YouSaid · the spoken record

Burleigh

lines on the record: 290
first: 1997-08-14
most recent: 1999-12-03
sittings or episodes: 53
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

“Ogata's commitment to refugees around the world, as well as her dedicated efforts to acquire first-hand information about the plight of refugees and international efforts to assist them. Similar appreciation should go to the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) around the world; they are on the front lines of many crises and I hope that Mrs. Ogata can convey our sincere appreciation to them. Last week, Mrs. Ogata was in Washington for consultations on current refugee emergencies, notably those across the African continent. Prior to that, as she just informed us, Mrs.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“My delegation joins colleagues in expressing our deepest condolences to the people and Government of Morocco on the sad occasion of the death of His Majesty King Hassan II. His many bold and creative contributions to Middle East peace are well known and highly appreciated. I would like once again to welcome Mrs. Ogata to the Security Council Chamber and to thank you, Sir, for organizing this meeting. It is an unfortunate and tragic fact that refugee issues often figure prominently in the complex matters of international stability which daily face this Council. We are therefore always grateful to Mrs. Ogata for her briefings on refugee situations. First, I would like to applaud Mrs.”
1999-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4025 (1999) · source
“In that context especially, the work of the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts should be supported and commended. We look forward to the statements of non-members of the Council, especially those who have had experience in taking practical and effective steps to implement and to sustain, in the context of their own societies and their own histories, the theoretical concepts we are discussing today. And again, I would like to thank you, Sir, and your delegation for holding an open debate on this most important topic. And thank you again for your presence here today.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“It is also a reflection and recognition of the complexity of the challenge faced in such an effort, whether in Central America, in Africa or in Kosovo. Finally, the existence of child soldiers is an unfortunate reality in many of today's conflicts. Such children are subjected to horrors that often have a brutalizing effect on young, fragile psyches. Not only must children be given productive activities to prevent them from turning to violence, but they must be taught that there is another way of life besides that of guns, destruction and mayhem. In my previous assignment I was able, in Sri Lanka, to observe at first hand the complex challenge and difficulty involved in stopping the use of child soldiers once such a practice has begun.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“In order for combatants to be successfully reintegrated, they must be able to find work in other areas of their country's economy. To this end, the United States is pleased to see that the humanitarian segment of the Economic and Social Council in Geneva, which will begin in a few days, will be taking up the subject of international cooperation and coordination in the response to humanitarian emergencies, particularly the transition from relief to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development. The fact that two major organs of the United Nations - the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council - are looking into this matter is an indication of the importance that demobilization and reintegration of soldiers has on civil society in countries racked by internal conflict.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“The United States also supports the United Nations Crime Commission's work on illicit arms trafficking, as well as the European Union's Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers. We will seek to ensure better coordination with the European Union in our respective arms-transfers policies. On the national level the United States has enacted legislation tightening gun-brokering by companies involved in international arms transfers. My delegation would like to draw a distinction between disarmament and demobilization, which we generally view to be under the purview of the Security Council, and reintegration, which we generally view to be a post-conflict peace-building, or development, activity. The reintegration of former combatants into their societies falls into a grey area between the two areas of international assistance: relief and development.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“All of our nations which sell small arms and light weapons, or which are involved in the traffic flow of these weapons, bear responsibility for turning a blind eye to the destruction they cause. We should act together now to curb arms transfers to zones of conflict. To this end I would like to highlight some of the ideas Secretary of State Madeleine Albright advanced during the United Nations ministerial meeting on Africa last year, as well as arms-control initiatives the United States has undertaken at the international and national levels. Secretary Albright has proposed pursuit of a global convention based on the path-breaking Organization of American States convention against illicit trafficking. We should conclude negotiations on the global convention as soon as possible.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“One creative and innovative idea in the area of disarmament of small arms and light weapons came from a trip last year by Under-Secretary-General Dhanapala - who I am happy to see with us today - when he visited Albania, where the Secretariat helped develop an idea to empower local Albanian leaders to collect and exchange arms for local community civil construction projects. In the past, cash-for-arrns programmes have done little to help improve local economies or keep arms from ex-combatants. This new approach of trading local infrastructure for arms may offer an alternative to previous efforts in the field of disarmament. Despite the success of these new initiatives, it is not sufficient merely to collect arms. The international community must also take steps to control the flow of legal and illicit arms to areas of conflict.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“Similarly, the United States is encouraged by the work of the Department for Disarmament Affairs, which held a workshop in Guatemala City in November 1998 on weapons collection and the integration of former combatants into civil society - the experiences of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Colombia. All of these efforts, along with the recent United Nations Disarmament Commission's working paper on practical disarmament, will significantly add to the international community's understanding of this important topic.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“In Sierra Leone, the United States is encouraged by the peace agreement that was signed yesterday in Lome. Securing lasting peace in that war-tom country, however, will not be easy. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations anticipates, I believe, that more than 33,000 combatants will have to be disarmed and reintegrated into Sierra Leonean society before peace can be assured. This is a formidable task. In order to succeed in our future endeavours, we must learn from past experiences and seek innovative ways to make disarmament and demobilization more effective. To this end, we are encouraged by the excellent work of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Lessons Learned Unit which is planning to finalize a report on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration later this year.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“For this reason, we applaud the efforts of Malaysia, as President of the Council, to highlight the important role that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants play in the prevention of further violence and the reconstruction of civil society. The political will of the parties in conflict to abide by a peace agreement and disarm cannot be overemphasized. Without such will, there is little the United Nations can effectively do. Angola is but one glaring and unfortunate example of a potential success that has turned into failure. Despite the United Nations having successfully disarmed and demobilized more than 50,000 ex-combatants of the Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA), their hard fought gains were quickly lost due to a lack of commitment by UNITA to abide by the peace accords.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“It is an honour, Sir, to have you preside over our meeting today, and I thank you for doing so. I also wish to thank the Deputy Secretary-General for her opening statement. The past few years of United Nations peacekeeping have repeatedly reminded us of the brutal and complex nature of today's conflicts. Internal struggles are often coupled with a profusion of legal and illegal arms, thus fuelling ever-greater levels of violence. In the event that a peace agreement is reached between warring factions, the Security Council can and must take active steps to help stem further violence.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020 (1999) · source
“The resolution the Security Court has adopted today is a tribute to their hard work and dedication to the goal of peace around the world.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“You deserve a chance at democracy and a better economic life, as part of the Euro- Atlantic community, with a Government that can lead you responsibly towards these goals without resorting to repression and war. To the people of Montenegro, we commend you for your principled stance, for your pursuit of democracy and political and economic reform in a difficult environment and for your tolerance and composure as you shoulder the heavy burden of sheltering and providing for refugees and displaced persons. On behalf of my Government, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the international envoys and personnel on the ground who have worked tirelessly for peace, for justice, for relief and for protection for the people of Kosovo over the last year and a half.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“In this context, we welcome public assurances by the Kosovo Liberation Army that it intends to abide by the terms of the Rambouillet accords. To all the people of South-Eastern Europe, we say that we will dedicate ourselves to fulfilling the vision of a region that is at peace and integrated fully into the Euro- Atlantic community. We are committed to a robust programme of reconstruction and reconciliation through the European Union's Stability Pact for South-Eastem Europe. To the people of Serbia, we say that now is the time to look to the future and to abandon violence, repression and ethnic hatred. You must begin a journey towards integration into the community of nations dedicated to the principles of international law.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“The United States will work to ensure that the people of Kosovo are given the meaningful self-govemment they deserve, as envisioned in the Rambouillet accords. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has accepted the principles of the Group of Eight foreign ministers and has agreed to withdraw all of its security forces. Only a few will be permitted to return, to perform very specific and limited functions in accordance with the Belgrade principles. All other groups, including the Kosovo Liberation Army, also must end immediately all offensive actions. They must demilitarize as they have agreed, and should turn their energies to building the democratic institutions necessary for their future in the European mainstream. Both sides to this conflict must demonstrate a firm commitment to peace.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“We welcome in particular the reiteration in this resolution of the strong mandate of the authority and the jurisdiction of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia over war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, contained in Security Council resolution 1160 (1998). Indeed, paragraph 14 of today's resolution demands full cooperation with the Tribunal. The Security Council's vote today also sets up a civilian United Nations mission to provide an interim administration for Kosovo. This is a task of great magnitude to which all Member States will need to contribute. It is important to note that this resolution provides for the civil and military missions to remain in place until the Security Council affirmatively decides that conditions exist for their completion.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“This resolution establishes an international security force in Kosovo, which will create a safe and secure environment in which the people of Kosovo can return to their homes and rebuild their lives. NATO has signed a military-technical agreement with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities that specifies the details for the rapid withdrawal of all Federal Republic of Yugoslavia forces from Kosovo and the details of the role and authorities of the international security force (KFOR). The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities have accepted that that international security force, KFOR, will operate with a unified NATO chain of command, under the political direction of the North Atlantic Council, in consultation with non-NATO force contributors.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia must ensure a verifiable and immediate end to violence and repression in Kosovo; must withdraw from Kosovo all its military police and paramilitary forces; must agree to the stationing in Kosovo of an international security presence with substantial NATO participation and unified command and control; must agree to the unconditional and safe return of all refugees and displaced persons and to unhindered access to such persons by humanitarian aid organizations; and must provide credible assurance of its willingness to engage in a political process aimed at the establishment of an interim political framework agreement providing for substantial self- government for Kosovo, taking full account of the Rambouillet accords.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“Today's vote would not have been possible without the resolve and unity of members, the support of our partners in neighbouring States and elsewhere and the courage and commitment of the men and women of our armed forces in putting an end to the humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo and the surrounding region. The resolution addresses all of our key objectives as set out by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Let me reiterate them here.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“Months of death, destruction and forced displacement of Kosovars could have been avoided if, in Paris last March, the Belgrade authorities had joined the Kosovar Albanians in saying yes to peace and no to war. While we welcome Belgrade's agreement to principles for resolving this crisis, we cannot forget the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia' s brutal, pre-planned, systematic campaign of repression and ethnic cleansing carried out against the people of Kosovo in violation of recognized principles of international law. In this resolution, the international community has clearly demonstrated that such policies and such behaviour will not be tolerated.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“In adopting this resolution today, the Security Council takes a historic step in reversing the campaign of terror, brutality and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. This resolution will advance a goal that is shared by all members: the goal of returning hundreds of thousands of Kosovars to their homes with security and self-govemment. The United States is proud to have voted in favour of this milestone in the search for peace and security in Kosovo and the region. This resolution lays out a concrete plan for ending the humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo and building a better future for its people. Regrettably, its adoption comes much later than it should have.”
1999-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4011 (1999) · source
“With regard to the no-fly zones, I associate the United States completely with what Ambassador Greenstock has just said with regard to the rationale for the military action that is taken from time to time by the United States Government.”
1999-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4008 (1999) · source
“While the primary responsibility for meeting civilian needs continues to reside with the Government of Iraq, it is entirely appropriate that the United Nations act to ensure that the benefits of Iraq's oil revenues be directed to civilian needs. We note that the rise in world oil prices has increased the level of available funding in recent months, and we express again our willingness to see the programme expand in response to humanitarian needs. We commend the leadership of the office of the Iraq programme in managing the oil-for-food programme and call upon the Government of Iraq to cooperate fully with the programme during the coming phase.”
1999-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4008 (1999) · source
“The United States has a deep and enduring interest in the welfare of Iraqi citizens living under the regime of Saddam Hussein. We took a leading role in shaping the oil-for-food programme from its inception and note with satisfaction the demonstrable success of this important humanitarian effort. Accordingly, we are pleased to join consensus on today's draft resolution extending the oil-for-food programme in Iraq for a further six-month period. The programme is the largest humanitarian assistance effort in United Nations history, and it has brought about a significant improvement in living conditions for Iraqi civilians.”
1999-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4008 (1999) · source
“In our view, it is essential that this team have unimpeded access throughout its visit. I would like to conclude by reiterating a statement made by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the conclusion of the 6 May meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Eight. She said, "by standing together, as we do today, our nations offer an alternate vision to Milosevic's campaign of terror, tyranny and vicious intolerance. We are united in urging Belgrade to choose a future of integration, can to make that future a reality."”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“My Government is currently building a camp in Fier, Albania, that will house as many as 20,000 Kosovar Albanian refugees. We are working to identify other sites for up to an additional 40,000 refugees. Americans have also opened their doors to these homeless, with the recent arrival of the first of 20,000 Kosovar Albanians for whom we have pledged to provide safe haven. We urge other countries, too, to provide temporary shelter for Kosovar Albanian refugees. We expect that the Secretary-General's humanitarian mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will focus on the destruction in Kosovo. The mission can greatly assist in preparing for the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. The team can also identify the types of humanitarian food and medical assistance that are most urgently needed.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“It is clear how this crisis can be resolved: Belgrade must meet the conditions set out by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the principles of the Group of Eight, agreed to at the Foreign Ministers' meeting in Bonn on 6 May. We remain firm in our resolve to continue to exert pressure on Milosevic and his Government to stop their planned, systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing and to permit the return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes in safety and in security. All of our efforts in Kosovo and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are focused on this objective. The number of Kosovar refugees and displaced persons now exceeds 1 million. Many of the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo have been rendered homeless. The United States has contributed and will continue to contribute to humanitarian relief efforts.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“The United States supports the draft resolution initiated by our Council colleagues from Bahrain and Malaysia. We thank them and express our appreciation for their efforts. Similar thanks go to the other sponsors of the draft resolution. This draft resolution focuses our attention on the urgent issue at hand in Kosovo and the surrounding region: the plight of hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons, and the critical need to assist the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations and workers in their efforts to address this crisis. Slobodan Milosevic is responsible for the humanitarian crisis. It is his campaign of ethnic cleansing, of burning villages, of executing men, women and children and of rape and intimidation that has caused hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.”
1999-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4003 (1999) · source
“And as the world also knows, he triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. Those are the basic facts and the bottom line. We will continue to press the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until it agrees to accept NATO's conditions and the G-8 principles. That is the only way out of this current situation. Again, if NATO is responsible for this, we deeply regret the incident. I have conveyed my Govemment's regrets and sincere condolences to Ambassador Qin, and Secretary of State Albright is conveying the same message to the Chinese Foreign Minister.”
1999-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4000 (1999) · source
“We have no confirmation of the facts at this time. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has opened an investigation of the matter. If NATO was responsible for this incident we are deeply sorry. NATO would never target civilians, and NATO would never target an embassy. But we in this Council must keep our eye on the big picture, and the big picture is this: that one man alone is responsible for this crisis in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and his name is Slobodan Milosevic. NATO is taking action in response to Belgrade's sustained, multi- year, outrageous, unacceptable policies of ethnic cleansing, terrorization and repression of its own citizens in Kosovo. As the world knows, we worked for months and months and months on a negotiated settlement with Mr. Milosevic. He never agreed.”
1999-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4000 (1999) · source
“If adopted, it could only encourage President Milosevic to continue or even to intensify military repression of the civilian population of Kosovo. Furthermore, if adopted, it would damage prospects for a negotiated settlement and make further bloodshed more likely. In short, the draft resolution does nothing to advance the cause of peace in the Balkans, a cause that the international community and the Security Council have worked long and hard to achieve.”
1999-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3989 (1999) · source
“Belgrade, however, has chosen to defy repeatedly the will of the international community. The draft resolution before us today alleges that NATO is acting in violation of the United Nations Charter. This turns the truth on its head. The United Nations Charter does not sanction armed assaults upon ethnic groups, or imply that the international community should turn a blind eye to a growing humanitarian disaster. NATO's actions are completely justified. They are necessary to stop the violence and to prevent a further deterioration of peace and stability in the region. The authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia could quickly bring NATO's actions to a halt by ceasing their brutal attacks against the people of Kosovo and moving to a peace agreement. This draft resolution should be defeated.”
1999-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3989 (1999) · source
“The stability of Albania, of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and of the rest of the region is at stake. These developments justify sustained military action to limit Belgrade's ability to threaten and harm innocent civilians in Kosovo. I want to be very clear about the following. We appreciate very much the enormous contribution the Russian Federation has made to advance the cause of peace in Kosovo and in the Balkans, in particular in the context of the Contact Group. The Group's efforts to uphold human rights and to negotiate an equitable settlement to the crisis have been endorsed on several occasions by this Council. The avenue to peace is clear. In resolutions 1199 (1998) and 1203 (1998) the Security Council laid out the steps Belgrade must take to resolve this crisis.”
1999-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3989 (1999) · source
“Attempts to verify these reports have been obstructed by the Belgrade Government, which has cracked down on independent journalists in Yugoslavia, harassed and expelled international media, and clamped down on independent human rights groups. Even today Federal Republic of Yugoslavia forces are pressing their offensive against civilians, burning and looting, and attacking Kosovar Albanian political leaders. Some 60,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the last round of peace talks began in France, and that number is increasing daily. It stands now at more than 250,000 displaced persons - one in 10 of Kosovo's population. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. Large refugee flows out of Kosovo into neighbouring countries could have a serious and destabilizing effect.”
1999-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3989 (1999) · source
“The United States greatly appreciates the broad support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) shown in the Security Council this past Wednesday and around the world in the past several days. We emphasize that we and our allies began military action only with the greatest reluctance, after all peaceful options had been thoroughly exhausted. By rejecting a peace settlement and escalating its assault on the people of Kosovo - in violation of numerous Security Council resolutions - Belgrade chose the path of war. Belgrade continues to attack innocent Kosovars. We have received disturbing reports that Federal Republic of Yugoslavia forces are using human shields, that non- combatants are being rounded up in large groups and that some are being summarily executed.”
1999-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3989 (1999) · source
“The Kosovar Albanians signed that agreement, but Belgrade rejected all efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution. We are mindful that violations of the ceasefire and provocations by the Kosovo Liberation Army have also contributed to this situation. However, it is Belgrade's systematic policy of undermining last October's agreements and thwarting all diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation which have prevented a peaceful solution and have led us to today's action. In this context, we believe that action by NATO is justified and necessary to stop the violence and prevent an even greater humanitarian disaster. As President Clinton said today, "We and our allies have a chance to leave our children a Europe that is free, peaceful and stable. But we must act now to do that".”
1999-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3988 (1999) · source
“Belgrade's actions in Kosovo cannot be dismissed as an internal matter. For months, Serb actions have led to escalating explosions of violence. It is imperative that the international community take quick measures to avoid humanitarian suffering and widespread destruction, which could exceed that of the 1998 offensive. I reiterate that we have initiated action today with the greatest reluctance. Our preference has been to achieve our objectives in the Balkans through peaceful means. Since fighting erupted in February 1998, we have been actively engaged In seeking resolution of the conflict through diplomacy under the auspices of the Contact Group backed by NATO. These efforts led to talks in Rambouillet and Paris, which produced a fair, just and balanced agreement.”
1999-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3988 (1999) · source
“In resolution 1199 (1998), the Council demanded that Serbian forces take immediate steps to improve the humanitarian situation and avert the impending humanitarian catastrophe. In October 1998, Belgrade entered into agreements and understandings with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to verity its compliance with Security Council demands, particularly on reduction of security forces, cooperation with international observers, cooperation with humanitarian relief agencies and negotiations on a political settlement for substantial autonomy. Belgrade has refused to comply. The actions of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia also violate its commitments under the Helsinki Final Act, as well as its obligations under the international law of human rights.”
1999-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3988 (1999) · source
“As a result of Serb action in the last five weeks, there are more than 60,000 new refugees and displaced persons. The total number of displaced persons is approaching a quarter of a million. The continuing offensive by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is generating refugees and creating pressures on neighbouring countries, threatening the stability of the region. Repressive Serb action in Kosovo has already resulted in cross-border activity in Albania, Bosnia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Recent actions by Belgrade also constitute a threat to the safety of international observers and humanitarian workers in Kosovo. Security Council resolutions 1199 (1998) and 1203 (1998) recognized that the situation in Kosovo constitutes a threat to peace and security in the region and invoked Chapter VII of the Charter.”
1999-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3988 (1999) · source
“The current situation in Kosovo is of grave concern to all of us. We and our allies have begun military action only with the greatest reluctance. But we believe that such action is necessary to respond to Belgrade's brutal persecution of Kosovar Albanians, violations of international law, excessive and indiscriminate use of force, refusal to negotiate to resolve the issue peacefully and recent military build-up in Kosovo - all of which foreshadow a humanitarian catastrophe of immense proportions. We have begun today's action to avert this humanitarian catastrophe and to deter further aggression and repression in Kosovo. Serb forces numbering 40,000 are now in action in and around Kosovo. Thirty thousand Kosovars have fled their homes just since 19 March.”
1999-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3988 (1999) · source
“In this context, we welcome the decision taken by regional leaders and President Clinton at the Entebbe Summit of March 1998 to begin work on the creation of an international coalition against genocide. The United States calls on members of the international community to redouble efforts to limit arms flows to this region of conflict. The United States also calls for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to all those in need and for unrestricted access by the International Committee of the Red Cross to all detainees. All parties must guarantee the safety and security of United Nations and humanitarian personnel.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“Until recently, the Government of President Kabila and other parties have failed to cooperate with United Nations efforts to investigate these abuses. In this regard, the United States welcomes the Congolese Government's recent invitation to the United Nations human rights investigator Roberto Garreton. We are pleased that Mr. Garreton was able to travel to the Congo and we look forward to his report. We urge the Congolese authorities to guarantee continued access for competent international investigators to look into all reported atrocities. All persons who commit or order the commission of grave breaches of international humanitarian law are individually responsible for their actions.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“In particular, my Government is deeply troubled by the ethnicization of this conflict. We are concerned by the apparent willingness of some regional States to collaborate militarily with ex-FAR and interahamwe, known genocidaires. We are also concerned by any developments that encourage insurgent movements, including UNITA, to threaten and destabilize neighbouring States from Congolese soil. Any agreement reached by the Congolese Government, the rebels and external state actors will be unsustainable if an effective means to contain these groups is not found. United Nations investigative reports have pointed towards atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law in the Congo since 1996.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“Direct talks between President Kabila's Government and the rebels are essential to that end. Any agreement must be accompanied by an inclusive national political process and the creation of a mechanism to address both the internal and external security concerns of the Congo and its neighbours. The United States condemns the reported massacres, summary executions, torture, rape and ethnically motivated harassment and detention of civilians taking place in the Congo. We abhor the recruitment of child soldiers, the killing of combatants who lay down their weapons, hate propaganda and other abuses perpetrated by all sides. We remain deeply concerned by the danger of renewed genocide in the region and urge all parties to respect international human rights and humanitarian law.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“The United States fully supports the regional mediation efforts currently underway, particularly those led by the Southern African Development Community, known as the Lusaka process. We continue to encourage these efforts, as well as work being done by the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations to bring about a comprehensive, peaceful settlement. This goal of peace, however, has proven elusive and will require steady, persistent engagement by all. As the war is prolonged, it grows ever more dangerous, leading to consequences that cannot be foreseen. Every leader in the region, and the international community itself, must be seized with the goal of ending the killing now. We believe it is critical that a ceasefire be agreed upon as soon as possible.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“Both the goals discussed - the economic integration of African States into the global economy, good governance, human rights and democratization - and the substantial progress the region has made in recent years could be jeopardized by the growing conflict in the Congo. That is why the United States, among others, has been actively engaged in extensive shuttle diplomacy in support of regional mediation efforts to help end the conflict. Our approach is guided by a set of basic principles: the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the belief that there can be no military solution to the underlying problems of the region; and the belief that the human and humanitarian rights of all peoples in the conflict must be respected.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents one of the gravest threats to peace, stability and development in sub-Saharan Africa in decades. The current conflict in the Congo has led to a deepening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons, impeded the delivery of critical food and medical assistance, and in general hampered international and domestic efforts towards development and democracy. If this crisis widens, the implications for the region and the subcontinent could be catastrophic. In Washington, the United States just concluded a ministerial meeting with representatives of over 40 African countries. Participants agreed on a partnership agenda, a blueprint for the future of United States/African relations and the future of the continent.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“ECOMOG's gallant efforts have restored a semblance of order and security to Freetown following the recent rebel offensive. The international community owes a great debt of gratitude to those troop-contributing nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Mali, which have provided forces to promote peace and restore stability in Sierra Leone. In particular, we commend Nigeria, which has carried a disproportionate share of the burden in defending the democratically elected Government of Sierra Leone. We look to ECOMOG to stay the course as Sierra Leone works towards the settlement of the conflict. We will continue to support Sierra Leone and the Secretary-General's Special Representative as they strive to bring about a lasting and durable peace. The people of Sierra Leone desperately need our assistance and our support.”
1999-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3986 (1999) · source
“We commend in particular the United Kingdom for its leadership in contributing an additional 10 million pounds sterling to assist ECOMOG, and we call on other donors to provide matching funds. Now is the time for current and prospective donors to consider contributing to ECOMOG, either through the United Nations Trust Fund or bilaterally. The Secretary-General's Special Representative, Francis Okelo, has worked tirelessly to promote a peaceful resolution to this conflict. We support his efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table. We regret that the fighting in Sierra Leone has prevented UNOMSIL from carrying out its full mandate. We hope that the slowly improving situation will permit UNOMSIL personnel to rapidly resume their duties.”
1999-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3986 (1999) · source