YouSaid · the spoken record

Alasania

lines on the record: 88
first: 2008-02-12
most recent: 2008-08-28
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

“Now, I would like to add to my statement by saying that right now, as we speak, Russian bombers are bombing the Poti port, which is the western port of Georgia, as well as the Senaki airfield, which was bombed numerous times today. And of course, it was anticipated from my side that we would have some kind of provocation cropping up in Abkhazia as well: we are seeing the bombardment of the Kodori region of upper Abkhazia. I have been told that there is confirmed information that the bombers are in the air and are headed in the direction of Georgia, so this is still continuing. This is a very serious matter.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“I want to remind the Council and Ambassador Churkin that it is the Russian Federation that really was and is supporting militarily the regime in Tskhinvali and Sukhumi, who are the perpetrators of the ethnic cleansing, which has been confirmed by numerous declarations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and General Assembly documents. At the same time, I was surprised that there was no mention in the Russian Federation representative's remarks of any of the bombing incidents which occurred overnight and during the day, because they are exactly the reason why we have all gathered here to elaborate on these tragic, criminal, aggressive acts from the Russian Federation side.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“I want to express my gratitude to the members of the Security Council, who are truly concerned about the situation and the deterioration in Georgia. First, I would like to make a few comments, on the statement of the Russian Federation's representative, and then I have to make an urgent statement because I have received a phone call from my Foreign Minister with more urgent and disturbing news. It was appalling to hear the Russian Federation representative talking about the ethnic cleansing supposedly perpetrated by the Georgian armed forces.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“We are grateful to the European Union, to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and to other international actors for their readiness to engage. As we are having this discussion, the city of Tskhinvali is under heavy shelling and air bombardment from Russian military forces.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“The Russian military aggression is intended to subdue Georgia and make it give up its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, to make Georgia and the region succumb to Russian political influence and to destroy all the democratic achievements accomplished by our country and the international community in recent years. We demand that the Russian Federation immediately terminate the aerial bombardments, immediately pull out the occupying forces and, together with the relevant international actors, negotiate a ceasefire and mechanisms to ensure lasting peace and stability in this part of Georgia. President Saakashvili is offering direct dialogue with the Russian Federation and other interested parties to seek a negotiated solution to this tragic conflict.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“In order to justify its actions, the Russian Federation is speculating that Georgian authorities are targeting the positions of Russian peacekeepers. Nothing could be further from the truth. I can say with full responsibility that Georgian troops are not targeting peacekeepers. I want to stress that the Government's actions were taken in self-defence after repeated armed provocations and with the sole goal of protecting the civilian population and preventing further loss of life among the region's residents, who are of various ethnic backgrounds. The world is witnessing a direct and open violation of universally recognized norms and principles of international law. Russia is openly challenging the international community and jeopardizing established international order and stability in the wider trans-Caucasus.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“Several buildings were also destroyed, and there were casualties. At 5 p.m., the Marneuli military base was bombed for the second time, causing fatalities. At 5.35 p.m., the Marneuli military base was bombed for the third time, resulting in one dead and four injured. As a result of the three bombings, three An-2 planes and military vehicles stationed there were destroyed. It became known to the Government of Georgia that, on 8 August 2008, a large amount of heavy military equipment and personnel belonging to the Russian Federation illegally entered the territory of Georgia through the Roki tunnel. The Russian side openly declared that the task of those military units was to support the criminal regime of Tskhinvali in the fight against the Government of Georgia.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“Two of them passed Tbilisi and made two circles around Marneuli. The other two made a circle above Gudauri. At 11.45 a.m., the civil aviation emergency service reported that they had received signals from a crashed flying object - presumably a Russian fighter plane - near the luri range, 17 kilometres south of Gori. By 12 noon, eight Georgians - six military and two civilians - had died, and 87 were injured. One military truck with ammunition was destroyed. At 12.05 p.m., one Su-24 entered Georgian air space from Russia and remained over Tskhinvali until 12.15. At 3.05 p.m., a Russian military plane entered Georgia from the direction of Tedzami, dropped two bombs at the Vaziani military airport and turned back. 08-45515 Russian aviation also bombed the Marneuli and Bolnisi military bases. Two aircraft were destroyed on the ground.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“At 5.30 a.m., the first Russian troops entered South Ossetia through the Roki tunnel, passed Java, crossed the Gufta bridge and moved towards Tskhinvali. At 9.45 a.m., according to witnesses from the local population, a military fighter plane dropped approximately three to five bombs near the village of Shayshvebi, 300 or 500 metres from Georgian military radar. At 10.30 a.m., Russian Su-24 bombers bombed the village of Variani, in the Kareli district; seven civilians were injured. At 10.50 a.m., six Su-24 bombers entered Georgian territory from the Roki pass. At 10.57 a.m., two of them dropped three bombs in Gori. One of them fell near a stadium, the second near the other slope, and the third near an artillery brigade. At 11.45 a.m., four Su-24s entered from the direction of the Russian Federation, Kazbegi region, on the Georgian side.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“Today, for the second time, the Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the issue related to my country. Only 12 hours ago, in this Chamber, I stated that there were disturbing signs that Georgia is facing a well-calculated provocation to escalate the situation in order to justify a premeditated military intervention from the Russian Federation. That evaluation has been transformed into a brutal reality. 2 Allow me to update the members of the Security Council on the extremely alarming developments that are taking place in Georgia now. This morning, the Russian Federation started a full-scale military invasion of Georgia. Here is an outline of the events that took place today, and we have provided a map for members, to vividly illustrate the places on sovereign Georgian territory that were bombed by the Russian Federation.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“So I would close my remarks with the hope that reason will prevail in this situation and that both sides, and the Russian Federation as well, will come to the negotiating table and will resolve this conflict in a peaceful manner.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“On the other issue, I would like to stress that we welcome the cooperation of the Russian Federation and the United States, which is now happening at a high level, to ease the tensions and to de-escalate the situation. That is exactly what Georgia wants and that is exactly what was proposed by President Saakashvili recently - last night - in a televised address. And that is exactly what we are offering our friends at the 08-45458 negotiating table: the State Minister for Conflict Resolution, who was willing to go, and actually went, to Tskhinvali twice to negotiate and who was rejected by the separatist regime, was bringing those same proposals.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Very briefly, I want to reiterate a few issues which were raised by my very respected colleague, Ambassador Churkin. First of all, I probably did not make myself quite clear: I was saying that the Russian side had explained to the Georgian side that they had no control over the South Ossetian regime. That is why things were getting out of hand. I did not say that the Russians - the Russian security and defence services - really do not have control of the armed forces of the separatist regime. I demonstrated very clearly who are the core decision- makers in the South Ossetian Government - former and current Federal Security Service (FSB) and defence officials - precisely for that reason: for the Council to understand who is really making decisions in Tskhinvali.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“We therefore demand that the Russian Federation prevent the transit of armed mercenaries to Georgia, exercise its influence over the separatist regime to stop attacks on the civilian population and start negotiations. As in my last address to this forum, I want to reiterate Georgia's call to the international community to explicitly condemn the continuing infringements of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity by the Russian Federation. Despite this most recent escalation, I want to emphasize that the Georgian Government once again calls for, and is showing its readiness to immediately begin, peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict in South Ossetia and calls on the separatist rebels to cease their military actions and come to the negotiating table.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Humanitarian organizations will have access to the region, and the Georgian Government has already allocated funding totalling â‚¬2 million for the immediate humanitarian and emergency needs of the region. According to verified reports, as we speak, a huge contingent of military personnel and equipment is illegally entering Georgia's sovereign territory through the Roki tunnel. The Russian Federation's Republic of North Ossetia has declared the mobilization of armed mercenaries to be sent to Georgia. There are disturbing signs that we are facing a calculated provocation for the purposes of escalating the situation in order to justify a pre-planned military intervention from the Russian side.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Until such a solution is agreed, the region, we think, should be governed by the elected head of the South Ossetian administration, Dmitry Sanakoev, an ethnic Ossetian and former separatist leader. We invite Russia to be constructively engaged in the economic rehabilitation of the region as well as to contribute to the agreed security arrangements there. The Government's immediate goal at this point is to restore peace, to facilitate the return to normal life for all residents of the region and to allow the return of the refugees and internally displaced persons. We stand 08-45458 ready to ensure adequate supplies of water, electricity, food, emergency services, medical care and shelter. Separatist rebels will be eligible for amnesty.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“The separatists have also been continuing to threaten to attack other parts of the country outside the South Ossetian region, allegedly with the foreign assistance that is flowing into that region. Russian peacekeepers told Georgian officials that they were unable to control the separatists. The security situation was deteriorating and violence wais increasing rapidly. The separatists were not heeding any appeal for direct talks. Georgia seeks a negotiated solution to the conflict, with international engagement. Our offer of autonomy in line with European standards stands, with international guarantees including an elected regional parliament, an elected regional president, shared sovereignty and the protection of South Ossetian identity, culture and language, still on the table.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Those individuals were granted impunity by the Russian Federation from being held responsible for atrocities that they have been committing. The Government's military action was taken in self-defence after repeated armed provocations and with the sole goal of protecting the civilian population and preventing further loss of life among residents of various ethnic backgrounds. We believe that every democratic State would have reacted in a similar fashion to protect its own citizens. The Government acted because the separatists not only defied the ceasefire but sharply escalated the violence, killing several peacekeepers and civilians within hours of the ceasefire. Additional illegal forces and military equipment were and are entering Georgian territory from Russia through the Roki tunnel, threatening even worse violence.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“These Russian officers and individuals include: Mr. Yuri Morozov, the Prime Minister, born in the Russian Federation, who, before his appointment in the government of South Ossetia in 2005, occupied various positions in Bashkiria; Mikhail Minzayev, Minister for Internal Affairs since 2005, a colonel in the Russian police, who, in 2004, during the counter- terrorist operation in Beslan, led FSB Special Unit Alpha; Anatoly Barankevich, Secretary of the National Security Council of South Ossetia since 2006 and a colonel in the Russian military forces, who participated in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and in both Chechen wars; Boris Attoyev, Chairman since 2006 of the Committee for State Security, analogue of the KGB, who previously held various positions in the Soviet KGB and who after the completing his mission in Afghanistan was appointed to the central apparatus of the FSB in Moscow; Vasily Lunev, Minister for Defence of South Ossetia since March 2008, a general in the Russian army; Vladimir Kotoyev, head of the Government Protection Service since 2007, a colonel 08-45458 in the Russian army, who participated in the Chechen and Bosnian wars; and Oleg Chebotariev, head of the State Border Protection Services since 2005, a colonel in the Russian FSB.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“At approximately 11.30 p.m., the same separatist authorities opened fire on all Georgian positions around the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali, including those in the villages of Tamarasheni and Kurta. The police station in Kurta was totally destroyed as a result of that heavy fire. I want to state very clearly that the illegal separatist authorities and armed formations are under the control and direction of the security and defence agencies of the Russian Federation. Numerous high- ranking Russian officers from among the ranks of the peacekeepers, as well as other officials from the Russian military, intelligence, and law-enforcement services, are serving in senior roles in Tskhinvali. That is a clear violation of Russia's obligation to remain neutral: instead, it has thus become a party to the conflict.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“In a live televised address at 7.10 p.m., President Saakashvili said that he had ordered the Georgian forces to cease fire in South Ossetia. He stated that there had been casualties, including both deaths and injuries. Mr. Saakashvili said that he had ordered the ceasefire specifically to give the South Ossetian secessionist regime another opportunity to resume the talks. Despite Georgia's decision not to return fire, the Georgian village of Avnevi once again came under fire from South Ossetian militiamen at approximately 8.30 p.m. The village can be described as having been totally destroyed as a result of that attack. South Ossetian separatist armed groups fired at the Georgian-controlled village of Prisi at about 10.30 last night. The attack left several people wounded on the Georgian side.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Anatoly Barankevich, head of the separatist republic's Security Council, threatened that armed groups of Cossacks from North Ossetia were headed towards South Ossetia to fight Georgian forces. By 4 p.m. the same day, the separatists had resumed their shelling of Georgian villages. Three Georgian servicemen were injured when the South Ossetian separatist forces blew up an infantry combat vehicle belonging to the Georgian peacekeeping battalion. Georgian police responded by firing towards groups of armed separatists in those villages, killing two separatist militiamen and wounding two others. Later, the Georgian peacekeepers' checkpoint at Avnevi was bombed, and several Georgian servicemen and civilians were killed.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“President Saakashvili, speaking with journalists at the military hospital in Gori, where he was visiting injured Georgian servicemen, said that, despite the attacks on the Georgian villages, Tbilisi was showing maximum restraint. The President also called on Russia to recall from South Ossetia its officials, who consider themselves the so-called South Ossetian government. On the morning of 7 August, Temur Yakobashvili visited the conflict zone to meet with representatives of the separatist government. The Minister of State met with Marat Kulakhmetov, Commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces, in Tskhinvali. Once again, however, the separatists refused to negotiate with him.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Yakobashvili also stressed that Ambassador-at-Large Yuri Popov would attend the talks as a facilitator. South Ossetian chief negotiator Boris Chochiev refused to take part in the negotiations. Overnight and in the early-morning hours of 7August, intensive fire came from four positions in various Ossetian villages. The separatist authorities continued firing on Georgian law-enforcement personnel and peacekeeping units with mortars and artillery. The central authorities responded with limited fire in order to defend those positions. In a morning interview with Russian news agencies, South Ossetian de facto President Eduard Kokoity declared that, if the Georgian Government did not withdraw its military forces from the region, he would start to clean them out.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Georgian Government forces fired back to defend the civilian population. As a result of intense crossfire during the night, two servicemen belonging to the Georgian battalion of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces were injured. The separatist regime also claimed several injuries on its side. Despite the targeted attacks on the peaceful population and villages, as well as on the Georgian police and peacekeeping forces, the central authorities decided not to respond with a heavy exchange of fire, in order not to injure the local population. Temur Yakobashvili, Georgian chief negotiator and State Minister for Reintegration, said in late-night televised remarks on 6 August that it was the position of the Georgian Government that only direct dialogue with the Tskhinvali authorities would resolve the 3 deteriorating security situation. Mr.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“The seven Georgian-controlled villages came under intense fire from South Ossetian separatists using large-calibre mortars. Georgian law-enforcement personnel fired back defensively for some time but then received a ceasefire order aimed at not escalating the situation. On 3 August, the South Ossetian separatist government announced the evacuation of more than 500 people, including 400 children. However, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia's Republic of North Ossetia told the Interfax news agency that it was not an evacuation; the children were being sent to North Ossetia as part of a prearranged summer camp programme, as he explained it. Russian media outlets started a massive propaganda campaign against Georgia. Late on 6 August, separatists opened fire with mortars on Georgian-populated villages: Eredvi and four others.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Let me express my gratitude to the members of the Security Council for 08-45458 this opportunity to address them. Today's special Council meeting is being held to consider the grave escalation of the situation in the Tskhinvali region of Georgia. First, I will reflect on the recent events that have led to that tragic deterioration. On 1 August, at about 8 a.m. Tbilisi time, a pickup vehicle containing six Georgian police officers was hit by two remote-control explosive devices. As a result of that attack, five Georgian policemen were severely wounded. The central authorities decided not to retaliate, so as not to escalate the situation. On 2 August, six civilians and one Georgian policeman were injured during the overnight shelling of seven Georgian villages in the South Ossetian conflict zone.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5951 (2008) · source
“Together with operational functions, the new mandate should allow the civilian police to supervise, guide and train joint local police forces to enforce the law effectively and impartially. The primary goal of the international civilian police is to restore law and order and assist national institutions while maintaining full respect for the host country's sovereignty. Based on our experience, the blueprint for a successful peacekeeping operation includes impartiality guaranteed by wider international representation and solid collective international efforts to ensure the operation's responsiveness to the changes on the ground.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Clearly, our experience seriously calls into question the rationale of having an immediate neighbour country serving as the dominant peacekeeper in the conflict. In our case, the gradual shift from a military peacekeeping operation to an international police operation with capabilities for addressing threats to security and stability is inevitable. We assume that the role of an effective international police force should include anti-crime patrols, investigation of crimes and human rights violations and the training of local police forces. We are confident that efficient conflict resolution in Abkhazia, Georgia requires the appropriate enlargement and enforcement of the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), especially in the field of law enforcement activities.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As we are discussing comprehensive issues related to post-conflict peacebuilding, allow me to contribute with observations based on experience gained during 15 years of hosting peacekeeping operations in Abkhazia, Georgia. We believe that a strong peacekeeping operation has to be supported by solid law enforcement and security elements in order to create the secure environment necessary for ensuring the normal rhythm of life. We refer to the impartial international civilian law enforcement elements, which can effectively restore law and order and ensure the dignified and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. For more than a decade now, we have been witnessing that most of the objectives of the current peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia, Georgia have not been achieved.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“At the outset, let me express my condolences to the families of victims of the tragedies caused by the natural disasters in China and Myanmar. I would like to extend our gratitude to the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations for the excellent opportunity afforded us to address this crucial issue. Georgia aligns itself with the statement made by the Slovenian representative on behalf of European Union. Georgia considers the Peacebuilding Commission, in close cooperation with the other main United Nations bodies, as the most important instrument in the field of peacebuilding, post-conflict rehabilitation and stabilization. As a member of the newly established body, Georgia is looking forward to the implementation of the strategic frameworks in those respective fields.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The international community must make better efforts to assist those children who have been deprived of normal life conditions. The need for action is obvious because the impact of conflict and violence on children will have consequences for the formation of their values, identity and beliefs. The circle of violence and hatred can only be stopped through joint international efforts. In this regard, the Government of Georgia has provided channels for international organizations to be involved in the most critical confidence-building measure - bringing children from both sides of a war-torn society together, helping them to restore their faith in peaceful coexistence with each other. Mr. President, I want to thank you again for giving me this opportunity to address you today on this matter that is very important for all of us.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It is highly unlikely that anyone opposing education of children in their mother tongue is thinking of reconciliation. The prohibition of education in the Georgian language in breakaway regions is intended to increasingly separate the generations brought up apart. Unfortunately, all this is a continuation of the policy of systematic cleansing of Georgians from Abkhazia, Georgia. It is ironic that oppression on the basis of language continues to take place in 2008 - the year the United Nations declared to be the International Year of Languages. Another matter of concern to us is the problem of mines left after past military operations. Just recently, in one village in Abkhazia, Georgia a boy was killed by an anti-personnel mine that he had found on the bank of a river.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It is heartbreaking to see how children of all ethnic origins are becoming victims of physical and psychological violence on a daily basis. Lack of a secure environment in these areas prevents children from having a chance to become integrated members of civil society. Here, let me note in particular the situation of Georgian-speaking children in Abkhazia, Georgia. They are deprived of one of their most fundamental rights, namely to study in their mother tongue, since the de facto regime has prohibited Georgian as a language of instruction in schools in the Gali district, which is populated mostly by Georgians. The Secretary-General's latest report on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia (S/2007/588) suggests that the language of instruction in Gali district schools remains a concern.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Government of Georgia is making its best efforts to support refugee and internally displaced children, who have been deprived of their most fundamental right to return to their places of origin. Among other support, those children need special care to cope with their post-war psychological traumas. Although central authorities, in cooperation with international donor organizations, are able to provide special rehabilitation, education and leisure programmes to some of these children, the vast majority are still beyond the reach of such programmes. We would like to draw the Council's attention to the intolerable situation of children living in the areas of protracted conflicts within the territory of Georgia.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Such a change will increase the effectiveness of monitoring and provide timely and accurate information with respect to the protection of children affected by conflicts. We agree with Council members who have previously spoken that the Council must move forward and start responding to the challenges upon us. We firmly believe that every form or category of the grave violations against children must be given equal priority. For 15 years, my country has been dealing with the consequences of ethnic conflicts, which have yielded tragic results. Besides causing a generation of youth to lose their lives during the civil war, those conflicts have produced a generation that was forced by ethnic cleansing into exile.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Over the past several years, the Security Council has made good efforts in order to assist children affected by armed conflict and thereby to protect the most vulnerable, particularly through the adoption of resolution 1612 (2005), which provided the basis for the establishment of the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict. We welcome the latest report of the Secretary- General on the issue of children and armed conflict (S/2007/757), and we fully share his observation that, despite some progress with respect to the protection of children in several areas, new areas of concern require immediate attention by the international community. Georgia welcomes the Secretary-General's recommendation that the mandates of all future peacekeeping and relevant political missions should include child protection advisers.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“At the outset, Mr. President, allow me to express my appreciation to the members of the Security Council for providing us with the opportunity to address this high forum. The delegation of Georgia fully associates itself with the statement made by the Slovenian presidency of the European Union. Protection of children affected by armed conflicts has been one of the main priorities of the United Nations community. During the past decade, the international community has tried to place the issue firmly on its agenda. Since 1998, when the first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict began his work and the Security Council held its first meeting on this issue, the matter has gained greater visibility.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source