Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (Region — Middle East)
Encyclopedia
Content from the United States diplomatic cables leak
has depicted the United States' opinion of the Middle East
-related subjects extensively. The leak, which began on 28 November 2010, occurred when the website of WikiLeaks
— an international new media
non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of otherwise unavailable documents from anonymous news sources
and news leak
s — started to publish classified documents of detailed correspondence — diplomatic cable
s — between the United States Department of State
and its diplomatic missions around the world. Since the initial release date, WikiLeaks is releasing further documents every day.
has expressed worries that Iran
is conspiring with Qatar
, Hezbollah and Hamas
to split Arabs. Bahrain and other Arab governments lashed out on media reports that an Iranian official described Bahrain as "Iran's fourteenth province."
.
, President of Egypt
, is likely to stay in power until he dies. The absence of free and fair elections means he will almost certainly hold the post for as long as he is willing to stand.
Ambassador Scobey reported that, "Despite incessant whispered discussions, no one in Egypt has any certainty about who will eventually succeed Mubarak nor under what circumstances." She described his vision of presidential succession, stating, "Indeed, he seems to be trusting to God and the ubiquitous military and civilian security services to ensure an orderly transition."
, have for years pressed for upgrades in pedestrian but important areas, most notably border security and anti-smuggling operations on the border with Gaza.
Tantawi also appears an unlikely reformer. A 2008 cable summarized his views as being opposed to political or economic reform, willing to use the army to curb the Muslim Brotherhood, and bristling at U.S. efforts to condition economic aid on any human-rights reform.
. He explains, "Strengthen the Iraqi armed forces, relax your hold, and then you will have a coup. Then we will have a dictator, but a fair one."
. The cable further states, "while Rifai judged a military strike would have 'catastrophic impact on the region,' he nonetheless thought preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons would pay enough dividends to make it worth the risks".
referring to Kuwaiti Guantanamo detainees said "You know better than I that we cannot deal with these people (the Guantanamo detainees). I can't detain them. If I take their passports, they will sue to get them back. I can talk to you into next week about building a rehabilitation center, but it won't happen. We are not Saudi Arabia
; we cannot isolate these people in desert camps or somewhere on an island. We cannot compel them to stay. If they are rotten, they are rotten and the best thing to do is get rid of them. You picked them up in Afghanistan
; you should drop them off in Afghanistan, in the middle of the war zone".
in Yemen
.
in beefing up ballistic missile and counter air defenses, as well as early warning systems in the eventuality of an Iranian missile launch.
apparently gave a message to US diplomats, intended to be passed on to Israeli authorities, stating that the Lebanese authorities would allow the Israeli military to attack Lebanon provided that they would destroy much of the Hezbollah and the communities in Lebanon’s south that support it and do not attack Christian communities and do not pass certain geographical boundaries. According to the cable, "Murr was especially concerned for members of the 1st and 8th Brigades in the Beka'a valley. ... Murr is afraid that these two units could be dragged into the fight, the ultimate disaster that Murr hopes to avoid. As such, Murr is trying to ascertain how long an offensive would be required to clean out Hizballah in the Beka'a. The LAF [Lebanese Armed Forces] will move to pre-position food, money, and water with these units so they can stay on their bases when Israel comes for Hizballah--discreetly, Murr added." The message had been discussed with the incumbent President of Lebanon Michel Sleiman
, who at the time was Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
, with Murr stating that "he promised Sleiman the political cover for LAF inaction."
focussed on Saudi Arabia
n financial non-involvement and United Arab Emirates
(UAE) military involvement in the 2009 Lebanese general election
and US officials' opinions of these. According to an April 2009 cable, Saudi Arabia did not financially support the March 14 Alliance
. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
supported military involvement in the election, referring to "the need to support Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the run up to the elections with concrete displays of support." Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman stated that "the UAE had been particularly helpful already by funding the delivery of the first ten refurbished tanks for the LAF."
, Saad Hariri
has vowed to crush Hizbollah once the Lebanese Army is consolidated. Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party
, expressed his concerns during a meeting with the-then U.S. Charge d'Affairs Michele Sisone over reports indicating that Prime Minister Saad Hariri's
Future Movement was training a Sunni militia composed of 15,000 men in Beirut
and more than this number in the northern city of Tripoli
to fight Hizbollah. Jumblat said that the establishment of private security companies by Hariri in Beirut and Tripoli indicated that "some persons", like Major General Ashraf Rifi
, director general of the Internal Security Forces
(ISF), were giving Hariri bad advice. It was also revealead that Wissam al-Hassan, currently the head of the ISF's Intelligence Branch and very close to Hariri, said that Rifi was wrong in advising Hariri to establish a Sunni militia. Jumblat was also worried that Hariri's militia might cause heavy damage to the March 14 groups
, especially since the Lebanese Forces
led by Samir Geagea
and Suleiman Frangieh's
Marada Movement were training their supporters at the same time. Frangieh, is an arch enemy of Geagea and a key member of the Syrian-backed Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance
.
also revealed Samir Geagea
met with Michele Sisone, telling her that he had from 7,000 to 10,000 fighters ready to move to fight Hizbullah. Geagea told Sisone he wanted all parties pressure the Lebanese Army to do its job and that he was unsure the army can protect Christian areas against a possible Hizbullah attack. If the Lebanese army failed to protect Christian areas, he wanted to make sure that Washington was aware of the presence of "7,000 to 10,000 Lebanese Forces-trained fighters ready to move and fight against Hizbullah and requested the United States
to support his fighters in order to obtain arms. Geagea stressed the significance of supporting the then-Army Commander General Michel Suleiman
and the Siniora government
against the Hizbullah-led opposition. Moreover, Geagea also proposed the idea of deploying Arab peacekeeping forces in Lebanon in order to confront Hizbullah. Geagea also proposed asking friendly Arab states to send troops to maintain peace in Lebanon and he suggested that Saudi Arabia
, Egypt
, Jordan
, Tunisia
and other states supporting Lebanon be pressured to send troops. Geagea estimated that 5,000 Arab soldiers would be sufficient to maintain peace in Lebanon and back the Siniora government. Geagea said "Hizbullah will find itself in an impasse and victory will be achieved even if eventually it was decided not to send Arab forces."
and Kuwait
“because he didn’t want the money to go to Speaker Nabih Berri’s
pocket given that the man is a thief.” Regarding the war, the premier said that the Israeli attacks are only strengthening Hezbollah and not weakening it.
quotes the Lebanese Telecommunications Minister, Marwan Hamadeh saying that ‘Iran Telecom is taking over the country!’ Hamadeh was referring to ‘the complete fiber optic system that Hezbollah had established throughout Lebanon’ which he claimed receives funding from Iran and signals ‘a strategic victory for Iran, since it creates an important Iranian outpost in Lebanon, bypassing Syria.’ ‘The value for Hizballah is the final step in creating a nation state. Hizballah now has an army and weapons; a television station; an education system; hospitals; social services; a financial system; and a telecommunications system’.
describes Hezbollah, as a "tumour." He further said "tumor that must be removed", Mikati, argued "Lebanon could not survive with a Hezbollah mini-state." Regardless of his personal views on the group, Mikati said he was expecting Hezbollah to bring Lebanon to a 'sad ending." He assessed that Hezbollah was just like a tumour that, whether benign or malignant, must be removed.
Meir Dagan
urged caution with respect to Lebanon, noted that "It is necessary is finding the right way to support PM Siniora. He is a courageous man, Syria, Iran and Hizballah are working hard against him." Dagan noted that: "Hariri, Jumblat and others had their parents executed by the Syrians." This anti-Syrian sentiment has forged an alliance based on personal and national interests. Siniora has worked well with the situation, but Dagan suggested that the odds are against him.
to Ukrain,Russia, brokered by the U.S., was nearly the cause of an environmental disaster in Tripoli
in 2009.
official with a threat to nationalize the firm’s operations in Libya if the Canadian government refused to apologize to the Libyan government. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
had earlier promised a tongue-lashing for the hero’s welcome that Libya extended to a man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing
. While the Libyan government did not follow through on its threat, it did issue an order on 30 September 2009 for Petro-Canada to cut production by 50 per cent.
to Washington, D.C. referred to allegations of deeply established corruption, claiming that "corruption is prevalent at all levels of Moroccan society and the military is also plagued by it, particularly at the highest levels. This may partly reflect a grand bargain struck by King Hassan II
following at least two nearly successful coups
in the 1970s: remain loyal, and you can profit." A former U.S. ambassador to Morocco is quoted as "lamenting" about "the appalling greed of those close to King Mohammad VI".
claim that the Moroccan Royal Family
use state institutions to "coerce and solicit bribes in the real estate sector". It is reported that decisions for the ONA Group, a Moroccan financial company, are made only by Moroccan King Mohammed VI
and two associates.
purportedly raises funds for the Palestinian people in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza in Pakistan.
is using the Arabic television news channel Al-Jazeera as a bargaining chip in negotiations with other countries. It is "one of Qatar's most valuable political and diplomatic tools".
, the chief of Israel
's spy agency Mossad
, said that Qatar, poses "a real problem" as Emir
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani tries to please all parties in the Middle East, including Syria, Iran and the Hamas.
, repeatedly described the United States as a "friend" and called U.S.-Qatari relations "strategic."
increased arms shipments to Hezbollah despite its claims that new shipments had ceased.
, Chief of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate
, stated that Syria "desperately" wants the halt of the investigation
about the assassination of Rafic Hariri
, Prime Minister of Lebanon, in 2005. Syria is suspected of involvement in that assassination and in the 2005 killings of anti-Syrian figures in neighbouring Lebanon.
referred to corruption in Tunisia, stating that "cables from Tunisia bluntly depict the regime of president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali as a sclerotic police state
increasingly tarnished by nepotism
" and referring to a July 17, 2009 cable. The cable stated, "Corruption in the inner circle is growing." Another from June 23, 2008 said "corruption in Tunisia is getting worse". The New York Times suggested the cables about corruption were one of the reasons behind the overthrow of president Ben Ali in the 2010–2011 Tunisian protests.
, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali
, President of Tunisia
, and his government have "lost touch with the Tunisian people." Furthermore, they "tolerate no advice of criticism whether domestic or international." Godec also reports that "[even] average Tunisians are now keenly aware of [corruption in the inner circle], and the chorus of complaints is rising. Tunisians intensely dislike, even hate, First Lady Leila Trabelsi
and her family".
stated, 'In a chatty account of a lavish dinner at the beachside villa
of the Tunisian president's son-in-law, the American ambassador marvels at desserts flown in from St Tropez, the multitude of servants, and a pet tiger that ate four chickens a day. The host may be interested to know that while bragging about his clout he struck his guest [the US ambassador] as "demanding, vain and difficult", with a limited knowledge of or interest in world affairs.'
, President of Yemen
, said if the U.S. attacks Al-Qaida bases in Yemen
, he will tell the people of Yemen that it was the Yemeni military that has carried out the attacks rather than the U.S. He asserted that "we'll continue saying the bombs are ours, not yours" in a meeting with General
David Petraeus
, then-head of U.S. Central Command
. Yemen
's Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, also joked about lying to Yemen's Parliament
on U.S. involvement of bombings.
warned of concerns about the security of Yemen's main National Atomic Energy Commission (Yemen) (NAEC) storage facility, which "normally contains IAEA Category I and II amounts of iridium
and cobalt
-60". The cable stated, "The lone security guard standing watch at Yemen's main radioactive materials storage facility was removed from his post on December 30, 2009" and "The only closed-circuit television security camera monitoring the facility broke six months ago and was never fixed."
Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak
This is a list of notable content from the United States diplomatic cables leak that shows the United States' opinion of related affairs. Beginning on 28 November 2010, WikiLeaks had been publishing classified documents of detailed correspondence—diplomatic cables—between the United...
has depicted the United States' opinion of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
-related subjects extensively. The leak, which began on 28 November 2010, occurred when the website of WikiLeaks
Wikileaks
WikiLeaks is an international self-described not-for-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organisation, claimed a database of more...
— an international new media
New media
New media is a broad term in media studies that emerged in the latter part of the 20th century. For example, new media holds out a possibility of on-demand access to content any time, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community...
non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of otherwise unavailable documents from anonymous news sources
Journalism sourcing
In journalism, a source is a person, publication, or other record or document that gives timely information. Outside journalism, sources are sometimes known as "news sources"...
and news leak
News leak
A news leak is a disclosure of embargoed information in advance of its official release, or the unsanctioned release of confidential information.-Types of news leaks:...
s — started to publish classified documents of detailed correspondence — diplomatic cable
Diplomatic cable
A diplomatic cable, also known as a diplomatic telegram or embassy cable, is the term given to a confidential text message exchanged between a diplomatic mission, like an embassy or a consulate, and the foreign ministry of its parent country....
s — between the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
and its diplomatic missions around the world. Since the initial release date, WikiLeaks is releasing further documents every day.
Algeria
In a cable from the end of 2007, the US Ambassador summarizes how former government officials, opposition leaders and journalists 'paint a picture of an Algerian regime that is fragile in ways it has not been before, plagued by a lack of vision, unprecedented levels of corruption and rumblings of division within the military rank and file'.Iran and Qatar conspiring the split Arabs
Crown Prince Salman of BahrainSalman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain is the heir apparent of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is deputy supreme commander of the Bahrain defence force...
has expressed worries that Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
is conspiring with Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, Hezbollah and Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
to split Arabs. Bahrain and other Arab governments lashed out on media reports that an Iranian official described Bahrain as "Iran's fourteenth province."
Hariri assassination blame falls on Syria
King Hamad had no doubt that Syria was behind the assassination of Rafik HaririRafik Hariri
Rafic Baha El Deen Al-Hariri , was a business tycoon and the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation, 20 October 2004.He headed five cabinets during his tenure...
.
Bahrain wants to develop its TV/Radio capability
King Hamad said that he instructed Bahrain's Minister of Information Abdul-Ghaffar to seek help from the U.S. to help Bahrain turn its television broadcasting into a world class operation.Free elections and Mubarak succession
Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
, President of Egypt
President of Egypt
The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt is the head of state of Egypt.Under the Constitution of Egypt, the president is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and head of the executive branch of the Egyptian government....
, is likely to stay in power until he dies. The absence of free and fair elections means he will almost certainly hold the post for as long as he is willing to stand.
Ambassador Scobey reported that, "Despite incessant whispered discussions, no one in Egypt has any certainty about who will eventually succeed Mubarak nor under what circumstances." She described his vision of presidential succession, stating, "Indeed, he seems to be trusting to God and the ubiquitous military and civilian security services to ensure an orderly transition."
Defense Minister Tantawi
One interlocutor told U.S. diplomats in Cairo in 2008, “One can hear mid-level officers at MOD clubs around Cairo openly expressing disdain for Tantawi.” These officers refer to Tantawi as “Mubarak’s poodle” and complain that “this incompetent Defense Minister”, who reached his position only because of unwavering loyalty to Mubarak is “running the military into the ground.” Tantawi yearns for U.S. aid to be spent on advanced tanks and fighter jets to fight old-fashioned, large-scale wars while U.S. officers, including Gen. David PetraeusDavid Petraeus
David Howell Petraeus is the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, sworn in on September 6, 2011. Prior to his assuming the directorship of the CIA, Petraeus was a four-star general serving over 37 years in the United States Army. His last assignments in the Army were as commander...
, have for years pressed for upgrades in pedestrian but important areas, most notably border security and anti-smuggling operations on the border with Gaza.
Tantawi also appears an unlikely reformer. A 2008 cable summarized his views as being opposed to political or economic reform, willing to use the army to curb the Muslim Brotherhood, and bristling at U.S. efforts to condition economic aid on any human-rights reform.
Egyptian/American Relations
US embassy cables show that the Obama administration wanted to maintain a close political and military relationship with Hosni Mubarak. A May 2009 briefing note reported that Mubarak had a dismal opinion of George W. Bush. "The Egyptians want the visit to demonstrate that Egypt remains America's 'indispensable Arab ally', and that bilateral tensions have abated. President Mubarak is the proud leader of a proud nation ... Mubarak is 81 years old and in reasonably good health; his most notable problem is a hearing deficit in his left ear. He responds well to respect for Egypt and for his position, but is not swayed by personal flattery." the cable said. "Mubarak peppers his observations with anecdotes that demonstrate both his long experience and his sense of humor ... During his 28-year tenure, he survived at least three assassination attempts, maintained peace with Israel, weathered two wars in Iraq and post-2003 regional instability, intermittent economic downturns, and a manageable but chronic internal terrorist threat...He is a tried and true realist, innately cautious and conservative, and has little time for idealistic goals. Mubarak viewed President Bush as naive, controlled by subordinates, and totally unprepared for dealing with post-Saddam Iraq, especially the rise of Iran's regional influence." A March 2009 cable depicts the USA's military relationship with Egypt. The cable said; "President Mubarak and military leaders view our military assistance programme as the cornerstone of our mil-mil relationship and consider the $1.3bn in annual FMF as 'untouchable compensation' for making and maintaining peace with Israel. The tangible benefits to our mil-mil relationship are clear: Egypt remains at peace with Israel, and the US military enjoys priority access to the Suez canal and Egyptian airspace."Iraq War
Mubarak told the U.S. to find a "fair dictator" to rule IraqIraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. He explains, "Strengthen the Iraqi armed forces, relax your hold, and then you will have a coup. Then we will have a dictator, but a fair one."
Egypt-Iran relations
Mubarak expressed animosity toward Iran in private meetings, saying the Iranian leaders are "big, fat liars", and that Iran's backing of terrorism is "well-known". According to one U.S. report, Mubarak views Iran as the primary long-term challenge facing Egypt, and an Egyptian official said that Iran is running agents inside Egypt in an effort to subvert the Egyptian regime.Iran-Jordan relations
A diplomatic cable, dated April 2, 2009, quotes Zeid Rifai, then-president of the Jordanian Senate, as saying, "Bomb Iran, or live with an Iranian bomb. Sanctions, carrots, incentives won't matter", in a conversation with David Hale, U.S. Ambassador to JordanUnited States Ambassador to Jordan
The following is a chief of mission from the United States to Jordan.The first chief of mission, Gerald A. Drew held the title of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. The second chief of mission, Joseph C...
. The cable further states, "while Rifai judged a military strike would have 'catastrophic impact on the region,' he nonetheless thought preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons would pay enough dividends to make it worth the risks".
Guantanamo Bay detainees
Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahSabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is the Emir of Kuwait. Sheikh Sabah was sworn in on January 29, 2006 after confirmation by the National Assembly of Kuwait. He is the fourth son of Emir Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sheikh Sabah is the head of the ruling Al-Sabah family...
referring to Kuwaiti Guantanamo detainees said "You know better than I that we cannot deal with these people (the Guantanamo detainees). I can't detain them. If I take their passports, they will sue to get them back. I can talk to you into next week about building a rehabilitation center, but it won't happen. We are not Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
; we cannot isolate these people in desert camps or somewhere on an island. We cannot compel them to stay. If they are rotten, they are rotten and the best thing to do is get rid of them. You picked them up in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
; you should drop them off in Afghanistan, in the middle of the war zone".
Iran funds Shiite extremists
Kuwait believes that Iran was supporting Shia extremists in the Gulf and the Shiite HouthisHouthis
The Houthis Houthis) are a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as a "powerful clan," and by the title Ash-Shabab al-Muminin or Youthful Believers). The group takes its name from Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, their former commander, who was reportedly...
in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
.
US militarily helping Gulf States
US military is assisting Gulf statesArab states of the Persian Gulf
"Arab states of the Persian Gulf" or "Arab Persian Gulf states" or "Persian Gulf Arab states" or "Arabic Persian Gulf states" or "Arab States of The Gulf", are terms that refer to the six Arab states of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, bordering the Persian Gulf....
in beefing up ballistic missile and counter air defenses, as well as early warning systems in the eventuality of an Iranian missile launch.
Kuwait based charities financing extremism
Al Qaida and other groups continue to exploit Kuwait both as a source of funds and as a key transit point. Kuwaiti donors serve as an important source of funds and other support for Al Qa'ida and other terrorist groups.2006 Lebanon War
Two years after a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon and northern Israel, Lebanese Defense Minister Elias MurrElias Murr
Elias Murr is the former Lebanese Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. He held the positions of Deputy Prime minister and Interior Minister in previous Cabinets....
apparently gave a message to US diplomats, intended to be passed on to Israeli authorities, stating that the Lebanese authorities would allow the Israeli military to attack Lebanon provided that they would destroy much of the Hezbollah and the communities in Lebanon’s south that support it and do not attack Christian communities and do not pass certain geographical boundaries. According to the cable, "Murr was especially concerned for members of the 1st and 8th Brigades in the Beka'a valley. ... Murr is afraid that these two units could be dragged into the fight, the ultimate disaster that Murr hopes to avoid. As such, Murr is trying to ascertain how long an offensive would be required to clean out Hizballah in the Beka'a. The LAF [Lebanese Armed Forces] will move to pre-position food, money, and water with these units so they can stay on their bases when Israel comes for Hizballah--discreetly, Murr added." The message had been discussed with the incumbent President of Lebanon Michel Sleiman
Michel Suleiman
Michel Suleiman or Sleiman is the President of Lebanon. Before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. After LAF commander Émile Lahoud took office as president in November of 1998, Suleiman succeeded him, taking his place in December...
, who at the time was Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces
The Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces is a position in the Lebanese Army.-Commanders:This is a list of the LAF commanders since its the date of its establishment till the present period:*1 August 1945 to 22 September 1958 Fouad Chéhab...
, with Murr stating that "he promised Sleiman the political cover for LAF inaction."
Emirati and Saudi involvement
The online Lebanese newspaper NaharnetNaharnet
Naharnet is one of the first Lebanese online media founded in September 2000.Naharnet quickly grew to become one of the leading portals in the Lebanese market and diaspora spreading over 220 countries...
focussed on Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
n financial non-involvement and United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
(UAE) military involvement in the 2009 Lebanese general election
Lebanese general election, 2009
-Background:Prior to the election, the process to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years was put into motion, but as this requires a constitutional amendment, it did not happen before the election.- Allocation of seats :...
and US officials' opinions of these. According to an April 2009 cable, Saudi Arabia did not financially support the March 14 Alliance
March 14 Alliance
The March 14 alliance , named after the date of the Cedar Revolution, is a coalition of political parties and independents in Lebanon that call for sovereignty over all Lebanese territories, led by MP Saad Hariri, younger son of Rafik Hariri, the assassinated former prime minister of Lebanon, as...
. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
supported military involvement in the election, referring to "the need to support Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the run up to the elections with concrete displays of support." Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman stated that "the UAE had been particularly helpful already by funding the delivery of the first ten refurbished tanks for the LAF."
Saad Hariri's-Hezbollah animosity
According to Al Akhbar newspaperAl Akhbar (Lebanon)
-History:The newspaper started printing and distribution in July 2006. It was established by Joseph Samaha and Brahim El Ameen, both considered to be among the most renowned Lebanese journalists. Samaha died from a stroke few months after the publishing of the paper...
, Saad Hariri
Saad Hariri
Saad-eddine Rafiq Al-Hariri is a Saudi-Lebanese billionaire who served as the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 2009 until 2011. He is the second son of Rafiq Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister who was assassinated in 2005...
has vowed to crush Hizbollah once the Lebanese Army is consolidated. Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party
Progressive Socialist Party
The Progressive Socialist Party or PSP , also known as Parti Socialiste Progressiste in French, is a political party in Lebanon. Its current leader is Walid Jumblatt...
, expressed his concerns during a meeting with the-then U.S. Charge d'Affairs Michele Sisone over reports indicating that Prime Minister Saad Hariri's
Saad Hariri
Saad-eddine Rafiq Al-Hariri is a Saudi-Lebanese billionaire who served as the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 2009 until 2011. He is the second son of Rafiq Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister who was assassinated in 2005...
Future Movement was training a Sunni militia composed of 15,000 men in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
and more than this number in the northern city of Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
to fight Hizbollah. Jumblat said that the establishment of private security companies by Hariri in Beirut and Tripoli indicated that "some persons", like Major General Ashraf Rifi
Ashraf Rifi
General Ashraf Rifi is the general director of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces .Rifi attended Lebanese University, studying the sociology of crime...
, director general of the Internal Security Forces
Internal Security Forces
The Internal Security Forces – ISF or Forces de Sécurité Intérieure in French, are the national police and security force of Lebanon. Modern police were established in Lebanon in 1861, with creation of the Gendarmerie...
(ISF), were giving Hariri bad advice. It was also revealead that Wissam al-Hassan, currently the head of the ISF's Intelligence Branch and very close to Hariri, said that Rifi was wrong in advising Hariri to establish a Sunni militia. Jumblat was also worried that Hariri's militia might cause heavy damage to the March 14 groups
March 14 Alliance
The March 14 alliance , named after the date of the Cedar Revolution, is a coalition of political parties and independents in Lebanon that call for sovereignty over all Lebanese territories, led by MP Saad Hariri, younger son of Rafik Hariri, the assassinated former prime minister of Lebanon, as...
, especially since the Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
led by Samir Geagea
Samir Geagea
Samir Farid Geagea , born October 25, 1952, is a Lebanese politician. He is also a senior figure in the March 14 Alliance, alongside Saad Hariri and Amine Gemayel....
and Suleiman Frangieh's
Suleiman Frangieh
Suleiman Kabalan Frangieh, last name also spelled Frangié, Franjieh, or Franjiyeh , was President of Lebanon from 1970 to 1976...
Marada Movement were training their supporters at the same time. Frangieh, is an arch enemy of Geagea and a key member of the Syrian-backed Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance
March 8 Alliance
The March 8 Alliance is a coalition of various political parties in Lebanon. It has been the ruling coalition since January 25, 2011 when the alliance managed to nominate Najib Mikati as the new prime minister.-History:...
.
Samir Geagea's militia
Al Akhbar newspaperAl Akhbar (Lebanon)
-History:The newspaper started printing and distribution in July 2006. It was established by Joseph Samaha and Brahim El Ameen, both considered to be among the most renowned Lebanese journalists. Samaha died from a stroke few months after the publishing of the paper...
also revealed Samir Geagea
Samir Geagea
Samir Farid Geagea , born October 25, 1952, is a Lebanese politician. He is also a senior figure in the March 14 Alliance, alongside Saad Hariri and Amine Gemayel....
met with Michele Sisone, telling her that he had from 7,000 to 10,000 fighters ready to move to fight Hizbullah. Geagea told Sisone he wanted all parties pressure the Lebanese Army to do its job and that he was unsure the army can protect Christian areas against a possible Hizbullah attack. If the Lebanese army failed to protect Christian areas, he wanted to make sure that Washington was aware of the presence of "7,000 to 10,000 Lebanese Forces-trained fighters ready to move and fight against Hizbullah and requested the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to support his fighters in order to obtain arms. Geagea stressed the significance of supporting the then-Army Commander General Michel Suleiman
Michel Suleiman
Michel Suleiman or Sleiman is the President of Lebanon. Before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. After LAF commander Émile Lahoud took office as president in November of 1998, Suleiman succeeded him, taking his place in December...
and the Siniora government
Fouad Siniora
Fuad Siniora is a Lebanese politician, a former Prime Minister of Lebanon, a position he held from 19 July 2005 to May 25, 2008 the date of the election of the new President of Lebanon; he was renominated to the post on 28 May 2008 and held the post as Acting President between those...
against the Hizbullah-led opposition. Moreover, Geagea also proposed the idea of deploying Arab peacekeeping forces in Lebanon in order to confront Hizbullah. Geagea also proposed asking friendly Arab states to send troops to maintain peace in Lebanon and he suggested that Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and other states supporting Lebanon be pressured to send troops. Geagea estimated that 5,000 Arab soldiers would be sufficient to maintain peace in Lebanon and back the Siniora government. Geagea said "Hizbullah will find itself in an impasse and victory will be achieved even if eventually it was decided not to send Arab forces."
Corruption of Nabih Berri
A meeting between Siniora and then U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman, during which the former explained that he rejected the aid money from Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
and Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
“because he didn’t want the money to go to Speaker Nabih Berri’s
Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri is the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon. He heads the mostly Shi'a Amal Movement.-Biography:He was born in Bo, Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents. He went to school in Tebnine and Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon and later studied at the Makassed and the Ecole de la Sagesse in Beirut...
pocket given that the man is a thief.” Regarding the war, the premier said that the Israeli attacks are only strengthening Hezbollah and not weakening it.
Lebanese Army's Incompetence
Nimrod Barkan, an Israeli official, during a meeting with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman in Israel said that “The March 14 camp is brave, but it has been castrated.” Feltman focused on the need to support the Lebanese army against Hezbollah, to which Barkan lashed out at Feltman stating that it would be useless “because the LAF would never directly confront Hizbullah and it could eventually fall under its control.” Barkan called for a US-Saudi funded Sunni militia to be organized, Feltman considered that the idea was worth exploring.Iranian takeover of Lebanon
According to a cable published in the Israeli HaaretzHaaretz
Haaretz is Israel's oldest daily newspaper. It was founded in 1918 and is now published in both Hebrew and English in Berliner format. The English edition is published and sold together with the International Herald Tribune. Both Hebrew and English editions can be read on the Internet...
quotes the Lebanese Telecommunications Minister, Marwan Hamadeh saying that ‘Iran Telecom is taking over the country!’ Hamadeh was referring to ‘the complete fiber optic system that Hezbollah had established throughout Lebanon’ which he claimed receives funding from Iran and signals ‘a strategic victory for Iran, since it creates an important Iranian outpost in Lebanon, bypassing Syria.’ ‘The value for Hizballah is the final step in creating a nation state. Hizballah now has an army and weapons; a television station; an education system; hospitals; social services; a financial system; and a telecommunications system’.
Hezbollah is 'tumor'
According to the Arabic-language Al-Jumhuriya, Lebanon's prime minister-designate Najib MikatiNajib Mikati
Najib Azmi Mikati is a Lebanese politician, billionaire and is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon since 13 June 2011. From April 2005 to July 2005 he was Prime Minister of Lebanon in a caretaker government...
describes Hezbollah, as a "tumour." He further said "tumor that must be removed", Mikati, argued "Lebanon could not survive with a Hezbollah mini-state." Regardless of his personal views on the group, Mikati said he was expecting Hezbollah to bring Lebanon to a 'sad ending." He assessed that Hezbollah was just like a tumour that, whether benign or malignant, must be removed.
Iranian and Syrian conspiracy
Israeli Mossad ChiefMossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
Meir Dagan
Meir Dagan
Meir Dagan is a former Israel Defense Forces officer and former Director of the Mossad .-Biography:...
urged caution with respect to Lebanon, noted that "It is necessary is finding the right way to support PM Siniora. He is a courageous man, Syria, Iran and Hizballah are working hard against him." Dagan noted that: "Hariri, Jumblat and others had their parents executed by the Syrians." This anti-Syrian sentiment has forged an alliance based on personal and national interests. Siniora has worked well with the situation, but Dagan suggested that the odds are against him.
Uranium shipment
A Libyan shipment of enriched uraniumEnriched uranium
Enriched uranium is a kind of uranium in which the percent composition of uranium-235 has been increased through the process of isotope separation. Natural uranium is 99.284% 238U isotope, with 235U only constituting about 0.711% of its weight...
to Ukrain,Russia, brokered by the U.S., was nearly the cause of an environmental disaster in Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
in 2009.
Petro-Canada
Libya’s state oil company called in a senior Petro-CanadaPetro-Canada
Petro-Canada was a crown corporation of Canada in the field of oil and natural gas. It was headquartered in the Petro-Canada Centre in Calgary, Alberta. In August, 2009, Petro-Canada merged with Suncor Energy, a deal in which Suncor investors received approximately 60 per cent ownership of the...
official with a threat to nationalize the firm’s operations in Libya if the Canadian government refused to apologize to the Libyan government. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon, PC is a Canadian politician from Quebec and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former Quebec lieutenant. On October 30, 2008 he was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs...
had earlier promised a tongue-lashing for the hero’s welcome that Libya extended to a man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing
Pan Am Flight 103
Pan Am Flight 103 was Pan American World Airways' third daily scheduled transatlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport...
. While the Libyan government did not follow through on its threat, it did issue an order on 30 September 2009 for Petro-Canada to cut production by 50 per cent.
Corruption
A cable from the U.S. embassy in RabatRabat
Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000...
to Washington, D.C. referred to allegations of deeply established corruption, claiming that "corruption is prevalent at all levels of Moroccan society and the military is also plagued by it, particularly at the highest levels. This may partly reflect a grand bargain struck by King Hassan II
Hassan II of Morocco
King Hassan II l-ḥasan aṯ-ṯānī, dial. el-ḥasan ettâni); July 9, 1929 – July 23, 1999) was King of Morocco from 1961 until his death in 1999...
following at least two nearly successful coups
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
in the 1970s: remain loyal, and you can profit." A former U.S. ambassador to Morocco is quoted as "lamenting" about "the appalling greed of those close to King Mohammad VI".
State institutions
Leaked cables from the U.S. consulate in CasablancaCasablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
claim that the Moroccan Royal Family
Royal Family of Morocco
The royal family of Morocco is from the Alaouite dynasty. They have been ruling the kingdom of Morocco since the 17th century. Family members include:*HM King Muhammad VI*HRH Princess Lalla Salma*HRH Crown Prince Moulay Hassan*HRH Princess Lalla Khadija...
use state institutions to "coerce and solicit bribes in the real estate sector". It is reported that decisions for the ONA Group, a Moroccan financial company, are made only by Moroccan King Mohammed VI
Mohammed VI of Morocco
Mohammed VI is the present King of Morocco and Amir al-Mu'minin . He ascended to the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the death of his father.-Education:...
and two associates.
Palestine
It was noted in one cable that LeTLet
Let or LET may refer to:* -let, an English diminutive suffix* Let, a shot or point that must be replayed in certain racquet sports* Let, a name binding construct in computer programming languages...
purportedly raises funds for the Palestinian people in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza in Pakistan.
Al-Jazeera
QatarQatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
is using the Arabic television news channel Al-Jazeera as a bargaining chip in negotiations with other countries. It is "one of Qatar's most valuable political and diplomatic tools".
Financial support for Islamic militants abroad
Clinton said that Qatar along with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait continue to fund terror.Diplomatic tendencies
Meir DaganMeir Dagan
Meir Dagan is a former Israel Defense Forces officer and former Director of the Mossad .-Biography:...
, the chief of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
's spy agency Mossad
Mossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
, said that Qatar, poses "a real problem" as Emir
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani tries to please all parties in the Middle East, including Syria, Iran and the Hamas.
Qatar-U.S relations
The Qatari Prime Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Al ThaniHamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani
style="float:right;"| Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Muhammad Al Thani is a Qatari politician and the current Prime Minister of Qatar, a position he has held since 3 April 2007, and Foreign Minister, which he has been since 11 January 1992.-Life and education:Sheikh Hamad was born in Doha,...
, repeatedly described the United States as a "friend" and called U.S.-Qatari relations "strategic."
Arms shipments to Hezbollah
It was alleged that SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
increased arms shipments to Hezbollah despite its claims that new shipments had ceased.
Tabloid incident
A Syrian foreign minister was alleged to have fallen for a "tabloid-like story" regarding the death of Princess Diana. An American ambassador stated that this displayed the Syrian government's "'stark ignorance' of the outside world".Assassination of Rafic Hariri
Omar SuleimanOmar Suleiman
Omar Suleiman is a former Egyptian army general, politician, diplomat, and intelligence officer. A leading figure in Egypt's intelligence system beginning in 1986, Suleiman was appointed to the long-vacant Vice Presidency by then-President Hosni Mubarak on 29 January 2011...
, Chief of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate
Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate
The General Intelligence Services , often called the Mukhabarat , is an Egyptian intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence, both domestically and transnationally, with a counter-terrorism focus....
, stated that Syria "desperately" wants the halt of the investigation
Special Tribunal for Lebanon
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an international tribunal for the prosecution under Lebanese law of those responsible for the assassination of Rafic Hariri on February 14, 2005. The tribunal also has jurisdiction over a series of other attacks in Lebanon if they are proven to be connected...
about the assassination of Rafic Hariri
Assassination of Rafic Hariri
On 14 February 2005, Rafic Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, was killed, along with 77 others, when explosives equivalent of around 1,000 kg of TNT were detonated as his motorcade drove near the St. George Hotel in Beirut. Among the dead were several of Hariri's bodyguards and his friend...
, Prime Minister of Lebanon, in 2005. Syria is suspected of involvement in that assassination and in the 2005 killings of anti-Syrian figures in neighbouring Lebanon.
Corruption
The EconomistThe Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
referred to corruption in Tunisia, stating that "cables from Tunisia bluntly depict the regime of president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali as a sclerotic police state
Police state
A police state is one in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the population...
increasingly tarnished by nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
" and referring to a July 17, 2009 cable. The cable stated, "Corruption in the inner circle is growing." Another from June 23, 2008 said "corruption in Tunisia is getting worse". The New York Times suggested the cables about corruption were one of the reasons behind the overthrow of president Ben Ali in the 2010–2011 Tunisian protests.
Political turmoil
According to Robert Godec, the U.S. Ambassador to TunisiaUnited States Ambassador to Tunisia
The following is a list of United States Ambassadors to Tunisia.-Ambassadors:*Morris N. Hughes - Career FSO**Title: Chargé d'Affaires**Appointment: June 6, 1956**Presentation of Credentials: June 6, 1956...
, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is a Tunisian political figure who was the second President of Tunisia from 1987 to 2011. Ben Ali was appointed Prime Minister in October 1987, and he assumed the Presidency on 7 November 1987 in a bloodless coup d'état that ousted President Habib Bourguiba, who was...
, President of Tunisia
President of Tunisia
The President of Tunisia, formally known as the President of the Tunisian Republic is the head of state of Tunisia. Tunisia is a presidential republic in which the president is the head of the executive branch of government with the assistance of the Prime Minister of Tunisia, formally the head of...
, and his government have "lost touch with the Tunisian people." Furthermore, they "tolerate no advice of criticism whether domestic or international." Godec also reports that "[even] average Tunisians are now keenly aware of [corruption in the inner circle], and the chorus of complaints is rising. Tunisians intensely dislike, even hate, First Lady Leila Trabelsi
Leïla Ben Ali
Leïla Ben Ali , is the wife of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the former president of the Tunisian Republic. She is the current president of the Arab Women Organization and chair of the Basma Association, a charitable organization working to secure employment for the disabled. In July 2010, Mrs. Ben Ali...
and her family".
Allegations of torture
The Canadian Ambassador to Tunisia, Bruno Picard, is reported in released documents to have insisted that Tunisia tortures prisoners who are suspected of terrorism and that he had first-hand evidence. The claim was made at a meeting about returning Tunisian prisoners to their home country from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Tunisia has insisted it does not practice torture, however Picard claimed this was "bullshit". Following the claims the U.S. Embassy held a meeting with the Canadian, British, French, German and Italian ambassadors to suggest they avoid accepting any Tunisian former prisoners from Guantanamo.Sakher al-Materi
The EconomistThe Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
stated, 'In a chatty account of a lavish dinner at the beachside villa
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
of the Tunisian president's son-in-law, the American ambassador marvels at desserts flown in from St Tropez, the multitude of servants, and a pet tiger that ate four chickens a day. The host may be interested to know that while bragging about his clout he struck his guest [the US ambassador] as "demanding, vain and difficult", with a limited knowledge of or interest in world affairs.'
Attacks on Al-Qaeda bases in Yemen
Ali Abdullah SalehAli Abdullah Saleh
Field Marshal Ali Abdullah Saleh is the first President of the Republic of Yemen. Saleh previously served as President of the Yemen Arab Republic from 1978 until 1990, at which time he assumed the office of chairman of the Presidential Council of a post-unification Yemen. He is the...
, President of Yemen
President of Yemen
The President of the Republic of Yemen is the head of state of Yemen.Under the Constitution of Yemen, the president is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and head of the executive branch of the Yemeni government....
, said if the U.S. attacks Al-Qaida bases in Yemen
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is a militant Islamist organization, primarily active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. It was named for al-Qaeda, and says it is subordinate to that group and its now-deceased leader Osama bin Laden, a Saudi citizen whose father was born in Yemen...
, he will tell the people of Yemen that it was the Yemeni military that has carried out the attacks rather than the U.S. He asserted that "we'll continue saying the bombs are ours, not yours" in a meeting with General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
David Petraeus
David Petraeus
David Howell Petraeus is the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, sworn in on September 6, 2011. Prior to his assuming the directorship of the CIA, Petraeus was a four-star general serving over 37 years in the United States Army. His last assignments in the Army were as commander...
, then-head of U.S. Central Command
United States Central Command
The United States Central Command is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U.S. armed forces, established in 1983 under the operational control of the U.S. Secretary of Defense...
. Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
's Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, also joked about lying to Yemen's Parliament
Assembly of Representatives of Yemen
The Assembly of Representatives is the legislature of Yemen. The Assembly has 301 members, elected for a six year term in single-seat constituencies.-See also:* List of Speakers of the Assembly of Representatives of Yemen...
on U.S. involvement of bombings.
Security of radioactive stockpiles
A January 2010 cable from Sana'aSana'a
-Districts:*Al Wahdah District*As Sabain District*Assafi'yah District*At Tahrir District*Ath'thaorah District*Az'zal District*Bani Al Harith District*Ma'ain District*Old City District*Shu'aub District-Old City:...
warned of concerns about the security of Yemen's main National Atomic Energy Commission (Yemen) (NAEC) storage facility, which "normally contains IAEA Category I and II amounts of iridium
Iridium
Iridium is the chemical element with atomic number 77, and is represented by the symbol Ir. A very hard, brittle, silvery-white transition metal of the platinum family, iridium is the second-densest element and is the most corrosion-resistant metal, even at temperatures as high as 2000 °C...
and cobalt
Cobalt
Cobalt is a chemical element with symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is found naturally only in chemically combined form. The free element, produced by reductive smelting, is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal....
-60". The cable stated, "The lone security guard standing watch at Yemen's main radioactive materials storage facility was removed from his post on December 30, 2009" and "The only closed-circuit television security camera monitoring the facility broke six months ago and was never fixed."
External links
- Secret US Embassy Cables website by WikiLeaksWikileaksWikiLeaks is an international self-described not-for-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organisation, claimed a database of more...
- The US embassy cables by The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
- State's Secrets by The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- WikiLeaks Diplomatic Cables by Der SpiegelDer SpiegelDer Spiegel is a German weekly news magazine published in Hamburg. It is one of Europe's largest publications of its kind, with a weekly circulation of more than one million.-Overview:...
- Dedicated News Website
- Dutch Wikileaks Mirror by WikiLeaksWikileaksWikiLeaks is an international self-described not-for-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organisation, claimed a database of more...
- All Cables on Google Fusion Tables
- Cablesearch.org Full text search of released cables.