UNifeed: UN / LEBANON

UN / LEBANON

After briefing the Security Council, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams tells reporters that, if "confirmed in court", allegations of Israeli spy networks in Lebanon would constitute "a very serious violation of Lebanon's sovereignty" and would "undermine relevant Security Council resolutions." UNTV

Duration:01:22Date:08 July 2009

Categories:

United Nations Television, POLITICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS, LEBANON

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Full Script

STORY: UN / LEBANON
SOURCE: UNTV
TRT: 1.22
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 8 JULY 2009, NEW YORK CITY/ FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1.     Wide shot, exterior UN building

8 JULY 2009, NEW YORK CITY

2.     Wide shot, Williams walks to the microphone
3.     SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Williams, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon:
“Unfortunately, there remain of course many areas of 1701 where there’s been very little progress. Despite repeated criticism by the Secretary General Israeli over-flights continue unabated and on a daily basis. No date for a withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar has been set, despite some progress in technical talks with Israel.”
4.     Zoom in, camera woman
5.     SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Williams, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon:
 “If these allegations are confirmed in court, this would constitute a very serious violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and consequently undermine relevant Security Council resolutions.”
6.     Close up, reporter’s note pad
7.     SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Williams, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon:
“I think the allegations that they were facilitating in some way the passage of individuals across the blue line is, I think, without foundation.”
8.     Zoom out, Williams walks away from microphone

STORYLINE:

After closed consultations with Security Council members, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams today (8 July) expressed unease over recent allegations of Israeli spy networks operating in Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters outside the Security Council, the British diplomat conveyed optimism over the success and transparency of last months parliamentary elections in Lebanon as well as with progress in Lebanese  - Syrian relations, saying that there is a “sound basis” for proceeding with implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

Nevertheless, Williams said that “unfortunately”, there remain “many areas of 1701 where there’s been very little progress”, including the daily reoccurrence of Israeli over-flights and the fact that “no date for a withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar has been set.”

The Special Coordinator expressed particular concern over the spying charges, saying that if “confirmed in court, this would constitute a very serious violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and consequently undermine relevant Security Council resolutions.”

Responding to a reporter’s question, Williams said that allegations that United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon  ( UNIFIL ) had facilitated “the passage of individuals across the Blue Line” are “without foundation.”

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concern at the allegations by Lebanon’s Government that Israeli spy cells have been operating in Lebanon and that the IDF helped alleged spies to cross from Lebanon into Israel through the Blue Line.

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