YouSaid · the spoken record

Arias

lines on the record: 1,107
first: 1999-09-11
most recent: 2023-02-07
sittings or episodes: 176
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

“Many difficulties have to be overcome in order to create conditions propitious to the holding of national elections. We urge the Timorese Government to redouble its efforts to consolidate the necessary institutions and mechanisms in Dili and elsewhere to make sure that the elections can be held within an atmosphere of transparency and peace. On earlier occasions, Panama has stated in this Council that efforts in favour of peacekeeping and peacebuilding must be coordinated in a comprehensive and consistent manner, so as to ensure that countries that put an end to hostilities have programmes, institutions and capacities enabling them to implement the measures necessary to the achievement of development that is both economically sustainable and socially responsible.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“This is the process that will give the people the confidence that the Government is able to secure social peace and sustainable development within the fair and inclusive rule of law. But none of this can be achieved without genuine commitment of national actors. It is in this context that we appreciate the efforts undertaken by President Xanana Gusmao's Dialogue Commission, which has been welcomed by Timorese leaders at all the nation's political and social levels. We are convinced that UNMIT has a crucial part to play in this process, as shown by, inter alia, the legal and standard-setting advice that is being implemented and by the integrated coordination mechanism set up among the various actors associated with the United Nations to arrive at a single criterion.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Atul Khare, who is also the head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). We also wish to congratulate him on his appointment. The delegation of Panama has listened carefully to the report on the progress achieved and the difficulties encountered by Timor-Leste in its effort to carry out the first elections since independence. We have also taken note of comments on the particular support by UNMIT to promote favourable conditions for the holding of fair, credible elections that are in keeping with international standards. However, as we have had opportunity to say in the Council in the past, transparent and credible elections are important, but they are merely one step in the complex process of consolidating a stable, just and representative democracy.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): The Mission of the Republic of Panama is grateful for the singular opportunity of addressing the Council in the presence of Mr. Jose Ramos Horta, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, since it gives us an opportunity to welcome him and express our respect for his dedication and resolute commitment to the welfare of the people of Timor-Leste. It is not very often that the Council has the honour of welcoming a Nobel Peace Prize winner who also plays an outstanding political role in a conflict situation in a country to which the Security Council and the United Nations have dedicated particular attention. Along with earlier speakers, I am grateful for the detailed and comprehensive report from the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“The Commission's function must be to coordinate the available resources in a comprehensive, rigorous and coherent manner in order to make it easier for the countries under its auspices to have the programmes, institutions and capacities that will enable them to take the necessary measures to achieve economically sustainable and socially responsible development.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627 (2007) · source
“However, we applaud the efforts of the Organizational Committee and the Peacebuilding Support Office in preparing for meetings on specific cases, assessing the progress on those cases and drawing up a plan based on the requests of the Governments of Sierra Leone and Burundi. We expect and are resolved that the Peacebuilding Commission will distinguish itself through effective and efficient performance. To that end, each and every one of us who are involved must maintain a firm commitment to act with the promptness and transparency that this responsibility requires.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627 (2007) · source
“After all, the maintenance of international peace and security is a task entrusted to both the Assembly and the Council by the Charter itself. The mission of Panama believes that that task must be carried out in a coherent, coordinated and comprehensive manner. The objective of this consultation process should be an initial assessment of the Commission's working mechanisms and decision-making processes so that all of these organs, each within its own perspective, can have the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the Commission, if necessary, with timely assistance or advice so that it can carry out the task entrusted to it by the heads of State and Government. We acknowledge that the Peacebuilding Commission is still in the process of finding its own identity.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627 (2007) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): The delegation of Panama believes that this is an opportune moment to recall that heads of State or Government, meeting during the 2005 World Summit, acknowledged the need for the Organization to carry out a coordinated, consistent and integrated peacebuilding and reconciliation effort in countries that have emerged from conflict. To meet that need, they established the Peacebuilding Commission with the participation of the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. That is why Panama believes it is appropriate that both the General Assembly and the Security Council have decided to conduct an initial review of how, in terms of form and substance, the Commission is carrying out the task entrusted to it.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627 (2007) · source
“We cast our vote on the understanding that the draft resolution had the intent to give support - and succeeded in so doing - to the good offices of the Secretary-General currently under way with the authorities of Myanmar. Panama regrets that we have not been able to reach consensus on this item, and we feel that in this we have all failed.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“I hope that when we have that discussion we will understand that all of these bodies should act as part of a whole and not in a segregated and individual fashion. With regard to the vote in favour of the draft resolution, Panama would like to go on record that we voted on the understanding that the resolution incorporated the views of the neighbouring countries and of the Non-Aligned Movement, namely, that Myanmar currently is not a threat to international peace and security. We cast our vote on the understanding that this draft resolution did not prevent action by other bodies of the Organization, particularly action by the Human Rights Council - although we would have preferred greater clarity on that particular point.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The topic we are addressing is the functions and mandate of this Council, and specifically its capacity to act preventively and in conformity with the scope and range of Articles 32, 33 and 34 of the United Nations Charter. We are all aware of the important changes that have occurred in the international situation since the Charter was adopted. We are discussing - and will discuss in future - threats to international security. We recently had a debate in this Chamber on this very issue. We also have to discuss the functions of the various bodies of the United Nations in the face of these new realities. In particular, we have to discuss the functions of the Security Council, which is its responsibility.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): When Panama accepted the responsibility of assuming a seat on the Security Council, it did so with a View not to imposing its own national criteria, but to acting on behalf of and for the Members of the Organization in respect to the maintenance of international peace and security. Given that understanding of its responsibility to the international community, Panama expresses its concern today about the pressure that has been exerted in the Council's decision-making on the matter at hand. We regret to say that we do not have a clear grasp of the factors that led to this situation. We are concerned that the topic on which we have decided today far transcends the situation in Myanmar.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“In the light of this trust, all United Nations decisions - but in particular - those taken by the Security Council, given their binding nature - must be adopted in strictest conformity with international law. The credibility and legitimacy of its actions and, accordingly, its ability to address current threats to international peace and security will largely depend upon that.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“It is no exaggeration to say that the Assembly has much to do in this respect. With regard to the Security Council, there is no doubt that the spirit and reason for its establishment lie in the need to have one organ that can effectively and efficiently contribute to the resolution of critical situations before they develop into conflicts of greater complexity. The Charter, however, imposes on the Security Council the obligation to exhaust all mechanisms it offers and all options of prevention and mediation that are contemplated in Chapter VI, and also demands that the Council cooperate broadly with regional organizations referred to in Chapter VIII, before considering sanctions or the use of force provided for in Chapter VII. To address threats to international peace and security, humanity has placed its hopes in the United Nations.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“There are other principal and subsidiary organs within the United Nations that can and should also contribute to addressing these threats, including the Secretariat, with its vast capacity for preventative diplomacy, the General Assembly, which enjoys universal representation, the Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council. Each, according to their powers and functions, can contribute to addressing many of these issues. In this respect, we should recall that the Charter not only grants the General Assembly the right to discuss any question relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, but also, to a certain extent, imposes the responsibility upon the Assembly to call the attention of the Security Council to those situations that are likely to endanger peace and security.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“Necessary and timely attention to these great threats will require us above all to fully know, understand and address the root causes. While it is true that a large share of this responsibility falls to the United Nations, other international organizations, States themselves, nongovernmental organizations and - why not say so - all human beings, out of a common moral sense, must do likewise. Within the United Nations, the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. However, not all potential threats can or should be examined immediately by the Council.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“However, since then, the world has changed dramatically, and the main threats no longer stem from wars between States. Today, these threats derive principally from destabilization caused by poverty, injustice and marginalization. They come from the spread of infectious diseases, from the scarcity and abuse of natural resources, and from destruction of the environment. They stem from ethnic, cultural and religious conflicts, and from the systematic violations of human rights. They stem from transnational organized crime, from the stockpiling and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and from the illicit trafficking in small arms. Finally, they derive from fundamentalism, especially those forms that proclaim themselves the guardians of the truth and that seek to impose this truth through force, including through terrorist acts.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“It is a country that historically has maintained friendly relations with States of different political and ideological orientations. It is a country that by its Constitution is demilitarized, a country that adheres to the doctrine of human security as part of its national laws and a country with a canal that is neutral in accordance with an international treaty and by its own wishes. That is why no one should be surprised that this subject attracts our special attention. More than sixty years ago, when our predecessors entrusted the United Nations Organization with the responsibility for and the obligation of maintaining peace and security, they did so with the conviction that by doing so they were contributing to saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me, first of all, to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January. We would also like to thank the delegation of Qatar for the work accomplished. I would like to commend you, Mr. President, and the delegation of the Russian Federation for giving us this opportunity to formally welcome the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to whom we wish success in his undertaking and to whom we offer support. At the same time, we welcome this opportunity to address an issue of utmost transcendence, namely, current threats to international peace and security and how best to confront them. Panama is a country where people of many ethnicities, cultures and religion live in peace and harmony.”
2007-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5615 (2007) · source
“Fifthly, we believe that the emergence of new missions in bordering countries has opened up infinite possibilities for coordination among those missions, which are undoubtedly worth exploring. We encourage efforts in that respect. Finally, it is necessary to prepare an exit strategy in order to avoid the interminable continuation of missions. Resources are limited, and missions should have the goal of achieving a given mandate. The mission's size, mandate and structure should be regularly modified based on the progress achieved.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Thirdly, we must keep in view the evolution of the concept of peacekeeping operations, which is reflected in their multidimensional nature. For that reason, there should be a more systematic inclusion of peace-building components such as activities to strengthen the rule of law, security sector reform, financial assistance and the strengthening of respect for human rights. Fourthly, we believe that the Security Council should strive to adopt clear and realistic mandates. To do that, in addition to taking up the recommendations proposed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, it is important to strengthen the relationship between the Council and those who ultimately carry out the authorized mandates.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“The nature of conflicts requires multidisciplinary mandates and increasingly complex missions. That requires the integrated planning of missions. In addition, the United Nations capacity for rapid deployment needs to be reinforced in terms of financing, materiel and personnel. We should emphasize the importance of continuing to improve the training of mission personnel. In that context, it is advisable to continue to promote the establishment of benchmarks and criteria to achieve homogenized and interrelated training. Secondly, we believe that cooperation with regional organizations can and should play an increasingly essential role in the reinforcement of the operational capacity of the United Nations. The recent experience of Operation Artemis is a good example of that approach.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Mr. Arias (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I thank the delegation of Pakistan for their very timely convening of this meeting, and I thank you, Sir, for coming to preside over the meeting. My delegation associates itself with the intervention to be made by the representative of Ireland on behalf of the European Union. We find ourselves before an extraordinary opportunity to deal with this issue. The challenge to the United Nations is enormous, and in order to confront it most assuredly, it is important to take a number of factors into account. First, despite the fact that since the publication of the Brahimi report considerable progress has been made in strengthening the operational capacity of the United Nations, there remain some areas in which efforts should continue to be made.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“In summing up Chinese diplomacy, I would like to offer Ambassador Wang Ronaldo's Real Madrid team jersey, which I believe symbolizes, as I have said, reflective, observant, fair-playing diplomacy, but which at the moment of truth is firm and decisive. I thank all members of the Council. I hope the United Nations will continue to be what we all want it to be, or even more.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“To conclude on a happier note, I wish, for two reasons, to refer specifically to the Ambassador of China. I want to offer him a small gift - first, because I admire Ambassador Wang - I wish he were here - and I want to offer him a gift that symbolizes Chinese diplomacy - something reflective, observant, fair- playing, yet, at the moment of truth, firm and decisive. My first reason is my admiration for him and for Chinese diplomacy. The second reason is because China is sitting in the very seat in which I would have sat had I finished my tour in the Security Council, which has been shortened because things are as they are.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“If Lakhdar Brahimi were to come to study the members of the Council, and if he was not clear about whether he wanted politicians or technocrats, I do not know how he would categorize us, but I am sure that we, at least my colleagues, are honourable, serious, very professional people who have served the interests of their countries, always bearing in mind the importance of the values and the principles of the United Nations. When things clash, we are left with a bad feeling. I do not want to conclude without paying a tribute to Mr. Kofi Annan, who has always inspired my diplomatic work. I believe he is, if not the best - which he probably is - one of the best Secretaries- General the United Nations has had, and when we allow him, something we do not always do, he always does something that benefits humanity and the Organization.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“We have experienced an agitated, volatile and tortured year and a half. There was a resolution in November 2002 that was a wonder of diplomatic architecture. However, a few months later it became the mother of all ambiguities. Sometimes technocrats are the best, and at other times we have to consider politicians. Personally, for some time I have been a member of the coalition, but not an occupying Power, and now I also believe I am not a member of the coalition. As I said, we have experienced times of flux, but I am firm in and serious about my appreciation for all the persons, all the colleagues-Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives, other representatives - whom I have had the pride and honour to have worked with during that time.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Mr. Arias (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I am very proud and honoured to be saying goodbye to the members of the Security Council at a meeting presided over by you, Sir, and attended by our much admired Secretary-General. I do not know which humanitarian said that if he had been present alongside God at the day of creation, he would have provided Him with some ideas on how to order the world differently. I could have said as much about the Security Council if I had been in San Francisco in 1945, particularly on 13 June. I would have offered some ideas on how to reform the Security Council to make it better, but what I would not change - and I say this with appreciation and fondness - is the human and professional quality of the people with whom I have sat on the Council throughout the past year and a half.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Spain believes that the "standards before status" policy is more valid now than ever before. The incidents of March are proof that Kosovo is not implementing the standards required of it by the international community. What is more, there has been considerable movement away from the standards. We must send a loud and clear message to the Kosovo authorities, insisting that there will be no discussions on status until the standards are fully implemented, and that episodes of violence will only postpone that date. Any different course could have very serious consequences for Kosovo's future and for the entire region.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“On the whole, the objective of establishing the rule of law has been seriously damaged by the violence, which has even affected economic development, weakening the confidence and interest of investors. Finally, we must consider measures to prevent such unfortunate events from happening again and derailing the situation. It is worthwhile to highlight the work of UNMIK, headed by Mr. Holkeri, and that of KFOR during the outbreak of the crisis and in the days following. They have paid a high price, but they probably prevented a true catastrophe. The change of attitude among the provisional authorities - particularly in terms of putting right the damage - is also commendable, but there is still more than a shadow of doubt as to their true commitment to applying the standards for Kosovo.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“The Secretary-General's report indicates that the inter- ethnic violence has affected the entire normalization process. Thus, not only has it compelled UNMIK to modify the Implementation Plan, but it has set back the situation of minorities and hampered the return of refugees, seriously affecting freedom of movement, freezing direct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and seriously damaging the functioning of democratic institutions. Those are all crucial aspects of resolution 1244 (1999) and of the "Standards for Kosovo" document. Moreover, the attitude of the municipalities and of the media - key institutions in the normalization process - has revealed how far they are from complying with the standards. Only the Kosovo Protection Corps has demonstrated - with certain exceptions - some degree of professionalism during the crisis.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“Secondly, that violence was not directed only against individuals and the heritage of those minorities - including sites of particular cultural and religious significance - but also against UNMIK and the forces that the international community has charged with maintaining order. Thirdly, the initial response of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government was ambivalent; they were reluctant to clearly condemn the violence, particularly the violence unfortunately directed against the Serb community. Worse yet, in some cases they attempted to use the violence for their own political objectives, calling for independence and the transfer of UNMIK's competencies. Only after UNMIK and the international community had put pressure on the authorities did they show a change of attitude. A second aspect is the consequences.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“However, this is not the time to make statements of disapproval, but rather to determine precisely what happened, make a serious political assessment of the events and calculate their impact, not only so that such unfortunate events will not be repeated, but also so that the international community can take the appropriate measures so that the provisions of resolution 1244 (1999) can be fully complied with. Let us begin with the facts. Three conclusions can be drawn from Mr. Holkeri's briefing and from the report of the Secretary-General. First, the inter-ethnic violence of March was not an isolated event, but rather an organized campaign, spread throughout the territory with specific objectives against three of the province's ethnic minorities, but with particular malice against the Serb minority.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“Mr. Arias (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I wish to thank Mr. Holkeri for his excellent briefing. I also wish to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro, Mr. Draskovic. My country fully endorses the statement that will be made by the Permanent Representative of Ireland on behalf of the European Union. The detailed report of the Secretary-General on Kosovo (S/2004/348) has only confirmed what had already come to light in the most recent Council meeting on Kosovo. The unbridled inter-ethnic violence of the events in March has caused a serious setback to the process of normalization and compliance with standards for the province. We reiterate our vigorous condemnation of those events, and we appeal that those responsible for them be brought to justice.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“Spain is prepared to continue to contribute to the consolidation of the self-sufficiency and full development of Timor- Leste.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“The Secretary-General is quite right to note that "The Timorese leadership can lay the foundations for future progress by fostering a culture of political dialogue and debate, anchored in the values of human rights, tolerance and respect for the law" (5/2004/333, para. 69) as well as by promoting key legislation in the areas of human rights, public administration, anti-corruption, policing and defence. We welcome the excellent cooperation shown by the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia and hope that it will bear fruit in the settlement of two principal issues: the delimitation of their land borders and the presence of thousands of refugees in West Timor. In conclusion, the United Nations can be proud of the success achieved by the people of Timor-Leste with the support of the international community.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“First, we wholeheartedly support the Secretary- General's recommendation to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor for a further year in order to consolidate and further strengthen the enormous progress registered by Timor- Leste since it achieved independence. We believe that the composition and objectives of the three programmes proposed by the Secretary-General will make it possible to accomplish those tasks. As we said here in February, the additional efforts proposed are relatively modest in comparison to achievements made to date. At the same time, it is essential that we successfully conclude the consolidation of the institutions of Timor-Leste and avoid any setbacks. To that end, we need the full cooperation of the Timorese institutions, just as they have cooperated with us so far.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“Ms. Menendez (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): We wish in turn to begin by conveying our condolences to the Government and people of the Russian Federation for the terrorist attack committed yesterday. We welcome the briefing provided by Ambassador Sharma and congratulate him heartily on his work as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for East Timor. We also welcome the presence of Minister Pessoa Pinto here at this meeting. My delegation fully endorses the statement to be made by the representative of Ireland on behalf of the European Union. We wish to add a few brief comments of our own.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“It should thus be governed by principles of cooperation, equal treatment and transparency, and technical assistance to States should be one of its key components. Similarly, we believe that it should have a team of experts to assist it in its work.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“I stress that Spain considers this exercise as part of the global struggle against terrorism and as a continuation of the efforts initiated by resolution 1373 (2001), which was adopted under Chapter VII. It would have been difficult to understand, then, not applying that Chapter on this occasion. With regard to the follow-up mechanism, we supported the creation of a committee entrusted with monitoring the implementation of the resolution, and we welcome the fact that it was given sufficient time to fulfil its functions. Two years seems to be a satisfactory length of time. The committee will have to determine its terms of reference, but we hope that its operation will be similar to that of the Counter- Terrorism Committee.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“But this resolution will not cause States that possess such weapons to accelerate the fulfilment of their obligations or those outside the treaties to accede to them. That does not mean that we do not agree on the substance of the resolution, but that it seemed to us appropriate to avoid numerous references to disarmament in its text, since they were not appropriate in the context of this resolution and could have diluted its aims. With regard to Chapter VII, we believe that the resolution is not intrusive because it enables States to translate the obligations conferred by it into domestic law as they wish. My country believes that this resolution has been adopted under Chapter VII for two reasons: to make it legally binding in an unequivocal way and to send a strong political message.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“With respect to non-proliferation, my country believes that the objective of this resolution is clear and limited. It does not seek to modify international obligations in the area of disarmament and non- proliferation, as expressly stated in paragraph 5. It seems to us that the term "non-proliferation", with the safeguard that that paragraph represents, is the most appropriate one to refer to the phenomenon we seek to combat, since it clearly encompasses both the State and non-State perspectives. With regard to disarmament, the various treaties referred to in the resolution are concerned with disarmament, not non-proliferation; the two concepts are closely related. Clearly, disarmament can contribute to preventing non-State actors from acquiring these weapons.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“Mr. Arias (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): Spain decided to co-sponsor this resolution because we believe it essential to act urgently in order to fill a legal vacuum. The context of the resolution is no other than the global struggle against terrorism, and therefore Spain views this exercise as part of that initiated by resolution 1373 (2001). The possibility that non-State actors, in particular terrorists, might gain access to weapons of mass destruction represents a real, grave and imminent threat to international peace and security. For that reason, my country has always felt that it was within the Council's competence to take action. Since the Council is legislating for the entire international community, we welcome the fact that this resolution was adopted by consensus. I will discuss Spain's stance in four brief points.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“For most Permanent Missions, it would be impossible alone to process all the information to be provided by States under the draft resolution.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In any case, six months would not appear to be enough. As has been noted concerning other Council committees, the committee should set its own terms of reference once it has been established. We believe that this would be a standard committee of the Security Council, composed of all the members and operating on the basis of consensus, and whose functions would be very similar to that of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. In other words, it would be a committee governed by the principles of cooperation, equal treatment and transparency, and of which providing technical assistance to States would be an essential component. Furthermore and lastly, we believe that it should have experts to assist its work.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In that context, I want to emphasize that Spain considers this exercise to be part of the fight against terrorism and a continuation of what began with resolution 1373 (2001), which was adopted within the framework of Chapter VII. It would therefore be hard to understand why one would not apply Chapter VII on this occasion. We also understand that the draft resolution in no way explicitly or implicitly gives a blank check for the use of coercive measures, including the use of force, in cases of non-compliance. Fourthly, as to the follow-up mechanism, Spain supports the creation of a Security Council committee entrusted with monitoring the implementation of the draft resolution and is flexible with regard to the duration of its mandate. The important thing is that it have sufficient time to fulfil its functions.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“That does not mean we do not agree on substance, but we do not deem it appropriate to introduce too many disarmament references, because they are not appropriate in the context of the draft resolution. Therefore, my delegation is pleased that, for the sake of balance, a reference to disarmament was introduced into a preambular paragraph without diverting the draft resolution from its specific objective. The third issue is Chapter VII of the Charter. Spain believes that the draft resolution is not intrusive - because it gives States leeway on how to internally interpret its implementation - and that it should be adopted within the framework of Chapter VII for two reasons: to make it unequivocally legally binding for all United Nations Members and to send a strong political message.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“It is a fact that the various treaties alluded to in the draft resolution are disarmament rather than non-proliferation treaties and that disarmament and non-proliferation are closely inter-related concepts in international norms and practice. Clearly, disarmament can help to prevent non- State actors from acquiring WMD, but this draft resolution will in no way cause States possessing such weapons to comply more swiftly with their disarmament obligations under international treaties or cause non-parties to such treaties to accede to them. What is more, if we introduce too many paragraphs on disarmament into the draft resolution, we run the risk of diluting its objective.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The draft's objective is clear and limited. In no way does it attempt to modify international disarmament or non-proliferation objectives, which is clearly indicated in operative paragraph 11. Therefore, we believe that the term "non- proliferation", with the safeguard represented by that paragraph, is the most appropriate way to refer to the phenomenon we want to combat, since it clearly encompasses both the State and the non-State aspects. Therefore, proliferation cannot be qualified by limiting it to non-State actors, because obviously States can also proliferate WMD and supply them to non-State actors. The second issue is disarmament.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In that context, it is clear that we are confronting a grave and imminent threat to international peace and security: the possibility that non-State actors might gain access to WMD and sensitive materials. For that reason, my country believes that the Council is competent to act. We believe that, since the Council is legislating for the entire international community, this draft resolution should preferably, although not necessarily, be adopted by consensus and after consultation with non-members of the Council. Therefore, without prejudice to the - I daresay - unprecedented and intensive negotiations of the sponsors, Spain has always believed the holding of this formal open debate to be appropriate. The most debated issues related to the draft resolution can be summarized in four points. The first issue is non-proliferation.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source