The UN Secretary General has warned against a continuing deterioration in the Middle East conflict. Mr Kofi Annan told the Security Council yesterday of his fear that "the dynamics of the situation" could lead to a resumption in the cycle of attacks and reprisals between Israelis and Palestinians, writes Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, in New York
He stressed there was no military solution. Israel could not achieve long-term security through force of arms, however overwhelming, nor could the Palestinians establish their own state by force, including terrorist acts.
Mr Annan called for the international community to assume "a direct and effective role on the ground". Otherwise he feared an intensification of violence and a continuing disregard for international law, including Council resolutions and the accepted norms of human rights.
What he called "red lines" or generally-acknowledged taboos and ground-rules were now being disregarded and the "logic of war" had taken hold. "Today it appears that there are no red lines left in this conflict." Left to their own devices, the parties to the conflict would not be able to break the impasse. "Both parties will need help to restore security. It is this analysis that leads me to the conclusion that we need to consider possible courses of action that are bolder than have hitherto been considered practicable." Many held the view a "third-party mechanism" was required. Until now, discussion had focused on sending a limited number of unarmed international observers.
"But given the present circumstances, it is doubtful whether their safety and security could be assured." Nor would they be sufficient to help consolidate and monitor a possible ceasefire.
"It is for these reasons that I believe the deployment of a multinational force deserves serious consideration," he said. This would not be a UN force as such, but a "coalition of the willing".
This force would observe an Israeli withdrawal to positions held before the current intifada began; monitor a ceasefire; create "secure conditions" for the resumption of normal economic activity and the delivery of humanitarian aid; facilitate the rebuilding of the Palestinian Authority's institutions; and establish a stable environment for the resumption of political negotiations.
He would expect both sides to facilitate the deployment of the force, which he felt would have "a substantial positive psychological and concrete impact". The freedom of movement of extremist Palestinian groups would be restricted. At the same time, security and living conditions for Palestinians generally would improve.
He urged the international community to pursue this option "in a pro-active way" rather than waiting for the Israelis and Palestinians to come around to the idea themselves.
Responding, Ireland's UN Ambassador, Mr Richard Ryan told the security council the proposal was "a very serious and important contribution to the work of restoring security, alleviating economic distress and helping to bring about a return to political negotiations".
"We have long considered it clear that a third-party element would be necessary to get beyond the current situation. The Secretary-General, in making his proposal, has effectively confronted us with a number of deeply serious questions which the Council, the parties and the international community generally must address. Like other delegations, we agree that we need to think clearly about the practical issues raised by the proposal," Mr Ryan said.
Reaction generally among security council members was cautious. A senior Irish diplomatic source said the essence of the problem was "whether the council and the international community are prepared to persuade the parties and in particular Israel that it is in their interests to accept what the secretary-general proposes".