Cablegate: Unsc: Council Agrees On Elements for Presidency To

VZCZCXRO1350
OO RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #1150 3432224
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 082224Z DEC 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5491
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001150

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KWBG KPAL IS
SUBJECT: UNSC: COUNCIL AGREES ON ELEMENTS FOR PRESIDENCY TO
READ TO PRESS ON SITUATION IN HEBRON

REF: JERUSALEM 2198

1. (SBU) In consultations late on December 5, the Security
Council agreed not to meet formally in response to requests
by the Palestinians through the Non-Aligned Movement and the
Arab Group for a Council meeting on recent settler violence
in the Hebron area of the West Bank. In lieu of a meeting,
Council members agreed to a U.S.-proposal to have the Council
President (Croatia) read out elements of the discussion to
the press, which were drafted by USUN and coordinated in
advance with the Israeli and Libyan delegations.

2. (SBU) During the consultations, the Libyan Perm Rep spoke
first about the reasons for holding a meeting but noted after
the U.S. intervention that a statement, such as the one
proposed by the U.S., would be acceptable. Ambassador Wolff
spoke next on our understanding of the events in Hebron and
proposed the draft oral remarks. Every Council member
subsequently spoke in favor of the U.S./Libya draft language,
with only the Russian DPR suggesting additional language on a
comprehensive peace agreement in the Middle East but said he
would join consensus on the original draft language. The
Croatian Presidency then gaveled consensus on the oral
remarks.

3. (U) The Security Council President read the following
remarks at the press stakeout after the consultations:
"The members of the Security Council welcomed Israel's
evacuation of settlers from the compound in Hebron on
December 4. Council members condemned the resulting settler
violence, including against Palestinian civilians and
property. Council members urge respect for the rule of law
without discrimination or exception and welcomed the efforts
of the Israeli and Palestinian security services to restore
calm. Council members encourage Israel and the Palestinian
Authority to continue their security cooperation in the
Hebron Governorate."
Khahilzad

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