WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed support Thursday
for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon as the first phase in ending the conflict
between Israel and Hezbollah. It was the most concrete signal yet that the U.S.
may be willing to compromise on the stalemate over how to end the fighting.
US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice (L) with Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz in
Jerusalem in July 2006. The White House said that enough "real progress"
had been made in Middle East diplomacy to make a UN resolution calling for
a possible ceasefire in a matter of
days.[AFP] |
Moving closer to the position that France and other European countries are
taking, Rice predicted that a U.N. Security Council resolution would be approved
within days that would include a cease-fire and describe principles for a
lasting peace.
On CNN's "Larry King Live," Rice said the U.S. is moving "towards being able
to do this in phases that will permit first an end or a stoppage in the
hostilities and based on the establishment on some very important principles for
how we move forward," according to a partial transcript of the show being aired
Thursday night.
Almost since the outbreak of the fighting on July 12, the Bush administration
has insisted that a cease-fire and steps aimed at creating a long-term peace be
worked out simultaneously. These included establishing an international
peacekeeping force and requiring the disarmament of the Hezbollah militant
group.
"We need to end the hostilities in a way that points forward a direction for
a sustainable peace," said Rice, who provided little precision about what a
compromise resolution might say.
The measure that France and the U.S. were working on would be the first of
two resolutions aimed at achieving a permanent cease-fire and a long-term
solution to the conflict.
"We're certainly getting close," she said. "We're working with the French
very closely. We're working with others."
Asked if U.S. policy had shifted, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack
declined to comment.
The war, now in its fourth week, is taking a growing toll of Lebanese and
Israeli civilians, as well as Hezbollah and Israeli fighters, and calls for an
immediate cease-fire have intensified.
Meanwhile, the State Department said the United States plans to help train
and equip the Lebanese army so it can take control of all of the nation's
territory when warfare between Israel and Hezbollah eases.
The program was approved by Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
to take effect "once we have conditions on the ground permitting," spokesman
Sean McCormack said.
McCormack provided no details on what equipment the United States might
provide, the training that would be conducted, how many U.S. personnel would be
involved, or possible costs.
Last week, the State Department notified Congress it wanted to add $10
million to the $1.5 million it provides annually to the Lebanese military.
Other nations will help out, too, McCormack said.
Gen. John Abizaid, who heads the U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed
Services Committee Thursday the Lebanese armed force "needs a significant
upgrade of equipment and training capability that I believe the Western nations,
particularly the United States, can assist with."
Abizaid also said he believes Lebanon can extend government control over the
entire country if it gets sufficient help, including an international
peacekeeping force with a clear mandate, cooperation from the Lebanese
government and "robust rules of engagement."
Asked what he meant by "robust rules of engagement," Abizaid said the
commander of the peacekeeping force must be able to use "all available means at
his forces' disposal. And I think, in the case of southern Lebanon, it'll have
to have capabilities that are just not minor, small arms, but would include all
arms."
The U.S. has been looking for a Security Council resolution that would
address disarming Hezbollah, already ordered by the Security Council in 2004,
and establishing an international peacekeeping force to move into southern
Lebanon.
Nations that would contribute troops are expected to meet next week at the
U.N.
Bush has said he does not envision having American ground troops in a
peacekeeping force, but the U.S. could contribute communications, logistics and
other support.
