UNSC: MAY MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 001088

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC: MAY MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING



1. Summary: In the monthly briefing to the Security Council
held May 24, U/SYG Ibrahim Gambari addressed the following
subjects: developments on the Quartet's support for an EU
funding mechanism for Palestinian assistance; the impact of
Israeli closures, barrier construction and settlement
activity; Hamas and Fatah intra-Palestinian conflict; and
positive political signals about renewed negotiations between
the parties. Gambari also touched on the events in Lebanon,
particularly the National Dialogue. In their comments,
Council members generally supported the Quartet funding
mechanism, but differed on the details of its structure;
stressed the need for the parties to resume direct
negotiations; and expressed concern about the recent
intra-Palestinian clashes. End Summary.


2. In a May 24 briefing to the Security Council on the
situation in the Middle East, UN Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari focused on Quartet-led
efforts to provide assistance to the Palestinian people to
alleviate the deteriorating fiscal and humanitarian
situation; the security situation, especially
intra-Palestinian fighting and the impact of Israeli
closures, barrier construction and settlement activity. He
cited the Quartet's May endorsement of a temporary
international mechanism, limited in scope and duration and
operating with full transparency and accountability, be
developed by the EU, that would ensure direct delivery of
assistance to the Palestinian people. He also reminded the
PA government that such international assistance did not
relieve the PA government of its responsibilities, and
recalled that the PA government had already received the
important message from donor members of the Quartet that its
commitment to the principles outlined by the Quartet would
pave the way for the restoration of direct assistance.


3. On security developments, Gambari noted that
intra-Palestinian fighting, especially in Gaza, had reached
"worrying proportions" and highlighted the clashes between
Palestinian Authority police and the new Hamas-led security
force, which President Abbas has declared illegal. On
movement and access, barrier and settlement issues, Gambari
noted an increase in physical obstacles to movement in the
West Bank, the April 26 Israeli announcement of its intention
to complete the barrier around Jerusalem by the end of the
year, and the Israeli Defense Ministry's recent authorization
of expanded settlement construction.


4. On positive political signals, Gambari recalled:


-- the prospect of a Palestinian national dialogue, scheduled
to begin May 25. Gambari expressed hope that the dialogue
would lead to a positive political consensus between
Palestinian political actors on the road ahead;

-- the May 4 presentation by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert of
governing coalition guidelines that stated that the GOI would
seek to shape its permanent borders" through negotiations and
agreements with the Palestinians...."; and

-- the recent meeting of President Abbas and Israeli Foreign
Minister Livni at Sharm el Sheikh and the agreement for an
Abbas-Olmert meeting.


5. Gambari also noted Israeli Prime Minster Olmert's May 23
meeting with President Bush, where the Prime Minister stated
he intended to "exhaust every possibility to promote peace
with the Palestinians." Gambari also cited President Bush's
remarks that the best servant of peace was "a negotiated
final status agreement" and that any such agreement could
only be achieved on the basis of "mutually agreed changes."
On Lebanon, Gambari reported that the sixth and seventh
rounds of the National Dialogue had taken place with no
agreement on the question of the Presidency, and the start of
discussions of Hizballah's weapons and the development of a
national defense strategy.


SECURITY COUNCIL VIEWS
--------------


6. For the most part, Council members focused their comments
on efforts to provide humanitarian assistance for the
Palestinian people, the need for direct negotiations between
Israel and the Palestinians, and the recent clashes between
Fatah and Hamas.


7. Council members called on Hamas to accept the January 30
Quartet principles as a basis for resolving the conflict.
They also expressed concern about the deteriorating
humanitarian situation. Many supported the May 9 Quartet

USUN NEW Y 00001088 002 OF 002


Statement endorsing the creation of a temporary international
mechanism that would ensure direct delivery of assistance to
the Palestinian people, and the EU's efforts in developing
that mechanism. Council members differed on the proposed
mechanism's structure. France said that the payment of
salaries is necessary to maintain socio-economic balance.
The UK argued that the mechanism should initially focus on
health services; all agree the needs are pressing and this
sector deserves support. Ambassador Sanders stated that the
U.S. looks forward to working closely with our Quartet
partners in developing the mechanism; underscored our May 9
announcement of $10 million in humanitarian aid to the
Palestinian people; and emphasized that the U.S. is looking
for additional ways to assist the Palestinian people. Russia
warned that a process of financially strangling Hamas could
lead to the Palestinian government's collapse.


8. Another common theme expressed by delegations was their
desire for the parties to restart direct negotiations.
Several delegations expressed concern over Israeli unilateral
acts, such as barrier construction and settlement activities.
Russia criticized Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's
convergence plan, asserting that the unilateral consolidation
plan was "outside the peace process," arguing that the
Israeli separation policy would not give Israel peace and
security, and further predicting that any unilateral
establishment of borders by Israel would not be given
international recognition. Ambassador Sanders stressed that
a Palestinian Authority unable to prevent and punish
terrorism cannot be considered a peace partner. However,
other countries (Russia, France and Argentina) said that
Israel has a credible Palestinian partner to negotiate with
in PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Many members welcomed the May
21 Abbas meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
and Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres on the margins of the
World Economic Forum conference at Sharm El Sheikh, and said
that they were encouraged by Prime Minister Olmert's
statement in Washington expressing willingness to negotiate
with the Palestinian Authority. France stated that it
believed the political process must be launched by bringing
the Quartet back to the region, so that Olmert and Abbas
could meet.


9. Finally, many Council members expressed concern about the
recent clashes between Fatah and Hamas. France stated
peaceful resolution of the clashes must be resolved by the
Palestinians and that the international community must
support the National Dialogue under the aegis of President
Abbas to marginalize extremists. The UK said that it would
welcome one security force, but that actions on the matter
"rest with the Palestinians." Tanzania urged a more active
response from the international community, stating that the
Quartet needed to address the issue.
BOLTON