Independent MP Franjieh tries a new approach

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 001050 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WERNER/SINGH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016 
TAGS: IS, KDEM, LE, PGOV, PREL, SY 
SUBJECT: MGLE01:  INDEPENDENT MP FRANJIEH TRIES A NEW 
APPROACH 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman.  Reason: Section 1.4 (b). 
 
SUMMARY 
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1.  (C)  MP Samir Franjieh, a founding member of the Qornet 
Shehwan pro-reform movement, believes the March 14 coalition 
has effectively worked its way into a trap, partly set by the 
Syrian regime, by focusing almost exclusively on the 
replacement of President Emile Lahoud.  He contends that 
changing the presidency at this stage is beyond the ability 
of the pro-reform coalition and has, in effect, given the 
Syrians a blocking veto over any further political progress. 
Franjieh said the reform movement has been trying to 
implement democratic change without having first established 
a basis for it in civil society.  He argued that Lebanon's 
politicians are now almost completely disconnected from the 
citizenry and have forgotten what last year's mass 
demonstrations were actually supporting.  Franjieh and 
like-minded colleagues are preparing a "declaration of 
democratic principles" that will be promulgated (and 
adjusted) through a civil society campaign outside the normal 
political process, and outside the control of the 
crisis-prone political parties.  End summary. 
 
2.  (C)  Samir Franjieh, a Maronite member of parliament from 
the Zgharta district east of Tripoli, met poloff on April 4 
in Beirut.  The former journalist and author was one of the 
pioneers of the pro-sovereignty reform movement and first ran 
for parliament in 2005 on a joint Future Movement/Lebanese 
Forces electoral list.  Franjieh has been keeping a low 
profile the past few months after receiving threats from 
unidentified (but presumably pro-Syrian) individuals. 
 
3.  (C)  Franjieh readily acknowledged that Lebanon's 
pro-reform movement is currently encountering heavy seas, but 
argued it was not because they had lost the support of the 
vast majority of the country's electorate.  Rather, popular 
support for democracy remains strong, but the leadership of 
the reform movement had made two serious errors: first, they 
attempted to tackle issues that were beyond their ability to 
deliver, and second, they failed to clearly explain the 
movement's democratic goals -- and benefits -- to the people 
of Lebanon. 
 
A MOVEMENT WITHOUT A FOUNDATION 
------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C)  Samir Franjieh said the movement was operating 
without a civil society foundation and, as a consequence, was 
extremely vulnerable to Syrian machinations.  He argued that 
any Syrian success, such as the recent Arab Summit, was made 
easier because Siniora, Hariri and other March 14 leaders 
appeared to be operating without the support of the general 
public.  In his analysis, Syria could take its time and 
target each leader one by one, making it appear incompetence 
and hubris caused their political failing, rather than a 
concerted effort to destroy the reform movement by Syria and 
its proxies. 
 
5.  (C)  The former journalist argued that if democratic 
reform was to succeed, the movement must re-establish its 
connection -- and legitimacy -- with the Lebanese people.  He 
recalled that when it became clear several weeks ago the 
reform movement was losing its momentum, several members 
began to discuss a glaring political deficit, specifically, a 
clear statement of democratic principles that would govern 
Lebanon's transition to democracy.  Without such a statement, 
relatively minor setbacks would assume much greater 
importance, and eventually prevent continued progress. 
 
6.  (C)  Demonstrating an unexpected familiarity with 
American history, he asked whether the US Constitution could 
have been written and adopted by the people without first 
having been proceeded by the Declaration of Independence. 
Franjieh argued the Lebanese people need a similar 
declaration, to explain long term goals and provide moral 
support during what will surely be a lengthy struggle for 
sovereignty and security. 
 
RETURN TO THE BASICS 
-------------------- 
 
7.  (C) The member of parliament from Zgharta also said he 
and like-minded legislators would ask the country's political 
leaders to return to issues they could control, namely, 
economic reform, a new electoral law, and a concerted effort 
to increase transparency and reduce corruption.  These 
 
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objectives, he argued, could be achieved within Lebanon, 
without the need to wait for a recalcitrant Syria or the 
intercession of a wavering Saudi Arabia.  He said he would 
urge the March 14 leadership to declare unambiguous support 
for a genuine Lebanese presidency and a commitment to disarm 
all militias, but to devote their full energies to those 
goals they can actually attain. 
 
8.  (C)  In terms of timing, Franjieh stated that his 
colleagues would like to begin to circulate a "declaration of 
democratic principles" in the next few weeks, using civil 
society institutions and media to generate grass roots 
support.  He recognized that in a society accustomed to being 
governed by strong leadership figures, the initial steps 
would be difficult, but he asked whether there was any real 
alternative.  In his opinion, the political class was 
"obsessed" with a few nearly intractable issues, and had 
basically ignored the issues that the general public really 
cared about: economic recovery, elimination of corruption, 
re-establishment of domestic peace.  With an ironic shrug, he 
asked isn't that what political leaders were supposed to do. 
FELTMAN