ARMS EMBARGO ON LEBANON
Letter from Rt Hon Ian McCartney MP, Minister
for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office/Department of Trade and Industry to the Chairman
I am writing to let your Committee know of plans
of the EU Council to adopt a Common Position concerning a prohibition
on the sale or supply of arms and related material and on the
provision of related services to entities or individuals in Lebanon
in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701
(2006). The adoption of this Common Position will enable the EU
to implement the measures contained in paragraph 15 of UNSCR 1701
in a uniform and rigorous manner, with the purpose of creating
the conditions for a lasting peace in Southern Lebanon.
The UK can implement sanctions measures contained
in Security Council Resolutions through national legislation,
but a number of EU Member States depend upon the adoption of EU
Common Positions and Regulations for implementation. In order
for targeted measures to be effective, it is important that sanctions
provisions are implemented in a uniform and rigorous manner. The
adoption of an EU Council Common Position ensures that the arms
embargo provisions contained in UNSCR 1701 will be enforced throughout
the EU in a uniform and rigorous manner, thus ensuring the effectiveness
of the measure.
I regret there will not be time for your committee
to scrutinise the adoption of the Common Position owing to the
pressing nature of the situation in Southern Lebanon, and the
urgent requirement to implement UNSCR 1701 on the ground. In the
light of the situation in Southern Lebanon, and the urgent need
to create the conditions for a lasting peace there, I hope the
Committee will understand any decision to agree the adoption of
a Common Position on this matter before the completion of scrutiny.
5 September 2006
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