VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #3172 1910229
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090219Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2412
UNCLAS STATE 073172
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IS LE PREL SY UNSC
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: CONSULTATION ON UNSCR 1701, JULY 9,
2008
1. (U) This is an action message. USUN is authorized to
draw from the points in para 2 below during consultations on
the Secretary-General,s report on the implementation of
UNSCR 1701 scheduled for July 9. Please see septel for
further guidance in the event the French delegation
subsequently tables a draft Presidential Statement welcoming
and reacting to the SYG,s report. (Note: We do not
anticipate that France will table a draft PRST on July 9.)
2. (U) Begin points:
-- I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report
on UNSC Resolution 1701 on Lebanon. The United States
welcomes this report as a positive step towards full
implementation of all provisions of the resolution. Today, I
would like to make four points.
-- First, I would like to take note of the
Secretary-General,s intention (noted in para 62) to
strengthen the diplomatic process aimed at expanding UN
engagement on Sheba,a, and endorse such efforts, in the
context of full implementation of UNSCR 1701.
-- During her recent visit to Beirut on June 13, Secretary
Rice noted that Sheba,a should be dealt with as a priority
and in the context of full implementation of UNSCR 1701.
-- The United States joins the Secretary-General in welcoming
Prime Minister Siniora,s April 2, 2008 letter on Sheba,a
farms, in which the Prime Minister cites the UN
Cartographer,s work on the geographic definition of the
Sheba,a area as a good basis for discussion.
-- At the same time, we urge both sides to accept UNIFIL's
plan to deal with the Ghajar area near Sheba,a.
-- Second, the United States supports the normalization of
Lebanese-Syrian relations, especially the reciprocal
establishment of embassies and border delineation.
-- Bilateral delineation by Lebanon and Syria of their full
border remains the optimal step to finding a permanent
solution to Sheba,a.
-- Third, the United States supports and encourages the
national dialogue process agreed upon at Doha on May 21.
This process is critical for achieving the full
implementation of all aspects of UNSCR 1701, including the
disarmament of armed groups, Lebanese government control of
the border, and enforcement of the arms embargo.
-- Finally, I wish to underscore U.S. concern about the
illegal arms transfers across the Syrian-Lebanese border, in
particular claims by Hizballah that it has replenished its
military capacity since the 2006 war. We fully support the
Secretary-General,s call for a process to disarm all
militias in Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council
resolutions 1559 and 1701 and the Ta,if accords.
-- UNIFIL continues to discover serious weapons caches south
of the Litani. During calendar year 2007, UNIFIL discovered
39 bunkers, 54 rockets, and 277 bombs of various types, all
of which were turned over to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
-- We applaud the work of UNIFIL in this effort and I would
like take this opportunity to note in particular Maritime
UNIFIL,s work, in coordination with the Lebanese Navy, in
deterring unauthorized arms shipments. Since assuming its
mission in October 2006, it has conducted nearly 17,000 ship
hailings and challenges. During this period, over 120
vessels were identified as suspicious and boarded and
inspected by the Lebanese Navy or customs with UNIFIL
support.
-- We also urge all sides to renew their support for the
Secretary-General on the issue of cluster munitions.
-- We reject any attempt to destabilize Lebanon or violate
its sovereignty.
End points.
3. (U) Septel will provide elements for inclusion in a French
draft PRST on the report in the event one is presented.
RICE