YouSaid · the spoken record

Assaf

lines on the record: 76
first: 2005-01-28
most recent: 2011-11-14
sittings or episodes: 18
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

“Furthermore, in the face of continued horrible terrorist attacks today, which have also targeted United Nations offices and its various bodies, we are more convinced than ever that the success of counter- terrorism efforts will above all require addressing the root causes of terrorism and the removal of the factors that nurture it by eliminating areas of tension and double standards in the implementation of international legitimacy, as well as by putting an end to foreign occupation, ignorance and poverty. We also encourage promoting the culture of acceptance of others, along with dialogue between various cultures and religions, as an indispensable tool for the success of anti-terrorism efforts.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“We welcome the appointment of a facilitator to prepare for the 2012 conference on establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in implementation of the action plan set out in the Final Document of the 2010 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Lebanon knows very well the dangers of terrorism because of the attacks it has suffered over so many years. We emphasize our continued constructive cooperation with the three Committees and our full support for international efforts to combat terrorism.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“We further find that the assistance provided by the Committee and expert groups to countries that request it is more than a principal factor in the implementation of the resolution. That assistance also enhances the exchange of expertise and capacity-building for taking effective measures at the national level to prevent terrorists and non-State actors from reaching sensitive materials and technologies related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, whether nuclear, chemical or biological. We would like to remind members of the efforts of the League of Arab States in this context and to emphasize the importance of making the Middle East a zone free of such weapons.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“We emphasize the importance of supporting and cooperating with it in order to achieve the objectives set out in resolution 1977 (2011). We especially support current efforts to implement operational paragraph 5 (b) of that resolution. With Lebanon's membership in the Security Council coming to a close, it is important for us to stress the importance of paragraph 17 of the final document on the Committee's 2009 comprehensive review (S/2010/52, annex), which discusses the importance of efforts that can be carried out by States in implementing resolution 1540 (2004) after their membership on the Committee has ended. We also commend the efforts of the four Working Groups, on Monitoring and National Implementation, Assistance, Cooperation with International Organizations, and Transparency and Outreach.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“It addressed the developing challenges and risks and discussed existing gaps in implementation and how to tackle them. We look forward to the issuance of a similar study on the implementation of resolution 1624 (2005) by the end of this year. We also emphasize the importance of the meeting of this Committee on the tenth anniversary of its establishment, which provided an opportunity for all States and international and regional organizations to express their position on counter-terrorism. We call for taking into consideration the various points of view offered during that meeting in the next stage of the Committee's work. Thirdly, I turn to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We welcome the most recent report of that Committee (S/2011/579) and its tenth programme of work.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“Secondly, with regard to the Counter-Terrorism Committee, established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), we commend the efforts of Committee and its Executive Directorate to promote the legislative and institutional capacities of States to combat terrorism, which continues to develop in various forms and means. We also encourage continued dialogue, cooperation and coordination with States and regional organizations to implement resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions, because combating terrorism can be complemented by national, regional and international measures. We welcome the 2011 global survey on the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by Member States (S/20ll/463, annex), which evaluated the progress achieved in implementing that resolution in various geographic areas.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“We further emphasize the importance of continuously updating the consolidated list and removing the names of individuals with insufficient identifying information, as well as the names of entities that have ceased to exist. That will help to promote the reliability and accuracy of the list and enhance the implementation of sanctions by various States. In the same context, we believe it necessary for the Committee to justify all of its decisions. Lebanon insists that sanctions always be in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and its human rights provisions.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“Those objectives will be achieved, in particular, by promoting and enhancing the mandate of the Ombudsperson, whose recommendations for the listing and de-listing of names have now essentially become decisive. That will put an end to cases of arbitrary listing. The number of requests submitted to the Ombudsperson to date attests to her important role. We therefore believe it necessary to provide the Ombudsperson with all the logistical resources required to carry out her duties and fulfil her mandate. We also commend the efforts of the Committee and its Monitoring Team, which have led to the publication, on the Committee's website and in the six official languages of the Organization, of the reasons for the listing of all names.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me to thank the Chairmen of the three Committees, the Permanent Representatives of India, Germany and South Africa, for their comprehensive briefings and ongoing efforts with all members of the Security Council to promote international counter-terrorism cooperation. I would like to make the following comments. First, with respect to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, we commend the measures adopted by consensus by the Security Council in resolution 1989 (2011) to enhance the transparency and fairness of the working methods of the Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee and to guarantee the fundamental rights of the individuals and entities on the sanctions list.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6658 (2011) · source
“Finally, we would like to thank the mission of the United Kingdom for having prepared the draft presidential statement, which we support.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6657 (2011) · source
“We welcome the meeting held under United Nations auspices in Kinshasa on 29 and 30 September, which brought together the Chiefs of Defence Staff of the four countries concerned. We encourage the African Union to expedite the implementation of its regional coordinated strategy for combating the LRA, the appointment of a special envoy, and the establishment of the regional intervention force and the joint operations centre. All of this should dovetail with intensified efforts to deal with the roots of the problem by encouraging combatants to lay down their arms and return to society. We can only commend the efforts of the various United Nations missions in the countries of the region to help civilians and end the dangers posed by the LRA.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6657 (2011) · source
“We emphasize the Office's importance as an instrument of preventive diplomacy and as an effective and affordable resource for preventing conflicts in that strategically important part of the world. As an institution with regional dimensions, the Office is genuinely needed in fighting the dangers posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in four countries. We reiterate our condemnation of that armed group's attacks on civilians, occupation and terrorization of villages, and use of various methods of Violence and intimidation, including the abduction of women and children, which has led to internal displacement or refugee status for hundreds of thousands and to the suffering of many in the region. In that regard, we call for more regional coordination and international cooperation in putting an end to the LM's bloody attacks.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6657 (2011) · source
“We commend the Special Representative's visits to the region and for his preparations for the 33rd ministerial meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, to be held at early next month in Bangui. We affirm the importance of UNOCA's responsibility for improving cooperation in Central Africa with regional organizations such as the Economic Community of Central African States, as well as with United Nations agencies and missions in the region, in order to strengthen stability and security, to combat piracy in Equatorial Guinea and repercussions from the Libyan crisis - including weapons trafficking and incursions by armed combatants - to promote the role of women, and to mitigate the impact of economic and other crises, which is particularly important.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6657 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Abou Moussa for his valuable statement and for his efforts in leading the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). I would also like to thank Ambassador Tete Antonio and Mr. Sylvain-Goma for their briefings. We have had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Moussa say that the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) is carrying out its role in full, justifying the hopes that we have placed in it, particularly given the current situation in Central Africa. In that regard, we are grateful to Gabon for hosting the Office and helping it function well.”
2011-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6657 (2011) · source
“They all participated in the preparation of the Beirut Declaration, which will contribute to promoting responsibility and will make heard the voices of the victims of these destructive weapons used by Israel against Lebanon in its destructive war of 2006. In that regard, we reiterate the need to compel Israel to compensate Lebanon for the losses caused by these weapons. To date they remain a kind of sword of Damocles hanging over Lebanese civilians in their fields and in the daily lives of their children.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“We also need to concentrate on the assistance to be provided to States emerging from conflict to help them reconstruct their security and judicial institutions, as that can have a positive impact on the rule of law and the promotion of a culture of protection. In September, Lebanon hosted the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, under the banner "Together for a safer life". The holding of the Meeting in a country that has been affected by these weapons, as Lebanon has been, enables us to highlight the exorbitant humanitarian cost of cluster munitions to civilians. This cluster munitions gathering was a space for more than 140 States to meet.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“We suggest that international and regional organizations be given the opportunity to play an active role in preventing conflicts whenever possible. That may be the most effective tool for protecting civilians. It can be done in a number of ways, including mediation, negotiation and preventive diplomacy. The fact remains that lasting protection of civilians can be brought about only by dealing not just with the symptoms of a conflict, but also with the underlying reasons for or causes of a conflict. That is done by supporting national efforts for inclusive dialogue concerning reconciliation and reintegration.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“Indeed, that is what enabled the Council to act quickly to protect civilians in Libya through its adoption of resolution 1973 (2011), which was truly exceptional and a last resort in efforts to confront an imminent threat. Lebanon believes that accountability is essential to ensuring reconciliation among all members of a society once a conflict ends. We therefore support efforts to establish the truth in Libya and to punish the perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law and the human rights of the Libyan people. Justice must be done, not only for the sake of the victims and to help the country leave its culture of impunity behind, but also to deter future such violations.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“In practice, however, numerous challenges remain. Though it is true that effective protection requires a comprehensive strategy in cooperation with the main humanitarian actors, the concerned State itself bears the primary responsibility for protecting civilians. The State also assumes the main responsibility in ensuring accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law. The international community and the United Nations must therefore pursue their efforts to build local capacities so as to help national authorities to fulfil their relevant obligations to the best of their ability. The Security Council has a range of known tools at its disposal in order to do the job, but it must select them judiciously, carefully and on a case-by-case basis, using timely, objective and reliable information.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): I would first like to thank His Excellency the President of Portugal for presiding over this meeting. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Spoerri, Ms. Bragg and Ms. Pillay for their respective briefings. In modern conflicts, all parties in the opposing camp are seen as the enemy. Therefore, each and every civilian is directly propelled to the front lines and threatened with injury or death in a conflict not of his or her choosing. Protecting civilians against such dangers is a considerable challenge that individual States and the international community as a whole must strive to meet by making the necessary efforts. The international community has made substantial progress in the protection of civilians, in particular by establishing regulatory frameworks.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“We also need to engage in capacity- building for Government institutions, including coast guards, so that countries of the region can control their territorial waters and ensure a better future for their people.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“We call on the international community and the Security Council to support plans by those countries to establish joint protection forces to patrol their coastlines. We welcome the Secretary-General's decision to deploy an assessment mission to the Gulf of Guinea to explore the various options available to the United Nations to combat piracy. Finally, would like to reiterate what we have said in the past on the subject of piracy in Somalia. We believe that dealing with the underlying causes of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in the longer term will require that we address the economic and social problems that countries face, set up sustainable development programmes and combat poverty and unemployment.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“We also stress the importance of regional organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States, establishing a regional plan to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea by instituting a joint protection force. That would entail protecting the countries' territorial waters and cooperation with the United Nations Regional Offices for Central and West Africa. At the international level, we should be guided by international law, which provides the necessary legal framework to deal with piracy. We would like to thank the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for placing its expertise at the disposal of the countries of the region.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Lebanon believes that piracy is evolving, thereby requiring an effective and swift response at the national, regional and international levels. At the national level, we emphasize the need to support countries in the region to build their own capacities and modernize their equipment, so as to enable them to eliminate piracy. We also call for harmonization between domestic and international law in combating piracy so that countries of the region can capture pirates and armed bandits, bring them to justice and imprison the guilty. At the regional level, we welcome the joint sea patrols by States of the region in the Gulf of Guinea to combat piracy, as well as the information exchange among those countries. We urge them to increase that cooperation and coordination.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): First of all, I would like to thank you, Madame President, for having convened this meeting. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his important briefing, as well as Mr. Toure and Mrs. Ukonga for their statements. We are seriously concerned about the increasing number of acts of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and about drug trafficking, hostage-taking and armed robbery along the coast of that region. We also condemn those crimes, which destabilize the region and undermine security. They also threaten commercial shipping and have a negative impact on economic development. The losses from such acts are huge, especially when it comes to the oil, fishing and shipping industries.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“We condemn Israel's attempt to change demographics and to bring about significant changes in the occupied Syrian Golan area, particularly through the extension and expansion of settlements, which is a flagrant violation of international law, of General Assembly resolution 497 (1981) and the Fourth Geneva Convention. We call on Israel to implement Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and to withdraw completely from the occupied Golan Heights to the 1967 line. We stress the importance of arriving at ajust, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region of the Middle East.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): We wish at the outset to emphasize the importance of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force's operations, and to pay tribute to the sacrifices it has made. Today Lebanon joined the consensus in adopting resolution 1994 (2011). We would have preferred that it be technical in nature, as had always been the case in the past, when the resolution was accompanied by a presidential statement recalling the need to arrive at a comprehensive, peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East. We hope that this will be the case once again in future.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“We commend the role played by the UNODC, the International Narcotics Control Board and other relevant United Nations organs and agencies in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime and encourage them to strengthen their cooperation with the relevant regional and subregional organizations. Finally, we believe that the establishment by the UNODC and the Department of Political Affairs of the United Nations system task force on transnational organized crime and drug trafficking is a good first step towards mainstreaming responses to drug trafficking and organized crime into the broader United Nations security and development agenda. We look forward to the inclusion of these issues in conflict- prevention strategies, conflict analyses and peacebuilding support.”
2011-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6565 (2011) · source
“An effective response requires a comprehensive international approach based on shared responsibility. Special attention should be devoted to efficient modes of collaboration between countries of origin, transit and destination. States need to build capacity, share information, provide mutual legal assistance, build consensus on cross-border issues and carry out joint operations aimed at disrupting trafficking routes. We share the views of Mr. Fedotov concerning the need to strengthen international collaboration and build regional capacity in that regard. National, regional and international actions and strategies to combat drug trafficking and organized crime must be well coordinated and comprehensive so as to ensure that the actions taken to reduce supply and demand are mutually reinforcing.”
2011-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6565 (2011) · source
“Transnational organized crime and drug trafficking thereby produce a negative impact on peace, security and development. At the institutional level, the fight against the scourge of drugs requires universal adherence to the relevant international conventions and their effective implementation. It also demands sustained political will and firm commitment by Member States. As noted in the UNODC annual report, Governments and aid agencies must invest more in development, productive employment and increased security. Building resilient institutions and strengthening the rule of law are also essential, hence the need to strengthen capacity- building mechanisms for rule of law assistance within the United Nations. However crucial national strategies are, the transnational nature of the threat means that no country can face it alone.”
2011-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6565 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for his briefing and for his efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and transnational crime. As noted in the World Development Report 201], drugs connect some of the wealthiest and poorest areas of the world in a web of violence, showing that many solutions to violence require a global perspective. Indeed, transnational crime and drug trafficking continue to expand an extensive shadow economy that has a global reach. Illicit drug trafficking fuels the traffic in arms and money laundering, generates violence and corruption and in many cases is used to finance acts of terrorism. Criminal groups undermine State authority and the rule of law and put additional strains on States with porous borders and weak institutions.”
2011-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6565 (2011) · source
“The Office will also help to coordinate peace and security activities in Africa and to follow up the activities of the African Union in the framework of preventive diplomacy in order to prevent future crises in Africa and find a solution to conflicts. Finally, we hope that the African Union and the United Nations will be able to fulfil their mandates in a comprehensive way in order to promote such partnership and cooperation effectively and to promote peace and security in Africa, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations concerning cooperation with regional organizations.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6561 (2011) · source
“The creation of the United Nations Office to the African Union both responds to the need for greater coordination among United Nations offices on the African continent and promotes partnership between the African Union and the United Nations, in particular when it comes to the maintenance of international peace and security. We see this very clearly in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa, particularly the hybrid operations such as in Darfur and Somalia. The creation of the Office will allow the United Nations to give continuous advice to the African Union in building long-term capacity.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6561 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Muburi-Muita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing. We welcome his appointment and his efforts as Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union. The relationship between the United Nations and the African Union has developed a great deal in recent years, in particular in terms of peacekeeping and peacebuilding on the African continent. Today there is an increasing need for greater coordination and mutual assistance between the United Nations and the African Union, in particular in managing and deploying peacekeeping operations in several African countries.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6561 (2011) · source
“Despite our awareness that the resolution we have just adopted is purely technical in nature and that many 2 delegations have striven to keep it so, and because Lebanon abstained in the voting on resolution 1929 (2010) - whereby, pursuant to its paragraph 29, the Panel of Experts was established - Lebanon, in line with its consistent position, abstained again today in the voting.”
2011-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6552 (2011) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): Lebanon reaffirms that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is based on balance between the three pillars of disarmament, non-proliferation and the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. For Lebanon and all Arab countries, that balance is the principal avenue for meeting the aspirations of their peoples to a world free of nuclear weapons. As we seek to create such a world, we await the day when the peoples of the Middle East will be able to live in a region free of nuclear weapons similar to other such regions around the world.”
2011-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6552 (2011) · source
“Surely, the establishment of peace in Afghanistan serves the interests of all neighbouring States. Let me conclude by renewing our appreciation to the United Nations and its specialized agencies in Afghanistan for their efforts to achieve development by providing health, education, food assistance and capacity-building and by improving the status of women, promoting human rights and encouraging the return of refugees. After a year of significant international interest in Afghanistan, Lebanon hopes that such efforts will continue next year so that the Afghan people may finally enjoy security, stability and prosperity.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“On the other hand, we welcome the decision by the Organization of the Islamic Conference to appoint a representative in Afghanistan, as such a representative could play a positive role in the service of the country's security, stability and reconstruction. We also express our appreciation for the decision of the State of Kuwait to sponsor a support office for UNAMA staff, as well as for the offer of the Netherlands to set up an office to provide safe haven to staff in Kabul. We stress the need for continuing regional cooperation and support from neighbouring States, for the situation in Afghanistan and surrounding countries is clearly interlinked. That has economic and security consequences, in particular in the fight against drugs. Drugs are a fundamental means for financing terrorist activities.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Perhaps it should lead the Council to approach the situation in Afghanistan in a more holistic manner. Based on our belief that a political solution that ensures the genuine participation of key parties in governance is the way to end the crisis raging in Afghanistan, we support the reconciliation and reintegration process with a view to reaching a historic settlement between all sectors of Afghan society. We welcome the steps being taken to implement the commitments of the Kabul process, particularly in improving security, administration and development and gradually transferring all security responsibilities to Afghans.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“However, widespread fraud and violations, as reported by the Secretary-General, and the deteriorating security situation, did not allow the Afghan people to express their will in the desired manner. We believe that there ought to be accountability for those proven to have committed violations or acts of fraud, in order to prevent such acts in the future. We would like to reiterate our condemnation of the terrorist acts that have targeted innocent civilians and international forces. We view the lack of improvement in the security situation in many parts of the country with concern, as security is a sine qua non for economic and social development. Perhaps the International Committee of the Red Cross's description of the security situation as being worse than ever is a warning that the Security Council ought to heed.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, for his efforts and his briefing. Allow me also to thank Ambassador Tanin for his statement. Let me express once again our sadness at the loss of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the special envoy of the United States to Afghanistan. Allow me to make the following observations. The mere holding of parliamentary elections on 18 September 2010, in a very difficult political, security and geographical situation, is a positive step towards entrenching democracy. It is indeed appropriate for us to welcome the encouraging participation by candidates and voters in such circumstances, particularly women.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“It is encouraging in this respect that the United Nations and the European Union have expressed their intention to facilitate such a dialogue. However, it is extremely important that all parties of influence also make continuous efforts to re-establish trust and promote reconciliation between the communities of Kosovo. That will create an atmosphere of trust for the adoption of agreements of mutual benefit to all communities. We hope that the recent political incidents and the anticipated early elections will not delay dialogue between the parties and the elections will be fair and transparent. In addition, we hope that the dialogue will help to improve the living conditions of the people and help to strengthen the basis for peace and reconciliation in Kosovo, thus contributing to stability in the region.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“Moreover, we express our appreciation for the progress made by the Reconstruction Implementation Commission in protecting Serbian Orthodox religious and cultural heritage sites in Kosovo. We support the Secretary-General's recommendation that technical support and funding be provided to the Commission. We welcome cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina on the issue of missing persons through the Working Group on Missing Persons. We hope that this spirit of cooperation will also extend to other fields. We also welcome General Assembly resolution 64/298, presented by Serbia to the Assembly and adopted on 9 September. In our view, the resolution constitutes an important point of departure for the launching of a flexible and constructive dialogue between the two parties as soon as possible.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We call on all parties to abstain from publishing inaccurate information, which can only have detrimental effects and create obstacles to UNMIK's work. We welcome the regular exchange of information and coordination between the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and UNMIK, pursuant to the principle of neutrality set out in resolution 1244 (1999). A study conducted by UNICEF has highlighted the fact that current return and repatriation practices lack guarantees for safe and dignified returns. We therefore stress the importance of the organic link between national reconciliation and the strengthening of economic and development activities in the various communities, and of respect for human rights. Only this will end discrimination and harassment, thus creating a socio-economic environment conducive to the return of the refugees.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“At the same time, we believe that the vigilance of the security forces, work to achieve reconciliation and the prosecution of those who commit violent acts play an important role in spreading a sense of security among all citizens, especially those of the northern Kosovo. We welcome the efforts of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between the various communities and encourage it to pursue those efforts. Lebanon appreciates UNMIK's efforts to maintain security and stability and to facilitate Kosovo's participation in various international and regional forums. However, we share the Secretary-General's concern over the report issued by the "Office for Implementation of the Strategy for the North of Kosovo" and the media campaign against UNMIK.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Lamberto Zannier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his comprehensive briefing. I also welcome Mr. Jeremie, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, and thank him for his statement. I also thank Mrs. Citaku for her presentation. Allow me to make the following comments. My delegation notes with satisfaction the reasonably calm security situation in Kosovo, although the situation in northern Kosovo remains unstable. Security incidents continue to cause concern and tensions. My country therefore calls on all parties to exercise self-restraint and to avoid any unilateral or provocative action that could increase tension.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We believe that the international community should continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to overcome its political difficulties and to strike a balance between centralization and decentralization. Fifteen years after the Dayton Peace Agreement, we cherish the hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will make firm strides towards the prosperity and stability to which all its citizens aspire.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“We therefore urge all parties concerned to reach a timely understanding on the formation of a progressive Government and to engage in open dialogue to achieve reconciliation and embark on the path of reform that will ensure real progress for all citizens, irrespective of their ethnicity. It is imperative to create an environment conducive to achieving progress on many issues, particularly constitutional and economic reform, the resolution of issues concerning State property, particularly defence property, and the filling of key public positions. The sustainable return of refugees is Vital to achieving lasting peace. We support the role of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in establishing justice in the region in order to avoid the recurrence of past tragedies.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“We welcome the progress achieved by Bosnia and Herzegovina on several issues, in particular the stabilization of the security situation, the holding of free and fair elections in October, and the fulfilment of the European Union conditions concerning visa liberalization. However, several daunting challenges remain. The pre-election circumstances overshadowed the situation and led to the interruption of important reforms. We regret the rhetoric used to attack the Dayton Peace Agreement and the sovereignty, legislation and competencies of the State in the course of the election.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I wish to thank His Excellency Mr. Radmanovie for his statement. We also thank the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Valentin Inzko, for his comprehensive briefing. We commend his efforts to promote the political process under the Dayton Peace Agreement. We support the efforts of Bosnia and Herzegovina to complete the implementation of the Dayton accord and to achieve the goals of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, which will ultimately lead to the closure of the Office of the High Representative.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source