MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) On 6/5, PM Siniora informed A/S Silverberg that LAF operations against Fatah al-Islam terrorists cornered in the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp were proceeding according to plan and that only two outcomes were acceptable: surrender to Lebanese justice, or elimination. Siniora agreed with the [...] | 2007-06-06 09:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT812 | LEBANON: PROMINENT BEIRUT CHRISTIAN TALKS [...] (C) Massaoud Ashqar, widely regarded as one of the best known Christian figures in Beirut, discussed with poloff political trends and concerns of the Lebanese Christian population. He described Michel Aoun as the most popular Christian leader in Lebanon despite Aoun's unpalatable alliance wit [...] | 2007-06-06 13:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT813 | LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK LOOKS AHEAD ON [...] (C) Visiting Assistant Secretary for International Organizations Kristen Silverberg and the Ambassador on June 5 discussed upcoming issues regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon with Minister of Justice Charles Rizk. Fully supportive of A/S Silverberg's argument to make progress on making [...] | 2007-06-06 15:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE SY |
07BEIRUT814 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI REVIEWS NEXT STEPS ON THE [...] (C) Saad Hariri thanked the Ambassador and IO A/S Silverberg in a 6/5 meeting for U.S. support in adoption of the tribunal, and he pledged to move quickly on selecting Lebanese judges. He suggested that locating the tribunal in Cyprus could handicap the ability of Turkish pressure on Syria t [...] | 2007-06-07 06:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT817 | LEBANON: MITRI MOVING AHEAD ON TRIBUNAL, NEW [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Mitri in a 6/4 meeting with IO A/S Silverberg and the Ambassador thanked the U.S. for its efforts to pass the tribunal and pledged quick Lebanese action to establish it. Mitri did not advocate expanding UNIFIL's mandate, but saw no obstacle to renewing the current [...] | 2007-06-07 15:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT818 | LEBANON: UN ENVOY PEDERSEN ON UNIFIL RENEWAL AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: The UN SYG's Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pederseon shared his thoughts about UNIFIL renewal, the upcoming UNSCR 1701 report, and Hizballah thinking on dialogue with March 14, at a dinner hosted by the Ambassador for IO A/S Kristin Silverberg on June 4. Pedersen noted t [...] | 2007-06-07 15:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT820 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA ON NARH AL-BARID, CABINET [...] (C) In a June 7 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora said the destination of the weapons intercepted by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on June 6 had not yet been determined, but the GOL would not return them to Hizballah under any circumstances. He said the LAF will keep them [...] | 2007-06-07 16:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT824 | LEBANON: MARADA ALLY BLAMES HARIRI FOR SECURITY [...] (C) Richard Haykel, AmCham Vice President, general manager of a Tripoli hospital, and close friend of Marada Forces leader Suleiman Franjieh, on May 31 theorized about the recent security incidents in the north. He blamed Hariri and the Future Movement for the existence of Fatah al-Islam and [...] | 2007-06-08 10:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT830 | LEBANESE DEFMIN CONFIDENT ON NAHR AL-BARID FIGHT [...] (S) Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr told Ambassador and DCM on 6/8 that GOL forces are committed to completing the operation at Nahar al-Barid against Fatah al-Islam insurgents; he estimated the LAF needs three to five more days. In recent fierce fighting, the LAF had ki [...] | 2007-06-10 08:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL MOPS PTER MASS LE SY |
07BEIRUT831 | LEBANON: FRENCH AMBASSADOR TRIES TO DOWNPLAY [...] (C/NF) In a 6/9 meeting with French Ambassador Bernard Emie, Ambassador Feltman registered strong concern about the proposal by French Foreign Minister Kouchner to host Lebanese political and civil society figures to a national dialogue in France in late June. Emie (please protect throughout [...] | 2007-06-10 10:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT837 | LEBANON: GEAGEA URGES DEAL ON PRESIDENCY, PRESSURE [...] (C) In a June 8 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Forces leader Dr. Samir Geagea said the key to resolving Lebanon's political crisis is the presidency, suggesting that a deal over President Lahoud's replacement is possible if the Saudis exert their influence with Parliament Speaker Nabih [...] | 2007-06-11 15:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT851 | LEBANON: BERRI RAISING THE BAR ON NATIONAL UNITY [...] (C) In a June 11 meeting with the Ambassador, Parliament Speaker and Amal leader Nabih Berri hardened his positions on three issues. First, he rejected the 19-11 cabinet formula he had previous advocated, demanding instead a 17-13 division (with two seats more for the opposition). Second, Be [...] | 2007-06-13 13:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT853 | LEBANON: EAC REVIEWS BOMBING IN BEIRUT; SECURITY [...] (C) On June 13 at 1900 hours local, DCM chaired an emergency action committee EAC meeting to review security situation in the wake of bombing in Beirut that afternoon that killed MP Walid Eido and several others. EAC agreed to cancel off-compound moves for evening of June 13. RSO will eva [...] | 2007-06-14 04:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PTER CASC AMGT LE |
07BEIRUT858 | LEBANON: EXPLOSION KILLS MARCH 14 PARLIAMENTARIAN [...] (C) March 14 MP Walid Eido was killed June 14 in what sources tell us was a targeted bombing on Beirut's waterfront corniche. Eido, an outspoken opponent of Syrian interference in Lebanon, was a member of Saad Hariri's Future Movement and a close personal friend of Social Progressive Party le [...] | 2007-06-14 09:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT859 | LEBANON: FIGHT FOR CONTROL OF LBCI TELEVISION [...] (C) Twice in recent weeks, most recently during a meeting with the Ambassador and Pol/Econ chief on political matters (reftel),Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has sounded alarm bells about control of the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International television network (LBCI) passing i [...] | 2007-06-14 13:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PREL PGOV LE SA |
07BEIRUT860 | LEBANON: GOL MOVING QUICKLY ON SPECIAL TRIBUNAL [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 10. 2. C) SUMMARY: The Lebanese government is moving quickly on steps it must take to start the UN Tribunal. Minister of Justice Charles Rizk told the Ambassador June 14 that the GOL will submit to the UN Legal Adviser a list of twelve [...] | 2007-06-14 16:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL UNSC AA |
07BEIRUT861 | LEBANON: BRAVO ZULU FOR U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE [...] Speed, professionalism, effectiveness: those qualities exemplified the extraordinary effort put forth by our EUCOM, CENTCOM and TRANSCOM military brethren and our State and DOD civilian colleagues in providing urgently needed military assistance to Lebanon's fledgling armed forces in their ti [...] | 2007-06-14 16:23:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MASS MOPS PTER PREL LE SY |
07BEIRUT866 | LEBANON: UN ASSESSMENT TEAM IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE [...] (C) At a 6/14 meeting requested by the International Donors Border Security Sub-group, members of the UN border assessment team spoke in worrying tones of what their team had found in its two-week examination of the Lebanese-Syrian border. In contrast to his aloof address to the same group [...] | 2007-06-15 09:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT870 | LEBANON: SAFADI SEES SYRIAN HAND BEHIND EIDO [...] (C) In a June 14 meeting with the Ambassador, Minister of Public Works and Transportation Mohammad Safadi blamed Syria for the June 13 assassination of March 14 MP Walid Eido. Eido and March 14 Youth and Sports Minister Ahmed Fatfat have both been targets for some time, he claimed, due to thei [...] | 2007-06-15 14:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT871 | POST CONCURRENCE - PROPOSED NIH RESEARCH PROJECT [...] Embassy Beirut has no objections to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposed award of research project AG01284613 entitled, "Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging," to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the American University of Beirut. Embassy Beirut sees no adverse U [...] | 2007-06-15 14:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO OSCI KSCA LE |
07BEIRUT872 | LEBANON: COUSSERAN READOUT: FRANCE REVISED ITS [...] (C) The reactions to the French initiative that Lebanese interlocutors gave envoy Jean-Claude Cousseron during his visit to Lebanon caused the French to modify their original plan for participation, French Embassy charge Joseph Silva told DCM on June 14. Interlocutors from both political camps [...] | 2007-06-15 14:49:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT874 | LEBANON: PREVENTING IRAN-SYRIA ARMS SHIPMENTS [...] (S) The Ambassador on June 13 and 14 delivered Ref B demarche to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Tariq Mitri, Minister of Defense Elias Murr, and Minister of Transportation Mohammed Safadi. In addition, the DATT demarched Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Michel Sleiman on June [...] | 2007-06-15 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PARM PREL MOPS ETTC PGOV SY IR LE |
07BEIRUT875 | LEBANON: DO BY-ELECTIONS INCREASE THE CHANCES OF [...] (C) In a June 16 session, the Lebanese cabinet rushed through a decree to hold by-elections for the two March 14 parliamentary seats made vacant through assassination; by-elections will be scheduled for August 5. Former President Amine Gemayel told us that he hesitates to run for his son's [...] | 2007-06-18 06:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT876 | UN ENVOY PEDERSEN, MOHAMAD CHATAH ON 1701 REPORT [...] (C) In a July 16 meeting with the Ambassador that focused largely on Lebanon's internal politics, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pedersen also talked of the next UNSCR 1701 report. On Sheba' Farms, Pedersen, showing a map, said that the cartographer's work revealed that the area of [...] | 2007-06-18 06:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER UNSC LE SY |
07BEIRUT89 | LEBANON: ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS SEES LEBANON'S [...] (C) The Patriarch of the Armenian Church in Lebanon, Catholicos Aram I, believes that Lebanon's political situation has reached a "crossroads" at which conflict between government and opposition cannot continue. The priority of all Lebanese must be the well-being of Lebanon, not the promotion [...] | 2007-01-17 16:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LE |
07BEIRUT896 | LEBANON: AOUN RECEPTIVE TO RAPPROCHMENT WITH MARCH [...] (C) In a June 18 meeting with the Ambassador, Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader General Michel Aoun agreed that a second government would be catastrophic for Lebanon. The FPM is exploring cooperation with the March 14 majority to form a national unity government, but claims the ball is in M [...] | 2007-06-19 16:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL UNSC AA |
07BEIRUT898 | LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR FBI DIRECTOR MUELLER [...] (SBU) As you visit Lebanon, the much-buffeted democratic government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is fully engaged on a number of critical issues. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are now locked in close combat with Sunni extremists who profess affiliation with Al Qaida, but who many believ [...] | 2007-06-20 12:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT899 | APPALLINGLY BAD EXAMPLE OF UNAUTHORIZED PERSONAL [...] (U) We urge all recipients of this message to remind all employees that Embassy Beirut is a partially unaccompanied post. All USG employees from all agencies, as well as their families and members of households, are subject to reftel guidance on travel to Beirut. Unless advised differently [...] | 2007-06-20 13:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | AMGT ASEC APER LE |
07BEIRUT90 | LEBANON: UNIIIC BRAMMERTZ APPLIES SCISSORS TO [...] (S/NF) UNIIIC Commissioner Brammertz told the Ambassador that neither any of the P-5 counties, nor Israel, were among the ten countries cited for non-compliance in last month's interim report to the UN Security Council. Indicating some surprise that this has developed into such an issue, Br [...] | 2007-01-17 16:49:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT913 | LEBANON: UNIFIL COMMANDER WARNS ISRAEL WILL [...] (C) UNIFIL Force Commander Graziano, calling the June 17 rocket attack against Israel a "severe violation" of UNSCR 1701, credited excellent UNIFIL communication with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and Israeli restraint for Israel's decision not to retaliate. However, he warned that Israel [...] | 2007-06-21 14:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT917 | LEBANON: SINIORA INTENDS TO USE NAHR AL-BARID TO [...] (C) In a 6/21 meeting, PM Siniora conveyed to the Ambassador his conviction that the fight at Nahr al-Barid was a watershed event -- one which will enable his government to take the offensive against the numerous concentrations of militants located in the 12 Palestinian refugee camps and in [...] | 2007-06-22 14:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT922 | LEBANON: JUMBLATT: SECOND GOVERNMENT WOULD [...] (C) In a June 21 meeting with the Ambassador, Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and Druse leader Walid Jumblatt expressed his support for the Arab League's initiative to hold a national dialogue at the deputy level the following week (an initiative that crumbled shortly thereafter). Jumblatt [...] | 2007-06-25 04:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT933 | LEBANON: SINIORA REQUESTS INCREASED MILITARY [...] (C) In a 6/25 meeting with CODEL Issa, PM Siniora requested continued U.S. security assistance so that Lebanon's army could carry on its fight against Palestinian militants and other extremists. Siniora said that once the Nahr al-Barid operation is completed, he wants to "turn his attention [...] | 2007-06-25 14:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT94 | WAITING FOR HIZBALLAH: SAUDI AMBASSADOR CLAIMS [...] (S) Summary: In a 1/18 meeting with the Ambassador, Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja said that he has received approvals from Parliament Speaker Berri and MP Saad Hariri for the broad outlines of a political deal to resolve Lebanon's political crisis. Hizballah has not yet responded to his [...] | 2007-01-18 14:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT944 | LEBANON: CONGRESSMAN ISSA VISITS BEIRUT [...] (C) Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) visited Beirut June 24-25, where he held meetings with PM Siniora (reftel),Free Patriotic Movement General Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabil Berri, Future Movement leader Saad Hariri, and March 14 MP Samir Franjieh. The visit occurred in the wake of A [...] | 2007-06-26 13:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT945 | LEBANON: BRAMMERTZ PREVIEWS NEXT REPORT ON HARIRI [...] (C) In a June 20 meeting with the Ambassador, UNIIIC Commissioner Serge Brammertz said he was in the process of finalizing his next report to the UN Security Council (which he expects to present on July 19). While the report will not include the names of those believed responsible for the 200 [...] | 2007-06-26 14:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT952 | LAHOUD'S SECOND CABINET SCENARIO: EVEN IF HE'S [...] (C) Rumors about if and when President Emile Lahoud will unilaterally form a second cabinet continue to dominate political talk in Lebanon. There are some indications that Lahoud might move far more quickly than expected to take this step to undermine Siniora's cabinet. Elias Murr, citing h [...] | 2007-06-27 16:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT96 | LEBANON: BANKS DENY RELATIONS WITH IRAN, HIZBALLAH [...] (S) Pol-EconOff delivered reftel demarche to senior officials at six banks, per reftel request. The officials denied any current relations with Iran- or Hizballah-related entities, and reasoned that there is neither a market nor a political basis for such relationships. The officials told us [...] | 2007-01-18 16:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | ETTC KTFN PTER EFIN PREL LE |
07BEIRUT963 | LEBANON: GOL CLOSE TO SUBMITTING TRIBUNAL JUDGE [...] (C) Justice Minister Charles Rizk provided Ambassador on June 28, 2007 with a list of names of twelve Lebanese judges the GOL intends to nominate to the UN for selection for the four seats on Special Tribunal. He said all twelve have agreed to have their names put forward. The GOL has its p [...] | 2007-06-28 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT967 | LEBANON: FBI DIRECTOR EXPLORES COUNTERTERRORISM [...] (S) FBI Director Mueller on June 26 met with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr, Minister of Interior Hassan Sabaa, Head of the Internal Security Forces Ashraf Rifi, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk, and Chief Prosecutor Jean Fahd to offer FBI assistance to Lebanon's securit [...] | 2007-06-29 09:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT97 | LEBANON: JA'JA' BRINGS IDEAS DOWN FROM THE [...] (C) Samir Geagea, newly installed in the hills north of Beirut (vice the distant Cedars region),advocated to the Ambassador early parliamentary elections, prior to the presidential election, as a "master stroke" for March 14. He acknowledged, however, that March 14 forces are divided over w [...] | 2007-01-18 16:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE |
07BEIRUT972 | LEBANON: UNIFIL DISCUSSES TRIPARTITE TALKS, VBIED [...] (C) On June 27, UNIFIL's Chief of Planning and Coordination described the June 24 attack on the UNIFIL patrol near the village of El Khaim as a "specific terrorist attack" directed against UNIFIL, but he refrained from saying it had deliberately targeted the forward-leaning Spanish contingen [...] | 2007-06-29 14:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT974 | LAHOUD'S LEGAL ADVISOR: SECOND CABINET (OR [...] (C) Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's amiable legal advisor, Selim Jeressaiti, told the Ambassador on 6/29 that -- based on Jeressaiti's advice -- Lahoud has begrudgingly delayed the appointment of a second cabinet from July until September. If no consensus presidential candidate emerges by [...] | 2007-07-02 05:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT977 | LEBANON: ARE MODERATE SHIA THE ANSWER TO MARCH [...] (C) Recent discussions with two political figures from opposite sides of the confessional spectrum revealed a common thread in terms of broadening March 14's political alliances -- the need to secure the support of moderate Shia. While one advocated an alliance with Amal as a means for March [...] | 2007-07-02 06:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT984 | LEBANON: SINIORA CONFIDENT DESPITE CONCERTED [...] (C) Coming off a pivotal trip to Paris, Rome, Madrid, Cairo and Jeddah, PM Siniora spoke confidently of the pro-democracy movement's successful facing down of Syria's focused campaign to destabilize the country. Siniora believes the pro-Syrian opposition just might be becoming frustrated. [...] | 2007-07-03 10:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY LE FR |
07BEIRUT993 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER SUGGESTS NEW TWIST ON [...] (C) Defense Minister Elias Murr believes Syria ultimately will scuttle the most recent compromise idea (promoted by his father Michel) for solving Lebanon's political impasse -- appointing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Michel Sleiman for a two-year term to replace President Emil [...] | 2007-07-05 15:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY IS LE |
07BELGRADE100 | SERBIAN ELECTIONS - ALBANIANS MAKE IT [...] SUMMARY: The Presevo Valley Albanian coalition received enough votes to get one seat in parliament, according to Serbia's Republican Election Commission (RIK). Local contacts report that USG efforts in particular were "difference makers" in helping get the Albanians into parliament for the f [...] | 2007-01-23 16:46:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL EAID PHUM SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE1000 | SERBIA UNDECIDED ON SWING CANDIDACY [...] (U) On July 09, 2007, poloff met with representatives of the Serbian MFA to request Serbian support for the candidacy of Ambassador William Lacy Swing for the position of IOM Director General, per reftel request. Serbia is unable to give an answer at this time, but will carefully consider Sw [...] | 2007-07-16 10:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC EUN PREF PREL SMIG PRM |
07BELGRADE101 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MELISSA K. SHOEMAKER [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Melissa K. Shoemaker, Political officer from 01/27/07 to 03/25/07. Control Officer for this visit will be POLMIL officer Ian Campbell, Office tel. 381-11-306-4687, Mobile tel. 381-63-325-356. 2. The Embassy's offices are located [...] | 2007-01-24 08:24:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE1012 | EMBASSY BELGRADE SUPPORTS ODC 1206 PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL [...] (U) The Ambassador supports the Office of Defense Cooperation Section 1206 proposal for the Regional Air Surveillance Coordination Center. The center will provide important opportunities for our continued mil-mil engagement with Serbian armed forces, as well as promoting regional mil-mil coo [...] | 2007-07-18 09:40:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR SR |
07BELGRADE1018 | AMBASSADOR MEETS ENERGY MINISTER [...] (SBU) Ambassador Polt met with new Minister of Energy Aleksandar Popovic on July 11 to review his plans for addressing Serbia's energy security. The minister, a vice president in Prime Minister Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS),said Serbia has no alternative to sourcing gas from th [...] | 2007-07-19 06:58:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG SR |
07BELGRADE1029 | Serbian Kosovo Position Continues to Harden: Kosovo Weekly [...] (u) This report covers activities related to Kosovo for the week of July 16. 2. (sbu) Summary: Kosovo was not as much in the public eye as last week, as there were no visits comparable to A/S Fried and FM Kouchner to report on. The GoS showed private signs of increasing rigidity on rel [...] | 2007-07-20 13:15:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV SR |
07BELGRADE103 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MELISSA K. SHOEMAKER [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Melissa K. Shoemaker, Political officer from 01/27/07 to 03/25/07. Control Officer for this visit will be POLMIL officer Ian Campbell, Office tel. 381-11-306-4687, Mobile tel. 381-63-325-356. 2. The Embassy's offices are located [...] | 2007-01-24 09:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE1050 | SERBIA ADOPTS NEW KOSOVO RESOLUTION, PM DECLARES VICTORY [...] (U) SUMMARY: Serbia's parliament approved a resolution on July 24 which empowers the GOS to negotiate on Kosovo status as long as Kosovo remains within Serbia. The document requires the GOS to "react vigorously" to any foreign government's recognition of Kosovo but does not prescribe any spec [...] | 2007-07-26 06:37:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1061 | SERBIAN GOVERNMENT SPENDING RAISES MEDIUM TERM RISK [...] (U) Adoption of the 2007 budget on June 23, along with issuance of a memorandum of economic policies for 2008-2010, makes it clear that fiscal tightening will take place, at best, only in the medium term. The GOS outlook assumes a further increase in wages, which will fuel the growing trade a [...] | 2007-07-27 12:32:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN KPRV SR |
07BELGRADE1065 | VISAS DONKEY CORRUPTION 212 (F) SRM (MISKOVIC, Miroslav) [...] (s) Summary: Miroslav Miskovic, dpob: 5 July 1945, Serbia, is the richest man in Serbia and, according to the most recent Forbes ranking, one of the richest in the world, with over $1 billion in wealth. He dominates banking, insurance, and consumer goods in Serbia after obtaining massive we [...] | 2007-07-27 15:59:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | CVIS KCOR KCRM ASEC PGOV PREL ECON KFRD SR |
07BELGRADE1066 | KOSOVO WEEKLY UPDATE: BELGRADE READIES ITSELF FOR NEXT [...] (SBU) Summary: In the last week before the typical August lull, Serbian leaders made sure to line up all possible political unity on Kosovo through a parliamentary resolution in order to be ready for the international community's next steps on Kosovo status resolution. The Serbian Foreign Min [...] | 2007-07-27 16:03:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV SR |
07BELGRADE1078 | SERBIAN PLANS FOR HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AT 62ND UN GENERAL [...] (U) On July 31, 2007, poloff met with representative of the Serbian MFA to request information on Serbia's planned high-level attendance at the UNGA in fall 2007, per reftel. MFA said that President Boris Tadic and FonMin Vuk Jeremic will attend, but they have no additional travel details at [...] | 2007-07-31 11:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | UNGA PREL PGOV ITRA KSEP OVIP |
07BELGRADE1079 | SERBIA UNDECIDED ON CARR CANDIDACY [...] (U) On July 31, 2007, poloff met with representatives of the Serbian MFA to request Serbian support for the candidacy of Steve Carr to the Standing Commission of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, per reftel request. Serbia is unable to give an answer at this time, but wi [...] | 2007-07-31 11:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC EUN PREF PREL PRM PHUM ICRC |
07BELGRADE1085 | CODEL BEAN'S VISIT TO BELGRADE [...] Summary: CODEL Bean visited Serbia July 20-22, seeking to learn more about the challenges facing the country's future and the prospects for investment and economic cooperation moving forward. The CODEL's meetings with GOS officials on July 20 focused largely on Kosovo status and the impact of [...] | 2007-07-31 16:27:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PBTS OREP BEAN SR YI |
07BELGRADE1086 | NATIONWIDE MEDIA APPEARANCES IN SERBIA BY [...] Summary: From July 17-26 outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael C. Polt conducted a series of interviews with a broad spectrum of Serbian media in which he forcefully conveyed messages on U.S. ambitions for Kosovo, Serbia and the region. The Ambassador reiterated that the U.S. supports [...] | 2007-08-01 07:11:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PBTS PGOV KPAO SCUL SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE1098 | Kosovo Weekly Report (July 30 - Aug. 3, 2007) [...] (u) This report covers activities related to Kosovo for the week of July 30. 2. (sbu) Summary: This week was marked by an anticipatory pause - most of the GoS was on vacation, with only Foreign Minister Jeremic making waves in the media. GoS reactions to the UNSYG announcement of a new n [...] | 2007-08-03 10:48:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV SR KV |
07BELGRADE1100 | GOS' "RULES" FOR KOSOVO TALKS [...] The Government of Serbia passed the following letter (translated from Serbian) from Kosovo Minister Samardzic to the Chiefs of Mission of Contact Group countries in Belgrade. 2. Begin text of letter: Your Excellency, As Ambassador of a Contact Group country, we submit to you the propos [...] | 2007-08-03 13:55:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PBTS PGOV PREL SR KV |
07BELGRADE111 | K+1: ROLLING OUT THE SERBIAN BENEFITS PACKAGE [...] (C) As we approach the endgame in the Kosovo status process, this Mission is preparing to activate the third phase of our K 1 strategy, the rollout of the Serbian benefits package, to demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to Serbia's future beyond Kosovo. This rollout would involve the in [...] | 2007-01-24 16:35:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1113 | SCENESETTER FOR AMBASSADOR WISNER'S VISIT TO BELGRADE [...] (SBU) Ambassador Wisner, Serbia's leaders, led by Prime Minister Kostunica, have prepared for the new round of Kosovo talks and the first visit of the negotiating troika by affirming their unity on Kosovo policy and by submitting their "rules" for the format and substance of the talks. In sh [...] | 2007-08-07 07:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PGOV PREL SR KV |
07BELGRADE1122 | HIGHWAYMEN CLASH WITH POLICE IN SOUTHERN SERBIA, ONE DEAD [...] (sbu) Summary: A spate of recent shootings in the Presevo valley have led to knee-jerk conspiracy theories among local analysts and media. While the incidents themselves are clearly not political, they do tend to highlight the fragility of the security situation in the valley as the Kosovo [...] | 2007-08-08 15:19:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV |
07BELGRADE1126 | SERBIA UNDECIDED ON COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE [...] (u) This is an action request, see para 4. 2. (u) On August 8, emboff delivered diplomatic note and reftel points to Vanja Radonjic-Rakic, Counsellor in the Serbian Ministry for Foreign Affairs' Directorate for United Nations. Radonjic-Rakic was receptive to the talking points and consid [...] | 2007-08-09 14:58:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UNGA |
07BELGRADE1127 | SERBIA UNDECIDED ON COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-09 15:21:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UNGA |
07BELGRADE1130 | Kosovo Weekly Report (August 6 - 10, 2007) [...] (u) This report covers activities related to Kosovo for the week of August 6. 2. (sbu) Summary: This week was dominated by the Serbian government's preparation for the visit of the mediating Troika to Belgrade - the GoS's adoption of proposed rules for the talks, the forming of a new ne [...] | 2007-08-10 10:01:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV SR KV |
07BELGRADE1144 | PRIVATIZATION COMPLETION STRATEGY IN SERBIA [...] Mladjan Dinkic, Minister for Economy and Regional Development, and Vesna Dzinic, new director of the Agency for Privatization, on July 18 presented their strategy for completing privatization of socially-owned companies in Serbia. The current law on privatization required that privatization i [...] | 2007-08-14 11:21:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN KPRV SR |
07BELGRADE1145 | GOS RECEIVES TROIKA'S MESSAGE [...] On August 14, the Charge, along with the Russian and Portuguese (EU President) Ambassadors and German Charge, orally delivered the Troika's points in ref to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With the Foreign Minister on vacation, the delegation was received by State Secretary Radojko Bog [...] | 2007-08-14 17:27:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PBTS PGOV PREL SR KV |
07BELGRADE1160 | KOSOVO WEEKLY: KOSTUNICA TARGETS NATO [...] (SBU) Summary: Serbian leaders generally termed the Kosovo Troika's first visit to Belgrade as positive and a new start -- leaving behind the Ahtisaari's proposal. The DSS quickly dismissed partition of Kosovo as unacceptable and instead made pronouncements alleging that NATO is trying to for [...] | 2007-08-17 17:26:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV KPAO KV SR |
07BELGRADE1181 | KOSOVO MINISTRY PREVIEWS BELGRADE'S TROIKA APPROACH [...] (SBU) Summary: Dusan Prorokovic, State Secretary of Serbia's Kosovo Ministry, told us that Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardzic and Foreign Minister Jeremic will participate in August 30 discussions with the Kosovo Troika in Vienna and that the GOS will announce the names of the others in the del [...] | 2007-08-24 08:42:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PGOV PREL SR KV |
07BELGRADE1223 | KOSOVO WEEKLY: RHETORIC OUTSHINES TROIKA TALKS [...] (SBU) Summary: Anti-NATO rhetoric and talk of inflicting "injury" in response to a Kosovo unilateral declaration of independence (UDI),in Serbia, eclipsed the first week of talks in Vienna. Tadic and his Democratic Party (DS) remain silent, while Kostunica and his Democratic Party of Serbia ( [...] | 2007-08-31 16:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV KPAO KV SR |
07BELGRADE1252 | KOSOVO WEEKLY: DS HITS BACK AT DSS RHETORIC [...] (SBU) Summary: The Democratic Party (DS) responded to the Democratic Party of Serbia's (DSS) NATO-bashing and inflammatory comments about Serbian "use of force" or "severe measures" in Kosovo. Serbian media covered the U.S. and EU's reactions to the latest DSS rhetoric, which included a Kosovo [...] | 2007-09-07 18:41:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV KPAO KV SR |
07BELGRADE1276 | KOSOVO WEEKLY: GOS COMPLAINS ABOUT U.S. THREAT; ADVISES [...] (SBU) Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and his Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) protested throughout the week, through the media and to the UNSC, the perceived USG "threat" to Serbia's territorial integrity. Kostunica traveled to Brussels, in an attempt to organize EU opposition to an [...] | 2007-09-14 19:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV KPAO KV SR |
07BELGRADE1277 | KOSOVO WEEKLY: GOS COMPLAINS ABOUT U.S. THREAT; ADVISES [...] (SBU) Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and his Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) protested throughout the week, through the media and to the UNSC, the perceived USG "threat" to Serbia's territorial integrity. Kostunica traveled to Brussels, in an attempt to organize EU opposition to an [...] | 2007-09-14 19:52:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV KPAO KV SR |
07BELGRADE1302 | KOSOVO WEEKLY: MORE OF THE SAME FROM BELGRADE [...] (SBU) Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardzic attended Troika-led discussions in London, bringing little new to the table or to the discussion back at home. The President and Prime Minister announced their participation in the next round of discussions to take place [...] | 2007-09-24 07:38:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV KPAO KV SR |
07BELGRADE132 | SERBIA: TADIC LAUNCHES COALITION NEGOTIATIONS [...] (SBU) Official consultations on the formation of a new Serbian government began on January 29. Ironically, the election returns proved most disappointing for the three most likely partners in Serbia's next government--the DS, DSS, and G17--while the Radicals, Socialists, and LDP are generally [...] | 2007-01-29 14:38:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE1323 | ECONOMIC TRAIN NOT (YET) DERAILED BY KOSOVO [...] (U) During introductory meetings with Serbian government leaders and the U.S. business community the Ambassador heard positive messages that economic reform activity is moving forward. Despite the fact that economic issues are pushed off the front page by Kosovo, there are areas of progress a [...] | 2007-09-28 12:06:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV KIDE KPRV SR |
07BELGRADE1329 | Serb Rhetoric on Kosovo Status Stronger than Resolve [...] (SBU) Serbia's leaders, in New York for the UNGA and Troika-led Kosovo talks, continue to call on the international community to play by UN rules on Kosovo. At home, government officials echo that Serbia will do everything short of sending in the troops to hold on to Kosovo, while quietly sugg [...] | 2007-09-28 17:57:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PGOV PREL KPAO SR KV |
07BELGRADE133 | UPDATE ON ENERGY ISSUES FROM SERBIA [...] (SBU)Several major energy issues are still on the front burner as Serbia's democratic parties work to assemble a new government. Srbijagas's general director recently announced that Gazprom is likely to be Srbijagas's strategic partner in providing natural gas for the underground storage facil [...] | 2007-01-29 15:19:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG ECON EFIN PGOV EIND SR |
07BELGRADE1348 | Just Say When: Scheduling Serbia's Presidential Elections [...] (SBU) Exploiting ambiguities in the law, Serbia's political parties are wrangling over the election schedule, with the presidency, government of Vojvodina province, and key mayoral races potentially at stake. The key consideration scheduling elections is not the law, however, but rather specu [...] | 2007-10-03 15:02:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SR |
07BELGRADE1359 | SOUTHERN SERBIA: ALBANIANS CRITICIZE BELGRADE [...] (SBU) All ethnic Albanian parties from southern Serbia's Presevo Valley signed a declaration, September 29, criticizing the Government of Serbia for "delaying" political progress in the region. The parties alleged that the GOS was militarizing the region, failing to follow through on promised [...] | 2007-10-05 17:43:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1360 | Reservists Protest Back Wages in South Serbia [...] (U) Military reservists in south Serbia continue protests, seeking additional payments for their prior military service during the Kosovo conflict. The protests grab headlines and inconvenience regional travel, but pose no significant threat to order or stability, and protesters will likely ha [...] | 2007-10-05 18:08:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV |
07BELGRADE1362 | NAZIS AND VOJVODINA [...] (SBU) Leaders from Serbia's Vojvodina told the Ambassador that the appearance of a Nazi Movement in the province was a reflection of the changes in the delicate balance of the multi-ethnic, autonomous province as a result of the population migrations in the 1990's. Demographic changes enabled [...] | 2007-10-05 22:13:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KPAO SR KV |
07BELGRADE1363 | BELGRADE FEIGNS OPTIMISIM AFTER DIRECT TALKS [...] (SBU) Serbian leaders returned from the September 28 Kosovo talks in New York boasting confidence in Serbia's Kosovo strategy and hopeful that the talks could produce an agreement. The Foreign Minister told the Ambassador privately on October 1 that he believed the Troika was receptive to Pres [...] | 2007-10-05 22:40:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PGOV PREL KPAO SR KV |
07BELGRADE1364 | NAZIS AND VOJVODINA [...] (SBU) Leaders from Serbia's Vojvodina told the Ambassador that the appearance Of a Nazi Movement in the province was a reflection of the changes in the delicate balance of the multi-ethnic, autonomous province as a result of the population migrations in the 1990s. Demographic changes enabled [...] | 2007-10-05 22:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KPAO SR KV |
07BELGRADE1376 | ENERGY MINISTER POPOVIC TELLS AMBASSADOR SERBIA NEEDS MORE [...] (U) Serbian Energy Minister Popovic told the Ambassador on October 4 that Serbia's single source of gas from Hungary, and domestic electricity production could not meet peak demand during winter cold snaps. Popovic compared Serbia's energy relationship with Russia as "business, not friends." [...] | 2007-10-10 07:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG SR |
07BELGRADE1380 | SERBIA TO SEND DELEGATION TO BRUSSELS EMPTY-HANDED [...] (SBU) Serbia will bring no new ideas or proposals to the next round of Kosovo talks, Slobodan Samardzic, Serbia's Kosovo Minister and lead negotiator, told Ambassador. Resident European diplomats and a Government advisor echoed this message in conversations with the DCM and, further, conveyed [...] | 2007-10-10 17:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PBTS KV SR |
07BELGRADE1384 | SERBIA: CORRUPTION ARRESTS TARGET FORMER GENEX EXECS [...] Police arrested five former Genex (one of the biggest companies in the former Yugoslvia) executives, and a former Privatization Agency official on October 3. The group is suspected of conspiring to sell Genex land holdings without a public tender and abusing their positions. The police inves [...] | 2007-10-11 13:24:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN SR |
07BELGRADE1392 | Violence within Serbia's Muslim Community in Sandzak [...] (SBU) Serbia's non-Albanian Islamic community in the Sandzak, split along political and party lines, dramatically and repeatedly clashed in Novi Pazar, the week of October 1. The series of disturbances began with Belgrade's attempt to oust Serbia's chief Islamic religious leader, followed with [...] | 2007-10-11 17:54:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV BK |
07BELGRADE1394 | SERBIA - DUELING MUFTIS OVERSHADOW IFTAR [...] (SBU) In the midst of a bitter contest between Islamic leaders that reaches deep into the politics, economics, and financial aspirations of Serbia's Sandzak region (septel),the Ambassador went to Novi Pazar to host an Iftar and to deliver a message about reconciliation. Building on this theme [...] | 2007-10-11 18:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KPAO SR |
07BELGRADE1396 | C MARKET - TYPICAL TYCOON PRIVATIZATION [...] Rival Serbian Tycoons Beko and Miskovic, agreed in August 2005, reportedly at Prime Minister Kostunica's initiative, to jointly take over C-Market, the largest retail chain in Serbia. The agreement was used to chase out other bidders via back-room advice, an official ruling of the Securities [...] | 2007-10-12 10:56:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON EINV SR MW |
07BELGRADE1400 | SERBIA: ANTI-FASCISTS CLASH WITH NEO-NAZIS [...] (U) An unauthorized neo-Nazi rally on October 7 in Novi Sad, Serbia, ended with police arrests, after fighting broke out with counter-demonstrators. Parliament took up the battle in overheated debate. The rally was relatively well-contained and not likely indicative of rising Serbian extremis [...] | 2007-10-12 19:47:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KPAO SR KV |
07BELGRADE1411 | SERBIAN PRIME MINISTER KOSTUNICA AND [...] (C) Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and President Boris Tadic dislike each other. This has the fortunate benefit of keeping the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and Democratic Party (DS) coalition together. Both men's political bases are equally based on exploiting differences bet [...] | 2007-10-16 11:38:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1433 | GAZPROM IN SERBIA - BUYING UP THE WORKS? [...] (U) Russia's Gazprom is making a push to control Serbia's key energy companies and infrastructure. During an October 9 visit, Gazprom CEO, Alexei Miller linked three major energy projects in Serbia -- a new gas pipeline, a gas storage facility and perhaps a deal involving 51% ownership of the [...] | 2007-10-22 07:21:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG SR |
07BELGRADE1435 | Serbs Defend Kosovo Status Proposal to EUR/SCE Director [...] (SBU) Government of Serbia officials told visiting Director for South Central Europe (EUR/SCE) Chris Hoh on October 16 that Serbia's proposal for Kosovo autonomy was extensive and fair, and that the dynamics of the Kosovo status discussions were not. The government officials outlined their vi [...] | 2007-10-22 10:05:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV |
07BELGRADE1445 | SERBIA'S FOURTEEN POINTS [...] (U) Serbia's delegation to the October 22 Troika talks held in Vienna submitted 14 principles on resolving Kosovo status. These points were an amended version of the Troika's fourteen points and did not differ substantively from Belgrade's previously announced "broad autonomy" plan for Kosovo. [...] | 2007-10-23 18:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS SR KV |
07BELGRADE1450 | DSS REELECTS KOSTUNICA PARTY PRESIDENT (AND OTHER [...] (U) Members of the Democratic Party of Serbia reelected Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica as party president and made slight changes to their platform at the 9th Party Congress, on October 13-14, in Belgrade. In a speech to party members, Kostunica reiterated the party's opposition to both Ko [...] | 2007-10-24 18:12:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV |
07BELGRADE1451 | FOLLOW UP ON SERBIAN FIRM'S POSSIBLE BID TO SUPPLY [...] (S) Serbia's Director of Arms Control at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told poloff, October 5, that, since April, the Government of Serbia had discovered no information regarding a potential sale of multispectral camouflage netting to Syria by a Serbian firm. Separate discussions with Mile [...] | 2007-10-24 21:04:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC MASS SY SR CG |
07BELGRADE1463 | SERBIA: ELECTION DAY SPRINT OR HURDLES [...] (SBU) Serbian citizens may head to the polls on December 9 -- or maybe they won't. The election date remains up in the air, as ruling coalition partners jockey for control of the process and results. President Boris Tadic, with the most to gain from elections prior to the end of the Kosovo St [...] | 2007-10-26 14:16:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KV SR |
07BELGRADE1472 | SERBIA'S DSS DECLARES MILITARY NEUTRALITY [...] (U) The Democratic Party of Serbia of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on October 28 adopted a declaration supporting military neutrality for Serbia. The declaration, while dramatic, in fact, allows for the possibility of Serbia entering a military alliance by public referendum. For the mome [...] | 2007-10-30 12:56:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MARR KV SR |
07BELGRADE1473 | SERBIA: THE COST OF KOSOVO [...] Serbian government spending in Kosovo in support of Kosovo-Serbs is substantial, but not unsustainable. There are several avenues through which money is flowing from Serbia to Kosovo. Serbia services foreign debt attributable to Kosovo, NIP expenditures, and direct and indirect budget expend [...] | 2007-10-30 13:00:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON EINV SR |
07BELGRADE1475 | SERBIAN LEADERS RALLY SUPPORT FOR REPUBLIKA SRBSKA KIN [...] (U) With the dissolution of the Serbian-Montenegrin Union in the recent past and the independence of Kosovo around the corner, Serbia has seized on political events in Bosnia's Republika Srpska as an opportunity to proclaim support for the interests of Serbs region-wide. Serbia's political le [...] | 2007-10-30 17:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KV SR BH |
07BELGRADE1480 | Serbia: President and Foreign Minister Defend Dayton [...] Both President Tadic and Prime Minister Jeremic, in separate meetings on October 30 reaffirmed Serbia's support for the Dayton Accords as one of the "guarantors," and criticized High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina Miroslav Lajcak for taking measures in Bosnia contrary to the accords. [...] | 2007-10-31 12:23:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL BH SR |
07BELGRADE1482 | SOUTHERN SERBIA: AVOIDING CARGO CULT [...] The United States' objective in Southern Serbia is to integrate the Albanian-majority Presevo Valley with the rest of the country. While the region is currently stable, its relationship with Belgrade is dysfunctional and local Albanian leaders have failed to commit to a future with Serbia. Lo [...] | 2007-10-31 17:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1488 | SERBIA WILL SUPPORT CANDIDACY OF DAVID WALKER FOR UN IAAC [...] (U) Serbia's MFA informed Embassy Belgrade through diplomatic note, on October 25, that Serbia would support the U.S. candidate to the UN Independent Audit Advisory Committee, David Walker, at the elections to be held during the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly, on November 2, 2007. [...] | 2007-11-01 08:24:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AORC UN UNGA |
07BELGRADE1495 | SERBIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR INR/B OFFICERS [...] (U) Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of INR/B officers Amanda Timko and Katherine Kaminksi for the period of November 6 to 8, for consultations with embassy officers. Embassy control officer for this visit will be POL officer Bianca Menendez: (381-11) 306-4654 ( [...] | 2007-11-02 12:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PINR OTRA BK MW SR |
07BELGRADE1498 | SERBIA: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR UNDERCUTS TROIKA ROLE [...] (SBU) The Russian ambassador to Serbia told a Belgrade daily November 2 that the Troika's 14 Points did not "100% reflect the stand of Russia," and reiterated that December 10 was not a deadline for a decision on Kosovo status. The local UN office (protect) confirmed that the Russian ambassad [...] | 2007-11-02 16:56:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1504 | Serbia: Election Announcement to Follow Troika Report on [...] (SBU) The leaders of Serbia's governing coalition agreed on November 3 to call presidential elections, only after December 10. The timing defers the call for elections until after delivery of the Troika's report to the UNSYG on the conclusion of Kosovo status negotiations and sets the first ro [...] | 2007-11-05 19:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1509 | SERBIA: MISSILE DESTRUCTION STALLS SHORT OF GOAL [...] (U) This is a time sensitive action request. Please see para 8. 2. (U) In.2005, the United States and Serbia and Montenegro signed an agreement for the destruction of 5,000 MANPADSs by the end of 2007. As of October 31, 2007 Serbia had destroyed nearly 4,000 of those weapons and inten [...] | 2007-11-06 17:53:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PARM MCAP PREL PTER MW SR |
07BELGRADE1514 | SERBIA-$520 MILLION BANKRUPTCY AUCTION [...] On October 29 Verano Motors bought bankrupt department store chain "Robne Kuce Beograd" for $520 million in the fifth largest privatization deal in Serbia. Verano's offer prevailed over nine other bidders including two U.S. investment firms and well-known Serbian business tycoons. The purch [...] | 2007-11-07 13:46:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV SR |
07BELGRADE1529 | ANTI-CUBAN EMBARGO RESOLUTION PASSES SERBIA'S PARLIAMENT [...] (U) The Serbian Parliament overwhelmingly approved a declaration condemning sanctions against Cuba, in principle. The text of the declaration reflects the vigorous debate between the democratic and radical MPs that resulted in only one explicit mention of the United States. While Serbia has v [...] | 2007-11-08 20:59:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV UN CU SR |
07BELGRADE1532 | Serbia: Vojislav Seselj Goes on Trial in The Hague while [...] (U) Notorious Serbian Radical Party (SRS) leader Vojislav Seselj's November 7 war crimes trial in The Hague attracted only moderate media attention in Belgrade and no public pronouncements or protests. With the concomitant press of Serbia's initialing of a Stability and Association Agreement [...] | 2007-11-09 16:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KV SR |
07BELGRADE1545 | SERBIA: ECONOMIC NUMBERS POINT TO RISKS AHEAD [...] According to third quarter data for 2007, industrial production in Serbia continues steady growth of 5% annually, GDP growth of 7% is expected, strong export expansion continues, while import growth slowed slightly. The growing current account deficit as a result of the trade deficit and cre [...] | 2007-11-15 08:45:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON EINV SR |
07BELGRADE1551 | (S) SERBIA: SANDZAK SIMMERS WHILE FIGHTING MUFTIS VIE FOR [...] (C) Serbia's Islamic community in the Sandzak region continues to feud over financial and political control of the local community while the opposing religious leaders try to enlist U.S. support. What started as a power grab by one faction of imams supported by Belgrade apparently has spun out [...] | 2007-11-15 16:47:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV BK |
07BELGRADE1552 | SERBIA: PRESIDENT TADIC AND PRIME MINISTER KOSTUNICA ON THE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met Serbian Prime Minister Kostunica November 7 and President Tadic November 9. Kostunica was guarded but cordial, Tadic open and realistic. Tadic agreed to continue public statements condemning violence in days to come; Kostunica demurred, saying such statements wou [...] | 2007-11-15 16:54:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM KV BH SR |
07BELGRADE1553 | SERBIA: RADICAL PARTY MAYOR MAJA GOJKOVIC READY TO JUMP [...] (C) Novi Sad Mayor Maja Gojkovic of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) confided to the DCM that she planned to break from the party and run for president in 2012. She said she differed from the party leadership in her orientation to the west, where Serbia's destiny lay. She outlined her efforts [...] | 2007-11-15 17:36:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE1559 | HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK IN NIS CITY [...] Over 550 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported in and around Nis, Serbia's third largest city, this year. As the number of cases has grown, local press reports have focused on the continued spread of the outbreak. Males between the ages 20-50 make up the majority of those infected. The go [...] | 2007-11-19 06:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON CASC SOCI SR |
07BELGRADE1560 | SERBIAN PATRIARCH DYING; BISHOPS MANEUVERING [...] (C) Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Pavle is 93 years old and in declining health. The Church already is preparing to select a new patriarch. The process of choosing a successor will involve a complex process of election and divine selection. Metropolitan Amfilohije and Bishop Irinej are t [...] | 2007-11-19 06:36:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE1562 | IMO DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-19 08:18:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC IMO EWWT PHSA SR |
07BELGRADE1563 | SERBIA TO CONSIDER SUPPORT FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HR [...] (U) Serbian MFA Human Rights Counselor Marina Ivanovic told poloff on November 19 that the Ministry had not yet decided how Serbia will vote on the third committee human rights resolutions. Ivanovic said, however, that her office had recommended supporting all four human rights resolutions and [...] | 2007-11-19 16:35:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM UNGA PREL SR KTIA BL |
07BELGRADE1573 | SERBIA TO SUPPORT UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HR RESOLUTIONS [...] (U) Serbian MFA Human Rights Counselor Marina Ivanovic told poloff on November 20 that Serbia would vote against no-action motions on the four human rights resolutions before the UNGA Third Committee and would support all four resolutions if they came to a vote. MUNTER [...] | 2007-11-20 16:53:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM UNGA PREL SR KTIA BL |
07BELGRADE1574 | SERBIA TO SUPPORT UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE HR RESOLUTIONS [...] (U) Serbian MFA Human Rights Counselor Marina Ivanovic told poloff on November 20 that Serbia would vote against no-action motions on the four human rights resolutions before the UNGA Third Committee and would support all four resolutions if they came to a vote. MUNTER [...] | 2007-11-20 17:06:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM UNGA PREL SR KTIA BL |
07BELGRADE1576 | SERBIA'S SOCIAL AFFAIRS MINISTER TACKLES THE MENTAL HEALTH [...] (SBU) Labor and Social Affairs Minister Rasim Ljajic told the Ambassador on November 19 that he was disappointed that the recent Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) report was so political, and he questioned the timing of the report's release. Nevertheless, Ljajic was open and willing [...] | 2007-11-21 08:12:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE158 | PRIME MINISTER CHARTS COLLISION COURSE WITH NATO [...] (c) Summary: The DSS Kosovo platform released January 31 as the basis for coalition talks is further evidence that Kostunica is not likely to take a constructive path in the Kosovo status process. It also signals his willingness, just two months after the PfP invitation, to block or delay [...] | 2007-02-02 16:46:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS MARR NATO PREL SR YI |
07BELGRADE1585 | SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH BISHOP IRINEJ ON PATRIARCH'S [...] (SBU) Novi Sad Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church spoke to the DCM on November 21 about successors to Patriarch Pavle, who is ill, naming Metropolitan Amfilohije as a likely candidate. Irinej said SOC would need a dynamic new patriarch who could both command the same authority as his [...] | 2007-11-26 12:26:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SV |
07BELGRADE1595 | SERBIA: 2008 BUDGET SENT TO PARLIAMENT [...] On November 12, the Serbian Government adopted a 2008 budget with a 9.9% increase over 2007, with revenues of $12.02 billion, expenditures of $12.3 billion and deficit of $280 million. The consolidated fiscal deficit is projected to improve in 2008 to 0.6% of GDP, mostly by keeping increases [...] | 2007-11-27 16:56:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON EINV SR |
07BELGRADE160 | SERBIA'S PFP PRESENTATION DOCUMENT BETTER, BUT ON [...] (c) Emboffs met February 2 with Milan Milanovic, chief of the MFA NATO Directorate, to discuss the latest draft of the PfP Presentation Document. Milanovic handed over a copy of the latest Serbian language draft, and said the English language version will be ready by February 6. The documen [...] | 2007-02-02 16:46:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR NATO PREL PGOV SR |
07BELGRADE1604 | SOUTHERN SERBIA: ALBANIANS RAISE FLAG BUT EVENT PASSES WITH [...] (SBU) Local Albanians in Southern Serbia publicly celebrated Albanian Flag Day, more calmly than in past years. In the Presevo Valley, Albanians temporarily flew the Albanian flag alongside the Serbian flag, but caused little reaction. USG calls to local leaders from Belgrade and Pristina in [...] | 2007-11-29 17:05:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1612 | VETTING FOR PROPOSED PARTICIPANTS FOR UPCOMING 2008 [...] The following candidates from Serbia are presented as nominees for attendance in the upcoming 2008 middle management and high level training courses at the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU) in Vincenza, Italy. Consistent with Department Policy as it relates to Leahy Ame [...] | 2007-12-03 13:03:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS KCRM PREL IT SR |
07BELGRADE1615 | SERBIA: DYNAMIC MAYOR OUTLINES A VISION FOR A BETTER [...] During a visit to Indjija, a small city located 45 minutes from Belgrade the Ambassador had an opportunity to see first hand a dynamic local Mayor's success in attracting investment and building a foundation for economic prosperity. Mayor Jesic is a young, energetic leader who is working to b [...] | 2007-12-04 08:53:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV SR |
07BELGRADE1617 | SUSPECT EMBASSY MEMO BECOMES PART OF [...] This is an Urgent Action Request - See Paragraphs 12 and 13 Summary --------- 2. (SBU) Serbian Liberal Party leader Cedomir Jovanovic has dragged the United States into the middle of a political and legal battle with Serbian tycoon Miroslav Miskovic. Jovanovic has accused Miskovic of [...] | 2007-12-05 06:23:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL CVIS SR |
07BELGRADE1623 | SERBIAN PARTIES REJECT PM ADVISOR'S BELLIGERENT COMMENTS [...] Serbian political parties, including the Radicals, have rejected comments by a Prime Minister advisor that war over Kosovo would be "legal" defense of Serbia's interests. The reactions demonstrate that the full spectrum of Serbian political parties do not consider armed conflict as a reasonab [...] | 2007-12-06 12:35:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1626 | BELGRADE EAC OF DECEMBER 5, 2007 [...] (S) POST EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE (EAC) CONVENED TO REVIEW POST'S CURRENT SECURITY POSTURE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOST GOVERNMENT OF SERBIA, AS A DECISION ON THE FUTURE STATUS OF KOSOVO APPROACHES. 2. (S) MEMBERS OF POST'S EAC: DCM, USAID, DAO, FCS, ECON CON, CLO, GPRO, POL AND RSO MET TO [...] | 2007-12-07 15:15:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | ASEC |
07BELGRADE1627 | The Sandzak: Ugljanin's Fiefdom [...] (SBU) Sandzak is one of the last vestiges of Milosevic-era rule in Serbia where a local politician holds on to his power base through manipulation, coercion, and intimidation. However, this Muslim-populated area appears primed for a political opening, as Novi Pazar Mayor Ugljanin's tactics ar [...] | 2007-12-10 06:38:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV BK |
07BELGRADE1630 | SERBIA TO WORK WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR A STABLE IRAQ [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-10 07:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MAR MOPS PGOV SR IZ |
07BELGRADE1631 | SERBIA: MFA SUPPORTIVE OF IRAN NIE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-10 07:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | IAEA PREL IR SR |
07BELGRADE1632 | SERBIA PREPARES FOR PEACEFUL RETALIATION TO KOSOVO [...] (C) In the event of a declaration of independence, the Government of Serbia will retaliate against Kosovo and against countries that recognize an independent Kosovo. But Serbia will not wage war. The Prime Minister's cabinet has prepared contingency plans, for now under wraps, detailing the [...] | 2007-12-10 07:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KV SR |
07BELGRADE1635 | SERBIA TO WORK WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR A STABLE IRAQ [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-10 08:59:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MAR MOPS PGOV SR IZ |
07BELGRADE1640 | SERBIA: THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT [...] Reftel requested post input for Serbia, as a recipient of trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, on efforts to combat child labor. Serbia is upholding its international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. END SUMMARY. INCIDENCE AND N [...] | 2007-12-10 15:49:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PHUM SOCI SR MW |
07BELGRADE1641 | South Serbia Fears "Neglect" by Belgrade and the [...] (SBU) According to Serb and Albanian leaders in Southern Serbia, the central government is neglecting the region's economic and political needs, and is only focused on the immediate security issues stemming from a decision on Kosovo. In meetings with international representatives, at an OSCE [...] | 2007-12-10 17:48:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR KV BK |
07BELGRADE1646 | SERBIA TO CONSIDER SUPPORT FOR CANDIDACY OF PIERRE-RICHARD [...] (U) Marina Ivanovic, of Serbia's MFA United Nations Directorate, told poloff on December 11 that Serbia will consider supporting Pierre-Richard Prosper's candidacy for election to the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Ivanovic hopes to have a definitive answer in earl [...] | 2007-12-11 14:04:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM AORC UN UNGA |
07BELGRADE1647 | Serbia: 2007-2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-11 14:43:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR SR |
07BELGRADE1652 | NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE FIELD STUDIES VISIT TO SERBIA [...] (U) Embassy Belgrade warmly welcomes the National War College Field Studies Program visit to Serbia, and looks forward to welcoming a delegation in spring 2008. Post believes that the May 9-22 schedule for the visit is reasonable. As we get closer to the date of the visit, we will develop an [...] | 2007-12-12 10:23:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL MARR MOPS SR |
07BELGRADE1653 | SERBIA TO ABSTAIN ON THE THREE UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-12 12:16:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | UNGA PREL SR IS |
07BELGRADE1655 | SERBIA TO JOIN GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR [...] (SBU) MFA Director for Arms Control, Branka Latinovic, told PolChief on December 11 that Serbia had agreed to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, providing a note verbale formally informing the USG of this decision. Ambassador Latinovic said that thedecision culminated an [...] | 2007-12-12 15:45:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PARM PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1657 | SERBIA: SPEAKER CALLS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS BEGINNING [...] (SBU) Serbia's Parliament Speaker Oliver Dulic on December 12 formally called for presidential elections, setting the first round of voting for January 20, 2008 and runoff for February 3. In announcing elections, Dulic, a member of the President's Democratic Party (DS),fulfilled a legal mand [...] | 2007-12-12 21:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1659 | (C) SERBIA TO TRY TO GET MANPADS DESTRUCTION BACK ON TRACK [...] (C) Assistant Minister for Defense Dusan Spasojevic said the Government of Serbia would accept the U.S. interpretation of the bilateral agreement on the destruction of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and would fulfill the terms of their agreement. Spasojevic said that the MOD would [...] | 2007-12-13 11:12:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS PARM PTER PREL MW SR |
07BELGRADE1666 | SERBIA: DSS CHALLENGES CALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) The Democratic Party of Serbia publicly challenged the December 12 call for presidential elections by Serbia's Parliament Speaker Oliver Dulic. Other parties, however, including those in the opposition, support the election timeframe. Dulic defended his actions and said that any challe [...] | 2007-12-13 16:26:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1674 | Serbian Government Warns EUR/SCE Deputy Director about [...] (SBU) Officials of Serbia's ruling parties warned visiting EUR/SCE Deputy Director Robert Silberstein on November 28 that U.S. recognition of Kosovo independence would destabilize Serbia and the region. Kostunica's key lieutenants went further, saying the GOS was planning a tough response (NFI [...] | 2007-12-17 07:04:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1675 | SOUTHERN SERBIA: DEFENSE MINISTER MAKES LANDMARK VISIT [...] The Serbian Defense Minister made a landmark visit to Southern Serbia (Presevo Valley),December 13-14, and had positive meetings with the ethnic Albanian mayors of Presevo and Bujanovac. The Minister and the mayors agreed that, although serious tensions remained, the situation in Southern Se [...] | 2007-12-17 07:04:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1687 | SERBIA TO VOTE AGAINST FUNDING OF THE DURBAN REVIEW [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-18 16:54:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | UNGA PHUM PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1688 | SERBIA TO SUPPORT RATIFICATION OF COUNTRY SPECIFIC [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-18 16:56:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KTIA UNGA PREL SR BL |
07BELGRADE17 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR YOULIANA IVANOVA [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance to Ms. Youliana Ivanova, Serbia Desk Officer, from January 17 to February 2, 2007, for the purpose of participation in the OSCE election observation team, and to conduct an embassy orientation tour. Control Officer for this visit will be Demian Smith, [...] | 2007-01-08 14:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA SR |
07BELGRADE170 | ICITAP RESPONSE TO RESULTS OF VETTING PROCEDURES [...] (sbu) ICITAP Program Manager has conducted further inquiries with MUP in relation to the individuals identified ref (a). On the basis of those inquiries, post is satisfied that the applicants are not the same people as those identified ref (a). Post recommends maintaining the individuals on [...] | 2007-02-05 16:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | MOPS PGOV PHUM PNAT PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1700 | SERBIA PACKAGES ENERGY DEAL FOR RUSSIA [...] (U) In the wake of a December 11 press conference to propose a bilateral energy agreement between Russia and Serbia, Embassy interlocutors confirm that support in the Serbian government to sell state oil company NIS to Gazprom has gained momentum. Embassy contacts point to government approval [...] | 2007-12-20 06:20:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG SR |
07BELGRADE1704 | SERBIA: ELECTRICITY AND KOSOVO [...] (U) Recent discussions with the head of a large electricity trading firm and others indicate Serbia does not plan to break electricity connections with Kosovo. Serbia, however, remains firm in only dealing with UNMIK on Kosovo energy issues, and has moved away from electricity "donation" to se [...] | 2007-12-20 13:11:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG SR |
07BELGRADE1709 | SERBIA: 2007-2008 INCSR II ON MONEY LAUNDERING [...] Reftel requested post update for Serbia on efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Serbia is upholding all international commitments to eliminate money laundering and terrorist financing. END SUMMARY. SERBIA: Not a Financial Center ------------------------------ 2. [...] | 2007-12-20 14:43:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM EFIN KTFN SNAR SR |
07BELGRADE171 | REACTION TO AHTISAARI'S BELGRADE VISIT [...] (U) Summary: Serbian political leaders have reacted almost universally negatively to Special Envoy Ahtisaari's 2/2 status plan. President Tadic has convened the representatives of all the parties to a meeting on 2/5 to chart the course ahead. End Summary 2. (U) Ahtisaari's time in Belgr [...] | 2007-02-05 16:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PBTS PHUM SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE1718 | KOSTUNICA'S OPTIONS: ELECTIONS AND KOSOVO [...] (SBU) Prime Minister Kostunica has two key decisions to make: whether to endorse President Tadic's reelection bid and how to proceed with a parliamentary resolution on Kosovo. On Friday, December 21, Kostunica's party unexpectedly withdrew from the parliamentary session, effectively suspending [...] | 2007-12-21 16:08:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1719 | DATE FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS STILL LINGERS [...] (SBU) Although first and second round Presidential elections are scheduled for January 20, and February 3, 2008, Serbia's Parliament Speaker has yet to call for local elections. Parliament first must pass a series of laws before the Speaker can call local elections. Although some analysts bel [...] | 2007-12-21 16:08:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KV SR |
07BELGRADE172 | DEFMIN PLEDGES WARM MIL/MIL TIES DESPITE POLITICAL [...] (c) In an unexpected tour d'horizon with the Ambassador February 2, DEFMIN Zoran Stankovic pledged that the MoD and the Serbian military would continue to work on broadening and deepening Euro-Atlantic ties despite PM Kostunica's recent harsh political rhetoric (ref a). He said the military [...] | 2007-02-05 17:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV NATO MASS SR |
07BELGRADE1727 | PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ON KOSOVO AND ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN [...] (SBU) President Tadic is working to maintain calm in Kosovo and to prevent any misunderstanding with the international community regarding any potential redlines, President Tadic's foreign policy advisor, Jovan Ratkovic, told the Ambassador on December 26. Ratkovic said that the draft Kosovo r [...] | 2007-12-26 16:14:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KV SR |
07BELGRADE1733 | PARLIAMENT ADOPTS UPDATED KOSOVO RESOLUTION [...] (SBU) Serbia's parliament overwhelmingly adopted on December 26 a resolution against Kosovo independence. A product of negotiations between ruling coalition parties, the text reiterated Serbia's Kosovo policy without prescribing specific steps Serbia must take if Kosovo declares independence, [...] | 2007-12-27 16:45:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KBTS KPAO SR MW KV |
07BELGRADE1736 | PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE RESTITUTION LAW [...] Serbia is the only country in Europe without a restitution law. A restitution law is a prerequisite for EU membership, but more importantly, it is vital to attracting badly needed foreign direct investment, establishing the right to private property, and revitalizing Serbia's market economy. [...] | 2007-12-28 09:08:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KIDE KPRV CASC SR |
07BELGRADE1742 | FORMER SERBIAN RELIGION MINISTER DEFENDS DISCRIMINATORY [...] (U) NGOs and small Protestant churches have criticized Serbia's 2006 Religion law, citing its multiple obstacles to becoming a legally recognized church. The 2007 International Religious Freedom Report (IRFR) identified these obstacles as well, prompting criticism from the Religion Ministry ab [...] | 2007-12-31 16:05:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1743 | LOCAL ELECTIONS SET FOR MAY 2008 [...] (U) On December 29, after parliament passed supporting legislation, Serbia's Parliamentary Speaker called for local and provincial elections to be held in May 2008. Both the Democratic Party (DS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) supported the legislation and election date. Setting a [...] | 2007-12-31 16:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE1744 | WIDENING THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE IN SERBIA [...] (SBU) Civil society representatives report a growing sense that right-wing groups and conservative political elements within Serbia are stifling public speech. Threats against human rights activists, journalists, and media outlets who provide alternative views of the political situation contin [...] | 2007-12-31 16:08:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE188 | WAR CRIMES ROUNDTABLE HIGHLIGHTS CROSS- [...] (SBU) Summary: A war crimes conference held in Belgrade to commemorate the second anniversary of the 2005 signing of the Croatia-Serbia MOU on war crimes cooperation highlighted the significant achievements that have been made since the MOU in establishing cooperation and cross-border collab [...] | 2007-02-08 14:40:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM ICTY PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE19 | DS-DSS COALITION MOST LIKELY AFTER SERBIAN [...] (SBU) Although both DS and DSS officials deny that they have a pre-cooked deal to share power after elections, a coalition centered around the DS and DSS is the most likely outcome of 21 January elections. Prime Minister Kostunica has made clear his intention to retain his position in the nex [...] | 2007-01-09 06:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE203 | MORE REALISM OVER KOSOVO OUTSIDE SERBIA'S GOVERNMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: At a working breakfast with Serbia's analytical community, the Ambassador, together with the French Ambassador, took stock of the Ahtisaari plan and the way forward on Kosovo. Ambassador Polt stressed that active participation in the next stage of negotiations is the only way t [...] | 2007-02-12 10:47:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS PREL PGOV UNSC SR |
07BELGRADE207 | AMBASSADOR WISNER'S FEB 6 VISIT TO BELGRADE [...] (C) Summary: In his 2/6 meetings in Belgrade, Ambassador Wisner affirmed full USG support for Ahtisaari and his proposal and urged Serbian leaders to commit fully to the UNOSEK negotiations as the Kosovo status process moves into its final stage. President Tadic offered assurances that he wou [...] | 2007-02-13 14:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PBTS PHUM KPAO YI MW SR |
07BELGRADE208 | AMBASSADOR WISNER'S FEB 6 VISIT TO BELGRADE [...] (C) Summary: In his 2/6 meetings in Belgrade, Ambassador Wisner affirmed full USG support for Ahtisaari and his proposal and urged Serbian leaders to commit fully to the UNOSEK negotiations as the Kosovo status process moves into its final stage. President Tadic offered assurances that he wou [...] | 2007-02-13 14:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PBTS PHUM KPAO YI MW SR |
07BELGRADE210 | NEW PARLIAMENT PREPARES FOR KOSOVO TALKS, [...] (SBU) Kosovo will lead the agenda at the constitutive session of Serbia's new parliament on Wednesday (2/14). The parliament has been tasked with emplacing a Kosovo negotiating team and debating a platform, which floated around the parties in draft on Tuesday, to take to the next round of talk [...] | 2007-02-13 16:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE215 | SERBIAN PARLIAMENT REJECTS AHTISAARI PLAN [...] (SBU) As expected, Belgrade's new parliament overwhelmingly rejected the Ahtisaari plan as ?illegal? during its first session on 2/14. The reappointed Kosovo negotiating team is now equipped with a largely rejectionist platform -- mostly reflective of the last government's position on Kosovo [...] | 2007-02-15 16:04:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM KO SR |
07BELGRADE218 | SERBIAN PARLIAMENT REJECTS AHTISAARI PLAN [...] (SBU) As expected, Belgrade's new parliament overwhelmingly rejected the Ahtisaari plan as ?illegal? during its first session on 2/14. The reappointed Kosovo negotiating team is now equipped with a largely rejectionist platform -- mostly reflective of the last government's position on Kosovo [...] | 2007-02-16 10:53:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM KO SR |
07BELGRADE22 | SERBIA'S INFLUENTIAL WOMEN [...] This is Embassy Belgrade's response to reftel seeking a list of the top five most influential women in Serbia. Post's officer tracking women's issues is Laura Brown (phone: +381 11 306 4661, unclassified email: BrownLJ2@state.gov). SIPDIS 2. Post has identified the following five women [...] | 2007-01-09 10:21:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PHUM PREL SR |
07BELGRADE234 | NGO RELEASES PRELIMINARY [...] (SBU) Summary: Transparency Serbia's (TS) preliminary findings on political parties' campaign finance reports have raised concerns about the effectiveness of oversight by government bodies. Parties almost certainly spent more money on campaigns than they reported to oversight bodies, suggest [...] | 2007-02-21 16:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PREL SR |
07BELGRADE236 | VINCA NUCLEAR INSTITUTE: CAS STAFFING, VIND [...] (SBU) Summary: Embassy has been informed by Vinca Nuclear Institute direction that the Department of Energy (DoE)-built Central Alarm Station (CAS) will be staffed in the near future. After the institute and the Ministry of Interior (MUP) reached an agreement on CAS staffing, Vinca identif [...] | 2007-02-21 17:16:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG KNNP PARM EAID OTRA SR |
07BELGRADE238 | SERBIAN RESPONSE TO OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT TEXT [...] (U) This is an action request. See paragraph three. 2. (SBU) The Civil Aviation Directorate of Serbia (CAD) provided a formal response to the proposed Open Skies Model Text in reftel A in a letter dated February 8, 2007 (full text of letter below). As reported in reftel B, Serbia is reque [...] | 2007-02-22 10:18:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR SR KTIA |
07BELGRADE239 | UNSCR 1737 IRAN DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (SBU) The Ambassador delivered reftel points on Iran to leaders of the business community in Serbia and also to Minister of Finance Milan Parivodic. 2. (SBU) On February 20, the Ambassador gathered the leaders of the of the American Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Investors Council, Serbian Ch [...] | 2007-02-22 10:18:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP EFIN IR |
07BELGRADE249 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. UNOSEK: the view from Belgrade ------------------------------ 2. (SBU) For the week of 2/19, almost all Kosovo focus was on the UNOSEK talks in Vienna. The media reports from Vienna have been mostly straightforward. [...] | 2007-02-23 17:01:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE255 | CEFTA - RATIFICATION LIKELY AS GOVERNMENT PREPARES NEW [...] (SBU) Following the initialing of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) in December, the Government of Serbia (GOS) is still in negotiations with various parties to minimize the adverse impact CEFTA will have on the domestic tobacco industry. Officials told econoffs that Serbia wil [...] | 2007-02-26 10:38:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON PREL HR SR |
07BELGRADE260 | BELGRADE TOUTS ICJ RULING AS A "NOT GUILTY" VERDICT FOR [...] (SBU) In early reactions, Serbian political parties, media and the government are touting the ICJ ruling today that Serbia failed to prevent genocide in Srebrenica and to punish those responsible as a "not guilty" verdict for the people and for the State, and a victory for international justice [...] | 2007-02-26 16:49:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR YI |
07BELGRADE266 | KOSOVO'S FINAL STATUS BURDENS ECONOMIC TIES [...] (U) This is a joint cable from USOP and Embassy Belgrade. SUMMARY ------- 2. (SBU) Belgrade econ chief and Pristina econ officer made the rounds of UNMIK and PISG economic agencies to identify some of the economic issues that are factors in current and future relations between Kosovo and [...] | 2007-02-27 11:20:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ENRG ECON SR YI |
07BELGRADE268 | MORE SERBIAN REACTIONS TO ICJ RULING [...] (SBU) Serbia's major parties (DSS, DS, SRS, SPS) all heralded the findings issued yesterday by the International Court of Justice as a generally "not guilty" verdict for Serbia. While welcoming the exoneration for complicity in genocide, both President Tadic and PM Kostunica did acknowledge [...] | 2007-02-27 13:52:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR YI |
07BELGRADE27 | PM KOSTUNICA'S OUTRAGE OVER BABIN MOST [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: PM Kostunica expressed to Contact Group (CG) Ambassadors 1/9/07 his deep concern over the alleged mistreatment of K-Serbs in Babin Most by ethnic Albanian KPS officers earlier this month. Displaying strong emotion, the PM stood by his earlier public assertion that the Babin Mos [...] | 2007-01-10 16:31:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM PGOV KBTS SR YI |
07BELGRADE272 | SERBIA: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT [...] OVERVIEW --------------- A. Serbia is a country of origin, transit, and destination for internationally trafficked men, women, and children. The Agency for the Coordination of Protection of Victims of Trafficking recorded 62 TIP victims. Of these, there were 60 females and 2 males; 33 wer [...] | 2007-02-28 14:29:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB SR |
07BELGRADE275 | KOSOVO SERB PROTEST AT EMBASSY BELGRADE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Kosovo-based Serbian National Council (SNV) staged a peaceful demonstration of approximately 10,000 - 20,000 people in front of the U.S. Embassy on February 27 to protest against the Ahtisaari proposal for Kosovo status and alleged USG support for "dividing up" Serbia. The s [...] | 2007-03-01 09:41:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PBTS SR YI |
07BELGRADE284 | K+1 ? FOCUS ON SERBIA?S FUTURE - A/S FRIED IN [...] (C) Dan, you are returning to a Serbia much like the one you found less than a year ago: uncertainty over government vision and direction and denial of the Kosovo reality. The country?s leadership offers very little perspective for the future to its citizens. The penultimate phase of Vienna [...] | 2007-03-02 12:03:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PGOV PREL SR YI |
07BELGRADE288 | POWER STRUGGLE DEEPENS BETWEEN SERBIAN MUSLIMS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Serbia's new Law on Religion has brought to the fore long-simmering tensions within Serbia's Islamic community (IC). Serbian Islamic leaders are deep into negotiations over unification, but with separate ideas about where the centralized administrative authority should be based, [...] | 2007-03-02 15:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL KPAO KIRF PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE291 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (2/26 - 3/2) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (U) Summary: For the week of February 26, the second week of UNOSEK talks, the SNV rally and Russian DFM Titov's visit were the most notable events related to Kosovo in Serbia. End Summary. UNOSEK: the view from B [...] | 2007-03-02 16:36:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE295 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EUR/SCE DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER J. HOH [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Christopher J. Hoh, EUR/SCE Director from March 22-26, 2007 for consultations. Control Officer for this visit will be POL officer Ian Campbell, Office tel. 381-11-306-4687, Mobile tel. 381-63-325-356. 2. The Embassy's offices [...] | 2007-03-05 14:24:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE301 | GlACIAL COALITION TALKS SHOWING SIGNS OF [...] (SBU) President Tadic's Democratic Party (DS) and Prime Minister Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) began formal talks on assembling a working coalition government March 2, but so far they remain deadlocked over which party should hold the PM position. DS and DSS officials mostly to [...] | 2007-03-06 10:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE303 | EDUCATION MAFIA ARRESTED ON BRIBERY CHARGES [...] (U) Serbian police have arrested 18 people, including 12 university teachers, in an ongoing investigation of rampant corruption at the Law Faculty of Kragujevac University. The arrests, all occurring since February 20, include Assistant Minister of Education Emilija Stankovic, Sveta Puric, rec [...] | 2007-03-06 14:59:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON KCRM KCOR PREL SR |
07BELGRADE307 | SERBIA'S IPR ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IMPROVE IN 2006 [...] The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA),in its yearly Special 301 submission to USTR, elected not to recommend that Serbia be placed on the Special 301 Watch list. Embassy supports this decision. Serbian authorities responsible for intellectual property rights (IPR) enforce [...] | 2007-03-07 13:45:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD PREL SR KIPR |
07BELGRADE310 | A/S FRIED'S VISIT TO SERBIA YIELDS FEW SURPRISES [...] (C) Ambassador Fried used his March 5-6 visit to Belgrade to focus Serbia's leadership and youth on the country's long-term future as a Euro-Atlantic partner. The A/S encouraged both Tadic and Kostunica to take strong measures to give Serbia a European future regardless of the Kosovo outcome. [...] | 2007-03-08 08:04:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE323 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/5 - 3/9) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (U) Summary: For the week of March 5, Serbia's preparation for the final, top-level round of UNOSEK talks, as well as the visits of A/S Fried and NATO SYG Scheffer were the most notable events related to Kosovo and S [...] | 2007-03-09 13:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE33 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OSCE AFFAIRS [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Kenneth E. Gross, Jr. Deputy Director OSCE Affairs from January 17-22, 2007 to perform work in support of participate in OSCE Election Monitoring of Parliamentary election in Serbia. The Embassy has been notified that no further as [...] | 2007-01-11 13:58:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE332 | LDP - PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT [...] (SBU) One of the least discussed, but arguably most significant outcomes of Serbia's recent parliamentary elections, is the successful effort of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to gain representation in parliament. The party -- which will almost certainly stake out an opposition role in par [...] | 2007-03-12 15:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE352 | DS, DSS Inch Toward Coalition Agreement [...] (c) SUMMARY: Talks between a de facto DSS/G-17 bloc on the one hand and DS on the other continued in earnest the week of March 12. DSS remains confident a deal will be struck before the end of March that will keep Kostunica as PM; some DS senior officials are now admitting as much privately [...] | 2007-03-15 14:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE364 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/12 - 3/16) [...] This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. Summary: For the week of March 12, the conclusion of UNOSEK talks and the presentation of the Ahtisaari plan to the UN Secretary General were the most notable events related to Kosovo and Serbia. Speculation about whethe [...] | 2007-03-16 17:43:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE372 | ARRESTS OF WAHABBIS IN SOUTHWEST SERBIA [...] (U) This is an action request for DS/DSS/ATA; see paragraph 5. 2. (U) Four men were arrested near Sijenica, in the Muslim-majority Sandzak region of Serbia March 16, at what authorities allege is a terrorist training camp for a group that was plotting to attack moderate Sandzak Mufti Muam [...] | 2007-03-19 16:50:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | PTER KISL PREL SR |
07BELGRADE377 | SERBIA'S RESPONSE TO THE DEMARCHE ON UN REFORM: INTERNAL [...] (U) On March 15, 2007, poloff passed ref demarche to Serbian MFA to request support for the USG position on UN reforms. MFA is unable to give an answer at this time, but generally supports the EU consensus position on these issues. Any additional information received will be forwarded. P [...] | 2007-03-20 11:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KTIA UN SR |
07BELGRADE381 | DELIVERY OF JOINT DEMARCHE ON NUCLEAR TERROR [...] (SBU) On March 15, the Ambassador and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexeev delivered reftel joint demarche to FONMIN Draskovic regarding the Joint Declaration on the principles of a global initiative for fighting nuclear terrorism. Draskovic told the Ambassadors he would consult with PM Kostu [...] | 2007-03-21 07:41:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PREL SR |
07BELGRADE383 | KOSOVO: SERBIA APPLAUDS RUSSIAN CALL FOR NEW TALKS [...] (U) Summary: Prime Minister Kostunica and other Serbian leaders rushed to lend their strong support to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Security Council Secretary Ivanov's statements over the weekend in favor of continued talks on Kosovo status under a new mediator. The statements, along wi [...] | 2007-03-21 09:11:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE392 | MAKING THE MOST OF USG ASSISTANCE TO MUSLIM [...] Dan: During your recent visit you rightly pointed out that the USG could do a lot to get value, on a global level, from our outreach and assistance to the Muslim communities in this part of the world. I took note of the enthusiasm with which you greeted news of our planned project to rebuild [...] | 2007-03-22 08:47:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO KISL PGOV PHUM PREL SR |
07BELGRADE408 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/19 - [...] (SBU) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (SBU) Summary: For the week of March 19, reports that Ahtisaari has recommended independence for Kosovo, followed by Russia's strong objections to any settlement other than a "compromise solution" through new talk [...] | 2007-03-23 16:07:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE417 | VETTING FOR PROPOSED PARTICIPANTS FOR MAY 2007 COESPU [...] The following candidates from Serbia are presented as nominees for attendance in the May 2007 middle management and high level training courses at the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU) in Vincenza, Italy. Consistent with Department Policy as it relates to Leahy Amendmen [...] | 2007-03-26 16:39:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS KCRM PREL IT SR |
07BELGRADE42 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR YOULIANA IVANOVA [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance to Ms. Youliana Ivanova, Serbia Desk Officer, from January 17 to February 2, 2007, for the purpose of participation in the OSCE election observation team, and to conduct an embassy orientation tour. Control Officer for this visit will be Demian Smith, [...] | 2007-01-16 06:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA AMGT ASEC SR YI |
07BELGRADE426 | MINORITY PARTIES FIND THEIR VOICE [...] (SBU) Due to legislative changes enabling smaller ethnic minority parties to enter parliament more easily, several such parties find themselves for the first time in the Serbian parliament. Each has established itself as a potential ally of the democratic bloc of parties and has promulgated an [...] | 2007-03-28 13:50:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE428 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DAVID T. KILLION, DOUGLAS ANDERSON, [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes David T. Killion, Senior Professional Staff, House committee on Foreign Affairs, Douglas Anderson, Minority Professional Staff, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Jennifer Simon, Professional Staff, Senate Foreign Relations and Tom [...] | 2007-03-29 14:27:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE435 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/26 - 3/30) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (C) Summary: For the week of March 26, the announcement and international reactions to Ahtisaari's recommendation for the supervised independence of Kosovo were the dominant events of the week related to Kosovo and S [...] | 2007-03-30 16:11:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE441 | NEW TOBACCO STRATEGY ADOPTED [...] (u) The Government of Serbia (GoS) adopted an action plan for tobacco production and trade on March 22 in order to smooth its relationship with the cigarette industry and at the same time permit ratification of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). The new strategy has been nego [...] | 2007-04-03 07:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON PREL HR SR |
07BELGRADE443 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MICHAEL C. MOZUR [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Michael c. Mozur, Deputy special Coordinator of the stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, from April 15-19, 2007 to Participate in Speakers of Parliament of South Eastern Europe Cooperation Process Conference and the Stability [...] | 2007-04-03 13:37:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE459 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (4/2 - 4/5) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (SBU) Summary: For the week of April 2, the UNSC meeting attended by Prime Minister Kostunica was the dominant event related to Kosovo and Serbia. Both before and after the April 3 session, Belgrade media speculated [...] | 2007-04-05 16:05:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE477 | SERBIAN COURT CONVICTS FOUR FOR SREBRENICA-RELATED WAR [...] (sbu) Summary: On April 10, the Belgrade Special War Crimes Court handed down convictions to four former members of the "Scorpions" paramilitary unit for their roles in the execution of Muslim civilians in Trnovo, Bosnia, on July 17, 1995. Chief war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic said [...] | 2007-04-12 14:03:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KJUS PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE483 | GETTING REAL ON KOSOVO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: As part of the Embassy's ongoing effort to reach out to Serbs and explain our support for Kosovo's supervised independence, the Ambassador and his French counterpart co-hosted a lunch for Serbian journalists and other opinion makers for a frank, off-the-record, discussion on Koso [...] | 2007-04-12 14:05:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE489 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (4/9 - 4/13) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (SBU) Summary: For the week of April 9, Serbia's self-titled "diplomatic offensive" to block passage of a UNSC resolution on Kosovo was the dominant event related to Kosovo and Serbia. The Ambassador and his French [...] | 2007-04-13 16:53:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE498 | CONGRESSMAN ROHRABACHER'S MEETING WITH TADIC [...] (c) Congressman Rohrabacher's (R-CA) April 13-14 visit to Belgrade was dominated by a candid meeting with President Tadic on April 13. Tadic used the meeting to urge the Congressman not to move forward with a resolution supporting the Ahtisaari plan and supervised independence for Kosovo. T [...] | 2007-04-16 14:15:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS UNSC PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE526 | DEMARCHE ON SERBIAN FIRM'S POSSIBLE BID TO SUPPLY [...] (s) Emboff delivered reftel demarche to Mladjan Mijovic, Acting Director of the office of arms control in the MFA on April 19. Mijovic said he understood fully the seriousness of the request, and promised to immediately circulate the information and request an investigation into the matter. [...] | 2007-04-20 12:05:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC |
07BELGRADE530 | ICITAP RESPONSE TO RESULT OF VETTING PROCEDURES [...] (sbu) ICITAP Program Manager has conducted further inquiries with Montenegrin MUP in relation to the individual identified as a candidate for SECI training in Ohrid, Macedonia (reftel). On the basis of those inquiries, post is satisfied that the applicant is not the same person as one identif [...] | 2007-04-20 15:08:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | MOPS PGOV PHUM PNAT PREL SR |
07BELGRADE532 | POLICE RAID WAHABBIST SHELTER, ONE KILLED [...] (U) Serbia's special Anti-terrorist unit and Gendarmerie cracked down on a group of Islamic extremists ("Wahabbies") in the village of Donja Trnava, 10 kilometers outside Novi Pazar, in the early morning of April 20. According to local media, police initiated a search of a house in a remote r [...] | 2007-04-20 16:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | KISL PTER KIRF PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE533 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (4/16-4/20) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS -------------------- 2. (SBU) Summary: The first half of the week was dominated by GoS reactions to a mischaracterization of remarks by U/S Burns in testimony before Congress, while the second ha [...] | 2007-04-20 16:31:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PGOV PREL PHUM KPAO SR |
07BELGRADE534 | LAVROV'S VISIT TO BELGRADE SHOWCASES HARDENING STANCE [...] (u) Russian FM Lavrov's visit was widely covered in local press, which focused on his meetings with Tadic and Kostunica. His statements to press following the meetings reiterated Russia's commitment to continued negotiations and respect for implementation of UNSCR 1244 - the provisions of wh [...] | 2007-04-20 16:32:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS UNSC PREL KPAO RU SR |
07BELGRADE539 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RYAN C. LEONG [...] Embassy Belgrade grants country clearance and warmly welcomes Ryan C. Leong, Political Officer, from April 22 to May 2, 2007 for consultations with Embassy officials. 2. The Embassy's offices are located at Kneza Milosa 50, Belgrade. The Embassy's switchboard telephone number is 381-11- [...] | 2007-04-23 09:42:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA ASEC CMGT SR |
07BELGRADE565 | UNSC Visit to Belgrade [...] (c) The April 26 Security Council Mission (SCM) to Belgrade produced little new substance on the Kosovo status issue, but was spun by PM Kostunica as an endorsement of the re-start of negotiations. The GoS passed to SCM members its "new proposal" for an alternative solution to the status iss [...] | 2007-04-26 18:47:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | UNSC PBTS PREL SR |
07BELGRADE569 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (4/23-4/27) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. SUMMARY ------- 2. (C) The focus for the week was three-fold: the dominant story was the run-up to and the aftermath of the Security Council Mission (SCM) to Belgrade April 26 (with follow-on travel to Kosovo). The [...] | 2007-04-27 15:03:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS UNSC PGOV PREL PHUM KPAO SR |
07BELGRADE597 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (4/30-5/4) [...] (U) This cable summarizes notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. SUMMARY ------- 2. (sbu) This was an abbreviated week for Kosovo-related news owing to a 2-day May Day holiday. Media focus at the beginning of the week was on the SCM visit that concluded in Kosovo over the prece [...] | 2007-05-04 16:25:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PBTS UNSC PGOV PREL PHUM KPAO SR |
07BELGRADE599 | UPDATE ON ENERGY ISSUES FROM SERBIA [...] (U) Summary. State-owned gas monopoly Srbijagas has managed to improve its financial outlook via an intergovernmental agreement that uses old Yugoslavia clearing debt to pay gas arrears to Gazprom of USD 188.2 million, debt accumulated from 1994 to 2000. However, the company still has a debt [...] | 2007-05-07 06:38:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG ECON EFIN PGOV EIND SR |
07BELGRADE605 | RESPONSE TO OSCE PROJECT PROPOSALS [...] (U) After consulting with local OSCE officials in Belgrade, and internally with relevant Mission agencies, post recommends the following projects for funding. The projects selected represent a number of mission and OSCE priorities including democratization, counter-terrorism and the resolut [...] | 2007-05-07 16:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ABUD AFIN EAID ECON KCRM KJUS OSCE PHUM PREL |
07BELGRADE609 | Additional Information on Novi Pazar [...] (SBU) RSO Met with Director of National Security Veljevic on April 2, 2007. RSO was meeting to discuss the possibility of Serbian security forces providing personal protection to the Mufti of Novi Pazar. The Mufti expressed concern for his personal safety to the Ambassador just days before [...] | 2007-05-08 08:54:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PTER SR |
07BELGRADE617 | KOSTUNICA'S PARTY GIVES RADICALS CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT [...] (u) At 0300 on May 8, after a 17-hour marathon session, the Serbian parliament elected Radical Party (SRS) deputy president Tomislav Nikolic speaker with 142 votes in favor (99 opposed, 9 did not vote - absence). The vote went on strict party lines - SRS, the Socialists (SPS) and Kostunica's [...] | 2007-05-08 16:30:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE620 | DINKIC, DEMO BLOC MP'S ON NIKOLIC APPOINTMENT [...] (c) Following conversations with President Tadic and PM Kostunica (reftel) regarding the appointment of Radical Party (SRS) deputy president Tomislav Nikolic as speaker of the Serbian parliament, the Ambassador spoke with G-17 Plus president Mladjan Dinkic to gauge next steps. Dinkic vowed t [...] | 2007-05-08 17:26:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE623 | SERBIA HESITANT TO REJECT ZIMBABWE'S CANDIDACY FOR THE UN [...] (U) On May 07, 2007, poloff passed ref demarche to the Serbian MFA to request Serbia's support for the USG in opposition to the African Group nomination of Zimbabwe as chair of the CSD. Serbia is unable to give an answer at this time. They generally support the EU consensus position on thes [...] | 2007-05-09 12:20:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KTIA UN SR |
07BELGRADE627 | SERBIA UNDECIDED ON BELORUSSIAN CANDIDACY FOR UNHRC [...] (U) On May 7, 2007, poloff delivered ref demarche to the Serbian MFA. Serbia has not yet decided on their reaction to this nomination. Serbia generally follows the EU consensus, which in this case is not an option due to the lack of EU consensus. Any additional information received will be [...] | 2007-05-09 13:37:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KTIA UN SR BO |
07BELGRADE630 | GOS SELLS TRAVEL AGENCY AS AMCIT WINS ARBITRATION [...] (U) On April 20, the Government of Serbia (GOS) sold its 70 percent share in the Putnik travel agency - and its valuable real estate holdings - to Cyprus-based Acciona Investments Limited for EUR 38 million. This rapid-fire sale on the Belgrade Stock Exchange was concluded in the midst of a t [...] | 2007-05-10 15:43:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIDE EINV EFIN CASC PREL OPIC SR |
07BELGRADE643 | COALITION DEAL STRUCK; NO FORMAL WORD YET [...] (sbu) Summary: Though there is still no official word, a deal has been struck that will keep Kostunica at the helm of a weak democratic coalition government. The deal and the politics surrounding it have left a pall of fear in political circles and in the population at large, as many saw th [...] | 2007-05-11 17:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE644 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (5/7 - 5/11) [...] (U) This cable summarizes the week's notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. (SBU) Summary: For the week of May 7, Kosovo news was muted by the dominant story of last-minute government formation. Nevertheless, Belgrade media still reported on speculation about the draft UNSC resolu [...] | 2007-05-14 06:41:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE651 | ENGAGING WITH SERBIA'S "NEW" GOVERNMENT [...] (c) The new government in Serbia does not look appreciably different from the previous one, save Tadic's DS party's participation. Tadic's party now plays a large role and holds competencies in defense and foreign affairs that could have an impact on moving forward the Euro-Atlantic agenda, [...] | 2007-05-14 11:48:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MASS EINV ICTY SR |
07BELGRADE662 | Party Reactions to Coalition Agreement [...] (U) The announcement of the formation of a new Serbian government including the Democratic Party of Serbia/New Serbia (DSS/NS),the Democratic Party (DS) and the G-17 Plus was received with mixed feelings. Democratically oriented citizens welcomed the agreement with relief since it included th [...] | 2007-05-14 15:16:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE668 | SERBIA'S NEW KOSOVO MINISTRY [...] (U) Summary: Serbian lawmakers have created a new Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija which will administer the GOS' functional institutions within Kosovo. Many of the Ministry's competencies assume the continuation of international negotiations to resolve Kosovo's status. Under the terms of the [...] | 2007-05-15 13:57:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE676 | Serbia's "Spring Coalition" Government [...] The following is the new cabinet sworn in on May 15, 2007 in Serbia. It consists of 22 ministries in addition to a Prime Minister from the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS),a Deputy Prime Minister from the Democratic Party (DS) and a minister without portfolio. 2. Prime Minister: Vojislav Ko [...] | 2007-05-16 13:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE682 | SERBIA'S SPRING COALITION GOVERNMENT - PARTY PROSPECTS [...] (c) The conditions under which the last-minute coalition deal was struck between DS and DSS to form a new government has left a sour taste in the mouths of many of the players and the body politic more broadly. The election of SRS deputy leader Tomislav Nikolic to head the parliament - howev [...] | 2007-05-17 13:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE683 | CERTIFICATION AND SERBIA'S "NEW" GOVERNMENT [...] (c) The new government in Serbia does not look appreciably different from the previous one. Tadic's DS now has the potential to play a large role in defense and foreign affairs that could have an impact on moving forward the Euro-Atlantic agenda, but Kostunica still holds many of the reins. [...] | 2007-05-17 16:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ICTY PREL EAID SR |
07BELGRADE687 | SERBIA WILL SUPPORT BOSNIAN AND SLOVENIAN CANDIDACY FOR [...] (U) On May 17, 2007, poloff delivered ref update to the Serbian MFA. Serbia agreed to support the candidacy of both Bosnia and Slovenia for chairmanship of the UNHRC. They will not support Belarus. Any additional information received will be forwarded. POLT [...] | 2007-05-18 10:26:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KTIA UN SR BO |
07BELGRADE693 | SERBIA'S PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN OSCE PPP CONFERENCE [...] (U) On May 17, 2007, poloff delivered ref demarche to the Serbian MFA, jointly with a poloff from the Russian Embassy in Belgrade. Serbia plans to send two representatives from the Ministry of Interior (so far unnamed),Aleksandar Dovanovic from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one or two re [...] | 2007-05-18 14:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | OSCE PREL PTER ABUD AFIN RS SP |
07BELGRADE694 | Kosovo Weekly Report (May 14- 18, 2007) [...] (u) This report covers activities related to Kosovo for the week of May 14. 2. (sbu) Summary: Kosovo news took a back seat again this week to the announcement of the formation of a coalition government just before the deadline. Kostunica's policy speech during the government formation [...] | 2007-05-18 15:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PBTS PREL PGOV SR |
07BELGRADE709 | AMBASSADOR, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SHARE COMMON [...] (U) Summary: On the eve of the new government's formation, the Ambassador sat down with human rights groups to hear their concerns, discuss mutual interests, and express support for their role in civic society. The lively exchange, which took place at the Embassy, reinforced the need to work [...] | 2007-05-21 16:39:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE711 | AMBASSADOR'S 5/21 MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT TADIC [...] (C) I met with President Tadic on May 21, our first meeting since Serbia's parties agreed on a new government. Tadic, joined by new Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, said he was weary after "so many problems" involved in the last minute government negotiations and claimed victory for avoiding the [...] | 2007-05-21 17:24:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS YI SR |
07BELGRADE716 | IS THE EU TIRING OF SERBIA? [...] (c) Summary: Despite a constant stream of pro-Serbian rhetoric from both European capitals and the EU itself, from the Belgrade perspective some in the machinery of the EU seem to feel Europe is getting tired of handholding its perennial "problem child." The view from the EU bureaucracy in [...] | 2007-05-22 10:20:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ETRD EU SR |
07BELGRADE737 | AMBASSADOR'S 5/24 MEETING WITH DEPUTY PRIME [...] (c)SUMMARY: AMBASSADOR MET WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DJELIC ON MAY 24 TO REVIEW HIS PLANS FOR CARRYING OUT THE NEW GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC PROGRAM. UPBEAT AND ENERGETIC - TO THE POINT OF BEING COCKY - DJELIC EMPHASIZED THAT HE WOULD INVEST HEAVILY IN BUILDING GOOD RELATIONS WITH DIFFERENT PA [...] | 2007-05-25 16:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL PGOV SR |
07BELGRADE738 | KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (5/21 - 5/25) [...] This cable summarizes the week's notable events relating to Serbia and Kosovo. 2. Summary: With a government formed, media and public attention in Serbia has returned to Kosovo and speculation on the likelihood of a UNSC resolution based on the Ahtisaari plan. In a late-breaking developmen [...] | 2007-05-25 16:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE747 | CZECHS PREVIEW 2009 PRESIDENCY AGENDA FOR BALKANS [...] (U) The Czech Embassy hosted on May 17, 2007 in Belgrade a discussion panel on the program priorities of the Czech Republic when it assumes the EU presidency in 2009. The panel was composed of Jan Kahout, Czech Ambassador to the EU, and Dr. Tanja Miscevic, Director of the Serbian government' [...] | 2007-05-30 10:56:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV EU SR |
07BELGRADE75 | POLLING: DEMOCRATIC BLOC PARTIES STILL LEADING [...] (SBU) Most observers and pollsters give the Radical Party an edge over the Democratic Party in the contest for the top vote-getter in Sunday's elections, although two respected Serbian polling agencies for the first time since 2003 have give the DS higher political ratings than the SRS. Prime [...] | 2007-01-19 16:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE750 | SERBIAN PRIME MINISTER ON KOSOVO AND NEW [...] (C) On 5/29, in our first meeting since the formation of the new Serbian government, I told Prime Minister Kostunica that we are in full agreement with four of the "five principles" of the new governing coalition, but remain concerned that the fifth -- Serbia's Kosovo policy --- will undermine [...] | 2007-05-30 11:48:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS YI SR |
07BELGRADE763 | SERBIA: APPLICATION FOR 2007 PRM AMBASSADOR'S FUND TO [...] SUMMARY: Embassy Belgrade proposes granting 12,000 dollars of the FY 2007 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees toward the purchase of basic household equipment and educational material to enable a short-term protection facility in Belgrade, Serbia, to improve its care of IDP, refugee, and other at- [...] | 2007-06-01 07:32:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL PHUM SR |
07BELGRADE77 | SOUTHERN SERBIA: AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS USG INVESTMENT AND [...] SUMMARY: The Ambassador's 1/17 visit to southern Serbia emphasized USG commitment to the region and support for Albanians to participate in Serbian elections. National and local media covered the Ambassador's opening of a USG and GOS funded commercial road and meeting with Albanian leaders run [...] | 2007-01-19 16:51:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL EAID PHUM SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE773 | SERBIA STEPS UP WAR CRIMES COOPERATION [...] (c) SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION: The formal constitution of Serbia's new "National Security Council (NSC)" on May 31 -- led by President Tadic and designed to conduct full ICTY cooperation -- combined with the arrest of a top former aide to PIFWC Ratko Mladic, steps up significantly the new go [...] | 2007-06-01 13:32:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | ICTY PHUM PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE774 | PROPERTY RESTITUTION: SERBIAN GOVERNMENT DRAFT [...] On May 10, the outgoing Serbian government approved a draft law that would restitute property seized by wartime Nazi occupation forces and Tito's subsequent communist regime. The law, if approved by the new government and adopted by the parliament, would establish a legal procedure for estab [...] | 2007-06-01 15:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KIDE KPRV SR |
07BELGRADE775 | SERBIA BROADBAND OPERATING IN HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT [...] (U) Only five years after the Southeastern Europe Equity Fund invested USD 10 million in this cable television and broadband start-up, Serbia Broadband (SBB) has become a significant market player in Serbia. Its successful growth places it squarely as a threat to state-owned Telekom Srbija. O [...] | 2007-06-01 16:15:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ECPS EFIN BTIO PGOV KPRV SR |
07BELGRADE776 | KOSOVO WEEKLY UPDATE: GOS EXPECTS RUSSIAN VETO BUT [...] (U) With Serbia's government back online, President Tadic and Prime Minister Kostunica are devoting their attention to the UN Security Council's next steps regarding Kosovo. This cable summarizes the week's notable events regarding Serbia and Kosovo and (in paragraph 8) provides post's analysis [...] | 2007-06-01 16:29:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM KBTS KPAO YI SR |
07BELGRADE785 | Verdict in the Djindjic Case [...] (SBU) Summary: The Special Court in Belgrade rendered its verdict in the case of the March 12, 2003 assassination of former Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, convicting all twelve defendants and sentencing them to harsh penalties by Serbian standards. Even though the verdict is subject to appea [...] | 2007-06-04 16:45:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KJUS SR |
07BELGRADE797 | DETAILS, IMPACT OF TOLIMIR ARREST [...] (s) Summary: A recent meeting with Serbia's Action Plan coordinator revealed that Tolimir was in fact arrested in Belgrade. The circumstances of the arrest point mostly to internal political motivations vice a sea change in ICTY policy. Nevertheless, the result was positive, and proved the [...] | 2007-06-06 13:09:00 | Embassy Belgrade | SECRET | ICTY PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE810 | NEW SERBIAN FINANCE MINISTER PROMISES RESPONSIBLE [...] (SBU) The Ambassador met with new Finance Minister Mirko Cvetkovic for the first time on June 5 to discuss the economic agenda for the new government. Cvetkovic said that he aims to uphold the Ministry's role in safeguarding a stable macroeconomic environment, including a return to convention [...] | 2007-06-08 10:45:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV KIDE SR |
07BELGRADE813 | KOSOVO WEEKLY UPDATE: BELGRADE DELIGHTED WITH PART [...] (SBU) Summary: In a week dominated by speculation on the G8 Summit's impact on the Kosovo status process, the first substantive offer -- French President Sarkozy's proposal to delay a status decision for six months -- is seen by officials here as a triumph for Serbia's Kosovo policy. Serbia al [...] | 2007-06-08 15:09:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR YI |
07BELGRADE814 | DEL PONTE OVERLY BULLISH ON SERBIA'S ICTY COOPERATION [...] (c) Carla del Ponte's decidedly upbeat briefing to Belgrade's diplomatic corps June 6 highlighted the recent arrest of Zdravko Tolimir as evidence that Serbia is cooperating with the ICTY. Del Ponte told the group her June 18 report to the Security Council would "most likely" be positive, an [...] | 2007-06-08 15:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | ICTY PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE84 | SERBIAN ELECTIONS: SRS, DS TAKE TOP SPOTS [...] (u) SUMMARY: Initial results from the Republic Election Commission (RIK) indicate that the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) again took the top spot in parliamentary elections, with Boris Tadic's Democratic Party (DS) coming in second. ODIHR will likely announce the elections to have been general [...] | 2007-01-22 13:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE85 | SERBIAN ELECTIONS: A MIXED PICTURE [...] (SBU) Summary: Serbian elections were free and fair with high turnout and no significant problems. The results suggest difficult negotiations for forming a government between the three strongest democratic parties: the DS, the DSS and the G-17+ -- the DS just did not do well enough to shake up [...] | 2007-01-22 13:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE858 | THE PRESIDENT ON KOSOVO STATUS: KOSOVO WEEKLY [...] (SBU) Summary: In the wake of the President's visit to the region and direct statements on the need to move towards independence for Kosovo, post sustained an aggressive public campaign to reinforce the President's comments. The Ambassador's public comments this week countered Serbian offici [...] | 2007-06-15 13:09:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE876 | SOUTHERN SERBIA: SEPERATIST RALLY FIZZLES [...] SUMMARY: A June 15 rally in southern Serbia calling for the separation of three municipalities from Serbia (and joining with Kosovo) drew much lower numbers of participants than expected. Political leaders in the area were divided, and in the end none of the political leaders addressed the cr [...] | 2007-06-21 06:31:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI |
07BELGRADE879 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW DEFMIN [...] (c) Summary: The Ambassador's June 1 courtesy call on new DEFMIN Dragan Sutanovac focused on ICTY cooperation (improving),Kosovo (the military remains committed to staying out),and developing Serbia's security relationship with the U.S. and NATO. Sutanovac has already experienced the frust [...] | 2007-06-21 09:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MARR SR |
07BELGRADE881 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW PARLIAMENT SPEAKER [...] (sbu) The Ambassador's June 4 courtesy call on new (and quite impressive and articulate) parliament speaker Oliver Dulic focused primarily on parliamentary institutional reform. The Ambassador congratulated Dulic on his appointment, and pledged support for his efforts to make the parliament [...] | 2007-06-21 09:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE883 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW PARLIAMENT SPEAKER [...] (sbu) The Ambassador's June 4 courtesy call on new (and quite impressive and articulate) parliament speaker Oliver Dulic focused primarily on parliamentary institutional reform. The Ambassador congratulated Dulic on his appointment, and pledged support for his efforts to make the parliament [...] | 2007-06-21 09:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM SR |
07BELGRADE884 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW DEFMIN [...] (c) Summary: The Ambassador's June 1 courtesy call on new DEFMIN Dragan Sutanovac focused on ICTY cooperation (improving),Kosovo (the military remains committed to staying out),and developing Serbia's security relationship with the U.S. and NATO. Sutanovac has already experienced the frust [...] | 2007-06-21 09:10:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MARR SR |
07BELGRADE885 | MPA WITHDRAWS FUNDING FOR ANTI-PIRACY ASSOCIATION IN [...] The Anti-Piracy Association of Serbia and Montenegro ceased to exist in Serbia on March 15, 2007, after a November 2006 decision of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) to withdraw its annual funding to the local association as of January. The MPA cited re-focusing resources on a smaller num [...] | 2007-06-21 12:34:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD PREL SR KIPR |
07BELGRADE894 | REVISED BUDGET SEEN AS EXPANSIONARY [...] (u) Serbia's new government on June 14 presented a 2007 budget proposal that would continue expansionary fiscal policy with an expenditure increase of 27.4 percent and a projected deficit of 0.6 percent of GDP. A chorus of criticism, from economists, the central bank, and the IMF, greeted the [...] | 2007-06-25 06:33:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN KPRV SR |