YouSaid · the spoken record

Atieh

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93
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2002-05-03
most recent
2006-06-30
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16
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un-security-council

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  1. Mr. Atieh (Syria) (spoke in Arabic): I would like, at the outset, to express my pleasure to see you assuming the presidency of this meeting of the Security Council, because of the importance of the issue under consideration today and its regional and international implications. We would like to extend our thanks to Mr. Guehenno for his comprehensive and detailed briefing on the recent developments in Kosovo. The review mechanism launched on 5 November on the initiative of the Contact Group on Kosovo and under the auspices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Holkeri, is an effort that deserves all our support and follow-up because it gives a new momentum to the implementation of the "standards before status" policy that was established by the Security Council in its resolution 1244 (1999).

    2003-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4886 (2003) · source

  2. We have seen this in the case of Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other States. Consequently, it is imperative for the international community to provide economic assistance to the States of the subregion to help them deal with their challenges and overcome obstacles in economic and development areas. In conclusion, we highly appreciate the efforts of the economic community of the States of the region, as well as the efforts of the United Nations office, towards overcoming the difficulties faced by the countries of Central Africa.

    2003-11-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4871 (2003) · source

  3. My delegation supports all regional, subregional, national and international efforts to deal with the major challenges facing Central Africa, to resolve armed conflicts, to prevent the transfer of weapons across national borders, to dismantle armed groups, to help refugees, to supply all necessary humanitarian assistance to peoples of the region, and to help the States of the region to combat poverty. Despite the vast natural resources of that subregion, it is in fact prevented from drawing any benefit from its resources to further its development. We believe that the Security Council's support for the peace process in the Central African subregion is an urgent and indispensable task. The States of the subregion cannot face all these challenges alone.

    2003-11-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4871 (2003) · source

  4. My delegation has likewise taken note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2003/1077) that proposes appointing a special envoy to address political matters with the States of the subregion, who would cooperate with United Nations agencies and mechanisms dealing with humanitarian and development affairs for Central Africa. A few days ago, the Council reviewed the importance of holding an international conference on the Great Lakes region. We would renew our appeal to all States of the region to participate in that conference, which could bring about the goal we are pursuing in the subregion, namely, that of achieving peace, security, stability, cooperation and development.

    2003-11-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4871 (2003) · source

  5. Mr. Atieh (Syria) (spoke in Arabic): We appreciate the holding of this meeting devoted to Central Africa and we highly appreciate the efforts of Mr. Kalomoh, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who presided over the United Nations assessment mission in Central Africa. We are grateful for the detailed report he has presented to the Council on this subject. We fully agree with the comments made by the mission to the effect that we must face the challenges arising for the region, which go well beyond the national borders of the States of the region and which call for a subregional integrated approach supplementing national solutions and providing a sound foundation for such solutions.

    2003-11-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4871 (2003) · source

  6. My delegation would also like to reaffirm and support the comments made by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2003/996), in which he says that economic and social development are important for strengthening Kosovo's stability and for attracting regional and international investors who could invest in many economic projects that could produce the economic development desired by the people of Kosovo. In conclusion, my delegation would like to express its support for Mr. Holkeri. We are prepared to cooperate with him and with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to ensure the security and stability of the province and of the Balkan region as a whole.

    2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source

  7. We also emphasize the need to ensure the return of refugees and internally displaced persons under secure and safe conditions, as well as to guarantee the freedom of movement. That is an important concern to many minorities. In fact, the feeling of heightened insecurity has a negative impact on the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes and properties; this produces an economic and social imbalance for the population of the entire region.

    2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source

  8. In that regard, we point to the need to adopt measures at the local level to improve the effectiveness of municipal administrations and their capacity to respond to the needs of citizens, as well as to overcome political obstacles that may have an impact on the work of municipal councils. In that connection, we underscore the need to ensure that recruitment for the civil service is characterized by transparency and represents the ethnic balance of Kosovo's population. In addition, the participation of women must be ensured in order to guarantee the effectiveness of the public sector. My delegation reaffirms the need to strengthen the rule of law and to protect the rights of ethnic minorities in Kosovo. There is also a need to combat organized crime, monitor the borders and prevent trafficking in weapons and drugs.

    2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source

  9. We support the Special Representative's focus on the need to improve the security situation in order to prevent acts of violence that could lead to a setback for the peace process and undermine the progress made thus far. We encourage Mr. Holkeri to participate in the preparations for the direct dialogue on practical matters between Pristina and Belgrade. That dialogue is one of the benchmarks required to fulfil the necessary standards before Kosovo's status can be addressed. We are satisfied with the process of transferring non-reserved competencies to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in accordance with chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework, so long as those responsibilities are transferred in a gradual and controlled manner and in cooperation with the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government.

    2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source

  10. Mr. Atieh (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation joins you, Mr. President, in welcoming Mr. Harri Holkeri, who is with us today. We congratulate him on his appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. We also wish to thank him for his comprehensive and useful briefing on developments in the situation in Kosovo. My delegation is pleased to hear Mr. Holkeri confirm the essential priorities of the Mission, namely, consolidating the rule of law, improving the security situation, strengthening the rights of minorities and returnees and promoting economic development.

    2003-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4853 (2003) · source

  11. My delegation supports the United Nations system's efforts towards development of economic and social life in Timor-Leste, despite the immense challenges that remain to be overcome. We welcome the cooperation between UNMISET and the Government of Timor-Leste in the consolidation of internal and external security, in order to avert any events that might destabilize the situation in Timor- Leste. In closing, my delegation reiterates its thanks to Mr. Sharma and his team and to all the members of UNMISET for their immense efforts in achieving stability and progress in the country.

    2003-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4843 (2003) · source

  12. My delegation welcomes the efforts of the leadership in Timor-Leste and Indonesia to promote strong, friendly relations between the two countries. We support such relations, and call for their strengthening in all fields, in the interests of both the Timorese and Indonesian peoples. There is also a need to address all important issues between them, such as border delimitation and facilitating the return of those refugees who wish to go back to Timor-Leste. My delegation supports promoting justice, democracy and stability in Timor-Leste by the adoption of the necessary legal framework and by the enactment of laws and rules and regulations for institutional work. Here we must stress the need for continued international assistance in many vital sectors to ensure that vital needs in Timor-Leste are addressed satisfactorily.

    2003-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4843 (2003) · source

  13. Mr. Atieh (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation thanks Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), for his comprehensive and detailed briefing. We also thank the Secretary-General for his report on UNMISET. My delegation is pleased with the recent political developments in Timor-Leste, especially regarding the development of political institutions and Timor-Leste's relations with other States in the region and all countries of the world. We are also pleased with the launching of President Gusmao's initiative for an open and transparent presidency and his focus on security matters, as well as the sustained efforts of the Government to maintain the openness needed for the people's participation in the political process.

    2003-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4843 (2003) · source

  14. We also took note of the difficulties that he mentioned, such as the slow pace of reform and weakness of the new institutions, as well as the fact that there are still enemies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, we believe that cooperation between Lord Ashdown and Judge Meron, in their respective fields, will help overcome the difficulties and challenges and protect the interests, security, integrity and stability of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    2003-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4837 (2003) · source

  15. The contribution of many Member States and financial institutions to this Initiative will help to bring about economic growth so that the country may overcome the challenges that it is confronting in agriculture, transport, communications, electricity and other areas. We would also like to emphasize another point: the return of refugees. Despite the encouraging numbers of returnees mentioned in the report, we believe that more efforts should be made to overcome the difficulties that can arise from the permanent return of refugees, including providing the necessities of daily life, so that they can, through social reintegration, help to rebuild their country. We are indeed pleased to see the progress made, as Lord Ashdown has stated.

    2003-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4837 (2003) · source

  16. Freezing the assets of suspected war criminals is very important for stopping their activities and for enhancing the rule of law in the country in accordance with the pronouncements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. On the other hand, we believe that economic reform should also be a priority to improve the living conditions of the people and to attain economic stability. This, in turn, would enhance the political process by reforming the banking, fiscal and other economic sectors. We believe that the November 2002 Bulldozer Initiative will pave the way for growth, create greater employment opportunities, help improve bureaucracy and liberalize the economy, which we all seek.

    2003-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4837 (2003) · source

  17. We are also gratified by the priority he has given to enhancing the rule of law, economic reform and the improvement of the basic institutions of governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we support his slogan "justice andjobs." At this crucial juncture, the reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on enhancing the rule of law through a fair and responsible judiciary that can deal with grave issues, such as financial crimes, organized crime and political corruption. We note with satisfaction the country's appointment of a governor, judges and prosecutors who can perform their duties efficiently.

    2003-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4837 (2003) · source

  18. Mr. Atieh (Syria) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, we thank you for organizing this important meeting. We also welcome Lord Ashdown, the High Representative for Implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we thank him for the detailed and comprehensive briefing that he gave us regarding the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also wish to thank Judge Meron, the president of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and we commend him on his useful briefing on the trial of war criminals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are completely satisfied with Lord Ashdown's clarification of his vision of putting Bosnia and Herzegovina on the right track towards statehood.

    2003-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4837 (2003) · source

  19. We look forward to quick settlement of current political differences in Guinea-Bissau, and we also look forward to a return to constitutional order and to the holding of elections, we hope, in the next few months. My delegation supports the role of the United Nations Peace-Building Support Office in Guinea- Bissau as well as the important role being undertaken by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to assist in the stabilization of the situation in Guinea-Bissau. We support other delegations that have called on the international community to provide emergency economic assistance to Guinea-Bissau in order to enable the country to overcome this difficult transitional period and to prevent further economic and social chaos.

    2003-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4834 (2003) · source

  20. Mr. Atieh (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation thanks Mr. Kalomoh, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, for his detailed briefing on the latest developments in Guinea-Bissau. We also welcome the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, Special Envoy of the Community of Portuguese- Speaking Countries. We thank him for his detailed briefing. The situation in Guinea-Bissau is undoubtedly very difficult indeed - politically, economically and socially, following the coup d'e'tat in that country. We believe that the crisis must be dealt with before it turns into a catastrophe whose consequences cannot be contained.

    2003-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4834 (2003) · source

  21. Holkeri in this regard. We support the principle of "standards before status". We welcome Mr. Holkeri's reaffirmation that he will pursue his work in accordance with that principle with a view to building in Kosovo a multi- ethnic society that is capable of coping with future challenges. In conclusion, my delegation would like to express its support for Mr. Harri Holkeri, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo. We express our readiness to cooperate with him and with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in order to achieve security and stability in the province.

    2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source

  22. My delegation reiterates the importance of the rule of law and the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities in Kosovo, as well as the need to combat organized crime and smuggling and to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and drugs. My delegation also reiterates the importance of the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes and property in Kosovo so that they can contribute to the economic reconstruction of the province. The concerted efforts of all of the people of Kosovo will be required if they are to leave their problems behind. My delegation encourages continued dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with a view to dealing with the practical matters pertaining to the stabilization of the situation in Kosovo and the facilitation of the political process. We welcome the efforts of Mr.

    2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source

  23. Mr. Atieh (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation would like to thank Mr. Hedi Annabi, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his detailed and useful briefing on the most recent developments in the situation in Kosovo. My delegation believes that, despite the relative stability of the situation in Kosovo, the security situation must be further strengthened if we are to prevent a repetition of the events of last month that led to the killing of a number of Serbs in Kosovo. Such events could, in turn, lead to ethnically motivated acts of violence, which would undermine all the progress made thus far.

    2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source

  24. Are there programmes to raise the awareness of children - particularly girls - in addition to programmes to provide them with the necessary nutrition?

    2002-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4652 (2002) · source

  25. The encouragement of investment - particularly in agriculture - could provide at least a minimal degree of food security for affected countries and peoples suffering from hunger for various reasons. My delegation agrees with Mr. Morris that we should invest in school feeding programmes, because educating healthy children means preparing a better generation for building a better society - a generation with the necessary awareness to achieve economic, social and political stability, especially in countries that suffer from food problems as a result of climate, occupation, scarcity of economic resources and war, among other things. I should like to ask Mr. Morris about WFP policies with regard to school feeding in Africa so that children are not forced to resort to illegal acts to make a living.

    2002-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4652 (2002) · source

  26. Mr. Atieh (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We should also like to thank the Permanent Representative of China and his team for their excellent work last month. In addition, we welcome Mr. James Morris, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), and we thank him for his comprehensive briefing on the WFP's implementation of programmes to feed hungry people throughout the world, particularly in Africa. The 25-per-cent reduction in humanitarian funding is a matter of great concern. The WFP requires continuous funding so that it can fulfil its mandate and implement its programmes.

    2002-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4652 (2002) · source

  27. My delegation encourages friendly relations and regular contact between UNMIK, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Slovenia, since this will contribute to peace and stability within the Balkan region. In conclusion, my delegation would like to praise the efforts made by Special Representative Steiner and UNMIK towards strengthening the rule of law. We hope that the question of the return of the minorities will be accorded the necessary attention that would help to establish stability in Kosovo. We hope that the recent local elections in Kosovo will be the first step in a fruitful endeavour and will contribute to the security and safety of all communities and ethnic minorities in the country.

    2002-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4643 (2002) · source

  28. The report points out that the security situation has remained calm during the period under review, despite sporadic incidents of civil unrest. Nevertheless, the report indicates that economic crime and corruption are still prevalent in the region under the control of UNMIK. Indeed, UNMIK arrested those accused of tax evasion, smuggling, money-laundering and swindling with the help of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the Kosovo Police Service. We support the efforts made by the United Nations with a view towards consolidating the principle of the rule of law in Kosovo, which would lead to calm in the entire region.

    2002-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4643 (2002) · source

  29. It is gratifying that the majority of the political forces in Kosovo welcomed that approach and expressed their readiness to implement the agreed standards. My delegation commends the efforts of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to change the political dynamics, to provide an incentive for getting rid of parallel structures and to encourage all communities to participate in joint institutions. What is a matter of concern to us is that, despite the continued efforts to increase the representation of minorities in all departments of the civil service, there remain a number of obstacles, security concerns, ethnic tension and restrictions on the freedom of movement, which limit the employment of qualified members of minorities in those institutions.

    2002-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4643 (2002) · source

  30. Mr. Atieh (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, my delegation thanks you for your initiative of convening this meeting on Kosovo. We also express our thanks to Mr. Guehenno for his detailed and comprehensive briefing on the most recent developments in Kosovo, in particular, with respect to the local elections recently held there. Furthermore, my delegation welcomes the report of the Secretary-General (S/2002/ 1126) pursuant to Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). The report indicates that the process of establishing standards for local political leaders and officials and civil service personnel was explained and promoted on a large scale under the slogan "standards before status".

    2002-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4643 (2002) · source

  31. The gravest threat is that the Council will find itself today in the position of abrogating the decision it adopted yesterday. We refuse to accept that. Neither legally nor politically can Israel deny the fact-finding team access to Jenin or to any other Palestinian town in which the Israeli army practised its policies of destruction and killing. Israel is an occupying Power. The United Nations Charter, in Chapters VI and VII, provides for the adoption of coercive measures to compel rogue States to comply with the law. It is unacceptable for the Council to renounce its prerogatives or to succumb to the whim and will of the subjects its resolutions.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  32. The Arab Group submitted a draft resolution that included all these ideas. In fact, we expected those ideas to deter Israel from its constant flouting of Council resolutions, international legality and human rights. Regrettably, the Council has not been able to adopt the Arab draft resolution, for reasons that are well known to all. The gravest crisis facing the Council now is that regarding its authority as the highest international body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. With the legal and moral responsibility we all bear, we must not allow Israel to go unpunished for its crimes against innocent Palestinian civilians in the Jenin refugee camp and in the cities of Nablus, Gaza and Hebron. Israel must bear the full responsibility for rebuilding the Palestinian infrastructure it destroyed.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  33. What is worse, doubts were cast in advance on the report that was to have been presented by that team after its investigation into the events in the Jenin refugee camp. It was as if all that remained for the Security Council to do was to ask the Israeli Government to investigate what happened in Jenin and to send its report to us to consider. My delegation has carefully read the letter from the Secretary-General to the Security Council of 1 May, through which it is clear that the Israeli Government has categorically refused to receive the team or to cooperate with the Secretary-General. Once again, we expected the Council to defend its resolutions and its authority. We also expected the Council to shoulder its responsibilities to defend the position of the Secretary-General and his efforts in an impartial and objective manner.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  34. Without delving into details that we need not refer to now, we say that the Council should have made a greater effort to support the Secretary-General and to stand by him in facing all the cruel pressures brought to bear on him. From another angle, many parties in Israel, including a number of ministers and high-ranking military officers, started to cast doubts on the efforts of the Secretary-General and his desire to dispatch the team. Moreover, they questioned the integrity and impartiality of the members of the team, including the former President of Finland, Mrs. Ogata and Mr. Sommaruga. They besmirched their reputation and attempted to distort their task. This is unbelievable.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  35. It began its game by sending an Israeli delegation with questions about the composition of the team, as if the accused has the right to appoint the judges who will render a verdict on it. Questions about the mandate of the team were discussed with the Secretariat. In four successive meetings of the Council to follow up the implementation of resolution 1405 (2002), my delegation declared that the Council must not be taken in by such tactics, which are part of a carefully crafted Israeli scheme to flout the resolution. For 10 days following the adoption of the resolution, we called upon the Council to do its utmost to support the Secretary-General in his decision on the composition of the team and its dispatch to the field.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  36. Contrary to what has been said in their statements, it has become obvious that they have a great deal to hide and a lot to be afraid and ashamed of. When the Secretary-General formed a fact-finding team of distinguished personalities, well known on the international level for their wisdom, experience, knowledge and independence, Israel showed its true face. It started, as a first step, to raise doubts about the task and mandate of the team. In order to undermine the content of resolution 1405 (2002), the Israeli Government began to follow its well-known methods of circumventing the resolutions of international legality; this is a tactic it has used consistently for scores of years.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  37. In this context, everyone is aware that the Arab Group has displayed great flexibility, with a view to enabling the Council to adopt a resolution that would maintain its unity and the unity of its position and actions. My country was among the first to welcome the initiative of the Secretary-General of our Organization to dispatch a fact-finding team to determine what took place in the Jenin refugee camp. Before the adoption by the Council of resolution 1405 (2002), we heard a number of statements by Israeli officials in which they said that they had nothing to hide with respect to the Jenin refugee camp and that they were not afraid or ashamed of what took place there. However, when the fact subsequently started to become clear, it became evident that the opposite of what the Israeli officials alleged was true.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  38. He continued: "We deem it our duty to remind the world again that the inhabitants of the Jenin refugee camp are essentially Palestinian refugees who were uprooted by Israel from their homes and from their land in 1948. It is the only tragedy that has moved from the twentieth century to the twenty-first century unresolved, despite the fact that dozens of resolutions have been adopted concerning it." It is important to recall the deliberations of the Security Council before our adoption of resolution 1405 (2002), taking into account the need to benefit from the lessons learned and the need to prevent any party from manipulating the Council's resolutions and undermining its authority.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  39. Farouk Al-Shara, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, in the statement he made to the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement in Durban, said the following about the events that took place in the Jenin refugee camp: "A high-ranking European official of the International Committee of the Red Cross has affirmed that Israel has committed a crime against humanity twice in Jenin - once when it stormed the camp and bombed and bulldozed houses, burying their owners underneath the rubble, and a second time when it prevented any form of relief from reaching the wounded and suffering for 13 days." The Foreign Minister was speaking 13 days after the events, but now, of course, the period is much longer.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  40. It is high time for the Council to shoulder its responsibilities and to end the pain and agony of the Palestinian people as well as put an end to the siege. Will Israel give peace a chance in the church of peace? What happened in the Jenin refugee camp was truly an unspeakable and terrible human tragedy. Mr.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  41. We must also note that the deliberate massacre perpetrated by Israel in the Jenin refugee camp took place following the adoption by the Council of resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002). Could there be greater defiance of Security Council resolutions than this rejection? Today is Good Friday for Eastern Orthodox Christians. This is the last day of the week of the passion of Jesus Christ, before Easter, which falls on Sunday. The Church of the Nativity is suffering its own passion. For weeks now, as is well known, that church - which belongs to the Catholics, the Orthodox and the Armenians - has been besieged and surrounded by Israeli tanks. Israeli soldiers have killed numerous innocent civilians who had taken refuge in that church.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  42. The Council is convened today to consider once again the challenges that it has been facing since the latest Israeli acts of aggression against the Palestinians, since the Israeli forces began destroying the Palestinian infrastructure, and since the barbaric incursions of the Israeli forces into Palestinian towns, villages and camps, as well as their atrocities perpetrated against innocent civilians, the elderly, and women and children alike. Representatives of international humanitarian organizations and of non-governmental organizations have spoken of what they witnessed in the Jenin refugee camp. They described it as an unspeakable and horrifying tragedy and as a flagrant violation of every norm of international law and of the Geneva Conventions on human rights.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source

  43. Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you our deep appreciation for your immediate response to the call by the Arab Group to convene this public meeting. I am pleased also to express our thanks to Ambassador Sergey Lavrov, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, and to all members of his Mission on the successful work they did during Russia's presidency of the Security Council last month. My delegation is pleased to associate itself with the statement made by the representative of the Sudan on behalf of the Arab Group.

    2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source