GUIDANCE FOR UNIIIC CONSULTATIONS, MARCH 21

UNCLAS STATE 035310

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PGOV LE
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR UNIIIC CONSULTATIONS, MARCH 21


1. (U) USUN is authorized to draw from the points in para 2
below during UN Security Council consultations on
the 7th UNIIIC report, currently scheduled for March 21.


2. (SBU) Begin points.

-- We commend the Commission's professional, systematic and
thorough investigation and tireless work to uncover those
responsible for the assassination of Rafik Hariri and to
provide technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities in
the 16 other cases.

-- We note Commissioner Brammertz, report that the
Commission has made progress in collecting new evidence,
enabling it to narrow down possible motives for the
assassination to those linked with Hariri,s political
activities.

-- The report notes that, &in the last months of Hariri,s
life, he was very focused on the forthcoming 2005
elections,8 including negotiations on the draft electoral
law. The report states that 8it is of some note that Hariri
was killed on the day that Parliament was scheduled to debate
the electoral law to be applied in the forthcoming
elections.8

-- We agree that it is critical that the Commission have
access to those political and diplomatic interlocutors with
whom Hariri dealt in order to ensure the completeness of the
investigation into the motive behind the assassination.

-- We commend the cooperation of Lebanese authorities with
the Commission, particularly the full support of the
Prosecutor General of Lebanon. We also welcome the
assistance that UNIIIC has provided to the Lebanese
government in its investigation of the assassination of
Pierre Gemayel, the Ain Alaq bombings, and the other 14 cases.

-- We are pleased to note the Commission held successful
meetings to address the overdue responses from 10 members
states to requests for assistance that were cited in the last
report, and especially pleased that the Commission has
reported that, as a result of these meetings, almost all
outstanding matters were resolved and, where appropriate,
mechanisms introduced to facilitate resolution of pending
issues.

-- The report notes Syrian cooperation "remains crucial to
the swift and successful completion of the Commission's
work"; however, the report notes occasions on which responses
by Syrian individuals to interview questions can "once
again...be characterized as variable in quality." The
Commission noted that it will continue to request Syria,s
full cooperation, and we reiterate our call on the Syrian
government to cooperate fully in this process, including by
complying with all requests for interviews and information.

-- We urge the UN Secretariat to continue to provide
operational support to UNIIIC, particularly with regard to
staffing needs.

-- The report clearly outlines the work that still lies ahead
for the Commission to complete its investigation and
concludes that it is unlikely the Commission will complete
its work before its current mandate expires on June 15.

-- We strongly support the request of the Government of
Lebanon to extend the mandate of UNIIIC for an additional
year.

-- We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Commission to
pursue this case. We remain deeply concerned about the
security environment in Lebanon. However, we believe that
the Council's efforts in supporting the investigation and the
creation of the Tribunal to prosecute those charged with
these crimes will stand as a deterrent to those who in the
future might be tempted to engage in similar crimes intended
to undermine the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon.

-- It is a matter of serious concern that members of the
Lebanese Parliament have not yet been allowed to convene and
vote on ratification of an agreement with the U.N. that will
establish the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This is despite
the fact that a majority of members of Parliament have made
clear that they want this vote to take place.

End points.
RICE