Situation in the Middle East and the Secretary General’s Report on the Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

Ambassador Bolton: Okay, this is going to have to be very quick. We welcome the Secretary General’s report and we are pleased that his team is back from the region to continue the briefing, which we will do in closed consultations. We’re obviously looking here for a solution that will fundamentally change the reality in the region and spare the peoples of Israel and Lebanon, in particular, from the threat of terrorism. So we’ll be considering the Secretary General’s ideas and the more detailed report of the team that we expect here and as I said to you, really at the beginning of the week, now that we’ve had this briefing, consider what steps might come next. I’ll just take a couple of questions because I do have to go.

Reporter: (Inaudible) ready to accept the ceasefire?

Ambassador Bolton: As we’ve said repeatedly what we seek is a long-term cessation of hostilities that is part of a comprehensive change in the region and part of a real foundation for peace. But still, no one has explained how you conduct the ceasefire with a group of terrorists.

Reporter: (Inaudible) blue print for peace in Lebanon. Are you on board (Inaudible)?

Ambassador Bolton: You know, I think we have said what our judgment is in the statement of the G8 leaders from St. Petersburg and to the extent that Secretary General’s ideas and those of his team are consistent with it, I think that’s the basis on which to proceed. But obviously this is something we want to consider fully, we want to consider fully what he has to say, we want to consider fully what his team recommends and what the reaction of the other Council members will be. So as Secretary Rice prepares for travel to the region, I think we’ll factor all of that into account.

Reporter: Ambassador, do you support the parallel approach that was suggested by the Secretary General?

Ambassador Bolton: Well I think I’d like to understand better what “in parallel” means. A lot of this really does depend on sequencing and when particular actions become appropriate depend on the political and military context in which you are operating. So as I say, this would require fully understanding really what he means which I hope to ask him here shortly.

Reporter: Do you support the suggestion by the Secretary General for Hezbollah to deliver the soldiers to the custody of the Lebanese government under the supervision under the International Red Cross?

Ambassador Bolton: I think that’s certainly one possible way to proceed. I think the critical element there, of course, is that Hezbollah has to give these kidnapped victims up. That’s an absolute precondition and the precise mechanism, I think a number of ways could be worked out, that could be one of them.

Reporter: (Inaudible) precondition for a ceasefire at least?

Ambassador Bolton: I think to the -- what we’re talking about when we refer to cessation of hostilities is a cessation that will take place as part of a comprehensive solution that lays a real foundation for peace. It is just not appropriate to talk about a ceasefire if that is the alpha and the omega of the situation and in fact, since the Secretary General himself said we want to have a fundamental transformation, the last thing you want to do is fall back into business as usual.

Reporter: Ambassador, don’t you already then have an impasse here if this concrete plan is contingent on the cessation first -- cessation of hostilities -- then isn’t there already an impasse with the U.S. in the Council?

Ambassador Bolton: I don’t think so at all. I think that is one of the reasons we are going to have these discussions in a few minutes. I think it’s important to get the full basis of the report of the Secretary General’s mission and hear what others have to say, which I will now go and do with your permission. Thank you.