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

“The four leaders probed the issue of peace and stability in the Middle East and stressed the need for consultations and coordination and joint pursuit of those objectives. They recognized that inaction, the suffering resulting from the Israeli occupation of Arab territories that has continued since 1967 and disregard for the Palestinian people’s rights have driven the people of the region into a state of despair. Under those circumstances, attaining a just and comprehensive peace becomes untenable and the region becomes a fertile ground for anger and turmoil. In the final analysis, that situation does not serve the best interests of the world or of the countries of the region.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Daunting as those challenges may be, they must not deter us from moving forward towards the light at the end of the tunnel and from seeking better conditions. Syria is an essential part of the solutions sought by the peoples of the region, by virtue of its geographic location and the aspirations of its people. For that reason, President Bashar Al-Assad took the initiative to convene the Damascus Quartet Summit, attended by President Sarkozy of France, the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. All of those States have a stake in the security and stability of the Middle East region. Each and every one has made constructive contributions, despite differing perspectives and positions.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Allow me to congratulate the President and his friendly country, Nicaragua, on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session. I wish him every success in his mission and express our satisfaction with the message of his introductory remarks at the opening of the general debate. I would also like to thank his predecessor, Srgjan Kerim, for successfully steering the work of the previous session. I extend to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon our best wishes for success in the realization of the purposes and principles of the Charter of our international Organization. The Middle East region is one of the most volatile regions of the world, and it continues to face mounting challenges.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“That prompts us to question in turn, and rightly so: which human rights are they advocating? More than ever before our world needs a reaffirmation of our commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations, in order to avoid applying double standards and to free the Organization from those few who try to control its decisions and dictate their policies to its organs. The conflicts and crises with which our world is plagued today must prompt us to seek solutions based on enhanced intercultural and interreligious dialogues, and to persevere in our pursuit of the political solutions to current international problems in a manner that would preserve international peace and security.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“At the same time, we warn against using terrorism as a pretext to compromise peoples’ rights and to instil hatred among religions and civilizations instead of promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogues in the interest of humanity at large. Earlier on in the debate we listened to calls advocating interference in the internal affairs of States under the pretext of defending human rights and promoting democracy. Syria questions the discrepancy between words and actions in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and other parts of the world. The inhumane practices we learned of in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib and the condoning of Israeli aggression against Lebanon last year and other Israeli practices in Palestine and the Golan constitute grave violations of human rights.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We believe that it is necessary to compel Israel, the sole party in the region that possesses nuclear weapons, to submit its facilities to the safeguards regime of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to adhere to the Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Like many others, I wonder whether the world has become safer many years after the beginning of the war on terrorism. The answer is common knowledge. Terrorism has spread to areas that have never known that phenomenon before. Syria believes that fighting terrorism by force alone is useless. We must address the root causes of terrorism and firmly distinguish between combating terrorism and the legitimate right of people to resist foreign occupation. We call on all States to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We believe that the run-up to the coming presidential elections constitutes a good basis for consensus-building among the Lebanese to elect a president in accordance with constitutional rules, free from foreign intervention and in a manner that would safeguard Lebanon’s interests and its relations with Arab countries. Syria reaffirms its position calling for the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction from the Middle East region. Allow me to recall that in 2003 Syria tabled a draft resolution before the Security Council on behalf of the Arab Group, and we are still looking forward to its adoption. I would like to affirm that Syria associates itself with the declared positions of other developing countries, which stress the freedom and the right of all countries to acquire nuclear technologies to use them for peaceful purposes.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Official visits exchanged between fraternal Iraq and Syria have opened broad horizons for mutual cooperation and have identified the main areas of cooperation at all levels. Syria, for its part, plans to implement all the measures agreed to during those visits. The critical and sensitive situation in brotherly Lebanon requires that the Lebanese act together in order to emerge from the current state of affairs and arrive at solutions that will serve the interest of Lebanon and its future. Syria has consistently supported all initiatives aimed at activating Lebanese dialogue within the country with a view to arriving at a consensus.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“There are over 1.6 million Iraqi refugees in Syria today. In addition to the security and social repercussions associated with their presence, Syria is bearing an enormous financial burden to satisfy their economic needs and to provide them with services. It is regrettable that the international community has failed to discharge its responsibility to assist Iraqi refugees until it becomes safe for them to return to their homes and country. The occupying Power spends hundreds of billions of dollars on military operations inside Iraq, but fails to allocate any resources to assist Iraqis who have been forced out of Iraq as a result of the occupation and its repercussions.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We therefore stress the need for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraq, in agreement with the Iraqi Government, because that measure will contribute to curbing the violence. We have repeatedly stressed our condemnation of all terrorist acts committed in Iraq that claim the lives of innocent civilians. Occasional allegations that combatants are infiltrating into Iraq through the Syrian-Iraqi border cannot be farther from the truth. They fail to acknowledge the strict measures that Syria has put in place to control those borders. We believe that the purpose of those unfounded accusations is to assign to others the responsibility for the failure of the occupying Power to achieve security and stability in Iraq. The deteriorating security situation in Iraq has prompted many Iraqis to flee their country.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Addressing that situation requires effective cooperation among all parties inside Iraq, in the region and the world at large. The absence of a genuine political vision for a solution and the exclusive reliance on a military solution further aggravate the situation. We have always stressed the need to preserve the unity of the Iraqi people and the Iraqi land, the non-interference in its internal affairs, the preservation of its sovereignty and independence, its Arab and Islamic identity and the rejection of any claims to divide it. We believe that the solution in Iraq must begin with national reconciliation based on the principle of respect for the will of all segments of the Iraqi people to determine their political future or to lay the foundation for a new Iraq that is built on equal citizenship.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“He stated that Syria is ready for a just and comprehensive peace built on resolutions of international legitimacy, which he deemed to be the prelude to the realization of peace and security in the region. The statement confirms that Syria has the will to make a genuine peace that would recover the rights and return the land to its rightful owners and that would guarantee peace for all. We have repeatedly called for a resumption of the peace process on the basis of the Madrid terms of reference and the principle of land for peace. Let me ask here: does the Israeli Government or the current American administration still have that will, the will to make genuine peace? Regrettably, actions and realities on the ground suggest otherwise. The current situation in Iraq presages great dangers for Iraq and the region.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Addressing and pursuing peace in the Middle East require first and foremost evincing the will to make peace on the basis of law and justice. Regrettably, that will does not factor into the priorities of some of the policies pursued nowadays. The contemplated substance, approach and objectives of an international gathering that seeks to find a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict remain vague. Furthermore, the proposed gathering fails to identify the purpose, basis, terms of reference and time frame of the process. Syria has repeatedly stressed and stresses again today that peace is its strategic choice. President Bashar Al-Assad highlighted that fact in the statement he made before the People’s Assembly on 17 July 2007.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“One can even say that the support, financing and arming of those policies have continued unabated and have even surpassed previous records. The recently reported figures on the increased United States arming of Israel speak for themselves. The latest act of aggression against Syria on 6 September 2007 is proof of Israel’s desire to escalate tensions. We reiterate that the failure of the international community, including the Security Council, to condemn that act of aggression will encourage Israel to persist in that hostile pursuit, and will lead to the exacerbation of tensions in the region. Some sources in the United States have spread rumours and fabricated news in order to justify that act of aggression. By distorting the facts they have become Israel’s accomplices in that act.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Moreover, the current situation in Iraq and the attendant anger and apprehensions it has generated have turned the region into an explosive hotbed of tensions and a theatre of confrontations, instead of allowing it to prosper, pursue its development goals and achieve progress. May I, therefore, ask what have we accomplished over the past year or during the previous session of the General Assembly in terms of addressing the root causes of tensions plaguing the Middle East region? That situation does not serve the interests of any of the parties, inside or outside the region. The prevailing trends have not changed: Israeli occupation of Arab lands continues, so does the denial of the legitimate rights of Palestinians.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The Middle East region has been an arena of daunting challenges and heightened tensions owing to the Israeli occupation, since 1967, of Arab territories and to the denial of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people. Although this is not a new development, recent challenges and tensions have been escalating and, as such, they not only threaten security and stability throughout the region, but also international peace and security. The hopes of the peoples of the region of achieving a just and comprehensive peace and living in a secure and stable environment have faded, if they have not totally died.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Srgjan Kerim on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-second session and to wish him every success in his important task. Allow me also to salute his predecessor, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of sisterly Bahrain and to express our appreciation of the efforts she deployed to bring the work of that session to a successful conclusion. I also wish to express to the new Secretary- General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, our best wishes for success in his noble mission, namely, that of guiding our international Organization towards the realization of the purposes and principles of its Charter.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Everything also hinges on the active role that our international Organization must play to maintain international peace and security, beginning with the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). I hope that objectivity and the desire for peace will trump other options so that the Middle East can be ushered into a new, secure and prosperous era after decades of suffering.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“My country joins many other developing countries that have expressed concern over the restrictions on access by Member States, particularly developing countries, to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. In conclusion I stress that the Middle East currently stands at a crossroads. It has the option either to take the road to justice, peace and security, or be faced, even more than before, with tension and confrontation that would not be in the interests of any party inside or outside the region. It is up to the parties concerned to understand the danger inherent in turning our backs on the road to peace, not yet taken.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We also believe that the war on terror has been misused at times. It looked as if it was masking the clash of cultures and civilizations, which eventually not only proved detrimental to the interests of all the parties concerned but also played into the hands of terrorists and terrorism. Israel is the sole Power in possession of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. It refuses to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to submit to the comprehensive safeguards regime of the International Atomic Energy Agency. That poses a threat to peace and security in the region. On 29 December 2003, on behalf of the Arab Group, Syria submitted to the Security Council a draft resolution to rid the Middle East region of all weapons of mass destruction. We still hope to adopt that resolution as soon as possible.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We want a Middle East governed by peace and built on right and justice, a Middle East where people can dedicate all their energies and resources to development and progress and embrace the positive trends in contemporary human thought and endeavour.” After years of the war on terror, one asks “Has the world become a safer place?” It is clear that the war did not achieve its objective and that terror has become more widespread. That could be explained by the fact that combating terrorism exclusively through the use of force accomplishes nothing unless the root causes of terrorism are addressed. We must mobilize the efforts of the international community to deal with this dangerous scourge, taking into account the need to distinguish between fighting terrorism and people’s legitimate right to resist foreign occupation.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The fact is that we, the people of the region, know our circumstances and the priorities of the millions angered by the denial of their sovereign, national rights. If anyone asked the angry millions about their priorities and objectives, the sure answer would be “We want an end to the Israeli occupation of our lands in Palestine, Lebanon and the Golan. We want to recover all our usurped rights. We want the flow of American weapons to Israel, which are sowing death and destruction, to stop. We refuse hegemony over our resources and interference in our affairs.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I repeat our condemnation of that act and our sympathy with the victims of that heinous terrorist crime. To the American people, who were the force behind great scientific achievements 06-53609 20 that benefited humanity, I say, “You are the victims of policies that were proved wrong in the Arab and other regions of the world.” Many innocent people in places so distant from the United States of America have unfortunately paid the price and suffered the dire consequences of those failed policies. Tragically enough, we all end up paying a heavy price when the decision makers in Washington believe that they know better and are in a better position to understand and grasp the needs and circumstances of the Arabs. They diagnose the ambitions and aspirations of the Arab individual in a manner that is tailored to their own vision.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We express Syria’s readiness to cooperate with this Government in all fields. We support the Iraqi Government’s plan for national reconciliation and stand ready to provide all the necessary support, because we are committed to the unity of Iraq and its people. Drawing up a schedule for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq is essential, since it will assist in curbing the violence and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. Syria, which mourns every drop of Iraqi blood shed, repeats its condemnation of all the terrorist acts that have been and continue to be perpetrated in Iraq, resulting in a high toll among innocent Iraqi citizens. Five years have passed since the terrorist criminal act of 11 September 2001, which left thousands of innocent people dead.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We hope that Lebanon will be able to overcome the consequences of the Israeli aggression through the unity of its people and the assistance provided by its brothers, friends, and the international community, so that it will recover and be prosperous again. I stress here Syria’s commitment to the establishment of good relations with Lebanon in the interests of the two fraternal peoples and countries. On the other side of the Syrian border, Iraq is enduring extremely distressing circumstances that are causing us serious concern as both a brother of Iraq and a neighbouring country. Syria supported the political process in Iraq. I reaffirm today our support for the Iraqi Government that came to power after elections in which all segments of the Iraqi people participated.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Israel launched a brutal war against Lebanon, destroying life and property. Thanks to the courageous Lebanese resistance, its honourable steadfastness and its national unity, Lebanon warded off the aggression and defeated the aggressor. The Security Council ultimately adopted its long-awaited resolution 1701 (2006), and my country, Syria, said it would cooperate with the United Nations to implement that resolution. Syria adopted the necessary measures to control its borders with fraternal Lebanon. Syria is committed to Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty and demands the withdrawal of Israel from all Lebanese occupied territories, including from the Lebanese Sheba’a farms.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We too want a new Middle East, one where a just and comprehensive peace prevails, based on right, justice, and guaranteeing the same security to all. Fifteen years ago Syria declared that the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace was its strategic choice. It took part in the peace process that began in Madrid, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and on the principle of land for peace. Negotiations continued for 10 years but did not bear fruit. The Syrian Golan continues to be under occupation and peace remains elusive. It was clear beyond any doubt that the Israeli political will to make peace was non-existent. Peacemaking first requires political will, to be followed by the implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The suffering of our people in the occupied Syrian Golan continues as well and all Syrians suffer because of this occupation. From this rostrum I salute the struggle and steadfastness of our people in the Golan and in Palestine in the face of the Israeli policies of tyranny and terrorism. It is extremely important for the international community to recognize that the deep- rooted anger and resentment consuming our region, particularly after the senseless war against Lebanon, and the continued logjam in efforts for peace, constitute a dangerous and complex situation and can only lead to confrontation instead of peace. This will not serve the interests of anyone, inside the region or outside it.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Is the region destined to endure a new war, complementing the war against Lebanon, in favour of a new Middle East, and recalling once again the birthpangs of bloodshed and destruction during the war against Lebanon, instead of embracing the opportunity to open the door to peace in the region? The suffering of the Palestinian people continues and their tragedy has heightened over the years. Some members of the international community have become accustomed to dealing with the suffering as if it were a natural phenomenon, not an unprecedented humanitarian and national tragedy. We in Syria are victims of that tragedy in all its aspects and are influenced by its repercussions. We support the efforts of our Palestinian brothers to close their ranks and encourage them to form a Government of national unity.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The international community must realize that continued Israeli occupation of Arab territories is the hotbed of all the problems of the region. It is the origin of the encompassing anger that consumes its peoples. I wonder, is the region destined to live one endless war after another? Can any one expect our people to draw comfort and satisfaction from the occupation of their territories and the violation of their rights? Are they expected to exalt the financers and supporters of this 19 06-53609 persistent injustice, who can redress it only if they are willing?”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Our region is in the grip of a volatile situation brought about by a protracted and relentless occupation. There are few, if any, prospects for change that will hold the promise of a safe, just and stable life for our people. Can we turn the current situation into a prelude to the solution rather than a consecration of tension and confrontation? That important question is essential to understanding the suffering of our peoples. For decades they have been yearning for the realization of a just and comprehensive peace through a settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict that will end occupation, restore rights, and allow for the realization of the objectives of development. That is the path to take in order to address the root causes of the problems of the region before talking about a new or a greater Middle East.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“For decades the Middle East region has been the stage for many daunting and exacerbated challenges. It has endured continued Israeli occupation of Arab territories since 1967 and the denial of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Peoples of our region have lost hope of realizing their aspirations to justice, peace and security. A short time ago Israel launched its destructive war against Lebanon. The Palestinian situation, in the grip of Israeli occupation, continues to deteriorate. Acts of aggression are on the rise while the rights of the people continue to be trampled under foot. Palestinians are subjected to a crippling blockade because the advocates of democracy were dissatisfied with the results of elections in the Palestinian territories.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I congratulate you, Madam President, and your fraternal country, Bahrain, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. You are the first Arab woman ever to assume this high position. Your selection to this post is proof that the empowerment of women has become an integral part of the Arab experience. I should be remiss if I failed to express to your predecessor, Mr. Jan Eliasson, our sincere appreciation for the efforts he made to bring a successful conclusion to the work of last session. I also express our thanks to Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his efforts leading the Organization for the past ten years. We appreciate the constructive efforts he exerted during his last visit to the Middle East.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)