YouSaid · the spoken record

Walid AL-MOUALEM

lines on the record: 283
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2020-09-24
sittings or episodes: 15
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

“Our belief in victory is even greater now that the Syrian Army is making considerable strides in its war against terrorism, with the support of the true friends of the Syrian people, notably the Russian Federation, Iran and the Lebanese national resistance. Such support has helped to strengthen the resilience of Syrians and to alleviate their suffering. We truly hope that other countries will soon wake up and realize, before it is too late, the danger that threatens us all. We have always welcomed all international efforts to counter terrorism in Syria, but we stress once again the need to coordinate such efforts with the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian Arab Army that has been combating terrorism on the ground for more than five years.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Some consider people who take up arms against the State and its citizens legitimate opposition as long as they are located in Syria, while the same people, on any other day and in another country, would be considered terrorists, or at least outlaws. These facts notwithstanding, all Syrians — the people, the Army and the Government — will not relent in their fight against terrorism. They are more determined than ever before to eliminate terrorism wherever it exists in their country and to rebuild a better Syria, because they are well aware that their homeland will cease to exist if the terrorists and their backers emerge victorious.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The terrorist campaign against my country is taking place in the full view of a polarized world. There are those who have chosen to support international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, while others have decided to turn a blind eye to the truth and to support, finance and arm terrorists under false pretexts that depart from logic and reason. They choose, for example, to refer to those terrorists as moderate armed opposition, even though there is irrefutable evidence that the groups have committed against Syrians crimes and massacres that are no less barbaric than those of Da’esh or A1-Qaida.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“According to that study, more than 360,000 foreign terrorists from 83 countries have entered Syria since April 2011. By the end of 2015, the Syrian Army was able to kill 95,000 of them, while 120,000 returned home or travelled to other countries. In Syria, we are combating terrorism on behalf of the entire world. Every time the Syrian Army kills another foreign terrorist, it spares the lives of the innocent people who could have died in terrorist acts committed by that same terrorist upon his return to his native country. Anyone who tries to distort that fact must be held responsible for the spread of terrorism and the increasing numbers of victims. Our valiant Army deserves to be commended and supported. It must never be the target of schemes and lies.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As is no longer a secret, these have included Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which have promoted their jihadist takfiri ideology and their death fatwas that have nothing to do with Islam. They have bragged about supporting terrorism in every way possible, sending into Syria thousands of mercenaries equipped with the most sophisticated weapons. Meanwhile, Turkey has opened its border to admit tens of thousands of terrorists from around the world and has provided them with logistical support and training camps under the supervision of Turkish and Western intelligence. It has even supplied those terrorists with direct military support, as was the case in Idlib, Aleppo and rural Latakia. I would like to refer the Assembly to a study published seven months ago by a German institute, the Firil Center For Studies.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It had to go after the citizens of many other countries, including those that have supported and sponsored it. These innocent people are now paying for the mistakes of their Governments, which have ignored the interests of their people and adopted short-sighted policies. For more than five years, the Syrian people — no matter their affiliations — have paid dearly for the crimes of terrorists who have shed their blood and undermined their security, stability and livelihoods. Terrorism has spared no one, even targeting schools and universities, hospitals, places of worship and infrastructure. Everyone knows that terrorism would not have spread through my country if it had not been for the external support of certain countries.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Peter Thomson and his friendly country, Fiji, on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session. I wish him every success during his presidency, which he has promised would be one for the whole Assembly. Such a promise, if kept, would strengthen the neutral role of the President of the General Assembly and shed a bright light on facts that some are trying to conceal. As we meet once again, our world is going through a grave and dangerous period. Terrorism, which we have cautioned against repeatedly from this very rostrum, has continued to grow and gain ground, claiming the lives of more innocent people and causing death and destruction as it rages unabated across the world. The blood of Syrians was not enough to quench its thirst.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Finally, all those who claim to care about the security and safety of the Syrian people should know that if we are to achieve victory over terrorism and accomplish economic and political reforms, it is essential that the counter-terrorism resolutions of the Security Council be fully and honestly implemented. Only then can we begin the countdown to the end of war in Syria. Only then will we arrive at the final moments and can prepare to implement what has been agreed through political dialogue.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Furthermore, with respect to its nuclear facilities, Israel should conclude a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. At the same time, Syria emphasizes the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. 15-29816 23/45 A/70/PV.25 02/10/2015 The imposition of unethical, unilateral and coercive measures by the United States and the European Union contradicts the rules of international law and the principles of free trade. On that basis, we congratulate Cuba on reaching an agreement with the United States that lifts the blockade imposed on it. It remains for all unilateral, coercive measures imposed on Syria and on the people of other countries, such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Belarus, to be lifted.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The Syrian Arab Republic would like to commend the Islamic Republic of Iran for its steadfastness in achieving the historic agreement that fulfils the aspirations of the brotherly people of Iran. The agreement recognizes Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and lifts the sanctions imposed against Iran and the freeze on its assets. It also opens up international relations for that brotherly country. The agreement proves that a diligent and serious diplomatic approach can be successful in overcoming all obstacles and can lead to a peaceful and just solution to a difficult issue. Syria stresses that establishing a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is unachievable unless Israel, the only nuclear Power in the region, accedes to all the treaties banning such weapons.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“At the end of 2013, Syria, acting on a proposal made by the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin, acceded to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, with the aim of establishing in the Middle East a zone free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction. It also wanted to demonstrate to the whole world its opposition to any use of chemical weapons. Syria fulfilled the obligations that resulted from its accession to the Convention and completed its commitments despite the prevailing difficult situation. Thanks to Syria’s cooperation, the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations was able to complete its task.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The Syrian Arab Republic reiterates its support for the full restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of 4 June 1967. It also emphasizes its rejection of all actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to alter the geographic or demographic characteristics of the occupied Syrian Golan, in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 497 (1981) and 465 (1980). Furthermore, Syria confirms that the issue of Palestine is of central concern to the Syrian people, who support the inalienable and legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, in particular the right of return, the right to self- determination and the right to the establishment of an independent State on their own land, with Jerusalem as its capital.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“My Government is cooperating with the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies within the framework of response plans, agreed with the Syrian Government, to meet the basic needs of our citizens, especially those forced by terrorist activities to flee their homes, many of whom have gone to neighbouring countries. Some of those countries have accommodated them in camps for weapons training or in places that resemble detention and isolation facilities. I stress that the Syrian Government guarantees a safe return and a decent life for all citizens who are willing to return. At the same time, Syria continues to make every effort to deliver aid from international organizations to all Syrian citizens, without discrimination, wherever they may be.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“While those terrorists are being weakened, it is intervening directly through air strikes and artillery shelling, just as Turkey did and is still doing, whether in Aleppo or Idlib, and just as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are eager to shed Syrian blood by various means, are doing. The continued support for terrorists and the escalation of their attacks on citizens in most regions and cities of Syria have led to shortages of basic commodities and services in many areas. The inhuman sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States of America have exacerbated the hardships of Syrian civilians.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Terrorism cannot be fought only from the air, and all the previous operations to combat it have merely led to its spread and to further outbreaks. Air strikes are useless unless they are conducted in cooperation with the Syrian armed forces, which currently are alone in combating terrorism in Syria. Russian air strikes in Syria, which were launched at the request of and in coordination with the Syrian Government, are effectively supporting the Syrian efforts to combat terrorism. The so-called Arab Spring was a spring only for Israel and its covert and known allies. Israel continues to attack Syria while the world watches. Israel is arming the terrorists and treating them in its hospitals. It is helping them with its intelligence services and supporting them, so that they will stand between it and the Syrian armed forces across the border.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Let no one think that, after all Syria’s sacrifices and steadfastness over more than four years, its adversaries can obtain through political means what they could not win militarily or that they will achieve at the negotiating table what they failed to achieve on the ground. The decision of the Syrian people lies in the hands of the Syrian people alone, and no one can deny them that right. I repeat: the decision of the Syrian people lies in their hands alone and no one can strip them of that right. The Syrian armed forces have astonished the world with their power, faith and persistence. The important invitation of His Excellency President Vladimir Putin aimed at establishing an international/ regional coalition to counter terrorism received the 22/45 15-29816 02/10/2015 A/70/PV.25 attention and support of the Syrian Government.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“De Mistura has repeatedly confirmed that the role of these committees is mainly to exchange ideas and that they will conduct non-binding preliminary consultations whose agreed outputs can be used to prepare for the launching of the third Geneva conference on Syria. Some imagine that Syria’s acceptance of the political track — regardless of the form it takes, the initiative it is based on and the name it is given — stems from what they term the weakness of Syria’s army and people on the ground. To them I say that Syria is strong and continues to fight terrorism, and that the Syrian army and the Syrian people are united in the face of terrorism.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Nevertheless, we were, and still are, believers in political dialogue within the parameters known to all, namely, the preservation of national sovereignty, the unity of Syria’s territory and people, and the maintenance of State institutions, which may, nonetheless, be developed and improved. Moreover, there has to be an understanding that the only way to achieve a political solution is through a Syrian-led national dialogue without any foreign interference. On the basis of those conditions, Syria agreed to participate in a second Geneva conference on Syria and the first and second round of talks on Syria held in Moscow. In this regard, I would like to announce that Syria agrees to participate in the four brainstorming committees of experts proposed by the Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. Mr.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Syria has not stopped advocating political dialogue and practising what it preaches. Its earlier vision — that the fight against terrorism must take priority if progress is to be made on other tracks — has proved to be correct. The Government cannot implement any democratic political measures related to elections, a constitution or the like while terrorism is striking at home and threatening innocent civilians in the country. How can it ask the Syrian people to head to the ballot boxes when they are not safe either in the streets or in their homes because of the missiles and mortar shells launched against them by terrorist groups supported by countries whose identities are well known?”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Syrian people from all backgrounds have also paid with their lives and in every other way in terms of security, the economy and their livelihood. Now is the time for honesty and truth. It is the duty of the international community to stop the flow to Syria of terrorists, who, according to United Nations data, are coming from 100 countries to create a caliphate State. That State, as members all know, will not be limited to Syria or Iraq. Those who wish to lead such a caliphate have frequently stated that their goal is a State that stretches from Mecca throughout Europe, a State that, according to them, will restore the glory of the caliphate. If the international community does not stop States from supporting terrorism and sending terrorists, the fire that has broken out in Syria, Iraq and Libya will continue to spread.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Why do some countries support other countries that are accustomed to exporting their crises beyond their borders? Why do they support them while knowing that they only cause destruction? How can developed countries that hold elections and have parliaments align themselves with countries that do not have parliaments and do not recognize the rights of women, who represent half of society? How can the former accept such practices as sexual jihad, slaughter, cutting off hands and the systematic destruction of history, monuments and culture? In the light of that situation, I affirm that Syria will continue to fight terrorism in word and deed. The Syrian armed forces are capable of cleansing the country of terrorists, despite the sacrifices involved and the high prices they have already paid and are continuing to pay.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Everyone here knows better than most that terrorism is an ideology that recognizes no boundaries, and that when this monster is on the move, it is not limited to 15-29816 21/45 A/70/PV.25 02/10/2015 particular countries. The terrorism of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham and of the Al-Nusra Front and other Al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist organizations is killing the innocent, capturing women and bombarding civilians with mortar shells. This terrorism is cutting off drinking water and destroying historic and cultural landmarks, including those on the World Heritage List, which form part of the heritage of all humankind. The most recent of such crimes was the destruction of the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel and the brutal killing of archaeologists.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I ask the Assembly, on behalf of the Syrians who are resisting this scourge, how long will the powerful Member States continue to intimidate other Member States committed to international law and to ignore States that disregard Security Council resolutions? What has the international community done to stop those States from committing criminal acts against the Syrian people? Why is there all this silence? The international community watched as this extremist ideology spread until it reached Europe and struck there as it is striking the Middle East now. It watched while sleeper cells were awakened and bombings and assassinations re-emerged in the West. The people of those countries are not guilty, yet they are beginning to pay the price for some of their politicians’ support of terrorism.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I greet the Assembly from a land baptized by the blood of its people, who are fighting terrorism and defending their fellow citizens against terrorism, while waiting for the United Nations to fulfil its promises and implement its resolutions aimed at combating terrorism. The resolutions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII are still just ink on paper, mentioned only in press releases and media statements, while on the ground the countries funding, sponsoring and supporting terrorism are still fuelling extremism in the region, still arming and training terrorists and sending them to Syria and are indifferent to and unconcerned about the implementation of those resolutions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Mogens Lykketoft on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at the seventieth session and to wish him success in leading the work of this session. I would also like to thank his predecessor for his presidency at the previous session. I greet the Assembly of this great international Organization, which was originally established, with all its agencies, in order for peace and security to prevail in the world. I come from a country where security has been disrupted and peace has been disturbed — a country that has been experiencing a brutal war for more than four years.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We look forward to the United Nations being able to realize the aspirations of our peoples to live in dignity and to achieve development and food self- sufficiency, free from all forms of terrorism, tension and confrontation, in implementation of the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular safeguarding the States’ sovereignty and equality in rights and obligations. We also believe that priority should be given to concerted efforts by the international community to combat the terrorism of Daesh, Nusra Front and other Al-Qaida affiliates and to drain their resources so that security and stability will prevail in our region and the entire world.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“At the same time, we emphasize the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful uses. The imposition of unethical, unilateral coercive economic measures by the United States and the European Union contravenes international law and the principles of free trade. Therefore, we call for lifting the blockade that the United States has imposed on Cuba for decades, and we renew our call to lift and stop all the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the peoples of other countries, such as Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Venezuela and Belarus.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As a State party, Syria is committed to the full implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention within the framework of the OPCW. However, the big question remaining is whether those who are supplying terrorists with chemical and other types of weapons will stop doing so and abide by international law, especially the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Security Council resolutions related to terrorism. Syria stresses that a Middle East zone free of all weapons of mass destruction cannot be established unless Israel, the only nuclear Power in the region, accedes to all treaties banning the proliferation of such weapons and puts its nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Vladimir Putin, and acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention on the basis of the need to render the Middle East a zone free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction. We also wanted to prove to the whole world our commitment to stand firm against any use of chemical weapons. Syria has met its obligations pursuant to its accession to the Convention and has fulfilled its commitments despite the current difficult situation. Were it not for Syria’s cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-United Nations Joint Mission, the Mission could not have completed that task. The Special Coordinator of the Joint Mission, Ms. Sigrid Kaag, expressed her happiness at and gratitude for the Syrian Government’s fruitful and constructive cooperation, which led to the completion of that unprecedented work.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It also emphasizes its rejection of all actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to change the natural, geographical and demographic characteristics of the Golan, in clear violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 497 (1981) and 465 (1980). Syria also affirms that the Palestinian question is the central issue for the Syrian people, who support the inalienable and legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, particularly their right to return, to self-determination and to establish an independent State on their land, with Jerusalem as the capital. Last September, Syria accepted the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“From this rostrum, I underscore the fact that the Syrian State guarantees for those citizens who wish it a safe return and a decent life, free from the inhumane conditions that they suffer in those camps. I affirm Syria’s readiness to make every effort to deliver aid from international organizations to all Syrian citizens, without any discrimination whatsoever and wherever they are, in the context of respect for our national sovereignty. The Syrian Arab Republic confirms its resolve with regard to the full restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan up to the line of 4 June 1967.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The inhumane sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States have exacerbated the poor living conditions of Syrian civilians. At the same time, my Government is striving to meet the basic needs of our citizens, in particular those forced by terrorist acts to flee their homes. We are doing that in cooperation with the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies, in the context of the humanitarian response plans agreed by those bodies with the Syrian Government. We should note that a great number of our people have been forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Regrettably, some of those countries put displaced Syrians in military training camps resembling places of detention in order to train them to take up arms.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Any dialogue must therefore be based on respect for the will of the Syrian people and their decisions. Accordingly, we are open to a political solution in Syria with a genuine opposition that seeks the prosperity, stability and security of Syria — an opposition that does not depend on external elements and speak on their behalf, an opposition that has an impact in Syrian territory and has deep roots inside Syria, not in hotels and Western capitals. It must be a national opposition that upholds fighting terrorism as its priority and encourages the ongoing national reconciliation efforts, paving the way for a successful political solution. Humanitarian needs in many basic areas have increased because of the continuing terrorist attacks in Syria.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Now, after the presidential elections, we would like to tell all those who desire and look forward to a political solution in Syria that they must first respect the Syrian people’s will, which was expressed explicitly, clearly, firmly and loudly. For the first time in Syria’s modern history, they chose their President in multiparty elections, with international monitors from several countries who witnessed the integrity and transparency of the elections, as well as the enthusiasm of the people to participate in them. I would like to emphasize that the Syrian people have made their choice. Those who want to speak on behalf of the people must first be representatives of the people and, secondly, must respect the people’s will and their decisions.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Now we see the entire international community adopting our view that fighting terrorism is the top priority and that nothing whatsoever can be done as long as terrorism brutally strikes everything in its way and terrorists return to countries from which they came. Once again, we emphasize that we are ready for, and even actively seek, a political solution in Syria and talks with all honourable opposition members who oppose terrorism in Syria and among Syrians themselves on Syrian territory. Everyone assumed their responsibility in the presidential elections, which took place before the eyes of the world. The will of the Syrian people is greater than that of all those who have tried to suppress it for more than three years now. That was demonstrated when the entire world heard the voice of the Syrian people both inside Syria and beyond.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“and it verbally refuses to ask terrorist groups to stop their terrorist acts. We know that that opposition and delegation would not be able to pressure anyone, either armed groups or any Syrian faction on the ground. We went to Geneva with the priority of combating terrorism, since we believed, and continue to believe, that we cannot embark on any political solution while terrorism is still rampant in Syria. Some in Geneva opposed our acknowledging the fight against terrorism as a priority, although it is a paramount part of the provisions of the Geneva declaration. However, the delegation of the so-called coalition continued to reject any proposal to tackle or to condemn terrorism.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Syria agreed unconditionally to attend the Geneva II Conference on Syria and participated in its deliberations with an open mind, although we were convinced that the solution to the crisis should be Syrian-owned and take place on Syrian territory. However, as a goodwill gesture, in order to put an end to the shedding of Syrian blood, we went to Geneva, only to find a delegation that was not negotiating on behalf of Syrians. First, that delegation has no influence whatsoever on the ground in Syria and has neither popularity nor legitimacy among the Syrian people. The delegation was negotiating with the Syrian Government while following the orders of its Western masters. It does not believe in combating or contronting terrorism. Furthermore, that delegation does not respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“At the same time, the Syrian Arab Republic would like to thank all countries that have stood firm and rejected any prejudice to the sovereignty of other States, underscoring respect for international resolutions. It is high time to unite all our efforts against such terrorism, since everyone is surrounded by the imminent threat and no country is immune to it. My country maintains its declared position of the 1980s with regard to fighting terrorism before it becomes rampant, as is currently happening. In Syria we respect our commitments and honour our promises and pledges. We have confirmed that position on more than one occasion, particularly since the beginning of the Syrian crisis.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Let us simultaneously put pressure on the countries that have joined the coalition led by the United States so as to put an end to their support of armed terrorist groups. Only then does combating terrorism militarily become viable. Otherwise, our presence there will not measure up to the tears of the captives, enslaved women and children who have fallen victim to Daesh, the Nusrah Front and other groups. Once again, the Syrian Arab Republic reiterates that it stands with any international effort to combat terrorism. We stress that that must be done with full respect for the lives of innocent civilians and for national sovereignty, in conformity with international agreements.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Military strikes should take place at the same time as the implementation of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014), adopted on 24 September under Chapter VII. We must also put pressure on countries that provide multifaceted support to such terrorist groups. Those countries are well known to us all. The most important issue is to put pressure on those countries that have exported and continue to export extremist Takfiri ideology, thereby seriously jeopardizing international peace and security. ISIL is an ideology transformed into an organization that is supported, armed and trained to be unleashed against Syria, Iraq and Lebanon like a monster. Let us together put an end to that ideology and its exporters.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The sons and daughters of the victims beheaded by ISIL await our action and our response in the face of the atrocities that are being committed daily by that terrorist organization, the Nusra Front and other groups. Combating terrorism cannot be achieved through unimplemented United Nations resolutions. Intentions are meaningless. We can fight terrorism through the real implementation of resolutions or, clearly, by means of military strikes. But, most importantly, it can be achieved by preventing States from arming, supporting, training, funding and smuggling those terrorist groups. We must also deprive terrorism of its resources. Striking terrorism militarily while some States continue to support terrorist groups will create a vicious cycle from which the international community will not escape for decades.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“On the contrary, what we see on the part of the United States Administration is a policy of double standards and alliances in order to carry out certain political agendas, in particular by supporting with money, weapons and training groups that they call moderate. That will lead only to more violence and terrorism, the shedding of more Syrian blood, a protracted Syrian crisis and the prevention of any political solution. Such behaviour creates fertile ground for the growth of terrorist groups that are committing the most heinous crimes on Syrian territory. That requires all of us to seriously and effectively address and eradicate terrorism in order to restore security and stability in Syria and the region. Today, enslaved women look to us to see what we will do for them, their sisters and their children.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Some people may say that a resolution was recently adopted unanimously under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations in order to prevent the expansion of that organization and other terrorist groups and to eradicate them. It is true that it is better to arrive late than never. The resolution, adopted on 15 August, in fact came too late. However, the issue here is whether everyone is serious about its implementation, as we have not yet seen any serious steps to implement it. Furthermore, we have not seen any real sense of fear among the regional States that continue to provide all kinds of support to those terrorist groups, not enough fear to cause them to work for the implementation of the resolution.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Is it not time for all of us to stand united in the face of the serious threat of terrorist takfiri ideology worldwide? Has the time not come for all of us to admit that ISIL, the Nusra Front and other Al-Qaida affiliates will not remain within the borders of Syria and Iraq but will spread to every place that they can reach, starting with Europe and America? Should we not learn the lesson of what happened in previous years and unite all international efforts so as to deal with those groups? Those organizations have rallied extremists from all corners of the Earth and brought them to one place to train and arm them. They then spread their ideology and terrorism through those extremists back to where they came from.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Today we are witnessing what the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the most dangerous terrorist organization in the entire world in terms of its unprecedented funding and brutality, is doing to Syrians and Iraqis of all stripes and religions. That terrorist organization is enslaving women, raping them and selling them in slave markets. It decapitates and cuts off limbs, teaches children to slaughter and murder and destroys historical and cultural monuments, as well as Islamic and Christian symbols. All that is happening before the eyes of the entire world and countries that have vowed always to fight terrorism, even though they themselves have not experienced the scourge of terror. Today I stand here to ask the following.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Speeches from this rostrum have focused on the economic and political crises that we have been waiting for the international community to resolve. However, talking about such issues is no longer a priority. What we have been witnessing for a few months is much more dangerous than all the political and economic crises that have been happening in the world. More than once and from more than one international platform, we have talked about the grave threat of terrorism that is striking Syria. We said that such terrorism would not be limited to the territory of my country, since terrorism has no boundaries. Extremist ideologies acknowledge only themselves and do not recognize anything but slaughter, murder and torture.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I would like to congratulate you, Sir, and your friendly country, Uganda, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its current session and to wish you success in leading the work of the session, bearing in mind the important and neutral role of the President of the General Assembly. I would also like to thank your predecessor, Mr. John Ashe, for his efforts. Many events and significant changes have taken place since I stood here last year (see A/68/PV.21). Those events have surprised many of the countries represented here today, but they did not surprise us, since we have been warning the international community about trends leading towards the current situation for the past three and a half years.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We hope that the United Nations will lead the peoples of the world towards a better future, so that they may achieve their aspirations for prosperity, development and food self-sufficiency, free from all forms of tension, confrontation and war, thus fulfilling the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which upholds the sovereignty and equality of all the rights and duties of all Member States. In that regard, my country welcomes the efforts of the United States and Iran to bridge the gap of mistrust between the two countries, and hopes that this will be reflected constructively and positively in the stability of international relations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“My country calls on the United States, the countries of the European Union and others to refrain from taking immoral unilateral economic measures that contravene the rules of international law and the principles of free trade. We therefore call for the lifting of the blockade that has been imposed by the United States on Cuba for decades. We also renew our call for lifting and ending all unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the peoples of countries such as Venezuela, Belarus, Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Syria stresses that establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East will be unachievable without the accession of Israel, the only nuclear Power in the region, to all treaties banning such weapons, and without its agreement to put its nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. At the same time, we emphasize the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In that regard, Syria condemns the fact that the United States and Israel continue to block the holding of the international conference on establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East that was scheduled to take place in 2012.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)