Wow...............

............this board settled down today.

This is the text of the UN Securiy Council resolution. Thr salient points as I see it are as follows:

1.

UNITED NATIONS — The Security Council,
PP1. Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 520 (1982), 1559 (2004), 1655 (2006) 1680 (2006) and 1697 (2006), as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statements of 18 June 2000 (S/PRST/2000/21), of 19 October 2004 (S/PRST/2004/36), of 4 May 2005 (S/PRST/2005/17) of 23 January 2006 (S/PRST/2006/3) and of 30 July 2006 (S/PRST/2006/35),
PP2. Expressing its utmost concern at the continuing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and in Israel since Hezbollah's attack on Israel on 12 July 2006, which has already caused hundreds of deaths and injuries on both sides, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons,
PP3. Emphasizing the need for an end of violence, but at the same time emphasizing the need to address urgently the causes that have given rise to the current crisis, including by the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers,
PP4: Mindful of the sensitivity of the issue of prisoners and encouraging the efforts aimed at urgently settling the issue of the Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel,
PP5. Welcoming the efforts of the Lebanese Prime Minister and the commitment of the government of Lebanon, in its seven-point plan, to extend its authority over its territory, through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon, welcoming also its commitment to a UN force that is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, and bearing in mind its request in this plan for an immediate withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon,
PP6. Determined to act for this withdrawal to happen at the earliest,
PP7. Taking due note of the proposals made in the seven-point plan regarding the Shebaa farms area,
PP8. Welcoming the unanimous decision by the government of Lebanon on 7 August 2006 to deploy a Lebanese armed force of 15,000 troops in South Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws behind the Blue Line and to request the assistance of additional forces from UNIFIL as needed, to facilitate the entry of the Lebanese armed forces into the region and to restate its intention to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces with material as needed to enable it to perform its duties,
PP9. Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict,
PP10. Determining that the situation in Lebanon constitutes a threat to international peace and security,
OP1. Calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations;
OP2. Upon full cessation of hostilities, calls upon the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL as authorized by paragraph 11 to deploy their forces together throughout the South and calls upon the government of Israel, as that deployment begins, to withdraw all of its forces from Southern Lebanon in parallel;
OP3. Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon;
OP4. Reiterates its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line;
OP5. Also reiterates its strong support, as recalled in all its previous relevant resolutions, for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice Agreement of 23 March 1949;
OP6. Calls on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, including through facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and, under the authority of the Government of Lebanon, reopening airports and harbours, consistent with paragraphs 14 and 15, and calls on it also to consider further assistance in the future to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Lebanon;
OP7. Affirms that all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken contrary to paragraph 1 that might adversely affect the search for a long-term solution, humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, and calls on all parties to comply with this responsibility and to cooperate with the Security Council;
OP8. Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:
— full respect for the Blue Line by both parties,
— security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11, deployed in this area,
— full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state,
— no foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government,
— no sales or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon except as authorized by its government,
— provision to the United Nations of all remaining maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel's possession;
OP9. Invites the Secretary General to support efforts to secure as soon as possible agreements in principle from the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel to the principles and elements for a long-term solution as set forth in paragraph 8, and expresses its intention to be actively involved;
OP10. Requests the Secretary General to develop, in liaison with relevant international actors and the concerned parties, proposals to implement the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), including disarmament, and for delineation of the international borders of Lebanon, especially in those areas where the border is disputed or uncertain, including by dealing with the Shebaa farms area, and to present to the Security Council those proposals within thirty days;
OP11. Decides, in order to supplement and enhance the force in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operations, to authorize an increase in the force strength of UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops, and that the force shall, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426 (1978):
a. Monitor the cessation of hostilities;
b. Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon as provided in paragraph 2;
c. Coordinate its activities related to paragraph 11 (b) with the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel;
d. Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons;
e. Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment of the area as referred to in paragraph 8;
f. Assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, to implement paragraph 14;
OP12. Acting in support of a request from the government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council, and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers, and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;
OP13. Requests the Secretary General urgently to put in place measures to ensure UNIFIL is able to carry out the functions envisaged in this resolution, urges Member States to consider making appropriate contributions to UNIFIL and to respond positively to requests for assistance from the Force, and expresses its strong appreciation to those who have contributed to UNIFIL in the past;
OP14. Calls upon the Government of Lebanon to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel and requests UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11 to assist the Government of Lebanon at its request;
OP15. Decides further that all states shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft,
(a) the sale or supply to any entity or individual in Lebanon of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, whether or not originating in their territories, and
(b) the provision to any entity or individual in Lebanon of any technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the items listed in subparagraph (a) above,
except that these prohibitions shall not apply to arms, related material, training or assistance authorized by the Government of Lebanon or by UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11;
OP16. Decides to extend the mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2007, and expresses its intention to consider in a later resolution further enhancements to the mandate and other steps to contribute to the implementation of a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution;
OP17. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council within one week on the implementation of this resolution and subsequently on a regular basis;
OP18. Stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
OP19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

In short:
Cease fire upon the approval of the Leboneze and Isreali gov'ts.

The exchange of prisoners and captives.

The withdrawal of Isreali forces to the blue line established in previous agreements.

A de-militarized zone is established.

All foriegn militias and all othe non-Leboneze military entities must not operate in Lebonan.

An arms embargo is imposed on all nations in respect to arms delivery to any entity within Lebanon without the consent of the Leboneze gov't.

The weight of the resolution is for Lebonon to take control of its territory.

[Rockstar]

Even Ahmadinejad has the UN's number, calling their resolutions "meaningless." He's right!

[Yahoshua]

Still nothing about POW exchanges, but I'm sure that'll be worked into a later agreement.

Other than that, it all sounds good on paper. But I'm not a fan of U.N. led forces.

[Skybird]

Formulation is important, and OP12 is obviously trying hard to allow maximum stretching of what it means and allows, and what not.In other words: those 15000 UNIFIL personnell will be toothless tigers.

It also does nothing to prevent Hezbollah to rearm again, this time with missiles that can be fired from beyond the UNIFIL-controlled zone. OP15 is an unneeded paragraph and will be simply ignored, because it will not be controlled.

Ahmadinejad shouldn't say the resolution is meaningless. It perfectly fits his needs. It saves Hezbollah from collapsing, and despite the wording, leaves him the acting freedom to rearm them again. If I were Israel, I would ignore it. But it probably won't. The politicians have messed up the military effort so widely that they may consider the UNIFIL "solution" to be their only exit ticket (remember that they did not want a UN force at any cost in the beginning, but an international combat force, for good reason. I guess no country was willing to give troops for that).



http://www.news.faithfreedom.org/ind...rticle&sid=352
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...289572,00.html
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...icle%2FPrinter
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...icle%2FPrinter

Projection: in a couple of years, Israel will need to strike Hezbollah again, and we will be were we are now. Well-done, UN!

Projection: in a couple of years, Israel will need to strike Hezbollah again, and we will be were we are now. Well-done, UN!

Spot on!!

[tycho102]

Originally Posted by Skybird

In other words: those 15000 UNIFIL personnell will be toothless tigers.
It also does nothing to prevent Hezbollah to rearm again, this time with missiles that can be fired from beyond the UNIFIL-controlled zone.

That's it. The UN troops will be there only because there is a cease-fire. If confronted, they will run like a Frenchman. The way I see it, having UN troops anywhere is like having international human-shields for whatever group with which they are embedded.

That is one defunct organization. The only good thing about it is that, because it's so worthless, you're better off with a despotic government than a republic or democracy. You take a hit on the science research, but you can keep your pacifists from breeding out of control.

[Rockstar]

Ahmadinejad shouldn't say the resolution is meaningless...

sorry sky, this little bullet was moved to this thread by a moderator? his remark about un resolutions being meaningless was directed at attempts to stop him from going nuke. i just agreed with him in whole as to the worth of UN resolutions.

looking at this resolution you can see it offers no security. Israel did some serious damage to their infrastructure this resolution just allows their enemy to rebuild. give it 5-7 years and we'll be talking resolutions once again. just wish olmert didn't pussyfoot around, went in with one thing in mind, stay focused, cornered hizbollah like a rat and exterminated it.

[Yahoshua]

Olmert is a liberal (Israeli Labor party).

All he's going to do is what perez did: Trade land for worthless agreements until Israel has indifensible borders, gains land in the next war between states, and then return to the negotiating table to give away the land he just acquired.

[Rockstar]

How do you negotiate with someone who welcomes and will "Ask for death".

http://www.pmw.org.il/ASK%20FOR%20DEATH.htm

[Skybird]

From the BBC:


Australian PM: 'Disarm Hezbollah'


John Howard said he had serious concerns about the UN deal

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said Hezbollah must be disarmed if the UN truce in Lebanon is to last.


Mr Howard said the UN Security Council resolution to end hostilities was not specific enough and needed a clear authority to disarm Hezbollah.
He also said he was undecided about whether Australia would send troops to support a UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East.
He added that any Australian deployment would likely be very limited.

"If we were to make a decision to make a commitment, it would be a very small, niche commitment," Mr Howard told reporters in Sydney. "We have other responsibilities."
Australia has about 500 troops in Afghanistan and more than 1,300 troops in and around Iraq.

Doubts raised
Mr Howard said he had serious concerns about whether the UN-brokered truce between Israel and Hezbollah could last.
"It looks good on the surface but I am, myself, a little discomfited by the lack of specificities and the language regarding the disarming of Hezbollah," the prime minister said.
"Unless there's a clear determination and a clear authority to disarm Hezbollah this isn't going to work.
"I have real and serious reservations about the effectiveness and the lasting character of this resolution," Mr Howard added.

Limited mandate
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah is due to come into force at 0500 GMT on Monday. The UN resolution, drafted by the US and France, says Hezbollah must stop attacks on Israel and calls for the disarmament of armed groups in Lebanon. But French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has said the mandate of the expanded UN force would not include disarming Hezbollah.


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This Quatsch simply will not work as intended. I am even not sure that with regard to the Iran-war-option that I described two or three days ago (rejecting Iran the possebiliy of opening a second front in case of an attack) they got what they wanted. Olmert completely screw up, obviously having totally unrealistic impressions about what a war is and how it needs to be fought. On, off, on, off - the dynamic momentum of a military campaign simply cannot be switched on and off like a pocket light. This is very desillusioning for me. From all Western militaries, I expected especially the Israelis to have the highest competence for such things, and the smallest illusions. That assessement of mine obviously has been totally wrong. I will never overestimate them again.