Items-In-Heads of States - Lebanon
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UN Secretariat Item Scan - Barcode - Record Title Page 87 Date 15/06/2006 Time 4:59:22 PM S-0907-0006-02-00001 Expanded Number S-0907-0006-02-00001 items-in-Heads of States - Lebanon Date Created 23/06/1974 Record Type Archival Item Container S-0907 -0006: Correspondence with heads-of-state 1965-1981 Print Name of Person Submit Image Signature of Person Submit ' \ \ { '3 Uu CONFIDENTIAL ^ SKCRHTARY-GUNJSKAL'S MEETINGS IN TAIF With President Sarkis on 25 January 1901, 4 p.m. Also present: Foreign Minister F. Boutros Mr. J. Perez de Cuollar President, Sarkis stated that the situation in southern Lebanon was highly unsatisfactory and expressed regret that UNIFIL was unable to make any progress towards the implemen- tation of its mandate. While he was aware of the difficulties facing UNIFIL, he hoped that something could be done to improve the present situation. He wondered whether the question of the renewal of the mandate of UNIFIL could not be used as a means of pressure to induce the Security Council to take firmer action. President Sarkis also stated that the presence of PLO elements in Lebanon was becoming an increasingly heavy burden. They now practically occupied the entire coastal area from Beirut to Tyre. As to the Syrian forces, he felt that they should remain in Lebanon for a limited period and that they were useful in helping to ensure stability in Lebanon, particularly in the Moslem sector of Beirut. The Secretary-General said UNIFIL should not be blamed for the lack of progress in the implementation of its mandate. The main reason was that the parties concerned did not extend to UNIFIL the required co-operation. UNIFIL was not a deterrent force and could not use force to achieve its objectives. Its contingents had only defensive weapons and were certainly much less well-armed than the de facto forces of Major Haddad. In very difficult circumstances, UNIFIL did its best to carry out its tasks and in doing so, it had suffered many casualties. The contributing countries were becoming increasingly worried about those casualties. However, despite its weaknesses, UNIFIL1s presence was essential in southern Lebanon, and its withdrawal in the present circumstances could easily create an explosive situation. The Secretary-General did not feel that it would be possible for the Security council to reinforce -2- UNIFIL or change its mandate, in view of the opposition of certain members. In reply to queries by 'Mr. Doutros, the Sec re t ary-G en e ra 1 doubted that the situation would basically change even if a Labour Government took over in Israel, although the attitude . of a Labour Government would probably be more favourable. He did not want to speculate on the position of the new United States administration concerning UN1PIL. (LEBANON) /"..'• .'• ••'"";•:'•.•:'.'.•" ".••"'•• : ' . " -<BY ALVIN 3. WEBB) - -:.* " V • ' . .-BEIRUT, LEBANON C UPI 5 - -'LEBANESE-"PRIME MINISTER RESIGNED TODAY, APPARENTLY vS~-ttm%v$2v-*" \ r. uvtT r' —_____ UnrnW?" AND TRIGGERED ' CR LSI S -I N T Hi WA R - T 0 ijN~trOTnTTh! V •~~ : fa£BMt£sr- PKLSiJJl^rELlAS SARKIS REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION. IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER. AND SOURCES SAID EFFORTS WERE UNDERWAY TO TRY TO PERSUADE THE 51-YEAR-OLD ONE-TIME ACCOUNTANT TO RECONSIDER. ' IT MARKED THE SECOND TIME'IN-"13 MONTHS AND THE THIRD TIME SINCE HE .TOOK OFFICE IN DECEMBER 197-6 FOLLOWING LEBANON'S CIVIL WAR, THAT HOSS -HAS TOLD HIS BOSS HE WAS QUITTING. ' •:•.-"- - , ON BOTH PREVIOUS OCCAs IONS, " HOSS' WAS TALKED INTO RETURNING - - .MAINLY, SOURCES SAID, BECAUSE 'SARKIS COULD FIND NO ONE ELSE TO TAKE THE JOB OF -TRYING TO RESTORE LEBANON TO SOME. SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY. •' THERE SEEDED LITTLE INDICATION' THAT THIS TIME WAS' ANY DIFFERENT. • "I HAVE SUBMITTED MY RESIGNATION TO PRESIDENT SARKIS TODAY AMD I . HAVE 'ASKED KIM TO HOLD THE ACCEPTANCE UNTIL HE SEES FIT, " HOSS SAID :AFT£R A CLOSED CAHIMET MEETING.. • ..-..- .'.••••. .HE GAVE NO DETAILS* - : ••- • ... ..<..-.: POLITICAL SOURCES SAID HOs'S" WAS INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATED OVER .INTERNECINE BICKERING THAT ALL BUT WRECKED HIS POLICY OF "NATIONAL -, RECONCILIATION" THAT WOULD HAVE DRAWN THE VARIOUS FEUDING .PARTIES TOGETHER. _ :•'.--' ...'•.,• .... UPI 0<S~07 10:15 AED -'. '•• •'••"' ' ' -... ' :' - • • . ,: '. -. bf: RA/AR/GMM cc: Mr. Urquhart CONFIDENTIAL MOTES ON A MEETING IN HAVANA, CONFERENCE CENTER. ON 4 SEPTEMBER 1979 AT 11.30 am Present: The Secretary-General Mr. Ferdinand Mayrhofer Prime Minister Hoss of Lebanon Foreign Minister Boutros The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the United Nations and in particular by the Secretary-General himself on behalf of Lebanon. He outlined his Government's policy objectives as follows: Its first concern was to maintain and secure the present ceasefire. Secondly it would like to see UNIFIL reinforced in whatever way possible so that it would be able to take a firm posture. His Government would be ready to put futher troops at the disposal of UNIFIL. Thirdly his Government was hoping for the implementation of the Security Council resolution. It was necessary to "rethink the deployment of UNIFIL" in the South West with a view to bringing this part of Lebanon under UNIFIL control also. The Secretary-General mentioned that Israeli bombing in Lebanon had brought about a change in the American perception of the situation. Israel's attitude was being increasingly criticized. The American Government tried to be helpful but Israel apparently did not really listen to its influence. The Prime Minister said that his Government was in contact with the US and the PLO in order to maintain the ceasefire and to persuade the parties to utmost restraint. He hoped that the - 2 - Secretary-General would also take up the matter with the Americans. The Secretary-General said that he had already discussed it with President Carter and Mr. Vance and he would pursue his efforts. He felt that the American pressure would meet with some success but would not produce a definitive result. Replying to a question of the Foreign Minister about real reasons for Israel1 s attacks on aims in Lebanon. The Secretary-General explained that in this regard the military thinking prevailed in Israel. The influence of the military was very strong and they were convinced that these bombings had decreased the number of attacks which the PLO had been able to stage against Israel. In the long run only the American influence would be strong enough to change Israel* s attitude but presently the US Government was rather vulnerable and elections were again coming up. He was very concerned with the situation and about the position of UNIFIL. He would have had to withdraw UNIFIL long ago had it not been for the sake of Lebanon. The Foreign Minister agreed that the withdrawal of UNIFIL would be a disaster for the country and he again expressed his Government's gratitude for the Secretary-General's stance* What could be done now in order to keep things moving ? - - The Secretary-General explained why he had not been able to proceed with the Ivor Richard mission. The Soviet Union had opposed the concept as such while Israel had demanded clarifications. It might be necessary to look for another personality to fulfil the mission, The prime Minister stressed the positive effects such a mission would have. It would at least maintain some momentum. Certain names of persons who could be appointed to undertake the mission were mentioned. F. Mayrhofer - - PERMANENT MISSION OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS 866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA, NEW YORK, N. Y. IOOI7, f2!2) 355-546O-I Ref. 300/17/lb/106 9 Juillet 1979 Excellence, J'ai 1'honneur de vous remettre le texte de la lettre suivante qui vous est adressee par Son Excellence Dr. Salim El-Hoss, Premier Ministre du Li"ban" "Monsieur le Secretaire General, Je vous remercie pour I1important message que vous m'avez adresse et qui a trait au douloureux probleme des refugies et des personnes deplacees dans le Sud- East Asiatique. Cette tragedie qui est vivement ressentie par le Gouvernement Libanais revet aujourd'hui une ampleur qui necessite 1'action concertee de la coramunaute Inter- nationale et je ne peux que me feliciter de 1'initiative genereuse par laquelle vous vous proposez de convoquer le 20 Juillet a Geneve, une reunion des Gouvernements concernes. Vous nlgetes pas sans ignorer que mon pays qui appelle de tous ses voeux a la reussite d'une telle reunion connait depuis plus de quatre ans une tragedie dont certains aspects sont traites a travers votre organisation, tragedie qui limite considerablement le role que le Liban jouait encore naguere dans un tel domaine. Aussi mon Gouvernement se trouve-t-il dans I1impossibilite materielle de concourir aux efforts entrepris par la communaute Internationale tant sur le plan de 1'asile aue sur celui de 1'aide financiere et je ne doute pas de votre parfaite comprehension face a cette douloureuse realite. /. Neanmoins et pour manifester I'intere't de notre pays a cette initiative hautement louable, nous avons charge 1'Ambassadeur Wadim Dimachkie de representer le Li"ban a cette conference; il sera assiste de 1'Ambassadeur Ibrahim Kharma. C'est en souhaitant vivement le succes de votre action pour trouver une solution au probleme des refugies et des personnes deplacees dans le Sud-Est Asiatique et en esperant vivement que mon pays pourra au plus tot effacer le*consequences multiples de ces annees d'epreuves pour jouer a nouveau le rftle qui lui est imparti dans la communaute Internationale que je vous prie d'agreer Monsieur le Secretaire General, les assurances de ma haute consideration. Salim El-Hoss Premier Ministre du Liban" Veuillez agreer, Excellence, les assurances de ma haute consideration.