Vital Perspective

UNIFIL Forces Release Statement on Operations, Implementation of Mandate

According to a press statement yesterday, UNIFIL is steadily enhancing its operational capabilities in order to fulfill its responsibilities under Security Council Resolution 1701. More than 3,000 additional troops, for a current total of around 5,200, plus an Interim Maritime Task Force, have been deployed so far. UNIFIL personnel are patrolling the area of operations, monitoring the cessation of hostilities, and assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which have already deployed five brigades in the south. Yesterday, UNIFIL confirmed the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to south of the Blue Line, except in the area around Ghajar, and ensured a seamless and smooth takeover by the LAF.

Should the situation present any risk of resumpion of hostile activities, UNIFIL rules of engagement allow UN forces to respond as required. UNIFIL commanders have sufficient authority to act forcefull when confronted with hostile activity of any kind. UNIFIL has set up temporary checkpoints at key locations within its area of operations. Permanent checkpoints are being established by the LAF to stop and search passing vehicles. In case specific information is available regarding movement of unauthorized weapons or equipment, the LAF will ake required action. However, in situations where the LAF are not in a position to do so, UNIFIL will do everything necessary to fulfill its mandate in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701.

In implementing their mandate, all UNIFIL personnel may exercise the inherent right of self-defense. In addition, the use of force beyond self-defense may be applied to ensure that UNIFIL's area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities; to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent UNIFIL from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council; to protect UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment; to ensure the security and freedom of movement of UN personnel and humanitarian workers; and to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence in its area of deployment, within its capabilities.

Tests Corroborate Massive Suicide Truck Bomb Theory in Hariri Assassination

A report from Serge Brammertz's UN team has found that new tests corroborate the theory that former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri was killed in a massive suicide truck bomb. It also said that Syria, which had been accused of obstructing the probe, has been generally cooperative in its investigation of the February 14, 2005 bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others.

Investigators had suspected for some time that Hariri was killed by a bomb packed into a Mitsubishi minivan and detonated by a suicide attacker. According to the report, new tests corroborate the theory that a man either inside or just in front of the van detonated the bomb, which was probably close to 3,960 pounds. The Security Council is scheduled to discuss the report on Friday.

Lebanon Deploys Troops Along Southern Border in Former Hezbollah Positions

MediaLine reports that more than 400 LAF soldiers have deployed together with UNIFIL forces to positions along the border with Israel. The IDF is continuing to withdraw from Lebanon and are expected to be totally removed by the end of this week.

On Sunday, Lebanese forces placed tanks and armored vehicles in border positions previously held by Hezbollah at Mhabib and Hula. New posts were created at Ras Naqura on the Mediterranean coast and at Labbuneh, two miles inland. Two key border areas, near Kiryat Shmona and along the Mediterranean coast at Rosh Hanikra, were turned over by Israeli troops to UNIFIL over the weekend.

Costa Rica Moves Embassy from J'lem, Resumes Relations with Arab States

Costa Rica has resumed diplomatic relations with Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen after FM Bruno Stagno's Friday talks with his counterparts from the three Arab countries in New York. The diplomatic moves came after Costa Rica announced on August 16 that it would move its embassy in Israel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Stagno and Kuwaiti FM Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah also discussed UN reforms, the race for the next UN Secretary-General, and other issues. Sheikh Mohammad said Kuwait supports Costa Rica's bid for a seat on the Security Council for 2008-2009, and the political consultation mechanisms between Latin American nations and the 22-member Arab League.

Stagno also met with Syrian FM Walid al-Muallem iand exchanged views on resuming the diplomatic relations.

Full Text of Speeches by President Lahoud, Abbas and Egyptian FM Available

Here's something special for our readers. Check out the documents we've put in the Newswire (pdf format). There are three copies of the actual documents used by the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Egyptian FM Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in their individual addresses to the UN General Assembly.

UN Human Rights Council Statement on Gitmo Ignores Facts, Judges U.S. Law

Yesterday, a joint statement from diplomats serving on the UN Human Rights Council strongly condemned the detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay. The U.S. responded by saying it would like to one day close Guantanamo, but first needs to find alternative means of protection from suspected terrorists. It criticized the allegations as poorly founded and said detainees are treated humanely. The panel reached its conclusions despite never having visited Guantanamo.

The report said that "persons detained in the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities have been victims of violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief, and that some interrogation techniques are based on religious discrimination and are aimed at offending the religious feelings of detainees." In fact, according to Navy Rear Adm. Harry Harris, commander of Guantanamo Bay, detainees "are afforded the opportunity to worship, and will have access to the Koran in their native language, and other prayer accessories." Harris also says that non-Muslim guards are forbidden to touch the Koran.

It also condemned the U.S. for violating a right-to-health for the conditions at Guantanamo, which three simultaneous suicides by detainees confirmed. Harris says the suicides were "not an act of desperation but an act of asymmetrical warfare waged against us." The proximity and simultaneity of the suicides argue that they were coordinated rather than spontaneous. It may be hard to comprehend the mentality of one who would kill himself to make a political statement, but to doubt that these men could do so is to test the limits of fatuity. After all, that is exactly what 19 of their comrades did five years ago. The U.S. is also condemned for force-feeding detainees on a hunger strike.

The statement weighed in on U.S. law, urging the government "to either expeditiously bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to trial before a competent and independent tribunal or release them without further delay... We also recommend that the Government of the United States ensures that every detainee has the right to make a compliant regarding his treatment and to have it dealt with promptly... The Government should also ensure that the authorities in Guantanamo Bay do not force-feed any detainee who is capable of forming a rational judgment and is aware of the consequences of refusing food."

The diplomats also had the audacity to lobby Congress and act as a surrogate of the Supreme Court by interpreting U.S. law: "the Government has not only taken no steps to close Guantanamo, but ... has recently proposed draft legislation to the Congress which is in breach with United States' human rights obligations ... with the requirements of article 3 of the Geneva Conventions... The bill also includes a very broad definition of 'enemy combatant' which authorizes the US Government to arrest and detain indefinitely people who have no connection to an armed conflict. In addition, it denies detainees the right to challenge their detention before federal courts, and establishes military tribunals that do not respect minimum fair trial guarantees, since they have the same features as the Military Commissions outlawed by the Supreme Court... This legislation would legalize the repetition of the violations we are witnessing in Guantanamo Bay."

P-5 + 1 Back Down from Consequences for Iran, New Compliance Deadline Set

With Iran still resisting a freeze on its nuclear activities, the P-5 + 1 have decided to set yet another deadline --the fourth in as many months-- in hopes that Iran will finally agree to terms paving the way for substantive talks on its nuclear program.

Under the plan, reached by Secretary Rice and her counterparts over a late-night dinner Tuesday, Iran will have until early October to agree to suspend its nuclear activities as the negotiations take place, diplomats said. At the meeting, Rice backed off the U.S. demand that the Security Council begin imposing sanctions over Iran's failure to meet previous deadlines.

Originally, the P-5 + 1 offered to discuss an array of incentives with Iran if it froze its uranium enrichment program and demanded an answer by the end of June. That slipped to July, and then the end of August was set as the deadline in a Security Council resolution. American officials believe the deadline of the first week of October is firm, but at least one European diplomat suggested the possibility of slippage remains.

Originally, Iran was told that no talks could start until it suspended the nuclear program. Officials are discussing a change in sequence that would have talks begin without the U.S., then having Iran declare its willingness to suspend its program at the same time that action in the Security Council is halted, and then having the U.S. join the talks once the suspension is verified. Rice has said that she would attend the first meeting as the U.S. representative to the talks.

Quartet to Palestinians: Unity Government Must Comply with Basic Principles

We've just received a copy of the Quartet statement on the Israeli - Palestinian conflict that was released today. The focus is international humanitarian assistance via the Temporary International Mechanism which was created in June to circumvent the Hamas-led government.

While most of the mainstream is focused on the endorsement of a unity government, the language is clear that the Quartet is sticking to its demand that the Palestinian government recognize Israel, renounce terror and accept all prior agreements with Israel. This is what the Quartet means when they condition their endorsement "in the hope that the platform of such a government would reflect Quartet principles." Here is the bottom line: it's not the government that matters, it's the platform.

STATEMENT OF THE QUARTET
New York, 20 September 2006

Quartet principals – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner – met today in New York to discuss developments in the Middle East since their last meeting May 9.

Taking stock of recent developments in the region, the Quartet stressed the urgent need to make progress towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expressed its concern at the grave crisis in Gaza and the continued stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Quartet welcomed the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to form a government of national unity, in the hope that the platform of such a government would reflect Quartet principles and allow for early engagement.

The Quartet underlined the urgent need for the parties to implement fully all aspects of the Agreement on Movement and Access. Accordingly, Rafah and all other passages should remain open consistent with relevant agreements.

The Quartet encouraged greater donor support to meet the needs of the Palestinian people, with a particular emphasis on security sector reform, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, and economic development. The Quartet commended the efforts of the World Bank and the European Union to facilitate needs-based assistance directly to the Palestinian people via the Temporary International Mechanism endorsed by the Quartet on June 17. Mindful of the continuing needs of the Palestinian people, the Quartet endorsed the continuation and expansion of the Temporary International Mechanism for a three month period, and agreed to again review the need for such a mechanism at the end of that period.

The Quartet noted that the resumption of transfers of tax and customs revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority would have a significant impact on the Palestinian economy. The Quartet encouraged Israel and the Palestinian Authority to consider resumption of such transfers via the Temporary International Mechanism to improve the economic and humanitarian conditions in the West Bank and Gaza.

The Quartet welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to request Mr. James D. Wolfensohn to report on the situation on the ground.

The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to the roadmap as the means to realize the goal of two democratic states – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security. The Quartet stressed the need for a credible political process in order to make progress towards a two-state solution through dialogue and parallel implementation of obligations. In this context, the Quartet welcomed the prospect of a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas in the near future. The Quartet agreed to meet on a regular basis in the coming period at both the Principals and Envoys level, including with the parties and other regional partners to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead.

Karzai Describes Governing Under Threat of Terror; Calls for Action Abroad

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, our friend and ally in the war on terrorism, spoke to the UN General Assembly this morning. His speech was an account of what it's like to govern under extreme threat of terrorism in a country trying to gain its footing:

Madame President, regrettably, it is not all positive news that I have to share today. Over the past year, our efforts to build Afghanistan into a stable, prosperous and democratic polity have also encountered setbacks. We have seen terrorism rebounding as terrorists have infiltrated our borders to step up their murderous campaign against our people.

Terrorism sees, in the prosperity of the Afghan people, its ultimate defeat. That is why our schools and clinics get burned down, and our ulema, our teachers and our doctors get killed. That is why, today, 200,000 of our students, who went to school a year ago, are no longer able to do so.

It is also sobering to know that polio, the children's disease, increased from only 4 cases in 2005 to 27 cases this year. All of these cases have occurred in some areas of southern Afghanistan, where terrorists are preventing children from access to vaccination and health care.

Terrorists are prepared to cross any boundaries and commit horrific acts of violence to try to derail Afghanistan from its path to success. They want the international community to fail in its collective endeavor to help Afghanistan rebuild. That is why they decapitate elderly women, blow up mosques full of worshipers, and kill school-going children in indiscriminate bombings of civilian areas. And that is why they are killing international soldiers and civilians who have to come -- who have come to Afghanistan to help the Afghan people, like the four Canadian soldiers who were killed four days ago while distributing notebooks and candies to children in a village in Kandahar or the Turkish engineer who was building roads in Helmand.

Clearly, unless we confront them more decisively, terrorists will continue to take lives and to inflict greater damage.

To be sure, Madame President, terrorists -- terrorism does not emanate from within Afghanistan; Afghanistan is its worst victim. Military action in Afghanistan alone, therefore, will not deliver our shared goal of eliminating terrorism. We must look beyond Afghanistan to the sources of terrorism. We must destroy terrorist sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan, dismantle the elaborate networks in the region that recruit, indoctrinate, train, finance, arm and deploy terrorists. We must ensure that political currents and entities in the region are not allowed to use extremism as an instrument of policy.

Clearly, a tough job lies ahead. Suicide bombings, kidnappings, murders and other terrorist acts from the Taliban and al-Qaeda, especially in southern Afghanistan, have kept the country one of the most dangerous in the world. It is nothing short of critical that the U.S. and other NATO countries maintain their presence and work side-by-side with Afghan forces to root out the terrorist threat, keeping Afghanistan from slipping back into the hands of Islamic extremists.

Lesson in Syrian Diplomacy: The Nazis Would Be Ashamed of What Israel Does

Here's a lesson in Syrian diplomacy from contacts in Europe. On September 15, the UN Conference on Disarmament met in Geneva, and the following exchange took place towards the end of the meeting. Apparently, the Conference's annual report was far from substantive, and the Syrians were to blame.

The Israeli representative, Meir Itzchaki, joined the others in thanking the President of the Conference for his tireless efforts to try to bring together many differences. Israel regretted that the Conference had been unable to adopt a substantive report. Everyone knew who was responsible for this failure. Israel hoped that this example would not repeat itself. Some delegations had spoken of rewriting history, and he hoped to remind Syria of the historical facts. Israel was a sovereign State and would continue to be so.

In response, the Syrian representative, Hussein Ali, said this:

Quite frankly if I didn't have so much respect for this august body, I would have burst out laughing at listening with what was said by the respresentative of Israel. Facts speak for themselves and I have already spoken about these facts by mentioning a journalist yesterday.

Syria is a country which respects international law. Syria is a country that does not occupy neighboring countries. Syria does not destroy cities, does not kill children, does not use weapons which are prohibited internationally and we all know on the other hand what Israel does.

Over the recent years and months Syria has repeated its offers and invitations to resume peace negotiations with Israel and we record the Arab peace initiative confirmed in Beirut in 2002 to resume negotiations and to restore a just and comprehensive peace in the region. But Israel rejected those offers and at the time it was said pressure was exerted by another country which lead Israel to refuse these offers in recent days also. Syria asked for negotiations to be resumed but the response from the Israeli prime minister was that Israel had other tools and weapons in its possession which it had not used and could use against Syria.

That is Israel's faith and I say this despite the fact that I didn't really need to repeat these things because we all in the press and media have seen what Israel does. If Nazism were to exist today, Nazism would have been ashamed of what Israel does.

That of course infuriated the other members. The French said "coming from a country that suffered from Nazism, and a family affected by it... I protest and ask that the last sentence would be omitted from the records..." The U.S. then associated itself with France, as did Britain, Germany, the EU and Finland.