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

“Among the reforms necessary to advance European integration and economic growth, strengthening the rule of law is a top priority. The United States supports Kosovo's lawful efforts to combat smuggling and corruption. The operation carried out by the Kosovo police on 28 May took place in various communities throughout Kosovo, targeted corrupt officials and other individuals and led to the arrest of suspects from multiple ethnicities. It is deeply regrettable that Kosovo police officers encountered roadblocks, came under fire and were wounded during the operation. It is unacceptable to obstruct a legitimate law enforcement operation. The alleged involvement of two UNMIK personnel and an UNMIK vehicle is an issue of serious concern that we are following closely as the facts present themselves.”
2019-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8541 (2019) · source
“We share the Secretary-General's concern about the heightened tensions between Belgrade and Pristina. The priority of both sides should be to lower tensions, remove barriers and immediately return to dialogue negotiations. For Kosovo, that means suspending tariffs on Serbian imports. For Serbia, that means avoiding provocative actions and words and ceasing its campaign against Kosovo's international standing - an effort that runs counter to normalization. Kosovo's independence is a reality. Both parties need to advance on their respective European paths, which will take courageous leadership and flexibility. The twentieth anniversary of the end of the conflict in Kosovo should remind us all that it is time to move beyond the past and commit to a durable lasting peace for the future.”
2019-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8541 (2019) · source
“As members of the Security Council, we must ensure that we use the time and resources of the Council wisely and where the needs are greatest. In the light of last week's open debate on working methods of the Security Council (see S/PV.8539), today's very lengthy relitigations of historical grievances, which do nothing to move things forward in Kosovo, only underscored the wisdom of our strong support for a reduced number of Council meetings on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). While the United Nations continues to have a useful role to play in Kosovo, that can be carried out through the United Nations country team. The United States would welcome a clear path to phase out UNMIK, which has achieved its original mandate, and a transition of its activities to a country team.”
2019-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8541 (2019) · source
“Closer collaboration among the presidents for the previous, current and following months enhances the continuity and leadership of the Council and makes us stronger as a whole. We take very seriously the fact that the Charter gives the Council the role of maintaining international peace and security on behalfofthe entire United Nations membership. While the Council remains the master ofits own procedure, we recognize that our procedural work, as well as our substantive work, are both ultimately for the benefit of the wider international community. We thank Kuwait for chairing today's open debate and look forward to continuing our work in the Informal Working Group.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“We will continue to assess new proposals to improve the Council's working methods through several lenses. We will ask whether a new idea is practical and realistic and whether it enhances efficiency. We will also ask whether the idea is designed to retain flexibility and avoid rigidity. Informal Security Council consultations can serve as important forums for the exchange of views, but speakers at such consultations too often read from prepared remarks. Several recent Council presidents have encouraged greater interactivity during informal consultations and we commend those efforts. We believe strongly that informal consultations should remain just that - informal. We have seen innovation and cooperation between consecutive presidencies, most recently in those of France and Germany.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“On the specific matter of the note by the President (S/2017/507, annex), known as note 507, and Security Council procedure, the United States would like to once again recognize the leadership of Japan and Ambassador Bessho in chairing the negotiations of the Informal Working Group on that document two years ago. We are pleased that the Informal Working Group has adopted a number of innovative and useful provisions to improve the work of the Council. While we believe that today's discussion and our tasks in the coming months should focus primarily on the implementation of revised note 507, the United States is open to changes that would improve the Council's work and will continue to actively engage in the process to further improve its working methods.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank today's briefers and welcome the Ministers who are joining us for this open debate. The United States extends its appreciation to Kuwait for chairing the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Issues over the past year. Under Ambassador Alotaibi's leadership, the Informal Working Group has engaged in a number of collaborative discussions that address the Security Council's work and effectiveness. We are pleased to participate in this annual debate on the working methods of the Security Council. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges over the previous year.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, the United States will support measures that help to protect civilians in South Sudan against the horrific violence that has become routine in their daily lives. In doing so, the United States supports the people of South Sudan and their aspirations for freedom, peace and prosperity.”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“Not least, we are encouraged that regional actors have taken more of a leadership role to encourage and support peace in South Sudan. We are counting on the region to maintain pressure on the parties to implement the peace agreement and to uphold the United Nations arms embargo to prevent the flow of weapons into South Sudan, which would further destabilize the country and the region. The United States remains ready to consider adjustments to the sanctions regime, including strengthening it with additional measures or suspending existing measures, in the light of progress or lack thereof. We note that, under the existing sanctions regime, the parties may request exemptions that would allow them to successfully Implement disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes.”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“We were also told that the time was not right for an arms embargo to prevent the flow of weapons to a country that had seen an estimated 400,000 conflict-related deaths in the past five years. Since strengthening the sanctions regime and imposing an arms embargo, the warring parties signed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, and there has been widespread adherence to the ceasefire. While the United States remains concerned about delays in implementing key provisions of the peace agreement and ongoing violence against civilians, it cannot be denied that some initial progress towards peace took place immediately following the Council's action on sanctions 10 months ago. There are undoubtedly many factors besides a strengthened sanctions regime that contributed to that turn of events.”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“The measures renewed in the resolution are designed to protect civilians and reduce violence in a country that has borne witness to unspeakable atrocities. The United States wants to support Africa's regional and subregional bodies to take leading roles in resolving disputes and conflict on the continent. However, support for that expanded role is difficult to envision if countries in the region are unwilling to support measures that incentivize warring parties to choose peace over war. Ten months ago, when the Council adopted the sanctions regime that we renewed today, we were told that additional sanctions would undermine the peace process (see S/PV.8310).”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“The United States welcomes the Security Council's support for renewing the South Sudan sanctions regime, including the arms embargo. If there is to be any chance for lasting peace in South Sudan, we must stop the flow of weapons used to fuel the conflict and terrorize civilians and take action against those responsible for undermining the peace. We are disappointed that resolution 2471 (2019) did not receive the support of the three African members of the Security Council. Just three months ago, the Council adopted resolution 2457 (2019) to silence the guns in Africa, with strong support from the African Union. Today we regret that three of the abstentions show an unwillingness to stop the flow of weapons to one of the continent's deadliest civil conflicts.”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“Finally, the United States remains gravely concerned about the impact that any further use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, would have on the humanitarian situation in north-west Syria, where conditions are increasingly dire. The United States and its allies are closely watching the situation in north-west Syria and will respond quickly and appropriately to any further use of chemical weapons by the Al-Assad regime. As the Security Council marks the twentieth anniversary of adding the protection of civilians in armed conflict to its agenda, the conflict in Syria is one of the starkest examples ofa failure to protect civilians. We have to do more to ensure the full implementation of international humanitarian law that the Council has called for again and again. The people of Syria are depending on it.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“Moreover, the parties on the ground must ensure that the United Nations cross-border humanitarian aid deliveries authorized by resolution 2449 (2018) reach populations in Idlib, including in the demilitarized zone. The United States remains alarmed by the continued air strikes against health-care facilities and health workers in north-western Syria. Attacks directed at protected medical facilities are prohibited by international law and are in defiance of many Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2165 (2014), 2268 (2016) and 2449 (2018). There must be accountability for the forces and leaders who planned and conducted any such strikes.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The United Nations has reported to the Security Council that the recent military escalation in Idlib and northern Hama by the regime and Russian forces has resulted in additional displacements and reduced the ability of the United Nations and its partners to provide humanitarian aid. The United States wants to underscore once again that the full implementation of the September 2018 Sochi agreement is essential to protecting civilian lives and preventing further forced displacement. Russia and the regime must recommit to implementing the 2018 Sochi ceasefire and restoring a full de-escalation of the fighting in Idlib immediately.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“I expect that those defending the regime will cite the fight against terrorists as a blanket justification for such severe measures. The Council is united on the need to fight terrorism, but that is not a licence to starve civilians or depopulate a civilian safe haven. Any return process should be carried out with full United Nations visibility and access in order to ensure that departures from the camp are safe, dignified, voluntary and informed. Coercing people to depart the area by not allowing food in cannot be described as anything other than starving people into submission in order to further a false narrative that the war is over, or that it is safe to return home. For many that could not be further from the truth.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The United States stands ready to facilitate any deliveries. We know that the United Nations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent can provide the necessary assistance, because they have done so twice before. Today the United States renews its calls to the Al-Assad regime to approve a third convoy to Rukban immediately. We are deeply concerned about the fact that the regime's continued refusal to allow aid into Rukban has forced people to leave the camp under the threat of starvation. Creating humanitarian conditions so dire that families are forced to choose between remaining relatively safe inside the camp or feeding their starving children is not a humane choice to force on innocent civilians, nor an acceptable way to generate departures from the camp.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The last United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid delivery in February was meant to last 30 days. In addition to denying United Nations aid convoys access to Rukban, the Al-Assad regime, with military support from Russia, has imposed a blockade around the camp that is also preventing regular commercial deliveries of much-needed supplies. The people of Rukban have few options for survival. We know that from the messages that we hear from the residents themselves. They do not have enough food. Children are dying of malnutrition. Medicines, medical facilities and health-care providers in the encampment are scarce. Since 22 April, the Al-Assad regime has denied requests from the United Nations for a third humanitarian-assistance convoy. The regime could easily approve the convoy tomorrow.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“That siege tactic is an unmistakable part of the Al-Assad strategy to seek a military solution to the conflict rather than negotiate a political solution through the good offices of the United Nations. Unfortunately, for millions of people inside Syria, Al-Assad's use of starvation as a tactic continues. There is no clearer example of the regime's starve-and- surrender strategy than in Rukban. Humanitarian conditions are deplorable as a result of the regime's refusal to allow the United Nations to deliver aid on a regular basis to the thousands of people living there. Many of those people went to Rukban to escape the regime's attacks on civilians in their home villages and towns. It has been 111 days since the last delivery of humanitarian assistance arrived in Rukban, in early February - 111 days.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Mueller for her important briefing today. The Al-Assad regime, with the help of its military allies in the air and on the ground, has carried out a punishing campaign against the Syrian people over the past eight years. The regime's assaults have led to one of the greatest humanitarian crises since the Second World War, sending millions of people fleeing chemical-weapon attacks, air strikes, heavy artillery shelling, arbitrary arrests and starvation. During some of the most deadly moments of the conflict, the Al-Assad regime gave the people of eastern Aleppo, eastern Ghouta, Madaya, Moadamiya and Homs a bleak choice - surrender to regime forces or starve.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“We must commit to protecting civilians by turning rhetoric into tangible action. The international community should consistently bring attention to the protection of civilians and develop responses for it.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“We also welcome the forthcoming publication of the revised United Nations policy on the protection of civilians in United Nations peacekeeping, especially the integration of the addendum on accountability. Significantly improving the protection of civilians in peacekeeping requires identifying standards, systematically evaluating records and ensuring accountability for performance. We also know that increasing women's full, equal and meaningful participation in peacekeeping improves operational effectiveness and a mission's ability to fulfil protection-of-civilian mandates. We support efforts to reduce barriers to women's participation and promote their safety in peace operations. It is not enough to be outraged by the accounts we hear of the horrors inflicted on civilians trapped in conflicts that they did not create.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“To address these shortcomings, we support the Secretary- General's efforts to institutionalize a culture of performance in which only the highest-performing troops and police are deployed. We look forward to the continued implementation of the Secretary-General's performance policy framework and his commitment to creating a system that ensures accountability. The United States stands firmly behind the commitment to enhancing performance in the protection of civilians and encourages all Member States to do the same by supporting the Kigali Principles, which were designed to help peacekeepers effectively implement their civilian-protection mandates.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“It is critically important that humanitarian actors have unhindered access to populations in need, and they should be commended for their work to protect civilians in the most challenging of circumstances. We support the centrality of protection and continue to support humanitarian organizations in strengthening their protection efforts, particularly to expand community- based protection that draws on the capacities of local populations and partners. Peacekeeping has become central to the protection of civilians in conflict. With more than 95 per cent of United Nations peacekeepers now operating under mandates to protect civilians, the protection of civilians is at the heart of modern peacekeeping. Unfortunately, we still see far too many instances of peacekeepers failing to take necessary action to protect civilians.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Nearly 1 million languish in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Ongoing fighting in Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states continues to harm and displace people, many of whom desperately need humanitarian assistance. In South Sudan, the lack of safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access means that people starve and children suffer needlessly. More than 200,000 South Sudanese have fled to protection-of- civilian sites knowing that they were not safe at home. Their fears have been borne out in the blatant use of sexual and gender-based Violence against women going about their daily lives. We must hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for the victims.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Globally, mass displacement and attacks on civilians have become all too common, and attacks on the very medical and humanitarian personnel working tirelessly to alleviate suffering and save lives are a hallmark of many conflicts. In Syria, civilians have suffered during the eight-year conflict at the hands of a Government that blatantly disregards their lives, including through the horrific use of chemical weapons and indiscriminate weapons such as barrel bombs in urban settings. And I must point out that the White Helmets, contrary to Russia's repeated attempts at vilification, continue to heroically assist Syrian civilians attacked by their own Government, attacks that we know Russia chooses to ignore. In Burma, more than 1.1 million civilians have been driven from their homes by the military and security services.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“We agree that Member States can and should do more to protect civilians. And while it is critical to acknowledge and focus on war's tragic impact on civilians, it is also vital to recognize when harm has been successfully avoided and understand how that is achieved. Many countries, including the United States, have rigorous programmes in their armed forces for implementing protections for civilians under international humanitarian law. Recommendations that we identified during a study of civilian casualties in 2018 are being used to improve existing policies and practices. The United States has been sharing and building on good practices, including bilaterally and during coalition operations. We encourage others to do the same.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank you, Madam President, as well as today's briefers, and we are grateful to the Indonesian presidency for organizing today's debate on the protection of civilians. We also welcome the Ministers with us in the Council today. As we mark the twentieth anniversary of the Security Council's addition of the protection of civilians in armed conflict to its agenda, we continue to see conflict and violence endangering civilians. The Secretary-General's 2019 report on the protection of civilians (S/2019/373) paints a dire picture. The United States strongly believes that the full implementation of international humanitarian law by all parties to a conflict is essential to the protection of civilians, but we also know that the laws of war are not always universally observed, and that often has grave consequences.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“The United States will not support that view, which does nothing to address the problems that the sanction regime was designed to address and, indeed, undermines the actions of the Security Council. Finally, as noted by Assistant Secretary-General Mueller, the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting more than 5 million Somalis is an important backdrop to the political and security reforms that we have discussed. Since 2018, the United States has provided more than $487 million in humanitarian assistance. We are working with the United Nations and other partners to provide critical food and nutrition assistance for nearly 1.5 million people across Somalia. We encourage continued international support on the humanitarian front.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“We also emphasize the need for close coordination among the Government, AMISOM. and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia to ensure voter security at each stage of the electoral preparation. Concerning constitutional reform, we stress that long-term political stability depends on defining the relationships and divisions of power and responsibility between the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states. As such, we urge all governmental stakeholders to come together and finalize this critical reform. With regard to the arms embargo, we have encouraged Somalia to engage productively with the Panel of Experts on Somalia and will continue to do so. Somalia appears to believe that the Security Council will eventually lift the sanctions despite a lack of engagement with the Panel.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“troop- and police-contributing members, which have provided the Federal Government of Somalia the necessary space and stability for the Government to develop the national security architecture and implement those reforms. The transfer of security responsibilities from the African Union Mission in Somalia to the Somali national security forces is a top priority. We urge the Federal Government of Somalia to continue the efforts to generate and deploy security forces that will allow for a timely and orderly implementation of the transition plan. We underscore the need for all parties to coordinate closely to avoid security coverage gaps that could be exploited by malign actors. With regard to Somalia's 2020-2021 elections, we urge the Government to finalize its draft electoral law to define a fair and transparent electoral system.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“I thank today's briefers. Clearly, Somalia continues to face significant challenges on its path towards building a safe, stable and prosperous State. We strongly condemn recent attacks by Al-Shabaab and other terrorist elements and express our full support for the Somali Government, the African Union and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in that fight. We are pleased that progress is under way through political, security and constitutional reform efforts with support from the United Nations, the African Union and international partners. Advancing the implementation of those reforms offers the country the greatest hope for sustainable stability and economic growth. We note that none of those reforms would be possible without the contributions and sacrifices of AMISOM.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“Today's mandate renewal is another reminder of the constructive role that the United Nations can play around the world and especially in the Middle East. We look forward to Iraq's continuing to lead the way in playing a positive role in its region, and we thank the Special Representative and the entire UNAMI team for their continued excellent work.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“This year's mandate once again underscores the importance of supporting UNAMI's efforts to help meet the needs of all Iraqis, including women, children and members of religious and ethnic minority groups. This is an area of particular interest to the United States. We continue to encourage UNAMI to work closely with the Government of Iraq to address the unique needs of these groups and individuals as part and parcel of the broader national and community-level dialogue needed in Iraq. We also encourage the Government of Iraq to ensure the successful reintegration of the children of alleged members of ISIS and the children of former captives. Many of those children are indeed Victims, and we call on Iraq to offer them the same benefits afforded to refugees and IDPs.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“Those are key components of Iraq's own national Government programme. The United States also encourages the Government of Iraq to rein in all armed groups under effective state control. The Funding Facility for Stabilization of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is essential to stabilization, recovery and reconstruction efforts. For its part, in March the United States announced a $100 million contribution to the Facility for stabilization efforts in Anbar. Other members of the international community should consider similar contributions. The Government of Iraq should also make good on its pledge to the programme or to projects from UNDP's Facility list.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“As Iraq begins a new chapter, efforts to stabilize areas liberated from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, address the plight of internally displaced persons and further integrate Iraq into the surrounding region must also be accelerated. Taken together, those efforts will help set Iraq on a path towards stability and prosperity. It is important, however, to note that the complexity of the challenges that UNAMI and Iraq will face moving forward is great. We encourage the Government of Iraq to fill the remaining vacancies in its Cabinet and focus on delivering basic services to the Iraqi people. Restoring key services, health care, education and infrastructure is an important place to start, as is addressing corruption and strengthening viable and responsive State institutions.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“I thank Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert for being with us today and for her helpful and comprehensive briefing. Today's unanimous adoption of resolution 2470 (2019) to renew the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) once again underscores the strong and continued commitment of the international community to support stability, prosperity and security in Iraq. As the Government of Iraq transitions from a period of crisis to one of sustainable development and political stability, UNAMI will be essential to enhance those efforts. The transition is reflected clearly in this year's mandate renewal.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“We call on all sides to avoid further escalation and work constructively with the Special Representative and UNSMIL to achieve a long-overdue political solution to this conflict. The United States stands ready to provide all appropriate assistance as UNSMIL works to help Libyans return to the political process and de-escalate the conflict in Tripoli.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“We welcome the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to chart a path forward that will provide security and prosperity to all Libyans. The continuing instability in Tripoli is endangering civilians, damaging civilian infrastructure, creating opportunities for terrorists to regroup and fuelling a worsening humanitarian situation. Lasting peace and stability will come only through a political solution. All parties should return to United Nations political mediation, the success of which depends on a ceasefire in and around Tripoli. The humanitarian situation is alarming, and we commend the ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian dimension of this conflict.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“I thank Special Representative Salame, Commissioner Chergui and Ambassador Schulz for their briefings today. The United States condemns in the strongest terms the two terrorist attacks on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali last weekend that killed one Nigerian peacekeeper and wounded several others. We send our condolences and sympathy to the family of the Nigerian peacekeeper who was killed and wish a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. Turning back to Libya, foremost on our minds is the safety of United Nations personnel and civilians on the ground. We strongly support the personal leadership of Special Representative Salame' in promoting a political solution and attempting to reduce the violence in Libya.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“As we have made clear to other members of the Council, we, like France and Germany, do not see a need for this briefing. In our View, Russia's request for this meeting is a clear attempt to distract from the peaceful, democratic transfer of power happening today in Ukraine. The United States congratulates Mr. Zelensky on his inauguration today as President of Ukraine. We look forward to working with him and welcome his express commitment to promoting national unity. Accordingly, the United Statesjoins our colleagues in urging Council members to vote against the adoption of this agenda.”
2019-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8529 (2019) · source
“The three Committees and other relevant parts of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, should work closely together and take a whole-of-United Nations approach to counter-terrorism. We still see many gaps and considerable overlap. In conclusion, we will continue to promote regular and continued engagement to better understand the intentions and capabilities of terrorists. We urge the three Committees to continue sharing notes on how the United Nations can help to build State capacity to counter terrorist threats and advance our common security.”
2019-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8528 (2019) · source
“In February, the CTC presented its Addendum to the Madrid Guiding Principles, which provides Member States practical tools to address the threat of returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. We also look forward to working with the CTC and Member States to implement resolution 2462 (2019) to counter the financing of terrorism. Finally, the United States was happy to welcome the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to New York, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C., this month as part of our assessment visit. We look forward to reviewing the results of the CTED visit and encourage other Member States to work with CTED on visits of their own.”
2019-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8528 (2019) · source
“The threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation is a growing concern, and the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) is more important than it has ever been. We have all seen the devastating consequences of chemical weapons use by State and non-State actors in Syria and Salisbury. We cannot allow the international norm against the use of such dangerous weapons to break down. The possibility of WMD proliferation is real. We must all work together to stop that, through the work of the 1540 Committee and beyond. The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has examined issues we consider critical over the past year.”
2019-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8528 (2019) · source
“The 1267 Committee must continue to keep up its pace to adapt to the evolving threat. We are pleased that, this month, the 1267 Committee designated Masood Azhar Alvi, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, and ISIL-Khorasan, a dangerous ISIS affiliate operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for United Nations sanctions. Azhar's listing shows that the international community can and will hold terrorists accountable for their actions. The designation of ISIS-Khorasan demonstrates the Committee's commitment to ensuring that ISIS affiliates do not take up the mantle of a diminished ISIS core. In that vein, it is important that the Committee designate other ISIS affiliates who seek to replicate the destruction wrought in Iraq and Syria in new corners of the world. We commend our Security Council colleagues for supporting those important designations.”
2019-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8528 (2019) · source
“I thank the Chairs of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities; the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), concerning counter-terrorism; and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) for their strong cooperation. Those Committees play a crucial and complementary role in assessing and countering global threats and are invaluable in our fight against terrorism. The Islamic State in Iraq and Sham (ISIS) and Al-Qaida are dynamic organizations, evolving with the pressure the international community brings to bear on them.”
2019-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8528 (2019) · source
“The United States is therefore concerned that the recent military escalation may be an attempt by the Al-Assad regime to stall the formation of the constitutional committee and the United Nations-led political process and undercut pragmatic efforts to make progress on a trajectory to the political resolution ofthe conflict. This is precisely the wrong course to pursue. Finally, I have outlined what is the only solution to the conflict endorsed by the international community and every single member of the Security Council. The United States remains firmly committed to Special Envoy Pedersen's efforts on the United Nations-led political process in Geneva and to resolution 2254 (2015). Millions oflives depend on it.”
2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source
“The only solution is a political transition, as outlined in resolution 2254 (2015), namely, a ceasefire; the establishment of credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance that respects the rights of the Syrian people; constitutional revision; and free and fair elections pursuant to the new constitution, supervised by the United Nations, with the participation of all Syrians, including members of the diaspora. Russia has repeatedly claimed to agree that there is no military solution to the conflict in Syria. A peaceful and lasting political resolution of this crisis must begin with the protection of civilian populations from violence.”
2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source
“The 6 May announcement by the Al-Assad regime of a ground offensive is incompatible with the Special Envoy's goal of achieving a political solution to the conflict. The United States fully supports Special Envoy Pedersen's efforts to form the constitutional committee as soon as possible. With agreement on the constitutional committee within reach, Russia and the regime's decision to launch air strikes, fire heavy artillery and drop barrel bombs sends a terrible signal of disregard towards the United Nations political process. Today, we want to send a clear signal to the Al-Assad regime and its supporters, Russia and Iran, that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict.”
2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source
“We echo the important statement by the Turkish Foreign Minister this week, calling on the regime to stop its military aggression in Idlib, as well as similar calls by our European partners. The United States" resolve to hold the Al-Assad regime accountable for any further use of chemical weapons is unwavering, and we remind the regime and its allies that any use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, will be met by a strong, swift response. Russia's involvement in this offensive is deeply concerning because the violence threatens the opportunity that we believe has arisen in recent days thanks to the diplomatic push by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Geir Pedersen, to jump-start the political process through the creation of a constitutional committee.”
2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source