YouSaid · the spoken record

Bolton

lines on the record: 311
first: 2005-08-04
most recent: 2006-12-06
sittings or episodes: 51
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

“Twelve provinces, containing more than 50 per cent of the population, experienced only five per cent of all attacks. Attacks and civilian casualties, characterized by ethno-sectarian attacks and reprisals, have arisen. Violence escalated, notably in Baghdad, which, as the political, population and media centre of the country, is a high-value target for the terrorists. Nonetheless, terrorists have failed to advance their primary objectives, which include derailing Iraq's political process and widening their political support among the Iraqi people. The Iraqi people continue to express confidence in the Iraqi army to provide for their security and to reject the extremists' vision of Iraq's future.”
2006-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5523 (2006) · source
“We honour the memory and sacrifice of all who have lost their lives in the struggle for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq. The insurgents, extremists and terrorists remain capable of and intent on carrying out attacks against Iraqi civilians, officials and security forces, with the goal of destabilizing the legitimately elected Government of Iraq and denying the Iraqi people the democracy and promise of a better future that they have chosen the through free and fair elections. During this period, four of Iraq's 18 provinces - Baghdad, Al-Anbar, Salah ad Din and Diyala - continued to experience more than 81 per cent of all attacks. Al-Anbar and Baghdad are the most seriously affected, accounting for 55 per cent of all attacks. Ninewa and Tamim provinces also saw significant increases in attacks over the previous quarter.”
2006-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5523 (2006) · source
“Sectarian tensions, purposely incited by insurgents and extremists, increased over the last quarter, resulting in increased killings, kidnappings, attacks on civilians and increasing numbers of internally displaced persons. Extremists are increasingly interlocked in retaliatory violence and are seeking to expand their existing areas of influence. The sustained level of ethno-sectarian violence is one of the most significant threats to security and stability in Iraq. Nonetheless, the Iraqi people continue to reject overwhelmingly violence as a mean to drive political change. The international community remains steadfast with the people of Iraq in their determined drive for a secure, stable and democratic country.”
2006-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5523 (2006) · source
“The International Compact will, over the next five years, bring together the international community and multilateral organizations to help Iraq achieve its vision of a united, federal and democratic country, at peace with its neighbours and itself, and economically self-sufficient and prosperous. Since 2003, there have been significant successes in the development of legitimate political, economic and governmental institutions in Iraq. The unfolding of the democratic electoral process that we have witnessed in recent years has been a crucial success in building the foundations of a new, free and democratic Iraq. Despite these achievements, obstacles remain. Setbacks in the level and nature of violence in Iraq continue to create significant challenges to stability, reconstruction and transition.”
2006-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5523 (2006) · source
“It looks to establish the basis for national unity through the democratic process and create the conditions for Iraq to assume a leading regional and international role. In addition, the Council of Representatives adopted an accelerated schedule of sessions. Most of the 24 Council committees have formed and named chairs. The Council is making progress on key legislation required to implement the provisions of the Iraqi Constitution. In late July, the Government of Iraq and the United Nations, with the strong support of the United States, the United Kingdom and other donor States and international financial institutions, launched an International Compact with Iraq.”
2006-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5523 (2006) · source
“As requested by the Security Council in resolutions 1546 (2004) and 1637 (2005), I am pleased to report on behalf of the 29 countries making up the Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) on the Force's progress towards fulfilling its mandate. This most recent reporting period coincides with the first 90 days of a democratically elected, representative unity Government - a substantial break from Iraq's past. In early June, the formation of a national unity Government was completed with the appointments of the Ministers of Interior, Defence and State for National Security. On 25 June, Prime Minister al-Maliki presented a national reconciliation and dialogue project to the Council of Representatives. This project seeks to reconcile past inequities and rally Iraqis around the principle of equality without sectarian divisions.”
2006-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5523 (2006) · source
“With the expansion of the force up to 17,000 military personnel and more than 3,000 civilian police, we can now expect that the AMIS re-hatting will take place rapidly and smoothly and that the follow-on United Nations force will be fully operational, with a substantial African element at its core. Significant planning and logistical work has already taken place. Now, with the adoption of this resolution, we can begin finalizing those details as we prepare to deploy the force. The United States is ready to assist immediately in that regard. We cannot afford to delay. The Security Council upheld its responsibility and adopted a strong resolution which offers the best hope to bolster the Darfur Peace Agreement and end the tragedy we are witnessing in Darfur.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“We are pleased that the Security Council has taken this important step in adopting resolution 1706 (2006). It is imperative that we move immediately to implement it fully to stop the tragic events unfolding in Darfur. Every day we delay only adds to the suffering of the Sudanese people and extends the genocide. The United States calls on the Government of the Sudan to comply with the terms of resolution 1706 (2006). We expect its full and unconditional cooperation and support for the new United Nations peacekeeping force. Failure on the part of the Government of the Sudan to do so will significantly undermine the Darfur Peace Agreement and prolong the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Resolution 1706 (2006) sets the foundation for an effective multidimensional international force.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“In the days ahead we look forward to the continued implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), but we cannot stress enough the urgent need to move quickly to implement fully the obligations imposed on us in accordance with that resolution. The price of failure in this case is to condemn the people of Lebanon and Israel to further violence and tragedy.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Indeed, the Hamas Government has made a strategic decision to reject peace and to continue to embrace terrorism. In order to ease the hardships faced by the Palestinian people due to the intransigent policies of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority Government, we have increased humanitarian assistance to more than $270 million, including more than $50 million in response to the emergency appeal by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for the West Bank and Gaza. We have also substantially increased our support for the promotion of democracy and civil society and the development of the private sector.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“We believe that full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) will lay the foundation on which to achieve a lasting peace and realize the goals outlined originally in resolution 1559 (2004) - a sovereign and democratically elected Government in Lebanon, free from coercion by all outside Governments. The United States also remains deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis between Israel and the Palestinians, instigated by the 25 June attack by Hamas inside Israel, in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and Corporal Gilad Shalit was kidnapped. The United States is keenly aware of the humanitarian impact of the current crisis, which has been caused by the refusal of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority Government to govern responsibly.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“To do that requires that we address the backing of Hizbollah by Damascus and Tehran. Their continued support to Hizbollah in the form of financing and training and supplying armaments does not just perpetuate this crisis; it sustains it. Cutting off those supply lines, as mandated in resolution 1701 (2006), is a matter than can no longer be ignored. The United States calls again upon Iran and Syria to comply immediately with that resolution. The United States remains deeply concerned at the attitude of Syria and Iran in this crisis. The leaders of both States have called for the destruction of Israel in recent days. We recognize, as President Bush stated last week, that the conflict in Lebanon is part of a broader struggle between freedom and terror that is unfolding across the region.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“If the international community applies only a temporary band-aid solution to the problem and allows Hizbollah to regroup and rearm, then the suffering of the people of Lebanon and Israel may very well intensify in the near future. We must keep in mind that responsibility for this conflict rests squarely on the shoulders of Hizbollah. As President Bush stated unequivocally last week, it was an unprovoked attack by Hizbollah on Israel that started this conflict. Hizbollah terrorists targeted Israeli civilians with daily rocket attacks. Hizbollah terrorists used Lebanese civilians as human shields, sacrificing the innocent in an effort to protect themselves from Israeli response. If we are to achieve the goal of lasting peace in the region, we must put an end to Hizbollah's operating as a State within a State.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Such arms shipments are, of course, legally prohibited by the arms embargo established by resolution 1701 (2006) unless specifically authorized by the Government of Lebanon. All States must comply with their obligations to observe it. Failure to strictly observe that embargo will significantly enhance the risk of future hostilities. The burden of abiding by the arms embargo, and the attention of the world, fall especially on Syria and Iran. But resolution 1701 (2006) is not just about a cessation of hostilities. It correctly emphasizes not only the need for an end to Violence but "the need to address urgently the causes that have given rise to the current crisis, including the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers". It is impossible - indeed, dangerous - to divorce the two issues.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Delay in this case does not serve the interests of anyone, except of those who oppose a sovereign, free and democratic Lebanon, one which is no longer used as a base to launch terrorist attacks against Israel, killing its innocent civilians. As we plan for this deployment, we should be encouraged that, broadly speaking, one of the important goals of resolution 1701 (2006) has been achieved - a cessation of hostilities. We are concerned, of course, by reports of sporadic violence, but we stress that resolution 1701 (2006) guarantees Israel's right to defend itself and its forces. Israel has said that the operation in the Bekaa Valley this past weekend was targeted against arms shipments to Hizbollah from Iran and Syria.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“As President Bush announced yesterday, we will increase this humanitarian and reconstruction aid to more than $230 million in the weeks ahead. The President has also announced his intention to work with Congress to extend the availability of loan guarantees to help rebuild Israeli infrastructure damaged by Hizbollah's rockets. In addition to alleviating the humanitarian problem in southern Lebanon, it is imperative that we move as quickly as possible to secure the peace by enhancing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and providing robust rules of engagement. We urge potential troop-contributing countries to expedite their internal decision-making processes as we strive to reach our goal of an expanded 15,000-member international force.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“I, too would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Gambari for his briefing. It has been 11 days since the passage of resolution 1701 (2006). We believe this resolution is an important step forward and, when fully implemented, that it will help lay the foundation for lasting peace in the region. The United States is now actively engaged with others to turn this opportunity into a reality. The United States takes seriously the imperative of fully implementing resolution 1701 (2006), starting with its call to take immediate steps to extend financial and humanitarian assistance to the people of Lebanon. The United States has pledged $50 million in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, over half of which has already been distributed.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“We look forward to Iran's full, unconditional and immediate compliance with the resolution. We hope that Iran makes the strategic decision that the pursuit of programmes of weapons of mass destruction makes it less, not more, secure. We need to be prepared, however, that Iran might choose a different path. That is why it is important that the United States and other member States have expressed their intention to adopt measures under Article 41 in the event that Iran does not comply with the resolution. In closing, I would like to thank all members of the Council for their efforts in helping us to secure a strong resolution. 3”
2006-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5500 (2006) · source
“It also calls upon Member States to prevent the transfer of resources to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, and Iran should understand that the United States and others will ensure that the financial transactions associated with these proliferation activities will be subject to scrutiny as well. The United States expects that Iran and all other States Members of the United Nations will immediately act in accordance with the mandatory obligations of this resolution. This is the first Security Council resolution on Iran in response to its nuclear weapons programme, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the determination of the Council. We hope the resolution will demonstrate to Iran that the best way to end its international isolation is to simply give up the pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
2006-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5500 (2006) · source
“The resolution adopted today does just that. We are pleased that the Council has taken clear and firm action in adopting this resolution. The pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran constitutes a direct threat to international peace and security and demands a clear statement from the Council in the form of a binding resolution. This resolution also demands action. It sends an unequivocal and unambiguous message to Tehran: Take the steps required by the IAEA Board of Governors, including full and sustained suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and suspend construction of your heavy-water reactor.”
2006-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5500 (2006) · source
“Four months have passed since the Security Council called upon Iran to fully and verifiably suspend its nuclear programmes, and nearly two months have passed since the European Union three (EU-3) plus three made its generous offer, inviting Iran to enter into negotiations and avoid further Security Council action. Let us not forget that this diplomatic activity was preceded by more than three years of Iranian non-compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards Agreement. Sadly, Iran has 06-44964 consistently and brazenly defied the international community by continuing its pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the continued intransigence and defiance of the Iranian leadership demands a strong response from the Council.”
2006-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5500 (2006) · source
“We hope that from this current crisis we can seize the opportunity to once and forever dismantle Hizbollah, restore democratic control by Lebanon over all of its territory, and lay the foundations that would allow Israel to live in peace with its neighbours.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“It is a tragedy, and I would not attempt to describe it any other way. We have urged the Government of Israel to exercise the greatest possible care in its use of force. But it is a mistake to ascribe a moral equivalence to the killing of civilians who die as the direct result of malicious terrorist acts, the very purpose of which are to kill civilians, and the tragic and unfortunate consequence of civilian deaths as a result of military action taken in self-defence. The United States remains firmly committed to working through the Security Council - indeed, through all diplomatic channels - to find a lasting end to the violence which has plagued the region for too long.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“As I noted earlier, we cannot defang Hizbollah and Hamas while ignoring those who back them with weapons, financing and political support. The nexus of terror between Hizbollah and Hamas and their principal backers, Iran and Syria, can no longer be ignored. The United States calls upon Tehran and Damascus to stop acting through their terrorist proxies in the region and to work towards a lasting peace with Israel. Again, for the fourth time in 22 days, we call upon Syria to arrest Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas, who has received safe harbour in Damascus. There is no moral equivalence between acts of terrorism and Israel's exercise of its legitimate right to self-defence. Of course, it is a matter of great concern to us, as President Bush has stressed, that civilian deaths are occurring.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“While that is hardly an interim force, it is reasonable and responsible to ask how a new force would differ from and be more effective than UNIFIL, and whether that force could be multilateral, but not necessarily a United Nations force. Thirdly, we need to keep in mind the fact that a key prerequisite for the complete implementation of resolution 1559 (2004) requires the extension of full sovereignty by the Lebanese Government over its own territory. Would the addition of a new multilateral force help strengthen Lebanese institutions or just create new multilateral institutions? Would such a force contribute to the institutional strength of the Lebanese armed forces? Would it help to fully implement resolution 1559 (2004)?”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“That is the purpose of Secretary Rice's upcoming trip to the region. In considering a stabilization force, we should consider three broad questions. The first deals with whether or not it would be empowered to deal with the real problem, namely Hizbollah. How would such a force deal with Hizbollah armed components, and would it be empowered to deal with arms shipments from countries such as Syria and Iran that support Hezbollah? What exactly would be the extent of the mandate to deal with the military threat posed by Hizbollah? The second set of questions concerns how any new force would relate to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been there already for 28 years.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“We take note of the fact that some Member States have called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah, but we must ask our colleagues: How do you negotiate and maintain a ceasefire with a terrorist organization, one which does not even recognize the right of Israel to exist? The United States has no confidence that an unconditional ceasefire by itself would be honoured by Hizbollah. It would only allow it time to regroup and plan its next wave of kidnappings and attacks against Israel. The United States seeks an end to the violence that afflicts innocent civilians, and it is for that very reason that we are working for the long-term, sustained conditions that will make a real ceasefire possible and permanent. Our aim is to address the underlying causes of the violence in southern Lebanon.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“The United States reiterates its call for the full implementation of resolution 1559 (2004) and the full extension of the authority of the Government of Lebanon over all of Lebanese territory. If that were done, then Israel would not be subject to terrorist attacks, nor would the people of Lebanon be subject to the reign of terror that Hizbollah inflicts. The United States is studying several of the ideas proposed on how best to secure the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004), which Secretary Rice will discuss shortly, including the insertion of an international stabilization force. In considering these proposals, we must always keep at the forefront that the key goal should be to disarm and "defang" Hizbollah, to quote Secretary Rice.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“All of us in this Chamber face a common and shared enemy, an enemy that is solely and directly responsible for the situation we find ourselves in today. That enemy is terrorism - not only organizations like Hizbollah and Hamas, which kidnap Israeli citizens or fire rockets into Israeli territory, but their sponsors in Tehran and Damascus. As we speak, Hizbollah continues to operate in southern Lebanon with impunity, defying the will of the Security Council as established in resolution 1559 (2004). We take special note of the important statement of the Arab League, which had the courage and conviction to condemn Hizbollah for its role in instigating this latest round of violence.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“Mr. President, I wish to thank you for having convened this important meeting. This month's meeting takes on far greater salience in the light of the rapidly unfolding events in the Middle East. The United States remains unequivocal in its commitment to working with others to build a foundation for lasting peace in the region. But it would be a disservice, and only bring increased hardship to the peoples of Israel and of Lebanon, if the Security Council adopted stopgap measures which did nothing to address the violence. Let us be clear: if we are to identify lasting solutions to bring about a permanent peace in the Middle East, we must have a shared understanding of the root causes of the problem. Let there be no misunderstanding.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493 (2006) · source
“This has been a historic day. Not only have we unanimously adopted resolution 1695 (2006) but North Korea has set a world record in rejecting it within 45 minutes of its adoption. I could also say in the light of some of the comments made by the representative of North Korea before he left the Chamber, that I could exercise the right of reply on behalf of the United States; but on the other hand, why bother?”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“We need to be prepared, however, that North Korea might choose a different path. That is why it is important that, if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea does not comply with the requirements of the resolution, the United States and other Member States have the opportunity at any point to return to the Council for further action. In closing, I would like to thank all members of the Council for their efforts in helping us to secure a strong and unanimous resolution. In particular, I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, for his work in leading the effort to bring the resolution to finality.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“This is the first Security Council resolution on North Korea since 1993, reflecting the gravity of this situation and the unity and determination of the Council. We hope that this resolution will demonstrate to North Korea that the best way to improve the livelihood of its people and end its international isolation is to stop playing games of brinkmanship and restore its missile moratorium, return to the six-party talks and implement the terms of the joint statement from the last round of those talks. We look forward to North Korea's full, unconditional and immediate compliance with this Security Council resolution. We hope that North Korea makes the strategic decision that the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction programmes and threatening acts like these missile launches makes it less, not more, secure.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“Stop your procurement of materials related to weapons of mass destruction, and implement your September 2005 commitment to verifiably dismantle your nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programme. It is not just Pyongyang, though, that must act. The resolution also requires Member States to do what they can to prevent the transfer of resources to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's missile programme and cease procurement of missile-related items and items relating to WMD programmes from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The United States expects that North Korea and all other States Members of the United Nations will immediately act in accordance with the requirements of this resolution.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“In condemning the multiple launches of these ballistic missiles, the Council is affirming in this resolution that these launches threaten international peace and security. It is not just launching of these missiles that poses a threat but the propensity of North Korea to proliferate this technology. North Korea is the world's leading proliferator of ballistic missile technology, so it was entirely appropriate for the Council to reaffirm its resolution 1540 (2004), whose first preambular paragraph states that the "proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security". This resolution also demands action. It sends an unequivocal, unambiguous and unanimous message to Pyongyang: Suspend your ballistic missile programme.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“The past 11 days have witnessed intense diplomatic activity here in New York, in a number of capitals around the world, and notably in Pyongyang itself, where a high-level delegation from the People's Republic of China made one last attempt to make the North Korean leadership see reason. It was appropriate for us to show this flexibility on timing and allow diplomatic efforts a chance to succeed. Those efforts are now exhausted, however, and the continued intransigence and defiance of the North Korean leadership demanded a strong response from the Council. The resolution we have just adopted does just that. It also sends a much stronger signal than the weak and feckless response of the Council in 1998, which issued only a press statement.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“In the intervening eight years, North Korea has withdrawn from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), kicked out inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and declared not just that it is pursuing a nuclear-weapons capability but that it already possesses them. We are pleased that the Council has taken clear, firm and unanimous action in adopting this resolution. The launching of seven ballistic missiles by North Korea constitutes a direct threat to international peace and security and demanded a strong statement from the Council in the form of a strong resolution.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“Since the words of the North Korean leadership and the agreements it signs have consistently over time been shown to hold little value, it is only appropriate for the international community and the Security Council to evaluate North Korea based on its actions - actions which have been deeply disturbing. It would be dangerous for the Council to look at these missile launches in isolation from North Korea's unrelenting pursuit of a nuclear-weapons capability. When North Korea launched a missile over Japan in 1998, we were not aware at that time that Pyongyang was pursuing a covert uranium-enrichment programme, in violation of the 1994 agreed framework.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“Eleven days have passed since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea brazenly defied the international community and fired seven ballistic missiles, including a Taepo Dong 2 intercontinental ballistic missile, into the waters surrounding its neighbours, notably Japan. Despite intense diplomatic efforts by a number of countries prior to those launches, North Korea chose to recklessly disregard the collective will of its neighbours and, indeed, that of the world. In so doing, it violated several international commitments it had entered into, most recently the joint statement of the six-party talks from September 2005.”
2006-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5490 (2006) · source
“The Secretary-General's decision to send a senior-level team to the region is a development that is welcomed by my Government. We also are engaged with the primary parties and other concerned leaders to help restore calm and achieve a resolution to the crisis. In fact, senior United States officials have been in the region and are in Jerusalem today for meetings. All parties in the region must accept their responsibilities for maintaining security and stability. We urge all parties to accept the principle that Governments must exercise sovereign control over their territories. The United States remains firmly committed to working with others not only to resolve the present situation but toward building longer-term peace and stability in the region.”
2006-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5489 (2006) · source
“Syria provides safe haven to the militant wing of Hamas and provides material support to Hizbollah, which also maintains an active presence in Syria. Iran's extensive sponsorship and financial and other support of Hizbollah is well known and has been ongoing for decades. No reckoning with Hizbollah will be adequate without a reckoning with its principal State sponsors of terror. We call on Syria and Iran to cease their sponsorship and support of terrorist groups, in particular Hizbollah and Hamas. For the third time in two weeks we call again on Syria to arrest Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, who currently lives in Damascus. There is no excuse for a Member State of the United Nations to continue to knowingly harbour a recognized terrorist.”
2006-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5489 (2006) · source
“While we have been working very hard with partners to strengthen democracy in Lebanon, we are also making clear that the democratic aspirations of the Lebanese people must not be undermined by the irresponsible and destabilizing actions of Hizbollah. We have repeatedly made clear to Lebanon and Syria our serious concern about the presence of terrorist groups on their soil and the periodic attacks against Israel from groups and individuals in southern Lebanon. All militias in Lebanon, including Hizbollah, must disarm and disband immediately, and the Lebanese Government must extend and exercise its sole and exclusive control over all Lebanese territory. President Bush has made clear that Syria and Iran must be held to account for supporting regional terrorism and their role in the current crisis.”
2006-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5489 (2006) · source
“The international community has made clear its desire to see the central authority of the Government of Lebanon extended throughout the country. In this context, we underscore the importance of the Security Council President's statement of 18 June 2000 and the Secretary-General's conclusion that, as of 16 June 2000, Israel had withdrawn all its forces from Lebanon, in accordance with Security Council resolution 425 (1978), and met the requirements defined in the Secretary-General's 22 May 2000 report. As President Bush said yesterday, we are very concerned about the fragile democracy in Lebanon.”
2006-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5489 (2006) · source
“In recent days and weeks, we have seen an outbreak of violence in the Middle East, sparked by attacks and kidnappings which Hamas and Hizbollah carried out against Israel. Events continue to develop even as we speak. Hizbollah's incursions across the Blue line on 12 July were a deliberate and premeditated provocation intended to undermine regional stability and are contrary to the interests of both the Lebanese and Israeli peoples. We unequivocally condemn the kidnapping by Hizbollah, a terrorist organization, of two Israeli soldiers and call for their immediate and unconditional release. Provocations across the Blue Line by terrorist groups highlight the urgent need for full and immediate compliance by Syria and Hizbollah with relevant Security Council resolutions, including 1559 (2004), 1583 (2005), 1655 (2006) and 1680 (2006).”
2006-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5489 (2006) · source
“We are obviously concerned about the duration of the present difficulties and the lack of a solution, but the issue for us is whether action by the Council makes such a solution more or less likely, not simply whether or not the Council seems to be "engaged". The United States remains firmly committed to working with others to establish the foundations for a lasting peace in the region, a foundation that would have been undermined had this draft resolution passed.”
2006-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5488 (2006) · source
“We yet again call upon Syria to arrest the Hamas ringleader, Khalid Mishal, who currently resides in Damascus. We stress again our condemnation of Syrian and Iranian support of Hizbollah, which has claimed responsibility for the other kidnappings along the Blue Line, between Israel and Lebanon. We further call on the Palestinian Authority Government to stop all acts of violence and terror and comply with the principles enunciated by the Quartet: renounce terror, recognize Israel, and accept previous obligations and agreements, including the road map. The failure of the Palestinian Authority Government to take these steps hurts the Palestinian people.”
2006-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5488 (2006) · source
“Regrettably, we were not able to reach agreement. While we remain gravely concerned about the deterioration of the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, we remain steadfast in our conviction that the best way to resolve the immediate crisis is for Hamas to secure the safe and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit. Establishing the foundations for a lasting peace, however, will require us to focus our attention not just on Hamas but on the State sponsors of terror that back them, particularly Syria and Iran. Let us be clear: without the financial and material support of Damascus and Tehran, Hamas would be severely crippled in carrying out its terrorist operations. We call on Syria and Iran to end their role as State sponsors of terror and unequivocally condemn the 06-42893 actions of Hamas, including this kidnapping.”
2006-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5488 (2006) · source
“This draft resolution would have exacerbated tensions in the region and would have undermined our vision of two democratic States - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and security. Adoption of the draft would also have undermined the credibility of the Security Council, which itself must be seen by both sides as an honest broker in the Middle East conflict. In that regard, public statements of United Nations officials must also accurately reflect positions agreed by Member Governments. The United States worked hard with other delegations to achieve a more balanced text, one which acknowledged that Israeli military actions were in direct response to repeated rocket attacks into southern Israel from Gaza and the 25 June abduction of Israeli Defence Forces Corporal Gilad Shalit by Hamas.”
2006-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5488 (2006) · source
“We are all aware of the delicate situation in the Middle East, where new and major developments are unfolding as we speak. 06-42893 In the light of the fluid and volatile nature of events on the ground, the United States believes that this draft resolution was not only untimely but already outmoded. We have just recently witnessed a major escalation by Hizbollah. On top of that, we have the announcement that the Secretary-General will be sending a team to the region to help resolve the situation. These important new developments should be reflected in any text we consider. Notwithstanding these new developments, there were many other reasons to reject this draft. The draft resolution before the Council was unbalanced. It placed demands on one side in the Middle East conflict but not the other.”
2006-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5488 (2006) · source
“We call on all parties to avoid actions that could escalate this situation or harm innocent civilians, while acknowledging Israel's unequivocal right to defend itself and the lives of its citizens. During this period of crisis, we urge close attention to the humanitarian needs of the population of Gaza and action to ensure that those needs are met expeditiously.”
2006-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5481 (2006) · source