YouSaid · the spoken record

Eliasson

lines on the record: 98
first: 2007-11-27
most recent: 2014-03-19
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-security-council

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

“The United Nations will continue to play its role of promoting dialogue for a peaceful and joint resolution of the crisis, which now has become more serious than ever.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“I would like to conclude by quoting some of the Secretary-General's key messages recently: "It is clear that we are at a crossroads. If positions continue to harden and rhetoric continues to sharpen, there is great risk of a dangerous downward spiral; "The focus must be to engage in direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, aimed at agreeing on specific measures that will pave the way towards a diplomatic solution; "Although it has so far proved elusive, the path towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis is still open." It is in that spirit and in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations that he now embarks on his mission to Moscow and Kyiv. I wish only to add that our primary diplomatic tool is constructive dialogue on the basis of Chapter VI of the Charter on the pacific settlement of disputes.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Those latest events have heightened tensions and added new layers of complexity to an already precarious situation. We are now faced with risks of a dangerous further escalation that could have ramifications for international peace and security and have serious significance for the Council and for the United Nations. In a broader perspective, we should recall that the Russian Federation and Ukraine remain neighbours, with close and often complex historic, cultural, economic and political ties. It is our View that it is in the interests of us all that those two nations have positive ties with each other and with the broader region. However, the first step in that direction has to be based on an immediate de-escalation and restraint in the present crisis.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Following that incident, the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister made plans to travel to Crimea today. In turn, the Crimean leadership has allegedly stated that Ukraine's officials would be turned back. That underscores the dire need for the immediate opening of direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv. Today, reports are emerging that two Ukrainian naval bases in Crimea have been taken over by pro-Russian forces or unidentified groups. While initial reports suggest that the seizure of bases has so far occurred without bloodshed, such developments obviously carry grave risks. The Secretary-General has constantly underlined the importance of avoiding further provocative actions and of refraining from incitement.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“On 17 March, the European Union and the United States proceeded to apply targeted sanctions against Russian and Crimean officials. On 18 March, President Putin signed a treaty, which the Parliament of the Russian Federation is expected to begin ratifying, in order to make Crimea part of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the Government in Kyiv has committed to never accepting Crimea's independence or annexation, stating that Crimea is an integral part of Ukraine. Yesterday, Ukraine's Prime Minister expressed concern that the conflict in the Crimean peninsula was "shifting from a political to a military stage". That followed reports that a Ukrainian officer haad been killed in front of a Ukrainian military base on the outskirts of Simferopol.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“I reported encountering a country grappling with a series of fast- moving and serious political, security and economic challenges. Since that mission, the crisis appears only to have deepened. Instead of de-escalation, tensions in Crimea and in eastern Ukraine continue to rise. The Crimean authorities decided to hold a referendum on Crimea's status on 16 March, after which they announced that close to 97 per cent of those who voted did so in favour of Crimea's secession from Ukraine. The Secretary-General expressed his deep disappointment and concern over the hasty decision to proceed with a referendum with regard to an issue of such far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, the region and beyond. Subsequently, Crimea declared its independence, which in turn was recognized by the Russian Federation.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“At the request of the Secretary-General, given the volatility of the situation on the ground, Mr. Simonovic' extended his visit to Ukraine until yesterday, 18 March. In the meantime, a United Nations human rights monitoring mission is being deployed in Ukraine in order to provide an objective assessment as to what is happening on the ground. Mr. Simonovie will take the floor after me to brief the Council on his visit to Ukraine and provide further information on the work of the monitoring mission. I can add that the United Nations has closely coordinated our efforts with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in view of OSCE plans to also deploy monitors to Ukraine. I wish to recall that, during my mission to Ukraine, I briefed the Council on 4 March from Kyiv.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“He has unfailingly urged dialogue and promoted adherence to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter in relation to Ukraine, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and ensuring the fulfilment of the human rights of all, with particular attention to minorities. During my recent mission to Ukraine, I stressed the importance of an inclusive Government and the need to preserve a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual Ukraine with all my interlocutors. As the Council has seen from his public statements, the Secretary-General has repeatedly counselled against hasty actions that could increase tensions and lead to miscalculations and unintended consequences. My mission to Ukraine was followed by that of Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic'.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: My statement today will briefly focus on the continuing efforts of the United Nations with regard to the crisis in Ukraine and the latest developments on Ukraine since the briefing to the Council by Under-Secretary-General Feltman on 13 March (see S/PV.7134). The Secretary-General is today on his way to Moscow and Kyiv as part of his ongoing and intensified good offices efforts. He will pursue discussions in both capitals on political and diplomatic solutions to the crisis. Ahead of his trip, this morning he spoke to Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. Since the most recent briefing to the Security Council (see S/PV.7134), the Secretary-General has continued to engage with key actors with the aim of de-escalating the situation.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Only if we do this, only if we show that there is a solid front in denouncing insecurity and stopping escalation, that we can now make a contribution. By that, as you, Sir, just said, we can create the environment in which we can then take the steps more in the medium-term, but as soon as possible, for a credible political process. I 08-3959] think that that is an agenda. It is not driving us into hopelessness; rather, it is a realistic approach. Let us deal with security and then take the step to a credible political process. With those remarks, I thank the Council for calling this meeting and giving us the opportunity to have a discussion in such an open and transparent fashion as we have done today.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“I believe the short- term perspective should be that everyone should feel a responsibility to make sure that we do not have an escalation of hostilities, in fact, that we take steps in the direction of a cessation of hostilities, and that we are extremely sharp with everyone or anyone who goes down the military road. There is no military solution to the problems in Darfur. We have to prove that point, and I believe we have to make that point not only as mediators or as the Security Council or as the African Union Peace and Security Council, but also all of us individually, representing nations that, for example, in your case, Mr. President, sit on this extremely powerful body responsible for international peace and security. So I believe we also need to mobilize our individual countries' leverage and influence.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“My last point is related to the Council President's very good summary of today's discussion. I believe it to be important for us not to fall into despair and passivity. On the contrary, with the situation reaching such a serious level and the margins being so thin out there - we have been in the field, we have seen women crying out for water, we have seen kids dying more or less in front of us, we have seen the despair in the eyes of the people - I think it is now extremely important that we take a realistic approach, both in the short-term and in the long-term.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“That is not something with which we as mediators will become involved. But I believe it to be important that channels of communication also be extended to the JEM. in line with the conclusion that we usually reach in conflicts around the world, namely, that in the end one has to speak to one's enemy, one has to speak to the parties relevant for the ending of the conflict. The issue of impunity was raised. This is not, again, part of our negotiation mandate, but I still wish to repeat one point I made during my presentation, which places impunity in a larger context. Respect for human rights and the rule of law is crucial for trust to be established, for a credible political process to be made possible and for reconciliation to occur. We made that point in our general perspective where I believed it to be appropriate.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“I believe it important that there be a new reminder from the Council, similar to the message contained in the 24 October presidential statement, which emanates from Council's latest consideration of the issues. I was asked whether the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) had a national agenda. Yes, it does have a national agenda, and I think that that is one of the reasons why the Government reacts more strongly vis-a-vis JEM. than with respect other movements, apart from the fact, of course, that there was an offensive attack against Umdurman in the neighbourhood of Khartoum only a few weeks ago. I would claim that we should probably continue to encourage a process for talks or dialogue with the JEM. The Government is now aiming to put JEM. on terrorists lists and the like.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“I think it is important that members look both at incentives and disincentives. Talks have to be an attractive option for the movements as well. Here, I believe the Government has a particular role to play, not only as the party with the resources and responsibilities for the security and prosperity of the nation, but also as the party that could deliver at least some constructive ideas on power-sharing, wealth- sharing and security. The movements are constantly asking about compensation for the horrible years of 2003 to 2005 and are asking for the disarmament of the Janjaweed militias. We are asking the Government to send signals of a more concrete nature so that the incentives are also coming from the Government side.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“We try to present a fair report on the situation, but then it is the role of the Security Council to draw conclusions from our reports. I must say, however, that in the course of our talks it has been helpful to know and to remind the parties that the Council has to take certain measures and has certain tools to use. I remember in particular the presidential statement that the Council issued on 24 October 2007, where it was stated that parties - including, of course, both the Government and the movements - that obstruct the political process, the peacekeeping operation or the humanitarian operations, will be subject to measures from the Security Council. At times, Salim and I reminded the parties of the Council's action and it certainly had an effect. I think similar discussions should take place at present.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Those criteria were not contained in our terms of reference, but we hope that, in the light of this discussion, it is seen as a constructive step forward. In a way, the mandate has been widened, not in a formal manner that will require the mediator to deal in detail with these issues, but one simply cannot deal with Darfur without taking into consideration the relationship with Chad, for instance, and the relationship to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Another aspect that I would like to mention, in response to the question posed by my friend Mr. Kumalo, is the issue of incentives and disincentives as well as action taken or pressures brought to bear by the Security Council. This is a difficult question for Salim and me to answer. We are in the business of mediation, of bringing the parties together.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: I thank the members of the Security Council for their very constructive and productive remarks, and also for the strong support they have expressed for our work. I think we have identified certain directions in which we should go in the future. I am pleased that members referred to the six points that I mentioned in my presentation. As to one of those points, namely the north-south relationship to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), I would like to provide members with some additional information. This relationship is crucial for Darfur and, of course, for Sudan as a whole. As to the terms of reference of the new joint chief mediator, a role whose creation we have proposed for a long time, we would recommend that he take into consideration the regional and national dimensions of the issues.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“The international community should have learned enough lessons from other conflicts in which populations were left to stagnate and radicalize in camps. Therefore, we must now urgently mobilize all available political energy inside and outside Sudan to, first of all, stop escalation and reach a cessation of hostilities and, secondly, lay a foundation for serious peace talks for Darfur. But, at the end of the day, we will not make progress unless the Sudanese themselves show seriousness, political will and a focused commitment to peace. It is for them to accept responsibility and finally settle the outstanding issues that for so long have plagued the people of Darfur and the people of Sudan.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“As mentioned, others must contribute by providing more enticing incentives and more credible disincentives to the parties. That may require a shift in mindset in how the main protagonists and we all view the crisis. There has been a tendency to compartmentalize the conflict in Darfur, without taking sufficient account of the national and regional dimensions. The outside world, as much as the parties, has a responsibility to bring an end to this tragedy. It risks tearing apart a great nation of Africa, seriously destabilizing the region and endangering international peace and security. For over five years, millions of people have suffered enormously. This simply cannot go on. A new generation in Sudan may be doomed to a life in conflict, a life in despair and a life in poverty.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“I often quote the old Swedish saying that you can bring a horse to the waterhole, but you cannot force a horse to drink. In the case of Darfur, there is now reason to seriously question whether the parties are ready to sit down at the negotiation table and make the compromises necessary for peace. Mr. Salim and I have tried our best to assist them. The appointment of a full-time joint United Nations-African Union chief mediator to continue in this quest is now imminent. The name is to be announced as soon as the parties have been informed. Mr. Salim and I will remain available for advice and engagement as need be. 08-39591 However, the appointment of a chief mediator will, in itself, of course, not bring peace to Darfur.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“More effective efforts must be made to end the arms flow to Darfur, in accordance with the United Nations embargo. Finally, the people of Darfur must be much more actively engaged in the process. We should recall resolution 1325 (2000) when we see that women and children suffer the most. Ordinary citizens and internally displaced persons have carried a heavy burden and have already paid a huge price. Any future agreement will be stillborn unless civil society, traditional leaders and representatives from the displaced communities know that their voices are heard. Their interests - and not only those who have taken up arms - must be respected. In this regard, Mr. Salim and I welcome the recent commitment by the Government to a stronger engagement with civil society in Darfur. I would like to conclude with a few personal reflections.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Fourthly, there must be a more rapid and effective deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The implementation of resolution 1769 (2007) is critical for the credibility of the international community and for this Council and for the security and well-being of the people of Darfur. The international community has demonstrated solidarity with Darfur through the brave men and women offered to UNAMID from many nations. At the same time, I must say that hand-picking eligible nationalities for a peacekeeping operation is hardly consistent with the spirit of the United Nations Charter, and it certainly complicates the peace process. Fifthly, the quest for peace will always be obstructed when there is an abundance of arms.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“First, the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement obviously has far-reaching implications for Darfur. This is true in terms of confidence-building, but also for future power-sharing arrangements in Darfur and Sudan. Secondly, there will be no peace in Darfur without a normalization of relations between Sudan and Chad. Concerted efforts are required to assist and influence both countries to re-establish security and to live up to existing agreements, the most recent of which is the Dakar Accord. Thirdly, peace will require political will and a willingness from the parties to compromise. This also requires that key international and regional actors come up with more credible diplomatic, financial and socio- economic incentives and disincentives, including 08-3959] recovery programmes in places where conditions are stable.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“It is now crucial that influential players from the international community explore and analyse their comparative advantages vis-a-vis the parties and the region. To make progress, all must accept responsibility. A much more efficient division of labour is required in dealing with this crisis. There is an urgent need for outside actors - international organizations, Member States and especially members of this Council - to jointly exert influence, as well as use bilateral leverage on the parties to stop further hostilities and take steps towards peace. A well- prepared high-level international meeting could play a positive catalyst role in that respect. To succeed, we must also look at Darfur through the broader lens of Sudan as a whole, as well as of the region. In so doing, we should keep the following considerations in mind.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Salim and I have thus called several times upon the Government to exercise maximum restraint and be forthcoming on key issues of the conflict in order concretely to demonstrate its commitment to a political solution. Further, for trust to be established, for a credible political process to be made possible and for reconciliation to occur, respect for human rights and the rule of law is crucial. I often ask myself why the conflict in Darfur is so difficult to resolve. I have come to the conclusion that it is because it requires simultaneous harmony at four levels: the international community; the regional partners; the Government of National Unity of Sudan; and, finally, the movements in Darfur. Such harmony has, over time and in varying degrees, been conspicuously absent.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“At the same time, we must recognize that the movements have great and genuine lack of trust in the Government of Sudan. They seriously doubt that there will be a fair implementation of a peace accord. They look at the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Darfur Peace Agreement as examples of why not to come to the negotiation table. Continued attacks against civilians and resettlement on land owned by people now languishing in the camps do not foster an atmosphere of confidence. Let us also remember that it is first and foremost the Government of Sudan that has the resources and responsibility to ensure protection, prosperity and a life of dignity for all the people of Darfur and Sudan. Mr.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Trust among them has not been established and is in some cases completely absent. Fragmentation within the movements continues to affect their cohesion and preparedness for talks. Instead of coming together around issues that would facilitate the process and improve the lives of generations of Darfurians, some of the movements have been engaged in power struggles and in-fighting. They have been preoccupied with formulating preconditions for talks and using rhetoric often distant from reality. The original movements, SLA-Abdul Wahid and JEM-Khalil Ibrahim, claim to be more legitimate than the other groups. Thus, they should, in my view, accept responsibility, exercise leadership and promote cooperation with the other movements.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“As a part of these efforts, we had extensive contacts with the 3 parties on convening informal security consultations between the movements and the Government of Sudan in Switzerland earlier this month. In the end, JEM. and SLM-Abdul Wahid chose not to agree to meet for such consultations at this time. For that and other reasons, we decided to postpone. Meanwhile, we continue to discuss security with the parties on a bilateral basis. Against this background, it is with much regret that I report today that we are in a troubled state of affairs in the political process. Since the Sirte talks, the parties have not been willing to come together for substantive talks. Mr. Salim and I have not sensed a prevailing willingness on the part of the parties to engage in confidence-building measures so as to improve prospects for negotiations.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Humanitarian access is constrained by fighting between the movements and between them and the Government's armed forces. Access and security have been further curtailed by attacks on humanitarian workers and assets, by banditry, by looting and even by abductions and murders. This has taken a heavy toll on humanitarian operations, not least on the delivery of food which the World Food Programme (WFP) has had to substantially diminish. High food prices globally and the impending rainy season give further reasons for alarm. The security situation in Darfur should now be our primary concern. In accordance with our framework for the way forward, presented this spring, Mr. Salim and I have, for a few months now, placed strong emphasis on reducing the level of violence.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“SLA-Unity has been cooperative and declared itself ready to attend talks at any time. In the beginning of last fall, JEM. split and SPLM suspended its work in the Government. Since then, the environment has continued to deteriorate. The incursions and stand-off between Chad and Sudan have underscored the urgent need for good neighbourly relations between them. The attack on Omdurman proved that there are those who still believe in a military solution. The destruction in Abyei showed the lingering North-South tensions in Sudan and the consequences of unimplemented agreements. Continued clashes in Darfur between the movements and the Sudan Armed Forces and among tribal militias make it clear that this intractable conflict is still unfolding. To this should be added continued violence and dire humanitarian conditions on the ground.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“We saw the emergence of five main groupings: the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)-Unity, the United Resistance Front (URF), SLA-Abdul Shafie, SLA-Abdul Wahid and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)-Khalil Ibrahim. Unfortunately, the willingness of the movements to embark on the road to peace has over time not been consistent. SLA-Abdul Wahid continues to place severe pre-conditions for participation in the talks. JEM-Khalil Ibrahim has pursued the military track and has been met with international criticism for doing so. Both these movements have also refused participation in the talks if what they call "splinter movements" were to take part. The URF and SLM-Abdul Shafie are basically positive to the process but are still working to resolve internal problems.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Based on these developments, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Chairperson Konare decided to launch the first phase of the formal peace talks in Sirte, Libya, in October. While the tone of the exchanges between the parties was constructive, the absence of key movements and of a consolidated National Unity Government delegation made it extremely difficult to engage in substantive discussions. The conditions were just not ripe. The start of a peace process was, however, a catalyst for the movements to intensify their unification efforts, not least assisted by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Juba. Mr. Salim and I were encouraged by the work done to restructure the tangled web of smaller groups.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“To all the people we saw, we had the same message and were met with the same response: it is time for a serious peace process which brings an end to the suffering, an end to political marginalization, an end to socio-economic inequality and an end to the climate of insecurity and fear prevalent today in Darfur. Last summer, the atmosphere was positive. The Security Council had adopted resolution 1769 (2007). There had been no reported cease fire violations for four months. Most movements had indicated that they would be ready to start negotiations by the end of the summer. Despite continuing fragmentation among them, progress was made, notably in Arusha, Tanzania, in August 2007, when their leading personalities agreed on a common platform for the talks.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“We also met frequently in Khartoum and Juba with officials of the Government of National Unity, and urged them to show preparedness and make compromises in order to speed up the political process. We requested them to exercise political and military restraint. Also, we urged them to discuss with us how the issues of power- and wealth- sharing, as well as security could be dealt with at the talks. During all this time, we visited over-populated refugee camps and internally displaced person camps on the ground. We sat under the trees with traditional leaders and we walked through many local, tragically empty, markets. We saw with our own eyes and felt with our own hearts why Darfur to many is considered forgotten and neglected.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“During this period, we developed the roadmap for the political process, presented to this Council in June last year. The aim was to convene substantive talks by the end of last summer. Over the past 18 months, Mr. Salim and I have urged the parties to prove their serious intentions, notably by improving the security and humanitarian situation. There was a need to build confidence and an environment conducive to peace talks. We travelled numerous times to movement-controlled areas of Darfur and to locations in the region, and urged the movements to build internal cohesion. We urged them to adopt an issue-based approach and to focus on common concerns in the areas of power-sharing, 08-39591 wealth-sharing and security. We strongly advised them to come to the negotiation table with unified positions.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“At my first briefing to this Council, in March 2007, I reported a sense of deep fatigue and deep frustration on all sides, following four years of conflict and suffering in Darfur. I cautioned, however, that there were voices advocating status quo or a military solution. Furthermore, I expressed concern over the gravity of the humanitarian and security conditions on the ground. Still, at that time, Mr. Salim and I felt that there was a window of opportunity, a potential for dialogue between the parties. We noted a certain readiness among them to engage in the political process. Conditions on the international and regional fronts seemed relatively favourable at that time. Momentum was being built toward the deployment of a joint AU-United Nations peacekeeping operation.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“The visit of the Security Council to several African States, including the Sudan, only three weeks ago, is an important manifestation of this growingly important dimension of international relations. Today, I will provide an overview of the political process and the search for peace in Darfur. As members will recall, in November 2006 at the Addis Ababa high level consultations on Darfur, there was a unanimous call for a re-energized political process. The Darfur Peace Agreement of 2006 was not welcomed or accepted by a majority of Darfurians. There was also a clear need to bring the fragmented non-signatory movements together and to prepare the parties for substantive talks. By December 2006, Mr. Salim and I were appointed as Special Envoys with this task at hand.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: It is an honour and a pleasure for me to address the Council today, together with my colleague and dear friend, Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Darfur. As members may be aware, we also briefed the African Union Peace and Security Council jointly on 12 June in Addis Ababa. The fact that we are holding these briefings together is an indication of the ever closer cooperation between the United Nations and the AU, in the spirit of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Darfur is a case in point. The complexity and scope of the conflict make it even more essential that we strengthen regional and international collaboration.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“Those are my comments, and I would also like to thank the Council members on behalf of my friend and colleague, Salim Ahmed Salim, for the solid support they give us in the work we try to conduct under very difficult circumstances. We are grateful for their understanding of the complicated nature of our work.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“The children had gray faces and women had to walk for two or three hours to get water, as the well was dry. If a woman was pregnant and was to give birth to a child, she would have to ride a mule for four to five days to a village called Qutum. Those are the realities, and we need to understand that Darfur is a neglected part of Sudan. There is a great need for the economic dimensions to also be taken into account. That could help us in the negotiations, since we would then have a ray of hope to give to the people of Darfur, if we were coming from negotiations that would lead to a fair distribution of the wealth of Sudan - which is still there.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“It does not only concern humanitarian assistance, that is, the extremely great need to continue the humanitarian assistance. I would also state that Member States, particularly the donor community but also perhaps all of us, should think about the need to start planning now for recovery efforts. There is a long road between humanitarian assistance and development programmes. We need to become more active in post-conflict recovery efforts. I was at a village less than a month ago, in an area patrolled by a movement, and I strayed into the village after the talks with the movement leaders. It was a very depressing sight; it was even worse than the situation in the camps. The market had nothing but onions, as I recall, and the school had 12 or 14 books for about 300 children.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Members should do everything they can to send that message to all concerned parties - the Government of Sudan, the movements - but also to the regional actors. Several speakers highlighted that; we cannot have peace in Darfur without the cooperation of the neighbouring countries in the region. We had some very productive meetings with Libya, Chad, Eritrea and Egypt. We had three very productive meetings, but now, as members understand, with the recent events in Chad, that regional cooperation is going to face difficulties. We need their cooperation. The borders there were drawn in 1895 in Berlin, and between Chad and Sudan they certainly do not reflect tribal and ethnic realities. We pay a price for that today, or rather the people of Darfur and of Chad pay a price for that today. My last point is on an economic issue.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“I see growing frustration, anger and disillusionment in the camps. One can imagine a 13-year-old boy who came to the camps four years ago; he is now 17, he sees his father unemployed and his mother running the risk of being raped when she goes to gather firewood. There is also the fact that different villages are now taken over by people who do not own those villages. But if we have an escalation now, the entire humanitarian operation will be in danger. The escalation must be stopped, or we will be faced with another huge tragedy in Darfur and Sudan as a whole. The mass killings are behind us - and still must be addressed via other channels - but we have new problems that could erupt into huge tragedies.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“If they do not see increased security and improved conditions, they will lose their hope and their belief in the political process and in the peacekeeping operation. More specifically in my realm of responsibility, we welcome the fact that we are now dealing with five movements instead of the much greater earlier number. That is a step forward. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is also doing its part to help in that process. But we also need the encouragement of all Member States and for them to send messages, through the various channels that they are able to utilize, that the movements must choose the political track. We are now seeing an enormously dangerous development, which is tragically evident today. We must step back from the escalation of hostilities; the situation is dangerous enough.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Secondly, more than ever there is a need to urgently demand a cessation of hostilities by the parties. I have just received, this minute, reports from the field about attacks on villages by Sudanese army entities and militia groups. Those reports are not yet detailed or confirmed, but it seems that hundreds of people may have been killed in those attacks, and they continue at this moment. So that is a dramatic reminder, at this meeting, that there is a clear need to urgently demand of the parties an immediate cessation of hostilities. Also, whatever members can do to influence the quick deployment of troops - and Jean-Marie Guehenno will expand upon this - will be of direct significance for the work that Salim Salim and I are carrying out, since we must instil a sense of security in the people of Darfur.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: I thank the members of the Security Council for their support of the political process and the joint approach of the United Nations and African Union to find peace in Darfur. Mr. Kumalo asked me a direct question about how the Member States could assist those efforts, so allow me to list a few steps that we would welcome very warmly. I must also say that these aspects were also covered by Mr. Guehenno. But as some have stated here today, there is a clear interdependence between the peacekeeping and political tracks. My first appeal to Council members is that they do everything they can to influence regional stability in that dangerous area. Chad/Sudan relations need to be normalized so that we can diminish the very negative consequences that could follow, in Darfur, from that relationship and the tragic events of last week.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“In such a way, a climate conducive to productive peace talks could be created. Mr. Salim and I are committed to facilitating that process. To that end, we will work closely with UNAMID and all concerned to ensure greater synergy between the political, peacekeeping and humanitarian components. In that endeavour, we will continue to need the support of the international community and, in particular, this Council. Ultimately, however, we must remember that progress will be made only when the parties themselves demonstrate the necessary political will and their commitment to peace. It is now time for them to 08-23190 get on with the serious work of achieving peace and a life of dignity for the people of Darfur.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“To conclude, allow me to reiterate that we must remain steadily engaged and build on the progress made so far with a view to initiating substantive talks. However, the deterioration of the situation on the ground in Darfur and in the region most recently now also warrants intensified efforts by the international community to reduce prevailing tensions. Without a relationship of trust and cooperation between Chad and the Sudan, peace will be elusive for the people of Darfur. The absence of such a relationship is also damaging the cohesion and cooperation among our regional partners in the search for peace. A sense of security and calm must finally take root in Darfur through a combination of the deployment of an effective peacekeeping force and credible commitments by all parties to a cessation of hostilities.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“We will continue our discussions with UNAMID on how best to bring this issue forward. Jean-Marie Guehenno and I are working closely together on this matter. At the same time, Mr. Salim and I are re-evaluating the staffing needs for the mediation. Following a year of preparations for the talks, we believe it is necessary to have a full-time joint African Union-United Nations chief mediator in the Sudan engaging with the parties on a continuous basis and leading the daily work of the Joint Mediation Support Team (JMST). We are restructuring the mediation support team to also reflect the new realities of the joint African Union-United Nations presence in Darfur since the beginning of the year.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source