Security Council – Work assessment under Romania presidency (July 2004) – Letter from Romania (excerpts)

Letter dated 13 August 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  I have the honour to enclose the assessment by the presidency of Romania of the work of the Security Council during July 2004 (see annex). This assessment has been prepared on my own authority after consultation with the other members of the Security Council.

  I should be grateful if you would circulate this letter and its annex as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Mihnea Motoc 

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

Annex to the letter dated 13 August 2004 from the Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the Presidency of Romania (July 2004)

    Introduction

  During the presidency of Romania in July 2004, …

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  Expressing concern about tension in Lebanon, the Council by resolution 1553 (2004) extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

  The Council heard the regular briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

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   Asia

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    The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 

  On 13 July, the Council held its regular monthly briefing on the situation in the Middle East with the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, Terje Roed-Larsen. He told the Council that the Israeli withdrawal initiative from Gaza and parts of the West Bank offered an unprecedented opportunity for progress towards peace if implemented in the right way. This entailed full and complete withdrawal by Israel from the Gaza Strip and immediate action by Palestinians to reconstitute their security forces as stipulated in the road map. He further stated that the international community must support the parties along the challenging and laborious road leading to peace.

    United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

  On 23 July, the Council held a private meeting with the troop-contributing countries to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Council heard a briefing by the Director of the Asia and Middle East Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

  On 29 July, by the unanimous adoption of resolution 1553 (2004), the Council extended the mandate of UNIFIL by six months, until 31 January 2005. Reiterating its support for the territorial integrity and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries, the Council expressed concern at tensions and the potential for escalation, as noted in the Secretary-General’s report of 21 July (S/2004/572), which covered the period from 21 January to 21 July 2004. The Council reiterated its call on the parties to continue to fulfil their commitments to respect the withdrawal line, to exercise utmost restraint and to cooperate fully with UNIFIL. It further encouraged the Government of Lebanon to continue efforts to ensure the return of its effective authority throughout the south, including the deployment of Lebanese armed forces.

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Appendix I 

    Security Council resolutions and statements adopted in July 2004 

   Resolutions 

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