DATE=4/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / ISRAEL / LEBANON (L-O)
NUMBER=2-260938
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Israel's foreign minister says the United
Nations is ready to cooperate with Israel's plan to
withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon in July.
Lisa Schlein reports the Israeli official spoke with
news reporters in Geneva after discussing the
withdrawal plan with the U-N Secretary-General.
TEXT: Foreign Minister David Levy says Israel will
not deviate from its decision to withdraw its military
forces from Southern Lebanon in July. He says the
decision is in line with Israel's interests and will
fulfill a U-N Security Council resolution that calls
for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.
Mr. Levy says he had a good meeting with U-N
Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He says the secretary-
general agrees with Israel's position. And - speaking
through a translator - he says Mr. Annan told him the
United Nations will cooperate with Israel's need to
bring about the withdrawal in a safe and orderly
manner.
/// LEVY ACT - IN HEBREW - FADE UNDER TRASLATOR ///
Israel is ready and willing to cooperate with
the United Nations in order to set up together
the mechanism in the field itself that will
bring about the implementation of the
resolution. Also, together with the efforts and
the forces and abilities according to the
decision and as it was said, there is no need
for any further or any additional added decision
or resolution of any kind in order to bring
about the implementation of the resolution in
all its aspects.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Levy says Israel will do whatever it can to avoid
any escalation and deterioration of the situation.
The United Nations has a multi-national peacekeeping
force which was sent to southern Lebanon under a 1978
Security Council resolution.
Mr. Levy says it is up to the United Nations to decide
if its peacekeeping force is strong enough to deal
with the changed situation, or if it will have to be
strengthened. Mr. Levy says Israel has the force and
the will to defend its citizens and security in case
of attack.
Speaking in French, Mr. Levy warns if Israel is
threatened, it will respond in a way the attackers
will greatly regret.
/// LEVY ACT TWO - IN FRENCH - FADE UNDER ///
Mr. Levy says he finds it strange that Israel should
be attacked for its decision to withdraw its troops
from Lebanon. He says it is bizarre to be attacked by
the very people who opposed Israel's presence in
Lebanon.
He says Israel would prefer to have the withdrawal
take place as part of a negotiated settlement with
Syria. He says direct negotiations are the only way
to achieve peace. But he says Syria does not want to
talk with Israel. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/ENE/RAE
04-Apr-2000 12:02 PM EDT (04-Apr-2000 1602 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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