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

“Ambassador Holbrooke has, rightly, drawn our attention to the potential dangers of a deterioration in the security situation in East Timor, and in particular to the concerns that I am sure we all have about continuing Indonesian armed forces (TNI) involvement with the militias in West Timor. As you know, we and other delegations were extremely concerned about this a month or so ago. We took steps - and I know others did as well - to make that concern clear to the Government of Indonesia at the highest level. It is encouraging to note the distinct improvement in the security situation in West Timor, including in the camps. Clearly, we must all hope this will continue. It is clearly also imperative that TNI collaboration with the militias cease.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Annabi for what has been a most useful, comprehensive and informative briefing. I think, if I may say so, that the process of reporting on East Timor and the interaction between the Council and the Secretariat as the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) is proceeding is set fair to become a model of the kind of exchanges that I think the Council should be having with the Secretariat, in terms of what - as Ambassador Holbrooke has said - is becoming a large, complex and, I hope, ultimately effective operation. It is clearly extremely important that both sides of the Council/Secretariat equation get this right.”
2000-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4133 (2000) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to make these points in our contacts with the factions. We support the United Nations fully in its humanitarian efforts. In pursuing its own programme of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, the United Kingdom actively participates in the principled programming approach under the United Nations-led strategic framework for Afghanistan. This approach is designed to ensure that assistance works towards the eradication of any form of discrimination, including gender discrimination. As the Council will know, the United Kingdom provides funding for the Islamabad-based United Nations gender adviser post. We would be interested in an assessment of the activities of the Adviser and how they might be developed further.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“We urge all factions - in particular the Taliban, who must bear primary responsibility - to end immediately all human rights violations against women and children, to repeal all discriminatory legislation and measures and to ensure the full and equal participation of women and girls in civil society, as well as their full access to health care and education. We have pointed out to the Taliban - and this I think is a particularly telling point - that other Islamic societies accord more rights to women. We have noted reports of some improvement in the access for women and girls to health care and education. We welcome any positive developments, but these moves are nowhere near enough. Their continues to be a yawning gap between the promises and actions, particularly by the Taliban. We need as a Council to consider how we can close that gap.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, and particularly as it affects women and girls. As Mr. Renninger has said, the litany of discrimination against them is all too familiar: restrictions on access to health care, education and employment outside the home, restrictions on freedom of movement, restrictions on their freedom from intimidation, harassment and violence. The report of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan highlights further, yet more disturbing, violations of the human rights of Afghan women and children last year. We have also noted an emerging trend of deliberate targeting of civilians by the various combatants. This violates any number of international norms. It is simply unacceptable, and it cannot and should not be tolerated.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“Both protagonists are preparing for new offensives, but a military victory is not possible. An obvious contribution to improving the humanitarian and human rights situation would be the advent of peace. A ceasefire, followed by a negotiated settlement leading to a broad-based Government, is the best solution. The United Nations has a crucial role in brokering this; hence our dismay at the violation of United Nations immunity in Kandahar and our concern at what Mr. Renninger has said today about external interference. We call again for an end to the outside interference, which lessens considerably the chances of peace in Afghanistan. We continue to support United Nations efforts to facilitate a solution in Afghanistan, and we urge a redoubling of the efforts by the "six plus two" group.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“I should like straightaway to say how much the United Kingdom deplored the recent forced entry by Taliban armed groups into United Nations premises in Kandahar on 26, 27 and 29 March, and the consequent intimidation of United Nations personnel. The Taliban must recognize that their actions fall well short of internationally accepted norms of behaviour. We call on them to stop such practices and urge them to guarantee the safety of United Nations and other international personnel in Afghanistan. Such actions completely undermine their arguments for recognition by the international community. It was clear from Personal Representative Vendrell's briefing to the Council on 28 March, and from what Mr. Renninger has said today, that the long-suffering people of Afghanistan are in for another summer of misery. Fighting has already resumed.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“I should like to join in the condolences that have been expressed by other members of the Council to the delegation of Tunisia on the death of President Bourguiba, and also in the congratulations that have been expressed to the President, and others around the Council table today. It is a great pleasure to see you here, Mr. President. Your commitment to the United Nations, and to the Security Council in particular, is much appreciated and welcomed by the United Kingdom. I should also like to thank Ambassador Listre for the cooperation that he has extended to us as Chairman of the Afghan sanctions Committee over the various troubling experiences that we have had to trouble the Committee with over the last few weeks.”
2000-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4124 (2000) · source
“But I want to assure you that the United Kingdom fully shares and supports the views that will be expressed in that statement. Finally, the United Kingdom would like to express our particular sympathy for the people of Mozambique and to encourage Member States and the humanitarian agencies to continue their efforts to deliver assistance and support to that troubled country.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“President, will deliver at the end of this debate sets out a number of practical humanitarian issues that the Council should and must consider. We welcome the work that you are taking forward on all of them. From the safe provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected by conflict to the incorporation of humanitarian issues in peace agreements: all need to be emphasized. These issues are essential components of a comprehensive strategy in the Council to deal with the causes and consequences of conflict. We hope that today's presidential statement will lead to concrete progress on all of them. The statement to be made by the representative of the European Union presidency later in the debate will contain some detailed reflections on the issues we are discussing. In the interest of brevity I will not repeat them here.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“Only then will it be able effectively to factor in this key element to its efforts to stop conflicts and try to prevent them. It is a truism that humanitarian crises can frequently become the genesis of conflicts. But it is an invariable fact that humanitarian crisis arises from conflict. If the Council is to take full account of all the causes and consequences of conflict, in all its work, including conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict peace-building, then it must take full account of the humanitarian aspects. Here I should like to underline the importance of the points just made by the representative of the Netherlands, which should give us all pause for thought and study. The presidential statement which you, Mr.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“It is a great pleasure to see you here today, Mr. President. I should like, if I may, to join the tributes the have already been paid both to you and to Ambassador Chowdhury and the Bangladesh Mission for the really sterling work that they are doing during the current presidency of the Security Council. We are very grateful to you, Sir, and to the presidency for taking this important initiative today. The link between humanitarian crisis and conflict is indubitable. That link has been highlighted recently in many aspects of the Council's work, beginning with the debate on human security during the Canadian presidency last year. It is right that the Council should carefully consider the humanitarian aspects of its work.”
2000-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4109 (2000) · source
“But I would like to say that, over the weekend, the United Kingdom announced a doubling of its contribution to the United Nations civilian police in Kosovo. We hope that, in some small way, that will be an important index of the willingness of us all to fill the very glaring gap that exists in that area.”
2000-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4105Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Related to the issue of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is, as Mr. Bildt has rightly reminded us, Montenegro. The situation in Montenegro and the linkage and interaction between the Serbian and Montenegran Governments have been of concern to us, too. I would be very interested to hear Mr. Bildt's assessment of where Montenegro is going and what more the international community as a whole can do to ensure that it does not go bad. Finally, as Ambassador Dejammet has emphasized - and I would like to say that I agree with nearly every word he said this morning - this is going to require continuing support from the international community on a long-term and sustained basis. We all know the particular problems of Kosovo and, as many speakers have said, we will have an opportunity to discuss those next week.”
2000-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4105Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Here, I think it was useful that he highlighted the conundrum of how to deal with the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This is clearly something to which there will be no easy solution as long as those indicted for war crimes remain in power, but - and here I would disagree with what Ambassador Lavrov said this morning - the solution to it is not to somehow lessen the weight of the institutions and factors involved, particularly the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. A crime against humanity is, after all, a crime against humanity. None of us should forget that and none of us should forget either that the Tribunal is an impartial body, was set up with the support of all members of the Security Council and must be allowed to do its work.”
2000-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4105Resumption1 (2000) · source
“I can be very brief. First, I would like to thank Mr. Bildt for his briefing this morning and for his extremely thoughtful and perceptive analysis. I think the image of balancing disintegration with integration, and ensuring that in the final analysis those in favour of integration win out, is very helpful to us all in this connection. It is also clear that, as Mr. Bildt has said, the chances of success in the Balkans will be substantially improved when all the key outside players can work together. It is similarly important that, as he has said too, we should try and broaden the base of the dialogue with those in the region to ensure that whatever long-term structure we design will remain viable in the long term.”
2000-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4105Resumption1 (2000) · source
“We strongly endorse the elements in the draft resolution that make it clear that deployment must go forward only when the Secretary-General is satisfied that the conditions are right, and that he should keep the Council fully informed of progress in this area. Finally, we welcome the recognition in the draft resolution of the need to address profiteering from and exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the links between such activities and the continuation of the conflict. We must also look urgently at ways of strengthening existing relevant United Nations arms embargoes, as well as other means to curtail the supply of arms to the region.”
2000-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4104 (2000) · source
“And a programme for the comprehensive, voluntary and peaceful disarmament, demobilization, resettlement and reintegration of armed groups - without which the Lusaka Agreement cannot succeed - must be elaborated and agreed. Clearly, synergy between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity in all these areas is vital. The parties must also cooperate with MONUC. Access and security must be provided for the United Nations mission and for aid agencies. The parties must ensure that the right conditions are in place for MONUC's deployment to the four designated sites. We are most concerned that access has not yet been granted to MONUC to conduct reconnaissance and survey activities in the proposed deployment sites. This is unacceptable.”
2000-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4104 (2000) · source
“This is a stark reminder of why the Lusaka Agreement has to be made to work, and why effective disarmament, demobilization resettlement and reintegration are crucial to future peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region. It is essential that all the Lusaka parties take action now to defuse the situation in the Kivus. The rearming and resupply of armed groups and ethnic propaganda must stop now. And the United Nations must be granted access to deploy in the region. The United Kingdom also believes that it is imperative to move forward on all the political as well as the military elements of Lusaka. It is vital that an open, inclusive and democratic national dialogue on the future of the Congo get under way as soon as possible.”
2000-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4104 (2000) · source
“But as the draft resolution spells out, that deployment can proceed only in parallel with implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. Even after the momentum generated by Ambassador Holbrooke's initiative in January and by the commitments then made in this Chamber by regional leaders, the situation on the ground does not look promising. The fighting must stop now. International humanitarian law must be respected. We are in particular extremely concerned about the situation in the Kivus, to which the representative of France just referred. There is a risk of a humanitarian catastrophe. The increasing ethnic tension there threatens the entire population.”
2000-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4104 (2000) · source
“The adoption of the draft resolution on which we will vote today is a critical step forward in the Council's consideration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a clear demonstration of the Council's readiness to build on the momentum of January's open meeting. And in practical terms, it creates a framework for the United Nations and the international community to take a substantive role in resolving the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Now we must press on and get results. The United Kingdom wants to see the Secretariat move ahead as rapidly as possible to deploy the expanded United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) which we will authorize today.”
2000-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4104 (2000) · source
“Thus, in the interests of brevity, I will not go beyond these rather general points today, but, like the representative of France, I would like to draw members' attention to the statement that the Permanent Representative of Portugal will be making on behalf of the European Union later in this debate, which the United Kingdom fully supports.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“Against this background, we should clearly continue to analyse all proposals for United Nations operations to ensure that these risks are kept to a minimum and, where they cannot be avoided, that United Nations personnel are given the means to ensure their own security. We welcome the proposals and ideas set out in the Deputy Secretary-General's statement, not least her admonition on resources. In the case of our own foreign service, security for staff is regarded as one of the prerequisites for delivering our objectives and funded accordingly as a core activity. I should also like to say how much I appreciated the eloquence of Ms. Bertini's contribution today. We, absolutely rightly, have a very long speakers" list on this important subject.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“Welcome, Sir, to New York and to the Security Council. As others have said, it is a real pleasure to see you here today. The safety and security of United Nations and associated personnel, and of humanitarian personnel, are an issue of vital importance to the United Kingdom. We are a significant contributor of troops, military observers and civilian police to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Many more of our nationals serve as humanitarian staff in the field. Like other Council members, we owe a duty of care to those we deploy to do vitally important jobs in conditions which are all too often dangerous and unpleasant. The United Kingdom is one of the relatively few Member States that have ratified the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.”
2000-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4100 (2000) · source
“The new facilitator must have the flexibility to adapt and improve the Arusha process if he deems it necessary to ensure success, including by changing the representation at the talks and by altering their administrative procedures. Finally, we welcome the fact that Under-Secretary- General Prendergast is consulting the regional States as they appoint a new facilitator. At this critical juncture the United Nations should be more actively engaged at the political and humanitarian levels. There must be a concerted push by the United Nations, by the regional States, and, most importantly, by Burundi's own political leaders. Only that will succeed in translating the modest gains made by the Arusha process into a real victory for the people of Burundi. We stand ready to support them in whatever way we can.”
1999-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4067 (1999) · source
“The risks of failure - for Burundi, for its people and for the region - are immense. We commend and support the role being played by the regional States in the search for a negotiated solution. It is, to say the least, unfortunate that the regional meeting to agree on a new facilitator has been postponed to late November. This timetable must not slip any further. We urge all concerned to show flexibility and to engage constructively as a new facilitator is found. Nor should the continuation of the talks and the selection of a new facilitator be held up by groups in Arusha unrepresentative of the parties in the conflict.”
1999-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4067 (1999) · source
“The Government of Burundi must bring those responsible for this massacre to justice and cooperate with other investigations into this incident. The establishment of the strengthened ad hoc commission, announced to us today by the representative of Burundi, is welcome, but it must produce results. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the human rights of all people in Burundi and to abide by international humanitarian law. The leaders of Burundi know the way forward. Only a negotiated settlement can bring lasting peace, stability and prosperity to their country. There is no military solution. All parties, including those previously excluded from the Arusha process, must reject political violence and extremism. They must dedicate themselves to a negotiated settlement. There is a lot to be gained.”
1999-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4067 (1999) · source
“Aid organizations have had to scale down their activities and are now unable to deliver even emergency relief outside Bujumbura. Access and security for aid workers must be ensured, and quickly, if a massive humanitarian crisis is to be avoided. The Government of Burundi must make every effort to create conditions to allow the people in the regroupment camps to return to their homes as soon as possible. We listened extremely carefully to Assistant Secretary-General Fall's expression of concern about the situation in the regroupment camps. The persistent violence against civilians in Burundi is unacceptable. I cannot underline this too strongly. We utterly condemn the deliberate killing of United Nations workers and Burundi nationals in Rutana in October.”
1999-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4067 (1999) · source
“We welcome the opportunity of this debate, during which the representative of Finland will speak later on behalf of the European Union, and whose intervention my delegation fully supports. As Assistant Secretary-General Fall told us earlier, the situation in Burundi is becoming increasingly complex and precarious. The recent outbreaks of violence, including against humanitarian workers; the sad death of Mwalimu Nyerere; and the continuing slow pace of progress in the Arusha process all cause serious concern. The most immediate priority is to alleviate the suffering of the people of Burundi. As the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees told members of the Council yesterday, the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly serious.”
1999-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4067 (1999) · source
“Achieving this difficult objective will be both a major challenge and a severe test for the United Nations. First of all, it is important that UNTAET be deployed as quickly as possible. But the job must also be done right. That means that the resources of the entire United Nations system - including the funds, programmes and international financial institutions - must be mobilized, and the East Timorese people must be fully involved in every step of the process. Finally, I should not let pass this opportunity to congratulate both the United Nations Mission in East Timor and the International Force, East Timor on difficult jobs extraordinarily well done in extremely difficult circumstances. Their performance will be the key to a smooth transition to UNTAET, which should take place as soon as possible.”
1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source
“I would first like to associate myself with the statement made earlier in this debate by the Permanent Representative of Finland on behalf of the European Union. I can, as a result, be extremely brief. The draft resolution on which we are about to vote today, and which the United Kingdom had the honour to pilot through the negotiations in the Council, marks the dawn of a new era for both the United Nations and East Timor. There is a pressing need not only to rebuild East Timor after the destruction it has suffered, but also to establish and build up an administrative framework for the transition to independence. By creating an administration and a judicial system, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) can lay the groundwork for the independent East Timor for which its people voted so overwhelmingly.”
1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source
“I listened with close attention to what the representative of Sierra Leone had to say about the need for a continued ECOMOG presence. We commend ECOMOG'S efforts and will continue to do what we can to support ECOMOG in seeing the job through. The United Kingdom is also currently working with the Government of Sierra Leone to restructure and train a new professional and democratically accountable Sierra Leone army and police force, to protect the people of Sierra Leone and encourage long-term stability.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“But ultimately ECOMOG and the Government of Sierra Leone have responsibility for security under the Peace Agreement. The success of UNAMSIL will also depend significantly on joint deployment and close cooperation with ECOMOG. Here I should like to echo Special Representative Otunnu's tribute to the role played by ECOMOG and by Nigeria. The readiness of ECOWAS to work in tandem with the United Nations in Sierra Leone is an important example for cooperation with regional peacekeeping efforts around the world. As the Secretary-General's report on Sierra Leone makes clear, we believe ECOMOG will continue to have a vital role in maintaining security, particularly around Freetown and Lungi, and in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process with UNAMSIL.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“We call upon all States to make urgent contributions to the World Bank trust fund to help sustain the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. The United Kingdom also calls on the leaders of the RUF and the ex-SLA/AFRC to do all they can to help move the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme forward. Both leaders must continue to encourage their followers to lay down their arms in accordance with the Peace Agreement, and to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of UNAMSIL personnel. All remaining detainees held by rebel groups should be released immediately. UNAMSIL must also be able to protect the security and free movement of its personnel in the discharge of its mandate. It should be prepared to act to defend civilians when and where it is able to do so.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“A crucial element of UNAMSIL's role in Sierra Leone will be assisting the Government of Sierra Leone with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. Special Representative Otunnu has rightly drawn attention to the key importance of that programme. The British Government welcomed the symbolic disarmament and demobilization ceremony attended by the leaders of the RUF and ex-SLA/AFRC which took place in Freetown on 20 October. We hope this event will act as a spur to disarmament efforts throughout the country; there can be no excuse for further delays. Political will by the parties is still required to get the programme fully under way. But practical and financial support is also urgently needed. The United Kingdom is ready to do what more it can to help, and urges others to do likewise.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“But it is also vital that the decisions taken today be implemented quickly. We cannot afford any delay in the deployment of UNAMSIL. The force has a crucial role to play in the implementation of the Lome Agreement. Its early deployment at key locations throughout Sierra Leone will create the necessary climate of confidence. It will also help renew momentum in the peace process. The present slow pace of that process threatens to endanger the achievements that have already been made. The deployment of UNAMSIL will also facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas of Sierra Leone where there is dire need of assistance. It is vital that all parties ensure the safety and free movement of humanitarian convoys, and we call on them to do so.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“President, do not need me to tell you - Special Representative Otunnu has already done so graphically enough - of the devastating consequences that that would have for the people of Sierra Leone. The current situation in Sierra Leone is a test case. It will be seen by many as a litmus test of the commitment of the international community to resolving conflict. The establishment of UNAMSIL provides a clear opportunity for the Security Council and the United Nations membership generally to demonstrate that their commitment to conflict resolution applies as much to Africa as to other trouble spots around the world. The fact that the Security Council is ready today to authorize a major operation in Africa, with an ambitious and wide-ranging mandate, shows clearly that the readiness to act in Africa is there.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the steps that have since been taken to implement the Agreement, by the Government of Sierra Leone, by the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL), by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and by the leadership of both the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the former Sierra Leone Armed Forces/Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (ex-SLA/AFRC). But there is still much to do. It is essential that the international community now move quickly to support the continuing implementation of the Peace Agreement. Without international support, the Agreement will fail, as have previous peace agreements. You, Mr.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“The draft resolution which the Council is about to adopt, and which the United Kingdom has been privileged to steer through the Council, is an important and significant milestone on the long and challenging road to lasting peace in Sierra Leone. With the establishment of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), the United Nations is making a major contribution to ensuring that the Lome Agreement can succeed. The Peace Agreement signed in Lome on 7 July offers the opportunity to bring peace to the people of Sierra Leone after eight years of bloody conflict.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“We appeal to the Government of Indonesia, in the name of its obligations to the international community and in the name of humanity, to take action or to accept the help of others to do so.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“It remains essential that the Indonesian military take immediate steps to restore safety and security in East Timor in accordance with their international obligations. If they do not meet these requirements, Indonesia must understand that it will be held responsible by the international community. The United Kingdom is a long-standing friend of Indonesia. We want to see a strong, united and democratic Indonesia. We do not question Indonesian sovereignty or unity. But we are horrified at the tragedy going on in East Timor. We fear that if it continues it will undermine all of the remarkable progress in Indonesia which we have so much admired over the last 12 months.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“Humanitarian flights and humanitarian workers must be allowed in as a matter of urgency. But it is not enough to allow the international aid agencies in, although that is welcome. The Indonesian Government must provide security for them, or it must allow others to do so. Above all, the Indonesian Government must meet its obligations under the Tripartite Agreement of 5 May. It must allow the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), which has a legitimate and agreed role, to operate throughout the territory. UNAMET is central to the process to which Indonesia has agreed - leading through phase II to phase III and eventually to independence. I should like here to pay tribute to the courage with which the staff of UNAMET have carried out their mission, in circumstances that can only be described as most difficult and most dangerous.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“But every day means more deaths, more homes destroyed, more innocent people wounded, more refugees, more violence and more personal tragedy. How long does the Indonesian Government think we should wait? And how many more people will have to die before action is taken? Every country in the Asia-Pacific region is calling for action to restore order. Every television station is broadcasting pictures of atrocities. Every newspaper is printing pictures of the horrors of East Timor. How can the Indonesian Government assure us that things are under control and that nothing needs to be done? We look forward to receiving the report of the Security Council mission following its visit to Dili. We welcome the Government's agreement to allow international humanitarian assistance to enter East Timor.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“If Indonesia is unable to meet its obligations under the 5 May Agreement, it must allow the international community to assist in restoring order and in securing an orderly transition to independence for East Timor. The United Kingdom has repeatedly made clear to Indonesia its willingness to provide practical help and support for a multinational force to restore security in East Timor. These offers have so far been declined by Indonesia on the grounds that it is capable of restoring security itself. But its attempts to do so to date have - to put it charitably - done little to improve the situation on the ground. The Indonesian Government says that more time is needed. We understand that. Order cannot be restored overnight.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“We know how terrified some of the people are. We saw them climbing over the razor wire to try to get into the United Nations compound. There are now thousands of people in the hills. Starvation is beginning to take effect, especially on young children. Under the Agreement signed on 5 May, Indonesia took on the responsibility for maintaining law and order in East Timor. So far it has failed to do so. The imposition of martial law has done little to restore order. Indeed, reports suggest that the situation may have even gotten worse, if that is possible. They indicate that the Indonesian armed forces are either turning a blind eye or are themselves assisting in the acts of barbarism going on in East Timor.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“In the light of these events, which seemed at one time so encouraging, what has happened after the ballot in East Timor is all the more tragic, horrible and unnecessary. We have all seen on our television screens the violence and brutality taking place each day in East Timor. We have all read the horrifying stories. We have unimpeachable evidence from United Nations and other observers of what is going on. Militia forces have rampaged, even attacking schools situated near the United Nations compound. There are reports of women and children being forced into trucks to be taken to West Timor while men and boys are left behind. We know and we fear, from Kosovo, what that may mean. One report from a Catholic nun describes children being butchered, including one young boy who had nails hammered into his head and strips of flesh cut off him.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“In spite of attempts by some factions in East Timor to intimidate the people, they courageously turned out in large numbers - more than 98 per cent - to take their chance for the first time in 24 years to have a say in their own future. More than three quarters of them voted for independence for East Timor. We salute their courage in voting, and - above all - we must respect their decision. The international community must stand by the people of East Timor and ensure that their democratic choice is turned into a political reality. The political leadership in Indonesia has accepted the implications of the consultation. Not just President Habibie, but leaders of all of the other major Indonesian parties have accepted the decision of the East Timorese: that East Timor must in due course become independent.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“The elections held recently in Indonesia were indeed a model of their kind. We would also have wanted to congratulate the Government of Indonesia on the Tripartite Agreements of 5 May. This was a courageous step in implementing its new policy. And it seemed to us that with this Agreement we could expect an end to more than two decades of dispute between Indonesia and the international community, and to more than two decades of bloodshed within East Timor. In the run-up to the ballot there were very serious concerns about order and security in East Timor. We were therefore relieved that the day of the ballot itself was peaceful and orderly. The Indonesian Government deserves credit for that too. Nobody has any doubt about the outcome of the ballot. The wishes of the people of East Timor could not have been clearer.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“Like other speakers I should like to emphasize the gravity of the present situation in East Timor. Shortly before this meeting I spoke to Sir Jeremy Greenstock, who had just returned from Dili with the Security Council mission. He confirmed at first hand the extent of the destruction in the city and the urgency of the humanitarian crisis we face in East Timor. The mission's meeting with President Habibie tomorrow in Jakarta will indeed be of crucial importance. The United Kingdom warmly welcomed the holding of the popular consultation of the East Timorese people on 30 August this year. We also welcomed the process that led up to it. We respect the boldness of the Indonesian Government's new approach to East Timor, which seems to us very much in accordance with the values of the new democratic Indonesia.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“But we should not, in this debate, ignore the role of other parts of the United Nations system which have been engaged in operational work on children for many years. Their work has helped alleviate untold suffering and has made an incalculable difference to many lives. Many parts of the United Nations system are involved, as are national Governments, regional organizations and civil society. The United Nations Children's Fund, as the main promoter within the United Nations of children's rights, does particularly valuable work. The United Kingdom is providing Â£9 million of funding to its work on children and armed conflict. Children neither start wars nor perpetuate them. They should not pay the price for adults' wars. They have a right to be protected, and all of us have a duty to ensure that they are.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source