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OO RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #0216/01 1562037
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O 042028Z JUN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 060216
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL PHUM LE UNRWA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: ATTENDANCE AND DONATIONS FOR
JUNE 23 VIENNA CONFERENCE ON RECONSTRUCTION OF LEBANON'S
NAHR AL-BARID REFUGEE CAMP
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph three.
SUMMARY
-------
2. (SBU) The Department requests action addressees to urge
host governments to send high-level representatives to the
donors' conference to be held in Vienna June 23 and to
contribute generously to the joint appeal by the Lebanese
government, UNRWA, and the World Bank to reconstruct the Nahr
al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp and revitalize the
surrounding areas seriously impacted by last summer's battle
against the terrorist group Fatah al-Islam. End summary.
OBJECTIVES
----------
3. (SBU) Posts are requested to approach host governments at
the appropriate level to pursue the following objectives:
-- Stress the importance of a successful Vienna conference to
send a strong signal of international support for Lebanon's
new post-Doha government. Prime Minister Siniora himself
will attend, indicating the importance of the conference to
the Lebanese government.
-- Note that the conference will: facilitate the return of
Palestinian refugees displaced from their homes after the
terrorist group Fatah al-Islam attacked the Lebanese army in
summer 2007; help establish a new precedent for relations
between Lebanese citizens and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
as well as for security arrangements inside all of Lebanon's
refugee camps; set the stage for improved economic conditions
for the refugees; and provide a much-needed boost to the new
Lebanese government of President Sleiman and Prime Minister
Siniora.
-- Urge host governments to make generous pledges at the
conference and solicit their current expectations for
pledges. (Note: For camp reconstruction alone, the
estimated need is $279 million over three years, including
approximately $240 million for the first year. We expect
substantial funding will also be required to address
surrounding Lebanese communities.)
-- Urge host governments to send high-level representatives
to the conference to underscore their support for Lebanon and
its new government. Solicit information about their expected
delegations.
BACKGROUND
----------
4. (SBU) The June 23 international donors' conference on the
reconstruction of the Nahr al-Barid (NAB) Palestinian refugee
camp will facilitate the return of Palestinian refugees
displaced from their homes during the violence prompted by
the terrorist group Fatah al-Islam in summer 2007 and help
establish a new precedent for relations between Lebanese
citizens and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
5. (SBU) At the conference, the Lebanese government, in
partnership with UNRWA and the World Bank, will present a
comprehensive plan to rebuild NAB, assist surrounding
Lebanese communities, improve economic prospects for NAB
residents, and maintain security inside the newly
reconstructed camp to prevent another outbreak of violence.
The Lebanese government has agreed with Palestinian leaders
to station Lebanese police inside the reconstructed camp.
Previously, the Palestinians themselves had been responsible
for security inside all of Lebanon's refugee camps.
6. (SBU) These important initiatives support the goal of the
United States and international community to ensure that the
Lebanese government is able to manage threats to stability in
Lebanon and becomes the nation's sole guarantor of security,
reinforcing the message that the government, not Hizballah
STATE 00060216 002 OF 002
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: ATTENDANCE AND DONATIONS FOR
JUNE 23 VIENNA CONFERENCE ON RECONSTRUCTION OF LEBANON'S
NAHR AL-BARID REFUGEE CA
and other militias, can best provide for the needs of the
Lebanese people and their Palestinian neighbors.
7. (SBU) A successful conference will also provide a
much-needed boost to the new Lebanese government of President
Sleiman and Prime Minister Siniora. The timing is important,
as the role of the Lebanese government was brazenly
challenged by the Hizballah-led opposition's violent attacks
in May, 2008. Generous pledges and high-level representation
will send a strong signal to Hizballah, Syria, and their
allies in Lebanon that the international community stands
firmly in support of the legitimate Lebanese government.
8. (SBU) We are finalizing a significant USG pledge which we
plan to announce at the conference. We are also finalizing
participation, but expect to be represented by the U.S.
Charge d'Affaires to Lebanon, Ambassador Michele Sison.
9. (SBU) The Lebanese government has invited the foreign
ministers of Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, the Comoros, the Czech
Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Egypt, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland,
Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxemburg,
Malta, Mauratania, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania,
Russia, Spain, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden,
Slovakia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the
United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States,
and Yemen, as well as representatives from the UN Relief and
Works Agency, the World Bank, the United Nations, the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, the
Islamic Development Bank, and the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries.
10. (U) For further information on the donors' conference,
contact Monique Ramgoolie in PRM/ANE and NEA Lebanon desk
officer Matthew Irwin.
11. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
RICE