YouSaid · the spoken record

Cohen

lines on the record: 977
first: 2008-01-22
most recent: 2023-10-24
sittings or episodes: 157
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We also welcome the recent announcement by Prime Minister Al-Mahdi that the Government of Iraq is prepared to help facilitate the repatriation of Iraqi nationals in Syria. The United States will continue to work with its coalition partners on stabilization efforts in north-east Syria to prevent the return of ISIS now that its territorial control has collapsed. Finally, concerning the situation in Idlib, the United States is concerned about the recent increase in shelling by the regime of Idlib governorate, which has spurred the movement of an estimated 20,000 people towards the Turkish border. The United States reiterates its calls on all parties to uphold the Turkish-Russian brokered ceasefire in order to prevent a dangerous escalation of the conflict and a humanitarian catastrophe.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“As long as civilians cannot count on the Al-Assad regime and its allies to allow the United Nations to provide sustained unfettered humanitarian aid to areas under its control, it is clear that conditions are not conducive for sustained and voluntary returns and that the time is still not right for the international community to support reconstruction efforts in regime-held areas of Syria, absent irreversible steps towards a political solution to the conflict. We are also concerned about the increase in IDPs fleeing the last grip of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) as it tries to cling to territory in the middle Euphrates river valley. We thank our partners who continue to provide additional shelter, medical care and crucial food assistance to address the needs of IDPs in places like Al-Hol and across north-east Syria.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“Rukban is only one example of the extreme and challenging humanitarian conditions faced by millions ofpeople throughout Syria. The regime has an obligation under resolution 2165 (2014) to enable the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance by the United Nations and its implementing partners. It is unacceptable that the Al-Assad regime continues to hinder regular access for the United Nations and other relief agencies to eastern Ghouta, Yarmouk and Dara'a.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“First, they should ensure that any planning is coordinated with the United Nations and allow for United Nations monitoring and oversight of movements, ensuring that departures are in line with humanitarian standards. Secondly, they should ensure that IDPs are given access to information about potential departure options and accurate information on conditions, including security, in their preferred place of return. Thirdly, they should ensure that guarantees are provided against arbitrary arrest and detention. Fourthly, they should ensure that a clear explanation is provided of military conscription requirements for IDPs who decide to leave. Fifthly, they should ensure that sustained humanitarian access is facilitated to allow aid to reach those who do not wish to depart Rukban.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“The United States insists that any process to arrange for departures be coordinated with the United Nations and reflect humanitarian principles. To that end, the United States takes note of the receptivity of the United Nations to all efforts that will ease the suffering of those displaced in Rukban, including Russia's checkpoint initiative, as long as those initiatives allow for truly safe, voluntary, dignified and informed departures. The United States looks forward to continuing to coordinate with the United Nations, Russia and other partners to develop a plan to support voluntary and informed returns from Rukban that best address the long-term needs of the population. The United States calls on all parties, including Russia and the Al-Assad regime, to ensure that the following five minimum conditions are met on departures from Rukban.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“Therefore, the United States urges the Al-Assad regime and the Russian Federation to facilitate a new United Nations- Syrian Arab Red Crescent humanitarian convoy to Rukban before the end of March. The Al-Assad regime and the Russian Federation can ensure, if they have the will, that the United Nations can regularly provide unfettered humanitarian assistance to Rukban as long as there are vulnerable civilians at that location. The United States has not impeded and will not impede any voluntary departures and has long advocated for freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout Syria. We remain steadfast in our support for safe, voluntary, dignified and informed departures from Rukban.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“I thank Ms. Ghelani for her briefing and the important work that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and her partners are doing to support the Syrian people. We applaud OCHA's work to facilitate the largest- ever humanitarian aid convoy in Syria during the successful joint United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent delivery from Damascus to the Rukban encampment on 6 February. The United States also salutes the courage and selfless dedication of the humanitarian workers who so bravely carried out the delivery to ensure that life-saving aid reached Syrians in desperate need. While that convoy was successful in achieving its aim of providing immediate support for the Rukban population, that assistance will only sustain the population for approximately 30 days.”
2019-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8471 (2019) · source
“We call for an inclusive political process towards elections where all Sudanese citizens can exercise their rights to the freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly; the immediate release of all journalists, political opposition leaders, human rights activists and other protesters who have been arbitrarily detained; and for the Government of the Sudan to afford those facing charges full access to legal representation.”
2019-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8468 (2019) · source
“We believe the existing benchmarks must be refined to align with the mission's mandate and strategic priorities. Chief among them should be the cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and a mutually acceptable comprehensive political agreement. We await the Organization's strategic assessment and its recommendations on the pursuit of critical benchmarks and indicators ahead of that transition. Again, we urge the Government of the Sudan to end the use of violent measures to address the protests, and to hold all responsible for human rights abuses and violations accountable.”
2019-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8468 (2019) · source
“Rather than taking steps to expand the ability of the security services to target peaceful protesters and opposition, what is needed are steps to create an environment for an inclusive political process that truly addresses citizens' legitimate grievances and that will lead to sustainable peace and democracy in the country. Just over two months ago, the Security Council agreed on a presidential statement (S/PRST/2018/l9) in which it noted some progress in the security situation in Darfur and expressed support for the eventual transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding and development. That expression of support also included a call for clear and achievable benchmarks and indicators to assess progress on critical areas in advance of the eventual exit of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).”
2019-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8468 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her briefing on the latest developments on the ground in Darfur. We continue to evaluate the impact President Omar Al-Bashir's announcement last Friday. We are deeply concerned about the declaration of a national state of emergency, and call on the Government of the Sudan to respect the rights of all individuals in the Sudan, bring an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful protests and seek accountability for those responsible for violations and abuses.”
2019-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8468 (2019) · source
“Any international support for the Government of the Central African Republic should be transparent, well coordinated and consistent with the highest standards ofmilitary conduct and the laws ofthe Central African Republic, including respect for human rights and a commitment to upholding them. It must also be consistent with Member States' obligations under the Security Council sanctions regime concerning the Central African Republic. We look forward to joining tomorrow's meeting with the United Nations, the African Union, the Government of the Central African Republic and other international partners to continue the conversation on how to support the implementation of the peace agreement.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“We look forward to working with other partners as well to support the Government in keeping its commitments under the peace agreement. We are under no illusion that it will be a fast process for this path to become easier, but it is the only path. However, it will be essential that all partners uphold high standards so as to avoid undermining peace and security in the Central African Republic. In that context, we are deeply disturbed by reports of torture carried out by Central African troops and Russian trainers in Bambari. This is completely unacceptable. We urge the Central African authorities to investigate these allegations and hold accountable those responsible, as we have similarly called on them to investigate the murders of three Russianjournalists in August 2018.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“We commend the signatories to the agreement for acknowledging the need for justice and accountability, including the commitment to creating a commission on truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation. We hope such efforts will be built on an inclusive basis, like the Bangui Forum. We also urge all parties to fully support and cooperate with the Special Criminal Court. We are grateful to now have on the Council South Africa, C6te d'Ivoire and Peru - three countries that have had their own truth and reconciliation commissions and know the challenges of such an effort. We expect the Council will gain from their experience and expertise as we address the situation in the Central African Republic going forward.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“In the past several years, we have committed billions of dollars to life-saving humanitarian assistance to help displaced people and refugees build, rebuild and sustain their lives; to capacity-building efforts, particularly in the security and judicial sectors; and to the efforts of the United Nations in support of the long-term peace and stability of the Central African Republic. In particular, we wish to highlight the important language in the agreement pertaining to justice and accountability. For far too long, impunity has protected the perpetrators of the horrors of the past several years. In our view, justice and accountability are essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in the Central African Republic. We strongly support victims in seeking justice.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“Nonetheless, the agreement is built on trust and confidence - trust and confidence among the signatories and the supporting actors in the agreement and, most important, of the Central African people that their leaders will finally put an end to cycles of horrific violence that have plagued the Central African Republic for far too long. Unfortunately, trust and confidence have been in short supply over the past several years. The Central African people are well aware that previous peace agreements have failed to hold. The signatories of the present agreement must fully implement its content to earn the trust and confidence of the Central African people. The United States is deeply committed to supporting the people of the Central African Republic as they work to build a peaceful and prosperous future.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“Just over two months ago, as the Security Council renewed MINUSCA's mandate (see S/PV.8422), the Council was deeply concerned about the sustained levels of violence and insecurity in the Central African Republic and cautious about prospects for long-term peace. Today the Central African Republic is just more than two weeks beyond the signing of a peace agreement between the Government and 14 armed groups. The United States welcomes the efforts of President Touadera and the authorities of the Central African Republic, the commitment of the leaders of the armed groups and the support of regional actors in reaching the agreement. These conversations about the future of the Central African Republic would have been unimaginable just last year.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“I thank Commissioner Chergui for his briefing today and for the African Union's leadership over the past month in Khartoum in facilitating efforts and engagement that led to the 6 February Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic. We would also like to thank Ambassador Adorn for his leadership as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) and Ambassador Hilale as Chair of the Central African Republic configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. as well as for their insights into this particularly important moment in the Central African Republic. I would also like to thank Mr. Vervaeke.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“I would like to extend a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Ba'ipo-Temon. I thank Special Representative Onanga- Anyanga for his briefing and, more important, for his stewardship of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) over the past three and a half challenging years. His leadership of MINUSCA during some particularly difficult moments, especially leading up to the historic presidential election, was enormously valuable. The United States deeply appreciated his consistent effort to make the most of MINUSCA's resources, his honesty in assessing the challenging circumstances in the Central African Republic and his positive and deeply respected leadership in the face of many crises. We wish him the very best as he transitions from Bangui.”
2019-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8467 (2019) · source
“It would be irresponsible to disengage before 2020, and we urge our colleagues on the Council and our Burundian counterparts to put their collective effort into increasing productive dialogue and reducing the likelihood of violence on Burundi's path to peace, security and development.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“While the majority of NGOs have been reinstated, approximately 20 remain suspended and a handful have left the country. We urge the Government to lift all remaining suspensions to ensure the continuation of vital services to the Burundian people and to allow these NGOs unhindered access to deliver services. Finally, we understand that the Government of Burundi objects to being included on the Council's agenda. We would like nothing more than to remove them from it. But the United States is deeply concerned by rising regional tensions, which are not just a war of words but of bullets, as well as by Burundi's increasing diplomatic isolation and deep domestic political divides.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“Food insecurity, poverty and their harassment by local officials to join the ruling party present major hurdles to voluntary repatriation for the nearly 350,000 Burundi in refugees who remain displaced. The United States encourages the Government of Burundi to continue collaborating with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to facilitate the voluntary, dignified and safe repatriation of its nationals, whose inclusion in the political process will strengthen and further legitimize the 2020 electoral process. So many Burundians are desperate for basic services, but the Government's October 2018 suspension of some international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continues to affect important programmes assisting the Burundian people.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“The United States urges all parties to refrain from the use of violence and to respect territorial integrity. We encourage more cooperation among United Nations institutions working in the region, particularly the Office of the Special Envoy for Burundi, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call on this Council to support dialogue in the region and believe that regular briefings to the Council are essential to address rising tensions. More than 58,000 Burundian refugees have returned since the outbreak of violence in 2015.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“We fear that the further deterioration of respect for human rights will isolate the Government of Burundi in both regional and international bodies, which does not bode well for prospects for peace and security in the region. The United States urges the Government of Burundi to address persistent and reliable reports of illicit arms transfers, combatant recruitment and armed group activity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo that are tied to Burundi. We are particularly disturbed by reports that the Burundian military and the ruling party's youth militia have been active in South Kivu. We are also concerned about tensions between Burundi and Rwanda and reports of cross-border attacks by armed groups in these countries and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. No one wins from a proxy war in the Great Lakes.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“In our View, a peaceful transition would become more likely if the Kayanza road map were expanded to include the input of all stakeholders, including women and youth, opposition and ruling party leaders, civil society representatives and prominent political activists, and if steps were taken to ensure that all eligible candidates are allowed to contest for the presidency. We welcome the Government of Burundi's recent steps on political party registration, which demonstrated that commitment. Long-term political stability, however, cannot be achieved without respect for human rights. The United States is deeply concerned by the Government's decision to close the Burundi office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“We urge the Government of Burundi to engage with these partners and view the Government's attendance at the EAC Heads of State Summit earlier this month as a potential sign of progress. Burundi's 2020 elections are a unique opportunity that must not be missed. Despite our concerns about the dialogue, the United States continues to welcome President Nkurunziza's announcement that he would not seek a fourth term and will support his successor. A peaceful transition of power based on an inclusive electoral process will signal to the international community a renewed commitment to democracy and political stability.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“We express our deep appreciation to former President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania for his continuous efforts as the facilitator of the dialogue, which have been critical and trying to advance discussions on strengthening political stability in Burundi. That work remains unfinished and we will need new regional champions. The United States urges the Government of Burundi, the EAC and the guarantors of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement to renew their commitment to finding consensus on a 2020 elections road map and preparing a free and fair electoral process that will allow all Burundian voters to participate in choosing their leaders.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General for Burundi, Mr. Michel Kafando, for today's briefing on the latest developments in Burundi, and to thank Ambassador Jurg Lauber, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations and Chair of the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, for sharing the views of the African Union and the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, respectively. The United States is deeply concerned by the stalled status of the inter-Burundian political dialogue led by the East African Community (EAC), particularly by the manner in which the talks broke down.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8465 (2019) · source
“The Yemeni people must know, and the parties to the conflict must understand, that the United States remains focused, as does the Council as a whole, on achieving a comprehensive, credible and durable political settlement of the war. That will require compromise on all sides, so that we can start the long process of ensuring the country's recovery from this humanitarian catastrophe. Going forward, the United States will work with the United Nations and the members of the Security Council to ensure the success of all United Nations efforts in Yemen, both political and humanitarian.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“The United States is concerned about the fact that World Food Programme officials have not yet gained access to the Red Sea Mills. Special Envoy Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock had already warned us that the grain stocks there are at risk of rotting (see S/PV.8424), and we cannot waste any time assessing the condition of an emergency food supply that is meant to feed 3.7 million people. We again urge the parties to facilitate immediate access to the Mills and ensure that the surrounding area is safe. The escalation of violence in Hajjah governorate in January has reminded us that while the Al-Hudaydah ceasefire is a promising first step, the broader conflict persists.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings, and for their and their teams' tireless efforts. On 13 February, the United Statesjoined the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in welcoming the adoption of resolutions 2451 (2018) and 2452 (2019), and we reiterated our commitment to a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in Yemen. We are encouraged by the reconvening of the Redeployment Coordination Committee over the weekend and the parties" progress towards agreement on redeployment from Al-Hudaydah. We are also eager to see further progress on exchanges of prisoners and the return of the bodies of those killed in conflict. We urge all parties involved to cooperate with the Special Envoy's team as he works to finalize the terms of the exchange.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“We again call on Russia to release the detainees, return the Ukrainian ships and end its restrictions on international shipping transiting to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. The United States stands with the European Union and its member States, and many other countries, against Russia for its unacceptable conduct in Crimea, eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea. We will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine against Russian aggression. In the name of international peace and security, which members of the Council are committed to uphold, we call on Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.”
2019-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8461 (2019) · source
“Ukraine has demonstrated that commitment by taking steps, including by extending the law on the special status for Russia-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. For its part, instead of using the Minsk agreements as the path towards the resolution of the conflict, Russia reverts to distracting attention from its unmistakable and unjustifiable central role in fomenting it. Moscow disingenuously argues for a protection force that would use expensive international forces to cement the status quo and end up protecting Russia's proxies. In a serious escalation - and another violation of international law - in November Russia prevented Ukrainian vessels from passing through the Kerch Strait, firing upon and seizing the vessels and personnel.”
2019-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8461 (2019) · source
“Russia continues to arm, train, lead and fight alongside its proxy forces in eastern Ukraine, in direct contravention of its commitments under the Minsk agreements, including establishing an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. Russia has flouted its commitments from the very beginning of the establishment of the agreements, using the military forces under its control to capture new territory. While Russia has ignored or undermined the Minsk agreements, Ukraine, France, Germany and the United States remain committed to supporting their full implementation. We welcome the Ukrainian Government's continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.”
2019-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8461 (2019) · source
“We will never accept anything less than the full restoration of Ukraine's control over its own territory, whether in eastern Ukraine or Crimea, including its territorial waters. Our Donbas- related sanctions will remain in place until Russia fully implements the Minsk agreements. Our Crimea-related sanctions will also continue until Russia returns the peninsula to Ukrainian control. Russia called today's meeting to discuss the Minsk agreements. This is ironic given that Russia has clearly failed to honour and implement them. The Minsk agreements call for the sides, among other things, to implement a ceasefire, allow the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to monitor that ceasefire and withdraw support for "all military armed formations". Russia is clearly violating all three of those key elements.”
2019-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8461 (2019) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretaries-General Jenca and Mueller and Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik for their briefings and for their calls for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. We are nearing to the five-year anniversary of the start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which has left more than 10,400 dead and 1.6 million displaced, as well as 3.5 million more in dire need of assistance. Let us be clear. It is Russia that must end this conflict. Withdrawing its military troops from eastern Ukraine and Crimea is the only acceptable outcome, and the only one we should accept. The United States underscores its unequivocal position on Ukraine. We do not, and will not, recognize the Kremlin's purported annexation of Crimea.”
2019-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8461 (2019) · source
“We strongly encourage the United Nations to continue guiding and enabling Member States to comprehensively prosecute, rehabilitate and reintegrate foreign terrorist fighters and those associated with them, including children. The work of the United Nations in this area and, more broadly, on counterterrorism and on preventing violent extremism must include civil-society participation, and we expect the OCT to continue to mainstream civil society into the core of its work. We also expect CTED to continue its important work on civil society, human rights and integrating a gender perspective, as cross-cutting issues vital to its mandate. Our collective success against ISIS has demonstrated what we can accomplish when we bring all of our tools to bear. We cannot relent in this fight.”
2019-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8460 (2019) · source
“Thanks to CTED and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee, Member States now have comprehensive guidance on how to address returning terrorist fighters through the recently adopted addendum to the Madrid Guiding Principles. We urge countries to use that guidance now. We strongly support the OCT's efforts as well, including its role in providing technical assistance to Member States as they implement obligations under resolution 2396 (2017). The OCT's new project on enhancing the capacity of Member States to detect foreign terrorist fighter travel via the use of advanced passenger information and passenger name record data is one that we particularly hope will make a positive impact.”
2019-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8460 (2019) · source
“ISIS is seeking to survive, reconstitute and ultimately re-emerge in Iraq and Syria. ISIS is also coordinating with affiliates to plan attacks elsewhere, including Afghanistan, South-East Asia and West Africa. As ISIS evolves, we must adapt to the changing threat it poses. To do so, the United States is working to identify and stop foreign terrorist fighter travel and to disrupt ISIS's global network of affiliates. We now have information-sharing arrangements with more than 60 countries to identify and track the travel of suspected terrorists. Approximately 70 countries have laws to prosecute and penalize foreign terrorist fighter activities, but we need many more on board. These efforts complement the work taking place more broadly at the United Nations on foreign terrorist fighters.”
2019-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8460 (2019) · source
“To date, coalition partners have pledged more than $1 billion in stabilization programming in Iraq and more than $325 million for stabilization assistance in Syria. These projects are key to securing military gains and restoring peace. The coalition is helping Iraq's local security forces make their cities safe for the local population. We are helping to clear neighbourhoods of mines and explosive remnants of war and to restore basic municipal services. In Syria, we are working to relieve the suffering of ISIS victims. The United States is the largest single humanitarian donor country to the Syrian people, having provided $9.1 billion in humanitarian assistance since the start ofthe crisis for those displaced inside Syria and throughout the region. All that being said, much more work remains to be done to defeat ISIS.”
2019-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8460 (2019) · source
“It highlights the fact that the number of ISIS attacks decreased significantly from 2017 to 2018 and that the group has suffered significant military setbacks across the board, notably in Iraq, Syria and the southern Philippines. These successes are a testament to the work of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, which just met in Washington, DC, last week. Coalition operations have liberated all of the terrain that ISIS once controlled in Iraq and more than 99 per cent of such territory in Syria, including key cities in both countries. The global coalition, by destroying ISIS-controlled energy assets and removing key ISIS commanders responsible for finance, has also severely degraded the ability of ISIS to raise funds and finance its operations. The coalition is committed to preserving the successes that we have achieved.”
2019-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8460 (2019) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Coninsx for their briefings. We thank also the Secretary-General; the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities; and the staff of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT) and of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), whose work underpins United Nations efforts to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS). The latest report on the threat posed by ISIS demonstrates the hard-won progress that we have made over the past several years.”
2019-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8460 (2019) · source
“For Kosovo, that means immediately suspending tariffs on Serbian and Bosnian imports. Reaching a deal will take courageous leadership and flexibility on both sides. Normalizing relations must be a priority for both countries. Now is the time to work for forward momentum and pave the way for their respective EU paths. We believe that is the best way to ensure a stable, secure and prosperous future for the Western Balkans.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“Taking that step will empower the Security Council with critical resource management and oversight information to better evaluate the United Nations presence in Kosovo. Such a step would also advance the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. We continue to support the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. As our President has made clear, we believe that this is a unique moment for both Serbia and Kosovo to reach a comprehensive normalization agreement. We believe that is achievable in 2019. Failure to seize this opportunity would be a setback. The dialogue should be both countries' overarching priority. Both Kosovo and Serbia should take immediate steps to lower tensions, remove barriers and create the conditions necessary for rapid progress on the dialogue.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“It is unfortunate and one reason that many Council members are reluctant to continue those meetings, wondering whether they actually contribute to or detract from the prospects for international peace and security. We underscore that UNMIK has achieved its original mandate and its drawdown is long overdue. The United Nations continues to have an important and useful role to play in Kosovo, but through the United Nations country team and the United Nations Development Programme, not through UNMIK, and that should be reflected in the Council's approach to meetings "on the issue". As the United States has requested previously, we would like the Secretariat to initiate a strategic review of UNMIK to develop an exit strategy.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Tanin, for his briefing. I also welcome Foreign Minister Dacie and Ambassador Citaku back to the Security Council. We appreciate the understanding reached by the Council to end the practice of quarterly briefings on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and that next year there will be two meetings "on the issue", not necessarily on UNMIK. There are much better uses for the Council's limited time and resources than to maintain the past frequency of UNMIK briefings. It is disappointing that, at a moment when the atmosphere begs for improvement, these Council meetings continue to be used to deploy antagonistic language. I agree with much of what my colleagues of Germany and the United Kingdom have said.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“In order to address that, President Trump announced a global call to action on the world drug problem in his September 2018 speech at the General Assembly (see A/73/PV.6), with the objective of reducing drug demand, cutting off the supply of illicit drugs, expanding treatment and strengthening international cooperation. Organized crime at sea hurts us all and requires a coordinated response from us all. Making real progress on that issue will require concrete action and even stronger international cooperation, for which the United States will remain a strong partner.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“To combat offshore listed activities in Africa, the United States Africa Command has worked with European and African partners since 2011 to conduct annual at-sea maritime exercises in the Gulf of Guinea and the Gulf of Aden, programmes that have increased law enforcement's capacity to interdict illicit goods, counter human trafficking and prevent unlawful fishing. International drug trafficking also threatens maritime security, including for people who depend on our oceans, especially since global cocaine and opium production hit record highs in 2018.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“President Trump renewed that commitment in his February 2017 executive order on transnational criminal organizations, in which he directed our Government to assist partners in strengthening their maritime security capabilities. In support of the 2013 Yaounde process, the United States works with INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to provide assistance to Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea. We work together to improve regional information-sharing, maritime law- enforcement interdiction and investigation capabilities and legal reforms.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Resolution 2375 (2017) banned ship-to-ship transfers of any items or goods to or from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to prevent it from illegally selling coal and buying fuel, and resolution 2397 (2017) enabled States to seize and impound any ships violating those sanctions. Resolution 2146 (2014) banned illegal oil exports from Libya and authorized States to take action against such vessels through the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011). In addition to those tools, capacity-building is Vital to addressing maritime security. The United States has been a long-time partner for many countries in those efforts.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source