UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS FOLLOW-ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001013

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS FOLLOW-ON
RESOLUTION URGING PROGRESS ON UNSCR 1559



1. The Security Council May 17 adopted a follow-up resolution
to urge progress on the implementation of UNSCR 1559 (2004).
Drafted by the UK, U.S. and France and co-sponsored by
Slovakia and Denmark, UNSCR 1680 (2006) was adopted by a
13-0-2 vote, with Russia and China abstaining.


2. Reflecting the level of disagreement within the Council
over the text in the days leading up to the vote, four
countries -- Russia, Argentina, China and Qatar -- delivered
explanations of vote (EOVs). Russia, China, and Argentina
emphasized their preference that Lebanese-Syrian problems be
resolved through bilateral dialogue and not through Security
Council involvement, since they involve issues that should be
resolved by the sovereign parties themselves.


3. Russia took a strong line against any Council intervention
in Lebanese-Syrian relations. The Russian PermRep stated that
the strengthening of relations between Lebanon and Syria
should be done "exclusively through dialogue" between the two
countries; it did not see the need for the Council to take
any substantive action; and that a PRST would have been more
appropriate. He also complained that the co-sponsors had not
taken Russian suggestions into account and had not acted
according to Council norms by hastily speeding the resolution
through the Council. (Note: The Russian expert told USUN
just before the vote that Moscow also objected to textual
references to presidential elections (PP3),the movement of
arms (PP4),language welcoming the SYG's report (OP1) and
implied pressure on Syria (OP3). End Note.)


4. The Chinese DPR stated that China's consistent view was
that the non-interference in domestic affairs of others
should be upheld, and that this was a fundamental principle
of both China and international law. China said that it
hoped that Lebanon and Syria would continue bilateral
dialogue, so that an appropriate solution to their problems
could be found. Regrettably, it said, the changes made by the
co-sponsors did not meet China's fundamental concerns, so it
could not support the resolution. (Note: The Chinese expert
stated that Beijing remained uncomfortable with the coercive
nature of OP4's language encouraging the establishment of
diplomatic relations and delineation of borders between two
sovereign countries. End Note.)


5. Though voting for the resolution, Argentina and Qatar
delivered EOV's as well. Argentina stated that it considered
UNSCR 1559 to be the "basic text" addressing the Lebanese
situation and that it was not necessary to restate or
reinterpret 1559. The Argentine representative said that OP4
of UNSCR 1680 should be interpreted in light of international
law, that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is
based on mutual consent, and that the Council should not
become involved in bilateral matters. He concluded by
stating that OP 4 should not establish a precedent; that
relations and borders need to be established through
dialogue, without external interference; and that any future
Council actions should be based on international law and not
exceed the scope of OP1 of UNSCR 1559.


6. Qatar sought to reassure both Lebanon and Syria of its
support. It took a neutral tone, simply stating that
bilateral questions between the two countries should be
solved in a way that does not detract from sovereignty. The
Qatari PermRep also expressed unhappiness that the resolution
did not critically reference Israel's breaches of the Blue
Line.


7. Begin Text of UNSCR 1680 (2006):

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in
particular resolutions 1559 (2004),425 and 426 (1978),
resolution 520 (1982) and resolution 1655 (2006),as well as
the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon,
in particular the statements of 18 June 2000
(S/PRST/2000/21),of 19 October 2004 (S/PRST/2004/36),of 4
May 2005 (S/PRST/2005/17) and of 23 January 2006
(S/PRST/2006/3),

Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity,
sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its
internationally recognized borders,

Noting positively that further significant progress has been
made towards implementing in full all provisions of
resolution 1559 (2004),in particular through the Lebanese
national dialogue, but noting also with regret that other
provisions of resolution 1559 have not yet been fully
implemented, namely the disbanding and disarming of Lebanese

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and non-Lebanese militias, the extension of the control of
the Government of Lebanon over all its territory, the strict
respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and
political independence of Lebanon, and free and fair
presidential elections conducted according to the Lebanese
constitutional rules, without foreign interference and
influence,

Noting with concern the conclusion of the Secretary-General's
report (S/2006/248) that there had been movements of arms
into Lebanese territory for militias over the last six months,

Expressing full support for the Lebanese National Dialogue
and commending all Lebanese parties for its conduct and for
the consensus reached in this context on important matters,

Having heard the Prime Minister of Lebanon's address to the
Security Council on 21 April 2006 (S/PV.5417),


1. Welcomes the third semi-annual report of the
Secretary-General to the Security Council of 18 April 2006 on

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the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004) (S/2006/248);


2. Reiterates its call for the full implementation of all
requirements of resolution 1559 (2004);


3. Reiterates also its call on all concerned States and
parties as mentioned in the report, to cooperate fully with
the Government of Lebanon, the Security Council and the
Secretary-General to achieve this goal;

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4. Strongly encourages the Government of Syria to respond
positively to the request made by the Government of Lebanon,
in line with the agreements of the Lebanese national
dialogue, to delineate their common border, especially in
those areas where the border is uncertain or disputed and to
establish full diplomatic relations and representation,
noting that such measures would constitute a significant step
towards asserting Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial
integrity and political independence and improving the
relations between the two countries, thus contributing
positively to the stability in the region, and urges both
parties to make efforts through further bilateral dialogue to
this end, bearing in mind that the establishment of
diplomatic relations between States, and of permanent
diplomatic missions, takes place by mutual consent;


5. Commends the Government of Lebanon for undertaking
measures against movements of arms into Lebanese territory
and calls on the Government of Syria to take similar
measures;


6. Welcomes the decision of the Lebanese national dialogue to
disarm Palestinian militias outside refugee camps within six
months, supports its implementation and calls for further
efforts to disband and disarm all Lebanese and non-Lebanese
militias and to restore fully the Lebanese Government's
control over all Lebanese territory;


7. Reiterates its support to the Secretary-General and his
Special envoy in their efforts and dedication to facilitate
and assist in the implementation of all provisions of
resolution 1559 (2004);


8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
End Text.
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