YouSaid · the spoken record

De Palacio Espafia

lines on the record: 79
first: 2004-06-03
most recent: 2008-03-12
sittings or episodes: 10
sources: un-security-council

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“With a view to optimizing resources and increasing the flexibility of the international community's response, that involvement should instead be channelled through a given regional organization and with the support of any actors capable of making a contribution to the work of stabilization. We believe more in complementarity than in subsidiarity. The idea is not that the United Nations cannot or should not intervene in a given situation and that, therefore, a regional organization should step in. Rather, it may well come to pass that an analysis of the circumstances surrounding any given conflict or threat may make it desirable for a specific regional organization to intervene in place, or in support, of the United Nations. There are recent examples to support this.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“Cooperation with regional organizations can therefore facilitate the objectives of the United Nations. The second premise has to do with applying the principle of complementarity. The United Nations should benefit from the comparative advantages that regional organizations can no doubt provide - for example, as regards faster intervention and better knowledge on the ground. One could even say that regional organizations can often act as the eyes of the United Nations in the field, as well as having closer proximity to affected populations, which can foster a heightened feeling of ownership among those populations. However, this is not about the United Nations losing interest in a given conflict.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“We should recognize that more detailed work still needs to be done in this area. Finally, it has been argued that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations should engage in a structured dialogue with regional organizations in order to examine ways in which the Security Council's traditional capacities may be complemented by the resources of those organizations. We fully agree on the merit of those recommendations. However, we would in particular like to stress that cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations should be governed by at least three basic considerations. The first consideration is to reaffirm that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security remains in the hands of this Council.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“Thirdly, there is a need to increase and improve the exchange of information between the Security Council and regional organizations in order to make it more regular and dynamic, as well as to consider other possible modalities for such exchanges. The fourth proposal is to think about the contributions that the United Nations and the Member States can make to the development of the capacities of regional organizations to address threats in their respective regions. As has been said, the European Union is making a special effort in that regard, and we would urge other Member States to do likewise. The fifth recommendation concerns the possibility of developing, with regional organizations, general criteria with regard to the best way in which they could contribute to the work of the Security Council.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“While some of those possibilities have already been explored and have produced practical results, we nevertheless believe that they should continue to be expanded. We believe that the recommendations made jointly thus far to continue down that road include the following general proposals. The first proposal is to strengthen the relationship between the Security Council and regional organizations, as well as the relationships between the organizations themselves. The second proposal is to establish a systematic substantive dialogue between the Security Council and regional organizations, with a view to ensuring the complementarity of actions taken at various levels while at the same time preserving the primacy of the Security Council.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“The main threats to international peace and security today no longer emanate solely from conflicts between States; they are also the result of the proliferation of internal conflicts, the existence of so- called failed States, terrorism, international networks of organized crime and environmental degradation. Many of those are new challenges for the international community, whose response must therefore be innovative while being in compliance with international law. It is in such a context of innovation that we believe this debate on the role of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is taking place. We believe that cooperation under Chapter VIII of the Charter holds out enormous possibilities.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“There is consensus among the international community about the need to encourage cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in the stabilization processes. That has once again been borne out in today's debate. The presence here today of important senior representatives of a great many of those organizations is testimony of that. It is obvious that the security framework planned when the Charter of the United Nations was drafted was new and different, but we should adapt the Organization and its work to the new challenges.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“Mr. De Palacio Espafia (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank the Romanian presidency of the Security Council for having organized this public debate. I especially want to thank the Prime Minister and you, Mr. Minister, for being with us today. We believe the holding of this debate to be particularly timely, as a year has passed since a similar meeting was held during the presidency of Mexico, in April 2003. Spain aligns itself with the statement made by Mr. Peter Feith on behalf of Mr. Javier Solana, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. That statement clearly expressed the European vision regarding the role played by the Union in today's debate.”
2004-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5007 (2004) · source
“Alternatively, the Council could actively encourage the election of current ad litem judges who are put forward as candidates to fill the posts left vacant by outgoing permanent judges. I wish in conclusion to ask the Presidents of both Tribunals whether, since their last appearance before the Council, there has been any significant progress in negotiations on agreements with various third States with respect to carrying out sentences imposed by the Tribunals. My delegation had had a few more questions, but I believe these were covered by previous speakers.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Even though everything seems to indicate that the recent elections have generated more promising hopes to put an end to a substantial lack of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, we believe that the Council must not lower its guard and must act appropriately. I also wish to refer to the impact the expiration of the mandates next year of the permanent judges and the ad litem judges will have on the trial process. The Spanish Government continues to believe that any corrective measures must be based on respect for the prerogatives of the General Assembly. In particular reference to the ad litem judges, we believe that the delicate situation of the Tribunals should lead us to not exclude from the outset the possibility of allowing their re-election.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Successive changes in the Tribunal's work programmes, as a result of non- payment of contributions, would be a distressing message to the international community, and we make an appeal that that be avoided. Equally concerning is the unsatisfactory cooperation of some States, which are most directly affected. Even though we welcome the improvement in the assistance given by the Croatian authorities, we must also mention the specific cases of Serbia and Montenegro. Regarding the latter country, we believe that the situation requires firm and decisive action by the Council.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999Resumption1 (2004) · source
“In order to be able to act appropriately, it would be important to clearly determine which of these cases are due to limitations of a material nature and which are due to a lack of political will. With regard to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as pointed out in the report of the Prosecutor, Mrs. Del Ponte, Spain believes that the possibility of transferring to national jurisdictions not only cases related to mid- or low-ranking indictees, but also some high-ranking suspects, must not be dismissed, due to exceptional current circumstances. Rather, it should be considered very carefully and on the basis of a detailed case-by- case study. Spain views with great concern the precarious financial state of both Tribunals. This is an ongoing and unacceptable situation.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Mr. De Palacio Espafia (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I wish to join others in expressing my condolences at the tragic loss of human life of personnel of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone in the accident that occurred this morning. I also wish to thank the Presidents and Prosecutors of both Tribunals for their statements and their thorough assessments. Allow me to make a few brief observations and to formulate a question. The assessments of both Tribunals confirm that much remains to be done to complete the transfer of certain cases to national jurisdictions. Despite some encouraging data, it is disturbing that the Tribunals of the affected States are still not in a position to judge with full guarantees persons indicted by both Tribunals.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999Resumption1 (2004) · source
“A special effort must be made to guarantee respect for those norms by groups of non-State actors and to ensure humanitarian access, which is regarded as a fundamental right of civilians in conflict situations. Furthermore, we strongly support the Security Council's decision to appoint a Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and other particularly grave crimes. In short, cross-cutting consideration of the problem of the protection of civilians, special protection of the most vulnerable - women and children - and putting an end to impunity are essential elements of developing a culture of protection - elements to which the United Nations must continue to devote particular attention.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“In that connection, my delegation fully supports the appeal made by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2004/431) to ratify or adhere to the Statute of the International Criminal Court and to treaties on international humanitarian law and human rights, including refugee rights. We support the ongoing work of the various international criminal tribunals established by the Security Council. However - and perhaps more important for us - the primary and fundamental responsibility of pursuing and prosecuting criminals belongs to the States in whose territories crimes against civilians are committed. That is why we believe national criminal justice systems must be improved.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Therefore, the Security Council must continue to seriously consider more dynamic disarmament measures aimed at limiting violence against civilians - particularly the most vulnerable - in post-conflict phases. Moreover, during transitions to post-conflict normalization, we must swiftly restore services for public order - such as police, courts and prisons - to help civilians return to a degree of normal life and to prevent abuses against the civilian population. That could prevent many such cases once the conflict has ended. Thirdly and finally, it is imperative that we put an end to impunity. It is the responsibility of all States to implement the commitments they undertake with the ratification of international instruments.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Regrettably, the efforts made in recent years have not had all the desired effects. The participation and utilization of children in armed conflict are alarming. More than 300,000 children under the age of 18 are directly involved in conflicts, in addition to those recruited to transport weapons or to act in collaboration with adult soldiers. In that connection, it is more than necessary that we integrate experts into peacekeeping operations to ensure genuine protection of women and children. But such a measure is not sufficient either. We must improve the specific tools to ensure that the protection of women and children is a priority, including in the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation. Demobilization and reintegration are impossible without disarmament.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“I wish to emphasize the importance of the plan of action adopted by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee - which established six basic principles as the minimal norms of conduct for United Nations civilian personnel - and the need for its fuller implementation. At the same time, ensuring the security of humanitarian personnel must continue to be a priority, because acts against them are simply an indirect and grave way of preventing assistance and of jeopardizing the protection of civilians in conflicts. In that connection, we unreservedly support the swift adoption of provisions to supplement the 1991 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. Secondly, we must focus efforts on protecting the most vulnerable of the vulnerable - that is, women and children - particularly against sexual exploitation and abuse.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“I am not speaking only of the need to improve the coordination process; improvement has begun to occur and, as noted, is yielding positive results. Such coordination also requires an effort to ensure that the protection of civilians is not viewed as an isolated issue that lies within the sole purview of the humanitarian sector. Protecting civilians means not only ensuring their survival, but also ensuring that they fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Attaining that objective requires an endeavour that cuts across the entire system. In addition to actors in conflicts, United Nations civilian and military personnel have a special responsibility.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“We reaffirm the general principles that are basic to the protection of civilians: providing humanitarian access to vulnerable populations, the denial of which has devastating effects, as in the case of Darfur; separating civilians from combatants; restoring the rule of law; ensuring that justice prevails; and achieving reconciliation. All the actions proposed in the report, if they are undertaken in an effective way, would be of great importance in improving the protection of civilians. But, in the light of the brief time at our disposal, my delegation wishes to highlight three elements that we think are of particular importance. First, we must stress the need for cross-cutting integration of the protection of civilians in armed conflict into all United Nations activities.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“The promotion of what has been called a culture of protection has been reflected in many activities of the United Nations system aimed at enhancing the physical and legal protection of civilians. Spain, to be sure, has supported this process in the framework of international and national legislation and has supported the 10-point platform presented here by Mr. Egeland in December 2003, which continues to be our basic reference point. Yet all those efforts have not yet met the real needs with respect to the protection of civilian populations in armed conflict. The growing number of conflicts poses a vast protection challenge. At the same time, as the report of the Secretary-General notes, the increased number of humanitarian actors is a new factor highlighting the need to bolster United Nations system activities to protect civilians.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Mr. De Palacio Espafia (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the Philippine presidency for the opportunity to discuss the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/431) and are particularly grateful to Under-Secretary-General Egeland for introducing it; we congratulate him on the work of his Office aimed at improving the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Since the first report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/1999/957), five years ago, there has been progress in the institutional sphere and in the coordination of the Organization's protection efforts. In its resolutions the Security Council has taken great care to identify key issues related to the protection of civilians, with a view to finding solutions.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“All of these issues constitute complex challenges that require the resolute commitment of the Transitional Government, supported by the international community. We encourage the Transitional Government and UNMIL to continue their efforts in those fields and assure them of Spain's support as they traverse the path ahead of them.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“These include ensuring the success of the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation programme, to which I referred earlier; stabilizing the security situation; extending State authority throughout the entire country; and, above all, preparing for the elections that are scheduled to take place in October 2005 and that should go ahead as planned, with no delay. In this context, we take note of the appeal made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Council and to the international community. We would also like to refer to transparent management of economic resources and to improvement in the humanitarian and human rights situation - areas where progress has occurred.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“With respect to the regional approach, we are pleased to note that, on 29 April, another meeting took place in Dakar between the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the United Nations Mission in Cote d'Ivoire and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, organized by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. The future formulation by the three missions of joint plans and modalities aimed at ensuring more effective control of the common borders is an important initiative, which we welcome. Lastly, despite the evident achievements that have been made thus far, major challenges to the peace process in Liberia remain, as has been noted.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“With respect to the process of demobilization, disarmament, reintegration and rehabilitation, we welcome the progress made since its resumption in mid-April. Nevertheless, it is worrisome that, as has been highlighted, the number of heavy weapons surrendered so far is still below what was expected and that, therefore, there continue to be large quantities of those weapons hidden, which could be used in the future to destabilize the fragile security situation of the country. With respect to the reform of the State security institutions, we note with satisfaction the start, in early May, of the process to recruit new members of the police force. We also take note of the efforts to restructure the armed forces, which are becoming ever more urgent as the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation moves forward.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“We believe that the fundamental priority at the moment is to make progress in the overall security situation, which, in our view, is comprised of three main elements. First is the full deployment of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in the entire country. The second element is the satisfactory continuation and conclusion of the process of demobilization, disarmament, reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-combatants. We have been reminded of some of the consequences if that crucial process were to fail. Third is reform of State security institutions. With respect to the full deployment of UNMIL in terms of both the overall staffing level and the Mission's presence throughout the national territory, we note and welcome the fact that the deployment process is scheduled to be completed at the end of this month.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“We express our satisfaction at the words of praise of the Special Representative for Chairman Bryant. We congratulate the Chairman on that. For our part, we wish to make some comments with respect to the situation in Liberia. First, we appreciate the efforts made to date by the National Transitional Government to implement the necessary political, economic and social reforms, to which Chairman Bryant referred in his extensive briefing. We encourage him to continue working actively along those lines, with the support of the international community. It is gratifying that the Cabinet of the National Transitional Government meets regularly and that most government posts have been filled.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“Mr. De Palacio Espafia (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): In this first public meeting of the Security Council under the Philippine presidency, we express our best wishes for the success and the positive outcome of the Council's work. We pledge our delegation's support. As well, we express our esteem and gratitude for the work done by Ambassador Munir Akram during the Pakistani presidency of the Council in May. We are especially grateful for the presence of Chairman Bryant and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Klein, at this public meeting, which is particularly timely because it is taking place days after the publication of the latest report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Liberia (S/2004/430) and a few short weeks before a Security Council mission is to visit West Africa, including Liberia.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source