Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK1268
2006-06-23 22:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

UNSC: JUNE MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1268/01 1742255
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 232255Z JUN 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9429
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001268 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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


UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001268

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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



1. Summary: During the monthly briefing on Middle East issues
to the Security Council June 21, UN U/SYG Ibrahim Gambari
reviewed recent events, including intra-Palestinian political
developments and the welcome prospect of an imminent
Olmert-Abbas meeting; an increase in violence resulting in
death and injury to civilians; the deteriorating Palestinian
economic and humanitarian situation and the importance of the
establishment of the temporary international mechanism (TIM);
restrictions on UN staff at the Erez crossing; and
developments in Lebanese politics and violence along the Blue
Line. In the closed consultations that followed, Council
members acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense, but
called for a proportional response, looked forward to
negotiations between Palestinian factions and between
Israelis and Palestinians, and applauded the EU-sponsored
TIM. Japan announced that Prime Minister Koizumi would visit
the Middle East prior to the July G-8 meeting. In response
to inquiries from the Japanese and Argentineans, U/SYG
Gambari said that the UN did not plan to investigate the June
9 Gaza City beach incident, noting an independent
investigation requires the agreement and cooperation of both
parties. In addition to her prepared remarks, Ambassador
Sanders recommended the Council reconsider the format for
Middle East briefings. She suggested the sessions be
scheduled as either meetings open to the public or
consultations limited to the Council and Secretariat,
observing that the current hybrid format provides neither
transparency nor confidentiality. End Summary.

Intra-Palestinian Issues; Civilian Casualties; TIM
-------------- --------------


2. In the monthly briefing to the Security Council on the
situation in the Middle East held June 21, UN
Under-Secretary-General (U/SYG) for Political Affairs Ibrahim
Gambari reviewed key political developments, the security
situation, the fiscal and humanitarian situation, issues of
movement and access, and the situation in Lebanon. Gambari
noted PA President Abbas' June 10 call for a July 26
referendum on the "Covenant for National Reconciliation" and
the Palestinian Authority government's concern about the
legality and desirability of a such a referendum;
intra-Palestinian consultations on the status of the special

force created by the Palestinian Interior Minister; and a
possible June 22 meeting between Israeli Prime Minister
Olmert and President Abbas in Petra.


3. On the security situation, Gambari said that Israel had
"stepped up its policy of targeted killings and the shelling
of areas in Gaza from which rockets continued to be fired at
Israeli territory." Citing recent Israeli operations,
Gambari said the Secretary-General was disturbed by a pattern
of civilian deaths or injuries, especially the deaths of
several children. Regarding the June 9 explosion on a Gaza
City beach resulting in the death of seven civilians, Gambari
reported the results of the IDF investigation and the fact
that Human Rights Watch has disputed that conclusion.
Gambari also said the Israeli investigation is continuing.
During the month the UN recorded 176 rockets fired by
Palestinian militants from Gaza toward Israeli territory;
Gambari reported that Hamas had claimed responsibility for
rockets launched at Israel. Finally Gambari noted
Hamas-Fatah clashes, resulting in the killing of local
leaders and claiming the lives of many bystanders.


4. On fiscal and humanitarian matters, Gambari said that the
continued non-transfer of Palestinian taxes collected by
Israel has affected the delivery of some Palestinian
Authority services and that the economy is experiencing
decline: the Palestinian GDP fell by seven percent and
unemployment rose by six percent in the first three months of

2006. He said the Secretary-General "is pleased" by the
Quartet's endorsement of the EU temporary international
mechanism (TIM) to facilitate needs-based assistance directly
to the Palestinian people.


5. On movement and access, Gambari said that strict Israeli
security measures have been impeding the movement of UN staff
in and out of Gaza since February; and that Israeli
settlement activity and barrier construction has been
continuing despite the Road Map and recent Quartet
expressions of concern. On Lebanon, Gambari reviewed Blue
Line violations during the reporting period, including
Israeli air violations and Hizbollah fire from Lebanese
territory. Finally, Gambari noted progress on Lebanese
electoral reform and continued work being carried out via the
Lebanese National Dialogue, the eighth round of which
convened on June 8. (Note: Text of Statement e-mailed to
department June 22).

Council Members Comment
--------------


6. In their comments in the closed consultations following
the open briefing, Council members focused on the recent
violence resulting in death and injury to bystanders,
particularly children, and on the Palestinian fiscal and
humanitarian situation. Council members condemned actions
that led to civilian deaths and injury. Urging restraint by
both sides, they said that Palestinians should stop firing
rockets from Gaza into Israeli territory. While recognizing
Israel's right of self-defense, many Council members argued
that such actions should be proportional and carried out in
accordance with international humanitarian law. Several
members noted their opposition to Israeli extrajudicial
killings.


7. On political developments, members urged direct talk
between Israel and the Palestinians; welcomed the scheduled
June 22 Olmert-Abbas meeting in Petra; and hoped for progress
in talks between Palestinian factions. Many members
expressed concern about the prospect of unilateral Israeli
actions that might prejudice the final outcome of status
negotiations. A number of speakers reiterated the necessity
of Hamas adhering to the Quartet principles. On the
deteriorating Palestinian economic and humanitarian situation
outlined in U/SYG Gambari's representation, Council members
welcomed the EU TIM proposal and the Quartet's endorsement.


8. Speaking for the U.S., Ambassador Sanders expressed U.S.
concern over reports of recent civilian casualties, called on
the Palestinian Authority to act to prevent all acts of
terrorism and urged the Israeli government to use restraint
in exercising its right of self-defense. She made clear the
Palestinian Authority government's failure to take action on
terrorism is unacceptable and counterproductive to
Palestinian interests. Ambassador Sanders reaffirmed the
U.S. commitment to meeting the humanitarian needs of the
Palestinian people, reviewed U.S. assistance, endorses the EU
TIM proposal, and urged other donors to participate though
this mechanism or through other established international
mechanisms. On Lebanon and Syria, Ambassador Sanders called
on Syria and Iran to cease sponsorship and support of
terrorist groups responsible for periodic attacks on Israel
from Lebanese territory, called for the disarming and
disbanding of all militias in Lebanon, including Hizbollah,
commended International Independent Investigation Commission
Commissioner Brammertz for providing strong leadership into
the investigation of the murder of former Lebanese Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri, and reiterated Syria's obligation to
comply fully and unconditionally with the commission as
required by UNSCR 1595, 1636 and 1644.

Japan PM Proposes Visit; U.S. Proposes New Briefing Format
-------------- --------------


9. Japanese PR Oshima announced that Prime Minister Koizumi
would visit Israel, Palestine, and Jordan prior to the
upcoming G-8 Summit. Oshima said Koizumi would indicate
Japan's support for President Abbas' policy of urging Hamas
to change its position on Israel, reaffirm Japan's commitment
to financial assistance for Palestinians, and urge Israel to
refrain from taking any unilateral actions that would
prejudice the final settlement. In response to a query by
the Japanese PR and the Argentinean PR Mayoral about a
possible UN investigation into the June 9 Gaza City Beach
incident, Gambari said such an investigation would require
the agreement and cooperation of both parties and that the UN
was contemplating no action at this time.


10. Raising significant U.S. concerns about a procedural
issue, Ambassador Sanders said that the U.S. thinks it is
time to rethink the format of Middle East briefings. She
suggested that the sessions be scheduled as either meetings
open to the public or consultations limited to Council
members and the Secretariat. She said that the current
practice of open briefings by the Secretariat followed by
closed consultations of the Council provided neither
transparency nor confidentiality, and characterized this
hybrid approach as "least optimal." If what the Secretariat
has to say merits an open session, then the views of Council
members should be shared publicly, as well. Alternatively,
the views of Council members and the Secretariat could be
exchanged in closed consultations. Danish Security Council
President PR Loj said she would refer the matter to Political
Coordinators for discussion, and agreed the format merited
review. U/SYG Gambari, in a handwritten note passed to
Ambassador Sanders during the Council interventions, urged
the U.S. "to carry further your very useful query on the
format of these briefings." He suggested the Council
consider the following issues: "(1) is it best use of senior
Secretariat staff time to deliver rather long briefings and

SIPDIS
to sit through equally long statements by delegations; (2)
regularity of briefings; (3) lack of any concrete Council

action as a consequence of briefings!!; and (4) few Perm
Representatives are in attendance."
BOLTON