Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 15072 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden 00. Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Jordan Yemen

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05 2011/06
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23 2011/05/24 2011/05/25 2011/05/26 2011/05/27 2011/05/28 2011/05/29 2011/05/30 2011/05/31
2011/06/01 2011/06/02 2011/06/03 2011/06/04 2011/06/05 2011/06/06 2011/06/07 2011/06/08 2011/06/09 2011/06/10 2011/06/11 2011/06/12 2011/06/13 2011/06/14 2011/06/15 2011/06/16 2011/06/17 2011/06/18 2011/06/19 2011/06/20

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05 1986/08
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/07 1988/08 1988/12
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/12
1993/01 1993/10
1994/11 1994/12
1995/01 1995/04
1996/07 1996/09 1996/11
1997/02 1997/05 1997/06 1997/10 1997/12
1998/05
1999/09
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/04 2001/05 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11 2001/12
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Belfast Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chiang Mai Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guangzhou Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hong Kong Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Mission Geneva Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Nuevo Laredo Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE UN Rome Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AEMR AMGT AR APECO AU AORC AJ AF AFIN AS AM ABLD AFFAIRS AMB APER AA AG AE ADM ALOW ACOA AID ATRN AND ADANA APEC ARABL ADPM ADCO ANARCHISTS AADP ANET AL AGAO AMED AY AORG ASEAN ABUD AO AGRICULTURE AINF AROC ARF ACABQ APCS AODE AX AMEX AZ ASUP ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ AFSI AFSN AC ASIG ASEX AER AVERY ASCH AFU AMG ATPDEA ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL AN AIT AGMT ACS AGR AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ACAO
BR BB BG BEXP BY BA BRUSSELS BU BD BK BL BH BM BO BE BTIO BIDEN BILAT BP BX BC BBG BF BBSR BT BMGT BWC BEXPC BN BTIU
CPAS CA CASC CS CBW CIDA CO CODEL CI CROS CU CH CWC CMGT CVIS CDG CG CF CHIEF CJAN CBSA CE CY CD CT CM CONS CDC CR CW CN COUNTRY CONDOLEEZZA CZ CICTE CYPRUS CARICOM CBE COM COE CACS CIVS CTR CARSON COUNTER CAPC COPUOS CFED CV CKGR CHR CVR CLINTON COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CLEARANCE CB CIC CITT CSW CARIB CAFTA CACM CDB CJUS CTM CAN CONSULAR CLMT CBC CIA CNARC CIS CEUDA CHINA CAC CL
DR DJ DHS DAO DCM DO DEFENSE DA DOMESTIC DK DOD DE DPRK DEPT DEA DISENGAGEMENT DOE DTRA DS DEAX
ECON ETTC EFIS ETRD EC EMIN EAGR EAID EU EFIN EUN ECIN EG EWWT EINV ENRG ELAB EPET EN EAIR EUMEM ECPS ELTN EIND EZ EI ER ET EINT ECONOMIC ENIV EFTA ES ERNG ECONOMY ELECTIONS EXIM ENERG ECIP EREL EK EDEV EPA ENGR ETRC ENVI EXTERNAL ELN EAIDS EINVEFIN ECA EUREM EDU ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ECOSOC EFINECONCS ETC ENVR EAP EINN EXBS ENGY ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EFIM EINVETC ECONCS ETRA ESA EAIG EUR EUC ERD ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN
FI FR FAS FOREIGN FTAA FREEDOM FBI FINANCE FAO FAA FJ FTA FARC FAC FM FDA FINR FOR FOI FO FMLN FISO
GM GG GERARD GT GA GR GTIP GLOBAL GCC GV GL GOV GOI GF GH GANGS GE GTMO GAERC GZ GAZA GY GUILLERMO GASPAR
HR HO HA HYMPSK HK HUMAN HURI HU HILLARY HI HUM HSTC HEBRON HUMOR
IZ IN IAEA IS IMO ILO IR IC IT ITU IV IMF IBRD IWC IRAQI IDB ISRAELI ITALY ID ITPGOV ITALIAN ISCON ICAO IFAD IPR IRAQ INMARSAT ICRC ICJ INTERNAL ITRA IQ INDO IO IRS IIP IEFIN ICTY ILC IA INTERPOL IEA INR INRB IAHRC ISRAEL IZPREL IRAJ IF ITPHUM IL IACI IDA ISLAMISTS IGAD ITF INRA INRO IBET INTELSAT IDP ICTR IRC
JA JO JM JP JUS JOSEPH JAMES JOHN JOHNNIE JML JIMENEZ
KNNP KFLO KDEM KOMC KSUM KIPR KFLU KPAO KE KCRM KJUS KAWC KZ KSCA KDRG KCOR KGHG KPAL KTIP KMCA KCRS KPKO KOLY KRVC KVPR KG KWBG KMDR KTER KSPR KV KTFN KWMN KFRD KSTH KS KN KISL KGIC KSEP KFIN KTEX KTIA KUNR KCMR KMOC KCIP KTDB KBIO KU KIRF KICC KSTC KIRC KIDE KNUC KSEO KCFE KPWR KSAF KR KNUP KCSY KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KHLS KOCI KMPI KPAONZ KNAR KPRP KHDP KNPP KTBT KMCC KPRV KHIV KTRD KTAO KHSA KWAC KJUST KMRS KCRCM KSCI KACT KVRP KBTS KO KAWK KBCT KVIR KENV KMFO KNNPMNUC KERG KPIR KCOM KAID KTLA KFSC KX KPOA KNDP KRCM KCFC KNEI KCHG KPLS KREL KFTFN KTFM KLIG KDEMAF KRAD KBTR KGIT KGCC KICA KHUM KSEC KPIN KESS KDEV KWWMN KOM KWNM KRFD KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRGY KREC KIFR KSAC KWMNCS KPAK KOMS KFPC KRIM KDDG KCGC KPAI KID KMIG KNSD KWMM
LY LE LABOR LTTE LU LO LA LI LG LH LAB LT LOG
MARR MX MASS MOPS MNUC MCAP MTCRE MRCRE MTRE MASC MY MK MAS MO MCA MIL MTCR MEPP MG ML MAPP MAR MU MZ MD MP MR MA MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPN MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MT MCC MIK MAPS MV MILITARY MARAD MDC MASSMNUC MUCN MEDIA MI MQADHAFI MPOS MPS MC
NZ NATO NI NO NG NL NU NPT NS NP NA NATIONAL NC NSF NDP NIPP NSSP NATOIRAQ NR NE NGO NAS NZUS NH NSG NAFTA NEW NRR NT NASA NAR NK NOVO NATOPREL NEA NSC NV NPA NSFO NW NORAD NPG
OTRA OECD OVIP OREP OPRC ODC OIIP OPDC OAS OSCE OPIC OMS OEXC OPCW OPAD ODIP OSCI OFDP OIE OFFICIALS OVIPPRELUNGANU OHUM OTR OMIG OSAC OBSP OFDA OVP ON OCII OES OCS OIC
PGOV PREL PARM PINR PHUM PM PREF PTER PK PINS PBIO PHSA PE PBTS PL POL PAK POV POLITICS POLICY PERL PA PCI PNAT PAS PALESTINIAN PPA PROP PREZ PRELPK PAIGH PO PROG POLITICAL PJUS PMIL PDOV PTE PARMS PG PRAM PAO PREO PGOF PTERE PINO PSI PRGOV PORG PP PS PKFK PSOE PEPR PDEM PINT PMAR PRELP PREFA PNG PTBS PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PY PLN PHUH PEDRO PF PHUS PU PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PINL PBT PINF PRL PSEPC POSTS PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOC PNR PROV
QA
RS RP RU RW RFE RCMP RIGHTSPOLMIL ROBERT RM RICE RO RELAM ROOD REGION RSP RF RELATIONS RIGHTS RUPREL REMON RPEL REACTION REPORT RSO
SZ SENV SOCI SNAR SY SO SP SU SI SMIG SYR SA SCUL SW SR SYRIA SNARM SPECIALIST SF SEN SN SC SMIL SCRM STEINBERG SENVSXE SARS SL SAARC SCRS SWE SG SNARIZ SAN ST SIPDIS SSA SPCVIS SOFA SENVKGHG SANC SHI SEVN SHUM SK SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SIPRS
TRGY TBIO TSPA TU TPHY TI TX TH TIP TSPL TNGD TP TW TS TZ TN TC TF TT TK TRAD TD TL TV TWI TERRORISM TO TRSY TURKEY TSPAM TRT TINT TFIN TAGS TR TBID THPY
UNSC UK UNGA UN US UZ USEU UG UP UNAUS UNMIK USTR UR UY UA USPS UNSCR UNHRC UNESCO UV UNMIC UNCHR USUN UNDP UNHCR USGS USNC USOAS UNEP USAID UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNODC UNCHS UNFICYP UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNDC UNICEF UNCHC UNCSD UNFCYP UNIDROIT UNCND
VE VM VT VZ VTEG VTIZ VISIT VTPREL VENZ VAT VC VI VN
WHTI WIPO WTRO WFP WS WHO WTO WA WZ WI WBG WMD WWARD WHA WITH WTRQ WEU WMO WB
XA XR XW XX XK XL XM XS XF XG XT XC XH XD XB XU XE XV XY XZ XQ XI XTAG
YI YM YL YMCS YE
ZU ZI ZP ZR ZOELLICK ZF ZK ZO ZL ZB ZH ZT ZJ ZEALAND ZN ZA ZANU

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 06BEIRUT2545, TFLE01: PM SINIORA HOLDS FAST ON SHEBA'A, INSISTS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06BEIRUT2545.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06BEIRUT2545 | 2006-08-07 06:59 | 2011-03-15 18:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy Beirut
Appears in these articles: not yet set

`

    VZCZCXRO2083
    OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
    DE RUEHLB #2545/01 2190659
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 070659Z AUG 06
    FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4923
    INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
    RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0028
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
    RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 002545

    SIPDIS

    NOFORN
    SIPDIS

    NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2016
    TAGS: IS LE MOPS PREL PTER SY
    SUBJECT: TFLE01: PM SINIORA HOLDS FAST ON SHEBA'A, INSISTS
    THAT LAF (ASSISTED BY UNIFIL) IS UP TO THE TASK

    Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman. Reason: Section 1.4 (b).

    SUMMARY
    -------

    ¶1. (C/NF) A/S Welch's second meeting with PM Siniora in 24
    hours clarified Lebanon's preferred sequence of events at
    cease-fire. But the Prime Minister would not budge from his
    "requirement" that the IDF withdraw from all Lebanese
    territory, including Sheba'a. Siniora argued hard that
    unless the Israeli occupation of Sheba'a ends -- even if the
    initial transfer into UN custodianship extends into years --
    the conflict will continue. He flatly stated, "there will be
    no deal without Sheba'a." Siniora also urged the U.S. not to
    allow Syria into the Sheba'a equation by forcing the issue of
    "border delineation" into the agreement. PM Siniora defended
    the adequacy of deploying LAF into the south at the time of
    the cease-fire, as long as the LAF was assisted at first by
    an augmented UNIFIL, and later by a multi-national
    stabilization force. Concerning the immediate deployment of
    LAF to the south, Siniora said Minister of Defense Murr had
    confirmed the army would be ready to move early next week.
    And he reiterated his claim that a mission-capable element of
    several hundred foreign troops would also be ready to deploy
    within days of the cease-fire. As the meeting concluded,
    Siniora produced a map that showed relatively conservative
    boundaries for what Lebanon considers Sheba'a in an attempt
    to demonstrate the reasonableness of their demands. PM
    Siniora also commented in passing on the kidnapped IDF
    soldiers. End summary.

    ¶2. (SBU) A/S Welch and the Ambassador met with PM Fouad
    Siniora for nearly two hours at the Grand Serail early in the
    afternoon of August 5. As with the previous day's meeting,
    senior Siniora advisors Mohammad Chattah and Rola Nouraddine
    attended the meeting, as did poloff (notetaker) and Jonathan
    Schwartz from L. The meeting took place immediately
    following the Assistant Secretary's meeting with Speaker
    Nabih Berri.

    ¶3. (C/NF) PM Siniora expressed keen interest in the
    reaction of Speaker Berri to the US/FR proposals presented by
    the Assistant Secretary earlier in the day. When informed
    that Berri was engaged, professional, and had even indicated
    some flexibility on timing with regards to Sheba'a, Siniora
    expressed relief that Berri was still on board with the
    7-point approach.

    BOILS DOWN TO TWO ISSUES
    ------------------------

    ¶4. (C/NF) Although he professed that each of the 7 points
    dealt with an important cause of the current hostilities, PM
    Siniora stated that the negotiations would go nowhere unless
    his Government could achieve two unalterable goals: the
    "immediate" withdrawal of IDF forces south of the Blue Line
    upon cease-fire, and a firm commitment on Sheba'a that would
    remove Israeli presence.

    INSISTS LAF IS READY TO MOVE
    15,000 TROOPS SOUTH
    ----------------------------

    ¶5. (C/NF) PM Siniora stated that his Minister of Defense,
    Elias Murr, had assured him that 15,000 LAF troops would be
    ready to deploy to the south in a "matter of days." Murr had
    assured the Prime Minister that the army was united and the
    officer corps ready to (finally) fulfill their constitutional
    responsibility. Siniora countered some skepticism by
    insisting that the LAF was not the "ragtag" outfit some
    experts have alleged. According to Siniora, the principal
    reason it had never moved south was political, specifically
    Syrian interests during the Syrian occupation, and since
    then, the political leverage of Hizballah.

    ¶6. (C/NF) Concerning his proposal that an "augment force"
    of several hundred mission-capable troops would strengthen
    UNIFIL, which would be assisting the deployment of the LAF,
    Siniora said he has already been in touch with the
    Governments of Malaysia and Indonesia, in addition to Turkey.
    He believes he has their commitment to send troops for a
    short-term mission. But he also acknowledged that the
    presence of "non-Muslim" contingents (he mentioned Spain,
    Italy, and even Russia) would be of great value -- especially
    as the Muslim contributors would be from Sunni countries, and

    BEIRUT 00002545 002 OF 003

    the area of deployment was largely Shia. His immediate
    objective is to win commitments for approximately 2,000
    mission-capable troops to augment UNIFIL.

    ¶7. (C/NF) In response to an inquiry on whether Hizballah
    would simply move aside as the combined LAF/UNIFIL force
    moved in, PM Siniora pointed to Amal leader Nabih Berri's
    recent statement that he would be "riding in the first
    military vehicle" into the south, implying Berri would never
    stick out his neck so far without knowing Hizballah's actual
    intentions.

    SHEBA'A FARMS REDUX
    -------------------

    ¶8. (C/NF) Following a review of Israeli concerns with
    including Sheba'a in the cease-fire agreement, PM Siniora
    paused for effect, and then stated flatly that without
    Sheba'a there would be no deal. He characterized the Israeli
    position as being close to blackmail and then emotionally
    declared that the Government of Israel "could bomb Lebanon
    for another month" if it refused to deal with the disputed
    territory.

    ¶9. (C/NF) Each time the Assistant Secretary posed a
    possible alternative treatment of the Sheba'a issue, the
    Prime Minister grew impatient and somewhat agitated. He
    insisted the "international community is getting what it
    wanted (presumably referring to UNSCR 1559) at a heavy cost
    to the people of Lebanon." He argued that every party came
    out ahead: the international community with a stable,
    democratic Lebanon; the pro-reform people of Lebanon received
    a disarmed Hizballah -- and the people of Israel a northern
    border at peace. He completed his exposition with the charge
    that if the Government of Israel does not leave Sheba'a now
    (initially turning it over to the UN, per his 7-point plan),
    it would never do so.

    ¶10. (C/NF) Following his somewhat emotional argument,
    Siniora fell back into an appeal to the U.S. and the
    international community not to allow Syria (and Iran) back
    into a controlling position in Lebanon. He maintained that
    if Sheba'a continues to remain in Israeli hands, Syria will
    always control the situation. He continued that if the
    international community put the land into the care of the UN,
    Syria would have to behave in a responsible manner -- it
    could no longer point to Israeli "occupation." Obliquely
    referring to the inevitable moment when the international
    community loses interest in Lebanon, the Prime Minister
    warned, "If you leave Lebanon in the claws of Syria,
    eventually it will crush us."

    THE ILLEGALITY OF HIZBALLAH'S ARMS
    ----------------------------------

    ¶11. (C/NF) Concerning the critical element of Hizballah's
    arms after the cease-fire, PM Siniora said that if the
    agreement was drafted in accordance with the 7 points, only
    the arms of the Government of Lebanon (LAF) or those it
    authorized (UNIFIL and the multi-national stabilization
    force) would be permitted in the south -- all other weapons
    would be "illegal."

    ¶12. (C/NF) When asked why should this give the Government
    of Israel any confidence -- indeed, what was different? --
    Siniora responded that the war had changed everything: the
    Lebanese people were now filled with "bitterness" and would
    not permit a return to the status quo, the international
    community was responding with a powerful stabilization force,
    and the cease-fire agreement would be perceived as
    comprehensive and just. Siniora implored that the time was
    finally right, like a "hammer hitting hot, malleable metal."

    COMMENTS ON IDF PRISONERS
    -------------------------

    ¶13. (C/NF) Although PM Siniora stated unequivocally he did
    not know where the two abducted IDF soldiers were, he
    realized that it was very important to establish whether they
    were alive. He acknowledged that on July 12, he had heard
    what he considered credible information that they "were out
    of the south" -- but that was the last word he had heard. PM
    Siniora promised to ask (presumably Nabih Berri, who in turn
    would have to ask others) about their condition.

    BEIRUT 00002545 003 OF 003

    ¶14. (U) This cable was cleared by A/S Welch.
    FELTMAN

`