YouSaid · the spoken record

Serzh Sargsyan

lines on the record: 72
first: 2008-09-24
most recent: 2017-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Unfortunately, these phenomena are familiar to us Armenians not only from the examples I mentioned earlier and not only from this century. As a nation that has survived genocide, the most extreme form of racism and xenophobia, we are morally obliged to act to prevent future genocides. The elimination of racism and xenophobia and the inculcation of tolerance can be truly effective if accompanied by a clear prescription of liability. Impunity and the avoidance of accountability give birth to yet new crimes. Hence, it is incumbent upon the international community to identify and denounce without delay any expression of intolerance, especially in its extreme forms.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“All of this is orchestrated at the highest State level. The dangerous rise in manifestations of Armenophobia not only does not contribute to an atmosphere of trust in the region, but also leads to questions about Azerbaijan’s understanding of the United Nations goals of tolerance and good-neighbourly coexistence. With such aspirations, it is impermissible and even dangerous to aspire to membership in the Security Council. Yesterday, in the framework of the Assembly, alongside debates on some of the most vital and urgent issues of our time, a High-level meeting was convened yesterday on the tenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration, which reiterated the urgent need to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In recent years, owing to the efforts of the Minsk Group co-chair countries, particularly direct mediation on the part of the President of the Russian Federation, a number of documents have been signed, including the Meindorf, Astrakhan and Sochi declarations, which have stressed the need to strengthen confidence- building measures between the parties. The signature of the President of Azerbaijan is also on those documents. Azerbaijan, however, continues to turn down repeated proposals from the international community concerning agreement on the non-use of force and the strengthening of confidence-building measures. Moreover, Azerbaijan’s belligerent rhetoric and threats of war have intensified, and ceasefire violations that continue to deprive innocent civilians of their lives have grown more frequent.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“By denying and destroying all things Armenian, Baku stubbornly continues to disseminate false accusations against Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenians at all levels everywhere, including here, within the framework of the United Nations. Azerbaijan’s propaganda machine continues to regularly bombard the international community and its domestic audience with horrendous lies about so-called Armenian brutality and the killing of children. These stories are fabricated and disseminated based on their authors’ shallow yet painful logic, which posits that there are some people out there who will rise to the bait of this evil propaganda against Armenia and that it will thus serve a purpose.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Despite the expectations and high-level advice of the international community, Azerbaijan took yet another step backward during the last meeting in Kazan by rejecting the previously formulated arrangement and in fact trying to make the negotiation process break down. Baku has turned Armenophobia into State propaganda at a level that is way beyond dangerous. That is not just our view; the alarm has also been sounded by international entities specializing in combating racism and intolerance. Even more dangerously, Armenophobic ideas are spreading among the young Azeri generation, imperilling the future of peaceful coexistence.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The people of Nagorno Karabakh made the same choice two decades ago by exercising their right to 23 11-51185 self-determination, withstanding the war unleashed by Azerbaijan, and surviving bloodshed to earn their right to live in freedom. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement talks are continuing with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. We are grateful to the co-chair countries and their leaders for their mediation efforts. However, it is the negotiating parties, not the mediators, who have to reach an agreement. Azerbaijan’s utter unwillingness to reach an agreement and its everything-or-war position have stalled progress in the peace talks.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Three years ago, when I had the honour to speak from this rostrum (see A/63/PV.9), I said that the time had come for serious consideration of people’s right to self-determination in the twenty-first century. Today, we are witnessing new instances of people exercising this inalienable right. In that context, I would like to congratulate the newly elected 193rd Member of the United Nations, the Republic of South Sudan. Its road to a seat in this Hall has been long and difficult, but the people of South Sudan, through the free expression of their will, have exercised their right to live as a sovereign, independent nation, thus pursuing the path that many of the Member States represented here today have taken.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Particularly worth mentioning is the engagement of regional organizations, which have gained a great deal of experience in mediation and have in-depth knowledge of political, cultural and military realities on the ground. The success of mediation hinges, among other things, on the articulation of a clearly defined mandate. A case in point for us has been the role of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Another key factor worth highlighting here is the role of mediators in preventing the escalation of conflict and a resumption of hostilities. This aspect of mediation is sometimes overlooked, yet it is of no less importance to international peace and stability than is finding a solution to a contentious matter.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I would first like to thank and wish every success to Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session, and to thank Mr. Deiss of Switzerland for his leadership during the sixty-fifth session. I would also like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon on his appointment to a second term in office. I would like to acknowledge the importance of the choice of theme for this general debate, and to highlight the role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and as a way of preventing the resumption of hostilities. We greatly appreciate the mediation efforts of global and regional entities and organizations in various parts of the world to preserve peace and security and to settle conflicts through peaceful negotiations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“As for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we fully realize that Armenia, as a young democracy, has important work ahead in order to guarantee the full and efficient implementation of the entire complex of human rights. To that end, we are trying to learn from countries with extensive experience and not to repeat others’ mistakes. Those lessons are not always easy to take, but we are confident that, for a country like Armenia, they are a fundamental guarantee of sustainable development. At the same time we realize that, in a rapidly changing reality, along with scientific progress and advances in information technologies, the protection of human rights and the processes to monitor States’ fulfilment of that obligation should be seriously reviewed and reconsidered.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Is it not our mutual goal to erect a pretzel gun monument for the Armenian and Azeri children of our region? I assure the General Assembly that those kids deserve one. This year, we will celebrate two significant achievements in international law: the sixtieth anniversaries of the adoptions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. For us Armenians, as for other peoples that have survived genocide, those anniversaries are more than important. Armenia has done and will continue to do everything it can at the United Nations to provide for the continuous advocacy of the genocide Convention and its enforcement. Genocide cannot be the concern of one nation alone; genocide is a crime against humanity.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The process mediated by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group is aimed at reaching precisely that goal, and I believe that it was in that understanding that almost four fifths of the United Nations membership abstained in the voting or did not vote at all on that resolution. The voting records of the United States, France and Russia — the most well-informed third parties regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its resolution — are ample demonstration of that fact. Is it absolutely necessary to shed blood to understand that frozen conflicts demand an expert and conscientious approach and cannot be solved through discussions in various forums? We have worked in earnest under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Is it not possible to at least abstain from creating new challenges to the process?”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“A fundamental and sensitive problem with deep roots and painful and bloody developments, and for which immense efforts have been made to secure a peaceful settlement, was decided upon by the majority in support of one of the parties. The outcome was more than predictable — a new wave of belligerent statements in Azerbaijan, false encomiums, political speculation and so on. However, the voting in Azerbaijan seemed to be little more than window-dressing. I hope that the real interests of Azerbaijan lie not in its misrepresentation at the international level of the different elements of the conflict, but rather in a peaceful and comprehensive resolution, which is equally in the interests of the 11 08-51845 Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Republic of Armenia.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In my country, even schoolchildren are very familiar with the United Nations. Such children — the future leaders of my country and of the world — may not have a profound understanding of the United Nations Charter, but they know that the Organization was created to ensure peace and security for humankind, to promote friendship among nations, to solve problems jointly, and to protect human rights. The schoolchildren of my country trust the United Nations, since in their eyes it is primarily the building with the “pretzel gun” memorial before it. Some months ago within this building, resolution 62/243 was adopted with only 39 States out of 146 voting in favour. The resolution was adopted in response to an episode in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That is why we continue to negotiate actively with Azerbaijan in the framework of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in seeking that country’s recognition of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been de facto independent for almost two decades. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who followed the legal path in declaring their desire for self- determination, were subjected to a brutal war. For years they hovered on the brink of extinction. At that time, Nagorno-Karabakh was only an autonomous region with neither a regular army, arms and ammunition, nor any intention of or ability to occupy Azeri territory. I think it is at the very least unfair to label as “occupants” people who fought for their right to exist; and yet, Azerbaijan has done just that, even from this high rostrum.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“One of the basic principles of international law — the right of peoples to self- determination — has become grounds for exile, ethnic cleansing or genocide. There is no doubt in my mind that it need not be that way in the twenty-first century. We do not insist on the idea that each claim to self-determination should be resolved through secession. However, we have seen that outcome become the solution to conflicts more often than not. When a nation finally has the opportunity to exercise its inalienable right, it is immediately categorized as an exceptional case. That seems to have become a pattern. There is no doubt that, if it is to be viable, such a solution must be endorsed by all the parties involved.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“If any country rapidly increases its military budget and brags about it; if arms limitations stipulated under international agreements are openly violated; and if a country has signed a ceasefire agreement, which constitutes an international responsibility, but threatens to resume military action on any pretext, we must respond swiftly and firmly. Prevention is preferable to cure, and a potential military conflict must be averted at the planning stage. We must confirm unequivocally that the violation or threat of violation of an existing ceasefire contains elements of aggression. Secondly, the time has come to seriously consider the right of peoples to self-determination. We continue to witness in our own time how the mere mention of self-determination may be tantamount to a declaration of suicidal intent.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The most important outcome was our decision not to leave current problems to future generations. I am confident that the time has come to solve Armenian-Turkish problems, and on that issue I observed a similar resolve on the part of President Gül. I am certain that it is necessary to move fast and resolutely in that direction. The events of the past few weeks shocked the South Caucasus region and made it a focal point of the international media. I believe that they hold very serious lessons for us all. I would mention only two. First, we Member States must adhere strictly to the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In the face of global challenges, countries should work together to prevent the further deterioration of the situation and to implement the sustainable development agenda. Otherwise, we will jeopardize our collective efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Neighbouring States have always had and will continue to have problems with each other. However, those problems cannot be solved if there is no 08-51845 10 dialogue. With that in mind, and taking advantage of a football game between our national teams, I invited the President of Turkey to Yerevan. I welcomed the bold decision of President Gül to accept the invitation, which made him my co-author in the “football diplomacy” initiative. We discussed an array of bilateral and regional issues.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Regional cooperation can be a core means of addressing those new challenges. Armenia has always advocated such cooperation and is confident that it is one of the most effective means of addressing problems among States. In that regard, open borders, interconnecting lines of communication and interrelated economic systems are crucial. The United Nations was among the first institutions to respond to the current global problems resulting from rising food and fuel prices. That phenomenon represents a real threat to all the countries of the world. For poor countries, its consequences will be devastating. Unfortunately, even in such circumstances we continue to witness unilateral sanctions and border closings.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I hold the view that the main task of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session should be to issue a collective rejection of such developments. Memories of the previous cold war are very fresh and its consequences linger still. In that regard, I believe that our main task should be the establishment of a new, dependable and viable structure. The challenges facing humankind in recent decades have been transformed and reshaped in such a way that they cannot be addressed exclusively with the structures established after the Second World War. We continue to respond to today’s horizontal, interwoven challenges — such as terrorism, international crime, drug trafficking and others — through institutions that were designed predominantly to settle disputes among States.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“First, allow me to express gratitude to Srgjan Kerim, President of the General Assembly at its sixty-second session, for his able leadership. I would also like to congratulate and wish success to its current President, Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann. I am representing a country that, during the last several weeks, has found itself in a situation that is unacceptable for the twenty-first century. Once again blood was shed in the South Caucasus and once again innocent people died because we, the leaders, failed to bring a peaceful resolution to an existing conflict. The armed conflict, which erupted in a matter of hours, threatened not only the entire region but well beyond it. Recently, the unsettling expression “cold war” has re-emerged.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)