S E C R E T BEIRUT 003128 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MARCHESE/SINGH E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2026 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, LE, SY SUBJECT: PEDERSEN OPPOSED TO JOSHKA FISCHER'S APPOINTMENT Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador, per 1.4 (b) and (d). 1. (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador, Geir Pedersen, the UNSYG Annan's Personal Representative for Lebanon, reported that he has learned that Annan plans to appoint former German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer as his special envoy for Lebanon. Describing the idea as "terrible" for both political and substantive reasons, Pedersen hoped that what he understood as stiff French opposition would derail the idea. If Fischer is appointed, Pedersen said that he would quit his UN position by the end of the year and return to Norway. 2. (S) Politically, Pedersen argued, Annan is "playing right into the hands of the conspiracy theorists." Consider, he said, the following elements: German Chancellor Merkel's comments about "protecting Israel," the German naval task force, German technical assistance at the Lebanese border, Fouad Siniora's current trip to Germany, and the rumors in Beirut that Detlev Mehlis and Gerhard Lehmann will come back to replace Serge Brammertz and his UNIIIC team in January. Silly as it sounds, Pedersen said, Fischer's appointment will be taken as an part of an "ominous pattern," and he'll start off in an atmosphere of deep suspicion and hostility he will not be able to transcend. 3. (S) On substance, Pedersen said, Fischer's appointment makes no sense. As Pedersen understands it, Fischer will not be resident in Lebanon but travel here periodically. This means that he will never truly understand the issues or be trusted by the Lebanese. Worse, by being here only periodically, he will not be able to exercise discipline over the UN humanitarian and reconstruction efforts being overseen by an unorgnized and incompetent UNDP. UNDP's Lebanon chief Mona Hammam will still be free to operate independntly from the broader political agenda of the UNC. 4. (S) Pedersen was at a loss to explain wy Kofi Annan would come up with an idea that "isso wrong." The end result, Pedersen said, will e that the UN loses its political expertise on Leanon, as Terje Roed-Larsen will join Pedersen inleaving. Pedersen expressed consternation that nnan would take what Pedersen saw as a radical and misguided step, and one that will cause upheavalin the UN's ability to deal with Lebanon issues, n his last months in office. He expressed hope hat the USG would join France in trying to dissude Annan of formally appointing Fisher. Perhaps,Pedersen said, the USG can quietly whisper to Ficher himself why it would be better for him not to ccept. 5. (S) Comment: Pedersen -- like Larsn -- has self-interest in seeing that Fischer's ppointment does not happen. While Pedersen has ears of experience dealing with Terje Roed-Larse and can adjust his own work to Larsen's UNSCR 159 role, Fischer would probably see himself as more of a traditional supervisor to Geir's office (whch for all practical purposes is currently indepndent). But we agree with Pedersen's analysis tat the Lebanese will not view Fischer as a credibe, neutral envoy. In the context of what else Grmany is doing these days in Lebanon, he will be sen as part of a German plan to "protect Israel" t the expense of Lebanon's sovereignty. It is ausing to speculate whether Larsen or Fischer woul be viewed with greater alarm by Hizballah. Endcomment. FELTMAN
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