YouSaid · the spoken record

Dauth

lines on the record: 265
first: 2001-09-10
most recent: 2005-10-27
sittings or episodes: 42
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

“Since 1998 the international community has had the benefit neither of inspections nor of ongoing monitoring of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes. For four years our United Nations has tried to resolve this impasse without success - four years in which, as the information provided to the Security Council by Member States such as the United Kingdom, the United States and others highlights, Iraq has used the opportunity presented by the absence of United Nations inspections and monitoring to accelerate its weapons of mass destruction programmes. Australia is convinced that the Government of Iraq's ambitions to acquire weapons of mass destruction remain undiminished.”
2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Despite continuous Iraqi obstruction, subterfuge and - let us be clear - plain deceit, from 1991 to 1998 the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) was able to discover, document and destroy elements of a massive Iraqi programme to acquire a full suite of weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. But UNSCOM's job was never finished. As UNSCOM. reported to the Security Council in early 1999, Iraq's claims that it had destroyed all its chemical and biological weapons could not be verified. As of late 1998, UNSCOM. assessed that Iraq had a residual, illegal long-range missile capability, a quantity of chemical munitions, the ability to manufacture more of those - including VX - and a biological weapons manufacturing capability.”
2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is worth focusing for the moment on what it is these Security Council resolutions require the Government of President Saddam Hussein to do. The Security Council's requirements of Iraq embodied in resolution 687 (1991) were agreed to by Iraq in 1991. For almost 12 years the Government of Iraq has been asked to disarm itself of weapons of mass destruction, to provide a full and frank accounting of its weapons of mass destruction programmes, and to cooperate with United Nations agencies seeking to examine and monitor its weapons of mass destruction facilities. For almost 12 years it has refused to do so. The international community has very good grounds for pressing Iraq on this issue.”
2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Iraq's defiance of the international collective will threatens the very basis of our system of collective security. It threatens the global non-proliferation regime that so many, including my country, have worked so hard to build. If Iraq is allowed to violate both the will of the United Nations and the commitments embodied in key arms- control instruments, it would gravely damage the international system. It would encourage the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to other countries and to other regions. It would encourage some to believe that treaty obligations - such as those taken on by Iraq in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in the Biological Weapons Convention - can be flouted with impunity.”
2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In the aftermath of that conflict, the Security Council further set out, in plain, unambiguous terms, what the Government of Iraq had to do to ensure that it no longer posed a threat to its neighbours or to global security. For over a decade Iraq has avoided most of those obligations - obligations that were agreed by the Security Council under the mandatory provisions of the United Nations Charter. To this day, the Government of Iraq has failed to comply with 23 out of the 27 obligations contained in nine Security Council resolutions. People ask, why Iraq? The answer is simple. Iraq today poses a clear danger to international security because it has sought to acquire weapons of mass destruction and has a well-established record of using them against its neighbours, and, indeed, against its own people.”
2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Australia welcomes this opportunity to address the Security Council on an issue we consider to be of singular importance - Iraq's non- compliance with Security Council resolutions. There has been considerable speculation about what has motivated the international community to pursue this issue so forcefully in recent months. All manner of conspiracy theories have been aired. But let us be perfectly clear. This issue is about one thing and one thing only, and that is Iraq's continued failure to meet its commitments to the international community, embodied in at least nine Security Council resolutions. Almost 12 years ago the international community, through the Security Council, acted resolutely to expel Iraq from Kuwait.”
2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Australia is seeking closer law enforcement cooperation with partners in our region and has negotiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on counter-terrorism cooperation with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Australia remains a very strong supporter of the CTC. We have provided an expert to the Committee and have nominated three additional experts to be called upon by the Committee as required. As the CTC embarks on its second year, it can be assured of Australia's ongoing support. We will also continue to work vigorously within the United Nations and elsewhere to defeat international terrorism, and we encourage other States to do likewise.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Australia has also been active in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum context. Together with Thailand we chaired an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) workshop on terrorism prevention in Bangkok in April 2002. We were pleased to be part of the ASEAN Regional Forum's Declaration on Terrorist Financing at its Ministerial Meeting on 31 July 2002, as well as in the creation of an intersessional mechanism on terrorism. In addition to these regional initiatives, we consider that bilateral cooperation between Governments is also critical in combating terrorism, especially in the exchange of information and intelligence to identify terrorist threats at the earliest possible stage.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Australia also sponsored with the United States, New Zealand and the Forum Secretariat a counter-terrorism workshop for Pacific Island countries in March. Australia and Indonesia announced in September that they will co-host a regional conference on combating money-laundering and terrorist financing in December this year. The conference will augment and contribute to existing initiatives being undertaken by the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and other organizations. Australia and Indonesia believe that the meeting will enable countries in our region to strengthen further their individual efforts to prevent and counter money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, particularly by identifying capacity-building needs to meet existing and new obligations.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We acceded to the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings this August, and ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism last month. We are actively considering our position with regard to the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection. Within our own region, Australia continues to encourage greater cooperation to combat terrorism. As set out in detail in the Pacific Islands Forum statement, delivered by my colleague, the distinguished Ambassador of Fiji, the Nasonini Declaration on Regional Security was adopted by the Pacific Islands Forum on 17 August 2002, affirming the need for immediate and sustained regional action in response to terrorist threats.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Much remains to be done by States individually, by regional groups and multilaterally. Universal fulfilment of obligations under resolution 1373 (2001) must remain our key priority. National legislation needs to be strong and comprehensive. Adherence to all 12 anti-terrorism conventions needs to be global. And we need to ensure active implementation of legislation, assisted where necessary by strengthening the institutional capacities of those States where these are lacking. Australia is strongly committed to playing an energetic and creative role in the fight against terrorism. We take our obligations under resolution 1373 (2001) with the utmost seriousness. Australia is now a party to 11 of the 12 anti-terrorism conventions.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“A year after the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), the international community, the Security Council and, of course, in particular the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) under Ambassador Greenstock's energetic chairmanship, can take justified pride in what has been accomplished, particularly in putting in place the legislative framework to fight terrorism and suppress its financing. Sir Jeremy Greenstock and his colleagues, I think, are particularly to be congratulated on really quite outstanding work. And as Sir Jeremy will know well, it is unusual for an Australian to heap such praise on an Englishman. But our work is beginning, rather than ending. Terrorism remains a significant and evolving threat to international peace and security. Our defence against terrorism is only as strong as its weakest link.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“A major priority is poverty reduction through capacity-building, governance and the fight against HIV/AIDS, which is an immediate and long-term threat to development and security. Education is another priority, which includes supporting the African Virtual University initiative in Nairobi in cooperation with the World Bank.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538 (2002) · source
“We are, for example, working closely with Nigeria and South Africa at the highest levels of our Governments through the Commonwealth in relation to the recent election in Zimbabwe in order to engage with Zimbabwe on issues of democracy and governance following the unsatisfactory conduct of the recent presidential election. We recognize that development assistance plays a direct and practical role in promoting peace and overcoming conflict. This year, Australia will adopt a new policy on peace, conflict and development cooperation. Delivering an aid programme that adopts a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and recovery will be a major priority in the coming years. We have a modest but targeted development assistance programme for Africa.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538 (2002) · source
“African-driven initiatives and processes, such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development, must be supported. Not only do we have more tools, we have also been improving the tools we have. United Nations peacekeeping, in particular, has made substantial progress and must continue to do so. Here, I should say that Australia has what we regard as a proud history of peacekeeping in Africa, including in Rwanda, Somalia, Namibia, Western Sahara, Mozambique and Ethiopia/ Eritrea. Finally, conflict prevention and recovery in Africa must be a partnership, we believe, between the region and the wider international community. I am happy to say that Australia is a willing and engaged partner.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538 (2002) · source
“My second point - and a very welcome one - is that with the growing understanding of the causes and cures of conflict, it has to be said that our policy toolbox is fuller than it once was. For example, appreciation of the economic factors sustaining conflicts has enabled a more effective international response to the scourge of conflict diamonds, including through the Kimberley Process, in which Australia is deeply engaged. Transitional justice issues are also receiving more attention, and Australia has been active in its support for international tribunals. But caution is needed. Conflict prevention and recovery remain very inexact sciences. It is important, therefore, to encourage more local input, local knowledge and local ownership.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538 (2002) · source
“The challenge, and also the promise, is to integrate those perspectives so as to develop comprehensive responses. We need a deeper understanding of how poverty, poor governance and conflict feed off each other. We also need to know how to encourage virtuous cycles, where peace and sustainable development are mutually supporting. Focused and well-structured interaction between the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), as others have said, each bringing its own perspectives, can be an important part of an integrated international response to conflict. In that respect, Australia will encourage this during our term on the Economic and Social Council.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538 (2002) · source
“Let me, like others, thank you very much indeed, Sir, for convening this meeting today. Let me also, like others, acknowledge the splendid work of Ambassador Koonjul. I should acknowledge the very helpful contributions of Ambassador Ibrahima Fall and the presence of Ambassador Simonovie too, but in the interest of brevity, let me stop heaping even more deserved praise on all ofyou. As the Secretary-General has said, there is no mission that is more important to fulfilling the vision ofthe Charter than conflict prevention and recovery. In that context, let me make three brief points today, which I hope may in some way be helpful to the Working Group. My first point is that successful conflict prevention and recovery must draw on political, security, economic and regional perspectives.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538 (2002) · source
“I also acknowledge the leadership of Under-Secretary- General Jean-Marie Guehenno and that of his predecessor, Bernard Miyet, and the tireless and dedicated efforts of other Secretariat officials, including Hedi Annabi, Joachim Hutter, Major General Tim Ford, Julian Harston and Ingrid Hayden. Without the contributions of those and many other people, we would not be celebrating East Timor's independence today.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“In closing, I would like once again to acknowledge with Australia's gratitude the invaluable and wonderful contribution of my friend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and his staff - both international and East Timorese - to East Timor's successful transition to independence. At the risk of omitting some important players from the United Nations - this is a perilous course on which I have embarked - it is also timely to recall and pay tribute to the unstinting efforts of Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, Francesc Vendrell, Ian Martin, Tamrat Samuel and others, such as Carina Perelli and Hocine Medili, who contributed in the difficult days of 1999, a period when today's celebrations were a distant aspiration.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“We all have an interest in a stable and prosperous East Timor that can make a positive contribution to its region and can play a constructive role as a member of the international community. Our efforts must not end here. Security Council support must be maintained as long as UNMISET is in East Timor, and the broader contributions of the United Nations funds and agencies and other organizations must be brought on-stream as they are needed. Individual bilateral donors as well as multilateral bodies must continue to accord East Timor high priority. We all owe it to the people of East Timor and to the United Nations to ensure that the success story continues.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“The personal relationships and understandings that emerge from such contributions will be invaluable to Australia's future relationship with East Timor. The personal contacts made with the people of East Timor will underpin a warm, cooperative bilateral relationship with our newest neighbour from the first day of its independence. In the space of three years, the Security Council and the United Nations have overseen an historic transition in East Timor. Today is a day of celebration and success, but the story, of course, is by no means over. All of us need to maintain our commitment to ensuring that the promising beginnings of this new nation are developed and sustained.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“We have been proud to contribute to this United Nations success story in a wide variety of ways, from our leadership of INTERFET in 1999 to our long-term financial commitment to East Timor's reconstruction and development, including through the signature today of the Timor Sea Treaty, which will guarantee substantial long-term oil and gas revenues for East Timor. Our national role has, however, extended well beyond government-level contributions. Hundreds of Australians have contributed to East Timor's transition, both as members of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) and of UNTAET and through non- Government and volunteer activities through the private sector and as United Nations volunteers.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“Working in a transparent and consultative manner with major troop contributors, the Security Council provided the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and UNTAET with clear, credible and achievable mandates. It focused from an early stage on the need for a clear exit strategy and on the need to manage and coordinate the Organization's longer-term involvement, including through its funds and agencies. That approach has continued with the recent adoption of a sensible and achievable mandate for the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET). For its part, the Secretariat has encouraged an integrated Organization-wide approach to the transition process. It has premised all of UNTAET's activities on the need for sustained capacity-building as the basis for the gradual transfer of authority to the East Timorese.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“I need not remind anyone here today of the extent of the challenges that faced the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) when it was established in October 1999. The fact that UNTAET can hand over authority to an independent East Timor only two and a half years later shows what the United Nations and the Security Council are capable of achieving with the right mix of political will and flexible and creative decision-making, on the basis of sustained international support. The unique challenges of the East Timor transition have also provided an opportunity for the United Nations, its Member States and the Security Council to put into practice new approaches to peacekeeping and to post-conflict peace-building and reconstruction.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“It is just over three years since the United Nations, Indonesia and Portugal signed the 5 May Agreement - three short years in which the process of popular consultation was established and only two years and nine months since the ballot on 30 August 1999, through which the people of East Timor chose to become independent. In that very short space of time, the people of East Timor, the United Nations and the international community have worked in close partnership to achieve the remarkable feat of establishing, from the ground up, a stable, democratic Government and an Administration that are now ready to take on the responsibilities of independence. This has been a major undertaking for all the players, particularly the United Nations.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“Howard, in offering our heartfelt congratulations to the people of East Timor as they become citizens of their new nation. Their courage, determination and commitment to the transition process have laid the basis for a stable and democratic nation. Echoing Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette's comments, I should like to say that today also belongs to the many East Timorese who are not here and who are unable to see the attainment of the goal for which they strived. I should also like to acknowledge with appreciation Deputy Secretary- General Frechette's remarks and to say how pleased I am to see that she is here today, as she was when Mr. Howard addressed the Council in February.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“It is a pleasure, Mr. President, to see you here in New York, and to welcome you here. I should begin by acknowledging the important role that Singapore has played on the Council and by saying how particularly appropriate it is that Singapore should be President of the Council this month. Kishore Mahbubani has played a role in many of the Council's activities in recent times, but it is on this issue that he has been particularly active and effective, and my Government very much wants to acknowledge that. It is with a great sense of pride and shared accomplishment that I am here today. Today is a historic moment for the people of East Timor and also for the Council, for the United Nations and for all of its Members. I should like to echo the comments made last night by our Prime Minister, Mr.”
2002-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4537 (2002) · source
“The Secretary-General's recommendations for UNMISET provide the details and strategic planning required to enable an effective transition from UNTAET to the post-independence period. We urge the Security Council to use this information to make sound decisions on a solid and comprehensive mandate for the successor mission that will guide East Timor through its first two years of independence. We have in our grasp all the makings of a United Nations success story. The Security Council is in a position to maximize the chances for a stable and viable future for East Timor and its people. We must not let these opportunities pass us by.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“In addition, as the Secretary-General has stated in his report, the achievement of key milestones during the coming two years will be greatly accelerated by strong donor support, particularly in the critical areas of establishing the border and customs service, resourcing and equipping of police and military institutions and the establishment of an adequate justice system. The more that international donors can support these key steps, the faster the successor Mission will be able to achieve its milestones, and the more efficiently the United Nations presence can be reduced. Australia will continue to do its part both through the United Nations and bilaterally, to support East Timor's transition and future development. We urge our fellow Member States to do likewise.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“For its part, Australia has made a significant contribution. In addition to our share of assessed contributions, we have spent $1.4 billion (Australian) on our military contribution from July 1999 to June 2001, and we have committed $150 million (Australian) for the four years from July 2000 to help with reconstruction and development in East Timor. Continued international support will be critical to protect the considerable investments made so far and to promote East Timor's long-term development.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“If they do not do so, there is a significant risk that international support for the fledgling State will erode. The successor mission in East Timor must not operate in isolation from the broader international effort to assist East Timor. We therefore welcome the Secretary-General's description of the relationship between UNMISET, the wider United Nations system of agencies, funds and programmes, and the national development plan of the East Timor Government. This coordinated approach will lay the basis for East Timor's eventual transition to a normal development situation, with long-term needs assisted by United Nations agencies and other donor assistance. Realization of that goal will depend not only on assessed funding for the duration of the successor mission, but also on sustained long-term support from the international community.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“With regard to the security components of the new mission - and this is a point that I particularly wanted to stress today in, as I said, more comprehensive circumstances than the ones in which I find myself speaking - we appreciate the Secretary- General's advice that discussions are under way to finalize plans for command and control of the security forces in East Timor after independence. We strongly support the continued constructive work to develop, in as precise detail as possible, these arrangements. We also believe that it is critical to continued international confidence in East Timor that the arrangements operate in accordance with the standard United Nations procedures, and that the new Government approach this particularly sensitive area of administration in a highly cooperative spirit.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“If it is carefully implemented, this plan, which Australia fully endorses, will provide the best possible chance for a stable, democratic and effective independent East Timor. Australia supports the Secretary-General's recommendations for a successor Mission covering the four key components of peacekeeping, civilian police, a Civilian Support Group and an Office of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, and funded from assessed contributions. We also support the Secretary-General's clear exit strategy, which envisages the progressive downsizing of all core components over a two-year period, against the achievement of clear milestones.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“This is due in no small part to the enormously valuable and tireless contribution of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello. I take this opportunity again to extend to him personally, and to all members of UNTAET, Australia's thanks for their dedication to laying the groundwork for the future independent East Timor. Turning to the future, the Secretary-General's report underlines that at independence a number of critical elements of the new State of East Timor will remain fragile. Without a continued international presence and commitment, the progress achieved so far will be at risk. The Secretary-General has presented us with a comprehensive, practical and responsible plan for a United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) after independence.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“Our consideration of East Timor in the Security Council today, and the decisions to be taken by Council Members in the coming weeks, are further critical elements of this process. These decisions will have a direct and significant impact on the international community's continuing role in East Timor and on the long-term future of the new nation. I thank the Secretary-General for his presence this morning, and I particularly thank my friend Assistant Secretary-General Annabi for his comprehensive briefing on the Secretary-General's report. The report shows how far East Timor's transition has come. While much remains to be done, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) has built a sound foundation for an effective, viable and democratic independent nation.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“My prepared remarks invite me, in my first paragraph, to acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of Mr. Xanana Gusmao and Mr. Mari Alkatiri, but unfortunately the arrangements today for non-members to speak do not allow me to commence my remarks in that way. I have to say that this is disappointing to my country, particularly given the contribution we have made in respect of East Timor, that we are getting what I regard as a less-than- appropriate opportunity to participate in the Security Council debate about East Timor. I am sorry to make that remark, but I do regret that the organization of Council business today has led to this result. The successful presidential election in East Timor on 14 April was a major step in the final stages of East Timor's transition to independence.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“The role of the private sector, small and medium-sized enterprises and traditional trading capabilities should be emphasized. Finally, it must be said that no durable peace, reconciliation and development is possible without explicit attention to the rights and special needs of Afghan women and children. These considerations must be woven into all of UNAMA's activities. Women should be fully involved in all decisions about Afghanistan's future. Consistent with resolution 1325 (2000), a gender perspective should inform Afghanistan's post-conflict reconstruction and peace- building. We Australians have no illusions about the complexity of the task of rebuilding Afghanistan. The Secretary-General's report does, however, provide a realistic basis for planning how best the United Nations can contribute.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“The third point I want to make also relates to resources and legitimacy, but from a different perspective. The efforts of the international community can and will be undermined if illegal sources of funds are available to those who do not accept the authority of the Afghan State. For this reason, among others, the fight against the production and trafficking of illicit drugs needs to be a very high priority. We welcome the intention to build a strong drug-control unit in the Afghan police. We also encourage the United Nations International Drug Control Programme to work closely with the Interim Administration. Alternative sources of income need to be found quickly to avoid a resurgence of criminal activity. Aid needs to be creatively designed and speedily delivered. Reconstruction must proceed together with relief and recovery.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“We therefore fully support the Secretary-General's intention for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to have a unified, integrated structure under the authority and leadership of Mr. Brahimi. It will be important, too, that political objectives and relief, recovery and reconstruction activities be mutually supporting. All United Nations agencies need to work towards common goals. International assistance should build up the strength and authority of Afghan institutions and not substitute for them. UNAMA should therefore be a lean operation with a light footprint and with a decentralized structure to support regional activities. The ultimate yardstick of UNAMA's success will not be what it has done, but what it has helped Afghans - including Afghan civil society and the private sector - to do.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“Afghanistan's neighbours, including through the "six- plus-two" group, can help foster a benign security environment. This brings me to my second point, and it is this: political legitimacy does not emerge in a vacuum. It requires resources and the intelligent deployment of resources. The Tokyo Conference demonstrated the willingness of the international community to support Afghanistan. For its part, Australia has pledged over 40 million Australian dollars. We have also made a contribution to the Afghan Interim Administration Fund. While the international support is welcome, it is important that funds be made available expeditiously and that programmes be coordinated.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“This impulse can be and is being dampened by the external military presence, but such a presence is not the long-term answer. Ideally, one might want to see the International Security Assistance Force expanded numerically and extended geographically. This is to be encouraged, as is an extension of its mandate beyond the initial six-month period, but planning also has to be based on realistic expectations. Consequently, the responsibility of Afghan leaders to achieve political progress, as set out in the Bonn Agreement, is all the greater. The successful convening of the emergency Loya Jirga must be pursued with utmost vigour. The risk of a return to violence is inversely related to the authority and legitimacy that the Loya Jirga and Interim Administration achieve. Political progress is also needed to underpin a unified national military.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“The Secretary-General's report presents a comprehensive picture of the situation in Afghanistan and the challenges ahead. Australia agrees with and welcomes the thrust of the report. We would like to draw out three aspects which we feel will be important to the success of the United Nations involvement in Afghanistan. First, as to the issue of security, there is for now no greater risk to Afghanistan's recovery than a possible lapse back into violence. Ridding Afghanistan of the terrorist threat posed by Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters remains the first priority. There can be no true security in Afghanistan, and indeed beyond, until this is achieved. Unfortunately, this of course is not the only threat. The impulse in Afghanistan to resort to violence to achieve political and other objectives remains dangerously real.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“Let me at the outset welcome you, Sir, to New York and congratulate you on the skill with which Norway, Ambassador Kolby in particular, has guided the work of the Security Council this month. Let me at the outset also associate myself and the Government and people of Australia with the expressions of regret from our colleagues today at the appalling natural tragedy which has occurred in Afghanistan. Ambassador Farhadi has the sympathy and support of all Australians. It is very timely and relevant to hold a meeting on Afghanistan and to do so in a format that allows for the views of interested Member States to be heard. We all have a stake in seeing Afghanistan recover and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to help.”
2002-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4497 (2002) · source
“However, violence must be halted and lead to a durable ceasefire in order to rebuild the confidence necessary for a return to negotiations. International efforts must be directed at assisting building the confidence of both sides. The present situation is difficult, but we do have a viable set of principles to guide the parties back to the path of a negotiated peace. The recommendations of the Mitchell report and of the Tenet plan are the vital and necessary steps to end the current violence. The Australian Government urges the unconditional resumption of security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and urges both sides to exert full and complete efforts to implement all the recommendations of the Mitchell report.”
2002-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Australia has a long-standing programme to provide development assistance, in coordination with other donor countries, to support the social and economic advancement of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza in areas where we have expertise, such as agriculture, health and education, as well as assistance to build the Palestinian Authority's legal, agricultural and vocational training capacity. This assistance is designed to deliver tangible benefits to those most in need. Australia has consistently supported international efforts to achieve peace and security and we will continue to do so. In this respect, let me add that, like others, we are encouraged by the reports of new thinking attributed to Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.”
2002-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478Resumption1 (2002) · source
“While a cessation of the violence is paramount, the international community should not lose sight of the importance of other issues identified by the Secretary-General. We recognize the heavy burden that the closures and movement restrictions have placed on the Palestinian people. An alleviation of these circumstances is essential to assisting peace and economic prosperity in the region. The international community can give political support to rebuilding confidence, but it is at least equally important that it remain committed to a long- term process of economic assistance. It is vital that the people most affected by violence see the benefits that would come from an end to violence and a return to economic development and the prospect of a better life.”
2002-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We remain - and we will say this as often as we need to and for as long as necessary - strongly committed to the territorial integrity of Israel and the right of the people of Israel to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries, free from threats or acts of force, as affirmed in resolution 242 (1967). We are, of course, equally committed to the application of this principle to all States in the region. Australia has consistently recognized the proper right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. We expect that a comprehensive, just and durable resolution of the region's conflict necessarily will meet the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinians to a homeland of their own, in accordance with the principles of resolution 242 (1967).”
2002-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Australia condemns all acts of terrorism. Aimed at innocent civilians, terrorism is morally reprehensible, undermines peace and is tragically futile. It will never solve the differences between Israelis and Palestinians. Australia has consistently expressed its support for efforts to build peace in the region. As we stated as recently as November last year in our statement in the general debate to the General Assembly, we remain committed to a negotiated settlement based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace.”
2002-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this timely and important meeting on an issue of deep interest to Member States. Let me add my congratulations to you personally on the professional way in which you have led a difficult debate, particularly so early in your tenure of office in New York. Like the Secretary-General, the Australian Government was deeply alarmed by the escalation in violence last week between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and the resulting heavy death toll. At the highest levels in our Government, we have repeatedly called for an immediate end to the violence and an early and effective resumption of negotiations. The importance of calls like ours does not diminish. There is no military solution to the situation between the Israelis and the Palestinians and there is no real alternative to a negotiated settlement.”
2002-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478Resumption1 (2002) · source