YouSaid · the spoken record

Awad

lines on the record: 70
first: 1992-01-06
most recent: 2017-12-21
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“Keita is with us today, I would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of this vital dimension and to express our appreciation for her focus on enhancing capacities, availability of equipment, training, conduct and discipline.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“In that regard, presidential statement S/PRST/2017/27, which we have just adopted, represents an important contribution to enhancing the capacity of the Security Council and the Secretariat in ensuring that political solutions are our primary focus. The presidential statement calls on the Secretary-General to include relevant reports when reviewing peacekeeping operations, that these reports contain analyses based on the seven guidance elements set forth in the statement, with a view to evaluating the efficiency of mandates and the availability of favourable conditions for the success of peacekeeping operations. Since Ms.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“We have received a financial contribution from the Government of Japan. Finally, it is important for the Security Council to address the matter of force capability and performance as well as the provision of equipment. However, we believe that enhancing the role and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations starts with the mandates themselves and the review of those mandates in the general framework of the primacy of political solutions, and in making sure that there are sufficient resources for implementing those mandates on the ground, as Ms. Keita mentioned in her briefing. The performance ofthese missions must be evaluated on the basis of their contribution to providing the necessary conditions for a political solution.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“Because we are committed to supporting the efforts of the United Nations in peacekeeping, we have pledged to provide the necessary equipment to fill the gap in many missions, including our contribution of 100 armoured vehicles to them. In addition to contributing this equipment and personnel, we have adopted the highest training standards for our police and military troops. We have held detailed training sessions prior to deployment, notably on the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse, in accordance with United Nations training curriculums. Egypt is also contributing to training and building the capacity of future troop-contributing countries. The Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding is holding a number of training sessions for troops from these and other countries.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“These incidents have uncovered shortcomings in the capacities available for protection * whether in terms of training, the nature of the equipment or the availability of information, including for risk-assessment purposes. We believe that we urgently need to address these shortcomings in order to enhance the credibility of peacekeeping missions and protect the lives of personnel, for they are the true assets of these missions. Thirdly, when it comes to filling gaps in capacities and capabilities, I would like to highlight the contribution of Egypt in specialized units in the most difficult United Nations missions.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“Evaluating the performance of forces must be in accordance with clear standards and benchmarks in peacekeeping-operations policies and in close consultations with troop- and police-contributing countries. There is a clear link in that regard between the availability of training, capacities and equipment, on the one hand, and enhancing the capability of forces to protect civilians and ensure their own safety, on the other hand. In recent months, we have witnessed an increased frequency in attacks against units participating in peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Mali.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“It further allows for the Council to define a comprehensive Vision, thereby enabling it to take decisions on extending, reviewing and amending mandates in an effective and realistic manner. Secondly, reforming and developing peacekeeping operations includes significant efforts to enhance aspects related to training, following the chain of command and control and authorizing those on the ground to take decisive action in emergency situations. In this regard, we stress that increasing capacities and force generation and broadening the base of troop- and police-contributing countries must not come at the expense of meeting the highest standards of performance, the availability of equipment and training, and complying with the strictest standards of discipline and conduct, including combating sexual exploitation and abuse.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“First, force generation and capabilities for United Nations peacekeeping operations are directly linked to operationalizing the tripartite mechanism for consultations among the Security Council troop- contributing countries and the Secretariat. This tripartite mechanism directly contributes to achieving a comprehensive and clear vision for issuing and reviewing mandates, in accordance with United Nations capabilities and capacities, while taking into account the political and on-the-ground realities in all stages of the conflict as well as the specific context, especially when it comes to the issuance of sequence mandating. This approach guarantees the effectiveness of missions and prevents unlimited mandate extension where there is no fixed time frame for withdrawal.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“Reform and review efforts over the past two years focused on addressing operational and technical aspects ofpeacekeeping missions, notably the efforts to broaden the base of troop- and police-contributing countries and force generation. These efforts included developing the United Nations Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System and holding conferences on peacekeeping operations, the latest of which was the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial, held in Vancouver. It is high time for those efforts to take tangible form in improved effectiveness of peacekeeping operations on the ground. In this regard, I would like to highlight three points.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“Mr. Awad (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, for her briefing and for the efforts made by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in the light of the increasing challenges facing peacekeeping operations, both on the ground and at the conceptual level. I would also like to thank the Japanese presidency for convening today's meeting on the occasion of the publication of the report of the Secretary-General on measures to fill the gaps in peacekeeping. This is another opportunity to operationalize the efforts of developing and reforming peacekeeping operations.”
2017-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8150 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, Egypt suggests that we consider launching various initiatives or mechanisms to provide developing countries with the necessary equipment to monitor and control borders in order to counter the illicit influx of weapons, especially in the areas of the Middle East and Africa that are ravaged by armed conflicts and where there are many terrorist groups.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“Egypt stresses the need to avoid renewed controversial discussions that attempt to politicize or restrict the legitimate trade in weapons. Fourthly, we would like to stress that measures aimed at securing weapon and ammunition stockpiles and disposing of excessive such materials is in principle a purely national responsibility to be shouldered by the Governments of the countries concerned. The United Nations took great strides to develop a number of guidelines that assist countries in developing such procedures and measures and in providing international assistance based on the request ofthe country concerned.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“In that regard, Egypt looks forward to receiving more detailed information from the Secretariat on the procedures adopted to implement resolution 2370 (2017) on preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons. Thirdly, Egypt believes that the proposal to develop an international framework to document, collect and standardize end-user certificates requires in-depth study and prior consensus on the relevant terms of reference. We must develop an international consensus on a concrete definition of what is trafficking or the illicit supply of weapons, which should be prevented and countered, versus the legitimate and lawful trade in weapons, which should not be restricted, while considering the promotion of measures regulating such trade in order to limit illicit trafficking.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“The issues of legalizing and regulating trade in conventional weapons and the adoption of special mechanisms to counter the illegitimate trade nationally and internationally fall under the mandate of the General Assembly and the Review Conference, not under the mandate of the Security Council. Secondly, the report does not accord the necessary priority to the security threats arising from the impact of the illicit supply of small weapons on the issues of terrorism and organized crime. Those are the most important and dangerous repercussions of the problem under review, if we compare them to the focus on the social, economic and humanitarian impacts. We do not underestimate the importance of such aspects, but we believe that focusing on the symptoms would make tackling the root causes more effective.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“We also reaffirm the need to respect the scope of both documents. In principle, the delegation of Egypt welcomes a number of positive recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report. However, we still need some time to study in depth such recommendations. As such, we would like to make the following comments on the content of the Secretary-General's report. First, many of the recommendations contained in the report that are directed to the Security Council should, in principle, be directed to the General Assembly and to the Review Conference on the Programme of Action on countering the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“We have taken note with interest of the Secretary- General's report and would like to stress that Egypt is seriously concerned about the increasing negative impact, be they social, economic or security, due to the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons. In that connection, we call upon the international community, and especially the countries producing and exporting such weapons, to spare no effort and cooperate to counter this dangerous development. We would also like to emphasize that we are still committed to the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“We want to clarify the extent of the imminent danger of such a development, which lacks an agreement on a comprehensive, legally binding international framework to prohibit and halt it completely. That could be achieved through the precondition of an official license granted to the parties concerned by the supplier country to ensure that such imports are legitimate. Egypt recognizes that the core of the current challenge does not lie in the lack of national control regimes on exports, instead it is due to the deliberate direct or indirect contribution of some countries that provide terrorist and criminal groups and other armed movements with illegal weapons and the necessary funding to acquire such weapons.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“Unfortunately, it seems that this development is supported by the Governments of some countries in order to serve rejected political objectives that run counter to some of the most important purposes and principles of the United Nations and international legitimacy, the foremost being the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, respect for sovereignty and State monopoly over the legitimate right to use force. We have recently seen a dangerous increase in the number of martyrs and injured among the ranks of civilians and security forces in different countries in our region and the world, owing to some countries that supply such terrorist and criminal organizations with weapons.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“Mr. Awad (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to express my thanks to Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing on the report of the Secretary- General (S/2017/1025) on small arms and light weapons pursuant to resolution 2220 (2015). I would also like it to express the great importance that Egypt attaches to the issue of the illicit trafficking and supply of small arms, which has major security, economic and social impact, especially if such weapons fall into the hands of terrorist groups or armed movements. The Middle East and Africa, where Egypt is situated, are the most affected worldwide by the dangerous and unprecedented increase in small weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, armed groups and criminal organizations.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8140 (2017) · source
“Fifthly, we must ensure that peacekeeping operations include a component that assists the countries concerned, at their request, to protect their cultural properties from destruction, looting or similar offences. In conclusion, while Egypt underscores that protecting cultural heritage is a commendable goal, we nevertheless believe that the real lesson to be learned concerns the need for States to implement Security Council resolutions, and for the Council itself to ensure close follow-up in the implementation of its resolutions and guarantee that States comply wiht their provisions.”
2017-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8119 (2017) · source
“The Security Council must not address the topic of protecting cultural heritage except in cases that pose a threat to international peace and security, namely, in the context of combating international terrorism or addressing international conflicts that are on the agenda of the Council. Thirdly, States must take the necessary steps to avoid and prevent the illicit trafficking and smuggling of cultural objects or properties, especially from conflict zones - and more specifically via terrorist groups. Fourthly, States must prepare lists of their cultural properties that were transferred from their original sites illegally during armed conflicts. In that regard, cooperation and coordination is needed with United Nations entities and other relevant international actors to ensure the secure restoration of such objects.”
2017-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8119 (2017) · source
“In other words, Egypt categorically objects to any interference in the internal affairs of any country under the pretext of protecting cultural heritage. We refuse categorically the transfer of cultural heritage owned by any country to another State beyond its territories under the pretext of protecting or preserving it in safe havens. Secondly, we stress the need for UNESCO, in its capacity as the specialized agency on the issue of cultural heritage, to continue providing all types of assistance to States, at their their request, to enable them to protect their cultural heritage.”
2017-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8119 (2017) · source
“Aware as we are of the importance and sensitivity of the issue of protecting cultural heritage from the dangers of terrorism, Egypt would like to highlight five important considerations that must be taken into account. First, we stress the primary role of every State to protect its own cultural heritage. Efforts to protect cultural heritage in armed conflicts must be aligned with Charter of the United Nations and international law. Respect for State sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States are principles that must be upheld. In that regard, we affirm that the protection of cultural heritage, including the possibility of establishing safe havens for such heritage, cannot be achieved but through the State having control over cultural heritage within its territory.”
2017-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8119 (2017) · source
“We possess invaluable cultural heritage that garners the respect and appreciation of all. Secondly, we enjoy a geographical location in a continent and a region that is home to the majority of the world's cultural heritage. Egypt is therefore aware of the importance and sensitivity of the topic of protecting cultural heritage from destruction or looting by terrorist groups in situations of armed conflict. Despite the relatively short time since the adoption of resolution 2347 (2017) and the publication of the Secretary General's report, the report nevertheless managed to adequately take stock of the efforts made to implement the resolution - from all legal, judicial, legislative, institutional, procedural and operational aspects, in addition to those related to international cooperation and raising awareness.”
2017-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8119 (2017) · source
“Mr. Awad (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to the Italian presidency for having convened this briefing. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of resolution 2347 (2017) (S/2017/969). And I thank all the briefers for their valuable statements. I would like to congratulate Ms. Azoulay on the assumption of her new post. The importance ofresolution 2347 (2017) lies in its reaffirmation of the protection of cultural heritage from destruction, looting or misuse for terrorist ends. That is a very sensitive topic, since it is closely linked to sites, property, museums or objects that are directly related to the history and identity of peoples and countries. Egypt is aware of that fact.”
2017-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8119 (2017) · source
“Fifthly, in parallel with the strengthening ofpolitical and diplomatic efforts, we would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring that the international community and all international and regional partners are working to build up every component of the South Sudanese State, help it to rebuild its institutional and development structures and protect and promote them in the future through a comprehensive reconstruction plan. The Council's experience with other conflicts has made it abundantly aware that a vacuum left by the collapse of such institutions will be filled only by chaos.”
2017-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8115 (2017) · source
“Fourthly, in that context, the ongoing efforts of Egypt and Uganda resulted in the signing on 16 November of the Cairo declaration between the Government of South Sudan and a group of former detainees. The efforts were based on the Arusha Agreement, signed in 2015 and supported by the entire international community. We would like to point out that they support and are geared to the same result as those that other regional and international actors have made towards reaching a comprehensive settlement of the conflict by ensuring agreement among all the political forces and parties.”
2017-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8115 (2017) · source
“Thirdly, the current political situation and the peace agreement require that every effort be made to unify the factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition and bring together the various opposition groups, with the goal of forging a united political front that rejects violence and that is capable of being a serious political partner representing every sector of society and of the political spectrum, without narrow tribal prejudices, and of acting as a peaceful political opposition in the modern meaning of the term. In that regard, we believe it is key to support the ongoing efforts to unify the opposition through the Arusha process in order to ensure that it can be a partner capable of participating in a positive way in the future political life of South Sudan.”
2017-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8115 (2017) · source
“From that perspective, it is important to ensure that international efforts stress support for the political process, in order to enhance the capacity of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to support that process and help to prepare a comprehensive plan for rebuilding the State after the transition period. Secondly, the high-level revitalization forum for the peace agreement represents an opportunity that must be seized and taken seriously. We must also step up international support for promoting and backing the efforts of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, in view of the fact that the peace agreement's transition period is coming to an end and their efforts represent a major opportunity of avoiding further complications of the situation.”
2017-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8115 (2017) · source
“Mr. Awad (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, for her briefing to the Security Council. The delegation of Egypt would like to emphasize a number of points. First, the three-year-long conflict in South Sudan and its economic, political and humanitarian consequences, as well as its repercussions throughout the region, have shown that the only way to end the crisis is through a comprehensive political settlement that transcends political power-sharing and can achieve comprehensive, complete and genuine national reconciliation both for ordinary people and the political elites, with the aim of resolving the issues and ensuring lasting peace based on the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.”
2017-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8115 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, Egypt would like to reiterate its full support for the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which is considered the governing framework for international cooperation in fighting that crime - not only for States but also for civil society and the private sector. Egypt supports the political declaration that was adopted in September for a second revision of that Global Plan of Action.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“The crime of trafficking in persons, including women and girls, is not tied to any religion, nationality or civilization. We also note the important role that traditional and religious leaders can play in dispelling the link that some extremist ideologies try to establish and disseminate. It is important to note in the General Assembly the pioneering role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the field of trafficking in persons. We would like to welcome the activities that the UNODC has been carrying out in order to establish an operational framework for the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. We recognize the important role of both the United Nations and the private sector in rupturing the links of trafficking in persons by following the chain of consumption and purchasing.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“In order to ensure that the resolution is implemented in a way that will guarantee its success, we would like to make the following points. The General Assembly is the main specialized organ of the United Nations on the issue of trafficking in persons. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo Protocoal are considered the foundation for States to implement Security Council resolutions, including everything pertaining to the definition of the crime of trafficking in persons and exploitation. It is important that the international community redouble its efforts in order to cut off all sources of funding for terrorist organizations, including funding from trafficking in persons, using all international mechanisms available to do so.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Egypt also actively participates in the ongoing consultative process on two global compacts - on migration and refugees - in order to pave the way for negotiations on those compacts in the near future. Egypt looks forward to arriving at two comprehensive and balanced documents that take into consideration the interests of all parties and States on migration and refugees. The Security Council continues to set the legal framework that is necessary to combat trafficking in persons in areas of armed conflict. It has done so by adopting resolution 2388 (2017) today, and we would like to express our gratitude to the Italian delegation for the great effort it has exerted in order to arrive at a consensus resolution in the Council.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Secondly, Egypt hosted the trilateral meeting for the three main processes that are involved in preventing and combating trafficking in persons on the African continent, including the Khartoum process, the Rabat process and the African Union-Horn of Africa initiative to prevent and combat trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants. Thirdly, Egypt acceded to the Arab model law on combating trafficking in persons and, in that regard, actively participates in the meetings of the Arab Regional Consultative Process on Migration. At the international level, Egypt actively seeks to cooperate with United Nations agencies and the relevant international organizations in order to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Thirdly, Egypt has established specialized criminal departments within its courts of appeal in order to guarantee that issues related to trafficking in persons are dealt with more swiftly. At the regional level, Egypt makes active efforts across all the regional initiatives in which it participates, including the following measures. First, Egypt hosted the second regional ministerial conference of the African Union-Horn of Africa initiative to prevent and combat trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh in September 2016.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Moreover, together with Belarus in 2005, we launched an initiative to form the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking. At the national level, Egypt has established a legal and institutional framework that guarantees the implementation of its international obligations through a number of measures. First, in October 2016, Egypt launched a national strategy to combat trafficking in persons, which was accompanied by a five-year action plan covering the years 2016 to 2021. It includes projects, awareness- raising campaigns, media campaigns and capacity- building for those working in Egypt on preventing and combating trafficking in persons. Secondly, in 2010, Egypt promulgated a law to combat trafficking in persons. We have set up a national coordination committee to combat and prevent illegal migration and trafficking in persons.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Combating trafficking in persons is a priority of the Egyptian Government. Egypt is considered a State of transit and destination for refugees and migrants fleeing the ravages of war and armed conflict in the region - conflicts that create an environment rife with trafficking in persons, particularly carried out by terrorist groups, with the purpose of exploiting migrants, especially women and children. Egypt has therefore been in the vanguard of States to have ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as, in 2004, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Mr. Moustafa (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Sir, on your successful presidency of the Security Council for this month, during which you have offered valuable insights into the work of the Council - the most important being resolution 2388 (2017), adopted by the Security Council today, on the issue of trafficking in Persons in conflict situations. We would like to thank the Secretary-General and all of today's briefers for their valuable contributions to today's debate. The delegation of Egypt aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. I would like to add the following points in my national capacity. Egypt believes that trafficking in persons is a criminal act that goes against human values.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“The Saudi regime plays a role in arming and financing terrorist groups. That has been clear to all - from Daesh to Jabhat al-Nusra and Jaish Al-Islam. We know the role it plays with regard to those terrorist groups. Without the role of foreign forces, including the Saudi regime, terrorism would not have spread. We would have eliminated it long ago. I will not add anything. Ijust wanted to refute those false allegations.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Mr. Awad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I did not intend to take the floor again at this late hour, but the representative of the Saudi regime always insists on receiving a response to his claims at every occasion and at every meeting. Indeed, on every occasion that representative continues to introduce the subject of my country. This morning and this afternoon, we have heard that the main threat posed to the world and the Middle East is my country, as well as the Daesh and other terrorist groups, such as Jabhat Al-Nusra. The representative of the Saudi regime said that we have deviated from the right path and that the positive effort initiated by the Russian Federation in holding this meeting deviates from the need to counter the real threat, which is Daesh.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“We in Syria still hope for, and seek to achieve, a comprehensive and just peace between Arabs and Israel. Syria has declared at the highest levels its determination to establish normal relations with Israel, in return for full withdrawal from the Golan Heights, Southern Lebanon and the other occupied Arab territories. However, during three years of negotiations Israel has been stalling. It has not yet announced its intention to effect a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights. A few days ago, at a meeting with the delegation of the European group, headed by the Foreign Minister of France, His Excellency President Hafez Al-Assad said: "Although Israel's conduct does not give rise to optimism, Syria will not give up the objective of peace."”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“On Sunday 26 February The New York Times published an article about the appointment of Mr. Avraham Burg, the well-known Labour Member of the Israeli Parliament, as the Acting Chairman of the Jewish Agency, which oversees Jewish immigration to Israel. The newspaper published excerpts from Mr. Burg' s statement to the board of directors of the Jewish Agency, reporting: "And if real peace does come to Israel, he added, 'The question will be asked: can we, and how do we, survive without an external enemy?" The major question now is: does Israel, in fact, want genuine peace with the Arabs, or did it simply bow its head before the storm and agree to participate under pressure from the United States of America and international public opinion?”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“This leads us to state that Israel does not want peace for land; rather, it wants peace while keeping the land, under the pretext of its security and so-called Arab terrorism, disregarding Israel's terrorism and its daily cruel practices in the West Bank and Southern Lebanon, to such an extent that it recently imposed a military siege on the Lebanese ports of Sidon and Tyre and, today, on Al- Darnour. Israel is trying to thwart the peace process, which is based on the principles of international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions. Hence it tries to deal separately with each Arab party, with the aim of weakening the Arab position and bringing about incomplete settlements that do not achieve peace or justice but, rather, circumvent the objectives of the peace process in order to avoid genuine peace.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“Ever since the signing of the Oslo agreement, Israel has tried to strip this modest instrument of its content. It refused to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories and to allow democratic Palestinian elections, insisting that elections should be conducted at the point of Israeli bayonets. Israel resumed the building of settlements in the occupied Arab territories, in contravention of resolution 465 (1980) and despite the assurances by the Government of Mr. Rabin that such building would be ceased. The main equation on which the Madrid peace process was based was "land for peace". It is only natural to say that by resuming the building of settlements Israel indicates that it does not want to give up the occupied Arab territories.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“This agreement made the Palestinian future the subject of a vague expression - "final status". It did not touch upon the most critical issues in the Israeli-Arab conflict, such as borders, the right of return, Jerusalem and the future of the settlements. In spite of the agreement's drawbacks, Syria did not oppose it. Rather, we left to the Palestinian people and their institutions the responsibility for judging it and for choosing what they deemed fit. Our position stemmed from our interest in the peace process and its objective of the establishment of a comprehensive and just peace, in addition to our keen interest in achieving solutions that are self-sustaining and in steering away from those solutions and agreements that bear the seeds of future conflicts. Our expectations have proved to be correct.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“Israel launched an unprecedented campaign to convince international public opinion that the conflict in the Middle East was over and that peace had been restored to the region. The Israeli mass media targeted Arab consciousness in order to delude the Arabs into believing that the question of Palestine had been resolved, that there was no longer any reason to continue the Arab- Israeli conflict and that therefore the Arab boycott of Israel should be immediately halted and relations between Arabs and Israel should be normalized. Syria has also stated that the Oslo agreement would not achieve the desired, just solution to the question of Palestine and that it would provide the Palestinians with only a vague, limited self-rule, which, in the interests of Israel, would be wide open to interpretation in the future.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“Mr. Awad (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic): On behalf of the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic, I would like to extend to you our sincere congratulations, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend to your predecessor, the Ambassador of Argentina, thanks for his efforts during his presidency of the Council last month. Syria has already stated that the Oslo agreement was concluded in isolation from the peace process and outside the framework of the talks and their terms of reference. However, Israeli officials insisted on promoting that agreement as if it were the promised one that would finally take the region to the threshold of peace and stability.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“If the two States which are co-sponsoring the peace conference do not intervene on behalf of the international community in favour of the peace process - if they do not implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations with a view to reaching a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement - Israel will put into practice the principle espoused by former Prime Minister Shamir, who said: "It is my intention to negotiate with the Arabs for 10 years without allowing those talks to reach any settlement whatsoever".”
1994-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3342 (1994) · source
“At the same time, Israel refuses to implement Security Council resolution 425 (1978), which calls for the unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Moreover, Israel denies the peoples of the occupied territories the right to resist occupation and expects the Governments of those territories to join with the occupying force in suppressing national resistance, as if the purpose of peace were to set in stone for ever the Israeli occupation, rather than to terminate it. That is the Israeli mentality confronting the Arabs in the peace talks.”
1994-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3342 (1994) · source