LEBANON: PETRAEUS AND SLEIMAN DISCUSS SYRIAN TRIP, REGIONAL TERRORISM, MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO LEBANON

Reference ID 08BEIRUT1168
Date 2008-08-08 03:43
Released 2010-12-01 19:07
Classification SECRET//NOFORN
Origin Embassy Beirut


VZCZCXRO6572
PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHLB #1168/01 2211543
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 081543Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2695
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0084
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2712
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2968
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEPGAB/MNF-I C2X BAGHDAD IZ



S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 001168

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, PM/FO
ALSO FOR IO ACTING A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK
P FOR HMUSTAPHA AND RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/MCDERMOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: OVIP (PETRAEUS, DAVID), PREL, PGOV, PTER, PINR, UNSC,
MARR, MOPS, LE, SY, IZ
SUBJECT: LEBANON: PETRAEUS AND SLEIMAN DISCUSS SYRIAN TRIP,
REGIONAL TERRORISM, MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO LEBANON

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. William Grant for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

SUMMARY
-------

1. (C) In an August 6 meeting with visiting General David
Petraeus, President Michel Sleiman outlined three objectives
for his upcoming meeting with Syrian President Bashar Asad.
Most important, Sleiman said, is to initiate a diplomatic
exchange between the two countries. Additionally, Sleiman
plans to discuss not only demarcation of the Lebanon-Syrian
border but control of it as well. Lastly, Sleiman said he
would raise the issue of Lebanese citizens detained and
missing in Syria, although he is not optimistic that these
people will be found alive.

2. (S) On regional terrorism, Sleiman agreed with Petraeus's
request that he raise with Syrian President Asad the
necessity of stemming the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq
assisted by facilitators in Syria. Sleiman further commented
that a fair solution to the Palestinian problem in Lebanon
would go a long way in solving Lebanon's problems by
eliminating the major problem that extremist groups have
exploited to advance their agendas.

3. (C) Sleiman thanked Petraeus for continued U.S. military
and political cooperation and assistance. Sleiman noted that
his priorities were additional training and equipment for
Lebanese Special Forces Commandos and the intelligence
structure behind them. End summary.

4. (SBU) During his one day visit to Lebanon on August 6,
Commanding General of the Multi-National Force-Iraq General
David Petraeus met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman at
Baabda Palace. Petraeus was accompanied by Colonel Mike
Bell, Director-Commander's Initiatives Group; Sadi Othman,
Cultural Advisor and Translator; Major Joel Rayburn,
Commander's Staff; and Lieutenant Colonel Everett Spain,
Aide-de-Camp. Also in attendance were Charge d'Affaires,
a.i. William Grant; A/DCM Susanne Rose; Defense Attache
Lieutenant Colonel David Alley; Chief, Office of Defense
Cooperation Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Leinberger; and
Political Officer Bridgette Walker (notetaker). President
Sleiman was accompanied by Major Fayez Mashmoushi, Personal
Security Officer to the President; Adib Abi Akl, Press
Advisor; and Nadine Abdelnour, Translator.

SLEIMAN'S AGENDA IN DAMASCUS
----------------------------

5. (C) President Sleiman told General Petraeus he had three
objectives for his upcoming visit to Syria (which we expect
to occur August 13). The first is to use the visit as an
initial step toward establishing diplomatic relations between
Lebanon and Syria. In his view, this is an important
starting point for improved relations.

6. (C) The second priority is demarcation and control of the
Lebanon-Syria border, he continued. Particularly in the
northern part of Lebanon, near Tripoli, Sleiman expressed a
strong desire for better Lebanese-Syrian cooperation to
control the border to the benefit of both countries.
Intermittent clashes between various groups in the border
region have put pressure on the LAF in the last three years.
During the recent clashes between armed Alawite and Shia
groups in Tripoli, Sleiman said he called Syrian President
Asad to request that he close the border. His reason, he
said, was to prevent any Islamic extremists from entering
Lebanon through Syria. Sleiman believes the extremist threat
is serious and insurgent groups like Fatah Al-Islam could
"stir up trouble" in Lebanon.

7. (C) Additionally, Sleiman said he planned to raise with
Asad the issue of Lebanese detained or missing in Syria.

BEIRUT 00001168 002 OF 003

Sleiman did not know the exact numbers, but said he is not
optimistic that many of these people will be found alive.
However, he believes it is important to attempt to obtain
some information and find some resolution and comfort for the
families of these missing Lebanese citizens. Sleiman neither
expects an agreement will be easily reached with Syria about
the detainees, nor that the Lebanese parliament will readily
approve any agreement, but he said this is important to the
Lebanon-Syria relationship.

DISCUSSING IRAN AND IRAQ WITH SYRIANS
------------------------------------

8. (C) When asked by Petraeus whether he would discuss
Iranian influence in the region with Syrian President Asad,
Sleiman clearly stated "this is not my objective." However,
Sleiman reaffirmed the need for Lebanon to "tie" its
relationship to Syria, as well as with its Arab neighbors.
With respect to Iraq, Petraeus informed Sleiman of the
lucrative possibilities for Syria (i.e. benefitting from
Iraqi oil wealth) in Iraq if it chooses to support the new
Iraqi leadership.

DISCUSSING TERRORIST THREATS
-------------------------------------

9. (S/NF) President Sleiman agreed to raise with Asad, at the
request of Petraeus, the need to stem the flow of foreign
fighters into and out of Iraq through facilitators based in
Syria. General Petraeus explained this would not only help
the Iraqis, but would also benefit Syria. Petraeus
emphasized his assessment that the foreign fighter
facilitators affiliated with Al-Qaida, such as Abu Ghadiyah,
could pose a serious threat to Syria's Alawite leadership in
predominantly Sunni Muslim Syria. Sleiman expressed his
belief that Syria fully understands the potential threat of
these facilitators because he and Asad discussed this in
Paris on the margins of a Union of the Mediterranean meeting
in June.

10. (S/NF) General Petraeus told Sleiman that he would also
focus on the activities of Al-Qaida in the Levant (AQ-Levant)
when he assumes CENTCOM leadership.

11. (C) Sleiman commented that these facilitators and other
extremists groups are also a threat to Lebanon. Sleiman
shared his concern about extremist groups who have wrapped
themselves in the "just cause of the Palestinians" to justify
their own actions. He remarked that a fair resolution of the
Palestinian issue, whether return to their homeland or some
other solution, would help to solve some of Lebanon's
problems. Sleiman noted that the GOL had been successful in
reducing extremist safe havens and bringing areas of the
country under GOL control. Sleiman pointed to the history of
the southern areas of Lebanon that, until 2006, were not
under the full control of the GOL. Sleiman credited UNSCR
1701 and UNIFIL deployment in these areas for the improvement
in Lebanese security.

PRIORITY U.S. MILITARY SUPPORT
SHOULD GO TO SPECIAL FORCES
---------------------------

12. (C) President Sleiman thanked General Petraeus for U.S.
mlitary support and assistance to the Lebanese Arme Forces
(LAF). Sleiman remarked that the politial situation in
Lebanon is not easy, but is better than before. Sleiman
noted that the Lebanese constitution recognizes the diversity
of Lebanon through its confessional system; and the system
should be respected. He added, however, the Lebanese
situation is critical, and the country requires a strong,
national military. He said the GOL "needs the support of the
U.S. to preserve the efficacy" of the LAF. Furthermore, he
welcomed the expansive military and political cooperation
with the U.S., but also requested more training and better

BEIRUT 00001168 003 OF 003

equipment.

13. (S/NF) Petraeus asked which units within the LAF could
benefit from additional support, Sleiman was quick to
identify the Lebanese Special Forces, particularly commandos,
saying Lebanon needs "strong people" to fight the new threat:
terrorism. Sleiman said Lebanon needed a larger army that
was well trained and adequately equipped to intervene quickly
and effectively in Lebanon, particularly against internal
challenges such as terrorism and extremism. When Petraeus
inquired about the capability of the intelligence structure
behind the Special Forces, Sleiman responded "It is not bad,
but we need assistance." Petraeus assured Sleiman of
continued U.S. military assistance.

14. (C) General Petraeus has cleared this message.


GRANT




Source: Wikileaks