BRUNEI/LEBANON: DEMARCHE ON UNSC RESOLUTION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000398 SIPDIS SIPDIS SINGAPORE FOR DAO E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016 TAGS: PREL BX IS MOPS PTER UN SUBJECT: BRUNEI/LEBANON: DEMARCHE ON UNSC RESOLUTION, PLANNING FOR CONTRIBUTION TO UN FORCE REF: STATE 128442 (NOTAL) Classified By: AMBASSADOR EMIL SKODON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (U) On August 7, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on UNSC draft Lebanon resolution to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Permanent Secretary I Pengiran Dato Osman. There was no immediate substantive response other than a repetition of the standard Government of Brunei (GOB) position that it wished to see a ceasefire as soon as possible followed by peaceful resolution of the situation in southern Lebanon. ¶2. (C) Also on August 7, Embassy became aware that GOB has started contingency planning for a contribution to a possible UN-Mandated International Force in southern Lebanon. This follows last week's Extraordinary OIC Meeting in Kuala Lumpur at which the Sultan of Brunei reportedly agreed to consider contributions to such a force along with Malaysia and Indonesia. A meeting of GOB military service chiefs, Mindef officials, and other GOB officials has been scheduled for Tuesday August 8, presumably to discuss planning for a deployment. ¶3. (C) Deputy Defense Minister Pehin Yasmin confirmed to Ambassador and visiting Singapore A/DATT Boardwell that GOB will consider committing a mechanized company to a southern Lebanon International Force, to deploy in conjunction with Malaysian and Indonesian troops. With supporting personnel, the total number in the GOB contingent could top 200. Yasmin said the deployment would only be made in response to an eventual UNSC mandate. (Ambassador later provided copy of draft UNSC resolution to Yasmin's deputy, MinDef PermSec Dato Mustaffa, to aid in GOB planning.) ¶4. (C) Comment: If GOB does eventually provide a company-strength contribution to a UN-mandated International Force in southern Lebanon, it would be its largest commitment to a multilateral operation to date. Lift and other logistical support will be a challenge. The fact that the GOB is taking the initiative to even consider such a contribution reflects the strong feelings in Brunei, as in other parts of the Muslim world, about what the media here almost universally portrays as Israeli "aggression" in southern Lebanon and the attendant civilian deaths among Lebanese Muslims. End Comment. SKODON