YouSaid · the spoken record

Emyr Jones Parry

lines on the record: 1,334
first: 2003-07-29
most recent: 2007-08-10
sittings or episodes: 195
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

“First, we need better strategic priority-setting and planning at the end of the conflict, and indeed when it looks as though the conflict is coming to an end. This is customarily set out in a comprehensive Security Council resolution. Increasingly, these resolutions tackle the range of issues relevant to a comprehensive peace-support operation - what the chair earlier described as the full range of cross-cutting issues. This tendency needs to be encouraged in order to reflect the indissoluble nature of security, development and human rights. At the moment, realistically, the United Nations often lacks a single strategic plan for operations in a country that has just emerged from conflict.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187 (2005) · source
“But Haiti, despite successive peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions and more than $1.5 billion in international aid, is firmly on the agenda of the Security Council, not yet out of the crisis phase. Why is it that our collective efforts in post- conflict countries do not always produce the result that we want: sustainable peace? What makes the difference between a Mozambique and a Haiti? While each country has unique circumstances that require a differentiated approach, there do seem to us to be general lessons that we can learn. I would now like to highlight some of the challenges that we think the international community must seriously address if we are to do better at building more lasting peace in the future.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187 (2005) · source
“Madam President, the presence of your Foreign Minister underlines the importance of this subject. May I thank the Deputy Secretary-General, and also Mr. Wolfensohn for his excellent common sense and the Honourable Phil Goff and Secretary of State Michael Ambiihl for their contributions and insights. Of course, I thank all my colleagues for what they have said. I align myself with the statement to be made later by the representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union. The international community has had mixed results with its efforts to build peace. Mozambique has been a conspicuous success recently. That country, which until less than ten years ago was torn apart by war, is now one of Africa's fastest growing and most stable economies, and at the same it has reduced poverty by 15 per cent.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187 (2005) · source
“An exit strategy has always been crucial to any military deployment. In conclusion, I very much agree with what the French Ambassador said. It is incumbent upon us now to support President Mbeki's efforts and the agreement reached by the Ivorian parties. The other side of that coin, of course, is to look to the Ivorian parties themselves to assume their responsibilities and to meet the obligations they have taken on. We look forward very much to working on the draft Security Council resolution so that can be adopted as soon as possible, and I join with my French colleague in wishing every success to Pierre Schori in his endeavours.”
2005-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5169 (2005) · source
“I do not think there should be any doubt that the Council expects now to see progress, but we have had enough blockages on moving forward in Cote d'Ivoire, and so the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, Linas- Marcoussis and what lies behind it is actually crucial. Peacekeeping needs to be set in the context of a comprehensive peace-building strategy, tackling all the necessary aspects of policy. Within that, we need an evolving strategy for the peacekeeping operation to be gradually replaced by policing and by the Ivorians carrying it out themselves. The Pretoria Agreement offers the opportunity to develop that comprehensive strategy based on targets for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and the elections. It is very important that that should ultimately give us an exit strategy for UNOCI.”
2005-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5169 (2005) · source
“Benchmarks set by the United Nations to measure progress towards elections will be important. Again, we would look to the Secretariat to advise on the establishment of the impartial structure to assist the Ivorians during the entire electoral period. That is what they are looking for. How can we do that in the terms that they need and exploiting all the expertise the United Nations can bring to bear? I have argued on previous occasions that we should move forward on sanctions. I think, in the light of the Pretoria Agreement, that is not a priority, but the dimension of sanctions has been important in getting the parties to where we are today.”
2005-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5169 (2005) · source
“DDR is a key factor in peacebuilding anywhere, but especially in Cote d'Ivoire. It is also crucial to the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, which is a prerequisite for the holding of free and fair elections. A worked-up plan drawing upon the expertise and experience of South Africa, but going beyond that, including time lines and objectives, is very necessary. Then, of course, the key thing is implementation. As far as the elections are concerned, I am sure we all support the holding of free and fair elections as soon as is practically possible. The steps taken within the Pretoria Agreement are very crucial, again, to that goal. As President Mbeki has recommended, all the candidates should be allowed to stand for president and any necessary legal adjustments made to permit that to happen.”
2005-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5169 (2005) · source
“I think that what we now need is a considered recommendation by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the factoring in of the previous elements. Previously, the rationale the 1,200 reinforcements was the deteriorating security situation. How do we now adjust our expectations given the Pretoria Agreement? As set out, how will the main tasks of the reinforcements influence the numbers and nature of the deployment? Indeed, how do we factor in the priorities of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and the holding of the elections? It would be good to know as much as possible, as soon as possible, about the timetable for that necessary additional deployment and about the division of roles between the two forces present in Cote d'Ivoire. On DDR, the naming of a date for its commencement - 15 May - is very welcome.”
2005-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5169 (2005) · source
“I would like to thank Mr. Pahad for his briefing, and the representative of Nigeria for the comments he made on behalf of the African Union (AU). The Pretoria Agreement and President Mbeki's personal role in securing that Agreement are a very significant achievement that truly deserves all the congratulations of the Council. We now encourage, and expect, all the parties concerned to move forward urgently to the implementation of what has been agreed. If I may, I shall tackle the subjects by their relevant headings. In terms of the reinforcement of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the three areas where Ivorian leaders have asked for assistance in the area of security have been set out very clearly: protecting the Forces nouvelles, police recruitment and the disarmament of the militia.”
2005-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5169 (2005) · source
“In that context, we welcome the recent adoption of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and look for early progress on the comprehensive convention. In particular, however, we agree unconditionally with the Secretary-General's statement that terrorism is unjustified in any place, at any time and for any reason. Terrorist acts undermine the causes they purport to support. There is no plausible justification for acts of terrorism. We find this to be a simple statement of fact and unarguable. We hope very much to see heads of State underline that at the September High-level Meeting.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“Without it key parts of the international architecture to defend against terrorism may never be implemented. The willingness of Member States to share information with the Committees is therefore an earnest of their commitment to the full implementation of the Security Council's resolutions. Lastly, a word on the recent General Assembly debate on freedom from fear. Today's meeting is exactly about how United Nations Members can help to put in place the architecture to help their people feel more safe. The United Kingdom supports the Secretary-General's proposals to put in place a comprehensive United Nations strategy against terrorism to run across the entire United Nations family.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“The Council and its Committees have developed good working relations with many of those organizations, enabling the Council to draw on their expertise and experience in the various aspects of the task in front of us. All regional organizations should also be building up their expertise, so that they too can help their members. The fourth is that the Committees can fulfil their monitoring mandates properly only if they receive the full cooperation of Member States. The required reports from States form a crucial part of the Council's information- gathering effort to enable us to monitor the overall state of the international community's readiness and ability to tackle terrorism and to help us identify where we collectively have to do more. We need information.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“But we must strengthen the sense of urgency and effort and ensure that the provisions of those resolutions are implemented fully by all Member States. There is no shortcut. Those of us with the ability to do so must stand ready to help others. Committees are always keen to hear from States that need assistance, to enable us to facilitate its provision. The United Kingdom is also providing bilateral assistance. The third is that international, regional and subregional bodies are good places for the establishment of centres of expertise and advice. Many international organizations have specialized knowledge and are already helping States with this challenge.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“They move their money and they move themselves. They try to acquire the deadly tools of their trade. They identify weak links. The locations of recent terrorist atrocities demonstrate that all too well. Protecting States and individuals must be effected nationally. A huge amount of progress has been made in recent years, but we must not let up. The work of the Council and the Committees provide real assistance. The second is that the Council recognize that many States will need help with this effort. It is a long- term effort requiring changes in domestic legislation and procedures. We may have be working on it for some years since the establishment in 1999 of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2001.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“Those Committees, and the work of their experts, share important common themes. It is worth ensuring that our work forms a coherent whole-Council effort. For instance, information submitted to each Committee must form part of a greater whole. It should amount to a single database of knowledge that States are sharing with the Council. Equally, the Council's relationship with States - through reporting and visits - must be mutually reinforcing between Committees, and not confusing to States or wasteful of scarce time and resources. There are some clear messages that come out of the work of each of these Committees, and I think they are worth emphasizing. The first is that the fight against terrorism requires an effort from every Member State. Terrorists prey upon States in the developing world as much as in the developed world.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“I would like to begin by associating myself with the comments to be made subsequently by the Ambassador of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union. I would like to welcome and congratulate the Chairpersons of the Al-Qaida/Taliban sanctions Committee, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee. I thank them for their briefings. I would also like to welcome Ambassador Baja's role, as well as his contribution this morning. Terrorism and the risk of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) falling into terrorist hands remain ever-present threats - if you like, the ultimate nightmare. The Security Council, rightly, continues to put a sustained effort into that area. This morning's joint briefing is therefore indeed very welcome and demonstrates the range of ongoing work.”
2005-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5168 (2005) · source
“They deserve our continuing interest, our help and our support. We believe that the three resolutions that the Council has adopted in the last week constitute a substantial contribution to that end.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“This outcome will, we hope, serve as a basis for Council decisions on future such occasions and will as such create a durable and generally acceptable basis on which to proceed. The Council must continue tackling the conflict in Darfur as part of an integrated strategy for dealing with the Sudan as a whole. We therefore welcome the recent adoption of the resolutions on the peace support operation and on measures. We must increase our support for the African Union mission, which is playing such an important role in Darfur. The Secretary-General's report, requested by the Council in resolution 1590 (2005), will be an important element in taking forward this vital agenda. We must redouble our efforts to ensure safety, security, political progress and peace for the people of Darfur and for the Sudan as a whole. They have suffered enough.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“Tonight, by this vote, the Security Council has acted to ensure accountability for the grave crimes committed in Darfur, and I hope to send a salutary warning to anyone intending to commit any further such atrocities. The United Kingdom welcomes the Council's decision to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court, which is for us the most efficient and effective means available to deal with impunity and to ensure justice for the people of Darfur. Council members have deeply held differences of View on the issue of the International Criminal Court, which makes the agreement reached today all the more welcome and important. Our discussions have been characterized on all sides by a high degree of commitment and mutual comprehension, and a readiness to cooperate.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“In all that, it seems to me that, of course, the drive has to come from Africans and be led by Africans, that the lead in an individual country situation should be taken by the country concerned, and that the rest of us must play our part. The discussion we had yesterday on Guinea-Bissau just demonstrates why we need to do that, but we need to do it in a joined-up fashion that takes advantage of the good things happening in Africa and of this year's opportunities. We also need to make sure that it is a responsibility not just of this Council - and that is why I deliberately broadened my intervention - but of all of us to do this collectively. The Security Council has a pivotal role, but it has no exclusivity. We all have to play our part.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“Thirdly, that effort must be coherent with the other efforts being made by Africans, the African Union, regional organizations and all the other international players, be they the international financial institutions, bilateral donors or anyone else. We need a far greater coherence between us and, as we all muster that intervention, we need to take account of regional aspects within Africa so that we do not unwittingly, in doing one thing in one country, create consequences that may not have been foreseen, to the disadvantage of another country. So what we need to do is harness synergies on a regional basis and make sure that there are no disadvantages to other countries.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“First, there should be coherence of policy: we should tackle the whole range of aspects, whether it be the various aspects of conflict, economic development, institution-building, democracy, the whole essence of peacebuilding or sustainable economic development and progress. That is what we need to have. The peacebuilding commission is a welcome addition to our armoury to move forward, but it is quite clear that we need coherent policy. Secondly, we need coherence of intervention by the entire United Nations family. As we deliver United Nations services on the ground, it has to be done without duplication and in a way that is mutually reinforcing of the aggregate United Nations effort.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“Of course, our hope is that the package set out by the Secretary- General will offer gains and advantages to all of us and that it will be very much to the benefit of the United Nations as a whole to put that package in place. But Africa's interest in the summit and in seeing a very successful Group of Seven/Group of Eight (G-7/G-8) process this year - for which the United Kingdom, as Chair of the G-7, has made Africa one of its two priority areas - emphasizes why, this year, we have to make a real difference in Africa. I should like to set out my conditions for successful intervention in Africa.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“Trade liberalization and fairer trade are at the heart of it. And we must provide the investment - again, the wherewithal - to ensure that Africa's resources can be used by Africans for the benefit of Africans. That prescription is set out much more eloquently in the report of the Commission for Africa, entitled Our Common Interest, than I have stated it. It is a frank assessment of where we are, of how we got there and especially of what is possible. The good news for Africa is that 2005 is the crucial year. The rendezvous that we all have - the high-level meeting in September - probably offers more possible gain to Africa than to any other continent, and it is right that it should.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“But I believe that the prescription for tackling the myriad problems in Africa includes the following. There should be governance-building and capacity- building, but there should also be peace and security so that we can tackle all aspects of the conflict spectrum. Crucially, there must be sufficient investment in people, health, education and sanitation. We must tackle the whole question of disease, including HIV/ AIDS and simpler illnesses such as measles, which will kill 300,000 children this year. We must ensure that we provide the wherewithal for growth and for poverty reduction and that trade liberalization takes place. The Secretary-General's report (A/59/2005) has challenged us all to produce quota-free access, for example, for all the least developed countries, which has already been done by the European Union.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“I should like to align myself with the remarks to be made shortly by the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union. Tony Blair said recently that Africa is a scar on the conscience of the world. Its poverty and stagnation represent one of the greatest tragedies of our time. In the view of the United Kingdom, they demand a response not just by the Council, but by the United Nations as a whole, by Africa and, essentially, by all of us. The good news is that Africa itself is creating a stronger foundation for tackling its own problems; recent improvements in economic growth and governance reflect that. We can only welcome and salute the efforts of the African Union on concepts like the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the work of the subregional organizations in Africa.”
2005-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5156 (2005) · source
“We must ensure that the Council's strategy in Cote d'Ivoire, the number of troops and civilian police comprising UNOCI and the mandate, the rules of engagement and the tasks given to the mission are all fully consistent with one another. In my view, we shall have to look closely at how those requirements fit together as we consider how to extend UNOCI's mandate. In the meantime, I think it is sensible that we support Ambassador De La Sabliere's proposal for a one-month rollover. If I may, I should like to end simply by thanking France for its continued commitment to cote d'Ivoire and for the essential contribution that the Licorne forces are making to supporting the United Nations mission and to preserving stability in that troubled country.”
2005-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5152 (2005) · source
“It is important that we prepare well for those elections. The United Kingdom would support an increased role for the United Nations, if that is requested by all the Ivorian parties. Resolution 1572 (2004) made it clear that the Council holds all the parties in Cote d'Ivoire individually responsible for their actions and that we will take measures against those who fail to live up to their obligations. It seems to me, therefore, that it is time now for the Council to accelerate its preparation for such measures so that we are ready to act rapidly at the right moment against those who continue to obstruct the peace process. Secondly, with respect to the role of UNOCI, the Secretary-General has underlined the strain on the Operation's present capacity and has asked for more resources, particularly given UNOCI's increased mandate.”
2005-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5152 (2005) · source
“Like other Council members, the United Kingdom supports President Mbeki's mediation efforts aimed at putting the peace process back on track. But also like other delegations, we are most concerned about the current situation in Cote d'Ivoire: the deteriorating security climate, uncontrolled militias, the continued abuse of human rights, the serious judicial vacuum in the zone of confidence and the pervasive sense of impunity. Therefore, in considering how the Council can now most effectively tackle those challenges, I would like to concentrate on just two issues. The first is how to ensure that all the Ivorian parties live up to their commitments under the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements. That is essential if we are to achieve the goal of free and fair elections this October.”
2005-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5152 (2005) · source
“I wish to extend my thanks to Alan Doss for his briefing and for the report of the Secretary-General (S/2005/186), whose presence among us at this meeting is particularly welcome. If I may, I would also like to recall our appreciation for the work of the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Albert Tevoedjre, and for all that he did. The magnitude of the difficulties we face in C6te d'Ivoire is quite clear. Today we owe a particular debt to Minister Pahad and to President Mbeki. I very much welcome the minister's commitment to an inclusive mediation process. It is important that the African Union (AU) work very closely with the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in everything that is done.”
2005-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5152 (2005) · source
“They represent nationalist hatred and criminal networks. They are the biggest obstacle to the success of those countries. They are, in my view, criminals by association, at least. They reject the principle of international justice, and thus they deny on a daily basis their compatriots the prospect of international progress. That is what is happening as a result of all this shelter. That is why the apprehension of those indictees in particular is vital if Bosnia and Herzegovina is to take its rightful place in the international community, which is what we all very much wish.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“The Security Council has, on a number of occasions, made quite clear the obligation incumbent upon all Member States to do everything they can to bring fugitive indictees to trial in The Hague. That remains our position, and it must do. But a blot - a stain on all our consciences - is the continued freedom of Karadzic, Mladic and Gotovina. Bringing those indictees to face the Tribunal now is an essential element of justice and reconciliation within Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is a precondition for Euro-Atlantic integration. Can I put it bluntly, Mr. President? Those who offer support, those who finance and shelter Mladic and Karadzic, be they criminals, be they agents of governments or any other institutions in the region, they are not patriots. They are a reminder of everything that has disfigured the region in the last 15 years.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“I think both of those statements are a better basis for moving forward than reliance, in the Minister's words once again, on "the usual practices" of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because "usual practices" in the Balkans carries with it a connotation that I, frankly, would rather not indulge in. There is, however, an impediment to progress: full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is still not in place. We have heard encouraging accounts of recent transfers - and, indeed, of decisions taken in Republika Srpska for the first time. Those are very, very welcome. They reflect the pressure of the international community, as well as the self-interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its neighbours, to actually see progress.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“However, I must say that his comments on the role of the judiciary struck me as being a little bit surprising, especially those pertaining to the role of international judges, who I had thought were present in Bosnia and Herzegovina in their existing roles at the request of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But I would strongly agree with two statements made by the Minister in relation to the judiciary. He said something that I very much endorse, taking those statements directly from his comments: "The most important pillar of every democracy is an independent judiciary". I agree with that totally, so I take his remarks as indicating full support for their independence. Secondly, the Minister stated that all provisions of the European Charter on Human Rights should apply. I very much agree with that too.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“I agree very much with Lord Ashdown that, actually, they will be the real drivers for change, for progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina - so that, as soon as we can, we are able to move into a stability and association process with the European Union and a partnership for peace with NATO. That will be the watershed, and that, I think, will lead to an acceleration of the progress we are now seeing. Those two organizations, in the manner they have carried out the transition from the Stabilization Force (SFOR) to the European Force (EUFOR), are actually demonstrating how they are working together for the benefit of Bosnia and Herzegovina. That progress is very welcome. I was glad to hear the largely positive briefing by Minister Colak.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“If it is to be the former, how would one actually get out of it a coherent indication of policy and the implementation of policy? I would like to suggest that we have a model before us this morning, and that is what the High Representative has done in Bosnia, because what he has succeeded in doing is to weld together various international organizations. He has produced a coherent implementation of policy - even though that policy is being carried out by different actors - and involved a very large number of Governments in cooperation. I think that, as an exemplar for us, it is a very good one. The European Union and NATO have been a motor for peaceful economic and democratic development across the European continent.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“I would like to associate myself with the remarks soon to be made by the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union. I would also like to join other colleagues in thanking Lord Ashdown for his report and the welcome account of the progress being made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for the drive and determination he has shown in his role as the High Representative. If the Council will forgive me, I would like to express a lateral thought that owes little to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have before us, following the recommendation made by the Secretary-General on Monday, a proposal for a peacebuilding commission. Part of the debate on that commission involves the question of whether it is going to be an advisory body or a decision-making body.”
2005-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5147 (2005) · source
“We welcome the substantial progress which is being made on the question of border demarcation, and we encourage both Governments, if indeed only 4 per cent is now outstanding, to resolve the outstanding 4 per cent as soon as possible. Finally, I should like to reiterate our support for the commission of experts established by the Secretary-General to assess the progress made - especially how to tackle the issue of justice - and we look forward to a recommendation covering human rights and enduring, sustainable justice for Timor- Leste.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“What we would like to see is a successor which is small, which is tightly focused, and which is essentially a political mission concentrating on institutional capacity-building and with a clear and achievable exit strategy. I think that is the right way to go to take us in transition from the present arrangements towards a situation which East Timor very much hopes for, which is that they be able to do this entirely themselves. Until we get there, we need a Mission. We welcome the continuing evolution of the relationship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, including through the establishment, to which the Foreign Minister referred earlier, of the bilateral Truth and Friendship Commission.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“As the Secretary-General's report makes clear, the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, with the assistance of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), continue to make progress on the road towards self-reliance and self- sufficiency. But we agree with the assessment of the Secretary-General that significant challenges remain - we have heard those set out this morning - and that the provision of international assistance will therefore continue to be crucial. It is incumbent on us all to provide such assistance - be it from the United Nations, be it regional, be it bilateral. The United Kingdom very much supports a continued United Nations presence in Timor-Leste beyond the end of UNMISET's mandate this May.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“I should like to join colleagues in expressing the condolences of the British Government to the Government of Bangladesh. We should never forget that, day in and day out, it is the peacekeepers, it is United Nations personnel who are actually on the front line of our efforts to establish better international peace and security. Like other colleagues, I am grateful to the Secretary-General's Special Representative for his briefing and, indeed, to his Mission for the work they carry out. It is also a pleasure to welcome back to the Council the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste. The representative of Luxembourg will shortly make a statement on behalf of the European Union. I should like to align the United Kingdom with that position.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Or is the traditional view of national sovereignty and non-interference to be exercised without qualification, without regard to developments in the real world? Does that mean that the Council then must stand silent on these issues, or do we have an obligation in terms of international peace and security actually to stand up? I am quite clear for myself what the answer is.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“I will end by referring to one situation, picking up on what the Secretary-General said earlier. ECOWAS and the African Union have had the courage to take a stance on Togo. The Secretary-General has done so on several occasions. Yet the Council has been silent. We have said nothing on Togo. The question the Council must ask itself - this year, of all years, as we approach a summit - is, when do the situation and the developments in a country actually justify the involvement of the Security Council? Is the failure of a Government to protect its citizens a grossly unconstitutional act? Whatever the circumstances, is such failure a basis for the Council to say, "We ought to stand up and be counted"?”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“One of the other reasons for this commission is, very simply, that, actually, those countries that lack an evident sponsor, that are, if you like, the orphans of the international community - they need somewhere to go, and the peacebuilding commission seems to be, to the British Government, one of the best ways that we can address these concerns. In conclusion, can I say that out of this report, out of this discussion, out of the mission, there is encouragement, I think, to us all that cooperation and coordination is actually becoming the norm, but that we must do better and build upon that. In welcoming that, may I pay particular tribute to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to the African Union, to commend them for what they do and for the singular leadership that they are showing.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“And I would go beyond that and say, as we look at countries in West Africa - again, as mentioned in earlier briefings - if I take Guinea-Bissau, where we were all struck by our experience there in June, and if one were to say to the Government of Guinea-Bissau today that "There is a peacebuilding commission in place, it addresses the problems that you confront, and, actually, if you like, although you are not in a classic post-conflict situation, would you like to be the subject of a concerted effort by the peacebuilding commission and the Bretton Woods institutions and everyone else to try to tackle your problems?" I have no doubt what the response of the Government would be.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“It is an area where donors can make a particularly important contribution, because, unless we fund the reintegration and rehabilitation in time of ex-combatants, what we face is a recurrence of conflict. If I can think laterally and forward for a moment, one of the key proposals in the report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change is to establish a peacebuilding commission. I should just like to invite us all to think how a peacebuilding commission could actually help West Africa. It seems to me that it is the best example of why we need such a commission, why we need to harness all the efforts of the international actors, the different constituents of the United Nations family, and say, this is what we are going to do to promote sustainable peace and development in post-conflict situations.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Fourthly and lastly, we should work towards the goal of an arms trade treaty to extend and entrench the international rule of law on conventional arms generally. If I could now turn to DDR, a key issue. The report's findings on youth unemployment and the link to recruitment by armed groups are very striking. That aspect needs to be tackled if we are going to have any prospect of sustainable peace. Case by case, DDR is essential to actually develop sustainable peace and the rule of law. So what do we need? We need efforts by the United Nations Office in West Africa (UNOWA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), ECOWAS and some others towards a more coherent approach to address this problem regionally.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“The international community for too long has addressed this problem more in a rhetorical fashion than substantially; that has to change. Let me suggest four priorities. First, United Nations missions need to be equipped, in terms of mandate and resources, better to monitor and implement arms embargoes, and, where we have imposed an embargo, we have to will the means as well as the end. Secondly, we should agree and implement United Nations proposals for the marking and tracing of small arms and light weapons used in peacekeeping, and then go beyond that to negotiate a binding international instrument to enable States to identify and trace all illicit small arms and light weapons. Thirdly, we should agree international controls on the transfer of those weapons by the next United Nations review meeting in 2006 at the latest.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“We see the consequences and the distortions which happen in terms of payments for weapons handed in, in terms of handling disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), if there is not a coherence - hence the wisdom of the approach. If I may, I should like to specifically address the subject of small arms and light weapons, to which the report rightly gives prominence. But in West Africa, as elsewhere, this scourge is both a feature of conflict and instability and the main source of that conflict. We should remember, as we address the grave problems that Africa confronts in terms of disease and other issues, this year of all years, that, actually, as many people die from small arms in Africa as from any other cause. That is the reality.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Indeed - and I think we heard this from an earlier contribution - the free movements in the unpleasant aspects of life are probably far more evident in West Africa than are the free movements in trade and in things that we should be encouraging on the economic and the political side. As we solve, or get close to solving, a problem in one theatre, the risk is that one simply displaces the problem to the neighbour next door. There is a need for synergies of United Nations operations to actually be harnessed, especially in terms of peacekeeping - I apply that in terms of reserves, in terms of flexibility of deployment. There is a lot more that we should be looking at. There is also a need for consistency - consistency between what is done in one country and what is done next door.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source