GUIDANCE: MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING, OCTOBER 22

UNCLAS STATE 112275 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL LE IS SY SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING, OCTOBER 22 ¶1. (U) This is an action message. USUN is authorized to draw from points in para 2 below during the Middle East Briefing scheduled for October 22. ¶2. (U) Talking points. -- I would like to thank Special Coordinator Serry for his briefing on the situation in the Middle East. This is a time of transition in the region, during which the State of Israel is working through the process of forming a new government, and the Palestinian Authority is working to institutionalize progress it has made in improving security and economic conditions on the ground. At this juncture, the Council should be considering not only the problems we face, but the real opportunities for progress before us. -- At the September 26 Council meeting on the Situation in the Middle East, Secretary Rice asked that countries in the region, particularly Arab states, consider ways they might reach out to Israel to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the peace process. I wish to reiterate this request. Efforts of this nature will be especially important in setting the right tone for constructive relations with the new Israeli government, and are far more likely to yield positive change than attempts to isolate Israel, focusing one-sidedly on only its responsibilities without reference to the larger context. -- The U.S. is strongly committed to realizing President Bush's vision of two states, Israel and Palestine. We remain optimistic about the possibility of reaching that goal via our support for the parties' bilateral negotiations. We believe these talks are sincere and substantive. They are addressing all issues, and remain confidential at the parties' request. -- President Bush and Secretary Rice's personal engagement in support of this process demonstrates our commitment to achieving a peaceful, two-state solution as quickly as possible. We are also pleased to see Israel and Syria in indirect talks and hope they will cover all the relevant issues, including Syria's support for terrorist groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. The United States will continue to focus intensively on the Israeli- Palestinian track. -- There can be no lasting political solution that is not underpinned by a robust Palestinian economy. The U.S. supports Prime Minister Fayyad's economic reforms and priorities as outlined in the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan. -- Secretary Rice underscored how both the public and private sectors are essential for sustainable development in her remarks to the Palestinian Business and Investment Forum in Washington on October 14. The Secretary noted that Prime Minister Fayyad had erased millions in private debt and public salary arrears, preparing the way for the Palestinian Authority to shift its resources to invest in the infrastructure necessary to support continued private sector expansion. -- It is in this context, of opportunities for progress that should not be missed, that we encourage all states to contribute support to the Palestinian Authority. To sustain this progress, it will need significant and regular flows of donor assistance throughout 2009. The ability of the PA to meet its budget obligations, including payment of salaries and implementation of its security efforts throughout the West Bank, is critical to our shared goal of establishing a Palestinian state. -- For our own part, total U.S. assistance to the Palestinians in 2008 will surpass our pledged level of $555 million, including $264 million in project assistance, $150 million in direct budget support, and $184.6 million for the UN Relief and Works Agency. We are transferring an additional $150 million in budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority as part of our ongoing commitment in fiscal year 2009. -- We urge all parties to adhere to the period of calm that began on June 19 as a result of Egypt's efforts. We condemn violent efforts by Hamas and other groups to usurp the lawful authority of the Palestinian government in Gaza. The Quartet's principles remain determinative: renunciation of violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements between the parties. -- We reiterate our deep concern at continued Israeli settlement activity, which damages the atmosphere for negotiations, and call on Israel to freeze this activity and dismantle outposts erected since March 2001, consistent with its Roadmap obligations. -- Finally, I would like to say a few words about the situation in Lebanon, which faces its own transition in elections next year. We welcome the arrival in Beirut of the new Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, and wish to express our strong support for his efforts in carrying out the important duties of this office. -- Implementation of UNSCRs 1559, 1680 and 1701, and fulfillment of the pledges made in the Doha Agreement, are essential to safeguard Lebanon's sovereignty and security. Two years after the conflict instigated by Hizballah, however, the rearmament of this group remains the most important matter for the Council to consider in Lebanon with regard to its duty to safeguard international peace and security. We remain concerned at persistent reports of breaches of the arms embargo along the Lebanon-Syria border, and condemn continued Iranian and Syrian provision of lethal support to Hizballah and other terrorist groups inside Lebanon. We join the Secretary General in noting that fullimplementation of the embargo as an indispensable part of resolution 1701 must be observed comprehensively and without exception. -- We look forward to speedy implementation of the October 17 agreement between Syria and Lebanon to exchange diplomatic missions before the end of the year. Full normalization must also include delineation of the Lebanese-Syrian border. We call on the SYG to engage with both parties towards immediate progress on this issue. -- We welcome the Secretary General's intention to strengthen the diplomatic process aimed at dealing with the issue of the Sheba'a Farms. We urge him to engage directly with Israel, Lebanon, and Syria on this issue. We also strongly support the work of the UN Independent Investigative Commission and look forward to the opening of a Special Tribunal for Lebanon. End points. RICE