YouSaid · the spoken record

Essonghe

lines on the record: 45
first: 1998-01-27
most recent: 1999-11-29
sittings or episodes: 9
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

“In conclusion, while we recognize the importance of collective mobilization to prevent armed conflict, the parties in conflict must first show a sense of responsibility, seeking a negotiated solution to their dispute instead of opting for extreme courses of action. There should also be greater recourse to traditional means of dispute settlement, following the example of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity, who established committees of sages on the lines of African village councils. Furthermore, those who have influence on the parties to a dispute should also be involved in preventing armed conflicts.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“It is in this context that we invite those States to contribute to the strengthening of arms embargoes. In this respect, we are gratified by the recent decisions taken by certain Governments and certain companies to break all links with rebel movements that sow insecurity in Africa. It cannot be repeated often enough that preventing armed conflicts, most of which today are internal conflicts, means first and foremost eliminating the underlying causes, which are first of all economic, institutional and social. On these latter aspects, we should recognize that great advances have been made in the past decade in the regions most affected by armed conflict, most of which are developing regions.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“The question of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which are those most often used in conflicts, and especially internal conflicts, remains a major concern that must be faced by any post-conflict peace-building operation or any peacekeeping operation in the framework of a broadened mandate. This question was abundantly discussed in the debate on this subject held by the Council at the ministerial level last September. However, it is important, and indeed vital, that the countries that produce and sell arms transcend their unbridled desire to make a profit at any cost. They must support the collective effort to eliminate and prevent armed conflict. Nations do not develop by force of arms, but rather by the financing of vital projects.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“In this spirit of solidarity and coordination, the United Nations not only should strengthen and improve its own early warning mechanisms, it should also contribute further to the establishment and functioning of similar systems within regional organizations or arrangements. It is regrettable that some of these already existing systems are facing the thorny problem of obtaining sufficient financing for appropriate operations. If there is another field that relates directly to prevention, it is certainly that of post-conflict peace- building. The tasks of demobilization and disarmament should receive special attention in order to reduce, if not eliminate, the risks of resumption of combat because of the presence of weapons, and above all of small arms.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“In this enormous task of conflict prevention, not only does the Council not hold a monopoly, but it would not be right for the Council to confront the task alone. The Member States of the Organization, the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, civil society, the development partners - all these should be called upon to contribute to calming tensions that can erupt into armed conflict. This is all the more true since Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations, to which I referred earlier, speaks of "collective measures". We understand this to mean the combining of efforts among national administrations, individuals, regional or subregional organizations and so forth.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“This does not mean that the Council has not tried to erase the image of applying a double standard in terms of speed which it has done with more or less success. In fact, the Council has been able to show its growing interest in the field of prevention of armed conflict during the recent open debates and ministerial meetings on such subjects as the progress report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the recommendations contained in his April 1998 report on the causes of conflicts in Africa, post-conflict peace-building, small arms and the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The statements made during those meetings clearly showed how great are the concerns of the international community over the rising tension in the world.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“As for the Council's involvement in crisis settlement or the deployment of peacemaking or peacekeeping missions, criticism has focused on the relative degree of procrastination and slowness observed, depending on whether the situation in question is in Africa or in other regions. Several conflicts, in fact, might have been avoided if at the initial stage the Council had not dragged its feet. Today, if the preventive deployment in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is cited as an example of preventive action by the Council, it is because a firm resolve was expressed and the influential members of the Council were eager to see the conflict resolved before it led to a regrettable situation.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“As the organ invested with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Council therefore has the power to help stop a dispute before it turns into an armed conflict. However, the difficulty in this task involves, in our View, two areas: the swiftness of preventive action and the firmness of a real commitment. As for the swiftness of intervention, it seems absolutely imperative that diplomatic action be initiated as soon as the signs of tension are detected. The success of the Council in preventive action therefore depends on how promptly missions of good offices or of mediation are established. Any delay in doing this will create an opportunity for a crisis to deteriorate into an armed conflict.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“The use of peaceful means, in other words, dialogue or legal settlement, is strongly encouraged and enshrined in the United Nations Charter, which stipulates in its Article 33, "The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements or other peaceful means of their own choice." "The Security Council shall, when it deems necessary, call upon the parties to settle their dispute by such means." The Charter of the United Nations is therefore clear, not only in that it gives a mandate to the Council in the field of prevention of armed conflict, but also in that it indicates the steps to be taken to that end.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“If I refer frequently to the Charter, that is because it contains the guidelines for United Nations action to promote and maintain peace and security in the world, and conflict prevention constitutes the best assurance of avoiding a given situation's or tension's deteriorating into an armed conflict that would be difficult and costly to resolve. We remain convinced that a good early warning system or mechanism would make it possible to detect advance signs of a threat to the peace and would offer a better opportunity for conducting preventive diplomatic action aimed at encouraging the parties to a dispute to turn to a negotiated solution rather than to an armed confrontation that might be difficult to control.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“That responsibility, of course, stems from the farsightedness of the authors of the San Francisco Charter, who were determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and who thus mandated the Organization with the purposes set out in Article 1. The first of these reads as follows: "To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace".”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (spoke in French): The importance of the subject that brings us here today - already discussed in some depth by previous speakers - is undeniable if we are to judge by the large number of delegations participating in this debate. I wish therefore to commend you, Mr. President, for having placed this item, "The role of the Security Council in the prevention of armed conflict", on the Council's programme of work. That initiative is all the more timely as it enables the Council to discuss a subject that is crucial as we come to the close of the century and that has in recent years given rise to repeated criticism in times of conflict in various parts of the world, and particularly in Africa, with respect to the Council's interpretation of its primary Charter responsibility for the maintenance of peace.”
1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source
“the populations that have suffered horribly from armed conflicts will judge the commitment of the Security Council and of the iutemational community to their plight by the ability of the Council and the international community to settle and, especially, prevent conflict. mobilize resources for actual operations on the ground and implement their own measures. We also believe that unless there is a realistic policy to reduce the causes of conflict, any action, even assistance, will remain only a superficial measure. We therefore call for equitable treatment by the United Nations of all conflict situations throughout the world. In conclusion, let me say that my delegation has no objection to supporting the draft resolution before us.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“We agree with the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations that operations should be multidisciplinary so as to include activities related to civilian police, humanitarian assistance, disarmament and demobilization, combating illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and, of course, human rights. This need to take a comprehensive approach to peacekeeping presupposes a clear and unambiguous definition of the tasks set forth in the mandate for any peacekeeping operation. in order that it can ensure the protection of civilians and support humanitarian organizations in their assistance and aid work. Finally.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“My delegation also supports the pressing need for arms embargoes against armed rebel movements and groups, given the impact of small-calibre arms on the security of populations and therefore of States. But the effectiveness of these measures has to be strengthened. This was a matter dealt with by the group of experts established pursuant to resolution 1170 (1998), which prepared a draft resolution which the Council adopted as resolution 1196 (1998). We must ensure the implementation of that resolution - and, indeed, of all others - if we truly want to protect the rights of civilians and ensure security and neutrality in refugee camps. This leads me to speak of recommendations on integrating human rights and humanitarian concerns with peacekeeping activities.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“Sanctions do make sense as a deterrent against those who violate human rights and international humanitarian law. But they must be judiciously targeted and respected. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the existence of Security Council sanctions committees, whose goals are to insure respect for sanctions. In this connection, we support the initiative taken by the Chairman of the Sanctions Committee on the situation in Angola to investigate violations of sanctions imposed on UNITA, given the length of time that the conflict has been taking place in that country and the fact that it has already produced numerous victims and has caused a grave humanitarian catastrophe to drag on.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“It is our View that the United Nations, while developing its early warning system, should also help in the establishment and strengthening of similar mechanisms at the regional and subregional levels, as indicated in Security Council resolution 1197 (1998), adopted pursuant to the work of the working group set up in resolution 1170 (1998). We are in favour of negotiating humanitarian corridors with the parties to a conflict in order to enable humanitarian organizations to reach and assist populations in need in combat areas. In this connection, we stress the non-discriminatory and neutral character of humanitarian assistance, the necessity of cooperation by all involved, including States neighbouring conflict zones, and the fact that no party should consider the actions of humanitarian organizations as a hostile or partisan act.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“My delegation agrees with all the measures proposed by the Secretary-General regarding preventing conflicts which are the source of such unspeakable suffering and give rise to such serious violations of human rights. We also agree that the emphasis must be placed on establishing early warning systems or mechanisms. Not only States would be involved in this, but humanitarian and human rights organizations and study groups should also contribute, so that any early indications of possible situations of armed conflict could be identified. It is our firm belief that preventing conflicts would mean people could be spared useless suffering and would assist in making available considerable resources which could be used for development.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“I can never overemphasize this point - and this is a point also made by the Secretary-General in his recommendations - that there is a need for everybody to implement the provisions of the relevant conventions on the protection and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. In this area, everybody has to cooperate, particularly in refusing to take in those responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and in surrendering such persons to the international legal bodies established for that purpose, namely, the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and soon the International Criminal Court in Rome.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon)(spoke in French): Like others who spoke before me, I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the Secretary-General for the very relevant recommendations contained in his report now before us dealing with this issue of great importance, the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I welcome here the presence of the Secretary-General, and I am grateful also to you, Sir, for the excellent initiative in bringing this item to the agenda of the Security Council. During the many discussions which the Security Council has held on matters relating to humanitarian protection and respect for human rights, my delegation has stressed the need for all States Members of the United Nations to sign and ratify the main instruments of humanitarian law, law on refugees and all other human rights laws.”
1999-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046 (1999) · source
“We cannot forget the role and the commendable efforts made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in Sierra Leone. We hope that effort will be given increased support by the international community. This being said, my delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution before us.”
1999-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3986 (1999) · source
“We are also encouraged by the fact that the text of the draft resolution before us takes into account the need to respect the embargo on the sale and supply of weapons to the rebels, and expresses the readiness of the Council to pursue this issue of external support for the rebels and, if necessary, to take additional measures. It is also reassuring to note the commitment of President Kabbah to begin a constructive dialogue with the rebels with a view to achieving national reconciliation and lasting peace in the country. Likewise, the courageous measures taken by President Charles Taylor, as reflected in the statement of 19 February 1999, aimed at encouraging the return of Liberian combatants from Sierra Leone, with a promise of amnesty, offer hope for a lasting solution.”
1999-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3986 (1999) · source
“The draft resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL), which we will be voting on shortly, bears witness to the Security Council's solidarity with the people of Sierra Leone, who have suffered so much from the fighting and from the abuses committed by the rebels. We can only be pleased by that solidarity, which will be reflected concretely in the earliest possible re- establishment of UNOMSIL in Freetown and by the increase in the number of military observers and human rights personnel, as well as by the redeployment of the necessary support staff.”
1999-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3986 (1999) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): Allow me, first of all, on behalf of the delegation of Gabon and on my own behalf, to say what a great loss the sudden passing of His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Amir of the State of Bahrain, is for the States of the Arabian Gulf and for the world at large. Through his great wisdom, experience and spirit of compromise, His Highness contributed to peace in the Arabian Gulf and to the search for a lasting solution to the problem of the Middle East. We are certain that his successor, His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al- Khalifa, who has long followed his predecessor's example, will pursue the tremendous work accomplished by His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa with the same dedication and devotion. We wish him every success.”
1999-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3986 (1999) · source
“Nevertheless, we would like to congratulate the Secretary-General on his readiness to contribute to a new effort to produce a peaceful resolution of the question.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3955 (1998) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): In my turn, I would like to express my delegation's regret over the turn that events have taken since this morning, despite the numerous diplomatic efforts that have been made at all levels. The lengthy crisis that has prevailed between a Member of the United Nations and the Security Council could have been avoided in the light of the initiatives undertaken in February and November this year by the Secretary-General, who is present here, and by the entire membership of the Security Council. Those efforts gave us a glimpse of a possible peaceful resolution of the misunderstandings and lack of understanding on both sides. Unfortunately, we must conclude that the new state of mind and the hope that emerged on numerous occasions have now been dashed by the events we have learned about today.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3955 (1998) · source
“Some delegations considered the question a complex one that did not fall within the purview of the Security Council. Others, on the basis of experience gained - particularly in the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia and MINURCA - maintained that the Council did have a role to play in post-conflict peace-building. While emphasizing the limits of the authority of each organ of the United Nations, my delegation believes that good harmonization and proper coordination could give the Council the role of counsellor in post-conflict peace- building.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“While the Security Council is mandated by statute with the maintenance of international peace and security, tasks involving measures related to peace-building in areas such as human rights, refugees or development fall within the purview of other United Nations bodies. It would also be desirable if peacekeeping and peace-building operations could be conducted within the strict framework of agreement and coordination, in harmony with the country concerned, and with scrupulous respect for that country's sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. During the first few meetings of the ad hoc Working Group established by resolution 1170 (1998), the Group was not able to reach a consensus on including post- conflict peace-building on its list of priority topics for discussion.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Post-conflict peace- building must thus be considered a long-term strategy. Accordingly, we welcome the comprehensive measures that were adopted within the framework of the conflict settlement in the Central African Republic, where the United Nations Mission formulated a number of measures that took into consideration the most essential political, security and economic priorities. Specifically, MINURCA, together with other partners, proposed and recommended certain steps for rehabilitating the political landscape, security forces and the economy. We should, however, also recall and consider here the role of the United Nations bodies, each in its own area of competence.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“This new approach to settling conflicts is a commendable innovation leading to post-conflict peace- building, which is the most critical stage in securing progress in the restoration and maintenance of peace. Indeed, without peace-building the efforts to achieve lasting settlements of conflicts remain superficial, fragile and precarious, because the causes and roots of the conflicts are not addressed. In his 13 April 1998 report on the situation regarding conflicts in Africa, the Secretary-General defined post-conflict peace-building as: "actions undertaken at the end of a conflict to consolidate peace and prevent a recurrence of armed confrontation". (S/1998/318, para. 63) These actions must be integrated and coordinated measures directed at eliminating the deep-seated causes of the violence, whatever their nature.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“The example of United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) is an illustration of this new type of operation. For its part, Africa, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, has - particularly by means of regional and subregional arrangements - undertaken with remarkable success courageous peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and, recently, in Guinea-Bissau. Peacekeeping is not an end in itself. This is why we welcome the combination in these new types of operations of conventional peacekeeping tasks with political and humanitarian activities, as noted in a joint study of the International Peace Academy and the Organization of African Unity.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Since the first peacekeeping operation, 50 years ago, the United Nations has considerably improved its methods and strategies in this area, despite the shortcomings that have been noted in some cases. This evolution is due to the emergence of new kinds of conflicts and the desire to achieve greater effectiveness in United Nations interventions. Thus, after the cold-war period the United Nations devised and began undertaking multidimensional peacekeeping operations, the role of which is to monitor the implementation of the often complex peace agreements between Governments and dissident political movements. We would like to commend the realism and pragmatism shown by the United Nations, particularly in Africa, where the Organization has undertaken 13 of the 33 peacekeeping missions it has conducted throughout the world.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): The Council is meeting today to discuss the essential subject of the maintenance of peace and security and post- conflict peace-building. This debate, if it needs to be recalled, is inspired by one of the relevant questions addressed in the important report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. In holding this debate, the Security Council wished to promote reflection on the activities and role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security, most particularly in the area of peace-building.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Unfortunately, we are obliged to concede that this goal remains far from being achieved. The draft resolution under our consideration notes, in its third preambular paragraph, that the situation in the Zugdidi and Gali regions remains tense and confrontational and that there is a risk of resumed fighting. This sorry assessment is a source of keen concern, which my delegation shares and, quite naturally, wishes to see changed. That is why the Security Council's appeal, in paragraph 8 of the draft resolution, seems to me to deserve our firm support. My delegation will therefore vote in favour of the draft resolution.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): The draft resolution that we are about to adopt attests to the Security Council's will to stem the current crisis in Abkhazia, Georgia, and to re-establish relations of peace and mutual respect there. In this regard, the efforts of the sponsors to produce the final text should be emphasized. Similarly, the Geneva peace process, launched at the Secretary-General's initiative and supported by the group of his Friends, the Russian Federation and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is to be welcomed. In this context, the second meeting, held in Geneva from 23 to 25 July 1998, seemed to us to be a hopeful sign, since the two parties were to contribute, alongside the international protagonists, to the search for ways and means to put an end to this crisis.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“The loss of ground in the peace process clearly demonstrates that the international community should become more involved in the search for a settlement to this grave crisis. In this respect, we are convinced that, given the current deadlock, the United Nations has major political role to play in that part of the world. Our country, Gabon, long ago embraced the principle of dialogue. We believe that only dialogue will enable the parties to eliminate the remaining areas where there is lack of understanding between them. The international community should work towards this end.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900 (1998) · source
“The Madrid agreements of 1991 and all the meetings that followed them, especially those in Oslo, made it possible to create an ideal framework in which to build peace in that part of the world. We believed that such a framework would help resolve all the questions that were a major obstacle to any degree of progress in the peace talks between the parties. Now, however, we are bound to note that there has been a general reverse in the peace process. However, there is no solution but to work through the mechanism to achieve a comprehensive peace. That is why all the parties should, above all, apply themselves to fulfilling their obligations and avoid taking any measure likely to create barriers to the implementation of the peace agreements.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900 (1998) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): We are meeting once again to discuss a question that has already been the subject of numerous debates in both the General Assembly and the Security Council. The expectations raised by these discussions have so far proved illusory, given the striking lack of progress in normalizing the situation in the Middle East. On the contrary, like causes produce like effects, and we are now witnessing yet another increase in tension between the parties in that region of the world. Together with the rest of the international community, we are worried by the precarious nature of the current situation in the light of recent developments.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900 (1998) · source
“We also firmly support the measures aimed at demobilization, as well as other relevant recommendations. Finally, we support the draft presidential statement on this subject.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“That is why we are convinced of the need to strengthen international legislation to protect children, ensure that they are safe and respected and prevent them from suffering traumas that are often protracted and from which recovery is often difficult. Furthermore, we also believe that the situation of children in armed conflict cannot be separated from the resolution of the global issues involved in such conflicts. In other words, if we are to tackle the problem of the use of children in combat and the brutalities of all kinds that they suffer, including the scenes of horror that they witness during conflict, we must do our utmost to prevent armed conflicts. For all these reasons, we support the recommendations of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General aimed at preventing the use of child soldiers.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“This matter is therefore one of undoubted importance, given the role that children are called upon to play in societies. I am sure that the Council would agree with me, Sir, that children represent the human capital of the future, since they are destined to take over from adults. As a result, they must be assured of conditions conducive to their personal development, the development of their inherent intellectual capacities and balanced physical growth. It has been clearly demonstrated that an imbalance in their environment, especially when that environment is disrupted by scenes of violence and horror, results in the alienation of personality. Such alienation leads in turn to disturbances at all levels of society.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): At the outset, my delegation would like to welcome your initiative, Mr. President, in organizing this debate on the important subject of the situation of children in armed conflict. In this respect, I have no doubt that this discussion will result in concrete actions, given the resolve to eradicate this evil, which has been described today by Mr. Olara Otunnu, the Special Representative of the Secretary- General. I am grateful to him for his comments. It will be recalled that the international community has already established a number of legal texts aimed at the promotion, protection and well-being of children. These include the 1949 Geneva Convention, the Additional Protocols of 1977 and the 1989 United Nations Convention, all of which relate to the rights of the child.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“I cannot conclude my statement without thanking the Secretary-General for his report or without conveying our thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye.”
1998-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3850 (1998) · source
“We are pleased to note that in several paragraphs the draft resolution calls upon the Government of Angola and, most particularly, upon UNITA to cooperate fully in ensuring the success of MONUA, inter alia by taking every step to adhere to the timetable upon which they have agreed. We consider also that the long-awaited meeting, on Angolan soil, of the two main leaders would constitute a major step forward towards a final settlement of the conflict. We therefore support the recommended three- month extension of the mandate of MONUA. We are pleased to note that the draft resolution highlights the need to continue programmes for the demobilization and social reintegration of ex-combatants: if these programmes are not completed, peace will remain fragile.”
1998-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3850 (1998) · source
“Mr. Essonghe (Gabon) (interpretation from French): My delegation congratulates you, Sir, on the skill with which you have presided over the work of the Security Council. I have no doubt that, under your presidency, our work will be successful. I also congratulate your predecessor on the verve with which he too guided the work of the Council. My greetings go also to all other members of the Council. My delegation takes this opportunity to express its full support for the draft resolution on which the Security Council is about to take action. In our view, the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) is vital and must therefore be given all the means necessary to complete its task. We believe it essential to strengthen the Mission's military and administrative capacity.”
1998-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3850 (1998) · source