YouSaid · the spoken record

De Gucht

lines on the record
117
first
2006-01-16
most recent
2008-12-22
sittings or episodes
13
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

  1. “There are no further speakers on my list. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council. "The Security Council recalls the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and in particular the Security Council's primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In this respect, the Security Council recognizes the role that natural resources can play in armed conflict and post-conflict situations. "The Security Council reaffirms that every State has the full and inherent sovereign right to control and exploit its own natural resources in accordance with the Charter and the principles of international law.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source

  2. “(spoke in French): I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Benin, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the consideration 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 consideration 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. Zinsou (Benin) took the seat reservedfor him at the side ofthe Council Chamber (spoke in English) I now give the floor to the representative of Norway.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705Resumption1 (2007) · source

  3. “As there are still several speakers on my list who have not yet had an opportunity to speak, I propose, with the consent of Council members, to suspend the meeting until 3 p.m. The meeting was suspended at 1.50 p.m.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  4. “Undoubtedly, there is still work to be done in cooperation with the Peacebuilding Commission. I am particularly pleased that this discussion has taken place. It would be useful to pursue it in greater depth in the future, not only in the Council but elsewhere as well. Although we may have differences of opinion on certain specific aspects of the problem, I hope I can count on the support of all Council members in that respect. I now resume my functions as President. I now call on the representative of Germany.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  5. “For example, groups of experts have proved to be a useful instrument in shedding light on mechanisms by which natural resources can be exploited in order to fuel conflict, but the quality of their work is uneven. It should be possible to build within the Secretariat a more permanent centre of expertise to support their work. That question must also be raised when drafting the mandates of peacekeeping operations, which could include a specific expertise component, when required. Moreover, the Security Council could pay greater attention to the complementarity between its actions aimed at peace and security and the post-conflict phase, where reconstruction and development become the central objectives. We must consider further, in particular, the conditions to be met for lifting a specific embargo.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  6. “It is therefore up to the Security Council to highlight complementarity between those initiatives and its own actions and to encourage them so they can contribute to peace. I now come to my second objective: consideration of the Council's own actions. The Council is no stranger to the question of the role of natural resources in conflicts and in the past it has used some of its instruments for responding to that issue. However, such action can be reinforced and made more systematic. In the management of conflicts, the Council should examine earlier on whether or not the dimension of natural resources needs to be taken into account.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  7. “We must also promote the efforts of institutions such as the World Bank to provide assistance and targeted advice on the management of natural resources. Why do we wish to discuss the topic in the Security Council? Once again, it is obvious that the Council is not attempting to provide any kind of guardianship over efforts not related to its competencies and which are better placed with other organs, national or international. But those initiatives have an impact on international peace and security, and that is the primary responsibility of the Council. The Council has a duty to promote awareness of the fact that security and development are linked, and to encourage all actors involved in managing natural resources to bear that in mind.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  8. “That, of course, remains the responsibility of national authorities. On the contrary, it is a question of strengthening that responsibility and making sure that the exploitation of natural resources does not escape State control nor be used against the State. Setting up mechanisms for international cooperation can help in achieving that objective. We must also make accountable the various actors involved in the exploitation of natural resources accountable, in particular the private sector. Cooperation and accountability are at the heart of the initiatives I have already mentioned. In the same spirit, it is necessary to give greater thought to mechanisms for certification or for tracking certain commodities, as Belgium is doing today for certain minerals in the Congo.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  9. “In the Congo, it is essential that the exploitation of the enormous natural wealth of the country benefit the entire population, if we wish to see lasting stability and avoid a relapse into civil war in the near future. Liberia has understood that well and has made the management of natural resources a central element of its (GMAP) programme of assistance for rebuilding the country. That is also true more generally in institutionally fragile countries that are facing the need to manage their wealth in natural resources, such as Timor-Leste. Those countries need international support to ensure that their natural resources will be an opportunity for them, and not a curse. Having said that, it is clear that I am not advocating that the international community become involved in the management of the natural resources of each country.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  10. “Last February, we organized an international conference on the sustainable management of forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we decided to bring that matter to the agenda of the Council today. In organizing the debate, Belgium hoped to achieve two objectives. The first is that the Council should in general recognize that natural resources can be a destabilizing factor and reaffirm the central idea that good governance of natural resources is important, not only for development but also for peace and security. That is particularly true in countries emerging from a conflict in which natural resources were a factor.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  11. “We have come to the end of the list of members of the Security Council. I will now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Belgium. (spoke in French) Like other members of the international community, Belgium attempts to make its contribution to the international response to the problem of the exploitation of natural resources in a number of ways. We were one of the pioneer members of the Kimberley Process, and we participate actively in it. The last meeting of the Process was held in Brussels just a few weeks ago. Moreover, Belgium recently decided to make an important contribution to the International Tropical Timber Organization initiative, and a year ago we set up a scientific task force, on Mineral Resources in Central Africa, to study the feasibility of tracking mechanisms for copper and cobalt in Katanga.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  12. “I thank Mr. Cekuolis for his statement. (spoke in French) In accordance with the understanding reached among members of the Council, I should like to remind all speakers to kindly limit the length of their statements to no more than four minutes, in order to enable the Council to carry out its work as expeditiously as possible. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to deliver a condensed version in the Chamber, on the understanding that they may distribute the longer version in writing. I shall now give the floor to members of the Council. I shall first give the floor to the representative of Indonesia. On behalf of the Security Council, I warmly welcome the presence among us of Mr. Eddy Pratomo, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. I now give him the floor.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  13. “I thank Mr. Pascoe for his briefing. I now give the floor to Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, President of the General Assembly.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  14. “Thus today's debate is an opportunity also to focus on the linkage between the actions of the Security Council and the aforementioned efforts of the international community, in particular in countries emerging from conflict. We must ensure a smooth transition from a logic of sanctions, which is appropriate in periods of acute conflict and which is dictated by security considerations and managed by the Council, to a logic of reconstruction, in which the goal is to help a country recover and make optimal use of its sovereignty over its natural resources, and where other actors take over. I am convinced that we will have a fruitful debate on this issue. I now have the honour to give the floor to Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who will speak on behalf of the Secretary-General.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  15. “A more recent one, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which is aimed at enhancing the transparency of the revenues of extractive industries, is based on that same logic. Here let me also mention the International Tropical Timber Organization, which has programmes to combat illegal trade. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has developed guidelines aimed at increasing the private sector's awareness of its responsibilities. The World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme are increasingly taking this issue into account in their activities in resource-rich countries.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  16. “07-39337 Moreover, a number of the countries most affected by the problem are now emerging from conflict. Here I am thinking in particular of Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This raises fresh questions for the international community and for the Security Council in particular. There has been a growing awareness of the fact that in order to avert any relapse into acute conflict, it must be ensured at an early stage that in the affected countries natural resources play their rightful role, which is to serve as a source of wealth and development rather than of instability. Various initiatives exist with respect to that general objective, such as the Kimberley Process for diamonds.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  17. “The question of the role of natural resources in armed conflict is not a new one; the Security Council has been faced with it for several years. The Council has responded by imposing embargoes on certain commodities and by requesting sanctions committees and groups of experts to study this aspect of certain situations on its agenda. A number of peacekeeping operations have also incorporated the issue of natural resources into their work. However, the debate so far has focused only on certain countries and been limited to specific aspects of the question. The Council has not undertaken a horizontal reflection process on this dimension of its work. It is time for us to focus on the lessons learned from its experience and on means of strengthening the effectiveness of the Council's instruments.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  18. “Unfortunately, experience shows us that the exploitation of these resources can also become a factor that magnifies conflict, both directly, owing to armed conflicts relating to the ownership and distribution of revenue, and indirectly, because in fragile countries a dependence on natural resources leads to an increased risk of weak governance and poor economic performance. All of these factors contribute to conflict-prone environments. Natural resources can also be a means for conflict, allowing armed groups to finance their activities. These links between natural resources and conflict have been noted in several crises that have been in the forefront in the last few years, particularly in Africa. I myself was made aware of this problem, in particular, through our diplomatic action in Central Africa.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  19. “I should like to draw the attention of members of the Council to document S/2007/334, containing a letter dated 6 June 2007 from the Permanent Representative 2 of Belgium addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept paper on natural resources and conflict. I shall now make an introductory statement in my capacity as the representative of Belgium. I thank participants for coming here and agreeing to participate in this open debate on natural resources and conflict, a subject that I hold particularly dear. Here are, in a few words, the reasons why Belgium wished to organize this debate. In countries rich in natural resources, the revenue derived from the sale of raw materials is essential for growth and development and thus contributes to peace and stability.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  20. “At the invitation of the President, the representatives of the aforementioned countries took the seats reservedfor them at the side of the Council Chamber. The President (spoke in French): In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend invitations under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, President of the General Assembly, and His Excellency Ambassador Dalius Cekuolis, President of the Economic and Social Council. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  21. “I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Angola, Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Germany, Iceland, India, Japan, Liechtenstein, Norway, Pakistan, Senegal, Switzerland and Tunisia, in which they request to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the consideration of the item, 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.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5705 (2007) · source

  22. “"The Security Council reaffirms its full support to the UNIFIL in carrying out its mandate to assist in the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and expresses its strong appreciation to Member States contributing troops." (spoke in French) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2007/21. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 10.15 a.m. 07-39295”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5704 (2007) · source

  23. “"The Security Council notes the condemnation of this attack by the Government of Lebanon and commends the determination and commitment of the Government of Lebanon to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack. "The Security Council reaffirms its full support to the Lebanese Government and army in their efforts to ensure security and stability throughout Lebanon. "The Security Council appeals to all parties concerned to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel, including by avoiding any course of action that endangers United Nations personnel and by ensuring that UNIFIL is accorded full freedom of movement throughout its area of operations.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5704 (2007) · source

  24. “The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. After consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: (spoke in English) "The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on 24 June near the town of Khiyam in south Lebanon, which targeted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and killed six United Nations peacekeepers of the Spanish contingent. "The Security Council extends its deepest condolences to the families of those victims, who included Colombian nationals.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5704 (2007) · source

  25. “I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Colombia, Lebanon and Spain, in which they request to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the consideration of the item, 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, Ms. Ziade (Lebanon), Ms. Pajt'n Iraola (Spain) and Ms. Blum (Colombia) took seats at the Council table. The President (spoke in French): The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”

    2007-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5704 (2007) · source

  26. “It is ready to continue and expand the sharing of its experience with interested organizations. (spoke in French) In assuming the chairmanship of the OCSE, Belgium wanted to clearly show its commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. Promoting close cooperation between our two organizations is an integral part of that commitment. On behalf of the OSCE, I have the honour of reaffirming our support for that partnership.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  27. “Furthermore, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has an important role not only in election monitoring but also in assisting countries in furthering democratic development and human rights. The OSCE's Forum for Security and Cooperation acts as the keeper of disarmament treaties and confidence-building measures. Since 2002, the annual Security Review Conference has grown into a comprehensive forum for security dialogue within the OSCE area. Through its regular contacts and meetings with Asian and Mediterranean partners for cooperation, the OSCE also encourages the implementation of confidence- and security-building measures. It is also engaged in capacity-building activities related to out- of-region organizations, such as the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  28. “Naturally, although the ultimate responsibility for finding solutions lies with the parties themselves, the OSCE and its Chairman-in-Office will avail themselves of every opportunity to move the peace processes in those conflicts forward and to assist the parties in reaching a solution. I should also like to underline the OSCE's strong record in the field of human rights, including protecting minorities, preserving freedom of the media, promoting tolerance and furthering democracy. The High Commissioner on National Minorities, for example, is the organization's main tool for identifying ethnic tensions between and within member States.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  29. “In addition, the OSCE assists in the implementation of Security Council resolutions, for example in the area of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Through these activities, as well as through the transmission of data, evaluations and analyses, the OSCE can provide information and assistance to the Security Council. We look forward to further developing that cooperation in other fields, for instance, in conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation, where the OSCE has proved its added value through the work of its specialized institutions and 18 field missions in 16 countries. Regarding the so-called protracted conflicts in Georgia-South Ossetia, Nagorny Karabakh and Moldova-Transdniestra, the OSCE offers its good offices to the parties to prevent escalation and to create the right conditions for a peaceful settlement.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  30. “This effort has also made it possible to provide specific support to the implementation of this Convention by the participating States of the OSCE. In the area of transportation, a priority theme this year in the economic sphere, the Belgian chairmanship cooperates closely with the United Nations High Representative for Landlocked Developing Countries and supports the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action approved in Almaty in 2003. I would also like to draw attention to the enhanced cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in implementing legal instruments and norms for the latter. (spoke in English) 06-5287} Some activities of the OSCE result directly from various Security Council resolutions, for instance in Kosovo and in Georgia.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  31. “The OSCE Permanent Council adopted a declaration on cooperation with the United Nations last March, in response to recent calls from the latter to further strengthen cooperation with regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, in particular resolution 1631 (2005) and the subsequent report of the Secretary-General. (spoke in French) In this regard, I am particularly pleased with the productive cooperation with the United Nations in many fields of activity of the OSCE. Thus, the stress that we have placed on the fight against organized crime has made it possible to strengthen our cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and to use the OSCE framework to promote the ratification of the 2002 United Nations Convention on Transnational Crime.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  32. “This is, and should be, a matter of constant attention, continued investment and common responsibility for us as it is for the United Nations. We have built a body of commitments, norms and principles, which bind us together, which we share with the international community, and which guide us in our actions. There can be no lasting peace and security without respect for democracy, civil liberties and human rights. Conversely, effective and lasting democratic rule is predicated upon stability. There will also be no lasting stability without economic development. That is why we should attach great importance to each and every one of the three dimensions of the comprehensive approach to security that both our organizations share.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  33. “At the beginning of this year I had an opportunity to present to the Council the highlights of the programme of the Belgian chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). I would like to thank you, Madam, President, for the opportunity to take the floor again today in this very important forum. I am very pleased with the evolution of the dialogue between the Security Council and regional organizations. This dialogue is particularly useful in strengthening the global security system. Indeed, the security challenges that we all face require consolidated and coordinated action. (spoke in English) The OSCE is the world's largest and most inclusive regional organization under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Its core mandate is to promote security through cooperation.”

    2006-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5529 (2006) · source

  34. “You can trust, Madam President, that we will continue to work with all the countries of the region, with all our partners in Africa and indeed with the African Union itself, towards the establishment of lasting peace in the region of the Great Lakes.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  35. “I am very much encouraged by the smooth transition and election process in Burundi, which opens up prospects for lasting peace and stability not only in Burundi itself but in the Great Lakes region in general. In Burundi also, the Peacebuilding Commission may be called upon to play a useful role. Before concluding, I would like to stress the vital contribution that countries of the region have made to the restoration of peace and security in the Great Lakes region. Some of those countries, such as Tanzania and the Republic of the Congo, are currently members of the Security Council. Others are not but play a role no less crucial. Allow me to refer specifically to South Africa and Angola. My country very much values its cooperation with all these countries.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  36. “I trust that the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region, through its action plan, will foster regional initiatives, including in the field of development, in a focused way. I see a stabilizing influence coming from regional economic cooperation through a revitalized CEPGL - the "Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs" - which can be an instrument of integration bringing the people of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi closer together. I think that, already at this stage, particular attention should be given to the post-electoral period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a special focus on good governance, development cooperation and economic reconstruction. It is my personal opinion that the new Peacebuilding Commission could play a useful role in post-transition Congo.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  37. “Peace can be assured only when armies are integrated, when the military personnel are decently paid, when police forces are well organized and when the judiciary is properly functioning. I am convinced that the regional approach taken by the Security Council when dealing with security issues in a number of countries - such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi - is the right one. I commend the Council for its efforts and refer in this respect to resolution 1625 (2005), as well as to the resolution the Council will adopt today. Long-term stability in Central Africa definitely does require a regional approach. My vision for the region is one of a growing pool of democratic countries with inclusive Governments, stable institutions and a functioning judiciary.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  38. “Lasting and sustainable solutions to the challenges at hand have to grow bottom-up, from the inside, by empowering civil society and the emerging political class fully to assume their newly recovered responsibilities - bottom-up, not top-down; from the inside, not the outside; and through empowerment, not through tutelage. If that approach is to be successful, we, the international community, must redirect our attention from the abstract level of vague policy recommendations to the concrete level of effective implementation, in the field, for the benefit of the people, whose fate is the ultimate object of our concerns. For any development to have a reasonable chance of success, armed conflict must cease, the security of people must be assured and the rule of law must be guaranteed.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  39. “But it is possible to gradually improve and to relentlessly enhance the performance of Governments. In that context, I would like to encourage current African efforts to redress poor governance, such as the African Peer Review Mechanism of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). But I am also thinking of concrete economic mechanisms such as the Kimberley process. That mechanism has proved to be quite efficient in containing the smuggling of diamonds and in effectively limiting the financing of conflicts in the continent. My country, together with others, is currently studying the possibility of introducing a similar system for the trade in other raw materials.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  40. “But, conversely, Africans, too, must dare to live up to their responsibilities. Former Minister Ousman Sy of Mali said: "Africa is not poor, it is badly governed". That is definitely too harsh a statement, but we have to reflect upon it. When speaking of good governance, I am not referring to a moralizing concept imposed by outsiders. Nor am I pleading for a system by which good and bad points are distributed in a senseless contest. What I mean by good governance is effective governance. It is about institution-building, about Governments capable of producing tangible results for the benefit of the people. It is about creating the proper conditions for sustainable development. Of course, it is impossible to turn failing States into perfectly governed States overnight.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  41. “International gatherings and conferences have no doubt played a role in the overall awareness of the African plight. But the time has now come to deliver - to make sure that the average citizen in Africa can see and feel that things are moving. That implies a reappraisal of the donor efforts in Africa. Have we been doing the right thing? Were we perhaps inspired by colonial reflexes, by rivalry, or simply by actors wanting to promote their short-term interests without taking into account the needs of the population? Are we doing enough to open up our markets to African products? In short, is the international community really gearing up for a much- needed, comprehensive effort to give Africans all the opportunities they need and deserve? We, as representatives of the international community, must dare to ask these critical questions.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  42. “The Great Lakes region, and the Congo in particular, have the potential to become the motor of African development. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the transition in the Congo be a success and that the other countries in the region - Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda - continue their political and economic reconstruction process towards the establishment of stable and democratic societies, with a responsible leadership eager to build modern state institutions based on the rule of law. It is my strong opinion that the fate of Africa will to a large extent depend on the future of the Great Lakes region. We must seize the opportunity to help the countries of that region pursue and consolidate change, and we must do it now. How do we proceed? I think that the time for reflection has passed.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  43. “While Asia is lifting itself rapidly out of poverty and Latin America continues to make steady progress, the situation in Africa is quite disturbing. It is true that Africa has been a victim of past history, of exploitation and of the slow response of the international community to its needs. However, Africa is also the victim of internal strife, endless war and regional conflict, corruption and poor management. This cannot go on - for Africa's sake and for the world's. A real and sustainable take-off of the African continent as a whole will be successful only if we can establish lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. It is an illusion to think that a continent can be developed as long as its heart is engulfed in conflict and poverty.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  44. “Africa is one of the highest priorities for my country, which is fully committed to its cause, particularly to peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region. Africa's problems are of concern to us all. They need a forceful response, first and foremost from Africa, but also from Africa's partners within the international community. Belgium, working bilaterally and very closely with its partners within the European Union, is fully committed to a progressive political and economic agenda for Africa. I should like to associate myself fully with the statement made by the representative of Austria on behalf of the European Union. Conflicts, together with the limited capacity of many African States, greatly reduce the development prospects of the whole continent.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  45. “Madam President, I am most grateful for your kind invitation to participate in this debate on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region. I commend you, Madam, and the other members of the Council for the importance the Security Council continues to give to this region and for the special attention it is receiving under your presidency. Let me at the very outset stress the indispensable and prominent role played by the United Nations in Africa, both here in New York and in the field. Let me also on this occasion share my personal feelings and those of the people of Belgium with the families of the eight peacekeepers who just a few days ago lost their lives in the cause of peace.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  46. “In preparing the discussion for that ministerial conference - which will in fact be centred on ODIHR and the chairmanship-in-office - I intend to create conditions that will give ODIHR every opportunity to carry out its very important task, as well as to strive to achieve a consensus among all participating States on how to put this into practice effectively.”

    2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source

  47. “With regard to the question by the representative of the United States of America regarding the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), we are of the opinion that the monitoring of elections is a very valuable contribution to peace, stability, modernization and democracy in the region. Recently, there has been much discussion on the role of ODIHR. That is why, by means of negotiations in Ljubljana, which took quite a long time, we came to an agreement on a road map for how to evaluate ODIHR in the year to come. On the basis of that document, ODIHR will present a self-evaluation and will put questions to all participating States. On the basis of that, a report will be elaborated that will be discussed openly at the next ministerial meeting, in Ljubljana.”

    2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source

  48. “Then there was a question by the representative of Argentina on the future role of the OSCE. The future role of the OSCE depends, of course, on the participating States, at least to the extent that they give us opportunities to play that role so that we will be in a position to do so. Sometimes there is hesitation. What we would like to do during our chairmanship-in-office is to create an environment that allows all participating States to cooperate fully within the OSCE. That also means that the OSCE should acquire more political prominence than was the case in the recent past.”

    2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source

  49. “That means that if those conflicts are to be resolved, the OSCE should be there for the long term to establish fully fledged modern societies in those regions. Another question came from Greece, on the unequal treatment of the three baskets within the OSCE. That remark has been made repeatedly. I think it is to the benefit of the OSCE that we should try to re- equilibrate the relations between the three baskets. That is why we will strengthen OSCE action in the economic basket, also at the demand of several participating States with very concrete proposals such as the promotion of regional cooperation in the field of transportation. In particular, we would like to introduce the cooperation dynamics of the Stability Pact of the Balkans at the OSCE level.”

    2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source

  50. “In addition, in the intermediate period, the role of the OSCE will be very important, because it is the organization with the most representatives and the most people on the ground. We are represented down to the level of the smallest village in Kosovo and in those parts of Kosovo where the problem of the Serb minorities is very prominent. We are working very closely with Mr. Ahtisaari and his people. And we are of the opinion that it would be very welcome if the OSCE were given all the tools to fulfil that very important task. With respect to frozen conflicts, there is not only the question of their resolution, as such. There is also the environment. In that connection, the economic dimension, for example, surfaces again. Cross-border cooperation and economic development are very important.”

    2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source