YouSaid · the spoken record

Bennouna

lines on the record: 209
first: 2001-12-18
most recent: 2005-07-21
sittings or episodes: 23
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

“Unfortunately, we must note that, despite all the efforts that I have just cited, women and girls are the principal victims of armed conflicts, where they are faced - we hear this every day - with all forms of violence, particularly sexual violence and exploitation. In addition, women and girls are forced to participate in hostilities or to serve in camps where they are the victims of various cruelties. Sometimes, when they are subject to refugee status - and a very important code of conduct must be formulated on that subject - women are separated from their daughters, who undergo forced indoctrination. They ultimately serve as cheap labour, far from their families and from their homes.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“That debate culminated, as the Council will recall, in the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) within the framework of the Security Council's mandate of maintaining international peace and security, including prevention, the settlement of armed conflicts and the protection of civilians. Likewise, the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) reaffirmed the Council's firm determination to give due consideration to the humanitarian aspects of each dispute and to commit all the parties to a conflict to respect the provisions of international law, most particularly those concerning women and children.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“That importance is fully justified, given the fact that they are also the innocent victims of and unwilling participants in conflicts throughout the world, particularly in Africa. Speaking before the Council, I cannot fail to mention the particularly tragic situation of Palestinian women, who face daily insecurity and a lack of means of subsistence imposed by the Israeli occupation. Two years ago in this forum, the international community considered in depth the problems that women face during armed conflicts and the necessary measures to address them. We also debated the duty of the international community to integrate women into all efforts to promote and maintain international peace and security.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Bennouna (Morocco) (spoke in French): I am pleased to congratulate you, Sir, on your successful presidency of the Security Council at a very difficult time. But it is by facing challenges that personalities become known, and your personal reputation has preceded you in this forum, as you have presided over other bodies with success. I should also like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for the excellent report (S/2002/1154) he submitted this year. We have before us the subject of women, peace and security, a critical topic. It is heartening to note that the Security Council attaches the requisite importance to it and that the Council is also according increasing importance to the humanitarian dimension of conflicts, particularly to the protection of the most vulnerable persons: women, children and the elderly.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Taking into account this critical situation in which the Iraqi society finds itself, the Security Council must help Iraq overcome this crisis and authorize the resumption of weapons inspections in accordance with United Nations resolutions; the objective is to enable the Iraqi people to return to a normal stable life. In conclusion, we sincerely hope that the Security Council, as the custodian of international legality and of the credibility of the Organization, will arrive at a common vision and agree to the arrangements for the return of the inspectors to discharge their task. That would give new hope to the peoples of the region and of the whole world, thus avoiding the scourge of another war; for if it were to take place, it would have dire consequences on the stability of a large number of States.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“In this regard, I must reiterate the consistent support of the Kingdom of Morocco for declaring the Middle East a zone free from those weapons in order to ensure the security and well-being of all peoples of the region. We cannot ignore or gloss over the humanitarian aspect of the situation in Iraq because those who suffer ultimately are the Iraqi people. We must not forget the tragedy that the brotherly people of Iraq have lived through for the past 10 years. Large numbers of children continue to die as a result of malnutrition and disease, while others are denied their right to education. As for adults, the pitiful financial situation impels them to sell their personal effects, a common sight on the streets of Baghdad, in order to provide for their families and loved ones.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“The peace and security of the States and peoples of the Middle East makes it necessary for all those countries, without exception, and I repeat without exception, to respect international law and to comply with all relevant United Nations resolutions. It must be recalled here, that the resolutions of the Arab Summit in Beirut have consolidated the reconciliation between Iraq and Kuwait. They reaffirmed the need to respect the independence and sovereignty of Iraq, and the need for it to cooperate in order to finally close the file of Kuwaiti prisoners of war and missing persons. They also affirmed the need to avoid any need for military action against Iraq. In order to ensure the security and stability of the Middle East, the region must be made into a zone free from nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“On that basis, and given the fact that Iraq has agreed to accept the prompt and unconditional return of inspectors, the Security Council must now consider whether the resolutions it has thus far adopted are sufficient to enable inspectors to carry out their functions without impediment, or whether it should adopt a new resolution. Whatever the situation may be, our interest in showing respect for international legality and the provisions of the United Nations Charter makes it incumbent upon us to give an opportunity to the inspectors to return to discharge their task and await the report that will be presented by Mr. Blix before taking any other measure.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“The founding fathers of the Organization established the common defence system provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter. That system was designed in a way that makes resorting to the use of force the very last means available to the Security Council, after all other means have been exhausted. Foremost among those means is the use of economic sanctions to bring a State to implement the Council's resolutions. The objective of sanctions is therefore to persuade the country concerned of the need to comply with international law and to avoid the use of force. Avoiding the use of force is central to both the role and the responsibilities of the United Nations, especially of the Security Council.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“In that letter, Iraq expressed its readiness to receive inspectors and to discuss the necessary arrangements for the prompt discharge of their tasks. Meetings were subsequently held at Vienna- on 30 September and I October 2002 - between Mr. Blix and the Iraqi side, during which the Iraqi side reaffirmed its resolve to cooperate with international inspectors and to allow them to carry out their tasks without conditions or restrictions. The briefing made to the Council by Mr. Blix on 3 October included references to the points agreed between Iraq, the United Nations and the IAEA. It has been agreed that those points would be referred to as the rules of the game. This has given the impression that most of the difficulties that have impeded the work of inspectors will be overcome.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“It is on that basis that the Council's resolutions enjoy the support of the international community and, hence, the necessary conditions for their implementation. With regard to Iraq, the resolutions adopted by the Council since 1990 have made clear the obligations that must be met by that nation before the sanctions imposed on it are lifted. Despite difficulties and obstacles during the last 10 years, Iraq has in fact cooperated with the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to implement the provisions of the relevant international resolutions. The good offices of the Secretary-General have made it possible to convince the Iraqi authorities to agree to the return of inspectors. That willingness was reaffirmed in Iraq's letter of 16 September 2002 to the Secretary-General.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“This fact is borne out by the enormous number of delegations that have requested to speak in this debate to express their keen interest with regard to implementing international law and avoiding any steps that could aggravate the situation or threaten peace and stability in the region. There is no doubt about the need to respect international law and, in particular, the resolutions of the Security Council, which is the body with the primary and important responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. This conviction stems from the fact that when the Security Council adopts resolutions it does so on our behalf, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations and in line with the provisions of Article 24 of the Charter.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Mr. Bennouna (Morocco) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me, at the outset, to extend to you, Mr. President, my delegation's congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you every success in carrying out your task. I would also like to take this opportunity to convey our appreciation to the Ambassador of Bulgaria for his remarkable conduct of the Council's proceedings during the month of September. The Council is meeting today to consider the issue of Iraq's implementation of international resolutions. This meeting has great importance for both the security and stability of the countries and peoples of the region and for international peace and security.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption2 (2002) · source
“We further hope that the resolution will restore the negotiations to their proper path. The Kingdom of Morocco will remain faithful to its commitment to contribute to all serious initiatives aimed at the establishment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East that will ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to the establishment of their independent State, with its capital in Al-Quds Al- Sharif, as well as Israel's withdrawal from the other Arab territories it has occupied since 1967. Such a peace must ensure security for all States and peoples of the region.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Kingdom of Morocco takes this opportunity to reaffirm its repudiation of all acts of violence that target innocent civilians, by whomsoever committed. It is our hope that the Security Council will condemn such acts and adopt the necessary measures to put an end to them. The Council is called upon to adopt a resolution to rectify the situation and breathe a breath of hope for peace into the spirits of the peoples of the region, foremost among which are the Palestinian people. We sincerely hope that the Council will crown its deliberations today with the adoption of a resolution that will contribute positively to ending the violence in the region and to the creation of conditions conducive to addressing the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people under the occupation.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is high time that Israel understood that its security is inextricably linked to more serious cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and to its complete respect for the Authority's representatives. It is undeniable that the Palestinian Authority has made genuine efforts in recent weeks towards a far-reaching reform of its structure and the rationalization of its work. A scorched-earth policy has never led to the establishment of lasting peace and security in any part of the world. The Kingdom of Morocco believes that it is indeed high time for the Security Council to discharge its responsibilities at this very delicate juncture in international relations. It will thereby avert a further deterioration of the situation in the Palestinian territories and its repercussions in the rest of the region.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“While the international community had thought that such practices were a thing of the past, we find ourselves once again facing the endless series of Israeli provocations, which have naturally led the Palestinians to demonstrate in the streets to express their support for President Arafat. Once again, the response of the occupying forces was a violent one, leading to the killing of innocent Palestinian civilians. It is totally unacceptable that, whenever it finds itself facing security problems on its territory, Israel should proceed to attack the Palestinian leadership and to destroy its infrastructure and the modest facilities available to the Palestinian Authority.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“During that contact, the Morrocan monarch expressed the complete solidarity of the Moroccan people with the Palestinian people and their leadership in the new tragedy imposed upon them by the Israeli occupation. We have all seen with our own eyes how Israeli bulldozers demolished the corridor separating President Arafat's bedroom from the conference wing of the building. We have all seen how all the buildings surrounding the presidential compound were destroyed. Israel's isolation of the Palestinian President and its demand that he hand over a number of his close associates can be seen only as a continuation of the policy to humiliate the Palestinian leadership and to destroy its legitimacy.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Bennouna (Morocco) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I wish you every success in your endeavours. Once again, the Council is meeting to consider the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. It does so in the context of the ongoing Israeli escalation and the persistence of the occupying Power in its policy of demolition, murder and daily humiliation of the Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership. I should like to recall that, immediately after these events, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, contacted President Yasser Arafat in order to ascertain the details of the Palestinian situation, in particular in the headquarters of the Palestinian President.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“And the young people of this region have probably experienced the most appalling suffering in the world. Perhaps this is a model on which we should reflect. Perhaps this is not the place to do so, but we have to draw certain conclusions about the need for complementarity among all the efforts that I have mentioned.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I believe that this is the main issue on which the international community should probably exert pressure. We in Morocco believe that if we let things progress on their own, nothing will happen from within Liberia, and that pressure has to come from outside. That is the role of the international community, and it is also the role of ECOWAS in coordination with the United Nations. With all modesty, His Majesty the King of Morocco is always ready to help his African brothers in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, to bring them closer together, to restore peace in that region, which is very dear to us. This peace, which must be established by the leaders, should benefit the generations ofthe region who have already greatly suffered as a result of war.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The United Nations, of course, must probably strengthen its presence in Liberia in a way that it decides; it may require additional resources. The representative of the subregional organization has just spoken here: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has a very important complementary role to play in bringing together the stakeholders in the conflict in Liberia. I think that this relates to the Rabat summit. The effort to convene a meeting of the stakeholders, centred perhaps on President Wade, to begin the process of restoring civil peace in Liberia, is also linked a Rabat summit. There should be an agreement on some principles of good governance, especially for Liberia. Otherwise, there will be no peace in Liberia, and there will be no peace anywhere in the Mano River region.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“That proves that we take this very seriously and that this will not simply be a meeting for a photo opportunity or to appear on television. Even though some people find it rather pleasant to appear on television, that is not enough. The other substantive matter on which I can speak briefly is the recent developments in Liberia, about which Mr. Prendergast and other participants have spoken. These events are a matter of concern for all who wish for peace in the region, and who are working for peace in the region. Of course, these developments are worrisome; they have once again destabilized the borders, if only because of the flow of refugees into Guinea and Sierra Leone. This once again has created or exacerbated a pocket ofinstability. Everything that has been done has been complementary.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I think we have also done things to make the borders more secure. We have improved the possibility of border patrols at some point. Now, I think, we have reached a stage where we have to go further. As Mr. Prendergast recalled, we are preparing a second summit. It has been delayed for both logistical and substantive reasons. The King of Morocco does not want a second summit that would be purely a matter of protocol. Let me say it clearly: he wants the second summit to be productive, where we would take a decisive step towards a settlement and towards bringing the countries closer together in order to keep the peace. As we said, diplomats are working today to put in place the elements of fresh progress in peacekeeping, before we convene the summit.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“But I believe that they went beyond breaking the ice. They acknowledged the 1986 treaty on non-aggression and cooperation. They acknowledged that they should engage in dialogue to settle their differences. They also recognized that they had to revitalize all the security protocols. They recognized that they had to undertake a certain number of concrete measures. And they placed these on the table. They asked their Foreign Ministers to follow up. I believe that this was recalled this morning, and I need not come back to it now. As noted, there were four ministerial follow-up meetings. We succeeded in some areas, and we failed in others. For example, the "caravan" project to restore confidence was a good idea. It has not yet materialized, but it is still on the table; we have not given it up.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Naturally, we welcomed this, because, as I said, we have always had a special relationship with West Africa. We have to add that Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly encouraged the regional dimension and the convening of the first Rabat summit. Along with my colleagues, including Francois Fall, I recall that the Secretary-General greatly helped and encouraged that initiative and urged that the Rabat summit should take place, and that we begin the dialogue. The dialogue began, not easily, on 27 February, in Rabat, at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. As the King said to the Secretary-General, "We have broken the ice." Well, we did break the ice, and it is very important to break the ice. This means that the three heads of State spoke with each other. They lunched. They dined. They had exchanges.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“But we are also a cultural and geographic link between Europe and North Africa, including the Arab world, as well as between Europe and West Africa. This is a very important role, including from a religious point of view. The second reason, it has turned out - and perhaps this is the result of the first reason - is that the heads of State of the three fraternal countries of the Mano River region, who are all aware of the regional dimension of the problem of the maintenance of peace and security in their respective countries, naturally turned towards Morocco, and in particular towards His Majesty King Mohammed VI, because they felt that it was with that head of State and that country that they could advance their regional relationships.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I would like finally to welcome the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone and our former colleague, the Foreign Minister of Guinea, our friend Francois Fall. I told him before he left that he would often come back to New York, because, in the end, ministers for foreign affairs prefer coming to New York and doing the work themselves here rather than sending instructions from their capitals. In any case, it is always a pleasure to see him here. One may wonder why Morocco is here. First of all, it is because we are African, and we have always been very interested and involved in the history and future of Africa. But we are here also because we are particularly involved in West Africa. Traditionally, Morocco has always had very close economic and cultural relations with West Africa.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Bennouna (Morocco) (spoke in French): Allow me at the outset to say how grateful we are to you, Madam, and to Ambassador Greenstock for having organized this workshop - this laboratory of ideas, which has been quite lively. I am a little uncomfortable speaking just after Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani, who is well known for being thought- provoking in the Council. In any case, it is an excellent and very useful idea. I would also to pay tribute to the United Kingdom for the role that it has played in the restoration of peace in the region. I do not want to speak about leadership, because that could have other connotations, but it is a very positive role, and one that is greatly appreciated by the international community.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We consider that the time has indeed come to move forward, to give clear form to the proposals and to rally international support for implementing them in order to establish the peace we all desire, on the basis of Israel's withdrawal from all territories occupied since 1967, of the establishment of a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital and of the restoration to Syria and to Lebanon of their occupied territories.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“In an effort to calm the situation and to revive hope in the peace process, His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Chairman of the Jerusalem Committee, has striven to contain the crisis and to urge the parties to resume dialogue and to develop the most appropriate framework for negotiations. Against that backdrop, Morocco has supported the concept of an international conference and has expressed its willingness to cooperate with all parties concerned to create the conditions for a successful conference. Morocco also welcomes the contributions made in this respect by the United States, the European Union, Russia and the Secretary-General, all of whom are strongly backing the Middle East peace process.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“Arab leaders have acted subsequently to end the violence and to ensure negotiations. Morocco has always acted in line with its values and convictions to combat terrorism and to condemn acts of terror in all their forms and regardless of the justification put forward. We have said all along that the end in no way justifies the means and that the harming of civilians, be they Palestinians or Israelis, is a source of grief to all mankind. At the same time and in the same vein, however, we have said that ending terrorism will require, above all, an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories; the resumption of negotiations; and compliance with the principles and framework of the peace process, especially the principle of land for peace.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“If the Authority is to perform that role, the international community must provide the urgent and necessary assistance to reverse the destruction caused by Israel, to revive the Palestinian economy and to strengthen its infrastructure so as to meet the Palestinian people's basic needs. Despite these long odds, the Palestinian Authority has acted in good faith in condemning acts of violence against Israeli civilians and in arresting suspects implicated in such operations. Most recently, some structural reforms have been undertaken within the Palestinian Authority, including the constitution of a new Palestinian Government. The Arab side has also submitted its vision, as embodied in the initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was embraced by the Arab summit in Beirut.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“It is a strange irony that the Palestinian Authority should be called upon to control security, avert acts of violence and undertake constitutional reforms while being confined to its headquarters and targeted by shells, while its President is insulted and its ministers are prevented from performing their official functions. The security and interests of Israel will not be attained by besmirching the credibility of the Palestinian Authority and undermining its status. Quite the contrary, the Authority must be respected and treated as a full partner in peace-building.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“Such logic betrays the true intentions of the Government of Israel and the extent to which it flouts international will and the authority of the Security Council. The Council has time and again emphasized the need for Israel to withdraw from occupied Arab territories on the basis of resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002), the foundations of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. More than ever before, the Council must strive in earnest to impose respect for its resolutions by Israel in order to allay the impression that Israel is above the law.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“Unless and until the Israeli Government is convinced of that fact and complies accordingly, the lives of innocent civilians in Palestine and Israel will remain the targets of violence and the impulse for revenge. It is the duty of us all to end that cycle. Since coming to power, the Israeli Government has followed a pattern of behaviour aimed at undermining the Palestinian Authority, at torpedoing the prospects for the establishment of a Palestinian State and at removing itself from the internationally accepted peace framework. These aims have prompted the Israeli Government to insinuate that the territories occupied by Israel are disputed and no longer occupied lands from which it must withdraw.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“All these practices hearken back to the tragic and painful events that overwhelmed the occupied Palestinian territories less than two months ago, especially in the Jenin refugee camp, concerning which we continue to await the Secretary-General's report assessing responsibility for the violations committed by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians. The almost daily tragedies in the Middle East remain linked to the reality of the occupation that Israel continues to impose, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“Whenever some semblance of calm emerges, the logic of force reimposes itself in the absence of genuine will on the part of the Israeli Government to break the cycle of violence and reprisals. This has delayed the development of the sincere initiative that has been proposed to revive hope for peace and security in the Middle East. Once again, Israeli forces have reoccupied Palestinian territories from which they withdrew only yesterday, beginning with the city of Ramallah, in order to sow terror and destruction; to round up and displace anyone indiscriminately; and to foment despair and frustration and make the lives of Palestinians an intolerable hell. The shopkeeper cannot open his store; the worker cannot work for his livelihood; the student cannot go to school; the patient cannot secure medicine or medical treatment.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“Mr. Bennouna (Morocco) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on Syria's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We are fully confident that you will discharge your functions successfully. I also take this opportunity to pay a tribute to Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani for his efficient stewardship of the Council last month. The Security Council is once again considering the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the means necessary to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions. The Council is meeting against the overwhelming backdrop of fast-moving events that are generating further concern and fear in the international community for the future of that region and its peoples.”
2002-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4552 (2002) · source
“Thus will negotiations begin and thus will Israeli and Palestinian children finally be able to look to the future with some hope.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We know that our leaders - in particular His Majesty Mohammed VI - have done their utmost in the past few weeks to contribute to the efforts of all actors. The Kingdom of Morocco actively participated in the Beirut Arab summit's endorsement of the peace initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Today we are prepared to encourage the holding of an international conference in the same spirit, based on the principle of land for peace and on respect for international law - a legal framework that is now well known. At the same time, the Council's resolutions - from resolution 1397 (2002) to resolution 1405 (2002), including resolution 1402 (2002) - must be implemented. The Israeli troops must withdraw from the Palestinian towns, because there is no other alternative.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“President, and to the Council, and the Council must respond to that challenge. The world cannot be paralyzed because a Member State refuses to cooperate with it. Work must continue on clarifying what happened at Jenin, using all available means. The Secretariat and all those of good will must be mobilized. A report must be made one way or another - if not through direct access, then through indirect access. There is a Moroccan proverb - "You cannot hide the sun with a sieve" - and our sun is the United Nations. Beyond these tragic developments, we ardently hope that the current efforts to revive the peace process will make swift progress. Therefore, we would like Palestinians and Israelis to take another look at the future. Peace in the region and throughout the world is at stake.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“That is very worrisome for the future of the maintenance of international peace and security, because all of us - even Israel - have an interest in preserving the United Nations. The Secretary-General wrote to the President of the Security Council on 1 May, 12 days after the unanimous adoption of resolution 1405 (2002). He decided to disband the fact-finding team, but in so doing he also made Israel aware of its responsibilities. Mr. Kofi Annan spoke in diplomatic terms of the long shadow that would remain over events at Jenin if nothing were done. That shadow, unfortunately, will also darken Israel's institutions if no light is shed on those events. The victims are mourning the dead and are calling for justice. That said, things cannot stop here. There has been a challenge to you, Mr.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“There was obviously no question of Israel's dictating its conditions or imposing the persons it wanted on the fact-finding mission and the way it wanted the mission to operate. The Secretary-General was very clear on that point and he acted properly. Moreover, contrary to what Israel said, the team did not need Israel's prior authorization to go to Jenin, because Jenin is in occupied territory. By refusing to cooperate with the United Nations, Israel knew very well that it was dooming the team to fail, and that is what happened. Even more serious, the very credibility of the United Nations is now in peril. The newspapers even said today that such behaviour has made a mockery of the United Nations.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“He provided them with all of the clarifications and assurances they requested. It was after all of this that he informed them of his decision to send the fact- finding team, which was to leave on 29 April. The Israeli Cabinet requested postponements, which, frankly speaking, turned into one delaying tactic after another - from Saturday to Sunday to Monday, and so on - and finally it categorically refused to cooperate with the United Nations team. Of course, Mr. Kofi Annan had no option other than to draw the conclusions that he did. Morocco would like to extend its full support to the Secretary-General. We pay tribute to him for the very open approach he took while at the same time standing firm by the principles and values that underlie this Organization.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“General Assembly resolution 46/59 of 9 December 1991 - which Israel itself quoted - defines the nature of a fact-finding mission, and that is to simply report what has happened, without any other considerations. The Security Council welcomed, by its resolution 1405 (2002) of 19 April, the Secretary-General's initiative to develop accurate information regarding recent events in the Jenin refugee camp through a fact- finding team. The Secretary-General had the support of the entire international community in setting up a team consisting of eminent personalities who, through the work they had done, were known to be of unquestionable moral authority and ability. The Israeli authorities then raised one objection after another to Mr. Kofi Annan, who then entered into extensive discussions with many experts here in New York.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We know also that the Israelis have denied everything outright, denying the truth of the pictures we all have seen and denying the evidence. They have taken cover behind the statement that this is the way war operations are normally conducted. Let me recall briefly that it was in these conditions that the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, after consulting Israel and other important countries, decided to shoulder his responsibilities under the Charter and - as has happened in many other such controversial situations - decided to send an independent fact-finding team so as to be able to determine exactly what had happened. The persons involved were only to report what had happened. It was not a question of passing value judgements or of assessing the situation - much less of accusing anyone in advance or of taking legal steps.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Archives have been destroyed - and we saw this happening live - including the archives of the Palestinian national education system. Thus an entire people is increasingly being pushed into a situation in which it can feel only bitterness and despair. We have spoken also about the Jenin massacre. The whole world has now been traumatized by the images we saw - images of a humanitarian disaster that will leave an indelible imprint on the memory of many generations of Palestinians to come. And, regrettably, this will only fuel the infernal cycle of hatred. Accounts by international civil servants and human rights organizations have corroborated the extent of the serious crimes committed in Jenin - a town of refugees and of poor people.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“My country has addressed the Council numerous times over the past few weeks, denouncing Israel's invasion of Palestinian cities and condemning the destruction of infrastructures and of all of the resources available to the Palestinian Authority, which it had built up with international assistance - inter alia significant assistance from the European Union - in order to serve its people. Almost everything has now been destroyed. As each of us knows, the destruction was not a military necessity, but aimed simply at breaking apart what the Palestinian Authority spent 10 years building up in order to prepare for the advent of its Palestinian State. Schools and hospitals have been destroyed. Social centres and libraries have been destroyed.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Bennouna (Morocco) (spoke in French): Even though time is short, I should like to say to you, Sir, how pleased the Moroccan delegation is to see you presiding over the Council. I had the opportunity to admire your many skills long before you were President, and I am also aware of your clear- sightedness and your general willingness to listen to others talk about issues that do not concern you directly but are of importance to you as a person who desires peace and understanding among all nations. I should like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for all of the efforts that you have made.”
2002-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4525Resumption1 (2002) · source