Mideast situation/Elections in Lebanon, Restoration of territorial integrity, full sovereignty – Comments by Syrian AR on SecGen third semi-annual report under S/RES/1559 (2004) – Letter from Syria

Letter dated 24 April 2006 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i.

of the Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

  On behalf of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, I have the honour to transmit herewith identical letters dated 24 April 2006 addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council (see annex).

  I would highly appreciate the urgent circulation of this letter and its annex as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Milad Atieh 

Minister Counsellor

Chargé d’affaires a.i.

Annex to the letter dated 24 April 2006 from the

Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the

Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations addressed

to the Secretary-General 

[Original: Arabic and English]

Identical letters dated 24 April 2006 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i.

of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations addressed to the

Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

  I would like, upon instructions from my Government, to convey the comments of the Syrian Arab Republic on the third report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004) (S/2006/248):

  The report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004)[Link] has exceeded the mandate provided in Security Council resolution 1559 (2004). The report mostly focused on issues relating to diplomatic relations and delineation of the borders as factors contributing to the respect of the sovereignty, independence and unity of Lebanese territory. Syria has affirmed, and would like to reaffirm once again, its full respect for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon. The issue of establishing or not establishing embassies between the two countries is a matter that falls within the domestic jurisdiction of both countries, and can be agreed on when the environment prevailing in relations between the two countries allows such steps.

  It is regrettable that the report refers again to issues concluded previously, such as the claim about the uncertainty of the withdrawal of the Syrian intelligence apparatus from Lebanon. Syria would like to reaffirm once again that all its troops, military assets and security apparatus withdrew from Lebanon on 26 April 2005.

  The Special Representative of the Secretary-General states in paragraph 12 of the report that the reporting period has witnessed tense bilateral relations between Syria and Lebanon. This claim has no valid basis on the ground, owing to the fact that the tension is made by some parties in Lebanon to damage the relations between the two brotherly countries and peoples. This claim can only be understood as a clear support for one party at the expense of other parties in Lebanon.

  The call for Syria in paragraph 80 to implement measures to control its borders is taken over by the measures already implemented by Syria to control its borders with Lebanon and to stop illegal entry and trafficking from and to Syria. The Special Representative clearly admitted in the report that all arms trafficking has been stopped since February 2006.

  The report, however failed to refer in detail on operations of arms trafficking into Lebanon by sea, which was directed to some political parties in Lebanon. Statements made by political Lebanese parties in addition to what has been published in the Lebanese media confirmed these facts.

  It is really strange that the report devoted only one paragraph to the issue of the continuous Israeli overflight violations of Lebanese territorial integrity and independence, despite the fact that the continuous sea, land and air violations by Israel of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon are the reasons for tension and instability in Lebanon.

  The report referred to the internal Lebanese national dialogue in many paragraphs in a selective manner. Syria reaffirms its support for this dialogue among our brothers in Lebanon, as well as its sincere wishes for its success, as it will achieve the interests of the Lebanese people. While reaffirming this support, Syria believes that all issues on the agenda of the dialogue should be left to the political parties in Lebanon to agree on.

  Syria welcomes the second part of paragraph 89 of the report regarding the commitment of the Secretary-General to implement all the Security Council resolutions and to achieve a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East. We hope that the Secretary-General will provide detailed steps on the way to implement these resolutions with the same enthusiasm that the Security Council is demonstrating in the implementation of certain resolutions adopted by it.

  Syria affirms that the support of the international community for the efforts of the Lebanese people to enhance its unity and to maintain its independence and sovereignty is the only venue to ensure the future of Lebanon. Pushing the Security Council by some parties to adopt new resolutions or statements will not lead to calming the situation in Lebanon or the region but, on the contrary, it will escalate the situation of instability and tension.

  I wish to request that the present letter be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

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