GUIDANCE FOR UNIIIC CONSULTATIONS, APRIL 8

UNCLAS STATE 036051 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC LE SY PREL PTER SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR UNIIIC CONSULTATIONS, APRIL 8 ¶1. (U) This is an action message. USUN may draw from the points from para 2 below during consultations on the UN International Independent Investigation Commission (Hariri assassination) scheduled for April 8. ¶2. (U) Begin Points -- I would like to thank Commissioner Bellemare for his briefing and his first report to the Council since he took office in January. We welcome the leadership he has shown so far in helping Lebanon find the truth behind these attacks and bringing an end to impunity for political assassinations. -- In any discussion of Lebanon, it is impossible to ignore the continuing political crisis. We are deeply troubled that, although the Lebanese seem to have reached consensus on a presidential candidate, a minority, backed by Syria and Iran, are using extra-constitutional preconditions to block the elections. This must stop. -- We call yet again on Syria to cease its interference in Lebanon and for the democratically-elected members of Lebanon,s parliament to be allowed to elect a President in accordance with their constitution and without further delay or preconditions. -- Today, I would like to make three specific points about the work of the Commission. -- First, we acknowledge Mr. Bellemare,s cautionary advice that terrorist investigations cannot be rushed, and concur with his judgment on the importance of the Commission's technical assistance to the Lebanese investigations into the cases of twenty other assassination attacks. We also value the robust authorities the Commission possesses to seek the truth in the Hariri case and others. We look forward to hearing from the Lebanese Government on their views about whether the mandate of the UNIIIC should be extended beyond its current June 15 expiration and then discussing the issue further with Council members. -- Second, as Mr. Bellemare proceeds with his investigation, we urge the UN Secretariat to accelerate steps to ensure that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon begins functioning as soon as possible. The lives of Lebanese members of parliament and other political leaders are literally on the line. Since the investigation began nearly three years ago, there have been at least 11 assassinations or attempted assassinations of Lebanese leaders. This includes four Lebanese MPs who have been killed. Their colleagues -- many of whom have been forced to seek refuge by moving into a hotel in Beirut -- now live each day in fear. The loss of life resulting from these terrorist attacks has been enormous. As Mr. Bellemare indicated in his report, of the cases he is investigating, a total of 61 people have been killed and at least 494 injured. Action against the perpetrators of these vicious terrorist attacks is the best deterrent we have to prevent further assassinations. -- Third, we urge all countries to support the integrity of the Tribunal and contribute to it financially. The Tribunal must pursue justice wherever its investigation leads. In this regard, we would oppose any effort that might prejudice the Tribunal by devising political arrangements meant to protect certain parties from prosecution. In terms of financial support, the United States has contributed $14 million towards the set up and first year of the Tribunal's operations, and expects to remain a significant contributor for its duration. We urge countries that have not contributed to do so, those that have made pledges to follow through quickly on providing those resources, and those that have already contributed to advise the Secretary General of their intent to continue their support until the Tribunal completes its work. -- In conclusion, we support the efforts of the Commission and the Special Tribunal to ensure justice for these crimes and to help bring an end to impunity in Lebanon. We hope that we can all work quickly and resolutely enough to deter the next attack from taking place. End Points. RICE