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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001269 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA 
ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK 
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/YERGER/MCDERMOTT 
DOD/OSD FOR A/S LONG 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2018 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR IS LE SY
SUBJECT: LEBANON: FM SALLOUKH RECEIVES AMBASSADOR'S 
CREDENTIALS; TELLS DAS HALE THAT PROSPECTS FOR PEACE DEPEND 
ON ISRAEL 
 
REF: BEIRUT 1201 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) On August 27, the Ambassador presented copies of her 
credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh. 
In a subsequent meeting with the Ambassador and visiting NEA 
DAS David Hale, Salloukh asked the USG to place pressure on 
Israel to implement its share of UNSCR 1701.  He emphasized 
that the Lebanese want peace, but added this cannot happen if 
Israeli violations continue and the Palestinian situation 
remains unresolved. 
¶2. (C) Incredibly, Salloukh boasted that the Syrian-Lebanese 
border is now secure, thanks to cooperation between the two 
counties, and that no evidence of arms smuggling existed.  He 
asked that the USG provide physical evidence for Hale's 
claims to the contrary.  Salloukh also stressed the need for 
advanced equipment and training for the Lebanese Armed Forces 
to sustain internal stability. End Summary. 
IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1701 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by DAS Hale and ConOff, 
met with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh on August 28 after 
her presentation of credentials, DAS Hale assured Salloukh 
that the USG remains focused and committed to Lebanon.  Hale 
said that the USG continues to support Lebanon with numerous 
military, security, and economic assistance projects, and is 
dedicated to keeping the partnership between the two 
countries strong. 
¶4. (C) Salloukh told the Ambassador and DAS Hale that while 
the GOL had fulfilled all of its obligations under UNSCR 
1701, Israel had taken no steps to do the same.  Salloukh 
stated that Israel consistently violated all agreements and 
had not been receptive to any proposals for peace, including 
the Arab Initiative, the Oslo Accords, and the Madrid 
Conference.  He urged the USG to pressure Israel to progress 
towards a peaceful resolution with Lebanon by implementing 
UNSCR 1701.  "We are working for peace, but one side is not 
enough," he said. 
¶5. (C) Salloukh complained that, in addition to Israel's 
failure to provide strike data on the location of cluster 
bombs placed in Lebanon, it was rumored that that there were 
no more UNMAS funds to demine the areas.  "This needs to be 
financed," he said.  DAS Hale assured Salloukh that the USG 
was looking into the matter.  He said that the USG would 
remain engaged in the Middle East peace process and that the 
U.S. presidential election would have no impact on U.S. 
commitment to resolving this issue. 
PROSPECTS FOR PEACE AND 
DISARMAMENT CONTINGENT ON ISRAEL 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) "We Lebanese are fed up with war," Salloukh remarked. 
He stated, however, that the Lebanese people will continue 
taking all measures necessary to protect themselves as long 
as Israel continues to reject prospects for peace.  "When the 
lands occupied by Israel are liberated," he said, "no fear 
will exist, and there will be no reason for arms." 
SALLOUKH: SYRIAN-LEBANESE BORDER FULLY SECURE 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (C) Salloukh boasted that with the help of advanced 
technology and training provided by Lebanon's European 
allies, the Syrian-Lebanese border was now "secure" and no 
evidence existed of arms smuggling between the two counties. 
Salloukh highlighted the joint statement issued following the 
August 14 meeting between President Sleiman and President 
Asad (reftel) reaffirming coordination and cooperation 
between the two countries to secure shared borders.  He 
claimed that "even the Syrians" are searching for advanced 
 
BEIRUT 00001269  002 OF 002 
 
 
technologies to fulfill this pledge. Salloukh also alleged 
that despite the USG's concerns, "no evidence" of Hezbollah 
rearmament exists, citing the latest UN Security Council 
report on UNSCR 1701 (sic). 
¶8. (C) DAS Hale responded that the USG had information to the 
contrary and that U.S and Israeli concerns about weapons 
smuggling and rearmament were valid and serious, and could 
have destabilizing consequences for Lebanon.  "If this is 
happening, we want proof," Salloukh responded, referring to 
satellite imagery taken by both the USG and Israel.  Salloukh 
also mentioned that the GOL is carefully monitoring southern 
Lebanon, and that UNIFIL has not reported any recent fighting 
or tension in the area.  Hale said the point wasn't whether 
there was fighting at present, but to take steps to prevent 
fighting in the future -- starting with action to stop the 
uninhibited flow of weapons to Hizballah. 
 
THE PALESTINIAN CRISIS - 
THEIR PROBLEM IS OUR PROBLEM 
---------------------------- 
 
¶9. (C) The Palestinian crisis "is the root of all problems in 
the Middle East," Salloukh explained. He said that if it is 
not solved, "flames will increase," and predicted the 
outbreak of another war.  Salloukh added he was doubtful that 
current negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians 
would be fruitful, fearing that any real progress would be 
postponed until after the American elections.  "This presents 
only further problems for Lebanon," he said. 
¶10. (C) Salloukh urged that efforts to rebuild the destroyed 
Nahr Al-Barid Palestinian camp should be intensified.  He 
said there are currently 30,000 displaced Palestinians "with 
nothing to do," hinting that this could be problematic in the 
future. 
OUT WITH THE OLD FOR THE LAF 
---------------------------- 
 
¶11. (C) Turning to support for the LAF, Salloukh said "we 
don't need second-hand weaponry," emphasizing the need for 
advanced equipment and training for the Lebanese Armed Forces 
(LAF).  He stressed the importance of USG support in creating 
a strong army to maintain internal stability.  Hale agreed on 
theimportance of supporting Lebanon's state institutions, 
including the LAF. 
¶12. (C) DAS Hale has cleared this cable. 
SISON