Source: http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/press_releases/20080709_179.html http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/press_releases/20080709_179.html
Date: July 9, 2008

Remarks by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Permanent Representative, on Lebanon, Georgia, Iraq, and Zimbabwe, at the Security Council stakeout, July 9, 2008 

Ambassador Khalilzad: Good morning. Today, we heard a report on the implementation of Resolution 1701 with regard to Lebanon from Mr. Pascoe and Mr. Weber of the DPKO. Of course there have been some positive developments in Lebanon that we all took note of: the Doha agreement, the election of President Michel Suleiman, the naming of Mr. Siniora for Prime Minister, the dialogue that has been taking place in Lebanon, but at the same time a lot that still needs to be done with regard to disarming militias, with regard to delineation of Lebanon’s borders, with regard to violation of the embargo, with regard to actions that continue to violate Lebanese sovereignty, and with regard to Shebaa, with regard to Rajar. So there is still a lot that needs to be done but we have noted some positive developments and the message is one of progress with regard to the issues that still need to be addressed. 
I also want to condemn in the strongest terms possible the attack that took place against our consulate in Istanbul and offer condolences to the families of the three Turkish policemen who were killed and I know some were injured as well, and also to condemn the reported attack against UNAMID in Sudan. Those attacks are violations of Security Council Resolutions. 
And with that I’ll be happy to take your questions. 
Reporter: What’s your opinion of the changing of the rules of engagement of UNIFIL in south Lebanon? 
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, we think UNIFIL is playing an important role. Of course, there have been some challenges that have been posed to UNAFIL in carrying out its mandate. We believe it’s important for it to carry out its mandate, to operate in a way that enables it to carry out its mandate. But there is no discussion specifically of the rules of engagement.
Reporter: Is there anything you want (inaudible) Shebaa farms issue and the attempts by the Secretary-General to reach a compromise on this matter?
Ambassador Khalilzad: We support the Secretary-General’s efforts, we support Prime Minister Siniora’s letter as an approach to dealing with the problem. We also think it’s very important for the ultimate resolution of the Shebaa farms that the border issue between Syria and Lebanon also be resolved. But you’ve heard the Secretary of State, Dr. Rice, speak about the Shebaa during her visit. As I said, we’re encouraged by what the Secretary-General has said. The cartographer’s work has a good basis for discussion, and as I said before, we’re supportive of Prime Minister Siniora’s idea outlined in his letter.
Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, what’s you position now, it’s been a while, nobody’s talking about the Tribunals? 
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, we think it’s very important. Accountability is very important with regard to what has happened. At the same time you’ve heard me say repeatedly we think the Tribunals are important in terms of deterring such actions, not only in Lebanon, but also use of assassination to advance an agenda is a threat. Therefore, the message needs to go out, that’s why there’s no impunity for such acts. So, that’s why we support the Tribunal.
Reporter: On the Georgia resolution that Russia put forward yesterday calling on Georgia to make a commitment not to use aggression on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, what’s the U.S.’s thinking on that?
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well I think that we have had a group of friends meet this morning, I await the results of that with our experts who are there discussing it. That’s all I have to say at this point.
Reporter: Iraq’s National Security Advisor yesterday said they will not sign the status of forces agreement unless a timetable is set for withdrawal. What is the U.S.’s position on that?
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, Iraq is a sovereign country. These are negotiations between two sovereign states, the United States and Iraq. Iraq needs the help of international forces, including U.S. forces to deal with the challenges that it faces at the present time. Discussions are ongoing as to how to regulate that presence. We’ve had these discussions and have had agreements with many states. Sometimes they can be difficult, different sensitivities that are involved. I don’t want to get myself in the middle of what the negotiators are doing in Baghdad; they’ve got a tough job to do. But as I said, these are two sovereign friendly countries, partners who are trying to figure out the regulation of the presence of the forces going forward beyond December, since the Iraqis have said they don’t want that presence to be regulated by the UN mandate as has been the case for several years now.
Reporter: What is the status of the U.S. resolution banning foreign Mid East television networks? 
Ambassador Khalilzad: I have nothing on that 
Reporter: Zimbabwe draft resolution? 
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well we are still talking to our colleagues in the Council. The resolution went blue last night, so a vote can take on the resolution at any time now. But you’ve heard me say and I will remind you of what I’ve said - the time for that resolution to be voted on is this week. So, we’re still on track, but it could happen at any time. 
Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, the Arab League has introduced amendments to its resolution on settlements and I understand that experts are meeting. Has the U.S. position changed at all after these amendments, sir?
Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, I think the amendments have been selectively taken from the building blocks that have been put forward by us, also by France and the United Kingdom. We look forward to the experts meeting and we’ll have discussions on the issue. 
For us the criteria for an acceptable resolution that can make it through the Council is that it be balanced. It has to recognize positive things that have happened. It has to also point out the violations or lack of implementation of commitments that parties have in terms of moving forward with regards to the peace process, particularly the Palestinian-Israeli issues. And then to be helpful by urging progress to reach the goals that we all subscribe to. The goals of a two state solution and the removal of impediments to that as part of an approach for a comprehensive Middle East settlement. You’ve heard me say repeatedly that we believe for this region of the world which is a source of many geopolitical problems that the world now faces to move towards normalcy, the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian – the Middle East conflict is necessary to make progress, in terms of making this region a functioning, normal region of the world. It’s not sufficient but it is necessary. So we are very much committed to working as hard as we can inside the Council and outside. And you’ve seen how involved our leaders are in dealing with this issue. Secretary Rice literally has been there sometimes more than once a month to work on this issue. 
So we recognize the importance of this issue but we want the Council to play a helpful role, unfortunately for the last many months we have not been able to, the Council has not been able to play a helpful role because it has tended to polarize, the Council tends to get polarized on this issue. Our hope is and we are urging our Arab friends to be patient, to work with us, to work with other colleagues to get to a resolution that in the Council has not been able to take action on this region for many years and it’s an opportunity to get to something that can be helpful to the process and I hope that they will see the wisdom of this approach and cooperate with us. Certainly we are looking forward to the meeting today and they I understand they already have announced another meeting tomorrow.
Thank you very much. 
Reporter: And the Zimbabwe draft, will there be a vote today? 
Ambassador Khalilzad: I said at any time, that includes today.