SETTLEMENTS UNSCR: FRENCH MAY GO WOBBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000626

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KPAL KWBG UNSC IS PA
SUBJECT: SETTLEMENTS UNSCR: FRENCH MAY GO WOBBLY

REF: USUN 614 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay M. Khalilzad, per 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) French PR Ripert called Amb Khalilzad on July 14 to
discuss the way ahead on the Arab draft resolution condemning
Israeli settlement expansion. Having successfully delayed
action on the resolution until after the Euro-Med summit,
which concluded on July 14, Ripert said he now had to give
the Arabs France's position on the draft resolution by July

15. He suggested that France put forward a "third way"
proposal to bridge the gaps between U.S. elements and the
Arab resolution. (Note: The French draft resolution is
contained in para 4. End Note.) The French also shared their
proposal with the UK Mission, which joined USUN in calling
for a unified P-3 stance, and arguing against any unilateral
French initiative that could inadvertently force a U.S. veto.


3. (C) After reviewing the French proposal, Amb Khalilzad
called Ripert back to say that the French draft resolution
was highly problematic because of its language on settlements
-- which goes beyond past Quartet statements -- as well as
its omission of references to the terrorist infrastructure
and the need for regional states to cut off funding to
terrorist groups. Amb Khalilzad told Ripert that the U.S.
would have to veto the French text, and therefore urged him
not/not to put it forward. It would be much better for
France, if it wanted to take on a leadership role, to chair
the drafting group USUN had proposed to discuss a
comprehensive resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Amb Khalilzad also urged Ripert not to precipitate action,
as the Arabs lack the nine votes they need to move ahead.
Ripert eventually said he would discuss modifications to his
proposal with Paris and consult with USUN again before
deciding how to proceed.


4. (C) COMMENT: The French, having worked with USUN to avoid
action during the Euro-Med summit, now seem to be returning
to their earlier ways on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
They want the Security Council to take action on this issue,
and above all, do not want to antagonize the Arabs. We have
made clear to the French that they must choose between the
U.S. vetoing an Arab-drafted resolution, the U.S. vetoing a
French-drafted resolution, or working together to try to make
progress towards a comprehensive resolution on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is no need to rush, as
the Arabs lack the nine votes they need, and cannot move
forward without France's support. We will need to continue
to reinforce this message in New York and in capitals,
including at high levels, in the days ahead.


4. (SBU) The new French draft resolution is below:

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 446
(1979) of 22 March 1979, 452 (1979) of 20 July 1979, 465
(1980) of 1 March 1980, 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980, 478
(1980) of 20 August 1980, 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981, 904
(1994) of 18 March 1994, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, and
1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003,

Recalling also the Quartet Road Map to a permanent two-State
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,

Reaffirming its commitment to the two-State solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, negotiated between the Israeli
and Palestinian sides,

Recalling the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of
Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, which,
inter alia, prohibits the occupying Power from transferring
parts of its own civilian population to the territory it
occupies, and reaffirming its applicability to the
Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other
Arab territories occupied since 1967,

Reiterating that Israeli settlement policies and measures in
the Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, have
no legal validity, and endanger the prospects for achieving
the two-State solution in accordance with relevant United
Nations resolutions and Middle East peace initiatives,
including in particular the Road Map, the Arab Peace
Initiative as well as the Annapolis Conference,

Reiterating the importance of achieving a just, comprehensive
and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its
relevant resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference and the
principle of land for peace, and stressing the importance of
the Arab Peace Initiative,

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1. Welcomes progress made in negotiations by Israel and the
Palestinian Authority aimed at realising the shared goal of
an agreement on the establishment of a Palestinian state by
the end of 2008, and calls upon the parties to continue to
make every effort to realise that goal and to continue, in
the interest of the promotion of peace and security, with
their negotiations in the Middle east peace process according
to its agreed terms of reference and the implementation of
the agreements reached;


2. Underscores the urgent need for more visible progress on
the ground in order to build confidence and support progress
in the negotiations launched at Annapolis, Maryland on 27
November 2007;


3. Calls upon both sides to fulfill their obligations under
the Road Map, and to refrain from any steps which could
undermine confidence or prejudice the outcome of negotiations;


4. (Condemns/Expresses deep concern at) the acceleration of
Israeli settlement activities in the recent period;


5. Reiterates its demand that Israel immediately and
completely cease all settlement activity including natural
growth, and dismantle outposts erected since 2001;


6. Calls once again upon Israel to desist forthwith from the
confiscation of Palestinian land under any pretext, from the
demolition of homes and properties, and from the destruction
of agricultural lands;


7. Condemns all attacks against civilians and calls for
immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including all
acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction;


8. Calls upon the Palestinian Authority to fulfil its
commitments, notably to fight terrorism and rebuild its
security apparatus, welcomes the progressive transfer of
security responsibilities from Israel to the Palestinian
Authority in certain areas of the West Bank, and further
calls upon Israel and the Palestinian Authority to increase
cooperation in that respect and to facilitate delivery of
security assistance to the Palestinian Authority;


9. Underscores concern about humanitarian conditions in Gaza
and, in this regard, welcomes Egyptian efforts to restore
calm in a manner that would provide security to all
Palestinians and Israelis, ensure the controlled and
sustained opening of the Gaza crossings for humanitarian
reasons and commercial flows, and work towards conditions
that would permit implementation of the 2005 Agreement on
Movement and Access;


10. Calls upon states, international organisations, and
specialised agencies in a position to do so to continue to
assist in the development of the Palestinian economy, to
disburse the aid pledged at the Paris Conference, to maximise
the resources available to the Palestinian Authority, and to
contribute to the Palestinian institution-building programme
in preparation for statehood, as well as to continue to
provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians;


11. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Khalilzad