Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06WELLINGTON629
2006-08-14 03:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Wellington
Cable title:
NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON LEBANON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHWL #0629 2260308 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 140308Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3144 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 4511 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0064
UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000629
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO, EAP/FO, NEA/ELA, EAP/ANP, AND IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS UN IS NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON LEBANON
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
REF: SECSTATE 132517
WELLINGTON 592
UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000629
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO, EAP/FO, NEA/ELA, EAP/ANP, AND IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS UN IS NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON LEBANON
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
REF: SECSTATE 132517
WELLINGTON 592
1. (U) On August 14, Acting DCM delivered reftel information to
Darryl Dunn, Director, Middle East and Africa Division, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
2. (SBU) Dunn said that GNZ welcomes the resolution and remains
interested in participating in a UN force. Ministry of Defence
officials have been discussing possible participation for the past
few weeks, and were to meet again on the issue later in the day.
Dunn promised to let ADCM know the outcome of the meeting, but he
cautioned that GNZ needs more details about what the peacekeeping
force will entail before making a final decision. He reminded ADCM
that because of ongoing commitments in Afghanistan, Timor, and the
Solomon's, New Zealand's contributions will be limited, with a few
military liaisons being the most likely (Ref B).
3. (U) Prime Minister Clark also issued a public statement on the
resolution on August 12, with a similar note of New Zealand's
willingness to participate in peacekeeping but also a similar note of
caution as to the scope of its contribution. The complete text
follows:
NZ welcomes UN resolution for Middle East
Prime Minister Helen Clark today welcomed news that the United
Nations Security Council had earlier today (NZT) unanimously passed a
resolution calling for a full cessation of hostilities in southern
Lebanon.
"Reaching agreement on this resolution has been a protracted and
difficult process. The next steps towards achieving an immediate
ceasefire and a lasting solution may be just as trying."
"The onus now lies on the governments of Lebanon and Israel to accept
the resolution as the basis for moving forward. They must work, in
conjunction with the UN Secretary-General, to agree on the cessation
of hostilities and the implementation of the steps identified in the
resolution for the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern
Lebanon and the compliance of all parties with the ceasefire
arrangements.
"The international community will need to play its part in supporting
the implementation of the resolution. I call on all parties involved
in this tragic conflict, as well as the wider international
community, to use their influence to help bring peace and a lasting
solution.
"New Zealand stands ready to consider what role we might play in an
expanded UN presence in southern Lebanon, taking into account the
other demands on our Defence Force," Helen Clark.
End Text of Statement.
MCCORMICK
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO, EAP/FO, NEA/ELA, EAP/ANP, AND IO/UNP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS UN IS NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON LEBANON
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
REF: SECSTATE 132517
WELLINGTON 592
1. (U) On August 14, Acting DCM delivered reftel information to
Darryl Dunn, Director, Middle East and Africa Division, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
2. (SBU) Dunn said that GNZ welcomes the resolution and remains
interested in participating in a UN force. Ministry of Defence
officials have been discussing possible participation for the past
few weeks, and were to meet again on the issue later in the day.
Dunn promised to let ADCM know the outcome of the meeting, but he
cautioned that GNZ needs more details about what the peacekeeping
force will entail before making a final decision. He reminded ADCM
that because of ongoing commitments in Afghanistan, Timor, and the
Solomon's, New Zealand's contributions will be limited, with a few
military liaisons being the most likely (Ref B).
3. (U) Prime Minister Clark also issued a public statement on the
resolution on August 12, with a similar note of New Zealand's
willingness to participate in peacekeeping but also a similar note of
caution as to the scope of its contribution. The complete text
follows:
NZ welcomes UN resolution for Middle East
Prime Minister Helen Clark today welcomed news that the United
Nations Security Council had earlier today (NZT) unanimously passed a
resolution calling for a full cessation of hostilities in southern
Lebanon.
"Reaching agreement on this resolution has been a protracted and
difficult process. The next steps towards achieving an immediate
ceasefire and a lasting solution may be just as trying."
"The onus now lies on the governments of Lebanon and Israel to accept
the resolution as the basis for moving forward. They must work, in
conjunction with the UN Secretary-General, to agree on the cessation
of hostilities and the implementation of the steps identified in the
resolution for the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern
Lebanon and the compliance of all parties with the ceasefire
arrangements.
"The international community will need to play its part in supporting
the implementation of the resolution. I call on all parties involved
in this tragic conflict, as well as the wider international
community, to use their influence to help bring peace and a lasting
solution.
"New Zealand stands ready to consider what role we might play in an
expanded UN presence in southern Lebanon, taking into account the
other demands on our Defence Force," Helen Clark.
End Text of Statement.
MCCORMICK