JANUARY MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING: RANCOROUS SECURITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000095 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IS LE SY SUBJECT: JANUARY MIDDLE EAST BRIEFING: RANCOROUS SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE OVERSHADOWS ANNAPOLIS PROGRESS ¶1. (SBU) Summary. During the UN Security Council's monthly public debate on the Middle East on January 30, past optimism about the Annapolis process was overshadowed by rancor resulting from the UNSC's inability to adopt a Presidential Statement (PRST) on the situation in Gaza as well as acrimonious exchanges between the parties. Although most delegations expressed hope that the momentum generated at Annapolis would be sustained, several decried continuing Israeli settlement activity as contravening the GOI's Roadmap obligations. Most delegations also called on the PA to do more to confront terrorism and expressed concern about or condemned the rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel. Delegates also expressed concern about recent violence in Lebanon and generally expressed support for the Arab League's effort to find a solution to the impasse over the presidential election. ¶2. (SBU) The Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian delegates engaged in an acrimonious name-calling exercise at the end of the debate in which they argued about the source of Gaza's problems (occupation vs. terrorism). The Syrian PR accused Israel of "genocide," while the Israeli PR argued Libya was unfit for UNSC membership given its involvement in the Lockerbie bombing. Despite the rancor, the Libyan delegation worked privately with USUN to shelve the proposed PRST and did not push forward, as would normally be the case, an unbalanced resolution that would have triggered a USG veto. Because USUN succeeded in inserting consideration of the security aspects of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza into the Council discussion, the Arab group was unable to find support for its typical tactic of seeking a UN General Assembly Special Session once the Council has failed to issue a product. ¶3. (SBU) Although the Security Council held an unscheduled debate on the situation in Gaza January 22, Council members insisted on also holding the regular monthly debate on the situation in the Middle East January 30. A summary of the January 30 debate, as well as the full transcript, should be available on the UN website (www.un.org, then click on "press center") by January 31. End Summary. Pascoe Presents Update -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe delivered the monthly briefing on the Middle East in a public briefing of the UN Security Council January 30. Pascoe highlighted the gap between the aspirations of the political process and realities of the situation on the ground, and said that both sides had obligations under Phase I of the Roadmap - including a freeze on all settlement activity by Israel and disarming of militants by the PA. Pascoe then briefed the Council on developments in the crisis in Gaza, the casualties of the last month (the "month of heavy bloodshed"),continuing negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, follow-up from the Paris donor conference, and developments in Lebanon. On Gaza, Pascoe said that since Israel's decision to impose a closure on Gaza on January 18, 32 truckloads of goods had entered Gaza compared to a daily average of 93 trucks during 2007 and 2008. Ambassador Wolff Keeps Focus on Annapolis -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Wolff spoke of continuing U.S. commitment to a two-state solution and highlighted President Bush's call for members to support Israeli and Palestinian progress on four tracks: implementing the roadmap, building Palestinian economic and security institutions, securing ongoing support from the international community, and continuing bilateral negotiations aimed at securing a peace settlement. Ambassador Wolff also urged the international community to maintain the Annapolis momentum that was reinforced in the Paris donors' conference. ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Wolff said that the USG shared the regret of several other delegations that the UNSC was unable to agree on the draft PRST discussed on January 25, but he emphasized that the lack of a Council statement did not signify a lack of concern for the humanitarian crisis. He called on HAMAS to cease its violent terrorist attacks on Israel, noting that HAMAS was at odds with the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and expressed surprise that the Palestinian representative did not condemn the rocket attacks as President Abbas had in public remarks. Ambassador Wolff said the United States supports contact between Israelis and the Palestinian Authority to discuss the Palestinian proposal to assume control over border crossing points inside Gaza. USUN NEW Y 00000095 002 OF 003 ¶7. (SBU) On Lebanon, Ambassador Wolff strongly condemned the Beirut bombing in mid-January, but said that the United States would not falter in its support for a democratic government in Lebanon. The Ambassador noted the United States' support for UN efforts on a Lebanon tribunal and urged other members to provide contributions as soon as possible to set up the tribunal. Ambassador Wolff also called for immediate Presidential elections in Lebanon and for Syria, Iran, and allies to end their interference in Lebanon's democratic process. Concern over Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza -------------- ¶8. (SBU) All delegations expressed concern at the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While most delegations expressed concern about or condemned the mortar and rocket attacks against Israel, they also admonished Israel for practicing "collective punishment" by closing the border crossings, and called on Israel to reopen crossing and allow free movement of persons and goods. Libya argued that the siege of Gaza was one link in a long chain of Israeli actions --including military incursions, terrorizing civilians, destroying the Al-Aqsa mosque, and imprisoning women and children --intended to destroy the lives of 1.5 million Palestinians, and said these activities cast doubt on Israel's stated intentions to conclude a peace agreement with the Palestinians. ¶9. (SBU) The UK, France, Russia noted their support for the Egyptian government's response to the influx of Palestinians at Rafah and the UK encouraged all parties to work to normalize the operation of the Rafah crossing. The UK and China voiced support for the proposal for the Palestinian Authority to control border crossings in Gaza, while Russia and Indonesia advocated talks among Palestinians on national unity. Italy called Israel's closure policy "unsustainable" and "counter-productive," and urged a return to the status quo ante as soon as possible. Deep Disappointment over UNSC Failure to Agree on PRST -------------- -------------- ¶10. (SBU) With the notable exception of Libya, most delegations expressed deep frustration over the Council's inability to reach consensus on a PRST addressing the situation in Gaza. This frustration fed a public argument about the merits of public meetings. While the UK questioned whether the monthly UNSC debates on the Middle East are useful - whether they were adding "more light" or just "more heat" to discussions on the issue, South Africa argued that silence is more dangerous than a discussion in which temperatures are raised. Indonesia opined that in absence of consensus, the views of different UNSC members need to be expressed, and that the monthly Middle East debate was therefore a useful event. Panama suggested that the General Assembly is a preferable forum. Ambassador Wolff observed that these "debates" were typically a platform for unhelpful rhetoric. Continued Hope for Progress on Annapolis Commitments -------------- -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Despite expressed concerns that recent events on the ground had jeopardized the momentum generated at Annapolis, delegations urged the peace process to continue. Delegations noted that Israeli and Palestinian leaders, negotiators, and experts continued to meet and they called on parties to fulfill the commitments in Phase 1 of the roadmap. A number of delegations, including France and South Africa, called on Israel to do more to release prisoners, end settlement activity, and dismantle outposts, while asking Palestinians to increase security efforts and combat terrorist activities. ¶12. (SBU) Delegations also called for the international community to continue to support the peace process and to follow-through on financial commitments made at the Paris donor conference. Repeating a familiar line, Russia said that only a comprehensive approach to the Middle East would be successful and called for resumption of negotiations on the Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese tracks. Concern Over Continuing Violence in Lebanon -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Most delegations voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon and condemned the recent terrorist attacks. They also called for the USUN NEW Y 00000095 003 OF 003 long-delayed Presidential election to occur quickly, without outside intervention, and welcomed the Arab League's mediation efforts. France emphasized that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon should be established as soon as possible. The French PR also expressed regret about the deaths of the Hizballah/Amal supporters on January 27 and said those responsible for these killings must be found. Parties Return to Acrimonious Debate of the Past -------------- --- ¶14. (SBU) After opening statements from the Israeli and Palestinian representatives in which they argued about the origin of Gaza's current problems and whether the territory is still occupied, exchanges between the parties devolved into open recrimination and name-calling following Lebanese and Syrian statements. The Palestinian and Israeli representatives later exercised their right of reply. ¶15. (SBU) The Lebanese PR said that people of the Middle East are still looking to UNSC for action and that it needs to end suffering in Gaza and restore credibility of the peace process. He also said that Israel is flouting its Annapolis commitments by continuing to support settlements and noted that the Israelis haven't lifted the blockade of Gaza. Ambassador Salam called for a "diplomatic process" to resolve the status of the Sheba'a Farms area. He expressed the GOL's full support for the Arab League plan on Lebanon's presidential elections and said the January 27 deaths of the Hizballah/Amal supporters are being investigated. ¶16. (SBU) Syria opened by fully supporting Libya's statements and complaining that U/SYG Pascoe's briefing had glossed over Israeli transgressions and had failed to mention the status of the occupied Syrian Golan. Paying special attention to the Golan, the Syrian PR decried Israel's refusal to permit residents of the Golan to visit their families in Syria or to return Syrian prisoners in Israel. He said Syria was "determined to regain the Golan to the 1967 lines by all legitimate means." He then went on to accuse Israel of crimes of "genocide" and alleged that Israel was undermining Annapolis by continuing its settlement campaign even after the peace conference. In response to the United States call for Syrian non-interference in Lebanon, the Syrian PR noted that the policy of non-intervention should apply to everyone, including the United States. ¶17. (SBU) The Palestinian representative requested right of reply to respond to Ambassador Wolff's point that he had failed to mention President Abbas's condemnation of the rocket attacks against Israel. The Palestinian representative argued that the Council needed to consider the totality of Abbas' position; the Palestinians were flexible on condemning the rockets during the PRST discussions last week, but that the main reason for the Gaza situation was the Israeli occupation and military incursions. He also said that to only address the firing of rockets was not balanced or fair. The Palestinian representative also observed that most delegations had welcomed the prospect of the Palestinian Authority assuming control of the border crossings, which he said would offer a concrete solution to the suffering of Gazans. ¶18. (SBU) Israel also requested right of reply and used the time to question the legitimacy of Libya's inclusion on the Security Council, and quoted the UN Charter about criteria for membership. The representative noted that Council members were supposed to contribute to international peace and security, but then said this meeting was filled with the "bias, bigotry, and hate" demonstrated by the country who had "recently been under UN sanctions" and had perpetrated the Lockerbie attack, as well as by the "assassins of Damascus." The Israeli ended by proclaiming "TGIF - Thank God Its February," referring to the end of Libya's Presidency of the Council. ¶19. (SBU) Syria responded by accusing Israel of disregarding the organization and international law and noting that the Israeli representative had only increased his isolation at the UN and in the world by attacking the Libyan Presidency. KHALILZAD