VZCZCXRO6531
OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHLB #0242 0611053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021053Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4331
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3527
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3730
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA PRIORITY

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000242 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R, 
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT, 
NSC - SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT:  Lebanon: Media Reaction - March 2, 2009 
 
Atmospherics: 
------------- 
 
All media outlets highlighted the inauguration of the Special 
Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) at The Hague.  Media outlets devoted full 
pages to the statements that were delivered and for photos of the 
building that will include the courtroom, the investigators' 
offices, other employee offices, and the prison.  The press also 
highlighted statements, impressions, and emotions displayed by the 
families of the politicians and journalists who were assassinated 
following Hariri's assassination, over the inauguration of the 
tribunal.  Most expressed satisfaction with the fact that the 
tribunal has commenced its operations, but also noted that it will 
not bring their loved ones back. 
 
Selected Headlines 
------------------- 
 
"A Celebratory Inauguration of the International Tribunal at The 
Hague; Bellemare: The Decision to Establish the Tribunal Was 
Political, but It will Not be Influenced by Politics and Only 
Evidence Will Lead Me" Arab nationalist As-Safir 
 
"Hariri Tribunal Begins Operations in The Hague; Bellemare to Seek 
Suspects Transfer" English-language The Daily Star 
 
"The Birthday of the Tribunal Launches the Justice of Ending Escape 
from Punishment; Washington: A Sign that Lebanon's Sovereignty is 
Nonnegotiable" Moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar 
 
"The International Tribunal: Time for Punishment" Pro-Hariri 
Al-Mustaqbal 
 
Block Quotes: 
------------- 
 
"After the Tribunal," an editorial by Talal Salman in Arab 
nationalist As-Safir (3/2): 
 
"The Lebanese breathed easily yesterday while watching the 
celebratory inauguration of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon 
(STL)...  The Lebanese, who are divided almost over 
everything,...are in agreement that the truth about Hariri's 
assassination and others...should be known.  ... Political history 
in Lebanon has been divided in two: before and after the Hariri 
assassination.  ...The investigation witnessed ups and downs...but 
what is important now is that everything is in order.  Yes, we may 
need years before the investigation and the tribunal are 
concluded...but the Lebanese have agreed that the international 
tribunal should be the only judicial authority to investigate and 
reach the truth about this huge crime.   Perhaps this tribunal, 
which is actually the first tribunal against terrorism,...may 
protect the future of the Lebanese in their own country..." 
 
"The Tribunal and Justice," an editorial by Aouni Al-Ka'ki in 
pro-Hariri Ash-Sharq (3/2): 
 
"Justice entered Lebanon on March 1.  ...The world is witnessing for 
the first time an international tribunal designed to stop political 
assassinations.  ...No doubt, March 1 is a victory for justice and 
not a day for revenge.  It is also a victory for the will to live - 
and (it) is a victory for Lebanon.  Many bet that this tribunal 
would never see the light, but their bets failed yesterday.  This 
international tribunal will be the line between crime and justice. 
...The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is not a normal event.  It is 
the beginning of a new phase, not only for Lebanon but for the whole 
world community.  ...Following this tribunal, political assassins 
will realize that they will no longer be able to escape 
punishment..." 
 
Grant