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 share that concern. Our colleagues know of our reservations regarding the initiatives under discussion in the Council in terms of various topical subjects, in particular generic issues. We believe that the Council should focus on country-related topics and on issues where it must and should take specific decisions. We also understand the concern as to whether the Council uses Chapter VII of the Charter too often in imposing sanctions, which have, of course, clear humanitarian implications, to put it mildly. We would like to underscore that the Russian Federation is in favour of the Council using the tool of preventive diplomacy and of its investing in measures aimed at the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Fuller and broader use should be made of the provisions of Chapters VI and VII.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source
“The Council's procedures are constantly evolving, as can be seen from the information contained in the statement just given by the Chairman of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, Ambassador Jose' Filipe Moraes Cabral. In order to improve and change the work of the Security Council, we must seek to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its functioning with regard to its task of maintaining peace and security. That is the Council's primary responsibility. In the discussion on the Council's working methods, broader topics have often been raised, namely, how successfully and appropriately the Security Council manages to cope with the tasks conferred upon it by the Charter. We sometimes hear the Council criticized for infringing on the prerogatives of other United Nations organs.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We attach particular importance to today's debate on the working methods of the Security Council. The fact that it is being held in an open format for the fifth year in a row now shows the unswerving attention that the Council pays to Member States' proposals on improving the procedural aspects of the work of the Council, with the understanding that the working methods themselves and any potential possible modifications to them are the responsibility of the Council itself. That is a very sensitive issue in the context of the reform of the Council, and discussion on that topic should not be subjected to populism.”
2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source
“We trust that they will review their positions. We are closely following the new hotbed of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. In our opinion, the nature and scope of the problem is different. What we are seeing there are mainly acts of armed robbery close to the coastline. We hope that the mobilization we have seen of regional efforts with the necessary international assistance will assist in preventing the escalation of the threat.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“Overall, we are satisfied by the work they have done on this issue with the support of the various United Nations structures, above all UNODC. However, in spite of the importance of prosecuting the perpetrators of pirate attacks, the focus now is on identifying and neutralizing key actors in the pirate industry. Doing that would be a blow to the very heart of piracy. Without the masterminds and financial mediators, the piracy business model would collapse. In order to tackle that problem, we need to enhance legal mechanisms for combating corruption and financial malfeasance, including the legalization of criminal proceeds. In that regard, we favour the introduction of targeted sanctions against pirate leaders. However, that proposal still does not enjoy full support from some members of the Council.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“We share the conclusions of the London Conference on Piracy and Somalia and the Istanbul 11 Conference on Somalia, namely, that an approach is needed that brings together efforts in the areas of development, strengthening national anti-piracy capacity and establishing the rule of law. An important part of that work continues to be ensuring the effective prosecution of pirates and their accomplices. We have also noted some positive steps in that regard. It is important that the international community be fully aware of the fact that, without tackling the problem of impunity, it will be impossible to fully eradicate piracy. We welcome the willingness of States in the region, including Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya and Tanzania, to intensify cooperation in this area.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“Hostage-taking for ransom on land has become more common. All of that indicates that it would be premature to scale back international efforts in this area. In that regard, Russia supports a one-year extension of the powers to implement all the necessary measures to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, including in its territorial waters. We intend to continue to provide naval forces in the Gulf of Aden, working in close coordination with other Stats and regional organizations. There is no doubt that tackling the problem of piracy must be comprehensive in nature.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“Coherent efforts by States have also proven to be effective, in particular efforts by Russia and regional organizations to patrol shipping lanes and fend off pirate attacks at sea. Self-defence measures by the maritime industry have also been helpful. We call on all international partners involved in anti-piracy efforts, including the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, to work together in that regard. Nevertheless, in spite of the successes, Somali piracy remains robust. The situation could go awry at any point. Pirates are shifting their focus onto parts of the Indian Ocean that are more difficult to control. Many piracy groups have turned to new sources of criminal proceeds.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“Proceeds from hostage ransoms often go to fund other types of criminal activity, including that associated with extremists. Piracy is often a further destabilizing factor that serves to exacerbate situations in areas of conflict. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has continued to be a major scourge in recent years, to such a degree that its negative impact has begun to affect the interests of virtually all States - effectively becoming global in character. The efforts of the international community under the auspices of the Security Council have led to positive changes in the region. In our view, a set of factors are at work in that regard, above all improving the situation on land. In that connection, stabilizing the situation in Somalia is playing a role.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to the delegation of India for its initiative in holding a meeting of the Security Council on the issue of combating piracy in the context of maintaining international peace and security. We are also grateful to Mr. Eliasson for his briefing. The Russian Federation is concerned about increasing piracy activity in recent years in a number of regions of the world's oceans. We favour finding a long-term solution to the problem. Piracy threatens the safety of navigation, as well as other types of economic activity at sea. We are all familiar with the staggering statistics demonstrating the sheer scale of the losses inflicted by piracy on the global economy annually.”
2012-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6865 (2012) · source
“Russia is in favour of the full implementation of thie resolution by all countries, bearing in mind the complex and long-term nature of its requirements. We welcome the start of work of the new group of experts of the 1540 Committee. We expect that its composition will be completed in the coming weeks and that it will be able to assist the Committee fully. It is important for the Committee to continue to prioritize matters of assistance to States in implementing resolution 1540 (2004), acting as a coordinator of the relevant efforts of the international community. For our part, Russia will continue to play an active role in its efforts, including with regard to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in cooperation with members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“It is equally important to improve the effectiveness of the sanctions mechanisms, which are totally dependent on States' compliance with their own obligations in this area. I take this opportunity to underscore the fruitful and highly professional work of the Monitoring Team of the 1267 (1999) and 1989 and 1988 Committees. An important challenge for the international community is preventing all opportunities for weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and associated materials from falling into the hands of terrorists. A key international legal instrument for implementing this is resolution 1540 (2004), which guides States in strengthening national non-proliferation monitoring and control systems.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“However, the practice of using sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in terrorist activities must continue to be based on an individual approach with respect for appropriate procedures. The expanded powers of the Ombudsperson on delisting, set out in resolution 1989 (2011), and the new procedure for considering applications for delisting have ensured an optimal level of transparency in the Committee's procedures. On the eve of the adoption of the new sanctions resolution on Al-Qaida in December, it will be important, when considering further improvements to the procedures, not to engage in populism and not to have the Committee fulfil functions that were not mandated to it, but rather to focus on preventing the fundamental principles and effectiveness of its work from being undermined.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“Al-Qaida has no intention of leaving Afghanistan and cutting its ties with the Taliban. It is present not only in the eastern part of the country, but also elsewhere. We can discuss whether the agendas of those organizations differ or not, but it cannot be denied that relations and interactions among them involving terrorism remain. We cannot fail to focus attention on the active participation of Al-Qaida in the events of the Arab world, where a breeding ground is being created for them. In those conditions, the sanctions listing of the 1267 and 1989 Committee must appropriately reflect the threats posed by Al-Qaida, which, in the light of recent events in the Arab world, have in no way decreased. We support the proposal to include new names provided by Member States on the list.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“The visit showed that Russia remains at the forefront of international efforts to combat terrorism and has significant experience that may be transformed into best practices in that area. We are prepared to share our experience with our partners. It is our hope that the changes made in June 2011 to the sanctions regime of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), whereby the anti-Taliban component was removed, and to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) will help to promote national reconciliation in Afghanistan. It is still difficult to assess the impact of that reform. Taliban activity is increasing. It remains difficult to make a clear distinction between exponents of Al-Qaida and pure Taliban, despite their individual statements.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“Early this year, we heard the most recent briefing to the CTC by the representative of that Meeting. We should maintain that practice. We commend the role of CTED in providing assistance to the CTC. Resolution 1963 (2010) renewed the Directorate's mandate, which assigns important tasks to that structure, while requiring the whole of CTED, including its leadership, to deliver fully. Russia will endeavour to enhance dialogue with the Executive Directorate in order to significantly strengthen its capacity. Russia also intends to foster closer cooperation with potential donors, develop cooperation with international regional organizations and expert groups of the Council's committees, and continue the practice of CTED field missions. We commend the October visit by CTED experts to the Russian Federation.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“In that regard, we attach particular importance to implementing Council resolution 1624 (2005), focusing on preventing terrorism, limiting the range of terrorist activities, and combating the spread of terrorist ideology and violent extremism and the use of media and the Internet for terrorist purposes. We support strengthening of the CTC's contacts with international and regional organizations in order to expand the network of counter-terrorism cooperation under the auspices of the United Nations. We note the close and regular contacts of the CTC, as well as the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1540 (2004), with the Meeting of Heads of Special Services, Security Agencies and Law-Enforcement Organizations on terrorism-related issues, which was initiated by the Russian Federal Security Service.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“We expect that the reform of the main assessment mechanism of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - namely, the preliminary implementation assessment - and improving the working methods of its Executive Directorate (CTED) following its country visits will help the CTC to fulfil its mandate more effectively by complementing the implementation efforts of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the work of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force in that area. At a time when various regions of the world are undergoing transformation, it is important to prevent both the radicalization of certain populations and the triggering of sectarian or inter-religious clashes.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“Double standards or designating terrorists as either good or bad - any and all attempts to justify such barbaric acts by saying that they appear to target military goals - are unacceptable. In View of the current situation, it is more important than ever to strengthen the central role of the Security Council in the counter-terrorism sphere by bolstering collective efforts to combat terrorist threats. In that regard, the work of the Committees and the strengthening of cooperation among them play a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of the Council's contribution to the fight against global terrorism.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We thank the Permanent Representatives of Germany, India and South Africa for their briefings on the work of the Council's subsidiary committees. Despite the best efforts of the international community, terrorism remains one of the main threats to international peace and security. We are reminded of that by the never-ending terrorist attacks in the Middle East, the Sahara and the Sahel, which every day take the lives of innocent people, including children. We firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of the targeted location, be it Libya, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else. Furthermore, we expect our partners to also condemn unequivocally the global scourge.”
2012-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6862 (2012) · source
“Serge Brammertz, the Prosecutor ofthe Tribunal in The Hague, against contact with organizations of relatives of Serbian and Croatian Victims of the Balkan crisis also raises questions. Such failings must be eliminated.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“We are opposed to overburdening the European integration agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina with the activities of the Office. The right to define future integration, like the right to control the general direction of the processes of reform, belongs to the Bosnians themselves. In conclusion, the Russian Federation supports a solid international reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in that context, favours an impartial investigation ofevery crime committed during the 1992- 1995 conflict. We are compelled to conclude, however, that, for reasons that are unclear, both the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Bosnian judicial bodies prefer to prosecute Serbs. The demonstrable bias of Mr.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“It is essential that we stop ignoring the fact that for a number of years now the overall situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been fairly stable. We should therefore look at the prospects and think about how to reconfigure the international presences in the country for the future. It is important that we increase efforts to end the external protectorate, which has run out of resources, as embodied in the Office of the High Representative, and abolish the Bonn powers as soon as possible. For now, the Office should be reorganized to assist in implementing the five objectives and two conditions, as well as in removing any legal clashes that might have been created by the High Representative's imposition of restrictions on policies and appointments in the area of extra-judicial administration.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“We consider the creation of a strengthened European Union (EU) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be another step towards winding down the Office of the High Representative. In that context, we welcome the divisionoftheresponsibilitiesoftheHighRepresentative and the EU's Special Representative. A prerequisite for the work of those two international presences in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be precise compliance with their mandates. They must not encroach on each other's responsibilities, and they should certainly not duplicate each other's functions. While not a participant in the European Union Force-Operation Althea, Russia supports certain goals of its mandate relating to providing security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and cooperating on training personnel in the Ministry of Defence and the country's armed forces.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“We agree with the importance of amending the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to bring it into line with the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights on the Sejdie-Finci case. A compromise is possible in that regard through a continuation of the dialogue. That said, there can be no possible agreement with the expanded interpretation of the European Court's decision and the attempts to use it as a pretext to review the entire Dayton architecture. In August, the Bosnian sides submitted separate draft constitutional amendments that reflected the verdict to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliamentary Assembly. Their subsequent fate depends on the ability of members of Parliament to agree on a decision.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“The leadership of the Republika Srpska is clearly raising the question of the necessity of arriving at an agreement with the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on issues concerning the reform of the country and cautioning against violating the practice of consensus, including when making decisions about matters of foreign policy. We support them in their View that Bosnia and Herzegovina's existence is untenable if those principles are not observed. We welcome the suspension of the Office of the Brcko Supervisor on 31 August according to the schedule decided at the May meeting of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council. That is a result of our joint efforts. We consider that decision to be a first step towards winding down the Office of the High Representative.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“We are seeing continued cooperation between the Bosnian governing party and opposition on general Bosnian affairs on the basis of a strict approach to upholding the Dayton Accords and the legitimate interests of the Bosnian Serbs. We note the importance of the signing by the President of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and the head of the Bosnian Social Democrats Zeljko Komsie on 31 October of a cooperation agreement that maps out compromise solutions to a number of socioeconomic issues, as well as to issues in the areas ofjustice and the functioning of the administrative apparatus.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“In that respect, we are in favour of abolishing the Office of the High Representative and, to that end, returning to the implementation by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council of the five plus two programme. Like any other issue of vital importance to the future of the country, outstanding problems within that framework must be resolved by the Bosnians themselves on the basis of consensus between the three constituent peoples - the Bosniaks, the Serbs and the Croats. In that respect, we are encouraged by the continued internal Bosnian dialogue. Unlike the Bosnian Federation, the situation in the Republika Srpska is stable.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“We agree that the situation in Bosnia over the past six months has deteriorated somewhat. That has happened in the light of the deteriorating relationships between the two leading Bosniak parties, which could have an impact on stability not just in the Federation, but throughout the country. But let us not overdramatize the situation. It is important that the local elections of 7 October took place for the most part in a calm environment and without significant violations. The main task of the international community in the current phase of the Bosnian settlement process is to transfer responsibility for the fate of the country to the Bosnians themselves.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We listened with interest to the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Inzko. Regrettably, his report to the Security Council is again written in alarmist tones and is critical of the Bosnian Serb leadership (see S/2012/813). To create a more balanced impression of the processes under way, we recommend that he familiarize himself with the eighth report of the Republika Srpska to the Security Council, in which the dedication of the Bosnian Serbs to international law and the letter of the Dayton Accords is clear. Russia supports the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is eager to see its institutions function normally and sustainably while complying with the principle of the equality of the three constituent peoples set forth in the Dayton Peace Accords.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“Accordingly, the crime of aggression cannot occur without an act of aggression by the State. Under the Charter of the United Nations, which is the most universal treaty with primacy over all other international treaties, the power for determining the existence of an act of aggression belongs to the Security Council. Unfortunately, the Kamapala compromise does not fully take into account the powers of the Council. The International Criminal Court is young and needs broad support by States. It must live up to the trust placed in it. The extent to which it can work in a mature and balanced way and find its own place in the international system will determine whether it can become a truly universal organ of international criminal justice.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“In that context we note that it is inadmissible to dilute the fundamental criteria whereby the Council may exercise its Chapter VII powers only if there is a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression. An important matter for the International Criminal Court is the question of including it its Statute the crime of aggression. The Kampala compromise is understood in various ways by States and experts. We have concerns about the Court exercising jurisdiction with regard to the crime of aggression in the absence of any definition of the crime of aggression by the Security Council. The crime of aggression has a clearly pronounced political character. It is always committed not only by individuals, but by political leaders under the power of their Government.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“Moving either too fast or too slowly in this matter can lead to complex consequences with regard to prospects for finding a peaceful settlement. It is clear that persons guilty of particularly serious crimes under international law must be brought before the Court. We believe that the primary role in carrying out that task, in the light of the Court's jurisdictional complementarity, is to be played by the national judiciary. Under the Rome Statute, for a situation to be transferred to the International Criminal Court, and for an investigation to be suspended, a decision by the Council is required under Chapter VII of the Charter.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“The accumulated experience shows that the Security Council's referral of a case to the International Criminal Court often gives rise to serious political and legal consequences that do not lead to any straightforward solution. On the question of issuing warrants, there is a question of States' cooperation with the Court. In particular, resolutions 1593 (2005) and 1970 (2011) did not establish a legal framework for appropriate obligations of States not party to the Rome Statute. The resolutions left out the question of the immunity of high officials. Meanwhile, in the absence of a direct instruction, Security Council resolutions do not abrogate the norms of general international law on the immunity of heads of State in office. A careful analysis is required on how to choose the time for the Council to refer a case to the Court.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“Given that interrelationship, when a situation is simultaneously before both the Council and the International Criminal Court, it is particularly important to achieve a harmonious combination of measures to restore peace and steps to ensure accountability for crimes, especially crimes committed during a conflict. It is no easy task to achieve a proper balance between the interests of achieving peace and punishing the guilty. While it is important that the Court independently conduct its functions in the criminal-legal sphere, its activities must be carried out in the light of common efforts to settle crisis situations.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“Since the establishment of the International Criminal Court in 2002, issues relating to its work have appeared on the Council's agenda. Today the Council considers those issues on a regular basis, recognizing the great potential of the Court in the area of international justice. In discharging its mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security the Council must address the fight against impunity. It has acquired solid experience in that area, including its establishment of ad hoc tribunals and its participation in setting up other judicial organs having international elements. With the appearance of the Court, the Council now has a serious new tool with which to achieve that goal. In that sense, the Council and the Court must interact within the framework of their respective mandates and with mutual respect.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“The Council makes an extremely important contribution to developing the system of international relations based on the rule of international law. That means that the Council itself must serve as an example in strengthening the authority of international law. It is extremely important that decisions by the Council rely on the provisions of the Charter and take into account the rules of international humanitarian law and universally recognized human rights standards. The Council cannot afford to take hasty decisions that are not well founded or to manipulate Chapter VII of the Charter. It cannot allow irresponsible actions, dictated by short-sighted interests, to lead to the disintegration of the entire system ofinternational law.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank Guatemala and its Minister for Foreign Affairs for having taking the initiative to convene this Council meeting on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security, with a special focus on the interaction between the Security Council and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in ending impunity. We would also like to thank the Secretary-General, the President of the ICC and the representative of the Office of the Prosecutor for their statements. Owing to its role and mandate under the Charter, the Security Council has a special part to play in strengthening the legal foundation of international relations.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849 (2012) · source
“The problems due to the many years of civil war have been compounded by natural disasters, including recent flooding in the central part of the country. For our part, we intend to continue to actively participate in strengthened efforts by the international community to provide comprehensive assistance to Somalia, including humanitarian assistance.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“There have been increasing reports of contacts between the pirates and Al-Shabaab. Given that, the Somali authorities have increased responsibility to implement efforts to eradicate piracy within the framework of their road map obligations. Specifically, we anticipate immediate steps to adopt a range of anti-piracy laws and remove other obstacles to prosecuting pirates. One of the key components of a comprehensive anti-piracy strategy remains the fight against impunity. That problem will only be resolved by establishing at the regional level an effective mechanism for the criminal prosecution of pirates, with international participation. There is serious concern over the humanitarian situation in Somalia.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“It is therefore necessary that Member States, especially those in the region, strictly comply with their obligations under the sanctions regime with respect to Somalia. In that light, it must be borne in mind that one of the channels of that activity is smuggling and the far-flung business activities of extremists in Somalia itself. For the first time in recent years, there is evidence of a downturn in piracy activity along the country's coast. That is a result of the well-coordinated actions of the international community to put an end to the pirate threat. However, the problem remains acute. The pirates are shifting their focus to areas beyond the safe corridor and waiting out this period unfavourable to them. Taking hostages for ransom has created a new source of criminal income, including for refinancing piracy operations.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“In that connection, it is also important to promptly disarm and reintegrate the Al-Shabaab members there. While the security situation continues to be far from calm in Somalia, the African Union's Mission in Somalia continues to be one of the key levers for normalizing the situation. The process of providing United Nations support for AMISOM. must be sustained and must take into account the progress in stabilizing the country and gains in terms of quelling Al-Shabaab. At the same time, prospects for the peaceful development of the country also require further strengthening of the Somali Security Forces, who will ultimately have to assume full responsibility for internal security once AMISOM. departs. We are concerned about the persistent flow of illegal weapons into Somalia and financial support for Al-Shabaab.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the military successes of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the National Security Forces, which could be seen specifically when they pushed the extremists out of Kismayo. However, opponents of the stabilization still maintain considerable firepower and, in seeking to retain their influence on the ground, are regrouping their forces and shifting to terrorist tactics and guerilla warfare. Considerable areas still need to be cleared of extremists, who have dug in, including to the north of Kismayo and south of Mogadishu. Even in Kismayo itself, restoring order will require considerable effort, above all from the Somalis themselves. There is a similar situation in other liberated areas, and stabilization in those areas must be one of the priorities of the country's leadership.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“To maintain the momentum of the peace process, the new authorities need to mobilize political will and domestic resources. They need to immediately complete the formation of the executive branch, determine priorities for the development of the country in the post-transition period, including the implementation of the outstanding tasks under the road map, and begin to implement them without delay. The close cooperation of the signatories of the road map and the strengthening of the engagement between the international community and the Somali authorities are critical conditions for achieving success. There continues to be the daunting task of subduing Al-Shabaab, without which stabilization in Somalia will not be possible.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. Augustine Mahiga, for his briefing on the situation in that country. We were pleased to see the completion of the transition period in Somalia and the implementation of a number of important political tasks, including the designation of a Prime Minister. All of that lays the foundation for strengthening stability and gives important impetus to the political, social and economic development of the country. Progress on the implementation of the Somalia end-of-transition road map affords a certain optimism with respect to the prospects for further normalizing the situation in Somalia and reaffirms the aspirations of its people to put an end to years of internecine warfare and disintegration.”
2012-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6848 (2012) · source
“Russia's approach to dealing with Syria is unchanged. Violence, whatever its origins, must cease. The Action Group's Geneva communique remains current and necessary. We call on all clear-thinking parties to work together on the basis of consensus in order to arrive at a settlement without delay. The Syrian authorities have publicly voiced their support for the Geneva agreements and have appointed a negotiator. We await similar steps from the opposition. We expect that they will follow after the upcoming meeting in Doha. In that regard, our hopes lie with the mediation capabilities of Mr. Brahimi and his team, as well as the sincere, constructive involvement of regional and international actors in the quest for a rapid and unconditional end to the bloodshed in Syria. That is our shared and primary task.”
2012-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6847 (2012) · source
“We cannot but be perturbed by the unending bloodshed in that country. Among the armed opposition, the impact of those forces using the bloodiest means - acts of terror and attacks on peaceful citizens - grows ever louder and more frequent. The most recent examples are the terrorist acts in Aleppo on 3 October, in the suburbs of Damascus on 9 October, and the massacre of the civilian population in the villages of Al-Heydariya and Al-Hassaniya, near Horns. Support for the fighters from abroad is not only continuing but, based on everything we have heard, seems to be growing. Illegal shipments of arms have been sent, and the world media are increasingly talking about the presence, in the opposition's ranks, of mercenaries, trainers and jihadists linked to Al-Qaida and other international terrorist networks.”
2012-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6847 (2012) · source
“In the past few years Palestinians have received Russian humanitarian financial support for education and health amounting to three tranches of $10 million each. We are continuing our tradition of financial assistance to the Palestinians in education, whereby Palestinian students receive 150 Government stipends annually. More than 500 students are currently studying in Russia. This year, we plan to open a middle school for Palestinians in Bethlehem. In addition, Russia is providing food aid to Palestine through the World Food Programme and in 2013 will make a one-time voluntary contribution of $2 million to the budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. It has become a tradition during meetings on Middle Eastern issues to discuss the situation in and around Syria.”
2012-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6847 (2012) · source
“Our support for Palestine and its participation in the work of international organizations is well known. We therwfore believe that initiatives to gain broad international recognition of Palestinian statehood, including in the Security Council, the General Assembly and the specialized United Nations bodies, dhould be seen as complementing the efforts to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict with Israel, rather than serving as an alternative. They should absolutely not be used by the Israeli side to turn the screws on the occupied territories or put any other pressure on the Palestinian Authority, and that call also applies to the other actors in the area of Israel and Palestine. Alongside its political and diplomatic work, Russia will continue its efforts to provide the Palestinians with donor assistance.”
2012-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6847 (2012) · source
“Both sides must show restraint and respect the ceasefire. In such a fragile situation, when simply maintaining the status quo cannot prevent the eruption of new crises, the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations must be resumed. In that regard and in close cooperation with the League of Arab States, the Quartet must step up its efforts. We believe it would be a mistake not to convene a ministerial meeting of that group on the sidelines of the general political discussion at the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly. Another important aspect is the restoration of Palestinian unity. Without concluding that process, based on the platform of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, arriving at a full Palestinian-Israeli settlement, let alone putting it into practice, is impossible.”
2012-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6847 (2012) · source