YouSaid · the spoken record

Erwa

lines on the record: 266
first: 1996-08-16
most recent: 2005-03-31
sittings or episodes: 29
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

“Such resolutions will only serve to weaken the prospects for settlement and further complicate an already complex situation.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“To the claim made by some that this resolution sends a message to all the parties that no one will now enjoy impunity, I would add in order to avoid hypocrisy - "Except if he belongs to a certain category of States". History is replete with examples of former empires that exercised hegemony and practised colonialism. This Organization was born out of the ruins of the empire of the Third Reich. Perhaps we are witnessing a new age of hegemony in a new guise - and perhaps history will once again spawn a new international organization out of the ruins of a new empire. In conclusion. 1 would like to reiterate 7 as I indicated in my previous statement 7 that such unwise resolutions contain provisions that make their implementation practically difficult.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“The Council even goes so far as to affirm that exceptions are only for major Powers and that this Court is simply a stick used for weak States and that it is an extension of this Council of yours, which has always adopted resolutions and sanctions only against weak countries, while major Powers and those under their protection ride roughshod over the resolutions of this Council, cynically disregard them and consider them a dead letter. We hear many expressions here such as "the accountability of the Council" and "confidence in the Council" from the members of this Council. Is there any credibility or confidence left in this Chamber?”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“But some here wanted to activate the ICC and exploit the question of Darfur as a mere pretext, in spite of knowing that such exploitation of the issues of concern to people and profiting from crises and conflicts simply for political gain and bargaining has nothing to do with justice and humanity, let alone the preservation of international legitimacy and international peace and security, and other such slogans and titles. Everyone knows that the question of accountability is a long and complicated process that cannot be concluded overnight. While the Council is keen on holding my country to account and to urge it to hold trials and achieve security and stability overnight, in a territory whose area approximates that of Iraq, we find that very same Council continuing to use the policy of double standards.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“This august Council, by adopting this resolution, has once again ridden roughshod over the African position. The initiative by Nigeria, in its position as Chair of the African Union, was not even the subject of consideration, let alone the subject of interest, or of consultations - even brief consultations - to evaluate it; this while the African Union is present on the ground in Darfur, where it is playing a role whose effectiveness and efficiency were affirmed by the representative of this Organization in all of his reports. Moreover, this resolution was adopted at a time when the Sudanese judiciary has gone a long way in holding trials. This judiciary is capable and qualified and is resolved to uphold accountability and enforce verdicts, without exception. We thank those countries that colonized us earlier and taught us laws.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“This makes the implementation of a resolution like this fraught with a series of procedural impediments and legitimate reservations as long as the Council believes that the scales of justice and law are based on exceptions and the exploitation of the crises of the developing countries and their affliction with conflicts and civil wars in the settlement of political positions and bargaining among major Powers. The fact remains that the Council today did not settle the question of accountability in Darfur. Rather, it exposed the fact that this Criminal Court was originally intended for developing and weak States, and that it is a tool for the exercise of the culture of superiority and to impose cultural superiority. It is a tool for those who believe that they have a monopoly on virtues on this world, rife with injustice and tyranny.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“Then the Darfur question came to be used in order to endorse this principle, which has been the subject of controversy for years - and not for the sake of justice. It is a paradox that the language used in bargaining over this resolution was the same language that buffeted the Council before, in another African question, and everyone knows that full well. Justice here is a great good used in the service of evil. Moreover, the resolution just adopted is full of exceptions, in view of the fact that the State concerned with these exceptions is not party to the ICC. By the same token, we would like to remind the Council that the Sudan also is not party to the ICC.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“Mr. Erwa (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic): Once more the Council has persisted in adopting further unwise decisions against my country, which is rewarded for putting an end to the longest conflict in Africa with further sanctions and procedures, which only serve to further complicate the situation on the ground. The world in its entirety knows full well that the differences that lasted for about two months within the Council over the question of accountability have nothing whatsoever to do with the achievement of stability in Darfur. The disagreement over the International Criminal Court (ICC) is long-standing and well known. There are resolutions regarding the ICC that have been stalled for years.”
2005-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5158 (2005) · source
“However, the Council decided to ignore that position, because African culture has no meaning and the African way to solve problems is not important. Indeed, other cultures come here to tell us what we have to do. I do not have much more to say. I do, however, want to say that I hold the Council responsible for having adopted these unwise and irresponsible resolutions.”
2005-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5153 (2005) · source
“The African position is open to negotiations aimed at resolving this problem. The African position is informed by the culture of Africa and all the complexities of the situation. But all the concerns expressed by the African Union were neglected. Its stance was neither unilateral nor contentious; it emanated from three lengthy and important meetings held by the African Union, which culminated in the submission of a paper to the Council. If members of the African Union decided to vote in favour of this resolution, they had the right to do so; they are sovereign countries and completely free. But that in no way represents the African position. The African position was set out in the documents sent by the African Union to the Council.”
2005-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5153 (2005) · source
“They justified that by referring to a congressional resolution. But there are other resolutions in Congress, and their content is stranger than that of the resolution that has been adopted. This resolution is thus a resolution of the United States Congress - a Congress that does not know the history of peoples, does not read the history of other nations and does not know about the cultures of other peoples, because it does not read about those cultures. If it read about those cultures, it would not understand them. If it tried to understand, it would not be able to do so, because the mentality of the Congress is one that looks at other cultures in a different way. This resolution goes against the position of Africa, whose forces are in the Sudan and are suffering from the situation.”
2005-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5153 (2005) · source
“We have kept the lines of communication open, and they know what has been going on. Why is this happening? It is happening because there are other issues and domestic political matters that are more important than solving the question of Darfur. There are conflicts concerning the International Criminal Court. There are certain pressure groups and drumbeaters who put pressure on Governments. We know that; it is a fact. The African Union, as affirmed by one of the major delegations in the Council, is the only body that can deal with Darfur. There is no country that has the same force. But we are complicating the situation for those who would like to put troops on the ground. Why is all this happening? During negotiations on the resolution, the sponsors of the draft refused to show even a little flexibility with a View to reaching consensus.”
2005-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5153 (2005) · source
“Why did no negotiations take place for more than a month, at a time when the Sudan had announced that its Vice President was to lead the negotiations? The answer is very simple and very clear, and it does not require any deep thought or high intelligence. The other side is waiting for the Council to wield a stick so that it can continue to do what it has been doing. But the more sticks that the Council uses to try to resolve the problem, the more complicated it will make it. The Council talks about support for the African Union. Yet once again it has adopted a resolution that complicates the situation for the African Union. It will complicate the situation on the ground. The Council will be responsible for that. The sponsors of the resolution know the situation on the ground.”
2005-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5153 (2005) · source
“Mr. Erwa (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic): We do not deny that the Security Council should address the situation in the Sudan and the events in Darfur. Nor do we deny that it should focus its attention on matters of international peace and security. But if the real purpose is to find a solution to this problem, we do not like the Council adopting a series of unwise resolutions that might make the situation worse, instead of improving it. The Government of the Sudan is more interested in solving this problem. The Government of the Sudan, which has been trying patiently for years to resolve the oldest war in Africa, does not consider it difficult to resolve the matter of Darfur. The question that arises here is: why have the Abuja negotiations stood still, without making any progress?”
2005-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5153 (2005) · source
“At the end of this historic meeting, I must commend the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Troika States and the IGAD Partners Forum, as well as the very important position taken by the sisterly State of Kenya. We also commend the efforts undertaken by the African Union under the leadership of Nigeria. I wish to reiterate that the Government of the Sudan, which has made every sacrifice to reach this Agreement, is firmly committed to its implementation. We will continue to work towards that end, and we will not look back until the benefits of peace are felt throughout the Sudan.”
2005-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5151 (2005) · source
“We have achieved this peace after having followed a long and arduous path, and we are now preparing to assume a number of responsibilities and to work long and hard to form a government of national unity, to prepare to implement the Agreement, to undertake efforts in the areas of repatriation and reconstruction, and to work intensively to put an end to what has been happening in Darfur and to enable it to embark on the path of peace without delay. I must remind the Council of the importance of supporting my Government at a time when it is assuming all of these responsibilities. Needless to say, one cannot ask the Government to undertake such important responsibilities while at the same time weakening it or limiting its capacities. History is our witness.”
2005-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5151 (2005) · source
“The parties honoured their commitment and presented the Peace Agreement to the Sudanese people as a gift at the beginning of the new year, as we promised. The people of the Sudan expect the United Nations Mission in Sudan to support the peace. The beginning of the implementation of this Agreement, which we have witnessed today, is a very important first practical step in that regard. The Government of the Sudan, which has made every effort to reach peace, is more keen than any other party to implement the Agreement and translate it into reality in every province of the Sudan. Here, we should like to remind the Council that we are a State on the threshold of development and progress.”
2005-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5151 (2005) · source
“Now that the Council has adopted resolution 1590 (2005), which sets out the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), I should like to thank in particular the resolution's sponsors for their rational approach in defining the Mission's mandate in a separate resolution. We fully appreciate the wisdom of the members of the Council and their cooperation aimed at ensuring the unanimous adoption of this resolution so very important and historic for Sudan. I should like to remind the Council of the pledges and commitments undertaken at the historic meeting held in Nairobi on 19 November 2004, including its commitment to accelerate the adoption of the resolution on the mission's mandate and its insistence that the parties conclude a peace agreement as agreed at Nairobi.”
2005-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5151 (2005) · source
“Until we implement that historic Agreement aimed at ending one of Africa's longest conflicts and opening up the prospect of a unified Sudan in which peace prevails and in which the north, south, east and west live together in harmony; and until the Agreement takes effect throughout the Sudan, providing stability and peace, particularly in the Darfur province - and we hope that events will continue to move in the right direction in that regard - we must redouble our efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace by bringing about peace and stability in Darfur, as stated before the Council by the President of the Sudanese Republic and the leader of the SPLM/A on 8 February.”
2005-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5151 (2005) · source
“Mr. Erwa (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council at this very historic time for my country. We are fully confident that you will carry out your mission well. I begin my statement by thanking the Council for all its efforts to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), which was reached on 9 January 2005 after a long period of negotiations in which the Sudan's position - which has not changed - was that peace will continue to be a strategic choice and that every possible sacrifice should be made to achieve it.”
2005-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5151 (2005) · source
“That State must have believed the Sudan to be an easy target, allowing it to atone for its sin of joining the international coalition in the illegal war against Iraq. The adoption of the resolution has torpedoed all negotiations and undermined the African Union's efforts, spearheaded by President Obasanjo with all his African wisdom. Proof of this is that at the last minute the rebels set impossible conditions, which were drawn from the text of the draft resolution as originally submitted to the Council. We hope that the Council will be honest with itself in claiming to support the efforts of the African Union. It should devote careful study to the resolution it has just adopted to see whether it truly addresses the issue justly, objectively and without superficiality. History will be the best judge of that.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“They see its daily crimes, its murder of women and children, and its destruction of homes throughout the world - in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine - as broadcast on our television screens. Moreover, it tortures prisoners and innocent people in prisons in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo. While we can understand the position of certain States - even of those that voted in favour of the resolution, sponsored it or spoke honestly in the informal consultations - we shall overlook those that support injustice simply in order to join the ranks of the quartet of tyranny. We are surprised, however, by the position of one State that we thought to be more honest than the country that has always perpetrated injustices in an extreme, partisan and entirely subjective manner.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“Moreover, the strenuous efforts recently made by the United States, motivated by the ferocious political campaign under way there, along with the resolution adopted today, have led to the failure of the negotiations in Abuja, even though both parties were on the verge of reaching agreement on the second agenda item on security matters. Thus, the rebels refused even to sign the humanitarian protocol. The haste and pressure associated with today's resolution are due to the fact that the text aims only at pleasing the United States Congress, which believes itself to be the sole conscience of the world and that it enjoys the divine right to decide the destinies of peoples, whereas it would appear rather to be a case of the emperor's new clothes. Millions of other people, however, are not blind to its shortcomings.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“It discourages the latter from seeking a solution to the current crisis, rather than encouraging them to maintain cooperation and ongoing participation towards peace and prosperity. In that respect, the Council has frequently noted that peaceful negotiation is the best way to address the situation in Darfur. We have spoken out repeatedly against the Council's sending any signal that might have a negative impact on the negotiating process under way. Such an ill-advised approach was apparent in the severity of the text of resolution 1556 (2004), which led to the failure of negotiations in Addis Ababa in July due to the intransigence of the rebel groups following its adoption, despite the fact that progress had been made.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“Such questions could lead to praise for countries within this body that have consistently supported law and justice and seek dialogue with integrity, while respecting the principles of the Charter, which will always triumph over evil. The history of this Organization is replete with moral stories in that respect. The quality of the resolution might have been improved by delaying its adoption and avoiding the hasty action urged by certain countries. That has led to an unfair text that aims solely at achieving the political objectives of its sponsors. The resolution's focus runs totally counter to the Secretary-General's report, the briefing of his Special Representative and the true situation on the ground. It adopts an approach that sets the Government against the people of Darfur.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“Despite the poor quality of today's resolution and some of its injustices, it does include a reference to the cooperation provided by my Government. Why do some insist on punishing the Government of the Sudan despite its cooperation, which is beyond doubt? We again draw the attention of Council members to the fact that the attention of the entire world is focused on the search for justice and credibility in the way nations are treated. Is selectivity being avoided? Are internal crises in developing countries exploited for the sake of political objectives or to conceal practices or crimes committed against other peoples?”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“The members of the Council know better than anyone that the roots of the problem lie in the country's economic and social backwardness. Hence, we wonder whether the sanctions measures will help to resolve the problem or whether, on the contrary, they will in fact complicate it by hindering measures aimed at solving it. Moreover, the reference in resolution 1556 (2004) to measures under Article 41 of the Charter is linked to actions to be taken only in the event of non-compliance by the Government. All in this Chamber are familiar with the Secretary-General's report and heard the briefing of Jan Pronk, his Special Representative. Did either reflect any judgement concerning the Government's failure to respect the resolution? They did not.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“Thus, the people of my country in general and the citizens in Darfur have seen their hopes for prosperity and peace dashed following the submission of the draft resolution just adopted. The Government of Sudan has shown that it has honoured its commitments as dictated by its responsibilities towards our citizens throughout Sudan. The clearest testimony to that commitment is precisely the report of the Secretary-General and the briefing by his Special Representative, which unequivocally describe the achievements made in other areas and the spheres in which action remains to be taken in order to implement resolution 1556 (2004). We wish to reaffirm here the ongoing nature of our commitment, despite our deep conviction that many paragraphs in the resolution adopted today represent the worst form of injustice and indignity.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“Mr. Erwa (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic): First, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council, and I thank you for your cooperation with us and for opening the door for dialogue in these very difficult circumstances. The Security Council finally concluded its consultations on the appropriate means to enable my Government to continue to honour the commitments undertaken following the hasty adoption of resolution 1556 (2004) on 30 July 2004. That had barely occurred when we saw a fatal blow delivered to the tireless efforts undertaken by my country and to the progress of the negotiations overseen by the African Union under the chairmanship of the President of Nigeria, Mr. Obasanjo, in Abuja.”
2004-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5040 (2004) · source
“Let me take this sad occasion to express my Government's thanks and appreciation to those delegations that raised the voice of truth and justice during the Council's consultations, which fully shouldered their responsibility to ensure at least some balance in that resolution and which sought to warn the Council of the risks. In the consultations, they expressed their position that the Security Council is not serving the humanitarian cause by adopting this hasty resolution. Once again, let me express our appreciation for their sense of responsibility even under pressure. We fully understand the circumstances surrounding the adoption of this resolution. We thank member States that abstained in accordance with their principled positions. We fully appreciate their noble intentions.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Given such a situation, it would be impossible to disarm the militias in a province where most of the population carries arms even if our capabilities equalled those of the coalition forces in Iraq. We all have to pause here to draw the right lessons. My Government, eager to fulfil its responsibilities, will fully comply with the provisions of this resolution. We will continue our tireless efforts to mitigate the suffering our citizens and the population in Darfur and to restore stability to that very dear and traumatized part of our homeland. We will redouble our efforts to ensure a peaceful settlement to the problem.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“The African Union has undertaken to address the problem from its standpoint, which reflects its knowledge of all new conditions. At a moment when the African Union is striving to set up new mechanisms for disarming the militias and is seeking a peaceful solution by means of a plan taking into account the situation of the rebels, the Security Council has jumped in and hastily acted to pressure the Government and undermine its position, demanding that the Government deploy its forces to disarm the militias. That in itself demonstrates the Council's obvious ignorance of the facts on the ground. Although some provisions in the resolution call on the rebels to respect the ceasefire, those provisions are not strong enough and might send the wrong signal, encouraging the rebels to pursue their hostile actions.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Virtue and injustice can in no way be reconciled. The resolution expresses support for the efforts of the African Union. But in essence, it expropriates the issue of Darfur from the African Union, revealing an attitude of contempt for the African continent's capabilities and potential. This is the result of a domineering, colonial mindset. The resolution shamelessly speaks of the joint communique and the joint implementation mechanism, but it disregards the implementation of that joint communique. Resolution 1547 (2004), adopted by the Council under Chapter VI of the Charter, calls for the role of the United Nations in support of a comprehensive peace agreement between north and south Sudan, but today's resolution was adopted under Chapter VII and calls for the deployment of United Nations activities to Darfur.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Are these the same States that we see every day on television, with their massive military machines, engaged in the occupation of nations, firing upon innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan and playing the role of loyal guardian to the occupying, usurping forces in Palestine that kill and displace the unarmed and innocent Palestinian people? Why do those supporting States follow the sponsors of this resolution without questioning them or discussing virtues? Are there voices that condemn what is happening? Why do they remain silent about the crimes of torture, killing and rape that take place in Abu Ghraib and the prisons of Afghanistan? Why do those countries remain silent before the truth, like silent devils? The fact that one possesses the power to practice oppression and injustice does not give one a monopoly over virtue.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Although my Government recognizes the fact that there is indeed a problem in Darfur and is sincerely and genuinely seeking a solution, we are faced with campaigns of hostility and suspicion. While we see some progress on the ground, we see also the progressive escalation of a vendetta through the use of the massive and powerful machine of the mass media in order to spread disinformation originated by some organizations that call themselves non-governmental organizations, which would exploit the various crises afflicting peoples throughout the world. I have listened closely to the statements by the resolution's sponsors and those that aligned themselves with the sponsors. I was shocked and left speechless. I have just witnessed an unfair and unjust policy of double standards. Indeed, these are shameless acts.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“We find ourselves caught between the hammer of the opponents of the American Administration, who do not want that Administration to enjoy the valuable achievement, which we appreciate, of the signing of the peace accord in southern Sudan, and the anvil of that same Administration, which would abandon the good deed it achieved and sacrifice it at the altar of active fanatics. The United States Congress has decided that there is genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Sudan, contrary to the judgement of the Summit of the African Union. The United States Congress is the very last party to speak of genocide, ethnic cleansing and slavery. Let it go back to its history. This resolution has now been adopted; we do not know what will happen between now and 2 November.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“To put it charitably, that is, perhaps, the reason for the haste in adopting a resolution - any resolution. Indeed, the resolution has become for some an end in itself, rather than a means to an end. It is an end - a framework within which they can involve themselves in the internal political rivalries within the Sudan. Unfortunately, Darfur has become fertile ground, soaked with the blood of innocent people, with political rivals seeking the votes of the electorate and exploiting the general ignorance of the history and geography of peoples in remote areas of the world. This resolution was determined before it was adopted here. It was determined in the United States Congress before it was even discussed here.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“On the other hand, there are those States whose positions were characterized by insistence and which exerted overwhelming pressure to adopt a resolution, irrespective of the decision taken by the African leaders and of the developments on the ground, and with bizarre disregard for the wishes of large and influential geographical groups within the United Nations - groups which drew attention to the fact that hasty action on the part of the Security Council could complicate the situation instead of helping to address the issue, and called for allowing enough time for regional organizations, in this case the African Union, to play a part. What is paradoxical about the resolution adopted today is that it is fraught with contradictions - something that does not befit an organ such as the Security Council.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“We have evidence - sound recordings - of their talks with the leaders of the rebellion. We monitored the pressure they exerted on United Nations personnel - pressure aimed at preventing them from reporting positive facts that would support the position of the Government of the Sudan. The consultations that took place on this resolution showed that there is a divergence of views within the Council. There are those States that deemed it necessary for the Council to ensure its credibility by allowing adequate time - since there is an accord between the Government of the Sudan and the United Nations - and believe that there is a need to support the efforts of the African Union, which is endeavouring to address the Darfur issue in an earnest fashion.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Furthermore, against that backdrop and given the queries I raised earlier in my statement, one might also wonder, in innocence and in good faith, if the Sudan would have been safe from the hammer of the Security Council even if there had been no crisis in Darfur, and whether the Darfur humanitarian crisis might not be a Trojan horse? Has this lofty humanitarian objective been adopted and embraced by other people who are advocating a hidden agenda? We are fully aware that some activists within the United States Administration have worked to foster the rebellion and abetted the rebels in escalating their activities, and that they are continuing to help them to bring military pressure to bear against the Government in the context of the Naivasha negotiations.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, left Khartoum, and that, before the end of the Secretary-General's visit, the United States delegation was fully aware of the provisions of the joint communique, which was to be issued later. We are not supporters of any so-called conspiracy theory, but it is our right to seek a solution to this labyrinthine puzzle. Given the suspicious circumstances surrounding the adoption of this resolution today and the modalities of the negotiations that preceded it, is it not our right to say that this resolution was, in fact, adopted before those visits even started?”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Today, after the adoption by the Council of the resolution, it is our right briefly to review recent events in order to draw lessons from them and to go over some developments in which we acted in good faith also. The Council may recall that my Government received, at the end of last month and earlier this month, the United Nations Secretary-General and the Secretary of State of the United States of America, and that the joint communique was the culmination of the dialogue that took place with the Government during those two visits. However, what is striking is that the United States delegation here in New York circulated the first draft of the resolution a few hours before Mr.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“The Council is aware of the outcome of those talks, which collapsed before they could even start because of the intransigence of the rebels and their insistence on stonewalling preconditions, which, perhaps, reflected the wrong message that they continued to receive from the international community. That is the Government's balance sheet in terms of our implementation. Concrete facts demonstrate this on the ground. We signed the joint communique in good faith and based on our conviction that it would provide a credible and viable mechanism to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of Darfur. It never even occurred to us that the communique would be used as a springboard to penalize the Government of the Sudan, whether or not it fulfilled its obligations.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“With regard to the J anjaweed, perhaps the Council heard the news of the arrest of 200 members of that group. They were brought to justice, and some of them received death sentences. The fourth set of commitments pertain to a political settlement. The joint communique demands that the Government of the Sudan resume political talks. The Government responded to the African Union's invitation and dispatched a high-level delegation, led by a federal minister and composed of six state ministers, with full power to negotiate without preconditions in order to reach a political settlement.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Here, the Government of the Sudan is obliged to deploy a credible police force in all areas for internally displaced persons (IDPs), to train police personnel in human rights law, to ensure that no militias are present in all areas surrounding IDP camps, to disarm the J anjaweed militias and to ensure that credible action is taken to ensure the voluntary return of IDPs to their homes. In that regard, and as I indicated in a letter to the Council, as of yesterday 4,812 out of 6,000 police officers had been deployed in Darfur, with a special focus on IDP camps. Moreover, a human rights training programme for police officers has been set up, and the voluntary return of IDPs has begun. To date, some 150,000 IDPs have returned to their homes.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“As members are aware, my Government has already mobilized and strengthened its police force and judiciary system in the Darfur region; it has accepted complaints and other information; it has established the Independent Investigation Committee to investigate human rights violations and has facilitated its work; and it has permitted the deployment of human rights observers in Darfur. In fact, observers from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights are already in the Sudan. Because of the sensitive nature of issues of sexual exploitation in our country, the Government of the Sudan has sent investigative teams led by women judges to Darfur to hear complaints regarding cases of rape. The third set of commitments relates to security.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“Secondly, on human rights, the joint communique calls for concrete measures to end impunity, and commits us to undertake investigations of human rights violations, ensure that the Independent Investigation Committee receives the necessary resources, ensure that human rights violators are brought to justice, allow the deployment of human rights monitors and establish a fair system, respectful of local traditions, that will allow women to bring charges against those who have raped them.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“My Government made commitments in the following areas: humanitarian issues; human rights; security; and a political settlement. On humanitarian issues, the joint communique calls for a moratorium on restrictions on humanitarian work, including suspending visa restrictions and permitting freedom of movement for humanitarian workers; permitting registration of non-governmental organizations; and suspending all restrictions on the importation and use of all humanitarian assistance materials, transport vehicles, aircraft and communication equipment. To an unprecedented degree, my Government has fulfilled all those commitments. Even before the ink on the joint communique was dry, we had fulfilled our commitments, as certified by the United Nations and all other parties.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“But since the Council is considering a matter with an immediate impact on my country's destiny, and given the allegations that it is the world's gravest humanitarian crisis, I am obliged to make a detailed statement, especially as this is the first opportunity we have been given to express our views: we have been denied any such opportunity since the Security Council was seized of this matter some months ago. As members know, the joint communique set out specific obligations both for my Government and for the United Nations. It might be useful - assuming that the facts would actually make any difference - briefly to review the commitments the Government of the Sudan made in the joint communique and the status of their implementation one third of the way into the 90- day period.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source
“In that context, my Government made constructive and, I stress, good-faith efforts with the United Nations and, bilaterally, with a number of members of the international community. Those efforts culminated in the 3 July signing of the joint communique issued by the Government of the Sudan and the Secretary General, which outlines a plan of action to contain the humanitarian crisis in Darfur within 90 days. I am not known for making lengthy statements before the Security Council.”
2004-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5015 (2004) · source