US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed support
yesterday for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon as the first phase
in ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. It was the
most concrete signal yet that the US may be willing to compromise
on the stalemate over how to end the fighting.
Moving closer to the position that France and other European
countries are taking, Rice predicted that a UN Security Council
resolution would be approved within days that would include a
ceasefire and describe principles for a lasting peace.
On CNN's "Larry King Live," Rice said the US is moving "toward
being able to do this in phases that will permit first an end or a
stoppage in the hostilities and based on the establishment on some
very important principles for how we move forward," according to a
partial transcript of the show being aired last night.
Almost since the outbreak of the fighting on July 12, the Bush
administration has insisted that a ceasefire and steps aimed at
creating a long-term peace be worked out simultaneously. These
included establishing an international peacekeeping force and
requiring the disarmament of the Hezbollah militant group.
"We need to end the hostilities in a way that points forward a
direction for a sustainable peace," said Rice, who provided little
precision about what a compromise resolution might say.
The measure that France and the US were working on would be the
first of two resolutions aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire
and a long-term solution to the conflict.
"We're certainly getting close," she said. "We're working with
the French very closely. We're working with others."
Asked if US policy had shifted, State Department spokesman Sean
McCormack declined to comment.
The war, now in its fourth week, is taking a growing toll of
Lebanese and Israeli civilians, as well as Hezbollah and Israeli
fighters, and calls for an immediate ceasefire have
intensified.
Meanwhile, the State Department said the US plans to help train
and equip the Lebanese army so it can take control of all of the
nation's territory when warfare between Israel and Hezbollah
eases.
The program was approved by Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald
H. Rumsfeld to take effect "once we have conditions on the ground
permitting," spokesman Sean McCormack said.
McCormack provided no details on what equipment the US might
provide, the training that would be conducted, how many US
personnel would be involved, or possible costs.
Last week, the State Department notified Congress it wanted to
add US$10 million to the US$1.5 million it provides annually to the
Lebanese military.
Other nations will help out, too, McCormack said.
Gen. John Abizaid, who heads the US Central Command, told the
Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday the Lebanese armed force
"needs a significant upgrade of equipment and training capability
that I believe the Western nations, particularly the US, can assist
with."
Abizaid also said he believes Lebanon can extend government
control over the entire country if it gets sufficient help,
including an international peacekeeping force with a clear mandate,
cooperation from the Lebanese government and "robust rules of
engagement."
Asked what he meant by "robust rules of engagement," Abizaid
said the commander of the peacekeeping force must be able to use
"all available means at his forces' disposal. And I think, in the
case of southern Lebanon, it'll have to have capabilities that are
just not minor, small arms, but would include all arms."
The US has been looking for a Security Council resolution that
would address disarming Hezbollah, already ordered by the Security
Council in 2004, and establishing an international peacekeeping
force to move into southern Lebanon.
Nations that would contribute troops are expected to meet next
week at the UN
Bush has said he does not envision having American ground troops
in a peacekeeping force, but the US could contribute
communications, logistics and other support.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies August 4, 2006)
