YouSaid · the spoken record

Belle

lines on the record: 69
first: 2007-03-09
most recent: 2008-12-12
sittings or episodes: 12
sources: un-security-council

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“With sufficient common ground and political will, a consensus resolution is within reach. In conclusion, I would like to urge the Security Council to bear in mind the fundamental reason for establishing a residual mechanism: respect for the rights of the victims, of the witnesses, of the accused and of the convicted persons. After two years of intense involvement in this issue, Belgium is more firmly convinced than ever that the international community - through the residual mechanism - must assume responsibility for, at the very least, the trial of fugitives, the protection of civilians and witnesses, contempt proceedings, monitoring the enforcement of prison sentences, review of judgments and management of the Tribunals' archives.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“I would urge the Security Council to seize the momentum created in 2008 to continue the work at the same pace, on the basis of the draft resolution, so that the necessary progress can be made early in 2009. Belgium was pleased to be asked to chair the Working Group during 2008. We believe it worked effectively under a single rather than a rotating chairmanship. I recommend strongly that again for 2009 a single chairman be nominated to continue the important work. A great deal of progress has been made in the drafting of a resolution to establish a residual mechanism to carry out certain essential functions and to preserve the legacy of the ICTY and ICTR after the completion of their work. Its basic structure and main purposes are clear. The outstanding questions are clearly identified.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“Successive discussions on the three versions of draft elements of the resolution largely identified the structure of the possible residual mechanism or mechanisms and the need for it or them to continue the legal personality of the Tribunals, although some important differences of view remain. Discussions should continue on those matters, as well as on issues that have not yet been considered in detail, such as the archives. The main questions to consider with regard to the archives relate to their location - whether they should be located in the same place as the residual mechanism - and how confidential materials should be handled, including the question of access to such material.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“First, the fugitives must face trial; impunity is unacceptable. The most senior fugitives - those most responsible - must face international trial by the residual mechanism. Secondly, the transfer of cases involving mid- or lower-level inductees to national jurisdictions having jurisdiction to try those cases is an important part of the Tribunals' completion strategies. Thirdly, continuing witness and victim protection was of critical importance. Fourthly, the Tribunals' archives are the property of the United Nations and must be kept under its control.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“The Tribunals' joint paper identified a number of residual functions that might need to be carried out by an international residual mechanism after the Tribunals close. These include the trial of fugitives, the review of judgments, the referral of cases to national jurisdictions, proceedings for contempt, the protection of witnesses, the archives, the supervision of sentences, the prevention of double jeopardy, defence counsel and legal aid issues, claims for compensation, public information and capacity-building, and human resources issues. The Working Group discussed each of these possible residual functions, identifying questions for the Tribunals and considering the answers provided by them. The focus then shifted to discussion of draft elements for a Security Council resolution. Four areas of early agreement emerged.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“The Working Group also had informal consultations with the jurisdiction States - Rwanda and the countries of the former Yugoslavia. The Working Group also exchanged views with the Registrar of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. During the first part of the year, the Working Group held general discussions of issues raised in the Tribunals' joint paper. As of June, the focus shifted to elements for a possible resolution, drafted by my delegation with the valuable assistance of the Office of Legal Affairs, to which I would like to express my most sincere appreciation. The draft became the basis of intense discussions and passed through three successive versions. While many elements of the draft resolution were agreed, significant areas of difference remain and it will not be possible to finalize the draft before the end of 2008.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“Its discussions were informed by a paper produced jointly by the ICTY and ICTR in March 2007 and revised in September 2007. There was considerable dialogue between the Working Group and the Tribunals throughout the year by means of letters, meetings and video conferences with the principals of the Tribunals and of a visit to each of the Tribunals by the Working Group at the end of September, as noted by earlier speakers. The Working Group was briefed by Justice Richard Goldstone, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Archives, which was established by the Registrars of the Tribunals to advise on the possible location or locations of the archives and related issues. The Goldstone Committee report was received too late in the year for the Working Group to consider it in any detail.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“Rather, I would like to take this opportunity above all to update the Security Council and the wider United Nations membership on the activities of the Security Council Informal Working Group on international tribunals, which Belgium has had the honour to chair in 2008. In particular, I note the significant progress made by the Working Group on the issue of the establishment of a residual mechanism or of two mechanisms to carry out certain essential functions of the ICTY and the ICTR after their closure. I call attention to the fact that I will provide a more detailed account in a letter that I will send to the President of the Council and that I will ask to be circulated as an official document of the Security Council. The Working Group held 29 meetings in 2008.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“As regards the cooperation of States with the Tribunals, my delegation welcomes the substantial progress noted by Prosecutor Brammertz concerning the cooperation of the authorities of Serbia with the ICTY. We encourage Serbia to continue its efforts to that end and hope that Mr. Mladic and Mr. Hadzic will be apprehended soon. We encourage all other States involved with the ICTY or the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to enhance their cooperation with the Tribunals, in particular with a View to arresting the fugitives. Cooperation should result from a general commitment and not just from progress achieved now and then. With respect to the ICTY, it is regrettable to note that some form of pressure or other international intervention is often needed in order for cooperation to progress.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank the Presidents and Prosecutors of the two Tribunals for their briefings. Let me also congratulate Judge Patrick Robinson on his election as President of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) at a challenging time in the life of the Tribunal. I will not reiterate in any detail my country's attachment to international justice and our strong support to the Tribunals in their endeavours to complete their work within the deadlines decided by the Security Council and to continue to comply with their mission, in appropriate conditions of work, to bring to justice those most responsible for crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda. These points were made in my delegation's three previous statements and they remain valid.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6041 (2008) · source
“In its condemnation of the use of all forms of violence and sexual violence against civilians, that resolution, as Ms. Alberdi said, is an essential complement to resolution 1325 (2000). The scourge of sexual violence must be eliminated without delay. For Belgium, that remains the priority in our overall implementation of the resolution on women, peace and security.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005 (2008) · source
“It is important that women are able not simply to state their needs, including with regard to justice and reconstruction; they must also be able to participate genuinely in the decision-making process. Peacekeeping missions have the responsibility to ensure that the place of women in peace processes is assured. From the outset of a mission, the community of women at the local level, on the ground, and, where they exist, women leaders must be encouraged and invited to defend and present their opinions and to participate in public decisions. The Security Council has an important role to play in that respect. Under- Secretary-General Le Roy also indicated that in his briefing. Allow me to conclude by recalling resolution 1820 (2008), which deals with the problem of sexual violence in armed conflicts.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005 (2008) · source
“As part of its policy on applications for international posts, Belgium actively encourages women candidates. You were entirely right, Mr. President, to place the issue of the participation of women in peace processes at the heart of our debate. Resolution 1325 (2000) recognizes and stresses the need to involve women in all aspects and phases of the transition in countries emerging from conflict, as well as in the peace process itself, in restoring the rule of law and in rebuilding economic systems. One cannot restore lasting peace without the involvement of women. Ms. Mayanja pointed that out eloquently. We must involve women to a much greater extent in specific issues that arise at the end of a conflict.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005 (2008) · source
“For example, we have seen that the gender dimension must be mainstreamed in our fight to achieve a ban on the use of anti-personnel landmines and cluster bombs, whose primary victims are women and children. At the internal level we have seen that good gender-equality legislation alone has not been sufficient. Even though they may reflect firm political will, legislative texts must be combined with investment in know-how in the sphere of gender issues if they are to be implemented effectively. We all agree that we need a better balance - parity - between women and men in international organizations, especially in the highest positions. To achieve that, more women must show their readiness to accept such high-level posts. In this, they must be encouraged and, above all, supported.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005 (2008) · source
“Despite the efforts of the United Nations system, described in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/622), and the efforts we have all made, the resolution's objectives have not been attained. The situation of women in conflict and post-conflict zones remains worrisome - indeed, tragic. The implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in its entirety is the duty of all Member States, and their role and responsibility are vital. By the end of this year, Belgium will present its action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). The preparation of the action plan, in consultation with civil society, has been an enriching experience for all the Belgian political and administrative entities involved. The drafting of the plan has revealed a series of challenges both internally and with respect to our multilateral activities.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for having taken the initiative to convene this public debate on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, and on the issue of promoting women's participation in peace processes. I also thank Ms. Rachel Mayanja, Ms. Ines Alberdi, Ms. Sarah Taylor and Mr. Alain Le Roy for their introductory briefings. Belgium aligns itself with the statement made earlier by the representative of France on behalf of the European Union. Before turning to the specific issue of the participation of women in peace processes, I wish to voice the View that, eight years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we should ask ourselves - as Ms. Taylor has asked - about our implementation of that resolution.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005 (2008) · source
“To that end, the Council's actions in general, and the draft resolution in particular, should support the mediation efforts in the region. We hope that Zimbabweans in Harare understand that we have clearly heard their appeals and have met our responsibilities to ensure respect for their legitimate aspirations for democracy.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): We sincerely regret that the draft resolution could not be adopted today. Although the vote reflected our differing positions as to the means to be used, we are nevertheless resolutely unanimous as regards the seriousness of the situation in Zimbabwe and the goals to be pursued. All Council members are convinced of the need for a political transition in Zimbabwe. Belgium was a sponsor of the draft resolution and voted in its favour. We did so because we believed it to be a vital incentive to achieving a negotiated settlement in Zimbabwe. We welcome the efforts of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union. However, we believe that, without pressure, there will be no negotiation.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“The United Nations, in particular UNAMA and at its head Special Representative Eide, have the intention and determination to meet the expectations of the international community. We need to give them the space and the means, both human and financial, that are necessary to do that.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“A month ago, Afghanistan and the international community reaffirmed in Paris their partnership to implement the Afghanistan Compact and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy under the leadership of the Afghans. Belgium welcomes the pledges of aid by the international community and the commitment by the Government of Afghanistan to pursue political and economic reforms. Within that joint responsibility progress is crucial to fight corruption and drugs and to promote good governance and the rule of law. Improving the lives of Afghan men and women - which, as the Secretary-General and the Special Representative have reminded us, is our collective objective - depends on that. In conclusion, in Paris wishes were also expressed for a greater role on the part of the United Nations in terms of coordination.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“In that regard, I wish to offer Belgium's condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Afghanistan and India. My delegation welcomes the participation in this debate of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and Pakistan. For Belgium, regional cooperation has a key role to play in the process of the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan. As already stated by President Karzai and President Musharraf, the fates of the two countries are tightly linked. The events of these last few weeks have reminded us of that once again. We therefore encourage Kabul and Islamabad to spare no efforts in cooperating closely, also in terms of economic cooperation. What we have heard today has been encouraging in that respect.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“The drafting of United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Afghanistan is also to be encouraged to improve the coherence and the effectiveness of the United Nations response. My delegation would also like to welcome the presence of Mr. Holmes and thank him for the briefing that he gave us on his recent visit to Afghanistan. The Humanitarian Action Plan that will now be developed should allow us to do a better job in meeting the humanitarian needs, which are still very real. Belgium shares his concern with respect to the growing number of civilian casualties, mostly caused by those opposing the Afghan Government. Monday's suicide attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul has once again shown that tragically.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“A greater United Nations presence is in fact vital, but in order for the value added of our Organization to be completely effective, adequate funds will need to be made available in terms of both personnel and security. Mr. Eide reminded us of that a few moments ago. My delegation fully supports the list in section III of the report (S/2008/434) of issues to which more attention must be paid. The requests for extra personnel for the elections, for support for the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, for aid effectiveness, for the establishment of institutions and for the rendering of humanitarian assistance are now very legitimate and must be fully supported. With regard to the internal organization of UNAMA, Belgium supports any reform proposed by Mr. Eide that would allow him to better meet his responsibilities.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“While my delegation fully associates itself with the statement just delivered by the Ambassador of France on behalf of the European Union, we should like to make the following comments. Belgium generally agrees with the observations contained in the report (S/2008/434) of the Secretary- General. The strengthened mandate for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) set out in resolution 1806 (2008) continues to be completely appropriate. However, more resources are needed to carry out that mandate and address the priorities identified at the Paris Conference. My country welcomes the announcement of the opening of six new regional provincial offices by the summer of 2009, with the initial phase taking place in the provinces of Uruzgan and Baghlan.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): First of all, my delegation welcomes the presence in the Chamber of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Allow me also to welcome Mr. Eide, who has made his first briefing to the Security Council since he assumed his responsibilities. In three and a half months, he has already done remarkable work in meeting expectations of him, which I must say are very great. Belgium commends him and encourages him to continue in that direction. My country has always believed in a central role for the United Nations in guiding international efforts and coordinating the actions of the Government of Afghanistan and its international partners.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“It is in taking this diversity into account that the Security Council must demand of all parties, without exception, respect for the protection of civilians. Moreover, it must act in concert with all actors in the international community: the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, civil society, etc. Finally, access to humanitarian aid is closely linked to the protection of civilians. That relationship is not limited just to the framework of armed conflicts; it can also go beyond. The objective remains, above all else, the protection of civilians. They deserve that everything be done to ensure this, as we have done in Myanmar. If the Security Council can add value here, it should do so to the best of its ability.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“We have already emphasized the important contribution of the Security Council in dealing with those problems with a view to reducing and even eliminating their negative effects. In this context, we welcome in particular the initiative of the United States to organize, during its Council presidency next month, a ministerial debate focused, inter alia, on the problem of sexual violence in armed conflicts. We are convinced that that exercise will help us in further developing a collective response to this scourge, for which impunity is intolerable. Under-Secretary-General Holmes has just emphasized the impact of hostilities on civilian populations by citing various examples. Those examples illustrate the diverse nature of conflicts.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“We desire those essential objectives of our Organization, to be pursued with the unflagging support of the Security Council for all measures and actions conducive to their achievement. In that context, Belgium advocates more systematic and regular follow-up by the Council, as Mr. Holmes also mentioned in his statement. During the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General on this question on 20 November 2007 (5 781st meeting), we already voiced our concern regarding several priority subjects for Belgium: access to victims, sexual violence as an instrument of war and the effect of certain conventional weapons such as cluster bombs, which cause unacceptable damage and suffering to civilian populations.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“It allows us to show that when the United Nations acts in a sustained fashion, it can indeed make a difference in the field. For those who would still doubt the usefulness of this exercise, we would like to recall here both our Charter, which says "We the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind", and also the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which says "the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people".”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): I should like first of all to thank Mr. John Holmes, Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for his statement and his highly relevant comments on the topic of discussion today. Belgium associates itself with the statement which our Slovenian colleague will be making soon on behalf of the European Union. I would like to limit myself here to a few considerations that are important for my delegation. Belgium is deeply devoted to having the Security Council periodically revisit the question of the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Such a review unfortunately has a negative connotation. It reminds us of the lack of progress in the area of the protection of civilians. But such a review also provides the opportunity to take note of positive developments.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Belgium fully supports the 27 February declaration of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (see S/2008/300, annex, enclosure), which links a possible closing of the Office of the High Representative to the fulfilment by Bosnia and Herzegovina of five objectives and two conditions set out in that declaration. We thus call on the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the terms of the declaration. Finally, Belgium reaffirms its full support for the provisions of the Dayton Agreement. We also reaffirm our appreciation of and support for the work of the High Representative, who is also Special Representative of the European Union.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“My delegation can only call on the major actors to be pragmatic. In that regard, the agreement reached in Bosnia and Herzegovina's parliament on holding local elections in Srebrenica is a positive example. Furthermore, Belgium will follow very closely the preparations for the 5 October local elections. Secondly, my country continues to stress its commitment to full cooperation on the part of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular Republika Srpska, with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Here, I am thinking primarily of the first phase of the police reform. At the same time, my delegation welcomes NATO's decision to accord intensified dialogue to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Belgium is convinced that that progress will constitute factors of stability not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for the region. Despite that significant progress, there are still many challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina to face. I should like to highlight two of them. First, Belgium shares the concerns related to the threats posed by changing the constitutional order through unilateral actions. Constitutional reform is certainly necessary to consolidate internal political stability. Like the High Representative, we note that the positions of the various communities on this subject remain diametrically opposed.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): I should like at the outset to thank the High Representative, Ambassador Lajcak, for his presentation and for his report to the Security Council (S/2008/300, annex, enclosure). I should also like to thank His Excellency Mr. Nikola Spirie, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for his statement. Belgium aligns itself with the statement to be made shortly by the Permanent Representative of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union. Like the High Representative, Belgium welcomes the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a view to its integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. The decision by the European Union (EU) to sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrates that results can be achieved on essential reforms.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Belgium thanks the Secretary-General for the recommendations set out in his report. Their implementation could help us to better meet the challenge still posed by the illicit trade in small arms. Beyond that challenge itself, development, peace and security in many regions are at stake.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Since 2001, we have made more than â‚¬7 million in bilateral contributions towards implementing the objectives of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms. That sum is in addition to the contribution of the European Union. In this way, Belgium has supported the formulation of national plans of action in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, with a view to promoting cooperation among those three countries, including in the area of border control. Belgium considers that the third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action, to be held in July 2008, should aim at achieving concrete results and should focus on a limited number of topics, with a view to strengthening the implementation of the Programme of Action.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Belgium's law of 26 March 2003 incorporates the criteria of the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, thereby making them binding. It is important to note that this law prohibits the exportation of weapons to countries where children are a part of armed forces. The regional dimension is of equal importance in addressing places of both origin and destination of the illegal trade. Here, Belgium welcomes the follow-up given to the Decision of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons by air, adopted in late 2006. Belgium is also shouldering its responsibility with respect to cooperation and assistance.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Belgium welcomes in particular the emphasis placed on the situation of children in armed conflict. More generally, the illicit trade in small arms can be stemmed only if systematic measures are taken to provide a framework for the legal trade, through mandatory marking and tracing, regulation of the status of brokers and other intermediaries and strengthening export controls. In that spirit, Belgium supports the adoption of an arms trade treaty that would put in place common international norms for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons. Belgian law already includes provisions based directly on these concerns. A law adopted on 9 June 2006 imposes strict controls on the possession of weapons by private individuals on Belgian territory. Moreover, the brokerage profession is regulated by a law adopted on 25 March 2003.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Worse still, those victims are primarily civilians: men, women and children who are most often in the most vulnerable sectors of the population. In the report before us today, unfortunately, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon notes no positive developments. There has been no easing of the gravity of the consequences of proliferation of and illicit trade in small arms, and the need for action is obvious. The international community already has some tools at its disposal. For instance, the embargoes imposed by the Security Council are legally binding and must be strictly applied. The Secretary-General's recommendations regarding cooperation among all actors - the Security Council, peacekeeping missions, Member States and INTERPOL - should also be fully implemented.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this open debate, which is providing the Security Council with an opportunity to revisit the question of the proliferation of and illicit trade in small arms, a matter of great concern. I thank Ms. Hannelore Hoppe for her introduction of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/258). My delegation associates itself with the statement to be made by the representative of Slovenia on behalf of the presidency of the European Union, and I shall simply make a few additional comments that I believe to be essential. In 2006, former Secretary-General Kofi Annan made the alarming observation that "The death toll from small arms dwarfs that of all other weapons systems" (A/54/2000, para. 238).”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“In addition to condemning the attacks against UNIFIL, the resolution recalls that the security of UNIFIL's contingents and personnel remains paramount for the fulfilment of its mission.”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 1773 (2007). As a troop contributor, Belgium obviously fully supports the resolution, which extends the current mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a 12-month period, until 31 August 2008. In our view, it is undeniable that UNIFIL has been and continues to be a stabilizing element in southern Lebanon and in the zone. By adopting this resolution, the Security Council is sending a clear and strong signal: it is endorsing the undeniable initial success of this mission and reaffirming its confidence in UNIFIL with regard to the discharge of its mandate.”
2007-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5733 (2007) · source
“These changes give rise to hope, but resolution 1701 (2006) is a complex machine that must remain in motion. The Secretary-General has a central role to play in maintaining this momentum. Here, we welcome the consensus reached in the Security Council last week in support of the Secretary-General's proposals, specifically the dispatch, with the consent of the Lebanese Government, of an independent assessment mission to monitor the border. In conclusion, because of our common concern for the stability of Lebanon and the fight against impunity, we look forward with interest to a report on the mission of support for the Lebanese parties led by Mr. Nicolas Michel, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Here, Belgium welcomes the Quartet's renewed commitment to play its role as a catalyst for the efforts of the international community, in particular through increased cooperation with regional actors. With respect to Lebanon, we do not want this dangerous situation to continue without a response. All of us, in Lebanon and elsewhere, must work to safeguard the country's stability and sovereignty. We therefore call upon all Lebanese political players to act responsibly by making it possible for State institutions to function normally with a View to buttressing that sovereignty. We share the View of the Secretary- General, as expressed in his recent report (S/2007/ 147) on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), that deployment of UNIFIL and of the Lebanese army south of the Litani river has brought about genuine strategic changes.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Moreover, we call upon the Israeli Government to make powerful symbolic gestures with a View to strengthening the current bilateral discussion by returning Palestinian tax and customs revenues and by ceasing the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories and the construction of the separation wall beyond the Green Line. Turning to the role of regional actors, Belgium joins the Secretary-General in welcoming the proactive efforts of the Arab countries, as seen at the Riyadh Summit. We encourage this active role, which since that Summit has been reflected in last week's Cairo ministerial-level decision to establish working groups to explore, together with international actors and with Israel, the contribution of the Arab Peace Initiative and ways of reviving the Middle East peace process.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“The continued firing of rockets, the recent violent confrontations and statements made in the past few days are all of great concern in that regard. The goal must continue to be to maintain the ceasefire and extend it throughout the occupied territories. We welcomed the establishment of a Palestinian Government of National Unity as a positive development, and we expect its programme and, above all, in its actions to reflect the change of course agreed upon at Mecca and a willingness to reflect the Quartet principles. In Belgium's View, security sector reform must be a priority for the Palestinian Government, the Palestinian presidency and the international community.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Belgium supports President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert in their intention to meet regularly, which should enable them to restore mutual trust and to make progress that their respective peoples will feel in terms of improved living conditions and security. But such interim issues should not overshadow the real need for discussion of the future: how to achieve a solution based on two States living side by side in peace and security. Too frequently, the past has shown us that, for lack of credible political vision, deeply-felt desires have led nowhere. In the meantime, Belgium calls upon the Israeli and Palestinian Governments to make every effort to maintain and consolidate the Gaza ceasefire agreed upon in November 2006.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank Mr. Pascoe for his briefing. Let me begin with a few comments on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. We are now in an interim phase. The year 2006 saw the situation deteriorate, while 2007 has given us reason for hope. Direct dialogue between the parties has resumed with regular summit meetings; the regional players have renewed their commitment, as evidenced by the Mecca Agreement and the reaffirmation of the Arab Peace Initiative; and the international community, in particular the Quartet, has renewed its involvement. But hope remains fragile, and to avoid any backsliding all the players must work together and translate their dialogue into concrete action. I turn first to the parties.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“I wish in conclusion to stress that the humanitarian situation in other African countries too demands the closest attention of the international community.”
2007-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5655 (2007) · source
“Here again, in order to bring about lasting peace, it is necessary to fight impunity. More generally speaking, Belgium supports, in principle, the dispatch of a peacekeeping force to Chad and the Central African Republic in order to protect endangered civilian populations and to prevent cross- border attacks. Deployment should have the prior agreement of the Governments concerned, and the force should have sufficient means and a robust mandate so that it can effectively ensure safety and security both for itself and for the civilian populations. For Belgium, one of the essential lessons learned over the past few years has been that the dispatch of a force must be planned with a view to supporting the prospects for a political process.”
2007-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5655 (2007) · source