Search through 251'286 wikileaks cables

Select office:

Select classification:

Tags: ALL or ANY

B R O W S E

By embassy:

Abidjan Abu Dhabi Abuja Accra Adana Addis Ababa Alexandria Algiers American Institute Taiwan, Taipei Amman Amsterdam Ankara Antananarivo Apia Ashgabat Asmara Astana Asuncion Athens Auckland Baghdad Baku Bamako Bandar Seri Begawan Bangkok Bangui Banjul Barcelona Beijing Beirut Belfast Belgrade Belmopan Berlin Bern Bishkek Bogota Brasilia Bratislava Brazzaville Bridgetown Brussels Bucharest Budapest Buenos Aires Bujumbura Cairo Calgary Canberra Cape Town Caracas Casablanca Chengdu Chennai Chiang Mai Chisinau Ciudad Juarez Colombo Conakry Copenhagen Cotonou Curacao Dakar Damascus Dar Es Salaam Department of State Dhahran Dhaka Dili DIR FSINFATC Djibouti Doha Dubai Dublin Durban Dushanbe Dusseldorf Embasy Bonn Florence Frankfurt Freetown Fukuoka Gaborone Georgetown Grenada Guadalajara Guangzhou Guatemala Guayaquil Halifax Hamburg Hamilton Hanoi Harare Helsinki Hermosillo Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Hyderabad Iran RPO Dubai Islamabad Istanbul Izmir Jakarta Jeddah Jerusalem Johannesburg Kabul Kaduna Kampala Karachi Kathmandu Khartoum Kigali Kingston Kinshasa Kolkata Kolonia Koror Krakow Kuala Lumpur Kuwait Kyiv La Paz Lagos Lahore Leipzig Libreville Lilongwe Lima Lisbon Ljubljana Lome London Luanda Lusaka Luxembourg Madrid Majuro Malabo Managua Manama Manila Maputo Marseille Maseru Matamoros Mbabane Melbourne Merida Mexico Milan Minsk Mission Geneva Mission UNESCO Mission USNATO Mission USOSCE Mogadishu Monrovia Monterrey Montevideo Montreal Moscow Mumbai Munich Muscat Nagoya Naha Nairobi Naples Nassau Ndjamena New Delhi Niamey Nicosia Nogales Nouakchott Nuevo Laredo Osaka Kobe Oslo Ottawa Ouagadougou Panama Paramaribo Paris Perth Peshawar Phnom Penh Podgorica Ponta Delgada Port Au Prince Port Louis Port Moresby Port Of Spain Prague Praia Pretoria Pristina Quebec Quito Rabat Rangoon Recife REO Basrah REO Hillah REO Kirkuk REO Mosul Reykjavik Riga Rio De Janeiro Riyadh Rome San Jose San Salvador Sanaa Santiago Santo Domingo Sao Paulo Sapporo Sarajevo Secretary of State Seoul Shanghai Shenyang Singapore Skopje Sofia St Petersburg Stockholm Strasbourg Surabaya Suva Sydney Tallinn Tashkent Tbilisi Tegucigalpa Tehran Tel Aviv The Hague Thessaloniki Tijuana Tirana Tokyo Toronto Tripoli Tunis Ulaanbaatar UN Rome UNVIE US Delegation FEST TWO US Delegation, Secretary US Interests Section Havana US Mission CD Geneva US Mission Geneva US Office Almaty US OFFICE FSC CHARLESTON USEU Brussels USMISSION USTR GENEVA USUN New York Valletta Vancouver Vatican Vienna Vientiane Vilnius Vladivostok Warsaw Wellington Windhoek Yaounde Yekaterinburg Yerevan Zagreb

By classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
SECRET
SECRET//NOFORN
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

By year:
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1979 1978 1975 1973 1972 1966

More on tag:
TSPA SPACE ACTIVITIES

[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Research and development leading to and resulting in the exploration and utilization of outer space. (Replaces RCHB file categories: DEF, SP, TEL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Astronaut
* Astronomy
* Communications Satellite
* Direct Broadcasting Satellite
* ELV
* Exploration
* Geostationary Satellite Orbit
* High Technology Equipment
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Landing Rights
* Navigational Aid
* Orbit
* Outer Space
* Outer Space Commercialization
* Peaceful Use of Outer Space
* Reentry
* Research & Development
* S & T Agreement
* S & T Cooperation
* S & T Development
* Salvage
* Satellite
* Scientific Cooperation
* Space Agreement
* Space Fragment
* Space Law
* Space Liability
* Space Program
* Space Station
* Spacecraft
* Spacecraft Recovery
* Spaceflight
* STRIDE
* Technology
* Technology Transfer
* Telecommunication
* Tracking Station
* UFO

[close]

By tags:
AA AADP AALC ABER ABLD [+] ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO 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 AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHANISTAN AFIN [+] AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGS AGUIRRE AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL AL-1 ALAB ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOW ALOWAR AM AMAT AMB AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT [+] AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANET ANTITERRORISM 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 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 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 BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP [+] BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC 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 BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO [+] BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BUSH 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 CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR 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 CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CV CVIA CVIC CVIS [+] CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY 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 DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC 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 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 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 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 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 FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GAO GARCIA GASPAR 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 GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON 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 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 JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEFFERY JEFFREY JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHNNIE JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN 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 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 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 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 LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR [+] MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS [+] MATT MB MBM MC MCA MCAP [+] MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCONNELL MCCP MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK 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 MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS [+] 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 MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB 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 NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI 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 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 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 PATTY PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS 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 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 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 RAID RAS RATIFICATION 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 ROK ROME ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC 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 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 SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM 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 STET STP STR SU SUCCESSION SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR 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 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 VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR 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 WIPO WIR 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 ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA

Get the how-to to understand how to read a cable

Pages 1 2 3

1'000 rows / 2'368 results

Identifier	Subject	Date	Office	Classification	Tags
00BEIRUT1411	ELECTION 2000: AMAL-HIZBALLAH MAKE A DEAL, [...] (C) SUMMARY: AMAL MOVEMENT AND HIZBALLAH HAVE MADE A SYRIAN-INDUCED DEAL TO DISTRIBUTE SEATS AMONG THEMSELVES IN THE UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. IF THE DEAL HOLDS, HIZBALLAH WOULD HAVE A NET GAIN OF TWO SEATS, PLUS A STRONGER FIGURE IN A THIRD ONE. THESE EXPEDIENT PAIRINGS ARE TYPICAL [...]	2000-04-17 16:04:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KISL LE

00BEIRUT4016	SLOUCHING TOWARD THE GRAND SERAIL (II) -- [...] (C) SUMMARY: FORMER PM HARIRI IS EXPECTED TO BE NAMED VERY SHORTLY AS LEBANON'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER, WITH A NEW CABINET PRESENTED FOR PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL WITHIN THE WEEK. THE GREEN LIGHT FOR HARIRI'S APPOINTMENT WAS GIVEN BY SYRIA FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS IN CAIRO AND HERE OVER T [...]	2000-10-23 13:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL LE SY
01BEIRUT1018	KHATAMI HOLDS COURT FOR LEBANESE [...] (C) SUMMARY: IRANIAN PRESIDENT KHATAMI MET ON APRIL 25 WITH HIZBALLAH SYG HASSAN NASRALLAH AND PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER/AMAL LEADER NABIH BERRI ON THE MARGINS OF THE TEHRAN-SPONSORED CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF THE AL-AQSA INTIFADA. KHATAMI LAVISHED PRAISE ON HIZBALLAH AND WAS SOMEWHAT MORE RESERV [...]	2001-04-26 16:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER KISL KPAL IR SY LE
01BEIRUT1935	ANTI-ISRAELI AND ANTI-U.S. RHETORIC ON THE [...] (C) SUMMARY. LAST WEEK'S UPSURGE IN VIOLENCE IN ISRAEL DREW WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION FROM GOL OFFICIALS, THE MEDIA, HIZBALLAH, AND MUSLIM LEADERS. THE JULY 31 ATTACK AT NABLUS INTENSIFIED ANTI-ISRAELI RHETORIC, WHILE SPARKING CRITICISM OF THE U.S. HIZBALLAH CONDEMNED THE ISRAELI ATTACKS AND CA [...]	2001-08-06 15:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KPAL PTER IS SY LE
01BEIRUT2254	TFUS01: LEBANESE EXPRESS OUTRAGE AND SYMPATHY, [...] (C) SUMMARY. AS THE MASSIVE SCALE OF TRAGEDY UNFURLED DRAMATICALLY ACROSS THE WORLD, LEBANESE OF ALL PERSUASIONS OFFERED FRESH OUTPOURINGS OF CONDEMNATION AND SYMPATHY FOR THE ATTACKS ON AMERICA. ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF OFTEN FRACTIOUS SECTARIAN GROUPS, THE NATION UNITED IN THE CONVICTION TH [...]	2001-09-13 16:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
01BEIRUT3057	BERRI ON HIZBALLAH, THE REGION AND THE ECONOMY [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN DISCUSSING HIZBALLAH'S SIGNIFICANCE WITH THE AMBASSADOR DECEMBER 7, SPEAKER BERRI SAID THAT AMAL WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL "ACTIONS" PRIOR TO ISRAEL'S 1984 WITHDRAWAL FROM BEIRUT. HE PREDICTED THAT HIZBALLAH WOULD CONTINUE TO LAUNCH CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS UNTIL A COMPREHENSIVE PE [...]	2001-12-13 14:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER ECON LE IR SY
01BEIRUT758	HIZBALLAH-AMAL FORGE MUNICIPAL ELECTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER/AMAL MOVEMENT HEAD NABIH BERRI, CORNERED BY SYRIAN SUPPORT FOR HARIRI'S STRUCTURAL REFORMS WHICH WILL HARM HIS PATRONAGE MACHINE, IS TRIMMING SAILS. HE HAS MET WITH ARCH-RIVAL HIZBALLAH SYG NASRALLAH AND COMPROMISES ON TWO BONES OF CONTENTION ARE EMERGING. [...]	2001-03-22 16:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL KISL IR LE
02BEIRUT2782	LAF CLASHES WITH PALESTINIANS IN BIQA' [...] (C) SUMMARY: THE LEBANESE ARMED FORCES (LAF) EXCHANGED FIRE WITH PALESTINIANS NEAR BAALBECK THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 4 DURING AN ARMS SEIZURE OPERATION AGAINST AN "ABU NIDAL ORGANIZATION (ANO) ARMS DEPOT" LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE THE AL-GALIL PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMP IN THE BIQA. ONE LAF SOLDIER [...]	2002-09-04 20:55:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER MOPS PGOV LE KPAL
02BEIRUT3470	LEBANESE INTERIOR MINISTER BANS OCTOBER 31 [...] (U) SUMMARY: INTERIOR MINISTER ELIAS MURR ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 30 THAT HE WOULD NOT GRANT PERMISSION TO OPPOSITION GROUP QORNET SHEHWAN'S (QS) "PRO-FREEDOM" PROTEST OR TO THE COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION PROPOSED BY THE PRO-SYRIAN ISLAMIC GATHERING, BOTH SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 31. QS MEMBERS QUICKL [...]	2002-10-31 15:36:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PHUM LE
02BEIRUT3741	LEBANON: 2002 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT [...] SECURITY CONDITIONS IN LEBANON WORSENED DURING 2002 WITH THE KILLING OF AN AMERICAN MISSIONARY, EXPLOSIONS AT SEVERAL AMERICAN FRANCHISE RESTAURANTS, AND A SPIKE OF CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS INTO ISRAEL IN MARCH-APRIL. LEBANON, LIKE MANY COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, IS EXPERIENCING AN INCREASE IN TER [...]	2002-11-29 15:00:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PTER PREL PGOV LE
03BEIRUT3697	FORMER HIZBALLAH LEADER RESURFACES TO DENOUNCE ... [...] (C) SUMMARY: SPEAKING AT THE FUNERAL OF HIS FATHER, FORMER HIZBALLAH SECRETARY GENERAL SHAYKH SUBHI TUFAYLI DENOUNCED GOL OFFICIALS AS "MONSTERS," HIZBALLAH AS "BORDER GUARDS FOR ISRAEL," AND IRAN AS AN ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES. THIS WAS THE FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN TWO YEARS BY TUFAYLI, [...]	2003-09-10 14:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PINR KISL IR LE SY
03BEIRUT4562	LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI URGES U.S. TO WORK WITH [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri October 27. The discussion focused principally on Iraq and Syria. Berri, having just returned from Damascus, again tried to impress upon us that Syrian President Asad desires a good relationship with the United States and that [...]	2003-10-28 17:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY LY
03BEIRUT4629	LEBANON: INTERIOR MINISTER MURR DISCUSSES [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met with Interior Minister Elias Murr October 31 to discuss Hizballah interference with an embassy motorcade, progress on the McDonalds bombing investigation, and the preparation of municipalities/electoral laws. Murr comprehends the seriousness of Hizballah interfe [...]	2003-10-31 17:35:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PREL PGOV LE
03BEIRUT5034	LEBANON: 2003 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT [...] No summary [...]	2003-11-28 15:06:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PTER LE
03BEIRUT5454	LEBANON: ISLAMIC REFORM: THE BEGINNING OF A [...] (C) Summary. Meeting in Beirut to address the misuse of Islamic endowments by extremist groups, the Executive Council of the Ministers of Islamic Endowments rejected any link between Islam and terrorism, denouncing terrorists as "infidels." Prime Minister Hariri called for reforming Islamic [...]	2003-12-23 10:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER KISL KIRF SOCI EFIN LE SA
03BEIRUT795	TFIZO1: LEBANESE, PALESTINIAN FACTIONS UNITED IN [...] (C) SUMMARY. THE LEADERS OF 34 LEBANESE POLITICAL PARTIES AND 11 PALESTINIAN FACTIONS, A GROUPING THAT MEETS SEVERAL TIMES ANNUALLY, HELD AN "EXCEPTIONAL AND URGENT" MEETING MARCH 19. THE GROUP ISSUED A COMMUNIQUE CALLING FOR BOYCOTTING U.S. PRODUCTS, "ENCIRCLING" U.S. AND COALITION EMBASS [...]	2003-03-20 13:27:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PTER LE IZ
03BEIRUT908	TFIZ01: LEBANESE SPEAKER BERRI DISCUSSES SHI'ITE [...] (C) SUMMARY: AMBASSADOR MET WITH LEBANESE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER NABIH BERRI MARCH 31. DISCUSSIONS CENTERED AROUND AMERICAN-LEBANESE RELATIONS, THE WAR IN IRAQ AND SHI'ITE REACTION TO THE COALITION'S CAMPAIGN, THE ROADMAP, AND USG WARNINGS TO SYRIA REGARDING TRANSSHIPMENTS TO IRAQ. END SUMMAR [...]	2003-03-31 14:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL IZ SY LE
04BEIRUT1108	LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI AND SHEIKH QABALAN ON IRAQ [...] (C) AMBASSADOR CONVEYED POINTS IN REF A ON THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN IRAQ TO PARLIAMENT SPEAKER (AND SHI'ITE LEADER) NABIH BERRI MARCH 4. BERRI, WHO PUBLICLY DENOUNCED THE ATTACKS FROM DAMASCUS ON MARCH 2 (REF B),SAID THAT "INSIDE THE ROOMS" OF INFLUENTIAL SHI'A LEADERS, THERE IS AGREEMENT TH [...]	2004-03-05 11:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PREL LE IZ
04BEIRUT3300	LEBANON: THE "BEIRUT DECLARATION" -- BACKGROUND, [...] (C) Lebanese authorities inadvertently gave the "Beirut Declaration" -- a ringing denunciation of Lebanon's political status quo covered by the press in both Lebanon and France (Ref A) -- widespread publicity as a result of their ham-handed attempt to block the document's public unveiling. T [...]	2004-06-25 15:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL SOCI SY LE
04BEIRUT3713	LEBANON: THE TWO FACES OF HIZBALLAH; PART ONE -- [...] (C) A number of Lebanese observers who favor the idea of transforming Hizballah into a normal political party see hopeful signs of this happening. Specifically, they point to expressions from some Hizballah members of common interest with Christian oppositionists and more recently the suppor [...]	2004-07-30 17:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER KISL PGOV SOCI LE SY
04BEIRUT408	LEBANON: BERRI EMPHASIZES AL-SISTANI'S IMPORTANCE [...] (C) IN A JANUARY 15 CONVERSATION WITH AMBASSADOR, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER NABIH BERRI SAID HE AND HIS AMAL MOVEMENT FOLLOWERS LOOKED TO IRAQ'S GRAND AYATOLLAH ALI AL-SISTANI AS THEIR PRIMARY SOURCE OF RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY. ACCORDING TO BERRI, AMAL HAD PREVIOUSLY LOOKED TO ITS FOUNDER, IMAM M [...]	2004-01-22 16:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KISL PINR SOCI LE IZ
04BEIRUT4423	PARLIAMENT SPEAKER WANTS LARGE NATIONAL UNITY [...] (C) Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, in a 10/11 meeting with the Ambassador, said that he wanted the next cabinet to be a national unity government. Only by getting sufficient representation from the Christian opposition and Walid Jumblatt's bloc, he said, could Lebanon face the [...]	2004-10-12 08:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE SY
04BEIRUT4941	LEBANON: WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMAL? [...] (S) Summary and comment: The Amal Movement is unable to keep up with Hizballah's popularity because Amal is seen as disorganized, corrupt, and based too much on party leader Nabih Berri. Referred to as "the thieves," Amal's leaders maintain party support through a patronage system that uses [...]	2004-11-30 14:34:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV KISL PTER LE SY
05BEIRUT1123	MGLE01: AMAL SUCCESSION: BERRI'S BITTER, FRUITLESS [...] (C) Summary. Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, 67 years old, has not groomed a credible successor to lead his Amal Movement. Like almost every other Lebanese party, he has kept the line of succession murky to avoid threats to his own leadership. Berri expelled a popular Amal leader whom h [...]	2005-04-06 15:35:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL LE PGOV
05BEIRUT1322	MGLE01: SYRIAN INTELLIGENCE MAY HAVE WORKED WITH [...] (S) Introduction and summary. Tyre businessman Qassim Daoud (strictly protect) provided econoff on April 19 with further details on Hizballah's "Mirsad-1" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight into Israeli airspace on April 11 (reftel). Daoud has well-placed contacts in the southern Shia co [...]	2005-04-25 15:26:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	LE MOPS PTER SY
05BEIRUT2068	MGLE1: LEBANON'S NEW PARLIAMENTARY LEADERSHIP [...] (C) Four major personalities will dominate the new Parliament. These leaders -- Saad Hariri, Walid Jumblatt, Hassan Nasrallah, and Michel Aoun -- have the votes and the voices they need to push for -- or to block --change. The men and women who counsel these figures will be among our chief [...]	2005-06-24 16:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PHUM PINR
05BEIRUT2153	THE NEW AND IMPROVED NABIH BERRI SAYS THE RIGHT [...] (C) Newly re-elected Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, opening a 6/30 meeting with the Ambassador, growled about alleged USG attempts to "veto" his candidacy. But after this initial scratchy start, Berri turned uncharacteristically friendly and polemics-free, saying he wanted to set aside pol [...]	2005-06-30 14:59:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM PTER LE SY
05BEIRUT2285	MGLE01: BIOGRAPHY OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR [...] WE have learned that Prime Minister-designate Fouad Siniora has agreed with the two main Shiite political forces to name Fawzi Salloukh as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Salloukh is a retired diplomat and a moderate Shia figure with national standing as an independent intellectual. He is 74 y [...]	2005-07-12 12:55:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PINR ECON SOCI LE
05BEIRUT2293	MGLE01: DAS DIBBLE MEETING WITH WALID JUMBLATT -- [...] (C) Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, defending (somewhat sheepishly) his public support for Hizballah, claimed to NEA DAS Dibble that doing so was the only obvious way to "cool down" Hizballah and "bring them inside." While this may involve paying lip service to Hizballah's loopy claim to the "S [...]	2005-07-13 07:57:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY
05BEIRUT2355	MGLE01: MARONITE PATRIARCH ON CABINET FORMATION: [...] (C) The Maronite Patriarch suggested that, while he was trying to help Prime Minister-designate Siniora's efforts to form a Cabinet, he was at a loss as to what one of the principal obstacles, Michel Aoun, really wanted. Aoun's supporters might take to the streets if Aoun is left out of the [...]	2005-07-18 16:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PREL PTER LE SY
05BEIRUT2386	MGLE01: HIZBALLAH'S CABINET SHUFFLE [...] (C) Introduction and summary. Hizballah gained all its cabinet demands as Prime Minister-designate Fouad Siniora on July 19 announced his cabinet lineup that included Fawzi Salloukh as Foreign Minister, Trad Hamadeh as Labor Minister, and Hizballah member MP Mohammed Fneish as Energy and Wat [...]	2005-07-20 14:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL KPAL LE PGOV PTER SENV
05BEIRUT2425	MGLE01--AMBASSADOR'S FIRST MEETING WITH FOREIGN [...] (C) Summary: In his first meeting with the Ambassador, Fawzi Salloukh on 7/25 highlighted his long friendship with the United States, promised an open dialogue between the two countries, and tried to put a good face on future Lebanon-Syrian relations. Salloukh, a Shia from southern Lebanon, [...]	2005-07-25 16:04:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
05BEIRUT2707	MGLE01: NOTABLE LEBANESE SHIA INTELLECTUALS [...] (C) Summary: During a luncheon on August 21, Shia clerics gave the Charge and emboffs their views on the situation of the Shia community in the south. They addressed practical views on the problems facing the Shia community in southern Lebanon, namely the lack of access to water and reliab [...]	2005-08-23 15:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAIR ENRG KISL LE SENV
05BEIRUT3084	MGLE01: SPEAKER NABIH BERRI CALMS DOWN, BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Coming only a day after his public outburst against PM Fuad Siniora and the Core Group meetings, the Nabih Berri who met the Ambassador and Poloff on 9/22 was notably calm and full of sweet reason. He insisted his only concern in voicing his displeasure was the well-being of L [...]	2005-09-23 15:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL SY
05BEIRUT3122	MGLE01: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN [...] (C) Summary: On September 27, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh met with Ambassador and Poloff to discuss the recent Lebanese meetings in the U.S. The Minister was in good spirits. He expressed his overall satisfaction with the reception he received in the U.S., including a side v [...]	2005-09-27 15:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY UNGA
05BEIRUT3155	MGLE1 MURR POINTS FINGER AT SYRIA AND REVEALS [...] (C) Summary: At least until the 7/12 assassination attempt against him, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Elias Murr was always seen locally as an insider's insider during the Syrian occupation. His credentials seemed perfect: son-in-law of President Lahoud, son of a prominent [...]	2005-09-28 15:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
05BEIRUT3291	MGLE01: JUMBLATT'S STRAIGHT TALK [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with the Ambassador on the afternoon of October 6, Druse leader Walid Jumblatt flatly stated his belief that the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, and the series of bombings committed since then, were the work of the Syrian regime, specifically Bashar Assad. His colle [...]	2005-10-06 16:20:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE KPAL PGOV PREL PTER SY
05BEIRUT3341	MGLE01: A/S WELCH MEETING WITH LEBANESE FOREIGN [...] (C) Summary: On October 12, NEA A/S Welch, accompanied by Ambassador and PolChief (notetaker),met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh at the Office of the Foreign Minister in Beirut. With respect to the UN Mehlis investigation into the murder of Rafiq Hariri, Salloukh said the G [...]	2005-10-13 08:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM KPAL SY LE IS
05BEIRUT3498	MGLE01: FM SALLOUKH DISCUSSES MEHLIS AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh was enthusiastic in his support of the Mehlis report findings, but was reluctant to send a Lebanese representative to next Monday's planned UNSC meeting of foreign ministers. He considers this meeting strictly an affair between Syria and the Sec [...]	2005-10-26 16:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
05BEIRUT3658	MGLE01: FURY IN BEIRUT AT BASHAR AL-ASAD'S [...] (C) Summary and Introduction: The full range of Lebanon's political spectrum has reacted angrily to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's November 10 speech at Damascus University. Our contacts find the speech confrontational, threatening, and insulting. Most take special note of Asad's descr [...]	2005-11-10 17:07:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
05BEIRUT3670	MGLE01: DEFENSE MINISTER MURR SAYS ARMY UNABLE TO [...] (S) In a November 8 meeting with NEA DAS Elizabeth Dibble, the Ambassador, the defense attache, and econoff, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr said that he is trying to transform the Lebanese military after 15 years of Syrian direction. He wanted to change the "Syrian me [...]	2005-11-14 08:51:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KPAL MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PGOV PTER SY LE
05BEIRUT3818	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI HALF-HEARTEDLY DEFENDS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Speaker Nabih Berri tried to explain Hizballah's November 21 attack on an Israeli position in the Blue Line village of Ghajjar as merely a response to Israeli military activity earlier in the month. Yet Berri indicated he understood that Hizballah's aggression in Ghajjar, and i [...]	2005-11-29 08:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
05BEIRUT523	NABIH BERRI AUDITIONS FOR ROLE AS RECONCILIATOR [...] (C) Add Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri to the list of prominent Lebanese who seem genuinely shocked by Rafiq Hariri's murder a week ago. In a 2/21 meeting with the Ambassador that was free of his usual polemics and bombast, Berri vowed to play a moderating role on two fronts. Fi [...]	2005-02-21 13:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
05BEIRUT541	OPPOSITION A ROLL: FORCE CABINET TO QUIT, GET [...] (C) Chattering away at a 2/21 dinner hosted by Boutros Harb, leading members of the Christian opposition and Walid Jumblatt's bloc were visibly buoyed by what they saw as three victories earlier that day: the largest anti-Syrian demonstration in Lebanon's history, Parliament Speaker Nabih B [...]	2005-02-22 15:47:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV LE SY
05BEIRUT654	Lebanon Biographies of Potential Prime Ministers [...] Followig are biographies of potential candidates to repace Prime Minister Omar Karami who resigned on Febuary 28, 2005. According to the 1943 National Pat and the 1989 Taif Accord, Lebanon's Prime Miniter must be a Sunni Muslim. Several names of poential candidates are being discussed i [...]	2005-03-03 11:37:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PINR ECON LE
05BEIRUT767	MGLE01: PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER BERRI SEES SYRIANS [...] (C) Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the Shia Amal Movement, assured the Ambassador that Syrian forces would redeploy to the Biqa' Valley in short order and complete their withdrawal to Syria within months. Looking on the bright side, Berri claimed that Syria's de [...]	2005-03-09 16:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT1001	MGLE01: MINISTER OF JUSTICE EXPLAINS DECISION ON [...] (C) On March 22, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk and Judge Chukri Sadr discussed with the Ambassador the MOJ's deliberations regarding the U.S. extradition request for the four terrorists -- Mohammod Ali Hamadei, Hasan Izz-al-Din, Ali Atwa, and Imad Mughniyah -- responsible for the hijacking [...]	2006-03-30 05:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PGOV PREL PTER
06BEIRUT1010	MGLE01: NORTHERN LEBANON POOREST DISTRICT IN THE [...] On March 22, econoff met with Statistics Lebanon chief Rabih Haber to attain non-governmental statistics on poverty in Lebanon. According to its recently completed annual survey of households, Statistics Lebanon found that qadas in northern Lebanon had the highest poverty rates in the countr [...]	2006-03-30 11:44:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PHUM PTER ECON SOCI LE
06BEIRUT1013	INL BUDGET CALL: LEBANON RESPONSE [...] (SBU) While Embassy Beirut is not an NAS post, it can conduct activities in support of INL's two performance goals: -- Countering international trafficking in drugs, persons, and other illicit goods; and -- Promoting international cooperation to combat drugs and crime. With this in min [...]	2006-03-30 14:02:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	ABUD ASEC EAID KCRM LE SNAR
06BEIRUT1024	MGLE01: LEBANON'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS NOT [...] (C) Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, head of the Maronite church, and Patriarch Catholicos Aram I, head of Lebanon's Armenian Orthodox community, both expressed doubt that the current political deadlock between the March 14 forces and the informal coalition of Hizballah, Amal, and Michel Aoun's Fr [...]	2006-03-31 15:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT1029	MGLE01: HARIRI DEFENDS MEETING WITH PFLP-GC CHIEF [...] (C) On 4/2, MP Saad Hariri defended his meeting on 3/31 with Damascus-based PFLP-GC leader Ahmad Jibril. Responding to the Ambassador's objections, Hariri said that his meeting was connected directly to the ongoing national dialogue. Participants in the national dialogue asked Hariri, Parli [...]	2006-04-03 08:48:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KDEM LE SY KPAL
06BEIRUT1038	MGLE01: HIZBALLAH ASSOCIATE SEES A MISUNDERSTOOD [...] (C) Econoff and FSN political specialist met with former Hizballah bloc MP Georges Najm on March 29. Najm, who is not a member of Hizballah, said that he maintained ties to Hizballah, especially MP Mohammad Raad and Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Fneish. Najm painted a moderate pictu [...]	2006-04-03 15:32:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KISL KPAL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT1040	MGLE01: AOUN ADVISOR COMMENTS ON DETERIORATING [...] (C) Gebran Bassil, senior advisor to Michel Aoun, said the recent deterioration in relations between the March 14 coalition and the Hizballah/Amal/Lahoud alliance was just the latest indication the Siniora/Hariri government was incapable of leading the country. Bassil, who appears to have c [...]	2006-04-03 15:39:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT1050	MGLE01: INDEPENDENT MP FRANJIEH TRIES A NEW [...] (C) MP Samir Franjieh, a founding member of the Qornet Shehwan pro-reform movement, believes the March 14 coalition has effectively worked its way into a trap, partly set by the Syrian regime, by focusing almost exclusively on the replacement of President Emile Lahoud. He contends that chan [...]	2006-04-04 14:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1072	MGLE01: SAUDI AMBASSADOR SEES NASRALLAH (WHO [...] (S) In a 4/5 meeting with the Ambassador, Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja reported on his two-hour meeting the previous evening with Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah, Khoja said, reported that Hizballah would back Michel Aoun for Lebanon's presidency and would oppose [...]	2006-04-06 12:38:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY SA
06BEIRUT1086	MGLE01: SPECIAL CABINET SESSION DISCUSSES [...] Summary: The GOL's economic reform agenda was presented before the full Cabinet for the first time during a special session on April 5. President Lahoud chaired the session where both Finance Minister Azour and Economy Minister Haddad made Power Point presentations outlining the GOL's reform [...]	2006-04-06 15:34:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV ECON EFIN LE
06BEIRUT1090	MGLE01: AMAL-HIZBALLAH MARRIAGE WEAKENING AMAL [...] (C) Econoff met separately with independent Shia leaders Mohammad Obeid and Mohammad Baydun on April 5. Both Obeid and Baydun reported that Amal's support is crumbling away at the rank-and-file level. The main reason was Amal movement leader and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri's perceived [...]	2006-04-07 11:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR IS KISL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT1092	MGLE01: PARLIAMENTARIAN SEES PARLIAMENT NEGLECTED [...] No summary [...]	2006-04-07 12:18:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV KPAL LE SY IR
06BEIRUT1106	MGLE01: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CASE IN LEBANON [...] (C) Summary: Lebanon's Office of the Military Justice will hear a case on April 17 to determine if a reformist attorney is guilty of "defaming the institution of the military" when he made statements before the European Commission in November 2003. In the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign [...]	2006-04-10 07:20:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PGOV PHUM PREL
06BEIRUT1107	MGLEO1: NASSIB, NAYLA, BOUTROS EVALUATE THEIR [...] (C) Over the past week, the Ambassador had one-on-one lunches with the three presidential candidates generally considered the front-runners of the March 14 presidential contenders: Nayla Mouawad, Boutros Harb, and Nassib Lahoud. The policy differences among the three pro-independence politi [...]	2006-04-10 07:21:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT1120	MGLE01: LEBANON, SHEBAA FARMS, AND THE GHAJAR [...] (C) On April 7, UNIFIL Senior Adviser Milos Strugar briefed econoff on the unusual situation of the divided village of Ghajar. The Blue Line cuts through the center of the village with the northern two-thirds inside Lebanon, and the southern one-third inside the Israeli-occupied Golan Heigh [...]	2006-04-11 15:27:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE PBTS PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT1147	MGLE01: QUARTERLY REPORT ON FREEDOM AGENDA [...] (C) This is post's progress report for the second quarter of FY-06 on the Lebanon country strategy for democratic reform. Refs A and B identified three outcomes for our country strategy: -- a new electoral law, -- competent, effective, transparent government, and -- reform of the judi [...]	2006-04-13 09:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KPAO KDEM KMPI PREL ECON LE
06BEIRUT1164	MGLE01: SCENESETTER FOR CODEL DODD [...] (SBU) The current political situation in Lebanon is highly uncertain: the National Dialogue process, which raised expectations for significant political progress when it began six weeks ago, appears to have run its course. The rivalry between the pro-reform "March 14" coalition (consisting [...]	2006-04-13 14:13:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	OREP PGOV PREL LE
06BEIRUT1166	MGLE01: FM SALLOUKH REVIEWS ISSUES IN ADVANCE OF [...] (C) Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said this coming week's visit to Washington and New York by PM Siniora and four of his ministers is well-timed and should produce helpful results. The pro-Syrian foreign minister insisted he welcomes the support of Washington in Lebanon's transition to de [...]	2006-04-13 15:59:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1204	MGLE01: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CASE DISMISSED BY [...] (U) In an unexpected development, the slander case against human rights activist Mohammad Mugraby was dismissed by Lebanon's appellate-level Military Court of Cassation on April 15, two days before the case was scheduled to be heard by the country's Military Tribunal. This decision, in effe [...]	2006-04-18 14:48:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PHUM PREL
06BEIRUT1238	MGLE01: CODEL DODD MEETS GENERAL MICHEL AOUN [...] (C) Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun informed visiting Senator Christopher Dodd that it was up to the Lebanese people themselves to defend their sovereignty and not rely excessively on foreign assistance. He criticized the Siniora government for not doing an effective job in [...]	2006-04-20 15:19:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1239	MGLE01: ELECTORAL REFORM COMMISSION MEMBER [...] (C) Electoral commission member Abdel Salam Cheaib told Embassy officers that Lebanon has a rare chance to enact real, lasting reform, but warned that reform efforts will only succeed with long-term, stalwart support from the United States and the European Union. He acknowledged that Lebanese [...]	2006-04-20 15:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI SOCI PINR LE SY
06BEIRUT1240	MGLE01: SENATOR DODD'S APRIL 19 LUNCH WITH [...] (C) Senator Dodd's April 19 luncheon with Lebanese MPs Nayla Mouawad, Boutros Harb, and Jawad Boulos was dominated by a discussion of General Michel Aoun and his alliance with Hizballah. Mouawad and Harb characterized their rival for the presidency, Aoun, as a "Syrian agent" willing to sacri [...]	2006-04-20 15:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV OREP SY LE
06BEIRUT1245	MGLE01: LEBANESE FOCUS ON PRESIDENCY, ISRAEL, [...] (C) At a 4/19 dinner hosted by the Charge d'Affaires, Lebanese guests of various regional, political, and confessional stripes focused on the issue of the presidency in an occasionally boisterous discussion. "March 14"-affiliated guests called for the USG to use its leverage in forcing the S [...]	2006-04-24 11:50:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL OREP KDEM KPAL PTER LE IS
06BEIRUT1276	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI GIVES PREVIEW OF NATIONAL [...] (C) In an April 25 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri said that Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh was happy with Prime Minister Siniora's visit to Washington last week. When the Ambassador asked why Salloukh maintained an unpleasant expression the whole [...]	2006-04-25 15:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR IS LE PARM PGOV PREL PTER
06BEIRUT1277	MGLE01: HARIRI SAYS HE IS READY TO CONFRONT [...] (C) During an April 25 meeting with MP Saad Hariri, the Ambassador and econoff briefed him on Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's visit to Washington last week. Hariri agreed the visit was a success, and was also heartened by what he described as revitalized Saudi and Egyptian support for Lebano [...]	2006-04-25 15:56:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EG IR KISL LE PGOV PREL PTER SA SY
06BEIRUT1290	LEBANESE RESPONSE TO 2005 SUA PROTOCOLS DEMARCHE [...] No summary [...]	2006-04-26 14:13:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	KNNP MNUC PARM PREL KTIA PHSA EWWT PTER UN LE
06BEIRUT1297	MGLE01: SHIA POLITICIANS VIEW HIZBALLAH'S [...] (C) Former MP Salah Harake provided econoff with impressions of the two Hizballah-nominated ministers in the cabinet within the Shia community. Harake described Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Fneish as a "good guy" who has run his ministry well. Fneish, "competent and rational," is [...]	2006-04-26 15:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT1307	MGLE01: PATRIARCH SFEIR NOT CONFIDENT LAHOUD WILL [...] (C) In an April 27 meeting, the Ambassador and econoff discussed with Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Sfeir the recent visit of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to Washington. Sfeir agreed with the Ambassador on the success of the visit, saying that Justice Minister Charles Rizk had also given h [...]	2006-04-27 14:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT1308	MGLE01: JUMBLATT CONCERNED WITH GROWING IRANIAN [...] (C) Walid Jumblatt expressed concern that Iran appears to be gaining influence in south and north Lebanon. In both regions, the economically disadvantaged are vulnerable to well-funded and growing Iranian efforts. When he visited Saudi King Abdullah two weeks ago, Jumblatt discussed this i [...]	2006-04-27 14:34:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1310	MGLE01: SCENESETTER FOR MAY 3-5 VISIT OF PM A/S [...] (C) During his recent visit to Washington, Prime Minister Siniora expressed confidence about Lebanon's ability to tackle critical problems through a process of national dialogue. Of these problems, the two most prominent are the fate of President Lahoud, who remains in place through a Syrian [...]	2006-04-27 15:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MASS PTER KPKO OTRA LE
06BEIRUT1335	MGLE01: SALEM OPTIMISTIC ON ELECTORAL LAW, [...] (C) Paul Salem, a member of the national commission charged with reforming Lebanon's electoral law, told us he was optimistic about the commission's ability to reach consensus on a districting plan in the coming weeks. He said the overall atmosphere in the commission, while still affected by [...]	2006-04-28 15:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI EAID LE
06BEIRUT1336	MGLE01--JA'JA' TO HARIRI CHRISTIANS NEED MORE [...] (C) On April 28, just hours before the start of the national dialogue, Samir Ja'ja' stopped by the embassy to apply for a visa and to meet briefly with the Ambassador and PolChief. Ja'ja' said the national dialogue will not reach a conclusion on the presidency, but he hoped they might begin [...]	2006-04-28 16:50:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PHUM PGOV LE
06BEIRUT1337	MGLE01: DEFEATED LEBANESE CLOSE TO SYRIA ORGANIZE [...] (C) Elie Ferzli, former Minister of Information and apologist for Syrian influence in Lebanon, is working to form a political "movement" with other like-minded politicians such as Former Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh, and Former PM Omar Karame. PolChief met with Ferzli, former Minis [...]	2006-04-28 17:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PINS PHUM PREL SY LE
06BEIRUT1338	MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE DISCUSSES PRESIDENCY, [...] (C) According to six participants in the 4/28 session of the National Dialogue, the issue of Lebanon's presidency was discussed at length but not resolved. Rather than defer or close the topic in order to proceed to the next and final point -- Hizballah's arms -- on the Dialogue's agenda, th [...]	2006-05-01 10:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT1339	MGLE01: AOUN DEFENDS HIS POSITION, CRITICIZES [...] (S) In a 4/29 meeting, the Ambassador shared USG concerns about Iran, Syria, and Hizballah with presidential aspirant and MP Michel Aoun. Aoun denied being a tool of any of the three. The USG, in his view, should welcome the alliances he has made with Hizballah and pro-Syrian politicians. [...]	2006-05-01 12:43:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IS IR
06BEIRUT1342	LEBANESE RESPONSE TO U.S. CANDIDATE FOR ITU RADIO [...] No summary [...]	2006-05-02 08:50:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	AORC ECPS LE
06BEIRUT1356	MGLE01: ARCHBISHOP AUDI SUSPICIOUS OF HIZBALLAH [...] (C) In a May 2 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Ilias Audi bemoaned the lack of leadership in Lebanese politics, especially "those who pretend to be leaders who are working in their own interests." The Ambassador briefed Audi on Prime Minister Fouad Siniora [...]	2006-05-02 14:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR LE PGOV PTER SOCI SY
06BEIRUT1357	MGLE01: UNIFIL SEES NO REASON FOR SPIKE IN [...] (C) On May 2, UNIFIL Senior Adviser Milos Strugar told econoff that UNIFIL observed 10 Israeli jets violating the Blue Line on May 1. He said that the Lebanese army had opened fire with anti-aircraft artillery, but Hizballah did not respond in any way. According to Strugar, there had been [...]	2006-05-02 15:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT1369	MGLE01: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE REACTS TO [...] (C) Polchief and econoff met with Rola Noureddine, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, on May 3 to discuss the widely reported Syrian-built earthen berms in the Biqa' Valley. Noureddine and General Said Eid confirmed the press reports, showing us a video of the berms. They said Syrian [...]	2006-05-03 14:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PBTS PREL SY
06BEIRUT1380	MGLE01: PSI: URGING PSI ENDORSEMENT [...] (C) On May 3 DCM raised with MFA Acting Secretary General Boutros as-Sakr reftel issues concerning Lebanese participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). as-Sakr said that the GOL had received an invitation for the senior-level PSI meeting in Poland in June, and replied that [...]	2006-05-04 09:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PHSA LE
06BEIRUT1392	MGLE01: JOINT AMBASSADORIAL-PHARMACEUTICAL [...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador, French Ambassador Emie, and European Commission Head of Delegation Renauld, together with a delegation that included members of the pharmaceutical industry, discussed the problems of the intellectual property rights (IPR) climate concerning pharmaceuticals in Leb [...]	2006-05-04 12:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EINV EFIN KIPR LE
06BEIRUT1416	MGLE01: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON ELECTORAL LAW [...] (C) Summary: During a May 2 meeting with emboffs, Electoral Law Reform Commission member Ziad Baroud expressed cautious optimism that the Commission would delineate Lebanon's electoral districts and complete its draft electoral law by the end of May. Baroud, corroborating earlier reports by [...]	2006-05-05 15:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI LE
06BEIRUT1417	MGLE01: UNIIIC CHIEF BRAMMERTZ CITES PROGRESS, [...] (U) This message contains an action request. See para 16 below. SUMMARY ------- 2. (C) UNIIIC Commissioner Brammertz said his team is now well-established, has considerable momentum, and is pursuing several fruitful lines of inquiry. In a meeting that took place before the GOL's o [...]	2006-05-05 15:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT1424	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) Pol-Mil A/S Hillen informed Lebanon's PM Siniora that the final approvals were in the works for what we hope will be USD 10 million grant (Section 1206) for immediate equipment and training needs of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Expressing deep appreciation to the President and Secretary, P [...]	2006-05-08 09:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL CASC MASS KDEM LE IS SY
06BEIRUT1444	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN'S DINNER WITH LEBANESE [...] (C) On May 3, the Ambassador hosted a dinner at his residence for visiting PM A/S Hillen. The guests represented a diverse range of international and Lebanese political figures, all united by their common interest in Lebanon's security situation and relationship with the United States. Durin [...]	2006-05-08 12:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PGOV PM SY
06BEIRUT1461	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) Summary: The normally taciturn Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh was almost buoyant in his May 5 meeting with PM A/S Hillen. A/S Hillen accompanied by the Ambassador spoke with Salloukh about U.S. assistance to Lebanon, and U.S. commitment to Lebanon in the wake of PM Sinora's A [...]	2006-05-10 05:25:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER LE
06BEIRUT1462	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER [...] No summary [...]	2006-05-10 05:26:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER LE
06BEIRUT1464	MGLE01: PM A/S HILLEN MEETS DEPUTY PM AND DEFENSE [...] (S) In a 5/4 dinner meeting with the Ambassador and PM A/S Hillen, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias al-Murr said that enhanced U.S. security assistance would boost morale in the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and make his job easier in soliciting equipment donations from Gulf cou [...]	2006-05-10 06:45:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT1465	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN MEETS WITH UN REPRESENTATIVE [...] (C) UN Representative Geir Pedersen believes the events of the past few months have greatly changed the political situation in Lebanon, particularly concerning Hizballah. Whereas before, Hizballah essentially had a free pass on its arms and political objectives, now the terrorist organization [...]	2006-05-10 06:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT1466	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN'S MEETING WITH ISF GENERAL RIFI [...] (C) A/S Hillen met with ISF General Ashraf Rifi at the ISF headquarters in Beirut to discuss U.S. - Lebanese cooperation on security assistance programs. Rifi thanked A/S Hillen and the U.S. for our assistance, and said he looked forward to a long partnership with the United States. Rifi sai [...]	2006-05-10 07:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER CASC LE
06BEIRUT1467	MGLE01: A/S HILLEN MEETS WITH LAF COMMANDER [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 4, Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Hillen, accompanied by Ambassador, DATT, and ODC Chief, met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Suleiman at the Lebanese Armed Forces Headquarters at the Ministry of Defense. Suleiman welcomed the prospect of g [...]	2006-05-10 07:24:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MASS ASEC SNAR PTER PBTS LE SY
06BEIRUT1470	MGLE01: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DISCUSSES ECONOMIC [...] (C) Summary. On May 9, Ambassador and Econ/Commercial Officer met with Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to discuss the health of the Lebanese economy and the prospects of PM Siniora's economic reform program. Salameh began the meeting by briefing the Ambassador on two recent reports by t [...]	2006-05-10 10:04:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON ETRD EINV KIPR LE
06BEIRUT1471	MGLE01: SHIA SPIRITUAL LEADER SPEAKS OUT FOR [...] (C) On May 9, Ambassador accompanied by PolChief met with head of the Higher Shia Council, Abed al-Amir Qabalan to brief him on PM Siniora's visit to the United States. Qabalan said the Taif accords are the solution to Lebanon's troubles and the leaders should return to that as the basis for [...]	2006-05-10 10:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM CASC KISL PGOV PHUM

06BEIRUT1481	MGLE01: SCENE-SETTER FOR VISIT OF IO/AS [...] (C) Summary: Your visit to Lebanon will underscore USG interest in Lebanon, and the role of the United Nations here. PM Siniora and four of his ministers visited Washington and New York April 17-22 to discuss the government's reform efforts and U.S. support for the country in its transition [...]	2006-05-10 14:03:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER MARR KCRM PGOV UN LE SY IS
06BEIRUT1482	MGLE01: GOL PROPOSES NEW PROGRAM FOR PALESTINIAN [...] (U) This messsage contains an action request. See para 24. SUMMARY ------- 2. (U) PM Siniora called a 5/5 meeting of foreign ambassadors assigned to Lebanon to explain a comprehensive government-approved program of improvements for the Palestinian refugee camps located throughout [...]	2006-05-10 15:04:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	IS JO KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT1483	MGLE01: SHIA CLERIC TELLS OF HIZBALLAH DOMINANCE, [...] (C) Sheikh Ahmed Taleb describes himself as a member of a small group of apolitical Shia clerics. He came to the embassy to "set the record straight' about his relationship with Hizballah and his connection to his father-in-law Sheikh Mohamed Hussein Fadlallah, the doyen of the spiritual and [...]	2006-05-10 15:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL KDEM PHUM SOCI SY
06BEIRUT1495	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI ON LABOR DEMONSTRATIONS, [...] (C) In a 5/11 meeting with the Ambassador, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri downplayed the importance of the 5/10 demonstrations led by Hizballah, Amal, and Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (reftel). While Aoun may hope to topple the cabinet, Berri claimed credit for limiting Hizballah an [...]	2006-05-11 14:57:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM ELAB LE SY
06BEIRUT1496	MGLE01: BAABDA PALACE WHISPERS [...] (S) Seeing Egypt as a natural ally in its resistance to U.S. promotion of democracy in the region, President Lahoud plans to travel to Sharm El-Sheikh this month to "sit in the lap" of President Mubarak, as one of Lahoud's aides candidly put it. In the meantime, various allies of the Syrian r [...]	2006-05-11 14:57:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PINR PTER KISL KPAL LE SY EG
06BEIRUT1507	MGLE01: TWO "MARCH 14" MINISTERS AND ONE AOUN MP [...] (C) Two of Prime Minister Siniora's "March 14" cabinet ministers criticized Hizballah's support for a anti-government demonstration on May 10, pointing at the incongruity of Hizballah supporting an effort to bring down a cabinet in which it participates. They were considerably more forgiving [...]	2006-05-12 14:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER ELAB KISL ASEC LE
06BEIRUT1508	MGLE01: DEFENSE AND ACTING INTERIOR MINISTERS [...] (C) In a May 11 meeting with acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat (other issues discussed are reported in reftel),the Ambassador raised the subject of the Secretary of Defense's coming invitation to Fatfat and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias al-Murr to visit Washington. Fa [...]	2006-05-15 05:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL OVIP ASEC MASS PTER KCRM LE
06BEIRUT1521	MGLE01: JA'JA' FRUSTRATED BY FAILURES, SEEKS [...] (C) Samir Ja'ja', leader of the Lebanese Forces political movement, received the Ambassador and Polchief on May 12 for lunch in his home in the mountains of northern Lebanon. The meeting was a broad tour d'horizon with Ja'ja' expressing concern over the May 10 "labor" demonstrations in Beir [...]	2006-05-16 06:55:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PINS LE SY
06BEIRUT1530	MGLE01: UNIIIC SAYS USG ASSISTANCE IS [...] (U) This message contains an action request for the Department -- please see paras 9-10. SUMMARY ------- 2. (S) In a May 12 meeting with emboffs, senior investigators from the UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) said that the USG's responsiveness on the UNII [...]	2006-05-16 12:13:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PINR KCRM LE SY UN
06BEIRUT1540	MGLE01: UNIFIL COMMANDER SAYS HIZBALLAH IS [...] (C) The UNIFIL Force Commander, General Alain Pellegrini, confirmed to IO A/S Silverberg that UNIFIL has recently observed increased construction activities at Hizballah positions on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line. Noting that the new outposts were more sophisticated in their design and [...]	2006-05-17 14:04:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER IO
06BEIRUT1544	MGLE01: A/S SILVERBERG MEETS LEBANESE POLITICIANS [...] (C) At a May 15 dinner for visiting IO A/S Silverberg, Lebanese politicians and opinion-makers of different stripes had at least one thing in common: dissatisfaction with Lebanon's current atmosphere of stagnation, impasse, and finger-pointing, especially regarding President Lahoud's tenacio [...]	2006-05-17 15:33:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER EAID KDEM KWMN LE
06BEIRUT1545	MGLE01: PM SINIORA MEETING WITH A/S SILVERBERG -- [...] (C) Summary: On May 15, A/S for International Organizations Affairs, Kristen Silverberg, accompanied by the Ambassador, met with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in his offices at the Grand Serail in Beirut. PM Siniora opened the meeting by expressing his satisfaction with his visit to Washin [...]	2006-05-17 15:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PORG PREL KDEM UNSC LE SY QT KPAL
06BEIRUT1546	MGLE01: IO A/S SILVERBERG'S 15 MAY MEETING WITH [...] (C) Lebanese Minister of Justice Charles Rizk asked for Assistant Secretary Silverberg's assistance in pushing the United Nations to produce a timetable for the establishment of an international tribunal to try suspects in the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq [...]	2006-05-17 15:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KCRM CASC KDEM LE
06BEIRUT1547	MGLE01: KINDER, GENTLER SALLOUKH SEES FULL [...] (C) Summary: IO A/S Silverberg, Ambassador and emboff met with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh on May 15 in the first official meeting of A/S Silverberg's Beirut schedule. During the QQ:R$o1QQ~impression that Prime Minister Siniora and his delegation (which included the FM) had made in Washi [...]	2006-05-17 15:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IO KDEM LE PGOV PHUM SY IS
06BEIRUT1548	MGLE01: SINIORA-MURR SPAT NEARLY SPLITS CABINET, [...] (C) Almost a week ago, away from the public eye, claims amounting to only 60,000 USD nearly wrecked the Siniora cabinet. Minister of Defense/Deputy PM Elias Murr backed a proposed compensation package for two retired generals exiled with Michel Aoun in Paris. PM Siniora, citing similar case [...]	2006-05-17 16:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE
06BEIRUT1559	MGLE01--MICHEL AOUN ON HIZBALLAH DEFENSE VISION [...] (C) Summary: On May 17, The Ambassador, accompanied by PolChief, met with Michel Aoun, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM),to discuss USG concerns over the presentation reportedly made by Hizballlah at the 5/16 National Dialogue session. The Ambassador revealed pieces of the full r [...]	2006-05-18 12:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PTER KISL KPAL PGOV PINS IS LE SY
06BEIRUT1560	MGLE01: NASRALLAH SKETCHES OUT PERMANENT STATE OF [...] (S) In separate meetings with the Ambassador, Amin Gemayel and Marwan Hamadeh read aloud their notes from the 5/16 session of the National Dialogue. The participants agreed to disagree on the issue of the presidency, leaving the subject unresolved. On Hizballah's weapons -- the final agend [...]	2006-05-18 13:56:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY IS IR KISL
06BEIRUT1575	MGLE01: JUMBLATT BELIEVES HIZBALLAH INTENDS [...] (C) On 5/19, Druse leader Walid Jumblatt hosted the P-3 Ambassadors, Argentine Ambassador, Norwegian Ambassador, and UN representative Geir Pedersen for an open-air coffee in the Chouf mountains. Jumblatt's read-out of Hassan Nasrallah's hardline speech at the 5/16 National Dialogue session [...]	2006-05-19 15:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY IR
06BEIRUT1576	MGLE01: UNIFIL COMMANDER SEES HIZBALLAH IMPROVING [...] Summary: UNIFIL commander Major-General Alain Pellegrini briefed the Ambassador on increased Hizballah construction activity along the Blue Line, a rise in the number of Israeli overflights, and plans to enhance contacts between UNIFIL and the LAF. The General was uncertain about the reasons [...]	2006-05-19 15:19:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER KPAL PBTS PREL LE IS
06BEIRUT1577	MGLE01: NATIONAL ELECTORAL REFORM COMMISSION [...] (SBU) According to a member of the national commission charged with reforming the electoral law, the commission has finally reached agreement on a draft law. The draft would call for a mixed electoral system, one with both small districts and large districts. According to this system, 79 Me [...]	2006-05-19 15:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI EAID SOCI LE
06BEIRUT1579	MGLE01: A/S SILVERBERG MEETING WITH UN SYG REP [...] (C) SUMMARY: IO A/S Silverberg hosted UN envoy Geir Pedersen to a relaxed dinner on 5/16. Pedersen had no definitive answer regarding why Hizballah had stepped up the construction of military infrastructure along the Blue Line, but he argued that Hizballah tried to maintain "constructive am [...]	2006-05-22 06:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER EAIC KDEM KWMN LE
06BEIRUT1644	DEMARCHES TO NAM/G-77 MEMBERS IN PREPARATION FOR [...] (U) On May 24 and May 25, Post delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reftel demarches concerning the May 27-30 NAM ministerial. The Director for the Americas Ghady al-Khoury received the material and promised to pass it to the responsible delegation members in preparation for the NAM [...]	2006-05-25 10:25:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	AORG UNGA PREL LE IR
06BEIRUT1675	MGLE01: S/CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON HEARS STRAIGHT [...] (S) Visiting S/CT Coordinator Crumpton had a long 5/22 conversation with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias al-Murr, and Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh -- three men convinced they have been, or will be, targeted for assassination by the S [...]	2006-05-30 11:00:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL ASEC MASS PTER KCRM KISL LE
06BEIRUT1676	MGLE01: UN SYG'S REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES [...] (S) In a 5/23 meeting, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative to Lebanon told visiting S/CT Coordinator Crumpton that Hizballah emerged as a "mixture" of Iranian Islamic-revolutionary links, social grievances in the Shi'a community, a fight against Israel, and what eventually beca [...]	2006-05-30 11:17:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER KISL MOPS KDEM SOCI LE SY IR IS
06BEIRUT1677	MGLE01: S/CT CRUMPTON MEETING WITH MICHEL AOUN -- [...] (C) On May 23, Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Crumpton met with Lebanese parliamentary minority leader Michel Aoun at Aoun's home near Beirut. S/CT Crumpton encouraged Aoun to use his influence to make Lebanon a solid partner with the USG in the fight against terrorism. He exp [...]	2006-05-30 11:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER KPAL KDEM PINS LE SY IR
06BEIRUT1678	MGLE01: CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON AND ISF DIRECTOR [...] (S) In a May 23 meeting, Internal Security Forces (ISF) Director General Ashraf Rifi told Counterterrorism Coordinator Crumpton, the Ambassador, and emboffs that the ISF was rapidly expanding both its size and mission. From a personnel level of 13,000 last year, Rifi plans to increase the I [...]	2006-05-30 11:54:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	ASEC JO LE MAS PTER SA SY
06BEIRUT1679	MGLE01: S/CT CRUMPTON MEETING WITH PM SINIORA -- [...] (C) On May 23, S/CT Crumpton met with PM Siniora at Siniora's office in Beirut's Grand Serail. Ambassador Crumpton told the Prime Minister that the USG was prepared to help Lebanon as it moved to strengthen its institutions through a Lebanese process. He expressed USG condolences upon the [...]	2006-05-30 12:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PTER PINS KPAL LE SY
06BEIRUT1680	MGLE01: S/CT COORDINATOR'S MEETING WITH LEBANESE [...] (C) SUMMARY: S/CT Coordinator Crumpton and the Ambassador, accompanied by Defense Attache, met May 23 with Director of LAF G2 Brigadier General Georges Khoury. BG Khoury provided an overview of the terrorism situation from the LAF G2 perspective. He noted three distinct terrorist threat l [...]	2006-05-30 12:04:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PREL MARR MOPS LE
06BEIRUT1681	MGLE01: FOREIGN MINISTER SALLOUKH DEFENDS [...] (C) In a May 23 meeting with Counterterrorism Coordinator Henry Crumpton, the Ambassador, and econoff, Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh -- in an unusually belligerent and offensive performance -- steadfastly defended Hizballah. He claimed that the majority of Lebanese consider Hizballah to b [...]	2006-05-30 12:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR KPAL LE PBTS PTER SY
06BEIRUT1682	MGLE01: S/CT CRUMPTON MEETING WITH INTERIOR [...] (S) SUMMARY: In a May 23 meeting, Acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat, accompanied by Internal Securtity Forces Director General Ashraf Rifi, told Counterterrorism Coordinator Crumpton, the Ambassador, and emboff that his highest priority regarding counterterrorism in Lebanon was reconstruc [...]	2006-05-30 13:02:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER MASS PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT1690	MGLE01: A WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON [...] (C) The weekend of May 26-28 saw some of the most intense violence in southern Lebanon since the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. On May 26, a car bomb in Sidon killed Islamic Jihad official Abu Hamzeh and his brother. Islamic Jihad blamed Israel and then retracted its stat [...]	2006-05-30 13:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL KPKO LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT1711	MGLE01: AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM [...] (C) SUMMARY. U.S. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Crumpton and the Ambassador visited Justice Minister Charles Rizk to discuss the causes and possible solutions to terrorism in the region. Rizk told Ambassador Crumpton that the major cause of political instabil [...]	2006-05-31 12:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT1712	MGLE01: FINANCE MINISTER UPBEAT ABOUT ECONOMIC [...] (C) Summary. On May 30, Ambassador and Econ/Commercial Officer met with Finance Minister Azour to discuss the status of GOL economic reform efforts. Azour was upbeat as a result of the Lebanese economy's encouraging macroeconomic indicators and what he described as the positive reception he [...]	2006-05-31 12:07:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON EINV LE
06BEIRUT1715	MGLE01: BERRI UNDERCUTS SINIORA IN MEETING WITH [...] (C/NF) In a May 31 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri was critical of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Berri accused Siniora of squandering an opportunity to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad that Berri had so delicately and s ecretly set up. Be [...]	2006-05-31 15:32:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS KPAL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT1716	MGLE01: FORMER FINANCE MINISTER ON LEBANON'S [...] (C) Damianos Kattar, Lebanese Finance Minister during the government of Najib Mikati in 2005, believes that the present government must restore crebibility before it can advance economic reform. He estimates that at least USD 15 billion of Lebanon's USD 38 billion national debt derives from [...]	2006-05-31 15:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN SOCI PGOV LE
06BEIRUT1717	MGLE01: JUSTICE MINISTER COMPLAINS THAT SINIORA [...] (C) Justice Minister Charles Rizk voiced disappointment with Prime Minister Siniora's apparent decision to reject Rizk's proposed list of candidates for Lebanon's Higher Judicial Council. Rizk maintained that Siniora is bent on achieving a council majority that would allow him to control th [...]	2006-06-01 07:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	CASC KDEM LE PGOV PREL PTER SY IS
06BEIRUT1733	MGLE01: CIVIL SOCIETY PREPARES FOR RELEASE OF [...] (C) As the national commission charged with drafting a new electoral law has been conducting its work, civil society activists have been developing an eight-point platform for promoting electoral reform. All eight points, including proportional representation and an independent electoral com [...]	2006-06-01 14:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI EAID LE
06BEIRUT1734	MGLE01: DEMARCHE DELIVERED REGARDING U.S. [...] (C) Ambassador conveyed reftel talking points to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Siniora applauded the Secretary's statement and said it was an important step for SIPDIS the United States and Iran to work diplomatically in solving regional security issues. Siniora also agreed that [...]	2006-06-01 14:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PFLP PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT1735	MGLE01: MINDEF MURR OFFERS THEORY ON BLUE LINE [...] (S) Summary and comment: In a 6/1 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr said that Hizballah was the primary instigator of Sunday's Blue Line incidents (reftel) but had seriously miscalculated, believing that the Israeli response would be limited [...]	2006-06-01 15:36:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER MOPS KPKO PREL KPAL LE IS JO
06BEIRUT1746	MGLE01: SINIORA SEES SYRIAN AND PALESTINIAN [...] (S) In a 6/1 meeting, Prime Minister Siniora told the Ambassador he suspects Syrian and Palestinian agents were behind a violent 5/28 exchange with Israel. He also said it was impossible for the attacks to have been carried out without Hizballah's knowledge, and expressed concern that Hizbal [...]	2006-06-02 12:39:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER KDEM MOPS KPAL KPAO LE IS SY
06BEIRUT1747	MGLE01: DISTURBANCES IN BEIRUT AND ELSEWHERE OVER [...] (SBU) At 2300 hrs. local on June 1, Lebanese Shi'ite Muslims rioted in Rweissat Jdeideth, West Beirut, Baalbeck, Nabatieh, Sidon and Tyre in protest of a satirical TV show, entitled "Basmat-Watan," which mocked Hizballah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. The largest number of prote [...]	2006-06-02 13:20:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	ASEC LE PTER
06BEIRUT1748	MGLE01: C/CT5/015376 -- STUDY SHOWS IRANIAN AID [...] (S/NF) On May 31, independent Shia politician Ahmad al-Asad told econoff that Hizballah has increased the number of paid employees, including civilian and military, by 23 percent since last year. This increase was financed by a 37 percent increase in Iranian funding since the Syrian withdra [...]	2006-06-02 13:30:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	EFIN IR LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT1752	MGLE01: MARONITE PATRIARCH CONCERNED ABOUT SUNNI [...] (C) Maronite Patriarch Sfeir expressed unease with reports that Lebanon's Sunni-dominated Internal Security Force (ISF) could become a Sunni "gendarmerie" outside the control of the state. He said he fully supports proposals to increase the capabilities of the more broadly representative Le [...]	2006-06-05 07:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT1771	MGLE01: SAUDI AMBASSADOR WORRIED ABOUT SINIORA'S [...] (S) In a 5/5 meeting with the Ambassador, Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja insisted that there is no current "Saudi initiative" to reduce Syrian-Lebanese tension. He expressed deep worry about Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's safety. He cited a recent article in al-Hayet by Syria's Ambassado [...]	2006-06-05 14:01:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER PGOV LE SY SA
06BEIRUT1772	MGLE01: FORMER UNIFIL OFFICIAL VIEWS RECENT [...] (C) In a June 1 meeting with econoff, former UNIFIL spokesman Timur Goksel said he believed Hizballah was involved in the early morning Katyusha barrage that began the fighting in southern Lebanon on May 28 (reftel). For Goksel, the rocket strike was too accurate not to involve a Hizballah [...]	2006-06-05 14:05:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN IR IS LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT1775	MGLE01: KARAME RALLY REVEALS OPENING OF A NEW/OLD [...] (SBU) Summary: On June 3, a political gauntlet was thrown down during a rally marking the anniversary of the 1987 death of a prominent Sunni figure in northern Lebanon. Omar Karame, former Prime minister and friend to Syria, was joined by several ex-deputies, and followers of anti-Hariri fo [...]	2006-06-05 15:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT1796	MGLE01: TRIPOLI SUNNI MP ADVOCATES A HARIRI [...] (C) During a 6/6 meeting with the Ambassador, Tripoli (Sunni) MP and Minister of Public Works and Transport Mohammed Safadi deflected questions about the June 8 session of the National Dialogue, in which he participates. Instead, he wanted to share his ideas on correcting what he sees as an [...]	2006-06-06 14:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT1805	MGLE01: PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL BELIEVES ELECTORAL [...] (C) Maronite presidential hopeful Nassib Lahoud said he believes that adoption of Lebanon's draft electoral law will hinge on how much political capital Saad Hariri commits to it -- as well as a decision by Michel Aoun and Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah to only mildly resist it. The reform min [...]	2006-06-07 11:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1807	MGLE01: SHIA CONTACTS SEE NASRALLAH'S CULT OF [...] (C) On June 6, Hizballah expert Amal Saad-Ghorayeb told econoff that the June 1 riot in response to a LBCI parody of Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah (ref A) was an embarrassment to Hizballah and the Shia community. She believed the riot was spontaneous, but Hizballah was not co [...]	2006-06-07 12:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR IS KISL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT1808	MGLE01: A STRATEGY TO SUPPORT ELECTORAL REFORM [...] (C) Reform of the electoral law is the bellwether of the Lebanese government's overall reform plan, and U.S. support for it is in entirely keeping with the President's Freedom Agenda. While there is widespread popular support for replacing the electoral law currently in effect -- associated [...]	2006-06-07 12:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI EAID KPAO LE
06BEIRUT1811	MGLE01: MICHEL AOUN -- STILL NOT READY TO TAKE [...] (C) In a meeting with Ambassador and PolChief, Michel Aoun fended off attempts to nudge him back into the mainstream of Lebanon's political life. We told Aoun that the Lebanese may be ready to accept a leader with strong moral authority who is neither March 14/Hariri, nor March 8/Hizballah- [...]	2006-06-07 13:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM KISL PTER KPAL PGOV LE SY
06BEIRUT1849	MGLE01: SAAD HARIRI ON IRAN, SINIORA, AOUN, [...] (S) In a 6/7 meeting with the Ambassador, MP Saad Hariri spent most of the time discussing his recent travels in Europe, which he claimed to have used to push for international consensus on Iran and Syria. The Russians, he claimed, were persuaded by his arguments not to abstain on any UNSCR [...]	2006-06-08 15:30:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR RS FR
06BEIRUT1870	MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE DISCUSSIONS REVEAL [...] (C) On June 8, the Lebanese national dialogue reconvened. Two important events hung over the discussions of this round: 1) the Blue Line incidents of May 28 in which Hizballah positions were destroyed by Israeli air strikes, and 2) the June 1 riot that followed the television spoofing of H [...]	2006-06-09 15:11:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PINS KISL PTER KPAL LE SY
06BEIRUT1892	MGLE01: SLEIMAN FRANJIEH ANNOUNCES "MARADA," A [...] (C) Summary: On June 11, Sleiman Franjieh announced his new political party named "Marada." The announcement was made as Franjieh commemorated the anniversary of the murder, presumably by Lebanese Forces militia, of his family in June 1978. The party seems to be a personality cult that e [...]	2006-06-12 15:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM SOCI PINS KISL LE SY
06BEIRUT1902	MGLE01: PM SINIORA UPBEAT ON ELECTORAL REFORM AND [...] (C) PM Siniora is optimistic that Lebanon's draft electoral law will survive intact upcoming debates in the Cabinet and Parliament. Although the size of the electoral districts could be a sticking point with several constituencies, Siniora believes the overall beneficial impact of a new ele [...]	2006-06-13 08:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1915	MGLE01: INFORMATION ON SA'AD HARIRI [...] (C/NF) Reftel requested information on Member of Parliament Sa'ad Hariri. Embassy Beirut's answers are keyed to the questions as set forth in reftel. HARIRI'S PERSONALITY -------------------- 2. (C/NF) Hariri is open, engaged, generally warm and friendly, and easily accessible (when [...]	2006-06-13 14:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PINR PGOV FR LE SA
06BEIRUT1916	MGLE01: JUMBLATT LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PUT SARG AND [...] (C) In a 6/12 meeting, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt confessed to being disappointed with the June report of the UN investigation of the Hariri assassination, the latest in a series of events seeming to benefit the Syrian regime and its allies in Lebanon. Lebanon may not be on the brink of civi [...]	2006-06-13 15:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PTER KISL KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT1921	MGLE01: HIZBALLAH TOLD UN IT DID NOT FIRE FIRST [...] (C) On June 13, Georges Nasr, political officer in the office of UNSYG Personal Representative to Lebanon Geir Pederson, briefed econoff on a recent meeting between the UN office and Hizballah representatives in early June. Nasr said the Hizballah officials denied that Hizballah fired the f [...]	2006-06-14 09:50:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT1963	MGLE01: POTENTIAL REQUEST TO UNIIIC TO EXAMINE [...] (S/NF) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Elias Murr claimed that the evidence is "very strong" that Israel, using local agents, was behind the 5/26 car bombing that killed the Majzoub brothers (PIJ activists and Lebanese citizens) in Sidon. Murr described what he believes was a [...]	2006-06-15 14:31:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER KCRM PGOV LE SY IS
06BEIRUT1964	MGLE01: SCARED OF BLOODSHED, SA'AD MUSES ABOUT [...] (S) In a June 14 meeting with the Ambassador and emboff at his Qorytem residence, Sa'ad Hariri expressed alarm at mounting Sunni-Shiite tensions that he believes have driven Lebanon to the brink of civil war. Citing his concern following the May 28 attack on Israel and the June 1 Hizballah r [...]	2006-06-15 14:44:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	IR LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT1965	MGLE01: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF LEBANESE ACTING [...] (C) The visit of Acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat offers the opportunity to press U.S. security interests in Lebanon: counterterrorism including Sunni extremism, Syrian influence, Palestinian weapons inside and outside the refugee camps, and arms smuggling into Lebanon. We have begun m [...]	2006-06-15 15:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KCRM LE
06BEIRUT1966	MGLE01: HARIRI ADVISOR STRONGLY CRITICIZES DRAFT [...] (C) MP Bahije Tabbarah, a close advisor to former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, gave a point-by-point critique of the draft electoral law that left little doubt he would be advising his Future Movement colleagues to oppose the law when it comes up for debate in Parliament. Tabbarah, who is n [...]	2006-06-15 15:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT1994	MGLE01: SUNNI MARCH 14 PARLIAMENTARIAN COMMENTS [...] (C) In a June 14 meeting with econoff and FSN political specialist, MP Mosbah Ahdab, a moderate Sunni from Tripoli, provided his insight into the personality and leadership style of MP Sa'ad Hariri. Ahdab described Hariri as likable and a "good guy." Ahdab blamed Hariri's inexperience and a [...]	2006-06-16 14:24:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	KISL LE PGOV
06BEIRUT1996	MGLE01: IRAN AND SYRIA ATTEMPT TO MAKE INROADS [...] (C) On June 14, econoff and FSN political specialist made an official visit to Akkar, the poorest and northernmost district in Lebanon. Local religious and municipal leaders reported that Iran is attempting to support Sunni extremist views in the poverty-stricken region. Syria still maintai [...]	2006-06-19 09:26:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON IR KISL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2034	MGLE01: UNIIIC AND THE DEFENSE'S CASE FOR JAILED [...] (S) Reftel reports that UNIIIC Commissioner Serge Brammertz is deeply worried that the evidence against the four jailed Lebanese generals, suspected of complicity in the Hariri assassination, may not be strong enough to justify their continued detention. Release of the generals would have a [...]	2006-06-20 12:44:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PTER KCRM PINR KISL ASEC LE SY UN
06BEIRUT2067	MGLE01: FM AZOUR DISCUSSES REFORM MEASURES AND [...] (C) Summary. During a June 20 meeting with the Ambassador and Econ/Commercial Officer, Finance Minister Azour discussed the GOL's recent economic reform work and a recent economic meeting among PM Siniora, Azour, Economy and Trade Minister Haddad, and Future Movement leader Sa'ad Hariri. A [...]	2006-06-21 13:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON EINV LE
06BEIRUT2072	MGLE01: SOME SHIA LOOK FOR A WAY TO ESCAPE CLIENT [...] (C/NF) In a June 21 meeting with econoff and FSN political specialist, independent Shia intellectual Mohammad Obeid said he is trying to reform Nabih Berri's Amal movement from the inside. He wants to take advantage of growing discontent over Speaker Berri's perceived sell-out of the moveme [...]	2006-06-21 15:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN IR KISL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2087	(S/NF) MGLE01: SINIORA PRESSES AHEAD ON ECONOMIC [...] (C) Ignoring an unseemly, ongoing food fight among Maronite politicians sparked by President Lahoud's non-invitation to the Francophone summit, Prime Minister Siniora used a 6/21 meeting with the Ambassador to portray his government as moving ahead on a number of fronts, including economic re [...]	2006-06-22 12:56:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL EAID EAIR PTER KPAL KDEM BEXP LE
06BEIRUT2091	MGLE01: ECONOMY AND TRADE MINISTER HADDAD [...] (C) Summary. On June 20, the Ambassador and Econ/Commercial Officer met Minister of Economy and Trade (MOET) Sami Haddad to discuss trade and intellectual property rights (IPR) issues. The Ambassador told Haddad that he would like to see a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) si [...]	2006-06-23 12:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EINV ETRD KIPR LE
06BEIRUT2092	MGLE01: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE "FULL STEAM AHEAD" ON [...] (C) In a 6/22 meeting, Minister of Justice Rizk confirmed that senior Lebanese judges Choucri Sader and Ralph Riachy will travel to The Hague on July 4 to make progress on a draft agreement with the UN on establishing a special tribunal with international character for the Hariri assassinatio [...]	2006-06-23 12:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KDEM KCRM MARR EAID KMPI LE
06BEIRUT2093	MGLE01: MICHEL AOUN RATCHETS UP THE [...] (C) Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun strongly attacked an array of perceived enemies in a televised speech on June 21, and the next day led a combined FPM/Hizballah delegation to Lebanon's Constitutional Council to protest judicial "inactivity" regarding a number of FPM challenges t [...]	2006-06-23 12:36:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT2154	MGLE01: JIHAD AL-BINAA WIDELY KNOWN AS A [...] (C/NF) In June, econoff spoke with the Embassy's best contacts on Hizballah to determine the role, activities, and status of Jihad al-Binaa. Complicating matters was the fact that the official Jihad al-Binaa Arabic website does not directly reveal its ties to Hizballah. All contacts reporte [...]	2006-06-28 07:21:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EFIN IR LE PTER
06BEIRUT2155	MGLE01--CHRISTIAN POLITICIAN FEARS [...] (C/NF) Summary: On June 26, PolChief, accompanied by Pol Assistant, paid a farewell call on Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad. The Minister was in the mood to send a message to the USG. It was a simple and often repeated refrain: We are worried about extremism in the north of Leba [...]	2006-06-28 07:25:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV PREL PINS KDEM LE SY KPAL IR
06BEIRUT2175	MGLE01: ISF FACING INCREASING DRUG ENFORCEMENT [...] (C) Econoff attended a June 26 Internal Security Forces (ISF) briefing to the Mini-Dublin Group. Col. Kowalty Abdel Razzak, head of the ISF's 200-person drug enforcement unit, told the group that drug enforcement has become more difficult since the Syrian withdrawal. More farmers in the Bi [...]	2006-06-28 14:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL LE PBTS PGOV SNAR SOCI SY
06BEIRUT2220	MGLE01: WITH SYRIA AND ITS ALLIES ON THE [...] (S) In a 6/28 meeting -- a day before the National Dialogue was to reconvene -- Druze leader and "March 14 Forces" figure Walid Jumblatt described a "stalemate" among National Dialogue participants over the deadline they had set on disarmament of Palestinian militias outside the refugee camps [...]	2006-06-30 15:24:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV KDEM PTER KPAL ECON SY LE
06BEIRUT2221	MGLE01: JA'JA SEES "SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY" [...] (C/NF) On June 29, the Ambassador and econoff met with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Ja'Ja and his adviser Elie Khoury at the Embassy. Ja'Ja was upbeat about the day's National Dialogue session, saying that Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah was restrained. Nasrallah, along with Speaker of [...]	2006-06-30 15:31:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2223	MGLE01: HARIRI, HAMADEH DESCRIBE AS BOTH GOOD AND [...] (C/NF) In separate one-on-one meetings with the Ambassador on 6/30, MP Sa'ad Hariri and Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh expressed basic satisfaction with the previous day's national dialogue session. Israel's actions in Gaza and the arrests of Hamas cabinet members and lawmake [...]	2006-07-03 07:22:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER PGOV KISL LE SY IS KPAL KWBG
06BEIRUT2236	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI MEETS WITH CODEL DREIER; [...] (C/NF) In a July 3 meeting with Codel Dreier and the Ambassador, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri welcomed the delegation and agreed enthusiastically to future parliamentary exchanges. Regarding the national dialogue, Berri said that it was Lebanon's only chance to avoid confessional strif [...]	2006-07-03 15:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS KDEM LE OVIP PGOV PREL PTER
06BEIRUT2256	MGLE01: SCENESETTER FOR ELIAS MURR'S JULY 16-19 [...] (S/NF) Just over a year since surviving what is thought to have been a Syrian-ordered assassination attempt, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr heads to Washington July 16-19. The scion of a powerful and wealthy Greek Orthodox family closely linked to Syria, Murr has forg [...]	2006-07-05 14:21:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PARM PTER PGOV MASS LE SY
06BEIRUT2258	MGLE01: MEA LIKELY TO CHOOSE AIRBUS BECAUSE OF [...] (C/NF) Summary. The Ambassador and econoff met with Middle East Airlines (MEA) President Mohammad Hout on June 28 and Edward Schachle, Sales Director for Boeing in the Middle e"QZz[t_Q/=^QtqOa+(5QQQ 2012, and MEA cannot afford short-term leases on its aircraft to "bridge the gap." In nine [...]	2006-07-05 15:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EAIR EFIN PREL ECON PGOV BEXP LE
06BEIRUT2272	MGLE01: INDEPENDENT SHIA POLITICIAN SAYS [...] (C/NF) In a late June meeting with econoff, independent Shia politician Ali Sabra Hamadeh reported that Hizballah has been cooling down its rhetoric in the Biqa Valley during the past three months. It seems the very confessional tensions that Hizballah has been working to inspire since the H [...]	2006-07-06 15:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IR IS LE PGOV PTER SNAR SY
06BEIRUT2290	MGLE01: FORMER PRESIDENT ELIAS HRAWI PASSES AWAY [...] At about 3:00 PM local on July 7, former Lebanese President Elias Hrawi passed away from cancer. Reftel describes in detail the record and legacy of President Hrawi, who served in office from 1989 to 1998. 2. With Hrawi's death occurring only a few hours ago, funeral arrangements are sti [...]	2006-07-07 13:59:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT2291	MGLE01: A STRATEGY SESSION WITH PRIME MINISTER [...] (C/NF) The current weakness of the "March 14" parliamentary majority -- and the deleterious effect this has on Prime Minister Siniora's ability to govern -- has become a matter of great concern for supporters of Siniora, such as former Central Bank Governor Michel el Khoury. At a 7/3 dinner [...]	2006-07-07 14:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV KDEM PTER ECON KISL PINR SY LE
06BEIRUT2292	MGLE01: AOUN DISCUSSES SUMMER PLANS; PROMISES TO [...] (C/NF) In a July 7 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, MP Michel Aoun was optimistic that his new television station would garner a strong sudience and earn a profit. Aoun, along with his adviser Gibran Bassil, commented on Suleiman Franjieh's controversial recent statements, saying th [...]	2006-07-07 14:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	CASC IS KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT2293	MGLE01: BRAMMERTZ SLOGS ON WITH UNIIIC BOUND BY [...] (S/NF) According to United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) Commissioner Serge Brammertz, administrative delays with the UN's bureaucracy have taken up 50 to 70 percent of his time in the last month and have significantly hindered the UNIIIC's efficacy and p [...]	2006-07-07 15:14:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PTER KCRM PINR ASEC SY LE
06BEIRUT2322	MGLE01: JA'JA' SAYS FEAR OF SECTARIAN CLASHES IS [...] No summary [...]	2006-07-10 14:57:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PGOV PTER KISL KDEM ASEC MCAP LE SY IZ
06BEIRUT2323	MGLE01: JUMBLATT RECOUNTS SAUDI TRIP, MONEY [...] (S/NF) In a 7/7 meeting, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said he had recently asked Saudi King Abdullah for funding to help him and his "March 14" allies counter Iranian/Syrian influence in Lebanon. King Abdullah had been noncommittal, and Jumblatt was left waiting for his partner Sa'ad al-Harir [...]	2006-07-11 05:48:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV PTER KISL KDEM EAID LE SA SY
06BEIRUT2343	MGLE01: PLO REP TO LEBANON LAUDS GOL'S [...] (C) The recently-appointed Palestinian Representative to Lebanon, Abbas Zaki, described humanitarian conditions in the 12 refugee camps located in Lebanon as dire, requiring immediate, comprehensive infrastructure and humanitarian assistance. Representative Zaki praised the efforts of Prime [...]	2006-07-11 15:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2347	MGLE01: HIZBALLAH ABDUCTION OF TWO IDF SOLDIERS [...] (C) According to local UN officials, a day of heavy fighting in southern Lebanon began at approximately 0900 local when an undetermined number of rockets launched from southern Lebanon landed the area of Shlomi, Israel, injuring at least four Israeli civilians. Nearly simultaneously, fighti [...]	2006-07-12 16:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER SY
06BEIRUT2349	MGLE01: FIGHTING ESCALATES AS ISRAEL STRIKES [...] (C) On the morning of July 13, Israel continued airstrikes on southern Lebanon, increasing the death toll to more than 30 civilian casualties. Israeli aircraft also bombed Beirut International Airport (BIA) and Hizballah targets in southern Beirut. BIA is closed until further notice. Hizb [...]	2006-07-13 09:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EAIR IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT2351	MGLE01: INITIAL REACTION TO NASRALLAH'S SPEECH [...] (C) Hassan Nasrallah's latest attempt to portray Hizballah as the "Great Arab Protector" has embarrassed and cornered much of Lebanon's political elite. Nasrallah used a widely watched news conference late on July 12 to defend Hizballah's unprovoked abduction of two IDF soldiers from Israeli territ [...]	2006-07-13 09:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2353	MGLE01: LEBANESE PM SINIORA: "WE NEED HELP." [...] (S) Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora expressed deep concern to the Ambassador this morning that the current security crisis is unfolding "as if by script," with Israel and Hizballah dutifully playing out the assigned roles one would expect in a worst case scenario path to regional war. He argu [...]	2006-07-13 11:01:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	IS IZ LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2386	TFLE01: ISRAEL HITS SOUTHERN BEIRUT HARD; AIRPORT [...] (C) Subsequent to reftel, Israeli aircraft have bombed two small airports, a power plant, and struck hard at targets in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Two rockets were reported to have struck Haifa, but Hizballah denied responsibility and UNIFIL could not confirm that the rockets were launched fro [...]	2006-07-14 10:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT2387	TFLE01: PM SINIORA CONVOKES P-5, URGES "HELPFUL" [...] (C) Convoking the P-5 ambassadors on 7/14, Prime Minister Siniora urged that the UN Security Council issue a presidential statement that calls for: 1) an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire, 2) a lifting of the blockade on Lebanon, and 3) encouragement of the Lebanese government's stated int [...]	2006-07-14 10:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS PTER LE IS
06BEIRUT2390	TFLE01: HIZBALLAH'S RECKLESSNESS SPLITS AOUN'S [...] (C) Aounist advisor MP Ibrahim Kanaan expressed frustration and deep concern over the present course of events in Lebanon and said he has advised his party leader General Michel Aoun to put distance between himself and Hassan Nasrallah. Kanaan is convinced that Hizballah, with "its extreme overconf [...]	2006-07-14 13:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2403	TFLE01: LARSEN TO PROPOSE HANDOVER OF ISRAELI [...] (C/NF) On July 16, the Ambassador and econoff had a late night meeting with UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen and UNSYG Personal Representative to Lebanon Geir Pederson. Larsen showed a draft proposal to the Ambassador, which Larsen said that he was drawing from orally but not providing to GOL officials. [...]	2006-07-17 11:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2407	TFLE01: BERRI SAYS CEASE-FIRE NECESSARY [...] (C/NF) Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri told the Ambassador today (7/17) that within another week, continued Israeli strikes will solidify Lebanese popular opinion against Israel. For now, however, he suggested in a most oblique manner that the potential for Israel's assault to we [...]	2006-07-17 17:50:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2412	TFLE01: CENTRAL BANK REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN [...] (U) This message contains an action message for the Department -- see para 6. 2. (C) Finance Minister Jihad Azour alerted us this morning to a forthcoming request from the Lebanese Central Bank for assistance in transporting cash in US dollars from Cyprus to Beirut. The Central Bank planned to co [...]	2006-07-18 16:20:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS EFIN ASEC LE IS
06BEIRUT2413	TFLE01: INCENSED BY ISRAELI TARGETING OF LAF, [...] (S/NF) While acknowledging that there was something not quite right abotu the activities at the Jamhour military base, French Ambassador Emie described recent Israeli strikes on Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) facilities as "unbelievable." If the Israeli campaign was going to continue along these lines [...]	2006-07-18 16:26:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL MOPS PTER ASEC CASC LE FR
06BEIRUT2415	TFLE01: UNSYG PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE PEDERSON [...] (C) In a July 18 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, UNSYG Personal Representative to Lebanon Geir Pederson shared a new draft of the UN proposal to end the fighting (reftel). This document (which has many elements that spell its doom in its current form) is transcribed below in para 3. Peders [...]	2006-07-18 16:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IR IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER

06BEIRUT2417	TFLE01: AOUN'S ADVISORS PROPOSE DIFFERENT PATHS [...] (C) While Michel Aoun's close advisor Gebran Bassil continues to defend Hizballah's actions (but with less energy than before),Aoun's other influential advisors MP Farid el-Khazen and MP Ibrahim Kanaan unambiguously stated to poloff that Hizballah deliberately started the current cycle of violence [...]	2006-07-18 18:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2422	TFLE01: LEBANESE ECONOMY DEVASTATED BY AIR [...] No summary [...]	2006-07-19 15:10:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV EFIN ECON EINV LE
06BEIRUT2427	TFLE01: UNSYG PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE URGES [...] (C/NF) In a 7/19 meeting, the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General (PRSG),Geir Pedersen, told the Ambassador there is an urgent need to establish humanitarian corridors to southern Lebanon in order to address an "increasing humanitarian disaster" there. Among these routes wou [...]	2006-07-20 16:47:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	MOPS EAID PREF PREL LE IS
06BEIRUT2428	TFLE01: HIZBALLAH EXPERTS SAY EARLY END TO [...] (C) On July 20, econoff polled three Hizballah experts on the party's strategy and next steps in the current fighting with Israel. All three agreed that if the fighting ended now, Hizballah would appear victorious. As of July 20, much of Hizballah's military capabilities and support in the Shia com [...]	2006-07-20 16:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR IS LE MOPS PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2429	TFLE01: SINIORA CONVOKES DIPLOMATIC CORPS TO [...] (U) In a terse but emotionally-tinged 7/19 address to the diplomatic corps, Prime Minister Siniora demanded an immediate end to hostilities between Hizballah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF),a lifting of the Israeli naval blockade, and delivery of urgently-needed humanitarian assistance. [...]	2006-07-20 16:49:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PREL MOPS EAID PTER PREF LE IS
06BEIRUT2437	TFLE01: MINISTER MOUAWAD URGES HUMANITARIAN [...] (S/NF) Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad described the humanitarian situation in Lebanon as approaching a critical point. Although she used less alarming terms than PM Siniora employed in his speech of July 19, Minister Mouawad still insisted the greatest challenge was not the supply of food [...]	2006-07-21 12:39:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2440	TFLE01: SPEAKER BERRI SAYS HE IS WAITING FOR [...] (C/NF) In a July 22 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri recited the devastation Israeli military operations have caused to his native southern Lebanon. By contrast, Berri asserted that Israel has not exacted much damage on Hizballah's military wing, saying onl [...]	2006-07-22 14:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2441	TFLE01 MARCH 14 LEADER BOUTROS HARB ALSO URGES [...] (C) MP Boutros Harb, a key figure in the pro-reform March 14 movement, believes Hizballah, as of July 21, has not been significantly hurt -- either in its leadership or its military capabilities. Harb said that if Hizballah can reach a cease-fire in its present relatively strong condition, it will [...]	2006-07-22 14:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2443	TFLE01: AMINE GEMAYEL SAYS CEASE-FIRE SHOULD [...] (S/NF) In a 7/21 meeting, Amine Gemayel, former President of the Republic of Lebanon, told the Ambassador that diplomatic efforts to solve the current conflict should focus on securing a long term solution to the cyclical security crises along the Lebanese-Israeli border, with any discussions of pr [...]	2006-07-23 09:37:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2447	TFLE01: MARONITE DOYEN WARNS: "THE WEST MUST WIN [...] (C/NF) On 7/22, Maronite doyen Sheikh Michel el Khoury (and son of Lebanon's first president) told the Ambassador that the West's hopes for democracy in the Middle East depend upon winning the current war against Hizballah and its Syrian and Iranian backers. Still, Sheikh Michel warned that with it [...]	2006-07-23 18:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2464	TFLE01: BERRI SAYS ISRAEL WON'T WIN [...] (C/NF) In July 25 meeting with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, the Ambassador followed up Secretary Rice's visit in presenting updated elements for a cease-fire package. Berri, after his customary review of Israeli acts, said he was still doubtful Hizballah would accept the proposal if a prisone [...]	2006-07-25 13:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PBTS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2469	TFLE01: SINIORA SAYS HE IS READY TO REQUEST AN [...] (C/NF) In a 7/25 meeting, Prime Minister Siniora, after much prodding, told the Ambassador that he was ready to make a public call for the deployment of an international stabilization force in southern Lebanon. (He said he would do so at a 7/26 Core Group conference in Rome.) He urged that the USG [...]	2006-07-25 16:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PINS MOPS PTER KPKO LE IS
06BEIRUT2470	TFLE01: UN PRSG: "DON'T RUSH" ON INTERNATIONAL [...] (C/NF) In a 7/25 conversation, Geir Pedersen, Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General (PRSG),emphasized the importance of showing Lebanon's Shia community that a domestic political approach to Hizballah's disarmament remained possible. He recommended that an international stabilization [...]	2006-07-25 16:20:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PINS PTER MOPS KPKO EAID LE
06BEIRUT2471	TFLE01: SAMIR JA'JA' SUPPORTS PROPOSED PATH TO [...] (C) After the Ambassador reviewed current thinking regarding the components of a possible cease-fire, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Ja'ja' expressed his overall support of the approach, particularly the intent to implement all the components in a single phase. He also conveyed his belief that a holl [...]	2006-07-25 18:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2474	TFLE01: SHIA ANGER BUTTRESSING HIZBALLAH; [...] (C/NF) On July 26, Embassy contacts in the Shia community reported that Shia support for Hizballah was strong, as was anger at the USG for supporting Israel. There was a general feeling that Hizballah must remain armed or "they" will pick off the Shia one by one. Morale inside Hizballah remains hig [...]	2006-07-26 15:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS KISL LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT2475	TFLE01: UN IN LEBANON FEELING PRESSURE FROM BOTH [...] (C/NF) On July 26, UNIFIL Senior Adviser Milos Strugar told econoff that UNIFIL suspected that the July 25 Israeli airstrike on an UNTSO post near Khiam was deliberate. UNIFIL had warned the IDF for several days that it was striking a UN post. Close calls have been reported at other UN posts along [...]	2006-07-26 15:50:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS KPKO LE MOPS PREL PTER
06BEIRUT2476	TFLE01: UNSYG PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE PEDERSEN [...] (C/NF) In a July 26 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, UNSYG Personal Representative to Lebanon Geir Pedersen urged an immediate de-escalation to the fighting even if a cease-fire takes some time. He warned that the humanitarian situation and violence could spiral out of control in less than [...]	2006-07-26 16:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS KPKO LE MOPS PBTS PTER
06BEIRUT2487	TFLE01: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IN DELIVERING OIL [...] (U) This is an action message. Please see paragraphs 12 and 13. 2. BACKGROUND: Lebanon is currently facing a humanitarian crisis with more than 700,000 Lebanese now displaced from their homes. Humanitarian supplies are arriving and negotiations are being made for a humanitarian corridor to help d [...]	2006-07-27 12:07:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON EINV ETRD EPET LE SY
06BEIRUT2488	TFLE01: SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN VILLAGES BESET BY [...] (C) A delegation of the municipal heads of four Christian villages located near the Blue Line told econoff on July 28 that Hizballah was sneaking into their villages and launching rockets from inside them. The resulting Israeli airstrikes damage houses and kill civilians. The municipal hea [...]	2006-07-28 13:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PHUM PTER
06BEIRUT2489	TFLE01: PM SINIORA UPBEAT ON CEASE-FIRE [...] (C/NF) In a July 28 meeting with the Ambassador, PM Fouad Siniora was in buoyant spirits following what he saw as a major political victory in last night's (July 27) meeting of the Council of Ministers. Siniora said after several hours of tense argument, he finally told the Council that either they [...]	2006-07-29 06:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2490	TFLE01: MARWAN HAMADEH DISCUSSES CEASE-FIRE [...] (C/NF) During a July 28 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh gave a briefing on the July 27 cabinet meeting and the Rome conference. Al-Nahar publisher Ghassan Tueni was also present. Hamadeh said the cabinet meeting was "epic" as he verbally parrie [...]	2006-07-29 09:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IR IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2491	TFLE01: UNSYG REPRESENTATIVE PEDERSEN SEES ISRAEL [...] (C/NF) In a July 28 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, UNSYG Personal Representative Geir Pedersen said that he saw Israel getting bogged down in its military campaign. Based on information Pedersen was receiving, Israel's ground incursion was not successful, and a full-scale invasion [...]	2006-07-29 10:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IR IS KPKO LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2492	TFLE01: SINIORA WORRIED ABOUT FUEL, EMBARGO; [...] (C) In a 7/29 meeting with the Ambassador, PM Siniora, visibly angry, expressed three major concerns. First, he described the humanitarian corridors as "a joke." The Israelis were not serious, he argued, citing examples of humanitarian convoys that had been delayed for days, given approvals but fir [...]	2006-07-29 15:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV ENRG ECON LE IS
06BEIRUT2504	TFLE01: SINIORA BELIEVES HE HAS THE CONFIDENCE OF [...] (C/NF) In a meeting with the Ambassador and poloff late on July 31, Prime Minister Siniora explained that his declaration to not negotiate until a cease-fire had been implemented gave him the credibility and support he needs across Lebanon's political spectrum to conclude a durable cease-fire agree [...]	2006-08-01 07:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2508	TFLE01: AOUN PARROTS PIAF: "JE NE REGRETTE RIEN" [...] (C/NF) Former General Michel Aoun displayed a stubborn refusal to face the reality of Hizballah's renegade status in Lebanon. Far from holding Hassan Nasrallah accountable for the violence that began with Hizballah's attack on July 12, Aoun said that as long as the fighting continued, all of Lebano [...]	2006-08-01 12:34:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2509	TGLE01: UNREP WITH OMINOUS MESSAGE FROM HIZBALLAH [...] (S/NF) Geir Pedersen, the UN Secretary General's Personal Representative for Lebanon, contacted the Ambassador on 8/1 to say that he had received an "alarming message" from his "usual contact." (Note: Pedersen's usual contact is Hizballah's Wafiq Safa. End note.) The message was initially reassurin [...]	2006-08-01 13:00:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL MOPS PTER KISL LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2511	TFLE01: HAMADEH SEES RESOLUTION OF SHEBAA FARMS AS [...] (C/NF) On August 1, Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh told the Ambassador and Emboff that there is no need to get Syrian support for a potential settlement of the Shebaa Farms issue. Hamadeh expressed confidence that any agreement for an Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa, whether or not Sy [...]	2006-08-01 15:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IR IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2513	TFLE01: MP BOUTROS HARB: NASRALLAH CANNOT BECOME [...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 1, Ambassador and Emboff met with MP Boutros Harb at his home in Beirut. Harb insisted that Hizballah must be prevented from emerging from the conflict in a position of power, as this would spell tragedy for Lebanon and the region. Yet he warned that as Hizballah continues to [...]	2006-08-01 16:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ASEC IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2518	TFLE01: SOURCES: HIZBALLAH FEELS IT IS WINNING [...] (C/NF) On August 1, three reliable sources on Hizballah told us that Hizballah believes it is winning the war with Israel. Former UNIFIL spokesman Timur Goksel said that Hizballah has already won in the minds of the Lebanese people for standing up to Israel. Israeli tactics and ineffectiveness has [...]	2006-08-02 10:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IR IS LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT2526	TFLE01: LEBANESE INDUSTRY HEADS CALL FOR BUSINESS [...] (SBU) Leading Lebanese business and industry associations have asked Embassy Beirut for the immediate establishment of safe commercial corridors for passage of imports and exports. Lebanese business leaders stressed the need for industry leaders to have "a sense that this war will never happen [...]	2006-08-03 14:05:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL SY EFIN ECON ETRD EINV
06BEIRUT2527	TFLE01: PATRIARCH SFEIR WANTS DISPLACED SHIA TO [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: On August 3 Ambassador and Emboff met with Patriarch Sfeir at his summer residence in Diman, North Lebanon. Concerned about sectarian tensions, Sfeir was adamant that displaced Shia in Beirut and Mount Lebanon must return to their villages without delay. Regarding Hizballah disarmam [...]	2006-08-03 16:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PREF KDEM PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2529	TFLE01: NASSIB LAHOUD OFFERS ADVICE FOR THE DAY [...] (C/NF) Displaying notable resilience and cautious optimism despite the difficult conditions his country faces, pro-reform leader Nassib Lahoud advised the Embassy that the most critical element in preventing a Hizballah "victory" after the war is to take the lead in the reconstruction of post-confl [...]	2006-08-03 17:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2534	TFLE01: ISRAELI ATTACKS ON NORTH COAST BRIDGE [...] (C) No doubt the Israelis can provide military justification for their attacks on three bridges going north starting from the Christian port city of Jounieh this morning (8/04) and cutting off the &corridor8 that the GOI told the world would remain open to Syria. But whatever the Israeli rationale, [...]	2006-08-04 13:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS PTER PROG CASC LE IS
06BEIRUT2535	TFLE01: PM SINIORA WANTS A SINGLE PHASE AGREEMENT [...] (C/NF) PM Siniora pushed back hard against the US/FR plan to implement a cessation of hostilities and Israeli withdrawal in two phases. Worried about Israeli troops remaining inside Lebanon, Siniora prefers a single phase that combines a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory with an [...]	2006-08-05 08:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2538	TFLE01: LEBANON,S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 3 PolOff hosted a dinner at his residence in the Embassy compound. The guests were young professionals in the government, media, and private sectors. They are disappointed that in their view Israel is losing the war against Hizballah. These educated, Christian professionals d [...]	2006-08-05 13:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ASEC IS LE PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2539	TFLE01: UN REP SEES CRITICAL WINDOW OF [...] (C) On August 5, A/S Welch and Ambassador Feltman met with the UNSYG's Personal Representative for Lebanon Geir Pedersen and UN Senior Political Affairs Officer Salman Sheikh. Reiterating concerns expressed previously (refs a and b),Pedersen stressed that Israeli military action would not achieve [...]	2006-08-05 15:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	KPKO MOPS PREL PTER IS SY LE
06BEIRUT2540	TFLE01: JUMBLATT AND HAMADE ON TWO-PHASE SOLUTION [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: On August 4 A/S Welch, Ambassador, and PolOff attended a dinner hosted by Marwan Hamade, Minister of Telecommunications, and attended by Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Druze community and the Progressive Socialist Party. Jumblatt warned that what he described as Israel's ineffective [...]	2006-08-06 07:27:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2541	TFLE01: A/S WELCH MEETS WITH SPEAKER BERRI [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: On August 5, NEA Assistant Secretary Welch, Ambassador, and PolOff met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, accompanied by Foreign Policy Advisor Ali Hamdan, at his office in Ain al-Tinneh, Beirut. A/S Welch explained to Berri the two-phase resolution being proposed to end [...]	2006-08-06 07:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2542	TFLE01: SINIORA SOUNDS AN OMINOUS NOTE ON DRAFT [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora called UNSC member nations' ambassadors to the Grand Serail on the morning of August 6 for a two hour "chat" during which he outlined the GOL's main concerns with the draft UN resolution currently being discussed in New York. During the meeting, which was also attended by [...]	2006-08-06 13:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MOPS PREL PTER SY IS LE
06BEIRUT2544	TFLE01: CHRISTIAN POLITICAL LEADERS SAY SHEBA'A [...] (C/NF) On August 5, A/S Welch and Ambassador Feltman met with Christian leaders from the anti-Syria March 14 movement, including former President Amin Gemayel, his son and Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel, Dory Chamoun, Carlos Edde, Fares Souaid, George Adwan, and presidential hopefuls Nayla Moa [...]	2006-08-07 06:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER SY IS LE
06BEIRUT2545	TFLE01: PM SINIORA HOLDS FAST ON SHEBA'A, INSISTS [...] (C/NF) A/S Welch's second meeting with PM Siniora in 24 hours clarified Lebanon's preferred sequence of events at cease-fire. But the Prime Minister would not budge from his "requirement" that the IDF withdraw from all Lebanese territory, including Sheba'a. Siniora argued hard that unless the Israe [...]	2006-08-07 06:59:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2551	TFLE01: LEBANESE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR PUSHES FOR [...] (C) In an August 7 meeting with Ambassador Feltman and TDY poloff, Central Bank of Lebanon (CBL) Governor Riad Salameh said that the Lebanese financial situation had so far avoided disaster through some creative "financial engineering" and other confidence-building measures such as a $1 billion loa [...]	2006-08-07 15:59:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV EFIN ECON EINV LE IS SY
06BEIRUT2553	TFLE01: DEFENSE MINISTER MURR CONFIDENT IN RAPID [...] (C) During an August 7 meeting with the Ambassador and TDY poloff (notetaker),Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr confidently claimed that 15000 LAF troops, if called upon, could begin deploying to the South within 12 hours. (Note: this meeting took place before the cabinet decision authorizing d [...]	2006-08-08 05:25:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT2566	MGLE01: BERRI IS UNDER THREAT DUE TO HIS PIVOTAL [...] (C) Ambassador and TDY poloff met with several Lebanese politicians of different confessions on August 8 in order to guage attitudes toward the draft UN resolution and sense whether there is a strategy for moving ahead in Lebanon following a ceasefire. In addition to Maronite former Preside [...]	2006-08-08 16:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER SY IS LE
06BEIRUT2578	LEBANON: AMIN GEMAYEL SEEKS COORDINATED STRATEGY [...] (C) In an August 8 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff, Kata'eb Party leader and former President Amin Gemayel discussed what should follow a cease=fire in the current conflict with Israel. Gemayel is frustrated that the Maronite Presidency has been sidelined during Emile Lahoud's tenure, and he [...]	2006-08-09 08:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2580	LEBANON: A/S WELCH EXPLAINS NEW U.S. POSITION TO [...] (C/NF) On August 5, NEA Assistant Secretary Welch, Ambassador, and PolOff met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, accompanied by his foreign policy advisor Ali Hamdan, at Berri's office in Ain al-Tinneh, Beirut. A/S Welch reviewed with Berri the possibility that, under a potential UNSCR, [...]	2006-08-09 16:40:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2582	LEBANON: TWO MEETINGS WITH SINIORA NARROW THE [...] (C/NF) PM Fouad Siniora clearly understands that time is short, and he specifically asked A/S Welch about a possible August 9 Israeli security cabinet decision to expand operations. Siniora realizes that the French-American discussions on a draft UNSC resolution are difficult, but he remains adaman [...]	2006-08-10 05:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2583	LEBANON: MURR SAYS LAF CAN DEPLOY TO SOUTH IN [...] (C) In an August 9 meeting with A/S Welch, Ambassador Feltman, Deputy Legal Adviser Jonathan Schwartz, and poloff, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr said 15,000 LAF troops could deploy to southern Lebanon within eight hours and assume security there along with a beefed- [...]	2006-08-10 05:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT2587	LEBANON: FUEL AND ELECTRICAL POWER STATUS AS OF [...] (C/NF) The fuel and electrical power shortages in Lebanon have become serious. Lebanon's economy is operating at greatly reduced leels through austere rationing of gasoline, reduced consumption in the transport sector, selective brownouts of the electrical power grid. Some increase in the [...]	2006-08-10 09:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY ENRG
06BEIRUT2588	LEBANON: SINIORA DISCUSSES LATEST DRAFT RESOLUTION [...] (C) PM Siniora and senior advisers Mohammad Chatta and Rola Noureddine met with Ambassador Feltman and poloff (notetaker) on the morning of August 10. Ambassador Feltman reviewed the latest U.S. draft resolution with Siniora (Note. Siniora had a meeting immediately afterwards with French Ambassador [...]	2006-08-10 12:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MOPS PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2599	LEBANON: MARWAN HAMADEH DISCUSSES DRAFT RESOLUTION [...] (C) A/S Welch, Ambassador Feltman, Deputy Legal Adviser Jonathan Schwartz and poloff (notetaker) met with Lebanese Minister for Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh and Minister of Displaced Naame Tomeh, both close allies of Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, at Hamadeh's downtown office on the afternoon o [...]	2006-08-11 17:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT2600	LEBANON: FOR BERRI RESOLUTION COMES DOWN TO ONE [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: On August 11 NEA A/S Welch, Ambassador, and PolOff met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, accompanied by his foreign policy advisor Ali Hamdan, at Berri's Ain Al Tinneh office. A/S Welch told Berri that we hoped that the UNSC resolution addressing the current conflict wou [...]	2006-08-11 17:24:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2601	LEBANON: A/S WELCH'S MEETINGS WITH PM SINIORA ON [...] (C/NF) Over the course of three hours in two meetings on August 11, PM Fouad Siniora made steady, but incremental movement toward accepting the most recent draft language of the UN resolution. His strongest objections were directed toward the specific use of chapter 7 to authorize the multi-nationa [...]	2006-08-12 13:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2602	LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI WANTS LAHOUD OUT [...] (C/NF) In a meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff (notetaker) on August 12 at his Qoreitem mansion, Future Movement leader Saad Hariri spoke about his key objectives in the aftermath of a ceasefire between Israel and Hizballah. Convinced at the time of the meeting that the Lebanese Cabinet wil [...]	2006-08-12 13:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2604	LEBANON: SALLOUKH PREDICTS CABINET APPROVAL OF [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff (notetaker) on August 12, Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, joined by three of his MFA staff, urged that the Israeli blockade be lifted as soon as possible, but brushed aside concerns that arms smuggling will resume withou [...]	2006-08-12 16:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MOPS PTER PREL LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2608	LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER CONFIDENT OF GOL [...] (C) During an expansive conversation on 8/13 with Ambassador and poloff over lunch, Lebanese Minister of Justice Charles Rizk said that the unanimous 8/12 Cabinet decision to accept UNSCR 1701 had strengthened the GOL. He added that while this first session had been a simple agreement on pr [...]	2006-08-14 04:26:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PTER PREL LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2609	LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS DRAFT TRIBUNAL [...] (C) During an August 13 meeting with Ambassador and poloff, Lebanese Minister of Justice Charles Rizk said that the United Nations had provided him with a draft framework for a "special tribunal of international character" to try suspects in the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, and that the draft is [...]	2006-08-14 08:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KCRM PTER PINR MOPS LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2613	LEBANON: SAMIR JA'JA URGES FULL HIZBALLAH [...] (C) During an August 12 meeting with Ambassador and poloff at the Embassy, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Ja'Ja' urged that the debate on full Hizballah disarmament should not be postponed, and that internal and external pressure should be applied to "squeeze" Hizballah on this issue. Ja'ja suggested [...]	2006-08-14 12:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2615	STRENGTHENING A SHAKY CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES -- [...] (SBU) This message contains a non-exhaustive list of initiatives that we suggest the USG support, in the first days of the fragile cessation of hostilities forged by U.S. leadership in UNSCR 1701. We seek to strengthen the GOL and move Lebanon toward a permanent cease-fire. After the U.S. [...]	2006-08-14 15:48:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS PTER EAID LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2620	LEBANON: PM SINIORA DISCUSSES TOP PRIORITIES WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 14, the first day of the cessation of hostilities, Prime Minister Siniora convoked the Ambassadors of the UNSC Perm-5. Siniora requested support to provide temporary steel bridges that will help the return of displaced Shia to the south, and to remove the "siege" from the air [...]	2006-08-14 16:21:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2625	LEBANON: GHATTAS KHOURY SUPPORTS GRADUAL SOLUTION [...] (C) During an August 14 lunch with Ambassador Feltman and poloff, former Hariri MP and Jumblatt-ally Ghattas Khoury said that now -- meaning today -- is not the time to corner Hizballah on full disarmament, although that moment is quickly approaching. Voicing concern about the increasingly threteni [...]	2006-08-14 16:25:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MOPS PREL PTER SY LE IS
06BEIRUT2643	JUMBLATT CONCEDES VICTORY TO NASRALLAH, WORRIES [...] (S/NF) On 8/14, the Ambassador spent an unrelentingly bleak evening with Walid Jumblatt, Marwan Hamadeh, Ghattas Khoury, and (joining late) Bernard Emie. Nasrallah's televised "victory speech" cast a pall over the discussion, with honking horns and cheering Shia making a ruckus on the nearby Beirut [...]	2006-08-15 08:37:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL MOPS PTER KDEM LE SY IR IS
06BEIRUT2644	LEBANON: CODEL ISSA MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] PM Siniora described to Congressman Issa the serious damage the present conflict has inflicted on his country, as well as his hope that the American people would continue to support the people of Lebanon. Congressman Issa praised PM Siniora's leadership and courage during this difficult peri [...]	2006-08-15 09:12:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2649	ARTICLE THREATENS MARWAN HAMADEH, WHO SEES IT AS [...] (S/NF) Reftel noted that Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh -- who survived one assassination attempt already, on 10/1/04 -- believes that he is again being targeted. He heard a veiled threat in the 8/14 "victory speech" by Hizballah Secretary General, and he pointed out that he [...]	2006-08-15 13:26:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SY LE IS
06BEIRUT2652	LEBANON: WHEAT SHIPMENT NEEDED TO KEEP BREAD ON [...] This message contains an action message for the Department -- please see para 6. 2. Embassy meetings with GOL and agrifood industry leaders have confirmed that current stocks of wheat in Lebanon are at a critically low level. President of Dora Flour Mills and Chair of the Agrifood Trader [...]	2006-08-16 06:19:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	EAID ECON IS LE PREL SY
06BEIRUT2665	LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER AWAITS CABINET DECISION [...] (C) During a downbeat 8/15 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff, Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr said he awaits a Cabinet decision on moving forward with LAF deployment to the South, but that his personal opinion is that the LAF cannot coexist for long in the South with an armed Hizba [...]	2006-08-16 09:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MOPS PTER PREL LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2671	LEBANON: NAYLA MOAWAD VOWS TO STAND FIRM [...] (C/NF) During an 8/16 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff in the Baabda apartment where she is staying, Zgharta MP and Minister for Social Affairs Nayla Moawad said that, though she is threatened by the recent speeches by Hassan Nasrallah and Bashar al-Asad accusing the March 14 movement [...]	2006-08-16 15:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EAID EFIN PTER PREL SY ISLE
06BEIRUT2672	LEBANON: PM SINIORA PLANS COUNTER-PUNCH (BUT, [...] (C/NF) In a 8/16 meeting with the Ambassador, PM Siniora stated that his number one goal at this point is to get the LAF into south Lebanon as quickly as possible. This will be a significant achievement. He discounted much of Hassan Nasrallah's recent "victory" rhetoric as simply that, and [...]	2006-08-16 16:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT268	MGLE01: UN LEGAL AFFAIRS CHIEF BRIEFS P-3 ON UNSCR [...] (S) In a 1/28 meeting, UN Under Secretary General for Legal Affairs Nicolas Michel briefed P-3 ambassadors on his consultations with GOL authorities on follow-up to UNSCR 1644. Michel said that he was pleasantly surprised and relieved by the broad base of support he found for an internatio [...]	2006-01-30 07:30:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT2680	ISF COMMANDER ON AIRPORT SECURITY, NEEDS FOR [...] (C/NF) In a 8/16 meeting with Ambassador and emboff, Internal Security Forces Commander Ashraf Rifi expressed confidence that the removal of an LAF unit from the Beirut airport and its replacement by the ISF (with its Sunni command hostile to Hizballah) has vastly improved the security of passenger [...]	2006-08-17 08:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	EAIR PTER MOPS PREL PARM LE IS SY
06BEIRUT2683	LEBANON: PEDERSEN SAYS NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO [...] (C/NF) The Ambassador and poloff met with the UNSYG's Personal Representative for Lebanon Geir Pedersen and UN Senior Political Affairs Officer Salman Shaikh on Augest 16 for a frank discussion over lunch at the Ambassador's residence. (Note: Pedersen asked that his comments be kept very c [...]	2006-08-17 12:04:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	MOPS PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2685	LAF DEPLOYMENT PLAYING INTO HIZBALLAH'S PLAN [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: On August 17, Ambassador and emboff met with Minister of Public Works and Transportation Mohammed Safadi. Safadi (a Sunni from Tripoli and a member of the March 14 coalition) argued that the deployment of LAF is not in the interest of GOL and plays into the hands of Hizballah. [...]	2006-08-17 13:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2687	LEBANON: READOUT FROM AUGUST 16 LAF-UNIFIL-IDF [...] (C/NF) The UNSYG's Personal Representative for Lebanon Geir Pedersen called the Ambassador with notes from a coordination meeting held Wednesday, August 16 in Naqoura, chaired by UNIFIL Commander Major General Alain Pellegrini, and attended by an IDF delegation headed by General Udi Dekel, a [...]	2006-08-17 13:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2690	LEBANON: TWO MINISTERS ON LEBANESE RECONSTRUCTION [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: On August 17 the Ambassador and emboff had separate meetings with Minister of Economy and Trade Sami Haddad and Minister of Public Works and Transportation Mohammad Safadi. They blamed the GOL's lack of a centralized authority to set priorities and determine the distribution o [...]	2006-08-17 16:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2691	LEBANON: MP MOSBAH AL-AHDAB FEARS MARCH 14 HAS [...] (C/NF) During an August 17 luncheon with the Ambassador and poloff, Tripoli MP Mosbah al-Ahdab presented a bleak precis of the situation in Lebanon. Ahdab, a Sunni and March 14 charter member, described the March 14 movement as rudderless and bereft of good ideas. The government is ill-pre [...]	2006-08-17 16:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER KDEM LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2697	BERRI CRITICAL OF BASHAR'S SPEECH [...] (C) In an August 18 meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri hailed the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces (LAF) south of the Litani River. The longtime leader of the Shi'a Amal party and a reluctant political ally of Hizballah, Berri c [...]	2006-08-18 17:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER MOPS SY IS
06BEIRUT2698	DEFMIN MURR WORRIED ABOUT PALESTINIANS PROVOKING [...] (S) On 8/18, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr told the Ambassador that he was deeply worried by intelligence information suggesting that Palestinian rejectionists planned to disrupt the ongoing LAF deployment to the south. While he had nothing specific, he analyzed from [...]	2006-08-18 18:20:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER MOPS PARM SY LE
06BEIRUT2699	SHIA MINISTER CLAIMS BERRI TRICKED HIZBALLAH, NOW [...] (S/NF) Minister of Health (Shia, member of Amal) Mohammed Khalifeh (please protect throughout) told the Ambassador in a 8/18 meeting that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hizballah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah are currently at odds. By Khalifeh's account, Berri was infuriated by Nasrallah's [...]	2006-08-19 08:23:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER PGOV LE SY IR IS
06BEIRUT2700	BERRI INFURIATED BY IDF RAID BUT CONTAINS [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called the Ambassador twice on 8/19 to rant and rave about an Israeli raid (that he claimed included some ground operations) north of Baalback early that morning. "There is no way" that the Israelis can claim that such a raid was permitted under UNSCR 1701. [...]	2006-08-19 14:35:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS PGOV LE IS
06BEIRUT2701	DEMARCHE ON ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL DELIVERED [...] (C) On August 19, the Ambassador reviewed reftel demarche with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Going over the points, the Ambassador urged Siniora to have the Lebanese delegation to the Arab League Ministerial (which he said would be headed by Foreign Minister Salloukh) highlight UNS [...]	2006-08-19 14:40:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE IS
06BEIRUT2702	SINIORA ON UNSCR 1701, RECONSTRUCTION, WAY FORWARD [...] (S/NF) In a one-on-one somewhat scratchy meeting with the Ambassador on 8/18, Prime Minister Siniora bristled at the suggestion that he was projecting the wrong image regarding UNSCR 1701. Citing army deployment to the Syrian-Lebanese border as well as southern Lebanon, it is simply not tru [...]	2006-08-19 16:32:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PGOV PTER MOPS EAID LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2703	BRAINSTORMING WITH MARWAN AND NAYLA: HAVE KOFI [...] (S/NF) Meeting together with the Ambassador on 8/20, Marwan Hamadeh and Nayla Mouawad urged that Kofi Annan bring UN/OLA chief Nicolas Michel with him when the UNSYG travels to Beirut next week. Having Michel in town to finalize the draft on the Hariri tribunal will put the right spin on An [...]	2006-08-20 15:19:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL KCRM PTER EFIN LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2705	LEBANON: JUMBLATT WANTS HARIRI TO OPEN HIS WALLET [...] (C/NF) Ambassador Feltman, poloff, and pol FSN shared a subdued lunch with Druze chieftain Walid Jumblatt on 8/19 at his Moukhtara manse in the Shouf Mountains. Jumblatt said the government needs to get moving on the reconstruction effort, and that Saad Hariri can help by doling out his vast [...]	2006-08-21 04:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER CVIS SY IS
06BEIRUT2706	LEBANON: HARIRI WANTS LEBANESE MARSHALL PLAN [...] (C/NF) During a difficult 8/20 meeting at his Qureitem mansion with Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman and poloff, a somewhat erratic Saad Hariri pressed for the immediate reopening of Lebanon's ports and airports. Pushing back, the Ambassador said that until the Government of Lebanon (GOL) does more to im [...]	2006-08-21 05:40:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2717	NAMBIAR AND LARSEN DISCUSS UNSCR 1701 (AND TERJE DISCUSSES TERJE) [...] (S/NF) On 8/20, UN envoys Vijay Nambiar and Terje Roed-Larsen briefed the Ambassador on their Lebanon consultations regarding UNSCR 1701. They were impressed with the progress of LAF deployment. Concerned over UNIFIL Commander Pellegrini's comments about inadequate LAF-UNIFIL coordination, they bro [...]	2006-08-21 16:23:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PTER PREL PARM MOPS LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2719	LEBANON: ECONOMY IS "FINE FOR NOW," BUT RISK [...] (C/NF) Lebanese Minister of Finance Jihad Azour describes Lebanon's economy and financial situation as stable in the short run, but in need of stability and reinvestment for long-term viability. Azour showed little hope that projected record revenues for the Lebanese tourism and export sectors [...]	2006-08-22 09:56:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	ECON IS LE PGOV
06BEIRUT2721	LEBANON: ARMENIAN PARTY OPPOSES TURKISH DEPLOYMENT [...] (C) The largest Armenian-Lebanese political party, the Tashnag, opposes deployment of Turkish troops as part of an augmented UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. On August 18, the Tashnag sent a petition to the Ambassador listing its concerns. Poloff also discussed the issue with Tashnag Member of [...]	2006-08-22 14:11:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS LE AR TU
06BEIRUT2725	LEBANON: FATFAT SEEKS HELP FROM "FRIENDS" TO [...] (C/NF) In an uncharacteristically frank discussion with Ambassador and Staffdel, Acting Minister of Interior Ahmed Fatfat described the GOL as measurably stronger now than it was prior to July 12, but public perception has nevertheless deemed Hizballah the winner. According to Fatfat, lack of [...]	2006-08-22 14:59:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2732	SUMMARY OF GOL REQUESTS, IDEAS [...] (C) Ever since Hizballah initiated the current Israeli-Hizballah crisis, PM Siniora and other GOL officials have asked us for help in several specific areas. In most cases, we have politely explained why we could not help (or why any assistance was contingent upon the Lebanese taking action [...]	2006-08-23 15:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PARM EAID PGOV LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2735	LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI CALLS FOR SYRIAN REGIME [...] (C/NF) In a wide ranging discussion at his Qureitem home on August 22, an effusive and provocative Saad Hariri met with senior Senate Foreign Relations staffer Puneet Talwar and poloff (notetaker). Saying that the continued Israeli blockade of ports and airports is "killing the Cedar Revol [...]	2006-08-24 06:17:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2751	LEBANON: ECONOMY MINISTER SAYS BLOCKADE IS [...] (C) During an August 23 meeting with Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT),Al Green (D-TX),Robert Inglis (R-SC),Brian Higgins (R-NY),Ambassador Feltman, and staffers and poloffs, Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Sami Haddad (a Protestant close to March 14) said that anti-U.S. feeli [...]	2006-08-24 16:07:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2752	LEBANON: MARCH 14 TRIO SAY THEY ARE A MOVEMENT [...] (C/NF) During a downbeat but constructive August 22 dinner with Senate Foreign Relations Staffer Puneet Talwar, Ambassador Feltman, and poloff at the Ambassador's residence, March 14 politicians Boutros Harb (MP for Batroun, Maronite),Mosbah al-Ahdab (MP for Tripoli, Sunni),and Nassib Laho [...]	2006-08-24 16:07:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT2763	ON HARIRI TRIBUNAL, JUSTICE MINISTER WANTS TO COAX [...] (C/NF) Over lunch with the Ambassador on 8/25, Justice Minister Charles Rizk reviewed the draft UN-GOL "Statute of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon." While only a few bracketed items remain, he said, one is important: whether the tribunal will try only suspects in Rafiq Hariri's assassinat [...]	2006-08-25 12:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	KCRM PREL PTER PGOV LE SY
06BEIRUT2766	RECONSIDERING THE AIR EMBARGO OF LEBANON [...] (C) Via septels, we are reporting the Ambassador's meetings today (8/25) with Prime Minister Siniora and Deputy Prime Minister/Defense Minister Murr on the 8/24 unanimous cabinet decision empowering Siniora to request international help, from whatever source, for Lebanon's land borders, seap [...]	2006-08-25 17:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAIR PREL MOPS PGOV LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2767	LEBANON : PM SINIORA ON DONORS CONFERENCE, [...] (S) In an August 25 conversation with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora revealed Lebanon's tentative delegation list, plans, and priorities for next week's Stockholm Conference on assistance to Lebanon. Siniora maintained that the 1949 Armistice Agreement should be revived and form the f [...]	2006-08-25 17:16:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL LE
06BEIRUT2768	LEBANON: FM SALLOUKH SEES OPENING FOR REGIONAL [...] (C/NF) The Ambassador delivered on August 25 the Department's demarche on the upcoming Stockholm Conference to Foreign Minister Salloukh. FM Salloukh stated that Prime Minister Fouad Siniora will lead the delegation and his office was presently formulating a list of assistance priorities. [...]	2006-08-25 17:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2769	LEBANON: TASHNAG INSECURE ABOUT TURKISH TROOPS [...] (C) During an August 24 meeting with the Ambassador, poloff, and pol FSN, Armenian-Lebanese politician Hagop Pakradounian (MP for Bourj Hammoud) claimed that the entire Armenian community in Lebanon opposes the deployment of Turkish troops as part of an augmented UNIFIL, adding that they sus [...]	2006-08-25 17:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KPKO AR TU LE
06BEIRUT2772	LEBANON: MURR SWEARS THAT AIRPORT IS SECURE [...] (C/NF) During an 8/25 meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff (notetaker),Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr pleaded with the Ambassador to help get the Israeli blockade of the airport lifted. He said the "siege" is perceived by many within the Cabinet as the US-back [...]	2006-08-26 06:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PGOV MOPS EAIR LE SY
06BEIRUT2775	LEBANON: MURR SAYS GERMANS ARRIVING IN A FEW DAYS [...] (C) During an August 26 meeting with Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA),Mrs. Lantos, Ambassador Feltman, senior staffer Alan Makovsky, and poloff at his home in Rabieh overlooking Beirut, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr reiterated what he told the Ambassador the previous [...]	2006-08-26 15:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER EAIR MOPS LE SY
06BEIRUT2776	LEBANON: CODEL LANTOS CAUTIONS PM SINIORA THAT [...] (C/NF) When PM Siniora asked for U.S. assistance in lifting Israel's air and sea blockade of Lebanon, Congressman Lantos directly challenged the Prime Minister to explain what his government was doing to ensure the secure border provisions of UNSCR 1701 were being fully implemented. Rep. La [...]	2006-08-28 05:32:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY

06BEIRUT2777	LEBANON: AOUN UNREPENTANT ON HIZBALLAH ALLIANCE [...] (C) In a August 26 meeting with Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA),Mrs. Lantos, Ambassador Feltman, senior staffer Alan Makovsky, and poloff at his home in Rabieh, Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader and ex-General Michel Aoun tried unconvincingly to rationalize his political alliance with H [...]	2006-08-28 05:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT279	MGLE01: MUFTI OF THE REPUBLIC CALLS FOR REPLACING [...] (C) On January 30, the Ambassador met with Mufti of the Republic Mohammad Rashid Qabbani. The Ambassador noted that the Embassy us urging a reduction in personal attacks and a calming of rhetoric. The Ambassador also dispelled rumors that the USG was going to make a deal with Syria, and tha [...]	2006-01-31 08:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2791	LEBANON: EDDE SEES DIMINISHED MARONITE ROLE; [...] (C) During an August 24 luncheon with the Ambassador, Pol/econ chief, and poloff at his home in Yarze, ex-Minister and Head of the Maronite League Michel Edde offered familiar lamentations that Christians in Lebanon are no longer as influential as they once were and that the Shi'a and Sunna [...]	2006-08-28 16:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2797	LARSEN ON ANNAN'S TRIP: MICRO PICTURE GOOD; MACRO [...] (S/NF) On 8/29, UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen briefed the Ambassador on UNSYG Kofi Annan's Beirut meetings the previous day. Annan, according to Larsen, made headway with PM Siniora on direct consultations between the Israelis and Lebanese, but only in the context of the 1949 Armistice Agreeme [...]	2006-08-29 09:43:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY IS IR
06BEIRUT280	MGLE01: HEAD OF HIGHER SHIA COUNCIL ADVOCATES NEW [...] (C) On January 30, the Ambassador met with Acting Chairman of the Higher Shia Council Sheikh Abed al-Amir Qabalan. Qabalan offered a critique of US policy in Lebanon and the Middle East, accusing the USG of practicing a double standard by not meeting with President Emile Lahoud and himself [...]	2006-01-31 08:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT2802	LEBANON: BRAMMERTZ PURSUES SEVERAL LEADS; MAY NOT [...] No summary [...]	2006-08-29 16:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PTER KCRM PINR ASEC SY LE
06BEIRUT2803	LEBANON: BRAMMERTZ PURSUES SEVERAL LEADS; MAY NOT [...] (C/NF) During an August 28 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff, an alternately cagy and revealing Commissioner Serge Brammertz, head of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC),indicated that "Lebanon's next-door neighbor" is still the chief suspect i [...]	2006-08-29 16:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PTER KCRM PINR ASEC SY LE
06BEIRUT2804	LEBANON: CODEL SHAYS MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] Prime Minister Siniora asked CODEL Shays for help in lifting the air and sea blockade of Lebanon by IDF forces. PM Siniora stated that not only was the blockade severely impairing humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, but it made the Lebanese people feel that the current period is simply a [...]	2006-08-29 16:01:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2805	LEBANON: GEIR PEDERSEN ON ANNAN'S VISIT [...] (S/NF) On August 29, the UNSYG's Personal Representative for Lebanon Geir Pedersen and UN Senior Political Affairs Officer Salman Sheikh (please protect both throughout) briefed Ambassador Feltman and poloff on UNSYG Kofi Annan's Beirut meetings on August 28. While Pedersen covered much of [...]	2006-08-30 05:15:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT281	MGLE01: WASHINGTON-BOUND JUMBLATT REACHING OUT TO [...] (S) In a 1/28 meeting, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt described his efforts to find a candidate for an upcoming parliamentary by-election on which both his "March 14" allies and Michel Aoun can agree. He reiterated his belief that Sa'ad Hariri needs to return to Lebanon, but not before soothing [...]	2006-01-31 09:03:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PTER KISL LE SY SA
06BEIRUT2813	LEBANON: GERMAN AMBASSADOR SAYS ANY SUPPORT MUST [...] (C) Summary: During an 8/28 meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff, German Ambassador to Lebanon Marius Haas provided a readout on the recent visit of a German military delegation to Lebanon. Haas said that Germany is willing to provide technical equipment and support to Lebanon, as wel [...]	2006-08-30 12:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS KPKO LE SY
06BEIRUT2814	LEBANON: LAF CHIEF CLAIMS ARMY IS IN CONTROL OF [...] (C) During an August 30 meeting with the Ambassador, DATT, and poloff, a very defensive and somewhat brusque Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) commander General Michel Sleiman, maintaining a straight face, gave the preposterous claim that the LAF has established a "watertight" cordon along the bor [...]	2006-08-30 14:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL MOPS PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2815	LEBANON: MARWAN HAMADEH THINKS BERRI CAN BE TURNED [...] (S/NF) During an August 30 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff, Lebanese Minister of Communications (and Jumblatt ally) Marwan Hamadeh discussed the draft agreement to establish a special tribunal to try suspects in Hariri assassination (and possibly other attacks). Agreeing with USG co [...]	2006-08-30 16:27:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL KCRM PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2826	LEBANON: MODERATE SHI'A MP YASSINE JABER ON [...] (S) The Lebanese economy, government and armed forces have been weakened by years of crisis and the recent armed conflict, according to moderate Shi'a MP Yassine Jaber. Lebanon's institutions are incapable of heading off the Hizballah threat without significant support from the international c [...]	2006-08-31 15:15:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL ECON PGOV PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2831	LEBANON: ARMENIAN PATRIARCH ADVISES INDIRECT [...] (C) Armenian Patriarch Catholicos Aram I suggested that now was an opportune time to pull Syria from the Iranian orbit. He recognized the perfidious nature of the Asad regime and the considerable role it played in the shipment of arms to Hizballah, but the senior cleric also argued that Bas [...]	2006-09-01 06:19:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2838	LEBANON: CUSTOMS PLANS A COMPLICATED FIGHT AGAINST [...] (S) Although our GOL senior and political interlocutors have spoken with less than a unified voice on arms smuggling into Lebanon, we have heard about both success stories and chronic problems about this issue from Lebanon's customs services. While positive developments have been hard to conf [...]	2006-09-01 08:51:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER PGOV ECON EFIN LE SY IR IS
06BEIRUT2841	MURR: HIZBALLAH AND AOUN ARE PLOTTING SINIORA'S [...] (S/NF) During an August 31 meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff, Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr said that Hizballah, Michel Aoun, and their allies are planning to launch a potentially violent civil disobedience campaign in November aimed at toppling the Siniora government and putti [...]	2006-09-01 10:06:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER MOPS LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2844	LEBANON: ROBERT GHANEM SETS HIS SIGHTS ON BAABDA [...] (C/NF) During an expansive luncheon with the Ambassador, poloff, and pol FSN on August 29, West Biqa' MP Robert Ghanem said that there needs to be better coordination of the reconstruction effort and recommended establishing an umbrella organization to oversee the effort. Ghanem (who, as w [...]	2006-09-01 15:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER SY LE KDEM
06BEIRUT2851	LEBANON: SINIORA AND HAMADEH EXPECT CABINET [...] (C) The Ambassador and poloff met separately with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Information Minister Marwan Hamadeh on the afternoon of September 4. Siniora, joined by advisors Mohammad Chatta and Roula Noureddine, appeared very upbeat and is optimistic that this evening the Cabi [...]	2006-09-04 15:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2852	ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (C) On 9/2, the Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Ambassador Mohamed Chatah, senior advisor to Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora. Chatah agreed with the points and focused in particular on the part dealing with UNSC membership. Chatah said that he fully understood the negative implicati [...]	2006-09-04 15:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL LE IS
06BEIRUT2853	LEBANON: PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION ASKS FOR U.S. [...] (C) On September 2, the Ambassador and poloff received a cross-confessional, multi-party delegation of Lebanese MPs -- one of several sent to foreign embassies -- despatched to deliver a message from the protesting Lebanese Chamber of Deputies imploring the United States to put all pressure [...]	2006-09-04 15:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER EAIR LE SY
06BEIRUT286	MGLE01: SINIORA NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT SHIA [...] (C) Following a two-hour meeting with Hassan Nasrallah on February 1, Prime Minister Siniora told the Ambassador the next morning that he was "not optimistic" the boycotting Shia ministers will soon return to his government. Siniora stated further that his cabinet cannot push through the nec [...]	2006-02-01 16:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2863	LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER DESCRIBES A STRONG [...] (S) Receiving the Ambassador at his home 9/5, Justice Minister Charles Rizk described a bouyant Siniora government making progress on implementing UNSCR 1701 despite objections from Hizballah and its allies. Noting the arrival the following day of UN/OLA chief Nicolas Michel, Rizk also alerte [...]	2006-09-05 17:18:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL KCRM KDEM PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT2867	LEBANON: MURR SAYS GOL-UNIFIL MARITIME FORCE [...] (S/NF) During a 9/5 meeting at his Rabieh home with the Ambassador and poloff, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr said that the GOL and UNIFIL had worked out the operational guidelines governing international maritime assistance, adding that Prime Minister Siniora [...]	2006-09-06 05:43:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER MOPS CVIS LE SY
06BEIRUT2869	LEBANON: GREEK ORTHODOX CLERIC SLAMS MICHEL AOUN [...] (C) During an August 31 meeting with Ambassador Feltman and poloff, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Ilias Audi discussed the atmosphere of the August 2 meeting of Lebanese clerics. He also gave his impressions of PM Siniora and the three Greek Orthodox Cabinet ministers: Elias Murr, Tariq Mitri, [...]	2006-09-06 09:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2874	LEBANON: GHATTAS KHOURY SHARES DRAFT MARCH 14 [...] (C) During a September 6 meeting with Ambassador and poloff, former MP Ghattas Khoury discussed the upcoming 9/7 gathering of the March 14 forces and shared a draft communique to be issued after the meeting. Khoury, a Maronite close to Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblatt, said that the Christian [...]	2006-09-06 14:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KDEM SY LE
06BEIRUT2881	LEBANON: SIMON KARAM SAYS RECONSTRUCTION NEEDS A [...] (C) During an August 31 lunch with the Ambassador, poloff, and pol FSN at the Ambassador's residence, former Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Simon Karam suggested there is a prevailing sense of catastrophe among the Shi'a community. Karam believes Hizballah may be somewhat susceptible to ot [...]	2006-09-06 16:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT2882	MARONITE BISHOPS CRITICIZE HIZBALLAH; HINT THAT [...] Under the leadership of Patriarch Sfeir, the Maronite Bishops' League convened their monthly meeting September 6 and issued a subtly-worded statement addressing the current socio-political situation. Without mentioning him by name, the Bishops criticized President Lahoud, claiming that the Ch [...]	2006-09-06 16:27:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT2886	LEBANON: MP MOSBAH AHDAB AND ALLIES SEEK NEW [...] (SBU) Member of Parliament for Tripoli Mosbah Ahdab requested a meeting in the Ambassador's office on 9/7 to discuss an initiative to provide assistance to Lebanon's war-damaged private sector and a political initiative to provide an alternative to Lebanon's rigid confessional groupings. Ahda [...]	2006-09-07 10:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN LE PREL KDEM
06BEIRUT2901	LEBANON: NICHOLAS MICHEL IN LEBANON; NEEDS TIME [...] (C) During a 9/7 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff at the Phoenicia Hotel, UN Legal Adviser Nicholas Michel provided an overview of his discussions with the Lebanese regarding the draft "Statute of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon." On sequencing, Michel said that PM Siniora should wai [...]	2006-09-08 11:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT2910	UK PROPOSES CHAIRING SECURITY COORDINATION UNIT IN [...] (C/NF) In a 9/6 meeting with the Ambasador and DATT, UK Ambassador James Watt and British Brigidier General Andrew D. Mackay accurately described a problem faced by donors wishing to help the Lebanese security services: No one is in charge of coordinating requests or trying to match offers w [...]	2006-09-08 14:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PARM PREL EAID PGOV LE
06BEIRUT2912	LEBANON: REQUEST FOR AMMUNITION FROM GCC COUNTRIES [...] (U) This cable includes an action request in Paragraph 7. 2. (S/NF) Through our discussions with contacts in the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and political leadership, it is clear there remains a critical need -- as expressed in reftel A -- to immediately equip the LAF to empower it to dep [...]	2006-09-08 14:49:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	MASS EAID PREL QA SA AE KU LE PARM
06BEIRUT2920	LEBANON: PRESSING FOR GOL CLARITY ON RECONSTRUCTION [...] (SBU) Ambassador, DART Team coordinator, and poloff met with the Council for Development and Reconstruction's (CDR) new director Nabil Jisr -- a close Siniora confidante -- on September 8 to discuss coordination of the reconstruction effort and the reported GOL interest in using prefabricated [...]	2006-09-11 06:57:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID LE XF
06BEIRUT2922	LEBANON: HARIRI AND HAMADEH GIVE POST-BLOCKADE [...] (C) Ambassador and poloff met separately on 9/9 with parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri and Minister of Information Marwan Hamadeh -- both March 14 members -- to review the situation and next steps in Lebanon now that the air and sea blockades have been lifted. Both meetings touched [...]	2006-09-11 10:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER CVIS LE SY IR
06BEIRUT2928	ALLEGED FINANCIAL LINKS BETWEEN HIZBALLAH AND [...] (U) This is an action cable -- see para 5 below. 2. (S) Media reports suggest that Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and Hizballah have a new area of cooperation: financing reconstruction for the south. Newspapers and media have carried stories and pictures that show FPM and [...]	2006-09-11 13:38:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER KDEM EFIN LE SY IR IS
06BEIRUT2934	LEBANON: COUNCIL OF THE SOUTH PRESIDENT COMPLAINS [...] (C/NF) Qabalan Qabalan, President of Lebanon's Council of the South, insisted that his organization had been given the responsibility by Prime Minister Siniora to replace all housing units destroyed during the recent hostilities, as well as the repair of damaged "civil society" structures, s [...]	2006-09-12 08:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT2935	LEBANON: SINIORA UNCONCERNED BY AOUNIST THREAT [...] (C) During a September 11 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff at the Grand Serail, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora reviewed his recent visit to Saudi Arabia as well as British Prime Minister Tony Blair's stop in Beirut. On the reconstruction effort, Siniora provided a clearer picture [...]	2006-09-12 10:36:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL EAID MASS LE SY
06BEIRUT2947	LEBANON: HADDAD AND AZOUR URGE DUAL [...] (C) Ambassador and poloff met separately on September 11 with Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Sami Haddad and Finance Minister Jihad Azour to discuss the recent conflict's impact on the Lebanese economic and financial situation. Both expressed some frustration at the lack of clarity of th [...]	2006-09-12 15:52:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL EFIN EAID LE
06BEIRUT2958	LEBANON: GHASSAN TAHER LAYS OUT PARTIAL REBUILDING [...] No summary [...]	2006-09-13 12:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID PREL LE
06BEIRUT2970	LEBANON: RIZK ON HARIRI TRIBUNAL STATUTE [...] (C/NF) During a September 11 meeting with Ambassador and poloff at his Asrafieh home, Lebanese Minister of Justice Charles Rizk discussed the draft statute to establish a tribunal to try suspects in the Hariri assassination (and possibly other related attacks). He focused particularly on th [...]	2006-09-13 14:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL KCRM LE
06BEIRUT2971	LEBANON: GHASSAN TAHER LAYS OUT PARTIAL REBUILDING [...] (C) During a September 11 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff in the Grand Serail, PM Siniora's reconstruction adviser Ghassan Taher-Fadlallah described his specific role in the reconstruction effort, noting that he is the point person for project coordination. Taher explained the GOL st [...]	2006-09-13 15:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID PREL LE
06BEIRUT2975	LEBANON: JUMBLATT SAYS EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND [...] (S/NF) During a 9/13 meeting with Ambassador and poloff in the library of his Mukhtara home, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said the next three months will be critical for Lebanon and that the Hariri tribunal will be the driving concern. Claiming that last week's attempted assassination of ISF [...]	2006-09-14 07:51:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT2984	LEBANON: ELIE FERZLI BASHES HARIRI; CALLS FOR [...] (C) During a September 5 lunch with the Ambassador and poloff and a September 8 dinner with poloff and PolCouns, former MP and Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies Elie Ferzli, a member of an anti-March 14 coalition, said that the perception is that the U.S. is only backing one [...]	2006-09-14 12:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL LE SY
06BEIRUT2987	LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR CRITICIZES MICHEL AOUN [...] (C) During a brief September 14 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff at his seat in Bkirke, Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir discussed the September 6 Maronite Bishop's statement. Deeply concerned by Michel Aoun's alliance with Hizballah, the Patriarch believes that a post-R [...]	2006-09-15 06:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KIRF LE
06BEIRUT3001	LEBANON: PURPORTED LAF DOCUMENTS SUGGEST COUP [...] (S/NF) On September 14, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt sent two documents to Ambassador Feltman, claiming that the source of the documents came from within the Lebanese Armed Forces. Both documents are dated 12 September 2006. 2. (C) Following is an informal Embassy translation of the docu [...]	2006-09-15 12:42:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PTER MOPS LE SY
06BEIRUT3002	LEBANON: MISSING U.S.-ORIGIN WEAPONRY POSSIBLY [...] (C) The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have a demonstrated good record of maintaining controls over U.S.-origin weapons and ammunition. The Department of Defense has conducted several assessments over the years, and found that there have been only a few instances -- all during the chaotic years [...]	2006-09-15 12:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MASS PARM LE IS
06BEIRUT3003	LEBANON: NASRALLAH'S THREATENING WORDS ELICIT [...] (C/NF) An extended two-part Hassan Nasrallah interview on Al-Jazeera television on 12-13 September has provoked a sharp response across the political spectrum in Lebanon. Pro-reform forces were both outraged and felt threatened by the harsh rhetoric that Nasrallah employed. His accusations [...]	2006-09-15 12:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3006	IS MICHEL AOUN PLAYING WITH PRISONER EXCHANGES? [...] (S) In a 9/15 meeting with the Ambassador, an agitated Ghattas Khoury -- conveying information on behalf of Saad Hariri -- claimed that Michel Aoun's sudden and mysterious trip to Belgium was part of a prisoner exchange scheme that would destroy the Siniora government's credibility in the pr [...]	2006-09-15 15:28:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER LE IS
06BEIRUT3007	SHI'ITE MUFTI ALI AL-AMIN INVOKES THE SPIRIT OF [...] (SBU) As the dust continues to settle following the 33-day conflict between Hizballah and Israel, there is increasingly vocal criticism of Hizballah within Lebanon. Most importantly, there are even stirrings of disgruntlement with the Shi'a community. The most prominent of the Shi'a critics [...]	2006-09-15 15:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3008	LEBANON: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR PUSHES REFORM [...] (C) Central Bank Governor Salameh, who will attend the IMF/World Bank meetings in Singapore next week, took some credit for shepherding the Lebanese financial system through the recent war with minimal damage. He warned, however, of fiscal difficulties ahead as Lebanon comes to grips with a c [...]	2006-09-15 16:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN LE PREL
06BEIRUT3010	AOUN CONFIRMS BELGIUM TRIP LINKED TO PRISONER [...] (S) At the conclusion of a 9/16 meeting with Michel Aoun and his advisor/son-in-law Gebran Bassil (septel),the Ambassador asked to see the General one-on-one to ask about Aoun's mysterious 48-hour trip to Belgium, concluded the previous day. Aoun confided that, besides meeting with some Bel [...]	2006-09-18 07:54:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3014	UNIIIC INVESTIGATION "CLOSING DOORS," MAKING [...] (S) Ambassador Feltman and econoff met on 16 September with UNIIIC head Serge Brammertz to discuss progress on the investigation ahead of the progress report due 29 September and UNIIIC investigator Peter Nicholson's visit to Washington later this month. Brammertz was preoccupied with the ad [...]	2006-09-18 10:17:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3017	AOUN DENIES HIZBALLAH FINANCIAL LINKS, PLEDGES [...] (S) Summary: Ambassador Feltman and econoff met on 16 September with General Aoun and his son-in-law and chief advisor Gebran Bassil to deliver reftel demarche points. Aoun emphatically denied that the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) has taken money from Hizballah or "any other state." Feltman a [...]	2006-09-18 11:02:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PREL KDEM LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3018	UNIIIC INVESTIGATION "CLOSING DOORS," MAKING [...] (S) Ambassador Feltman and econoff met on 16 September with UNIIIC head Serge Brammertz to discuss progress on the investigation ahead of the progress report due 29 September and UNIIIC investigator Peter Nicholson's visit to Washington later this month. Brammertz was preoccupied with the ad [...]	2006-09-18 11:21:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3021	HARIRI ALLEGES THREAT OF SYRIAN NERVE GAS ATTACK [...] (S) MP Saad Hariri passed via messenger threat information alleging that the Syrians are planning a nerve gas attack against either a UN or March 14 target in Lebanon during the month of September. The attack will be portrayed as an al-Qaida operation. According to the information, five Sy [...]	2006-09-18 12:31:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PREL LE SY
06BEIRUT304	MGLE01: REQUEST MADE TO GOL FOR EXPULSION OF [...] (C) In accordance with ref (A),Ambassador delivered talking points and associated documentation to support the USG demand that Lebanon expel, or otherwise deliver into US custody, the four terrorists complicit in the hijacking of TWA 847: Mohammod Ali Hamadei, Hasan Izz-al-Din, Ali Atwa, an [...]	2006-02-02 17:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PGOV PREL PTER KCRM
06BEIRUT3042	LEBANON: UNIFIL HITS MILESTONE FORCE LEVEL, [...] (S) We were told today by Milos Strugar, UNIFIL spokesman, and by Imran Reza, Senior Advisor in the UN Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary General (UNOPRSG),that UNIFIL forces in Lebanon have reached the 5000 troop level. Except for troops transiting in and out through Bei [...]	2006-09-19 16:01:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	IS LE PREL
06BEIRUT3043	LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER WANTS INTERNATIONAL [...] (C) Ambassador and Polcouns called on Justice Minister Charles Rizk on September 18 at his home to discuss the Brammertz investigation and preparations for a special tribunal with international character. We examined with Rizk the latest draft of the statute authorizing the tribunal. This ver [...]	2006-09-19 16:03:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT305	MGLE01: DAILY "AN-NAHAR" REELING FROM PUBLISHER'S ASSASSINATION, IN-HOUSE FEUDING [...] (C) The December 12, 2005 assassination of "an-Nahar" publisher (and member of Parliament) Gebran Tueni was also an attack on one of Lebanon's two newspapers of record. It removed "an-Nahar"'s leadership and triggered a scramble for control among several of Tueni's heirs: his father Ghassan, [...]	2006-02-02 17:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PHUM KPAO KDEM PTER KMPI SCUL SY LE
06BEIRUT3060	LEBANON: SINIORA ADDRESSES BILATERAL, DOMESTIC [...] (S) Ambassador Feltman, S/CRS representative, and poloff met on 9/20 with Prime Minister Siniora (accompanied by aides Mohamed Chatah and Rola Noureddine) on a wide variety of issues. Siniora welcomed the White House private sector initiative and was pleased by the U.S. delivery of assistanc [...]	2006-09-20 16:20:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY GE
06BEIRUT3062	SPECULATING ABOUT HIZBALLAH'S RALLY [...] (S) Hizballah is applying pressure to Lebanese from all political factions to show up at "the largest rally in Lebanon's history" tomorrow (9/22),by hinting that those who don't share in the collective celebration of Lebanon's "divine victory" must be Israeli collaborators. Syria, accordin [...]	2006-09-21 08:47:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3071	LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION [...] (SBU) The recent conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hizballah that transpired from July 12 to August 14 was, according to Lebanon Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, the most destructive in Lebanon's history. Although casualty figures did not approach the 1983 Grapes of Wrath [...]	2006-09-22 04:09:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3084	LEBANON: MARWAN HAMADE SEES +BAD TIMES TO COME, [...] (C) In a 9/22 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh described a March 14-led cabinet attack on Wafiq Jezzini, the Hizballah-allied Surete General chief, the previous evening. He said that the cabinet also agreed to pay outstanding debts to lando [...]	2006-09-22 16:05:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY MARR PARM
06BEIRUT3088	SULEIMAN FRANJIEH MASKS PRO-SYRIA BIAS WITH [...] (C) Former MP and ex-Minister Suleiman Franjieh, receiving an Embassy delegation on 9/18, expressed considerable worry about the March 14 majority using Hariri money and influence to impose its will on Lebanon. Even the special tribunal for the Hariri assassination might become a tool to se [...]	2006-09-25 07:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3089	BERRI ON THE RAMPAGE AGAINST SINIORA [...] (S) In a 9/25 one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri relentlessly attacked Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Siniora, according to Berri, was to blame for Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's harsh rhetoric at the 9/22 Hizballah rally: The PM visited B [...]	2006-09-25 13:24:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3090	LEBANON: HIZBALLAH RALLY STOKES POLITICAL FIRES [...] (C) Hizballah SYG Hassan Nasrallah emerged from hiding and made an appearance at a massive rally in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday (9/22),rejecting calls for his group to disarm (except in the distant future) and claiming it had more than 20,000 rockets. In his speech Nasrallah praised [...]	2006-09-25 15:48:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PREL KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3091	LEBANON: FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON SECURITY, UNIFIL, [...] (C) Ambassador Feltman and econoff on 22 September met with French Ambassador to Lebanon Bernard Emie, who had mixed feelings on the security situation since the Israeli offensive, but was optimistic that French UNIFIL troops have been well received. He gave a readout of his recent meeting wi [...]	2006-09-25 15:56:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY FR
06BEIRUT3092	LEBANON: PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION OFFERS TO HELP [...] The Presidential Delegation for Lebanon, headed by Assistant Secretary Dina Habib Powell met with a broad cross-section of Lebanese pro-reform elements and offered to help them transform the country's economy to meet the challenges of the 21st century, which in turn would create conditions co [...]	2006-09-25 16:07:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3104	LEBANON: PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION FOR LEBANON MEETS [...] (SBU) The Presidential Delegation for Lebanon met with Prime Minister Siniora on September 23 and affirmed its commitment to achieving both immediate and long-term results for Lebanon, as well as its commitment to a long-term engagement with the country. The PM appealed to the Delegation to s [...]	2006-09-26 13:29:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID ECON LE PGOV PREL
06BEIRUT3124	LEBANON: MIKATI SEES OPPORTUNITY TO REDESIGN THE [...] (C) Ambassador Feltman and econoff on 26 September met with former Prime Minister and Syria-allied telecom magnate Najib Mikati, who saw an urgent need for a change in the Lebanese political system within the next six months to preempt further instability and the periodic resurgence of crises [...]	2006-09-27 12:56:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3125	LEBANON: CODEL LAHOOD MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) Calling on Prime Minister Siniora in the Grand Serail September 2, CODEL Lahood expressed its support for Lebanon. Siniora was adamant that the air and sea blockade be lifted so that attention could be turned to the "major political flaw" that Hizballah committed. He thanked the USG for it [...]	2006-09-27 13:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE MARR PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3126	LEBANON: CODEL LAHOOD MEETS WITH MP SAAD AL-HARIRI [...] (U) Calling on Mustaqbal ("Future") Party leader and MP Saad al-Hariri in his Qureitem mansion, CODEL Lahood repeatedly expressed its support for Lebanon and solicited Hariri's suggestions for their upcoming meeting with Israeli PM Olmert and for action upon their return to the US. Congressman [...]	2006-09-27 13:05:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PREL
06BEIRUT3128	PEDERSEN OPPOSED TO JOSHKA FISCHER'S APPOINTMENT [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador, Geir Pedersen, the UNSYG Annan's Personal Representative for Lebanon, reported that he has learned that Annan plans to appoint former German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer as his special envoy for Lebanon. Describing the idea as "terrible" for both [...]	2006-09-27 15:03:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV LE SY
06BEIRUT3129	LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI PLAYS HARBALL WITH HIZBALLAH [...] (C) Ambassador Feltman and econoff on 27 September met with Saad Hariri to talk about his strategy during and following Ramadan. Hariri plans to renew dialogue with Hizballah at a lower level but will not meet with General Aoun to avoid alienating his moderate Christian allies. Hariri descri [...]	2006-09-27 15:18:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM LE PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3130	PEDERSEN BELIEVES HIZBALLAH SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGING [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 9/27, UNSYG Annan's Personal Representative for Lebanon Geir Pedersen said that he found a meeting he had the previous day with his "usual Hizballah contact" (i.e., Wafiq Safa) both "reassuring and alarming." The reassuring part, Pedersen s [...]	2006-09-27 15:46:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT3132	LEBANON: SHIA HEALTH MINISTER EVALUATES HIZBALLAH, [...] (S) Shia Health Minister Khalifeh (Shia, allied with Nabih Berri) told the Ambassador that while Hizballah is cornered in a security sense, it remains potent and dangerous politically and could even make major inroads into Lebanon's Sunni community. He speculated that Hizballah is using Miche [...]	2006-09-28 08:08:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	LE PGOV PREL PTER KDEM
06BEIRUT3148	LEBANON: FPM OFFICIAL PREVIEWS PARTY CONFERENCE, [...] (C) Ibrahim Kanaan, MP and top FPM party official, told emboffs that this weekend's FPM Conference for the Displaced will not be a political rally, though its timing may suggest otherwise. He described the FPM's immediate political aims as limited to a national unity government and denied any [...]	2006-09-28 14:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PGOV PREL
06BEIRUT3159	LEBANON: DEFMIN ELIAS MURR SEEKS FURTHER U.S. [...] (S/NF) On September 26, the Ambassador and poloff met with the Deputy Prime Minister/Defense Minister Elias Murr. Murr reinforced his commitment to cooperation with the U.S. on defense reform and modernization for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). He favored U.S. efforts over the European Uni [...]	2006-09-29 16:00:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	LE PGOV PREL MASS
06BEIRUT3160	LEBANON: LEBANESE FORCES PARTY ASSESSES ITS OWN [...] (C) According to two senior party officials, the Lebanese Forces (LF) are buoyant following Samir Ja'ja's speech on September 24, which may have drawn more than 100,000 people. Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM),on the other hand, is losing popularity in the LF's view. While the FPM [...]	2006-09-29 16:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PGOV PREL
06BEIRUT3161	LEBANESE MINISTER ON: UNIIIC STATUTE, MERKEL [...] (C) On 9/29, Telecommunications Minister Hamadeh shared with us his plans to introduce the special tribunal statute in next Thursday's cabinet meeting. He gave a readout from PM Siniora's recent trip to Strasbourg and Berlin, addressing the issues of Angela Merkel's characterization of the Ger [...]	2006-09-29 16:21:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PGOV PREL KCRM
06BEIRUT3162	CHANGING GOL VIEW ON CHRONOLOGY FOR INTRODUCTING [...] (C/NF) In separate one-on-one meetings with the Ambassador on 9/30, Prime Minister Siniora and Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh both acknowledged that their positions, and those of March 14 politicians more generally, have evolved on when to engage Lebanon's cabinet on trying to [...]	2006-10-02 05:03:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL KCRM PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3164	SECURITY SECTOR COORDINATION: PROCEEDING WITH [...] (S) Summary: Prime Minister Siniora, Deputy Prime and Defense Minister Murr, and French Ambassador Emie all agree: despite rumors to the contrary, Emie was not the cause of Siniora's rejection of a UK-led security sector reform and coordination unit in his office. The three argue that the U [...]	2006-10-02 07:14:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL MARR PARM MOPS PGOV LE UK FR
06BEIRUT3176	LEBANON: AOUN USES CONFERENCE ON THE DISPLACED TO [...] (C) A September 30 conference on Lebanon's long-displaced Chouf Christians highlighted corruption and failure in the management of the Ministry of the Displaced. But its more important goal was to provide a stage for Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun. Aoun took advantage of the plat [...]	2006-10-02 15:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	LE PGOV PREF PREL
06BEIRUT3177	LEBANON: DRUZE ELECTION STRENGTHENS JUMBLATT BUT [...] (SBU/NF) The first-ever election for the Druze Doctrinal Council was conducted on September 24. The election produced an important victory for Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, both in cementing his control over the Council and in putting his followers in charge of the $800 million Druze Endowme [...]	2006-10-02 15:50:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	KDEM LE PGOV PREL
06BEIRUT3191	LEBANON: SUNNI MP DESCRIBES SYRIAN MACHINATIONS, [...] No summary [...]	2006-10-03 14:21:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3195	LEBANON: RIZK ON GOL SUING ISRAEL, ELECTORAL LAW [...] (C) Over lunch with the Ambassador and econoff on 10/2, Justice Minister Charles Rizk shared an e-mail (full text in para 6 below) sent by UN/OLA to his staff suggesting changes in the draft statute for the special tribunal on the Hariri assassination. The e-mail notes that UN/OLA had dropped [...]	2006-10-04 08:27:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM PREL PTER LE GM SY IS
06BEIRUT3200	LEBANON: SUNNI MP DESCRIBES SYRIAN MACHINATIONS, [...] (C) An Sunni politician from Tripoli shared with DCM his observations of Syrian inroads into the Sunni community in Tripoli, views of the Prime Minister's performance and political strength during the reconstruction period, and an evaluation of Hizballah's current position. He also shared wor [...]	2006-10-04 12:40:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3209	LEBANON: DRUZE LEADERS ASSESS SYRIA THREAT, [...] (S) Druze politicians Walid Jumblatt and Marwan Hamadeh offered us suggestions for helping Lebanon overcome Syrian influence, and discussed how to counter March 8 group calls for a national unity government. They were optimistic about improvement in the March 14 group's relations with Speaker [...]	2006-10-04 15:08:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KCRM LE PGOV PREL PTER
06BEIRUT3210	LEBANON: NOTIFICATION OF REVOCATION OF DIPLOMAT'S [...] (C) On October 3, in accordance with reftel, the Embassy's Consular Section notified Mr. Alejandro Hamed Franco, a Paraguayan diplomat who currently resides in Beirut, that his U.S. visa had been revoked "for technical reasons." He was informed that if he wished to travel to the U.S. he wou [...]	2006-10-04 15:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	CVIS PREL PTER LE PA
06BEIRUT3219	LEBANON: PM SINIORA PLEDGES ACTION ON BEIRUT 1 [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora insists that preparations for the Beirut 1 conference, penciled in for November 30, are well underway. He is slowly grasping the need to publicize progress on reconstruction but prefers to focus on high-profile projects. He will use such publicity to counter March [...]	2006-10-05 11:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID LE PGOV PREL PTER KCRM
06BEIRUT322	MGLE01: JUSTICE MINISTER RIZK DISCUSSES [...] (C) Justice Minister Charles Rizk said that an international tribunal formed under the auspices of the UN Security Council, but operating in accordance with Lebanese law, was the only way to prosecute not only those responsible for the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, but those responsible for [...]	2006-02-03 16:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3225	LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER POSITIVE ON UNIFIL, [...] (S) Defense Minister Murr is positive on the deployment of and cooperation between the LAF and UNIFIL. On the political scene, Murr is pessimistic about potential future Hizballah and FPM demonstrations. Deeply worried about Shia-Sunni tensions that he fears Internal Security Forces could in [...]	2006-10-05 11:28:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL MASS LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3226	LEBANON: NAYLA MOUAWAD STRUGGLING FOR POLITICAL [...] (C) Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad and her son Michel, himself an aspiring politician, shared with the Ambassador on October 4 their concerns about political rivalries within the 14 March bloc and the Maronite community. Nayla Mouawad was critical of Prime Minister Siniora's microm [...]	2006-10-05 11:34:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT323	MGLE01: ISRAELI FIRE KILLS LEBANESE TEENAGER NEAR [...] (C) According to UNIFIL Senior Adviser Milos Strugar, UNIFIL's initial assessment is that the Lebanese teenager shot by Israeli forces near the Blue Line on February 1 was killed in Lebanese territory and probably was not a Hizballah fighter. UNIFIL peacekeepers found the body 44 meters nort [...]	2006-02-03 16:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE MOPS PTER UN
06BEIRUT3230	LEBANON: FINANCE MINISTER SEES DROP IN GROWTH AND [...] (C) Finance Minister Azour on October 5 summarized for the Ambassador, econoff, and S/CRS Coordinator his consultations with the IMF, scenarios for economic performance, and plans for economic reform and the Beirut I donor conference. While deeply concerned about a 2-3 percent negative GDP gro [...]	2006-10-05 14:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3231	LEBANESE ECONOMY MINISTER: AG AND FUEL SUBSIDIES [...] (C) Minister of Economy and Trade (MOET) Sami Haddad summarized on October 5 for the Ambassador and econoff his attempts to phase out GOL agricultural subsidies, revive the TIFA and WTO accession, and move forward on Lebanon's social reform agenda. The Beirut I donor conference is likely to p [...]	2006-10-05 15:11:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER KCRM ECON LE SY
06BEIRUT3232	LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HE WILL RECONSIDER [...] (C/NF) Lebanon's Foreign Minister Salloukh gave mixed signals on whether he understands the potential cost of the recent campaign by pro-Hizballah forces to portray the recent conflict in Lebanon as an American operation. He initially failed to see the contradiction between issuing specious [...]	2006-10-05 15:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT3234	LEBANON: LATEST AOUN STATEMENT THREATENING, [...] (C) MP and Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Leader General Michel Aoun held a press conference in his Rabieh headquarters October 4 with a delegation of FPM area coordinators. Aoun continued his attack (following up on statements made in the FPM "Right of Return" conference September 30 and to A [...]	2006-10-05 16:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT324	MGLE01: SINIORA ON END TO CABINET BOYCOTT, [...] (C) In a 2/4 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora claimed that he and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had orchestrated the end of the Shia cabinet boycott by cornering Hizballah publicly. There is no private and no written deal, Siniora insisted, noting that he fully expec [...]	2006-02-06 09:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER KCRM LE IS SY KPAL
06BEIRUT3245	LEBANON: UNTSO OBSERVERS COULD MONITOR SYRIAN [...] (C) The unarmed observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) will likely remain in Lebanon for the foreseeable future even with the expanding mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Answering to its own chain of command, UNTSO provides an ind [...]	2006-10-06 12:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MARR PGOV PREL LE SY IS

06BEIRUT3264	LEBANON: POLITICAL PARTIES PREPARE FOR [...] (C) Observers on all sides of Lebanese politics are anticipating heightened political rhetoric, calls for the Siniora cabinet to resign, and possibly street demonstrations or violent clashes in the next few weeks. As the end of Ramadan comes nearer, many people are anxious that simmering ten [...]	2006-10-10 16:52:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3292	LEBANON: STILL TO DECIDE ON SUPPORT FOR VENEZUELA [...] (C) On October 12, Charge delivered ref (b) demarche to Boutros Assaker, acting Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry, and to Rola Noureddine, foreign policy advisor to PM Siniora. In addition, polchief delivered the demarche to working-level contacts at the MFA. 2. (C) SecGen Assakr [...]	2006-10-12 11:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3299	UNSC ELECTION: MESSAGE FROM U/S BURNS (LEBANON) [...] (C) On October 13, Charge spoke with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh to reinforce, per ref (a),the U.S. position on the race between Venezuela and Guatemala for the Latin American seat in the UN Security Council. Salloukh acknowledged our previous messages on this issue, initiated [...]	2006-10-13 10:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL UNSC GT VN LE
06BEIRUT3311	LEBANON: THREE LOCAL BANKS WORTHY CANDIDATES TO [...] (SBU) This cable responds to reftel action request. The Embassy finds no reason to object to an Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) proposed investment guaranty that would result in Citibank N.A. and OPIC together lending to three selected Lebanese banks: Byblos Bank, Bank Medit [...]	2006-10-13 14:42:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	EINV PTER ECON LE
06BEIRUT334	MGLE01: EU REPORTS ON ATTACKS AGAINST DANISH AND [...] (C) The EU Commission delegation in Beirut reported to us that the Danish Consulate and Austrian Embassy in Beirut suffered considerable damage from fire and rioting on February 5, but neither mission was physically entered. There were light attacks against the buildings that housed the Dutc [...]	2006-02-06 16:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PTER PGOV PREL ASEC AU LE DK
06BEIRUT335	MGLE01: RADICAL SUNNIS CONTROL OF BEIRUT VIOLENCE [...] (C) The February 5 violent protests by Sunni radicals in Beirut exposed two serious faultlines in Lebanon's effort to transition to democracy: first, the Siniora government was unable -- or unwilling -- to prevent Sunni radicals from hijacking the demonstration and causing material damage an [...]	2006-02-06 16:49:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT336	MGLE01: INDEPENDENT SHIA POLITICIANS SAY AOUNIST [...] (C) Three independent Shia politicians from predominantly Shia areas of Lebanon separately told econoff in early February that Hizballah's role in the cabinet will only be disruptive. They said that Hizballah is seeking veto power and is unlikely to compromise on its arms. Ali Hamadeh, of [...]	2006-02-06 17:03:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IR KISL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT3394	LEBANON: NEA DAS DANIN MEETING WITH TELECOMS [...] (C) On October 18, visiting NEA DAS Robert Danin, Charge and Econoff met with Lebanese Telecoms Minister and March 14 Group activist Marwan Hamadeh. Hamadeh said that the March 14 group's recently reviewed its goals, noting that Lebanon risks returning to a pre-Hariri assassination political [...]	2006-10-19 16:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECPS ENRG MARR PGOV PREL PTER LE EU
06BEIRUT3407	LEBANON: PM SINIORA RECOGNIZES NEED TO ENHANCE [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora expressed an interest in exploring further ways to enhance the arms embargo provisions of UNSCR 1701. Although he would not provide immediate endorsement for any specific ideas, such as establishing a United Nations "embargo committee," Siniora said they merited f [...]	2006-10-21 08:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT3408	LEBANON: FINANCE MINISTER AZOUR SELLING A "NEW [...] (C) Minister of Finance Jihad Azour on October 20 updated visiting NEA DAS Danin, Charge, and econoff on GOL donor conference preparations and obstacles to economic reform. He hopes to overcome political apathy for reform -- particularly among the March 14 coalition -- by convincing politician [...]	2006-10-21 08:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EINV PTER ECON LE
06BEIRUT3412	LEBANON: NEA DAS DANIN MEETS WITH SULEIMAN [...] (C) Political leader Suleiman Franjieh told visiting DAS Danin that Israel is the ultimate source of tensions within Lebanon and between Lebanon and the west. Hizballah will disarm if its demands are met, and Christians have joined with Hizballah only to counter a Sunni bid to dominate Lebano [...]	2006-10-24 13:52:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3414	LEBANON: DAS DANIN MEETS LEBANESE FORCES LEADER [...] (C) Samir Ja'ja' told DAS Danin that Syria and Hizballah will try either to stall the international tribunal for the Hariri assassination by loading the cabinet with a blocking minority or by bringing the government down through street demonstrations. Ja'ja' assessed the March 14 coalition as [...]	2006-10-24 14:25:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3415	LEBANON: DEMARCHES ON UNGA, NORTH KOREA AND [...] (SBU) Polchief delivered reftel demarches October 21 to Joumane Khaddage, Counselor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khaddage will be traveling to New York October 26 to participate in the General Assembly with the Lebanese delegation, and promised to convey our points to appropriate offic [...]	2006-10-24 14:32:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	ENRG MARR MCAP PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG UNGA LE
06BEIRUT3431	LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SALLOUKH MEETING WITH [...] (C) Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh emphasized resolution of the Palestinian situation as the key to peace and stability throughout the region. He also indicated that improving Lebanese relations with Israel depended on Israeli withdrawal from Ghajar, Lebanon gaining control of the Sheba'a Fa [...]	2006-10-25 09:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MARR PGOV PREL LE
06BEIRUT3457	LEBANON: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR APHSCT TOWNSEND [...] (C) Embassy Beirut grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism Frances F. Townsend, Director for Combating Terrorism Todd M. Hinnen, Aide to APHSCT Michael Taylor, and Assistant to APHSCT John H. Pearson to Beirut o [...]	2006-10-27 13:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3460	LEBANON: UNIIIC CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS SAYS [...] (C) UNIIIC Chief of Investigations Peter Nicholson stated that UNIIIC's investigation is making solid progress along several lines of inquiry. Now that the Commission's full staff is back in residence in Beirut, Nicholson said the remaining work has been organized so that Brammertz and his [...]	2006-10-27 15:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER SY LE IS
06BEIRUT3482	LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR APHSCT TOWNSEND [...] (C) Welcome to Beirut. Your visit occurs ten weeks after the 34-day conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hizballah that transpired from July 12 to August 14. That conflict was, according to Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, the most destructive in Lebanon's history. [...]	2006-10-30 16:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT350	LEBANON'S RESPONSE TO ICAO DEMARCHE FOR U.S. [...] No summary [...]	2006-02-07 15:18:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PREL EAIR ICAO AORC EG ET FR LE PK SA TS
06BEIRUT3517	RIZK BEWILDERED BY LAHOUD'S ATTACK ON TRIBUNAL, [...] (S) Over lunch with the Ambassador on 11/1, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk expressed bewilderment over the blistering attack his childhood friend (and Lebanese President) Emile Lahoud launched against him and the special Hariri tribunal on 10/30 and 10/31 (reftel). Rizk, who felt until La [...]	2006-11-01 16:19:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KCRM PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3518	LEBANON: AOUN "RIGHT-WINGER" ON HIZBALLAH, MONEY, [...] (S) A Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) contact claimed to us that he represents a less-vocal, less-visible wing of the party that is anti-Syrian, skeptical of Hizballah, and which seeks closer ties with the international community. He says that FPM leader Michel Aoun himself is worried about the [...]	2006-11-01 16:54:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT352	MGLE01: AOUN'S ADVISOR GIVES HIS INTERPRETATION [...] (C) Gibran Bassil, close advisor to Michel Aoun and a participant in the February 6 meeting between Aoun and Hassan Nasrallah, insists Aoun has achieved a political breakthrough by getting Nasrallah to sign on to a comprehensive list of commitments that will protect Lebanon's sovereignty, es [...]	2006-02-07 17:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3538	LEBANON: ORTHODOX BISHOP AUDI CRITICAL OF AOUN, [...] (C) The Ambassador met November 3 with the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan, Bishop Ilias Audi, to request Audi's assistance in reducing tensions in Lebanon by dissuading his followers from walking out of the government or taking to the streets. Bishop Audi shared his view of the situation, said th [...]	2006-11-03 16:40:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3539	LEBANON: FOREIGN MINISTER SALLOUKH OPTIMISTIC ON [...] (C) In a November 2 meeting, Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh urged to the Ambassador rapid and thorough support for the LAF and action on Israeli overflights and non-withdrawal from Ghajjar. Salloukh was optimistic that Speaker Berri's proposed consultations among political leaders would stav [...]	2006-11-03 16:58:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3540	LEBANON: AOUN DEFENDS HIZBALLAH RELATIONSHIP, [...] (S) In a November 2 meeting with the Ambassador, FPM leader Michel Aoun denied that his party had any dealings with Syria and asserted that Hizballah is increasingly independent of Damascus. Despite March 14 group warnings of violent confrontation, the FPM has no plans either with or without [...]	2006-11-03 17:24:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3542	LEBANON: BERRI EXPLAINS HIS GOAL OF A UNITY [...] (C) Amal Movement Leader and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri argued November 3 that his recently-announced initiative for "consultations" among Lebanon's political blocs was not a Syrian-Hizballah plot but rather a genuine attempt to defuse a dangerous situation created by a "pressured" Hassa [...]	2006-11-03 17:52:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT3543	RIZK FRETS ABOUT RUSSIA'S IMPACT ON TRIBUNAL, GOL [...] (C/NF) Asking to see the Ambassador urgently on 11/5, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk said that his lunch the previous day with Russian Ambassador Sergui Boukin had unnerved him. Despite soothing words about Moscow's "reservations" rather than "objections," Boukin presented Rizk with a lis [...]	2006-11-05 13:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	KCRM PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3563	LEBANON: WORLD BANK MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR ON PARIS [...] (U) World Bank Middle East Department Director Joseph Saba noted Nasrallah's October 31 ultimatum as disturbing and a challenge to the confidence that holds up Lebanon's fiscal house of cards, but views awareness of the need for essential economic reforms as recognized across the Lebanese polit [...]	2006-11-06 15:36:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3565	LEBANON: SPARKS FLY ON FIRST DAY OF NATIONAL [...] (S) Druze Telecommunications Minister and frequent Embassy contact Marwan Hamadeh (protect) read to Ambassador and polchief his notes from the first day of the national consultations sponsored by Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri. Hamadeh characterized the consultations as "heading for [...]	2006-11-07 12:09:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3568	LEBANON: MARONITE PATRIARCH, PREOCCUPIED WITH [...] (C) The Maronite Patriarch expressed his concern over the potential for confrontation over Michel Aoun and Hizballah's demand for a cabinet expansion. Having met with Aoun in recent days, the Patriarch confirmed that he is as single-minded as ever in his pursuit of the presidency. While Aoun [...]	2006-11-07 12:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3584	AFTER ROUND TWO OF CONSULTATIONS, MINDEF MURR, [...] (C) In a 11/07 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr said that, based on his current understanding of the political consultations chaired by Parliament Speaker Berri, he felt certain that Hizballah and Michel Aoun would take their fight to the str [...]	2006-11-08 04:57:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN	PREL PTER PGOV LE SY
06BEIRUT3599	LEBANON: RESORT TO DEMONSTRATIONS THREATENED AS [...] (S) Despite consistent reports of a positive atmosphere, the November 9 session of Parliament Speaker Berri's national consultations ended with no progress or compromise on the key issues. The group adjourned until November 11. Veteran insider Michel Murr conveyed to us on November 9 a grave [...]	2006-11-09 15:31:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3600	LEBANON: ISF COMMANDER REVEALS SYRIAN INVOLVEMENT [...] (S/NF) General Ashraf Rifi, Director General of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, informed the Ambassador in a meeting on November 8 that the ISF had successfully uncovered a key figure involved in the assassinations of Al-Nahar journalist Samir Kassir on June 2, 2005 and communist politic [...]	2006-11-09 17:05:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PGOV PREL PTER KCRM LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3601	SINIORA, HAMADEH PERCEIVE SIGNS THAT HIZBALLAH MAY [...] (S) Filling in more details of the 11/9 third round of consultations, Prime Minister Siniora and Minsiter Marwan Hamadeh mused that the March 14 decision to stand tough and even suggest counter demonstration had a positive impact. Both saw initial signs in today's session suggesting Hizballa [...]	2006-11-09 18:55:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3602	LEBANON: ISRAELI OVERFLIGHTS [...] (C) October saw a notable increase in the number and intensity of Israeli overflights in Lebanese airspace. The overflights were noted with indignation by politicians and the press, and documented by UNIFIL. According to our contacts, the IAF has conducted the flights beyond the south, inclu [...]	2006-11-09 19:07:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	MARR PGOV PREL LE IS
06BEIRUT3603	UN OFFICIALS ON COORDINATION, TRIBUNAL, [...] (S/NF) Over lunch with the Ambassador on 11/10, UN officials Geir Pedersen, Michael Williams, and Salman Shaikh claimed that Israeli officials, whom they had met earlier that week, had hinted at stopping overflights if the USG could provide equivalent intelligence. Rejecting the Ambassador's [...]	2006-11-12 06:59:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PGOV KCRM UNSC PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3604	FORMER PM MIKATI INSISTS HE SUPPORTS SINIORA [...] (S/NF) In a 11/8 meeting with the Ambassador, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati -- on a two-day pause in Beirut from a month of globe-trotting -- expressed deep annoyance at the suggestion that he might be a tool in pro-Syrian hands to oust the Siniora government. He has been and will remai [...]	2006-11-12 15:22:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3606	SINIORA DEFENDS CABINET, VOWS TO PASS TRIBUNAL [...] (S) Meeting with the Ambassador late on 11/12, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora projected serenity and strength, as lawyers, aides, and ministers whirled in and out of his office offering advice on transcending Lebanon's latest made-in-Damascus political crisis. Siniora provided a detailed chro [...]	2006-11-13 09:19:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT3608	LEBANON: HARIRI PREPARED TO PASS TRIBUNAL, [...] (C) The Ambassador and Econoff met with Saad Hariri on November 11 to discuss the results of that morning's national consultations and the March 14 coalition's plans. Hariri reported that the coalition is unified, will not back down in refusing to give the pro-Syrians and Aoun a blocking mino [...]	2006-11-13 12:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM PREL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3613	LEBANON: AOUN CRIES BETRAYAL AGAIN BUT WILL AVOID [...] (C) Michel Aoun recounted to the Ambassador November 13 that March 14 leaders had offered a tradeoff to Aoun and Hizballah during Nabih Berri's national consultations -- the Hariri assassination tribunal for an expansion of the cabinet -- but that the group had gone back on its offer and abrupt [...]	2006-11-13 15:40:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3617	SHIA MINISTERS WARNS HIZBALLAH WILL "GO ALL THE [...] (S/NF) Mohammed Khalifeh -- the resigned Minister of Health allied with Nabih Berri -- warned the Ambassador in a 11/14 meeting not to believe disinformation that Hizballah is backing down. Claiming to have been visited the previous evening by Hizballah officials Wafiq Safa and Hassan Fadla [...]	2006-11-14 12:43:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3618	LEBANON: DOD A/S RODMAN DISCUSSES SECURITY [...] (C) PM Siniora expressed his appreciation for Assistant Secretary Rodman's message that U.S. security assistance for SIPDIS Lebanon will remain solid due to the bi-partisan support that Lebanon's pro-reform forces enjoy in Congress. A/S Rodman also assured Siniora that the U.S. is not abo [...]	2006-11-14 14:34:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER SY LE IS
06BEIRUT3619	LEBANON: DEFMIN ON LAF STABILITY, CHANGES UNDER A [...] (S) In a meeting with visiting Assistant Secretary of Defense Rodman, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Murr expressed appreciation for continued U.S. support for the LAF, and hoped that such support would continue in the form of light materiel to be used in the LAF's daily o [...]	2006-11-14 14:47:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV KCRM MARR MAS PREL PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT362	MGLE01: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE PROVIDES ITS [...] (SBU) On February 6, the Office of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora provided the Embassy with official GOL statistics on Israeli air, sea, and land violations of Lebanese territory since 2000. According to the PM's Office's statistics, 2005 was the year with the most Israeli air violations. The [...]	2006-02-08 13:45:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	IS KPKO LE MOPS PREL PTER
06BEIRUT3630	LEBANON: GEMAYEL SEES LIGHT AT THE END OF A VERY [...] (C) Former President Amin Gemayel believes that the chaotic situation in the Lebanese government will get worse, and factions may take to the streets before it is resolved, but he does see hope for resolution. Gemayel is convinced that the supporters of the current government will remain fir [...]	2006-11-15 12:05:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3632	LEBANON: DEMARCHE ON BELARUS RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-15 15:36:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3643	LEBANON: EMBASSY DELEGATION VISITS UNIFIL, BLUE [...] (C) An Embassy Beirut delegation visited UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters and toured the Blue Line area November 14. UNIFIL Commander General Alain Pellegrini and senior officers gave a positive overview of UNIFIL's deployment in the south, but he and top commanders expressed private reticence tow [...]	2006-11-17 11:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MARR LE IS
06BEIRUT3648	LEBANON: PROMINENT SUNNI MODERATE SEES COMPROMISE [...] (C) A respected Sunni moderate, Tamam Salam, says that the Christian/Hizballah alliance is no bad thing for confessionally riven Lebanon, and he indicated that Syria is the major problem in the current political crisis. He both defended and criticized Hizballah. Openly sharing his views, bo [...]	2006-11-17 15:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3650	LEBANON: A BATTLE PLAN EMERGES, AND SWIFT ACTION [...] (C) Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh told the Ambassador and Emboff on 11/17 that the GOL is desperate for strong support from the USG and other allies. They will fight Lahoud on constitutional grounds, while attempting to bring Berri back into the fold. Outlining the strong ta [...]	2006-11-18 07:35:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE
06BEIRUT3651	SINIORA, HARIRI RESOLUTE, ASK FOR HELP AND [...] (S) The Ambassador met one-on-one with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora late on 11/16 and with Saad Hariri the following evening. Both the PM and the MP came across as strong and resolute, commenting that the March 8-Aoun alliance was taken aback by the March 14 resistance to the pro-Syrian dem [...]	2006-11-18 09:25:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3652	SINIORA, HARIRI RESOLUTE, ASK FOR HELP AND [...] (S) The Ambassador met one-on-one with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora late on 11/16 and with Saad Hariri the following evening. Both the PM and the MP came across as strong and resolute, commenting that the March 8-Aoun alliance was taken aback by the March 14 resistance to the pro-Syrian dem [...]	2006-11-18 13:08:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3653	BERRI CLAIMS MARCH 14 PERFIDY, HINTS AT TIME BUT [...] (S) In a 11/18 meeting with the Ambassador, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri portrayed himself as the only adult amidst squabbling, selfish children. He claimed success twice already in preventing street demonstrations. Yet his attempts to find a way out of Lebanon's political mess was under [...]	2006-11-18 15:15:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT3655	UN ENVOY SEES HARDENING OF HIZBALLAH POSITION [...] (S/NF) Geir Pedersen, the UN Secretary General's Personal Representative for Lebanon, told the Ambassador in a 11/17 meeting that he had seen his "usual contact" (whom he once revealed as Wafiq Safa') from Hizballah that morning. Pedersen said that the meeting contained mostly bad news, but w [...]	2006-11-18 15:48:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3656	CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR WANTS CASH UP FRONT, [...] (S) Central Bank of Lebanon (CBL) Governor Riad Salameh told the Ambassador in a 11/16 meeting that the IMF team currently in Beirut confirmed that GDP would have 0 percent growth in 2006, down from the 6 percent growth projected in June but considerably better than the 5 percent decline pre [...]	2006-11-18 16:55:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	EFIN ECON PGOV PREL LE
06BEIRUT3657	LEBANON: EX-FOREIGN MINISTER POSITIONS HIMSELF AS [...] (C) Ex-Foreign Minister and Presidential hopeful Jean Obeid attributes Lebanon's problems to external forces and to the inadequacy of current leaders in Beirut and Damascus. Citing a Shia-Sunni conflict spanning the entire Muslim world, Obeid espouses a neutral Lebanese presidency allied with [...]	2006-11-18 17:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3673	LEBANON: BRAMMERTZ WILLING TO EXTEND, BUT ONLY [...] (C) UNIIIC Commissioner Serge Brammertz is willing to stay in his present position for six more months, assuming UN and ICC agreement. He hopes to aid in a smooth transition for the new prosecutor. His December report will not be startling, and to date he has found no smoking gun. Syrian c [...]	2006-11-20 16:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3680	LEBANON: EMBASSY EAC CONVENES TO REVIEW SECURITY [...] (SBU) At 1800 hrs. local on November 21, DCM convened the Embassy Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to review the security situation and related Embassy activities following the assassination at 1545 hrs. local of Lebanese Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel. At the time of the EAC meeting, [...]	2006-11-21 17:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ASEC CASC KCRM LE
06BEIRUT3686	LEBANON: MARCH 14 LEADERS ARE CERTAIN OF SYRIA'S [...] (C) DEFENSE MINISTER ELIAS MURR TOLD THE AMBASSADOR AND EMBOFF THAT HE IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE SYRIAN REGIME ORDERED AND EXECUTED THE ASSASSINATION OF MINISTER PIERRE GEMAYEL ON NOVEMBER 21. THE TIMING, METHOD OF EXECUTION, AND POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE OPERATION POINT DIRECTLY BACK [...]	2006-11-22 16:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT3693	BERRI ASKS USG INTERVENTION FOR CABINET DISCUSSION [...] No summary [...]	2006-11-24 16:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3695	RUMP CABINET PASSES TRIBUNAL; HIZBALLAH PLANS [...] (S) Last-ditch shuttle diplomacy between the March 14 majority and Speaker Berri on 11/24 failed to find a political breakthrough to Lebanon's cabinet crisis. Lebanon's rump cabinet -- missing its Shia members, one Lahoud ally, and the murdered Pierre Gemayel -- thus proceeded on 11/25 to ap [...]	2006-11-27 08:20:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT3703	LAHOUD REJECTS PATRIARCH'S CALL TO QUIT [...] (S) In a one-on-one 11/27 meeting with the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir -- asking that this information be closely held -- revealed that he had recently sent a written letter to President Emile Lahoud suggesting that Lahoud resign for the sake of Lebanon. Faced with Lahoud's rejecti [...]	2006-11-27 17:01:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3718	LEBANON: AOUN ADVISOR WARNS "THEY'RE OUT OF TIME" [...] (C/NF) Gibran Bassil, senior advisor to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, recited a litany of grievances against the Siniora government and warned that negotiations and compromise were no longer possible between the Hizballah/FPM alliance and March 14 forces. He indicated that joi [...]	2006-11-28 17:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3721	LEBANON: GENERAL SLEIMAN ASKS ASD RODMAN FOR [...] (C) An interagency delegation led by ASD Rodman met with LAF Commander Michel Sleiman and pledged USG support for Lebanon and the LAF. Sleiman assured the visiting delegation of the LAF's commitment to democracy, human rights, and the fight against terrorism. Sleiman pointed out the difficult [...]	2006-11-29 10:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MARR PREL MOPS LE
06BEIRUT3726	LEBANON: PARIS III AND ECONOMIC REFORM PLANNING [...] (C) A team at the Ministry of Finance is actively planning the GOL strategy for Paris III, designing an economic reform framework amidst a hostile political environment, and seeking to transform their plan into a sustainable economic policy structure. The reform plan should be final in early [...]	2006-11-29 17:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3727	LEBANON: U/S FORE MEETS WITH PM SINIORA, WHO [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora expressed his appreciation for the U.S. support extended to his government, but stated that if Islamic extremism is to be countered, it is imperative to see movement on the Middle East peace process, and in the specific case of Lebanon, some sign that the UN will t [...]	2006-11-30 08:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY
06BEIRUT3728	LEBANON: FINANCE MINISTER UPDATES U/S FORE ON [...] (C) Expressing appreciation to visiting Under Secretary Fore for U.S. assistance, Finance Minister Azour updated Fore on progress toward a donor conference and a broader economic reform program. Azour pledged prudent public finance and monetary policy measures which will see the Lebanese econo [...]	2006-11-30 08:18:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EAID ECON PGOV PREL LE
06BEIRUT3732	CITING BERRI, RIZK FLOATS NEW APPROACH ON TRIBUNAL [...] (C) Minister of Justice Charles Rizk pitched a new idea for establishing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Meeting the Ambassador on 11/30, Rizk argued that both approaches currently under discussion to establish the tribunal are, and will remain, blocked. With pro-Syrians murdering politic [...]	2006-11-30 16:56:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PTER KCRM LE SY
06BEIRUT3745	LEBANON: MARCH 14 LEADERS ASK CODEL NOT TO TALK [...] (C) On November 29 the Ambassador and CODEL Hoekstra met March 14 leaders and others to discuss the current crisis in Lebanon and the possible impact of reopening a U.S.-Syrian dialogue. The CODEL heard March 14 figures pledge to resist peacefully the coming demonstrations and to keep their g [...]	2006-12-01 17:32:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KCRM PREL LE SY
06BEIRUT3746	SINIORA, MINISTERS TEMPORARILY CUT OFF BY CROWDS [...] (SBU) AT 1900 LOCAL TIME, ALL BUT ONE OF THE ROADS LEADING TO THE GRAND SERAIL -- WHERE PRIME MINISTER SINIORA AND NINE OF HIS CABINET MINISTERS WERE TEMPORARILY BESIEGED BY THE MARCH 8-AOUN CROWDS -- WERE STARTING TO CLEAR OUT. THIS FOLLOWS A VERY TENSE ONE-HOUR PERIOD WHEN, DESPITE PROMISE [...]	2006-12-01 17:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3755	LEBANON: CODEL HOEKSTRA MEETS WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora explained to Congressmen Hoekstra and Issa that Syria has three immediate objectives: destroy any chance for the Special Tribunal, regain its former control of the Lebanese government, and re-establish its past hegemony over the surrounding region. Siniora stated [...]	2006-12-04 16:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3756	LEBANON: POLITICAL ADVISOR TO SFEIR SEES LITTLE [...] (C) For the past two weeks, Emir Hares Chehab, co-chair of the Islamic/Christian Dialogue Committee and a long-time political advisor to Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, has been relaying messages from Sfeir to the leading Maronite political leaders, Michel Aoun, Samir Ja'ja' and Amin Gemayel, in a [...]	2006-12-04 17:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3757	GEMAYEL MEETS NASRALLAH, WILL TEST HIZBALLAH [...] (S) Amin Gemayel -- former President, grieving father, and presidential aspirant -- met with Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah on 12/3. Briefing the Ambassador on the meeting, Gemayel said that he was taken aback by Nasrallah's hatred of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, MP Saad Hari [...]	2006-12-04 17:20:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PGOV PREL LE SY
06BEIRUT3766	DIFFICULT EXISTENTIAL BATTLE FOR LEBANON LOOMS [...] (S) With Nabih Berri's Amal movement trapped as an unenthusiastic partner, Hizballah, Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, and various pro-Syrian politicians are on the ascendency. They appear prepared to use all available means to implement an agenda hostile to U.S. interests in Lebanon: [...]	2006-12-05 17:30:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3768	LEBANON: BISHOP AUDI FORESEES MAJOR CRISIS FOR [...] (C) In a call on Greek Orthodox Bishop Metropolitan Elias Audi, the Ambassador reiterated USG support for a Lebanon free of foreign interference. Audi, more pessimistic than ever before with the Ambassador, related that many Lebanese fear a loss of international support, in particular due to [...]	2006-12-06 07:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT377	MGLE01: ONE YEAR AFTER HARIRI ASSASSINATION -- [...] (C) In the aftermath of the February 5 destruction of the Danish consulate in Beirut and the paradigm shift of the February 6 joint communique between Michel Aoun and Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah, discussion in Parliament and among Lebanon's political leadership has focused on the direction [...]	2006-02-09 13:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3772	LEBANON: AOUNIST ADVISOR WARNS TIME IS SHORT FOR [...] (C) Close Aoun advisor MP Ibrahim Kanaan acknowledges that the standoff in Riad Solh Square has created a flammable situation. He knows that plans percolating from Samir Ja'ja's Lebanese Forces to stage counter-demonstrations could result in violence. For these reasons, Michel Aoun is alle [...]	2006-12-06 16:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3775	MARCH 14, GOL LEADERS ON AMR MOUSSA'S PLAN, OTHER [...] (C) In meetings with the Ambassador on December 6, March 14 officials reacted with skepticism to Amr Moussa's plan to solve the Lebanese political crisis. They believed that Nabih Berri, Michel Aoun, and Hizballah will find ways to reject it. Or, if they do accept it, that will signal that [...]	2006-12-07 10:03:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PTER PGOV LE SY
06BEIRUT3782	LEBANON: BERRI FOR BOTH SINIORA AND CABINET [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador, a curiously jubilant Speaker Berri laid out his positions: he is for the current GOL, including PM Siniora, staying; opposed to any confidence or no-confidence vote or a new Ministerial Declaration; but in favor of the opposition obtaining a "blocking minor [...]	2006-12-07 13:02:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3784	WITH GOL APPROVAL OF TRIBUNAL, ARE MARCH 14 AND [...] (S) We have heard from March 14 figures that Fouad Siniora plans to use the emotionally charged date of December 12 -- the one-year anniversary of the assassination of MP and al-Nahar publisher Gibran Tueni -- to convene the cabinet to approve the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. If current pla [...]	2006-12-07 15:21:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PTER PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3789	LEBANON: LEBANESE FORCES MOVING TOWARD COUNTER [...] (C) One of the political advisors to Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Ja'ja' stated that the majority of LF's leadership is angry at the unrelenting media coverage of the anti-government street demonstrations that have taken place since last Friday. Arguments that March 14 pro-government f [...]	2006-12-08 06:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT3790	LEBANON: HANIYYEH DECLINES TO VISIT STRIFE-RIDDEN [...] Polchief checked with the Foreign Ministry on the proposed visit of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyyeh to Lebanon. We were informed that due to Lebanon's political crisis Haniyyeh had dropped Beirut from his regional visit itinerary. A rumor had it that Prime Minister Siniora turned off the [...]	2006-12-08 06:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KPAL PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3797	LEBANON: SINIORA HITS BACK AT NASRALLAH'S [...] (SBU) In a rebuttal to Hassan Nasrallah's speech the previous day, PM Siniora rejected threatening language and the label "traitor," stressing the unity of all Lebanese. Siniora condemned the arrogance that had led Nasrallah to judge his fellow leaders' patriotism and honesty, and to determine [...]	2006-12-08 17:27:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3799	LEBANON: JA'JA' CONFIDENT THAT MARCH 14 WILL [...] (C) Lebanese Forces leader Ja'ja' expressed confidence that a compromise is possible that would preserve the pro-reform movement and a democratic Lebanon, but it would require resolute handling of the serious challenge launched by Hizballah last week. Although he discussed the Arab League i [...]	2006-12-08 17:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3800	DEFMIN MURR BELIEVES NASRALLAH MISCALCULATED BUT [...] (C) Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Murr believes that Hassan Nasrallah realizes that he miscalculated regarding the determination of the Siniora cabinet, the fortitude of the LAF, the attitude of the Sunnis, and the attitude of the Christians. But, unable to back down and maintai [...]	2006-12-09 09:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3801	LEBANON: GEBRAN BASSIL DEFENDS HIZBALLAH, CONDEMNS [...] (C) In a confrontational lunch discussion, the FPM's Gebran Bassil -- Michel Aoun's son-in-law and close advisor -- insisted that his party is transforming Hizballah even as it uses it to bring about a national unity government and a slate of needed reforms. He suggested Pierre Gemayel's assa [...]	2006-12-09 11:43:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT381	MGLE01: ASSISTING DENMARK AND OTHERS WEATHER [...] (C) Summary: The building housing the Danish Consulate and the Austrian Embassy in Beirut was attacked during demonstrations on Sunday, February 5. At this time, Danish officials are operating out of the French Embassy in Beirut and the Austrian officials are being housed in the EU Commiss [...]	2006-02-09 16:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PHUM ASEC PREL LE DK
06BEIRUT3810	HINTS OF A DEAL IN THE AIR, BUT MARCH 14 LEADERS [...] (C) Marwan Hamadeh told us today (12/11) that the rumors circulating in Beirut about an imminent Sudan or Arab League-brokered deal between March 14 and March 8-Aoun have no basis in fact. While March 14 leaders will try to work with Amr Moussa on an initiative, they do not believe that Hiz [...]	2006-12-11 16:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3819	LEBANON: AOUN ADVISOR URGES THE GENERAL'S [...] (C) Moderate Aounist MP Ibrahim Kanaan argued that Michel Aoun remains pro-reform and pro-democratic, despite his on-going political alliance with Hizballah and the anti-government March 8 coalition. He urged that as diplomatic initiatives to resolve the crisis accelerate, Michel Aoun not b [...]	2006-12-13 06:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3826	JUMBLATT ON CURRENT SITUATION [...] (C) Walid Jumblatt told the Ambassador on 12/12 that the Siniora cabinet and March 14 should be credited for three major accomplishments during the current political crisis: 1) Standing firm, remaining united and in office. 2) Approving the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. 3) Bringing Nasra [...]	2006-12-13 16:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3829	LEBANON: STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETS MARCH 14 LEADERS [...] (C) Visiting Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff member Puneet Talwar in late November met for two days with March 14 politicians, government figures, NGO leaders, and FPM leader General Michel Aoun. March 14 leaders envisioned an eventual political compromise would follow demonstrations, [...]	2006-12-14 13:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KCRM PREL PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT3834	MOUSSA INITIATIVE FALTERING; SINIORA WARNS US TO [...] (C) While Moussa tried to project optimism during his press conference here this afternoon, March 14 leaders report on 12/14 that Hizballah and Nabih Berri have rejected Amr Moussa's initiative to solve Lebanon's political crisis. Berri blames the breakdown instead on inflexibility by March [...]	2006-12-14 16:51:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT3843	LEBANON: SENATOR NELSON'S MEETING WITH DEFENSE [...] (C) Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr explained to Senator Bill Nelson that Syria has three immediate objectives in Lebanon: to produce political chaos by supporting proxies like Hizballah, to regain its former control of the Lebanese government, and to re-establish its pa [...]	2006-12-15 17:00:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	MARR PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT385	MGLE01: JUMBLATT AND HAMADEH TRYING TO HEAD OFF [...] (C) During a 2/9 meeting with the Ambassador, the two Druze pillars of the "March 14" camp, Walid Jumblatt and Marwan Hamadeh, were receptive to arguments that a large rally marking the one-year anniversary of former Prime Minister Hariri's would carry serious risks. They agreed that creativ [...]	2006-02-10 17:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM PTER KISL ASEC LE
06BEIRUT386	MGLE01: JUMBLATT AND HAMADEH TRYING TO HEAD OFF [...] (C) During a 2/9 meeting with the Ambassador, the two Druze pillars of the "March 14" camp, Walid Jumblatt and Marwan Hamadeh, were receptive to arguments that a large rally marking the one-year anniversary of former Prime Minister Hariri's would carry serious risks. They agreed that creativ [...]	2006-02-10 17:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM PTER KISL ASEC LE
06BEIRUT3860	LEBANON: SENATOR NELSON MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER [...] (C) Visiting Senator Nelson praised Prime Minister Siniora's leadership and courage and said that he had instructed Syrian President Asad to stop interfering in Lebanon. The Senator reassured the PM that the United States would continue to support Lebanon regardless of difficulties or develop [...]	2006-12-19 16:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT387	MGLE01: A CRITICAL WEEK IN LEBANON [...] (C) Commencing with the inadvertent shooting of a Lebanese citizen by Israeli forces late last week and the resulting exchanges of fire across the Blue Line on February 3 (which were the most serious since late November),this past week in Lebanon has witnessed events which are causing a shi [...]	2006-02-10 17:17:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT3874	LEBANON: HARIRI TALKS ABOUT WAYS TO ENGAGE SYRIA [...] (C) Sa'ad Hariri, without his usual call for a Syrian regime change, indicated that he believes the real goal of Syria and Iran is to thwart UNSCR 1701. He believes that Syria should have been engaged after its pullout from Lebanon, but through one voice, probably that of the UN. Like many [...]	2006-12-21 10:05:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV LE
06BEIRUT3875	LEBANON: MICHEL AOUNS SAYS, "I DON'T WANT TO BE [...] (SBU) FPM leader and MP General Michel Aoun offered a series of indirect answers, vague pronouncements and prophesies of continuing and even-bigger challenges to the current government, in the course of meeting with visiting Senators Dodd and Kerry. Aoun blamed the Siniora regime for margina [...]	2006-12-21 10:14:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3889	LEBANON: HARIRI EXPLAINS, "I AM A MOUNTAIN [...] (SBU) On December 18 Senators Christopher Dodd and John Kerry met with Saad Hariri, Member of Parliament and leader of the Mustaqbal party. Hariri advised the Codel that progress in the region, and particularly in Lebanon, requires that the international community take a firm and united stand [...]	2006-12-22 14:55:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3890	LEBANON: CODEL DODD MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER [...] (C) Prime Minister Fouad Siniora conveyed to Senators Christopher Dodd and John Kerry that Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the formation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. It remained unclear, however, whether Russia would support the establishment of the Tribunal under Chapter V [...]	2006-12-22 15:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PRER LE
06BEIRUT3891	LEBANON: GEMAYEL ANNOUNCES HIS PLANS [...] (C) On 18 December Codel Dodd met with former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel to discuss the current situation in Lebanon. Gemayel told the Codel that Lebanon needs the support of the United States, and that Syria must be pressured to stop supporting instability in Lebanon. In Gemayel,s [...]	2006-12-22 15:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE

06BEIRUT3893	LEBANON: MURR PRAISES HIS ARMED FORCES [...] (C) Defense Minister Elias Murr explained to Senators Dodd and Kerry that stability in Lebanon, and in the region, rests on holding Syria responsible for its behavior. A key element of this is halting Syrian interference in Lebanon's internal political situation. Syria should be required to s [...]	2006-12-22 15:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE
06BEIRUT3894	LEBANON: PARLIAMENT SPEAKER BERRI CLAIMS, "IT'S [...] (C) Visiting Senators Christopher Dodd and John Kerry reassured Speaker of the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies Nabih Berri that some elements of USG policy may change as a result of the recently-published findings of the Iraq Study Group, but USG support for Lebanon's independence will remain st [...]	2006-12-22 15:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV PTER LE
06BEIRUT3895	LEBANON: MARCH 14 LEADERS SEE PRO-SYRIANS, AOUN [...] (C) Fouad Siniora, Marwan Hamadeh, and Saad Hariri report that the March 8-Aoun opposition forces are hardening their positions and that street demonstrations, despite the holiday lull, are not going away. Despite Vladimir Putin's vocal support for Lebanon and apparent warnings to Bashar Asad, [...]	2006-12-26 06:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER EFIN LE
06BEIRUT3902	LEBANON: PARIS III STILL ON TRACK [...] (C) On December 27 Econoff and Econstaff met at the Ministry of Finance with the team working on Paris III and briefly with Minister Jihad Azour. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the progress towards the donor conference, still scheduled to be held in Paris on January 25, 2007. The [...]	2006-12-28 06:39:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN PGOV PREL LE
06BEIRUT3908	BERRI TO UNVEIL NEW INITIATIVE; CABINET FORMULA [...] (C) In back-to-back meetings on 12/28 with the U.S., French, and Saudi ambassadors, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri revealed a "National Salvation Government" initiative that he proposed to announce publicly over the Eid al-Adha holiday. Describing Amr Moussa's diplomacy as dead, Berri claimed [...]	2006-12-29 08:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT3913	LEBANON: HIZBALLAH HINTS AT HAJJ VIOLENCE; BERRI [...] (C) Walid Jumblatt hosted the Ambassador and Polchief for lunch at his Beirut residence in the neighborhood of Clemenceau December 29. As is often the case when Jumblatt meets with us in Beirut, Druze Communications Minister Marwan Hamadeh joined the meeting. Unusually, however, the Informat [...]	2006-12-29 14:36:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PGOV PREL PTER LE
06BEIRUT3914	CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR RAISES ALARM BELLS ON [...] (S) In contrast to his usual calm-within-a-storm posture, Central Bank of Lebanon (CBL) Governor Riad Salameh has sounded the alarm bells -- albeit private alarm bells -- on Lebanon's financial and fiscal position. In a 12/29 meeting with the Ambassador, Salameh spoke with unprecedented can [...]	2006-12-29 16:40:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	EFIN ECON LE PGOV
06BEIRUT413	MGLE01: AOUN PERPLEXED BY CRITICISM, MAINTAINS HE [...] (C) In a lengthy meeting with the Ambassador and poloff, Michel Aoun expressed astonishment that his February 6 joint communique with Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah has generated such strong criticism. He was resolute in his belief that the document was actually a significant step forward in hi [...]	2006-02-13 16:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT414	MGLE01: ECONOMY AND TRADE MINISTER DISCUSSES GOL [...] (C) Summary: On February 10, the Ambassador and Econoff called on Minister of Economy and Trade (MOET) Sami Haddad to discuss GOL efforts to improve the intellectual property rights (IPR) climate in Lebanon and encourage the GOL to prepare a submission of recent IPR efforts and future plans [...]	2006-02-13 16:42:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EINV EFIN KIPR LE
06BEIRUT421	C/CT5/01536: HIZBALLAH'S CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS [...] (C) Post appreciates comments in ref A regarding Hizballah funding and in this cable provides initial answers to the follow-on questions. We will send additional information as it becomes available. According to a Shia journalist who covers Hizballah professionally, as well as other inform [...]	2006-02-14 11:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN IR KISL LE PTER SOCI
06BEIRUT425	MGLE01: BACK CHANNEL TALKS BETWEEN SINIORA AND [...] (C) Following initial contacts between representatives of Prime Minister Siniora and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun in late December, a series of substantive meetings were held in January between the two camps in an attempt to come up with a blueprint for Lebanon's political and [...]	2006-02-14 14:08:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT437	MGLE01: SAAD HARIRI LEADS MASS RALLY IN BEIRUT ON [...] (SBU) On February 14, MP Saad Hariri led a massive rally in Martyrs' Square in downtown Beirut to commemorate the assassination of his father Rafiq Hariri. Pleasant weather helped facilitate a large turnout carrying mostly Lebanese flags, but also Lebanese Forces and Progressive Socialist P [...]	2006-02-14 16:48:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	KISL LE PGOV SY
06BEIRUT438	MGLE01: FORMER SECRETARY GENERAL OF HIZBALLAH [...] (C) Shia extremist Sheikh Subhi Tufayli, who led Hizballah for two years before being forced from the leadership in 1989, and then expelled from the party in 1998, is gradually re-emerging from the shadows. During last week's Ashoura rally in his hometown of Brital, located near Baalbek, Tu [...]	2006-02-14 16:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT455	MGLE01: GOL AND YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS LAUNCH [...] On February 10, Econoff attended a working dinner at the Grand Serail for the launching of "Bader" (literally the beginning of the day in Arabic, refers to a "start-up" company),a partnership between the private sector and the GOL to encourage entrepreneurship. In attendance were about fift [...]	2006-02-16 08:15:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON EINV EFIN LE
06BEIRUT470	MGLE01: CHIBLI MALLAT'S PLAN TO REMOVE LAHOUD [...] (C) Lawyer (and would-be Lebanese president) Chibli Mallat described to us a plan to remove President Lahoud from office according to the constitution. Rather than amending the constitution yet again -- to void the 2004 amendment that extended Lahoud's term in office -- Mallat called for Par [...]	2006-02-16 17:01:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT482	MGLE01: ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT SAYS LAHOUD WILL [...] (C/NF) Summary: Speaking with Polstaff on February 17, presidential spokesman and advisor Rafiq Chelala said the President, convinced of the injustice of calls for his departure, intends to remain in office despite popular protests. Chelala acknowledged that Lahoud's continued mandate was s [...]	2006-02-17 15:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PINS LE SY
06BEIRUT484	MGLE01: SHIA CONTACTS SAY NASRALLAH'S FEBRUARY 16 [...] (C) On the afternoon of February 16, Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah delivered a rebuttal to SIPDIS the February 14 statements of pro-sovereignty politicians including Saad Hariri. Nasrallah was speaking at a commemoration of the 1992 assassination of then-Hizballah Secreta [...]	2006-02-17 15:52:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KISL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT487	MGLE01: TRIPOLI ACADEMIC AND MAYOR PLACE BLAME ON [...] (C) Sunni professor from Tripoli Nawwaf Kabbarah told econoff February 15 that MP Saad Hariri had enlisted the help of the Jamiyeh Islamiyya (Muslim Brotherhood) in recruiting protesters from Tripoli's poor neighborhoods for the February 5 protest at the Danish consulate. The result of this [...]	2006-02-17 16:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL LE PGOV SOCI SY
06BEIRUT488	MGLE01: INFLUENTIAL AOUNIST MP ACKNOWLEDGES FLAWS [...] (C) Free Patriotic Movement MP Farid El-Khazen conceded that the February 6 joint communique of Michel Aoun and Hassan Nasrallah was a flawed document with ambiguities and omissions, but should be used as a starting point to prompt a passive government into action. According to El-Khazen, it [...]	2006-02-17 16:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT489	MGLE01: GOL JUDICIAL TEAM PREPARES FOR UN [...] (C) On Sunday, 2/17, the Ambassador met with Minister of Justice Charles Rizk and Judge Shukri Sadr to discuss the modalities for an international tribunal for the Hariri assassination suspects. Rizk reported that the cabinet, in its 2/16 session, had approved a two-person team of Sadr and [...]	2006-02-21 06:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KCRM PTER LE SY UNAUS
06BEIRUT517	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI SAYS HE'S READY TO REMOVE [...] (C) Nabih Berri stated that his "national dialogue conference," scheduled to run March 2-9, could seal the fate of President Lahoud, if the participating political blocs can agree on a consensus replacement. As he has throughout his career, Berri has assiduously counted the votes and has co [...]	2006-02-21 14:27:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT527	MGLE01: VEIWS OF A HIGH-LEVEL GOL SKEPTIC OF THE [...] (C) Summary and Background. On February 17, Econoff discussed the GOL's economic reform agenda with the Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Alain Bifani. Bifani was critical of the GOL's economic reform efforts since October 2005, saying that initial optimism and good will had dis [...]	2006-02-22 11:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	ECON EFIN EINV LE
06BEIRUT544	MGLE01: FM SALLOUKH HELPFUL ON UNSC DEMARCHE, [...] (C) Foreign Minister Salloukh defended meeting with Hamas officials as important in maintaining normal relations with a democratically-elected Arab government. He urged the USG to give Hamas an opportunity to change its behavior, which he believed would happen as it struggled to meet its ne [...]	2006-02-22 16:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT545	MGLE01: AOUNISTS AGREE TO DIALOGUE, STILL [...] (C) Summary: Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) member and advisor to Michel Aoun Gebran Basile met with Poloff to discuss his party's position on the national dialogue proposal of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Basile said that Michel Aoun would represent his party at the March 2-3 meetings, [...]	2006-02-22 16:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV SY LE
06BEIRUT546	MGLE01: AMAL POLITICAL MOVEMENT ANNOUNCES [...] (C) Summary and introduction: On February 17, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri renewed his call for a dialogue among members of the Parliament's leadership. Berri emerged from addressing his Hizballah-allied parliamentary partners to call for a gathering of political leaders on March 2-9 t [...]	2006-02-22 17:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PINS LE SY
06BEIRUT550	MGLE01: LEBANESE FORCES MP DESCRIBES LEBANON'S [...] (C) MP George Adwan, who represents Lebanese Forces leader Samir Ja'ja' in inter-communal negotiations, said much of the rhetoric coming from Michel Aoun and Samir Ja'ja concerning the tenure of President Lahoud is irresponsible and dangerous. Adwan believes the inexperience and excessive e [...]	2006-02-23 10:11:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT562	MGLE01: BEHIND NASRALLAH'S MASS RALLY -- MESSAGES [...] (C) On February 23, Hizballah held a joint rally with Amal in southern Beirut in response to the bombing of the Golden Shrine in Iraq. Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech appealing for calm and asking Muslims not to reproach each other. Nasrallah instead unleashed cr [...]	2006-02-24 14:50:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IZ KISL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT563	MGLE01: HARIRI AND JUMBLATT DISCUSS STRATEGY [...] (S) On February 23, while waiting for Secretary Rice to arrive for a meeting with MP Saad Hariri and MP Walid Jumblatt at his house in Beirut, econoff and FSN senior political specialist were invited to sit with these two leaders. The small talk with FSN senior political specialist eventual [...]	2006-02-24 15:01:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	LE PGOV PREL SA SY
06BEIRUT566	MGLE01: POLITICAL PRESSURE SECURES RELEASE OF [...] (U) On February 16, the Lebanese army arrested a Palestinian national, Mohammad Abed al-Shmandur (aka Abu al- Abed) at a checkpoint near the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. He was suspected of transporting ammunition in the trunk of his car. While his political affiliation is unclea [...]	2006-02-24 15:35:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV KISL PHUM KDEM LE PTER
06BEIRUT567	SINIORA BRINGS THE POPE ON BOARD, SAYS "NO" TO [...] (C) In a 2/22 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora claimed to have convinced the Vatican to push for President Lahoud's resignation. He said that the Maronite Patriarch and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri are both on board with Lahoud's resignation, but that Michel Aoun still [...]	2006-02-24 15:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM PTER SY LE IR
06BEIRUT568	MGLE01: AOUN EAGER FOR LAHOUD'S GRACEFUL [...] (C) Summary: Michel Aoun was in a good mood as he greeted the Ambassador for their February 22 meeting. The former General said he was encouraged by the anti-Lahoud tone taken by Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, and he insisted that Sfeir was not referring to him when Sfeir said the next president [...]	2006-02-24 16:12:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PHUM PINS LE SY
06BEIRUT570	MGLE01: Thousands of Lebanese Shia take to the [...] (U) Hizballah organized a mass rally to protest the bombing of a Shia shrine in Iraq. More than 100,000 persons gathered in the Southern Suburbs on February 23. Hizballah SYG Nasrallah delivered a speech calling on Shia to remain calm and to avoid provocations between the Shia and the Sunni [...]	2006-02-24 16:44:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV KISL PHUM KDEM LE PTER
06BEIRUT579	MGLE01: SAAD HARIRI TO HOLD JOINT PRESS [...] (S) Summary: In a 2/27 meeting with the Ambassador, Saad Hariri revealed that he would hold a join press conference with Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hizballah on 2/28. The press conference will come at the end of Hariri's private meeting with Hizballah and will cover three areas [...]	2006-02-27 17:13:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KDEM PTER KISL LE SY
06BEIRUT581	MGLE01: SAAD HARIRI TO HOLD JOINT PRESS [...] (S) Summary: In a 2/27 meeting with the Ambassador, Saad Hariri revealed that he would hold a join press conference with Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hizballah on 2/28. The press conference will come at the end of Hariri's private meeting with Hizballah and will cover three areas [...]	2006-02-27 17:14:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	KDEM PTER KISL LE SY
06BEIRUT59	MGLE01: SALLOUKH STONEWALLS, GIVES APOLOGIST [...] (C) Summary: On January 7, the Ambassador and emboff met with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh to express the USG's mounting concern over the reported contents of a draft agreement between the Siniora government and the Hizballah-Amal bloc that would bring the Shi'a parties back into the cabi [...]	2006-01-09 11:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KDEM LE PGOV PHUM SY
06BEIRUT608	MGLE01: QUARTERLY REPORT ON FREEDOM AGENDA IN [...] (C) This is post's progress report for the first quarter of FY-06 on the country strategy for democratic reform. Refs A and B identified three outcomes for our country strategy: -- a new electoral law, -- competent, effective, transparent government, and -- reform of the judiciary. [...]	2006-03-01 13:26:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM KMPI PGOV KPAO EAID PREL LE
06BEIRUT613	MGLE01: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF DRUSE LEADER [...] (C) For better or worse, Walid Jumblatt may well be the single person most responsible for where we are in Lebanon today. He was a warlord in the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war and became a pillar of the post-Ta'if Agreement "pax Syriana." Lately, however, he has emerged as the most importan [...]	2006-03-02 07:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT629	MGLE01: PARLIAMENTARY LEADER VIEWS DIALOGUE [...] (C) Veteran Maronite MP Robert Ghanem expressed guarded optimism on both the process and possible outcome of this week's "national dialogue" conference organized by Speaker Nabih Berri. Ghanem admitted he was somewhat surprised that Berri had been able to bring together the disparate power [...]	2006-03-02 14:13:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT632	MGLE01: ELECTORAL LAW REFORM COMMISSION FINISHING [...] (SBU) The national commission charged with reforming the electoral law is expected to submit a draft law to the Prime Minister within a week. It will incorporate a number of reforms: an independent electoral commission, quotas for female candidates, a lowering of the voting age, and regulat [...]	2006-03-02 16:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI EAID LE
06BEIRUT633	MGLE01: SINIORA ON THE PRESIDENCY, DIALOGUE, AND [...] (C) In a March 1 meeting at the Grand Serail, Prime Minister Siniora and the Ambassador discussed UNSCR 1559, the National Dialogue and the Lebanese presidency. Siniora said that the National Dialogue's discussion on 1559 would prompt serious debate on issues including Hizballah's arms and th [...]	2006-03-02 16:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PGOV SY
06BEIRUT634	MGLE01: NON-HIZBALLAH SHIA VOICES ON NATIONAL [...] (C) In the national dialogue set to begin March 2, Lebanese Shia will be represented by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. Econoff interviewed three prominent independent Shia politicians, all of whom said that the Shia community does not exp [...]	2006-03-02 16:46:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KISL LE PGOV PTER
06BEIRUT645	MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE CONFERENCE BEGINS ON [...] (C) For the first time since the 1989 Ta'if Accord, the full range of Lebanon's political leadership is now engaged in face-to-face negotiations -- this time, in Beirut rather than a foreign venue (and without any international "referees"). The first session on March 2 closed with consensus [...]	2006-03-03 15:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT647	MGLE01: ALL IN THE (FIRST) FAMILY: LAHOUD [...] (S) In a 3/3 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr said that he had been threatened by his father-in-law, President Emile Lahoud, in front of friends and relatives over dinner the previous evening. Lahoud, according to Murr, ordered Murr to recant [...]	2006-03-06 06:58:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT672	MGLE01: UN OFFICE VIEWS IMPROVED GOL COOPERATION [...] (C) On March 3, econoff and epartment NEA/ELA Deputy Director met with UN Political Officers Imran Riza and Georges Nasr of the office of UNSYG's Personal Representative to Lebanon Geir Pederson. Riza said that the GOL's Joint Security Force (JSF) had modestly increased its presence in sout [...]	2006-03-06 15:53:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPKO LE MOPS PM PTER SY
06BEIRUT673	MGLE01: SEVENTH SESSION OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE [...] (SBU) Participants in the national dialogue, perhaps cowed by accusations of leaks to the press, have become more reticent in presenting their accounts of the March 7 session of the talks, which ended in the late afternoon. MP and Minister of Defense Michel Murr said that the early debate [...]	2006-03-06 16:16:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PINS PHUM KPAL KISL LE SY IR
06BEIRUT674	MGLE01: ELECTORAL REFORM -- BLUE-RIBBON PANEL MAY [...] (C) The national commission charged with reforming the electoral law has just slipped past another deadline for submitting a draft law to the Prime Minister. Commission members are still debating one key element of the law: electoral districts. Commission member Nawaf Salam told us that he [...]	2006-03-06 16:39:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI LE
06BEIRUT677	MGLE01: SYRIAN ACCOUNTS COMFORTABLE IN LEBANESE [...] On March 6, the Daily Star, a Lebanese English daily, reported that Syrian newspapers have claimed in recent editions that USD 3 billion in bank deposits were withdrawn from Lebanese banks by Syrian depositors in recent weeks due to political tensions between Syria and Lebanon. On March 4, t [...]	2006-03-07 08:43:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN ECON ETRD EINV KIPR LE
06BEIRUT700	MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER [...] (SBU) The national dialogue came to a temporary halt on March 7 following a dispute between Hizballah SYG Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri on the one hand and Minister of Information Ghazi Aridi, representing Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, on the other. The disagreement arose over a statement [...]	2006-03-08 10:26:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV KISL PHUM KDEM LE PTER
06BEIRUT705	MGLE01: SALIM AL-HOSS'S "INDEPENDENT" THIRD FORCE [...] (C) In a 3/7 meeting with the Ambassador, former Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss doubted that Lebanon's parliamentary dialogue process (suspended later that day) would succeed. He thought participants would be unable to agree on Hizballah's weapons, the presidency, or relations with Syria. Rega [...]	2006-03-08 14:57:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM PHUM SY LE
06BEIRUT713	MGLE01: ELECTORAL COMMISSION PRESIDENT BOUTROS [...] (C) Meeting the Ambassador and emboff as the Lebanese press reported that the two Maronite members of his electoral commission had resigned in protest, electoral commission president Fouad Boutros complained that he was "tired and disgusted." The octogenarian Boutros is Lebanon's most reliab [...]	2006-03-08 16:24:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PGOV PHUM
06BEIRUT714	MGLE01: FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES [...] (C) Former Foreign Minister (and eternal presidential aspirant) Jean Obeid believes the national dialogue effort will founder unless regional assistance is provided on the two critical issues: the fate of President Lahoud, and disarming Hizballah. According to Obeid, Lahoud will not resign [...]	2006-03-08 16:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT715	MGLE01: SINIORA WISHES PARLIAMENTARY DIALOGUE HAD [...] (C) In a 3/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora regretted the suspension earlier that day of a national dialogue process taking place in the Parliament. The talks made progress while they lasted, he argued, particularly in the area of bringing under control an armed Palestini [...]	2006-03-08 16:30:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL KDEM PTER MARR KPAL SY LE
06BEIRUT726	MGLE01: JUSTICE MINISTER DISCUSSES INTERNATIONAL [...] (C) Despite the fact that the legal team sent to New York returned with a different concept for the tribunal than that contained in their cabinet instructions, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk emphasized that the Siniora government considers the talks to have been very successful -- to the p [...]	2006-03-09 15:02:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY UN
06BEIRUT727	FOLLOW UP ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ [...] No summary [...]	2006-03-09 15:35:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET	ASEC KISL PTER LE SY
06BEIRUT728	MGLE01: CHARITIES AND MENA-FATF PLENARY IN CAIRO [...] On March 9, DCM delivered reftel demarche to Dr.Muhammad Baasiri, head of the Lebanese Central Bank's Special Investigation Commission. Baasiri will lead the Lebanese delegation to the Cairo plenary. 2. Baasiri, who recently completed his term as president of the MENA-FATF, was well-acqu [...]	2006-03-09 15:56:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	KTFN EFIN LE
06BEIRUT734	MGLE01: AOUN ON NATIONAL DIALOGUE: [...] (C) On March 9 the Ambassador and PolChief met with Michel Aoun and his aide, Gebran Basile. Aoun described the atmosphere of the national dialogue as friendly and open. Aoun was certain that the body's decision to "organize" Palestinian arms within six months would have the support of Hizb [...]	2006-03-10 10:38:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PREL KPAL KISL PTER LE IR SY
06BEIRUT735	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI BLAMES MARCH 14 COALITION [...] (C) Speaker Nabih Berri believes the "national dialogue" has thus far been a worthwhile endeavor, which may produce a breakthrough in the way Lebanon's traditional political blocs resolve national issues. But he expressed deep concern that an intractable Hariri-Jumblatt alliance in the conf [...]	2006-03-10 10:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT736	MGLE01: MARCH 14 PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS [...] (C) On March 8, the DCM hosted a lunch attended by MP Samir Franjieh, MP Mosbah al-Ahdab, former MP Fares Suaid, visiting NEA/ELA Syria Desk Officer, econoff, and FSN political specialist. On the electoral law, al-Ahdab noted that Amal-Hizballah would not have monopolized the Shia vote had [...]	2006-03-10 10:47:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN IR KISL LE PGOV PTER SY
06BEIRUT741	MGLE01: LEBANESE INDUSTRY LAUNCHES PROMOTIONAL [...] On March 8, the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) in conjunction with Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel launched a campaign to promote Lebanese industry. Bumper stickers, billboards and a clever ad campaign aimed at Lebanese youth will send this simple message to the Lebanese: "Love [...]	2006-03-10 13:02:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	ECON ETRD EINV LE
06BEIRUT742	MGLE01: EUROMENA PRIVATE EQUITY FUND LAUNCHED [...] On March 10, the Capital Trust Group, a private equity firm headquartered in London with offices in New York, launched the EuroMena Fund at an official signing ceremony in Beirut. Philippe de Fontaine Vive, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB),told the gathering that the [...]	2006-03-10 13:05:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN ECON ETRD EINV LE
06BEIRUT743	MGLE01: LEBANESE VIEWS OF SYRIA AND IRAN [...] On March 6, the Iranian Bank Saderat public relations department announced that Bank Saderat and the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) are to establish a jointly-run bank. Currently, there are no further details as to how Bank Saderat's five branches in Lebanon and the two branches of the Commer [...]	2006-03-10 13:13:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN ECON ETRD EINV KIPR LE SY
06BEIRUT745	MGLE01: ARMENIAN CHURCH PATRIARCH'S VIEWS ON [...] (C) The patriarch of the Armenian church in Lebanon, Catholicos Aram I, believes the political situation has improved significantly in the past week due to the opening of the national dialogue. He concurred with his Maronite counterpart, Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, that Lahoud has be [...]	2006-03-10 13:32:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT757	MGLE01: UPDATE ON LEBANESE THINKING ABOUT HARIRI [...] (C) Summary: GOL Legal Advisor for the UNIIIC Tribunal Ralph Riachy met with Charge March 9 to review plans for eventual establishment of a tribunal to try suspects in the February 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Riachy provided a GOL scenario closely in line with r [...]	2006-03-13 10:06:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KCRM PGOV PREL UNSC LE
06BEIRUT772	MGLE01: NATIONAL DIALOGUE RECOMMENCES WITH [...] (SBU) Lebanon's national dialogue resumed the morning of March 13, with the main discussion on Lebanese-Syrian relations. According to MP Boutros Harb, the atmosphere at the meeting was good. He said, "The simple fact that we are going to meet again this afternoon is a positive development [...]	2006-03-13 16:07:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	PGOV KISL KPAL KDEM LE PTER
06BEIRUT786	MGLE01: AMAL LEADER SATISFIED WITH LIMITED [...] (C) Amal member Ali Hamdan is pleased with the progress of the national dialogue to date. Hamdan, a close advisor to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, met with PolChief on 3/14 to discuss the meetings and his expectations for the next session. Hamdan said the Speaker would release a public s [...]	2006-03-14 16:24:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV KPAL LE SY
06BEIRUT811	MGLE01: A BUSINESSMAN'S VIEW OF LEBANESE-IRANIAN [...] (C) SUMMARY. On March 15, Econoff met with Mohamed Maktabi, the owner of a chain of high-end Persian carpet stores in Lebanon and the Gulf and a frequent traveler to Tehran, to discuss Lebanese-Iranian commercial relations. Maktabi told us he had noticed "no changes on the ground" regarding [...]	2006-03-16 09:23:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EFIN ECON ETRD EINV LE IR
06BEIRUT827	MGLE01: STATUS OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE -- SIDE [...] (C) Following the March 14 evening session, Speaker Nabih Berri announced a break in the national dialogue conference until March 22. This development was somewhat unexpected, considering that Druse leader Walid Jumblatt had just returned to Beirut two days earlier to rejoin the talks, but [...]	2006-03-17 09:05:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT835	MGLE01: RESIGNATIONS STALL NATIONAL ELECTORAL [...] (C) Last week, Ziad Baroud and Michel Tabet, the two Maronite members of the National Commission for Reform of the Electoral Law, resigned from the commission citing disagreement over the commission's redistricting plans. Baroud and Tabet claim they resigned because of procedural disagreement [...]	2006-03-17 13:54:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM LE PGOV PHUM
06BEIRUT836	MGLE01: GOL PRESENTS UPDATE ON ECONOMIC REFORM [...] (C) SUMMARY. On March 10, Prime Minister Siniora presided over the GOL's 90-minute presentation of "A Medium-Term Reform Program for Lebanon with International Support" to representatives from nineteen embassies and international organizations. Siniora, Finance Minister Azour, Central Bank [...]	2006-03-17 13:55:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV ECON EFIN LE
06BEIRUT844	MGLE01: LEBANON EXPERT SEES SHI'A DEMOGRAPHIC [...] (C) Lebanon scholar William Harris described a demographic "crash" of Lebanon's Shi'a community, a phenomenon at odds with commonly-held views of the community's size and growth trends. Pointing to the experience of his relatives by marriage as typical of that of many Lebanese Shi'as, Harr [...]	2006-03-17 15:26:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KISL PTER SOCI LE
06BEIRUT845	MGLE01: FORMER AOUN ADVISER WONDERS: DID AOUN [...] (C) Summary: Sami Nader, Michel Aoun's former advisor -- and ex-son-in-law -- accuses "the General" of having made a deal with the Syrian regime in order to return from exile and seek the presidency. Nader sees his own efforts at cultivating better relations between Aoun's supporters and th [...]	2006-03-17 15:33:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KISL PTER SY LE
06BEIRUT846	MGLE01: WALID JUMBLATT ON THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE [...] (C) On March 16 Druse leader Walid Jumblatt discussed with Charge the national dialogue, Jacques Chirac's report of a possible Arab initiative to secure Syrian President Bashar al-Asad,s cooperation in removing President Lahoud, Sheba,a Farms, and Christian presidential candidates. Jumblatt, [...]	2006-03-17 15:41:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS
06BEIRUT847	FINCEN NOTICE ON COMMERCIAL BANK OF SYRIA [...] On March 9, Charge conveyed to Mohamed Baasiri, head of the Special Investigations Commission (SIC) of the Central Bank of Lebanon, reftel talking points and the text of a background paper provided by the Department. These materials were also provided to Walid Alameddine, head of Lebanon's B [...]	2006-03-17 16:14:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED	EFIN PTER ECON SANC LE SY
06BEIRUT860	MGLE01: BLUE LINE TENSION BUILDS [...] (C) On March 20, UNIFIL Senior Adviser Milos Strugar told econoff that the Blue line was tense but quiet. He said that Israeli forces have raised their alert, but UNIFIL has not observed any of the unusual Hizballah military movements alleged by Israeli liaison. UNIFIL was more concerned th [...]	2006-03-20 13:14:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS KPAL KPKO LE MOPS PTER
06BEIRUT873	MGLE01: ELECTORAL REFORM COMMISSION MEMBER: [...] (C) In a 3/16 meeting, national electoral reform commission member Paul Salem blamed what he called a "madly paranoiac" Maronite community for sabotaging efforts to reform the electoral law. Had the commission's two Maronite members -- Ziyad Baroud and Michel Tabet -- not resigned, he claime [...]	2006-03-20 16:44:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI LE
06BEIRUT891	MGLE01: AMBASSADOR DELIVERS DEMARCHE ON [...] (S/NF) On March 21, the Ambassador and econoff delivered reftel demarche to Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and advisers Mohammad Chattah and Roula Noureddine (other topics reported septel). Siniora listened carefully and stoically as the Ambassador presented the demarche. Siniora was not ent [...]	2006-03-21 14:14:00	Embassy Beirut	SECRET//NOFORN	ASEC ETTC IS KPAO LE PREL PTER
06BEIRUT892	MGLE01: ELECTORAL REFORM COMMISSION MEMBER [...] (C) In a 3/17 meeting, electoral reform commission member Zouheir Chokr expressed surprise at the resignation of two of his colleagues but called their insistence on a 13-district electoral map unjustified and contrary to the spirit of the Taif Agreement. He claimed that the nine-district pla [...]	2006-03-21 14:22:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI PHUM SOCI LE
06BEIRUT895	MGLE01: SPEAKER BERRI ASKS FOR US, SAUDI, AND [...] (C) In a March 21 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri was upbeat about the success of the national dialogue he has brokered. He was confident of a solution to Hizballah's arms when the national dialogue resumes on March 22. The difficult issue, accordi [...]	2006-03-21 15:11:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	CVIS EG KISL LE PGOV SA SY
06BEIRUT897	MGLEB01: New TV's Criticism of Judiciary Crosses [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: An episode on Arabic-nationalist, independent New Television's (New TV) weekly 90-minute call- in program "Al Fasad" (Corruption) 3/10 strongly criticized Lebanon's judiciary, naming judges -- both Syrian appointee holdovers and friends of March 14 leaders -- it alleged were co [...]	2006-03-21 15:56:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	KPAO PHUM KMPI KDEM OEXC SCUL LE
06BEIRUT898	MGLE01: SINIORA VIEWS SITUATION PRIOR TO [...] (C) In a March 21 meeting with the Ambassador and econoff, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora denied reports that he had asked Terje Roed-Larsen to help him, along with Saudia Arabia and Egypt, negotiate with Syria on Lebanon's behalf. Regarding the national dialogue, Siniora said that Egyptian an [...]	2006-03-21 16:15:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	EG KPAL LE PGOV PREL PTER SA
06BEIRUT899	MGLE01: ELECTORAL REFORM COMMISSION RESIGNEE [...] (C) In a 3/20 meeting, Ziad Baroud explained his resignation from the national commission on electoral law reform, lashing out at several fellow commission members in the process. Baroud asserted that a proposed nine-district electoral map was unfair to the Christian community, expressing bi [...]	2006-03-21 16:18:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI SOCI LE
06BEIRUT922	MGLEB01: POLITICAL ORGANIZING ON CAMPUS: A MIRROR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Student politics in Lebanon mirror the country's national political scene in intensity, organization and confessional breakdown. Highly structured partisan organizations with motivated and dedicated student members compete in time-consuming university elections to demonstrate [...]	2006-03-23 13:45:00	Embassy Beirut	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	PGOV KPAO KDEM KMPI SOCI SCUL LE
06BEIRUT928	MGLE01: PATRIARCH SFEIR REPORTEDLY ATTEMPTS TO [...] (C) A respected intermediary who carries out dialogue between Patriarch Sfeir and Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah said that the Maronite religious leader has decided to get off the fence and support Nassib Lahoud as the principal Maronite candidate to replace President Emile Lahoud. Sfeir [...]	2006-03-24 08:45:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL SY
06BEIRUT929	MGLE01--AOUN READY TO COOPERATE WITH EVERYONE WHO [...] (C) In a March 23 meeting with the Ambassador, Michel Aoun, head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM),expressed unquestioning convinction of the correctness of his positions. In Aoun's world, his agreement with Hizballah is flawless, his attack on the parliamentary majority is righteous, [...]	2006-03-24 09:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PINS LE SY KISL
06BEIRUT944	MGLE01: PROMINENT GEOGRAPHER REVIEWS [...] (C) Prominent Lebanese geographer and member of the prime minister's commission on Shebaa Farms Issam Khalifeh told econoff on March 22 that there are 36 points of contention along the Lebanese-Syrian border. These disputes include areas still occupied by Syrian military or border guard for [...]	2006-03-24 14:10:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PBTS PGOV SY
06BEIRUT948	MGLE01--KATAEB PARTY LEADER SEES NO WAY AROUND [...] (C) Former President and Kataeb (Phalange) party leader Amin Gemayel told the Ambassador that Syria remains the key to resolving the political impasse in Lebanon. Gemayel left the dialogue sessions convinced that the participants had divided into two groups: 1) Hizballah and its apologists [...]	2006-03-24 14:28:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV KISL IR LE SY AA
06BEIRUT951	MGLE01: THE OTHER HARIRI SON PREFERS AOUN TO [...] (C) In a 3/24 meeting with the Ambassador, Baha' Hariri -- Rafiq Hariri's eldest son, who was passed over for politics in favor of second son Sa'ad -- expressed pessimism about Lebanon's current political deadlock. Convinced that the utility of the current national dialogue had run its cour [...]	2006-03-24 16:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY
06BEIRUT953	MGLE01: IFES DELEGATION ON LEBANON'S ELECTORAL LAW [...] (C) A team of IFES experts visiting Beirut told us that the national commission charged with reforming the electoral law appears to have come up with a progressive, reform-oriented draft. They said that the recent impasse over districting should not distract Lebanese from the fact that "80 p [...]	2006-03-24 16:37:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	PGOV KDEM KMPI SOCI LE
06BEIRUT955	MGLE01: NON-HIZBALLAH SHIA PERSPECTIVE ON [...] (C) Shia MP Ali Bazzi and MP Ali Osseiran view the on-going national dialogue as an important development whose long-term impact considerably outweighs any immediate results. These independent Shia politicians believe that, although several formerly sensitive issues had already entered publ [...]	2006-03-27 07:09:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT969	MGLE01: PRO-SYRIAN MARONITE PERCEIVES SUNNI THREAT [...] (C) Former Minister of Interior Suleiman Franjieh believes the greatest threat facing Lebanon is the concentration of power in the hands of Saad Hariri's Sunni majority. He maintains that both Christian and Shia communities fear marginalization as Hariri's political bloc dominates the polit [...]	2006-03-28 07:21:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY
06BEIRUT997	MGLE01: TWO OBSERVERS FORESEE THE END OF THE [...] (C) Two men, from different sides of Lebanon's political divide told us this week that the national dialogue is over. Ali Hamdan, political advisor to dialogue host, Nabih Berri, believes the talks will continue, inconclusive, until sometime in April as Berri plays out the clock. Akram Sh [...]	2006-03-29 14:55:00	Embassy Beirut	CONFIDENTIAL	KDEM PGOV PHUM PINS ECON LE SY
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 BeirutÂ´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, HizballahÂ´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

Pages 1 2 3

1'000 rows / 2'368 results

Embassy Abidjan
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Accra
Consulate Adana
Embassy Addis Ababa
Consulate Alexandria
Embassy Algiers
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Amman
Consulate Amsterdam
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Athens
Consulate Auckland
Embassy Baghdad
Embassy Baku
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Banjul
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Beirut
Consulate Belfast
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Bern
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Canberra
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Caracas
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chiang Mai
Embassy Chisinau
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Cotonou
Consulate Curacao
Embassy Dakar
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Department of State
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dili
DIR FSINFATC
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Doha
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Dublin
Consulate Durban
Embassy Dushanbe
Consulate Dusseldorf
Embasy Bonn
Consulate Florence
Consulate Frankfurt
Embassy Freetown
Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Gaborone
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Grenada
Consulate Guadalajara
Consulate Guangzhou
Embassy Guatemala
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Halifax
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Hamilton
Embassy Hanoi
Embassy Harare
Embassy Helsinki
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hong Kong
American Consulate Hyderabad
Iran RPO Dubai
Embassy Islamabad
Consulate Istanbul
Consulate Izmir
Embassy Jakarta
Consulate Jeddah
Consulate Jerusalem
Consulate Johannesburg
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Kampala
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kinshasa
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Koror
Consulate Krakow
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Leipzig
Embassy Libreville
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lome
Embassy London
Embassy Luanda
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Madrid
Embassy Majuro
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Managua
Embassy Manama
Embassy Manila
Embassy Maputo
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Maseru
Consulate Matamoros
Embassy Mbabane
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Merida
Embassy Mexico
Consulate Milan
Embassy Minsk
Mission Geneva
Mission UNESCO
Mission USNATO
Mission USOSCE
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Monrovia
Consulate Monterrey
Embassy Montevideo
Consulate Montreal
Embassy Moscow
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Munich
Embassy Muscat
Consulate Nagoya
Consulate Naha
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Niamey
Embassy Nicosia
Consulate Nogales
Embassy Nouakchott
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Osaka Kobe
Embassy Oslo
Embassy Ottawa
Embassy Ouagadougou
Embassy Panama
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Paris
Consulate Perth
Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Podgorica
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Prague
Embassy Praia
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Pristina
Consulate Quebec
Embassy Quito
Embassy Rabat
Embassy Rangoon
Consulate Recife
REO Basrah
REO Hillah
REO Kirkuk
REO Mosul
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Riga
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Rome
Embassy San Jose
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Santo Domingo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Consulate Sapporo
Embassy Sarajevo
Secretary of State
Embassy Seoul
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Shenyang
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Sofia
Consulate St Petersburg
Embassy Stockholm
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Surabaya
Embassy Suva
Consulate Sydney
Embassy Tallinn
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy The Hague
Consulate Thessaloniki
Consulate Tijuana
Embassy Tirana
Embassy Tokyo
Consulate Toronto
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
UN Rome
UNVIE
US Delegation FEST TWO
US Delegation, Secretary
US Interests Section Havana
US Mission CD Geneva
US Mission Geneva
US Office Almaty
US OFFICE FSC CHARLESTON
USEU Brussels
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USUN New York
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vilnius
Consulate Vladivostok
Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Wellington
Embassy Windhoek
Embassy Yaounde
Consulate Yekaterinburg
Embassy Yerevan
Embassy Zagreb

AA
AADP
AALC
ABER
ABLD
ABLDG
ABLG
ABMC
ABT
ABUD
AC
ACABQ
ACAO
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
AFARI
AFDB
AFDIN
AFFAIRS
AFGHANISTAN
AFIN
AFL
AFLU
AFOR
AFR
AFSA
AFSI
AFSN
AFU
AFZAL
AG
AGAO
AGENDA
AGENGA
AGIT
AGMT
AGOA
AGR
AGS
AGUIRRE
AI
AIAG
AID
AIDAC
AIDS
AIEA
AIHRC
AIN
AINF
AINFCY
AINR
AINT
AISG
AIT
AJ
AK
AL
AL-1
ALAB
ALBE
ALEXANDER
ALI
ALJAZEERA
ALL
ALNEA
ALOW
ALOWAR
AM
AMAT
AMB
AMCHAMS
AMCT
AME
AMED
AMEDI
AMEMR
AMER
AMERICAS
AMEX
AMG
AMGE
AMGMT
AMGT
AMIA
AMLB
AMPR
AMT
AMTC
AMTG
AN
ANARCHISTS
ANC
AND
ANET
ANTITERRORISM
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
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
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
BB
BBG
BBSR
BC
BCW
BCXP
BD
BE
BEAN
BEN
BERARDUCCI
BESP
BEXB
BEXP
BEXPC
BEXPPLM
BEXT
BF
BFIF
BFIN
BFIO
BG
BGD
BGMT
BH
BHUM
BI
BIC
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
BRPA
BRUSSELS
BS
BSSR
BT
BTA
BTC
BTIO
BTIU
BTRA
BTT
BU
BUD
BULGARIA
BURMA
BUSH
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
CENTCOM
CENTRIC
CEUDA
CF
CFE
CFED
CFG
CFIS
CFSP
CG
CGEN
CGOPRC
CH
CHAD
CHALLENGE
CHAO
CHELIDZE
CHENEY
CHERTOFF
CHG
CHIEF
CHN
CHR
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
CRM
CROATIA
CROS
CRS
CRUZ
CS
CSCE
CSEP
CSIS
CSW
CT
CTBT
CTER
CTERR
CTM
CTR
CTRYCLR
CU
CUCO
CUIS
CUL
CV
CVIA
CVIC
CVIS
CVISU
CVPR
CVR
CW
CWC
CWCM
CWG
CX
CY
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
DEMOCRATIC
DENNIS
DEOC
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
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
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
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
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
FRB
FREDOM
FREEDOM
FRELIMO
FRIED
FRN
FRU
FSC
FSI
FT
FTA
FTAA
FWS
GA
GAERC
GAMES
GAO
GARCIA
GASPAR
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
GON
GOVPOI
GPGOV
GPI
GPOI
GPOV
GR
GRQ
GS
GT
GTIP
GTMO
GTREFTEL
GU
GUAM
GUANTANAMO
GUIDANCE
GUILLERMO
GUTIERREZ
GV
GWI
GY
GZ
GZIS
HA
HARRIET
HARRY
HAWZ
HCOPIL
HDP
HE
HEAVEN
HEBRON
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
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
JAM
JAMES
JAPAN
JAT
JAWAD
JCIC
JE
JEFFERY
JEFFREY
JHR
JI
JIMENEZ
JIMENEZ CHILDREN
JK
JKUS
JM
JN
JO
JOHNNIE
JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA
JOSE RAMOS HORTA
JOSEPH BIDEN
JP
JS
JSRP
JUAN
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
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
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
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
LORAN
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LS
LT
LTG
LTTE
LU
LV
LVPR
LY
LZ
MA
MAAR
MACEDONIA
MACP
MANUEL
MAP
MAPP
MAPS
MAR
MARAD
MARIE
MARINO
MARITIME
MARK
MARQUEZ
MARR
MARS
MARTIN
MARV
MAS
MASC
MASS
MATT
MB
MBM
MC
MCA
MCAP
MCAPARR
MCAPN
MCAPP
MCAPS
MCAT
MCC
MCCONNELL
MCCP
MCRM
MCTRE
MD
MDA
MDC
MDO
ME
MEA
MED
MEDIA
MEP
MEPI
MEPN
MEPP
MERCOSUR
MESUR
MEX
MF
MFA
MFO
MG
MGL
MGMT
MGOV
MGT
MGTA
MH
MHUC
MI
MIAH
MIC
MICHAEL
MICHEL
MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO
MIK
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
MOHAMMAD
MOLINA
MONTENEGRO
MONUC
MONY
MOOPS
MOP
MOPP
MOPPS
MOPS
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
MURRAY
MV
MW
MX
MY
MZ
NA
NAC
NACB
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
NEI
NELSON
NEPAD
NERG
NET
NEW
NFATC
NFMS
NFSO
NG
NGO
NGUYEN
NH
NI
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
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
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
PATTY
PAUM
PB
PBGT
PBIO
PBK
PBOV
PBPTS
PBS
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
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
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
RAID
RAS
RATIFICATION
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
ROK
ROME
ROSS
ROW
ROY
RP
RPEL
RPTS
RQ
RR
RRB
RREL
RS
RSO
RSOX
RSP
RSZ
RTT
RU
RUEHZO
RV
RW
RWANDA
SA
SAAD
SAARC
SACU
SADC
SAFE
SAIR
SAIS
SAMA
SAN
SANC
SANR
SAO
SARB
SARGSIAN
SARS
SASC
SASEC
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
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
SOCIS
SOCISZX
SOCR
SOCY
SOE
SOFA
SOI
SOIC
SOLI
SOLIC
SOM
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
STET
STP
STR
SU
SUCCESSION
SULLIVAN
SUMMIT
SUR
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
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
VANG
VAT
VC
VE
VELS
VEN
VENZ
VETTING
VI
VINICIO
VIP
VIS
VISIT
VM
VN
VO
VOA
VT
VTEG
VTFR
VTIS
VTPREL
VTTBIO
VTWCAR
VXY
VY
VZ
WA
WAEMU
WAKI
WAR
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
WIPO
WIR
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
ZP
ZR
ZS
ZT
ZU
ZW
ZXA