YouSaid · the spoken record

Eide

lines on the record: 184
first: 2005-10-24
most recent: 2013-04-17
sittings or episodes: 9
sources: un-security-council

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“On International Peace Day, on 21 September, we saw that hostilities were almost brought to a halt, including by the Taliban, following an appeal by the United Nations. That allowed us to vaccinate 1.6 million children against polio, which was a major achievement. However, we are now seeing a new increase in the number of incidents, and we must expect that the number of incidents will continue to climb further over the next weeks, with at least four good weather weeks remaining after the end of Ramadan. We should be prepared for a situation where we do not experience the 08-54872 same winter lull - the same reduction in the level of hostilities - that we have experienced in past winters. So the situation is challenging, and it is indeed complex.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“In the report before the Council (S/2008/617), three characteristics of the security situation have been highlighted. First, the influence of the insurgency has spread beyond the traditional areas in the south and the east and has extended to provinces around Kabul. Secondly, there has been an increase in asymmetric attacks, some of them very sophisticated, which has contributed to an increase in civilian casualties. And thirdly, there were more and sometimes deadly attacks against aid-related and humanitarian targets, including deadly attacks against non-governmental organization and United Nations personnel. During September, the month of Ramadan, we saw a decrease in the number of incidents, as we had expected.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eide: When I briefed the Council in July (see S/PV.5930), I spoke about the outcome of the Paris Conference in support of Afghanistan, which was a success in several ways. The Conference provided $21 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and it also gave us a road map for how to proceed together with the Afghan leadership; the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and the Paris Declaration. So there was a road map then, and the road map remains. Since then, we have, I believe, been distracted from the commitments undertaken in Paris. The main reason for that is the deteriorating security situation, as we have seen over the last few months. In July and August, we witnessed the highest number of security incidents since 2002. It was an increase of up to 40 per cent, compared to the same months of July and August last year.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“But I must say I sense around this table and around other tables that there is a different attitude on this issue today "there is a greater readiness to be coordinated. It is a considerable agenda. I can promise the Council that we will do our best, and I am pleased to see that it is ready to provide resources. May I also say one thing at the very end: that we will do this under Afghan leadership, under the leadership of the Afghan Government - and I am pleased to have the Foreign Minister next to me - and that we will do it in the service of the Afghan people, who need it so much.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eide: I do not think that there have been any questions directed to me, but may I perhaps make a few comments. First of all, I am struck at seeing how in agreement the Council is with regard to the essentials and the priorities set by the Paris Conference, including support for the Afghan Government and all it is doing through the Development Strategy that has now been launched. Secondly, may I say that the support the Council provides for the United Nations Mission is more than encouraging. It warms me, and certainly it will warm the Mission to know that here in New York there is such broad support, and that the Council trusts us in the many tasks that we have in front of us. The coordination task is going to be tremendous, and success depends, of course, on countries being willing to be coordinated.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“We are now slowly reducing the number of vacancies in the Mission, which is encouraging. But we will need to go significantly beyond the ceiling that we have today if we are to meet the challenges of the Paris meeting. We are at a critical juncture in Afghanistan. UNAMA will only be able to play its role if significant additional resources are provided.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“UNAMA stands ready to be engaged whenever the countries of the region so desire and see a constructive role for us. I discussed those issues with the Foreign Ministers of both Pakistan and Afghanistan earlier today. During those discussions, I also underlined the need to pursue 08-41630 the cross-border jirga process and a political dialogue that seeks to find solutions to common challenges. In conclusion, the Secretary-General states in his report, the tasks facing UNAMA are very significant. I agree with his conclusion that those tasks can be addressed within the mandate specified in resolution 1806 (2008) and that there is no need for amendments or additions to that mandate. What we do need is resources - more and qualified personnel and financial resources to carry out our work on the ground.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“There is a need for a broadly based Afghan political dialogue that could reinforce national unity, add momentum to the nation-building exercise and promote prospects for peace. That dialogue will have to be defined by the Afghan Government itself and be conducted with respect for the Constitution as well as the relevant Security Council resolutions. But the political dimension of achieving stability now needs greater prominence. Finally, there is a need to strengthen regional cooperation and dialogue on some of the critical issues facing the region, such as drugs, refugees and security. There is also great potential in other sectors, such as cooperation on energy, infrastructure and trade. That positive agenda must be exploited.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“The rising number of civilian casualties is a matter of grave concern to all of us. First and foremost, every effort must be made to reduce the number of civilian casualties to a minimum. I am in regular contact and dialogue with the Commander of ISAF concerning that and other topics. We are in agreement that we must develop ways to avoid confusion over the facts when civilian casualties are reported. However, when we talk about civilian casualties, we should be clear: the insurgents have continued to display a total disregard for civilian life, as was most tragically demonstrated by the targeted attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul three days ago. I have also repeatedly stated that the solution to the conflict in Afghanistan will not be a purely military solution. It will fundamentally have to be a political solution.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“The situation on the ground demonstrates that there will be a need for a strong international military presence for the foreseeable future. There is also a need for better cooperation and understanding between the military and civilian components of our work. For UNAMA's part, we will engage in further discussion with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in order to enhance civilian-military cooperation. We will do so, and we will expand UNAMA's presence across the country in a way that ensures the integrity of, and understanding for, our independent mandate and in a way that can strengthen respect for humanitarian principles. One particularly sensitive topic is the question of the protection of civilians, which is a core element of UNAMA's human rights and humanitarian agenda.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“We must urgently strengthen our capacity to forecast, assess, coordinate and respond to humanitarian crises; and we should be imaginative in order to mobilize such resources quickly. The situation on the ground is further complicated by an increasingly difficult security environment. We did expect an increase in insurgency activities over the past months. What we have seen is an unprecedented level of insurgent and terrorist activities, especially in the volatile provinces in the south and the east. But we have also seen a greater insurgency presence in other districts and provinces in the central parts of the country. The attack three days ago outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul demonstrated the ability of terrorists to carry out extremely deadly operations in the capital.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“There can be no exception to coordination of development assistance. Together with our Afghan partners, we are now setting up the structures required to improve our joint coordination efforts. The third component guiding us is the evolving situation on the ground. There can be no doubt that we have underestimated the humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan. John Holmes will address that in greater detail. As late as in January of this year, a joint food appeal was launched by the Afghan Government and the World Food Programme. Yet another joint appeal was launched in Kabul today to meet an emerging food security crisis. The constant humanitarian challenges have revealed a clear lack of capacity to address the needs of the most vulnerable people. NGOs have criticized us, and rightly so.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Such improvements in the delivery of international assistance must be matched by determination on the Afghan side to improve the quality of its administration, show greater accountability and combat corruption. I am encouraged by the fact that President Karzai now convenes his key 3 ministers weekly to discuss the commitments that the Afghan Government undertook in Paris. Resolution 1806 (2008) gives UNAMA the challenging task of improving the coordination of our common efforts. The most daunting part of that challenge will be to coordinate development activities. To me, it is important that the Paris Declaration very clearly stated that coordination must include all development assistance, which means whether it is delivered through development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or Provincial Reconstruction Teams.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“The Paris Declaration also includes a strong commitment to deliver aid more effectively. In Paris, donor countries demonstrated that there is now a greater readiness to ensure that more resources are spent inside Afghanistan, that more is channelled through Afghan budgets and that more attention is devoted to promoting Afghan procurement and capacity-building. That is an important development. It is also important to emphasize that the benefits of development must reach all provinces equitably. We cannot allow a situation where poor provinces that are poppy-free, secure and have better leadership are neglected in our development efforts. They must see that there is fairness in development, and we must inoculate those provinces against future instability.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“First of all, we need to undertake a massive institution-building effort. More solid, competent and accountable institutions are a precondition for security, for development and for enhancing the trust of the Afghan people in their own Government. The second pillar is the expansion of key sectors of the economy. There is an urgent need to increase agricultural production and to invest in large-scale energy projects. In spite of the fact that more than 80 per cent of the Afghan population depends directly on agriculture for their livelihoods, only a very modest amount of money has been diverted to that sector of the economy. It has been neglected, and it cannot be neglected any longer. It is from the agriculture and energy sectors that real and sustainable growth in the economy can take place.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“We will now all have to look at our development plans to make sure that we respect the priorities of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. If we do not align our resources behind that document, then it is unimplementable. We must 08-41630 demonstrate an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This is not the time to navigate by autopilot. The challenge for the United Nations will be to provide assistance to the Government in its efforts to implement its strategy and to ensure that the international community responds adequately. An important part of the implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy will be to ensure that we respect its priorities. There are two important pillars, which will be decisive for the success of all other efforts.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“I am not at all inclined to trivialize the achievements of the past seven years; they are substantive, far-reaching and, in many cases, still underacknowledged. But what I face every day are questions relating precisely to the kind of commitments we undertook in Paris. Do we have a plan that can unite us? Does the international community spend its resources well enough? Is the Afghan Government sufficiently committed to addressing corruption and malpractice? I am convinced that if we do not live up to the commitments undertaken in Paris, we will jeopardize the support that we depend on - both from the Afghan people and in the public opinion of donor countries. The Paris conference has created new momentum.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“It was a success as a pledging conference, by raising more than $20 billion in support of our joint efforts in Afghanistan, and it was a success in political terms, by creating the basis for a strengthened partnership between the international community and Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan presented the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, which will be our common road map under Afghan leadership for the next five years, and the international community pledged to align its resources behind the Strategy. The launching of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy comes at a very critical juncture. We need a clearer sense of direction and we need greater energy injected into our work.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“It has been our View that the process must be conducted in a way that allows all Afghans equally to take part in the elections, while taking into account the difficulties we encounter with regard to security. The decision of the Commission creates a sound basis for the international community to provide the financial support that is required. UNAMA stands ready to support Afghan authorities throughout the election process, as requested by President Karzai. The second component I mentioned that will guide our work is, of course, the commitments undertaken in Paris on 12 June. The Paris Conference was a great success.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“This is, of course, not a regular Security Council report and it is therefore limited in its scope, but it is an important report, concentrated on the outcome of the Paris Conference and the guidance that the Conference has provided, as requested by the Security Council in its resolution 1806 (2008). Our work over the next 18 months will be guided by three components: the political calendar, the commitments undertaken in Paris and, of course, the evolving situation on the ground. First, I would refer to the political calendar, and by that I mean in particular the election process that lies ahead of us. Today in Kabul, the Afghan 08-41630 Independent Electoral Commission announced its decision on how to move forward. That decision will allow us to proceed with the voter registration process.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eide: I am grateful for this opportunity to address the Security Council. Allow me to start by expressing my gratitude to all those around this table who have given me and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) such great support over these first three months. That has certainly been an encouragement and has given us strength. Since I have Foreign Minister Spanta next to me, I would also like to express deep gratitude for the access that President Karzai, Mr. Spanta himself and other ministers have given me during this period.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Kosovo will continue to depend on a significant international presence on the ground - military and civilian. The support required in so many areas cannot be provided by remote control. Entering a future status process does not mean entering the last stage, but the next stage of the international presence.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“However, once it has started, it must also be brought to a conclusion within a reasonable timeframe. The search for clarity should not lead us into a protracted period of confusion. Neighbouring States will need to understand the process, support it and, not least, be reassured by the way it is conducted. The international community will require strength to carry the future status process forward and to implement its results. A reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo will be required, but it should take place in a coordinated manner in order to ensure that gaps do not emerge and that current and future requirements are met. During and after the future status process, the credibility of the international community will be of critical importance.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“Success in negotiating and implementing a future status will depend on further standards implementation. Insufficient standards implementation entails the risk of turning a future status into a failed status. I would like to offer a few thoughts on the status process as such. In Kosovo that process will be very different from peace processes in other parts of the former Yugoslavia. In contrast to those processes, there is little to build on in Kosovo in terms of previous plans and preparations. Furthermore, the negotiations concern a territory that is still a part of a sovereign State but is administered by the United Nations through provisional self-governing institutions. Every effort should be made to bring all the parties together and to keep them together throughout the status process. The process should not be rushed forward.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“Such clarity will also remove an element of instability, which today hampers the political and economic development of Kosovo, as well as of the region. The goals of the standards process are ambitious; they cannot be met over a short period of time. The standards process will require constant and determined efforts, stretching into and beyond the process of defining Kosovo's future status. With a future status process underway, there is a risk that attention and energy would be focused on status to the detriment of standards. On the other hand, opening the future status process means that the international community will have enhanced leverage for further standards implementation. I would urge the international community to make full use of that leverage.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“It is also unlikely that postponing the future status process will lead to significant progress in the implementation of standards. Progress will be achieved only if the sense of a political perspective is maintained and if the international community is ready to mobilize greater political energy and pressure. In addition, there is also a shared expectation in Pristina and in Belgrade, as well as in the region, that the future status process will now start. During the work on the comprehensive review, there has been a gradual shift in the preparedness for a future status process. I am convinced that all will benefit from clarity with regard to what Kosovo will be. People will be able to make important decisions about their own future on an informed basis. I repeat, all need clarity.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“Devolution of powers and enhanced competences to municipalities where minorities, in particular Kosovo Serbs, have a comfortable majority would establish effective institutional guarantees for minorities and increase confidence in Kosovo's central institutions. As I said at the outset, there is probably no good moment for addressing Kosovo's future status. Nevertheless - and in spite of the shortcomings I have mentioned - I sincerely believe that the time has come to start the future status process. Since last year, a political process driven by a more dynamic international engagement has been underway in Kosovo. That process cannot be interrupted or halted. Having moved from stagnation to expectation, stagnation cannot again be allowed to take hold.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“To reverse that trend in inter-ethnic relations, great emphasis should be placed on protecting the identities of all communities and on their ability to influence their own future. In that respect, allow me to highlight two areas where action is required. First, there is a need to create a protective space around Serbian Orthodox religious sites and institutions, with the involvement of the international community, in order to make them less vulnerable to political manipulation. Secondly, wider decentralization will be a critical element in any effort to ensure a viable, multi-ethnic Kosovo, where all communities can influence their own lives in a meaningful way.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“It is a widely held view that as many or more Kosovo Serbs are now leaving than returning and that that process may be accelerating. We have to reverse that trend. The return policies should be revised in order to allow for support for those who wish to return to places where they can live and not only to places where they have lived. It must also place greater emphasis on support for returnees over longer periods of time and for those who have remained, in order to attract those who wish to return. While our focus is almost always concentrated on the relationship between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs, we must not forget that other minorities also face serious hardship. I would like to single out the continued existence of internally displaced persons camps - such as those in Plementina and Zitkovac - as distressing.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“We must ensure that all components of the law-enforcement system are strengthened, so that every person can have confidence in them. The situation with regard to inter-ethnic relations is grim. It is true that the overall security situation seems more stable than it was a year ago. However, the situation on the ground remains worrying. Frequent unreported incidents of inter-ethnic violence and crime affect security and freedom of movement. When perpetrators remain at large, an atmosphere of impunity prevails. Furthermore, tens of thousands of property cases remain unresolved. With no access to illegally occupied land and properties, sustainable returns are hard to achieve. The backlog of such unresolved property cases must be urgently addressed. The overall return process has virtually come to a halt.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“The institutional framework also includes law- enforcement bodies: the Kosovo Police Service and a justice system. Both are operational throughout Kosovo. However, there is a lack of ability and readiness to enforce legislation. While the Kosovo Police Service is developing in a promising way, the justice system remains weak. Both find it difficult to address serious crimes, including crimes of an inter- ethnic nature, organized crime and corruption, which remain serious threats to Kosovo's stability. Under such circumstances, the number of international judges and prosecutors should be maintained, a strong and well-qualified international police presence should be ensured and great caution should be exercised in the transfer of competences in such sensitive areas as police and justice.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“The establishment of institutions and of a broad legal framework and the development of public services have been impressive. Over the past year, significant transfer of competences has taken place, and more is planned for the near future. The local leaders are gradually taking ownership of the new institutions and becoming more efficient. A civil service is taking shape and becoming more professional. I commend Kosovo's leaders and the civil service for those achievements. There are, of course, shortcomings in many respects, due to lack of expertise, lack of resources and lack of accountability. The international community should remain ready to provide long-term assistance for institutional development, including capacity-building.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“In a report to the Secretary-General last year (S/2004/932, annex I, enclosure), I emphasized that there would never be a good moment for addressing Kosovo's future status. That impression was confirmed during my recent work. First, determining Kosovo's future status is, and will remain, a highly sensitive political issue with serious regional and wider international implications. Secondly, the basic positions of the parties remain diametrically opposed with no - or at least very little - common ground. Thirdly, the prospects for a genuine reconciliation process on the ground are, and will probably remain, modest under the current circumstances. A significant part of the work on the comprehensive review was devoted to reviewing developments on the ground, including the implementation of standards. The picture is, indeed, mixed.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source
“Mr. Eide: I am deeply grateful to the Secretary-General for having asked me to undertake a comprehensive review of the situation in Kosovo. I am grateful to you, Mr. President, for allowing me to present the main findings and conclusions to the Security Council. I am pleased to see Prime Minister Kostunica here today; our many discussions in Belgrade provided very important inputs for my work. I would also like to express my admiration for the dynamic leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, over the past year. The purpose of the review was to assess whether the conditions are now in place for conducting the process to determine Kosovo's future status.”
2005-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5289 (2005) · source