By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/unsc1leb1701russia111009.html
UNITED NATIONS, November 10 -- When the UN Security Council met behind closed door Tuesday about its Resolution 1701 and the situation between Lebanon and Israel, there was a surprising blockage to even calling for implementation of the Council's own Resolution 1701. Diplomatic sources in the consultations meeting tell Inner City Press that Russia opposed even the use of the word "implementation."
When the UN's Michael Williams emerged to brief the Press, he repeatedly took issue with reporters who asked about what opposition parties in Lebanon call his report's lack of balance. Every over flight of Lebanon, he insisted, is a violation of 1701.
Of the ship stopped by Israel, Williams said it is beyond his mandate to comment on the legality of the cargo or its seizure. Regarding the Israeli Army chief of staff's comments that Hezbollah has rockets that can reach Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Williams answered that he has no way to know of their range.
Inner City Press asked Williams about reports that Israel has asked for Italy to continue to force commander of the UNFIL peacekeeping mission, rather than pass the mandate to Spain.
Like you, Williams replied, I read colorful media reports. But it is up to the Secretary General and the decision should be made in a few weeks. We'll see.
Footnote: Russia also, behind the scenes, raised issues recently about the UN's panel of inquiry into the killing of civilians in Guinea. As with the strange pattern of the UN Mission anthrax scare, people are trying to find a pattern here.And see, www.innercitypress.com/unsc1leb1701russia111009.html
