Chirac rejects Lebanon withdrawal plan
By JAY BUSHINSKY and news agencies (Jerusalem post)
JERUSALEM (June 1) - Senior government officials decried
French President Jacques Chirac's virtual rejection yesterday of
Israel's offer to withdraw from southern Lebanon on the basis of
UN Security Council Resolution 425.
However, they indicated that the government stands by its
position, under which the IDF would evacuate the security zone
as soon as the Lebanese government authorizes its army to
take responsibility there and coordinates its entry with the
withdrawing Israeli units.
"In regards to the application of [Security Council] Resolution
425, I would be overjoyed if it was implemented," Chirac told a
news conference in Beirut, on the grounds of the French
ambassador's residence. "But it is not up for negotiation or
discussion.
"It is a question of principles that goes to the very nature of UN
resolutions. So, I hope for the implementation of 425
immediately and without any conditions," he said.
"The French president's statement is most regrettable and does
not contain any elements which could bring about a solution to
the problem," said Foreign Ministry Director-General Eytan
Bentsur.
"The interpretation which the president gave the decision
contradicts the understanding which has been shown by the
nations of the world until yesterday, including that of France
herself."
David Bar-Illan, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's
communications director, added that "Israel will continue its
efforts to persuade the Lebanese government to facilitate the
withdrawal of Israeli troops and to make the arrangements
necessary to make this possible."
During his talks yesterday in Beirut, Chirac dismissed chances
of any separate Israeli peace with Lebanon, saying Israel must
simultaneously settle Syria's demand for return of the Golan
Heights.
"Things being complex, it is not realistic to imagine that we
could establish a solid peace by cutting it up into small pieces,"
Chirac told the news conference.
"It must be global," he said. "That is to say that in this particular
case it must, without a doubt, encompass both Syria and
Lebanon at the same time."
The position stated by Chirac during his third visit to Lebanon in
just over two years was firmly in line with that of the Syrian and
Lebanese governments, which have insisted any peace talks
with Israel must encompass the concerns of both countries.
Chirac, who during his visit emphasized French political and
cultural links to the country it ruled earlier this century, attended
the 28th General Assembly of the International Association of
Francophone Mayors later yesterday before flying out of the
Lebanese capital in the afternoon for Paris.
The position adopted by Chirac was described by an official
here as "catering to what he deems to be the prevailing
sentiment in the Arab world."
Highly-placed critics of the French president's statements in
Lebanon contended that he found it convenient and expedient
"to adopt the Arab position" and assumed that he considers this
"smart foreign policy."