YouSaid · the spoken record

DeLaurentis

lines on the record: 961
first: 2007-11-28
most recent: 2023-10-02
sittings or episodes: 160
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

“The United States welcomes the Secretary-General's continuing focus on mission leadership. Skilled and effective leadership is essential to success. We also welcome the unfolding civilian capacity review implementation process, the efforts of which must improve the flexibility, resourcefulness and decisiveness of the United Nations in deploying qualified and capable civilian specialists to the field. The constellation of United Nations departments, agencies and programmes represents a deep reservoir of human talent and organizational resources that can be effective contributors to peacebuilding. We believe that more can be done to target the skills and expertise available within the United Nations family and the wider international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions.”
2011-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6643 (2011) · source
“I also wish to thank Assistant-Secretary-General Cheng- Hopkins and Ambassador Lucas for their thoughtful briefings today. Peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict is among our highest priorities, representing the greatest opportunity to transform the dynamics that led to bloodshed in the first place. If those who seek to build peace are not successful in the months after a conflict's end, then it becomes increasingly difficult to consolidate peace as time passes. I would like to return to some key points made by Ambassador Rice during our most recent debate (see S/PV. 6396) on this subject. First, the strength of United Nations peacebuilding is dependent on the expertise and capabilities of its field personnel and on the United Nations agility in deploying, leading and managing them effectively.”
2011-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6643 (2011) · source
“The United States has adjusted its housing assistance programmes to be fully in line with that Government of Haiti initiative, and we have backed the same neighbourhoods-return approach in our $65 million housing programme disbursement to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund managed by the World Bank. We applaud the work of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the United Nations country team in Haiti to provide experts that helped the Government of Haiti design the programme in a manner that respects human rights.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“Lasting stability of course will come not only through the political and security arrangements but also through the work that major donors are doing to support Haiti's long-term plans for economic development. To that end the United States applauds the recent vote by the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission to approve the Government of Haiti's 16 neighbourhood/six camps project to help internally displaced persons find housing. The use of the neighbourhood returns approach, instead of mere camp evictions, is the type of humane approach we fully support.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“We welcome the public commitment of Uruguay to conduct a full investigation in cooperation with the United Nations into the incident. The Secretary-General recommended retaining the MINUSTAH engineering units that the Council authorized after the earthquake. The United States supports those recommendations. We applaud the military engineering battalions for working within the plans of the Government of Haiti and the civilian development agencies. We note with appreciation the creative collaborations between the civilian experts at the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission and the MINUSTAH military component's tasking team. We note with appreciation the contribution that makes to stability.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“The United States continues to play a leading role in international efforts to ensure that United Nations peacekeepers, military police and civilian, neither exploit nor abuse the vulnerable people they have been sent to protect. The United Nations has taken several critical steps in recent years to establish and implement a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeeping personnel, including establishing a well publicized code of conduct and creating conduct and discipline units in the field to perform training, carry out initial investigations and support victims. In that light, we are deeply concerned regarding the recent allegations of severe misconduct by some MINUSTAH personnel.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“We believe that Haitian officials who are brave enough to investigate and marshal evidence against those acting with impunity must be allowed to do their jobs under the law without political interference in the due process of law. We are disappointed with the halt in the vetting process for cadets at the HNP noted in the Secretary- General's report (S/2011/540). The United States urges the United Nations and the HNP to redouble the vetting efforts. We believe that vetting cannot simply occur when a cadet begins his or her career, but needs to occur throughout their careers, at least at every promotion in rank, to be a truly effective prevention tool with respect to impunity.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“The United States urges the authorities in Haiti to fulfil their pledge to fill all the six vacancies at the Cour de Cassation Supreme Court by 3 October 2011. That pledge by the Haitian President must be fulfilled in order to enable the judiciary in Haiti to function. We urge the authorities in Haiti to commit sufficient and lasting budgetary resources from their domestic budget to the HNP institutions, especially to build up the systems that will allow it to function on its own. The United States urges the HNP to fully support its Office of the Inspector General and give it the resources to help investigate allegations of wrongdoing at all levels of the Police. The United States urges the Government of Haiti to eliminate impunity and prosecute abuses of power.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“The United States believes that any determination of the future size of MINUSTAH forces must be based on security conditions on the ground. We commend the work of the United Nations security assessment team, which led to those recommendations, and we express our hope for continued progress in Haiti. The United States agrees with the Secretary- General's finding that the Haitian National Police has improved in some respects, but it is not yet in a position to assume full responsibility for the provision of internal security. The United Nations and the HNP jointly need to develop a new iteration of the HNP reform plan of 2006 and encourage Haitian ownership and leadership of the reform effort. We urge the authorities in Haiti to reach agreement to appoint women and men of demonstrated integrity and competence to Cabinet positions.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“MINUSTAH has provided vital security and logistical support during presidential and legislative elections, supported programmes designed to strengthen the rule of law and conducted capacity- building work with the Haitian National Police (HNP) through the HNP reform plan. The United States commends the role of the United Nations in previous elections and underscores the importance of United Nations assistance with the next round of partial national and local elections in Haiti. The United States supports the Secretary- General's recommended reduction of two infantry battalions and the reduction in authorized strength of 1,150 formed police unit personnel, but notes that strong rules of engagement for the remaining MINUSTAH forces will be important to deal with a stable but fragile security situation in Haiti.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mariano Fernandez Amunategui for his informative remarks on the situation in Haiti. The United States supports the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for another year under broadly the same terms as the 2010 mandate. MINUSTAH has been working tirelessly in Haiti to restore a secure and stable environment, to promote the political process and to strengthen Haiti's Government institutions and rule of law structures, as well as to promote and protect human rights.”
2011-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6618 (2011) · source
“Finally, let me turn to piracy off the coast of Somalia~ a scourge that began because of the instability and lack of governance on land that now threatens the peace, security and stability of Somalia. Piracy, and the illicit and lucrative economy that it brings with it, contribute to corruption and corrode sustainable political and economic development. The only sustainable long-term solution to piracy, which will also advance Somalia's long-term economic development, political stability and humanitarian situation, is security and good governance. The United States is deeply committed to supporting humanitarian relief efforts and to the security and stability of Somalia. We will continue to partner with the international community to help end the worsening humanitarian crisis and bring relief to the suffering people of that troubled land.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“We urge other Member States to fund, without caveats, the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM, including the urgently needed reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment. The United States also commends the work of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM. and the significant contributions that it has made to improving AMISOM's logistical operations and quality of life. We urge the United Nations to expand its presence and activities in Somalia as the security situation allows. Relocating United Nations personnel to Mogadishu is key to the long and difficult effort to defeat Al-Shabaab and to restore stability and decent governance in Somalia.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“The United States commends the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their commitment to AMISOM. We thank Major General Mugisha for his leadership and all of AMISOM's brave peacekeepers. We welcome further troop commitments from other AU partner nations so that AMISOM. can reach its mandated strength to quickly secure its expanded area of operations. The United States intends to continue our strong bilateral support to AMISOM. troop-contributing countries. Since 2007, we have obligated more than $258 million worth of training equipment and logistic support to AMISOM. and its troop-contributors. We have also provided more than $85 million for security assistance to the TFG to develop a professional and capable Somali security force.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“The TFG must provide improved governance, essential services and fiscal transparency and responsibility, and it must hold credible elections in August 2012. On the security front, the United States welcomes the significant military achievements of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali Security Forces. The coordinated AMISOM. offensive against Al-Shabaab that began in February has achieved impressive results. It contributed to Al Shabaab's withdrawal from nearly all of Mogadishu on 6 August. Nonetheless, Al-Shabaab remains a threat, and we urge AMISOM. and the Somali Security Forces to persevere in their counter-insurgency efforts. For its part, the TF G must make further progress on the agreed road map, and must begin providing services in as much of Mogadishu as possible in order to solidify recent security gains.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“It is now up to the Transitional Federal Government to improve governance by working with responsible regional and local administrations, civil society groups and clan leaders, on the basis of shared goals of peace and stability, to achieve the benchmarks laid out in the road map. To that end, we remind the Transitional Federal Institutions that future international support will be contingent upon the completion of the tasks in the road map. Now is the time for sustained and vigorous peacebuilding efforts by the Transitional Federal Government. The Somali people deserve a responsible and credible Government. We urge the Transitional Federal Government to take advantage of the new security environment to extend the writ of the police, the criminal justice system and other civilian institutions into the newly liberated areas of Mogadishu.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“All parties in Somalia share responsibility for protecting civilians and enlarging and preserving the humanitarian space. All armed groups in Somalia must adhere to international humanitarian law. Let me turn now to the political situation. The United States welcomes the signing of the Kampala Accord on 9 June and the outcome of the high-level consultative meetings in Mogadishu in early September. We commend Special Representative Mahiga for his efforts to spur political reconciliation and progress, including through an agreed upon road map with benchmarks and timelines.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“We must fully fund the ongoing emergency response so that the most desperate can receive the food, water, medicine and shelter that they need to survive. l 1-49644 Humanitarian actors in Somalia must coordinate in order to maximize the impact of aid efforts throughout the country. At this hour of crisis, the United States condemns the callous actions of Al-Shabaab, including the targeting of civilians and the blocking of humanitarian aid for millions of Somalis. Al-Shabaab continues to block access to the populations hit hardest by the famine. Its cruelty has severely impeded international efforts to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis. All armed groups must respect human rights and protect civilians, especially women and children. Rape and sexual violence against innocent women and children are unconscionable and must stop.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“A sixth region has now been affected, and we expect the situation to continue to decline. Without urgent action, more than 750,000 people could die in the months ahead. We welcome the upcoming humanitarian summit on Somalia and the larger Horn of Africa region, which is to be held during this session of the General Assembly. The need is vast and the time is short. The United States is providing approximately $102 million in humanitarian relief assistance for Somalia, and more than $600 million to the entire Horn of Africa in response to the crisis. We join the Secretary-General in calling on our fellow Member States to contribute generously to the programmes outlined in the consolidated appeal for Somalia.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“Let me also thank Special Representative Mahiga and African Union (AU) Special Representative Diarra for their informative remarks. We also welcome the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to these proceedings. Somalia continues to present some of the most complex and urgent humanitarian, political and security concerns in Africa and the world. The Security Council should continue to pay close attention to these interwoven challenges, as we are doing today. The United States is gravely concerned about the severe drought and humanitarian crisis in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa. More than 11 million people urgently need emergency assistance, including as many as 4 million Somalis in need of food. Inside Somalia, the famine has spread alarmingly.”
2011-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6614 (2011) · source
“We look forward to further discussion among all peacekeeping stakeholders on providing peacekeepers with the mandates and means they need, as well as the resolve that host populations rightfully demand and expect. The United States applauds the many achievements of United Nations peacekeeping over more than 60 years. We honour the sacrifices of the men and women - military, police and civilian - who have served under the blue United Nations flag in the furtherance of peace, and especially remember with our deepest gratitude those who have lost their lives in service.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“As we go forward, we encourage the Secretary-General to give us candid assessments of what missions can and cannot do within the capabilities available to them. If a mission is unable to effectively discharge its mandate for the protection of civilians because it lacks adequately trained and equipped troops, is missing 11-4815] desperately needed helicopters, suffers from deficient command, control and communications systems, or struggles with certain TCCs maintaining national caveats, then we need to know. And while it is true that gaps may exist between mandates and means, let us also recognize that a third key ingredient is the political will of individual missions or troop contingents to take robust action when they have the means and the mandate to do so.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“On civilian capacity, the rule oflaw is one but not the only area where there is much work to be done to ensure that the United Nations has qualified civilians available as and when needed. The Senior Advisory Group report on civilian capacity (S/2011/85) illuminated the issues that we must address to provide post-conflict countries and special representatives of the Secretary-General with the best deployable civilian expertise to support political processes and develop national capacities. The United States welcomes the work of Under-Secretary-General Malcorra and her team to develop implementable measures from the Gue'henno report's recommendations. There is a lot of good work being done to improve United Nations peacekeeping, but there are equally some serious challenges and gaps.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“But this responsibility is not the Secretary-General's alone. We, the Member States, must put forward our very best and most qualified candidates for senior leadership positions. On standards and capabilities, properly equipping mission leaders means providing them with troops able to meet clear performance standards. We welcome the Secretariat's recent work to develop model standards for infantry battalions. On the rule of law, we believe that equal if not greater attention is required to enhancing the United Nations performance standards in the areas of police, justice and corrections. The work to strengthen local rule of law institutions is critical to building a self- sustaining peace. Further, the different parts of the United Nations system engaged in the rule of law need to strengthen their partnership and deliver as one.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“With respect to helicopters, we share the concerns of the Secretariat and the TCCs that the chronic lack of military helicopters significantly hampers the ability of United Nations peacekeeping operations to implement their mandates, including for the protection of civilians. We believe that addressing this strategic gap should remain a high priority and requires a multifaceted response and creative thinking from Member States and the Secretariat alike. On mission leadership, we appreciate the Secretary-General's recent efforts to strengthen the appointment process for senior field personnel. The quality of mission leadership can sometimes mean the difference between success and failure. We support measures to equip and empower mission leaders to implement their mandates and to hold them accountable for results.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“As we take these steps, we concurrently renew our commitment to the full peacekeeping reform agenda that has been the subject of intense discussion in the Security Council and the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. Several aspects of that reform agenda remain important works in progress. With respect to the protection of civilians, we welcome the work being done by the Secretariat to develop operational training and planning tools to enhance the ability of United Nations peacekeeping operations to effectively implement their protection of civilians mandates. We encourage troop and police contributors, as well as missions in the field, to use this material and provide feedback.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“We are particularly pleased that today's draft presidential statement calls for concrete measures to enhance the Council's consultations with TCCs and PCCs, and seeks more regular input from United Nations force commanders, police commissioners and other current and acting serving uniformed personnel who can provide us with a critical understanding of the challenges and realities they face on the ground. We also welcome India's suggestion that the Council more regularly enlist the good offices and diplomatic engagement of TCCs and PCCs in countries or regions where peacekeeping operations are deployed and where their engagement could bolster efforts to overcome challenges and obstacles to a peace process.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“It is particularly appropriate for India to have organized this debate, given its decades-long commitment as a leading contributor of troops and police to United Nations operations across the globe. We thank your for your country's contributions and sacrifice. We would also like to extend our compliments on the thought-provoking concept paper (S/2011/496, annex) that you circulated to the Council to stimulate discussion. The paper has helped to bring to the fore issues on which we hold different perspectives, and has also enabled us to see where we are all in clear agreement. First and foremost, we fully concur that the success of United Nations peacekeeping is dependent on a strong partnership among the Security Council members, the troop-contributing countries (TCCs), police-contributing countries (PCCs) and the Secretariat.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“Let me begin, as others have, with a word on what happened in Abuja, Nigeria, this morning. The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific attack on the United Nations offices in Abuja this morning. The Victims are humanitarians, development experts, and members of our United Nations family. We stand ready to offer whatever help and assistance are needed by the United Nations and our Nigerian friends to recover, to rebuild and to bring the perpetrators to justice. We extend our deepest condolences to the United Nations, to the people of Nigeria and to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims. I am honoured to convey the United States warm thanks to India and to you personally, Sir, for having organized today's open debate on peacekeeping operations.”
2011-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6603 (2011) · source
“We also heard, I am pleased to note, of Venezuela's interest in international cooperation against terrorism, which is an issue of global and regional importance. One of the reasons that we re- established relations at the ambassadorial level in July was to ensure a high quality dialogue with Venezuela on issues of mutual concern, including counter- terrorism and counter-narcotics efforts. While the Venezuelan Government has not yet taken advantage of this opportunity, we are hopeful that its new-found interest in the topic, as evidenced by this discussion, will encourage a meaningful dialogue between our Governments.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217Resumption1 (2009) · source
“I feel I must take the floor to correct the mischaracterizations we have just heard with respect to the Defense Cooperation Agreement that was just signed recently between the United States and Colombia. The United States and Colombia on 30 October signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement, which facilitates United States access to Colombian bases in support of mutually approved activities within Colombia only. The Agreement harmonizes existing bilateral cooperation in eliminating narcotics production and trafficking and illicit smuggling of all types, and augments assistance efforts for humanitarian and natural disasters. The Agreement explicitly indicates that all activities will be consistent with the principles of sovereignty, non-interventionism and territorial integrity. It has no regional or extraterritorial application.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217Resumption1 (2009) · source
“I regret having to take the floor at this late hour. I thank you again, Sir, for organizing this meeting on this critical issue. Unfortunately, the contribution of the delegation of the Venezuela to our debate today was to focus its statement on irrelevant and extraneous issues that had little to do with the subject at hand. It is regrettable that Venezuela has sought to use this opportunity to promote other objectives. In our view, it was a disservice to this Council and to your efforts today, Sir. 56”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The Mission functions in the midst of a complicated regional conflict and fragile security situation that no single actor is capable of resolving. We strongly encourage regional actors, such as the African Union and the Arab League, along with regional Member States, to use their good offices to influence the Governments of Chad and the Sudan to abide by existing peace agreements, end support to rebel groups, and take all necessary steps to protect and assist the vulnerable citizens within their borders.”
2009-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6172 (2009) · source
“We urge MINURCAT to maximize its capabilities to protect civilians and humanitarian actors in the area by ensuring that the troop contingent deployed to Birao remains at full strength at all times and by maximizing the number of patrols conducted. Fourthly, the insecurity caused by the operations of armed groups in Chad and in the Sudan jeopardizes the peace and security of the entire region. We urge both Chad and the Sudan to work towards easing tensions and cooperating in implementing the Doha accord and previous agreements aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries. Both Governments must end all military and logistical support to armed groups operating within their respective countries. In conclusion, let me reiterate our strong support for MINURCAT.”
2009-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6172 (2009) · source
“We believe that the DIS would benefit from further United Nations training on weapons handling and police conduct. We look forward to receiving additional information from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on its assessment of DIS. Thirdly, we are deeply concerned about the growing violence in the Central African Republic, caused by inter-ethnic disputes, banditry and lawlessness. Internal displacement around Birao has increased. MINURCAT's mandate in north-eastern Central African Republic includes limited operations to extract civilians and humanitarian workers in danger, along with protecting United Nations personnel and equipment.”
2009-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6172 (2009) · source
“We urge all organizations assisting with the deployment to take immediate steps to expedite troop deployments and to ensure that those troops are adequately trained and equipped to perform the Mission's mandate. Secondly, we are pleased that the activities of the United Nations-trained Chadian special police, the Detachement integre de securite (DIS), have resulted in improved security in and around refugee and internally displaced persons camps. However, we continue to be concerned about deficiencies in training and equipping DIS. Recent attacks on DIS sadly demonstrate that it must enhance its capacity to defend itself against armed bandits. There also have been cases of serious misconduct on the part of some DIS officers, and we are glad that appropriate action has been taken in those cases.”
2009-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6172 (2009) · source
“First, we recognize the difficulties of deploying to Chad and the Central African Republic, and we acknowledge that it has been only four months since the 15 March transfer of authority from the European Union Force to MINURCAT. Nonetheless, we are concerned that the deployment of troops has been impeded by delays in the procurement of contingent- owned equipment. The current deployment of the contingent at 46 per cent of its authorized strength is insufficient to provide the level of security and assistance required in MINURCAT's mandate. We share the concern of the Secretary-General that a security gap of any duration leaves the Mission unacceptably vulnerable. The United States will continue to provide equip-and-train programmes to deploying African contingents.”
2009-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6172 (2009) · source
“I, too, would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Angelo for his briefing this morning. We appreciate the work of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) in contributing to the security of refugees and internally displaced persons in those countries. The United States is also grateful to the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic for their support of MINURCAT and their commitment to providing humanitarian organizations access to those in greatest need. Today, I would like to discuss briefly four issues: MINURCAT's deployment; the activities of the United Nations-trained Chadian special police; increasing levels of violence in the Central African Republic; and the deterioration of relations between Chad and the Sudan.”
2009-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6172 (2009) · source
“We urge other donors to offer maximum support to ensure that Nepal makes a successful transition. We look forward to the continued work of UNMIN and to the reports of the Secretary-General in that regard. We remain committed to helping ensure that UNMIN successfully carries out its full mandate.”
2008-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5938 (2008) · source
“Secondly, the United States urges all of Nepal's political parties to maintain their resolve to settle their differences through peaceful dialogue so that the future of the Nepalese people may be characterized by democracy and economic development. Thirdly, the United States also strongly encourages the new Government to address, to the extent possible, the concerns of historically disadvantaged groups, including in the Terai, so that all parties and groups committed to a new democratic Nepal will share equally in the process of nation- building. Finally, the United States has committed itself to providing nearly $10 million in assistance in support of Nepal's transition to democracy in areas such as security sector reform, conflict resolution, civil society, supporting legal institutions and political parties.”
2008-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5938 (2008) · source
“The United States thanks Special Representative of the Secretary-General Martin for his briefing. We are pleased to support the Government of Nepal's request for an extension of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) at a reduced level so that it can complete remaining elements of its mandate in carrying out the peace process. Today, I would like to make four points. First, the United States strongly supports the United Nations Mission in Nepal, commends the work of Special Representative Martin and his staff and looks forward to working with him to complete the remaining portions of the UNMIN mandate, especially with regard to the management of arms and armed personnel.”
2008-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5938 (2008) · source
“We would also caution against efforts at standardizing practices without some indication that such standardization will be effective at combating the illicit trade or do not duplicate already existing and effective regional best practices. Finally, the United States welcomes the inclusion of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in the report's consideration of ways to address small arms issues in peacebuilding efforts. We want to see the Peacebuilding Commission succeed in its role of marshalling support for sustainable peacekeeping. We welcome greater coordination that helps reduce the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Moreover, the report implies that it is the principal duty of the Security Council or its components or of peacekeeping missions set up under its authority to enforce arms embargoes. It is not. Enforcement of arms embargoes is primarily a duty of States Members of the United Nations. It is our View that the establishment of comprehensive national laws and regulations is key to the enforcement of arms embargoes and sanctions and is the cornerstone for the reduction of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation. However, we would caution against actions that increase the burden on States through additional studies and mandates, since more assistance, not more reports and meetings, is required for the international community to reach our common goal.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“We would urge States to take a close look at the recommendations put forward by the Group. If implemented, those recommended provisions could go a long way in reducing arms embargo violations and other illicit transfers. The report also makes frequent reference to possible areas for Security Council action with respect to arms embargoes. Almost all examples and recommendations in the report are drawn from the most difficult and complex cases which have involved both embargoes and peacekeeping missions in countries or areas where there has been a complete or near-complete breakdown in civil order. There is a legal maxim that says "hard cases do not make good law". We should not look to those most difficult and complex cases as a source of rules for general application in future arms embargoes and/or peacekeeping operations.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“We are supportive of that approach but would urge States to go one step further and establish a more comprehensive end-user monitoring system. Illicit brokers have proved that a certificate can easily be forged. A robust end-user monitoring system, however, would allow States to conduct physical pre- and post-shipment inspections, as well as random inspections following a weapons shipment to verify that the small arms have not been transferred without prior approval and are being used as intended. The recipient State would be responsible for establishing sound customs and import procedures in order to verify the accuracy of the shipment. Illicit brokering was also highlighted in the report. The United States participated actively in the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on brokering.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“In particular, the Council encouraged all States to strengthen physical security and stockpile management, destroy surplus and obsolete small arms and light weapons, ensure that all small arms are marked at the time of manufacture and import, strengthen export and border controls, and control brokering activities. The United States has played an active role in encouraging States to mark all its weapons and trace illicit small arms. We trace nearly 50,000 weapons for foreign law enforcement agencies per year. We have also been active in the implementation of the International Tracing Instrument. I have a few comments on the Secretary- General's recommendations. The report stresses the importance of end-user certificates.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“The United States also continues to render assistance to other States in their efforts to implement the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, as well as the International Tracing Instrument, through our assistance in small arms and light weapons destruction, stockpile security and management, end-user controls and the establishment or strengthening of brokering controls. In its presidential statements of June 2007, the Security Council laid out concrete steps for States to implement the Programme of Action.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“We thank Ms. Hoppe for her introduction of the Secretary- General's report. The United States believes that the report effectively outlines steps that States need to take and the tools at their disposal to reduce the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons and to enforce United Nations arms embargoes. We particularly note those recommendations in the report that call for concrete actions by States and increased coordination among donors. The United States has been a key player in the international effort to reduce the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. We apply strict controls on weapons transfers, both import and export, including a robust end-user monitoring system, strong controls over brokers and effective stockpile management practices.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“The United States continues to support the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia to achieve this objective. We also reiterate the need for robust contingency planning by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to prepare for the possible transition to a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Finally, on Ethiopia, we would like to join others in drawing attention to the humanitarian situation in the Ogaden. We urge the Ethiopian Government to open commercial trade routes to the Somali Region to prevent the humanitarian crisis from deepening, and we call on the Government to continue to work with the international community to ensure access to populations in need of humanitarian assistance.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Holmes witnessed along a 15-kilometre stretch of road outside Mogadishu. We take note that Under-Secretary-General Holmes met with newly appointed Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein and welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to placing humanitarian response high on his agenda. We applaud the United Nations and NGO efforts to operate in very dangerous circumstances in Somalia. We are concerned that these efforts remain hampered by insecurity, roadblocks and inter-clan conflict, and we reiterate our call on all parties to facilitate access for the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to those in need. Ultimately, the return of lasting peace and stability in Somalia, including an end to the long- standing humanitarian emergency, can only be achieved through a comprehensive political solution based on the Transitional Federal Charter.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source