UNSC: MIDDLE EAST MINISTERIAL STRONGLY BACKS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000493 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KPAL UNSC LE SY IS SUBJECT: UNSC: MIDDLE EAST MINISTERIAL STRONGLY BACKS COMPREHENSIVE PEACE, ADOPTS PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Security Council on May 11 convened a ministerial-level meeting to encourage Israel, the Palestinians, and the international community to move forward on their commitments toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, opened the meeting (in Russia's capacity as this month's Security Council President) and said the most important immediate goals were the rapid resumption of negotiations and the reaffirming of the two-state solution. UN Secretary-General Ban said the challenge is to launch "an irreversible drive to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian agreement," with the ultimate objective to create an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state. All delegations voiced support for the Arab Peace Initiative and called on Israel to cease its settlement activity. Most urged Israel to end its blockade of Gaza to allow delivery of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance and to a lesser extent called for an end to arms smuggling into Gaza and rocket attacks against Israel. A number mentioned the Gaza Board of Inquiry and welcomed its investigation; the Libyan PermRep said his delegation had prepared a draft resolution based, in part, on the conclusions of the Board of Inquiry. Following statements, the Council adopted a presidential statement, though some delegations said they were unsatisfied with its content. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Security Council on May 11 convened a ministerial-level meeting to encourage Israel, the Palestinians, and the international community to move forward on their commitments toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister whose delegation called for the Council's ministerial format, opened the meeting and said the most important immediate goals were the rapid resumption of negotiations and the reaffirming of the two-state solution. He urged the Council and regional actors to support the Arab Peace Initiative, the Roadmap principles, and the Madrid Conference, and he called on the parties to reject any unilateral activities, such as settlement activity, that undermined a viable two-state solution. Lavrov said the presidential statement (PRST) to be adopted at the end of the meeting confirmed these goals, and he said the planned conference in Moscow later in the year was the next step in the diplomatic process. (Most Council members subsequently thanked Russia for organizing the Moscow conference and voiced their support.) 3 (SBU) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the ministerial meeting would provide direction and momentum to a process that had achieved no progress on implementing Security Council resolutions 1850 and 1860. He said the parties' upcoming bilateral meetings President Obama, a proposed meeting of the Quartet and consultations with the Arab League aimed to "kick start a renewed and irreversible drive to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian agreement." Ban lamented the "crisis of confidence" among ordinary people on the ground, saying that Palestinians experience house demolitions, intensified settlement activity, settler violence, restrictions on movement and the construction of the barrier, and he urged Israel to "fundamentally change its policies." He said Israelis continue to seek reassurance that a future Palestinian state will guarantee their right to peace and security, and he called on the Palestinian Authority to create an effective security structure that, inter alia, would end rocket attacks against Israel. Ban also emphasized Arab countries' commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, which "offers Israel the opportunity for acceptance and security within the region on the basis of land for peace." Multiple Calls to End Israeli Settlements and Gaza Blockade -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Among the most common themes expressed during the meeting were calls for Israel to end its settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and to lift its restrictions on humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Gaza. French Foreign Minister Kouchner said the situation in Gaza is alarming and Israel's blockade makes reconstruction impossible. Kouchner also said Israeli settlement activity is producing "facts on the ground" that will split the West Bank and undermine a viable Palestinian state. Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu said Jewish settlements and restrictions on Palestinians' movement run contrary to Israel's obligations and the spirit of Annapolis. UK Foreign Secretary Miliband said the Palestinians want to see an end to settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, open borders and an adequately funded government. In that context, Miliband made the day's only reference to Iran's role in the conflict by saying, "Iran's exploits the misery USUN NEW Y 00000493 002 OF 003 of the Palestinian people for its own goals." (Note: The Iranian Mission to the UN subsequently circulated a letter to the Security Council calling the UK's accusations "baseless". End note.) Ambassador Rice stated that Israel must halt settlement activity and dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. (The full text of Ambassador Rice's statement can be found at http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov.) Mexican PermRep Heller "deplored the practice of colonization, demolition, and settlement activity that threatened the peace process." Representatives of Austria, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Japan, and Uganda expressed concern that despite the more than $5 billion pledged at the Sharm el-Sheikh donors conference, little could be effectively dispersed because of the border closures. Costa Rican Foreign Minister Stagno said it was "sad" that the only democratic Arab state lives under occupation. ¶5. (SBU) Criticism of Hamas' rocket attacks against Israel did not garner the same attention as did Israeli actions. However, Ambassador Rice stated that all UN member states and those in the region must ensure the cessation of arms and ammunition into Gaza. France, the UK, Japan, Croatia, Mexico and Uganda made references to ending rocket attacks and the trafficking of arms into Gaza. The Arab Peace Initiative -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Almost all delegations made references in support of the various peace initiatives--Quartet principles, Madrid, Annapolis, and the Roadmap, but it was the Arab Peace Initiative that featured as the predominant peace initiative mentioned. Lavrov was the first speaker to urge support of the Arab Peace Initiative, among others. Burkinabe PermRep Kafando recalled the Madrid and Arab Peace Initiatives as the most important frameworks for peace. Miliband said, "The Arab Peace Initiative is finally getting the attention it deserves," and he thanked Saudi King Abdullah for his initiating this process and Jordanian King Abdullah for promoting it. Ambassador Rice said states in the region must create an atmosphere to foster negotiations, which is one reason why the U.S. intends to integrate the Arab Peace Initiative into its approach. Japanese Foreign Minister Ito welcomed the active role of Arab states in finding a solution and backed the Initiative. Stagno of Costa Rica said the Roadmap was a "roadmap to nowhere," and opined that its principles should be considered in reverse--that is, the ultimate goal of a two-state solution should be enshrined first rather than contingent upon met objectives. Gaza Board of Inquiry -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Almost half the Council members welcomed the results of the Secretary-General's findings into the Gaza Board of Inquiry and looked forward to further investigation into Israel's actions. Kouchner was the first delegate to mention the BoI. He said the Security Council cannot avoid such an investigation, and he said France backed the BoI's work and will support any independent, objective investigation into the conflict in Gaza. Miliband said it was contingent on the Israeli government to look into each of the BoI's conclusions about Israel's conduct during the conflict. Although not mentioning the BoI directly, Austrian Foreign Minister Spindelegger said allegations of violations of international humanitarian law must be investigated and Austria welcomes further investigation. Mexico, Uganda and Vietnam welcomed the BoI's report. Libyan PermRep Shalgham said that while Libya welcomed the BoI's work, his delegation had prepared a draft Security Council resolution to hold Israel accountable for its actions. Moreover, Shalgham said Libya anticipated the results of the Human Rights Council's own investigation of Israel's actions in Gaza. Presidential Statement Adopted With Some Reservation -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Council adopted by consensus the Russian-drafted Presidential Statement (PRST),which urges a reinvigoration of diplomacy toward a comprehensive peace, supports the Quartet's efforts toward a two-state solution, and calls for assistance to the Palestinian Authority. Most delegations expressed appreciation for Russia's drafting of the PRST, but some criticized it for falling short on some elements. The Libyan PermRep said Libya agreed with little of the PRST's content because it did not deal with Israeli settlement activity, the Golan Heights, or Sheba'a Farms, but in deference to its relationship with the Russian Federation and USUN NEW Y 00000493 003 OF 003 to protect the unity of the Council Libya supported it. Kouchner pointed out that the PRST would have been stronger if it had contained a call to end settlement activity. Stagno of Costa Rica said his delegation would have preferred a clearer endorsement in the PRST of the Arab Peace Initiative. Rice