UN PRESENTS SYG,S 1701 REPORT ON THE FIRST WEEK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 001597 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER UNSC KPKO IS LE SUBJECT: UN PRESENTS SYG,S 1701 REPORT ON THE FIRST WEEK USUN NEW Y 00001597 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. During closed UNSC consultations August 21 on SYG Annan,s report on the first week of implementation of UNSCR 1701, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) Assistant Secretary-General Hedi Annabi reported on the "encouraging" deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to the south and the corresponding withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF),which had led to the immediate and massive return of some 400,000 displaced Lebanese persons. But Annabi cautioned that the situation remains fragile, and characterized Israel,s August 19 raid in the Bekaa Valley -- which occurred after the SYG's report was released ) as a "serious violation" of the cessation of hostilities. He reported that the third tripartite meeting held between representatives of UNIFIL, the LAF, and the IDF on August 20 had made clear that little progress could be made towards further IDF/LAF redeployments in southern Lebanon until the details of the expanded UNIFIL force become available. ¶2. (SBU) Summary cont,d. Annabi argued that the Secretariat's distribution August 18 of draft Rules of SIPDIS Engagement (ROE) and a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the expanded UNIFIL force -- plans that incorporate the input of prospective key contributors -- places the onus on member states to respond with firm commitments. While acknowledging that all of the facts about the August 19 IDF raid have not yet become available, Ambassador Bolton noted that Israel had said the operation was meant to prevent re-supply of Hizballah across the Syrian-Lebanese border. If that is the case, he observed that Israel was carrying out an essential part of UNSCR 1701 that establishes an embargo on all arms imported into Lebanon without the consent of the GOL, and argued that blocking re-supply of arms to Hizballah is essential to prevent a return to the status quo. Several delegations, including France and the UK, called on Israel to lift the air/sea blockade of Lebanon. Finally, Annabi reported that SYG Annan had asked DPKO to inform the Council on a daily basis on any future violations of the cessation of hostilities. End Summary. Annabi Describes IDF Raid as &Serious Violation8 -------------- -- ¶3. (SBU) Annabi told the Council that Israel's August 19 raid in the Bekaa Valley -- which occurred after the SYG's report on the implementation of UNSCR 1701 was released -- had constituted a "serious violation" of the cessation of hostilities, but that only minor violations had been committed beforehand. Annabi recalled that SYG Annan had expressed deep concern that the August 19 raid had escalated tensions in the region, and that continuing Israeli overflights of Lebanese territory are also problematic. He reported that LAF representatives, during a third tripartite UNIFIL-LAF-IDF meeting held on August 20, had argued that a coordination mechanism should be established to ensure Israel does not conduct similar raids in the future. As a result, Annabi said that henceforth the IDF and LAF would use UNIFIL as an intermediary in order to pass information to the other side about possible breaches of UNSCR 1701; the objective of this new arrangement is to obviate the need for unilateral action. He also mentioned that Annan had asked DPKO to inform the Council on a daily basis of any future violations of the cessation of hostilities -- in line with the daily briefings DPKO offered on violations of the Blue Line following Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon in 2000. Tripartite Meetings Stall on UNIFIL Reinforcement -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Annabi described the progress achieved during the first week on LAF deployment and IDF withdrawal. But he reported that during the tripartite meeting held August 20, IDF representatives had refused to continue the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon until the details of the reinforced UNIFIL deployment to the south become clear. Moreover, Annabi said the three sides had not set a date for another tripartite meeting. Annabi did say, however, that the IDF agreed to open a corridor along the Lebanese coast to allow the LAF to reach the Blue Line. The fact that little further progress can be made in terms of IDF/LAF redeployments until UNIFIL reinforcements arrive, Annabi argued, suggests that member state contributions to an expanded UNIFIL are needed urgently. Although Annan has been on the phone "daily" with potential contributors, Annabi reported that few commitments to provide troops had been made so far. Now that the Secretariat has circulated draft ROE and CONOPS for the SIPDIS USUN NEW Y 00001597 002.2 OF 003 expanded UNIFIL force to potential contributors, he said it is up to member states to respond. "We believe the Secretariat has done its work with regard to potential troop SIPDIS contributing countries (TCCs)," Annabi concluded, "and it is now for member states to urgently translate expressions of interest into firm commitments." ¶5. (SBU) Briefing on progress on humanitarian relief operations in south Lebanon, Annabi welcomed the fact that more than 400,000 internally-displaced persons had already returned to south Lebanon. But he argued that the "massive access problems" facing international relief workers required an immediate end to the sea and air blockade imposed on Lebanon by Israel. The war had registered a traumatic impact on the civilian population, he argued, and the international community had to do its utmost to ensure the victims receive relief quickly. Muslim States in UNIFIL and Border Monitoring -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Responding to questions from delegations about Israel's announced refusal to support deployments to the enhanced UNIFIL force from countries with which it does not have diplomatic relations, Annabi shared the UN's understanding of the expectations of potential contributors: it is important to have a "coherent and balanced" force with participation from European and non-European countries, including Muslim nations. He said the Secretariat had raised this issue with Israel and "expects some understanding on their part." Addressing the issue of UNIFIL's role in helping to secure the Lebanese-Syrian border, Annabi said UNIFIL would be prepared to offer assistance subject to a request by the GOL and the provision of assets by member states. Thus far, he noted, only one state had offered to make personnel available for border monitoring, but this offer was subject to parliamentary approval. Turning to the need to reinforce the LAF, Annabi said UNIFIL would request a "generous budget" to help meet the LAF's training and equipping needs. But he emphasized that member states would still need to supply the bulk of the LAF's needs through bilateral assistance. Several Delegates Call IDF Raid &Violation,8 But Also Underscore Importance of Arms Embargo -------------- - ¶7. (SBU) Most delegations welcomed the report and the cessation of major hostilities. Several delegations, however, including Qatar and Argentina, shared the SYG,s assessment that the August 19 IDF raid in the Bekaa Valley had constituted a &violation8 of the cessation of hostilities. Others, like France, China, Japan, the UK, and Russia, called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint to ensure that no violations of the cessation of hostilities occur. The UK, Argentina, and Ghana also underscored the importance of ensuring respect for the arms embargo. Argentina specifically called on all states, especially Lebanon,s neighbors, to comply with OP14 and OP15 of UNSCR 1701 (which establish the arms embargo). A number of delegations, including France, the UK, Argentina, and Ghana, called on Israel to lift its sea and air blockade on Lebanon. ¶8. (SBU) Observing that we should not yet draw conclusions because we do not yet have all the facts, Ambassador Bolton noted that Israel had said its August 19 raid was meant to prevent re-supply of Hizballah across the Syrian-Lebanese border. If that is the case, he reasoned, Israel was carrying out an essential part of UNSCR 1701 that establishes an embargo on all arms imported into Lebanon without the consent of the GOL. Arguing that preventing Hizballah re-supply must be a high priority for the UNSC, Ambassador Bolton asked all delegations to consider whether it was more important to avoid using force at all costs or to ensure compliance with the arms embargo. Asserting that the Israeli raid likely concerned Hizballah re-supply rather than any conflict between Israel and Lebanon, he argued that the event underscores the importance of implementing UNSCR 1559. Welcoming LAF redeployment to the south, the Ambassador also called on the GOL to deploy its forces to the Syrian border. He concluded by underscoring the need for the immediate release of the two abducted Israeli soldiers. France Defends Its Contribution to UNIFIL -------------- USUN NEW Y 00001597 003.2 OF 003 ¶9. (SBU) Noting that media reports had suggested that the delay in reinforcing UNIFIL was due to &slowness8 on the part of some member states in taking decisions, French DPR Duclos argued that the international community should maintain &perspective8 on the issue. Member states, he said, had worked very hard with the Secretariat to define ROE and CONOPS for the mission, which he said &go far to meet the concerns of TCCs.8 As far as France,s individual contribution, Duclos said that the vanguard force of 50 French engineers already deployed to Lebanon would soon be joined by 200 additional engineers who would focus on rebuilding Lebanon,s infrastructure. He expressed hope that work on securing reinforcements for UNIFIL could be completed by the end of this week in order to begin actual deployments by the early part of next week. BOLTON