YouSaid · the spoken record

Joseph Kabila

lines on the record
37
first
2001-09-24
most recent
2003-09-24
sittings or episodes
3
sources
un-general-debate

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  1. “I have also referred to the significant progress made in the peace process underway while emphasizing the importance of the support of the international community for the success of that process, which will culminate in the organization of elections. We are aware and convinced that it is within our power to play a stabilizing role in Central and Southern Africa upon which the stability and economic recovery of the region depend. I conclude by reaffirming the will of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cooperate with the international community in building a better world that is designed to build peace and greater solidarity among peoples and nations.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  2. “For us there is a need to do everything possible in order to build peace in the region and to effectively affirm: a spirit of solidarity, of sharing and of peaceful coexistence at the regional and global level; the fight against poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic; control of the movement and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which are claiming victims every day; and the campaign against the proliferation of antipersonnel mines. 16 Throughout my statement I have condemned terrorism in all forms. I also spoke of the consequences of the bloody, unjust and unacceptable war which has just devastated the fundamental infrastructure of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  3. “The Congolese people consider the holding of this forum a historic opportunity that must be seized so that it can lead to the application of fundamental principles of international law. As we are determined to maintain good neighbourly relations and relations of mutual respect with border countries, and thus refuse to serve as a rear-guard base for subversive movements against the countries surrounding us, we in turn will reject interference or destabilization from neighbouring countries.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  4. “It intends to imprint on its programme the requisite good governance, as well as macroeconomic management that ensures the security of investments, respects social rights and guarantees protection and legal and judicial security for employment, business and foreign investment. We remain aware of the importance of sharing those resources likely to contribute to economic integration, and we intend to conduct a policy of dialogue, openness and good-neighbourliness. The priority given to regional integration is a sign of our adherence to the initiative of the international conference on peace, security, democracy and development in the region of the Great Lakes and of Central Africa.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  5. “Given the important provision for the protection of human rights contained in that Statute, the Congo, on the basis of respect for fundamental principles that govern international relations, intends to see that there is strict respect for the implementation of that instrument. As one can see, a new era has dawned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an era of peace and reconciliation, of national unity and the re- establishment of State authority, an era of reconstruction, economic recovery and development to consolidate and put to use the gains of arduous political negotiations. Aware of challenges and looking toward the post- conflict period, the Transition Government has placed the well-being of the Congolese people at the centre of its concerns.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  6. “On the domestic level, the Transition Government is working to conclude successfully the reform advocated here, for equitable justice is the real proof of national reconciliation. On the international level we believe that the major objective is the establishment, with the assistance of the United Nations, of an international criminal tribunal for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to deal with crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, including rape used as a weapon of war, and mass violations of human rights. Moreover, to ensure the best possible coverage for protection of human rights, as well as of humanitarian rights, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has ratified several international conventions, including the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  7. “All the present efforts of the Transition Government for the reunification of the national territory, the pacification of the country, the reconstruction of infrastructure and the restoration of State authority are working to achieve the ultimate objective of transition, namely, the holding of free, transparent and democratic elections. It is in that context that my country voices the hope that the international community will provide the necessary assistance at all stages of the electoral process. In the peace process now underway, an area which is of critical importance and an imperative is that of independent justice, whose equitable administration would mark the end of impunity.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  8. “It is important that neighbouring countries respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo so as to recreate a climate conducive to a return to the normalization of relations in the region. Aside from the numerous human lives affected by this war, the plants and the animals have also endured immeasurable damage. Our determination to restore everything that was destroyed is equalled only by our hope of turning our country into an oasis of peace for all. We believe that a United Nations fund to support this effort would be fair compensation.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  9. “It is the hope of the people of the Congo and the Transitional Government to see the United Nations redouble its efforts and pursue its support for the process of peace and reunification now underway. At a time when this lengthy war is coming to an end, it should be noted that the Ituri district is still a gaping wound that the slightest careless mistake could inflame. While the deployment of the Interim Emergency Multinational Force in Bunia allowed for a sharp reduction in acts of violence and contributed to 15 stabilization of the security and humanitarian situation, the situation in the provinces of North and South Kivu remain of concern.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  10. “At a time when the entire world remembers the tragic events of 11 September 2001 in this very city of New York, the United Nations was still mourning the loss of its staff and fell victim yet again to a terrorist attack in Iraq. The Congolese people renew their unequivocal condemnation of international terrorism. Africa is not spared from the scourge of terrorism. It is enough to recall the tragic events in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Casablanca. This session coincides with the final phase of the process of the establishment of transitional institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is here that I would like to express my gratitude to the international community, because its efforts, support and assistance in this peace process led to the signing and implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  11. “The Congolese people continue to be grateful to the United Nations system for the assistance that it gave it through the United Nation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Interim Emergency Multinational Force deployed in Bunia and especially for strengthening the peacekeeping mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). The Congolese delegation associates itself with the spirit of sympathy and solidarity elicited by the terrorist attack committed in Iraq against the great family of the United Nations. Indeed, the Congolese people were also deeply moved to learn of the brutal and tragic death of the ardent defender of freedom and human rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, to whom I pay tribute.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  12. “Allow me, Sir, to discharge the agreeable duty of congratulating Mr. Julian Hunte on his unanimous election to the Presidency of the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth regular session. I would also like to commend your predecessor, His Excellence Mr. Jan Kavan, who fulfilled his mandate to the satisfaction of all. I note the efforts and specific involvement of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, in the peaceful resolution of the complex crisis in the Great Lakes region and Central Africa.”

    2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)

  13. “The founding fathers of our universal Organization, who were convinced that nations could be brought together only through peaceful settlements of conflict, signed the Charter in order to ensure that no armed conflict would be a matter of indifference to the remainder of humanity. For this reason, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which believes deeply in the universal values championed by the United Nations, expresses the hope that all the organs of the United Nations will play their role to the fullest to ensure that we may silence weapons wherever they are being used, in order to make peace a genuine right within the grasp of all of us.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  14. “Secondly, the international community should be more actively involved in resolving the conflict that is tearing the Democratic Republic of the Congo apart. It is clear today that the international community seems to be forgetting the role played by Africa in the development of today's wealthy States, and is showing a degree of indifference to African issues. Thirdly, the large number of Security Council resolutions which have, to date, remained unimplemented. Fourthly, I am thinking of technical contributions and the mobilization of the international community to rehabilitate our ecosystem, so as to preserve this heritage of humankind.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  15. “In order to put an end to this protracted tragedy, I earnestly appeal, through this Assembly, to the entire international community, to mobilize and become more deeply involved in the quest for solutions to bring about the reunification of our national territory and to return peace and stability to my country and to the whole of the Great Lakes region. I would like to make several specific points. First, I believe that a conference should be held, under the auspices of the United Nations, on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region. My country's desire, in keeping with its African tradition, has always been to live in peace and harmony with all the States of Africa and of the world, beginning with its neighbours.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  16. “I have expressed my grave concern about the disturbing humanitarian situation prevailing in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is characterized by massacres and massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. I have also pointed to the particularly difficult socio- economic situation affecting the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noting that it has been aggravated by war and its adverse effects. If the war persists, the Government's efforts to achieve economic recovery may well be completely nullified.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  17. “The tangible effects of these positive measures include the stabilization of our currency and of the price of major consumer goods, as well as the resumption of cooperation with international financial institutions. In the same spirit, a large-scale national reconstruction programme is under way, aimed at the rehabilitation of the basic social infrastructure so as to promote the recovery of the economy and the process of development. 3 I have condemned the terrorism and the tragic events of 11 September 2001, which plunged the American people and all of humankind into mourning. I have provided an updated review of the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular with regard to the Pretoria and Luanda Agreements.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  18. “Likewise, we look forward eagerly to the conclusions of the Panel of Experts, which we hope will be accompanied by proposals for sanctions to be imposed on those who are plundering the resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is the bleak situation that has been prevailing in my country for more than four years; the socio-economic situation of the people has deteriorated as a result of the war, which has deprived my Government of more than half of its resources. In order to deal with this economic disaster and to alleviate the suffering of our people as much as possible, a number of measures been in place for more than a year.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  19. “I would like now to turn to the particular and worrying situation that prevails in the eastern part of my country. I am referring to the bloody and distressing events that took place in Kisangani and Bunia; the resumed fighting in the Kivu region; the rapes; the plundering of the wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and all the other human rights violations that have taken place. I also have in mind the appalling destruction of fauna, flora and the ecosystem in general in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I urgently appeal to the international community to put an end to this tragic situation, which is afflicting the people of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to ensure that the perpetrators of these vile and barbaric acts are punished and brought to justice.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  20. “The successful implementation of the Pretoria and Luanda Agreements, in particular with respect to the withdrawal of Rwandan and Ugandan troops, will have a clear impact on the conclusion of a comprehensive and inclusive agreement in the context of the domestic political process aimed at national reconciliation and the reunification of the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a view to the prompt holding of free, democratic and transparent elections at all levels. Following consultations with various political and social groups, as well as with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, my Government suggested that arrangements for the signing of an inclusive agreement could begin at an early date.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  21. “For its part, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, consistent with the commitments that it has undertaken, had already assembled at Kamina more than 2,000 Rwandan ex- combatants, who are awaiting repatriation to Rwanda. Furthermore, it has notified the third party, as of 5 September 2002, about additional information concerning Rwandan ex-combatants. With regard to the Luanda Agreement, it should be noted that the withdrawal of Ugandan troops has begun and that a joint peacemaking programme has been set up in the Ituri region.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  22. “The Luanda Agreement, signed on 6 September 2002, deals with the issue of the complete withdrawal of Ugandan troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as with cooperation and the normalization of relations between our two States. Almost 45 days have passed since the signing of the Pretoria Agreement — half of the time period set by the timetable for its implementation — without any significant progress having been made on the ground. The commitment undertaken yesterday by the President of Rwanda to begin the withdrawal of troops as from next week may mark a decisive phase in the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  23. “Externally speaking, it should be noted that, faced with obstruction to the implementation of the Lusaka 2 Agreement as regards the withdrawal of foreign forces, my Government, basing itself on the relevant provisions of the Security Council that encourage bilateral discussions, has entered into the Pretoria Agreement with Rwanda on the one hand, with the facilitation of South Africa and the assistance of the United Nations, and, on the other hand, it has signed the Luanda Agreement with Uganda, under the sponsorship of Angola. The Pretoria Agreement, signed on 30 July 2002, essentially addresses the question of the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the disarmament of the former Rwandan Army (ex-FAR) forces and the Interahamwe.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  24. “For its part, as I had announced in my address to the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly, my Government, on 21 December 2001, established a national coordinating committee to combat international terrorism, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1373 (2001). The first part of my statement will focus on the status of the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  25. “Lastly, allow me to thank the Secretary-General for his dedication to universal values and for his active involvement in the quest for solutions to the conflicts besetting humankind. At a time when the whole world is remembering the fateful date of 11 September 2001, the Congolese people, its Government and I myself wish to take this opportunity to convey once again our solidarity and our compassion to the American people and to the grieving families around the world who were victimized in this heinous act of terrorism. This is indeed an appropriate setting in which to urge all peace-loving and justice-loving States in the world to commit to working together to combat this evil in all its forms.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  26. “I am honoured and gratified once again to take the floor before the Assembly, to which I extend the most cordial greetings on behalf of the Congolese people, its Government and on my own behalf. First and foremost, allow me, Sir, to congratulate you very sincerely, along with the whole of your Bureau, on your election to the presidency of the fifty- seventh regular session of the General Assembly. I wish also to convey to your predecessor, Mr. Han Seung-soo, our great appreciation for the extremely important work that he accomplished during his term in office. Allow me also to welcome the accession to the United Nations of the Swiss Confederation and of Timor-Leste as Member States.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

  27. “I have also spoken of the catastrophic situation in my country, which has been victim of a war of aggression for the past three years. I have also noted the significant advances achieved in the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which unfortunately risks being compromised through the bad faith of Rwanda and its Congolese rebel accomplices. I have stressed how essential the support of the international community is if we are to achieve this process successfully and to launch the reconstruction of my country. The Congolese people, who have suffered so much, are asking only one thing of the United Nations and the international community: that justice be done for the weak and the strong, for rich and poor alike.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  28. “I could not conclude my statement without thanking the Security Council members for having unanimously adopted resolution 1376 (2001) on 9 November, which condemns the establishment of a joint force set up by the Congolese rebels, instigated by Rwanda in violation of the Lusaka Agreement, in 13 violation of the DDRRR plan and of all relevant Security Council resolutions. This resolution is particularly welcome for its providing for the deployment of MONUC’s phase III. It also provides for the demilitarization of the city of Kisangani, the neutrality of Kindu and the reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In my statement, I have condemned the infamous acts perpetrated against the people of the United States and of the world as a whole.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  29. “I would invite the international community, at the appropriate time, to assist my country in organizing free, democratic and transparent elections, which would allow the Congolese people to choose their own leaders, leaders who will have the legitimacy that a popular election provides and which, in turn, guarantees political stability. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to invite the United Nations to institute exemplary sanctions against all those States, their accessories and accomplices that are pillaging the wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  30. “I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate solemnly from this rostrum the full commitment of my Government to participate fully in the sessions on this dialogue to be held in the Republic of South Africa. I invite the facilitator to do everything possible to deal with pending issues in order to make sure that the forum regains its inclusive character, as provided for by the Lusaka Agreement and the relevant Security Council resolutions. For the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is important that representatives of all sectors of our population should be able to participate in this dialogue so as to lay the foundations of a democratic State.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  31. “As far as the withdrawal of foreign forces is concerned, the definitive and total departure of all Namibian forces has been noted. This movement of foreign forces back to their countries is continuing; now the Zimbabwean, Angolan and Ugandan military are beginning their withdrawal. Paradoxically, however, and despite the continuing demands by the international community through all of the relevant Security Council resolutions, Rwanda is actually reinforcing its military presence in the Congo. The process of reconciliation, so long awaited through national dialogue, made significant advances during the preparatory meetings from 20-24 August 2001 in Gaborone, thanks to the Republican pact initiated by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  32. “As far as the disarmament of the armed groups is concerned, we should note that a disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) programme, drafted by MONUC and the Joint Military Commission (JMC), was adopted by the Political Committee set up under the Lusaka Agreement. It provides, first of all, for the voluntary disarmament of all the armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In this respect, the Congolese Government, reaffirming its good faith and its commitment to this plan, has regrouped and confined 3,000 Rwandan combatants in Kamina in Katanga province, and a MONUC mission has been there for several days now in order to identify these particular individuals.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  33. “The disengagement of forces is in its final stages, and the effective end to hostilities which it has brought has been observed to the satisfaction of all. However, the return of armed tension has been seen in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the part of the country that is occupied by Rwanda. These hostilities have been wrongly described as fighting that has moved to the rear of the Rwandan forces. In fact, what we see is the logical consequence of the failure of a new plan by the Rwandan aggressors, who hoped to sweep away all Congolese resistance, the better to occupy the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in order to be able to continue to pillage our wealth unchallenged.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  34. “I have particularly in mind President Chiluba of Zambia, the appointed mediator of the Lusaka peace process for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would also like to mention the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and in particular Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, which, in accordance with the SADC charter, rallied around my country when it was attacked. I would also like to address my thanks and gratitude to the United Nations and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), whose arduous work on the ground has been very praiseworthy, and to the OAU, the European Union and certain other traditional partners of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The situation on the ground has improved in spite of the bad faith displayed by some of the parties to the Lusaka Agreement.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  35. “The Congolese people, which is itself the innocent victim of a war of aggression by Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi — another kind of terrorism characterized by acts of barbarism that directly or indirectly brought about the death of millions of Congolese — had no trouble grasping the heinous nature the sad events that took place in the United States of America on 11 September 2001. It would be tiresome to go back over the origin and consequences of the war of aggression that started on 2 August 1998, in flagrant violation of the Charters of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Thus, following the logic of peace and well aware that only non-violent settlements bring lasting peace, I can but welcome the many peace 12 initiatives that have sought to bring about negotiated solutions to the conflicts.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  36. “The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its Government and I condemn unreservedly the blind acts of terrorism that plunged the United States and all of humanity into grief on 11 September 2001. These were acts of gratuitous violence, which deserve only the contempt of the whole international community and of all nations that hold peace and justice dear. By applying and implementing Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), my Government is committed to fully cooperate in advancing all initiatives aimed at eliminating terrorism in all its forms.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)

  37. “Allow me, at the outset, to add my voice to those of the distinguished speakers before me, to offer you, Sir, on behalf of the people of the Congo and myself, our warmest congratulations on your election as President of the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly. The Republic of Korea, your country, maintains excellent relations with mine. May I also use this opportunity to offer our most heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Kofi Annan, a distinguished son of Africa, on his re-election to the post of Secretary-General and on the Nobel Prize, which has been awarded to him in recognition of his commitment to the cause of promoting peace in the world.”

    2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)