Het is eindelijk tot de VN doorgedrongen: er worden op grote schaal wapens gesmokkeld van Syrië naar Libanon, en de controles en stationering van het Libanese leger langs de grens zijn ineffectief. Het rapport stelt voor dat Libanon en Syrië beter samenwerken om de smokkel tegen te gaan. Daarbij vergeet de VN even dat de Syrische regering weet van de smokkel en hier achter staat. Het heeft er immers alle belang bij dat het pro-Syrische Hezbollah goed bewapend is, en houdt op die manier een stevige voet tussen de deur in de Libanese politiek. De leeuw en het schaap zullen het nooit eens worden over het avondeten van de leeuw, en er valt daarin dus niet veel samen te werken. De enige remedie is een internationale troepenmacht met een steviger mandaat die bereid is de grenzen en de luchthaven goed te controleren, en een confrontatie met Hezbollah niet zal mijden. Dit betekent echter dat er nog vaker een VN konvooi de lucht in zal gaan.
Ratna
______________________________________________________________________
Last update - 22:13 26/06/2007
UN report: Lebanon-Syria border completely porous
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/875346.html
Lebanon's border with Syria is open to smuggling of weapons and other goods, according to a special report submitted to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.
Border controls are insufficient even at official crossings, claimed the report that probed Lebanese entry points but did not inspect those on Syria's side of the border.
"As a result [of the lack of inspection] vehicles, including passengers and their cargo, pass freely," the report said.
The probe recommended improving cooperation between the two countries in order to curb smuggling of arms and other goods.
UN Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larson recently warned the Security Council of similar allegations.
The inquiry was carried out between May 27 and June 15 at four border crossings currently in operation, a point of entry set to open in the future, seaports and Beirut's airport.
Areas along the border where smuggling activity is suspected were also inspected.
During their investigation, UN inspectors met with four Lebanese security forces representatives.
Lebanese Army patrols along the border are ineffective, the probe concluded.
The investigation revealed that Lebanon's security forces lack training for carrying out anti-smuggling missions and its deployment is not aimed at stemming such activity.
"The lookout points and checkpoints are spread out according to traditional military doctrine and their aim is to provide territorial defense, not check smuggling," the report read.
______________________________________________________________________
Last update - 22:13 26/06/2007
UN report: Lebanon-Syria border completely porous
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/875346.html
Lebanon's border with Syria is open to smuggling of weapons and other goods, according to a special report submitted to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.
Border controls are insufficient even at official crossings, claimed the report that probed Lebanese entry points but did not inspect those on Syria's side of the border.
"As a result [of the lack of inspection] vehicles, including passengers and their cargo, pass freely," the report said.
The probe recommended improving cooperation between the two countries in order to curb smuggling of arms and other goods.
UN Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larson recently warned the Security Council of similar allegations.
The inquiry was carried out between May 27 and June 15 at four border crossings currently in operation, a point of entry set to open in the future, seaports and Beirut's airport.
Areas along the border where smuggling activity is suspected were also inspected.
During their investigation, UN inspectors met with four Lebanese security forces representatives.
Lebanese Army patrols along the border are ineffective, the probe concluded.
The investigation revealed that Lebanon's security forces lack training for carrying out anti-smuggling missions and its deployment is not aimed at stemming such activity.
"The lookout points and checkpoints are spread out according to traditional military doctrine and their aim is to provide territorial defense, not check smuggling," the report read.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten