P 171551Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3578
INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
NSC WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L  BEIRUT 001547 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2016 
TAGS: IO KDEM LE PGOV PHUM SY IS
SUBJECT: MGLE01:  KINDER, GENTLER SALLOUKH SEES FULL 
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1559 THROUGH NATIONAL DIALOGUE 
 
REF: BEIRUT 1484 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman.  Reason:  Sections 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. (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 Washington.  Salloukh characterized the Washington visit 
as productive, but noted the need for follow-up on important 
bilateral and multilateral issues, specifically on current 
and pending UN action in Lebanon.  On UNSCR 1559, Salloukh 
sees a role for "negotiation" through the ongoing National 
Dialogue to deal with the issue of disarmament of Hizballah. 
Salloukh signaled clear support for the UNIIIC, and evinced 
no problem with its eventual transition to an international 
tribunal.  End Summary. 
 
 
UNSCR 1559 FOLLOW-ON AND ROLE OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶2. (C) Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh brightened 
considerably as A/S Silverberg's conveyed to him Secretary 
Rice's best wishes.  But the usually serious and rather dour 
FM quickly reverted to form, albeit with a slightly kinder 
and gentler tone, as he outlined what he saw as the major 
challenge of implementing UNSCR 1559.  He noted that the 
primary  component of the resolution, i.e., the withdrawal of 
Syrian troops from Lebanon, had already been accomplished. 
What remained was the "minor" issues of border demarcation 
with Syria and Hizballah's arms.  Salloukh reported that 
these remaining points were "up for discussion," part of the 
four-month old "National Dialogue" set to reconvene in the 
Lebanese Parliament on May 16.  Salloukh, responding to A/S 
Silverberg's comment on the importance of a strong follow-up 
resolution to UNSCR 1559, commented on the increased interest 
of the Russians in the resolution text.  In response to A/S 
Silverberg's concern that the Russians were not on the same 
page as the P-3, Salloukh said that other international 
parties needed to comply with UNSCR 1559, to include the 
U.S., Israel, and Syria. 
 
¶3. (C) Salloukh expected that the National Dialogue would 
focus on three files in the its upcoming sessions:  the 
Lebanese Presidency, Hizballah's arms, and the "new" issue of 
economic reforms.  (Note:  As a member of the Council of 
Ministers but not an elected Deputy to Parliament, Salloukh 
does not participate in the National Dialogue sessions. End 
Note.)  Ambassador Feltman asked for Salloukh's assessment of 
the likelilhood of the National Dialogue reaching a consensus 
on Hizballah's arms.  Salloukh tersely replied that he hoped 
they would come to an agreement.  Salloukh agreed with the 
Ambassador that Lebanon needs a strong army.  He added that 
when Lebanon has a strong army, there would be no need for a 
"resistance,", i.e., an armed Hizballah. 
 
¶4. (C) Salloukh explained the disconnect he sees between the 
views of the Lebanese government and people, particularly on 
economic reform.  He argued for caution with labor reforms 
and noted the need for positive economic results as soon as 
possible.  He assessed that the May 10 demonstration in 
Beirut (see reftel) resulted from a "poor media campaign" on 
economic reform issues.  Salloukh criticized the GOL for not 
distributing details of its reform policy paper to the 
public, thus provoking unnecessary anxiety and 
misunderstanding among workers.  Salloukh denied that any 
party aimed to bring down the Government with the 
demonstration.  When asked by the Ambassador how the 
protesters' chants in support of Syria and Iran should be 
interpreted, Salloukh laughingly replied, "There are many 
voices in Lebanon . . . .  This was a demonstration against 
poverty, not against the government." 
 
 
UNIIIC: "EVEN THE SYRIANS LIKE HIM" 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Salloukh reiterated the GOL's support for the UN 
International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) 
and its chief, Serge Brammertz.  Salloukh offered that, 
"truth serves the interest of Lebanon."  Salloukh noted that 
the decision of the Lebanese Cabinet to request a one-year 
extension to the UNIIIC mandate was without controversy. 
Salloukh hoped that Brammertz's contract would be extended to 
provide continuity.  Noting that Brammertz had a great 
reputation in Lebanon as a professional, scientific judge, he 
said he is so well respected that, "even the Syrians like 
him."  On the eventual transition of the UNIIIC from 
investigation to tribunal, Salloukh warmly welcomed 
cooperation with the UN to implement the necessary changes to 
Lebanese law to allow for the effective prosecution of 
suspects in the Hariri assassination. 
 
UNIFIL AND THE ISRAELI BORDER 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) The FM philosophized on the need for a calm, stable 
situation to allow Lebanon's major issues to be resolved.  A 
recent increase in tension along the Israeli border impeded 
this process.  Salloukh hypothesized that the recent 
elections in Israel and the new government "testing its 
boundaries" might explain the increase in Israeli 
overflights. 
 
¶7.  (C) In response to A/S Silverberg's query on GOL thoughts 
on the upcoming (July) UNIFIL mandate renewal, Salloukh 
strongly affirmed GOL support for extending UNIFIL's mandate 
without any reduction in numbers.  UNIFIL's mission, he 
explained, provides the stability and calm necessary for 
peace.  "We are fed up with wars and violence," explained 
Salloukh, addding that, "We have enough martyrs." 
 
 
UNRWA, HAMAS, AND THE PALESTINIANS 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (C) Turning to the issue of the Palestinian refugees in 
Lebanon, A/S Silverberg inquired whether improvements were 
being made to overall conditions inside the camps.  The FM 
admitted that improvements must be made in living conditions 
and that discussion had begun on how to accomplish this. 
Salloukh asked that financial consideration be given to Arab 
countries "hosting" Palestinian refugees.  Characterizing the 
Palestinian refugees as "an international responsibility, not 
just an Arab one," Salloukh called on donor countries to 
alleviate the burden assumed by Arab countries by absorbing 
Palestinian refugees.  A/S Silverberg underscored that the 
U.S. had provided substantial funding and support for 
humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees, including 
our UNWRA funding this year. 
 
¶9. (C) On the Hamas-led government in the Palestinian 
Authority, Salloukh urged the U.S. to "give them time"  and 
predicted that the mood "will change" with greater 
governmental responsibility.  Salloukh pointed to recent 
positive statements by Hamas, and recalled Secretary Rice's 
comments to him about U.S. intentions during his Washington 
visit. 
 
¶10. (C) Comment: The normally dour Salloukh was more relaxed 
than usual, sharing an uncharacteristic hearty laugh when the 
Ambassador asked about the yellow and orange flower 
arrangement on the table and wondering whether it might 
symbolize the agreement with the Hizballah-Aoun political 
coalition.  Commenting on his recent travel to Washington, 
Salloukh appeared happy to report on the "cordial" relations 
between him and the Secretary, asking A/S Silverberg several 
times to pass his regards to the Secretary.  Regarding his 
visit to the White House, Salloukh remarked that meeting 
President Bush up close, "changes your impression for the 
better."  Salloukh's inclusion in the PM's visit to 
Washington seems to have affected the pro-Hizbullah 
Minister's attitude to the USG on a personal level, if not on 
a political one.  End Comment. 
 
¶11.  (U)  A/S Silverberg has cleared this cable. 
 
 
FELTMAN