Saturday, August 12, 2006

1701 ... another number?

PP1. Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 520 (1982), 1559 (2004), 1655 (2006), 1680 (2006) and 1697 (2006), as well as the statements of its president on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statements of 18 June, 2000, of 19 October, 2004, of 4 May 2005, of 23 January 2006 and of 30 July 2006;

And now the 1701 .... another number in a long series taken each punctuated by a peridoic wave of death, terror and massive destruction

PP2. Expressing its utmost concern at the continuing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and in Israel since Hezbollah's attack on Israel on 12 July 2006, which has already caused hundreds of deaths and injuries on both sides, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons;

formulated in a way that is elusive, ambiguous as to where the damage is ....

PP3. Emphasizing the need for an end of violence, but at the same time emphasizing the need to address urgently the causes that have given rise to the current crisis, including by the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers

no mention of the fundamental reasons prior to the abduction ... thus giving the impression that the over 1000 deaths were for the release of the two prisoners ... of course in tune with Bolton's word on the inequity of a Lebanese death as compared to an Israeli death

PP4: Mindful of the sensitivity of the issue of prisoners and encouraging the efforts aimed at urgently settling the issue of the Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel;

Of course where it comes to Lebanese issues the tone gets milder and the urgency of issues seems less relevant. Not even an equivalent decision regarding prisoners, knowing that most lebanese prisoners were abducted in the same way the Israeli soldiers were, they never were on trial or otherwise ....

PP5. Welcoming the efforts of the Lebanese prime minister and the commitment of the government of Lebanon, in its seven-point plan, to extend its authority over its territory, through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon, welcoming also its commitment to a UN force that is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, and bearing in mind its request in this plan for an immediate withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon

I wonder what does Bearing in mind mean? how is it executed or implemented??

PP6. Determined to act for this withdrawal to happen at the earliest

At the earliest? i.e.????

PP7. Taking due note of the proposals made in the seven-point plan regarding the Shebaa farms area

Who would be kind enough to explain to me what this point means?

PP8. Welcoming the unanimous decision by the government of Lebanon on 7 August 2006 to deploy a Lebanese armed force of 15,000 troops in south Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws behind the Blue Line and to request the assistance of additional forces from UNIFIL as needed, to facilitate the entry of the Lebanese armed forces into the region and to restate its intention to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces with material as needed to enable it to perform its duties

No comment

PP9. Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict;

PP10. Determining that the situation in Lebanon constitutes a threat to international peace and security;

OP1. Calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations;

OP2. Upon full cessation of hostilities, calls upon the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL as authorized by paragraph 11 to deploy their forces together throughout the South and calls upon the government of Israel, as that deployment begins, to withdraw all of its forces from southern Lebanon in parallel;

OP3. Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon;

OP4. Reiterates its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line;

OP5. Also reiterates its strong support, as recalled in all its previous relevant resolutions, for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice Agreement of 23 March 1949;

OP6. Calls on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, including through facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and, under the authority of the government of Lebanon, reopening airports and harbors, consistent with paragraphs 14 and 15, and calls on it also to consider further assistance in the future to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Lebanon;

OP7. Affirms that all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken contrary to paragraph 1 that might adversely affect the search for a long-term solution, humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, and calls on all parties to comply with this responsibility and to cooperate with the Security Council;

OP8. Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:
-- full respect for the Blue Line by both parties; -- security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11, deployed in this area; -- full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state; -- no foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government; -- no sales or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon except as authorized by its government; -- provision to the United Nations of all remaining maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel's possession;

OP9. Invites the secretary general to support efforts to secure as soon as possible agreements in principle from the government of Lebanon and the government of Israel to the principles and elements for a long-term solution as set forth in paragraph 8, and expresses its intention to be actively involved.

.... and so on and so forth till op19.

1701 ... a major disappointment ... still a hope for a ceasefire lingers on ....yet as the resolution was being taken the humanitarian convoy was hit, yet even as I type now the drones still buzz over our heads with that incessant and nerve-wrecking zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Not even an immediate cease fire notice .... Not even that ... Today to celebrate this new number, Lebanon mourns the 7 dead in yesterday's convoy, one of which is a red cross volunteer.... Hope the death toll doesnt have to rise to 1701 in accordance with the new resolution ....

Reminds me of Robert Fisk's words ... There will be no peace in the middle east without justice and I hope and pray that "This new act of peace making won't be as bloody as its long list of predecessors" ....


To you out there who have a brighter perspective ... a brighter look on matters ... please share and help brighten our grim grim days.


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