S/PV.2289 Security Council

Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for the period from 12 Dcccmher 19X0 to I? June 1981. The Council also has before it the text of a draft resolution contained in tlocumcnt S/14.5.57. which wasdrawn up in thecourse of consultations among the members of the Council. 3. It is mv understanding that the Council is ready to proceed io the vote on se draft resolution which ib before it. Unless 1 hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. 1tt fil\‘ot(r: France, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Niger, Panama, Philippines, Spain, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Agoiusr: None Abstuirtirq: German Democratic Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics The draft resolution IIWS adopted by I2 \wtes to IIOIIC, u*ith 2 ahstetltiotu ~resolrrticm 488 (198/j]. 4. The PRESIDENT (irirerprctctfiorr fiorrl SpcotishJ: I call on the Secretary-General.

I have taken note of the resolution just adopted by the Council extending the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of six months, until 19 December 1981. 6. Before commenting any further on this, I regret having to inform the members of the Council of a grave development which occurred this morning. 7. At 1000 hours local time today, a member of the armed elements who tried to infiltrate into the UNIFIL area of operation was stopped at a Fijian position 2 kilometres east of Qana, the headquarters of the battalion. He returned shortly after with reinforcements. There was an exchange of fire, initiated by the armed elements, in the course of which three Fijian soldiers were taken away by the armed elements to a position near the village of Deir Amis, some 4 kilometres south-east of Qana. Two Fijian soldiers were shot and killed. The third Fijian soldier has been released. 8. In a subsequent development. the armed elements seized three more Fiiian soldiers from another UNIFIL position near the Tyre pocket. They have juht bee11 released after having been forcibly detained. IO. The developments of today imd other recent incidents, including that of 16 March when three Nigerian soldiers died as a result of shelling by the tk,.!icc~o forces, underline the very serious difficulties which UNIFIL has encountered in fulfilling its mandate. 1 I. On my side. I shall do all that I can to ensure the implementation of the reholution just adopted. Every effort will be made to assist the Lebanese Government as indicated in the Council’s resolution. In this connection, I would hope that memhcrs of the Council. especially those in a position to bring thei] influence to bear. will continue to make every possible effort to ensure that the parties do indeed heed the opinion of this Council. for this is fundamcnial to the attainment of our objectives. I?. Despite the impediments which it has faced. I remain convinced th;lt UNIFII. is pclforming an indispensable service to peace in th!’ B~C:I. In&cd. recent developments and the hcightcncd tcn\ic>n which has accompanied them have untlerlincd the importance of the I~arcc as a conllict control mech;lnism in a particularly \ensilive arca nf the Middle East. 13. I wish to eipt.rss my drcp :morcciution to the Commander of the Force.. (ieIie~;,I’(:all;,fhan. to the officers and men of UNIFIL and to their civilian colleagues for their dedicated service. Their courage. discipline and devotion arc :I czdit to the I!nitcd N;i- (ions and to their countries. In performing their diffirlrlt and dangerous task. 64 soldier\ have given their iivcs: I should like lo pay a special tribute to their memory. 14. The PRESIDENT (irrrc~,,/~,,~,/oth~~~,/i~~,,r .s/~~~,J;.s/~J. The next speaker is the reprcsenlativc of 1,ebanon. on whom 1 call. IS. Mr. TUBNI (Lebanon): It is strange indeed haw fate strfkes. Every time the Council meets to renew the mandate of UNIFIL, a tragedy happens in the area. We have just heard the Secretary-General’s report on the killing of the two UNI II I. \oldicr\ Cl-cvv Fi.ji and the abtluclion of~~thcrs. l\‘c ::I#: :I’> I’~~\.oIIc~I ;I, he is. and ;I\ outraged. LI’r. con~lcini~ illi,. nc\t. .~ct 111. violence. Lvhatever the cil.cllnl\t:‘.-,,..l’, ,.:,,I \\.II~~~.v~.~I (he criminals may hc. The iii)\:, : I#‘) 1~1 I :I);~IIo~ presents its sincere C~III~OICIICL”~ 11’ lhc I:~:lliil~*\ III the soldiers. martyrs for IXiICe, to tlIc (;(I\ c~!~lI~cnl 01’ r,iji and to the (:ommandcr of UNI t.1 I ._ ISII( ~~ondolcncc~ Ih. WC thou~hl lhc riluill \\ iI\ hy no\v \vcII known and well cstuhlizhcd. The mcch;lnism is homctimcs difficult to cont~~ol. but rcver unmunugcitblc. HOWever, hopes have been dwindling more and more every time. Hence, every time. in an inversely proportional mimncr. the merit is c’v’cr growing: IIK mc’~it of’ those who expose !hcir li\cs for the defence of neacc: the merit of’Govcrnmcnt.s which send troop5 to h tilt--;iuay land: the merit of those who comm;und UNlFlL and. more particularly. the new (‘olntnander-in-Chief. Gencr;tl Callaghan. who has developed :I IICW style in confronting war. real war. with dctcrrcnt. nay. dimming serenity: a dcterminatiol, to use ft~ce which makes it almost necdlesb to use it. 17. Hut UNIFIL is Ao the Sccurlry (‘ouncil. It functions with varying degrees of success. depending on the political clout behind the mandate. Hence. one muht be thankful to those Governments hcrc reprehcnted u-hose political and diplomatic support is, more often than is admisGblc. ;I subhtitutc for military intervention. IX. My list would bc incomplete if no special mcntion were made of the vigilance and wisdom of the Secretary-C;encr:ll and of the relcntlcss daily efforts of his staff. parricul;~rly the Ltndcr-Secl,ct;1r~-~encr~ll, Mr. Brian UKlllhill.t, kvhose specific rcsponsibilit) in the Geld of pc;tcc-keeping is disch;1rgcd with unlimited inventiveness and ;I marveIous intellectual flexihility coupled with an uncompron&ing dctlic;ition IO the PI inciplc\ 01‘ i:~tcrnatitinal I i&t\. 19. This meetinlc comes after cndlcss day\ of debate. It cannot but be anticlimactic. The Council has heard everything that can bc said about the Middle East at lhis,iuncture. However, resolution 488 t 19X1). udopted almost mechanically. comes in a comcxt of heightened tension and of :I great awareness of the dirngers of war in the Middle E;.;isl. 20. To underline this fact. allow me to quote from the observations with which the Secretary-General has concluded his report on the activiticsof UNIFILduring the past six months. In paragraph 62 of this report, Mr. Waldheim says: In paragraph 70. Mr. Waldheim gors on IO say in his calm, dctachcd, bul. noncthcless potent htylc: “.Although the Force ha, 1101 yet been able to fulfil the mandate in the way intended by the Sccurit) Council, I have no doubt that its presence and activiticb in SOLII~CI.II I.ebilnon are an indispensable element in maintaining peace. not only in the area. but in the Middle East as a whole. It would, 1 believe. be disastrous if UNIFIL we1.e to be removed at the present time when the international community is) witnessing with acute anxiety the tensions and conflicts in this vital area of the world.” MI, Government wishes to state unequivocally the full support of Lebanon for the observations contained in the report. They are the natural and logical conclusion from facts and events reviewed with the grca~est possible accuracy and objectivity. We shall not, therefore. burden the debate by re-stating what has been constantly brought to the attention of the Council. Our complaint, we feel. has now hec,n heard and our case has been made with the utmost clarity. 21. Yet it remains. we feel. imperative to emphasize the meaning of our Icttcr of 16 June addressed to the Secretary-General. which he has been so kind as to annex IO his report. 22. We fear that UNIE‘IL is in danger of becoming a static fixture of the political panorama. It is in dangcl of losing both its interim character and its dynamic dimension. let alone its credibility and its safety. Described as ;I “contlict control mechanism”. it is periodically t’rustratcd in ifs capacity to act effectively. since its very structure i3 not always coinmensurate with the magnhudc of the contlict’; confronting it. 23. Given the rcccnt dcvelopmcnts. k\c fear ltxil “peace-keeping!” might soon bcxo~ne. if wc may use the term. “safe-keeping” of iin ongoing war. a war of uttritiol:. constantly escalating through ;I tendency to reach more and murc hcyond the arca of operations of UNIFII.. 24. Wc have reason to believe that the troop-contrihutors share our concern. ;I’$ does the Council. that UN1 HI. should not stagnate $11 a .\!trrrr.s qr,o and lost sight of its ultimate objectivrs as stated in resulution 425 (lc)7H), namely, the complete withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon, the restoration of international peace und security and the return of I &anon’s effcclivc uuthclrit) and \ovcrcignt!’ I)\CI ;11l of its Icrl-ilor! 1tp to tllc intci n;lli~rn;illy rcc‘clgni/ed bound:~~ IZ\. xi The phabcd programme of activities, orjoint plan of action. is not ;I novel notion. It was first introduced whsn resolution 444 (1979) was adopted in January 1979. Problems have since been identified, as have soecitic tarccts. such as hecuring freedom of move&nt on st&tegic rolltes for The-personnel of both UNI1:IL and the United Nations Truce Supervision OrFanizution in Palestine (UNTSO). restoring observation positions. removing military outposts, detecting armed penetration. organising mobile patrols around the area. and so forth. Some of the projected actions proved too ambitious to be performed within the specified time-frame. given the limited means and the unlimited difficulties. The escalation of ho$tilitics !tas also caused a number of setbacks. some of ivhich were subsequently overcome. 27. However. through tarious co-ordinated efforts. and particularly hincc the confcrenie of the troopcontributing countries held in Dublin in May 1980. both tiNIFl1. and the Govcrnmcnt of Lebanon have already made substantial advances within the genera1 f&mework of the required plan of action. The present arca of operation of UNIFIL is being consolidated, and frccdonc of movement as well as of observation has improved. The safety of UNIFIL Headquarters at I& Naqoura. thanks io the French. if I may say so. and that of the international route leading to it have been sccurrd. Significant contingents of the Lcbancse army arc now operating under the command of UNIFIL. and some have reached the area of operations at a most unexpected time-at ;I time when tensions in other parts of I.ebanon were reaching ullprcccdcntcd heights. IntcrnA srcurit> forces and civilian administrative services arc operativc. Even rehabilitation and reconnlta;tion are under wuy. despite continued acts 01 hostility and destluction. This. WC hope. will bc understood as a token of our determination. that of Government and people ulihe. to rcstorc our unity and sovereignty, to recover our count1 \: and to respond. with the assistance of our friends in the international community, to the challcn~c of survival. 29. I should like, in the Council’s jargon, to call on all parties concerned, and on all Governments which are-in a position to help and to ask them for their cooperation and assistance. Not only is the credibility of the United Nations at stake, but so is the fate of a Member State, my country, which hw suffered so much through no fault of its own. 30. The tragedy of Lebanon is now all too well known. We shall not recount it here, and we pray that what has already been said during previous debates will be remembered and will guide our concerted efforts. Lebanon cannot be left in a state of perpetual flux and ever-broadening conflict without endangering international peace and security. Recent events that need not be discussed here have demonstrated beyond doubt that peace in Lebanon cannot and should not, without grave risks to friend and foe alike, be made to wait until peace is achieved eve:ywhere else through some comprehensive settlement of the Middle East question. What was yesteryear, or only yesterday, immoral has now become strategically impolitic and highly dangerous to all. 3 I. In conclusion, I should like to assure the COUIV II once more not only of our gratitude brt also of our confidence and of a certain measure of optimism which, in the present climate of tragedy, might be neither altogether unwelccme nor totally unwarranted.

Almost unanimously, the Council has just renewed for six months the mandate of UNIFIL. My delegation associated itself with that deci&n by its vote in favour. We did this because we are convinced of the primary importance of the peace mission of the Force. The satisfaction we feel would, of course, be greater if the situation in the region had improved. That is unfortunately not the case. In reading the Secretary-General’s report, we must note that UNIFIL has not fully accomplished its mission, despite the intense and praiseworthy efforts exerted at all levels and the sacrifices made by the of&rs and men of the various detachments. In this connection, we deplore the loss of human lives and we should like to salute the memory of the 17 members of the Force, among them the two FUian soldiers killed only this morning, who have given their lives for the cause of peace in the course of the last six months. 33. The Secretary-t3enoral’r list of the serious iti&actions committed on the ground by the parties concerned is far too long, and ii calls for our firm condemnation of those respons:ble. In paragraphs 64 and 65 of his report, i! is said that “the Force has continued to be faced with attempts by armed elements to infiltrate personnel and weapons into its area of operation and has almost “the de facto forces have continued to resist further deployment of UNIFIL in the enclave held by them. . . . four positions are still maintained by the de ftrcto forces. These forces have also sought to harass the local population in the UNlFlL area of deployment.” Moreover, in paragraph 67 it states that “the activities of the Israeli forces in and near the UNlFlL area of operation increased. Encroachments along the international border and a high level of Israeli military activity within the enclave continue. In addition, Israeli ftirics have repeatedly violated Lebanese air space and territorial waters and have, on many occasions, launched attacks against targets in Lebanon outside the UNIFIL area.” 34. This is a deplorable situation. Therefore, we fully support the recommendations of the Secretary-General, which appear in paragraph 71 of his report. It is absolutely essential that all the parties fully co-operate with the Force in the achievement of the aims of its mandate. 35. In this spirit, we urgently appeal to all the parties concerned scrupulously to observe the cease-fire called for by the Security Council, to avoid all actions liable to elicit violent reactions and to make a resolute effort to enable UNiFlL’s zone of operations to be consolidated, itttur nlici, by dismantling the positions they have set up there. 36. These subjects of concern shollld not, however, lead US to pessimism. A significant event took place during the period under review which has given the international community as a whole every reason for satisfaction and hope. I am referring to the remarkable eflort that has so tenaciously and courageously been made by the Lebanese Government. 37. Despite the trials that have been visited upon that country, and in the tragic circumstances which have been its lot for the last few months. its authorities have sent reinforcements from the Lebanese army to the South; their number has now risen from 617 to 1,350 o!Xcers and troops, and this is a considerable step fqrward on the way to implementing resolution 425 (iWe) and ensuing resolutions of the Security C!ouneil-natnol~, towards the restoration of the authority and independence of Lebanon, a principle which France is particularly wedded to. 38. My delegation is pleased by this turn of events; we should also like here to hail the persevering efforts of the Secretary-General to reactivate the Israel-I>ebanon Mixed Armistire Commission, which led to the preparatory meeting of I December 19X0. but which, 39. It is also my pleasant duty to pay a tribute to the tireless, subtle and effective efforts of Mr. Brian Urquhart, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Finally, I should like to convey the congratulations and thanks of the French delegation to General William Callanhan for the remarkable way in which he is discharging his duties as Force dammander. May I pay a tribute also to his predecessor, General Erksine, as well as to the officers and men of the UNIFIL contingents and to the UNTSO observers located in that sector.

MY country, as’ a troopcontributing country, ha; onoccasion in the past taken oart in debates on UNIFIL in the Council. However, this is the first time since Ireland became a member of the Council in January last that we have had occasion to speak on this issue. I should like to begin by expressing our deep shock and sadness at the tragic-indeed, I may say, brutal-killings of two Fijian soldiers serving with UNIFIL by the so-called armed elements. We have in the past condemned such attacks on UNIFIL from any quarter. We condemn this present killing without reservation. It is a basic principle of peace-keeping that a peace-keeping force should have no enemies, and we strongly condemn all those who refuse to recognize and accept that principle and whose actions lead to these senseless killings. Our deep sympathy goes to the Government of Fiji and to the families of the victims. We extend our sympathy also to the Governments of Nigeria and Senegal and to all who have suffered losses through the killing of participants in the Force. 41. I mean sympathy in the fullest sense of fellow feeling, since we in Ireland know from our own experience, both in the past and during the current mandate period, of the sorrow and distress ca: sed by such losses. I regret to say that another Irish soldier was killed during the current mandate period and that yet another Irish soldier has been missing without trace for nearly a month now. The people of Ireland hope and pray for his safe return. 4& Thers might be some danger of this meeting of the Council seeming to be overshadowed by the conclusion this morning of the important debate on at by Iraq. However, the issue we are M)W s &@e& important in its&f and hi~li~ts another of the complex web of dangers that face the Middle East. For this reason my delegation is pleased that the Council has adopted the draft resolution and thus extended for a further six months the mandate of the Force. which had been due :o cspirc at midnight tonight. 44. As we know, in resolution 425 (19781, the Council laid down a threefold mandate for UNIFIL. It provided that the Force should confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore international peace and security and assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the effective return of its authority to the area. In execution of this mandate, the Force was to use its best efforts to prevent the recurrence of fighting and to ensure that its area of operation was not utilized for hostile activities of any kind. The presence of UNIFIL in the area and the mandate given to it were based on the explicit understanding that the Force would meet with the necessary co-operation from the various parties. 45. It is indeed regrettable, as the Secretary-General says in paragraph 63 of his report, that “the parties have not so far found it possible to extend to the Force the full co-operation that it requires”. He also notes that despite previous calls by the Council the situation still persists. 46. We are nevertheless encouraged by anything that serves to ease the difficulties faced by UNIFIL, and we note that certain encroachment positions in the UNIFIL area of operations established by the de facto forces have b;en removed. Such deielop merits, while very limited when set against the continuing problems faced by the Force, give some grounds for hope. 47. The Secretary-General has also pointed out in paragraph 62 that the Force is performing an important function as “a conflict control mechanism in a particularly sensitive area of the Middle East”. My Government agrees with this assessment. We think this function is particularly important because of the complex tangle of problems in the rest of Lebanon and in the region as a whole. We agree fully with the Secretary-General when he sayr, in paragraph 70, that UNIFIL’s “presence and activities . . . are an indispensable element in maintaining peace, not only in the area but in the Middle East as a whole”. Its role may Be lim!ted in at&a, but one need only re!lect on the t%ngm which wouid follow a withdrawal to see how important and indeed vital that role Is. In addition to its direct peace-keeping function, there are, of course. also the considerable humanitarian efforts which the Force, in conjunction with the Governor of South Lebanon, the United Nations Co-ordinator of Assistance for Reconstruction and Development in Lebanon and various other United Nations programmes, has made to improve the quality oflife for the long-suffering people of the area. that nothing should be done by any party which would endanger its personnel or impede them in carrying 53. In six months, more than 2,000 violations of out to the full the mandate from the Council. I repeat Lebanon’s airspace and territorial waters have been the basic principle that a peace-keeping operation committed by Israel’s military, air force and navy. should have no enemies. Israeli forces inside and close to UNIFIL’s area of 4Y. In particular, we attach great importance to the current efforts of UNIFIL. in coniunction with the Government of Lebanon, to strengthen and make more effective the Lebanese presence, civilian and military, in the area ofoperation. We note with satisfaction the efforts already made and the results nchieved. and we pay a tribute to the efforts of the Government of Lebanon. We hope that this will be a significant step towards the return of full Lebanese sovereignty to the area, and we express our full support for the continuation of these efforts. 50. The difficulties which UNIFIL faces should be measured not only by political considerations but also in human terms. Efforts have been made to improve the quality of life of the people of southern Lebanon, but they still live under the constant shadow of violence. There is also the toll in lives of the men of UNIFIL, who serve the cause of peace-a toll which has tragically increased today. 51. I should like to express my Government’s appreciation of the efforts of the Secretary-General. Under-Secretary-General Urquhart and his staff and those of the Force Commander, General Callanhan. and his predecessor, General Erskine. I should like also to pay a tribute to the work of the officers and men who carry out this important peace-keeping operation. They come from many small countries and various regions of the world-countries which have little direct involvement in the problems of the Middle East. Their presence in the area is a living expression of the ideals on which the Organization is based. That such a Force can be assembled under United Nations command and sent to an area of tension to help in keeping the peace is itself a remarkable and hopeful development in world affairs. This should be remembered when the role or value of the Omanization is criticized or assessed. The men of the Force discharge their difftcult and dangerous duties with tkill, bravery and patience. We 6ope that this will be recognized and that, in turn, all of those involved will create the conditions which will enable the Force pwr$ but fblly the mandate that has been entrusted @ it by this- Council. 52. Mr. TEKAIA (Tunisia) ~irt/r,prettr/io~r ,~~OVI ~re/?c~/~J: One debate of the Security Council came to an end earlier today and another has begun: two acts in the same tragedy which is taking place in the Middle East. The debate held in the Council this morning on the complaint by Iraq showed the explosive nature OI the situation in that region. I shall confine myself to referring here to the report of the Secretary-Gcncral operations have been reinforced and their activities. according to the Secretary-General in paragraph 54 of the report, have “further increased during the period under review”. There are also the raids deep into Lebanese territory. 54. There is no worse evil for international relations than tolerance of injustice and aggression. Israel. by its premeditated and-criminal acts of aggression against Arabcountries. its assistance to the Haddad dissidents. the so-called (/cfbc/o forces that are rebelling against the legal authority in Lebanon, as well as its persistent refusal to withdiaw from Lebanese terr.it0i.y. maintains a state of tension and deliberately increases the explosive nature of the powder-keg that is the Middle East. 55. The Security Council has just adopted a resolution which renews the mandate of UNIFIL for a period of six months. My delegation voted for that decision, in the conviction that the limited progress that UNIFIL has been able to make in fulfilling its mandate is, nevertheless. an achievement which deserves to be encouraged and supported. so that the Force may reach the objectives set forth in Council resolution 425 (1978). 56. Israel must understandonceand forall that it must definitively and without prior condition? withdraw from Lebanon. to whose territorial integrity, indcpendence and sovereignty we remain firmly committed. 57. The statement just made by the representative of Lebanon, which reveals the true facts of the problem as experienced by the Lebanese people. deserves our fullest attention. The international community should heed those legitimate claims. 58. My delegation wishes to note here. with deen satisfaction, the spirit of co-operation which exifts between UNIFIL, on the one hand. and the Lebanese authorities and Palestinian leaders. on the other. It wishes to convey to the Secretary-General our hcartfett congratulations on the detailed report that he has submitted to us atid on the praiseworthy efforts which he has always conducted with his well-known conviction and resolve. 59. While renewing my pcrsonnl thanks to those who are engaged in this operation of pcacc and their IIspectivc countries. my dclcgiltion \vi\hcs ~150 I&I pa\ a .spsciai tribute to the WIIW~ of Ihc wI~IcI-.~ OI UNIFIL who have given their lives in the XI-vice OI peace-thcrc hcing IWO more victims now. To thcil 60. Lastly. I wish to convey to you, Sir, the appreciation of my delegation for the meritorious efforts which you have ccasclessly made since the beginning of this month as President of the Council.

The Security Council has again been compelled to renew the mandate of UNIFIL because the Israeli aggressor still refuses to respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon and s:ilt maintains and employs-the Haddad bands who seek to cut off the south of Lebanon from the rest of the country. 62. The report of the Secretary-General corroborates :hose developments with numerous new facts. It refers to the increased activities of those forces that have resulted in the loss of many lluman lives and considerable material damage, 63. Again and again it has turned out that the lack of a comprehensive political solution of the Middle Past conllict encourages those aggressive circles who want hy force to prevent the peoples and States of the region from living together peacefully. 64. The Get-man Democratic Republic unswervingly stands for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from rrll Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967 and for guamntceing the inalienable rights of the Arab people of Pnlcstine. whose sole Icpitimatc representative is the Palestine Liberation Organizttion (PLO). 6s. Unfortunately. the resolution which hasjust heen adopted dots not contain any resolute measures such as might put a halt to the aggressive actions of Israel and the Haddad hands against the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples. 66. I should lihe to refer once again to the principle that military forces acting on behalf of the United Nations arc hottnd exchtsively hp decisions of the Security Council. 67. Mv deleaation abstained in the vote because it continues to -have reservations with regard to the formulation of UNIFlL’s mandate. its composition and its financing. Best Copy Awltable 70. I do, however, want to take the opportunity to state again the deep indebtedness of my Government, as a member of the Council. for the devoted and tireless stewardship of UNlFlL exercised by the Secretary-General, by Under-Secretary-General Urquhart and by each member of his staff during these past six months, and the months before. In addition, the United States Government wants to place on record its admiration for Lieutenant-General Callaghan, ;vho assumed the Force Command during the period of the present mandate. His superb performance and dedication to the solemn task entrusted to him by this Council has been manifest to us all. 71. Finally, I want to say a formal word of admiration to the officers and men of UNIFIL. The latest tragedy, of which the Secretary-General has just informed us. is one of a series of challenges to the Force which its members routinely meet with courage and initiative. We offer our condolences to the Fijian Government and to the relatives of those brave men who have died in the service of the international community. We feel certain that the Council will desire that you. Mr. President. issue a statement, as was done on the occasion of the killing of Nigerian soldiers on I6 March 1981 IS/I4414 C?f /Y M~ll~c~ll IY8/]. 72. Mr. TROYANOVSKY (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) fir,tp,p,‘crcctiort ,fm~r Ho.winr?): The Soviet delegation abstained in the voting on draft resolution S/145.(7. in accordance with its fundamental position on the question of UNIFIL. The delegation of the Soviet Union would like to reaftirn. that the Soviet position on this issue is based on the need to defend a victim of Israeli aggression and to secure the complete vithdrawal of lsraeii troops from all Lebanese territory, ivithout this entailing any jeopardy to the sovereign rights of the Government of Lebanon. 73. The Soviet Union takes it as a premise that UNlFlL should act in strict conformitv with the Charter of the Orpanitation and under th; control of the Security Council, particularly with respect to the Force’s functions, its strength, the principks whereby its national contingents are recruited and also the modalities for financing it. 76. For some time now, the situation has been such that Israel is virtually holding a dagger in its hand which it can, at its own discretion, plunge into the body of a neighbouring sovereign State. In endeavouring to establish by force virtual control over southern Lebanon, Israel is essentially bending its efforts towards undermining the territorial integrity of Lebanon and bringing about its dismemberment. 77. The Soviet delegation considers that urgent and effective measures should be taken to prevent Israel’s further pursuit of its aggressive and expansionist policy towards Lebanon iid to ensure the-complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory of southern Lebanon. 78. With regard to the incident as a result of which two Fijian soldiers were killed, the delegation of the Soviet Union would iike to express its sincere condolences to the Government of Fii and to the bereaved families.

The representative of Israel has asked to be allowed to speak. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

The Security Council has renewed once again the mandate of UNIFIL. Israel’s positions with regard to some of the more problematic issues which arise in this context, as well as in the broader context of the tragedy of Lebanon as a whole, are well known. Likewise, members of the Council are also familiar with our positions on various points contained in the resolution adopted today. 81. Our positions on all those questions remain consistent and need no repetition. This applies also to the points raised by the representatives of Tunisia, the German Republic which calls itself democratic, and the Soviet Union, in their highly objective statements. 82. I have asked to speak primarily to express Israel’s condolences to the Government and people of Fdi on the murder of the two Fijian soldiers this morning by the “armed elements” -which, of course, are the United Nations code words and euphemism for the femtrh PLO. in fact, iw UN&V$t tluilstin N6. 3, published thla morning, the pe trators of this dastardly crime were identitled as T LO elements. Similarly. in a statement published earlier today on behalf of the Secretary-General, it was pointed out that the Secretary-General had immediately protested to the PlJ3 on this matter. X3. This recent outrage brings UNiFIL’s casualty toll to 64 persons, about half of whom lost their lives 84. In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the Commander of UNIFIL, Lieutenant-General William Callaghan, and his staff, to his predecessor Major-General Emmanuel Erskine and to the soldiers of all ranks serving with UNIFIL. They carry out their duties in difficult and often arduous circumstances. 85. Israel also wishes to express its appreciation to the countries contributing contingents to UNIFIL. 86. Beyond that, we should like to take this opportunity to express our condolences to the families of all the men who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace during the period under review and to wish a speedy and full recovery to those of U NI FI L’s men who have been il\jured in the same cause, the cause of peace.

The agenda item before us has been considered many times in the past and numerous resolutions pertaining to the question have been adopted. 88. My country has on various occasions expressed the belief that for the realization of peace in the Middle East, and particularly in Lebanon, all parties concerned must refrain from the use of force and that Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected. Furthermore, we have expressed our profound regret that military actions have resulted in the loss of life and the destruction of property among Lebanese citizens and Palestinian refugees. 89. We note with concern that the situation in Lebarum hes dangerously dutcriorated this-year, amusing fears of a military clash between Israeli and Syrian troops. 90. At this juncture, I should like to renew Japan’s full support for the onaoina etforts of UNIPIL.. which - - in our view is providing an important hasis for pcacc and stability in this complicated and fluid situation. My country has been cxiending financial support to UNIFIL’s operations and intends to continue that co- 92. In conclusion. I should like to add that my GovernmenI highly appreciate> the mediation efforts being carried out by the special envoy of the President of the United States. Mr. Philip Habib. We sincerely hope that his mission will result in further concrete achievements. 93. The PRESIDENT rirr/r,J,/J,c,/orir,,r /i~wr .Fpco~ih/: There ure no further qeakers on my IisI. Before we come IO the end of this important debate and before I ad,journ thi\ meeting. I wish to note the deep \orrow shared by all members of the Council. and which has been exprchsed by most of them. over the loss of two United Nations soldiers in Lebanon as well as all those who have fallen in the line of duty in the cause of peace. I am certain that I speak on behalf of the Council when I convey our condolences to the Government and people of Fiji as well as to the families of the victim\. YI. WC arc dccpl!- aw;~rc that the Gtuation in l.cb- ~1no11 i\ clo\cly linked to the whole quc>tion of pc;ice in the hliddlc lia\I. WC hclicvc tlut in order to put an ~snd to the complcs vicious circle in thih arca it ih ch\ential that all partics refrain from the use of force XXI \cck to 4vc the prohlcm~ through pc;~csl’ul ~IC‘;III~, II i\ ourc;lrnc\l hope ihat the parties concerned aill ahidc b!. that principle in uorkiny for Ihc prompt rc\t~lration of pcacc and ad%lity in Lchanon. and particularly l11~~l IVXI will heed internalion;rl opinion and xl rc\pon+l!. Al lhc SiilllC time Me feel it i\ important IO xtrcs\ thaI. in the light of the principle\ of the c‘hartcr of the Lnitcd Nation\. terrorist actions Y4. The Security Council has now concluczd the present ht:1-e of IIS consideration of the item on its ;igenda.