YouSaid · the spoken record

Cunningham

lines on the record: 847
first: 2000-02-09
most recent: 2004-06-14
sittings or episodes: 129
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

“Let me join in congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency and in commending Ambassador Munoz and his delegation on their effective work last month on our behalf. We also extend our condolences to the Government and the people of Russia over the terrible terrorist attack today in Moscow. We condemn it and all such attacks. I also thank the Special Representative, Mr. Holkeri, for his comprehensive assessment of the situation in Kosovo. The Special Representative is doing an admirable job in a period when key policy initiatives are being implemented in Kosovo, and he enjoys my Government's unqualified support. I also welcome the participation today of Assistant Foreign Minister Perovic.”
2004-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4910 (2004) · source
“We commend the Under-Secretary-General and his colleagues in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for their contribution to developing practical ideas on future steps, and we reiterate our support for the Secretary-General's efforts to protect civilians. We encourage the Secretary- General and other key actors in the United Nations system to continue the dialogue with us on how United Nations organs can better work together to promote protection and to present country-specific recommendations for the Council's consideration. We look forward to the promised comprehensive plan of action to be presented to the Security Council at the time of the Secretary-General's next report on protection of civilians and to our further discussions.”
2003-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4877 (2003) · source
“These are important issues that we will discuss and address in the future, including with regard to the situations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, the Sudan and others. We welcome the road map and the implementation of many of the objectives it calls for, and we hope that Member nations will be involved in this process. We also welcome the revised aide- memoire and view it as a vital resource for the Security Council in applying best practices in future resolutions. Consistent and systematic application by the Council of the valuable tools it has at its disposal, such as previous resolutions on protection of humanitarian workers, on women, peace and security and on children in armed in conflict, is a goal we strongly support. We will work to promote its realization.”
2003-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4877 (2003) · source
“The Secretary-General and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have given us some good suggestions for the way ahead. Mr. Egeland's statement today, the updated aide- memoire and road map are very useful in addressing the challenges and in organizing our efforts to respond to them. The general principles of providing humanitarian access to vulnerable populations where feasible, the separation of civilians and armed elements and the restoration of the rule of law, justice and reconciliation are all fundamental to the protection of civilians. We will pursue their implementation and practice. We also support the participation of children in the design of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes and special efforts to deal with the particular threats to children and women.”
2003-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4877 (2003) · source
“I want to join others in thanking Under-Secretary- General Egeland for his excellent statement, and I would like to thank you, Sir, for hosting and coordinating today's meeting on the very important subject we are discussing. Under-Secretary-General Egeland's presentation is both daunting in the array of challenges it raises and cause for some hope that all of us can do a better job in dealing with them. My Government has long believed that safeguarding civilians from the devastating effects of armed conflict is at the very heart of the United Nations Charter. Our fondest wish would be that this Council could protect from harm all those who are subject to aggression. And while, of course, it cannot, there is much that we can do to work towards that goal.”
2003-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4877 (2003) · source
“We welcome that action, look forward to the results of that mission and hope that it can lead to productive discussions in the future on solutions, including to the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration components of the peace process.”
2003-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4876 (2003) · source
“We hope that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration will begin as soon as possible and that the Burundian Government will work closely with the World Bank to quickly establish a strong World Bank disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme in Burundi. We welcome Belgium's efforts to organize a donor's conference in Brussels, which I understand will take place in January, and hope that many countries will contribute to those efforts. As I said earlier, the international community needs to buttress and encourage African efforts to deal with their problems and to give them the support required when difficult decisions are needed. We understand that Department of Peacekeeping Operations is sending an assessment team to Burundi to look at the situation on the ground.”
2003-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4876 (2003) · source
“It is something that all of us in the international community should do - we must help our African friends when they step up to the challenge as they are doing here. We are pleased that recent Ethiopian and Mozambican deployments to the African mission went smoothly. We will provide the African mission with logistical support and have recently dedicated $6.2 million for that purpose. We urge other countries to contribute to the African mission's efforts as well. We also welcome the efforts of the United Nations Office in Burundi which, coupled with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General chairmanship of the Arusha Agreement Implementation Monitoring Committee, ensures an important United Nations role in the process.”
2003-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4876 (2003) · source
“As others have done, we again urge FNL in the strongest terms to cease hostilities and join the peace process. We stress the need for the Government and FNL to use the recent meetings in Nairobi as a launching pad for positive negotiations and want to encourage Deputy President Zuma to pursue his mandate to bring FNL into the process. I wanted to make a point of commending the African Union for its positive role in overseeing the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and to commend the African mission in Burundi, which, as the Deputy President said, that could be considered as a shining example and a model of African engagement. It demonstrates Africa's commitment to providing African solutions to African problems. The United States strongly encourages and will support that approach.”
2003-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4876 (2003) · source
“We commend the Government and the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD) and the Forces nationales pour la defense de la democratie (FDD) for progress in implementing the 8 October and 2 November Pretoria Protocols. We welcome the news of the CNDD-FDD's entry into the Transitional Government and we urge all the parties to continue to implement all agreements, including and especially the 2 December 2002 Ceasefire Agreement. Security has to be a priority if progress is to be made in all the other areas that need to be addressed. We welcome continued support for the peace process from South Africa and others in the region and South African leadership, including the 16 November Summit of the Great Lakes Regional Initiative on Burundi.”
2003-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4876 (2003) · source
“I also want to thank Deputy President Zuma for his report, which was very informative and that shows quite clearly that a lot of progress has been made in Burundi thanks to the hard work of the Deputy President, his country and many others, but obviously there still remains much to do. As Ambassador Rosenthal pointed out in his excellent overview, there is a need for all of us - the international community, the United Nations, individual countries and countries in the region - to concert our efforts to deal with the many issues that are still to be resolved in helping the Burundians find a way out of their difficulty.”
2003-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4876 (2003) · source
“And, significantly, initial training for military personnel on this issue is documented in their service records. My Government remains committed to pursuing the full implementation of resolution 1308 (2000) and we are exploring ways to making implementation more effective. HIV/AIDS is entirely preventable and by effectively implementing this resolution transmission among peacekeepers, national uniformed services and the communities they serve can be prevented. I listened with interest to the proposals of my British colleague and would like to second his request that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and UNAIDS submit a formal report to the Council next year, with the Council returning to this issue on a regular basis.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“Through this programme, our Department of Defense has helped selected armed forces to establish HIV/AIDS policies for their personnel, adapt and provide HIV prevention programmes, train military personnel to implement, maintain and evaluate HIV prevention programmes and assist countries to develop effective intervention into military culture to reduce high-risk attitudes and behaviours. The United States also underwrote the preparation and printing of a United Nations training booklet on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention to be used by peacekeeping forces. Within our own uniformed services, the United States military has a policy of mandatory testing. Each year commands are required to conduct a certain amount of mandatory prevention training, emphasizing avoidance of high-risk behaviour.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“The United States is also the single largest contributor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, with pledges totalling $1.6 billion. In addition, we are specifically committed to helping to implement resolution 1308 (2000) nationally and in our bilateral relations. As part of the international partnership against HIV/AIDS in Africa, the United States Department of Defense has been working with African armed forces to help create policies dealing with HIV/AIDS within a military setting by developing prevention education programmes that reach both African troops and African communities, in order to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS among their personnel. Recent legislation expanded the programme to include global HIV/AIDS prevention among additional military services.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“I would like to ask if DPKO and UNAIDS have plans to establish a permanent position. At the very highest levels my Government is totally committed to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The United States is the largest donor of HIV/AIDS assistance, providing almost half of all international HIV/AIDS funding in 2002. We have bilateral programmes in over 75 countries, and in January President Bush announced a $15 billion five- year emergency plan for HIV/AIDS relief. In May that plan was signed into law with overwhelming congressional support. That represents the largest single commitment of funds in history for an international public health initiative on a specific disease. The plan continues our broad bilateral programmes, while focusing on 14 of the most afflicted countries in Africa and the Caribbean.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“This is certainly a daunting task, but UNAIDS efforts to work with national militaries are a key instrument in dealing with HIV/AIDS, as are the United Nations own efforts. I also took note of What Mr. Guehenno said about the need for more systematic mission assessments and the need for expanding constantly evolving programmes. That is certainly correct. In that regard we would be interested to know if it is possible to measure the relative success of HIV/AIDS focal points, as compared with that of HIV/AIDS policy advisers in the missions that have them. We are also gratified to see that there is now a full time position for an HIV/AIDS adviser and acknowledge the generosity of the Government of Denmark in funding the DPKO HIV/AIDS Trust Fund. We are concerned about what will happen with this position when funding runs out for it in 2004.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“We are particularly impressed with the document series entitled "Engaging uniformed services in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including the review of policy and programmes among peacekeepers and uniformed services". Members have some of the documents on their desks in front of them. It is important to acknowledge that progress has been made, but so much still remains to be done. Mr. Guehenno spoke of the key challenge of increasing awareness among participants in peacekeeping operations and local communities they come into contact with, about the causes of HIV/AIDS and how to prevent its spread. I noted his comments about the difficulty of working with 92 nations and 42,000 personnel in the field.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“The HIV/AIDS awareness cards that were called for in January 2001 now represent a powerful potential tool in the education not only of peacekeepers, but also national and regional armed forces. They should be standard issue for all peacekeeping operations as soon as possible. I commend Mr. Piot's personal commitment to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1308 (2000) and acknowledge the contribution of the Director of the UNAIDS office on AIDS, Security and Humanitarian Response. We commend UNAIDS for the work it has done in support of national responses to HIV/AIDS among uniformed services. This is essential to dealing with the problem, and they have done a lot of good work.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“It is good to hear of the strength and cooperation between UNAIDS and DPKO. We are pleased with the placement of an HIV/AIDS policy adviser in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. We note the significant progress this individual has made on implementing DPKO's responsibilities with regard to Security Council resolution 1308 (2000). We also note the placement of HIV/AIDS policy advisers and designational focal points in certain missions. They should be with all missions and I note Mr. Guehenno's description of DPKO's intent to see that that they are. We are also pleased to hear of the significant efforts DPKO is making with regard to awareness training.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“There cannot be any doubt that today, nearly four years after that first discussion in the Council and three years after the adoption of Security Council resolution 1308 (2000), that HIV/AIDS remains an urgent threat to peace and security. Security Council resolution 1308 (2000) addresses the linkages among HIV/AIDS, peace and security. The last discussion held on the resolution took place in January 2001, nearly three years ago. Today we have heard from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) on the challenges of implementation and the progress made so far, and they do, indeed, have much to report - more than could be easily contained in brief oral presentations to the Security Council. Much of what we have heard today is encouraging.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“In the end, the members of the Council reached agreement that HIV/AIDS merited the attention of the Security Council because HIV/AIDS threatens to kill more people and undermine more societies than any specific conflict we deal with in the Security Council. Indeed, how could it not be a threat to international peace and security? Moreover, because HIV/AIDS strikes the young - young soldiers, young parents, young Government workers, young doctors and young teachers, it threatens the futures of many countries. As United States Secretary of State Powell said in his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly special session in June 2001, "No war on the face of the earth is more destructive than the AIDS pandemic" (A/S-26/PV.I). Ambassador Jones Parry noted his comments to the special session in September 2003.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“I would like to start by commending you, Mr. President, for convening today's meeting on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1308 (2000). This is a vitally important subject. I also want to thank Under- Secretary-General Guehenno and Mr. Piot for their updates, their statements and for their work. It is clear that collectively we have accomplished a lot, but we can also see the need for strong continued joint efforts in the future. Nearly four years ago, on 10 January 2000, we witnessed the very first meeting of the Security Council to discuss a health issue, HIV/AIDS. I recall very well that at first we debated whether we even ought to be addressing the issue and whether HIV/AIDS did indeed present a threat to international peace and security.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“The future of mine action and the complementary efforts to protect civilians from mines and other explosive remnants of war should be dynamic and fruitful. A great deal has been learned since the inception of humanitarian demining just over a decade ago. This accumulated body of knowledge will serve the world well in the future. The United States Government, Governments of donor and mine-affected nations, international organizations and the private sector together have created a formidable international network of humanitarian mine action. Working together, we can realistically set our sights on achieving a world where all children can walk the Earth in safety.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“However, we recognize the important role the United Nations system has in meeting this international challenge, and we are proud of our work with the United Nations system to help achieve these results. We salute the leadership of the United Nations Mine Assistance Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Office for Project Services and the World Health Organization for their vital contributions to a mine-safe world. We are also helping to strengthen mine-action centres abroad. The United States will continue to remain a leading proponent of efforts to mitigate the harmful impacts from the illicit use of landmines through our contributions to humanitarian mine action.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“Before the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, there were 10 million to 15 million landmines, over 2,500 minefields, 2,200 unexploded ordnance locations and thousands of abandoned munition sites in Iraq. Unexploded ordnance still present a tremendous humanitarian threat. United States assistance to Iraq began in 2002 with grants by the Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the amount of $25.6 million for a three-year plan to cover mine-risk- reduction education and expansion of the Mine Advisory Group's operations and mine-action coordination and surveys. The United States believes that we can most effectively help mine-affected countries by supporting sustainable indigenous programmes. Thus, we have established most of our programmes on a bilateral basis.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“We are pleased that concerted efforts by mine-affected countries, as well as donor Governments, international organizations, non- governmental organizations and civil society, have resulted in significant progress towards a mine-safe world. Since 1988, when the United States first engaged in humanitarian demining in Afghanistan, we have expanded our humanitarian mine-action assistance to more than 40 countries, helping to demine the most dangerous mine fields, train humanitarian deminers, provide medical assistance and vocational training to survivors of landmine incidents and their families, teach children and their parents to identify and avoid the threat, and conduct research and development into new technologies to detect and clear landmines more safely, quickly and efficiently.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“Also, mine-action efforts can and should play a vital role in furthering peace and stability. Cleared lands provide a physical environment that allows for national reconciliation, stability and economic development. Indeed, in addressing the horrific legacy of landmines and unexploded ordnance, we are not only helping to secure innocents from harm and restore land productivity, we are also providing something essential for communities ravaged by war, and that gives hope. Mine action encourages the hope that the future can be better than the past and hope that patterns of war and violence can be replaced with patterns of peace and prosperity. Since 1993, the United States has dedicated over $700 million to humanitarian mine action and will provide approximately $100 million more in 2004 to some 40 countries.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“I want to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this session today and for your leadership on this issue. I also want to thank Under-Secretary-General Guehenno and Ambassador Dahinden for their statements. It is important that the United Nations, the Security Council and our Governments as Member States keep the issue of mine action in our focus. The United States recognizes the agonizing consequences that these hidden killers have on innocent people, whose lives and livelihoods are being shattered by devices like the land torpedoes left behind in more than 60 nations around the world from wars past. Humanitarian mine action can and should be about more than just clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war, such as unexploded bombs, artillery and mortar shells, rockets and grenades.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“Such funds shall be used to bring up to international minimum standards the prison accommodation to be occupied or used, pursuant to those agreements. "The Security Council will remain seized of this matter." That statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2003/18. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter. The meeting rose at 11.15 am.”
2003-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4849 (2003) · source
“"The Security Council notes the invitation of the General Assembly contained in operative paragraph 7 of its resolution 57/289 of 20 December 2002 that it address uncertainties regarding the power of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda under its Statute to finance the upgrading of prison accommodation in which persons convicted by the Tribunal are to serve their sentences. "The Security Council confirms that it is within the lawful powers of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda under its Statute to fund the renovation and refurbishment of prison facilities in States that have concluded agreements with the United Nations for the carrying out of prison sentences of the Tribunal.”
2003-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4849 (2003) · source
“In favour: Angola, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, China, France, Germany, Guinea, Mexico, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America The President: There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1512 (2003). After consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council.”
2003-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4849 (2003) · source
“The Security Council will continue its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2003/1033, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided. A vote was taken by show of hands.”
2003-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4849 (2003) · source
“"The Security Council assures the parties of its readiness to support them in the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement and requests the Secretary-General, in this connection, to initiate preparatory work, as soon as possible, in consultation with the parties, the IGAD facilitators and the International Observers, on how the United Nations could best fully support the implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2003/ 16. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.05 p.m.”
2003-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4839 (2003) · source
“The Council further expresses its appreciation of the key role played by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), under the leadership of the Kenyan President, the Kenyan Special Envoy, the envoys of the other IGAD member States and the International Observers in the Sudan Peace Talks. "The Security Council also welcomes the continuation of the ceasefire and the establishment of the Verification and Monitoring Team, Joint Monitoring Commission and the Civilian Protection Monitoring Team and encourages Member States in a position to do so to contribute financial and logistical resources.”
2003-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4839 (2003) · source
“The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. After consultation among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council welcomes the agreement on security arrangements reached in Naivasha, Kenya, between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). The Council reiterates its welcome for the signing of the Machakos Protocol, which represents a viable basis for a resolution of the conflict in Sudan. The Security Council looks forward to the successful conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement, based on the Machakos Protocol.”
2003-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4839 (2003) · source
“I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of the Sudan in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Abdalla (Sudan), took a seat reserved for him at the Council table. The President: The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
2003-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4839 (2003) · source
“We very much welcome and support the role the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has played and is playing in support of this process, as well as the roles of other members of the international community. The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the African Union and the Security Council all share a common interest in restoring civilian leadership and in improving governance in Guinea-Bissau. We will continue to monitor events in the country closely and coordinate with ECOWAS, the African Union and others who are helping, including members of this Council, and hope that we can all see the restoration of the constitutional order quickly.”
2003-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4834 (2003) · source
“I also wish to thank Ambassador Kalomoh and Minister Ramos Horta for their very informative presentations, providing us the opportunity to discuss events in Guinea-Bissau. I can be brief because my Government views things very much in the terms that Ambassador Pleuger has already set out. We are watching developments in Guinea-Bissau closely. We hope that the progress that is being made towards the return of power to civilian leadership will continue. I noted Ambassador Kalomoh's comments about the consensus on the transition and the give-and- take atmosphere that he described. We hope that that would hold and provide a basis for going forward. We encourage rapid steps to constitute a civilian Government and to prepare for democratic elections soon that would be open to broad-based participation.”
2003-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4834 (2003) · source
“By working together in support of the rule of law, we believe the international community can strengthen peace and help conflict-ridden societies build a better future. For 200 years that has been our firm conviction and practice. And it will remain our first article of faith.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“In addition, senior Department of Defense officials are required to provide for disposition of war crimes cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice in appropriate cases. We hope that other countries will follow our example in that area by training all their men and women in uniform in their legal obligations and by holding their soldiers accountable for violations of the laws of war. Let me conclude where I began. The rule of law is indispensable to justice, freedom and economic development. Moreover, the rule of law is indispensable to international peace and security abroad. As a nation founded by law, the United States is the unflagging champion of the rule of law.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“At home and abroad, we have vigorously pursued the highest standards in accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. No nation devotes more resources to training in, and compliance with, the law of armed conflict than the United States. In fact, a Department of Defense directive formally provides that all reportable incidents involving violations of the law of war committed by or against United States or enemy persons be reported promptly, thoroughly investigated and, when appropriate, remedied by corrective action. The Department of Defense has formal procedures and responsibilities in place to ensure that all such violations of the law of war are prosecuted in appropriate cases. Commanding officers who receive an initial report of a possible war crime are required to request that a formal investigation be conducted.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“But launching prosecutions in the midst of negotiations may not be the best route to post-conflict development. Flexibility in approach is needed. That said, good judicial models can greatly help countries build strong judiciaries. As the Nuremberg legacy teaches us, no one should be above the law. Indeed, the United States has been at the forefront of international efforts to ensure that those responsible for wartime atrocities are prosecuted, from the establishment of the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals to leading the effort to set up the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, to the most recent case of the Sierra Leone Special Court. The United States has been the single largest donor to those international institutions.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“To the extent that those people are not already on the payroll of the United Nations, we must be able to recruit them on short notice to help rebuild a society emerging from conflict. Obviously, those experts should know the language and culture of the country they may be asked to help in order to be most effective. But even with the help of uniquely qualified specialists, the international community cannot wave a magic wand to bring a society out of conflict to a better future. That task can only be completed if there is the necessary long-term commitment from the local Government and population. That commitment will be severely tested. All our impulses and cravings for justice urge us to prosecute where horrific crimes have occurred.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“The burden of the rule of law is great, but so are its rewards. A reliable legal infrastructure is crucially important to the economic prosperity necessary to reintegrate formerly warring factions into society. Every experience with demobilization provides abundant evidence in support of that point. However, none of those measures will succeed without informed public support. Often, profound social and cultural change is needed for the rule of law to take root. In the last 10 years, the international community has become increasingly active in helping countries in that difficult work. To be most effective, there is a need for cadres of experts in the many areas related to the re-establishment of the rule of law: administrators, civilian police, lawyers, judges, prosecutors, teachers, media experts and others.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“We know that helping societies emerge from conflict requires order, within which reform can take place. And we know that order is not an end in its own right. Rather, it must be part of a larger plan for establishing or re-establishing the rule of law so that social and economic development can take place and justice can be served. Inevitably, the process of securing the rule of law is multifaceted. Order requires well-trained police forces. Those police forces must then be integrated into an effective, fair and credible legal system and a functioning judiciary staffed by qualified judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and other officials. In some cases, courtrooms may need to be rebuilt, law school curricula may need to be revamped, legal codes may need to be revised and prison systems may need to be restructured.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“The rule of law is essential to fulfil the ideas behind the United Nations Charter that we are all pledged to support. Since the creation of the United Nations, however, there have been more than 200 armed conflicts, involving more than 100 different countries and resulting in some 30 million deaths. Those statistics tell us we have not yet succeeded in fulfilling the call of the Charter to rid the world of the scourge of war and to heal its wounds. To be sure, our collective experience has shown that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to conflict resolution and post-conflict development. Nonetheless, we have learned a few lessons that must be firmly applied if we are to improve our performance. We know that United Nations mandates must be clear and realistic from the outset, backed by adequate resources.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for providing the opportunity to discuss the centrality of justice and the rule of law in international affairs. The United States of America is a nation founded, not upon ethnicity or cultural custom or territory, but upon law enshrined in our Constitution. As a consequence, establishing and maintaining the rule of law has been an enduring theme of American foreign policy for over two centuries. Notably, the United States Constitution specifically provides that treaties shall be the supreme law of the land. We therefore do not enter into treaties lightly because we believe that the importance of the rule of law to a successful system of peace cannot be overstated. Democracy, justice, economic prosperity, human rights, combating terrorism and lasting peace all depend on the rule of law.”
2003-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4833 (2003) · source
“Attempts to prejudge final status only distract from the important work at hand of implementing the standards and beginning the direct dialogue on practical matters. That is where the focus should be, we believe. We hope that all leaders of the region will focus on helping Mr. Holkeri as he sets about his very important and complicated new tasks. That certainly is the intention of my Government.”
2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source
“The achievement of the standards that have been set out is essential to a better life for all Kosovars as we move forward and the United States, for its part, will continue to offer technical expertise to support that process. We also urge the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to convene officials from Belgrade and Pristina as soon as possible in order to begin a dialogue on practical matters. We think this is important. These talks should be held primarily at the level of technical experts and deal with practical issues of mutual concern, such as energy and transportation. I would also like to note that unilateral comments or declarations by neighbouring Governments or parties inside Kosovo about Kosovo's future are premature and unhelpful.”
2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source
“I will be brief, as you requested, Sir, but I do want to make a couple of points. First, obviously we deplore and condemn the violence and attacks that have taken place in the last couple of months. I am afraid that this reminds all of us again of the primacy of establishing the rule of law in Kosovo. This is something that the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is working hard to achieve and which I hope we all will support. We believe that the way forward in general is to focus on proceeding with the standards before status approach. This appears to us to be well poised to go ahead. We encourage UNMIK and those involved to move ahead with it.”
2003-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4823 (2003) · source