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### Viewing cable 06BEIRUT1444, MGLE01: A/S HILLEN'S DINNER WITH LEBANESE

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06BEIRUT1444 | 2006-05-08 12:42 | 2011-05-31 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Beirut

`

    VZCZCXRO7834
    PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
    DE RUEHLB #1444/01 1281242
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    P 081242Z MAY 06 ZDK
    FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3414
    INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
    RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
    RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0547
    RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
    RHMFISS/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 001444

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH
    PARIS FOR ZEYA
    LONDON FOR TSOU

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2016
    TAGS: KDEM LE PGOV PM SY
    SUBJECT: MGLE01:  A/S HILLEN'S DINNER WITH LEBANESE
    POLITICAL LEADERS

    BEIRUT 00001444  001.4 OF 003

    Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman.  Reason:  Sections 1.4 (b
    ) and (d).

    SUMMARY
    -------

    ¶1.  (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.
    During the three hour exchange, MP's Farid el Khazen and
    Mosbah el Ahdab argued that Lebanon needed to move forward on
    security and other reform issues despite ongoing regional and
    internal problems.  Khazen specifically cited the LAF's
    inability or unwillingness to carry out the council of
    minister's order limiting Palestinian arms outside the camps.
     Shi'a MP Ali Osseiran said that fundamental regional
    political issues needed to be resolved first, and while
    honoring American intentions, questioned whether the U.S.
    would make a long term commitment to Lebanon.  The
    Ambassador, A/S Hillen and UNSYG Personal Representative Geir
    Pedersen responded that the United States and the
    international community will remain committed to Lebanon over
    the coming years because of shared values and strategic
    interests based on freedom, prosperity and security.  They
    urged at the same time, however, that the Lebanese, who have
    done so much in the past year and a half, should not miss
    their reform opportunities because of internal disagreements.
     End Summary.

    Lebanese Participants:
    Simon Karam, former Lebanese Ambassador to the United States
    Mosbah el Ahdab, Member of Parliament
    Ali Osseiran, Member of Parliament
    Geir Pedersen, Personal Representative of the UN Secretary
    General to Lebanon
    Anwar el Khalil, Member of Parliament
    Boutros Assaker, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign
    Affairs
    Farid el Khazen, Member of Parliament
    Michael Young, Editorial Page Editor, The Daily Star

    US Participants:
    PM A/S John Hillen
    Ambassador Feltman
    DCM Christopher Murray
    LTC Kaz Kotlow, US Army, Office of Defense Cooperation
    LTC Benjamin Crockett, Defense Attache
    Major Reginald Robinson, US Air Force, PM Foreign Affairs
    Officer
    Matthew Lehrfeld, Special Assistant to A/S Hillen
    Matt Pilcher, Embassy Notetaker

    MOVING THE LAF FORWARD,
    AROUND HIZBALLAH
    -----------------------

    ¶2.  (C) During his introductory remarks, A/S Hillen noted
    that his visit to Lebanon was part of a follow-up to Prime
    Minister Siniora's April visit to Washington, and that the
    United States wanted to explore ways to build a strong
    strategic relationship with Lebanon, especially by assisting
    Lebanon in capacity building of its security services to
    improve Lebanese security and stability.  Anwar el Khalil
    agreed that capacity building was important, and that the
    Lebanese armed services would benefit enormously from U.S.
    training programs.  But, he said, Lebanon's crippling debt
    hindered the ability to provide the necessary manpower,
    equipment, and training for the armed forces.

    ¶3.  (C) Then, in a question that sparked an hour-long debate
    among the guests, columnist Michael Young asked what kind of
    military reform would be possible with Hizballah, and if
    plans to integrate Hizballah into the armed forces were
    really feasible or desirable.  The Ambassador asked Young if
    he thought this plan was seriously under consideration.
    Young responded that he didn't think it was now, although it
    was likely sometime soon.  Pedersen pointed out that
    Hizballah might not be the obstacle to security reform,
    including U.S. security assistance, that many people
    automatically assume.  He pointed to the April 27 as-Safir
    newspaper interview with Hizballah Secretary General Hassan
    Nasrallah, in which Nasrallah said that Hizballah did not
    oppose U.S. military assistance to Lebanon.  According to
    Pedersen, Hizballah -- whatever its other agendas -- is
    focused on the defense of Lebanon, and is pragmatic enough to
    accept assistance from the U.S. if it improves Lebanon's
    defense capacity.

    ¶4.  (C) Aoun bloc MP Farid el Khazen argued that Hizballah is
    only a distraction. (JQZ>Q;tate an agreement on Hizballah's status, but that can
    never be achieved while the LAF remains weak.  He said that
    the main issue isn't even the LAF's capacity, however, but an
    "ability to act."  He pointed to a recent cabinet decision
    two months ago that gave the Palestinians six months to
    dismantle military bases outside of the refugee camps, and
    said that the LAF has done nothing in the interim to carry
    out this order.

    ¶5.  (C) Pedersen responded that the agreement on limiting
    arms outside the camps should be resolved diplomatically, not
    by force, especially given that the government still has four
    more months before its self-imposed deadline.  Khazen agreed,
    but said that the LAF still has a role to play in the
    meantime.  "They need to take steps to show they're serious.
    They should surround the (Palestinian) military bases, and
    block the roads going in and out so they can't get more
    weapons.  They're not even doing this."  Mosbah el Ahdab and
    Michael Young said that the LAF couldn't afford a military
    confrontation with Hizballah and the Palestinians, however.
    Khazen countered, "I'm not talking about a military attack.
    Give the political process time to work.  But the army needs
    to back up the government's decree to show they're serious."
    Ahdab agreed, and suggested to Khazen that Aoun should raise
    these questions publicly.  'OK.  We will," Khazen smiled.

    PROMOTING INTEGRATION
    AND REFORM
    ---------------------

    ¶6.  (C) The Ambassador asked Anwar el Khalil what role the
    parliamentary committee for defense could play in promoting
    security improvements and reform.  Khalil, the committee's
    chair, said that they have the ability to introduce
    legislation, and that they are currently conducting a
    strategic review to see how they can improve coordination
    among Lebanon's security services.  A/S Hillen said that
    "jointness," the coordination of US military service
    branches, has greatly improved the efficacy of the U.S.
    military, but that it was something that Congress forced on
    the Pentagon in the 1980's in the face of deep-seated
    opposition from the armed services themselves and a powerful
    secretary of defense.  A/S Hillen said it was important that
    the legislature take the lead in reform efforts, "Very few
    institutions are self-reforming," he said.

    "FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD"
    PROMOTING U.S.-LEBANESE PARTNERSHIP
    -----------------------------------

    ¶7. (C) As the conversation turned to presidencies, both
    Lebanese and American, MP Ali Osseiran said that he supported
    President Bush and his vision for the Middle East, but that
    the U.S. needs to do more if we want to realize the "freedom
    agenda."  "Fortune favors the bold," Osseiran said, and
    argued that the United States needs to solve major,
    international disputes in the Middle East, namely the
    Israeli-Palestinian conflict, before we can expect progress
    on democratization, security sector or economic reform.  He
    also said that the Lebanese were wary of the United States,
    and worried that our attention would drift, the
    administration would change hands, and the United States and
    international community would abandon Lebanon to the
    appetites and agendas of its larger, more powerful neighbors.
     "Fix the fundamentals first," Osseiran said, "you must have
    a Palestinian state.  Then we can go forward."

    ¶8.  (C) A/S Hillen responded that the United States is
    building a strong partnership with Lebanon for its own sake.
    The actions of the Lebanese people and government over the
    past year and a half have showed that Lebanon is the very
    model for the President's vision of democratization in the
    Middle East.  And while this is an important foundation for a
    bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Lebanon, it is
    also central to American security -- something that will not
    change when a new administration takes office in 2009.  A/S
    Hillen said that ultimately it will be up to the Lebanese to
    see many of these reforms through, but that they can count on
    long term support from the United States while they do so.

    ¶9. (C) The Ambassador agreed, and said that the actions of
    the Lebanese people had made a lasting, positive impression
    on the United States.  But he said it would be dangerous to
    allow complex, ongoing issues like the Palestinian - Israeli
    peace process to forestall necessary reform efforts in
    Lebanon. "There is nothing about 'Palestine' that should keep
    you from fixing Electricite du Liban.  You shouldn't hold
    Lebanon hostage to these issues," he said.  Geir Pedersen
    added that for the first time in nearly thirty years, Israel
    has no designs of Lebanon, and given this opportunity,
    Lebanon's leaders have a responsibility to promote whatever
    reform efforts they can.  A/S Hillen reminded the guests that
    President Bush is the first U.S. President to back the
    concept of a Palestinian state.

    "FARID FOR PRESIDENT"
    ---------------------

    ¶10.  (C) Osseiran said that these reforms were impossible,
    that Lebanon has to remember it is part of the Arab world,
    and that they could not move forward on any kind of reform
    while faced with a "belligerent Israel."  "Lebanon is still a
    battlefield for foreign powers!" Osseiran cried.  Farid el
    Khazen, obviously exasperated, leaned around the table and
    pointed his finger at Osseiran "It's not!  There are two
    battlefields in the Middle East.  Iraq is one,
    Israel-Palestine is the other.  And we're not involved with
    either one.  We've been neglected before, but now we have the
    full attention and support of the international community.
    It's our responsibility to work together and take advantage
    of it!"  The conviction of Khazen's remarks rendered everyone
    silent for a moment.  Then Mosbah el Ahdab raised his hand
    and declared, "Everyone, I would like to take this
    opportunity to nominate Farid el Khazen for President of
    Lebanon," a suggestion that was received with laughter and
    applause from around the table.

    ¶11.  (C) Anwar el Khalil said that Khazen's point was
    serious, though.  "We need to focus on what can unite us."
    Khalil warned that it would be disastrous to lose the present
    opportunities while locked in internal political
    disagreements.  "We need Beirut 1," he said, "but we'll lose
    it if we can't make any political progress."

    THE SYRIAN ELEPHANT IN THE CORNER
    ---------------------------------

    ¶12.  (C) Michael Young agreed these were all important
    issues, but wondered why no one had yet mentioned Syria.
    Indeed, Damascus had received scarcely a word of mention from
    the Lebanese guests during the entire night.  "If the Prime
    Minister wants to improve the Lebanese army, it's about
    getting them out of Syrian control.  Syria's the main issue
    and we need to talk about it," Young said. Osseiran said that
    Syria wasn't such a great obstacle, an explanation that
    Ambassador Simon Karam wasn't ready to accept.  "Look," said
    Karam, "we could tell Ehud Olmert that we are ready for
    relations and they'd have an Ambassador here within a week.
    Syria still won't give us an embassy; why do you think that
    is?"

    ¶13.  (U)  This cable has been cleared by A/S Hillen.
    FELTMAN

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