Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06BEIRUT2580, LEBANON: A/S WELCH EXPLAINS NEW U.S. POSITION TO

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06BEIRUT2580.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06BEIRUT2580 2006-08-09 16:40 2011-03-15 18:00 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Beirut
Appears in these articles:
not
yet
set
VZCZCXRO5761
OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHLB #2580/01 2211640
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 091640Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4969
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0922
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0045
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002580

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2016
TAGS: IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: A/S WELCH EXPLAINS NEW U.S. POSITION TO
SPEAKER BERRI

Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: Section 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).

SUMMARY
--------

1. (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, an Israeli withdrawal could begin once a
sufficently enhanced UNIFIL and the LAF are effectively
deployed to the south. Reviewing his meeting with PM Siniora
(septel), A/S Welch informed Berri that, while the PM accepts
a larger UNIFIL force under Chapter 6, the UNSC is likely to
look at Chapter 7 for the multinational force. Expressing
deep concern that the Israeli withdrawal would be delayed
until UNIFIL is enhanced, Berri called the new proposal a
response to Israeli demands and not a compromise. Berri also
expressed concerns that fighting will continue because
Hizballah will fire on Israeli troops in Lebanon even after
declaration of a ceasefire. Responding to the A/S Welch's
warning that a collapse of discussions on a UNSCR would allow
the situation on the ground to get much worse, Berri
concluded that he must confer with Hizballah before making a
decision as to his own views. END SUMMARY

2. (C/NF) A/S Welch expressed to Berri his concern that the
situation on the ground is getting more dangerous as time
proceeds. Yet there had been some positive developments
since his last meeting with the Speaker, especially in light
of the 8/7 GOL cabinet decision to deploy the LAF to the
south. A/S Welch stressed that the USG now had a commitment
from Israel that the IDF would withdraw from Lebanon and that
this commitment would be explicitly stated in the Security
Council resolution. A/S Welch cautioned that a rapid IDF
withdrawal is predicated on when the Lebanese Army and the
international force can deploy effectively and in sufficient
numbers to the south.

The ""New"" UNIFIL
-----------------

3. (C/NF) A/S Welch noted that, at least at the beginning,
the international force did not have to be invented from
scratch as a MNF. Instead, drawing upon existing cabinet
decisions, UNIFIL could be expanded and given new mandate and
scope of operations to serve this purpose. The Assistant
Secretary informed Berri that Prime Minister Sinora accepts a
larger UNIFIL force under Chapter 6. However the Security
Council will look at Chapter 7 for the multinational force.
He warned that whatever the result, Hizballah could not be
present in the area of operation. A/S Welch pressed on this
point, saying ""this has to be clear.""

4. (C/NF) A/S Welch advised Berri that the U.S. is willing to
accept the ""new"" enhanced and improved UNIFIL under Chapter 7
now. He told Berri that the Security Council may act today
or it may not act. A Security Council resolution today will
mean a cessation of hostilities. However, there will be a
time gap before the new UNIFIL can be deployed because of the
practicalities of forming and mobilizing the force.

5. (C/NF) A/S Welch reminded Berri that during their last
meeting on August 5, Berri said that Israel would not
withdraw. ""Now I am telling you they will"" exclaimed A/S
Welch. The withdrawal would not be immediate, but it would
be fast.

""Not A Compromise""
------------------

6. (C/NF) Berri focused on the fact that a gap would remain
between the passage of the resolution and the departure of
the Israelis. He claimed that the new proposal is a response
to Israeli demands and not a compromise. Berri asked A/S
Welch to recall that during their last meeting he had
suggested the idea of deploying the LAF in the South and was
able to deliver. Berri expressed his desire to work on
resolving the conflict via the U.S. because ""America can
pressure Israel"" and because Americans do not want innocent
people killed. He presented A/S Welch with a report that
since their last meeting on August 5, 199 Lebanese have been
killed and more injured.

7. (C/NF) Berri explained to A/S Welch that before the August
7 Lebanese Cabinet meeting, he had received a call from MP
Saad Hariri who was engaging the French government. Hariri
advised Berri that Israel would withdraw if the Cabinet made
the decision to deploy 15,000 soldiers to the south. Wanting
to grap the opportunity of trading LAF deployment for an
Israeli withdrawal, Berri accepted the terms without
consulting Hizballah.

8. (C/NF) Berri accused Israel of moving the goal posts.
Deploying the LAF was Israel's only demand and now they want
more. He cited the multinational force as an additional
Israeli demand and added, ""let them put it on their side of
the Blue line.""

9. (C/NF) Berri said that GoL would welcome a greater UNIFIL
presence ""with their tanks."" However, he would not be able
to convince Hizballah to accept a multinational force. He
warned that if talk continues about a multinational force,
""Siniora has to find someone else to talk to Hizballah.""

Shebaa Farms
------------

10. (C/NF) Responding to the Speaker's questions, A/S Welch
confirmed to Berri that the position in the UNSC resolution
regarding Shebaa Farms will not change. Berri commented that
without an Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa farms he couldn't
convince Hizballah to release their arms. As in his August 5
meeting with A/S Welch, he recommended that Shebaa Farms be
turned over to the United Nations. He added that putting
Shebaa Farms under the control of the UN would not mean that
it is being turned over to Lebanon.

11. (C/NF) Berri argued that once Shebaa Farms is under the
control of the UN, its status will be resolved between
Lebanon and Syria in the future. Berri commented that Syrian
Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem, during his August 6 visit to
Lebanon, told Berri that Syria is not against a UNIFIL and
LAF presence in Shebaa Farms. When Israel leaves Shebaa
Farms there would be a dialogue with Hizballah to disarm
because the purpose of the resistance is ""not to kill people,
but liberate land."" With Shebaa Farms liberated, there will
be no reason for the resistance.

New Position
------------

12. (C/NF) A/S Welch reiterated to Berri that the U.S.
position is that Israeli withdrawal has the potential to
begin when international forces and the LAF are deployed to
the south, assuming that the forces are deployed effectively
and with sufficient numbers and mandate. Berri asked what
the new resolution language will include. A/S Welch assured
him that the resolution will call for an Israeli withdrawal
upon the impementation of a new UNIFIL, rather than a
multinational force; and deployment of the Lebanese Army in
the south.

13. (C/NF) A/S Welch continued that the resolution will be
under Chapter 7. He advised Berri that Lebanon will not have
to request Chapter 7. The Ambassador added that Chapter 7 is
""applied for you and not against you."" Finally, there will
be an initial ceasefire. When the IDF withdraws this will
become a full ceasefire.

14. (C/NF) Berri feared that the confrontation on the ground
would continue. He cannot guarantee that Hizballah will not
fire on Israeli troops in Lebanon after a declared ceasefire.
""This could spark the entire conflict again"" he warned. A/S
Welch told him that he now has to make the choice between
what is ""bad and what is worse."" The Ambassador reiterated,
""no resolution will be very dangerous."" Berri concluded that
he would have to confer with Hizballah before making a
decision.

15. (U) A/S Welch did not have the opportunity to clear this
message.
FELTMAN