S/PV.2514 Security Council

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Italyand Lebanon, in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives foparticipate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. Provisional agenda (S/Agenda/2514) 1. Adoption of the agenda 2. The situation in thk Middle East: Letter dated 14 February 1984 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/16339) At -the invitation of the President, Mr. Fakhoury (Lebanon) took a place at the Council table and Mr. Jannuzzi (Italy) took the place reserved for him at the side of the Council chamber. The meeting was called to order at 11.40 p.m. Tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

The Council is meeting today in response to a request contained in the letter dated 14 February 1984 from the representative of France to the President of the Council [S/16339]. 4. Mr. de La BARRE de NANTEUIL (France) [interpretation from French]: Allow me first of all to extend to you, Sir, on behalf of my delegation, my congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February. Your distinguished qualities as a diplomat, your vast experience in international affairs and your keen judgement guarantee that yours will be an effective and impartial presidency. I am sure that it will afford our countries an opportunity to forge even closer bonds of friendship.

It is with deep sorrow that we have all learned of the passing away of an outstanding statesman of our time, His Excellency Mr. Yuri V. Andropov, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. As the principal organ of the United Nations on which the Member States have conferred the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, it is fitting for the Security Council to pay a tribute to President Andropov’s deep commitment to the cause of world peace, the ending of the arms race and peaceful co-operation among States. Permit me, as President of the Council and on your behalf, to convey to the representative of the Soviet Union and through him to the Government of the Soviet Union, the Soviet people and the bereaved family our sincere condolences. 5. I should also like to congratulate your predecessor, Mr. Chamorro Mora of Nicaragua, on the impartial manner in which he conducted the work of the Council last month. 6. Finally, on behalf of my Government I should like to join in the condolences that have been extended to the Soviet delegation on the demise of Mr. Yuri Andropov, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. On the proposal of the President, the members of the Council, standing, observed a minute of silence. Adoption of the agenda 7. France has requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the situation in the Beirut The agenda was adopted. 9. During the tragic summer of 1982, it will be recalled, the Council met on a number of occasions in an attempt to bring a halt to the fighting and to provide some assistance to the.civilian population. With regard to Beirut, in particular, France submitted a draft resolution [S/1525SJRev.2], suggesting the creation of a United Nations force, but on 26 June 1982 that draft resolution was not adopted owing to the negative vote cast by a permanent member of the Council [238Zst meeting]. A few weeks later the Council unanimously adopted resolution 521 (1982), paragraph 5 of which suggested the deployment of United Nations forces to assist the Lebanese Government to ensure “full protection for the civilian populations in and around Beirut”. 10. It was clear, however, that lengthy negotiations would be required in order to reach agreement on the creation of such a force. Thus, aware of the extreme urgency of the situation, France decided to respond positively to the express request made by the Lebanese Government, in agreement with all the country’s political elements, regarding the creation of a multinational force. However, I should like to recall that on 21 September 1982 I had written to the Secretary-General a letter [S/25420], in which I stated: “The French Government, in its desire to support decisions of the Security Council, would have wished that a United Nations force might be created, as proposed in Council resolution 521 (1982), paragraph 5.” Il. Although it has subsequently been lauded by some and disparaged by others, for 16 months the multinational force has none the less attempted, with courage and tenacity and at very great sacrifice, to carry out its mission in keeping with the mandates given by the Lebanese Government to its national contingents. Although an interposition force had earlier been called in to ensure the withdrawal of Palestinian forces from Beirut in security and dignity, the multinational force was sent in, under the conditions I have mentioned, more particularly to protect the sorely stricken camps of Sabra and Shatila and generally to contribute, in so far as it was able and in difficult circumstances, to the As matters now stand, recourse” to‘an international force to replace the multinational force has become a necessary step towards easing tension. It is with that conviction that the French Government has in recent months and, more particularly, in the past few weeks, taken up the subject with the Governments of a number of countries concerned at the serious situation in the Middle East. 13. A United Nations force is needed, and the most suitable way to provide it is undoubtedly to send certain detachments from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to Beirut. Certainly, if the United Nations asked us we should not object to French elements of UNIFIL being among those detachments. But it is undoubtedly preferable that the international force in the Beirut area should contain no national of the States which are permanent members of the Security Council. France is prepared to include this provision in the plan which should now be provided by the Council. 14. Replacing a multinational force by an intemational force involves two things: first, for this force to take up position in the Beirut area, and for its mandate to be limited to that area; as is the case at present for the contingents of the multinational force; and, secondly, to take up that position upon the departure of the multinationai force, which without any further reason to exist or intervene, either in Beirut or elsewhere in Lebanon, should withdraw, together with its accompanying ships. 15. The discussion beginning today-which, we hope, will end speedily with the adoption of a resolution containing immediately applicable provisions-is particularly serious for the very future of Lebanon. The many Lebanese statements in recent days in support of United Nations action give proof of this, if proof be needed. The United Nations has sent a Force to southem Lebanon. By authorizing the Secretary-General to use part of that Force in Beirut, the United Nations will be contributing, as is its duty, to the protection of the civilian population and thus to the reestablishment of peace, which is necessary for the restoration of the territorial integrity, unity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, in implementation of the resolutions already adopted in this connection, which have for too long yielded no result. 16. For its part, France is prepared to make the necessary commitments and arrangements. We are sure that all member States have the same desire to permit the Council to shoulder its responsibilities. 17. Mr. OVINNIKOV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) [interpretationfrom Russian]: On behalf of the ,. 18. The entire life and multifaceted activities of Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov, particularly during the period when he headed the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Soviet State, were devoted to the basic task facing mankind today: eliminating the threat of nuclear war and strengthening universal peace and security. 19. The bright image of Yuri Andropov, an eminent son of the Soviet Union, a staunch, consistent champion of peace throughout the world, a man who fought to strengthen co-operation and links between peoples, will always remain in the hearts of the Soviet people and progressive mankind as a whole. 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