SETTLEMENTS UNSCR: ARABS TO CONSIDER BROADENING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000590 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR IO AND NEA FRONT OFFICES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KPAL KWBG UNSC PA IS SUBJECT: SETTLEMENTS UNSCR: ARABS TO CONSIDER BROADENING TEXT TO INCLUDE OTHER ROADMAP OBLIGATIONS REF: A. STATE 69092 ¶B. USUN 573 ¶C. USUN 531 ¶1. (SBU) Libya convened a second UNSC experts meeting on July 2 to discuss its draft resolution condemning Israeli settlement expansion. (Note: During the first experts meeting on June 30, several delegations expressed support for the draft text, but others including USUN and UKUN said they had yet to receive instructions from capitals -- so Libya adjourned the meeting. End Note.) During the July 2 meeting, USUN and UKUN argued that the text as drafted could not be adopted by the Council because it focused on only one issue from the Roadmap -- settlements -- without addressing the obligations of other parties or the overall context of the peace process. Drawing from ref A, Poloff listed several elements a resolution would need to include to potentially secure U.S. support, including recognition of progress achieved thus far in negotiations and on the ground as well as a call on regional states to cut off public and private funding for terrorist groups. Recalling the July 2 vehicular attack in Jerusalem that killed four, Poloff emphasized that any resolution must unequivocally condemn all such attacks targeting civilians. Based on these elements, the Libyan draft would need to be completely rewritten to serve as the basis for negotiations. USUN and UKUN suggested that delegations consult with their capitals on whether they could support addressing this range of elements before experts begin a drafting exercise. ¶2. (SBU) France, Russia, South Africa, and Italy all voiced support for addressing the kinds of elements the U.S. and UK had mentioned, to ensure the Council is able to take action on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. South Africa, notably, said it could support all of the elements USUN listed -- including a condemnation of attacks against civilians -- but predicted difficulty in agreeing on specific language addressing these elements. The Libyan expert, recalling that more than nine delegates supported the Arab draft on June 30, argued that expanding the focus of the resolution would make it impossible for the Council to reach consensus. France pointed out that it would be impossible for the Council to adopt a resolution solely focused on settlements because the U.S. would exercise its veto. Russia then urged Libya to consult with the Arab Group to see if the Arabs are prepared to engage on a more comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian draft UNSCR. Russia added that if the Arabs refuse, the only other option would be to put the Libyan draft in blue and call for a vote. The Libyan expert, after expressing frustration that the U.S., UK, and France could not present an alternate text despite receiving the Libyan draft two weeks ago, agreed to consult the Arab Group on the idea of a broader Israeli-Palestinian UNSCR. (Comment: If the Arabs agree to negotiate a broader text, a view Arab PermReps had earlier expressed to Amb Khalilad (ref B),the Libyan expert would then call another experts meeting -- most likely on Monday July 7 -- and would expect one of the P-3 to propose edits or an alternate draft. End Comment.) ¶3. (SBU) Separately, French PR Ripert told Amb Khalilzad on July 1 that France would be prepared to table a modified version of the alternate P-3 draft UNSCR at the right time to draw support away from the Libyan draft and serve as a possible basis for consensus. (Note: This text was e-mailed to IO/UNP and cleared by the Department on June 30. End Note.) Explaining the modifications France would seek, Ripert argued the alternate draft UNSCR should treat equally the Palestinian security and Israeli settlement Roadmap obligations. He suggested using the same language to address both issues (e.g., "condemn" attacks against civilians as well as settlement expansion). He said that France would have other minor text changes to propose, as well. Ripert said France is in no hurry to take action on this issue, and would prefer to defer action until after the French-hosted Euro-Med summit on July 13-14, which will include Arab and Israeli participation. Ripert did not offer any plan for convincing the Arab Group and NAM members of the Security Council to wait until mid-July, however. Furthermore, French expert Nicolas Kassianides said on July 2 that Paris had still not issued instructions authorizing him to formally share with USUN the amendments Ripert described to Amb Khalilzad. According to Kassianides, Paris is concerned that the draft will leak and France will incur Arab disfavor because the text moves so far away from a focus on settlements. He also speculated that Paris may want the Mission to delay even negotiating a P-3 text until after the July 13 summit. But Kassianides agreed that if the P-3 are unable to present an alternate text during the next experts USUN NEW Y 00000590 002 OF 002 meeting, momentum could shift back in Libya's favor because other delegations could conclude the P-3 are not serious about reaching consensus, and the Arabs could decide to put their draft to a vote. Khalilzad