UNSC: COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON UNDOF (GOLAN

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001158 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC IS SY SUBJECT: UNSC: COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON UNDOF (GOLAN HEIGHTS) MANDATE EXTENSION ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In Security Council consultations on December 10, the Secretariat briefed on the activities of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF),which supervises the cease-fire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. He referred to the Secretary-General's November 26 report to the Council which describes the last six-month period as "generally quiet." He said the Secretary-General considers UNDOF's continued presence essential and Israel and Syria both agree to the extension of the force's mandate for a further six-months. All thirteen Council members who spoke agreed to the extension. The Council is scheduled to adopt the mandate extension resolution on December 19. Ambassador Wolff proposed moving to an annual mandate renewal in June 2009, given the Council's widespread agreement on the need for the force, the fact that three of the six troop contributors will be on the next Council, and in line with the force's annual GA financing. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In consultations on December 10, DPKO Asia & Middle East Division Director Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber briefed the Council on the activities of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF),which supervises the cease-fire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights, as required by UNSCR 1821 (June 27, 2008). Weisbrod-Weber noted that the Secretary-General's November 26 report (e-mailed to IO/UNP) on the 1,039-member force describes the last six-month period as "generally quiet." He said that both sides had denied UNDOF inspection teams access to some of their positions and imposed restrictions on UNDOF's freedom of movement. He also described how UNDOF had adapted its "operational posture" to both the IDF's increased training activities and the Syrian civilian settlement growth near the cease-fire line in the area of separation, but stressed that neither of these constituted violations. He said that UNDOF had some difficulty moving supplies but hoped both sides would make more of an effort on this issue. He noted the hazard that old mines, given the 34-year cease-fire, pose to UNDOF personnel. ¶3. (SBU) Weisbrod-Weber said that the Secretary-General considers UNDOF's continued presence in the area essential, and both Syria and Israel agree to the extension of UNDOF's mandate for a further six months. At the end of the meeting, the Secretariat circulated the draft mandate extension resolution and draft Presidential Statement (PRST) for the Council's consideration. Formal adoption of the UNDOF mandate extension resolution is scheduled for December 19. (Comment: Both the draft resolution and PRST appear identical to the versions approved June 27, 2008, and have been e-mailed to IO/UNP. End comment.) ¶4. (SBU) All thirteen Council members, including the U.S., who spoke during consultations voiced support for the extension of UNDOF's mandate and many encouraged the parties to resume their indirect talks. (Note: Only PANAMA and Costa Rica did not speak. End note.) The Libyan Perm Rep welcomed UNDOF's efforts to date but said Libya was displeased with the ongoing occupation of the Golan and hoped a comprehensive solution would be found. Ambassador Wolff cited the widespread agreement in favor of the extension; the fact that the 2009 Council will include three of the six UNDOF troop contributors (Austria, Croatia, and Japan); and suggested that the Council consider in June an annual mandate extension for UNDOF, in line with its July to June financial appropriation, vice a six-month mandate. After consultations, Weisbrod-Weber told PolOff that DPKO would support such a change. He noted that when such a change had been previously attempted, Syria had resisted, preferring the semi-annual mandate renewal process to remind the Council of the issue. (Comment: Given the Council's monthly meetings on the Middle East which can include the Golan and references to Israeli-Syrian indirect talks, the Council discusses the Golan more than semi-annually. End comment.) Khalilzad