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Annan: Violations Cleared, UN to Patrol

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By William M. Reilly

United Press International
July 24, 2000

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Monday all violations have been cleared along the line of demarcation between Lebanon and Israel and hopes to see Lebanese and U.N. troops patrolling the border "in the next few days."

He said that after the Israelis withdrew the U.N. troops had been patrolling, but "They haven't been deployed actually to the border. I hope to see that done in the next few days.''

"What had held us up is we were hoping to clean up all the violations on the 'blue line' before we did that," he said referring to the demarcation line. Israelis were verified June 16 to have withdrawn behind the line. "The violations have all now been cleared," and he would report that to the panel later in the day "with the latest developments on the ground." Annan also said he planned to speak by telephone with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud about troop deployment.

"U.N. troops would deploy to the border and the Lebanese will also deploy their own troops alongside the U.N. troops," Annan said. He said the two commanders were working on the details. "So, I hope that in the next few days you will see our troops on the border," said the secretary-general.

Last Friday Annan warned in his latest report to the council on Lebanon that "the potential for serious incidents still exists" along the Israel-Lebanon line and recommended beefing up and extending the 5,075-strong U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeeping mission another six months. He would like to see two battalions added to the force, but so far has not received any offers.

"While an enormous improvement compared to the past, the situation in the Israel-Lebanon sector falls well short of peace and the potential for serious incidents still exists," the secretary-general said. He said the situation in UNIFIL's areas of operation has been "generally calm" since the end of May.

U.N. cartographers drew a withdrawal line based on 1923 maps and although it is being contested at various points by both sides, they are generally respecting it.

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