UNSC: SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS FOLLOW-ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001013 SIPDIS SIPDIS 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 USUN NEW Y 00001013 002 OF 002 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 SIPDIS 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; SIPDIS ¶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. BOLTON