YouSaid · the spoken record

Ben Yahia

lines on the record

24

first

1996-09-27

most recent

2001-11-12

sittings or episodes

3

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

1. “Finally, I would like to mention a call addressed last Wednesday by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, on the occasion of the fourteenth anniversary of the Change of 7 November 1987, to world leaders, to the forces of good and men of wisdom to intensify their efforts in order to prevent relations between peoples, particularly in these delicate times, from veering towards the resurgence of confrontation between religions, which are in their essence noble objectives, sources of tolerance, dialogue, and solidarity.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

2. “We also support the conclusion calling for combating the manifestations of poverty and underdevelopment. In fact, the future of world security, stability, and development depends upon the degree to which we consecrate the principles of equality, justice and solidarity between peoples. In this regard, Tunisia has proposed the creation of a world solidarity fund with the aim of taking rapid action in the poor regions of the world. Consistent with our support of resolution 1373 (2001) and its requisites, we also support the resolution that will be adopted by the Council today.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

3. “We welcome, in this regard, the conclusions of that debate, particularly the following: the call to avoid confusing Islam with the acts of certain extremist terrorist groups that have no relationship whatsoever with the religion, which is one of tolerance, mediation and moderation; the affirmation of the rights of people to self-determination in accordance with the Charter and within the framework of international legality; and the call for strengthening international cooperation and solidarity with a View to eliminating the factors of frustration and deprivation in the world and to finding solutions to pending international issues, particularly the question of Palestine. By doing so, we ensure that those problems are not used by terrorist and extremist movements to destabilize the world.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

4. “Thirdly, all States should explicitly and genuinely commit themselves to deny any direct or indirect assistance, including granting political asylum, to persons whose actual or tacit participation in terrorist acts has been proved. All States should also, in cooperation with each other, prevent terrorist networks from moving about freely under the cover of civil society organizations, and should deprive these networks of any means of carrying out their activities. In this respect, we should be very vigilant and alert vis- a-vis their exploitation of modern information technology to spread the culture of extremism, violence and provocation. The debate that took place in the General Assembly after the events of 11 September 2001 has enabled the international community to take a unified stance on and condemn terrorism.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

5. “In this regard, Tunisia is determined to continue cooperating and contributing at all levels with the international community in order to establish a comprehensive and consensual code of conduct to combat terrorism and to set up an adequate mechanism to achieve that goal. In this regard, the Organization of African Unity and the Organization of the Islamic Conference have adopted a proposal, to which Tunisia contributed and which led to the adoption of a number of important decisions. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to the document that has been circulated today, which includes reference to the African mechanism for crisis management and the Organization's position on terrorism.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

6. “In this regard, Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) constitutes a solid basis that enables the international community to move from rhetoric to effective action in order to contain the dangers of this phenomenon. This resolution also constitutes an appropriate international framework within which to elaborate an international, integrated preventive and coercive strategy that tackles terrorism. Secondly, it is also time that the international community cooperate and coordinate efforts in order to elaborate a rigorous plan of action to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations: religious, ethnic or political.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

7. “Tunisia has drawn attention to the dangers of terrorism since the early 1990s, and in various forums has called for the need to establish an international framework for combating this phenomenon. On the national level, Tunisia has found efficient solutions through the implementation of a comprehensive strategy - political, economic, social, cultural and educational - as well as strengthening the rule of law and government institutions, thereby distancing ourselves from threats of terrorism and violence. On the international level, we believe that it is time for the international community, first, to unite its efforts in order to eradicate the phenomenon of terrorism, its structural and financial bases and its means of disseminating information.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

8. “Mr. Ben Yahia (Tunisia) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to you, Mr. President, for your initiative to include the question of counter-terrorism on the Security Council's agenda for this month - at the request of the delegation of Ukraine - given the extreme importance of this issue. I also wish to take this opportunity to reiterate to the American delegation, and to my friend Mr. Colin Powell, Tunisia's compassion and support to the friendly Government and people of the United States following the events of 11 September 2001. I also extend my sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the accident that occurred in New York today. The phenomenon of terrorism is not a temporary or new one.”

   2001-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4413 (2001) · source

9. “I thank President Kagame for the clarifications he has provided. I would also like to thank all the delegations that participated in our debate for their kind words addressed to me and to my country. There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration ofthe item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.05 pm.”

   2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

10. “Notably during its presidency of the Organization of African Unity in 1994 and 1995, Tunisia contributed to African efforts to ease tension in the Great Lakes region and to bring about rapprochement among the States of that region. President Ben Ali has taken numerous initiatives to that end. Tunisia has consistently supported all peace processes on the African continent, and hopes that they will help strengthen peace, security, stability, development and cooperation in the region. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I call on His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Rwandese Republic, to respond to the comments that have been made and the questions that have been raised.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

11. “We expect the parties concerned to undertake the practical steps necessary for the realization of that objective. Tunisia supports and encourages each and every initiative undertaken by Rwanda or any other party aimed at dialogue, conciliation and cooperation in the framework of mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each State in the region. We welcomed President Kagame's meeting last week with President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We hope that the dialogue will continue and advance in the interest of the peoples of Rwanda, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and ofthe entire region, who yearn for a better tomorrow. For years, Tunisia has been following developments in the Great Lakes region.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

12. “The international community is called upon to encourage all the parties concerned and to help them build the pillars of lasting peace in the region, including by providing assurances to the parties concerned about their security and stability, thereby improving the opportunities for conciliation, solidarity, cooperation and development in the continent. We look forward to the earliest possible deployment of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo. This will translate into action the determination of the international community to shoulder its responsibilities with regard to the situation in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo and the region as a whole. We sense that there is a desire to move towards peace.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

13. “The Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, which supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and provides for the establishment of conditions conducive to security and stability for neighbouring countries, remains the best framework for arriving at a negotiated settlement to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We expect the parties to the Agreement to prove their commitment to the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. We believe that circumstances are favourable for giving a new impetus to the peace process.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

14. “I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia. The Security Council's preoccupation with the Great Lakes region is clear; it is attested to by the many meetings scheduled this month to address the situation there. I should like to single out in particular the meeting with the Political Committee ofthe Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement to discuss the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We hope that these meetings will have practical results that contribute to reactivating the peace process and fulfilling the aspirations of all the people to peace, security, stability and progress.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

15. “I thank the President ofthe Rwandese Republic for his statement. I shall now give the floor to members of the Council to comment on the intervention by President Kagame.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

16. “Kagame and convey to him our appreciation for his having accepted the Council's invitation to engage in an exchange of views on the situation in the Great Lakes region, an issue to which the Council attaches great importance. I wish also to welcome His Excellency Secretary- General Kofi Annan and to express our appreciation for his having accepted our invitation to attend today's meeting. In view of time constraints, I would ask representatives to limit their interventions to questions or comments. I call on the Secretary-General.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

17. “In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations, I request the Chief of Protocol to escort His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Rwandese Republic, to a seat at the Council table. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Rwandese Republic, was escorted to a seat at the Council table. The President (spoke in Arabic): The Security Council will now being its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. At this meeting the Security Council will hear a briefing by His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Rwandese Republic. On behalf of the members of the Council I welcome Mr.”

    2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source

18. “We also call upon Israel to honour its commitments within the framework of the agreements, to return to the negotiating table with the serious political will to implement a settlement that accords with the principles of international law, and to completely withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories, the Syrian Golan and southern Lebanon as part of establishing a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. The gravity of the situation in the Palestinian territories requires rapid and decisive intervention by the Council in order to force Israel to take immediate measures to rectify the situation before it is too late. This means Israel must close the tunnel forever, immediately halt all aggression against civilians, and respect its commitments in a way that guarantees progress towards the peace to which we all aspire.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source

19. “We call upon the Council - in particular the sponsors of the peace process - swiftly to move to put an end to any Israeli practices that run counter to the spirit and the letter of all the agreements that have been reached within the framework of this process in order to avert any escalation of this crisis, which might have a negative impact on all the countries and peoples of the region, as well as on the peace and security of the entire world. We call upon Israel today to reconsider its practices and its arbitrary policies, and to renounce any actions that could impede efforts towards peace. Israel must cease all interference with the holy sites and put an end to the establishment of settlements and the siege of Palestinian towns.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source

20. “Security without peace is false and impossible. Security is the result of justice and equity, not of tyranny and the usurping of the rights of people. The world was heartened by the launching of the peace process and applauded the agreements of Oslo, Washington and Cairo as steps on the right path to restore the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians, to recognize their right to self- determination, and to permit the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the resolutions of international law. Tunisia is a peace-loving country. It supported the peace process, which was based on land for peace. We are expressing today our full solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people. We would draw attention to the danger of the current developments, as they will jeopardize the peace process.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source

21. “They have also persisted in the siege of Palestinian cities and the starvation of the Palestinian people, as well as in cutting off their livelihoods. Can these practices be considered reflections of a genuine desire to turn over a new leaf and start a new relationship between the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples that is based on a mutual recognition of the right of each to independence, dignity and security? What we have witnessed today is a return to the logic of brute force and a retreat from the spirit of peace. It is a return to intransigence in imposing a fait accompli without any regard for the resolutions of this body or for public opinion. All our expectations are being fulfilled now. The Israelis are reneging on all their security commitments. In the absence of security, there can be no justice.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source

22. “If Israel were to persist in changing the demographic composition of the city and in demolishing Palestinian houses under flimsy pretexts - it even went so far as to discourage visitors from seeing Orient House - this would be another attempt to impose a fait accompli, which would render any negotiation meaningless. Opening the tunnel is, as a matter of fact, a link in a series of decisions whose objectives are well known. It is a part of a comprehensive policy that has become very clear in the few months since the new Israeli Government took office. In this very short time, the Israeli authorities have embarked on the expansion of settlements and made arrangements to build a number of housing compounds in the western Strip.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source

23. “That action provoked the feelings of the Palestinian people as well as the Arab and Islamic worlds. This represents a menace, as the Mosque is the first of the two kiblahs and the third holy shrine, and it is a step in the direction of undermining all the Islamic sites and represents the judaization of the Holy City. This measure attempts to change the legal status of Jerusalem, in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, flouts the resolutions of the Security Council and ignores the agreements concluded between Israel and the Palestinian authority, agreements that stipulated that the status of Jerusalem would be the subject of final-status negotiations.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source

24. “Mr. Ben Yahia (Tunisia) (interpretation from Arabic): At the outset, I am pleased to extend to you, Sir, our sincerest congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. I am certain that, with your diplomatic skill and wide experience, you will guide our deliberations with success. The Council is meeting today in an emergency situation to consider the volatile situation in the occupied Arab territories in Jerusalem and a number of Palestinian cities, where bloody events have erupted, killing and wounding a large number of civilians. The situation is still escalating and widening and, ominously, may lead to the worst possible circumstances. The Israeli authorities opened a tunnel under the western wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.”

    1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source