YouSaid · the spoken record

Buallay

lines on the record: 427
first: 1997-03-06
most recent: 2002-09-23
sittings or episodes: 72
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

“The Council should adopt further targeted sanctions to put an end to the violations of international humanitarian law. It should also deploy international monitors to follow closely the situations in refugee camps and camps of internally displaced persons, especially when there is a suspicion that there are armed combatants or armed elements inside those camps. We would like to reaffirm anew the importance of taking into account the recommendations of the Secretary- General on the alleviation of the plight of civilians at the time when armed conflicts break out and target them specifically. The Council, in its resolutions on the outbreak of any armed conflict, must reaffirm that there is a need for unimpeded access to extend humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“The Security Council must shoulder its responsibilities vis-a-vis these civilians, through taking actions that would increase the Organization's ability to deploy rapidly forces and to establish a permanent mechanism to monitor the sanctions regimes, whether imposed by the United Nations or by regional organizations, and to ascertain the possible effects of sanctions on civilians. Of special importance is the recommendation that the Council, should it receive information on an imminent conflict targeting civilians and protected persons, should then impose an embargo on arms supplies. In certain cases the Council should consider the deployment of a preventive peacekeeping operation or provide for another form of presence for preventive monitoring.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“This problem assumes increasing importance in view of the growing number of civilians involved. The number of internally displaced persons has reached 30 million. Women and children have become the primary targeted victims of armed conflict because of their inability to defend themselves. Another negative aspect which must be taken into account is that combatants try to restrict the acquisition by civilians of food and other forms of assistance for survival and attempt to starve them to death deliberately. In addition, they target humanitarian workers and those who work in peacekeeping operations. The suffering meted out to civilians in armed conflict in our time makes it incumbent upon us to look seriously into the recommendations made by the Secretary-General in his report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“All of these acts take place in total disregard of all the conventions of international humanitarian law and the law of human rights, notably the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. The cause of our major concern is that loss of life among civilians, or losses resulting from the destruction of civilian infrastructure, are no longer simply the legacy of war. Indeed, they are a deliberate targeting of non- combatants in order to expel or ethnically cleanse groups of the population or to accelerate total military surrender. By way of example, we can refer to the events that took place recently in Angola, where, in order to achieve military gains, UNITA attempted to expel the civilian population from the towns under its control to the towns under the control of the Angolan Government.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, allow me to express my thanks and appreciation to you, Sir, and to the delegation of the Netherlands for convening this meeting. This meeting undoubtedly will be an effective contribution to making the work of the Security Council more transparent. My delegation highly appreciates the Secretary-General's statement, in addition to his valuable report on the subject under discussion, namely, the protection of civilians in armed conflict. It is indeed regrettable to see that civilians in cases of armed conflict face acts of terrorization and brutal treatment, torture, killing and maiming, as well as genocide or ethnic cleansing, in addition to acts of disappearance because of the rebels or the combatants, whether from opposition or Government forces in the areas of armed conflict.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“Brahimi, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, for his efforts and to the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan. Finally, we ask the Afghan factions to put an end to their disputes and to find ways to achieve reconciliation for the sake of economic and social well-being and development of Afghanistan. Afghanistan has a long history, and its religion and traditions require that poverty, ignorance and illness be fought. For that reason we demand that the Afghan factions come together in order to lay down their weapons, stop confrontation and take up the cause of economic and social development. This will guarantee that Afghanistan can resume its place in the international community, which is particularly necessary given its strategic position.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“Among the direct consequences of the Afghan conflict is the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, as seen in the increased number of refugees and displaced persons and the increased number of landmines and unexploded ordnance, which are obstacles to rehabilitation and development in Afghanistan and to the return of refugees to their homes. All these consequences of the Afghan problem underline the need for the United Nations and the specialized agencies to continue their presence and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. We commend the role being played by the United Nations in this field. We also ask the donor community to increase its assistance to the Afghan people. In conclusion, I would like to pay a tribute to Mr.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“The factions must be convinced that there is no military solution and that the only solution is the cessation of hostilities. A cessation of hostilities must begin in order to achieve national reconciliation, and a lasting solution must be found. States must redouble their efforts to ensure a cessation of hostilities by the factions. Thus, weapon supplies to military factions must be halted. In that regard, we hail the efforts made by the "six plus two" group to bring the factions in the Afghan conflict together at the negotiating table. We hope that at the next session of the General Assembly there will be an opportunity for the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the members of that group to consider the Afghan conflict.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, I should like first of all to convey my gratitude to your delegation and to express to you our appreciation for having convened this plenary meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. Afghanistan will be dealing for a long time with the consequences of the war and of the conflicts that continue unceasingly to break out. Though the factions are still resorting to war to resolve their differences, I believe that there is hope on the horizon that this conflict will be settled in a peaceful manner. The continuation of the conflict in Afghanistan compels us to consider the deeper reasons for the conflict, for which the factions are in part responsible. The other part of the responsibility must be shouldered by the international community.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“Humanitarian and relief agencies should pay more attention to the refugee and displaced children affected by armed conflicts all over the world. My delegation supports the draft resolution submitted to the Council today and is going to vote in favour of this draft resolution.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“The international community is therefore called upon to make the efforts necessary to ensure that the parties to the conflict should respect and abide by international laws and norms, particularly the 1949 Geneva Convention, the 1977 additional protocols and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is necessary to bring to justice to those responsible for child recruitment during armed conflict and to consider them war criminals, as we deal with war criminals responsible for acts of genocide. The recruitment of children and their encouragement to carry weapons and to participate in war has psychological consequences that are difficult to remove once they are adults, particularly when they have been carrying weapons since childhood.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“Among those countries, there are 24 in which the children concerned are under 15 years of age. Millions of children are affected by these conflicts, and this constitutes a further burden to the international community, particularly as it prepares to enter the twenty- first century. Many of the children affected by armed conflict live in terrible conditions and lack food and education. The tragedy of children affected by armed conflict, whether they are soldiers participating in a conflict, refugees or displaced children, is considered a black stain on the world's conscience.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“Olara Otunnu, for his exhaustive report and for his strenuous efforts in this field, as well as to the staff of the United Nations Children's Fund and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the other specialized United Nations agencies for their efforts to provide the best standard of living for all the children of the world in general and for children affected by armed conflict in particular. The special impact of armed conflicts on children is an old phenomenon. It used to be considered one of the many negative side-effects of armed conflicts. Unfortunately, these side-effects have taken a dangerous turn and acquired threatening new aspects, forcing the international community to sound the alarm. Indeed, more than 300,000 children in 32 countries are involved in armed conflict.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“This initiative is clear evidence that the international community, represented in the Security Council, is determined to eliminate this dangerous phenomenon and to uproot this evil, which could destroy future generations through teaching children to use weapons or through the abuse of those who do not carry weapons, and by denying them their right to enjoy their childhood and live in a quiet, suitable environment that would ensure them a bright future based on education so that they can be useful to society instead of carrying weapons. I should like also to express my thanks and appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): Sir, my delegation is very pleased at the fact that this meeting of the Security Council is being held under your presidency. My delegation would like to express to the delegation of Namibia its thanks and appreciation for its initiative to hold this meeting on one of the items on the Council's agenda, "Children and armed conflict".”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“There must be cooperation between the political, civil affairs, information, human rights and child protection elements of the Mission, and they must all cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone within the context of the mandate of the Mission.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“We reaffirm our belief that the international community should support the Government of Sierra Leone and provide it with economic and humanitarian assistance with a View to helping it fulfil its obligations towards the people of Sierra Leone, provide them with an adequate social and economic environment and ensure that humanitarian assistance will be received by the needy throughout the country. We reaffirm our belief that by reinforcing the institutions of peace we will prevent the conflict from resuming. Our belief that the United Nations must play an important role in the peace process in Sierra Leone is self-evident, and we will accordingly support the draft resolution before us. We should also like to reaffirm that the security of United Nations personnel must be respected.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“The Peace Agreement that was signed on 7 July in Lome, the capital of Togo, between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), is a positive milestone in progress towards the consolidation of national reconciliation in Sierra Leone. We should also like to express our appreciation to President Eyadema of Togo and all others who contributed to ensuring that that Agreement would be signed. We should like to reaffirm our belief that respect for the implementation of that Agreement is necessary in order to move forward towards peace and to restore normal life to the people of Sierra Leone, who have been waiting for so long.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): I should like to join previous speakers in congratulating your country, Sir, for having presided over the proceedings of the Security Council for this month. I, too, wish to express my appreciation for the way in which you have guided our work. I should like to thank the Secretary-General for his exhaustive report. I should also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Francis Okelo, the staff of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL), the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group and all the specialized agencies that are working in Sierra Leone for their efforts to restore peace and stability in that country.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“Did Ambassador Fowler discuss the matter of cooperation with all the Governments and bodies with which he met? Did he discuss relations between them and the expert panels? Has he received any written confirmation from organizations about how they will cooperate with the expert panels? Has he discussed with some Governments how their companies are violating sanctions against UNITA? Is there any talk about punishing those responsible for violating sanctions? In the view of Ambassador Fowler, how can the Security Council deal with those States and corporations when there is proof that they are violating sanctions against UNITA?”
1999-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4027 (1999) · source
“In Angola, of course, this question also relates to diamond trading. The conflict in Angola has gone on for two decades now. Of course there is a lot of money to be made from arms-trafficking, at the same time as this involves trafficking in human lives. It seems that a lot more money can be made from weapons than from anything else. One cannot talk about the demobilization of combatants in Angola and elsewhere, about reintegrating these people into civil society, about the return of refugees or about national reconciliation while arms-trafficking continues unabated. UNITA would never have dared violate the sanctions unless they had outside support for this. A lot of money is made from this arms-trafficking. Having said this, I would also like to ask Ambassador Fowler some questions regarding the work of this important Committee.”
1999-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4027 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): I should like first of all to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this public meeting in the context of the overall effort by the Security Council to keep other members informed of the work of the Council with a view to ensuring transparency. My delegation would like also warmly to thank Ambassador Fowler, the Chairman of the Security Council sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993). I should like to ask Ambassador Fowler a question about a matter that concerns his Committee: arms- trafficking. How can arms-trafficking be controlled? Arms factories are at work day and night. And there is also the question of the arms trade. Sometimes there is civil conflict in countries and weapons are sold there. How can we stop this deadly trade?”
1999-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4027 (1999) · source
“We feel that it is high time to consider finding a means of saving those refugees who have been forced into the theatres of conflict, first in the interest of those refugees, and second, to prevent their participation in conflict, willingly or unwillingly.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“Ogata concerning the View of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on a solution to the plight of, on the one hand, those refugees who have been massed against their will in camps within these theatres of conflict, where they are perhaps forced to participate in the conflict, and, on the other hand, those refugees participating willingly in the conflict as a means of earning a living, however fraught with risks. Thus, we have two kinds of refugees living under unenviable circumstances. Their fate may not be within jurisdiction of UNHCR in the strict sense, but they are, in the first place, refugees. It is of concern to us that there is news of increasing numbers of refugees participating in a number of conflicts.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“We also urge the international community and the donor States to provide technical and material assistance to the African States and States in conflict in order to assist them with economic and social development, which are main components of establishing stability and safety in States in conflict, for averting the recurrence of such conflicts there and, hence, for preventing an increase in the number of refugees. My delegation would like to pose a question in this regard to Mrs.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“Organizations must also respect the sovereignty and international legitimacy of these States and not violate domestic calculations, respecting the need to cooperate fully with the local authorities of these States. Fourth, we urge the international community and the donor States to increase the humanitarian assistance provided to the States experiencing conflicts, which have refugees and displaced persons, and to those States receiving refugees in order to mitigate the burdens shouldered by those States. The example was given of the burden born by Mali in this regard.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“First, as regards the need to open safe corridors in the States in conflict, we believe opening such safe corridors is essential for the delivery of assistance to refugees. The States should guarantee the opening of these safe corridors, without which the assistance cannot be delivered to the needy refugees. Second, we believe that the necessary technical assistance should be provided to staff affiliated with the humanitarian organizations, in order to enable them also to deliver assistance to those refugees in need. Yet, and this is my third point, we want to emphasize the need for all humanitarian organizations to comply with international law and the local laws of those States where they work and of the States through which they work.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“We also wish progress and prosperity to the people of Morocco under its new sovereign, who is the best successor to his illustrious father. Mr. President, we appreciate your convening of this important plenary meeting in conformity with the wish of my delegation and those like-minded delegations in opening up the work of the Council before the Member States who are not members of the Council and to the outside world in general. We thank Mrs. Ogata and all the staff of the humanitarian organizations for their noble efforts. My delegation regrets the continued military conflicts in some countries on the African continent, which increase the numbers of refugees day in and day out. At this plenary meeting we would like to raise several questions of importance, in our view, relevant to the refugees.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“His passing is a great loss for the Arab nation, which this year lost three of its great leaders: His Highness Sheikh 'Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa, Emir of Bahrain; His Majesty King Hussein ibn Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and His Majesty King Hassan II of the Kingdom of Morocco. King Hassan II during his lifetime expended tireless efforts to preserve the unity, prosperity and progress of Morocco. He also played a major role in the service of Arab and Islamic causes, and among his prominent efforts is his part in the Jerusalem Commission. We cannot but ask God for forgiveness and mercy for the dear departed and ask success for His Majesty King Mohamed VI, confident that he will continue the great march begun by his late father in building the modern Morocco.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): With a great feeling of sorrow and sadness, my delegation extends its condolences on the passing of His Majesty Hassan II of the sister Kingdom of Morocco, who passed away in the afternoon on Friday, 23 July. At the time of this great tragedy, we extend condolences to the people and Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and to the noble Alawis royal family, asking God Almighty to make paradise his abode together with the saints and good people. With his passing, Morocco has lost a first-class statesman, who spent the greater part of his life in the service of his people and in the service of Arab and Islamic nations.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“Despite the Charter's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Organization is unable to deal with the massive power of the arms trade to exacerbate existing conflicts and incite new ones. This is particularly true in the current climate of globalization, which has its good and evil aspects, and given the ease of communications it has provided. Today's open debate in the Security Council is part of an international effort to contribute to the study of this issue. We hope that the views and opinions presented here will lead to the active resolution of these problems. In conclusion, I would like to stress my delegation's support for the presidential statement proposed by the Malaysian delegation for issuance at the end of this debate.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“What then can be expected from the economic and social situations of countries in conflict? It is not news that refugee camps, full of victims of conflict, have become centres for the distribution of weapons, or that refugees, voluntarily or otherwise, are participating in conflicts. Although the disarmament and demobilization of ex-combatants precede the reintegration process, the latter is more complex, owing to the enormous requirements and the difficulty of fulfilling them. Only rarely, has the United Nations, for all its efforts, succeeded in these tasks of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration although it has succeeded in a number of cases. We must be aware that this does not lie within the capacity of the Organization.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“Anyone who undertakes this disarmament work is endangered by those who do not wish to surrender their weapons. The reintegration process involves a number of factors, the most important of which is the willingness of the combatants to surrender their weapons, having grown used to conflict and to the many forms of aggression, pillaging and violence that accompany fighting. If achieving disarmament assumes that all difficulties can be overcome, the reintegration process assumes an economic situation that facilitates this process, to include the creation of appropriate jobs and the necessary social and economic services. Let us be practical and ask ourselves how many of the developing countries that are in a state of peace have the capacity to provide for the economic and social needs of their citizens.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“The disarmament of combatants is a very important matter, and despite the fact that today's debate deals with ex-combatants, we need to be aware that in fact they will not become ex-combatants unless we insist on their disarming and on disarmament in general. Otherwise, conflicts will continue interminably, and ongoing conflict will become a fait accompli, as has happened in some countries, which after many years have become known as conflict zones. If we are able to disarm combatants and make them into ex-combatants, we can deal with the second part of the problem: the reintegration of these people into society. We believe that the reintegration of ex-combatants is more difficult than disarmament. It is true that disarmament is dangerous, in that combatants may refuse to surrender their weapons.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“It is important to explain the advantages of disarming ex- combatants before becoming engaged in their reintegration. If they are not first disarmed, the conflict will inevitably resume as before. This problem has been observed in many hot spots where crucial institutions and structures were not given the necessary support to resume their natural tasks in the country of conflict, without which, conflict inevitably returns. The media have provided many examples of naked, barefoot children and young people carrying modern, sophisticated weapons. In such cases how can we end conflicts? It is no surprise that in such situations conflicts have continued for more than 20 years. And there is nothing on the horizon that suggests that these conflicts will end any time soon.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“We hope that this experiment will be expanded should it prove successful. The experience of the United Nations and other international organizations over the last few years confirms the content of "An Agenda for Peace", which was issued by the Secretary-General in 1992. In that document the Secretary-General observed that the multiplicity of tasks required genuine cooperation among international agencies and organizations, and at the regional level. It also requires the active participation of United Nations Member States. We now turn to major specific issues of today's debate: the disarmament of ex-combatants and their reintegration into society. This involves two separate but complementary processes: first, the disarmament of ex- combatants, and secondly, their reintegration into society.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“It has therefore become very important for the international community to support such efforts for the purpose of strengthening economic, social and security structures in these regions. Therefore, we support the role of the United Nations in bringing about and consolidating peace in post-conflict situations. In this context, we must coordinate the response to international conflicts with the wishes of the party concerned, because without the political will of that party it is impossible to achieve progress in the peace process. The existence of a real commitment on the part of the parties to the conflict is one of the preconditions for the success of the peace process. In this context, we support the intention of the United Nations to establish peacekeeping forces in Haiti and in Guinea-Bissau.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“The Security Council should confront this issue as a matter of urgency, including by examining the role that the United Nations could play in collecting and disseminating relevant information. We also welcome the contribution of the Secretary-General with regard to concentrating on the problem of the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, especially in Africa. Peacekeeping missions have played a very important role in the attempt to stop conflicts from being renewed, and they have a very important role in building post- conflict peace and security. This is a new and logical task that has been given to them. The maintenance and consolidation of peace after the end of a conflict requires enormous effort.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“It is therefore important that countries work to reduce military expenditure and focus on economic, social and human development. We have noticed an increase in illegal weapons flows in recent years. Halting that increase will require us to determine the sources of such weapons flows. That is a very important element in any effort to monitor that trade. Weapons exporters are responsible, albeit indirectly, for the exacerbation of conflicts, and particular importance must be attached to the role of arms merchants in exporting such weapons to conflict areas. In this respect, we should consider the role of the sanctions committees of the Security Council in studying these issues so that we can deal with the problem effectively.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“The major reason for the continuation of such conflicts is illicit flows of arms, in particular light weapons, and their distribution and storage. This is a matter that threatens national, regional and international security; the lack of stability has an impact on development in those regions. Some stable parts of the world have begun to achieve significant economic and political progress in the past few years. But in other parts of the world, such progress remains threatened by conflicts. Halting such conflicts and their recurrence remains one of the major concerns of the United Nations. There is no doubt that States have a sovereign right to self-defence, which requires procurement of defence equipment and materiel. However, the interests of humanity require that minimal of resources be allocated to military purposes.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): I should like to express my delegation's satisfaction at seeing you, Sir, presiding over our meeting, and to thank the Malaysian delegation for taking the initiative, during its presidency of the Security Council this month, of choosing the very important issue of the disarmament and reintegration into society of ex-combatants. There is no doubt that this initiative indicates the importance that you attach to this issue, Mr. President, and the importance of the role of the United Nations in addressing it with a view to maintaining international peace and security. The international community suffers as a result of the persistence of conflicts, which have led to destabilization and insecurity in many parts of the world.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“The delegation of Bahrain took part in the adoption of resolution 1239 (1999), on the humanitarian aspects of the situation in Kosovo, and bearing that resolution in mind, we recommend that we give priority to the future of refugees and displaced persons who, in the final analysis, are the legitimate population of the province of Kosovo. By voting in favour of the resolution today we have reaffirmed that position, because we could not contemplate a settlement of the situation in the province at a time when its own population has been displaced.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“Their houses and farms have been demolished and burned and their identity cards have been taken from them. Will they return to their own territory to live in temporary tents and again be refugees and displaced persons? This is indeed a tragedy, whether created unwittingly or purposefully by the Belgrade authorities, which will have consequences for a long time to come. It is discouraging to know that some refugees and displaced persons from Bosnia have still not yet returned to their homes and territory. Joint international efforts must therefore be made quickly to ensure that refugees and displaced persons from Kosovo can return to their homes, and priority must be given to that issue before a decision is taken on a political settlement in Kosovo.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“That violence was given its harshest expression in Kosovo, especially since some of those who perpetrated it continue to hold sway and are thus able to persist in their abusive violence. The resolution adopted today establishes rules and regulations for the withdrawal of Serbian troops from the province of Kosovo under the supervision of an international security and civil presence. But we should not forget that the substantial international efforts that gave rise to this resolution should, in the final analysis, guarantee the return of refugees displaced from their homes, who represent over three quarters of the population of the province. This is outrageous. In our view, the urgent question is where, when and how these displaced persons will return.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“Mr. Buallay (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic): In adopting this resolution on the situation in Kosovo, the Security Council today finds itself at a historic turning point. Through this action the Council is conferring the international legitimacy necessary to settle this situation, which is both tragic and complex. The members of the Security Council have followed with great concern the entire series of events that have taken place in that Province, beginning with the Kosovo Serbs' deportation of and commission of acts of violence against Kosovar Albanians. The burnings, rapes and other acts of violence recalled recent events in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which perhaps gave the Serbian forces harmful experience of all forms of violence.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“In keeping with this appeal we call upon Council members to adopt this draft resolution by consensus so that this humanitarian assistance that is so necessary to the refugees can be given to them and so that their situation can be improved pending their return to their homes.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“They are what is necessary to resolve the problem of refugees. International organizations have a great deal of experience in this field. The points contained in this draft resolution are as follows. It appeals to States and organizations to contribute resources to help the refugees, facilitating the delivery of assistance and helping the refugees return to their homes after the crisis is over. This humanitarian draft resolution that is now before the Council, while being a simple, caring resolution that does not invite controversy, nonetheless deals with a humanitarian tragedy which has caused the displacement of a large proportion of the Kosovo population.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“The draft resolution was the result of various consultations and was discussed today. The humanitarian efforts are particularly cited in this draft resolution, the purpose of which is two-fold. One goal is to draw the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe occurring in Kosovo today, a catastrophe that has led to the displacement of thousands of people. The second goal is to make it possible for the Council to review the situation in Kosovo from the humanitarian perspective and to make humanitarian concerns fundamental to the consideration of the military and political aspects of the situation when the Council is ready to do so. The elements contained in the draft resolution are the same as those found in other United Nations resolutions and in non-United Nations resolutions.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“So the total number exceeds 1.5 million people out of a population of two million. This seems to be a way of ridding Kosovo of its population, of destroying its politics, culture and religion. I don't think we need to go into the military and political factors that have caused this situation in Kosovo, but these factors cannot be separated from the humanitarian crisis. Therefore there is a need for us to try to redress the humanitarian situation - the displacement of the population - and to help the refugees. The situation of a refugee, whoever he may be, touches our hearts. It is in view of this humanitarian situation that the delegations of Malaysia and Bahrain took the initiative to submit a draft resolution. It has achieved consensus in the Council and in the caucus and other groups of Member States outside of the Council.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“The Serb authorities in Belgrade have started to act with the same ferocity as they did in Bosnia, and this has led to the displacement of a large number of people in the region. We are concerned that, as in Bosnia, there are various forms of displacement in this tragic situation unfolding in Kosovo. There are people who have gone to live in the mountains and people who are lost in various areas. Others are scattered throughout the region. Others still are in border areas waiting for the chance to emigrate. And there are those who are refugees in neighbouring States and States yet further away. If one wishes to cite figures, according to United Nations sources there are more than 840,000 displaced persons within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and more than 700,000 outside that territory.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source