DATE=6/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LEBANON/BORDER (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263120
BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says it is near an agreement
with Lebanon on certifying Israel's military
withdrawal from the southern part of the country.
Dale Gavlak reports from Cairo.
TEXT: U-N envoy Terje Roed Larsen and his team of
experts submitted their conclusions about three
disputed areas on the Lebanese-Israeli border, one on
the Lebanese side and two in Israel.
The United Nations must certify that Israel has
completely ended its 22-year occupation of southern
Lebanon before its peacekeepers can increase the size
of their deployment and Beirut can reassert its
authority in the south.
Lebanese Prime Minister Selim Hoss told reporters in
Beirut that a border agreement was close. He said his
experts agreed with U-N cartographers on most points,
but he said Lebanon was still resolved, in his words,
not to abandon any of its territory.
The demarcation tries to follow the internationally
recognized line drawn up between Britain and France in
1923. Lebanon claims Israel made some alterations to
the border during its long occupation.
Mr. Larsen now takes up the border discussions with
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. He says he is
optimistic that details will be worked out despite
Israeli displeasure with some border decisions.
A source close to Mr. Larsen's delegation says that if
Beirut disagrees with the lines established by the
United Nations, then its troops under UNIFIL, whose
mandate expires July 15th, may have to withdraw.
The Hezbollah (Islamic resistance) movement claims the
United Nations is taking Israel's side in the matter.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah warns that
his movement will continue its armed struggle against
Israel unless every bit of Lebanese land is returned
to Lebanon. (signed)
NEB/DG/DW/JP
03-Jun-2000 14:34 PM EDT (03-Jun-2000 1834 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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