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 09BEIRUT328, LEBANON: FINMIN SAYS UNITY GOVERNMENT BAD FOR REFORM

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. #09BEIRUT328.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BEIRUT328 2009-03-23 10:43 2011-08-24 16:30 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Beirut
VZCZCXRO6966
RR RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLB #0328/01 0821043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231043Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4493
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000328 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/IFD/ODF 
STATE PASS USTR FRANCESCKI 
STATE PASS USAID LAUDATO/SCOTT 
TREASURY FOR PARODI/BLEIWEISS/CORREA 
USDOC FOR 4520/ITA/MAC/ONE 
NSC FOR MCDERMOTT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: FINMIN SAYS UNITY GOVERNMENT BAD FOR REFORM 
(ECONOMIC WEEK IN REVIEW, MARCH 16 - 22, 2009) 
 
REF: BEIRUT 325 
 
CONTENTS 
-------- 
 
-- FINANCE MINISTER FRUSTRATED WITH REFORM DELAYS 
-- GOL SWAPS $2.3 BILLION IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DEBT 
-- DEMONSTRATION AGAINST HIGH GAS PRICES HAS LOW TURNOUT 
-- FINANCE MINISTRY RECEIVES WORLD BANK GRANT FOR FISCAL REFORM 
-- E-NORTH PROJECT LAUNCHES FIRST WIMAX NETWORK IN LEBANON 
-- FIRST CREDIT BUREAU IN LEBANON EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2010 
-- LEBANON RANKS IN UPPER ICT DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY 
 
FINANCE MINISTER FRUSTRATED 
WITH REFORM DELAYS 
-------------------- 
 
1. (U) At a Paris III donor meeting on March 18, Finance Minister 
Mohammad Chatah said the national unity government has proven to be 
an ineffective model, as even the smallest decisions are 
politicized.  The resulting government paralysis has held back the 
disbursement of nearly $500 million in Paris III pledges that could 
have been invested across the Lebanese economy, particularly in the 
electricity sector, he complained (reftel). 
 
GOL SWAPS $2.3 BILLION 
IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DEBT 
-------------------- 
 
2. (U) The GOL successfully completed a voluntary Eurobond exchange 
in the amount of $2.3 billion on March 19.  Chatah was clearly proud 
of the exchange, marveling that 83% of the holders of GOL-issued 
Eurobonds maturing in 2009 exchanged their bonds for longer-term 
maturities (2012 and 2017), while an additional $450 million-dollar 
issue was two times oversubscribed.  This demand for Lebanese 
sovereign bonds reflects investors' confidence in Lebanon's fiscal 
management, he said.  The yields of the new bonds range from 7.5-9%. 
 According to Moody's Investors Services, the GOL's next significant 
Eurobond maturity will be approximately $1.1 billion, due in March 
2010. 
 
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST HIGH 
GAS PRICES HAS LOW TURNOUT 
-------------------- 
 
3. (U) On March 19, bus drivers and others from the transportation 
sector demonstrated in front of parliament calling for a reduction 
in gas prices by removing the excise tax. (Note:  This tax is a USG 
and IMF benchmark for disbursement of Paris III pledged budgetary 
support.  End note.)  Although the General Labor Confederation 
(GLC), whose leadership is close to the opposition, had called for a 
nation-wide demonstration to bring the entire public transportation 
sector to a standstill, the number of demonstrators was fairly 
modest and caused minimal disruption.  Daily An-Nahar newspaper 
reported that compliance with the demonstration was highest in 
Beirut's southern suburbs (a Hizballah stronghold) and areas where 
support for the opposition is strong.  (Note:  GLC-sponsored labor 
demonstrations contributed to the outbreak of violence in Beirut in 
May 2008.  End note.) 
 
FINANCE MINISTRY RECEIVES WORLD 
BANK GRANT FOR FISCAL REFORM 
------------------- 
 
4. (U) On March 16, the World Bank (WB) signed a $4 million grant 
agreement with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for a two-year project 
to reform the fiscal administration, budget preparation, liquidity 
and debt management, and donor coordination.  The reform measure is 
meant to create a more transparent framework for the management of 
state resources and will help decision makers in cabinet and 
parliament implement appropriate policies.  The grant is the last 
tranche of a $70 million WB grant gradually disbursed since the 2006 
July war. 
 
E-NORTH PROJECT LAUNCHES FIRST 
WIMAX NETWORK IN LEBANON 
-------------------- 
 
5. (SBU) On March 14, the Ministry of Telecommunications (MOT), in 
 
BEIRUT 00000328  002 OF 002 
 
 
collaboration with the Union of Arab ICT Associations and local 
broadband company GlobalCom Data Services (GDS), launched the 
e-North Project -- the first WiMAX service in Lebanon providing 
broadband access to northern Lebanon.  This service will give 
internet access to a region poorly served by information networks, 
where many citizens have limited access to internet.  This pilot 
project is a partnership between the public and private sector; 
three Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will provide free internet 
access to government offices, schools, and community centers, while 
charging affordable rates to citizens.  Union of Arab ICT 
Associations Chairman Nizar Zakka has applied for funding from the 
U.S. Trade and Development Agency for technical assistance to 
support this project. 
 
FIRST CREDIT BUREAU IN LEBANON 
EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2010 
-------------------- 
 
6. (U) The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) announced that it 
expects to establish Lebanon's the first credit bureau in mid-2010. 
The bureau will issue credit reports on individuals and SMEs that 
are not covered by the Central Bank of Lebanon's (CBL) risk 
assessment database, which does not cover corporate loans and loans 
smaller than $5300.  The bureau's reports are expected to increase 
access to finance for individuals and businesses, and allow banks 
and financial institutions to expand lending and make faster and 
better loan decisions.  The project is supported by the CBL, based 
on a feasibility study conducted for ABL by the International 
Finance Corporation (IFC). 
 
LEBANON RANKS IN UPPER 
ICT DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY 
-------------------- 
 
7. (U) The International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Information 
and Communication Technology (ICT) Development Index ranked Lebanon 
64 out of 154 countries worldwide and seven out of 19 MENA countries 
in 2009.  Lebanon came in the category of countries with "upper" ICT 
development, while its overall score rose by 35.6% compared to the 
2008 survey.  The index quantifies and tracks the digital divide 
among economies, measuring the level of access, usage, and skills of 
ICT in each country.  Regional general manager of Cisco Fadi 
Moubarak publicly said on March 11 that ICT sector growth in Lebanon 
is still below potential, noting that with the availability of 
"true" broadband, Lebanon could play a more important role in the 
regional ICT sector. 
 
SISON