VZCZCXRO3128
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHSW #1947/01 2911639
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 181639Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BERN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3280
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2614

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERN 001947 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA AND EUR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016 
TAGS: PREL KDEM PTER MOPS SZ
SUBJECT: SWISS VIEWS ON LEBANON, SYRIA, AND HAMAS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 172274 
 
Classified By: Poloff Eric Lundberg, Reasons 1.4 b/d 
 
1.(C) Summary: Switzerland strongly supports the Government 
of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and shares our concern over 
possible Syrian machinations in Lebanon.  The Swiss believe 
Syrian officials are genuinely interested in ending their 
isolation, even if they are going about it in a completely 
counterproductive manner.  The Swiss see no substitute for 
engaging Syria and Hamas and believe this can be helpful in 
sending a tough message.  Swiss DFA Special Advisor on the 
Middle East Nicolas Lang would welcome the opportunity to 
meet with USG officials in Washington to share views on the 
current situation -- a visit Embassy believes would be 
helpful towards aligning Swiss policy more closely with our 
own.  End summary. 
 
--------------------- 
Swiss support Siniora 
--------------------- 
 
2.(C) Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Ambassador 
Nicolas Lang told Poloff on October 18 that Switzerland was 
solidly behind the Siniora government in Beirut.  He had also 
learned from the Israeli Embassy the previous day about 
possible Syrian moves along the lines described in reftel. 
Lang said he considered Siniora to be a very reasonable man 
and among the most constructive public figures in Lebanon. 
Lang observed that Damascus and Hezbollah would make a 
serious error in undermining the current government. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Readout of trip to Damascus: Syria in a bubble 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
3.(C) Having recently met in Damascus with Vice President 
Shar'a, Foreign Minister Mouallem, and other officials, Lang 
observed that Syrian officials were unreceptive to his advice 
to offer confidence building measures on Lebanon or relations 
with Israel in general.  Lang described the Syrians as 
"living in a bubble" and subject to "strange ways" in how 
they go about what Lang earnestly believes to be a quest for 
peace and economic growth.  Shar'a, in particular, kept to 
the theme that Syria could only negotiate on, say, the 
demarcation of its border with Lebanon, as part of a 
comprehensive agreement on the Golan Heights and other 
remaining disputes.  Lang's interpretation was that the Asad 
government felt too vulnerable to pursue anything less.  On 
Syria's alliance with Iran, Shar'a quipped, "when one has one 
friend, one is prone to dine with him quite frequently." 
 
4.(C) Lang reiterated his long-held conviction that a 
comprehensive peace between Israel and Syria was feasible, 
along the lines outlined by Britain and the United States 
several years ago.  Lang disagreed with the USG's stance that 
the Syrian and Hamas governments should be isolated, 
insisting that more could be achieved through an engagement 
that did not shy away from conveying a tough message.  Along 
these lines, he mentioned that Ambuehl was considering a 
visit to Damascus in the near future.  Poloff emphasized the 
importance of not allowing Damascus to believe it could 
divide the international consensus on Lebanon and the Road 
Map to peace in the Middle East. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Hamas: Hudna, with less pressure? 
--------------------------------- 
 
5.(C) Regarding Hamas, Lang said he was concerned how Hamas 
would react to Palestinian Authority President Abbas' 
expected appointment of a technocratic government.  Hamas was 
"not in touch with reality," Lang agreed, but there were 
grounds for some hope, considering the recent Hamas-produced 
paper on "hudna" or a cease-fire with Israel.  From his 
discussions with more "moderate" Hamas officials, Lang drew 
the conclusion that a workable relationship with Israel could 
develop if Hamas leaders had less pressure from both inside 
and outside the Palestinian community.  This would depend, 
Lang added, on the role Hamas chose to play once Abbas 
decided on the next PA government. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
U.S.-Swiss Consulations in Washington? 
-------------------------------------- 
 
6.(C) Reviewing the recent U.S.-Swiss bilateral "Framework" 
talks between Ambuehl and EUR Assistant Secretary Dan Fried, 
Poloff and Lang observed that one deliverable called for a 
Swiss Middle East expert to visit Washington for a 
 
BERN 00001947  002 OF 002 
 
 
discussion.  Lang said that he would welcome the opportunity 
to speak with NEA officials, if there is interest. 
 
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Comment 
------- 
 
7.(C) The Swiss do not agree with efficacy of isolating Syria 
or Hamas, but share our view on what each needs to do to 
play a constructive role in the region.  Unfortunately, our 
differing approaches -- illustrated most dramatically by 
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey's strident criticism of 
the Israeli action in Lebanon last summer -- can contribute 
to an unhelpful mixed Western message to the region.  Embassy 
Bern believes it would be valuable for NEA officials to meet 
with Ambassador Lang in an effort to coordinate U.S.-Swiss 
approaches to both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the 
broader obstructionist behavior of Syria. 
CONEWAY