YouSaid · the spoken record

Eldon

lines on the record: 430
first: 1998-11-10
most recent: 2002-09-05
sittings or episodes: 71
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We understand that the Office of the High Representative has drafted a plan for next steps on judicial reform and is working with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on a programme that can implement the recommendations of the judicial system assessment programme. We continue to believe that the OSCE, with its experience in rule-of-law and judicial-reform issues, and with its extensive field offices in Bosnia, is the organization best suited actively to assist the Office of the High Representative in this mission. We would welcome the addition of the Council of Europe and other regional organizations in an effort led by the Office ofthe High Representative and the OSCE.”
2000-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4154 (2000) · source
“We are also seeing slow but continuing progress in setting up the State Border Service, a key element of the New York Declaration agreed to by members of the joint Presidency during their appearance in the Council last November. Certainly, more work needs to be done in the area ofjoint institutions, and we support the efforts of the international community in Bosnia to reinforce progress in that area. Finally, let me speak to the issue of judicial reform. My Government commends the work of UNMIBH's judicial system assessment programme over the past two years. It has highlighted critical problems in the Bosnian judicial system and has made important recommendations. Its mandate, however, restricts the programme to passive monitoring and assessment activities.”
2000-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4154 (2000) · source
“In that regard, with respect to the Peace Implementation Council ministerial meeting, I would simply note that the Belgrade regime has done nothing since the December 1998 Madrid ministerial meeting, which it walked out of, to merit its participation in the Peace Implementation Council. The ministerial is, after all, a meeting of those interested in advancing the peace in Bosnia, and that purpose speaks for itself. We are encouraged by signs that the nationalism and hatred of the past is slowly albeit too slowly giving way to new respect for democracy and the rule oflaw. In that regard, the new democratic Mesic-Racan Government in Croatia has had a positive impact on the Croat community in Bosnia, and we are seeing positive developments in Mostar, which only recently was labeled the most divided city in Europe.”
2000-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4154 (2000) · source
“This would be more than a trend if some Government officials and other individuals would stop blocking the return of these courageous men and women. We must send a clear message that we will not tolerate this obstructionism. In that regard, my delegation fully supports aggressive use by the High Representative and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Bosnia of the mandates provided by the international community. We should seek to remove or restrain all those standing in the way of Dayton's full implementation - the war criminals remaining at large, the organized criminals and the national extremists.”
2000-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4154 (2000) · source
“My Government supports the priorities established by the Peace Implementation Council at its last ministerial meeting - refugee returns, economic reform and the strengthening of State institutions. We have set aside significant resources for work in these areas, including $67.2 million to support minority refugee returns and close to $2 million for the new State Border Service. We will also continue our significant contribution, currently more than 10 per cent of the total force, to the International Police Task Force (IPTF). We are encouraged by the positive developments referred to in the Secretary-General's report. It is inspiring to see the dramatic increase in refugee returns, even of minority groups to areas that saw some of the most dramatic violence during the war.”
2000-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4154 (2000) · source
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Ambassador Klein back to the Council. He has done an outstanding job of reinvigorating the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) with a vibrant, results- oriented concept of operations, and we are grateful for his dedication and work. We fully support the extension of UNMIBH's mandate for another 12 months, and we are encouraged that this extension is backed by a clear strategy for completing the Mission by December 2002. As the Secretary-General makes clear in his latest report, this is a realistic objective that can be reached if we provide UNMIBH with the resources it needs to get its job done.”
2000-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4154 (2000) · source
“Whether inspired locally or manipulated from outside the province, extremism and violence represent a menace which we must all confront. We welcome the statements issued by Mr. Rugova and Mr. Thaci today calling for all violence to cease. I cannot underline too strongly the necessity for Violence to cease. This point was made forcefully in Kosovo by the recent Security Council mission to the territory, and it bears repeating. The people of Kosovo, particularly the majority Albanian community, must realize that the support of the international community is bound to be adversely affected if violence and intimidation are not curbed. That, Mr. President, is the key message I would like to leave with you and them today.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“That is not in the Serbs' own interest. We call on the authorities in Belgrade in the strongest terms to immediately reverse this policy, to allow registration in Serbia and to encourage Kosovo Serbs to exercise their democratic rights. We support strongly Mr. Kouchner's intention, as he told us in March, to develop provisional institutions to provide for the substantial autonomy and self- government for Kosovo foreseen in Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). This process, which will follow naturally from the local elections later this year, should help take forward democratization, promote moderation and marginalize extremism. I want to close by referring to extremism and violence. Both are the strongest single threat to our efforts in Kosovo.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“But we strongly believe that the best way forward is for the Serb community to continue their cooperation with UNMIK, KFOR and with the other communities in Kosovo. The United Kingdom is contributing special assistance to improve life for Serbs in Kosovo, in particular through helping to fund an independent radio station for that community. Mr. President, I hope this will go some way towards providing the information capacity for which the Serb delegation asked you this morning. We support UNMIK and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in their efforts to organize free and fair elections this autumn. We call on all residents of Kosovo to register and vote in order to guarantee Kosovo's multi-ethnic future. We regret that Belgrade is, so far, preventing registration by Kosovo Serbs now in Serbia.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“The Joint Interim Administrative Structure has made some important progress. In particular, we welcome the establishment of some 20 joint departments and some recent statements from the IAC, the Interim Administrative Council, which demonstrate significant inter-ethnic cooperation. We believe that the best way for the Kosovo Serbs, Roma and other communities to promote their legitimate stake in Kosovo's future is to play a full part in these joint institutions, in the municipal elections this autumn and in UNMIK's further work. We regret the decision by the Serb National Council to suspend its participation in the Joint Administration. We understand and share the security concerns of the Kosovo Serb community, and I too saw the delegation yesterday and was impressed by the points they made.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“Today, UNMIK officials are in London interviewing United Kingdom candidates to serve as international prosecutors. We hope this will meet at least some of the need for international legal personnel that Mr. Kouchner has identified. We are also making our best effort to respond promptly to UNMIK's demands for staffing and other resources. We encourage - and indeed it is vitally important - that other Member States should do the same. We welcome action taken by the United Nations to decentralize and accelerate recruitment. The right procedures, which cut through red tape and which safeguard transparency and accountability, are essential if we are to respond to UNMIK's needs fully and quickly. In his report, the Secretary-General has recorded the progress being made in developing institutions in Kosovo. We commend UNMIK for this work.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“But it would be even more wrong to forget how bad the inheritance was, a province most of whose population had been expelled or displaced by its own Government, the effects of a decade of apartheid and 18 months of accelerating repression and immense physical and social destruction. As Mr. Kouchner has said, UNMIK has laid the foundation for a new society in Kosovo. The international community needs to sustain its help, in particular in justice, law and order. The United Kingdom is actively engaged in this endeavour. We have just doubled our contribution to the United Nations international police. Fifty-six Ministry of Defense police officers arrived in Kosovo this week. We are working with UNMIK to establish a criminal intelligence unit.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“I'd like to thank the Secretary-General for his report and for his presence here and once again Mr. Kouchner for his full, comprehensive and exhaustive briefing today. One year on, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the international security force (KFOR) have a substantial record of achievement, which is all too easily obscured by individual events. Mr. Kouchner and his staff deserve the thanks of the Council for their efforts and for the progress they have made in extraordinarily demanding conditions since last June. It would be wrong to minimize the present difficulties in Kosovo or the future challenges.”
2000-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4153 (2000) · source
“None of what I have said is meant to be criticism. I want to pay tribute to the quite remarkable job that UNTAET has done on the ground and that those backstopping UNTAET have done in the Secretariat in New York. They deserve our congratulations and our thanks.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“I am not sure that "push" is quite the right verb to use, but what is important is that as East Timor moves to independence it should have adequate capacity to cope with independence in governance, governmental services, security, democratic institutions and a whole host of things. I think the work that the Secretariat has already done in mapping out an exit strategy, to put it a little crudely, is very useful. But there is a need to develop timelines to ensure that the mission completes its job in the right timescale and in the right way. It would be very helpful to have any comments that Mr. Annabi might wish to offer on the future shape of UNTAET or indeed on the United Nations role in East Timor post- UNTAET. I want to conclude my intervention at this briefing in the same way that I concluded my intervention last time.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“It is particularly important to try to make progress on both funding and capacity before next month's donor conference in Lisbon. I am sure that the importance of that meeting will not be lost on any of us around this table. I would also welcome the Secretariat's comments on its longer-term vision for United Nations engagement in East Timor. During our last briefing Mr. Annabi very helpfully mentioned the series of benchmarks or objectives that would be necessary before independence could be reached. As I said at that time, we have to maintain a careful balance between not pushing too hard and not pushing hard enough.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“Of course, a lot of these procedures are not within the Council's area of responsibility, but, for our part, we stand ready to do what we can to help reduce such obstacles while of course retaining sufficient checks on expenditure. It would also be helpful to know whether there is anything more that could be done to ensure that UNTAET has the specialist staff it needs to do some of the things it has to do by way of building up infrastructure, developing governmental capacity and so forth. As a member of a diplomatic service renowned for its reliance on generalists, I have to say that is a good thing, but there are limits to the extent to which they can deal with some specialist issues where obviously technical expertise is required and necessary.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“We understand that although some $20 million has been pledged, spending has so far been only a small proportion of that. We need also to ensure that disbursement is proceeding apace from the World Bank trust fund. We hope that UNTAET, the Secretariat and others involved can work to identify the barriers to disbursement, and we would be very open to whatever can be done to streamline the procedures so that more of the money can be spent more quickly. I have to say that recently there has been a sense on the ground of - well, it would be an exaggeration to say bureaucracy run riot, but certainly the bureaucratic impediments to getting things done seem to be on the increase rather than the reverse.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“I think we should all think very carefully about what we can do in relation to those poor people who have effectively had to suffer a double whammy, both of displacement from East Timor and now of natural disaster. What I had to say earlier about the need for refugee returns applies doubly to those people who find themselves flooded out in West Timor. I would like to turn now to the question of resources. It is almost a truism that UNTAET can be fully effective only if it is properly resourced. We continue to have some concern that the work of the Mission is being inhibited by a lack of funds on the ground. It would be helpful to have some indication from Mr. Annabi of the current position on expenditure from the United Nations Trust Fund.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“We hope that UNHCR and the Indonesian Government will quickly be able to resolve issues such as pension payments, which are currently restraining many of the refugees from making that leap. Those who wish to return should be allowed to do so swiftly and safely. In this connection, we are particularly concerned about the effects of the recent floods in West Timor. We were very pleased that UNTAET was able to provide assistance to the Indonesian authorities in some areas, in coping with the floods, but it is particularly troubling that so many of those who have been killed or displaced are refugees from East Timor. We fully support anything that UNTAET can do to provide further assistance in the relief efforts.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“I find it interesting to note that the rate of return over the last month, and since the Council was last briefed, is down to only about 1,000 persons. We think that it is now time to clarify how many people remain in the refugee camps in West Timor, and we are pleased that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) census is going ahead. It is clearly very important that the remaining refugees should be registered expeditiously - not least because of the activities of the militia and not least because it will be very important to know and to get a good feel for the reasons why they have not returned. The register will be a useful tool in helping to create the conditions for those still in the camps to return home.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“Your stewardship of the Council, Mr. President, has proved eminently wise this month, and I can do no better than to echo your wise words of thanks to Assistant Secretary- General Annabi. Again, his briefing has been extremely useful and extremely comprehensive. It demonstrates the scale of the difficulties that the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) has to face. It really is quite a remarkable mission, in the sense of having to build an infrastructure from the bottom up and prepare a territory for independence with very little to start from. It also demonstrates the ingenuity with which those challenges are being tackled and the progress that is being made. I would like to start almost in reverse order compared to Mr. Annabi, by considering refugees.”
2000-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4147 (2000) · source
“Respect for the human rights of the Tajik people, the building of strong democratic institutions and the enforcement of the rule of law are not optional extras. They are key elements to the future peace and stability of Tajikistan and their promotion should be at the core of the new office's role.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“We must take this opportunity to congratulate UNMOT'S leadership and staff for their excellent work. We should particularly remember those peacekeepers who gave their lives to the cause of peace in Tajikistan. We trust that the Government of Tajikistan will take steps to ensure the safety of those personnel who are to remain in the country. We should not underestimate the task that faces the people and leaders of Tajikistan if they are to grasp this opportunity for lasting peace. The United Kingdom is pleased that the Secretary-General intends to establish a post-conflict peace-building office in Dushanbe. We hope that the office will incorporate a significant human rights capability.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“The Council has an exceptionally busy agenda today and, in recognition of that fact, I will shorten my statement, though the Secretariat will distribute the full version. I should also like to associate my delegation with the statement that the Permanent Representative of Portugal will make later this afternoon on behalf of the European Union. We are grateful to Special Representative Petrov for his briefing this afternoon. The road to peace in Tajikistan has not been easy. The United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) was forced to act in volatile and dangerous circumstances, sadly losing six of its staff, and the political process continues to be difficult, with international observers declaring the recent parliamentary elections to be deeply flawed.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“That need not take long to produce. But we should be wary of adopting an over-hasty approach. The Secretary-General was right to point out that changing UNAMSIL's mandate will not of itself change it into an effective peace enforcement mission; and moving to peace enforcement would be a radical change of approach. We should think carefully about whether this is right or practicable. It is clear what the immediate response to the crisis has to be. We must not take our eye off the ball. We must get UNAMSIL up to strength. Those who can help achieve this must do so quickly. This Council must send a clear message of political support for UNAMSIL, and it must be ready to do anything necessary to assist UNAMSIL's reinforcement. The United Kingdom has already done a great deal. Our efforts will continue.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“The United Kingdom team at Lungi will be working with UNAMSIL to see how more air movements can be handled through the airport, thus relieving this potential bottleneck in efforts to strengthen UNAMSIL. For the moment, UNAMSIL's mandate is sufficient for it to carry out its tasks. It is already a strong one. It contains elements that allow for the use of force in self- defence and, where possible, in defence of the civilian population. Clearly, as the situation evolves, we should look at the tasks we expect UNAMSIL to carry out. The decision on how to mandate the Mission will depend on those tasks. Once the situation has stabilized, we will be better placed to look at those issues. We will need the Secretary-General's professional advice, which will no doubt be based on Under-Secretary-General Miyet's assessment.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“We are grateful to the Governments of India, Bangladesh and Jordan for expediting the deployment of their battalions. That deployment must take place as quickly as possible. We welcome the willingness of the Economic Community of West African States leaders, following their summit meeting in Abuja on 9 May, to consider, in the event of new involvement of regional forces in Sierra Leone, the practical modalities of such involvement. Any new troops should be blue-hatted, properly equipped for the job they have to do, under a single United Nations chain of command and with the same rules of engagement. Progress is now being made, and we obviously welcome that.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“And our hearts go out to the families of those who have given their lives in the service of the United Nations. My delegation also wishes to pay tribute to the efforts of regional leaders who have worked hard to support the Government of Sierra Leone. It is imperative that they, and all of us, put as much pressure as possible on Foday Sankoh to return to the path of peaceful dialogue and political progress charted in the Lorne Agreement. The response of the United Nations to the crisis holds the key to its future solution. The Security Council has a grave responsibility. It is essential that we get things right. We must therefore keep our eye firmly on the immediate objective: to reinforce UNAMSIL and get it up to strength.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“A United Kingdom military advisory team is also in Freetown, at United Nations request, to help the United Nations assess what technical support is needed to strengthen UNAMSIL. The United Kingdom will continue to offer technical and logistical support to help strengthen the Mission. UNAMSIL has borne the brunt of Sankoh's actions and suffered the consequences. I pay an unreserved tribute to the way in which its Commander, General J etley, and his colleagues have dealt with the present difficult situation. Similar tributes are due to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and those engaged on Sierra Leone in New York. Our thoughts are with those UNAMSIL personnel who have been detained by the RUF. As the Secretary-General has said, they must be released, and quickly.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“I am grateful to the Secretary-General for his kind words about the effect the presence of our forces has had, and I will ensure that they are passed on to those concerned. Today, following a review of the situation in Sierra Leone with Cabinet colleagues, Prime Minister Blair confirmed that the British forces in Sierra Leone would continue their mission to evacuate United Kingdom and other nationals, and to secure Lungi airport, while the United Nations force builds up over the next month. There is no question of British troops being deployed in a combat role as part of the United Nations force, nor of an open- ended commitment. The arrival in the area of HMS Ocean, with her embarked marines, will provide further force flexibility and be in a position to relieve those forces already in theatre, if necessary.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“We are firmly of the view that the cornerstone of our efforts must be the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). An effective United Nations force, fully staffed and equipped to meet its mandate, offers the best hope for restoring lasting peace and stability in Sierra Leone. The United Kingdom has taken a number of important steps to support UNAMSIL. Last weekend we deployed the British Spearhead Battalion to Freetown. That deployment is primarily for the evacuation of United Kingdom nationals. But we also believe that the deployment of our troops, who have secured Lungi airport, made a real contribution to the efforts of UNAMSIL. We have kept that vital link open and thus freed up UNAMSIL troops to concentrate on their wider task.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“We must focus now on the immediate crisis. I do not want to spend too much time and energy allocating blame. But my delegation is in no doubt at whose door the principal responsibility should be laid. Foday Sankoh and his Revolutionary United Front (RUF) supporters have flagrantly violated the peace agreements to which he and they are a party. Sankoh stands condemned before the international community, including in statements by this Council. He and his colleagues must bear responsibility for what has happened over the last few days. As the Secretary-General and others have said, they must be held accountable for their actions. We must now take the action necessary to ensure that Sankoh and his supporters do not succeed in breaking the peace for which the ordinary people of Sierra Leone yearn and which they so richly deserve.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“The Secretary- General's presence with us and the statement he has just made testify to the importance of our debate tonight. The situation in Sierra Leone is very serious. All of us have followed the events of the past days in Sierra Leone with a sense of foreboding. The present tragic breakdown could have dire consequences. We are especially conscious of the suffering of the people of Sierra Leone. If the response of the United Nations and the international community does not match up to the challenge, the consequences will be far-reaching - not just for Sierra Leone, but also for Africa, United Nations peacekeeping and the United Nations itself. My delegation is grateful to the African Group for taking the initiative in calling this meeting, and grateful to you, Mr. President, for arranging it so rapidly.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source
“Thirdly, we agree that it is crucial to manage an orderly returns process for refugees, both from the rest of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and from abroad. Adequate security for all returnees is essential. We welcome the establishment of the Joint Committee on Returns to coordinate this process. We should use this meeting to make one thing crystal clear. UNMIK is not only operating effectively, but it is also doing so within the mandate set out in resolution 1244 (1999). And that resolution, as the mission has said, is being implemented.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4138 (2000) · source
“The international community's efforts to make progress on this issue need to be given a higher profile. The United Kingdom therefore strongly supports the appointment of a special envoy to look into the question, in cooperation with UNMIK. The Special Representative should address the fates of all detained and missing persons, regardless of their ethnic origin. Secondly, the mission was right to highlight the importance of reinforcing the justice system in Kosovo. For our part, the United Kingdom stands ready to offer the United Nations some candidates for posts as international judges and prosecutors in Kosovo. The Kosovo Police School is doing fine work and its multi- ethnic character should serve as a model for other institutions, not least the Kosovo Protection Corps.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4138 (2000) · source
“This Council set the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) an enormous challenge in resolution 1244 (1999). The mission is operating within its mandate as laid out in that resolution. Ably led by Bernard Kouchner, it has made very significant progress in circumstances that are far from ideal. There is still a long way to go, but we should all take this opportunity to put on record our thanks to Mr. Kouchner and his team for the excellent work they have done so far. I would like to address three detailed issues raised in the report. First, the report makes clear that there is enormous public concern about the fate of those Kosovo Albanians who are detained elsewhere in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or have been missing since the end of the conflict last year.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4138 (2000) · source
“I, too, should like to thank Ambassador Chowdhury for his briefing today. I echo Ambassador Levitte's sentiment that the report is perfect in each paragraph. I also echo Ambassador Levitte's concern that it has not proved possible for some States members of the European Union with a close interest in Kosovo to express their views in this debate today. Ambassador Chowdhury and the mission did an excellent job in Kosovo. They travelled widely, meeting representatives of all ethnic groups, and they produced an excellent report for us to study. We have looked at the report carefully and agree with its findings and recommendations. Before commenting on the report in detail, I would like to underline its key finding.”
2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4138 (2000) · source
“We also commend the Office of the High Representative and the Independent Media Commission on their comprehensive media reform programme, particularly the successful action against the illegal broadcasts by Erotel. But we remain concerned by the continued intimidation of independent media by established Bosnian political parties. To return to what has become a constant theme of my - and, indeed, Mr. Petritsch's - interventions, senior Bosnian political leaders should take concrete steps to fulfil their responsibilities in this regard.”
2000-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4136 (2000) · source
“We can only hope they will face up to them. Thirdly, we must make progress in dealing with the inheritance of war. The United Kingdom welcomes the arrest of Momcilo Krajisnik, This sends a clear message that indictees of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 should be under no illusions. They will be held to account. The United Kingdom also welcomes the increased pace of return of minority refugees and internally displaced persons this year. We hope that the new Government in Croatia will have a positive effect on regional refugee return.”
2000-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4136 (2000) · source
“This is an example of a broader problem - a tendency by the collective Bosnian leadership to duck the really difficult problems, as we also saw over the border service. We are concerned that Serb obstructionism in the Constitutional Court and on the constituent peoples decision is restricting our options. I should be grateful for the High Representative's views on how this issue can be tackled. Secondly, and as Mr. Petritsch has said, we face serious challenges on the economic front. Although the economy has registered stronger than expected rates of growth, serious underlying weaknesses remain. We must make clear to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina that they face a serious economic downturn if structural reform is not implemented. Again, this will require difficult and sometimes courageous decisions by the Bosnian leadership.”
2000-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4136 (2000) · source
“Petritsch's concern at the inability of the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take their political responsibilities. To paraphrase him, an ethnic agenda cannot be allowed to take precedence over what is best for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lack of implementation of the New York Declaration is, frankly, depressing. As Mr. Petritsch makes clear, there is some way to go before we can be confident of long-term stability in Bosnia. Institutional reform must be accompanied by economic restructuring and progress on human rights. I would like to address briefly some of the areas where problems remain and ask for Mr. Petritsch's views on the next steps. First, Mr. Petritsch has expressed frustration at the Parliamentary Assembly's failure to pass the election law. We share his concerns.”
2000-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4136 (2000) · source
“I thank you, Sir, and High Representative Petritsch for coming to brief us this morning. I have to say that, like Ambassador Chowdhury of Bangladesh, I found his contribution thoughtful, insightful and the basis for what I hope will be a stimulating continuing consideration of the complexities of Bosnia and Herzegovina by this Council. Mr. Petritsch and his team have clearly been working hard over the last six months. The United Kingdom particularly supports his efforts to focus the agenda on economic reform and to ensure that the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina take real responsibility for the future of their country. That is the only sustainable way forward. The international community - as other representatives have pointed out - cannot forever take the difficult decisions in Bosnia. That is why we share Mr.”
2000-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4136 (2000) · source
“We should not disguise the considerable achievements that have been made by both Sergio Vieira de Mello and his team and by those in New York who are backstopping the operation here. We all owe a great debt to them, and particularly the East Timorese people owe a similar debt. We hope that they will continue to take the operation forward in the inspired way that they have done up to now. We continue to wish them the greatest success, and I want to assure you that they can be assured of our full support.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“Not only do they delay assistance reaching the mission, but they also cause frustration among donors, both actual and potential. More seriously, perhaps, frustration among the local population will increase if UNTAET is not seen to be delivering quickly enough. I think Mr. Annabi's remarks about expectations are something that we should all bear in mind here. We hope that both the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and UNTAET will conspire between them to eliminate unnecessary and time-consuming bureaucracy and improve coordination, both between the mission headquarters and internally in the Secretariat. I would not wish to end my statement on a sour note. What I have just said is not meant to be criticism, it is meant to help.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“That said, I have to report that we, as the United Kingdom, are becoming increasingly concerned about some bureaucratic delays that seem to be occurring in the context of getting things going in East Timor. Two recent examples that have affected us directly have been long delays in processing United Kingdom nominations for forensic investigators to help in UNTAET's work - and I should add here that I was encouraged to hear from Mr. Annabi of the memorandum of understanding that has been signed with Indonesia on this question - and in obtaining the necessary paperwork to allow the release of a second tranche of the United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations trust fund. Delays such as these, as well as causing missed opportunities, can have serious effects.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“Here I am sure that Ambassador Holbrooke has got it exactly right: we must not hurry, but we must not allow unnecessary delay either. If we are to get ourselves into a position where we can smoothly carry out the process, it is important that the underpinning should be in place. There are many facets to this, too. I would be interested to have an update from Mr. Annabi on progress in releasing funds from both the United Nations and the World Bank trust funds. We understand that some progress has been made in this area, but we would urge strengthened coordination between the United Nations and the World Bank to ensure that disbursements are as swift and as effective as possible.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“I would like to let the Council know that the United Kingdom, in consultation with the Special Representative, has reoffered to fund an independent expert study to assess future requirements and options, in the hope that this will at least bring some clarity to the debate and allow the discussion to be taken forward on an informed basis. I was also encouraged to hear the stress that Mr. Annabi laid on the question of benchmarks. The list that he gave us during the briefing was, to my mind, extremely useful because it sets out the parameters of the task. It is clearly important that all those points should be addressed, and addressed properly, if we are to have the success and the launch of the new, independent East Timor that we would all like to see.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“And we must make sure that when the refugees do return to East Timor, they can do so in a way that is both safe and sensible. But those considerations should not be allowed to hold up the process beyond the bare minimum. Mr. Annabi went into some detail about the debate that has been going on within East T imor about the question of East Timor's future defense needs. This has clearly become an issue, and it is right that it should be addressed - but addressed in a measured, sensible and well-thought-through way.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“But against the background of the improvement that has occurred, I want to assure you that we of the United Kingdom will be keeping a close eye on developments and doing what we can to ensure that there is no repeat of the unfortunate incidents that occurred some weeks ago. We also welcome the efforts that have been made - and Mr. Annabi has mentioned several of them - to improve the lot of the remaining refugees in the camps in West Timor and to encourage them to return to East Timor. It is clearly important that the Government of Indonesia should take urgent steps to resolve some of the outstanding issues - for example, the question of pensions - in order to allow all those who wish to return to do so swiftly and safely, and to resettle those wishing to remain in Indonesia. Again, like so many things, there are two sides to this coin.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source