YouSaid · the spoken record

Aboul-Gheit

lines on the record: 661
first: 1999-08-25
most recent: 2023-11-29
sittings or episodes: 72
sources: un-security-council

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“Egypt calls on all States parties to a conflict to respect the rights of civilians and to refrain from using civilians as a means of achieving political or military goals. Egypt believes that the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians should not be hampered and that civilians should not be used as human shields. We also call for the same standards to be universally applied. There are rules of international humanitarian law that apply to all States, large and small. In this context, we note the Council's position on issues referred to in the report before it. First, targeting civilians in armed conflicts is prohibited, and respecting human rights is a binding obligation. It is indeed our primary objective to ensure the implementation and application of that law. The Charter calls for respect for such legal norms and standards.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We may recall what the Council has said in the past regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflict within the context of full respect for the delicate balance of powers between the principal organs of the United Nations, as reflected in the Charter. These include the General Assembly, other United Nations organs and governmental and non-governmental bodies outside the United Nations involved in the protection of civilians. We welcome and advocate action by the Council, in accordance with the powers entrusted to it in the United Nations Charter, in situations where civilians are targeted or where there is interference with the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We also strongly condemn the targeting of civilians in time of war.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Aboul Gheit (Egypt)(spoke in Arabic): As the Security Council resumes its consideration of the report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the report of the working group that followed up that report, we wish to reaffirm our position: the Security Council should not be the only body to consider this issue or its report. We believe that the report should also be considered by the General Assembly, with all its recommendations, so that the Assembly can look into the general principles therein on reducing human suffering, including the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2000-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4130Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We hope that the international conference to be held in London on 27 March will lead to positive results in this respect.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The successful implementation of this programme in Sierra Leone will undoubtedly contribute to a great extent to laying the security, political, economic and social basis that is necessary to achieving peace and stability in that country, which has suffered the scourge of civil war since 1991. While we call upon all parties to participate in the disarmament and demobilization of combatants and upon the leaders of the Revolutionary United Front and the former military regime to cooperate fully with the efforts of the United Nations and the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sierra Leone in this respect, we hope that the donor countries will start providing the financial resources necessary to implement this programme, particularly through their contribution to the Trust Fund established by the World Bank for that purpose.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Undoubtedly, the World Bank can play a pivotal role in preparing and implementing such a programme in cooperation with the United Nations and other parties concerned. This will, of course, require vast financial resources, which we hope the donor countries will provide. Finally, we would like to say that the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone, which will be the largest peacekeeping operation in the world once it is fully deployed, is a clear example of the pivotal role that the international Organization could carry out in the field of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, particularly child soldiers.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“It is our hope that the Joint Military Commission will be able to set up a plan in cooperation and coordination with the United Nations to proceed with the implementation of this part of the Ceasefire Agreement in the near future, so as to help pave the way for the other military aspects of the Lusaka Agreement. Agreeing on an ambitious plan to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the so-called negative forces in eastern Congo will not contribute in itself to solving the dangerous problem posed by those armed groups. What is required is the coordination of the efforts of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity, the Joint Military Commission and the parties to the conflict themselves to ensure the successful implementation of such a plan after its drafting and ratification.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“I would like to point out that the problem of armed groups in eastern Congo that are not parties to the Lusaka Agreement represents a great source of destabilization in the Congo and neighbouring countries. They add a dangerous dimension to the already complicated, difficult and multifaceted conflict in that country. The international community cannot support the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement without reaching a permanent solution to the problem of these armed groups. The United Nations cannot establish and deploy an entire peacekeeping operation without drawing up and implementing a general and comprehensive programme to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate these groups into civilian life.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In this regard, I must refer to the importance of coordination between all United Nations bodies and agencies working in this field in avoiding any conflict where negative results might affect the successful implementation of a mission's mandate. Fourthly, it is important to pay tribute to the important role played by some non-governmental organizations in carrying out the demobilization and reintegration of ex- combatants in some States. Egypt welcomes that role as long as those organizations abide by the basic conditions of their work in this sensitive area, seeking the agreement of the Government concerned and respecting its national rules and regulations. I would now like to move from general points to two more specific examples: the cases of Congo and Sierra Leone.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Addressing the issue of small arms in the Security Council should therefore be limited to the operational aspects related to the disarmament of combatants within the framework of peacekeeping operations; it should not extend into other aspects arising from central and conceptual aspects of the problem of small arms. Along these lines, I would also like to point out that the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex- combatants are long-term programmes that are part of a continuum, as the Secretary-General's report indicates. Many United Nations bodies and agencies working in the post-conflict peace-building process also deal with these matters, including the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. The peace-building process should be tackled comprehensively, given the interrelated nature of its elements.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“This is particularly necessary with regard to the disarmament and demobilization component if we are to avoid any dangerous problems that may arise from a lack or insufficiency of resources. In this connection, I cannot fail to mention the reference in paragraph 64 of the Secretary-General's report to the failure to demobilize combatants in Angola during the United Nations Angola Verification Missions because of the inadequacy of human and material resources at the time. Thirdly, we recognize the danger by small arms, which are widely used in internal conflicts and civil wars. We are also aware that the Security Council sometimes faces cases in which it must tackle the spread of these weapons in conflict zones. However, we believe that this question should primarily be dealt with in the relevant forums, particularly the General Assembly.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In this respect, we would like to state that any mandate of this kind should be carried out with the full cooperation and agreement of the parties to the conflict, as their agreement is the sole basis on which the implementation of these activities can begin. Such agreement is an indication of the necessary political will to proceed with the implementation of these activities. We cannot impose the implementation of these activities without the agreement of the parties concerned. Secondly, my delegation believes that in cases where the Security Council gives special mandates to peacekeeping operations to carry out these activities, it should ensure the adequacy of the resources provided to the Members of the United Nations and their forces who are asked to implement the mandate and supervise such activities.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Aboul Gheit (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): The delegation of Egypt has read the report of the Secretary- General on the role of peacekeeping in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, contained in document S/2000/ 101, which was submitted at the request of the Council pursuant to the presidential statement of 8 July 1999 on this subject. We would like to extend our thanks to the Secretary-General for preparing the report and to offer some observations on the handling of this question in the Security Council. First, the delegation of Egypt takes note of the enhanced mandates given to peacekeeping operations by the Council in the area of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.”
2000-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4118Resumption1 (2000) · source
“This would lead to complementarity in the functions of the Council, the Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in dealing with conflicts at subsequent stages, in full respect of the mandates of all organs of the United Nations, as laid down in the Charter.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“We feel that we must be cautious in expanding the framework and concepts of the Security Council's responsibilities so long as there is no agreement on its recomposition, rules of procedure and current working methods, responsibilities and mandate. Otherwise, the Charter may be at risk of serious violation or the Council may fail to fulfil its tasks and to meet its obligations, which would certainly affect its role, prestige and authority in addressing all legitimate concerns in defence of the interests of the international community, as defined by a consensus of the membership of the world Organization. Furthermore, we support the idea of ongoing consultation between the Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in order to achieve greater coordination and to avoid duplication.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Indeed, the General Assembly was the body that developed the conditions of and criteria for post-conflict peace-building within the open-ended working group on an Agenda for Peace. It is the General Assembly that can reinvigorate the United Nations system in all its components, organs and agencies in order to rehabilitate any given society once conflict has ended and a crisis is resolved. Furthermore, it has the primary role of mobilizing resources to achieve that end. Sixthly, the Security Council, in fulfilling its tasks, must act in compliance with all the provisions of the Charter and in conformity with the specific role and responsibility it has been assigned, in order to address all threats to international peace and security.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“The physical, emotional, health and educational damage inflicted on them does not really end with the termination of hostilities. The adverse impact of such damage continues into the next generation. The suffering of women in war is no less severe. Paying adequate attention to women and children in post-conflict reconstruction and recovery programmes has therefore become a major component of post-conflict peace-building efforts. These matters must be addressed so that the root causes of conflict can be eliminated and prevented from erupting again. From the perspective of the broad United Nations membership, this matter falls well within the purview of the General Assembly, which has the primary role in determining such matters.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Fourthly, as a follow-up to that point, the delegation of Egypt would like to commend the many non- governmental organizations for their humanitarian and relief assistance efforts, whether such efforts are made in cases of natural disaster or of armed conflict. The most important factor that lends credibility to and enhances the effectiveness of their role is the extent of their commitment to humanitarian and charitable causes and their total impartiality and integrity in dealing with humanitarian assistance cases. That must be coupled with full respect for national sovereignty and the national laws of the host country. Fifthly, children are, perhaps, the group that is most seriously affected and vulnerable in times of armed conflict, whether they are used as fodder for war or are the victims of such conflicts in other ways.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Thirdly, we note, on the other hand, the interest - indeed, the willingness - of the Council, within the terms of the Charter, to respond favourably in cases of conflict in which humanitarian assistance has been deliberately impeded. At the same time, we would like to emphasize that there is a need for such responses to be carried out in full respect for the operational rules for relief efforts and delivery of assistance to those in need, including respect for the national jurisdiction of the host country, securing its approval in advance in line with the guidelines annexed to General Assembly resolution 46/182, which emphasize the principles of neutrality, impartiality and humanitarianism that form the basis of such humanitarian activity.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Furthermore, there is a potential risk, which I must highlight here, that the concept of peacekeeping operations as we have known them in the past might be eroded to such an extent that they might disappear altogether, to be replaced by new concepts that are developing along the lines of, for example, "peace operations". This matter must be determined by the General Assembly and its competent bodies, as they represent the full membership of the United Nations system. The ruling of the Security Council cannot be considered sufficient in this regard, especially given the fact that the General Assembly is the forum where the idea of peacekeeping operations originated, having been established back in 1957.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Secondly, the delegation of Egypt has noted that over the past months there have been persistent attempts by various parties, both from within the United Nations membership and from outside, to include vague concepts, or concepts that have not been agreed to, under the term, "peacekeeping", which has become too loose. Regrettably, such attempts, including those formulated outside official United Nations forums, are far from established concepts of peacekeeping, whether conventional ones or even the advanced and modern ones, which are scrutinized by many Member States with a degree of unease.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“On the other hand, when the Security Council decides to incorporate, within a peacekeeping mission, functions relating to the protection of workers providing humanitarian assistance or relief to those in need of it on the ground, we strongly affirm that there is a need for the Council, within that peacekeeping mandate, to provide for the appropriate resources for United Nations personnel and troops so that they are able to fulfil such missions, as many cases, such as that of Bosnia, have clearly shown the extent of the danger inherent in such operations.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“First, the delegation of Egypt would like to reconfirm its commitment to the long- standing, steadfast position of the Non-Aligned Movement on the need to differentiate between peacekeeping and humanitarian activities. This steadfast position essentially proceeds from our conviction that both activities are premised on neutrality, and that by intervening on a general basis in humanitarian activities and relief efforts when the need arises, peacekeeping forces would strip those humanitarian activities of their neutral character and would make them a legitimate target when conflicts were renewed.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“However, the delegation of Egypt would like to emphasize a crucial matter we have long discussed over the past few months and years: the importance of maintaining the delicate balance established in the Charter between the responsibilities and functions of the primary bodies of the United Nations, so that each one can fulfil its respective tasks without encroaching upon the responsibilities of the other. Today's debate should not, therefore, be interpreted to mean that the Security Council has become the executive arm of the United Nations system in all areas of its operations and activities or, indeed, of the United Nations system as a whole. That having been said, we would like, within our understanding of the subject under discussion, to emphasize several points.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Our views are anchored in our conviction that, in dealing with specific issues, the Council's actions are undertaken on behalf of all Members of the United Nations. Our first comment on the subject under discussion today is that the title of the agenda item provides a very loose framework for discussion, making it very difficult for many Member States to address the issue accurately or to speak about it in specific or definitive terms. The term "humanitarian aspects" can be used to raise various subjects and ideas and involves too many concepts and measures. Frankly, this makes it difficult to deal with the various dimensions or component parts of the question with any reasonable degree of confidence.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Mr. Aboul Gheit (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): I am pleased to see you, Sir, preside over the proceedings of the Security Council, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of a country friendly to Egypt. We not only have friendly and affectionate ties; we also share cultural Islamic traditions that have impacted human civilization throughout history. I would like to thank you, Sir, for providing us with an opportunity to participate in the debate in the Council today. The contribution, input and views of States that are not members of the Council are undoubtedly important and should be taken into consideration when the Council tries to formulate its position on any subject under debate.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“I wish also to stress the importance of providing adequate financial resources for the provision of humanitarian assistance commensurate with the huge humanitarian challenges facing us today. Resources ought also to be provided for security training for United Nations personnel, as this will help the relevant bodies shoulder their humanitarian responsibilities in the best possible way. I therefore take this opportunity to appeal to donor countries and organizations to increase their contributions to meet these needs and to fulfil the urgent requirements of humanitarian organizations.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“We are fully cognizant of the problems that arise in places that for one reason or another lack a central Government that is able genuinely to enforce law and order on its territory, and we call upon the General Assembly and the Security Council to play their proper roles in identifying the measures that the United Nations should take in such cases. This should be done in a transparent manner and with the participation of all countries, large and small, on an equal footing. Egypt wants due attention to be paid to achieving the highest level of coordination among all bodies working in this sphere, whether within the United Nations system or between the United Nations and other relevant actors, first and foremost the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“Such access should be gained through the proper legal channels: by humanitarian assistance agencies, with prior approval from the host countries; this would thus respect their national sovereignty. The principle is that the host State should play the principal role in initiating, organizing and coordinating any operation of this kind on its territory. This would avert or minimize any risks that humanitarian personnel might face. Egypt has always stressed that any humanitarian assistance operation should be committed to take no action that could expose the unity, territorial integrity or security of the host State to danger of any kind.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“That is a positive step towards giving such personnel the protection they need and towards deterring anyone who might be thinking of committing crimes of this kind. Egypt calls upon all parties to armed conflicts to respect the rights of United Nations and other personnel working to provide humanitarian assistance, and to safeguard their safety and security. At the same time, Egypt calls upon such personnel, as they perform their duties, to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the laws, rules, customs and traditions of the host countries, as well as the guiding principles annexed to General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991. Egypt calls for full access to civilians - men, women and children alike - who need help in any State.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“We believe that the Security Council's discussion today can help foster a better understanding of this issue in all its aspects. At the same time, we stress the importance of the division of labour and of respecting the individual competencies of the main bodies working in this field and those engaged in follow-up within the United Nations. Here, we applaud you, Mr. President, for proposing today's debate on this important item. Egypt fully supports the international community's call for a decisive stance in confronting threats and acts of violence, including hostage-taking and murder of United Nations personnel. Such acts are crimes punishable under international law. Indeed, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court includes such acts as war crimes falling within the competence of the Court.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“Mr. Aboul Gheit (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): I pay tribute on behalf of Egypt to the personnel in the field who are at work under the United Nations flag and to those providing humanitarian assistance. They embody the loftiest and noblest ideals of duty and sacrifice in the name of helping those in need in many regions and many States that have been the sites of man-made or natural disasters. I hail those who have given their lives in the service of peace and while providing assistance and humanitarian relief all over the world. They embody the goodwill of the international community; they are indispensable if the United Nations is to play its very important role in today's world. My delegation has closely followed the deliberations on this issue, and ever year has been a proactive participant in the General Assembly's work on it.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“In conclusion, I should like to express the deepest gratitude of my country to you, Sir, for presiding over the work of this meeting, and for the initiative that you have taken in this regard.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The crisis in Somalia, which has been continuing since 1991, is clear proof of the need to activate the role of the Council, rather than merely to support African efforts aimed at resolving the situation. We should also consider establishing a permanent mechanism to coordinate the efforts of the Council and the Organization of African Unity - an idea that you, Mr. President, have put forward. This might take into account the side effects that could be caused by imposing sanctions on a State or a party in Africa as well as the ways to implement sanctions that are already in effect. Here, I must mention the positive role played by the Ambassador of Canada, Mr. Robert Fowler, in his capacity as Chairman of the Angola sanctions Committee.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We expect the United Nations to implement its part of the Agreement by establishing and sending a substantial peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, with regard to the mechanisms for the prevention and settlement of conflicts, the Security Council might consider sending joint fact-finding missions, in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity, to find out what measures need to be taken to settle a conflict or to hear the points of view of the parties to a conflict or the African countries undertaking mediation efforts. More importantly, as a first step in preparation for undertaking a leading role in efforts to resolve a conflict, we believe that the Council must be more effective in coordinating African initiatives, whether national or regional.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We also stress the importance of reaching an agreement on a framework for cooperation between the parties concerned and the international, regional or subregional organizations before proceeding to establish any operation, mission or task. This framework should clearly and explicitly determine the role and responsibility of each party or organization. What is more important is that each organization implement the parts that it has agreed to. For example, the United Nations, with the cooperation of the Organization of African Unity, contributed to the preparation of the Lusaka Agreement to bring about a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Organization of African Unity, for its part, established a Joint Military Commission and appointed a mediator to conduct an internal political dialogue.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Council's commitment to bringing about peace and stability in the Great Lakes region will serve as the true measure of its success. As regards strengthening coordination and cooperation between the Security Council and the Organization of African Unity as well as other subregional organizations, we must first stress a key principle: the Council should deal only with those aspects of cooperation and coordination that fall within its competence and its mandate, since the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and other implementing agencies and bodies have a significant and unique role in this context.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The main reason for strengthening African capabilities - those of individual countries or of subregional organizations, or even those of the Organization of African Unity - must be to upgrade African capabilities so they can participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations on the African continent or beyond, particularly through what are called "standby arrangements". Despite the fact that we welcomed the Security Council resolution establishing the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), we believe, as many speakers have already mentioned today, that the way the Council deals with the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and peacekeeping there will be the real test of the Council's credibility vis-a-vis Africa.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In any case, activities aimed at improving or upgrading the capabilities of African countries in peacekeeping operations should not lead or contribute to placing the burden of responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in the continent of Africa on African States alone. The United Nations should shoulder its primary responsibility in this area. On this basis, Egypt reiterates its position that establishing an African standing force to maintain peace in Africa is not feasible.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We also support the strengthening of the United Nations role in that respect as we believe in the importance of providing the financial and human resources required for these operations, in a manner commensurate with the mandates and goals determined by the Security Council. In those cases where the Security Council establishes a peacekeeping operation in the continent to be deployed alongside an ongoing operation by a subregional organization, the cooperation between the two organizations must be based on the comparative advantages of each one, so that their activities and functions are integrated, not duplicated. Of course, the mandate granted to each organization should be clear and specific so as to achieve this goal.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Mr. Aboul Gheit (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): Many African States and their leaders sincerely believe that despite all that has been said about Africa in the Security Council and the General Assembly, these forums do not accord the same attention to Africa and its problems as they do to other international issues. The Security Council must therefore always take action promptly when a situation arises that threatens international peace and security and requires United Nations intervention. Such action must be timely, effective and capable of achieving the Council's goals and its mandate. Allow me in this context to touch on three points. With respect to the maintenance of peace, we do not agree with the concept of African peacekeeping, but we support the concept of United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The responsibilities and mandate of the Council stem from the Charter, and the implementation of the ambitious project formulated by the Secretary-General will require cooperation between the United Nations and the humanitarian protection organizations, because it exceeds the capabilities of the United Nations and the Security Council working alone.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The role of the Secretary- General has become of such great importance - perhaps it has always been so - that we must ensure that he is free from pressure. It is only logical, therefore, within the framework of reforming the United Nations and safeguarding its effectiveness, to consider limiting the Secretary-General to one term of office, although such a term might last for 10 years. In that way he - or she, as the case may be - could undertake his or her responsibilities free from pressure. In brief, the issue before us should be included in the agendas of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, so that more detailed and comprehensive discussions in those forums can complement the beneficial initiative of the Council.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Council should respond to the recommendations of the General Assembly contained in resolution 51/193, as the Council, with its 15 members, represents the will of the full membership of the United Nations in safeguarding peace and maintaining security in the world, and should bring the necessary transparency to its work, particularly its informal consultations, which occupy most of the time and the debate of the Council. I would like to refer briefly to the important and effective role played by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We encourage him to play his role, whatever difficulties may arise, since it stems directly from the Charter. Furthermore, that role should be based on and guided by the Charter.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Acting outside the Charter, whatever the considerations that are presented as a justification, will not necessarily lead to preventing the problems and risks that the international community faces today. In fact, it could lead to their exacerbation. The way to achieve this is to deal not only with the problems of poverty and the need for the economic development of societies but also, and to a great extent, to reform directly the working methods of the Council that prevent it from taking effective action. We have consistently called for regulating the use of the veto in order to ultimately limit its use to extreme cases and in accordance with objective provisions to be agreed upon. In brief, the Council must respond to the many voices calling upon it to reform its methods of work.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“All this has led the Council to use force outside the legal framework of the Charter of the United Nations, which underlines the pressing need to reform the Council's methods of work. Expanding the role of the Council under the pretext that the Charter is a flexible document that can always be adapted to deal with What some consider to be urgent needs related to developing situations faces some reservations on our part, and is a matter that should be handled with extreme care. If a specific international concept is agreed upon, then amending the Charter must become one of the direct priorities of international action, and the issue should not be abandoned because of the difficulty of achieving it.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Many of the obstacles that prevent the United Nations from taking up its role in the maintenance of international peace and security are due to shortcomings in the Council's methods of work. This is manifested in particular in the abuse of the right of the veto, or in the threat of using it, thereby impeding the work of the Council and precluding it from shouldering its responsibilities in accordance with the Charter. Other problems are double standards, selectivity, lack of transparency and giving priority to the political considerations of Council members, particularly the permanent members, over the collective joint considerations of the members of the Council and of the United Nations as a Whole.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We fully understand that what pushed the issue of the prevention of conflicts to the top of our agenda is the Council's desire to deal with the cases that have accompanied international changes. When the situation requires the intervention of the Council and the Council uses the appropriate tools Within the proper constitutional and legal framework, the Council will have succeeded in fulfilling its role in the maintenance of international peace and security. I refer here to the success of the Council in dealing with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. What is alarming, however, is when the Council fails to act in matters that require its intervention, as witnessed in the events that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and others. Yet we must not forget that the Council itself was the real cause of this failure.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Council adopted a resolution under the pretext of halting the confrontation and restricting the ability of the combatants to continue the armed conflict. The resolution prohibited the supply of arms to the two parties despite the fact that one of the two parties - and the Council and its members were fully aware of that - had an overwhelming military superiority, which led to terrible massacres. This eventually forced the Council, after a period of inaction and flimsy pretexts, to actually intervene on an international level. The claim that we should let conflicts run their course and be finally resolved in the interest of one party or the other, as some have repeatedly said, should not be the approach adopted by the Council.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“There is no doubt that the tragedy of Srebrenica is one of the elements that compels me to mention this point. Fourthly, intervention in accordance with Chapter VI or VII of the Charter should not and must not negatively affect the territorial integrity or sovereignty of the State concerned under any circumstances. Many of the practices of the current decade involve many issues that require us to consider, inquire into and analyse their implications. Fifthly, it is important that the Council not rush to deal with a specific situation from a specific predetermined conception that could eventually lead to serious consequences. Let us take the events that occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina as an example of what should not be repeated.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source