YouSaid · the spoken record

Durrant

lines on the record: 1,042
first: 1999-03-19
most recent: 2002-05-20
sittings or episodes: 119
sources: un-security-council

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“The Security Council should also use all means at its disposal, including the use of investigative commissions, to find and report on violations of embargoes and the sources of finance. The traffickers and supplier nations must be held to account. If we remove the source of funding from the purchase of arms we will remove the overriding incentive for violations of the embargo and, in this regard, we have an excellent example in the work of the sanctions Committee in the sanctions against UNITA, which we will address tomorrow. Too often the resolutions approving sanctions regimes lack clarity and specificity with regard to the identification of weapons and military services that are to be prohibited. This deficiency in arms embargoes must also be corrected.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“Arms embargoes are perhaps the most common measures used by the Security Council in seeking to maintain peace and security. They are also one of the most frequently violated sanctions regimes. As we have seen from past experience, arms embargoes affect a number of actors in the financing and sale of and trafficking in arms. The 1998 report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict in Africa (S/1998/318) called on Member States to make violations of United Nations embargoes a criminal offence in their domestic laws. We agree that this will be an essential tool in making these embargoes effective. However, the Council, in its working group, must address the question of harmonization of penalties to ensure that they are effectively applied.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“Another critical element in improving the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions is that of enhancing our capacity effectively to monitor and enforce these measures and of assisting Member States in their capacity to implement sanctions. Clear guidelines and instructions, as well as possible technical and financial assistance to Member States and regional bodies to assist in compliance with sanctions regimes, can clearly improve the process. We also need to devise practical strategies for assisting Governments in developing the means for more effective sanctions implementation, given that some Governments lack the capacity to do so due to structural deficiencies, including their inability to introduce appropriate national legislation and to adopt monitoring measures.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“This is in keeping with General Assembly resolution 51/242, which calls upon the Council to provide for imposing sanctions that may be partially lifted when targeted groups comply with given requirements or to provide for the lifting of sanctions progressively as targets are achieved, so that parties under sanctions derive some benefit from compliance. We all agree that sanctions cannot be an end in themselves, but, rather, must be a means to an end. If sanctions are designed to resolve conflicts rather than to inflict punishment, they must be established with clear objectives, provisions for regular review and precise conditions and time-frames for removing them.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“The Council must also monitor and assess the specific needs and problems of these States with a view to ensuring appropriate assistance and adjustments to sanctions regimes where required. The importance of enhancing Security Council policy- making and sanctions design has been recognized. Critical to this process, we believe, is the need for greater clarity in Security Council resolutions, allowing sanctions provisions to be more precise, thus eliminating doubt as to the respective responsibilities of parties and avoiding subjective interpretations to suit narrow, national political interests. We also believe that there is a need for clear criteria in such resolutions for the lifting or suspension of sanctions.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“Additionally, appropriate conditions and guidelines for humanitarian exemptions and adequate delivery of humanitarian aid must be included, as appropriate. In addition to reducing the impact on civilians, every effort must be made to minimize the impact of sanctions on neighbouring States. Without the support and cooperation of neighbouring States and major trading partners, it is hardly likely that sanctions will achieve their desired result. In order to ensure that non-targeted States or individuals are not adversely affected, and to ensure their cooperation, the Security Council, with the assistance of the Secretariat, must ensure advance assessments of the potential impact of sanctions on the non-targeted States.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“My delegation is therefore pleased to support the establishment of the informal working group on sanctions, which will develop general recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions. One issue of particular concern to my delegation is the need for the humanitarian impact of sanctions to be considered when designing sanctions regimes. We believe that sanctions must not be a blunt instrument, but must exert pressure on targeted Governments and groups, rather than inflict suffering on innocent civilians and vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and the elderly. Provisions must be made for promptly revising sanctions to remove or reduce their impact on civilians, and they must always take into account universal human rights standards and international human rights instruments.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“President, and to the Canadian delegation for convening this open meeting to discuss general issues relating to sanctions, which, if they are to be effective, require the adherence of all States Members of the United Nations. We also wish to recognize the work already done by the General Assembly and by the Secretary-General, and thank Under-Secretary-General Prendergast for his introduction of the subject this afternoon. We also wish to express our appreciation to those Governments and institutions which have analysed the effectiveness of existing sanctions regimes and have presented recommendations for consideration by the Council.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“The use of sanctions by the Security Council to influence the behaviour of States, individuals and non-State groups has in many instances provided a viable alternative to the use of military force in the maintenance of international peace and security. The history of Security Council sanctions over the past decade has clearly demonstrated that while such measures have achieved success in a number of cases, in others the desired objectives have not been achieved. If the Security Council is to maintain sanctions as a credible instrument, we must take concrete steps to ensure that we get sanctions right, rather than impose flawed regimes which may be either ineffective or unenforceable. It is in this context that my delegation expresses its appreciation to you, Mr.”
2000-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4128 (2000) · source
“Rwanda will continue to need the assistance of the international community as it seeks to rebuild the economic, social and political bases of its society and to seek national reconciliation. Let us not fail them a second time.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“My delegation also endorses the commission's recommendation that the Secretary-General and the Member States use the opportunity provided by the Millennium Summit and Assembly to mobilize the political will to clearly address challenges facing United Nations peacekeeping. In this context, we look forward to the report of the Brahimi committee. The Security Council, after the fact, took action to bring the perpetrators of the Rwanda genocide to justice by establishing the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. But we must not stop there. The Security Council, the United Nations system and, indeed, the international community as a whole have a moral obligation to ensure that we do, in fact, have the will to prevent another genocide from ever occurring. Perhaps today marks the first step.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“Mandates must also be formulated in close collaboration with all the parties involved in the conflict. While only the Security Council can legitimately authorize troop deployment and determine mandates, a mechanism must be designed to allow force commanders the necessary flexibility to determine their best course of action and be able to rapidly communicate their decisions to the Security Council. In this connection, we note the recommendations of the commission on the protection of civilians. This must be addressed in all future peacekeeping mandates. Also, once troops are deployed, they must be under the command of one central authority. States should not unilaterally withdraw their contingents without reference to that central authority.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“First, peacekeeping missions need to be designed with allowances for rapidly changing circumstances. At the very minimum, it must be possible to have reinforcements deployed quickly to augment forces when it becomes clear that the situation on the ground warrants a reassessment of the mission. The practice of deploying the minimum number of troops on the basis of either political or financial expediency takes no account of the many variables that troops may be presented with once in the field. We cannot continue to send troops without the necessary room to manoeuvre when faced with unforeseen circumstances. Secondly, the mandates for peacekeeping operations must reflect the realities on the ground and must be matched by the political will and the material means to implement those mandates.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“I therefore wish to address my remarks to one of the recommendations in the report which aims at improving the capacity of the United Nations to conduct peacekeeping operations. From its inception, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) was hindered by a poorly conceived mandate, the lack of the necessary resources to carry out that mandate and the lack of political will on the part of the Security Council to take critical decisions at a time when the forces on the ground could ill afford undue delays. We wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the peacekeepers and the humanitarian personnel who sought to serve the cause of peace, even while the international community turned a blind eye. My delegation wishes to point out two critical factors which must be built into future missions.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“The Tutsi population of Rwanda was savagely and brutally subjected to genocide. Many reasons have been proffered for the failure of the international community, the United Nations system and the Security Council in particular to act decisively to prevent one of the major tragedies of the twentieth century. This has been summarized as a persistent lack of political will by Member States to act or to act with enough assertiveness. Perhaps a major failure was the inability to recognize or acknowledge the tell-tale signs of impending catastrophe or to plan an effective response. My delegation believes that extreme diligence must in future be exercised during the critical planning stages of peacekeeping missions.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“However, it remains the responsibility of this Council to prevent breaches of the peace. We cannot abdicate this responsibility. With crises such as those which occurred in Rwanda and in the Balkans, and which are occurring in many parts of Africa today, the credibility of the Security Council is constantly being questioned. We therefore support the recommendations of the Carlsson commission and will work with members of the Security Council as we seek to move beyond acceptance of recommendations to action. To do otherwise would mean that 800,000 Rwandan men, women and children would certainly have died in vain. The Carlsson report makes several facts clear. The slaughter of some 800,000 persons over a period of about 100 days, without the use of weapons of mass destruction, was certainly unprecedented in human history.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“In this process of introspection, we are not seeking to attribute blame, but to understand the confluence of events and systemic deficiencies that allowed the genocide to take place unchecked, as we seek solutions which could prevent similar atrocities from occurring ever again. As this debate is taking place in the Security Council, the focus must be on how this body can develop preventive measures that may be employed in the prevention of conflicts. The Security Council must assert its political will to strengthen its conflict prevention capabilities. We must become proactive and not wait until a great number of persons has died before we take action. Understandably, many of the causes of conflict - social, economic, developmental and political - must be addressed by the international community as a whole.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“First of all, let me join previous speakers in thanking you for presiding over today's open briefing on the situation in Rwanda. My delegation wishes to commend Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his historic initiative in setting up an independent inquiry to investigate the actions of the United Nations during the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. We also wish to express appreciation to Prime Minister Carlsson and the other members of the Commission for the thoroughness with which they discharged their mandate. Their analysis and conclusions in the report presented today by Mr. Carlsson are even more sobering as they point to one inescapable conclusion. The terrible events which occurred in Rwanda in 1994 were almost certainly preventable.”
2000-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4127 (2000) · source
“It is our firm belief that commitment to the goals of peace and security must be matched by plans to foster sustained economic growth and sustainable development. We therefore encourage the cooperation of the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods institutions in the targeting of the priority sectors, such as health, education and agriculture, and look forward to the results of the forthcoming round table. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to pay tribute to the Secretary-General's representative, Mr. Nana-Sinkam, and the staff of the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau for their hard work and dedicated commitment to ensuring peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“The draft presidential statement, which we will adopt later and which has the full support of my delegation, sends a strong message to the new Government of Guinea- Bissau as it consolidates its new constitutional role, while at the same time bringing to closure the transitional institutions deriving from the Abuja Accord and its additional protocol, and other related agreements which have now been completed. The international community also has a role to play in mobilizing the necessary financial support for the development of the state structures of Guinea-Bissau. The Secretary-General's report highlights the need to address urgently the economic and social needs of the population, chief among which is the eradication of poverty.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“We agree that Guinea-Bissau clearly stands at a critical crossroads. While the progress made is laudable, efforts must now be channelled into confronting the enormous challenges which lie ahead. The report of the Secretary-General identifies several of these challenges, including the consolidation of Guinea-Bissau's nascent democracy, the revitalization of State institutions, the demobilization and reintegration of retired military personnel, the return of refugees and the re-launching of the economy. These will require constructive partnerships, combining the efforts of national actors and neighbouring States. Jamaica shares the View that the Security Council must continue to play a role in the post-conflict peace- building phase in Guinea-Bissau by lending its political support.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“Equally, we wish to recognize the sterling contribution of the States members of the Economic Community of West African States and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries for the key role they played in the restoration of peace and security throughout Guinea-Bissau, particularly in the successful implementation of the Abuja Accord. We join other delegations in paying tribute to the people of Guinea-Bissau, who have demonstrated the political maturity necessary for the success of free, fair and transparent elections, and who have clearly demonstrated a desire for peace. We were pleased to hear from Sir Kieran about the recent accord between the Government and the former military junta, and we express our delegation's appreciation to the Foreign Minister of the Gambia for his mediation.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“We also extend congratulations to President Kumba Yala, and wish him and his Government every success. The United Nations can be proud of the fact that its proactive steps, taken to restore constitutional rule in Guinea-Bissau, including the recent extension of the mandate of UNOGBIS for one year, means that this Organization is poised to embark on a new phase in its political role in Guinea-Bissau. With the revised mandate of the Support Office, emphasis has been aptly placed on peace-building facilitation.”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open briefing on Guinea- Bissau, and we wish to thank Sir Kieran Prendergast for updating us on the current situation in that country. We also welcome the report of the Secretary-General contained in document S/2000/250. The events that have been unfolding in Guinea- Bissau over the past month are, indeed, testimony to the fact that the United Nations, with the full cooperation of national actors and with sustained support from the international community, can make a meaningful contribution to a country's effort to move from a state of civil strife to one of peace. In this regard, my delegation applauds the sterling achievements of the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS).”
2000-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4121 (2000) · source
“The war-weary people of Angola deserve to live without the violence and fear which have attended them over the past 25 years. The report presented to the Council today represents a significant milestone. The action taken by the Council will present an opportunity for us to clearly demonstrate our determination to implement our decisions aimed at furthering international peace and security.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“Fifthly, the plundering of Africa's mineral resources to purchase arms to fuel these conflicts must be brought to a halt. In the case of Angola, without buyers for the diamonds, UNITA would not have been able to sell diamonds to finance its purchase of arms. It is also clear that there has been a linkage established between the conflict in Angola and the conflicts in the Great Lakes region. The perpetuation of the conflict in Angola continues to divert scarce resources, which should be used for the economic and social development of Angola. My delegation therefore calls on UNITA to spare the innocent people of Angola further hardship by ending the fighting and by complying with its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“Secondly, the Governments of the countries whose nationals are engaging in sanctions-busting have an obligation to investigate and to take appropriate action against those who are responsible. Such investigations and actions must be undertaken in a transparent and credible manner. Thirdly, it is clear that UNITA abused the period following the signature of the Lusaka Protocol to accumulate arms and prepare itself for restarting the war. It is also clear that it was aided and abetted in this by a wide range of individuals in many countries. Fourthly, the international community must bring to an end the flow of illegal arms to conflict situations. It must also better regulate the legal export of arms, particularly in regard to end-users.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“It is also important that those cited in the report cooperate with the Council by providing it with the necessary information. At this time, my delegation therefore wishes to offer a few preliminary comments, as this report has implications not only for Angola, but for the wider international community and for the sanctions regimes imposed by the Council. First, the report leaves no doubt that there have been serious violations of the sanctions regimes by individuals, companies and government officials. Those who have violated the sanctions regime on Angola share in the responsibility for the human suffering resulting from the conflict and, with UNITA, are equally culpable in many of the tragic incidents, including the shooting-down of the United Nations aircraft.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“We have noted from the report that the Panel's existence and presence have already had the important effect of stimulating Governments and others into focusing on what each of them can do to improve the implementation and enforcement of sanctions and to curtail existing violations. We therefore share the Panel's view that the Security Council and the international community must remain engaged in this effort. We must send a strong signal that breaches of the Council's sanctions regimes cannot be tolerated and that the activities of violators will not go unpunished. My delegation recognizes that the report of the Expert Panel and its recommendations will require detailed study by the Sanctions Committee and by the Council itself.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“As the report reminds us, the purpose of the sanctions was not to punish UNITA, but to promote a peaceful settlement of the lengthy conflict in Angola by requiring UNITA to comply with obligations which it undertook in 1991 and 1994 and by limiting UNITA's ability to pursue its objectives by military means. It was for that reason that the sanctions were carefully targeted, relating to the supply of arms and fuel, UNITA's bank accounts, foreign travel of UNITA's officials and the operations of UNITA's offices abroad. All of these have been addressed by the Panel's investigations and recommendations on sanctions-busting.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“My delegation joins previous speakers in thanking you, Sir, for convening this meeting. We also wish to welcome the Minister for External Relations of Angola and the Minister of State of the United Kingdom, who are with us today. My delegation wishes to thank Ambassador Fowler for his clear and comprehensive presentation of the report of the Panel of Experts on violations of the Council's sanctions against Angola. We also wish to pay a tribute to him for his leadership of the Sanctions Committee, because it is largely thanks to his initiative, commitment and willingness to be innovative that the Expert Panel was established by the Council. We also wish to thank the members of the Council for the diligence, fearlessness and timeliness with which they have executed their mandate.”
2000-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4113 (2000) · source
“We therefore wish to support the proposal for the press statement to be issued by the President at the conclusion of our meeting and the elements outlined by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“We therefore concur with the four steps outlined by the Secretary-General in his report - the need for early disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex- combatants; the extension of State authority, including law enforcement; the improvement of Sierra Leone's capacity to ensure its own security; and national reconciliation and democratization - because we agree that all of these have to be in place if the election timetable is to be fulfilled. We believe these four pillars can effectively chart the course for the viability of Sierra Leone. All of this will hinge on the political will of the parties and the support that the international community is prepared to give.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“We wish to highlight this because it is important that once the security situation has been stabilized, attention be paid to Sierra Leone's economic and social development. In this regard, we wish to emphasize the importance of support for the upcoming international donor conference, to be held on 27 March under the auspices of the United Kingdom, because we believe that this will provide a useful forum through which tangible expressions of support can be derived. However, a lingering question is, where do we go from here? Sierra Leone is a society in which women, children and civilians at large face a future of insecurity, terror and fear. We share the view that it is necessary to ensure a credible peacekeeping presence throughout Sierra Leone and to create a climate of confidence and security.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“We further endorse the recommendations of the Joint Implementation Committee aimed, inter alia, at accelerating the implementation of the Lorne Agreement regarding compliance with the disarmament process, the ceasefire agreement and unhindered humanitarian access. We have further noted, in paragraph 9 of the report, that progress continues to be made towards developing the strategic framework approach for Sierra Leone, and that the United Nations country team has produced an initial report outlining principles and policies guiding United Nations actions and proposing appropriate institutional and coordination arrangements to ensure coherence among United Nations entities and partners.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“My delegation is encouraged by the continued positive involvement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As we have heard, the recently concluded meetings held in Bamako under the auspices of ECOWAS have given us some hope that there will be some progress made in the further fulfilment of the Lome Agreement. We wish to applaud the current leadership of ECOWAS on its initiative, and to encourage action aimed at putting further pressure on the parties involved to comply with the Lome Agreement. We also wish to pay tribute to those troops that have made up the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), particularly to the Nigerian Government, which provided a smooth transition from ECOMOG to UNAMSIL.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“It was also distressing to learn that despite UNAMSIL's best intentions, resistance continues, and that there is a lack of cooperation between the RUF and UNAMSIL. We support the call for a strong statement from the Council to RUF leaders, especially Mr. Foday Sankoh, to cooperate with UNAMSIL and to refrain from making statements that would inflame the present situation. As far as the security situation is concerned, we have also noted, in paragraph 21 of the Secretary-General's report, that the willingness of police personnel to return to former duty stations in the provinces has been affected by the violence inflicted on officers and their families during the conflict. We would like to hear further from Mr. Annabi whether there has been any progress made in that regard.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“We believe the appointment of a senior child human rights monitor is a step in the right direction, but we would encourage further measures to be put in place to address the critical problem of the protection of children. We are also very concerned about the continuing reports about the humanitarian situation. We have noted that Mr. Annabi referred to the withdrawal from RUF- controlled areas of Sierra Leone by two noted non- governmental organizations, which had been the only source of humanitarian relief for many people in Sierra Leone. We strongly urge that the Security Council send a strong message to the forces in Sierra Leone, calling on them to cooperate with the humanitarian relief agencies.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“But we would like to ask Mr. Annabi whether there have been any developments in the hearings for the commissioners for the Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development. We have been heartened to note the sterling contribution of UNAMSIL. In this regard, we wish to commend the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and the civilian and military components of UNAMSIL. We have fully supported the expansion of UNAMSIL forces in Sierra Leone, which has included the incorporation of human rights training and monitoring, police training and the protection of women, children and other civilians.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“We wish to emphasize that the low quality of surrendered weapons and the ratio of collected weapons to the number of ex-combatants - to which Mr. Annabi has referred - is another source of concern to my delegation. We welcome the joint cooperation of UNAMSIL and the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration in developing a programme for the disposal of arms and ammunition. We hope that it will be implemented as soon as possible. Mr. Annabi's briefing on the report of the Secretary- General noted several positive developments, which include the establishment of the Commission for the Consolidation of Peace and the setting up of the National Electoral Commission. We look forward to continued progress in the development of a strategic framework approach for Sierra Leone and a military integration plan.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“This makes the continuation of atrocities and abuses of human rights even more intolerable. Indeed, only last week the Council highlighted this in its statement to the press. It is clear that those atrocities must cease if Sierra Leone is to rebuild the social fabric it needs to ensure an effective State structure and a bright future for its population. My delegation notes with concern that there has been little progress in the area of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants. We remain concerned that the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) commanders in the east of the country continue to prevent RUF and ex-army combatants from joining the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“I, too, wish to thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this meeting to give us the opportunity to hear Mr. Annabi. We wish to thank him for his update and for introducing the Secretary- General's report of 7 March on the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), which covers recent political developments, the security situation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, human rights and humanitarian affairs. We also wish to thank the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Ambassador Greenstock, for having shared with the Council his observations from his recent visit to Sierra Leone. Ambassador Greenstock's observations and Mr. Annabi's briefing clearly indicate that there exists a strong desire for peace on the part of the majority of the people of Sierra Leone.”
2000-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4111 (2000) · source
“In conclusion, my delegation again wishes to thank you, Mr. President, and the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, for the timely initiative in convening this debate and for the preparation of the draft presidential statement which the Council will adopt later today. We are confident that the Council will redouble its efforts to address those humanitarian aspects of armed conflicts which continue to pose a threat to international peace and security and that we will do our best to ensure an appropriate response in the interests of humanity.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Fourthly, the Council must develop better coordination with relevant bodies within the United Nations system and the Bretton Woods institutions for continued post-conflict reconstruction, rehabilitation and peace-building efforts to ensure sustainable peace. There is also a need for the Council to support moves from humanitarian action to addressing long-term economic and social development. Fifthly, the Council must bear in mind that, while sanctions can be an effective tool to punish those who deliberately violate international law, they can also have a severe impact on civilians. The Council's attention to the application of smart sanctions, which punish those they are intended to punish while not resulting in serious humanitarian consequences, is therefore important to our debate.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“First, there is no doubt that the elimination of humanitarian crises will enhance efforts by the Council to address the root causes of conflicts, which give rise to these complex humanitarian emergencies. Secondly, greater attention to our role in conflict prevention is essential. The Council must react promptly to deploy preventive peacekeeping missions, where these are appropriate, and cooperate with other organs of the United Nations in order to adopt more integrative approaches to prevent the escalation of conflicts. Thirdly, the link between the economic, social and developmental aspects of conflicts is crucial.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“This will help to advance the process of reconciliation, demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of armed personnel and the resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons. Action on humanitarian grounds must not be seen as a substitute for action to resolve conflicts at the political level. Humanitarian action on its own cannot resolve conflicts which, by their nature, arise from political differences. Humanitarian action that is not complemented by diplomatic or political solutions can, in fact, undermine the effectiveness of humanitarian activities and may even make the situation worse. In this regard, there are several considerations that must be given priority attention.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“The effectiveness of humanitarian action by the Security Council related to humanitarian situations hinges on several factors, including the complete neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian workers while respecting the laws and customs of the countries in which they operate, the proper training of humanitarian staff and peacekeeping personnel, the provision of adequate financial resources, of which the Secretary-General made mention, the need to ensure the protection of humanitarian personnel, the continued provision of assistance to populations in need and the inclusion in relevant peace negotiations and agreements of specific humanitarian elements which take account of the needs and special circumstances of civilian populations.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“This role requires close cooperation between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the representatives of all the funds and programmes and the special representatives of the Secretary-General. In this regard, we wish to note the progress that has been achieved with regard to the actions taken following the Secretary- General's reform initiatives. For humanitarian assistance to be effective, we must be able to count on the cooperation of the parties involved in the conflict.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“While States have the primary responsibility to protect and provide for civilians within their territory and to ensure the safe, unimpeded access of humanitarian workers to civilians in need, the Council has a critical role to play in helping to create a secure environment for such assistance. The role of peacekeepers in preventing and containing humanitarian crises, collaborating with humanitarian agencies in providing safe environments for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitoring ceasefire agreements and separating combatants from non-combatants has been vital in assisting with the protection of civilians.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“The Council must focus on the question of impunity by emphasizing the need for States to bring to justice those who target civilians, and we must continue to cooperate with the international criminal tribunals, which constitute important mechanisms for deterring gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. It is unfortunate that the practice of impeding humanitarian access to civilians and the deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel have increased in several areas of conflict. The denial of humanitarian access by parties to armed conflict is unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest terms. The attention given to this issue by the Council during our discussions last month was therefore very timely.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source