YouSaid · the spoken record

Ben Mustapha

lines on the record: 451
first: 2000-01-13
most recent: 2001-03-16
sittings or episodes: 55
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

“Tunisia is concerned about a situation where the distinctive flag of the United Nations and the protective insignia of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which represent impartial assistance, are providing less and less protection for humanitarian personnel; this reflects their continued vulnerable status, especially in conflict situations. As to how to remedy these problems of a lack of security, especially given the growing number of victims, the United Nations has responded in a most appropriate manner: through the adoption of the first legal instrument in this connection, the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“That negative picture raises two questions: What is behind this situation? And how can we remedy it? In our view, these violations and this lack of respect for humanitarian and other United Nations officials, staff and humanitarian personnel stem from a certain degree of misunderstanding, ignorance and even negligence, particularly in conflict zones, concerning the peaceful basis, impartiality and neutrality of these missions. Such questionable conduct towards any peacekeeping or humanitarian assistance operation can be explained in part by a lack of information and awareness about the role of the United Nations and its objectives in any given operation. The United Nations as a whole must find ways to disseminate a culture of peace and to strengthen its own image as an organization of peace, pacific settlement and humanitarian assistance.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“The general thrust of operations conducted by the United Nations or under its auspices must always be the same: to keep and consolidate the peace and to provide humanitarian assistance. But in recent years, the proliferation and diversity of United Nations operations and the involvement on the ground of actors and bodies other than the United Nations itself have to some degree affected that understanding of the role of the Organization as defined by the Charter. In his 1999 report on strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations (A/54/ 154 and A/54/154/Add.1), the Secretary-General painted a clear picture of the situation of the United Nations personnel deployed in many regions. That picture includes murder, illegal arrest, detention, robbery and much more.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“Mr. Ben Mustapha (Tunisia) (spoke in French): Permit me first, Sir, to welcome you warmly and to thank you for personally presiding over this very important Security Council debate. The Tunisian delegation expresses its appreciation to your friendly country for having proposed a debate on so important an item as the protection of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones. Tunisia has participated in peacekeeping operations and will continue to do so, despite the losses it has suffered. We share the concerns of the international community about hostile acts committed in certain conflict situations against United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“Before concluding, I should also like to point out that we attach great importance to the efforts and the commitment being made by the international community to restore peace, stability and prosperity for the population of East Timor.”
2000-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4097 (2000) · source
“In addition, it intends to establish cooperative relations in several fields, and has decided to establish a working group to speed the return of refugees to East Timor. We agree that there is a need to strengthen the capacities of the humanitarian organizations on the ground so that they can discharge their duties under the best possible conditions. In this context, effective coordination between the various agencies operating on the ground is designed to maximize results, as Mr. Vieira de Mello emphasized. Finally, I should like to welcome the financial support that the international community is providing for East Timor. That support is continuing to grow, as was demonstrated during the donors' meeting in Tokyo.”
2000-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4097 (2000) · source
“Tunisia is also pleased by the arrangements for and the progress achieved regarding transferring the International Force in East Timor to the United Nations within an appropriate time-frame and under good conditions. I would also like to praise the goodwill that the Indonesian Government has shown in cooperating with the United Nations and its evident determination to develop good relations with all the parties. This positive attitude has been shown in actions the Government has taken to find solutions to problems arising from the crisis, including those related to Violations of human rights. In particular, Indonesia's acts have included meetings with leaders and the liberation of political prisoners.”
2000-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4097 (2000) · source
“Despite the precariousness of the situation and the manifold difficulties, my delegation cannot but be pleased by the progress that has been achieved and the concrete advances that have been made. I therefore seize this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Sergio de Mello and his team on the efforts they have made and on the determination with which they are carrying out their work. Pleased as we are about the general situation on the ground, Tunisia nonetheless stresses the importance of the consolidation and national reconciliation of East Timor and of the establishment of peaceful, good-neighbourly relations between East Timor and its neighbours.”
2000-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4097 (2000) · source
“Mr. Ben Mustapha (Tunisia) (spoke in French): Let me reiterate here my congratulations to you, Sir, on your accession to the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February, as well as our complete willingness to work with you for the success of your mission. I would also like to congratulate Ambassador Holbrooke on the success of the American presidency during the month of January. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on East Timor and Mr. Vieira de Mello for his complete and clear account of how the situation in that Territory is evolving, its positive features and, above all, the remaining difficulties and tasks.”
2000-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4097 (2000) · source
“We propose in this context that the Council undertake practical evaluations of the degree to which these results have been implemented. Allow us, at the end of this month and of your successful presidency, Sir, to welcome the next President, Argentina. We look forward to another month of vigour and revitalization. We promise the incoming President our cooperation and wish him every success. I also wish to join those who preceded me in expressing our condolences to the families of the victims of the Kenyan aircraft crash.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“We are optimistic Vis-a-vis any initiative that starts a dialogue between the parties because dialogue leads to understanding, builds trust and hastens progress towards organizing an international conference on the situation in the Great Lakes region, as proposed by Egypt and France. In conclusion, we believe that these open meetings have led to increasing transparency in the work of the Council. Direct involvement of the parties in the discussion will give us a unique opportunity for dialogue and will encourage the resolution of such problems. There is no alternative to dialogue. The results were very positive and there is conviction within the Council that we should work quickly to deal with the issues that have been discussed.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“Similarly, we must emphasize the importance of national dialogue in the next phase, and we hope that the international community, and the United Nations in particular, will support this dialogue and the work of President Masire by providing the necessary resources and cooperation. The meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo opened a constructive dialogue among all parties to the conflict, the signatories to the Lusaka Agreement, the Security Council and the Secretary-General. It was also an opportunity for some parties to the conflict to sit together and have a close and direct dialogue. That was a great achievement. We look forward to the repetition of this type of meeting.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“These are basic conditions needed for the transitional period. The Council has shown its support for and determination to uphold the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. This reaffirmation shows once again that this Agreement is the way to find a solution. We must now accelerate the dispatch of military observers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We hope that the Council will adopt a resolution immediately to extend the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with the Secretary-General's report of 17 January 2000 (S/2000/30). We expect all parties to the conflict to cooperate with and support the United Nations Mission and the United Nations Special Envoy. The degree of cooperation with this Mission will show how the Lusaka Agreement will be implemented.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“Security Council resolution 1286 (1999) appealed to all parties, and it is incumbent upon us to evaluate in the near future the parties' respect for this resolution. Regarding the discussion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have reaffirmed our position through the presidential statement made by you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Council, concerning the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its sovereignty over its natural resources, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Charter. This was one of the most important outcomes of that meeting. We called for an immediate halt to all military hostilities and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“The fact that the Security Council has unanimously agreed to find a solution to the conflict in Angola, to compel UNITA to stop defying the international community and to continue the sanctions regime is a clear message concerning the Council's commitment. We look forward in this regard to considering the report presented by the sanctions Committee on new measures that might be taken by the Council. In considering the situation in Burundi, the Council renewed its strong support for the Arusha peace process. We heard President Mandela express his views and advice on the Arusha peace process. We hope that he will give us a fresh evaluation of what has been achieved in that regard.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“We wish to reiterate the international community's appeal for support for African States in building their capabilities so they can deal with the problem of refugees and displaced persons and with their major causes, and in finding political solutions that would help bring about peace, development and stability in the region. As for the long-standing conflict in Angola, which is considered one of the major challenges facing the international community in general and the Security Council in particular, we wish to reaffirm our satisfaction with the announcement of the Angolan Government that it will hold firmly to the Lusaka Protocol as a basis for the peace process. We call upon UNITA, the party primarily responsible for the war's continuation, to prove that it is fulfilling its commitments in accordance with the Lusaka Protocol.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“On another subject, the Security Council has emphasized the importance of redoubling efforts in order to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to give humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons and to find solutions to their problems and situations. We note the attention given to this issue by the Security Council. We wish to emphasize, along with previous speakers, that we must adopt practical measures in order to implement the proposals presented by Mrs. Ogata of UNHCR.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“First, concerning HIV/AIDS, the discussion has increased awareness of the danger of this epidemic and of the importance of moving swiftly to adopt a comprehensive, stable strategy, in coordination with the specialized agencies, in order to put an end to the escalation of this epidemic. The commitments stemming from the meeting on this issue, particularly those mentioned by the representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) provide the best incentive for the international community to make more efforts and to follow up on such efforts. We look forward to the reports presented by UNAIDS concerning what will be achieved in implementation of the many recommendations in this area.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“Participants have linked HIV/AIDS and the question of refugees to the problem of peace and security in Africa. As we come to the end of January 2000, and not to the end of the "month of Africa", as we hope that every year will be a "year of Africa", we wish to reaffirm the necessity of following up the outcome of these meetings, as many previous speakers have already emphasized, so that Africa will continue to be a main priority for the Council throughout the year so that we can translate sincere political will and promises into deeds. In this context, allow me to make a few remarks.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“In addition to the issues of peace and security in some African countries, we have not ignored some general issues of great importance to the whole continent such as refugees and AIDS. We will perhaps deal with other issues in the future, issues that are no less important, such as combating poverty and starvation as major causes of conflicts and deterioration in the political, social and security situation. We have attached great important to ending the conflict in Angola. The presence of President Nelson Mandela here was a significant event that highlighted the importance of the continuation of the Arusha peace process, the Security Council's support for his efforts and the continued support of the international community. The meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo was undoubtedly of great significance.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“Mr. Mustapha (Tunisia) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to congratulate and salute President Chiluba; the Foreign Minister of Namibia, the current President of the General Assembly; the Foreign Minister of South Africa; and my brother, Ambassador Baali, speaking on behalf of President Bouteflika, the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). I also wish to commend the continuous efforts he is undertaking and to support his proposal concerning the importance of coordination between the OAU and the Security Council. I would also like at the beginning to express to you, Mr. President, our appreciation for setting up January 2000 to study African issues. There are a number of questions that we all agree are very important, and we consider that your choice of them has been very wise.”
2000-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4096 (2000) · source
“Tunisia has for many years followed developments in the Great Lakes region, and has sought to bring about rapprochement in that region; indeed, President Zine El Abidine ben Ali hosted a second summit meeting of leaders of the Great Lakes region in March 1996. Tunisia calls for the convening of an international conference on the Great Lakes region under the joint auspices of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We hope that today's meeting will contribute to the establishment of a dialogue among the parties to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Great Lakes region with a view to reaching a common understanding of what is needed to put an end to the conflict. The stability, peace and security of the region cannot be achieved overnight; they require time, political will, patience and mutual trust among all the parties, as well as genuine implementation of what has been agreed upon. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is related to the situation in the Great Lakes region and to developments on the other negotiating tracks. We must therefore think of the common, fundamental regional issues that we ought to consider in a broader framework and to which we must find a comprehensive solution.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Again, we believe that there is no alternative to dialogue, mutual understanding and national reconciliation; were these to exist, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would make great headway towards peace. We call for the provision of assistance to the Congolese parties so that they may begin their dialogue in an atmosphere of independence and seriousness. We hail the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Kamel Morj ane, and the entire United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their intensive efforts to address the conflict in that country.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Some have said that the Democratic Republic of the Congo will constitute a test of the Council's commitment; that test is taking place today. The Council must prove its commitment to follow up its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to implement them, and to work quickly to protect the Lusaka Agreement. As a new member of the Security Council, Tunisia assumes its own role by calling upon the Congolese leadership to make every effort to engage in national dialogue and to achieve national reconciliation. In that context, we welcome the agreement by the Congolese parties on the appointment of the former President of Botswana as neutral facilitator of the political negotiations among those parties. We encourage him in his work, and wish him and our Congolese brothers every success.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“It calls upon the international community and the donor States to assume responsibility and calls upon all parties to the conflict to cooperate with the mission, to provide unhindered access to its personnel and to accelerate its implementation and success. This is their first responsibility. We wish to commend the cooperation between the OAU and the United Nations in the implementation of the Lusaka Agreement, particularly through the Joint Military Commission. We commend the support given by some States to provide it with resources. We register great satisfaction over the work of the Political Committee, and we call upon the parties to continue their efforts. The Security Council has recently been asked to shoulder its responsibility with respect to African issues and to accelerate its pace on those issues.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The Secretary-General has prepared a new report (S/2000/30) in which he has proposed gradual measures to be taken by the United Nations to deploy military observers and to send a large-scale peacekeeping mission. However, due to the complexity of the conflict and the vast area of the country, this mission is considered one of the most difficult in United Nations history. Therefore, we must have the necessary political will and must plan carefully for this mission and its mandate, and we must provide the requisite financial and logistical resources. Tunisia supports these proposals and reaffirms its readiness to participate with its available resources.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We reiterate our position that there is no alternative to a negotiated peaceful settlement between the parties. We call on them to respect the Ceasefire Agreement and to fulfil their commitments. The international community must help them achieve this objective. We must support the Joint Military Commission to enhance its efficiency. Within this framework, the international community must reaffirm the importance of respecting the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as its natural resources. The United Nations is still focusing on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The Agreement supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and provides for the security and stability of neighbouring countries, as well as good relations with them. We hope that all parties will sincerely and seriously implement this Agreement. However, six months following the signing of the Agreement, when the Lusaka mechanism began to operate, with close cooperation between the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations, we note that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region generally is still precarious and difficult. There have been repeated violations of the Agreement, which represent a real threat to the future of the Agreement and a return to large-scale war. This is a source of serious concern for us.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In this meeting we have heard many valuable statements, in which many African leaders have shown what is being done - within the Organization of African Unity, within the Southern African Development Community or at the personal or individual level, as well as the tireless efforts being made to deal with the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region and to smooth relations between the various parties concerned. These efforts resulted in the signing of the Lusaka Agreement, which has enjoyed great support from the international community, especially from the Security Council, and is aimed at ending tragedy and war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In this context, we are very concerned at the deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has become tragic with the increase in the number of refugees and internally displaced persons, the lack of food security and the deterioration in health conditions. This situation threatens any attempt to bring about an end to the conflict. We call primarily for more support to be given to the efforts made by United Nations specialized agencies in providing the necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Congolese people.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“President, our appreciation for your friendly country and for your personal efforts in taking the positive initiative of including this issue in this month's series of meetings dealing with African issues. The issue of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is truly a central issue that has broad dimensions and is related to the situation in the Great Lakes region. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues, as do tragedies, strife and the exploitation of the resources of the Congolese people, who continue to suffer and also at the expense of the entire region and its security, peace and stability.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Mr. Ben Mustapha (Tunisia)(sp0ke in Arabic): I would like at the outset to welcome on behalf of Tunisia the heads of State of the African countries and the Ministers participating in this very important meeting. Their presence here expresses the special importance they attach to the issue we are discussing today: the situation in the Great Lakes region, and particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My country, Tunisia, which has made our continent, Africa, one its foreign policy priorities, shares the sense of importance that has been clearly manifested today and that is apparent in the statements of the African leaders this morning and of the heads of delegation before the Council. I wish to express to you, Mr.”
2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source
“However, at the same time, we believe that the Burundian question is not a simple one; it is related to the situation in the Great Lakes region as a whole. This requires us to think about dealing with the problems of the region in a wider context. I would like to conclude by saying that the draft resolution before the Council today is a clear message to all the concerned parties to work seriously to bring an end to the conflict in Burundi. We support its adoption.”
2000-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4091 (2000) · source
“We believe that this will not happen overnight, as President Mandela has just said, because this difficult process requires time and the building of mutual confidence between the parties. This is very important, as political will and an actual commitment to implement what is agreed upon. Thirdly, the role of the international community in general, and of the United Nations in particular, is important in providing material support and encouragement for this process until it finally succeeds, and then in following it up so that the Burundian people can harvest the fruits of peace. We hope that the political confidence of the parties has increased with President Mandela's assumption of his task and the suitability of the situation for pushing the process forward.”
2000-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4091 (2000) · source
“All parties in Burundi have to prove to President Mandela and the international community that a political solution through collective participation in the Arusha process is what they need. This should be serious participation leading to achieving the goals set for this process. We hope that the talks will end as soon as possible and will lead to a peace agreement accepted by all parties. Secondly, what do we expect from this agreement? We hope that it will lay the groundwork for the transitional period leading to a gradual reform of the State institutions within a framework of national reconciliation, forgiveness and wider participation in political life.”
2000-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4091 (2000) · source
“The Arusha process is entering a new and decisive stage, and the option of negotiation becomes the best choice for bringing peace and security to Burundi. Therefore, we once again express our encouragement to President Mandela to find the ways and means suitable to facilitate the Arusha talks, in consultation with the concerned parties. One of the most urgent priorities is to halt the acts of violence and killing and to engage in negotiations, because the fighting and violence in Burundi have led to humanitarian tragedies, an increase in the number of refugees and displaced persons, a deterioration of living conditions and a waste of its economic potential. Providing humanitarian and economic assistance to the people of Burundi would alleviate their suffering and promote the peace process.”
2000-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4091 (2000) · source
“We share the great respect that African leaders and peoples have for him. The active role that he has undertaken at the regional and continental level offers the best chance for continuing the Arusha peace process and pushing it towards success. This gives us reason for optimism. We express our support and encouragement for his efforts, and we thank him for his valuable statement this morning. We call upon all parties in Burundi to cooperate with him and facilitate his task. We also call upon the international community, including the more powerful countries, to lend him support in the peace process. I will limit my remarks to the following points concerning the Arusha peace process. First, experience has shown that the stalemate in negotiations will lead some parties towards violence and extreme positions.”
2000-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4091 (2000) · source
“Mr. Ben Mustapha (Tunisia) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to thank Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his valuable statement, in which he presented his evaluation of the situation in Burundi and the means to deal with it. At the outset, let me say that we feel very fortunate to have President Nelson Mandela present among us. I wish to salute him most warmly and, on behalf of Tunisia, to express our appreciation for accepting the task of Facilitator in the Arusha peace process for Burundi. He thus follows another African leader whose struggle for independence and freedom and valuable contribution to the peace process in Burundi will go down in history. We have full confidence, in President Mandela because of his eminent stature in the world and his well- known struggle and commitment to African issues.”
2000-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4091 (2000) · source
“Tunisia, which continues to support the efforts of the international community to put an end to hotbeds of tension, reaffirms its intention to continue to search for a settlement of conflicts in Africa. We are determined to continue to work through the Security Council towards this goal and to offer our support until the parties in conflict choose to follow the peace process and to respect resolutions of international legitimacy, including those of the Security Council and the Organization of African Unity. In conclusion, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate on Angola.”
2000-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4090 (2000) · source
“Today more than ever before, we are called upon to put pressure on UNITA to put an end to its defiance of the international community and to respect international legitimacy and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the Organization of African Unity. We wish to reaffirm once again the need for the unconditional implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and the importance of the sanctions imposed against UNITA. We call on all parties, both in Africa and elsewhere, to respect those sanctions and to stop UNITA from selling diamonds to buy weapons. We have seen that when sanctions are actually implemented, the forces of UNITA are forced to pull back. The Security Council is called upon today to take practical steps towards a final settlement of the Angolan conflict, which has gone on for so long.”
2000-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4090 (2000) · source
“We urge UNITA, which we consider the party responsible for the continuation of the conflict, to unambiguously demonstrate that it intends to comply with its commitments under the Lusaka Protocol. The negotiating option is the best means of finding a solution to the ongoing conflict in Angola. In this context, we encourage the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Security Council, to undertake further efforts with the parties concerned, and we hope the Council will continue this process. We would like to express our satisfaction with the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Gambari as the Secretary- General's Special Adviser on Africa. We hope that he will take up his functions quickly in order to find a settlement to the ongoing tragedy in Angola so that it will be able to dedicate its natural resources to development and not to war.”
2000-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4090 (2000) · source
“Sadako Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, told us last week that refugees and internally displaced persons comprise 20 per cent of the population of Angola, and that nearly 10 million anti-personnel landmines have been placed in Angola. This in itself threatens in particular the security of the population - especially that of children - and the peace and security of the country in general. One of the first priorities, therefore, is to put an end to hostilities and return to the negotiating table in order to make it possible for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide assistance. We would like to express our satisfaction with the Angolan Government's recommitment to the Lusaka Protocol as a valid basis for the peace process.”
2000-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4090 (2000) · source
“I would like to express our special thanks to Ambassador Fowler, Chairman of the sanctions Committee on Angola, for his detailed report on his visit to Angola to find ways and means of supporting the sanctions imposed on UNITA in order to prevent it from getting the weapons and supplies it needs to continue fighting. We would also like to thank the troika for the report presented by the Russian Federation. We commend the troika's efforts to find a settlement to this conflict and bring about reconciliation in Angola. The tragic situation in that African country is a cause for serious alarm for us because of the human suffering that exists there. The continuation of military action has led to an increase in the number of refugees and internally displaced persons. Mrs.”
2000-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4090 (2000) · source
“Mr. Ben Mustapha (Tunisia) (spoke in Arabic): First of all, I would like to welcome the presence among us today of the Vice-Minister of External Relations of Angola. I would also like to thank him for the statement he made this morning. Allow me also to express our thanks to the Secretary- General for his valuable report on Angola (S/2000/23), which was presented to us today by the Under-Secretary- General for Political Affairs, Mr. Kieran Prendergast. We thank him for his briefing on the very alarming humanitarian situation in Angola.”
2000-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4090 (2000) · source
“This involves political, economic, social and human aspects, all of which must be addressed when dealing with this problem. My country supports all of Mrs. Ogata's proposals and I thank her once again.”
2000-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4089 (2000) · source
“That Conference had as its priority subjects enhancing the capacity of African States to deal with the refugee problem, mobilizing resources, raising the international community's awareness, and a way of attenuating the burdens on States. At its most recent meeting in Algiers, the OAU Council of Ministers made a similar appeal. Today, in this supreme forum, the Security Council, we again urge the international community to help African States to deal with the refugee problem and address the essential problems evoked by Mrs. Ogata, and to address the establishment of machinery to put an end to the various conflicts and crises that exist in the African continent and impede our achievement of international peace and development.”
2000-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4089 (2000) · source
“The conclusions of the study would, of course, be submitted to all parties concerned for their approval. It goes without saying that the subject of refugees has taken on great importance within the Organization of African Unity (OAU). As you know, the OAU Council of Ministers set up a special committee to deal with refugees that in 1999 travelled to the field in quite a few African countries with a view to getting first-hand information about the situation in the countries most affected. Those visits are taking place under the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa that was ratified by 44 States, including Tunisia, in 1969. The first international conference on refugees and displaced persons in Africa was held in Khartoum in December 1998.”
2000-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4089 (2000) · source
“On the other hand there is the need for respect for the national sovereignty of the States that are providing them with asylum until they can exercise their right to return. These are integral parts of the international community's responsibilities. We must decide how this problem can be dealt with, taking into account the sovereignty of States and fundamental human rights. Tunisia considers that this means that there must be a debate in the proper bodies - within the General Assembly, in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), or in the context of an international conference especially convened for that purpose. We note that a study is under way in the Secretariat to that end. We hope that it will be concluded soon.”
2000-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4089 (2000) · source
“We would like to commend the tremendous efforts that she and her co-workers have made to deal with this problem. Mrs. Ogata and previous speakers have approached this topic from many different angles. They have touched upon the dramatic situation caused by the existence of millions of refugees and displaced persons in African countries, which entails human suffering, particularly for women and girls, who suffer the most. This provides fertile ground for crises and conflict. We have noted that the refugee problem, which is growing daily, has two essential aspects. On the one hand is the protection of refugees and providing assistance to them - medical and emergency services and foodstuffs.”
2000-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4089 (2000) · source