GUIDANCE: CONSULTATION ON UNSCR 1701, JULY 9,

UNCLAS STATE 073172 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IS LE PREL SY UNSC SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: CONSULTATION ON UNSCR 1701, JULY 9, 2008 ¶1. (U) This is an action message. USUN is authorized to draw from the points in para 2 below during consultations on the Secretary-General,s report on the implementation of UNSCR 1701 scheduled for July 9. Please see septel for further guidance in the event the French delegation subsequently tables a draft Presidential Statement welcoming and reacting to the SYG,s report. (Note: We do not anticipate that France will table a draft PRST on July 9.) ¶2. (U) Begin points: -- I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on UNSC Resolution 1701 on Lebanon. The United States welcomes this report as a positive step towards full implementation of all provisions of the resolution. Today, I would like to make four points. -- First, I would like to take note of the Secretary-General,s intention (noted in para 62) to strengthen the diplomatic process aimed at expanding UN engagement on Sheba,a, and endorse such efforts, in the context of full implementation of UNSCR 1701. -- During her recent visit to Beirut on June 13, Secretary Rice noted that Sheba,a should be dealt with as a priority and in the context of full implementation of UNSCR 1701. -- The United States joins the Secretary-General in welcoming Prime Minister Siniora,s April 2, 2008 letter on Sheba,a farms, in which the Prime Minister cites the UN Cartographer,s work on the geographic definition of the Sheba,a area as a good basis for discussion. -- At the same time, we urge both sides to accept UNIFIL's plan to deal with the Ghajar area near Sheba,a. -- Second, the United States supports the normalization of Lebanese-Syrian relations, especially the reciprocal establishment of embassies and border delineation. -- Bilateral delineation by Lebanon and Syria of their full border remains the optimal step to finding a permanent solution to Sheba,a. -- Third, the United States supports and encourages the national dialogue process agreed upon at Doha on May 21. This process is critical for achieving the full implementation of all aspects of UNSCR 1701, including the disarmament of armed groups, Lebanese government control of the border, and enforcement of the arms embargo. -- Finally, I wish to underscore U.S. concern about the illegal arms transfers across the Syrian-Lebanese border, in particular claims by Hizballah that it has replenished its military capacity since the 2006 war. We fully support the Secretary-General,s call for a process to disarm all militias in Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701 and the Ta,if accords. -- UNIFIL continues to discover serious weapons caches south of the Litani. During calendar year 2007, UNIFIL discovered 39 bunkers, 54 rockets, and 277 bombs of various types, all of which were turned over to the Lebanese Armed Forces. -- We applaud the work of UNIFIL in this effort and I would like take this opportunity to note in particular Maritime UNIFIL,s work, in coordination with the Lebanese Navy, in deterring unauthorized arms shipments. Since assuming its mission in October 2006, it has conducted nearly 17,000 ship hailings and challenges. During this period, over 120 vessels were identified as suspicious and boarded and inspected by the Lebanese Navy or customs with UNIFIL support. -- We also urge all sides to renew their support for the Secretary-General on the issue of cluster munitions. -- We reject any attempt to destabilize Lebanon or violate its sovereignty. End points. ¶3. (U) Septel will provide elements for inclusion in a French draft PRST on the report in the event one is presented. RICE