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### Viewing cable 06BEIRUT2599, LEBANON: MARWAN HAMADEH DISCUSSES DRAFT RESOLUTION

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06BEIRUT2599 | 2006-08-11 17:13 | 2011-03-15 18:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy Beirut
Appears in these articles: not yet set

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    VZCZCXRO8379
    OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
    DE RUEHLB #2599/01 2231713
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 111713Z AUG 06
    FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5006
    INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
    RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0945
    RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0060

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002599

    SIPDIS

    NOFORN
    SIPDIS

    NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2016
    TAGS: MOPS PREL PTER LE IS SY
    SUBJECT: LEBANON: MARWAN HAMADEH DISCUSSES DRAFT RESOLUTION

    Classified By: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Ambassador. Reason 1.4 (d).

    SUMMARY
    --------

    ¶1. (C) A/S Welch, Ambassador Feltman, Deputy Legal Adviser
    Jonathan Schwartz and poloff (notetaker) met with Lebanese
    Minister for Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh and Minister
    of Displaced Naame Tomeh, both close allies of Druze leader
    Walid Joumblatt, at Hamadeh's downtown office on the
    afternoon of August 11. Understanding that the latest draft
    resolution would not explicitly mention Chapter VII, Hamadeh
    urged that the language for the mandate of the UNIFIL-plus
    should be as muscular as possible. While suggesting that
    more concrete language on the Sheba'a issue would help sell
    the resolution in the Lebanese Cabinet, Hamadeh understood
    that this would not be acceptable to Israel. Asked about a
    mechanism to monitor points of entry to block arms smuggling
    to militant groups in Lebanon, Hamadeh said this would cause
    disagreement within the Cabinet but that they would consider
    the options. Hamadeh is also concerned about the rules of
    engagement during the interim period between the cessation of
    hostilities and the deployment of the LAF/UNIFIL-plus force
    to the South. Hamadeh and Tomeh both suggested that
    Hizballah should be fully disarmed or integrated into the LAF
    as soon as possible. A strong voice within the Cabinet, and
    not easily cowed, Hamadeh promised to push for GOL acceptance
    of the resolution so that it can be voted on in New York.
    End Summary.

    "WALID WANTS A TOUGH RESOLUTION"
    --------------------------------

    ¶2. (C) Using an expletive to dismiss the latest Russian
    suggestion of a placeholder resolution calling for a
    humanitarian truce, Hamedeh said that, "Walid wants a tough
    resolution. He doesn't want to give Hizballah a victory."
    He urged that the international community not hesitate to
    pass a resolution, and that he and others would work on
    convincing Speaker Berri and Hizballah to accept the draft,
    whatever its shortfalls in the Lebanese context. While he
    understands that the latest draft resolution has no explicit
    mention of Chapter VII for the beefed-up UNIFIL force, he
    supports adding language to give the force every capability
    to be effective in the South. Regarding the LAF deployment,
    Hamadeh said that Minister of Defense Elias Murr, a
    fence-sitter of suspected allegiance, nevertheless now seems
    genuinely "enthusiastic" about playing an "historic role" in
    leading the Lebanese army back to the South.

    ¶3. (C) According to Hamadeh's understanding, once the
    initial LAF/UNIFIL-plus contingents arrive in Tyre and begin
    deploying in the South, the Israeli withdrawal will begin.
    Hamadeh urged that the interim period between passage of the
    resolution and deployment/withdrawal be reduced as much as
    possible so as to avoid a breakdown in the cessation of
    hostilities. He is worried that as long as the IDF remain in
    the South, Hizballah may continue firing into Israel and
    certainly will continue attacking Israeli troops on the
    ground. The Israelis may also have an overly expansive view
    of what counts as defensive action, provoking more Hizballah
    action. An unstable situation on the ground may dissuade
    UNIFIL-plus troops from deploying, thus scuttling the
    resolutions's sequencing -- while satisfying what may be a
    Hizballah plan to discourage potential troop contributing
    nations from participating.

    ¶4. (C) Hamadeh wants there to be some sort of understanding
    governing hostilities during the interim period to avoid a
    major escalation. For instance, he suggested that civilian
    casualties be averted by both sides, which might encourage
    IDPs to begin returning to their homes. Hamadeh was
    initially suspicous of using the "April Understandings" rules
    of engagement following the 1996 Israel-Hizballah clashes,
    since "this is what the Syrians and Iranians want, a
    low-intensity front against Israel." A/S Welch noted that
    the context is now different, for the April Understandings
    assumed that some conflict was permissible. Now, the
    resolution calls for a cessation of hostilities.

    ¶5. (C) Hamadeh made a half-hearted push for adding more
    concrete language on Sheba'a Farms, saying that this would

    BEIRUT 00002599 002 OF 002

    help with getting Hizballah on board with the resolution, but
    stressed, "don't think we are eager to give them a victory on
    Sheba'a." Hamadeh dropped the Sheba'a issue once he
    understood this is a deal-breaker for the Israelis and that
    at least the territory is mentioned in the current draft. He
    added that, "The people of Lebanon want a ceasefire and
    withdrawal. They don't care about Sheba'a."

    ¶5. (C/NF) Regarding the GOL desire for a lifting of the
    blockade of ports and airports, A/S Welch and Ambassador
    Feltman stressed that the Israelis would have to be confident
    there is effective monitoring in place at points of entry to
    block arms resupply of militant groups. Hamadeh said that
    neither Berri nor Hizballah support having UNIFIL assume this
    responsibility. A/S Welch and Ambassador Feltman suggested
    that perhaps other governments or private security firms
    could help the GOL with the task of monitoring entry points.
    Concerned that this would place PM Siniora in an awkward
    position, since it "would give the feeling that we are being
    placed under mandate," Hamadeh said that the GOL would look
    into such options, but that it would have to be handled
    delicately. "It's not something that we can write down."
    Oddly, since it would be unlikely to win Cabinet approval,
    Hamadeh and Tomeh suggested putting up an electrified
    "intelligent fence" at points along the border with Syria.

    DEALING WITH HIZBALLAH
    ----------------------

    ¶6. (C) Even if the deployment/withdrawal plan were to work,
    Hamadeh worried, "what then happens north of the Litani?" An
    armed Hizballah would still be capable of launching rockets
    over the heads of the LAF and UNIFIL-plus into Israel.
    Hamadeh and Tomeh said that they are ready to push for the
    full disarmament of Hizballah, and that Lebanese public
    opinion would help them in this. "As soon as the guns
    quiten, voices will rise." After an initial ebullient phase
    during which Hizballah will claim victory for "the
    resistance", there would come a "painful time of accounting
    of assets and liabilities." Hamadeh claimed that even some
    Shi'a, returning to their homes in the South to find these
    reduced to rubble, would point an angry finger at Hizballah.
    Speaking of Hizballah, Tomeh urged that "we have to wear them
    down."

    COMMENT
    -------

    ¶7. (C) A stalwart voice in the Cabinet, we expect that
    Hamadeh will be able to push for rapid GOL acceptance of the
    latest draft resolution. He indicated that, while it remains
    a tough sell, the dropping of the explicit references to
    Chapter VII would help in convincing other Cabinet members to
    accept the Shebaa language. He seems less optimistic on the
    issue of monitoring of points of entry, saying he does not
    want PM Siniora discredited by those who would accuse him of
    selling out Lebanese sovereignty.

    ¶8. (U) A/S Welch did not have the opportunity to clear this
    cable.
    FELTMAN

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