YouSaid · the spoken record

Churkin

lines on the record: 3,923
first: 2006-05-16
most recent: 2017-02-02
sittings or episodes: 536
sources: un-security-council

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“We are convinced that identifying new priorities or areas of peacebuilding should be based on specific results in the field. Attempts to agree on common or general approaches in peacebuilding are being undertaken. For example, in September a contact group on the rule of law was established between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and United Nations Development Programme. We hope that the United Nations Secretariat will inform us on the activities of the mechanism. The idea of transition pacts also needs some preliminary analysis. A particular role in the coordination of peacebuilding support for post-conflict countries lies with the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“Those activities come with considerable challenges and complexities and call for the coordinated efforts of States, United Nations funds and programmes, regional organizations, the United Nations Secretariat and international financial institutions. To date, however, international assistance has, for the most part, been fragmented. Clearly, there is a need to improve coordination and the division of labour between the participants in those processes and a need to systematize the peacebuilding processes, including enhancing the efforts of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. The compilation of the United Nations experience and analysing it would be extremely useful for the adoption of decisions in the area of peacebuilding and for enhancing its effectiveness.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“A particular role here must be played by United Nations funds and programmes. Many factors in conflicts are regional in dimension. They include organized crime, inter-ethnic or inter-tribal frictions, drug trafficking, and the transboundary spread of weapons, which call for appropriate reactions from the international community. Peacebuilding assistance is not limited only to the activities that I have mentioned. The nature of conflict is diverse, and therefore assistance in eradicating the causes, so that measures can be more effective, must be tailored to each country, taking into account the unique nature of each. In the United Nations, through peacekeeping operations,thePeacebuildingCommission(PBC) offices and the PBC country configurations, a great amount of peacebuilding effort is under way.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“Core responsibilities for addressing those tasks rest with the national judicial mechanisms. However, United Nations support can be provided in building the requisite capacities. The end of the critical phase of a crisis that was rooted in a conflict between political forces or national or sectarian groups does not yet mean that the process of national reconciliation is on track. Consolidating achieved outcomes can take many years and require the international community to take additional efforts by providing mediation services or assisting in electoral processes. In the post-conflict phase, it is important to take into account more than just political aspects, in that assistance in economic development, addressing urgent social challenges and job creation are critical factors in mitigating political contradictions.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“An absolute priority in this sense must be compliance with the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of post-conflict countries, as well as the identification of national peacebuilding responsibilities and priorities. A lead role in meeting those responsibilities must be played by the Government of the country concerned. An important priority in peacebuilding is assistance in restoring security in countries where national armies or police are not able to fully carry out their functions. In such cases, assisting in the reform of the security sector, programmes of demobilization, reintegration and disarmament as well as demining are crucial. Closely related to that is the need to restore the rule of law in post-conflict countries.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank the Secretary-General for his briefing on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict. We have carefully considered the relevant report (S/20l2/746). We would specifically like to thank the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, Mr. Momen, for his productive chairing of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2012. There is no doubt that, in order to be effective, peacebuilding support must be provided in a timely and adequate fashion and must be focused on addressing those tasks that are directly related to eradicating the root causes of the conflict.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“The idea of dividing the sanctions list pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) between Al-Qaida and Taliban was reflected in resolutions adopted two years ago, and guides the international community towards adopting more flexible and targeted approaches. It is important in that respect that the practice of using sanctions against individuals and entities involved in terrorist activities continue to be based on a case-by-case approach and on compliance with relevant procedures, which would not allow for simplified or more collective exemptions of persons on the list. ISAF must play an ancillary role in national reconciliation and its actions must be agreed by the Government of Afghanistan. We advocate strengthening the central coordinating role of the United Nations in international civilian efforts in the context of the Afghan settlement.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“We anticipate that the activities of the High Peace Council will lend additional impetus to that process and help to strengthen national unity in Afghanistan. We are not opposed to contacts with opposition groups that are prepared to adhere to the three well-known principles of recognition of the Afghan Constitution, ending violence and breaking ties with Al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations. We have seen an increase of such contacts recently, and we believe that it is unacceptable for the peace dialogue to include those who feature on Security Council sanctions lists. Ongoing, effective support for the Council's sanctions regime is of the utmost priority as an important tool for countering terrorism.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“We believe that drug production in that country threatens international peace and stability, and in that context the activities of the CSTO - including the counter-narcotics Operation Canal - are especially important in countering the Afghan drug threat. The proposals that have been put forward repeatedly by the CSTO and the CSO to ISAF and NATO with respect to counter-narcotics cooperation and coordination in the Afghan context remain valid. Putting an end to illegal drug trafficking would above all be a major contribution to the fight against international terrorism, which is reliably sustained and financed by the drug traffic. The process of national reconciliation could have a considerable impact on easing the situation in Afghanistan.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“Particular support should be provided to the position, first articulated at the Kabul regional conference, concerning enhanced regional cooperation, including by implementing the agreed confidence-building measures, as well as efforts to develop strategies for the sustainable development of Afghanistan after 2014. Urgent problems persist with respect to the illegal drug traffic in Afghanistan. Effective measures must be undertaken to physically destroy drug crops and laboratories, curb the supply of precursors to Afghanistan, and include drug lords on the Security Council's sanctions list.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“We are convinced that the restoration of its neutral status would serve to strengthen regional stability and cooperation and help to establish an atmosphere of trust and good-neighbourliness in relations between Afghanistan and its neighbours. The regional dimension is extremely important with respect to the situation in Afghanistan. We stress the useful efforts for stabilization and economic development being taken by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (C80) and the Dushanbe Four, comprised of Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. We welcome the decision taken at the June summit of C80 leaders in Beijing to accord Afghanistan observer status in that organization.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“In that context, we cannot conceal our concern about the possible spill-over of extremism into the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States that are neighbours of Afghanistan. Furthermore, we have questions with respect to the intention to maintain a foreign military presence in Afghanistan after 2014. Will that not have a destabilizing impact on the situation in the region? Will it not become a factor for disturbance to the local population, be exploited to consolidate the armed opposition and give rise to further extremism? We need the maximum possible transparency in that regard. We have repeatedly emphasized that we see the future of Afghanistan as a sovereign, self-sufficient and prosperous State.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“At the same time, the security situation in the country remains challenging. Heavy civilian casualties continue to be incurred in armed hostilities. Unfortunately, the international military presence is responsible for some of these. Additional measures must be taken to minimize civilian casualties. Much remains to be done in enhancing the preparedness of the Afghan National Army and Police. Failing that, it will be extremely difficult to ensure Government control throughout the country's territory. We note the problem of the feasibility of an accelerated, time-bound transfer of responsibilities from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Would it not be more appropriate to first report to the Security Council on the implementation of the mandate it has issued?”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Mr. Jan Kubis, for his substantive briefing and for his work as the Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). We listened closely to the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Ambassador Tanin. Indeed, Afghanistan is entering a crucial phase in its development, one that calls for new efforts, based on what has been achieved, from the people and Government of Afghanistan and calls as well for increased support on the part of the entire international community. The April 2014 elections will be an important milestone that will require meticulous and comprehensive preparation, including with the support of UNAMA.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“Efforts to that end must be undertaken on the basis ofthe principles ofconsistency and reciprocity and in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We call for intensified dialogue between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the continuation of the Six-Party talks. We hope that the next round of talks between Iran and the IAEA on the so-called proposed investigation will allow the two sides to conclude work on a document on modalities and to begin practical activities on that basis as soon as possible. In cooperation with its partners, Russia shall continue to strive to achieve progress towards a settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.”
2012-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6888 (2012) · source
“We remain convinced that the effectiveness of the sanctions regime, and of the collective and united activities of the international community as a whole to settle the situation of Iran's nuclear programme, are undermined by unilateral restrictions applied in parallel. In a number of cases, they are extraterritorial in nature, which is categorically unacceptable under international law. With respect to ensuring the implementation of sanctions, we stress that the 1737 Committee has received no reports recently of any implication of Iran in the illegal trafficking of conventional weapons, as noted in the midterm report of the Panel of Experts. Russia has consistently called for a political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, and believes that there is no alternative to a negotiated solution.”
2012-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6888 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Ambassador Nestor Osorio, for his briefing on the work of the Committee. We note the high professionalism and effectiveness of the leadership of the Chair and the Colombian delegation as a whole. Under the Colombian chairmanship, the Committee has acted in a balanced and objective manner and has not overstepped its mandate. That must continue in the future. We thank the Committee's Panel of Experts for its concrete assistance. The Russian delegation has always believed that the Panel must work impartially and independently and be guided in its conclusions and evaluations only by reliable and objective information. Russia fully upholds all Security Council resolutions concerning Iran.”
2012-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6888 (2012) · source
“We are prepared to continue to give our regional partners effective multifaceted assistance in areas in which they show an interest.”
2012-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6882 (2012) · source
“At the same time, it is necessary to coordinate the efforts of regional and subregional organizations with the appropriate support from the international community. An important role in that context must be played by the United Nations. It is obvious that its experience and expertise on this issue will be required on a broad range of issues, from countering terrorism to implementing socioeconomic programmes. In that regard, we welcome the appointment of such an eminent political figure as Romano Prod as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sahel. The Russian Federation and the countries of the Sahel are united by close traditional ties of mutually advantageous bilateral and multilateral cooperation.”
2012-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6882 (2012) · source
“This urgent problem must continue to be the focus of our attention. To try to close our eyes to it, justifying it with the infamous political correctness, would only exacerbate the situation; we would be giving up on the search for solutions. An absolute imperative is strict compliance with the arms embargo regime against Libya introduced by resolution 1970 (2011), which remains essential, and measures to prevent weapons flows from Libya, including man-portable air defence systems, under resolution 2017 (2011). The fact that there are supplies of chemical weapons in the country gives further urgency to these problems. We are convinced that a vital role in dealing with these problems in the Sahel must be played by the countries themselves.”
2012-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6882 (2012) · source
“Unfortunately, in the Malian capital there are still clashes among the political forces. The basis for a settlement of the internal crisis lies in the launching of a broad national dialogue aimed at the restoration of the constitutional order. A key role belongs to the Malians themselves. It is therefore our view that the general situation in the region today is such that it is essential to step up efforts to deal with other conflicts as well. The people of the Sahel continue to feel the consequences of the Libyan crisis, which to a large extent served as a catalyst for the current developments in Mali. The exodus of the Touareg into the Sahel and the leakage of a huge amount of weapons has become a critical factor in the destabilization of the situation in general, and has led to the unraveling of the situation in Mali in particular.”
2012-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6882 (2012) · source
“We, like other international partners, are especially alarmed by the fact that, in northern Mali, the lead role is now being played by blatantly extremist forces who are not hiding their ties to terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaida. Terrorism has become a significant factor affecting general security. Any sustainable solution to the problem in northern Mali will be political in nature. We are encouraged by emerging signs of the start of negotiation contacts between the representatives of the transitional authorities and some groups. At the same time, an essential condition for talks must be the severing of all ties with terrorist organizations and the recognition of the territorial integrity of the country. It is our View that any military operation in the north must be seen as a last resort.”
2012-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6882 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): For the past 18 months, we have followed developments in the Sahel with alarm and concern. We see there an increasingly clear manifestation of a whole host of destabilizing factors - arms flows, terrorist and drug threats, separatist tendencies, severe internal conflicts and a grave humanitarian and socioeconomic situation - and they are continuing to get worse. We are especially concerned by the crisis in Mali, which has become a serious challenge for neighbouring States. It has created a credible threat to the stability and security of the entire region and far beyond.”
2012-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6882 (2012) · source
“For the next six-month report to the Council, we call on the President of the ICTY to provide an extended individual timetable for the prosecution of each case, with a roster of daily activities. We will be prepared to consider extending the terms of permanent judges and ad litem judges only upon consideration of these timetables. We also intend to strictly link all decisions on the Tribunals' future budgets to the deadlines set in resolution 1966 (2010).”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“It is our firm intention to seek completion of the work of the ICTY in accordance with the deadlines set down in resolution 1966 (2010), focusing on the following measures. According to the report of the Board of Auditors, to date the ICTY has not provided a consolidated plan of action for finalizing its work under resolution 1966 (2010). That plan should be prepared as soon as possible and submitted to the Council. Moreover, the Tribunal needs additional administrative support in the form of independent experts. As one possible option in that context, we note the experience of the Special Court for Sierra Leone which was assisted by an independent expert, Judge Antonio Cassese, who provided an alternative assessment of the situation of the Special Court and a number of useful recommendations for improving the quality of its work.”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“Justification of our criticism is confirmed by data from the recent report of the United Nations Board of Auditors on the ICTY (A/67/5/Add.l2), which is now is being analysed by the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. The Auditors have calculated that the average time of one trial in the Trial Chamber is four and a half years. That is unprecedented in criminal justice. In the light ofrecent events, there is no way that the Tribunal could be exonerated on the basis of its high standards of justice. The ICTY should take a lesson from its confrere, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which is now managing to wind up its work within the prescribed timetable. Its standards are just fine.”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“Once again, no justification has been provided for the various scenarios put forth to convince us that the ICTY should once again extend its existence, in volition of resolution 1966 (2010). An obvious example of the absurdity of such developments is the appeal in the case of Prosecutor v. Jadranko Prlic' et al.. Very recently here in the Council, the President of the ICTY assured us that the trial would be completed in 2016. Its completion has now been delayed to 2017. It therefore turns out that the innovative technologies for litigation do not reduce but rather extend the existence of the ICTY. In that vein, we are convinced that ifthe ICTY so desired, it could draft a decision by which a legally correct method could be used to transfer the Prlic' appeal to the Residual Mechanism.”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“In that case, witnesses were subject to unabashed acts of blackmail and intimidation, all in an atmosphere of full impunity alongside a pandering international presence in Kosovo. The resulting killings and torture undoubtedly took place, yet there were no perpetrators. Both of the referenced verdicts of the ICTY discredit the idea of international criminal justice. Faith in the possibility of restoring peace through the dispensation ofjustice has been substantially undermined. Such actions of the ICTY only generate mutual distrust among peoples across the former Yugoslavia. In that situation, a legitimate question arises: how to deal with the ongoing requests of the ICTY for indefinite extensions of the terms of its judges?”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“We were surprised at how blithely, even carelessly, a three-to-two voting result quashed a unanimous trial verdict, justified by many years of investigation, in the case of two Croatian generals who were indicted on charges of crimes against humanity, including war crimes, mass killings and the repression and deportation of the Serbian population. As a result, the question of the identity of the party guilty of hundreds of killings and the exile of a quarter of a million Serbs from their homes remains open. In that case, justice was not done. As was stated in the dissenting opinion of one of the judges, a reversal from a conviction to an acquittal is at odds with any notion of justice. A similar assessment is merited by the acquittal in the case of Prosecutor v. Ramush Haradinaj et al..”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): Russian has always defended and will continue to defend the interests of international justice, including fairness, impartiality and honesty. Recent events concerning the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), together with the report of the Tribunal (see S/2012/592) containing requests concerning the format and methods of the Tribunal's future work and its Residual Mechanism, are of deep concern to my delegation. In its work, the ICTY has been neither fair nor effective. We perceive only an excessive self-regard.”
2012-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6880 (2012) · source
“The outcomes of such events must be strengthened and increased. We believe that the efforts of Special Adviser Mr. Benomar to work with the Yemeni political forces are significant. We look forward to such ongoing effective work in order to address the urgent tasks continuing to face Yemen.”
2012-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6878 (2012) · source
“Irrespective of the grounds, such crimes must be robustly and wholly condemned. Double standards cannot be applied as justification. The Yemeni Government faces challenges, including the ongoing fighting against Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, overcoming the tragic humanitarian crisis, eradicating poverty and unemployment, ensuring the provision of basic services for the population and assisting refugees and internally displaced persons. At the same time, the Government must rapidly implement an entire range of socioeconomic reforms. That is now critical. Regional organizations and the international community must play a significant role in these efforts. The third and fourth ministerial meetings of the Friends of Yemen, held in Riyadh and New York in May and September, respectively, were fruitful.”
2012-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6878 (2012) · source
“Political differences in Yemen must be replaced by the careful and coordinated work of all actors to address all urgent issues in the country. Ensuring security continues to be an urgent matter. We firmly condemn the terrorist act by unknown persons in Sana'a on 28 November, which caused the death of the military attache of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and his bodyguard. The perpetrators and masterminds of that attack by bandits against the staff of a foreign diplomatic mission must be duly held to account and the immunity of diplomatic and consular staff guaranteed, in strict compliance with the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The tragedy in Sana'a again clearly demonstrates the essential fact that there are no good or bad terrorists.”
2012-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6878 (2012) · source
“To avoid that scenario, we must strengthen external political and moral support for the political process in the Republic of Yemen in order to make it irreversible. We welcome the resolution, with the assistance of Special Adviser to the Secretary- General for Yemen, Mr. Benomar, of the quota issue regarding participants in that key exercise. At this critical juncture, the Yemenis must unite around President Mansour in order to successfully implement the necessary political and socioeconomic changes and, above all, to draw up and adopt a new constitution and to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014 in line with that constitution. In that connection, we welcome the news of the signing late last month of the presidential decree establishing the Supreme Commission for Election and Referendum.”
2012-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6878 (2012) · source
“We note the efforts of Sana'a to move the political transition process forward, with the primary provision in the short term being the convening of the National Dialogue Conference. Russia is ready to continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Yemeni authorities in carrying out that task, in the context of ten observer countries monitoring the National Dialogue and ensuring the implementation of the intra-Yemeni agreement on the peaceful transition of power. We are actively strengthening contacts with the leaders of the main political forces in the country, in particular in the south, and urging them to be more flexible and cooperative. It is critical that the fragile balance of political forces in Yemen not be interrupted on the eve of the conference.”
2012-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6878 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): There continues to be a great need for consolidated work on the Yemeni settlement with the active involvement of the United Nations. It demonstrates the advantages of a comprehensive engagement model in which outside players pursue a coordinated policy and send identical signals to the parties to the conflict, preventing them from worsening the confrontation, while at the same time not imposing recipes for solutions. As a result, the settlement ofmany issues on the domestic political agenda is considerably less painful. In analysing the situation in Yemen, we welcome the policy of the country's leadership of implementing the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Riyadh transition agreement of 23 November 2011 on the peaceful transition of power.”
2012-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6878 (2012) · source
“In order to improve it, the EU must ensure that EULEX delivers better and that it be much more demanding of the Pristina authorities, which are currently taking a passive stance. In conclusion, I should like to urge the international presences in Kosovo, whose unity was mentioned earlier by Mr. Zarif, to take coherent action aimed at the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999).”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“We have often mentioned the pitiful condition of the province's Orthodox churches, which have been vandalized and whose clergy have been attacked. This problem requires closer attention. The stabilization of the situation in Kosovo is a long way off. This has also been confirmed by the report of the European Union (EU) auditors, who have noted the unsatisfactory results of EU assistance to Pristina in the rule-of-law area. The document underscores the fact that the results are limited and insufficient given the objectives of the EU, the efforts made and the financial resources used. According to the auditors, the situation regarding the rule of law in Kosovo remains unsatisfactory.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“We would like to draw the Security Council's attention to the fact that criminal proceedings have been reopened in a case regarding the participation in the murder and torture of civilians of one of the leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Mr. Limaj. The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is acting on the basis of the Security Council's mandate, and it bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of security in the province. Any change to its function and format must be approved by the Council. We hope that NATO will recognize the potential implications of the transfer of responsibilities from KFOR to Pristina law- enforcement structures for the safety of the Orthodox monasteries in the south of the province, and we hope also that it will take preventive measures in order to avert further inter-faith and inter-ethnic clashes.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“The international presences in Pristina should step up their efforts to develop inter-ethnic dialogue and to build trust, without which prospects for a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo are unrealistic. Oil has also been poured onto the fire by the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia on the Croatian generals. The promotion of radical elements clearly will not promote inter-ethnic reconciliation across the whole of the former Yugoslavia, including Kosovo. We look forward to the results of EULEX's investigation of the cases identified by Dick Marty, of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, concerning organ trafficking.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“A difficult inter-ethnic situation has arisen recently in Brdjani, in the northern part of Kosovo Mitrovica. On 19 November, it degenerated into an exchange of fire, started by the Kosovars in response to protests by the Serbs against the non-consensual building of homes for Albanians. It seems to us that the Kosovar Albanians are striving to change the ethnic makeup of the population and to squeeze the Serbs out of the northern part of the town. The consequences of this are unpredictable. We underscore that the adoption of any decision regarding the north of Kosovo should take into account the views of the local Serbian population. We urge Mr. Zarif to give a fundamental assessment of the situation and to take an active stance in line with his mandate.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“The difficult situation in the province is illustrated by the problem of the return of refugees; there has been no progress towards finding a solution in that respect. According to the report of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Kosovo, only 22,200 out of 235,000 Serbian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have tried to return to their former homes, and only 4,000 of those have remained. There has been an increased drain of Serbs from the province to other regions of Serbia. Another egregious phenomenon is the pillaging of homes earmarked for IDPs, the seizure of property and damage to religious and cultural heritage sites. There is a widespread practice of unjustly accusing returnees of having been involved in crimes during the period of conflict in the 1990s.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“Another source of concern is Pristina's attempts to establish control over Serb-populated districts of Kosovo. The fact that Pristina opened a municipal administration in northern Mitrovica has provoked new incidents. That also pertains to the practice of the Kosovo police of detaining cars with number plates issued in Serbia, a practice that has been supported by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). It also pertains to the ban on the use of Serbian driver's licences. There are serious problems with respect to the freedom of movement of Serbians in the territory of Kosovo. It is unacceptable for those actions by Kosovo Albanians to be allowed by the international presences, which should clearly be guided by their mandates. Their activities should be status- neutral.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“In that regard, we are concerned by the cut in funding to the Mission's administration in Mitrovica. We view the launching of dialogue at the highest political level between Belgrade and Pristina, and the negotiation process as a whole, as a viable instrument for stabilizing the situation and for the political and diplomatic settlement of controversial issues, including the protection of Serbian cultural and religious heritage sites in the province. Dialogue is the only instrument capable of solving the thorny problems in the province, including in northern Mitrovica. We are concerned that the situation in Kosovo remains highly tense. There has been no decrease in inter-ethnic incidents, some of which were mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“Resolution 1244 (1999) remains fully in force and legally binding in terms of any international basis for a Kosovo settlement. In that context, we note the decision of the participants of the so-calied International Steering Group that was set up to bypass the Security Council in order to implement decisions that have not been approved by the Council. What we are referring to here is the Ahtisaari plan on the completion of the period of controlled independence of Kosovo, which is merely a political curiosity. No one entity is in a position to take a decision in place of the Security Council. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) should remain the main international presence in Kosovo and should carry out its work fully in the province.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): My delegation would like to thank Mr. Zarif for presenting the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (S/2012/818). We welcome the participation of Mr. Ivan Mrkic', Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, in today's meeting and agree with his assessment. We have closely followed the statement of Mr. Hoxhaj and note his carefully selected comments and references to Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). In discussing the legality or illegality of the events in Kosovo we need to bear in mind the illegality of a unilateral declaration of independence. Russia's position of non-recognition of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo remains unchanged.”
2012-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6872 (2012) · source
“We deem unfounded the prevailing opinion that the so-called penholders have some kind of right to always take the floor first when discussing relevant issues. In our opinion, that is justified only when they are introducing draft decisions to the Council and therefore representing them. In all other cases, discussions should be more informal and there should be no so-called mentoring. In conclusion, I wish again to underscore that no innovation to improve the transparency of the work of the Security Council should harm its effectiveness or decrease its efficiency. Dialogue on this important topic requires a balanced, professional approach without politicization of the substance of the topic being discussed.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source
“A current challenge is to further improve the effective forms and methods of dialogue between the Security Council and the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, other United Nations structures, regional organizations and international partners. We must develop the practice of holding effective consultations between members of the Security Council and countries that contribute troops to peacekeeping operations. We advocate a reasonable increase in the number of open debates of the Council, while recognizing the great importance of closed consultations. The Arria Formula can play a useful role in that regard. We are convinced that the aim of improving both the transparency and the democratic nature of the Council would be furthered by a better division of responsibilities of the informal leadership of the so-called penholders.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source
“To that end, we have established the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. We commend the efforts of the Portuguese chairmanship, under whose leadership the work of the Working Group has taken on a new dynamism. With its specific nature, we note that the Working Group is systematic in its work and undertakes appropriate, constructive interaction with all interested delegations of the Members of the Organization. We believe that improving the quality of the Council's interaction with other United Nations bodies on issues beyond its remit is a key area for improving its working methods.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source
“Sanctions measures, in particular scenarios in which force is used to settle conflicts, should only be employed when all possibilities for the peaceful settlement of disputes have been exhausted, the threat to international peace and security is clear and a decision to make use of Chapter VIII is supported as broadly as possible by members of the Council. I repeat that all of these are important topics, but in our view they do not fall within the rubric of the working methods of the Council. Of course, the fundamental provisions of the Charter pertaining to the right of veto do not pertain to the working methods of the Council. In order to make the Security Council more effective and reflective of the realities of our time, we must work painstakingly to improve its working methods.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source