Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK1860
2006-09-26 16:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:  

LUKEWARM UNSC RESPONSE TO ANNAN'S 30 DAY REPORT ON

Tags:  PREL UNSC KPKO KPAL IS LE 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001860 

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TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO KPAL IS LE
SUBJECT: LUKEWARM UNSC RESPONSE TO ANNAN'S 30 DAY REPORT ON
LEBANON AND ISRAEL

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 USUN NEW YORK 001860

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO KPAL IS LE
SUBJECT: LUKEWARM UNSC RESPONSE TO ANNAN'S 30 DAY REPORT ON
LEBANON AND ISRAEL

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1. (SBU) Summary. During closed UNSC consultations on
September 18, UN Secretary-General Annan outlined his
one-month report on the implementation of UNSCR 1701, which
led to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and
Hizballah, and reviewed the results of his recent visit to
the region. Praising progress achieved on the implementation
of the resolution as "historic," Annan welcomed the
deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces to southern Lebanon and
said he expected Israel would withdraw completely once UNIFIL
reaches a "credible" troop strength of 5,000 by the end of
September. Drawing attention to the problem of unexploded
ordinance, he called on Israel to hand over all maps of land
mines in its possession. He said he was doing "all possible"
to secure the release of the abducted Israeli soldiers,
including the appointment of a facilitator.


2. (SBU) Summary, cont,d. Turning to the request made of
him by UNSCR 1701 to develop specific proposals to implement
provisions of the Ta'if Accords and UNSCRs 1559 and 1680,
Annan asserted that disarmament of Hizballah could only be
achieved through an internal Lebanese political dialogue. He
expressed hope that neighboring states would cooperate in
this regard and respect the arms embargo established in 1701,
but offered no details. Annan reported that SARG President
Asad had informed him of Syria's intention to go ahead with
the delineation of the Syrian-Lebanese border. In closing,
Annan argued that long-term peace in the Middle East could
only be achieved by addressing all tracks, including the
Israeli-Palestinian and the Israeli-Syrian conflicts. In
response to requests by member states for more specific
suggestions on next steps and timelines for implementation of
1701, Annan deferred to the concerned parties, including
Israel, on issues related to disputed borders. With regard
to implementation of the arms embargo, Annan suggested -- in
a move pre-cooked with the French -- that the UNSC consider
establishing a committee of experts to monitor compliance
with 1701's arms embargo, and added a "general appeal" to all
member states to comply with the resolution.



3. (SBU) Summary, cont'd. Although Qatar and Russia welcomed
the SYG's report and his presentation to the Council, most
other delegations joined P-3 delegations in asking tough
questions about the report and emphasizing the need for an
action plan to ensure implementation of its provisions.
Harkening back to the Hizballah cross-border raid that
precipitated the crisis, Ambassador Bolton underscored the
need for disarmament and strict respect for 1701's arms
embargo. Turning to Sheba'a Farms, he read aloud from the
UNSC's Presidential Statement of June 18, 2000 to emphasize
that the Council had already determined that Israel had
withdrawn from all of Lebanon. French PR de la Sabliere
asked for a timetable for the steps necessary for Syria and
Lebanon to delineate their common border, including Sheba'a
Farms, and to establish diplomatic relations. He also asked
about a plan for disarmament of militias, including
Palestinian militias in Lebanon. The French and British PRs
expressed hope that the proposals requested of the SYG in OP
10 -- relating to Ta'if and UNSCR 1559 and 1680
implementation -- would be forthcoming in the SYG's next
report on the implementation of UNSCR 1559 (due on October
19, 2006). Several other delegations, including China,
Denmark, Japan, and Argentina, echoed the need for a timeline
for the implementation of UNSCR 1701. End Summary.

Annan Briefs the Council
--------------


4. (SBU) Reviewing his report on the implementation of UNSCR
1701 after one month and his recent visit to the region, SYG
Annan welcomed the continuing cessation of hostilities and
praised the deployment of LAF to southern Lebanon as
"historic." Noting that UNIFIL would comprise 5,000 troops
by the end of September, Annan stated his expectation that
this "credible" force would allow the IDF to withdraw
completely from Lebanon per his understanding with Israeli PM
Olmert. Praising tripartite cooperation, he suggested that
UNIFIL, IDF, and LAF might raise the level of representation
at future tripartite meetings to the top military leaders on
all sides. Annan expressed satisfaction that measures to
improve the security of Lebanon's borders, including the
creation of an interim UNIFIL maritime task force and
deployment of German experts to the Beirut airport, had
enabled Israel to lift its blockade of Lebanon. In order to
achieve a full return to normalcy, however, Annan called on
Israel to hand over all maps of landmines and other
unexploded ordnance in Lebanon. He also welcomed the support
of the international community for Lebanon's recovery. He

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said he was doing "all possible" to secure the release of
abducted IDF soldiers, including appointing a facilitator to
work with both sides, but also noted that his interlocutors
in the region had emphasized the need to resolve the
situation of Lebanese prisoners in Israel.


5. (SBU) Turning to the tasks assigned him by UNSCR 1701, SYG
Annan argued that agreement in principle by Israel and
Lebanon to the elements in OP 8 of the resolution had to be
consolidated, and pledged to report back to the Council "in
due course" on this issue. On the request in OP 10 that the
SYG develop proposals to implement the relevant provisions of
the Ta'if Accords and UNSCRs 1559 and 1680, Annan asserted
that disarmament of Hizballah could only be accomplished
through an internal Lebanese political dialogue. He
expressed hope that Lebanon would address this issue "soon"
and that neighboring states would cooperate in this regard,
but offered no further details. Annan urged all member
states to comply with the arms embargo established under OP
15, and noted that UNIFIL had set up a maritime task force to
help secure Lebanon's coast at the GOL's request. Turning
last but with emphasis to the need to secure a broader peace
in the Middle East, Annan argued that long-term peace would
only be possible after the issue of occupied Palestinian
territories and the Golan Heights is addressed. It is now
time, he said, to focus intently on getting the Israelis and
Palestinians back to the negotiating table.


6. (SBU) During his summary and his subsequent response to P5
interventions, Annan addressed the issue of disputed borders.
He reported that during his recent visit to Syria, Assad had
informed him that Syria is prepared to go ahead with
delineation of the Syrian-Lebanese border (but provided no
calendar for such action). On the issue of Sheba'a Farms, he
acknowledged prior determination that Israel had fully
withdrawn from Lebanon, but noted that Syria and Lebanon are
free to make new arrangements. In this regard, he recalled
Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora's Seven-Point Plan, which
calls for Sheba'a Farms to be placed under UN trusteeship
until the sovereignty of the territory is conclusively
defined. He said the UN is carefully studying all "paths" to
resolution of this conflict, as well as their implications.

Russia and Qatar Generally Satisfied
--------------


7. (SBU) Qatar and Russia welcomed the SYG's report on 1701
implementation and endorsed many of its conclusions.
Characterizing the report as "excellent and comprehensive,"
the Qatari delegate objected to the continued presence of
Israeli forces inside Lebanon and IAF overflights of Lebanese
territory as "clear violations" of the Blue Line. He echoed
the SYG's sentiments that disarmament of Hizballah could only
take place through an internal Lebanese political process,
but added that this process must conclude with Lebanon
regaining full sovereignty over all of its land, including
Sheba'a Farms. The Qatari delegate cautioned that a full
cease-fire could only take hold once Israel hands over to the
UN all maps of land mines in south Lebanon that it possesses.
He characterized diplomatic relations between Lebanon and
Syria as an issue of sovereignty that must be left to the two
countries, and suggested that the issue of Lebanese and
Israeli prisoners be dealt with through the International
Committee of the Red Cross. Russian PR Churkin averred that
the SYG's analysis "is to a great extent in line with
Russia's," and lamented the "paralysis of the peace process"
and the absence of a "balanced, comprehensive" approach to
the Middle East. He expressed support for the GOL's
intention to address disarmament of Hizballah through
political dialogue, and praised GOL PM Siniora's idea that
Sheba'a Farms be placed under UN trusteeship until its status
is determined, even suggesting that this approach could be
used to resolve the issue of the Golan Heights. Churkin
observed that Lebanon and Syria could only improve their
bilateral relationship without "unjustified" outside pressure.

Others Offer Lukewarm Praise and Tough Questions
-------------- --------------


8. (SBU) Noting that President Bush would address the issue
of Lebanon during his speech to the UNGA, Ambassador Bolton
limited his remarks to four main points. First, he observed
that the conflict had begun because Hizballah had crossed the
Blue Line without provocation to kill and abduct Israeli
soldiers. Second, Ambassador Bolton averred that Hizballah's
status as a state within a state would continue to pose a
threat to Israeli and Lebanese security until the terrorist

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group is disarmed. Third, he emphasized that all member
states must take seriously UNSCR 1701's requirement that
Hizballah not be re-armed by strictly adhering to the arms
embargo created by the resolution. Fourth, observing that
comments about Sheba'a Farms were taking on a "Lewis
Carroll"-type quality, the Ambassador read aloud the section
of the UNSC's June 18, 2000 Presidential Statement (PRST)
that "endorsed the work done by the UN... including the SYG's
conclusion that as of 16 June 2000 Israel has withdrawn its
forces from Lebanon in accordance with resolution 425..."
The Council had repeatedly reaffirmed this PRST in subsequent
SC resolutions, Ambassador Bolton recalled, and could not
simply ignore the statement now when dealing with the Sheba'a
Farms issue.


9. (SBU) While commending the efforts of SYG Annan and the
Secretariat to secure the cessation of hostilities and

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expeditiously establish the expanded UNIFIL force, France and
the UK joined the USG in offering only lukewarm praise for
the report and asking the SYG specific questions about how to
ensure implementation of the key provisions of UNSCR 1701.
French PR de la Sabliere asked for a timetable for the steps
necessary for Syria and Lebanon to delineate their common
border and establish diplomatic relations. In a set piece
pre-arranged with the SYG, de la Sabliere asked Annan whether
there should be a follow-up to ensure implementation of the
arms embargo established in UNSCR 1701 (to which Annan later
replied that the SC could consider setting up a committee of
experts to monitor implementation of the arms embargo). The
French PR also expressed hope that the proposals requested of
the SYG in OP 10 -- relating to Ta'if and UNSCR 1559 and 1680
implementation, including resolution of the Sheba'a Farms
issue -- would be forthcoming in the SYG's next report on the
implementation of UNSCR 1559 (due on October 19, 2006).
British PR Jones-Parry agreed that the international
community had registered a "huge achievement" in terms of
progress on 1701 implementation but emphasized that much
remains to be done. Singling out the arms embargo and the
importance of securing Lebanon's land border with Syria,
Jones-Parry said he looked forward to the SYG's
recommendations per OP 10 of 1701.


10. (SBU) Several other delegations echoed many of the points
raised by the P-3. While calling on the international
community to strengthen UNIFIL's deployment and urging Israel
to withdraw completely from south Lebanon, China also said it
shared France's view that UNSCR 1701 implementation requires
a timetable. Seizing on the SYG's statement that "almost
all" of Lebanon's neighbors had offered to cooperate in
implementing 1701, Denmark asked which countries had not
cooperated. Arguing that Syria and Lebanon must establish
diplomatic relations, the Danish PR also expressed hope that
GOL PM Siniora and SARG President Asad would soon meet. She
also called on Iran and Syria to live up to their commitments
to respect the arms embargo under 1701. Noting that the
SYG's report did not contain much detail, Argentina expressed
hope the 1559 report would present specific recommendations
to deal with Sheba'a Farms, disarmament, and respect for the
arms embargo and the Blue Line. Japan and Slovakia agreed
that timelines were needed for disarmament and Sheba'a Farms.
Both delegations also underscored the importance of the
immediate release of the abducted Israeli soldiers.

Annan Offers Little in Response
--------------


11. (SBU) Taking the floor again after Qatar, France, China,
Russia and the U.S. had spoken (given his commitments
elsewhere during the General Debate),Annan promised to
report to the Council if further progress on 1701
implementation is achieved. But he added that on certain
issues -- such as Sheba'a Farms and border delineation --
progress depends on Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. Referring to
his report to the Council endorsed in the June 18, 2000 PRST,
SYG Annan said the delineation of the Blue Line did not
preclude other arrangements between Syria and Lebanon that
might change the status of Sheba'a Farms. Israel had a role
to play in this process as well, he noted, because it still
occupies the area but has laid no permanent territorial claim
to it. If Sheba'a becomes Lebanese, Annan suggested, the
UNSC would have to review the situation again.


12. (SBU) On disarmament, Annan argued that the Lebanese must
agree to a process that accomplishes more than the National
Dialogue, given that the National Dialogue consensus on
disarming Palestinian groups outside the camps had yet to be
fulfilled. He noted that the Lebanese and Syrians had put

USUN NEW Y 00001860 004.2 OF 004


forward no calendar to address issues in their bilateral
relationship, but recalled that Asad had made a commitment in
principle to meet Siniora. Annan also noted Asad's
announcement that he would deploy an additional battalion of
Syrian soldiers to police the Lebanese border and would
accept German assistance to ensure its security.


13. (SBU) Responding to French PR de la Sabliere's question
about follow-up mechanisms to ensure implementation of the
arms embargo, Annan noted that the UNSC has often created
panels of experts and sent them to visit the countries in
question to monitor adherence to sanctions regimes. Aside
from issuing a general call to member states to respect their
obligations under 1701, Annan opined that creating a panel of
experts was an option for the Council. (Note: UNSC
committees work on the basis of consensus. Qatar, for
example, would therefore have an effective veto over the work
of a panel of experts even though it lacks that veto in the
broader Council. End Note.)


14. (SBU) Responding to member state interventions after SYG
Annan left, Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
Jean-Marie Guehenno clarified that Annan's said that "almost
all" of Lebanon's neighbors had offered to cooperate in
implementing 1701 because not all had publicly and explicitly
affirmed their commitments. Guehenno stressed that all
neighbors had privately assured the SYG of their support,
however. Guehenno also noted that the Secretariat could
propose no timeline for Hizballah's disarmament because the
process must be driven by the Lebanese.
BOLTON