Draft Resolution in UN Security Council Calls on Israel to Rescind Its Annexation of Golan Heights

The Security Council is expected to vote late this afternoon on a draft resolution calling on Israel to rescind its annexation of the Golan Heights. The resolution states:

“The Security Council, having considered the letter of 14 December, 1981 from the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic,

“Reaffirming that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissable,

“1) decides that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void;

“2) demands that Israel, the occupying power, should rescind forthwith its decision;

“3) determines that all the provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August, 1949, continue to apply to the Syrian territory occupied by Israel since June, 1967;

“4) requests the Secretary General to report to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution and decides that in the event of non-compliance by Israel that the Security Council would meet urgently, no later than 5 January, 1982, to consider taking necessary measures in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”

WATERED DOWN VERSION OF EARLIER DRAFTS

The draft resolution is a watered down version of earlier drafts which suggested the imposition of sanctions against Israel in the event of its non-compliance with the request to rescind the annexation. The final version only notes that the Security Council would meet “to consider” imposing necessary measures on Israel. It omitted a request that the Security Council reconvene in one week should Israel not comply with its demands.

The final draft resolution sets a two-week deadline. According to sources here, the changes were made to accommodate the United States and to prevent a U.S. veto. Therefore, the sources said, it is expected that the U.S. will join the other members of the Security Council in support of the resolution.

SYRIANS INTRODUCE MEASURE IN THE ASSEMBLY

Meanwhile, the Syrians have extended their campaign against the Israeli action on the Golan Heights by introducing a draft resolution in the General Assembly which is currently debating the Middle East issue. The Syrian draft demands that Israel rescind its decision, calls the Israeli action “null and void” and asks for Security Council sanctions against Israel in case of non-compliance.

The General Assembly resolution, which probably will be adopted later this afternoon, also deplores “the persistence of Israel’s policy of annexation” and requests states and other international institutions not to recognize Israel’s decisions. The resolutions also asks for a report from the Secretary General on the subject by Dec. 21.