YouSaid · the spoken record

Annabi

lines on the record: 845
first: 1999-12-22
most recent: 2009-09-09
sittings or episodes: 45
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

“Mr. Annabi: The report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan that you just mentioned, Sir, describes developments in Tajikistan since last November. Apart from the presidential election, which was held on 6 November last year, the key event during the reporting period was the holding of elections to the newly established Assembly of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament, on 27 February. According to the Central Commission on Elections and Referenda, the national elections commission, the ruling People's Democratic Party won a majority of seats, followed by the Communist Party. The Islamic Revival Party won two seats. On 12 March, run-off elections were held in 12 constituencies where no candidate had received the majority of the vote.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4115 (2000) · source
“This is an ongoing process that can also be encouraged by some of the cross-border visits that are taking place. Can we speed up the deployment of police? I think it has picked up quite well recently. We will have close to 1,000 by the end of this week, out of a total authorized strength of 1,640. We have more offers than we actually need. In other words, we have over 1,640 offers. We have identified the second special police unit, so it is a question of actually making the arrangements and getting the signal from the countries concerned that these troops have been trained and are ready to move and, of course, ensuring that they can be accommodated properly when they arrive and that they have the wherewithal to function. But we expect that within the next two months we will be fairly close to the full deployment of the police component.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Does UNTAET have too many troops? I do not think so at this point. As I said, we have 7,300 troops deployed right now. In fact, UNTAET would like to receive the additional assets that are missing, especially in view of the concerns that have developed recently in the light of some of the border incidents. But I can assure members of the Council that once UNTAET is fully deployed, and once the security situation improves, the Secretary-General will not wait very long before he comes back to the Council and suggests a reduction in troop strength as soon as it is doable or feasible from a security point of view. On the round-table on national reconciliation, yes, there was recently a meeting in Singapore that I think made a good, but perhaps slow, beginning at national reconciliation between various East Timorese groups.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“This will involve generating a capacity and the development of private entrepreneurs. It, too, is something that will take time and is linked to the overall reconstruction process. What has the attitude of the East Timorese leadership been? I think that I can say, on behalf of the Special Representative, that he is very gratified by the cooperation that has been extended by the East Timorese leadership. He has made a point of working very closely with them, and I think that the level of cooperation has been very good, even if there is frustration, in the sense that they would like the daily lives of their fellow citizens in East Timor to improve more quickly than is actually possible. But I think that generally the cooperation has been very good. There are a few more questions to answer. Is the force strength of UNTAET too strong?”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“I understand, too, that the International Organization for Migration is implementing a programme to encourage the return of possibly up to 300 East Timorese from the diaspora, who would take up professional positions in East Timor. Of course, we must also remember that those who have been living abroad may be living comfortably and may not be entirely happy with the level of remuneration that can be offered under present conditions in East Timor. This is certainly an issue on which we should all try to move forward. What efforts can be made to create a private sector? Again, I think this is something that will take time. It is linked to the overall process of reconstruction, which, as I said, is starting from a very low point, since just about everything has been destroyed - it is amazing to see.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“We have all said that we hope that East Timor will decide not to have an army, but, in addition to a police force, it may need a gendarmerie-type security force, or some other force of that kind, to ensure security in the territory. How can we convince the diaspora to return and join the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in East Timor? This is an issue that is also being discussed with the East Timorese, to encourage them to return. This was raised in Jakarta by the Special Representative, and he has received assurances that some of the East Timorese who have been studying at Indonesian universities would be allowed or encouraged to come back if they so wished, to join in the development process.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“As regards the future of the Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor (Falintil), this is again a rather sensitive issue for the Timorese, and for the Falintil members themselves, who have certain views about what they believe they have done on behalf of East Timor. Consultations have begun between the Special Representative and the CNRT on this. As the Council knows, their numbers are not all that big - there are somewhere between 800 and 1,000 of them. Some of them, we are quite sure, will want to return to civilian life; others could possibly join the future police or security forces. These are some of the issues that are being discussed.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“I observed it myself, when I was there at the end of last year. We have military liaison officers who are located on the other side of the border, in West Timor, with their counterparts from the various TNI units, to facilitate liaison and cooperation between them and UNTAET and to avoid incidents or resolve incidents where they occur. There are, of course, continuing meetings between the Force Commander and his staff and General Syahnakri, who is the Indonesian Major-General in charge of that area. The last such meeting was held on 15 March, at which they discussed the possible updating of the memorandum on border cooperation arrangements to help resolve some of the problems there.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“I think we have to admit that it is a little early in this exercise to be able to make precise forecasts. It is going to be a slow and difficult process - let us not hide from that reality. The level of destruction has been such that reconstruction, both physically and in terms of capacity-building and the training of cadres and competent civil servants, will be a long-term process. It is not something that UNTAET as such has the resources or capacity to resolve. It requires the long-term, continuing commitment of the international community, which is, of course, investing a lot in UNTAET, but which must sustain that investment to enable East Timor to become independent and engage in a self-sustaining development process in the long term. On the issue of joint observation at the border, a mechanism is, in fact, in place.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Vieira de Mello has rightly made it clear from the outset that our mandate is to set up an interim administration, but that this must be done for the Timorese and in cooperation with them, since our mandate is to help them prepare for and achieve independence. So the mechanism of the National Consultative Council has been extremely useful in maintaining close consultation and cooperation with all the Timorese. As I said, two of the three pro-autonomy groups have joined the National Consultative Council. One of them still has not. It has agreed to do so in principle, but that raises some sensitive issues, which are still being discussed, as to who the actual representatives might be. What are the prospects for income generation and the long-term development prospects for East Timor?”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“There was a question about the National Consultative Council - whether it meets regularly and how it functions. I think it has been a very useful mechanism for the Special Representative, enabling him to consult the East Timorese - not only the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT), which is itself an umbrella organization and includes a number of different parties, but also some of the pro-autonomy groups that have joined the National Consultative Council. The Council meets on a regular basis and it is consulted systematically by the Special Representative on all the regulations and all the important initiatives that UNTAET takes. It is consulted on the recruitment of civil servants. Mr.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“There are, however, as I indicated, elements of the Indonesia armed forces (TNI) on the ground who continue to stand in the way of the implementation of these assurances and who may have their own agenda or may be attempting to embarrass or create difficulties for the President. But we have no doubt that the President of Indonesia and the Government of Indonesia are determined to cooperate in resolving this problem. It is a question of translating these commitments into action on the ground and convincing those on the ground who are still opposed to the resolution of this problem to cooperate or, somehow, having them removed. Did the returns accelerate? I think the answer is that they have not accelerated recently. There is a continuing trickle, but we have not seen any recent acceleration.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“But there will also have to be flexibility, I think, regarding the resettlement of those who do not wish to come back to East Timor and will have to be resettled either in West Timor or in other parts of Indonesia. The focus, we feel, should of course be on giving an opportunity to all of these people to determine freely where they want to go and settle and rebuild their lives. Questions have been raised regarding the commitment of the Indonesian authorities to facilitating the return of the refugees. I think it is very clear in UNTAET's mind and in our mind that the Government of President Wahid is genuine in its assurances and in its desire to cooperate to resolve these problems.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“I expect, from what my UNHCR colleagues tell me, that the census will confirm that about half of these 100,000 - namely about 50,000 - wish to return to East Timor. UNHCR and UNTAET also believe that of course there will have to be flexibility regarding these end-of- March deadlines. There will have to be flexibility for those who will need to go back to East Timor. The recent flow has not been very strong because there are a number of concerns which are still out there among those who may wish to return. These include concerns about possible pensions, which are being discussed by UNTAET with the authorities in Jakarta, and perhaps potential returnees have apprehensions as to how they might be treated. I think that some of the cross-border visits that have taken place will facilitate this process.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“And as the civil service grows, that will help to accelerate the disbursement of funds in that regard. I have also mentioned the start of Quick Impact Projects. Again, partners are being identified to develop additional Quick Impact Projects, and as those come on line, I hope that the disbursement process will accelerate. I must mention in this regard that the Controller has been supportive in terms of facilitating the utilization of the funds. As projects are identified and can be initiated, the funds will be disbursed. There were several questions regarding the return of refugees. The rough estimate at this time is that there are about 100,000 left. UNHCR is currently carrying out a census, which is almost complete.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“The other aspect that is important to keep in mind is that - in View of the level and extent of destruction in the country; in View of the fact that a great number, if not the vast majority, of skilled workers left following the tragic events of last year - rehabilitation, reconstruction and capacity-building is going to be a rather difficult process, certainly one that will be slower than we would all like it to be. Finally, the UNTAET trust fund is itself of course dedicated to paying mainly - not only, but in large part - for recurrent costs; in other words, for East Timorese civil servants, who are now being recruited. As I mentioned, a total of 2,500 of them are now working and being paid. That number should grow to 7,000 in the course of this year.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I think that the first question that was also asked by other Council members related to the slow disbursement of funds from the trust fund. I think that we all agree that the disbursement is much slower than we would all like it to be. The Special Representative has himself voiced his frustration about this and even mentioned to the press that he wished he had a magic wand for turning donor pledges into instant public-works projects. But you need partners, and these things we know take time. You, Sir, mentioned the community-empowerment project of the World Bank. The agreement for this project was only signed at the end of February. So we hope that it will now be implemented promptly. But all of these things we know take time.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“This is of course a complex and politically sensitive undertaking, which will involve close consultation with the East Timorese. Mr. Vieira de Mello has reported that this consultative process has in fact begun in an informal manner. We will of course keep the Security Council informed as this process unfolds.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“To encourage returns, UNTAET has suggested that Indonesia should publicly commit itself to paying the pensions and benefits accrued by those East Timorese who had worked for the Indonesian civil service, even if they return to East Timor. Mr. Vieira de Mello is scheduled to Visit Jakarta again next week to follow up on some of these issues with the authorities in Jakarta, including of course regarding the security situation at the border with West Timor. UNTAET has been giving thought to what would be the most appropriate sequence of steps as East Timor moves towards independence. Rather than trying to establish a fixed timetable, Mr. Vieira de Mello is focusing, as requested by the Secretary-General, on objective benchmarks that will have to be achieved in this process leading towards independence.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“He was well received wherever he went and held meetings with local leaders, who assured him that refugees returning to these areas would be safe, while those accused of crimes would be dealt with in accordance with fair and transparent procedures. In a similar development, six former Timorese members of the Indonesian armed forces visited Aileu last weekend to discuss the return of 59 former soldiers and their families. They received assurances from the local leaders that they were welcome, so long as they were returning not as soldiers but as East Timorese willing to participate and assist in the reconstruction of the country. The High Commissioner for Refugees, supported by UNTAET, has asked Indonesia to adopt a comprehensive strategy and to allow the refugees to decide whether to return to East Timor or to be resettled in Indonesia.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Primary and secondary movements of returnees are managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from the refugee camps through points of entry to final destination in East Timor. While there have been incidents of Violence against returnees, for the most part the return has been effected with minimal incident, and the reintegration of refugees into their original communities has been generally smooth. It is worth noting that persons who supported autonomy have alsobeen among those who returned. Under arrangements made by UNTAET, Mr. Joanico Belo, a senior militia leader, visited Baucau and Los Palos from 9 to 12 March to see for himself the conditions awaiting returning refugees.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“The remaining troops are scheduled to arrive by the end of this month, which will bring the total strength of the military component of UNTAET to 8,600. In addition, UNTAET's military component includes 200 military observers, 198 of whom are now present in the territory. Turning to the refugee situation, a little more than 153,000 refugees have by now returned to East Timor, most of them returning from West Timor. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that approximately 50,000 more would wish to return. The total remaining refugee population in West Timor is currently estimated at approximately 100,000 people. The Government of Indonesia and the High Commissioner for Refugees are conducting a census to obtain a more exact number.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“There have also been a number of cases in which weapons were found on refugees returning from West Timor. UNTAET has therefore instituted stricter controls in that regard. UNTAET has reported that, according to information available to it, elements of the Indonesian armed forces continued to tolerate and even support the militias in West Timor. On 9 and 10 March, the Force Commander of UNTAET together with the Political Director of the mission visited Jakarta to discuss these incursions from West Timor with the Indonesian authorities. They received firm assurances that stern action would be taken against militia activity, including as regards military training in and outside the refugee settlements in West Timor. As of yesterday, a total of 7,310 United Nations troops were deployed in East Timor.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“UNTAET is currently negotiating with the Indonesian Government an agreement on cooperation in such cases, including the exchange of evidence and access to witnesses. Turning to the security situation, the handover from INTERFET to UNTAET's military component at the end of February went very smoothly. However, within a week of the handover the military component of UNTAET was tested, as had in fact been widely expected. The test came through increased incursions of pro-autonomy militia members from West Timor. In one such incident, on 5 March, a Villager was killed and another was wounded. UNTAET troops searched the area and on the following day, 6 March, found a group of five armed men in a house. Four of them managed to escape after an exchange of fire; one was captured and interrogated.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Yesterday, the first 50 Timorese were recruited to the newly established Police Assistance Group. The creation of the Police Assistance Group is an interim measure pending the development of an indigenous police force. The Group comprises former local police personnel, who will assist the United Nations police but who will have no executive powers, which will continue to be exercised by UNTAET. As for the new East Timor police, I am happy to report that the first group of recruits will begin a four-month training course next Monday, on 27 March. UNTAET has issued a regulation establishing a panel of Timorese and foreign judges to try war crimes and crimes against humanity. Close to 300 murder cases, involving 627 victims, are currently under investigation. Most of these relate to the period between late April and September last year.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Collection of import duties commenced yesterday, 20 March. Regulations on the licensing and supervision of banks, on public procurement and on the organization of the courts have also been issued. Turning to the law and order situation, the number of major incidents inside East Timor has recently declined. Law enforcement, however, is still weak, and Timorese communities and groups have in some cases attempted to enforce law and order directly. UNTAET has cooperated with some of these groups informally, so long as they act within the law; however, I must report that there have been some abuses. UNTAET's civilian police is still building up its strength; as of today, it has a strength of 933, which will grow to close to 1,000 by the end of this week, out of an authorized strength of 1,640.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“On 4 March, the Indonesian air carrier Merpati resumed commercial flights between Indonesia and East Timor. An Australian regional airline has also been operating flights between Dili and Darwin since the beginning of the year. President Wahid also confirmed his Government's agreement to the establishment by UNTAET of a liaison office in Kupang, West Timor - an office which actually opened today. Since the Secretary-General's report to the Council at the end of January, UNTAET has passed legislation approved by the National Consultative Council on a number of important matters. Customs and immigration arrangements have been put in place and a border service established to administer those arrangements. A provisional tax regime has been established, with taxes and duties levied on imports, exports and the domestic production of goods.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“The community empowerment project is of particular interest. While it deals essentially with the rehabilitation of infrastructure and support for income-generating activities, it provides at the same time for the strengthening of the capacity of subdistricts and villages, through elected representatives, to determine their priorities and to manage the implementation of the projects they decide on. During the very important Visit of President Wahid of Indonesia to East Timor, it was agreed that the Government of Indonesia would work together with UNTAET to facilitate the rebuilding of public records and archives, the return of cultural artifacts and the reopening of cross-border trade. President Wahid also agreed to the establishment of a land corridor linking the Oecussi enclave to the main part of East Timor.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“These efforts include 18 quick- impact projects undertaken by UNTAET for the repair of local infrastructure in advance of the World Bank's much larger community empowerment project, under which the communities will manage their own rehabilitation projects. Additional projects are being undertaken by bilateral donors. At the end of February, UNTAET was providing stipends or salaries to more than 2,500 civil servants, a number that will grow quickly as a result of the recruitment of new personnel. A fast-track programme in education has also grown rapidly and now involves some 7,000 teachers, reaching over 130,000 schoolchildren. At present, cash contributions to the UNTAET Trust Fund amount to a little over $23 million, out of an estimated total of $43 million that will be needed for the East Timorese administration during the year 2000.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Other developments have been, of course, the formal hand-over of responsibility from the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) to the military component of UNTAET on 23 February and the visit by President Wahid of Indonesia on 29 February. The Secretary-General has already briefed the Council, on 29 February, on his own Visit to East Timor in the middle of February. There have been other high-level Visitors to East Timor, including the President of Portugal and the Prime Minister of Ireland. Economic and social conditions in East Timor remain the main and primary concern. Very high unemployment and high prices continue to pose a threat to social peace. The situation is reflected in the very large number of applicants who respond to UNTAET's recruitment efforts. A number of efforts are under way to create employment opportunities.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: This briefing will cover the period since the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, briefed the Council on 3 February. I will cover, successively, the economic and social situation, the maintenance of law and order and the security situation, as well as the situation of refugees in West Timor. Since Mr. Vieira de Mello's briefing on 3 February, there have been important developments, including the signing, on 21 February, of an agreement between the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the World Bank concerning a large community empowerment project.”
2000-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4114 (2000) · source
“In this connection, and to conclude, I would like to mention that Mr. Miyet, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations - who is currently on an important mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to prepare for the deployment of the operation authorized by the Council at the end of last month - will also visit Freetown, as part of his current trip to Africa. We expect him to arrive there over the weekend. The point of his visit is to take a firsthand look at the work of UNAMSIL and meet with all the parties concerned and see what we can all do together to further this peace process and improve its chances of success.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We hope that as access throughout the country improves and as security conditions improve, the police will be able to deploy further, with the help of the important programme of assistance that is being provided by the Commonwealth Police Task Force and by the UNAMSIL civilian police advisors that will deploy to support and advise the Sierra Leone police in their work. I would like to thank the members of the Council for their understanding and support regarding the reporting schedule. We will therefore, with the Council's concurrence, submit the next report to the Council by 7 May, which is exactly 60 days from the last one. We will do this on the understanding, of course, that we will always be ready, on a regular basis, to provide oral updates or briefings to the Council on any significant developments that may occur.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“As regards the Sierra Leone police, it is a fact that their activities remain limited to the western part of the country. The police force in Sierra Leone suffered greatly from the war, and it is not that easy to recreate a police force. Nevertheless, the police are active in the western part of the country, as well as in Freetown. They very much lack the necessary equipment and other facilities that they need to be able to fulfil their tasks. Any support that may be provided by individual donors would be very much appreciated.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“A battalion from Ghana and a battalion from Guinea have been inducted. We are working actively with these contributors, both here and in the field, to ensure that the equipment shortfalls are met as soon as possible, so that these troops are fully equipped to perform the mandate given to them by the Security Council. I think that the contingent for which the incorporation has been less smooth, perhaps, was the battalion from Guinea, which was not deployed as expeditiously as we had hoped. As you know, as this battalion was on its way to join UNAMSIL it allowed RUF elements to take away a large part of its weapons and equipment. So we are working on all these issues to try to improve the capacity of UNAMSIL to meet the challenges before it.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“While it is true that these two organizations have withdrawn as a result of the attacks by Revolutionary United Front elements against them on 7 May, my humanitarian colleagues have asked me to stress that humanitarian operations, which have been recently established in Makeni, are continuing and that further work is being undertaken to expand humanitarian assistance wherever access becomes possible. In regard to your own questions, Sir, on the incorporation of the ECOMOG troops, we have currently three ECOWAS countries who were participating in ECOMOG and are now providing troops to UNAMSIL: Nigeria, Guinea and Ghana. As you know, initially two Nigerian battalions were inducted into UNAMSIL. An additional two other battalions and a tank company are also in the process of being incorporated into UNAMSIL.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Sankoh did not come and did not respond to the invitation extended to him. Regarding the deployment of civilian police personnel, we hope to deploy - as members of the Council will recall - some 60 civilian police officers. I must say that we have offers for perhaps half of that number at this point. So additional offers would be welcome, and of course we will start deploying those civilian police officers from countries that have made these offers on the understanding that we need to keep an acceptable geographical balance in this regard. So we will start the deployment soon and hope to receive in the meantime additional offers from interested Member States. The Ambassador of Jamaica also expressed concern about the withdrawal of two humanitarian organizations from Kabala and another location in the northern part of the country.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“It has not started to follow up on the Government's own efforts in terms of taxation, legislation and various measures that are needed to control the diamond exploitation activities to ensure that these resources can be effectively put to use to support the peace process and the reconstruction process. In response to the questions of the Ambassador of Jamaica regarding the national commission on strategic resources, I am not sure whether the reference by the Ambassador of Jamaica to hearings refers to hearings of the commission itself - I indicated that the commission had not started its work - or to the hearings held recently in the Sierra Leone Parliament. Foday Sankoh and Johnny Paul Koroma were both invited to attend hearings of the national Parliament. Mr. Koroma did attend, as requested by the Parliament, but Mr.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“As regards the reference in paragraph 48 to the establishment of mechanisms to allow the Government and people of Sierra Leone to reap the benefits of the country's strategic resources, I apologize for the somewhat cryptic sentence. What it really means - and this is something that is shared by everyone - is that we would very much like to see the benefits that have been reaped from the diamond exploitation and have been used to prosecute the war now used to support the peace process and the development and reconstruction process. The Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development, which is chaired by Foday Sankoh, has been formally established, but the problem is that it has not really started working. It has not yet adopted a proper plan of action or programme of work.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Annabi: I shall begin with the questions asked by the Ambassador of the Netherlands. As regards the reference in paragraph 26 of the report to the launching of a community rehabilitation and reintegration programme last month, this refers to a number of projects which include training in vocational skills and employment opportunities through the promotion of small businesses and small business credits, accelerated eduction programmes and programmes designed to encourage literacy, as well as social counselling programmes to people who may have suffered during the civil war. These projects are to be financed through the World Bank and the African Development Bank.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111Resumption1 (2000) · source
“However, UNAMSIL has made impressive progress, in the face of what are considerable difficulties, to deploy to many locations in Sierra Leone, as I have indicated, including to areas where no deployment had previously taken place. The efforts of regional leaders, in particular President Konare of Mali, the current Chairman of ECOWAS, to help keep the peace process on track are very much appreciated and the United Nations hopes that these very helpful and constructive efforts will continue in the future. In conclusion, I would like to appeal to Council members to, perhaps, agree to a modification of the reporting cycle on UNAMSIL. Reports have so far been submitted every 45 days; we believe that the Council may wish to consider modifying that reporting cycle to a report every 60 days, if that is agreeable to Council members.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“Sankoh towards key elements of the peace process and the role entrusted to the United Nations remains a cause for concern. Hostile public remarks by the RUF leader about UNAMSIL and its mandate have led to increasing tension between RUF fighters and UNAMSIL troops on the ground. They also give rise to serious doubts about the commitment of Mr. Sankoh and the RUF to the faithful implementation of the Lome Agreement. Mr. Sankoh should therefore dispel these doubts in a tangible and unequivocal manner. His participation in the high-level meeting held on 9 March is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. The continued ceasefire violations perpetrated against civilians and peacekeepers is not acceptable. The persistent obstruction of UNAMSIL patrols and deployments is also unacceptable and must cease immediately.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“It would also be useful if financial support could be provided for various other aspects of the peace process, including small-scale quick-impact projects, civil affairs, the rehabilitation of the civilian police, support for political parties - including the transformation of the RUF into a political party - and other democratization efforts through the United Nations Sierra Leone Trust Fund, as proposed in the report. The Secretary-General's report stresses, however, that resources alone will not be not sufficient. In the final analysis, the Government of Sierra Leone, the RUF and other groups and all Sierra Leonean leaders bear a personal responsibility for moving the process forward and they should intensify their efforts to this end. In this regard, the frequently negative approach taken by Mr.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“In this regard, the Secretary-General very much welcomes the organization of the donor conference scheduled to be held in London on 27 March at the initiative of the British Government, and he has asked Deputy Secretary- General Louise Frechette to represent the United Nations on that occasion to underscore the importance that he attaches to this meeting. The Secretary-General would like on this occasion to appeal to the donor community to make generous contributions, in particular to the World Bank Multi-donor Trust Fund, to cover the present shortfall of approximately $20 million in the funding of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“These main steps can be grouped under four specific areas of activity: first, the early disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of all ex- combatants; secondly, the extension of state authority, including law enforcement, throughout the country; thirdly, national reconciliation and democratization; and fourthly, the improvement of Sierra Leone's own capacity to ensure its own security. Significant progress during the course of this year towards these important objectives would be an essential precondition for the organization and conduct of the parliamentary and presidential elections envisaged for the spring of 2001. It is clear that progress towards these objectives would require a sustained commitment by all concerned, as well as significant material and financial resources.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“I also wish to inform Council members of two incidents that took place on 7 March, in which humanitarian workers were detained and mistreated by RUF fighters near Kabala and Rogberi, respectively. All of these aid workers have been released, although one was shot in the hand. As a result, the non-governmental organizations concerned - Medecins sans Frontieres and Christian Extension Services - have suspended their operations in RUF-held areas. The Secretary-Generals report outlines the main steps to be taken in the peace process so as to establish priorities and responsibilities for all concerned and to provide the international community with benchmarks to measure progress.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“Urgent action continues to be needed to address the appalling conditions of health, water, sanitation and school facilities in most of the assessed areas. Meanwhile, RUF resistance to UNAMSIL deployment continues to slow humanitarian access to approximately 2.6 million war-affected Sierra Leoneans in the upper Northern and Eastern provinces of the country. Only limited humanitarian assistance has been possible in the critical locations of Kambia in the Northern Province and in Kailahun and Kono in the Eastern Province. Should humanitarian access improve, the United Nations agencies would require additional generous support from the international donor community.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“At the present time, the activities of the Sierra Leonean police continue to be limited to the western part of the country, in particular Freetown. Also, the local police still lack the necessary personnel, facilities and equipment to fulfil essential tasks. Despite these challenges, progress has been made in the training of police officers, improving service conditions, monitoring their conduct and implementing structural and personnel changes, which are being conducted under the leadership of the Sierra Leonean Inspector General of Police with the support of the Commonwealth Police Task Force and UNAMSIL's civilian police advisers. On the humanitarian side, with the deployment of UNAMSIL military units, humanitarian access is showing signs of improvement.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“UNAMSIL has recently begun to destroy the ammunition and unexploded mortar rounds collected in the course of this exercise. Turning to the human rights situation, I want to recall that the human rights situation in Sierra Leone was extensively discussed at the Security Council consultations of 8 March. Therefore I will not go into details today. I would, however, like to state once again that the human rights situation in Sierra Leone remains a cause for serious concern, in particular in the area of Port Loko, where former elements of the Sierra Leone Army are present, and in RUF-held areas, with continuing incidents of abductions, rape and harassment of civilians. However, according to our human rights observers, there has been some improvement in the human rights situation in areas where UNAMSIL has been able to deploy.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“At the same time, a significant increase in disarmament of former Civil Defence Forces (CDF) combatants occurred during this reporting period. As of today, a total of 18,332 ex-combatants have been disarmed and demobilized. However, we are concerned about the number and the low quality of the weapons which have been surrendered, as well as about the ratio of collected arms to the number of ex-combatants, as many fighters report for demobilization only with ammunition and hand grenades. As of today, a total of 6,426 weapons have been recovered, as well as 1,545 grenades and over 1.5 million rounds of ammunition. The security situation at the disarmament and demobilization camps also continues to be a matter of concern, especially at Port Loko.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source