YouSaid · the spoken record

Chidyausiku

lines on the record
29
first
2003-03-12
most recent
2008-07-11
sittings or episodes
3
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un-security-council

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  1. “They expressed the view that Zimbabwe is not a threat to regional peace and security, and therefore the Security Council should yield to the mediation efforts of both SADC and the African Union. It follows therefore that the adoption of the draft resolution would be in disregard of Africa's own position. Trying to impose a solution from outside would be unfair to Zimbabweans, to SADC and to the African Union. Zimbabwe's problems can be solved by Africans working together. It is our fervent hope that members of the Council will not support the draft resolution, which seeks to involve the Security Council in a purely bilateral dispute between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  2. “Adopting the draft resolution would set a dangerous precedent and only serve to undermine the ongoing dialogue between the political parties, risk worsening the political and socio-economic situation in the country and affect other countries in the region. Furthermore, it is, in our opinion, not the role of the Security Council to certify national elections of Member States, all the more so where they do not produce an outright winner. Zimbabweans have a right to choose their own leaders. It is also important to point out that the seven African leaders who attended the G8 summit stated that sanctions were not the way forward to resolve the political impasse in the country.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  3. “In line with his mandate from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and supported by the African Union, President Mbeki was in Zimbabwe over the weekend to consult with President Mugabe and the political parties in order to chart the way forward on the current situation in the country. We are of the view that any other separate initiatives on that matter would be counterproductive and serve to undermine the role of SADC and President Mbeki. In view of the aforementioned, today's draft resolution is a clear abuse of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter as it seeks to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe under the pretext that the country is now a 3 threat to international peace and security simply because the elections held did not yield a result favourable to the United Kingdom and its allies.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  4. “Zimbabwe fully welcomes the recent African Union resolution and would like to assure members that the people of Zimbabwe are willing to engage one another in an effort to resolve their problems. It is important to remember that reconciliation is not a new concept to Zimbabwe. When Zimbabwe obtained its independence in 1980, it was faced with a situation in which it had to mould a nation out of two liberation movements and the forces of Ian Smith's regime. As the Council is well aware, it performed the task extremely well and confounded many prophets of doom. In view of that, we are confident that, with the support of our neighbours, we will once again succeed in reconciling Zimbabweans.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  5. “In fact, in his inauguration statement, President Mugabe reached out to the opposition and said that it was now imperative for the nation to look forward to the future with a sense of unity. He called on all political parties in Zimbabwe to enter into a comprehensive inter-party dialogue sooner rather than later in order to enhance unity and cooperation among Zimbabweans. He emphasized that such dialogue was important in resolving the socio- economic and political challenges currently prevailing in Zimbabwe. The President emphasized that the country has to move forward in unity, regardless of diverse political affiliations, united by a sense of common vision and destiny for a prosperous Zimbabwe.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  6. “It is surprising that this movement of our people to neighbouring countries in search of economic opportunities due to the impact of sanctions is what this Council is expected to endorse as a threat to international peace and security. That would be the first time that the movement of a people seeking economic opportunities elsewhere is used as a basis for a sanctions resolution under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. By attempting to coerce Zimbabwe into a certain form of behaviour through the force of sanctions and isolation, the West has actually created an aggrieved 08-41947 nation. The current sanctions against Zimbabwe are basically an expression of imperialist conquest and no amount of propaganda or denial can ever wish that away. Political dialogue is ongoing between the contending parties in Zimbabwe.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  7. “Recently, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that his Government was working on a new sanctions regime to suffocate the ZANU-PF Government and give birth to an MDC-T Government. In addition, we have heard the European Union and the United Kingdom promising millions to Zimbabwe in the event that a Government of their choice is in place, meaning that the current one is under sanction. We reiterate that sanctions against Zimbabwe have put the economy under siege and are affecting the vulnerable groups and general population. Many of our people are moving into neighbouring countries and beyond in search of greener pastures.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  8. “We are, however, astounded by some Western Powers that are pushing to add more sanctions on Zimbabwe following President Mugabe's re-election. Zimbabwe has been under sanctions enshrined in the United States' so-called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001, which instructs international financial institutions to block aid to Zimbabwe and to deny it debt cancellation. The European Union-imposed sanctions of 2002 have resulted in the economy's underperformance and have brought much suffering to the people of Zimbabwe. There has been an eight-year blockade of balance-of-payments support and lines of credit, but the world is made to believe that President Mugabe's economic policies have precipitated the economic problems.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  9. “It is important for the Council also to note that only 10 per cent of the country may have witnessed some form of violence, while 90 per cent of the country has not been affected. The violence that unfortunately took place does not justify the submission of today's draft resolution before the 08-41947 Council. Let the international community not be gullible about the political machinations of the opposition in Zimbabwe. We would want to assure the Council that the cases of those people who have claimed to be victims of political violence will be investigated by the Government of Zimbabwe. Already, most of the culprits from both parties, including criminal gangs, have appeared before the courts and the law will take its course.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  10. “Unfortunately, because of the decision we took, the British and their allies have used their media to viciously portray Zimbabwe as a lawless, disorderly and undemocratic country. We have been haunted in all forums, including the Commonwealth, the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly's Third Committee and now the Security Council. The root cause of the crisis, land ownership, is lost in the hype about so-called human rights violations, a subject far easier to sell for propaganda purposes. To us, the ferocity of the anti-Zimbabwe campaign and today's draft resolution underscore what is at stake - our independence and future. There have been adverse reports on inter-party violence that have been overdramatized in the media to justify the withdrawal of Mr. Tsvangirai from the presidential run-off poll.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  11. “Let me begin by reiterating the fact that Zimbabwe, a country at peace with itself and its neighbours, poses absolutely no threat to international peace and security and should therefore not be a focus of this Council. In view of that, the situation in Zimbabwe does not warrant the adoption of a Security Council resolution under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Zimbabwe has been a victim of incessant meddling through several measures, including declared and undeclared economic sanctions, merely because the Government embarked upon a process of equitable distribution of land after the former colonial Power, under a Labour Party Government, reneged on its responsibilities stipulated in the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979.”

    2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source

  12. “I must emphasize that failure to address the demand side of the small arms and light weapons plague is likely to render all our other efforts nothing more than an exercise in futility. It is our fervent hope that the Council will remained seized of this matter and continue to encourage practical steps in support of the Secretary- General's recommendations.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  13. “In conclusion, if our goal is prevention, that is, curbing further international small arms proliferation by way of strengthening the international capacity to monitor and suppress the flow of small arms and light weapons, our endeavours must tackle both the supply and the demand side of the equation. In other words, a holistic approach is needed, which addresses the causes driving the demand for arms, such as poverty and social deprivation. International action to address small arms and light weapons proliferation should not be a substitute for coherent foreign and international policies to promote economic development in the developing world. Our gathering today should not provide a pretext to avoid tackling the underlying causes associated with poverty, unemployment and socio- economic exclusion.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  14. “Some of the projects essential for successful DDR programmes include the following: the provision of small-scale credit to returning female ex- combatants and refugees, to facilitate their reintegration into the community; the integration of demobilized soldiers into the economic and social reconstruction process through support for small scale projects that provide income and employment opportunities; funding for vocational training and promotion of micro-enterprise for demobilized soldiers; and support national programmes for reintegration counselling and referral services. In the case of the SADC, the international community's support of the Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre should be unwavering. The centre provides training for army and civilian police personnel who participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  15. “The integration into our Programme of Action of the Secretary General's recommendation that the Council strengthen the financing of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes (DDR) will enhance the preventive measures already in place. Zimbabwe and, indeed, most of its neighbours that waged wars of national liberation know the importance of well coordinated and funded DDR programmes.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  16. “In accordance with the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms, Zimbabwe is in the process of establishing a regional point of contact on small arms and light weapons. Also in line with the increasing focus on the importance of strengthening strategic export and import controls, Zimbabwe has taken steps to ensure that its import controls conform to the highest international standards. Zimbabwe's municipal laws pertaining to firearms and ammunition provide a range of interesting learning points. We have a Central Firearms Registry, which acts as a database for civilians who own firearms. The security ministries are in the process of developing guidelines for undertaking a national review of firearms legislation.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  17. “The Protocol reflects priority needs that relate to the following: the coordination of procedures for the import, export and transit of firearms shipments; the standardized marking and identification of firearms at the time of manufacture, import or export; transparency and information exchange; and measures promoting legal uniformity and minimum standards relating to the manufacture, possession, import, export and transfer of firearms and ammunition. At a national level, Zimbabwe does not manufacture small arms, nor does it have a national coordination agency designed to deal specifically with small arms and light weapons. However, there is an existing mechanism of interaction and cooperation between appropriate ministries and State agencies in the field of arms control and disarmament and the politico-military dimension of security.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  18. “In the past, Zimbabwe has played an active and influential role in this area, especially at the 2001 United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and its associated preparatory committees. Zimbabwe signed and ratified the SADC Protocol on Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials in August 2001, which provides a useful model for other regions when considering the implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  19. “Relying on its philosophy, which is best described by the adage "cooperation is better than competition", SADC has developed a well-coordinated framework to effectively combat armed trans-border crime and curb the flow of small arms and light weapons. SADC has established the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization, which acts as the regional database for information associated with the flows of small arms and light weapons. The harmonization of basic criminal law relating to drugs and small arms trafficking has also been a priority area. This has been linked to the training and education of the judiciary to encourage tougher sentencing for firearms offences.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  20. “In Southern Africa, a growing number of issues that know no borders, such as smuggling and trade in small arms and light weapons and drugs, demand a coordinated regional response. The Southern Africa Regional Action Programme on Light Arms and Illicit Arms Trafficking is guided by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit decisions of August 1999. On the issue of prevention and combat of illicit trafficking in small arms and related crimes, the SADC Summit noted that conflicts in the SADC region over many years led to a proliferation of arms, including light weapons. This, in turn, contributed to an increase in criminal activities, such as armed robberies, illicit trafficking in small arms, drug trafficking, money laundering and carjackings.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  21. “Failure to actively participate in today's open debate, which addresses one of the most acute problems of our times, the scourge of small arms and light weapons, would be a dereliction of duty on my part. We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. As noted in the Secretary-General's report on small arms of 31 December 2003 (S/2003/l2l7), which provides the basis for our meeting today, small arms have acquired the less than enviable role of being one of the main vehicles of violence and social instability in many developing countries. My delegation welcomes the report's recommendations on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms as well as the call for the Council to strengthen the financing of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes.”

    2004-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4896Resumption1 (2004) · source

  22. “An immediate declaration of war would be interpreted to mean that the United Nations cannot function as a diplomatic body capable of problem- solving, much less of upholding international law. It is therefore incumbent upon us to exhaust all the untried options for diplomacy.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  23. “Resolution 1441 (2002) is about the disarmament of Iraq, not regime change in Baghdad. There are other serious threats to international peace that demand the urgent attention of this Council. These include the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa, where, in some cases, we are losing 3,000 people a week. Is it not disturbing that, while the coffers of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria - established to address this pandemic - are empty, there are some Members in our midst that can afford tens of billions of dollars to deploy forces of 300,000 in the region? In conclusion, let me also associate myself with the observation that war against Iraq would be the ultimate failure of the United Nations.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  24. “Sobered by the devastation and loss of life caused by the Second World War, the founding fathers accepted the resolution of disputes through peaceful means as the cornerstone of a new world order, and in this regard the forum for diplomatic consultations provided by the United Nations represents the essence of this new order. It is for this reason that my delegation urges the Security Council never to allow itself to be hijacked or put to use by a few individual States that, in order to settle their private and parochial national interests, want to convince us that a war against Iraq is in the interest of international peace. Let the inspectors pursue their mandate to its logical conclusion; only then can we review the situation in the light of their findings.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  25. “United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) status reports have not found Iraq in material breach of resolution 1441 (2002). With both Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei in agreement that Baghdad is proactively supporting the inspectors by encouraging its scientists to accept private interviews, allowing reconnaissance flights and destroying the Al Samoud 2 missiles, we find it mind- boggling that some States have the audacity to request the Council to abandon the tried and tested diplomatic road map for war. The United Nations was founded in 1945 to advance, among other things, our shared interest in peace and security, human rights and economic development. Over the years, the United Nations has, with unwavering resolve and passion, pursued these goals.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  26. “During Zimbabwe's presidency that year, the United States demonstrated before the Security Council that Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was a violation of international law which could not be allowed to stand and won support for a binding embargo against Iraq oil sales as an incentive for Baghdad's withdrawal from Kuwait. When Iraq failed to withdraw, the Security Council then called for the use of all necessary means to eject Iraq from Kuwait. I must reiterate that force was used only as a last resort. Following in those footprints made in the sands of time, we have before us the road map for the peaceful disarmament of Iraq, clearly laid out by resolution 1441 (2002). It is the bounden duty of the Security Council to support the inspectors, whose mandate, by the way, is not fault-finding, but verifying Iraq's disarmament.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  27. “We reiterate our commitment to the fundamental principles of the non-use of force and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and security of all Member States of the United Nations." This bold statement for peace by the 116 member States that constitute the Non-Aligned Movement is a reaffirmation of one of the Movement's cardinal principles - the settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means. Today there is no higher imperative for the international community than that of fighting to guarantee and consolidate peace. Allow me, secondly, to remind this body that the war against Iraq over its invasion and subsequent annexation of Kuwait was sanctioned by the Security Council under the presidency of Zimbabwe in 1991. It is certainly not because of nostalgia that I am bringing this to memory.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  28. “This observation is also expressed in the Non- Aligned Movement Kuala Lumpur Declaration, in which the heads of State and Government of the Non- Aligned Movement declared: "We are fully cognizant of the concerns expressed by millions in our countries, as well as in other parts of the world, who reject war and believe, like we do, that war against Iraq will be a destabilizing factor for the whole region, and that it would have far- reaching political, economic and humanitarian consequences for all countries of the world, particularly the States in the region.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source

  29. “At the outset, let me associate myself with the congratulations already expressed to you, Sir, on your assumption of the Security Council presidency for the month of March. Allow me also to recognize your predecessor, under whose presidency Council proceedings - as they pertain to the issue of Iraqi disarmament - have become more open and transparent. I have requested the floor for two reasons. First, I want to associate my delegation with the official position of the African Union that unilateral military action against Iraq would not only be accompanied by disastrous consequences, but would also negate Africa's stability and development. For that reason, Africa is against a military solution to the Iraqi crisis.”

    2003-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717Resumption1 (2003) · source