YouSaid · the spoken record

Danesh-Yazdi

lines on the record: 99
first: 1999-08-27
most recent: 2008-08-27
sittings or episodes: 9
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

“Throughout the period under review, and while the Israeli war machine has been relentlessly at work to shatter the lives and livelihoods of Palestinians, the Israeli regime has persisted with its aggressive policy towards Lebanon, as well as towards others in the region. It has continued to occupy the Syrian Golan Heights and parts of Lebanese territory. That regime is adamantly violating Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), including by violating Lebanese airspace. Israel's violation of Lebanese territory in the area of Maroun Al-Ras last week was a flagrant breach of resolution 1701 (2006) and a showcase example of Israeli contempt for the Council and its decisions. The tragedy of Palestine, as a major source of anger and frustration that is felt throughout the Islamic world, lies at the heart of the Middle East conflict.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We hope that all members of the Council recognize the need to take decisive action in the face of the new Israeli crimes in the region, and that they will not choose to allow a further erosion of the Council's authority as a result of a failure to address the grave situation created in the wake of recent Israeli expansionist policies and actions. There should be no doubt that those who impede justice and accountability for Israeli war crimes by repeatedly abusing the power of the veto bear responsibility for the bloodshed that we witness in the occupied Palestinian territories time and again.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The Council has an immense responsibility to shoulder in fulfilling its Charter-based mandate by preventing Israel from continuing to flout the will of the international community incorporated in numerous United Nations resolutions. It is unfortunate that a single delegation, exploiting its permanent presence on the Council and its privilege of the veto, has always prevented the Council from pronouncing itself, let alone taking any meaningful action, on numerous Israeli crimes in Palestine and elsewhere in the region.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Indeed, this latest illegal Israeli act is a nefarious attempt to colonize and Judaize Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Undoubtedly, such deplorable policies and practices are in line with other Israeli war crimes and atrocities, such as extrajudicial killings, targeted assassinations, the wanton destruction of homes, infrastructure and agricultural lands, the detention and imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians, the construction of the expansionist wall and the imposition of collective punishment on the entire Palestinian population. There is an absolute need for the international community to decidedly weigh in and to prevent Israel from carrying out its dangerous designs against Palestinians and against the holy Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which will further jeopardize peace and security in the whole region.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Equally provocative and condemnable is Israel's continued policy of denying Palestinian worshippers access to their religious sites, and its intention to construct a tourist site below the holy Al-Aqsa compound. As pointed out by the representatives of Cuba and Azerbaijan, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, respectively, since 1968 the Security Council has adopted no fewer than 16 resolutions that have repeatedly declared the measures and arrangements taken by Israel aimed at changing the legal status, demographic composition and character of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif null and void and Without any legal validity. Nevertheless, the Israeli regime's defiance of all those calls by the Council and the international community has continued unabated.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Israel's recent heinous action against the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque and the holy city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and its demolition of a historic road connecting Bab Al-Maghriba with the holy Al-Aqsa mosque compound, as well as two rooms adjacent to the Al-Buraq wall, have yet again put on display the aggressive and racist nature of that regime. Moreover, Israel's continued excavation work beneath the holy Al-Aqsa mosque compound is indeed a provocative and insulting measure that undermines the sanctity and foundations of the holy Al-Aqsa mosque compound and threatens it with collapse. We, along with the other members of the international community, strongly condemn that shocking act.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“That is a welcome step towards strengthening and enhancing solidarity among Palestinians at this crucial juncture. My delegation would also like to join other speakers in strongly condemning today's heinous terrorist acts in Lebanon. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and the Government of Lebanon. The recent atrocious acts by the Israeli regime and its insolent expansionist policy vis-a-vis the holy Al-Aqsa mosque have once again heightened the concerns of the international community over Israel's unlawful activities, and has consequently exacerbated the already dire situation in the volatile Middle East region.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“I wish to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council this month, as well as by thanking you for having convened this open debate to discuss the situation in the Middle East, especially the most recent expansionist policies and practices of the Israeli regime in Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Nor should I fail to express our appreciation to the Russian Federation for its able and effective presidency of the Council in the month of January. Our thanks also go to Mr. De Soto for his comprehensive briefing today. We would like to express our delight and satisfaction over the recent agreement reached between our Palestinian brothers to form a national unity government. We congratulate them on that important achievement.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“However, such allegations cannot and will not divert the attention of the international community from the root causes of all tensions in the Middle East; that is, occupation, State terrorism and the aggression perpetrated by the Israeli regime against the countries in the region. Indeed, those few who have tacitly or explicitly supported the crimes of the Israeli regime against the Palestinian and Lebanese people are clearly accomplices in those crimes and should be held accountable for that complicity.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“This has indeed become a tired pattern of behaviour by that aggressive regime and its supporters, aimed at distracting the international community's attention from the Israeli regime's crimes, aptly described by Lebanese and Palestinian officials as crimes against humanity. Those allegations are part of a psychological war supported by a massive propaganda machine and designed to create a smokescreen to hide Israel's egregious crimes and State terrorism. A case in point is the latest failed terrorist commando raid by the Israeli regime in Lebanon. While its goal was in fact abduction, it was deceitfully portrayed as an effort to foil the transfer of arms to that country.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“In our View, putting an end to the impunity with which the Israeli regime has been allowed to carry out its crimes is the only way to bring about a viable and stable peace in the region and to stop it from perpetrating State terrorism. The Security Council has an enormous responsibility under the United Nations Charter to take the necessary steps in that direction. We hope that all the members of the Council will live up to their responsibilities in properly addressing the underlying causes of the crisis in the region. Before concluding, allow me to place on record the fact that my delegation categorically rejects the absurd allegations made against my country, reiterated once again in the Council today by the representative of the Israeli regime and its supporters.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“It is ironic that those who claim to be seeking to promote democracy in the region look approvingly upon this ongoing repression and criminal act. The abduction of Palestinian officials is manifestly an act of State terrorism committed, unabatedly, along with numerous other crimes by the Israeli regime in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Palestinian economy has already been strangulated since January by an unjust and illegal embargo, and the Palestinians remain under siege even after the occupiers claim to have withdrawn from Gaza. Furthermore, the expansionist Israeli regime continues to build the illegal separation wall, flouting the will of the international community as expressed in the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and in the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“A few hours after its failed terrorist commando attack on the Bekaa valley, the Zionist forces, in another incursion into the Gaza Strip, abducted the Secretary General of the Palestinian parliament, bringing to more than 50 the number of officials from the Palestinian Government thus far abducted and detained by the Israeli regime. That incident occurred the day after Israeli troops abducted the Palestinian deputy Prime Minister and the deputy Speaker of the parliament. The massive abduction of Palestinian officials is a new tactic and policy in the framework of the continued criminal acts against the Palestinians, specifically aimed at eradicating or weakening the Palestinian Government, which took office as a result of a free and fair election.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Moreover, there is no sign of any move on the part of the Israeli regime to address fundamental underlying political problems, including the release of Lebanese prisoners from the Israeli dungeons where they have been held for many years; the return of the Sheba'a Farms to Lebanon; and the provision of minefield maps showing the mines laid during the 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon. At the same time, and as reported to the Council today by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, the Israeli regime continues its acts of aggression and State terrorism in the Palestinian territory as well.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Earlier, the Secretary-General had noted, in his latest report (S/2006/670), dated 18 August, several instances of violation of the cessation of hostilities by the Israeli regime and also, in paragraph 13 of the report, "one to four Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace daily", as observed by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In addition to attempting to keep the cessation of hostilities fragile, the Israeli regime is refraining from carrying out measures that would strengthen it. Also, despite the enormous humanitarian need in Lebanon and the massive access problems faced by aid workers, the continuing sea and air blockade against the country has yet to be lifted.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“This sense of concern cannot be overlooked, especially given the fact that the United Nations has confirmed several instances of violations of the provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) by the Israeli regime in the past few days. On 19 August, the Secretary-General, referring to an Israeli terrorist commando raid, expressed his deep concern at a violation by the Israeli side of the cessation of hostilities. The stated reason for that failed terrorist raid is preposterous, as it immediately became clear that the invaders were on a mission to abduct.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“The cessation of hostilities, although belatedly called for, is a relief for the Lebanese civilians and the whole international community, which witnessed the horror of Israeli State terrorism hovering over a defenceless country for 34 days. Here, I should put on record my Government's sense of profound frustration over the inaction and the handicap imposed on the Security Council for many weeks, preventing it from fulfilling its primary responsibility - inaction that allowed an entire population to suffer such terrible pain and loss and that proved very costly to the Council's credibility and integrity. We are also alarmed at the actions and behaviour of the Israeli regime, which is bent on undermining the ceasefire and possibly paving the way for another round of war against Lebanon.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“It goes on, adding that the Israeli decision "transformed a border shoot-out into a war and Virtually guaranteed it would become a crisis". Nonetheless, once again the Israeli onslaught proved that it is impossible to intimidate the people in the region into submission or to quash their desire to live free from occupation and terror. In fact, although the latest aggression was successful in laying waste to buildings and civilian infrastructures and in killing civilians, it obviously - as the whole world witnessed - brought about results that were opposite to those that the aggressors had sought. It strengthened the resolve of the people to resist aggression, occupation, intimidation and terror.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“She further referred to reports by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), indicating widespread contamination by unexploded artillery, airborne missiles and cluster munitions, including in residential areas and public buildings, causing injury and death among returnees and hindering the provision of humanitarian relief. Indeed, the recent all-out war against Lebanon was a clear indication of a pre-existing and ill-intended plan by the Israeli regime, which had already secured the support of its ally - that is, the United States. In the past several weeks, more evidence has emerged supporting that assertion. The Wall Street Journal revealed in its issue of 19-20 August that "at least since 2004, the Israeli military had plans in place for possibly attacking" Lebanon.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“In an unspeakable and brutal bombing campaign, the Israeli regime, as the Secretary-General's latest report (S/2006/670) indicates, killed about 1,200 Lebanese and injured thousands more, the majority of whom were women and children. Indiscriminate and blanket air strikes, aimed at collectively punishing the Lebanese people, destroyed an estimated 15,000 apartments and 140 bridges, according to the same report. The Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs also stated in her report to the Security Council on 18 August that enormous damage had been inflicted on the road and bridge networks, other essential infrastructure and residential housing, with some areas in the south having seen 60 per cent of their residential housing destroyed.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“I wish to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the Council presidency for this month and by thanking you for convening this debate on an issue that is truly threatening international peace and security. The war machine of the Israeli regime has continued to destroy the lives and livelihoods of the innocent Palestinian and other peoples in the region. Not only has that machine of horror and terror continued to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine, but it has also inflicted enormous suffering and pain on the whole civilian population of Lebanon for 34 continuous days and nights. The whole world witnessed the horror as that regime was joined by its ally - that is, the United States - in their desire to wreak havoc throughout a whole country, despite the tragic human toll.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Undoubtedly, until the legitimate rights of the Palestinians are restored - including their right to independent statehood and the return of all Palestinian refugees to their homeland - a fair, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue will be out of reach. We believe that the Security Council should not stand idly by and avoid addressing seriously the Palestinian question, which threatens peace and security in the region and beyond. It is unfortunate that the exercise of the veto has prevented the Council from fulfilling its responsibilities with regard to the Palestinian question thus far. Indeed, the selective show of resolve and the discriminatory approach taken towards enforcing the Council's resolutions undermine its credibility and adversely affect the overall international security system.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“These crimes, coupled with other illegal Israeli practices, such as restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinian persons and goods, as well as the existence of hundreds of checkpoints throughout the occupied Palestinian territory and the continuation and even acceleration of the construction of the illegal Jewish settlements, have in turn caused the already dire socio-economic conditions of the Palestinian people to deteriorate, making daily life unbearable. We note that all efforts made in past years to de- escalate the Palestinian conflict have been torpedoed by the callous and belligerent Israeli positions and actions, which further proves that the Israeli regime is adamant in its desire to defy international law and the will of the international community.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Besides, this wall flies in the face of justice and basic humane values, and those who claim to be in possession of such lofty values should not remain indifferent to it, let alone condone it. The Palestinian people continue to suffer and endure hardship in the face of illegal Israeli practices and policies, including crimes such as collective punishment, house demolitions, land confiscation and targeted and indiscriminate extrajudicial killings. In recent months, over 60 Palestinians have been killed, including through the resumption of Israel's terrorist acts and extrajudicial executions, bringing the number of Palestinian deaths since September 2000 to more than 3,670. At the same time, the number of injured persons continues to increase.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“International law holds that no occupying Power has a right to change the features of the territories it occupies. The International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion, reiterates this basic principle by stressing that "all States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation arising from the construction of the wall, not to render aid or assistance in maintaining that situation"; (A/ES- 10/273, p. 52, para. 163) and "to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law as embodied in [the Fourth Geneva] Convention". (ibid.) There is no doubt that the legal stipulations in this paragraph entrust the international community with an immense responsibility.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The recent approval by the Israeli cabinet of a route for the section of the concrete wall being built around Jerusalem is the latest act of flagrant defiance of the will of the international community. That section of the wall cuts through two densely populated Palestinian neighbourhoods, cutting off an additional 55,000 - maybe more - Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem from the rest of the city and from their work, schools, hospitals and families. It also prevents other Palestinians from reaching occupied East Jerusalem and denies them complete access to the Holy City. In so doing, the Israeli regime is seeking to achieve the goal of tilting the demographic balance and pursuing the aim of the Judaization of the city by imposing a fait accompli on the Palestinians.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Shortly after that, the General Assembly cemented the ICJ opinion by adopting resolution ES- 10/15, which acknowledged the advisory opinion, demanded that Israel comply with it and called upon all Member States to respect the legal obligations stipulated therein. Blatant defiance was the Israeli response to the will of the international community so clearly expressed. Over the past year, the building of the unlawful expansionist wall, including in and around East Jerusalem, went on at a faster pace, as did the ongoing destruction of properties and the confiscation and annexation of Palestinian land required for construction. In parallel, the expansion of Jewish settlements on the occupied Palestinian land, also deemed illegal by the same advisory opinion of the Court, has continued unabated.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Allow me, Sir, to begin by congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I should also like to thank you for convening this meeting on an issue that is very important for the international community in general and for the Middle East in particular. We also wish to pay tribute to last month's French presidency of the Council. A year ago this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in its advisory opinion, found the construction of the separation wall cutting through the occupied West Bank to be illegal. The ICJ asserted that the wall had to be dismantled and that the Palestinians had to be compensated for losses sustained due to its construction.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“It appears that the draft resolution will be acted upon in the near future. That would satisfy the domestic constituencies of certain States. However, we share the view of those who believe that the draft resolution must not be fast-tracked. The issues that it addresses are extremely important and highly controversial. Comprehensive consultations between sponsors and interested States are not only desirable but imperative. Let us not miss this solemn opportunity; let us not squander it in a hasty and inconclusive process.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Alarmingly, the current state of international affairs teaches us the following crucial lesson: the follow-up on and monitoring of such a resolution cannot be left to the subjective interpretation of individual States. We need common and sound understanding on the part of all States to ensure their faithful implementation of the resolution, irrespective of their status with regard to international WMD treaties. Obviously, if the proposed draft resolution were not of a mandatory nature, that concern would be easy to address. The draft makes no reference to initiatives on WMD-free zones, which are of great importance for many regions. We believe that that issue - particularly the need to establish the Middle East as a WMD-free zone - should be incorporated into the draft. Last but not least is the question of urgency.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The proposed resolution contains certain concepts and definitions that are either inadequately elaborated or inconsistent with the terms and definitions embodied in existing international instruments on nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. A clear example of that deficiency is the definition given for the means of delivery, which fails to refer to fighters capable of delivering such weapons. That can be rectified in the final draft of the resolution. In our view, the draft resolution's enforcement clauses are subject to various interpretations. The monitoring mechanism also needs to be further elaborated and clarified. Hence, language should be included in the text that would, in effect, remove the ambiguity from those vital provisions, thereby preventing suspicion and misinterpretation.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The draft resolution before the Council, by ignoring the issue of disarmament, not only undermines its significance and thrust aimed at fighting the potential threat of terrorists armed with WMD, but also weakens its effective implementation. As recognized in existing international WMD instruments, efforts to prevent access to such weapons should not hamper international cooperation to promote the use of materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes. To our regret, a provision addressing this key area has not been incorporated into the operative part of the draft resolution. We believe that a fair and balanced draft resolution cannot and should not fail to acknowledge this inalienable right of Member States as it obligates them to shoulder heavy responsibilities and complex commitments.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“A major deficiency in the proposed draft resolution is its silence regarding the imperative of disarmament, as well as its failure to acknowledge the linkage between non-proliferation and disarmament. The cosmetic and rhetorical reference to disarmament in the draft resolution's preamble cannot and should not be interpreted as a substantive provision addressing the important issue of disarmament. Such negligence is in stark contrast to General Assembly resolution 58/48, which emphasized the urgent need for progress in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation in order to help to maintain international peace and security and to contribute to global efforts against terrorism.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The United Nations Charter entrusts the Security Council with the huge responsibility to maintain international peace and security, but it does not confer authority on the Council to act as a global legislature imposing obligations on States without their participation in the process. The draft resolution, in its present form, is a clear manifestation of the Council's departure from its Charter-based mandate. We believe that the Council's success in securing an environment of non-proliferation depends greatly on the ability of its own actions to inspire sincere cooperation by States. This open Council meeting is an opportunity for the draft resolution's sponsors to take on board the views and concerns of other States in order to foster international cooperation aimed at collective and meaningful action against terrorism and proliferation.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The present Security Council initiative should therefore be considered to be a step along those lines. We understand that the Council, in taking this initiative, intends to fill a gap in the non-proliferation regime by means of a binding resolution. However, a number of serious and valid questions arise as to whether the content of the draft resolution fairly and adequately addresses the issue at hand, whether the Council's present action is consistent with the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter, and how the existing gap - which indeed should be addressed - can be filled when the resolution overlooks the universality of existing international WMD instruments and neglects to require States non-parties to nuclear, biological and chemical weapon treaty regimes to accede to those important treaties.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The proliferation of WMD is a serious threat, and the prospect of non-State actors acquiring such weapons is all the more threatening to the whole international community. Thus, we wholeheartedly support all efforts that are aimed at dealing with this potential menace and that are undertaken within the parameters of international law. The United Nations, as the sole universal body, has an important role in addressing this serious threat. The growing risk of linkage between terrorism and WMD prompted the General Assembly, in operative paragraph 1 of its resolution 57/83, to recognize the threat and, accordingly, to call upon "all Member States to support international efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery".”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on an issue that is of the utmost importance for the international community. The attention paid over past few weeks to the draft resolution - which proposes to bar the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by non-State actors - indicates clearly that the stakes are very high for many States. We consider this debate to be an opportunity for the United Nations general membership to present its viewpoints on this draft resolution, which, if it is adopted, would have far- reaching legal and political implications. While associating my delegation with the statement to be made later by the representative of Malaysia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, I should like to summarize the views of my Government on the draft resolution before us as follows.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The threat which the protracted crisis in Afghanistan poses to regional and international peace and security, and the unacceptable, inhumane and horrifying situation in which millions of Afghan people now find themselves require immediate attention by the Security Council. We believe that the Security Council needs to review the situation in Afghanistan with a view to taking a number of concrete measures in line with its previous resolutions and aimed at compelling the Taliban to heed the demands of the international community concerning peace in Afghanistan. Such effective and timely measures by the Security Council will undoubtedly help save lives in Afghanistan and shield the region and beyond from the threats and problems stemming from the continuation of the war in that country.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Taliban - as the international community, including the Council itself, is fully aware - continues to stubbornly disregard the rules of international law and has yet to implement Security Council resolution 1214 (1999), which in its operative paragraph 5 condemns this crime and calls upon "the Taliban to cooperate with the United Nations in investigating these crimes with a view to prosecuting those responsible". I would like to emphasize that the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to pursue vigorously the matter, as we have in the past. We remain hopeful that the Council and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General will continue their valuable efforts in this regard.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In this context, we are willing to continue working with the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to persuade Afghan groups, particularly the Taliban, to abandon fighting and engage in serious political negotiations. Last but not least, after more than a year, the issue of the tragic murder of the staff of the Consulate-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) correspondent in Mazar-e-Sharif by Taliban forces in the wake of their offensive against that northern Afghan city in August 1998, is still pending and remains unresolved.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The persistence of this dangerous element could cause the conflict to spread beyond Afghan borders. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to be adversely affected by the negative consequences arising from the chaotic situation and lawlessness in Afghanistan. Heavy traffic in drugs and arms, terrorism and instability close to common borders are among the consequences my country has been suffering from over the past two decades. To combat these menaces, we have paid a very high price in terms of human and material resources, and we stand ready to cooperate with the international community with a view to finding a just and lasting solution to the Afghanistan conflict.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The intransigent attitude of the Taliban, in defiance of numerous General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, has been the root cause of the agony and suffering of the Afghan people over the past few years and in practice has perpetuated instability and lingering problems in the region and beyond. The Security Council should not fail to seriously address this highly significant matter in order to restore stability and normalcy in that country. The continuation of military offensives by the Taliban, which could not be carried out without outside political and military support, certainly destabilizes the whole region. The engagement of an ever-growing number of non-Afghan nationals, fighting alongside the Taliban forces, could change the Afghan conflict into a transnational one.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“To our great regret, the Taliban continue to disregard the repeated demands of the international community that they desist from insisting on a military solution to the conflict and seriously engage in negotiations aimed at settling the conflict peacefully, as demanded by the Security Council in its resolutions 1193 (1998) and 1214 (1998), as well as the declaration of the "six plus two" group. The latest large-scale offensive launched by the Taliban immediately after the "six plus two" meeting in Tashkent - which their own representatives attended - clearly demonstrates their contempt for the wishes of the international community as expressed in the Tashkent declaration urging the parties to resume political negotiations aimed at achieving the goal of establishing a broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative Government.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Let me be very frank in expressing our deep concern that the path taken by the Taliban may jeopardize Afghanistan's unity and lead to a situation that endangers the national security of the neighbouring countries and thus further destabilizes the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the need for respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan and calls on all to refrain from adopting any policy likely to endanger Afghanistan's existence as a sovereign and united country.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“There have also been reports of sizeable movements of civilians to north of the front line, into the Panjsher Valley. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are in dire need of basic emergency items to survive. The demands on the Islamic Republic of Iran and northern neighbours of Afghanistan are tremendous, beyond the resources available. We urge the international community to provide assistance through the United Nations to the desperate people of those regions. This Council is expected to take appropriate actions so as to deter the Taliban from their senseless campaign against the civilian population. The recourse of the Taliban to violence against ethnic groups is tending to further polarize the multi-ethnic Afghan society and consequently aggravate the situation. This trend poses a serious threat to the future of the country as a whole.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The term "scorched earth", as employed by the office of the United Nations Coordinator for Afghanistan in the news release of 14 August 1999, best describes the brutal and ruthless policy of the Taliban against the inhabitants of the Shomali plains - a policy that could be considered tantamount to ethnic cleansing. The forced displacement of Tajik inhabitants of the region - taking a large number of them to the remote south-eastern city of Jalalabad, on the one hand, and burning their villages to the ground and setting fire to their crops in order to deter them from coming back, on the other - is a clear violation of international humanitarian law by the Taliban. The same policy has been implemented against Hazara people over the past few years.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Therefore, it should be recognized that the militarist policy adopted by the Taliban and their foreign supporters - a policy that seeks domination by one group over Afghan society - is a naive policy and lies at the origin of the current situation in Afghanistan. The all-out Taliban offensive to the north over the past few weeks, despite the substantial reinforcements of personnel and material the Taliban received from outside Afghanistan, did not result in any significant military victory but, most unfortunately, only succeeded in creating a human tragedy by rendering hundreds of thousands Afghans homeless.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The latest military offensive launched by the Taliban, and the changing fortunes of the parties that followed, vividly demonstrated, once again, that there can be no military solution to the protracted Afghan conflict. Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic society, governed over the centuries through ethnic harmony and a delicate mechanism of power-sharing in which all ethnic and linguistic groups could play a role. The Afghan history and experiences of similar societies illustrate that the gain or loss of territory through military operations can never resolve any deep-rooted crisis and bring peace.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“At the outset, I wish to extend the appreciation of my delegation to you, Sir, and to other members of the Security Council for convening this important meeting with a view to debating the critical situation in Afghanistan. I feel bound to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, Ambassador Brahimi, as well as to the personnel of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA) for the dedicated and tireless work they are sincerely engaged in. I wish Ambassador Brahimi a speedy recovery and good health. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran highly values and fully supports Ambassador Brahimi's endeavours aimed at bringing peace and normalcy to Afghanistan. In our view, such efforts are indispensable if the situation in Afghanistan is not to deteriorate even further.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source