S/PV.2076 Security Council

I now call on the Secretary-General, who wishes to make a statement. 2. The situation in the Middle East: Letter dated 1 May 1978 from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council (S/12675)

I wish to express my appreciation to the Council for the positive decision which it has just taken on my proposal to increase the strength of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). I explained in my letter of 1 May [S/12675/ the reasons why I felt obliged to put this proposal to the Council. It is based on the strong recommendation both of the Force Commander, Major-General Erskine, and of the Chief Coordinator of the United Nations Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East, Lieutenant-General Ensio Siilasvuo. The meeting was called to order at 3.55 p.m. Expression of thanks to the retiring President 1, The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): As this is the first formal meeting of the Security Council for the month of May, it gives me the greatest pleasure in my capacity as President to express to Ambassador Andrew Young of the United States of America, on behalf of the members of the Council and on my own behalf, deep appreciation for his services as President of the Council during the month of April. Ambassador Young fulfilled his responsibilities with great patience, wisdom and skill, and we all acknowledge this. I am happy to be in a position to pay him a well-deserved tribute. 5. The Council has given the Force in Lebanon an extremely difficult and responsible task to perform. I am glad, therefore, that it has agreed to provide the necessary strength to carry out that task in the complex circumstances and very difficult terrain in which the Force has to operate. Adoption of the agenda 6. Members of the Council are aware of the tragic incidents which took place yesterday in the Tyre area. In those incidents, two members of the French contingent and one member of the Senegalese contingent were killed and 10 members of the French contingent were wounded, including the Commanding Officer, Colonel Salvan. In addition, a Palestine Liberation Organization escort officer, who was with the Commander of the French contingent during his efforts to pacify the situation, was also killed. The agenda was adopted. The situation in the Middle East: Letter dated 1 May 1978 from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council (S/12675) 2, The PRESIDENT (interpretation ji-om Spanish): Members of the Council have before them the text of a draft resolution sponsored by Bolivia and India and contained in document S/12679. I should like to inform members that Mauritius has become an additional sponsor of the draft. If 1 hear no objection, I shall put it to the vote. 7. Upon learning of developments in the Tyre area, I contacted Chairman Arafat, who assured me of his cooperation in attempts to resolve the situation and to prevent any recurrence of the tragic developments of yesterday. I shall be reporting to the Council separately on these and other developments relating to UNIFIL. A vote was tuken bJ1 show of hands. In favour.’ Bolivia, Canada, France, Gabon, Germany, Federal Republic of, India, Kuwait, Mauritius, Nigeria, 1 See resolution 427 (1978) 9. As members of the Council are aware, the Israeli forces completed another phase of their withdrawal on 3O April, which removed them from G5 per cent of the area originally occupied. I am pursuing my efforts to secure a timetable and pIan for the totnl withdrawal of Israeli forces called for in resolution 425 (1978) and shall keep the Council informed. 10. Mr. President, before concluding I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you personally and to the members of the Cuuncil for the prompt and constructive action which the Council has taken in this important matter, I Shall act without delay upon the decision which the Council has just taken with a view to bringing in the three additional contingents from Fiji, Iran and Ireland at the earliest possible time. I hope that 1 can count on the full support of the members of the Council in connexion with the difficult tasks which the Council has assigned to UNIFIL.

I wish to express my solidarity with the words of the Secretary-General concerning the attacks perpetrated against the United Nations Force in Southern Lebanon and, in particular, concerning the casualties suffered by the French and Senegalese contingents. 1 also wish to express my sympathy to the Governments of France and Senegal on those losses, which we all deplore. 12. Mr. CHOU Nan (China) (interprc~u~iorz jbm Chinese). Mr. President, first of all, allow me, in the name of the Chinese delegation, to express warm congratulations to you on your assumption of the office of President of the Council for the current man th. 13. Since Israel’s large-scale wanton armed invasion of Southern Lebanon last March, the entire Arab people and world opinion have indignantly condemned with one voice this fresh grave crime of aggression committed by the Israeli Zionists. They have demanded Israel’s immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal from the Lebanese territory it has occupied. But to date, the Israeli Zionists, impenitent as ever, have obstinately clung to their policies of aggression and expansion and are resorting to dilatory tactics by using a variety of absurd pretexts to justify their continued stay in Southern Lebanon, in an attempt to realize their ambitious design of perpetuating their forcible occupation of large tracts of Southern Lebanese territory. Israel’s criminal acts of wilfully infringing upon the national sovereignty of Lebanon and trampling upon the Charter of the United Nations arc, of course, absolutely intolerable to ail countries that uphold justice. 14. The Chinese Government and people resolutely condemn the Israeli Zionists for their aggressive atrocities against L.ebanon and other Arab States, and firmly suPPort the Palestinian people and the people of Lebanon and other Arab countries in their just StrUggk to resist aggression, recover tlxir lost territories and regain their national rights. 1.5. With regard to the increase of the strength of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, in view of the fact that we have always held a different position in principle on the question 0f the dispatch of a United Nations force, the Chinese delegation did not participate in the vote on the draft resolution just adopted.

First I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the office of President of the Council and also to congratulate your predecessor, Ambassador Young of the United States, on his conduct of the Council’s work last month. 17. I do not intend to take much of the Council’s time in explanation of my delegation’s positive vote for the resolution we have just adopted. We fully accept the Secretary-General’s recommendation that in order to operate effectively the force commander needs 6,000 troops at his disposal, Indeed, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my Government’s admiration for the way in which the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is carrying out the mandate given to it under COI.UK~ resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978). In this connexion, a tribute is also due to the Secretary-General and his staff for the prodigious efforts they have put into establishing and administering the Force, 18. The Force has already, sadly, suffered casualties. Early on in the operation a Swedish soldier lost his life, and in the tragic events of the last few days members of the French and Senegalese contingents have been killed in exchanges with armed bands. In expressing my Government’s deepest sympathy to the Governments whose citizens have been lost, I cannot deplore too strongly incidents in which soldiers wearing the blue berets of the United Nations peace-keeping-peace-keeping-Force have come under fire. Such attacks seem to me to strike a blow at the very fabric of the international peace-keeping effort and can only make the already enormous task of the Secretary-General and his staff even more complicated. 19. In short, these incidents must stop and it is right that the Security Council should say so in clear and unambiguous terms, as we have in paragraph 4 of the resolution. Whatever the politics of the dispute may be, once the Council has set up a force such as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, that Force is representative of the international community as a whole and we are entitled, indeed obliged, to demand that it should be treated as such. An attack on the Force is an attack on US, and the United Kingdom cannot regard the recent incidents as other than shocking and deplorable.

The delegation of Kuwait would like to express its sincere congratulations to you, Sir, 26. The delegation of Kuwait would like to convey to the French and Senegalese Governments its sincere sympathy on the death of the two French soldiers and one Senegalese soldier. They fell for a sacred mission and in a noble cause. 22. Kuwait appreciates the efforts of the Secretary- General and his dedication to the cause of peace and to the implementation of resolution 425 (1978). This meeting of the Council is convened to accede to his request that the United’ Nations Interim Force in Lebanon should be increased to 6,000 men. We understand the difficulty which the troops face and the inhospitable environment in which they operate. Because of this, my delegation had no difficulty in supporting the resolution just adopted. Kuwait believes, however, that the problem we are now facing is a result of Israel’s aggression against Lebanon and its refusal to comply fully and totally with resolution 425 (1978). After more than 45 days, Israel still occupies 35 per cent of the area it occupied when it launched its aggression against Lebanon in March. The area under occupation now is the original territory designed to be occupied in accordance with the plan prepared by the Israeli Army. Therefore the withdrawal which has so far taken place is from territory invaded after the adoption by the Council of its resolution 425 (1978), in defiance of the Council’s will and the efforts of the United States. 27. Shooting at United Nations troops weakens, rather than strengthens, the effectiveness of the United Nations presence in Lebanon. It adds to the confusion that Israel-and only Israel-benefits from. It gives Israel additional ammunition for its unlimited reservoir of trickery. But we also believe that such incidents will continue so long as Israel’s aggression and occupation continue. Those incidents are a result of Israeli occupation and procrastination; they will come to an end once Israeli forces pull out from all Lebanese territory. 28. In that connexion, I should like to underscore the positive co-operation and constructive spirit displayed by the Palestine Liberation Organization and especially by its leader Chairman Arafat. The Secretary-General’s reports bear out that fact. We should not overlook the ambiguous circumstances surrounding yesterday’s events. Yesterday’s attack was not only against the French and Senegalese but also against the PLO. One prominent liaison officer of the PLO who went to negotiate and cool off tempers was killed in that tragic episode. So, it was an attack directed jointly against the PLO and United Nations troops. Members of the Security Council deplore that event, but so does the PLO. 23. Israel’s procrastination and manoeuvres to prolong its occupation of Lebanon will continue unless the Council takes a firm stand on this issue. Kuwait believes that Israel should not only be condemned but also be subjected to punitive measures in accordance with Chapter VII of the Charter. Those who use military might to occupy the territory of others do not understand anything except the language of action. Kid-glove treatment encourages Israel rather than discourages it in its course of destruction. 29. The delegation of Kuwait requests the Secretary- General to expedite the dispatch of the additional troops so as to assert an effective United Nations presence in Lebanon, We find two or three weeks too long in a situation that takes a turn for the worse every day, if not every minute. 30. Mr. HULINSK’;’ (Czechoslovakia) (interpretation from Russian): Permit me to join with previous speakers whb have said how much they respected the representative of the United States, Ambassador Young, for the way in which he presided over the Council during the month of April. At the same time, I shouId like sincerely to welcome and congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. In this connexion, it is pleasant to note the developing relations between our two countries as reflected in the results of the successful visit paid by the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia to Venezuela in October 1977. 24. The delegation of Kuwait believes that it is the responsibiIity of the Council to see that its resolution 425 (1978) is complied with fully and without further delay. My delegation is gratified to note that paragraph 3 of the resolution just adopted reaffirms the Council’s undertaking to implement its resolution. 25. The delegation of Kuwait voted for the increase in the numbers of the United Nations troops in Lebanon on the understanding that this increase would be final and that no further requests were envisaged. The other reason for the positive vote of Kuwait is the concern that any further delay in obtaining total withdrawal from Lebanon will complicate the situation in the area. The increase is one of the best ways of ensuring Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. We hope that excuses and pretexts for procrastination will be removed by the acceptance of this increase. Our aim is to prevent or forestall Israel’s tricks and filibustering designed to prolong its occupation of Southern Lebanon. We believe that the Security Council should meet very soon 31. One and a half months have elapsed since the previous chapter in Israeli aggression, and the Security Council is once again discussing the same matter. Heretofore Israel has not implemented the decisions and resolutions of the Council, nor has it fulfilled the provisions of resolution 425 (1978) regarding the immediate withdrawal of its troops from the entire territory of Lebanon. The Secre- 33. My delegation supports the position of those countries which, in referring to Israel’s aggressive actions, warn against further attempts by the aggressor to itnpose on the victims of the aggression and on the Security Council itself its own interpretation of Council resolutions and its conditions with regard to their implementation. 34. The Czechoslovak delegation condemned Israel’s aggressive acts in Lebanon, both in Security Council meetings on this issue last March and at the recent eight.11 special session of the General Assembly. In addition, WC emphasize the full material responsibility of Israel. Bccausc of its actions it should bear the cost of financing the Force established in accordance with Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978). This time again, we express regret that those resolutions did not directly condemn Israel’s aggressive actions. Further, in expressing doubts with regard to the resolution just adopted concerning increasing UNIFIL strength, we should like once again to express also our concern about the fact that the troops have assumed roles extraneous la their task. They have become enmeshed in questions that have more to do with Lebanon’s internal affairs than with restoring international peace and security, 35. In the voting on resolutions 42.5 (1978) and 426 (1978), and this time again, we were forced to abstain. 36. Mr. N’DONG (Gabon) (interpretation from French): Sir, allow me to congratulate you, on behalf of my delegation, on your accession to the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. I take this occasion, in view 01” the special relations that exist between our two countries, to reassure you of my delegation’s active co-operation. May I also join in the congratulations you addressed to our United States colleague, Ambassador Young, on the tnanncr in which he led the work of the Council during the month of April. Lastly, I wish to pay a special tribute to the Secretary-General, to his assistants and to the members of the United Nations force for the seriousness with which all o,f them at their respective levels are fulfilling the tasks entrusted to them by the Council. 37. The Security Council, in its resolution 425 (197X), took the decision to dispatch an emergency force to 38. This situation is due primarily to the insufficient troop strength of UNIFIL and to the continued presence of lsraeli troops. My delegation therefore supported the draft resolution aimed at increasing UNIFIL’s strength from 4,000 to 6,000 men. My delegation hopes that with the adoption of that resolution the voice of reason will in the end prevail and that Israel will come to understand that it is in its own interest to comply strictly with the various provisions of resolution 425 (1978), particularly the one relating to the complete, unconditional withdrawal of its forces from Southern Lebanon. In so doing, Israel would be sparing many lives in that region. 39. In conclusion, I wish to convey to the Governments of France and Senegal my sytnpathy and condolences on the losses they sustained in the service of the United Nations.

First of all, I should like cordially to welcome you, Sir, the representative of Venezuela, a country with which the Soviet Union is developing broad-based co-operation, to the post of President of the Security Council, and to express the conviction that your abilities and experience will assist us in solving the problems before the Council this month. I should also like to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the great work achieved by Ambassador Young and Ambassador Leonard of the United States during that country’s presidency of the Council in April. 41. The complicated and tense situation persisting in Lebanon as a result of the continuing Israeli aggression against that country gives rise to tlte most serious concern. One and a half months have elapsed since the Council’s adoption of the resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from all Lebanese territory, but to date that resolution remains unimplemented. The Soviet delegation notes that Israel, on various pretexts, is defaulting with regard to the complete withdrawal of its troops from Lebanese territory, and attempts to prolong its illegal occupation of Southern Lebanon. This behaviour on the part of Israel is a direct and inadmissible dcfiancc of the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole. 42. The overwhelming majority of delegations that spoke at the eighth special session of the General Assembly voiced their profound concern that lsracl had not complied with the Council resolution calling for the full withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon, thus exacerbating a situation in the Middle East that was already dangerous for the cause of peace, and that it was blocking attempts at a just and comprehensive settletncnt in that region There is no doubt that Israel’s aggressive actions in Lebanon are part and parcel of its expansionist policy aitned at expropriating Arab lands and depriving the Arab people of Palestine of the possibility of enjoying their inalienable rights. 44. As already stated by the Soviet delegation at the time of the establishment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, certain important principles of the Charter having to do with this kind of United Nations action were not observed. We note in particular that United Nations troops should not assume functions that do not belong to them with regard to the transfer of effective power to the Government of Lebanon. We wish to reiterate the import” ante of the fact that United Nations troops should not be used for purposes which are alien to the task of eliminating Israeli aggression in Lebanon, The establishment of effective control by the Lebanese authorities in Southern Lebanon is fully within the competence of the Lebanese Government itself. We should not lose sight of the fact that attempts to embroil the United Nations troops in the internal affairs of Lebanon could lead to the most undesirable and dangerous complications. The development of events justifies the concern voiced by the Soviet Union in this respect. 45. The incidents that have taken place in recent days with regard to the United Nations troops in Lebanon must arouse our concern. The Soviet delegation expresses its regret that human lives were lost as a result of those incidents. At the same time, it is obvious that, in order to avoid such incidents in the future, it is necessary to ensure as soon as possible the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the entire Lebanese territory, in particular from the region that is contiguous with the Lebanese-Israeli border, so that United Nations troops can be stationed in that region, as was envisioned when UNIFIL was created, and not in the part of Southern Lebanon, which has not been the victim of Israeli occupation. 46. In this respect, the Soviet delegation has serious misgivings about the advisability of increasing the troop strength of LJNIFIL. We are far from convinced that, in order to fulfil the task facing the troops, extra contingents are required to the tune of 2,000 men. Taking account, however, of the position of the Arab parties directly concerned, the Soviet delegation did not stand in the way of the adoption by the Council of the relevant resolution. 47. Nevertheless, the reservations that were expressed by my delegation with regard to UNIFIL in the Council on 19 March [2074tk and 2075th meetings] are still valid. The Soviet delegation reaffirms in this respect the position of principle of the Soviet Union with regard to the fact that all the costs of eliminating the results of armed aggression of

I should like to take this opportunity to express the thanks of my colleague, Ambassador Leonard, and myself for the very kind words expressed to us, and more especially to express our thanks to the members of the Council for the spIendid co-operation that we enjoyed last month, I am sure that that co-operation will be extended to the presidency of the representative of Venezuela, and I, more than anyone else, welcome you to the Chair during these difficult days Mr. Resident. 49. My remarks will be brief since my Government stated its views fully on the subjects of the deployment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the implementation of resolution 425 (1978) at the recent General Assembly session on UNIFIL financing.2 Indeed, as members of the Council are aware, my Government did not believe that this formal meeting was necessary, but considered that the issue before us should appropriately have been dealt with in informal consultations. In the end, we acquiesced because the magnitude of the force enlargement requested by the Secretary-General is somewhat out of the ordinary. Now that the Council has acted, it is to be expected that all members will support the Force in every way possible in order that it may carry out its difficult task. 50. The Secretary-General’s request that the Council should consent to his intention to enlarge UNKFIL by approximately 2,000 men has my Government’s c0mplet.e agreement. The number of troops that are required to carry out the objectives decided upon by the Security Council is clearly a matter that the Secretary-General and his commanders in the field are in the best position to judge, Since it is the Secretary-General who has full responsibility for the direction and control of peace-keeping operations, my Government defers entirely to his judgement in matters of this kind. 51. The men of UNIFIL have been carrying out their peace-keeping mission with skill, dedication and courage. A number of them have been killed, wounded or injured in various incidents. In the last few days, the United Nations forces have been challenged more sharply by hostile elements in Southern Lebanon, and more men of the United Nations have died or been wounded. 52. The United States condemns these attacks on the United Nations Force, which is in Southern Lebanon to restore stability and keep the peace. Everyone in a position to bring the irresponsible elements to account should do SO without delay. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Governments of France, Senegal and Sweden, whose contingents have had men die in the performance of their important mission, and to the families of those who were killed and injured. 2 official Records of the General Assembly, Eighth SpeCiQl Session, Plenary MeetinKs, 2nd meeting. 54. In conclusion, I should like to express and stress mY Government’s profound admiration for the courage and dedication with wJG& UNIFIL is carrying out the difficult assignment entrusted to it. The United Nations has not shirked its responsibility to identify undesirable armed elements and strictly control movement into its area of operation. It has the duty to disarm such elements and send them back, and it has done so with vigour and effectiveness. The responsibility now lies with all Member Stat.es-indeed, with all who are eager for stability to return to Lebanon and for a just peace to be reached in the Middle East-to ensure that full respect should be accorded the United Nations Force and that attacks by irresponsible elements should cease entirely. 5.5. Mr. RAMJ?HUL (Mauritius): I should like to extend to you, Sir, my congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. J am sure that a young but mature diplomat of your calibre and experience will be able to guide the deliberations of the Council to a successful end during a month that promises to be very busy. I pledge to you my full co-operation. My congratulations go also to your predecessor, my good friend and colleague, an Afro-American brother, Ambassador Andrew Young of the United States, who, aided and abetted by his collaborator, Mr. Leonard, conducted the work of the Council with great patience and tact during the month of April. 56. My delegation voted without hesitation in favour of the draft resolution contained in document S/12679, of which it was indeed a sponsor. The resolution just adopted was the result of intensive and extensive informal consultations held under your presidency, Mr, President, this morning. Were it not for the timely initiative of my colleague and friend, Ambassador .Jaipal of India, who proposed paragraphs 2 and 3, we might still have been entangled here in a lengthy debate. J supported the provisions of paragraph 1 so as not to hamper the execution of the mandate we have given to the Secretary-General, who has already explained to us the reasons why an extra 2,000 troops have become necessary. Regarding pal’agraph 4, one can only pray that such sad incidents, or accidents, as those that occurred yesterday, resulting in the death of two French soldiers and one SenegaJese soldier and the wounding of a commander, all wearing the United Nations berets as soldiers of peace serving in UNIFIL, will not occur again. 57. UNIFIL has a most delicate and difficult task to perform in very abnormal and complex circumstances and on an almost impossible terrain, My delegation therefore strongly appeals to all concerned to be extremely careful and to be less trigger-happy, especially when the entire situation is SO confused, with so many factions involved. Should this reckless and emotional trend continue, they might well end up by shooting at their own people, On the 58, Finally, I offer my deepest condolences to the delegations of Sweden, France and Senegal on the loss ,,f fives sustained by their respective forces serving under our banner. 1 praise all those countries which have come to the help of Lebanon so speedily in order to maintain peace and security in the area. My admiration goes to all those serving UNJFJL, for their gallantry. 59. I cannot but salute our esteemed Secretary-Genera], Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who risked his 0~11 life during his recent tour of the area in question, which is milling with anonymous, heavily armed people of all ages.

First, like other repre. sentatives, I should like on behalf of my delegation to extend congratulations to you, Sir, on your assumption of the high office of President of the Security Council for the month of May, and also to express appreciation to Ambassadors Young and Leonard for their signal service last month. 61. Canada voted in favour of the draft resolution the Council has just adopted, because WC consider that it is important, incleed vital, that the United Nations peacekeeping forces should be given the rcsourccs necessary to fulfil their mandate. That the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is a most difficult one 1~s been tragically Jlroved by the number of deaths and injuries which have already occurred during the short period of the deployment of the Force. Only today we learned of the tragic death of two members of the French contingent and one member of the Senegalese contingent* My Government expresses its sympathy to the Govern. merits of France, Senegal and Sweden and to the families of all those killed or wounded in this and previous incidents. 62. Peace-keeping is a dangerous business. That this is so is accepted by troop-contributing countries. But this iliiposes on us, the Members of the United Nations, a twofold obligation. First, we must provide adequate forces to meet the operational role called for by the mandate directed by the Security Council. Secondly, we must do our best to provide the moral and political support which is essential if the United Nations Force is to do its job. My delegation believes that the resolution the Council has just adopted contributes to fulfilling these two objectives. The resolu. tion, in addition, quite correctly deplores the attacks on the Force which have taken J&KC and demands that they should cease. 63. Jt is our hope that the prompt action taken by the Council will assist the Secretary-General in carrying out llis important :md difficult duties. I should like at this moment to pay a tribute to him and to the members of his staff for

I should like to congratulate you, Sir, OII your assumption of the difficult role of President of the Council for the month of May, and also to extend to you assurances of my delegation’s fullest co-operation. I would also place on record my delegation’s appreciation to Ambassadors Young and Leonard of the United States for the skilful manner in which they discharged their functions last month. 66. My delegation had no difficulty in approving the Secretary-General’s request for an increase of 2,000 in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, as the earlier figure of 4,000 was at best a tentative and preliminary estimate, based on factors which could not then be correctly assessed. 67. This increase in the Force is not unrelated to the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanese territory. The primary objective of resolution 425 (1978) is to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and to restore international peace and security. We should not be diverted from this main road into the secondary path of trying to establish internal law and order in Southern Lebanon; that, after all, is the primary responsibility of the Lebanese Government. With the additiun of 2,000 men to the troops, it should be plain to lsrael that the Force is more than adequate and ready to move forward and occupy positions on the Lebanese boundary with Israel. There is no justification, therefore, for any further delay in completing the Israeli withdrawal, which is unconditional in terms of resolution 42.5 (1978). The boundary between Lebanon and lsrael has been quiet in the past, and it should be relatively easy to restore the former quiet on this border with the help of the expanded United Nations Force. 68. The United Nations Force has another role envisaged for it in resolution 425 (1978): to assist the Lebanese Govcrnnient in ensuring the return of its effective authority in Southern Lebanon. This unprecedented role for the United Nations comprises an extremely complex and delicate task, and we are most anxious to ensure that the Force will not get drawn into local confrontations which might well have unpredictable and disastrous consequences. ln the interest of maintaining the integrity md high purpose of the Force and the constitutional authority of the Secretary-General, we should like to sound a note of caution. It is really for the Lebanese Government in the first instance to re-establish its own effective authority in Southern Lebanon, and it is in fact endeavouring to do so through negotiations and by creating mutual understanding between a variety of rival Factions that are all armed for their own protection. These rival factions will disarm onIY to the extent that they all agree to do so. The role of the United Nations Force in the restoration of governmental authority in Southern Lebanon is a secondary one, and 69. There are no viable military solutions to human problems of injustice, deprivation and degradation. We do not regard the question of Israeli withdrawal as simply a matter to be left to be arranged between military men. Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is a political decision to be implemented by the Council. The Council should therefore supplement the erforts of the Secretary-General by calling upon Israel to complete its withdrawal without any further delay. It is only after Israel has finally withdrawn that the Lebanese Government can hope to tackle its internal problems, free of the intimidation that is inherent in the presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon. 70. My delegation is deeply distressed by the recent incidents in Lebanon resulting in the deaths of two French, one Swedish and one SenegaIese soldiers and one liaison officer of the PLO and the wounding of several others. We extend our condolences to the deIegations of France, Sweden and Senegal and to the representative of the PLO. Such incidents are to be deplored, whatever their causes or origins. The Council must demand that all parties in Lebanon should fully respect the United Nations Force and refrain from firing at United Nations personnel, if United Nations operations are to continue there. We hope that there will be no repetition of such unfortunate incidents and that appropriate steps to that end will be taken by all concerned.

Mr. President, 1 should like to join preceding speakers in expressing to you sincere congratulations for having taken upon yourself the burden of the presidency of the Council for this month 1 am convinced that with your skill and your experience as a diplomat you will efficiently handle our business and bring all the questions before the Council this month to a good conclusion. 72. I should also like to thank Ambassadors Young and Leonard for the imaginative and relaxed way in which they conducted the business of the presidency last month. Their efficiency was a great help in finding reasonable solutions to serious matters pending before the Council. 73. My delegation appreciated the latest excellent report of the Secretary-General contained in document S/12675. He gave us a full picture of the situation and drew conclusions which we cannot but support. 74. It was also with satisfaction that we saw Major-General Erskine during the Council’s consultations yesterday and had the privilege of his expert advice. But I think that hc took a wise decision in going back inunediately to look personally into the developments which have, unfortunately, occurred during the last few days. 75. My Government is deeply concerned about these and earlier incidents. We deplore the loss of human lives, and WC should especially like to offer our sincere condolences to the Governments of France, Senegal and Sweden for the loss ofmcn in tllcir contingents in UNIFIL. 77. We believe that the proposed increase in UNIFIL of another 2,000 men will enable the peace-keeping forces to fulfil their mandate in a much better and more efficient way. It is our hope that they will then be in a position to pacify the area and to control it efficiently. Such effective control would also, in our belief, convince Israel that it can and must withdraw totally from Lebanese territory. 78. That is why my delegation has voted for the resolution we just adopted. It is my sincere hope that, with the enlargement of UNlFIL, all further fighting in the area can be prevented and that this will be a reasonable contribution towards restoring the authority or the Government of Lebanon in this part of the country.

Mr. President, my delegation is pleased at seeing you assume the functions of President of the Security Council. You represent at the United Nations a country with which France has always had ties of co-operation and close and friendly relations. Although you are a relative newcomer among IIS, we how that your experience and your eminent qualities guarantee full success in the tasks which lie ahead, for the accomplishment of which my delegation wishes to assure you of its full co-operation. 80. I should like to congratulate Ambassador Young and Ambassador Leonard of the United States, for the skill and leadership with which they presided over the deliberations of the Council last month, during a difficult period. We thank them both. 81. Now J wish to join my voice to those of the delegations which preceded me to express the condolences of the French authorities to the Governments of Senegal and Sweden concerning the military personnel of those countries participating in the operations of UNIFIL who were killed in action. 82. 1 also wish on this occasion publicly to thank the delegations which expressed their sympathy to me on the death of two French members of UNIFIL yesterday during the same incidents. They may be sure that we have been deeply moved by their expressions of condolences. 83. It seems hardly necessary to me to explain the reasons why the French delegation voted in favour of the resolution which we have just adopted, whereby the Council decided significantly to increase the troop strength of the United Nations Force in Southern Lebanon. The Secretary- General’s letter addressed to the President of the Council on the subject, as well as the additional information which 84. The events of the last few days have, in the view of the authorities of my country, strengthened that argument. On this occasion, 1 wish to note that the French Government has already indicated severaI times that, in placing a contingent at the disposal of the United Nations as part of the Interim Force in Lebanon, its sole concern was to contribute towards the implementation of resolution 425 (1978). Therefore, the French soldiers taking part in UNIFIL could not and cannot have any other mission than that assigned to the Force by the United Nations itself. The Secretary-General recalled in detail the nature of this mission and the manner in which it is being carried out. The information which he transmitted to LIS on the confrontations that we are deploring today clearly showed that they were directed by apparently uncontrolled military elements against members of the international Force that were under the clear orders of the United Nations Command, pursuant to the mandate defined by the Security Council. My Government once again appeals to all the parties LO co-operate with the Force’s mission in accordance with their publicly expressed commitments. It expresses the hope also that the maintenance of close contacts among all the parties involved will make it possible to avoid in the future other incidents which may result in further casualties, As stressed in the resolution that we have just adopted, it is not admissible for the United Nations Force to be under attack by any party. It is time for all the parties in Lebanon fully to respect the Force. 85. In conclusion, I should like to state once again to the Secretary-General that he has the complete confidence of my Government and to tell him how much the eminent qualities he displays in the exercise of his difficult and delicate mission are appreciated. 86. Mr. ROLON ANAYA @Olivia) (interpretation .@I71 Spanish): I am sure that you, Mr. President, a distinguished Venezuelan and a great Latin American, have noticed that Bolivia is not inclined to excesses, not even in the use of words, but we cannot but express our great pleasure at seeing you preside over our work during the month of May. For Bolivia and for all Latin America the pleasure is that much greater. It is our wish that the Success with which YOU have already started your delicate task shall continue, and we pledge our co-operation in your work. 87. It is also a great pleasure for us to agree with the President and our other colleagues in expressing appreciation and thanks for the work done during the month of April by the representatives of the United States. 88. The Secretary-General has painted a clear picture of the tragic situation which prevails in Lebanon. Bolivia has made a careful analysis of that situation, and has COsponsored, with its colleagues from India and Mauritius, the draft resolution which has just been adopted by the Council. 90. We also join our colleagues in expressing our tribute of appreciation to the Secretary-General and to his staff for their efforts in this new historic test for the United Nations in the fulfilment of its enormous and difficult international task. 94. My delegation wishes to record its appreciation to the Secretary-General and the field commanders of UNIFIL for the admirable manner in which they are tackling the most difficult operations in Lebanon, and we wish to assure them of our co-operation in promoting the desirable success of the operations within the terms of their mandate. 91. Mr, GEORGE (Nigeria): The Nigerian delegation adds its voice to those of other delegations that have congratulated you, Mr. Piesident, upon your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. We also pledge our co-operation to you and your delegation in the conduct of the business of the Council. My delegation also wishes to record its appreciation and admiration for the able and skilful manner in which your predecessors, Ambassadors Young and Leonard of the United States, conducted the business of the Council last man th. 95. The PRESlDENT (interpretation from Spanish): At this stage of our discussions, and in my capacity representative of VENEZUELA, I should like to express to the members of the Council our agreement with the resolution for which we voted. We feel that it was formulated in the spirit of contributing to the implementation of resolution 425 (1978), which set up the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for the purpose of ensuring the maintenance of peace in that region. 96. We hope that all the parties involved will carry out the mandate of the Council and that there will be an immediate withdrawal of the troops which penetrated the territory of Lebanon. We hope also that there will be a definitive cease-fire and that the parties involved in this situation will refrain from all acts of violence. In our view, acts of violence are contrary to peace and security in the region. 92. My delegation has fully supported and voted for the resolution just adopted in the same spirit in which we supported and voted for resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978), which established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and gave it its mandate to operate in Southern Lebanon. My delegation hopes that the increase of UNIFIL’s Forces now approved will enhance its capacity to fulfil its mandate as set out in resolution 425 (1978) and leave no room for excuses for Israel to hesitate or delay in The meeting rose at 5,20 pm. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Nations publications may be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: United Nations, Sales Section, New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Nations IJnies sont en vente dans les librairies et les agences depositsires clu mondc entier. 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