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) /"..'• .'• ••'"";•:'•.•:'.'.•" ".••"'•• : ' . . " - 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. Representant Permanent S.E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim Secretaire General Nations Unies Few York, H.Y. 10017 MC/jb cc: *X"SG ccs Me, Urquhart bf s RA/AR/FMG/JPB/MKP/IL ,'. Pile: Lebanon copy of to tfe© aimlirassary of Ilk© to you for yoiasr to to my ©f foertB for * •'•',- . •)• !.'-' • •'" ' :X • v S : •••••'' >• ';'' '" ' '. '' - • 'I- '•"'- y-.- - '-' ' Io . • 'i ' •"PEOPL E OF LEBANON, •• aO. \J Q I i 0 THE OCCASION OF THE 23RD OF SEPTEMBER IS NOT THE ONLY B REASON WHY I ADDRESS YOU. I INCREASINGLY FEEL THE NEED TO SPEAK jj TO YOU AND TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH YOU BECAUSE, WITH THE DETERIORATION OF CONDITIONS, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A FRANK PRESENTA- TION OF FACTS FROM ME. I REALIZE, MOREOVER, THAT BY PUTTING YOU IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE REAL FACTS YOU BECOME CAPABLE OF g EVALUATING ISSUES IN A SOUND AND IMPARTIAL MANNER, DEVOID OF ALL 3 •| PARTIALITY AND PREJUDICE. g •| I HAVE MAINTAINED SILENCE FOR A LONG TIME, IN VIEW OF THE Q CONDITIONS IN WHICH SILENCE WAS MORE ELOQUENT AND EFFECTIVE AND §• I HAVE TOLERATED THE IRRESPONSIBLE CAMPAIGNS TO WHICH I WAS £ ~ EXPOSED WHILE I STRIVE TO RECONCILE DIFFERENT CURRENTS IN ORDER § 3 TO SAFEGUARD THE UNITY OF THE NATION AND STATE, AND TO RECONCILE 1 » BETWEEN A GROUP OF LEBANESE WHO HAVE HAD AND STILL HAVE FEARS | 3 OVER THEIR DESTINY IN A LAND WHERE THEY HAVE LIVED FOR HUNDREDS §= OF YEARS, A LAND THAT THEIR GENERATIONS HAVE DEFENDED DOWN » THROUGH HISTORY AND BETWEEN ANOTHER GROUP OF LEBANESE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED, AND STILL DO, OF DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS AND NEGLECT 1 OF DEMANDS AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE IDENTITY OF A NATION ^ :| OF WHICH THEY ARE A BASIC PILLAR, AND OF A STATE WHICH IS NOT P COMPLETE WITHOUT THEM. THIS SITUATION PREVAILS DESPITE THE EFFORTS Q OF PREVIOUS REGIMES AND OF THE PAST TWO YEARS TO REMOVE ALL & CAUSES OF BOTH FEAR AND COMPLAINT, IN KEEPING WITH MY CONVICTION Q a THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY REPRESENTS ALL, EQUALLY, AND | o HIS RESPONSIBILITY EXTENDS TO ALL, WITHOUT DISTINCTION. 1 ^ I MUST SAY, FRANKLY, THAT THE AUTHORITY HAS FOUND NEITHER |' H THE DESIRED UNDERSTANDING OF ITS CLEAR POSITION, NOR THE EXPECTED 8s HELP TO CONTINUE THE PEACE PROCESS, RESTORE THE PROMINENCE OF THE * STATE AND IMPOSE ITS CONTROL. THIS CONSTITUTES A MAIN REASON FOR THE NEW DETERIORATION AND THE FALTERING OF THE STEPS OF THE LEBANESE u ARMY AND FOR THE CONTINUATION AND ENTRENCHMENT OF THE - | STATE OF CHAOS. I HAVE HAD TO PURSUE MY EFFORTS IN THE MIDST H | OF THESE CURRENTS AND TO STRIVE TO RECONCILE BETWEEN CONTRADICTORY *j | TRENDS AND CURRENTS, AND I MUST SAY, REGRETFULLY, THAT I HAVE o | ONLY SCORED LIMITED SUCCESS. CONSEQUENTLY, THINGS HAVE RETURNED - Sf TO PREVIOUS PATTERNS, THE PEACE PROCESS HAS AGAIN FALTERED, ALONG g •§ WITH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH SINCERELY 3 3 AND FULLY ASSISTS ME, HAS BEEN RENDERED INCAPABLE OF REALIZING | § THE STABILITY, HOPES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS TO WHICH THE COUNTRY | & ASPIRES. I ' - ' . LEBANESE BRETHREN : ^ | I ADDRESS YOU AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF NATIONAL DISMEMBERMENT, '"§ WITH A FUTURE STRIVING AGAINST DEESPAIR AND A LIFE TRYING TO I EMERGE FROM THE GRIP OF ANNIHILATION. SINCE THE EXERCICE OF POWER | CONTINUALLY LIES ON MY CONSCIENCE, I FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY Q PASSING MOMENT AND FOR EVERY COMING DAY, AS I FEEL RESPONSIBLE ]§ FPR THE RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO JOY AND OF THE GENERATIONS TO £ HAPPINESS AND THE RIGHT OF MAN, WHOEVER HE IS AND WHEREEVER HE IS § 85 TO DIGNITY AND TO THE ENJOYMENT OF FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY. 8 § THE WHOLE TRAGEDY OF LEBANON IS OH MY HEART, EVERY TIME f A VICTIM FALLS OR A FAMILY IS SCATTERED AND EVERY TIME A HOUSE IS W DESTROYED AND THE EARNINGS OF A LIFETIME ARE LOST, I AM GRIEVED AND SADDENED AND I FIND MYSELF CRYING FROM THE DEPTHS-. 8 a | "IT IS ENOUGH... OUR PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED AND ANDURED § •£ ENOUGH IN TERMS OF DISASTER, DISPLACEMENT, SACRIFICE, BLEADING O I AND MARTYRDOM. THEY HAVE PAID ENOUGH FOR THE PRICE OF SURVIVAL §• 1 AND ARE ENTITLED TO LIVE". O So PEOPLE OF LEBANON: 11 §° I g THE STATE, YOUR STATE IS WEAK, INDEED, VERY WEAK, AND NOBODY g KNOWS OR FEELS THAT MORE THAN I DO, BUT WHO, I WONDER, WILL " STRENGTHEN IT IF ITS PEOPLE DO NOT ? WHAT MAR IT TODAY DOES ANYBODY HAVE WHO CASTS A STONE AT IT. WOULD IT NOT BE MUCH BETTER FOR « EVERYONE TO SUPPORT IT WITH A PEBBLE ? WHAT DO THOSE WHO ABANDON g •| THE STATE, ARE UNFAIR TOWARDS IT OR PERSIST IN WEAKENING IT REALLY | | THINK THAT THEY ARE DOING? DO THEY NOT REALIZE THAT IN SO DOING o | THEY ARE KILLING LEBANON AND COMMITTING SUICIDE ? g | IN THE FACE OF THIS, I SEEK THE INSPIRATION OF MY GOD AND ^ ¥ THE GUIDANCE OF MY CONSCIENCE AND TO NOT SEEK THE APPROBATION | f OF ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL NEITHER DO I NEED TESTIMONY OF | 2 ANYBODY. I OPENLY DECLARE WHAT I TRUTHFULLY BELIEVE, AND I AM |- U DEEPLY HONORED TO BE THE PRODUCT OF MY NATION AND THE SERVANT 5- K OF ITS PEOPLE. I APPEAL, IN RESPONSE TO THE UNFAIR CAMPAIGNS, THAT *» HEAD BE GIVEN TO THE WISE SAYINGs "JUDGE NOT THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED". .2 • - PEOPLE OF LEBANON : 8 ' . » 2 £2 YOU HAVE BOTH A RIGHT AND A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS o LEGITIMACY. £ _ YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPECT ME TO OBSERVE OATH TO SAFEGUARD | | THE NATION'S TERRITORY, PEOPLE, STATE AND INTEGRITY, STRIVING | g TO LEAD THE COUNTRY TO THE HAVENS OF GLORY AND SAFETY, AND I HAVE 3 THE RIGHT TO EXPECT YOU TO RALLY AROUND ME AND SUPPORT ME, TO TRUST fi AND HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ME, THAT I MIGHT EXERCISE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENCY WITHOUT IT BEING INFRINGED UPON OR IMPAIRED. YOU NEED LEGITIMACY, BUT LEGITIMACY DIRELY NEEDS YOU. WHY DO YOU NOT PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER WITH IT, LIGHTENING THE g § LOAD, THAT WE MIGHT RISE TOGETHER ? 09 | DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH I NEED YOU NOW TO RESCUE ^ LEBANON ? o WAS IT NOT FOR THE CONTINUITY OF LEGITIMACY THAT YOU FOUGHT ~ IN THE FACE OF IMPOSSIBLE ODDS, ASTOUNDING THE WORLD ? | •§ AT A TIME WHEN THE POSSIBILITY OF VACUUM EXISTED, DID YOU | <5 NOT ACHIEVE THE MIRACLE OF DEMOCRACY IN THIS FAR-FLUNG EAST AND |- | BORE WITNESS TO THE MOST TREASURED TRADITIONS OF FREEDOM, =£ E PREVENTING THE COLLAPSE OF THE STATE AND THE DISINTEGRATION % OF THE NATION. TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO THE POSSIBILITY EXISTED THAT A PRESIDENT WOULD NOT BE ELECTED. TWO YEARS AGO, THE POSSIBILITY § EXISTED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO PRESIDENTS BUT LEBANON CHOSE THE g io CONTINUITY OF LEGITIMACY, AND IT IS WORTHY OF IT TO MAINTAIN THIS ^ 1 LEGITIMACY. g £ YOU ASKs WHO IS THIS LEGITIMACY ? WHAT DOES IT WANT? §[ J IT IS YOU AND YOU ARE IT. IT IS NOT A PERSON, NOT EVEN AN Q 2 INSTITUTION, BUT RATHER THE SOUL OF THE NATION, THE IMAGE OF ITS | § CIVILISATION AND THE SYMBOL OF ITS BELONGING TO HUMANITY. § g LEGITIMACY DESIRES FOR YOU WHAT YOU DESIRE FOR YOURSELVES AT | g THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF MATURITY AND WITH THE CLEAREST DEGREE | OF VISION. EVERYBODY WANTS LEGITIMACY EXCLUSIVELY FOR HIMESELF, AND LEGITIMACY SEAKS TO RESCUE LEBANON . | THE RESCUE OPERATION IS NOT REALIZED BY MAGIC OR BY SOME 9 '•g IMPETUOUS ADVENTURE, BUT BY A MEETING OF WILLS AND HEARTS AND BY § c UNIFYING OF RANKS. Q Q ' ' , LEBANESE PEOPLE : if. £ I AM ONE OF YOUR SONS, BORN INTO A HUMBLE FAMILY IN A MODEST 5" VILLAGE. I EMERGED AND LAUNCHED FROM YOUR RANKS AND I MOVE g5 TOGETHER WITH YOU TO MY DESTINY BECAUSE WE ARE BOUND TOGETHER BY MORE THAN AN OATH OF OFFICE, WE ARE BOUND BY A PACT OF LIFE. BECAUSE I AM A CITIZEN BEFORE BEING A PRESIDENT, AND BECAUSE CITIZENSHIP COMES BEFORE PRESIDENCY AND AFTER IT, WITH AND g WITHOUT IT , AND IS THE BASIC AND PERMANENT STATUS THAT I CLAIM «g | FOR MYSELF, I SEEK TO ENLIST YOU, NOBLE PEOPLE, IN MY CAPACITY § •£ AS THE CITIZEN-PRESIDENT, IN MY VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF Q LEBANON: Er THE STRENGTH OF LEBANON RESTS ON THREE BASIC PILLARS, NAMELY: o INTERNAL UNITY, ARAB RELATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS. | o THE STRENGTH OF LEBANON, FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS DERIVED | ® FROM IT BEING ONE NATION, FOR ONE PEOPLE ON ONE LAND. |° §— ITS STRENGTH LIES IN IT HAVING ONE CAPITAL, NOT TWO, o SEPARATED BY A CLOSED DOOR, IN THERE BEING ONE BEIRUT, NOT EASTERN °* AND WESTERN SECTORS, ONE SOUTH UNDER ONE NATIONAL FLAG, ONE NORTH, IN WHICH LOVE AND TOGETHERNESS PREVAIL, A BEKAA AND MOUNTAIN « WHICH EMBODY LOVE AND PRIDE. gg •| ITS STRENGTH LIES IN IT HAVING ONE ARMY FROM ALL THE NATIONA g | AND FOR ALL THE NATION, SILENCING EXCUSES AND PRETEXTS FOR o ANY SIDE TO ILLEGALLY BEAR ARMS AND ALLOWING TO RELIEVE g ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL FORCES OF THE BURDEN OF MAINTAINING ^ - SECURITY AND PEACE IN OUR COUNTRY. | € ITS STRENGTH IS IN ITS PEOPLE WHO ARE SCATTERED UNDER | 2 EVERY SKY, WITH THEIR CONTINUED SPIRITUAL ATTACHMENT TO THE C9 ROOTS OF THE HOMELAND . C THE STRENGTH OF LEBANON IS IN ITS DEMOCRATIC, PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM THAT IT HAS SELECTED AND IN ITS FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT IT HAS CHOSEN . w ITS STRENGTH, PARTICULARLY, IS IN ITS EVOLVING INTO A | MODERN STATE, BASED ON ADMINSTRATIVE DECENTRALIZATION, AND ON § 0 ITS EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SO THAT QUALIFICATION BECOMES THE ^ | STANDARD OF VALUE AND NATIONAL GIVING IS THE STANDARD OF MEASUREMENT, o SUCH A STATE WILL CANCEL OUT ALL THE MINI-STATES THAT HAVE BEEN & J_ AT THE ROOTS OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS, AND ALL THOSE THAT HAVE ARISEN o J3 AS A RESULT OF THEM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT BE HERE OR THERE. 1 *" TtiE_ STRENGTH OF LEBANON, IN THE SECOND PLACE, ISJj\MTS ~ BROTHERLYTRELATIONS WtTH~THE ARAB COUNTRIES. STARTING^TH THAT CLOSEST IN PROXIMITY AND IN HISTORIC AND ETHNIC TIES, AND WMTH WHICH IT HAS THE STREONGEST TIES OF INTERESTM NAMELY SYRIA. WHOSE RELATIONS WITH LEBANON MUST REMAIN PLEDGED TO SINCERE UNDER- ro STANDING AND TRUE COOPERATION IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF MUTUAL GOOD, 1 BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE . § ts £? I STRESS, HERE, ON THE AUTHENTICITY OF OUR ROLE IN OUR o ARAB SURROUNDING WHICH WE ARE FROM, IN AND FOR, AND FOR WHICH o O WE ARE THE BRIDGE THAT LINKS ON TO THE WORLD'S HORIZONS. I REFER TO THE PIONEERING CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LEBANESE, ESPECIALLY .o c O THE CHRISTIANS, IN THE SERVICE OF ARAB CAUSES, AND IN THE ENRICH- MENT OF THE ARAB HERITAGE, INTELLECTUALLY, LINGUISTICALLY i AND POLITICALLY. EVEN THOUGH THE LEBANESE CHRISTIANS AHEV MERIT IN THIS, THEY DESERVE NO SPECIAL CREDIT, BECAUSE THEY WERE, ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE, WITH THEIR MOSLEM BROTHERS, COMRADES OF STRUGGLE AND PARTNERS IN DESTINY. WHILE I EMPHASIZE OUR ARAB OBLIGATIONS, I CONSIDER THAT THE ARAB BRATHREN SHOULD RECIPROCATE THE LEBANESE PEOPLE THE Q uv RESPECT, CARE AND CONCERN TO WHICH IT IS ENTITLED. o C7 I MUST, IN THIS EVALUATION, REAFFIRM THE DISTINCTION IN SL I ATTITUDE AND POSTION BETWEEN THE NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS OF THE I ARMED PALESTINIAN PRESENCE AND OUR COMPLETE COMMITMENT TO JUST CAUSE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR IGHT TO RETURN TO THEIR LAND AND TO SELF-DETERMINATION . I FIND MYSELF TODAY IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, OBLIGATED TO AGAIN DECLARE OUR CATEGORICAL AND FIRM REJECTION TO ANY SOLUTION BASED ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PALESTINIANS INLEBANON, AND WHICH DOES NOT ENSURE JUST AND LASTING PEACE. IT REMAINS TO BE SAID THAT LEBANON'S THIRD SOURCE OF STRENGTH LIES IN ITS INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS AND ITS OPENESS ON THE WORLD, AND IT HAS A STRONG POSITION THAT IT INSISTS ON I 8 MAINTAINING AND A PROMINENT ROLE THAT IT WILL NOT FORSAKE. IF IT HAD SEEMED AT ONE STAGE THAT THE INTENSITY OF OUR I INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS HAS DIMMED, THIS ILLLUSION WAS QUICKLY DISPELLED. THE LATEST ISRAELI AGGRESSION AGAINST SOUTH LEBANON WAS THE OCCASION FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR COUNTRY. THE GOODWIj-L. JEFFORTS EXERTED BY THE u|!!!§LJiA!i2N§i^^ RESOLUTIONS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, IN THIS CONNECTION CAME AS .NEW MANIFESTATIONS OF LEBANON'S HIGH STANDING ON THE INTERNATIONAL sa SCENE. THIS STANDING MUST BE INVESTED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE SOUTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, WHILE WE EXPRESS o OUR SATISFACTION AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR FRIENDSHIPS, WE ARE AWARE OF THE MISTAKE OF DEPENDING TOO MUCH ON THEM OR DRAWING UPON THEM EXCESSIVELY. WE MUST TAKE TIME AND TIMING INTO CONSIDERATION IN DEALING WITH THEM IN A RATIONAL AND EFFECTIVE MANNER. I • PEOPLE OF LEBANON : » ULTIMATELY, THE LEBANESE CRISIS CAN ONLY BE SOLVED g POLITICALLY. DEALING WITH THE CRISIS WITH SECURITY MEASURES « | IS MERELY A TRANSITIONAL STOP DESIGNED TO LEAD TO A POLITICAL g •| SOLUTION BASED ON UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE LEBANESE, COOPERATION "J | WITH BROTHERS AND OPENESS TO FRIENDS. o ^i CONSEQUENTLY, THE ENTRY OF ARAB TROOPS SINCE THE LAUNCHING go | OF THE SYRIAN INITIATIVE WAS IN RESPONSE TO PRESSING SECURITY <| NEEDS, AND THEIR ROLE WAS DEFINED AT THE RIYADH AND CAIRO SUMMIT. U CONFERENCES. EVEN THOUGH THEIR MISSION SUSTAINED SETBACKS fi DUE TO KNOWN CONDITIONS AND REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND 5» THEIRS, AND DUE TO CONSIDERATIONS BEYOND OUR BORDERS, THE RETENTION OF TEH ARAB FORCES IS STILL AT PRESENT, A NECESSITY w IMPOSED BY THE SAFETY OF THE NATIONA AND THE SECURITY OF THE | COUNTRY . § o ONCE WE REACH THE LEVEL OF SECURITY SELF- SUFFICIENCY ^ | AND WE PREPARE THE NATIONAL ARMY ADEQUATELY, IN THE NEAR FUTURE, g | GOD WILLING, I ASSURE YOU AN GUARANTEE THE RETURN OF THE ARAB E <£ FORCES TO THEIR COUNTRY WITH OUR GRATITUDE. | -§ INTHE MEANTIME, AND IN ORDER TO AVOID THE REMOVAL OF 3 55 CLASHES AND IN ORDER TO SPEED UP THE RETURN OF DISPLACED PEOPLE |. § TO THEIR HOMES, OF STUDENTS TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGUES AND is S OF CITIZENS TO THEIR WORK AND TO ENSURE RESUMPTION OF NORMAL § DAILY LIFE, I HAVE GIVEN NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS FOR A NUMBER OF SECURITY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN WHICH, BASICALLY, INCREASE THE w RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEBANESE ARMY AND INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES, _ | GRADUALLY, IN SOME AREAS. § c0r , • • PEOPLE OF LEBANON! * SJ HERE I AM BEFORE YOU, WILLING YO GIVE YOU AND ACCOUNT AND | | TO FACE WITH YOU OUR DESTINEY AT ANY MOMENT, BECAUSE EVEN | <3 THOUGH MY HEART IS SADENED OVER THE ILL THAT HAS BEFALLEN US ALL, 5- § I SPARE NO EFFORT IN SEEKING TO RESCUE MY COUNTRY AND PLEACE f C MY GOD. w NOBLE PEOPLE: M I AM STANDING WITH YOU, STAND WITH ME. o YOUR DELIVERENCE DEPENDS ON YOU. § 5J DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE DESIGNS OF OTHERS AGAINST YOU, ^ § BUT ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOURSELVES. o £ MOBILIZE YOUR RESOURCES, ARISE FROM YOU SLUMBER, AND RECTIFY ^ 0 THE COURSE. ? 1 I ADDRESS YOU, AND THROUGH YOU I ADDRESS ALL LEVELS OF 3 O LEADERSHIPS, APPEALING TO THEM TO JOIN LEGITIMACY AND TO BE |. g ORGANIZED WITHIN AND EFFECTIVE NATIONAL ORIENTATION WHICH WILL E £ ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE STATES AND GET THE WHEELS OF § GOVERNMENT MOVING . LEADERS AND PEOPLE - STUDENTS AND WORKERS, FARMERS AND THINKERS: c WE ARE FORCED WITH A DESTINY CHALLENGE AND A HISTORIC CHOICE 3 '•§ BETWEEN PEACE AND VIOLENCE, BETWEEN LIFE FOR A CAUSE OR DEATH 2& f WITHOUT A CAUSE. I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT, WITH ONE VOICE , g YOU WILL CRY OUT: "PEACE, YESa VIOLENCE, NO. g" LEBANON, ONE AND STRONG , YES. O 1o5 LEBANON, FRAGMENTED AND MORTGAGED, NO. iI (3 3. ^ PEOPLE OF LEBANON, § IF THE WAY OF LIFE HAS, FOR A TIME, DIVIDED US AND PREVENTED W US FROM REJOICING TOGETHER, BEHOLD PAIN HAS UNITED US AND HAS CREATED A BOND OF SUFFERING BETWEEN US. DOES THAT NOT MEAN THAT OUR UNITY IS THE FRUIT OF FATE AND THAT WE CAN LAUNCH OUT *g FROM THIS UNITY OF SORROW TO A REJOICING OVER UNITY ? § I CALL YOU TO AN APPOINTMENT WITH JOY, IN THE NAME OF O LEBANON AND FOR LEBANON §• LONG LIVE LEBANON o • PERMANENT MISSION OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS 866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA NEW YORK, N. Y. IOOI7 Ref : 317/lb/2lK) / September 22, 1978 Excellency, I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of President Sarkis' Message to the Lebanese people on the eve of the second anniversary of his accession to the Presidency. It gives me pleasure to draw your attention to the reference he made to the United Nations and in particular to Your Excellency's role and unstinted efforts for the cause of peace in Lebanon. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Tueni Ambass'a4£>r_ Permanent Representative H.E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim Secretary General United Nations New York. ? - ^ /. - • _ ; ^ dt La. Baabda , le 3O Mai 1978 M. le Secretaire General, Je vous remercie pour votre lettre du 16 Mai 1978, qui m'a ete remise par M. Roberto Guyer, Secretaire General adjoint pour les affaires politiques speciales. La visite de M. Guyer m'a permis de mettre au point la position du Gouver- nement libanais par rapport aux differents problemes auxquels nous sommes confrontes en cette phase decisive de la mission de la FINUL. Je n'ignore pas les difficultes auxquelles se heurte I1action de la FINUL au Liban Sud et je suis desireux d1assurer a la dite force tout 1'appui que les autorites libanaises peu- vent mettre a sa disposition, en vue de lui permettre de mener a bien sa mission. Je saisis cette occasion pour souligner 1'efficacite de vos efforts en vue d'assurer le retrait israelien du Liban Sud, retrait qui est 1'un des objectifs prioritaires de la re- solution 425 du Conseil de Securite, et dont la 3eme phase est deja terminee. J'espere que la derniere phase interviendra dans les delais prevus par la declaration d'intention qu'Israel a communiquee a vos representants. Vous connaissez les raisons qui ont entrave jusqu'ici 1'envoi des contingents de 1'armee libanaise dans le Sud. Cela etant, nous envisageons d'y remedier provisoirement par 1'envoi accelere des contingents des Forces de Securite, ce qui est de nature a faciliter 1'implantation de 1'administration libanaise au Sud Liban. En tout etat de cause, et compte tenu du contexte regional, il me parait necessaire de definir clairement la posi- tion du gouvernement libanais par rapport a la liberte d1action de la FINUL dans 1'execution de sa mission. •: Quelle que soit 1'attitude que le Gouvernement libanais pourra adopter au sujet de I1accord du Caire et de son sort definitif, il est evident que cela ne saurait entraver d'aucune maniere, 1'application par la FINUL des resolutions 425 et 426 dans toutes leurs dispositions. LA FINUL ayant pour mission d'empecher 1'infiltration de tout element arme qui ne releverait S.E.Dr.Kurt Waldheim Secretaire General des Nations Unies. New York - 2 - pas de 1'autorite libanaise dans le Sud Liban et notamment dans la zone d'operation qui lui est affectee, il est evident que les secteurs detenus par la FINUL devront etre remis en temps du aux autorites libanaises exclusivement. Ainsi on ne saurait exciper de 1'Accord du Caire, pour tenter de justifier une presence armee etrangere a 1'auto- rite libanaise ou gener 1'action de la FINUL dans 1'accomplisse- ment de sa tache. A la lumiere de ce qui precede, il y a lieu de consi- derer, que I1accord du Caire est inoperant et suspendu, pour le moins, pendant 1'etape de 1'implantation des resolutions du Conseil de Securite et cela, en dehors de toute denonciation ou caducite eventuelle a laquelle le Liban pourrait avoir recours. Une fois le retrait israelien integralement opere et la FINUL etablie au Liban Sud, le Commandement de 1'Armee liba- naise intimera aux forces stationnees dans la region de demeurer dans leurs casernes et de ne pas circuler avec leurs armes-. II prendra ensuite les mesures necessaires pour que 1'unite de 1'armee et les ordres du Commandement soient respectes. Encore une fois M. le Secretaire General, je voudrais vous exprimer au nom de tous les libanais et en mon propre nom, nos vifs remerciements et notre profonde reconnaissance pour tous les efforts que vous entreprenez dans le but d'assister un Etat membre de 1'Organisation a retrouver la paix, et a recouvrer la souverainete. Soyez assure que je ne menagerai aucun effort pour permettre aux Forces de la FINUL d'accomplir leur mission dans les meilleures conditions. Je vous prie M. le Secretaire General d'accepter 1'expression de ma tres haute consideration. 1C • f-f /Y// '6- PERMANENT MISSION OF LEBANON \ TO THE UNITED NATIONS 866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA NEW YORK, N. Y. IOOI7 TEL. ELDORADO 5-54SO-I Ref:317/lb/104 ^ May 18, 1978 Excellency: Pursuant to my letter dated May 10th, Reference Number 3l7/lb/96, I have the honor to enclose the letter of H.E. Mr. Elias Sarkis, President of the Lebanese Republic, referred thereto. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. A 'X. M / H.E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim The Secretary General United Nations New York, N.Y., 10017 ^p cc: SecGenV^ . REG 16 May 1973 Dear Mr. wa are now approaching a decisive stage in the operation of the United Nations interim Force in Lebanon (UEIZFSL)9 2 should like to ehare with you some of ay concerns as to the future* 2 am especially anxious to have your views and guidelines since the ultimate objaetiv© of UNXPIL is to assist in ensuring the return of effective Lebanese authority in the area of operations* It follows that th@ views of th© L^toaneee Government on certain basic problems are fmfiaraental to the functioning of TM2FIL* yoia know, Israel has now completed the third phase of its withdrawal from southern Lebanon* and 1 am continuing to press for its total withdrawal from all Lebanese territory as called for in Security resolution 425, Whea tls© Israeli withdrawal the second part of UKlFlL's mandate will assume major importance, namely th© maintenanca of th® peaceful of its ares of operations and the taking of all measures necessary to assure the effective restoration of Lebanese sovereignty. You aretft of course, fully aware^ Mr* prasides3ta of th® difficulties our Fore© has boon experiencing with varioua armed elements in end around the area of operation and of th© fact that a number of our troops have lost their lives or b@en wounded* As w@ proceed further with the i£apl@saent*> atioa of th© second part of UNlPlL's mandat^ X $m cosic^rne that its task will become ©ven more coss^le^ and the risk of armed confrontations and casualties even greater unless w@ have a very clear understanding of how UHlFlL's task is to be interpreted and carried out* ^ a* a Hr« Ellas Barkis president of Lebanon - 2 - The problem arises in an acute form especially over the question of the presence, movement and operation of armed groups. I have so far proceeded on the assumption that the reintroduction of any armed elements into the UNIFIL area of operations following the Israeli withdrawal is to be prevented unless such elements are under control of the Lebanese Government or operate with its agreement. It is clear that if independent armed groups return and operate in the area, the same risks to international peace and security through action and counter-action will arise as have been experienced in the past. One important way of solving this problem would certainly be the stationing of substantial Lebanese armed forces in the area. We discussed this matter during my visit to Beirut, and I fully understand the great difficulties which you face in providing a substantial force in the near future. In these circumstances, where UNIFIL's responsibilities will be very great, it is more important than ever that we have a clear indication of the position of the Government of Lebanon on the stationing, reintroduction and operation in the UNIFIL area of operations of armed elements not under control of the Lebanese Government. We have been in constant contact with Chairman Arafat on this and other questions, and UNIFIL representatives have also consulted local Palestinian representatives in the area of operations. While the Palestine Liberation Organization has assured us of its intention to co-operate with UNIFIL in the discharge of its mandate, there is a serious difference of interpretation of what that mandate entails in relation to Palestinian armed groups. In this connexion, the Palestine Liberation Organization cites the Cairo Agreement as the authorising instrument for their freedom of movement in the area south of the Litani. At the same time I have read the recent unanimous declaration of the Lebanese Parliament, which would appear to put forward a contrary position on this question. I am also concerned at the problem which will inevitably arise after the next phase of the Israeli withdrawal, concerning the Christian forces in the area. These- forces are in effective control of sizeable portions of Lebanese territory in the UNIFIL area of operations* Before determining UNIFIL's relationship with them and its attitude to them, it is very important to know the official view of the Lebanese Government on their status. Essentially the problem is to know whether they are regarded as independent armed groups or whether they are to be regarded as members of the Lebanese army in good standing who will play a part in the efforts to restore as soon as possible effective Lebanese authority in the area. I am sure you will understand that, as far as the effective functioning and chances of success of UNIFIL are concerned, it is of urgent importance to have a formal clarification of the position of the Government of Lebanon on these questions. Indeed, it is a matter upon which, in my view, the future effectiveness of UNIFIL may depend, and it also involved the lives and security of the members of the United Nations Force. In view of the importance of the above questions, I am sending Roberto Guyer, Under-Secretary- General for Special political Affairs, to deliver this message and to consult with you on the problems involved. I would be most grateful if you could let me know your views on these matters. With warm regards, Yours sincerely, Kurt Waldheim o - c'c • '< PERMANENT MISSION OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS 7 " (& 866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA NEW YORK, N. Y. IOOI7 TEL. ELDORADO 5-546O-1 (( Ref:317/lb/96 10, 1978 Excellency: IsT" I have the honor to transmit herewith the text of a letter from the President of the Lebanese Republic addressed to Your Excellency. I have received an advance copy by cable, and am expecting the original by diplomatic pouch, which will accordingly be delivered to your office. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Gha£ Ambassadol _ Permanent Representative H.E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim The Secretary General United Nations New York., N.Y., 10017 'Dear Mr. Secretary General, Thank you for your letter of April 21, 1978. Again, I would like to express to you ray sincere appreciation and deep gratitude for all the efforts that you have deployed to assist Lebanon at all levels. Your last visit to our country has indeed helped. to highlight the different aspects of the situation. I hope that the comprehensive views which we have exchanged at Baabda have been exhaustive with regard to the various dimensions pertaining to the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Security Council in connection with South Lebanon. I should like to reiterate to you that the Lebanese Government will take every possible action within its means, in order to facilitate the UNIFIL mission. Thus, despite the great difficulties which I have expressed for your consideration during your visit, I hope that we will be able to reestablish fully, as soon as we find it feasible, both the local gendarmerie and the civil administration, as suggested. The question of the headquarters of UNIFIL is another matter on which we have focused a great attention. We deeply regret that we have been unable to meet positively with your request concerning the Zahrani area. Nevertheless, we do hope that your option for Naqoura would neither perturb nor constitute in any way an obstacle to the U.N. activities. I wish to thank you once more, Mr. Secretary General, for all your endeavors and your cooperation. We very much hope to overcome in the near future all the difficulties that we both are facing. Sincerely, Elias Sarkis" LE PRESIDENT May, 9th; 1978 Dear Mr. Secretary General, Thank you for your letter of April 21, 1978. Again I would like to express to you my sincere appreciation and deep gratitude for all the efforts that you have deployed to assist Lebanon at all levels. Yourlast visit to our country has helped indeed to highlight the different aspects of the situation. I hope that the comprehensive views which we have exchanged at Baabda, have been exhaustive with regard to the various dimensions pertaining to the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Security Council in connection with South Lebanon. I should like to reiterate to you, that the Lebanese Government will take every possible action within its means, in order to facilitate the UNIFIL mission, Thus despite the great difficulties which I have expressed for your consideration during your visit. I hope that we will be able to fully reesta- blish as soon as we find it feasible both the local Gendarmerie and the civil administration, as suggested. • V LE PRESIDENT - 2 - The question of the Headquarters of UNIFIL, is another matter on which we have focused a great attention. We deeply regret that we have been unable to meet positively with your request concerning the Zahrani area. Neverthless, we do hope, that your option for Naqoura would neither per- turb, nor constitute in any way an obstacle to the UN acti- vities. I wish to thank you once more Mr. Secretary General for all your endeavours and your cooperation. We very much hope to overcome in the near future all the difficulties that we both are facing. Si ne'er Elias SARKIS H.E. Dr. Kurt WALDHEIM Secretary General of the United Nations New York cci BSU BEU/MD 21 April 1978 &ir Mr. Oa ray return to Hew York I wish to «xpr@sa to you appreciation for yowr kindnoaa and hospitality, during •, stay in Beirut, and for. the very useful talke'W;h®eV' ': . on t&at occasion. My visit garo n@ a clearer- picture- of the enoraow difficulties which both the Lebanese Go^enrs'"- sssesjt art«3 t!i@ United Nations face in Lebanon at the ' present. tisae,- I hop®, how©v®r, that through co-operation , and atan*?.iag w® can together make sone progress in dealing at least with SGIS& of th© problems that confront Xs this regard, I ass particularly coac©[email protected]^r- th@ part of th© mantSata of the United Watiomss Is^t®risa ' Foreu in Lsbanon C011IFXL) which steals with th© restoration of ' labanest? authority and sovereignty in son them In our talks, we discussed at SOKIO length the of introdwcing ©leisents of the Lsfoan©3® Array into Irabanofn ,, and WQ also touched tapon possible alt©Enativ^sr suoh as the introditction 'of siz«s«tbi«> olenwsnts of th® into th© ar©a. I belles* -that th© close tSi© better, UJIIFIJs will be ready to giv® all posaibla ausiatanoe, ' :" , ' • •- Having »6w vi01fce«3 th© area of operations myself," X am mor^ than aver convinaec! that the success of/feha ;• ; nations Pore© will d«pen>1 in large measrar© :on.- .t!s» _ ttd effectiveness with ^hlch elessents of authority and sovereignty cas? b© iatrodticea into .apart frons tha Army and C^irlarrori'S , it wonlSr t'. be par&ieularly ttssful t«s introSne® as sooa as «fel®ja®5mfe® of local governmayit an«3 administratiexn with United nations "Fore® could co-operat© in its -eff restore normality and paace to this sorely afflicted' 1 ftilly rsalis© .the difficulties of stseh a 1 would fc^s ssost grat@f«sl if ur-gesit attoatioo. eo«!$ is® to it by yowr Govsrniasnt , Mr* Slias Sarlcis of Lebanon "•£%>•? SilLimm© and Gensral grsfeine-will in olos® feoash with yoai. ajsd yotar {scwarmwsait oa all • of tli© ©psratioa of UNIPXL, assd aspsoiaHy 'OB tte* fosr ye^r h©l^ isst support of th® Paife©^ sratioast Forcee • , her© is th@ arraagejacnts" if th® r-ain Soadq^arters of th« bo @®t&b2,isihffi!<3 IB Sahrasi, whieh at pre^@ist woalei' to fo© the b@st ayallsbl© solotfeloas to tJsis very p.robl^Bt Tou sight ba iut©r©st©i3 to lr.n©w that th«r Oil Company is? sreaeijr to saaka available to la Zahrani Syrian and tefosnes© ^esrsos^asl are presently Ofia €•-.? tfires floors of the esa!n building. I wo«l«f ' b® grateful for any help you can glv@ \m ia 3f«.soJ^isi§f; X:f tsinor paroblsn of S^istn au4 to tJiajfi^ you aeraisii^ Hr. S'sn^sidsssii* for aRd wam&st regards Kurt Waldheira Message from H.E. the President of the Republic Mr. ELIAS SARKIS to the Diplomatic Corps January 6th, 1978 Your Excellency, 1. hank you for the good wishes you have expressed in your name and on behalf of your colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps, and those of the brotherly and friendly nations they represent. On behalf of the Lebanese people and on my behalf, I extend to you my sincere greetings and best wishes. The cordial relations which exist between your countries and Lebanon, the extent of which I feel every time we meet, make these gatherings more than mere formalities. The value of this reality has become particularly evident lately, as we pass through a historic period abounding with successive major events, which could determine the destiny of our own country and of the whole region. From the very beginning of the Middle East crisis, Lebanon has maintained a clear position, calling for a just peace; this position was based on the defense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians on their own land. Therefore we are closely following with particular interest, all devel- opments which are taking place on the regional and on the international levels that focus on the search for a solution to this crisis. In the past few weeks, events have been unfolding at an unprecedented speed, showering us with unexpected facts of extremely grave consequences for Lebanon. To overlook the basic principles which should rule international relations and inspire the solutions of disputes, can only lead to the gravest of consequences. If this fact has become a rule, there will be no more stability, and no nation, be it large or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, can be secure or safe. This oversight is not only manifested in the absolute denial of rights and values, but also in every attempt to restrain nations from exercising their rights, and even, in witnessing silently such attempts. When a country like Lebanon is still absorbed with the process of healing its wounds, exerting every effort to regain its vitality and resume its role, which in turn constitute the very essence of the vitality of the Near East, World conscience should not tolerate positions and actions which emanate from such an oversight, while it calls for just and equitable solutions to the problems of the area. In this era of international principles calling for the respect of the rights of nations in their entity, their sovereignty and dignity, we can only be stunned by what is being said here and there about the integration or the settlement of the Palestinians in this or that country. The Palestinian people have not relinquished their legitimate right on their national soil, neither have we relinquished our right to every inch of our territory or abdicated any portion of our sovereignty. While we wish all peoples and nations of the World, to live in peace and dignity, we insist on our right to such a life and to decide on what we could offer to others, in the context of our own interest and sovereignty and within the limits of our capacities. We face these problems, firmly convinced of our right, and the justice of our cause. While pressing ahead with the delicate task of healing wounds, and regaining vitality, we are also endeavouring to regain our mission of goodwill, peace and reconciliation. We face those problems with confidence in our brethren and friends, and with appreciation of their support; standing along with them to face with full solidarity, events referred to, by H.E. the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, in his eloquent speech, as abounding with significance and before which we cannot be only spectators. We must, rather, confront such events, with the spirit of responsibility and sacrifice. Men are bound together in their destiny. If contempt and disdain prevail, right will no more stand, and policies and plans aiming to achieve peace will be doomed to fail. Humanity today is in dire need of peace, in order to devote itself to the service of the individual and the society in such a manner as to provide for the continuation of the general development for the benefit of all, and to ensure social justice at each level. This requires the establishment of stability and security, and the confidence of individuals as well as of social groups. Furthermore such an action inspired by the spirit of justice, serenity and sincerity must be based on the respect of the rights of other nations in their entity, their sovereignty, their dignity and their way of life, which they have freely chosen over the centuries. It would -be most injust that the destruction of such a system be permitted or its balance built up by perseverance, solidarity and sincerity, thus disturbed. Lebanon remains faithful to the liberal policy which it has chosen for itself, and it will contribute, with the concerned parties to the finding of a just and permanent solution to the Middle East problem. We did not participate at this moment in meetings convened, at which some proposed solutions were debated, due to a sound understanding of our national interests; in addition, our stand fits with the requirements of Arab solidarity. However we are solely entitled to express our views and positions on the aspects of the settlement in the area, in which we are concerned. This would require, of course, additional coordination and contacts to be maintained with our closest brethren and with our friedns in the world, so that we might secure greater support for our stand. As for the envisaged solutions which have emerged, with respect to the settlement of the Palestinians or their integration where they are at present, we affirm that any solution which does not consider the Palestinian problem as the core of the Middle East crisis, would not be a sound solution. Regardless of what may be, Lebanon will not accept any form of settlement which could provide for the retention of the Palestinians on its territory. Such an arrangement is greatly harmful to its essential interests inasmuch as it is beyond its own capabilities; in addition, it inflicts more damage on the Palestinian cause itself. Consequently we will spare no effort nor miss any opportunity on all levels and directions to safeguard our right. Lebanon, through its historic heritage and its own values of civilization, is entitled to call today on the international community and conscience, not to tamper with the rights of its people. The peace we seek in the Middle East can only be based on justice. As such, it would be oppressive to solve the Palestinian issue by creating a new problem for Lebanon and for the Lebanese people. Moral principles constitute the sound basis for every goodwill initiative. However forces of goodwill should cooperate in order to clear the horizons and restore confidence to a worried and troubled world. Lebanon, while appealing to the World conscience to champion right and peace, reaffirms its strong belief in the supreme values, which constitute the real foundations of every lasting peace, for the peace we seek can only be founded on justice, truth, and the respect of dignity. Jfc—1 Ii—* ^ 3\ . .fiw-j .s >J l iiJUoJlj iJl JjjJl ~-bj 4 . jj jLJUl .-v- UU J U^UjI ^Jl lol jl > U y: as jLJ jl . iikdl ^L Jl 4^Jl LjJ JlyJ frj-^ - # . *wijl Jp ^^kJjJjl i_jti U*>UaJl t J-iUJI c i^LLl JJU-LL. Ul lj 4 JJ ^ u . jLJU J.I ^ytJj ji Ji ^u ij 4 ;tw» JS" J Jj / j,.,o,./?7 j U j iili jl c . iib _jl oJLJl .iJbb J p^JsjJ jl t Oir^JUSI *\Ji\ Jl * c ^ »jl JP gj>l " c c Ujb" U U J ^iJLLJl » ,^ Lt L-LJL5 *_^ji jjj c » . ;»- x* /» j>J U f f t Jlj U jUj . (j^^^-V^ JU^UJlj S^lilb 4XJ jjl^J JJa>Jj ?- jJl iJLft J b^ljiil ^Jp jl . Jav-j*b/l (J^tJl ij^aAJ -Jbj J^lp U'l t is^^kll JjU-l (_/i«j tl-^Jlj JjlJJ (JJIj c eJLid.1 OU^^/I J e f >C« *J>e*Jj 4Jl \p *>L^a9 C J^ U-^w 1 1" «^ toSJ Ul . Jl (_J LJI L * * JUI ^Ll jjSC j) J^-jVl JytJl i.j jLJ t IJA jb 4^ Jp JiU^JJ JL^w? JS" JPJ aUjI J5" J l^Ulisj b'i^> .UaJI J4 jjSvjj t JJUJI Jp Vj ^ J 4 idkil oJlA J oJLXJj (^JJI *^LJI OLIJ oJj-b>- AvaS j>- L-l p Ua-JU iv^aS >J jl . j±i\ J,^ J ^^UaJl JSO i^^^jl SOpUJI ^ ^'^US/I [£^\ Jl C *^ fr ^ .y Jl i^JUlzJl ^Jj (JU^I *Aa'J ^^ yUio jl j^ 5^1 (jjiU JU LJUJI Jill 4JUI aSji c /»!>LJIj jj-l S^aJ JiUJl _^o..^.ll JLitj 31 S/I b>; JjuJI JP VI i. 4—1 C~\ •*)'•< 23 November 1977 CONFIDENTIAL FMG/sr Original: S-G bf: RA/AR NOTE FOR THE FILE Res President Sarkis' letter of 7 November Paragraph 2 of page 146 of the Secretary-General's book relates the position of Lebanon regarding the participation at the Geneva Conference, as explained to the Secretary-General by President Sarkis on 7 February 1977. Mr. Urquhart has made notes on this meeting, which are attached and which confirm the correctness of the relevant passage of the book. From the letter of the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General of 3 March 1977, to which President Sarkis refers in his letter, it is apparent that in the meantime the Lebanese Government has in fact changed its position. That letter states that the Government would like to participate "a toutes discussions pouvant concerner le reglement du conflit arabo-israe"lien, auquel il est par tie, au meme titre que les autres e"tats voisins de la Palestine". This, however, can, of course, in no way mean that the Secretary-General's book does not represent the Lebanese position as it was explained to the Secretary-General at the time of his visit to Beirut. F. Mayrhofer t^twvrTOWi^i^'^wr^^^^r'V'-^^^S'i^r'^^'^'^K^ Baabda, le 7 Novembre 1977 Monsieur le Secretaire General, Je remercie vivement Votre Excellence pour la copie dedicacee de votre ouvrage: "Un metier unique au monde'% et j'ai parcouru son contenu avec le grand interet que merite un.e experience "unique" vecue avec autant d'nabilite et d1 in- telligence, digne de 1'histoire et de la tradition diplomatique de votre propre pays. Je me permets toutefois de rappeler que le paragraphe 2 de la page 164 explicitant la position du Liban par rapport a la conference de Geneve ne reflete pas exactement mon point de vue et celui du Gouvernement Libanais, a ce sujet. Notre position a cet egard coincide avec le contenu de la lettre transmise a Votre Excellence en date du 8 Mars 1977 par le Representant Permanent du Liban aupres de 1'O.N.U. Je vous reitere Monsieur le Secretaire General mes vifs remerciements, et vous assure des sentiments de ma tres haute consideration. Elias SARKIS FTL/ch cc Guyer/Urquharfc SeeGen \X Central le 8 mars 1977 Monsieur 1'Ambassadeur, j"ai l»honneur d'accuser reception de votre lettre du 3 mars 1977 par laquell© vous sa'avea cousKuniqu^ ie texts de <2eu3s notes identiques r«mises par le Jlinistere des Affaires Btrangeres du Liban 1© 28 f^vrier 1977 axsx Asibassadenrs dee Etata-Unis d'Aiafeique et da l«Unioa das R^publiques socialistes so'vii§tiqi20s a Beyrouth conceraaxit la participation du Libaa a la Conference d® Paix pour 1@ Moyen-Oriant a Geneve* Je voua suis reconnaissant d»avoir bien vouloir me faire parvenir cett© iasportante infoxnaatiow. Veuillea agr^ers Monsieuff I'Ambassadeur^ les assurances de ma tres haute consideration. Kurt waldheim Son Excellence M* Sdoixasfd Ghorra ReprSsentant Permanent du Liban aupres de 1'Organisation des nations Unies Beirut, 1930 hours 7 February 1977 Sain points on Meeting with President Sarkis, Prine Minister Hoss and Foreign MinisterSutro s _ !„ The Secretary-General and the President discussed co-ordination of the United Nations recpnstruction assistance effort* 2o The President said that the l&rab States were helping to finance ,,. the reconstruction of the infrastructure and also the Arab peace-keeping ;i forces, Financial help was urgently required in reconstructing the private i'.} sector. The Secretary-General asked Mr. Saunders to pay particular ^ ^attention to this. ,?.' 'f . * '* §•;'• 3. The Secretary-General mentioned that Sir John Rennie was leaving and he was proposing Mr. HcSlhlney to succeed hin. The President said the he was setting up a co-ordinating committee for refugees* 4U The Secretary-General outlined his talks on the Middle East question GO fare ^Iie President said that Lebanon wouig/do everything support his efforts. She could not take part in the Conference during the> negotiations on withdrawal, which did not concern Lebanon,, 'Lebanon would wish to be present when the Conference was discussing the restoration of peace in the area* The Secretary-General said that Lebanon was still at war with Israel and he presumed that Lebanon would join in an agreement 'designed to terminate th&rstate of war. The timing of Lebanon's par- ticipation in the Confs*ronc<5 would depend on the way the agenda was organised in relation to how the question to establish peace was discussed, Iresusasbly the establishment of peace would be the ultimate result to dealing with the other items. The Secretary-General enquired about situation in South Lebanon0 The President explained that there were few soldiers in South Lebanon. The nearest party of Syrian soldiers South Lebanon was a detachment of about 400 soldiers some 8 kilometres from frontier at the nearest point. This could not possibly constitute to Israel. PERMANENT MISSION OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS 86G UNITED NATIONS PLAZA NEW YORK, N. Y. 1OOI7 TEU. ELDORADO 5-S4SO-1 Ref:317/lg/24 le 3 mars 1977 Excellence: Sur instructions de mon Gouvernement, j'ai 1'honneur de vous commxiniquer le texte de deux notes identiques remises par Is Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Liban le 28 feVrier 1977 aux Ambassadeurs des Etats-Unis d'Amerique et de 1'Union des Republiques Socialistes Sovietiques a Beyrouth, concernant la participation du Liban a la Conference de Paix pour le Moyen-Orient a Geneve. Texte: "Le Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres presente ses compliments a 1'Ambassade (des Etats-Unis/de I1Union Sovietique) et se referant a la Conference de Geneve, dont la reunion est envisagee pour la recherche d'un reglement au conflit du Moyen-Orient, a 1'honneur de lui confirraer la position du Liban a cet egard. II n'existe certes pas pour le Liban un probleme de territoire occupe, et les frontieres libanaises sont internationalement reconnues et indiscutees. Mais le Gouvernement Libanais considere qu'il doit £tre present a toutes discussions pouvant concerner le reglement du conflit arabo-israelien, auquel il est partie, au m'&me titre que les autres etats voisins de la Palestine, comme il est directement interess^ par touts solution touchant a 1'avenir du peuple palestinien dont une grande masse de refugies se trouve en territoire libanais et y pose des problemes. Aussi, le Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres prie-t-il I'Ambassade (des Etats-Unis/de 1'Union Sovietique) de vouloir bien notifier a son gouvernement que le Gouvernement Libanais est de'sireux d'etre invite le moment venu, a la'Conference de Geneve afin qu'il puisse s'associer aux discussions'-'auxquelles il estimera devoir prendre part." Veuillez agreer, Excellence, les assurances de ma tres haui consideration. ~ ird Ghorra (Apibassadeur Representant Permanent S.E., M. Kurt Waldheim Le Secretaire General Nations Unies New York, 1T.Y0 , 10017 TOAST DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL A L'OCCASION DU DEJEUNER OFFERT EN L'HONNEUR DU PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE DU LIBAN, MONSIEUR SLEIMAN FRANGIE, LE 14 NOVEMBRE 1974 Monsieur le President, Monsieur le President de I'Assemblee generale, Excellences, Mesdames, Messieurs, Lorsque vous m'avez fait 1'honneur de me recevoir au Liban en aout 1973 et en juin de cette annee, j'avais exprime 1'espoir que je pourrais vous accueillir a mon tour au siege de lrOrganisation des Nations Unies. Je suis done particulieremeni heureux da vous recevoir ici aujourd'hui. Bien entendu, 1'accueil que vous a reserve ce matin I'Assemblee generale et celui que vous reserve cette - 2 - Organisation, vont tout d'abord au President d'un pays qui compte parmi les 50 etats fondateurs des Nations Unies. Depuis pres de 30 ans, le Liban n'a cesse d'accorder son soutien actif aux diverses activites de 1'O.N.U et accueille actuellement dans sa capitale le siege de plusieurs de nos organismes specialises et regionaux parmi les plus importants. Nous voyons avec plaisir a vos c6tes deux anciens Presidents de la Republique, les Presidents Camille Chamoun et Charles Helou, un ancien President de 1'Assemblee Nationale, Sabri Hamadi, et trois anciens Presidents du Conseil, Messieurs Rachid Karami, Saeb Salam et Abdullah Yafi, ainsi que votre Ministre des affaires etrangeres, Philippe Takla. Cette presence temoigne de la - 3 - tradition instaure'e au Liban d'un e"quilibre harmonieux et d'une cooperation constante entre diverses communaute's, exemple que votre pays offre au monde et qui devrait etre une source d1inspiration pour nous tous, Mais votre visite actuelle depasse, Monsieur le President, la port£e qu1elle aurait pu avoir en toute autre occasion. Elle intervient a un moment ou se deroule a I'Assemble'e generale un dSbat auquel les gouvernements et 1'opinion publique du monde entier pretent une attention extreme. Nous esperons que ce d£bat sera un nouveau pas de"cisi£ dans la recherche d'une solution pacifique et durable de la question du Moyen-Orient. Pour la premiere fois, le point de vue du peuple palestinien a - 4 - exprim6 a 1'Assemblee generale par ceux que la re"cente conference de Rabat a reconnus comme ses seuls repre"sentants. J'ai eu I1occasion de le dire a maintes reprises au cours de ces derniers mois : il n'y aura pas de solution du probleme du Moyen-Orient sans solution du probleme palestinien. Pour la premiere fois depuis tant d'annees, la question de Palestine est traite'e en tant que probleme politique d£passant le cadre humanitaire. Bien entendu, la situation actuelle au Moyen-Orient demeure tres tendue, dangereuse meme et la paix y est pre"caire. L'histoire dira peut-etre que 1»Organisation des Nations Unies, en offrant c: * a toutes les parties en cause la possibility de s'exprimer librement et de confronter leur point de vue autrement que - 5 - les armes a la main, a une fois de plus bien rempli son rOle. Est-il besoin de le dire, nous sommes toujours prets, ici comme sur le terrain, a preter notre concours a toute solution juste et durable. Excellences, Mesdames, Messieurs, Je vous invite a lever votre verre a la santi personnelle de Son Excellence le President du Liban et a la prosperite du peuple libanais. ******* L •y? ;i!pPTTT_ -yT->; - y- 7 ;^TT y-ff-jC' ••*"."• - s?'" CONFIDENTIAL Wotes on meetings in Lebanon with President, Prime Minister & Foreign Minister 2-^> The general feeling is one of anxiety over consequences in Lebanon of the Israel-Syria disengagement agreement which may concentrate all fulluJii'iJ/ activities in Lebanon. / Lebanon is generally in favour of early resumption at Geneva, although there are two schools of thought : (a) The 'Foreign Minister who wishes to participate in the Conference; (b) The Prime Minister who wishes to go slow, see how Geneva develops and wait until the Palestinian problem comes up. The President expressed a feeling of some bitterness over the general attitude towards Lebanon, saying that the person who receives the blows does not have the same feeling as the person who counts them. information, the President is Christian, the Prime Minister Muslem, the Speaker sheer Muslem and the Foreign Minister Christian. AcScord- ing to Rifai the strong man of Lebanon is really the President._7 Unofficial soundings were made about the possibility of a. US buffer force in some sort of disengagement agreement on the southern borders of Lebanon. The Secretary-General also mentioned the possibility of increasing the number of OP's. It was pointed out that any major change would require a decision of the Security Council^and in any case no military organization, however large, is capable of stopping small bands of terrorists in civilian clothes.