YouSaid · the spoken record

Baja

lines on the record: 635
first: 2003-05-30
most recent: 2007-02-12
sittings or episodes: 101
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

“To forestall this problem, many countries are willing to provide troops, self-sustaining for a limited period, for rapid deployment, but could be discouraged from doing so because of delays in reimbursements. In this connection, there is an urgent need to further strengthen Headquarters capability by infusing it with adequate and highly qualified personnel who should help provide solutions to troop- contributing countries' problems. Allow me to stress one final point. There are a number of areas where progress can be made in ensuring the safety and the protection of United Nations personnel.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Peacekeepers and peace-builders are therefore inextricably linked to each other. The lack of strong mandates and robust rules of engagement in hostile environments hampers the success of peacekeeping operations. Moreover, robust operations and clear mandates should not be limited to proactive measures to prevent killings and other destructive and violent actions against civilians, but should also give due regard to the need for the unhampered implementation of peace-building strategy in order to help enhance and ensure the success of a mission. Another policy area to be decisively addressed deals with rapid deployment. Despite all the merits of a United Nations rapid deployment capability, such as deterring the further escalation of conflicts, the final arbiter in decision-making is the availability of United Nations resources.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“At the end of the day, United Nations performance is gauged in terms of human lives protected from conflicts, notwithstanding the locus of such conflicts. Exit strategies for peacekeepers should stand out in policy formulation. However, we have to caution ourselves against precipitate withdrawal. The Council should guard against resorting to the termination of peacekeeping operations as an option due to resource constraints to allow the redeployment of troops or the rechannelling of resources for emerging crises. We have to learn lessons from the past to avoid the same pitfalls of having to cope with a relapse of conflict arising from precipitate withdrawal. Exit strategies should be linked to peace-building measures in order to ensure long-term peace and stability.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“All countries potentially or currently under Security Council mandate should receive equal treatment. Influential global players should engage themselves in risky peacekeeping operations, even when the conflict-stricken countries do not fall within their spheres of Vital interests. Success stories in peacekeeping are generally associated with the level of involvement of these important global players, whether military or logistical; the scope or scale of United Nations mobilization; the pace of deployment; and even the content or depth of Council mandates. We have to demystify any North-South divide by discarding selectivity and upholding the doctrine of equal treatment of States, notwithstanding their geographic location and strategic importance.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“It is similar to the continuums between security and development and between a secure political environment and sustainable development. Many argue that peacekeeping is the responsibility of the Security Council, while peace- building belongs to the General Assembly. That is a divisive argument and loses sight of the fact that these two organs are guided by common goals and functionally complement each other in pursuit of these goals. Peacekeeping and peace-building should therefore be planned in tandem with each other, a process also requiring closer coordination between the Security Council, the General Assembly and even the Economic and Social Council. The doctrine of equality among nations should not only be recognized, but also observed, particularly in peacekeeping.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Considering the upsurge in the need for peacekeeping operations, the Council should consider reviewing resolution 1327 (2000) more often. My delegation endorses the presidential statement on peacekeeping operations which will be issued shortly. As reform is a continuing process, I would like to invite the attention of this Council to a few points my delegation considers important if peacekeeping is to be wielded as a veritable instrument to achieve the basic purposes of the United Nations. Two of them are doctrinal and the others policy-oriented. My first point calls for a doctrinal shift from the traditional dichotomy between peacekeeping and peace-building to a continuum as an integral process leading to a common end.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“The Brahimi Panel report issued four years ago contained recommendations deserving not only serious but continuing consideration by the organs of the United Nations, the Security Council and the General Assembly in particular. Although a number of the Panel's recommendations have resulted in new policies have strengthened the United Nations peacekeeping capability, the review process on the implementation of these policies should be given equal importance for many reasons, such as the upsurge in demand for peacekeeping operations and the accompanying need for rapid deployment. My delegation commends Pakistan for subjecting peacekeeping to a review by the Council. More than three years have elapsed since the Council adopted resolution 1327 (2000) on 13 November 2000 in response to the Brahimi Panel report.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“High scores will be accorded to beneficiary countries currently experiencing stable peace and security or, at least, sustained cessation of hostilities; average scores to those that have gone through a roller-coaster experience, but have inched towards stability from a traumatic past; and low scores to those that have undergone protracted crisis or experienced a standstill for lack of political progress in their peace and security situations. These differences are attributable mainly to the complexity of the situations in different conflict- stricken countries and to the difficulty of contriving appropriate peacekeeping policy measures, owing to resource constraints, on the one hand, and to the political dynamics attendant on evolving peacekeeping mandates, on the other.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“My delegation is pleased to welcome you, Sir, in chairing this special event under the Pakistani presidency on a subject of mutual importance to our two countries as troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions. The concept paper prepared by your team for today's debate has provided the Council with a valuable appreciation of the multidimensional scope of peacekeeping. Your presidency's initiative in this regard comes highly commended. If we assess the outcomes of peacekeeping, the report card yields mixed results.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“In that connection, we welcome the views presented to the Security Council this morning by His Excellency the Foreign Minister for Serbia and Montenegro, which may be worth looking into and which could be considered along with other proposals aimed at putting the Kosovo process back on the right track.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“Even as we reiterate our commitment to the international community's efforts in Kosovo, we also call upon UNMIK to exercise greater flexibility in exploring all avenues that would lead us to our common vision for Kosovo. In an earlier briefing to the Council, Mr. Holkeri spoke of his plan - or vision - to develop his own political constituency among the people themselves, beyond authorities and institutions, to support his political and economic programme for Kosovo. I wonder if Mr. Holkeri has an update on that effort, especially concerning the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“In that connection, the Philippine delegation welcomes the actions taken by UNMIK and KFOR to reassert control and restore the rule of law in the province immediately after the outbreak of violence. We welcome the arrest of those involved in the riots and the fact that the judicial process towards their prosecution has begun. We also welcome Mr. Holkeri's statement that UNMIK is reviewing operational procedures and coordination in responding to crises there. The privatization process should also be pursued, and we are glad to hear from Mr. Holkeri of the progress in that area, with agreement on operating procedures between UNMIK and the authorities. We also continue to advocate the resumption of constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“Inter-ethnic tensions appeared to have subsided and the start of discussions on Kosovo's final status seemed possible in the foreseeable future. Also, the parties on the ground did not challenge, but rather accepted, United Nations authority. Our hopes for Kosovo's future were dashed two months ago, when a wave of inter-ethnic violence again plunged Kosovo into another abyss of death and destruction. Ambassador Holkeri this morning presented us with a graphic tale of the violence and its consequences. This time, it was the ethnic Serb population at the receiving end. What happened in Kosovo two months ago has made the task ahead more difficult for the international community, but it should not prevent the rebuilding process from moving forward.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“By virtue of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), the international community, through the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), assumed the responsibility of healing Kosovo of the wounds of inter-ethnic strife and rebuilding it into a tolerant, multi-ethnic and democratic society. Since that time, Kosovo has been a de facto United Nations-NATO protectorate. During the last five years, UNMIK and its partners - the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) - have accomplished much in putting Kosovo back on the road to peace and stability. Provisional Institutions have been established and competencies have been transferred.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“We too wish to thank His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro, who has joined us this morning for a discussion on the situation in Kosovo. We also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo, Mr. Harri Holkeri, for introducing the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/348) and for briefing us on the latest situation in the province. In considering the situation in Kosovo today, it may be relevant to recall the history and context of United Nations involvement there. Five years ago the international community intervened in Kosovo to put an end to the slaughter that was being perpetrated against its ethnic Albanian population. It should be noted that the Security Council initially ceded to NATO and the Group of Eight initial responsibility for Kosovo.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“The Timor-Leste experience is one of the best examples of consolidated action among the Council, the Secretary-General, regional players led by the Association of South-East Asian Nations, Australia and Japan, and the international community at large. We recognize Ambassador Sharma's role in that regard. As the Security Council's involvement recedes, the rest of the United Nations system will need to take up the challenge of ensuring successful post-conflict recovery in Timor-Leste.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“Timor- Leste's immediate neighbours and the other countries in the region, the Philippines included, should be ready to go the extra mile in providing the appropriate support to Timor-Leste, not only to preserve but also to further the dividends of peace in the country. The essential role of Timor-Leste's partners in the country's long-term development and the entire region's stability is a crucial one. When we consider the situation there, it may be relevant to note that some of the lessons learned have been applied and could be applied to other United Nations operations. United Nations involvement and regional leadership there were successful because they had wide domestic support. United Nations efforts were focused on getting the cooperation of Indonesia, and the accent was on persuasion and underscoring the realities on the ground.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“The report notes the limited revenue and widespread poverty in Timor-Leste, circumstances which continue to pose severe constraints on the country's social and economic development. While the forthcoming conference of development partners, to be held in Dili on 19 May, could provide some donor assistance, Timor-Leste's development should be pursued by generating more revenues from its own natural resources and industries. All the efforts made and gains achieved by UNMISET and the international community in ending the conflict and in nation-building in Timor-Leste would be for naught if, in the end, Timor-Leste's self- sufficiency could not be assured or sustained.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“My delegation is confident that the extension of UNMISET under the Secretary-General's proposed plan will contribute substantially to bringing Timor- Leste closer to self-sufficiency and to ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the country. However, my delegation's optimism is tempered by the realistic assessment that even after a one-year extension of UNMISET for a consolidation phase, many areas will still need further support and assistance. Therefore, my delegation particularly appreciates, and wishes to invite attention to, the very forward- looking component of the report on the requirements remaining after May 2005. It may be timely to bear in mind at this point that peace in Timor-Leste - as in any other country - is predicated on just social and economic development.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“The Philippines agrees with the three main elements of the role of UNMISET during that consolidation phase: support for public administration and justice in Timor-Leste; support for the development of law enforcement; and support for the security and stability of Timor-Leste. As a country contributing to UNMISET, my country stands ready to provide support in the areas identified as requiring UNMISET's support in the consolidation phase. The Timor-Leste authorities and the Timorese have always demonstrated their commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities in nation-building, notwithstanding their very limited capacities. The presence at this meeting of the Council of Senior Minister Ana Pessoa further mirrors that commitment.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“In the report, the peace and security situation in Timor-Leste is characterized as having remained generally "calm and peaceful during the reporting period" (para. 45). The proposal for a military component has been justified as responding to exceptional situations that exceed the capacity of Timor-Leste security agencies to undertake preventive action to promote public order and to assist in the provision of security to United Nations premises and personnel there. On the basis of those justifications, my delegation fully supports the Secretary-General's recommendation to extend UNMISET for a further one-year consolidation phase.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“We join colleagues in expressing our condolences and sympathy to the Russian Government and to the victims of the terrible act of terrorism in Grozny. We thank Mr. Kamalesh Sharma for his comprehensive briefing. This is a crucial period for Timor-Leste. Much has been achieved by the people in building their nation, with the help of the international community. However, much remains to be done. After all, nation- building requires time, efforts and commitment in order for the process to bear fruit. As the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) expires on 20 May, that is foremost in our minds. In defining the new mandate of UNMISET, the Secretary-General's report (S/2004/333) provides us with important factors to consider.”
2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source
“When the final chapter of the story of Bougainville has been written, it will be a tale of how dialogue and cooperation among all parties and stakeholders and the United Nations led to the success of the process there - a success which is now on the horizon. My delegation will support the measures that the United Nations will undertake to bring about the final realization of that success.”
2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source
“In view of such developments, together with the practical rehabilitation programmes in the economic and social field being conducted by other United Nations agencies, the peace process is expected to further mature. These are additional building-blocks to further consolidate the peace process. It is also important to acknowledge the vital contribution that the other countries in the region have provided, and are continuing to provide, to advance the peace process. This will be even more important in the days ahead to sustain the momentum for Bougainville's development towards a stable political future.”
2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source
“The agreement reached by the Peace Process Consultative Committee to destroy all contained weapons as stage III of the weapons disposal plan shortly after the last open debate on this issue, held in this very Chamber, was indeed a very positive development. It acted as the catalyst to increase the momentum in the political and constitutional process. My delegation looks forward to the positive prospect of completion of all stages of the constitutional process before the end of next month. A stable environment and the finalization of the constitutional process leading to the adoption of the Constitution will provide the conditions necessary to start preparations for the holding of the elections for an autonomous Government. Recent developments bring us ever closer to that goal.”
2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source
“We particularly welcome the encouraging results described in the report, particularly the progress that has been achieved in the implementation of the agreement to destroy the collected weapons; the simultaneous progress in the constitutional process that is being achieved as Papua New Guinea and Bougainville iron out remaining issues in finalizing the draft of the Constitution; the increasing delegation of powers and functions to the Bougainville Interim Provincial Government, particularly of policing functions; and the building of civil and political structures, particularly in the law and justice sector, in Bougainville.”
2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source
“Let me reiterate, Sir, in this first open meeting of the Council for this month, our congratulations to you on your assumption of the presidency for this month, as well as to the German presidency for its excellent stewardship of the Council last month. My delegation is also grateful to Assistant Secretary- General Danilo Turk for his comprehensive and informative briefing on the developments in the Bougainville peace process under the continued political presence of the United Nations through the United Nations Observer Mission in Bougainville, and for the letter from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of Papua New Guinea. It shows us the fruits of the efforts exerted by the parties in moving the peace process forward to establish a stable and self-sustaining autonomous Government in Bougainville.”
2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source
“The resolution reflects the Philippine Government's serious policy of countering terrorism. We acknowledge assurances that the resolution does not ipso facto authorize enforcement action against States that fail or are unable to comply with the obligations set forth by the resolution and does not preclude future multilateral agreements on the subject. We believe this resolution signals the seriousness, not only of the Council, but also of the entire international community with regard to preventing the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. The Philippines will of course act seriously in the implementation of this resolution.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“We sponsored the resolution just adopted in recognition of the clear and present danger of weapons of mass destruction that could be used for terrorist activities falling into the hands of non-State actors. There is a serious gap in existing regimes in terms of addressing this threat to international peace and security; that consideration should override any legal niceties regarding the resolution's possible political or technical implications, which may or may not materialize. The negotiation process on this resolution incorporated positive elements into the original draft text, particularly regarding the fulfilment of obligations related to arms control and disarmament, non-infringement upon existing treaty regimes, peaceful settlement of disputes and clarification of the role and mandate of the follow-up mechanism.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4956 (2004) · source
“The Council's efforts to address the proliferation of WMD will enjoy a greater resonance if the general United Nations membership can own such efforts. In this way, the law on the books will be the law on the ground.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Based on the divergence of ideas on the time frame of the committee, it is clear that the sponsors have different ideas on the scope of the role of the committee. We believe that the time frame of the committee will be more easily decided once the mandate is clarified and agreed upon. Finally, we hope that the draft resolution on this item can be adopted by consensus to signify the seriousness and strong desire of the Council and of the international community to counter the threat posed by WMD falling into the hands of non-State actors. An authoritative pronouncement exerts an independent influence on State behaviour, even as it imparts a strong message to its intended recipients - the non- State actors.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“We note the positive elements of the draft, which have been stressed by the sponsors and which will help us support it, namely, the incorporation of the fulfilment of obligations in relation to arms control and disarmament, peaceful settlement of disputes and non- retroactivity of the resolution. We are also assured that the draft does not preclude multilateral agreements on the subject, that it does not infringe on existing treaty regimes nor hamper international cooperation in materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes, and that it does not ipso facto authorize enforcement action against States that fail or are unable to comply with the obligations imposed by the resolution. We accept these as articles of faith. However, we seek further clarity in the definition of the mandate of the proposed committee.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“We are aware that existing multilateral obligations on WMD emanate from multilateral treaties that have resulted from negotiations in which all parties have closely examined those treaties and have agreed to be committed to their provisions. This resolution deviates from time-tested modes of creating multilateral obligations but my delegation essentially regards it as an exceptional measure to address a new and urgent potential threat not covered by existing treaty regimes. The Council is moving to a new phase of combating terrorism and, if it is to play a crucial role, as it should, in combating this threat to international peace and security, its members will have to display extraordinary degrees of flexibility and realism on the issue.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“We believe that other States also take this approach and that is why there is a consensus, not only among the members of the Security Council but also in the general membership of the United Nations, about the serious threat posed by nuclear, biological and chemical weapons falling into the hands of non-State actors and being used for terrorism. There is also general acceptance that there is a gap in existing non-proliferation regimes to address this threat. Addressing this serious threat now is the common ground on which we are all building. A clear and present danger that non-State actors will take advantage of this gap requires exceptional responses.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“My delegation appreciates, therefore, the timeliness of this open debate and the value of listening to the views of the general membership, who would be implementing the resolution. Those who are bound should be heard. This is an essential element of a transparent and democratic process, and is the best to proceed on a resolution that demands legislative actions and executive measures from the 191 Members of the United Nations. In this regard, we welcome the initiative of the sponsors to present the draft resolution to regional groups and to discuss with them and other interested parties what is in the text and what is not in the text. We approach the subject through the prism of measures to combat terrorism, which constitutes a threat to international peace and security.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Mr. President, thank you for convening this open meeting on the draft resolution on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). We accept and respect your technical veto on statements exceeding four minutes, and we will adhere to It. It is fortuitous that your first speaker on the subject comes from a country that does not produce WMD and has therefore nothing to proliferate, but which finds itself under the same obligations as other countries that do produce and have the capacity to produce WMD. I believe that a great majority of your speakers, and of the United Nations membership, is in this unique position. It is also unique that, while the measures mentioned in the draft resolution are directed at non-State actors, the onus of implementing them rests upon States.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Notwithstanding its noble intentions - and although we appreciate its positive prospects - it suffers from a factory defect: it is not a product of negotiation between the parties on the ground, whose lives and future are at stake. We thus urge a restarting of the Middle East process established under the road map, which the Security Council endorsed in its resolution 1515 (2003).”
2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source
“We are gravely concerned that, unless strong political will is exercised on all sides to curtail the terrorism and the violence, the path of peace will not succeed. Like others, we call on all sides to exercise restraint and to refrain from acts of violence, which will further escalate the situation. We appeal to them to follow the path of peaceful negotiations to achieve the goal of two States living side by side in peace and security, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002). There is a new equation in the litany of peace initiatives for the Middle East. At this juncture, we can only hope that the so-called disengagement plan does not kill the road map and the work of the Quartet.”
2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source
“We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. What we have in this afternoon's meeting is a reprise of what we had three weeks ago. Therefore, it bears repeating what we stated in the Security Council's public meeting at that time: that the Philippine Government condemns any and all extrajudicial killings committed by any party in the Middle East conflict. Such actions are gross violations of human rights and contrary to international law. We hope that we do not have to meet yet again in the context of another scenario similar to today's. We are deeply concerned that violence in the Middle East has continued, despite the declared aversion of the international community, including the Security Council, to such a policy. The Middle East will not see peace unless the pattern of attack and reprisal is stopped on both sides.”
2004-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4945 (2004) · source
“As the Council on Economic Priorities has aptly put it, "The challenge of conflict prevention and resolution is about values-based relationships at every level of the company and at every level of the society. The question of whether a company contributes to conflict or helps to prevent it, depends on the values, policies, and operating guidelines of the company and the way its employees and business partners accept, interpret, and implement these." The same is true for the international community. The prevention of conflict and the maintenance of peace depend upon the values, rules and norms of the international community, and the way countries accept, interpret, and implement those norms.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“Thirdly, economic development should be accompanied by the strengthening of the social, capital and civil institutions that are essential in post-conflict situations. They are necessary in order to prevent the re-emergence of violent conflict. Businesses often breathe and think with their pockets. But they can also take a proactive stance during the post-conflict period. They can participate in truth and reconciliation commissions, support weapons hand-ins, amnesties and demobilization programmes. They can also provide funding and managerial support to build the capacity of government services, including judicial systems and police forces. The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum in 1998 has identified major areas that provide useful frameworks for preventing and resolving conflicts.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“While business plays a crucial role in conflict prevention and post-conflict situations, the more crucial question is how to harness that role in order to safeguard global peace and security. The Philippines believes that appropriate support systems should be established. First, an enabling environment should be created so that the private sector can conduct its business. Business establishments cannot do this alone. The enabling framework for preventing and resolving violent conflict must first be in the hands of the Governments themselves at the national and international levels. Secondly, there is a need to forge partnerships between the public and private sectors. Partnerships are a valuable mechanism for addressing policy issues.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“Economic growth helps improve situations of existing or potential conflict, but it offers a double- edged effect because if the benefits of economic growth are unevenly distributed, they can increase rather than decrease the potential or existence of conflict. Moreover, in post-conflict situations, there is a tendency for violent conflict to arise or resurface if economic development is not accompanied by the strengthening of social and civil institutions. Already, some companies are becoming aware of their negative and positive impacts on society. Other companies, however, including those involved in the arms industry or in the illegal drug trade, are being identified as direct causes of violent conflict. The question is, how will the Security Council address that concern?”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“This is not the theme of our intervention. It is to say, in a brief form, that for better or for worse, business plays a big role in international life. The private sector is a global partner in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction. In times of peace, business is an engine of economic growth and in times of post-conflict reconstruction, business becomes an instrument for sustainable peace and development. Multinational corporations and even small and medium enterprises have a role in creating wealth and in promoting socio-economic development. Directly or indirectly therefore, they have a role in contributing to the prevention and resolution of conflict. The role of business, however, can be positive or negative, or a combination of both, depending on the situation.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“The American said it must be George Washington because he led the United States to become one of the most powerful countries in the world. The Englishman said it must be Winston Churchill because he led us to do our best during our worst time and he is known for his wit and eloquence. All of this was rejected by the businessman. Then came the Chinese man who said the greatest man who ever lived was Jesus Christ. Correct, said the businessman. I will arrange to pay your bill. You won the contract. As the Chinese shook hands with the businessman, the latter said, congratulations for winning by naming the greatest man on earth. However, I am even more impressed, considering that you are not a Christian. Well, said the Chinese man, I still think honestly that Mao Tse Tung was the greatest man, but, you see, business is business.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“We congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency and thank our four honoured guests for enriching our debate. As the thirteenth Council member to speak on this item, almost all that should be said has already been said. Allow me, therefore, to recall the parable of the greatest man. A very religious and wealthy businessman was at a business conference. To add some excitement, he proposed a contest among a group of friends composed of an Italian, an American, an Englishman and a Chinese man. He announced: Friends, I will pay your hotel bills for a week and award a construction contract for the reconstruction of Gloritania to anyone who can identify the greatest man who ever lived. The Italian said it must be Christopher Columbus because he discovered the United States of America.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“The challenge for UNMIK and KFOR and the rest of the international community is how to instil sufficient confidence and trust among the peoples to overcome the vendetta and the fear resulting from the violence before, during and after the conflict. In that regard, an effective judicial system is crucial. At the time of the Council's last briefing by Ambassador Holkeri we endorsed his plan and UNMIK's strategy of developing directly with the people their own political constituency for the reforms and the strategy for political and economic stability for Kosovo. We continue to do so.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“We went through the history of the situation, and we came across the agenda for coexistence. We were wondering how far the three major actors - Albanians, Serbia and Belgrade - have cooperated in this agenda for coexistence. Also, what is UNMIK's assessment of how far the ethnic groups - not only the leaders - have accepted the strategy of "standards before status"? We appreciate the fact that raising the status issue may radicalize all sides, but it is difficult to see how it can be avoided and Wished away for a long time. The people themselves must be able to own the strategy and the Plan so that no one feels ostracized.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“Political transformation must keep pace with the fight to restore security. It is crucial to involve as many stakeholders in the plan as possible. Also, an effective communication strategy to demonstrate to the population the benefit of adhering to the Implementation Plan is essential. We continue to believe that the situation in Kosovo is essentially an ethnic dilemma. The Albanians and their supporters will accept nothing less than independence and the Serbs and their supporters firmly want to remain part of Serbia, lest the Albanians remain reluctant to support rights for the Serb minority and lest the Serb minority not recognize the authority of Kosovo's institutions. UNMIK's challenge, I think, is how to bridge the divide, how to build the trust necessary to bridge the gulf between the two communities.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source
“It is practically and technically under United Nations protection and has the support of the international community. Suddenly, however, those considerations were not sufficient to abort the violence. However, we commend the swift response of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in restoring the rule of law, and we note with satisfaction that steps are being taken to prosecute the perpetrators of last month's violence. In this connection we would like to verify the reports that Kosovo is emerging as a centre of organized crime in the region and possibly as a base of operations for Al Qaeda. Under the Standards Implementation Plan we expect the establishment of democratic institutions to move forward. It is important to pursue the holding of elections, with the participation of all communities, before the end of the year.”
2004-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4942 (2004) · source