EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT REACTION TO UN SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 005028

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER EG LE IS
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT REACTION TO UN SECURITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1701 ON LEBANON

REF: FBIS 20060813950011

Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) During an August 14 discussion of regional issues,
MFA Assistant Minister for Arab Affairs Hany Khalaf shared
with poloff the text (below) of an "oral message" from
Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit that he said would be delivered
in UN Security Council P-5 member state capitals and Israel.
The text begins with an expression of disappointment
regarding UNSCR 1701, but ends by stressing the importance of
UNIFIL helping the GOL to extend its authority over its
territory ("the key to stability in Lebanon and the wider
region"). Similarly, President Mubarak in an interview with
a local newspaper (ref),complained about shortcomings in the
resolution but welcomed it as a "step in the right direction."


2. (C) Text of GOE Oral Message on UNSCR 1701:

Begin text (in English):

The Security Council has adopted resolution 1701, which fell
short of our expectations on how to end the current conflict.
However, I believe that we should all engage positively with
the resolution in order to take the parties, and indeed the
entire region, away from the brink of the abyss. The
behavior of the parties during the coming few days will
decide whether SCR 1701 becomes a powerful tool for peace and
security, or join other unimplemented resolutions. It is
therefore important that we signal to the parties, in the
clearest possible manner, that an immediate change on the
ground is expected. It is my understanding that both Israel
and the Lebanese parties have communicated their readiness to
comply with the call for a cessation of hostilities, and it
is of utmost importance that they honor this committment
fully. Only a full and complete cessation of all Israeli
operations in Lebanon will allow us to stop the bloodshed and
move towards a permanent ceasefire. It would indeed be a
tragic mistake if the Israeli army assumes that it can
continue its operations in Lebanon without soliciting a
violent response: this would only lead to a resumption of
hostilities and erode the credibility of the SCR 1701. I am
communicating this message to my Israeli counterparts today,
and hope that you can reinforce the message in order to move
the parties forward.

It would also be helpful if UNIFIL can start discharging the
vital tasks entrusted to it by the Council until the full
deployment is achieved. The Lebanese people will be watching
UNIFIL's performance as it starts its new role. And its
discharge of duties in full transparency and coordination
with the Government of Lebanon will be necessary to gain the
parties' trust, and to assist the Government of Lebanon
extend its authority over its territory, which is key to
stability in Lebanon and the wider region.

End text.
RICCIARDONE