US and France still trying to find a workable resolution

THE US and France last night appeared to be at odds over Arab demands to change a UN resolution they are co-sponsoring to call for a complete halt in Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

What is the cause of their disagreement?

France has proposed new language on a total ceasefire and Israeli pullout.

The Americans have rejected it out of concern that without a robust international force, a vacuum would be created in southern Lebanon.

What prompted the changes to the original draft?

The draft circulated Saturday called for “a full cessation of hostilities”, with Hezbollah immediately stopping all attacks and Israel ending offensive military operations. But Israel would still be allowed to take defensive action and there is no call for the withdrawal of its 10,000 troops from southern Lebanon.

Lebanon opposed the draft, saying it favoured Israel.

It has also asked that a seven-point plan be incorporated into the resolution.

Lebanon has offered to send 15,000 troops to the south. Won’t this satisfy the US and Israel?

The US has welcomed the Lebanese offer. However, it does not believe this force — and the UN peacekeepers who are already in place, with a much weaker mandate, can prevent a vacuum. It believes that only the new international force, which would take a more active role, can enforce a lasting peace.

The move appears to have taken the government by surprise. Israel believes Lebanese forces are not strong or determined enough to do the job alone, and would like to see a multinational force in the area, as well.

What happens now?

Diplomats had been hoping for a vote on the draft early this week. But the differences between the co-sponsors meant that a Security Council vote on the resolution to try to end the fighting would be delayed at least until today.

French President Jacques Chirac appeared to be growing frustrated with the US stance yesterday

If France and the US do not reach agreement, he said, “we will have a debate in the Security Council and each will affirm clearly its position, naturally including France, through its own resolution”.

Will the wrangling suit Israel’s military objectives?

Possibly. The delay might allow Israel more time to finish off Hezbollah. Yesterday, Assistant US Secretary of State David Welch carried a message to Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora from Israel that it would not pull its troops out of the country until an international peacekeeping force was in place,

Yesterday, the Israeli cabinet approved a wider offensive, but hints that it might be delayed indicate a degree of unease.

Ironically, the Israeli decision might also provide a fresh impetus to the ongoing diplomatic moves before things spiral further out of control.