S/PV.2559 Security Council

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Lebanon in which he requests 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 that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Council. 6. I wish also to thank and express appreciation to your predecessor, the representative of Zimbabwe, for the competent and tactful way he guided the proceedings of the Council throughout the month of September. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Turk (Lebanon) took a place at the Council table. 7. Now that the Council has adopted the draft resolution on the extension for six months of the mandate of UNIFIL, I am happy to express to you, Mr. President, and the members of the Council thanks and gratitude for this support and for the understanding shown of the overall situation in southern Lebanon and the urgent need for the continued presence of UNIFIL.

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 10 April to 9 October 1984 [S/16776]. Members of the Council also have before them document S/16772, containing the text of a letter dated 8 October 1984 from the representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General, 8. The report of the Secretary-General indicates a deep understanding of the situation and reflects realism 9. We have carefully studied the observations in the report. We wish to associate ourselves with the Secretary-General’s realistic depiction of the situation, his forecast of expected developments, and his decision concerning the measures that these developments may make necessary. We see in the report and in the Secretary-General’s observations encouraging indications that, if these measures are imposed and bring about the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon’s territory and proper security arrangements at the southern borders of Lebanon, a revision will be necessary of the functions and task of UNIFIL and the number of its troops, the extension of its area of deployment, and increased effectiveness. It will then be in a position to contribute, together with the Lebanese army and the internal security forces, to the extension of the authority of the State to the internationally recognized boundaries, so that the south may become a zone of peace and security. 10. I must refer here to the fact that this new contribution of UNIFIL will be necessary, but temporary, in the period after the proposed Israeli withdrawal, until the legitimate Lebanese forces can assume full and definitive responsibility for security. 11. I cannot end my statement without again thanking and commending UNIFIL. I commend its leadership, its troops and its logistic assistance and express gratitude to the countries from which its men come and to all the States that have contributed and will contribute to the carrying out of the task of the United Nations in Lebanon. 12. The objectives of the Lebanese State, headed by President Amin Gemayel, are crystal clear. They were defined by Mr. Rashid Karame, head of Government and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, in his statement to the General Assembly.’ Those objectives stem from the natural right of Lebanon to be the master of its own territory and from its independent will and decision to extend the authority of its State over every inch of its territory. They also stem from the right of the people of Lebanon to enjoy peace, security and a decent, tranquil life, so that it may resume its rightful role, make its creative contribution and fulfil its mission, which goes back to time immemorial. 13. I need not emphasize the fact that Lebanon, when its sovereignty has been upheld, its strength restored and the unity of its territory, institutions and peoples preserved, will not be the only beneficiary. The achievement of those goals will contribute also to peace and stability in the region and perhaps throughout the world. 14. Mr. TROYANOVSKY (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) [interpretation ,frwn Russian]: Since this is 15. I should like to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to your predecessor, the representative of Zimbabwe, Mr. Mashingaidze, for the very able way in which he conducted the work of the Council during the month of September. 16. In view of the request of the Lebanese Government for the extension of the mandate of UNIFIL, the Soviet delegation has seen fit not to object to an extension. The Soviet delegation abstained for reasons which have frequently been explained. At the same time, we cannot fail to emphasize our growing concern at the abnormal situation that exists, in that the Council is obliged systematically to extend the mandate of this Force while conditions exist that prevent it from performing the functions entrusted to it. This concern is shared by many other members of the Council, and by States which have provided their own contingents to UNIFIL. It is also reflected in the report of the Secretary-General, which states: “I also feel obliged to state that the existence of UNIFIL should not be taken for granted indefinitely” [S/16776, par’a. 271. 17. The reason for this dangerous and abnormal situation in Lebanon, which, in addition to everything else, is making it impossible for UNIFIL to perform its task as laid down in the relevant resolutions and decisions of the Council, is well known. It is the continued illegal occupation by Israel of southern Lebanon, which was seized by Tel Aviv during the aggression perpetrated in June of 1982. For two years now the notorious “Peace for Galilee” has meant daily suffering and privation for the populations of the occupied areas, whether they be Lebanese or Palestinian refugees. 18. Just over a month ago the Council was considering the question of the situation in southern Lebanon, and in their statements the representatives of Lebanon and of a number of other delegations painted a very graphic picture of the systematic terror and violence which is practised by the occupying Israeli forces against the civilian population. It is true that at that time, the Council once again proved unable to take a decision which would at least have called the occupiers to task and that, as we are all aware, was because of yet another veto by the strategic ally and patron of Israel, the United States. Naturally, there was a kind of logic underlying that veto. After all, Washington has done 24. We interpret the resolution which the Council has just adopted as endorsing further action by the Secretary-General on these lines. Like him, we believe that the present opportunity must not be missed and that, if it were, the consequences to peace could be very serious. 25. We are grateful to those States which have provided troops for UNIFIL. We hope that the appeal in paragraph 28 of the Secretary-General’s report to all Member States to pay their assessments without delay will be heeded. We note with pleasure that the representative of the Soviet Union has just said that the Soviet Union wilt do everything in its power to help. 19. We are saying this not simply for the sake of recalling the past but rather because the past is directly relevant to .the present, since it sheds a very clear light on the reasons why UNIFIL has so far not been able to carry out its mandate. It is quite obvious that the implementation of resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982), and above all the requirement for the withdrawal of Israeli forces forthwith and unconditionally from all Lebanese territory, are the most important prerequisites for the settlement of the situation in Lebanon. These resolutions have never been abrogated. They should be implemented, thereby making it possible for the Force to carry out the tasks it has been given, 26. Mr. van der STOEL (Netherlands): May I at the outset, Sir, extend my warm congratulations to you on assuming the presidency ofthe Council for the month of October. Your great diplomatic skills are well known to all to us. 27. My delegation also wants to thank the representative of Zimbabwe for the excellent way in which he conducted the work of the Council during the month of September. 20. In conclusion, the Soviet delegation would like to emphasize that the normalization of the situation in Lebanon is but one aspect of the broader task of establishing lasting peace in the Middle East. As the head of the Soviet State, Mr. Chernenko, said in a statement on 9 October this year: 28. It is now the eighth time since Israel’s invasion of Lebanon that the Council has been called upon to extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a further limited period in circumstances which do not conform to the original mandate as spelt out in resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978), or to the intentions of later Council resolutions on the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the restoration of the authority of the Lebanese Government in southern Lebanon. “Peace will be brought to the peoples of the Middle East not by intrigues and separate deals behind their backs but by a comprehensive, just settlement. The efforts of the Soviet Union are aimed precisely at the achievement of just such a settlement. The Soviet Union will continue to do everything in its power to bring about that end.” - . 21. Sir John THOMSON (United Kingdom): My deiegation is indeed glad to be sitting again under your presidency, Sir. We have practical experience of the efficient and brisk way in which you conduct the affairs of the Council. We have always enjoyed also sitting under the presidency of your predecessor, whose wit and incisiveness are well known to all members of the Council. We congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency. 29. As indicated in the report of the Secretary- General, however, in recent weeks there have been a number of developments which offer prospects for a more meaningful and strengthened role for UNIFIL than the Force is able to fulfil at present. 30. In these circumstances, it is obvious that the Council should expand the present mandate for a further limited period, pending the outcome of negotiations on the necessary practical arrangements which will have to be made to realize the overall objectives. We are glad to note that all parties now seem to recognize the important role which UNIFIL could play in these practical arrangements. I may recall that the main reason for my country’s readiness to maintain a limited contingent in UNIFIL has been our conviction that UNIFIL still could and should play an important role in changing the situation in southern Lebanon for the better. The Netherlands has therefore again voted in favour of an extension of UNIFIL’s present mandate for a further period of six months. Needless to say, we shall continue to contribute a contingent to the Force. 22. Council members know that my Government has Iong advocated an expanded United Nations presence in Lebanon. We are pleased therefore that the Secretary-General, in his report of 9 October, has once again put forward proposals for the expanded deployment of UNIFIL in conjunction with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. 32. We very much hope that it will be possible in the near future to reach agreement on the necessary practical arrangements. We call upon all parties concerned to resolve theirowtstandingdifferences in a realistic and constructive manner, bearing in mind that all stand to gain if the overall objectives are attained. The Secretary-General has reiterated in his report a number of useful and practical suggestions which would enable UNIFIL to play a more effective role in southern Lebanon in the wake of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from that region. We are convinced that the Secretary- General and his most able staff will have an important role to play in the forthcoming negotiating process. 33. Lastly, Mr. President, forgive me for once again drawing the attention of the Council to the sad state of affairs of UNIFIL’s finances. The Secretary-General has informed us that the accumulated shortfall in UNIFIL’s financial account has now reached almost $200 million. We are all aware that some Member States consistently fail to honour their obligations, thereby creating major financial problems for the Organization and for the troop-contributing countries. 34. The problem will become even more acute if UNIFIL’s role is to be expanded under any future secwrity arrangements in southern Lebanon. It could even jeopardize UNIFIL’s future. We therefore associate ourselves again with the Secretary-General’s strong appeal to all Member States to pay their assessments without delay, We also hope that his appeal to Member States to make available, as a practical measure, voluntary contributions to the UNIFIL Suspense Account will meet with a favourable response. 35. Mr. de La BARRE de NANTEUIL (France) [interpretationfrom Fre&]: First of all, Sir, I wish to convey to you our congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council and to say how pleased we are to see you fulfilling that important function, as you have done before with great skill. 36. I wish also to pay a tribute to your immediate predecessor, the representative of Zimbabwe, who 37. I have asked to speak, and I shall be brief. Everyone knows that France is committed to the efforts being undertaken within the framework of the United Nations with a view to preserving and maintaining peace, and everyone also knows of our interest in the various proposals that have been made in this field. Here I wish to pay a special tribute to the Secretary-General for his efforts in this direction. 38. My delegation has just voted in favour of the resolution which extends the mandate of UNIFIL for six months at the request of the Lebanese Government, Once again France has thus indicated the support it has never ceased to give to UNIFIL since its inception, in particular by making an important contribution to a United Nations peace-keeping force, which is an essential factor, it seems, in the return to normal conditions in southern Lebanon. By our vote we also wished IO demonstrate our deep solidarity with Lebanon and our concern for the interests of that country which has suffered so much and continues to suffer. 39. My delegation has studied with great interest the observations of the Secretary-General in his latest report. In this connection, I wish to recall what we said on this subject at the time of the last extension-that is, that we were ready to consider the new tasks which the Security Council might, at an appropriate time, decide to entrust to UNIFIL. 1 reiterate here our readiness to do so.

Mr. President, I, too, should like to join our colleagues in extending congratulations to you on your assumption of the office of President of the Council for this month. 41. Furthermore, I should like to extend our thanks to Mr. Mashingaidze for the manner in which he conducted the proceedings during the month of September. 42. The issue before the Council today was the extension of the mandate of UNIFIL. We have adopted a resolution to that effect. Our action, we hope, will contribute to the cause of peace and stability in the region. 43. My delegation regrets that the Soviet Union could not control the urge to use this opportunity to launch a verbal attack on the United States. We reject that attack as inappropriate and unjustified. The meeting r’ose clt 1.20 p.m. NOTE ’ OfJicial Records of the General Assembly, Thirry-ninth Sessim Plenary Meetings, 22nd meeting. HOW TO OBTAIN UMTED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS CYnitrd Nations publications ma! be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write IO: United Nations. Sales Section. New York of Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATTONS UNIES Lrs publications des Nations Unies sont en vente dans les librairies et Its agences depositaims du mnnde cnrier. Informez-vous aupres de vo!re libraire ou adressez-vous 6 : Nations Unies. Section des ventes. New York ou Get&e. COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas est&r en venta en librerias y casas disuibuidoras en todas panes del mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirijase a: Naciones Unidas, Secciljn de Ventas. Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho in United Nations, New York 00300 90-61313-February 1993--Z,@‘)