VZCZCXRO1346
RR RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDH RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHLB #0909 2251258
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131258Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5526
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS BEIRUT 000909
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/IFD/ODF
PLEASE PASS TO OPIC HARRIS MEHOS, SENIOR MANAGER, SF
STATE PASS USAID LAUDATO/NANDY/SCOTT
TREASURY FOR PARODI/BLEIWEISS/AHERN
NSC FOR SHAPIRO/MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EFIN PGOV LE
SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR OPIC FINANCE: AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
REF: STATE 74194
1. (U) The following are Post's comments in response to reftel.
2. (SBU) The American University of Beirut (AUB), one of the most
reputable universities in Lebanon and the region, is a private,
independent, non-sectarian institution, with over 7,000 students
currently enrolled. Many of Lebanon's political class and business
community are AUB graduates. While AUB is a recipient of USAID
assistance for scholarships and offers a student loan program, these
fall short of student demand. In order for AUB to accommodate more
Lebanese students, it is striving to expand its student loan
financing program.
3. (SBU) We do not anticipate major events that could impact AUB's
presence. AUB remained open through years of political instability
in Lebanon, including throughout the 1975-1990 civil war and the
July 2006 war with Israel, and it has continued to grow in size. If
the security situation remains stable in Lebanon, future prospects
for private education are excellent.
4. (SBU) The Embassy has a good relationship with AUB's president,
as well as with its deans, professors, and several of its trustees,
many of whom are known to USAID and PD offices and all of whom are
well-respected in Lebanon.
5. (SBU) A senior contact at the Banking Control Commission
(Lebanon's banking regulator) told us that all the possible
participating banks (listed in reftel) for this program enjoy a good
reputation. They are among the top ten banks in Lebanon, with the
exception of Banque Misr Liban, a sound, but small bank. Also, a
senior contact at Lebanon's financial intelligence unit, the Special
Investigation Commission, told us that AUB and the possible
participating banks enjoy a good reputation.
6. (SBU) The Embassy recommends approval of AUB's application for
the OPIC student loan financing program. Nonetheless, we also note
that Lebanon has an acute need for student loan financing at its
many other universities, including some U.S.-affiliated
institutions. We encourage OPIC and other USG agencies to explore
further opportunities in this area.
SISON