YouSaid · the spoken record

Akram

lines on the record: 1,374
first: 2002-06-13
most recent: 2023-12-20
sittings or episodes: 175
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

“This is an appropriate occasion to outline the measures which Pakistan is taking, or intends to take, to contribute to the success of the campaign for peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan and our frontier region. First, as to our campaign against Al-Qaeda, the Pakistan Army and intelligence services have played the leading role in much of the success against Al-Qaeda. We have captured over 700 Al-Qaeda terrorists. Most of Al-Qaeda's command and control structure was destroyed with Pakistan's support. We have launched over 90 military operations in some of the most treacherous terrains to eliminate the presence of terrorists, especially foreign fighters.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Pakistan has committed $300 million for Afghanistan's development. Sixty thousand Pakistanis are working in Afghanistan. The next Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan will be held in Islamabad later this year. Pakistan is also participating actively in the joint efforts of the international coalition and the Afghan Government to promote security in Afghanistan, and especially in the border regions. Cooperation in the military Tripartite Commission is operational and constant. The Commission now has a joint intelligence operations centre in Kabul. It has also created an operational coordination working group.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Likewise, our success against Al-Qaida, the Taliban militancy and Talibanization will contribute to peace and security in Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan will also enable Pakistan to realize its strategic objective of serving, together with Afghanistan, as the hub for trade and economic cooperation between the adjacent regions of South Asia, West Asia and Central Asia. Our commitment to promoting peace, security and progress in Afghanistan is complete, unwavering and unquestionable. Despite media reports and some unfortunate public statements, the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is close, cooperative and intense. Our leaders exchange frequent visits. We offer transit to Afghanistan's external trade. Our bilateral trade has grown to $1.2 billion and is rising rapidly.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Pakistan's frontier regions have been deeply affected by three decades of war and conflict in Afghanistan. After the United States intervention in 2001, many Al-Qaida and Taliban elements crossed the border into Pakistan. The people of our frontier region, who constitute l per cent of our total population, have also been afflicted by the rise of extremism and terrorism. As part of our programme for modernization and rapid socio-economic development, it is in Pakistan's vital interest to eliminate Al-Qaida terrorists, Taliban militancy and Talibanization in the frontier regions of Pakistan. The success of stabilization, reconciliation and development in Afghanistan will contribute to Pakistan's campaign against extremism and terrorism in our frontier regions.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“It must build peace in Afghanistan through a bottom-up approach - village by village, district by district - offering incentives and disincentives to win the cooperation and support of the local population in the south and south-east of the country. It is vital to win the hearts and minds of the people, which is more important than killing or capturing insurgents. It is essential to adopt military tactics that do not create more alienation, opposition and enemies. Most important, our strategy for success must accelerate reconstruction and development. It must offer hope to the people - hope for peace, for jobs and for better lives for themselves and their children. Such a strategy could be implemented through traditional structures and practices, such as the convening of tribal Jirgas in the troubled parts of Afghanistan.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“As the briefings and the report indicate, there are multiple challenges to the restoration of peace, security and development in Afghanistan, namely, terrorism, the Taliban, extremism, drugs, criminals, warlords, factional friction and inadequate security and governance, as well as a relatively small international presence in Afghanistan. This is an appropriate opportunity to develop an objective and correct assessment of the environment in Afghanistan and to formulate a strategy for success that responds to that environment. That strategy must combine military containment with political reconciliation, administrative control and rapid socio- economic development.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“It is a pleasure to see the representative of South Africa, an eminent colleague, presiding over the Security Council during this month, which promises to be eventful and important. I hope that the President will not be overtaken by the Ides of March. I also wish to express our great appreciation for the active presidency of Slovakia in the month of February. Let me also welcome the participation in today's meeting of Mr. Massimo D'Alema, Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs. We have listened carefully to the briefings provided by Mr. Tom Koenigs, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and by Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We have also studied the latest report (S/2007/ 152) of the Secretary-General on Afghanistan.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“That amount is only a fraction of what is spent on military operations in Afghanistan. The international community should seriously consider that proposal, which, under the prevailing circumstances, could provide a realistic chance of bringing durable peace and development to Afghanistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“We have spent over half of that amount and 60,000 Pakistanis are in Afghanistan helping in the reconstruction. As Ambassador Oshima appropriately warned in his briefing, it is abundantly clear that Afghanistan needs additional and sustained support and assistance from the international community. Without such support, there is no guarantee that Afghanistan will not slide backwards into conflict and become a failed State once again. 24 We believe it is necessary to win the hearts and minds of the people through a political and economic approach. Military means, often necessary, cannot deliver in and of themselves. In that perspective, President Musharraf has proposed the implementation of a Marshall Plan-like programme of $4 to $5 billion in south and south east Afghanistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“That approach was endorsed at the summit meeting between President Musharraf, President Karzai and President Bush in September 2006, in Washington, DC. Foreign Minister Kasuri is Visiting Kabul today for further discussion on the modalities of the jirgas. Pakistan will continue to provide its cooperation and support to Afghanistan. But the problems of Afghanistan need to be addressed through a holistic approach based on political reconciliation, improved security and governance and rapid and large-scale economic and social development and reconstruction. On its own, Afghanistan cannot achieve those goals. It needs the support of the international community. Despite its limited resources and its own problems, Pakistan has committed $250 million for reconstruction in Afghanistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“There too, United Kingdom forces reached a similar agreement with tribal leaders in the Musa Qala area, which has calmed the situation there. Pakistan intends to convene tribal jirgas in other parts of our frontier region to conclude peace and development agreements that are similar to that in North Waziristan. Jirgas in the tribal areas of Pakistan and across the border in southern and eastern Afghanistan are a time-honoured local tradition. It is a process aimed at promoting consensus and reconciliation by involving credible intermediaries and tribal elders. We believe that such agreements could be replicated on the Afghan side to strengthen the tribal and traditional leadership structures, end political alienation, cease hostilities, bring about normalcy and promote reconstruction and development.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“That was not accepted by our partners. We proposed, more drastically, to mine the border, but that is opposed on humanitarian grounds, as we just heard from Canada. People speak loosely about the agreement we concluded in the North Waziristan area of our frontier. We did so in order to calm the area and to prevent cross-border action by militants. We made an agreement with the tribal elders and not with the Taliban. The result is that there is calm in North Waziristan today and that can be independently established. The incidents of violence in Afghanistan have declined since September. That can be confirmed by the statistics from NATO and ISAF. The fighting currently taking place in Afghanistan is mostly in Helmand Province, which is quite a distance from the border.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Many of the complaints regarding illegal border crossings would end, if we could return the refugees to Afghanistan. We have proposed that the Afghan refugee camps on the border be relocated to the Afghan side. We are planning to return all refugees to Afghanistan within three years. That should put an end to the allegations of cross-border movement. But it is surprising that the refugee issue does not figure in the report of the Security Council mission. We wonder, and would ask Ambassador Oshima, whether the issue raised by the Kabul side. It is certain that it was raised by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, when he was consulted in Islamabad by Ambassador Oshima. But that issue is totally ignored. We have said that in order to prevent cross-border movement, we want to fence the border - at least selectively.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“We do not accept that the onus is only on Pakistan. We have 700 posts along the border with Afghanistan and 80,000 troops. There is only a fraction of that number on the other side. In the North Waziristan area, we have 97 posts, while NATO-ISAF has three and the Afghan army 21. We therefore ask for a matching effort to control the long and difficult border. One should refrain from making allegations against Pakistan and seeking to transfer blame to Pakistan. I would add that the international community has avoided seriously addressing the problem of the Afghan refugees. There are 3 million refugees still in Pakistan. Without any appreciable international assistance, we support them, on our own. They constitute one tenth of the total population of Afghanistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Their Vision is contrary to the vision of modernism which we are seeking to promote in our country. But the Taliban are Afghans, operating in large areas of southern and eastern Afghanistan. Those operations could not take place unless the local population were sympathetic to the Taliban and the militants who operate with impunity in those large tracts of Afghanistan. Pakistan, for its part, has made every effort to prevent illegal border crossing. We have deployed 80,000 troops - more than the total of Coalition and Afghan forces on the other side. We have lost 600 of our personnel, who have been killed in the 80 operations we have conducted. Thus, there can be no doubt about the sincerity and commitment of Pakistan to bring security to the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. But that responsibility must be joint.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Certainly, we would ask such friends as Denmark to come and check before they repeat such allegations. There are, of course, some elements of the Taliban and their sympathizers who crossed over into Pakistan following the post-9/ll military intervention by the United States and Coalition forces in Afghanistan. Those Taliban and militants from Al-Qaida melded into the 3 million Afghan refugees who have been hosted for the past 25 years by Pakistan. Pakistan is helping Afghanistan in the security sector, including through the Tripartite Commission. The United States, the International Security Assistance Force, NATO and even Afghan officials are aware of the nature and the extent of Pakistan's support. Pakistan believes that the Taliban are a common threat to Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“We ask our Afghan brothers to refrain from such exaggerations and allegations if they desire our cooperation. The Taliban are an Afghan phenomenon. My brother has quoted from the report of the Secretary- General; let me also refer to that report. The Secretary- General's report rightly notes that the insurgency in Afghanistan is being conducted by "Afghans operating inside Afghanistan's borders" (S/2006/727, para. 5). The report also identifies five distinct leadership centres of the insurgency, all located within Afghanistan. According to the report, "[t]he foot soldiers of the insurgency are Afghans recruited within Afghanistan" (ibid., para. 9). We therefore reject insinuations of Pakistan's providing sanctuaries or of any training and recruitment in Pakistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“We are therefore pained to hear insinuations and allegations such as those which were expressed today by my brother from Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan is today in Kabul discussing ways and means by which we can cooperate with and help Afghanistan. But help is based on mutual trust, and when we hear our Afghan brothers mouth allegations which are either untrue or grossly exaggerated, we question the motives. We ask ourselves why they seek to explain their own failure by pointing fingers across the border. We wonder whether they are acting on their own behalf or whether they are acting as a puppet of those who desire to erode relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the brotherly peoples of the two countries. People speak about medusas, but believe in Kali, the goddess of war.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Warlords rule and fight against each other, and people have complete insecurity. They therefore turn to anyone who can provide that security for them. Pakistan has a vital stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan. The 25 years of war in Afghanistan have destabilized and radicalized our frontier regions and alienated some of the Pashtuns because of what is happening in Afghanistan. Pakistan therefore desires peace and stability in Afghanistan. If we are to serve the larger objective of serving as a bridge between Central Asia, South Asia and West Asia, we need peace in Afghanistan. Above all, however, Pakistan's support for Afghanistan and our cooperation with Afghanistan are dictated by the natural affiliation between our peoples of history, of faith, of ethnicity and of common suffering during difficult years.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“There has been some development in the northern parts of Afghanistan, but there has been virtually no development in the South and the South-East of Afghanistan, which is largely terra incognita for the Kabul Government. That is where there are large sanctuaries for the militancy that today threatens Afghanistan and Pakistan. Large tracts of land are out of the control of both the Kabul Government and the Coalition forces. There, the Islamic militants rule, certainly by night and often by day. We must bring reconstruction if the Afghan people and the people of that region are to have a stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan. The third failure is the failure of reconciliation. Large sections of the Afghan people, particularly the Pashtuns, have been left out of the power structure, both at the centre and in the provinces.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Certainly, it is dangerous, but we must understand the reasons for that environment comprehensively and honestly. In the View of Pakistan, the deterioration in the security environment in Afghanistan is the result of three major failures. First is the failure of governance. We have rampant corruption and misgovernance both at the centre and in the provinces. We have a drug-based economy - 60 per cent of the gross domestic product, according to Afghanistan's own figures. We have a much-publicized failure of security sector reform in the police as well as in the national army. The second failure is the failure of reconstruction.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Mr. President, on behalf of the Pakistan delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council this month. It is a special pleasure to see the fraternal State of Qatar and you, my dear friend, preside over the Council at this important juncture. Let me also express our appreciation to Ambassador Voto-Bernales of Peru for his successful presidency in November. The visit of the Security Council mission to Afghanistan last month was timely. We congratulate Ambassador Oshima for the presentation of a factual and objective report on its findings. The overview contained in the report of the mission is similar to the assessment that was presented in the report of the Secretary-General in September (S/2006/727). It is a euphemism to say that the security environment is precarious.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“To our Palestinian brothers, we also appeal that they halt rocket attacks and violence, secure release of the captured Israeli soldier, achieve internal cohesion and establish a national unity Government, with authority given to the Palestinian Authority and to President Abbas to negotiate with Israel. In conclusion, I would like to say that the Middle East is a great challenge. President Musharraf has stated that the greatest challenge to global security, to the campaign against terrorism, to the promotion of harmony among civilizations and to the credibility of the United Nations is the cauldron of conflict that is the Middle East. We must put out these fires.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“To Israel, we ask that it immediately end its military campaign in Gaza; release Palestinian prisoners, including cabinet members and legislators; remove checkpoints and other obstacles to facilitate access and movement of civilians and humanitarian workers; halt and reverse construction of the separation wall; freeze settlement activities and dismantle outposts constructed in the West Bank since 2001; release customs and back payments to the Palestinian Authority; and accept negotiations with the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is time, first and foremost, to end the tragedy of Palestine, which is at the core of the Middle East conflict and the major source of the humiliation, anger and desperation that is felt by people throughout the Muslim world. Given the human suffering, given the threat to international peace and security, and given the responsibility entrusted to this Council by the Charter, this Council must respond to the call of the Arab and Islamic world for an immediate ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian territories - a ceasefire which is credible, sustainable and verifiable. 3 To this end, Pakistan would urge the two sides, Israel and the Palestinians, to take a series of immediate and simultaneous confidence-building measures.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“A high-level delegation of the League of Arab States came to this Council last September with an important initiative - to bring an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and to achieve comprehensive peace through the revival of the peace process and negotiations. It is unfortunate that the Security Council did not deem it appropriate to take any follow-up action on that initiative and on the strong commitment for peace which it embodied. No wonder there is a crying need for the Council to restore its credibility. We must address all the festering problems of the region comprehensively and fairly. It is time to end Israel's conflicts with all its neighbours.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is unfortunate that the momentary sense of optimism generated last year by the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza quickly dissipated into despair and renewed violence. Hopelessness and violence have both risen sharply in recent months. Each passing day of violence and reprisals is a setback to the quest for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and durable peace in the Middle East. After the devastating conflict in Lebanon earlier this year, which raged while the Security Council watched helplessly for 30 days, it became obvious that a comprehensive approach was essential to bringing about a durable peace and stability in the Middle East.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is perhaps a measure of the impunity enjoyed by Israel that, even as the Council decided to meet, additional horrendous actions took place, such as yesterday's action in Beit Hanoun, which killed 18 members of a family, including 8 children and 06-61024 7women. We join the call for an independent international investigation into this incident and its implications for the violations of international humanitarian law. This slaughter comes in the wake of the images of unarmed Palestinian women being fired at and killed in the streets of Gaza. These images represent the ugly faces of occupation, sustained by indiscriminate and disproportionate use of military force and utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Let me begin by extending the felicitations of the Pakistan delegation on Peru's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. It is particularly gratifying to see an old friend back in New York. We would also like to extend our congratulations to Ambassador Kenzo Oshima and the Japanese delegation for a very successful and active presidency last month. We appreciate the decision of the Security Council to hold this emergency meeting in response to the call by the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“President, and that of Executive Secretary Ibn Chambas, to address the capacity and resource constraints of ECOWAS. A comprehensive regional approach could also open greater possibilities for the resolution of security, 06-46 124 peacebuilding and development challenges in other parts of the world that are today riven by rampant war, occupation and destruction.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“More attention must still be given to disarmament, demobilization, repatriation and reintegration (DDRR) and to security sector reform. And it is clear that laying the foundation for sustainable development will require, apart from direct international assistance and debt relief, better terms of trade, larger trade capacity and greater trade access. A heartening feature of the West African developments is the regional approach being adopted to address its problems, especially cross-cutting issues - small arms, mercenaries, refugees, migrants, et cetera. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has proved itself a competent and reliable partner for peace in this region. Its leadership merits acclaim. Pakistan fully supports your call, Mr.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In View of the linkage between security and development, the newly established Peacebuilding Commission will, we hope, be able to focus on the multifaceted aspects of recovery and peacebuilding in country-specific situations. Pakistan will contribute actively to its work. Despite the progress achieved in West Africa, considerable work remains to be accomplished, especially in addressing the root causes of conflicts. What we have often referred to as the "politics of poverty and scarcity" characterizes most of these internal conflicts. The politics of scarcity and poverty must be ended. In this context, greater political will is required to break the link between the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the illegal trade of arms, which so often spark and sustain the conflicts in Africa.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Indeed, the important issues outlined in the presidency's non-paper for this debate, have been the subject of frequent discussions in the work of the Council. During Pakistan's tenure on the Security Council, we were able to acquire a greater understanding of the situation in West Africa. In May 2004, Pakistan, as Council President, organized a public meeting on complex crises and the United Nations response. A summary of the important ideas and suggestions advanced in that debate was circulated as document S/2004/723 and may be worth revisiting. Most of the situations in Africa are complex crises. They require a combination of actions - conflict prevention and resolution to begin with, and, later, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We have made our modest contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in West Africa. Pakistan takes pride in its participation in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). We now look forward to contributing to Sierra Leone's reconstruction through our membership in the Peacebuilding Commission. Our troops are serving in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in support of peace in that country. We are also participating in the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI). During this meeting, our African brothers have expressed their perspectives and priorities regarding the problems of West Africa. The Security Council should heed their voices.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Sadly, that is not the case when it comes to some other situations around the world, such as in the Middle East. Sierra Leone is a United Nations peacekeeping success story. It is now engaged in peace consolidation. We trust that the Peacebuilding Commission will reinforce this process. Liberia is on the road to recovery and stability from the horrors of the cruel conflict and crimes we witnessed three years ago. Liberia and its leadership deserve the full support of the Council and the world community in sustaining stability, reviving its economy and respecting human rights. We hope to see similar progress in Cote d'Ivoire. That would enable this important African country to serve once again as the economic hub of West Africa. Pakistan enjoys friendly and fraternal relations with the countries of West Africa.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We congratulate Ghana on its assumption of the Council presidency for this month. We are confident, Sir, that, under your country's leadership, the Council will find its way to silencing the guns in the Middle East and elsewhere. May I also felicitate Ambassador De la Sabliere and the French delegation on last month's intense and important presidency of the Council. We welcome your presence here, Sir, to preside over this important meeting of the Security Council. We also welcome the participation of other dignitaries in this meeting. Africa, afflicted for years by conflict, disease and poverty, justifiably occupies a significant segment of the Security Council's work. Today's discussion is relevant and timely, especially in the context of significant strides that have been made in recent years for peace and stability in West Africa.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Those actions will jeopardize the objective of creating a viable, democratic, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State living side by side with Israel in peace and security. It would also jeopardize the resolution of final status issues, including, importantly, the status of East Jerusalem and the holy places. The Palestinian tragedy - including the occupation of some of Islam's holiest sites in East Jerusalem - is at the heart of the turmoil in the Middle East. It is also the principal root cause of the humiliation and anger in the Arab and Islamic world - anger which breeds extremism and often spawns acts of terrorism. A just solution for Palestine is not just a regional imperative; it is a primary precondition for global peace and security.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“Neither Israel nor the international community can ignore the Palestinian reality either, including the democratic choice of the Palestinian people. And if the Hamas Government were to emerge - hopefully soon- as a responsible player in a negotiating process, there would surely be justification for reconsidering its description by some States as a terrorist organization. Thirdly, Israel and its newly elected Government will, we hope, be equally persuaded to desist from plans for a unilateral solution. Unilateralism, as we have witnessed elsewhere, is unlikely to promote a stable or sustainable peace in the Holy Land. Therefore, in the process of mutual confidence- building, Israel should halt the further construction of the separation barrier and Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“We trust that the Secretary-General will authorize the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and his Personal Representative, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, to help the parties in evolving such arrangements for the maintenance of peace. The Special Coordinator could also be helpful in exploring the basis for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and in resurrecting consensus on the elements and process for a final settlement. The new Palestinian Government, led by Hamas, has been well advised to respond to the ground realities, especially the existence of Israel and existing agreements, and to eschew resort to violence. Obviously, recognition of realities is a mutual process.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“In particular, the political authority of President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority should be preserved and strengthened. We hope that the Secretary-General and concerned agencies will take urgent steps to identify the human and humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the urgent requirements of the Palestinian Authority, and to mobilize a coordinated response from the world community. Secondly, arrangements need to be elaborated to preserve peace between Israeli forces and Palestinian security forces, as well as other armed groups and militias. Here again, if other interlocutors are unavailable, the United Nations can and must play a central role in evolving arrangements for maintenance of a durable ceasefire and non-violence, including respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“Moreover, other interlocutors have, in one way or another, themselves excluded their ability to intercede with all the concerned parties. The United Nations is the only player that can fill the role of mediator, facilitator and peacemaker. First, therefore, in order to meet the basic human needs of the Palestinian people and to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the Palestinian territories, the United Nations and its agencies should maintain and enlarge their assistance to the Palestinian people, not terminate or restrict it. Although others have ended assistance to the Palestinian Authority, the United Nations and its agencies can work out arrangements to channel such assistance as is available multilaterally and bilaterally in ways that can strengthen political cohesion and order rather than heighten division and disorder.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“The second is how to maintain peace between Israel and the Palestinians and resume negotiations, given the wide gulf that has now appeared between their positions. The third is how to prevent actions being taken by Israel that could unilaterally create realities that would make a negotiated settlement based on the principle of land for peace far more difficult, and perhaps impossible. There are of course no ready answers to those questions, for the moment. Yet, one fact should be evident: the United Nations, including the Security Council and the Secretary-General, must now play the central role in responding to those challenges. The United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, has a direct responsibility in this conflict, flowing from Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“The Palestinians then elected Abu Mazen as President. The positive trends and optimistic mood have all but evaporated following the Palestinian parliamentary elections, which were encouraged by the international community and were free and fair. It is a supreme irony that this democratic exercise - of a kind so widely encouraged in the developing world, and especially in the Middle East - has led to a situation where the prospects for a peaceful settlement have dimmed almost to darkness. The challenges before the international community are three. The first is how to end the massive human suffering of the Palestinian people and prevent chaos in Gaza and the West Bank, when revenues and assistance to the Palestinian Authority have been terminated and targeted killings and artillery bombings continue.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“Hopes for peace ran high in recent years, with agreement that a final settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli dispute should be based on the principle of land for peace, the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the Madrid terms of reference and the Arab Summit initiative of 2002. The process to achieve a two-State solution was spelled out in the Quartet's road map. Despite questions about the illegal separation wall, West Bank settlement activity and the frequent illegal execution of Palestinians by Israel, as well as acts of terrorism against Israelis, hope for implementation of the road map remained alive. Palestinian groups had agreed to halt anti-Israeli violence. Suicide attacks declined. Most important, Israel withdrew completely, even if unilaterally, from Gaza.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“The delegation of Pakistan endorses the concern expressed in the statements delivered on behalf of the Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement by the Permanent Representatives of Yemen and Malaysia, respectively, regarding the bombardment conducted against the Palestinians in recent days and the measures that are being taken by Israel that increase the suffering and deprivation of the Palestinian population. Equally, I would like to express our condemnation of the act of terrorism today, which resulted in death or injury for several Israeli civilians. Events over the last three months have transformed the hopes for peace in the Middle East into foreboding and fear.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“On behalf of the delegation of Pakistan, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, and the Chinese delegation on the skilful manner in which you are guiding the work of the Security Council this month. I also wish to congratulate Ambassador Mayoral and his delegation on the successful Argentine presidency in March. This meeting was convened to consider the latest acts in the tragedy of the Palestinian people.”
2006-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5411 (2006) · source
“We have reached an agreement with the United States on the creation of industrial zones on the border with Afghanistan whose goods will be allowed duty-free access to the United States market. Pakistan is convinced that, given mutual goodwill and enhanced trust, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be able to cooperate closely to build peace and security in the region and ensure prosperity for our peoples, whose historical and fraternal bonds are strong enough to withstand the vicissitudes of politics and posturing by those who wish to sow the seeds of division and discord between us.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Pakistan believes that Afghanistan, with the support of the international community and through cooperation with its neighbours, can succeed in meeting the challenges of security, governance and development. Pakistan wishes to make the maximum contribution to the success of the Afghanistan Compact. An essential component of the Compact is to ensure sustainable and rapid development in Afghanistan. In London, Pakistan supplemented its earlier commitment of $200 million with an additional pledge of $50 million for Afghanistan's development. We have made special arrangements to facilitate transit trade to and from Afghanistan. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was $1.2 billion last year, which we hope will grow to $2 billion this year.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Together with intelligence-sharing, Pakistan expects its partners to enhance Pakistan's capabilities for interdiction and counter-terrorism through the provision of electronic and other equipment, especially additional helicopters, with a view to enhancing mobility and reaction time. Our requirements have been conveyed to our partners. Finally, joint counter-terrorism operations must be conducted with full adherence to the principles of international law, including those incorporated in the Kabul Declaration, regarding respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference. Pakistan will not countenance any violation of those principles.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Certainly, border security and control is essential in order to prevent the infiltration into Pakistan or Afghanistan of terrorists or other violent criminals. As I said, Pakistan has deployed 80,000 troops to do so on our side. A matching effort is required on the other side if the hammer and anvil strategy is to work. Moreover, this endeavour cannot succeed without close cooperation in intelligence-sharing, in real time. We can achieve this in the Tripartite Commission, as well as through close and constant bilateral contacts. Pakistan has also decided to take additional actions. We will fence parts of the border to reinforce interdiction by our forces. We will also seek to eliminate terrorist elements that may be located in Afghan refugee camps and elsewhere among the refugee population.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source