UNITED NATIONS, Aug 9: Differences have emerged between France and United States over key provisions in a compromise resolution to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, prompting intense diplomatic activities, diplomats here said.
US ambassador John Bolton and the French ambassador Jean Marc de La Sabliere were nevertheless expected to continue their negotiations on Wednesday and would meet three Arab envoys who flew in to New York to address the Security Council and seek support for the Lebanese government’s seven-point plan which it wants incorporated in the resolution.
France wants to include conditions from Lebanon’s new proposals, particularly on two issues: deploying Lebanese troops along side a more robust version of the United Nations force now in Lebanon as a means to expedite an Israeli withdrawal and settling the status of Shebaa Farms, the diplomats said.
The United States, which favours Israel’s concerns on both issues, thinks a strong international force still needs to be in place before an Israeli withdrawal to ensure that the Shia militia is unable to resume control of southern Lebanon or shoot at Israeli forces as they pullout, the European officials and diplomats were quoted as saying.
The Bush administration also does not want to offer more specific language on Shebaa Farms — the disputed border area that abuts Israel, Lebanon and Syria and that Hezbollah has used to justify keeping its weapons –- for fear it would be seen as a reward to the Shia movement, European officials told the Washington Post.
US and French diplomats had been hoping for a vote on the draft early this week. But the differences between the co-sponsors meant that a Security Council vote on the resolution for bringing end the fighting would be delayed at least until Thursday.
France’s UN ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said he still expects a vote this week.
“Our goal is to produce a text that will be helpful, which will help to have the hostilities ending, and a text which will help to a sustainable solution,” he said. “The text will be improved, and I am working to improve the text.”
US ambassador John Bolton refused to comment on specifics of the negotiations but acknowledged but told Associated Press in an interview that differences remain.
“We’re still pressing for a vote on a resolution as early as we can, but we’ve got to reach agreement, and there are still a lot of issues that need to be considered,” Bolton told AP. “So, when will the vote be? It’s hard to say at this point.”
A French official also acknowledged ,”we have differences on how to incorporate the needs of the Lebanese,” . “So we have to take into account the concerns of all. The text will be improved and it is important to have discussions with the Arab League, with the Lebanese with other partners,” French envoy said.
Asked about when a Security Council vote will take place he said: “I cannot tell you because we first have to produce a new text. I hope that we will be able to do it very soon, at least, this is my goal.”
