Annan: Hizbullah should not be ignored

By Danna Harman
 

JERUSALEM (June 22) - Hizbullah is a full-fledged regional player, and should not be ignored in any peace settlement, visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan indicated yesterday

According to Israel Radio, Annan also said Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah had told him the organization intends no further military action, but instead looks to establish its political infrastructure in Lebanon.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Annan brushed off criticism that in meeting with Nasrallah earlier this week, he had given the organization unwarranted legitimacy, saying it is his duty to work with all involved parties.

"In trying to calm the situation and create peace, the secretary-general - or any engaged and serious mediator - has to talk to all those who have an impact on the situation and can bring about peace," he said. "Hizbullah is a player, has been and is a player in the south of Lebanon."

He added that his meeting with Nasrallah had been "good and frank" and that he had requested that Hizbullah cooperate with UNIFIL and help keep the peace.

Annan said he had commended Nasrallah for having shown restraint after the withdrawal. "We want to see that continue, and I am sure from the indication he gave that he intends to do it," he said.

Annan announced that in discussions with the Lebanese government, it had indicated that it is preparing to send 1,000 troops to the south to assist in keeping the peace and that more would follow. Annan said that Lebanese administrative troops, including police, have already been deployed in the south. More UNIFIL troops, said Annan, would also shortly be deployed.

Both Barak and Foreign Minister David Levy, in their meetings with Annan, brought up the problematic issue of the village of Ghajar, asking that it not be divided, as is called for by the UN border demarcation team. "I believe an effort will be made by all players to find a practical solution and keep the unity of those Israeli citizens, and make sure they are not detached from their families," said Barak.

Annan made no promises, but stressed that UN officials are looking into the problem and that "we are sensitive to [the villagers'] position." He said that he has written to the Lebanese government asking that the "situation be treated humanely and that human rights be respected."

"The UN did not set up to create a problem in Ghajar - we went where the cartographic and other evidence led us and the problem was not deliberately created," he said.

Barak stressed that, despite the remaining differences, Israel is very appreciative of the role Annan personally, and the UN in general, had played in advancing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 425.

"I believe the secretary-general's commitment and devotion to the cause of making peace helped a lot in translating our pullout from Lebanon into the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 425 in a way that will contribute to the stability of the region," he said.

Annan thanked the government for its cooperation in the implementation of the resolution, and voiced his hope that Israel and the UN are "opening a new page" in their relations.