YouSaid · the spoken record

Brammertz

lines on the record: 454
first: 2006-03-16
most recent: 2023-12-12
sittings or episodes: 36
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

“That is why I ask States in which witnesses reside to assist the International Tribunal by ensuring that necessary measures are taken to avoid any witness interference. International trials will succeed only if witnesses are protected from intimidation and threats. As the International Tribunal nears the completion of its mandate, cooperation between my Office and national judicial and prosecution authorities has become even more important and is now a focal point of our activities. Their roles are crucial to the strengthening of justice in the former Yugoslavia. With the assistance of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), we continue to monitor all cases transferred pursuant to our Rules of Procedure and Evidence.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“I am, however, greatly concerned with regard to the problems of witness protection, which directly affect our ability to present a case in an effective and timely manner. Interference with witnesses, particularly in the form of witness intimidation, has become increasingly frequent and problematic. Witnesses have been intimidated and threatened and, as a result, refused to testify or reversed their testimony. Where appropriate, we have addressed those concerns together with the Registry and Chambers. We have also conducted formal investigations, some of which have resulted in indictments charging individuals with contempt of the Tribunal. Unfortunately, despite those efforts, the problems are not abating.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“We are firmly engaged in finding ways to expedite proceedings without diminishing the prosecution's case. My Office is actively and constructively working with the judges in exploring ways to speed up proceedings. We have substantially reduced the length of time in our cases by using more written evidence instead of live witness testimony. We also continue to look to improve the transition from pre-trial to trial and to have all issues decided pre-trial except those involving live witness testimony. The objective of those measures is to achieve greater efficiency in the presentation of necessary evidence while proving the essential nature and scope of each accused's responsibility.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“Still, none of that would have been possible without the assistance of States, international organizations and the endless support of those active in civil society. I will now address developments in the following areas: the ongoing and pending judicial proceedings, interaction with prosecutors in the region, and the cooperation of States. The Office of the Prosecutor is fully committed to completing all trials and appeals in accordance with its mandate. Of the 28 individuals on trial, only eight are in the prosecution phase of the case. There have been no arrests during the reporting period and four accused are still at large. Over the past six months, the Office of the Prosecutor has taken a number of steps to reduce the time necessary to present the prosecution case in ongoing and upcoming trials.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“Mr. Brammertz: I am honoured to appear before the Security Council again, for the first time in my capacity as Prosecutor of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. I will brief the Council on the progress made in the implementation of the Tribunal's completion strategy since my predecessor's last report. At the outset, I would like to say that it is a great privilege for me to have been entrusted with the mandate of Prosecutor of the International Tribunal, an institution which, despite great odds, has succeeded in bringing to justice many of those who bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in the former Yugoslavia. That success is the result of the combined efforts of my predecessors, the Tribunal's judges, its dedicated staff and the courage of witnesses who have come forward to testify.”
2008-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5904 (2008) · source
“Working and living in a restrictive environment, they have provided remarkable service to the Commission and to the United Nations. I wish my successor, Mr. Daniel Bellemare, the best of success. I would also like to thank the Security Council and the Secretariat for the continued support provided to the Commission since its creation. It has been an honour for me to serve the United Nations and the cause ofjustice in this capacity, and for that privilege I sincerely thank the Council.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“In addition, the Commission has worked with the team set up to oversee the transition on the important issue of witness protection. As this is my last briefing to the Council as Commissioner of the International Independent Investigation Commission, allow me to conclude by thanking the Lebanese judicial authorities, the Prosecutor-General, his team and the investigating judges, with whom I have had the privilege to work for the past two years. Given the acute and ongoing political tension in Lebanon, I am also grateful for the unfailing support provided by the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces in protecting the Commission's staff and premises. I would like to thank the Commission's staff, whose dedication and commitment have been exemplary during my tenure at the helm of the Commission.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“While the Commission remains focused on continuing the investigation, it is also working to ensure that everything is in place for an easy transition to the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon when the latter begins functioning. The Commission's consolidated reports are being kept up to date and are being supplemented with a number of other analytical products. These are being prepared to allow the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal to evaluate the Commission's holdings and findings and to determine the next steps in the investigation. The Commission is also developing several projects related to the management, storage and eventual handover of its sizable amounts of data, documents, exhibits and other information.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Equally important will be the Commission's capacity - and in the next phase, the 07-62683 ability of the Office of the Prosecutor - to encourage additional witnesses to come forward. When I am asked if I am satisfied with the progress made so far, my answer is absolutely yes. Important results have been achieved in many areas of the investigation despite the numerous challenges the Commission has faced. Based on the progress made in recent months, I am more confident and optimistic than ever that the investigation can be concluded successfully. But in order to achieve these results, it is of paramount importance that the Commission continue to receive the administrative support it needs, particularly in the area of recruitment and staff retention.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“The Commission continues to note that this cooperation remains essential to the successful completion of the Commission's mandate. Cooperation with other States has, since the beginning of the Commission's mandate, been of paramount importance. The Commission continues to rely on all States to provide information, make individuals available for interview and provide technical support as requested. I once again urge all States to continue to cooperate with the Commission in a full and timely manner. I am often asked if I can predict when the investigation will be complete. Unfortunately, I cannot. Conducting an investigation is never an exact science. The completion of the investigation will depend on the final results of several still ongoing projects and on the cooperation of all States.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“These exchanges are held in an atmosphere of mutual support, recognizing that achieving results in this investigation is, and will continue to be, the result of this partnership. The Commission has also renewed its efforts to provide the Lebanese authorities with all the information they need to make an independent assessment of the evidence available and to act in accordance with that assessment. Based on an understanding reached between the Commission and the Syrian authorities in January 2006, cooperation has improved considerably. With that understanding in place, the Commission was able to interview a number of Syrian officials, including at the highest echelon of the State, access archives and successfully conduct numerous missions to Syria.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Recognizing the work being done by the Lebanese authorities in a difficult environment, I note that limited progress has been achieved in this regard, particularly in the area of crime scene investigations and cooperation between law enforcement agencies. Increased international support will be needed if these shortcomings are to be remedied. As in the past, the Commission continues to recognize that few of these results could have been achieved without the productive cooperation which exists between the Commission and the Lebanese judicial authorities. The Commission holds almost daily meetings with the Prosecutor General and his staff, and additional meetings have been held over the past four months with the investigating judges in each of the targeted attacks.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“In previous reports, drawing mainly from analytical work, the Commission noted the existence of possible commonalities between the nature of the attacks, the modus operandi, the profiles of the Victims and possible motives. The Commission's recent findings appear to indicate that some operational links may exist between some of the perpetrators of these attacks. Confirming these operational links will be one of the Commission's highest priorities in the months to come. In my first report to the Council, I noted the challenges that the Lebanese law enforcement community faced in investigating crimes of this nature. These challenges were due in part to a lack of specific expertise.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“As I noted in my last briefing to the Council, the progress made in the past few months has allowed the Commission to identify a number of persons of interest who may have been involved in some aspect of the preparation and execution of the crime or who may have known that a plan to carry out this attack was being prepared. In addition to the Hariri investigation, the Commission's mandate was expanded in December 2005 to include technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities in 14 - now 18 - other cases. In spite of the limited resources available, the Commission has sought to provide the best possible support to the Lebanese authorities investigating these cases. In addition to its technical assistance role, the Commission has also focused on identifying links among these cases, and between these cases and the Hariri case.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Working by elimination, the Commission was able to progressively narrow down the list of possible motives mainly to those linked to Rafik Hariri's political activities in the months before his death, but not excluding the possibility that the motive for the crime may have arisen from a combination of factors. Throughout its investigations into all aspects of the crime, the Commission's focus has been to review, in an objective and methodical manner, the evidence collected in order to establish links - based on evidence - between the crime scene, the physical perpetrators and the remote perpetrators.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Who is Ahmed Abu Adass and what is his involvement in this crime? Based on hundreds of interviews and examinations, the Commission has been able to answer- or significantly narrow down its investigations into - many of these questions, as detailed in the Commission's reports to the Council over the past two years. At the same time, the Commission concentrated on the possible motives for the crime. The Commission started by examining or re-evaluating the timeline and significance of Rafik Hariri's activities in the period prior to his death, including his private, business and political 3 relationships both within Lebanon and internationally, as well as the threats, warnings and assurances he may have received regarding his own security.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“These are important investigative tools and I expect that they will be an important legacy of the Commission. The Commission was able to draw together the different findings regarding the container of the IED, the exact position of the IED, the trigger mechanism used, the composition of the explosives used and several other fundamental aspects of the crime in order to establish a unifying theory regarding the explosion of 14 February 2005. Specific projects were launched to identify the physical perpetrators of the crime. These projects were designed to identify the persons conducting active surveillance on Rafik Hariri in the period leading up to the attack and to understand what role was played by the holders of the six SIM. cards in this surveillance. Who bought and prepared the Mitsubishi Canter van? Who is the suicide bomber?”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Over the following months, the Commission launched 24 concurrent investigative projects in different areas and 66 forensic projects, the majority of which have been concluded. The objective was to address three central questions: How was the attack of 14 February 2005 planned and executed? Who prepared and carried out the attack? And why was Rafik Hariri killed? In a first phase, new emphasis was placed on crime scene investigations using advanced forensic techniques. Over several weeks, the Commission's experts returned to the crime scene to review the evidence and started to systematically categorize and archive all the physical and biological exhibits. Databases containing those exhibits, DNA profiles, sketches and other information related to the investigation were created and are still being populated.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Well aware of the high expectations that were placed on the Commission from the outset, the Commission's staff and I have worked to the best of our ability to fulfil the Commission's mandate. When I arrived in Beirut almost two years ago, I inherited a very small team of six investigators. We immediately started the long process of building a more robust investigation division, particularly by adding capacities in the area of criminal and legal analysis and forensic support. Today the division consists of 47 international staff and is supported by the Commission's administrative, language and security sections. At the outset, we started by conducting a review of the evidence collected and by designing an 07-62683 investigative strategy in line with international legal standards.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“In this context, managing the expectations has been - and remains - an important challenge. Over the past few months, as investigative tracks have advanced, the scope of the investigation has narrowed. As this happens, the Commission is being increasingly cautious in managing information linked to the investigations. This approach is taken in full agreement with the Lebanese judicial authorities in order to protect the security of people who cooperate, or wish to cooperate, with the Commission; to protect the rights of potential suspects; and, not least, to ensure the security of the Commission's staff. This heightened emphasis on confidentiality is also taken in the light of the foreseen transition to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in order not to compromise any possible future legal process.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“07-62683 In addition, the Commission has continued to extend its technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities in their investigations into the 18 other attacks, including the Ghana case. In connection with these cases, over 40 interviews were conducted by the Commission in this reporting period. The Commission has also provided the Lebanese authorities with a number of important results from forensic examinations on these cases. In the next reporting period, the Commission will continue to implement its action plans and will pursue all open lines of inquiry. Since my first report to the Council, I have emphasized the importance of striking a balance between the need for transparency regarding the Commission's activities, on the one hand, and the Commission's duty to protect the confidentiality of its investigation on the other hand.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“These interviews and other investigative actions, particularly in the field of forensics and communications analysis, have allowed the Commission to further refine its understanding of the events surrounding the crime. Progress was made in several areas in particular. These include, for example, the facts surrounding the two males who bought the Mitsubishi van used in the attack; the specific area where the suicide bomber might be from, and how and when he might have entered Lebanon; the person who disappeared with Ahmed Abu Admass and his possible links to extremist groups; and a deeper analysis of the de jure and de facto structures, means, capacities, information flows and reporting lines of certain organizations of relevance to the investigation.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Ghana is the sixth member of parliament killed in Lebanon since 2005. Although the investigation is still at an early stage, initial findings indicate that the perpetrators were able to conduct surveillance and mobilize a vehicle-borne IED within a very short window of time. This and preliminary results in other cases suggest that the perpetrators had, and most likely still have, operational capabilities available in Beirut. In the past four months, the Commission has focused on the implementation of detailed action plans in each area of the Hariri case. Since my last briefing of the Council, the Commission has conducted more than 70 interviews in Lebanon and in a number of other countries.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“Mr. Brammertz: I would like to extend thanks for this new opportunity to brief the Council on the progress made by the International Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC). This latest report covers activities since July 2007. Over the past four months, the Commission has continued to pursue the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Raffia Hariri and 22 others on 14 February 2005. The Commission has also continued to assist the Lebanese authorities in their investigations of 18 other cases of bombings and targeted assassinations in Lebanon since October 2004. This growing list of cases includes the assassination of Member of Parliament Antoine Ghana, killed on 19 September by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) in eastern Beirut. Mr.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5790 (2007) · source
“In closing, I would like to reaffirm to the Council that the Commission stands ready to cooperate with the Secretary-General and with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to ensure a smooth handover to the Tribunal at the time when the Tribunal will begin functioning.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“Based on these and other results, the Commission has produced detailed work plans in each area under investigation; those workplans will help to make the best possible use of the Commission's limited resources in the next few months. Set against the backdrop of Security Council resolution 1757 (2007), the confidential consolidated reports will provide a useful starting point in the transition from the Commission to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This process will be facilitated by a state- of-the-art information management system established by the Commission, based on the best practices used in international tribunals.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“The comprehensive consolidation effort carried out by the Commission during this reporting period has yielded several important results by highlighting areas of the investigation that have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Commission, as well as a number of open questions that will have to be addressed as priorities in the months to come. As noted earlier, the consolidation of the Commission's findings across several areas of the Hariri case, and in some of the other cases, has helped identify a number of persons who may have been involved in some aspect of the crime. A number of commonalities across cases have also been brought to light as a result of the consolidation exercise.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“In this reporting period, the Commission has conducted regular assessments on all aspects of its security in close cooperation with the Lebanese security forces, and a number of additional mitigating measures have been put in place. In this regard, the Commission notes that the security of witnesses and persons who cooperate with the Commission needs to be guaranteed. This remains a priority for the Commission and will also have to be addressed by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in a timely manner.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“In addition, 18 requests for assistance were sent to 12 other States, and responses have been mostly positive. 3 I would like to take this opportunity to note once again that the Commission relies on the support of all States to provide information, assistance and expertise when required. The Commission is grateful for the support it has received from a number of States during this reporting period. That support remains essential for the successful completion of the Commission's mandate. As the Council is aware, the security situation in Lebanon has deteriorated since my last briefing to the Council. The Commission is very mindful of the prevailing security conditions and of specific threats it faces due to the nature of its work.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“The Commission has continued to maintain a close and collegial relationship with the Lebanese judicial authorities, who have been regularly informed about the progress made in all investigations. Since my last briefing to the Council, the Commission has made 88 requests for assistance to the Prosecutor General of Lebanon, and responses have been provided fully and expeditiously. Cooperation with Syria remains generally satisfactory. Syria provided timely responses to the Commission's 11 requests for assistance during this reporting period. In addition, the Commission is grateful for the logistical and security arrangements made by the Syrian authorities for the Commission's various activities in Syria, in particular during four missions to Syria in this reporting period.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“On 13 June 2007, Member of Parliament Walid Eido, his son and six other people were killed by an IED in central Beirut. Following a request from the Lebanese Prime Minister to the United Nations, the Commission was tasked to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese investigations into this attack. A team of forensic experts working for the Commission completed a two-week examination of the crime scene, and the Commission is currently awaiting results from those examinations to proceed with comparative analyses. In total, 27 interviews were conducted by the Commission on those targeted attacks during the reporting period. In addition, 25 interviews were conducted on the nine attacks where no individuals were targeted, including the Ain Alaq bombings of February 2007.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“The Commission conducted a similar consolidation of its findings in each of the 17 other cases where it was mandated to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities. Over 400 pages 07-43152 of consolidated reports were produced on those cases, and the findings from 25 forensic examinations undertaken by the Commission and by external experts have been reviewed. In the attacks targeted at Marwan Hamedeh, Samir Kassir, George Hawi, Elias El-Murr, May Chidiac, Gebran Tueni and Pierre Gemayel, the Commission has focused on analyzing threats and claims of responsibility, determining possible motives, examining and comparing the modus operandi, drawing up a profile of each victim and attempting to determine possible commonalities. The Commission also continues to look into possible links between these cases and the Hariri case.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“They include the adoption of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004), the events surrounding the extension of President Emile Lahoud's term and the perceived outcomes of the 2005 parliamentary elections. Following a detailed review of its information and findings, the Commission has identified a number of persons who present a particular interest to the investigation into the assassination of Rafik Hariri. The Commission's findings suggest that these individuals may have been involved in some aspects of the planning or execution of the attack, or that they could have known that such a plan was under way. This line of the investigation will be a priority for the Commission in the next few months.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“The Commission has also created a sketch database and has initiated an inventory of all the physical and biological exhibits it has accumulated. The Commission continues to further its understanding of the motives to assassinate Rafik Hariri. Some aspects related to the motives have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Commission. These include, among others, the role of the Bank Al-Madina affair. As noted in my last briefing, the Commission is concentrating on Rafik Hariri's political activities and on the political events and dynamics in the period leading up to the attack, as these most probably shaped the motive for the assassination.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“The Commission is currently working on new information regarding the sale of the van to individuals who could have been involved in its final preparation for the attack on Rafik Hariri. The Commission has also brought together and advanced its investigations regarding the suicide bomber. Forensic analyses using samples collected in a number of locations have allowed the Commission to narrow down the countries from which the suicide bomber could have originated. Those experiments are currently ongoing. To support the investigations in all areas of the Hariri and other cases, the Commission has developed DNA and fingerprint databases that are being used to identify possible matches using other similar databases.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“Regarding the improvised explosive device (IED) used in the attack, the consolidated results confirm the Commission's conclusions about the type and quantity of the explosives, the initiating system and the container used to carry the IED, as well as the exact circumstances of the blast. Investigations are ongoing to trace the precise origin of the explosives and to establish possible forensic links with other cases. In the most recent of the earlier reporting periods, during which 32 interviews were conducted on the Hariri case, special emphasis was placed on the investigation related to the Mitsubishi Canter van used to carry the IED. As previously noted, the van was stolen in Japan before being shipped to the United Arab Emirates and was then transported to northern Lebanon 07-43152 in December 2004.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“The Commission continues to focus primarily on the investigation into the assassination of Rafik Hariri and 22 others on 14 February 2005. The Commission's review of its sizeable holdings and analysis in this case is covered in a 2,000-page confidential consolidated report that deals with all aspects of the investigation. For example, in relation to the forensic aspects of the investigation, the Commission has consolidated more than 10,000 pages of information and forensic reports produced since 2005 and has reviewed dozens of experiments and examinations undertaken by the Commission and by external experts on the Hariri case.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“Mr. Brammertz: I would like to thank the members of the Security Council for this opportunity to provide the Council with an update on the progress made by the International Independent Investigation Commission. The Commission's latest report covers activities over the past four months. The work of the Commission during this reporting period was marked by a wide-ranging effort to bring together the considerable amount of information collected since the creation of the Commission in 2005. That process allowed the Commission to critically analyse the large volume of information collected and to assess progress made to date. As a result, a series of detailed reports totalling more than 2,400 pages were produced, covering all aspects of the Hariri investigation and the other investigations being conducted or supported by the Commission.”
2007-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5719 (2007) · source
“In the light of current and planned investigative activities outlined in the report, it is unlikely that the Commission will complete its work before its current mandate expires in June 2007. In anticipation of the creation of a special tribunal for Lebanon, the Commission welcomes the request by the Government of Lebanon for an extension of its mandate beyond that date.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“As of now, the investigation division has 41 staff and consultants, as compared with 29 at the time of the previous briefing to the Council. Additional analysts, investigators, legal officers and forensic experts are currently being recruited. These efforts will be maintained until the Commission has reached a satisfactory level of staffing. The Commission continues to face problems recruiting and retaining Arabic language interpreters, translators and transcribers. So far, only three of 27 language posts have been filled, creating significant delays in investigative activities. The Commission is again currently undertaking recruitment initiatives aimed at attracting qualified language staff.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“During the reporting period, a total of 40 new requests for assistance were sent to 23 different States, in addition to the requests addressed to the Syrian and Lebanese authorities. In its most recent report, the Commission noted that responses to requests from 10 Member States were overdue. The Commission has followed up on all requests, and held a series of meetings with relevant ambassadors to address pending issues. Almost all outstanding matters were resolved to the Commission's satisfaction. During the past three months, the Commission has taken measures to improve its support operations and to fill vacant posts. Thirty-five international and five national staff have been recruited during this period, with the assistance of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“The Commission conducted three interviews with Syrian officials in relation to the location of parts of the archive brought back from Lebanon at the time of the Syrian withdrawal in 2005. Following those interviews, two missions were organized to gain access to relevant documents. They were undertaken in conjunction with the Syrian authorities and have elicited useful results. The Commission is grateful for the professional and well- organized support of the Syrian authorities in arranging those meetings. The Commission continues to rely on the willingness of all States to provide information and expertise and to facilitate its work on their territories when required.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“Sketches of the alleged assassins provided by the Commission to the Lebanese authorities were recently publicized, and they will form part of a broader sketch database to be developed during the next reporting period. The Commission also supports the Lebanese authorities in their investigations into the Ain Alaq bombings. A team of experts conducted forensic and ballistic examinations on the crime scene, including on the Mitsubishi and Kia buses that were bombed. Several individuals were arrested last week by the Lebanese authorities in connection with the Ain Alaq bombings. 3 The Commission's cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic remains generally satisfactory. Following its requests for assistance, the Commission has undertaken a number of investigative activities in Syria.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“Investigations into the eight attacks in which no specific individual appears to have been targeted are also ongoing. The objective is to conduct individual case analyses and to make suggestions for further investigative steps that may be taken by the Lebanese authorities. In the Gemayel case, the Commission continues to provide support to the Lebanese authorities, as requested by the Council, by conducting interviews, analysing witness statements, performing forensic work, conducting communications analysis and reconstructing crime scene events. The Commission has conducted a detailed ballistics analysis on the cartridge cases and bullets found at the crime scene. It can now conclude that a minimum of five different weapons were used by the perpetrators.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“In this reporting period, the Commission conducted 17 interviews related to the six attacks targeting specific persons, and it has almost concluded its interviews with the surviving victims of those attacks and with the victims' families and close associates. Various leads have emerged from those interviews, and those leads will be pursued in the coming weeks and months. The Commission has also conducted analysis of communications and of parts of possible improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and vehicles used in the attacks. It continues to examine potential linkages within and between those cases and the Hariri case. These activities will continue in the next reporting period. Forensic experts who examined the scene where Gebran Tueni was killed have collected and analysed over 190 exhibits and submitted their findings to the Commission.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“As requested by the Council, the Commission continues to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities regarding 16 other cases, including the assassination of Minister Pierre Gemayel, and, most recently, the bombings of two buses in the village of Am Alaq, near Beirut, which resulted in the death of three people and injuries to 20 others on 13 February 2007. The Commission is mindful of the balance that needs to be struck between the Hariri case and the provision of support in the 16 other cases. That equation changes over time, but the Commission strives to use methods that add to all the cases while 07-27703 making the best use of available resources.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“A number of factors shaped Hariri's environment in the period leading up to 14 February 2005. These factors include the inception of resolution 1559 (2004) and the implications of its implementation; the extension of the term of President Lahoud; the dynamics between Hariri and other political parties and leaders in Lebanon, Syria and other countries; and preparation ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2005. The Commission believes it is likely that a combination of these factors created the environment in which the intent to kill Rafik Hariri arose.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“The Commission also continues to investigate issues relating to Ahmed Abu Adass, the man who claimed responsibility for the assassination of Hariri in a video message. The Commission is aware that he was associated with a number of individuals linked with extremist groups. Those individuals, who operated in Lebanon and beyond, may have been involved in the production of the Ahmed Abu Adass tape and possibly other aspects of the crime in more than one context. In connection with this information, the Commission has undertaken a number of missions outside Lebanon, conducted 23 interviews to date and researched over 200 gigabytes of data. Since the last briefing to the Council, the Commission has significantly narrowed down its enquiries into the motive to kill Rafik Hariri to those linked to his political activities.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“Ongoing analysis of vehicle parts found at the crime scene appears to confirm also that the device is likely to have been detonated from within a Mitsubishi van. Investigations are ongoing into the acquisition, storage and preparation of the van. The issue of alleged tampering with the crime scene and obstruction of the investigation remains under scrutiny, and the Commission continues to work 07-27703 to determine if there was deliberate intent in this matter. Efforts to determine the geographic origin of the bomber, based on isotope data, are also making good progress. In order to test this hypothesis, the Commission has collected samples from 28 locations in Syria and Lebanon and plans to extend its collection of samples to other countries in the near future.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source
“In addition, the Commission is grateful to the Lebanese security forces, who have continued to spare no effort in meeting its security needs. The Commission's main area of focus remains the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others on 14 February 2005. In the last quarter, the Commission has made significant progress in several areas by further developing crime-scene leads, expanding the forms of evidence relating to the perpetrators and building the linkage and context aspects of the case. The Commission conducted 42 interviews linked to the Hariri case during this reporting period. Results from seismological and scaling explosion experiments confirm the likelihood, as said in previous reports, that a single blast was detonated above the ground.”
2007-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5642 (2007) · source