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