YouSaid · the spoken record

Abu Odeh

lines on the record: 78
first: 1992-11-16
most recent: 1995-02-28
sittings or episodes: 7
sources: un-security-council

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

“First, it is well known that resort to Article 42 of the Charter cannot take place without the agreement of the great Powers, for many realistic reasons, chief among which is that the application of this Article has military and logistical requirements that are feasible only for the great Powers. We all know that the leaders of these Powers have, on several occasions, said that it is difficult to take military action to stop the Serbian aggression. and that it should therefore be avoided, citing in this regard the situation faced by the German divisions fighting in Yugoslav territory during the Second World War. I am certain that such statements were not meant to reassure the Serbian leaders, but, unfortunately, they conveyed an implicit message that gave them assurance that Article 42 would not be applied against them.”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“The pattern is as follows: first, a brutal Serbian attack on Muslims; secondly, a resolution adopted by the Security Council; thirdly, a cease-fire agreement between the Serbs and the Muslims, arranged by the United Nations command in the field; fourthly, a Serbian violation of the cease-fire in the form of a new attack; fifthly, new gains on the ground by the Serbian forces. The situation has reached a stage which makes it imperative for us to be more candid so that we may learn the lessons of this experience and reach a decisive solution that would put an end to the aggression and enable the conflicting parties to reach a peaceful solution to the problem and would break the pattern the Serbian aggression has followed. In this context, I should like to point out two things.”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“Would I be exaggerating to propose that, in order to alleviate the ugliness of that picture and in order for us in the United Nations to be true to ourselves, the international conference on human rights to be held at Vienna be postponed and that debate on human rights in any country be suspended until we are able to preserve the human dignity of the Bosnian Muslim survivors? I should like to make it clear that I am saying this without ulterior motives, because my country is proud of its respect for human rights. It would not be difficult for an observer tracking the Serbian aggression to realize that this aggression has followed a certain pattern since it started over a year ago.”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“If that is the case, what is going to happen to international peace and security? We are confused. Are we to expect aggression to be deterred or stopped only if the conflict occurs in a country where the influential Powers have interests? Is that to be the standard? Then so be it. Nevertheless, we have to ask ourselves, what about human rights? Do members not agree with me that the failure of the United Nations after a year of continuous Serb aggression against Bosnian Muslims to deter or stop that aggression places every Member State in front of a mirror containing, if not the picture of Dorian Gray, then at least that of hypocrisy beyond its politically accepted limits?”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“Is he a human being who uproots others from their homes and livelihoods and from the habitat in which they grew up and who continues to do so? Is he a human being of our modern age who practises the crime of "ethnic cleansing" and who continues to do so? It is no less painful, sad and shocking that these acts are being committed in the heart of Europe by a European people. Where are the human rights, ideals and principles that are the adornments of Western discourse? Where, indeed, is the United Nations? If the Serbs challenge and violate the Charter of the United Nations by continuing their aggression against Muslims, the United Nations would be violating the Charter if it failed to use the powers provided for in the Charter to stop that aggression - unless there are two United Nations, one that uses its powers and another that does not.”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“It is all well known to the Council, because the details are repeated day after day in every phase of the development of the Serb aggression against Bosnian Muslims that has been going on for over a year. Suffice it to say that the Serb aggression constitutes an open and continuous challenge to the Charter of the United Bations and that it is aggression being carried out by criminals who continue to deny not only the humanity of their victims but their own humanity as well. All the resolutions adopted against them and all the appeals made to their humanity have failed to deter them or to halt their brutality. Is he a human being who robs tens of thousands of children of their future and who continues to do so? Is he a human being who systematically and collectively rapes women and who continues to do so?”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“But before going into the escalating tragic aspects of the situation of that unfortunate country and the urgent tasks it imposes upon the Council, it is my duty first: to point to the bright side, faint as it is, of this grim picture. On behalf of my delegation I should like to pay a tribute ta the efforts of the international peace-keeping forces for the humanitarian task they are carrying ) out in very difficult conditions. I also pay a tribute to the non-governmental relief organizations for their commendable persistence in providing assistance to the afflicted in this crazy and ugly war. I do not intend to review all the chapters of the tragi-comedy entitled Bosnia and Herzegovina; it has been and continues to be watched in every household that owns a television set anywhere in the world.”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“Mr. ABU ODEH (Jordan) (interpretation from Arabic): Permit me to begin the statement of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. I am confident that your wide experience, expertise and wisdom will enable you to conduct the business of the Council in the best manner. I take this opportunity also to express the gratitude and appreciation of my country's delegation to Ambassador O'Brien, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, for the successful, dextrous and able way in which he guided the work of the Council last month. Let me also thank you, Mr. President, for convening this series of meetings to discuss the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
1993-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3203 (1993) · source
“The peace process cannot be preserved by deporting 400 Palestinian citizens, separating them from their families, or destabilizing the security of the countries of the region, Rather, its preservation can be achieved only through the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and upon respect for international conventions,”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“Indeed, it was precisely against violations of this nature that human rights conventions have been drawn up and this Organization was founded, The preservation of the peace process and the protection of the Palestinians' human rights run in parallel lines. My delegation hopes that this Council will adopt a firm resolution ensuring the prompt return of the deportees to their cities and villages, 4 second to follow up on the implementation of the first, and a third compelling Israel to respect the Geneva Conventions and affirming their applicability on the occuped Palestinian territories. The adoption and implementation of such resolutions are one way to safeguard the peace process, because they will restore and build confidence between the negotiating parties.”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“I deeply regret having to say here that the real reason for Israel's deporting 400 Palestinians was neither the first nor the second of its stated reasons. It was, rather, the rivalry in the Israeli domestic political arena. We understand and appreciate rivalry between various parties and factions in any country of the world. That is an accepted part of the political game. However, using a third party - another people - as a pawn in that game and making it pay a price in human blood, pain, detention and forced deportation is unacceptable under any jurisdiction, body of law or code of ethics.”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“We certainly feel sorry for all of that. If we are truly anxious to respect our very humanity and understand our sorrow, then the answer is obvious: we must achieve peace under the rule of international law. This brings me to the second reason given by Israel for the deportations - safeguarding the peace process. Nothing could be more shocking or ridiculous than such a statement. How can the peace process be preserved by deportating 400 people from their cities and villages, by uprooting 400 human beings from their native lands and separating them from their dear ones, by separating 400 breadwinners from their families, or by planting grief, pain and bitterness in 400 households and anger in many others?”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“I hope that this will not be construed as a lack of sympathy or regret for victims of murder. Any killing arouses human sorrow and sadness. However, by the same token, and on humanitarian grounds, we feel sad for an incapacitated, wheelchair-bound old clergyman who must spend the rest of his life languishing in jail. We feel sorry for scores of children killed and injured by the bullets of the soldiers of occupation. We are saddened by the fact that thousands of young men suffer in jails and prison camps after having lost all hope of a bright future. We are saddened by the trampling of human dignity, examples of which we saw during the deportation. We share the sorrow and anguish of mothers, fathers, spouses and children who have lost their loved ones or been forcibly separated from them when they were jailed or deported.”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“It gave the first before the deportation, when it stated that it would severely punish those responsible for abducting and assassinating the Israeli soldier. The second reason was given after the deportation, when Israel said that all its actions were taken in order to safeguard the peace process. With regard to the first question, allow me to state here that the time has come for Israel to realize that even a rose bush would resist any attempt to uproot it. This is the law of nature. If Israel believes that collective punishment, deportation, the demolition of houses, assassination, the detention of men and women, the usurpation and expropriation of land and the establishment of settlements will be met passively and without resistance by the Palestinian people, then Israel is mistaken. Indeed, it is seriously mistaken.”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“It was hoped that Israel would put an end, once and for all, to this policy, which constitutes a flagrant breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a heinous violation of human rights, yet the Security Council meets today in order to examine a new breach of the Geneva Convention and yet another contravention of human rights arising from a new deportation action taken by Israel yesterday in disregard of the Charter, the Treaty and the resolutions, which have an international character. Why Israel does all this, why it flouts the resolutions of the Security Council and international covenants, only God the Lord knows. However, Israel does not want the international community to puzzle out its motives, so it has given its own reasons. A few days ago, Israel gave two reasons for this heinous action.”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“President, for convening this meeting for the purpose of discussing an extremely important and serious subject - namely, the question of the deportation, by the Government of Israel, of about 400 Palestinians from their homeland. In point of fact, this is not the first time for the Council to discuss the question of Israel's deportation of Palestinian citizens. Over the past quarter century - since the Israeli authorities occupied the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Syrian Golan - this Council has time and again examined the question of deportations, and it has adopted several resolutions, the most recent of which was resolution 726 (1992).”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“Mr. ABU ODEH (Jordan) (interpretation from Arabic): May I, at the outset, express to you, Mr. President, my delegation's sincere congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the current month. We wish you full success in fulfilling your mandate. We trust that your experience, wisdom and skills will ensure effective stewardship of the Council. I take this opportunity to express also my delegation's appreciation of the efforts made by the representative of Hungary and of the able manner in which he conducted the business of the Council last month. I should like to commend you, Mr.”
1992-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3151 (1992) · source
“Without theese measures which would sahauce the credibility of the United Nations, we fear that the situation may deteriorate further, to the extent that may make it necessary to invoke Article 42 of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. My country sincerely hopes that that will not be the case.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“In order to achieve this, my delegation believes that there are a number of actions the United Nations should take. In particular, it should, first, refuse to recognize the fnit accompli that the Federal Government of Yugoslavia is trying to impose; secondly, it shculd put a halt forthwith to 311 acts of armed aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina; thirdly, it should not affirm non-recognition of the occupation of the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Serbian forces; fourthly, it should emphasize that the refugees must be permitted to return to their towns and villages; fifthly, relief operations should be continued and expanded and, Lastly, those responsible for ethnic cleansing should be put on trial.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina need both a surgeon and a aurse, not only a nurse to keep the tubes connected to the patient's body to provide him with life-sustaining fluids until he passes away. This image of a United Nations marred by hesitation and wavering reminds us of the tragedy of Hamlet. No one among us - and especially the small States - wishes to see the United Nations acquire that image lest the situation become a model for new tragic situations in other parts of the world. In the view of my delegation, we, as individual States and as united natioas, have an obligation, on a humanitarian level, to provide relief to and save the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, just as we have the obligation on the political level, to halt the aggression and to establish peace between the two warring States.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“In addition, there is the arms embargo imposed, equally on the aggressor, who is capable of self-armament, and on the powerless victim of aggression. The past months have proved that what the United Nations has done so far has not stopped aggression. On the contrary, the aggression has escalated and has begun to achieve its aims on the ground. Without a doubt, the efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are worthy of gratitude and appreciation. However, confining the United Nations to this floundering effort while the victin''s territory continues to shrink and tte people continue to be decimated by murder and death by stervation, illness, flight and refugee hardship would mark the beginnings of a tragedy that may tarnish the image of the Organization itself.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“Notwithstanding the increasing emotional pressures being brought to bear on them, the Governments of Islamic countries continue to deal with this tragedy in the spirit embodied in the United Nations Charter, in the hope that the situation will be rectified and the aggression halted in accordance with international law and the principles of the Charter. As for the tragedy itself, it is also compounded. On the one hand there is the tangible human tragedy of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and, on the other hand, there is the tragedy of a State that, having raised the flag of independence and joined the United Nations, in the hope that the World Organization would ensure its security and protect it. It certainly had in mind the image of the effective United Nations of the Gulf crisis.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“We always thought that religious wars were buried with the Middle Ages and that all that remained of them were only sectarian disputes that flare up in certain States. The Belgrade Government, however, has not hesitated in word or in deed to resurrect this monster which was buried centuries ago. In this connection, the delegation of Jordan appreciates the stand taken by the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has thus far refrained from regarding the war as anything other than a purely territorial conflict.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“In view of these realities, it was natural, at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the one hand, and at the international level on the other, for dismay to replace hope. It is against this backdrop that this meeting is taking place. Thirdly, we are facing a compounded aggression as well as a compounded tragedy. As for the aggression. what we are witnessing is the ugliest phenomenon that has accompanied the rise of nationalism in modern times, where the bigger and stronger State seeks to expand at the expense of its neighbours. The method used by the Belgrade Government until now is the ugliest the world has known since the Middle Ages. The annihilation of the adherents of another faith reminds us of the notorious inquisition. The term "ethnic cleansing" is only a euphemism that has been used to mask this medieval ugliness.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“This has been demonstrated by the fact that 70 per cent of the territory of that State, which is the victim of aggression, is now in the hands of the Serbian aggressors, the awnber of refugees is ever-increasing, Serbian aizplanes continue to bomb the villages and towns of Bosnia and Herzegovina, concentration camps continue to operate, "ethnic cleansing" is still being pursued, and nearly 400,000 citizens are on the verge of extinction because of hunger, illness and the onset of winter. The balance of power continues, with the passage of time, to tilt more and more in favour of the aggressor. Relief operations are otill floundering and peace efforts have not yet yielded any regulte. Cesee-firs agisements uardiy come into effect before they collapse.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“I shall confine myself to spotlighting a number of facts - end conclusions: First, my delegation, above all else, wishes to point out that while we participate in this general debate, we are not oblivious of the complexities of the situation in the Balkan region, nor of the time bombs buried in the soil of that region. Thosa time bombs have been brought nearer the surface by the disintegration of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. My delegation is not oblivious either of the constraints under which the various parties, including the United Natious, operate. Secondly, nevertheless, my delegation feels that the approach adopted by the United Nations so far in dealing with the flagrant aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina has proved to be unsuccessful.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“The systematic and incessant aggression which the Belgrade Government continues to engage in against this newly independent Republic cannot be tolerated any longer, nor does it make it feasible for the Security Council to continue to deal with it as it has done so far. My delegation has no doubt whatecever that the international community is fully aware now of what is | going on, thanks to the reports being published from time to time and thanks to the mass aedia's daily reporting on what is teking place in this unfortunate and torn Republic. I do not wish to narrate here the atrocities that continua to he perpetrated ogainst the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while internaticnal discourse is being garnished with slogans which speak of freedom, democracy and human rights.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source
“Mr. ABU ODEH (Jordan) (interpretation from Acabic): Allow me, Sir, to join those who precedad me in congratulating you upon your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I should also like to avail myself of the opportunity to pay tribute to your predecessor, Ambassador Mearimee of France, for his efforts during his presidency of the Council last month. At the outset, Sir, allow me to thank you for convening this meeting and oxganizing this general debate in response to the call of the Contact Group of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and in proper recognition on your part of the gravity of the situation in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
1992-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3136 (1992) · source