The Security Council, in limbo since last Thursday, was reported today to be prepared to vote on a resolution condemning Israel for its April 12 commando raid into southern Lebanon without mentioning the terrorist massacre in Kiryat Shemona a day earlier. The draft resolution is reported by sources here to have the backing of 13 of the 15 Security Council members. It was reportedly inspired by the Western bloc, including the United States. It is opposed only by Iraq and China which apparently consider it too “soft” on Israel. The Council which had been scheduled to meet this afternoon, postponed its meeting at the last minute until tomorrow.
Lebanon was said to be insisting on a strong condemnation of Israel. The U.S. had promised to veto a one-sided resolution but in light of its support of the reported draft it has apparently modified its view of what constitutes a one-sided document.
The draft resolution, expected to be sponsored by Britain and France, would condemn Israel’s action but would not specifically refer to its attack on six Lebanese villages, informed sources said. They said it would call on Israel to repatriate the 13 Lebanese civilians it took prisoner in the raid. The draft is said to contain no reference to the massacre of 18 people in Kiryat Shemona but would contain a general condemnation of “all acts of violence.” an implied rebuke to Arab terrorists and to Israeli retaliatory acts as well.
The resolution would require all parties concerned to respect the UN Charter and international law and urge them to take no action that might upset efforts to achieve a durable peace settlement in the Middle East. At one point Australia and Austria were reported planning to Join in co-sponsorship of the draft but later dropped out. Australian co-sponsorship was conditional on specific mention of the Kiryat Shemona massacre. The Austrians were said to have taken a similar position.
A week ago, the British, with French support, were reportedly inclined to an even-handed resolution. The British UN Ambassador, Ivor Richards, sympathized with Israel’s outrage over the Kiryat Shemona massacre. At the same time. Richards said his government could not justify government-organized operations into foreign territory.
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