YouSaid · the spoken record

De Mistura

lines on the record: 707
first: 2008-01-21
most recent: 2018-12-20
sittings or episodes: 34
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

“We continuously witnessed the tragic decisions taken during the Taliban's rule regarding schools in general and girls in particular. There are some indicators that they appear for the first time to be sending messages - even publicly through the Internet- that they might have learned from that mistake. We hope that this is not just a tactical decision and that they are in fact indicating their interest in not attacking schools. There have been some contraindications. Some teachers have been affected recently, but on the whole our own research indicates that some 400 schools, newly established in certain areas that could clearly be influenced by a Taliban presence, have seen a substantial reduction of attacks. Minister Wardak has drawn my attention to this.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“One area for confidence-building measures is certainly the possibility of establishing a venue - let us not call it an office - where meetings could eventually take place between the Taliban and stakeholders, in particular Afghan partners, Without a feeling of insecurity and with an atmosphere of sufficient discretion. That is not yet there, but it is one of the areas. Let me mention an additional area, which has come up in the past few weeks. It has to do with education. If there is one area that the international community and the Afghan authorities should be proud of, in terms of improvement after the departure of the Taliban, it is education. Seven million children are currently enrolled and going to school, many of them girls.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“Secondly, and I know this is personal judgment, but it is one based on the perception held by many in Kabul, the decision that the Council courageously took to split the list of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) between Al-Qaida and the Taliban is certainly an indicator in the right direction, if we want to continue to push for reconciliation. To give one example, some of the members of the High Peace Council, which is the ultimate authority and to which we will refer when there is a substantive discussion, happen to still be on the list. That is very difficult to manage when we, as the United Nations and UNAMA, assist them logistically and substantively and try to travel with them and bring them around in order to make sure that we have meetings.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“These are important, because they are the measures that prepare for substantive discussion, which can only be carried out by the Afghans with the Afghans. They will actually have to do what we have always said, namely, ensure that this is Afghan-led. But confidence-building measures do matter, especially at this stage. They include issues such as looking at civilian casualties and giving the Taliban a chance, if they want to be involved, to actually qualify by doing so with facts and not with words and by reducing the tremendous negative impact that they are having on the civilian population, especially in the most recent period.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“Everybody recognizes that no military solution is conceivable in Afghanistan. We now need to move more effectively into a political search. That means reconciliation. Where are we on that? Well, as is clear for all to see, there have been a lot of contacts. Unfortunately, there have also been leaks to 11-40242 the media, which have not helped those contacts. But there is clearly a need for dialogue, and we are getting indications that this will be resumed in a more concrete way very soon. Meanwhile, the United Nations is doing its part, in close coordination with Afghan authorities and international stakeholders. We are focusing specifically only on what we are mandated to do, and where we perhaps have added value, that is, on confidence- building measures.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“It is also true, however, that there is a constant attempt by anti-government forces - during the spring offensive, as they call it, and in the summer - to try to reverse that perception by giving signals of dramatic surgical attacks. But I must say that, so far, the first impression still prevails. The Afghans have been able to handle it. That does not mean that in the next few weeks or perhaps months, as the summer is not over, there may not be moments of great difficulty in the security situation. That is Why it is so important, first, to address the issue of civilian casualties, which is affecting the Afghan people, and, secondly, to actually go into the other phase, namely, a political search - as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and, recently, President Obama have indicated, and as has President Karzai several times.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“There were attacks in Kandahar for two days, as well as attacks in Herat on the Italian provincial reconstruction team. But let us put it into context. All the attacks were taken care of in an effective way by the Afghan military and police - albeit perhaps sometimes in a rather confusing way, as we are all in the process of training. Even at the Intercontinental Hotel, in a way, the end of the attack was supported by International Security Assistance Force helicopters. Again, however, the Afghan forces were up front. I think that is an important point, because there is a perception of improvement in terms of the security situation, which is true. There has been a surge and there has been an improvement in the perception of the momentum being reversed.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will do its part in that regard, based on its very clear mandate, in particular to facilitate that aspect of the transition. 11-40242 That leads me to my second point, which is normally the first one in Afghanistan, that is, security. As the Council knows - and there have been many reminders of this - the security situation has been an issue of concern recently. But we have to look at it in context. God knows I do so with care and caution, having just experienced tragedy on 1 April. There have been attacks on the Intercontinental Hotel. Many of us have been there and we know its iconic value. It was shocking. There have been attacks inside the city and in military hospitals, and even in the Ministry of Defence.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“In that sense, while the transition is irreversible like a Swiss train, we need at the same time to make sure that it becomes solidly irreversible with regard to the socio-economic aspect. In that context, one element that has been discussed in the past few days, and which may come up again, is the idea of seeing whether we could have some of the projects that may emerge that are related to transition linked to some type of transition dividend. In other words, there will undoubtedly be some savings on the military side. Some of it may be utilized to ensure that local Afghan authorities and the people in the areas that are being transitioned feel that there is continuing interest and substantive support for their development.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“According to every indicator I have - and as we heard at the meeting we had on the transition conference in Kabul - it is also on track. The transition will also of course address seven areas, provinces and cities. As usual, we will see that the devil in the details. But the transition is on track. An issue on which we are working - and on which we should be working more, as was recognized in the meeting to which I referred - has to do with the fact that transition cannot be, and should not be, only about security. It has to be about something more. It needs to be a transition to something that the Afghan people recognize and identify with. That is why we are working together in order to ensure that the results in the social, economic and human rights aspects are linked to the transition.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“Transition has been announced, but it is also going to be based on the decisions taken at upcoming meetings of the international community with the Afghan authorities, starting approximately in mid-July. This is also the month when we are starting to see the gradual implementation of the decision announced in the speech by President Obama with regard to a gradual redeployment of international forces, in particular those of the United States. In other words, we are at a crossroads between national sovereignty and what comes with it, namely, responsibility and accountability, and between continuing conflict and a politically inclusive dialogue. First of all, on the transition, it is like a train that is moving forward.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: The last time I briefed the Security Council (see S/PV.6497), as the Council is aware, I insisted, against the rules, on allowing Ambassador Tanin to speak first, as a sign of attention and respect to the growing need for the Afghan people to be recognized as a sovereign country. But this time, Ambassador Tanin has insisted, with me, to go back to the rules, to show that Afghanistan intends to stick to international rules. Therefore, with his permission, I will apply the old approach and take the floor as he kindly requested me to do. We meet today at the moment when we are at a special crossroads. July is a significant month in 2011, as decisions have been taken that relate to the 2 beginning of transition.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“I was planning to do so myself at a certain point. The issue pertains to 51 per cent of the Afghan population: the women of Afghanistan. We will continue to consider it part of our duties to help the Afghan authorities ensure that Afghan women will continue to have a better future. A total of 69 women are members of Parliament. Recently, we have been very concerned about a number ofissues related to women's shelters. I will insist on that point because it is part of the human rights mandate of UNAMA to do everything we can to assist this large, important part of the Afghan population. A female Afghan Member of Parliament reminded me that one of the most important areas is education. If you teach and educate a man, you educate a man; if you educate a woman, you educate a family.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I will keep my remarks extremely brief in view of the time and the fact that we are very satisfied with what we have heard today. I would like to make two points. First, we will do our best to implement the common understanding that we perceive as becoming apparent in the Security Council regarding the review and the future mandate and activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Of course, that will be based on the work done in the context of the review process and on the realities on the ground, so that the Council, which will make the mandate adjustments, will be able to consider the results of the review. We will do our best to do that together. Secondly, I would like to say a few words about an issue that we have not flagged enough here today.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“UNAMA has therefore positioned itself to be supportive of the Afghan Government in this period of great transition and greater responsibility. We would like to continue to do so.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“That is why we need to work closely together. We have heard Ambassador Tanin. We have heard loud and clear the message from Afghan authorities about their sovereignty and the fact that we cannot - none of us, not even the Afghan authorities - work as if it were business as usual any more. We should therefore constantly adjust our profile in activities on the basis of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned priorities. We must go beyond security and political gains and give further consideration to development. As I have said, we have been with the Afghan people for 60 years. We were there during the Taliban. I myself was there during the time of Najibullah. And we are there now. Hopefully, we will be there as long as the Afghans need us.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“The facts speak of a dramatic situation, with addiction both in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries due to massive production. While production has decreased, it has recently been stimulated by increasing prices, which have tripled during the reporting period. Therefore, the measures taken must have an impact on the whole chain - from eradication to crop substitutions, precursors, chemicals and global demand reduction. I therefore appeal to the Council to build the counter-narcotics capacity of the Government of Afghanistan and ensure that we can see some progress this year. 11-2662] In conclusion, this is a crucial year. I know we have heard this many times. Every year is crucial in Afghanistan, but some years are more crucial than others. The year 2011 is one of transition, leading up to 2014.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“All of these United Nations entities are at the disposal of Afghan authorities in order to help Afghans feel that they will not be abandoned once again after the transition is over and we move towards a more sovereign and Afghan-led future. With regard to drugs, that is an issue about which we are indeed concerned. There is no doubt that drugs are a threat to both Afghan and international peace and stability. I have been in Tehran and neighbouring countries and this issue comes up all the time. The narcotics issue also warrants shared responsibility among international stakeholders. The Government has made progress over recent years, as its neighbours, and I believe all of us, recognize. However, the situation remains one of great concern.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Let me recall that the World Food Programme is reaching approximately 7.3 million vulnerable Afghans every day of every year. The World Health Organization and UNICEF have supported the vaccination of 7.5 million children this year and over the previous two years. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been assisting Afghan authorities in the voluntary repatriation of 4.5 million Afghans. The United Nations Mine Action Coordination Centre has assisted 2,553 communities to remove, in partnership with Afghans, 300,000 mines. The United Nations Development Programme has assisted in more than 7,400 civil service positions and in capacity-building. There has also been counter-narcotics support, provided by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“On the political and socio-economic agenda, women, girls and boys need to be supported. We are advocating for that. With regard to the footprint, civilian transition per se is both an imperative and an opportunity. We believe that the United Nations subnational presence in Afghanistan has been supporting the Government in many fields - coordination, governance, human rights, the rule of law and many more areas. There are 30 United Nations agencies and programmes in Afghanistan, working on the Council's behalf and assisting the Government in 34 provinces. To date, they have spent $904 million on humanitarian and development activities in Afghanistan. Millions of Afghans are benefiting from this, but we do recognize that we need to carry out a review in order to fine-tune those efforts even further.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“That is why we will continue to recognize the issue and advocate for the situation to end. We hope that there will certainly be a surge to guard against further civilian casualties. Unfortunately, as the Council is aware, although we have given anti-Government elements an opportunity to participate in the civilian casualties report by contributing their own data, if they have any, and to make their own contribution by reducing the number of casualties, we have not received a response to date. We should also focus on the increased so-called conflict-induced humanitarian needs, for which there is indeed need. It is not only poverty and natural disasters, but also conflict that results in a great deal of collateral humanitarian effects. That is why the role of United Nations agencies in the field is quite important at this stage.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“By according neutrality to such outreach efforts and having a presence in the field, we believe that UNAMA can actually assist them in reaching all segments of Afghan society. With regard to human rights, humanitarian issues and Afghan women, civilian casualties are a great source of concern. A report on the issue was recently released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. We share the concern of the Government, the International Security Assistance Force, the international community and the people of Afghanistan about the huge number of civilian casualties. Since 2007, some 9,000 civilians have perished in this conflict. The greatest number of deaths - 2,777 - occurred in 2010. Statistics is one thing, but people are another thing. Every death is one too many.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“That meeting endorsed the High Peace Council, again in line with Afghan ownership, and called for a Kabul-based approach to peace and reconciliation initiatives, with the support of a group of international and regional players that would meet, and be based in, Kabul. On the ground in Afghanistan, UNAMA will continue to facilitate the work of the High Peace Council, at its own request, through the Salaam Support Group. UNAMA will also continue to support the unfolding of the process led by the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme, which continues to make progress, having reintegrated some 700 individuals to date. Minister Stanekzai recently requested that UNAMA provide further assistance in reaching out to the provinces.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“We recognize the need to support Afghanistan beyond 2014 in its own efforts to normalize the country and guarantee long-term Afghan ownership, backed by capacity-building. For that reason, while we are keen on supporting the spirit of transition, we are also available to go beyond that. After all, we have been there for the past 60 years, and if the Afghan authorities need us to be there, we will again be helping the Afghans next year and even beyond the transition period. Turning to peace, reintegration and regional issues, the beginning of the month saw a very important meeting of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan, held in Jeddah. The presence of the High Peace Council representative at that meeting was a major message to all of us.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Therefore, sovereignty comes with increased responsibility and accountability, and that is why we need to work together. In that respect, Afghans have made a great deal of progress this year. Two Afghan independent electoral bodies have carried out their work with professionalism and have shown an improved capacity to take the lead on electoral preparations with the required technical assistance. Parliament was inaugurated on 26 January by President Karzai, with all members in attendance. The election of a minority candidate as the leader of the Wolesi Jirga shows that, at the end of the day, Afghans can truly find their own solutions and meet various ethnic, factional and regional needs. With an executive board now fully appointed, we believe that the legislature now has a chance to embark on its own agenda in Afghanistan.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“We welcome the transition in security. As the Council is aware, we have been constructively supporting that transition as active observers. We intend to continue following up in that regard, through our own contribution to the civilian transition in the areas to be announced by President Karzai, likely on 21 March. Transitioning provinces must be given incentives and be rewarded, and not just neglected after the transition has taken place. Secretary Clinton's recent remarks were clear in that regard: the ongoing military and civilian surge needs to be matched by an enhanced diplomatic surge. Frankly, we have also been asking for a surge to protect civilians owing to the spike in civilian casualty rates. Transitioning also requires the existence of sustainable institutions at the national and subnational levels that can continue the job.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“The primary focus in the forthcoming months will be on the transition of security arrangements as the international forces begin the gradual transition and as the Afghan security forces assume the leading responsibility for security. Preparing the Afghan forces to shoulder an increased responsibility for military and security operations is a formidable challenge. The Afghan security forces will be called upon to sustain the security gains made over the past year. At the same time, they will need to gain the confidence of the Afghan people, despite the persistent violence and intimidation campaign by the insurgents against communities across the country. The spectacular horror in the use of attacks will remain, I am afraid, a tactic of the insurgency for the time being, as will their efforts to interfere with the current military surge.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“As we have heard today and seen in the letter (see S/2011/118, annex) from Foreign Minister Rassoul to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Government of Afghanistan is increasingly and legitimately demanding to lead all aspects of governance, development and efforts to achieve peace. In that regard, we interpret the recent letter as constructive. We see the upcoming review of the United Nations support to Afghanistan and its mandate as a good opportunity to streamline the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the United Nations family in a coherent effort to deliver as one.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“We saw those events linked together with other important events, such as the Peace Jirga, the Kabul Conference and the parliamentary elections, all of which have sent a continuous message of an increased sense of Afghan ownership and transition to an Afghan-led future. Transition is clearly premised on sovereignty and the build-up of Government capacity to manage its own affairs. All of that is also further grounded on the need for Afghans to articulate and 11-2662] execute their own political vision of a stable, sovereign Islamic constitutional democracy and an Afghanistan at peace with itself, its neighbours and the international community.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Mr. de Mistura: Thank you, Mr. President, and all members of the Security Council for giving me the opportunity to convey some of our comments. I am very glad to speak after Ambassador Tanin, because we need to hear the voice of the Afghan Government, authorities and people, this year in particular. As today marks a year since I assumed my duties in Afghanistan, perhaps this is also an opportunity for me to reflect on the events of the past year and on what can happen, and perhaps should be happening, over the course of this year and beyond. We went from the London Conference to the Lisbon Summit.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I should like to make a special request. This is the tenth year of heavy engagement of many States Members of the United Nations in Afghanistan. In a few days, President Karzai shall formally announce areas that will be transferred to Afghan ownership through the transition. It is therefore time, with the Council's permission, to pay special attention to the desire of the Afghan authorities for 2 national sovereignty and to mark it symbolically by asking all participants in this meeting to facilitate, assess and promote the transition to full ownership and leadership by the Afghans. I know this is slightly irregular but I believe it to be an important symbol, and I should like to make a special request to you, Sir, and the members of the Security Council for my friend Ambassador Tanin to speak before me.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I think the only thing I can say at this stage is that on behalf of all my colleagues in Afghanistan - both in Kabul and in all our different locations - I would like to express deep appreciation for the strong and clear support I have been hearing for the work of UNAMA and for the joint venture that UNAMA and the Afghan authorities are trying to carry out in order to improve the situation in the country. 10-70462 The year 2011 will be very challenging. Seeing the Security Council united, as I saw it today, in supporting the work of the United Nations and the work of the Afghan authorities to stabilize the country will give us a lot of strength to get through next year.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“In conclusion, I wish to thank the Afghan authorities, members of the Security Council, our friend and colleague who is the European Union representative in Kabul, and our friends and colleagues representing the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul for the support that we have consistently received in implementing the UNAMA mandate, which can only be fulfilled * and incrementally so - if the necessary resources are allocated to it in the next budget.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Finally, we welcome the announcement by President Karzai's spokesperson that the President intends to inaugurate the new Parliament by the end of January. Now that we have gone through the electoral process, we must look into electoral reform. We have been discussing the issue with all Afghan authorities and members of Parliament. The feeling is that there is a need for the sort of electoral reform that will help to prevent some of the problems that have been encountered in the latest election and in previous elections. That is the task that we will have to take on together. We are confident that the Afghan capacity for bringing an inclusive political approach to solving some of the pending issues will bring about inclusive participation 4 despite the previous exclusion of some ethnic groups in the elections - hopefully before January.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“By doing so, they sent a signal against impunity, which might have been an important message for all Afghans to hear. Sixth, we have to recognize the independence of all Afghan institutions, both electoral and judiciary, and that they act within their clearly defined areas of competence and in accordance with the relevant Afghan laws and the Afghan Constitution. Seventh, with the certification of all results by the bodies mandated by the law, the two Electoral Commissions, the electoral process is now procedurally concluded. Notwithstanding whatever the judiciary system will have to do, following its own procedures, the expected next steps are the inauguration of the new Parliament, pursuant to the electoral law.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Fourth, the United Nations, the Russian Federation, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Canada and Turkey have all welcomed the announcement - I repeat, the announcement i by the electoral commissions on 24 November, and finally on 30 November, of the certification of the results of the 18 September Wolesi Jirga elections. Fifth, the elections of 18 September, like all other previous elections, included substantial numbers of cases of fraud and irregularities. That is regrettable, but we are dealing with a young democracy in a very difficult environment. Both the Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission, the two electoral commissions, working together, tried and did a lot of work, we have to recognize, in trying to remove those cases of fraud that they were able to detect.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“First, although it is late, we can never stress enough how proud all of us are and should be and must congratulate the Afghan people, the Afghan National Security Forces and President Karzai for having held elections in a country that, we know, is in a conflict and is facing very challenging circumstances. Second, at the end of the day, 4.2 million Afghans, out of 10.5 million eligible voters, voted despite the security situation and in spite of two serious warnings from the Taliban to not go to vote. Third, we recognize the diligent, committed and intense work carried out by the two Afghan independent electoral commissions nominated by the President.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“On the issue of drugs, which is linked to the question of regional issues, there has been a substantial increase in drug production in spite of a disease affecting drug production that we hope was sent by God. It has also, unfortunately, contributed to an increase in price and therefore also to an increase in interest in producing, selling, transporting and storing drugs. That is affecting 900,000 Afghans and major neighbours, both close and distant. We welcome the visit to Kabul of the new Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, who has been very engaged and has been giving renewed energy to the initiatives at the regional and national levels in that context. On elections, allow me to make a few points - actually eight, but each of them short - on behalf of the diplomatic community in Kabul and myself.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“All those bilateral, trilateral and regional initiatives are welcome and should be supported in the right direction. The United Nations in Kabul is doing its part in the Kabul Silk Road initiative and is supporting other initiatives by regional players. We understand that, by the end of next year, in November, another Bonn conference will possibly take place, as announced at the NATO summit, and it will probably be - and I do not want to prejudge here the decision by the Turkish authorities - preceded by another regional opportunity and discussion of the type we have had in the past. Whatever the case, we will play a role, because we recognize that all members of the regional context are also Members of the United Nations.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“On regional engagements, everybody again recognizes that if there is - and when there is, insha'allah - actual involvement in a dialogue, it will be possible to sustain national dialogue only through a long-term constructive engagement by all regional players, and that means not only the immediate neighbours, but also the distant and concerned neighbours. In that sense, many initiatives are taking place. As we speak, ifl am not mistaken, President Karzai is in Ankara for discussions facilitated by the Turkish Government on a trilateral basis. I think many more meetings are likely to take place in that context in the coming year. I understand that even in Washington, DC, there is the possibility of a trilateral opportunity sometime early next year.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“What the Council is helping us with, by asking for a strong logistical capacity, is being put at the disposal of the Afghans, who are going to talk to each other, both inside or outside Afghanistan. That has already been requested three times, and we have provided it on the Council's behalf. Then, of course, confidence-building measures represent an area where the United Nations, the Security Council and the Mission can help in eventually facilitating or explaining how to better implement such measures, if and when they are required.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Frankly, even the Taliban do so, even if they will not say so publicly. There is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan - hence the importance of initiatives such as the Peace Jirga and the establishment, by President Karzai, of the High Peace Council. The United Nations, through its own newly established Salaam Support Group, in which everyone will be invited to participate, depending on their level of competence and the requirements by the Afghan 3 authorities, has been put at the disposal of the High Peace Council. That participation will be based on competence, the preparation of reports, visions and substantive and substantial support for what could suddenly become an important and accelerated level of dialogue. Additionally, that support will come in the form of logistics.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“We have heard from President Karzai several times, as well as from many other partners, how important it is to actually address the issue of civilian casualties in the best possible way; hopefully we will not see repetitions of the figures we have seen so far. There has, however, been an increase, as the Council knows. On the issue of women, reports are coming out - and more will come out - about the violence affecting women in particular. I must say, the results of the election so far have been very encouraging regarding the engagement and the involvement of women in the future parliament. But we will continue to play our role in that area. That has been requested by everyone, and it is, frankly, required by our own moral compass. On reconciliation and reintegration, everyone recognizes that there is no military solution.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“One senior colleague, in particular, will join me, who has been assigned particularly to support the enhancement. Human rights are crucial. Everybody recognizes that, and we are working on that issue. The priority for us is to be able to continue to issue reports that are seen as significant because they are considered to be objective and frank - sometimes too frank - but they nonetheless help everyone to realize that the civilian rights in human rights in Afghanistan are important for the Afghans. The issue of civilian casualties has been an issue included in our report, and we will continue to include that issue, hoping to improve that situation further with fine-tuning.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“On aid coherence, since the Kabul Conference we have been talking about aid realignment, which then leads to aid coherence. Aid realignment means, basically, what we heard at the Kabul Conference, which calls for a stronger and more effective realignment of all bilateral and multilateral aid along the lines of the priorities set by the Afghan authorities, according to clear benchmarks set by both sides. 10-70462 The United Nations, that is, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), working closely in partnership and as co-Chair of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, which is the institution that was created jointly by the Afghan authorities and the international community to actually assist, monitor and support the realignment, will be increasing its activities in that field. I have new teams coming in.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“The United Nations system and I myself, on behalf of the Secretary-General, are planning - as we are expected to do by this Council and, above all, by the Afghan authorities - to increase, security permitting, our own capacity in the areas where transition is expected to take place and also in areas where security is improving, in order to do what we should be doing - doing much more to assist in capacity-building and support for Afghan ownership of Afghan territory. We believe that, with the leadership of the Afghan authorities and Mr. Ashraf Ghani, together with the teams that have been established, we are moving in the right direction on transition, and the United Nations, as I said, will, with the blessing of the Council, be doing its part.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“The linking of the two dates - 2011 and 2014 - as a long beginning of a long end contributed to establishing a much clearer perspective for all international, regional and national players about mutual commitment to Afghanistan. With regard to transition, the message is clear, and I am sure that we are all hearing it: allow a more rapid delegation of responsibility and ownership to the Afghan authorities. In other words - to use a slogan that we heard in Lisbon and which I think is a very good one - to help, support and assist the Afghan authorities to stand on their own, but not to stand alone.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“At the same time, we are detecting from anti-Government elements attempts to show on their side some spectacular attacks in order to dilute the feeling of a change of momentum. What does that mean? It means that we should be expecting and should be ready for, I am afraid, a tense security environment 10-70462 over the next few months. Our assessment is that the situation may get worse before it gets better. And the proof of that was the attack on the United Nations centre at Herat, where 21 of our colleagues were stationed. They all survived, thanks to luck, good preparation, strong support from the Afghan security forces around them and our own private security company linked to the Gurkha support. But it is a signal; it is a message. The Lisbon NATO summit, in our view, was very successful.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“I would like to conclude this reflection with a few seconds of personal prayer and silence. Thank you, Madam President. My presentation, which will be short as the report has already been issued, will focus on the following topics: the security situation and its linkage to the NATO summit in Lisbon, transition, aid coherence/ realignment, human rights, reconciliation, regional engagement, the serious issue of the drugs affecting Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, the elections, and some brief remarks on the budget. With regard to the security situation, the combined increased activities by Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces are intensifying and are showing results.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I thank you, Madam President, for giving us the opportunity as the year draws to a close to review, together with the Security Council, the situation in Afghanistan from the United Nations point of view during a period of many developments. But before doing so, I would like on behalf of all of my Afghan, United Nations, and national and international colleagues, and frankly of the whole international diplomatic community in Kabul, to pay tribute and to pay our respects to the memory of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. I was told by someone that his last words to an Afghan doctor who started treating him when he went to the hospital were "Please work for peace in Afghanistan". We are grateful to him and we thank him for his passionate commitment to assisting the Afghan people in seeking their own political stability.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source