UN deadlocked over stance on observers
By Mark Turner
July 27, 2006
The Financial Times
Original Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/55d0546c-1d1f-11db-9780-0000779e2340.html

The UN Security Council on Wednesday night appeared deadlocked on efforts to agree a statement condemning Tuesday's attack by Israel on a UN observer post in Lebanon, which killed as many as four people.
In a first draft, China, which lost a national in the bombing, had called on the council to condemn the co-ordinated artillery and aerial attack, but the US rejected any suggestion of deliberate action.
The first version of the Chinese-drafted statement had also sought an immediate cessation of hostilities, but John Bolton, US ambassador to the UN, said the statement should not be used as a back door for ceasefire calls. 
Later versions, still under discussion on Wednesday night, contained no reference to a cessation of hostilities and retreated from direct condemnation of Israel. But a council diplomat said the US continued to block a compromise text, causing deep Chinese frustration.
The attack, which Kofi Annan, secretary-general, called an apparently deliberate targeting of a UN position, raised new questions over the viability of an international presence in Lebanon. 
A Security Council diplomat said there were calls for two different forces, or phases. One, most likely an extension of Unifil (UN Interim Force in Lebanon), would help deliver humanitarian aid. The other, most likely a UN-backed multinational force led by a powerful nation, would help establish Lebanese government control over its territory.
But the diplomat conceded that the attack on the UN post could discourage countries from contributing to the UN force. Troop contributors were due to meet later in the day.
Diplomats say Mr Annan has argued that the departure of Unifil would send a damaging political message to the Lebanese people, in spite of clear concerns about the safety of its personnel. A Security Council decision on whether to extend its mandate is imminent. Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, France's UN ambassador, has argued for a one-month extension.
In a briefing to the Security Council, the UN said that from 1.20pm local time on Tuesday, patrol base Khiam, a long-established and clearly marked UN position, came under recurrent close firing. Twenty-one strikes occurred within 300 metres of the base, and 12 artillery rounds fell within 100 metres, four of which hit the base. To our knowledge . . . Hizbollah firing was not taking place within the immediate vicinity, the UN said.
The UN protested directly to the Israeli defence forces and made several calls to Israel's UN mission but at 7.17pm lost communication with the base. When a rescue mission arrived at 9.30pm the shelter had collapsed. The mission found three sets of human remains and a fourth military observer was also feared dead.
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, expressed deep regret over the mistaken killing of four UN peacekeepers but insisted it was not deliberate and promised an investigation.
Mr Annan yesterday stressed that he had used the word apparently to qualify his statement and thanked Mr Olmert for his condolences. However, he added: But you need to look at the events of yesterday . . Our general and troops were in touch with the Israeli army, warning them, please be careful, we have positions here, don't harm our people. Many calls went out until this happened.