YouSaid · the spoken record

Ettalhi

lines on the record: 360
first: 2008-01-09
most recent: 2009-01-21
sittings or episodes: 51
sources: un-security-council

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“We also welcome efforts within the framework of the provision of technical assistance and national capacity-building. Here, my country harbours the hope that assistance provided within the framework of the United Nations will be improved to replace bilateral assistance. We especially welcome the efforts by the Committee and its Executive Directorate in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and its cooperation and work with United Nations bodies. Over the last few years our actions focused on one of the axes of the Strategy - the prevention of and fight against terrorism. Today it is incumbent on us to strengthen the Committee's role to ensure that it addresses all the axes of the Strategy, especially tackling the conditions that promote terrorism and respect for human rights for all.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I wish to associate my voice with all those who came before me in conveying my gratitude to Ambassador Urbina of Costa Rica, Ambassador Grauls of Belgium and Ambassador Jurica of Croatia, who had the leadership of the 1267, 1540 and 1373 Committees, respectively, for their very informative and valuable presentations and their untiring efforts. With regard to the 1373 Committee, on counter- terrorism, Libya welcomes and appreciates the positive developments in its activities and the work undertaken by its Executive Directorate with regard to organizing targeted visits covering all States, developing and developed, as well as its efforts to ensure transparency in its activities.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Last but not least, we agree with paragraph 81 of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/662), which states that "developments in the Sudan will be influenced to a large extent by the relevant activities of the 08-58804 International Criminal Court," - such as the indictment of President Al-Bashir - "and its actions could have the potential to profoundly affect the work of the United Nations in the Sudan, including humanitarian efforts, and the ongoing peace process in the Sudan". Therefore, we call on the Security Council to heed that clear warning and, at the proper time, to take the necessary decision, namely, at a minimum, to activate article 17 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“That is a positive step that the Security Council must take into account when assessing the existence of conditions conducive to progress in the peace process. Furthermore, we believe that the Sudan People's Forum, a national effort to resolve the Darfur crisis, could lead to practical measures that would help to resolve the crisis. We express our support for the Forum and call on the international community, represented by the Security Council, to support it in every way possible. We also commend the efforts of Mr. Djibril Bassole, African Union-United Nations Joint Chief Mediator, to persuade all rebel factions to join the political settlement process in Darfur.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“However, we are optimistic because of the spirit prevailing between the two parties and the fruitful cooperation that they have displayed. We commend the efforts of UNMIS to implement the various aspects of its mandate, in particular training police units, demining and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. We also wish to commend the ongoing cooperation between UNMIS and various United Nations entities as well as the link that it has established with the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) and with other missions: those in Darfur, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad. We welcome the Sudanese Government's appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate allegations of human rights abuses committed in Darfur since 2003.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“Furthermore, we would like to commend the progress in preparing for the elections, with the completion of the national census and adoption of an electoral law. Moreover, discussions continue on the appointment of the members of the National Electoral Commission. We believe that the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme is a very important element in implementing the CPA and in guaranteeing stability. Thus, we welcome the holding of a round- table conference for donors this month to discuss ways to fund that programme. While those are all positive indicators that should be commended and welcomed, that does not mean that there are no challenges that require a great deal of effort on both sides.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“Although their return continues to be slow, it is, nevertheless, a positive indicator. We have also noted a decrease in Violence in Southern Kordofan among ethnic groups, a start to the integration of previously closed areas around Kauda and Julud, as well as the absorption of thousands of personnel of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) into civil service departments and police structures, as stipulated by the CPA. Also worth noting is the great progress in the redeployment of the Sudanese Armed Forces: 97 per cent of SAF personnel have been redeployed, according to UNMIS, although SPLA redeployment is still modest, barely exceeding 10 per cent. It is also encouraging to see estimates that 2.37 million refugees and IDPs have returned home since the signing of the CPA in 2005.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“Mulet's observation that there were no major violations of the ceasefire agreement during the reporting period and that implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is slow, but steady. It is worth noting that there has been a noticeable improvement in the security situation in the area of operation of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS). The Abyei Road Map Agreement has continued to be implemented by the two sides under the supervision of the Mission. Moreover, the Joint Integrated Police Unit assumed its responsibilities in maintaining security after the departure of the forces of both sides from Abyei, and a Chief Administrator and a Deputy Administrator for the Abyei Interim Administration have been appointed. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returning to the city voluntarily.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, Sir, I would like to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. We assure you of our constructive cooperation and we are confident of your successful management of the Council's affairs. I would also like to express our appreciation for the efforts of our colleague the Permanent Representative of China and his team and for the efficient manner in which they guided our proceedings last month. We would also like to thank Mr. Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his briefing and for the optimism that he has expressed with regard to the prevailing situation. Indeed, the report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/662) and Mr. Mulet's briefing are encouraging, as evidenced by Mr.”
2008-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6010 (2008) · source
“We stress the need for an enlargement of the Mission, taking into account the comments of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and for providing the Mission with the resources it needs to do its work in the different areas of the country, in line with the priorities highlighted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, so that the Mission can accomplish its tasks. In all of this, as the representative of Italy just said, we must take account of Afghan ownership of the process and its effectiveness.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“My delegation is extremely concerned about the food crisis that the Afghan people are facing given the surge in food prices, the drought and the global financial crisis, which affects Afghanistan in the same way as it does other developing countries. We join with the Secretary-General in his call, echoed by the Afghan Vice-President, for more than $400 million to deal with the crisis. I am sure that members are aware of the misery and suffering in Afghanistan and the large number of children who live in isolated areas in mountainous regions and valleys, carrying flour on their backs from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Finally, my delegation stresses the important role of UNAMA in providing assistance.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“We hope that the latest Government reshuffle will promote development and concentrate on the various priorities. The report of the Secretary-General of last March (S/2008/159) indicated that there had been violations of prisoners' rights and cases of abuse and torture. There were accusations with regard to lengthy arbitrary detention in detention centres. The United Nations Mission was not able to verify those accusations, and the latest report (S/2008/617) does not indicate any progress in that respect. The report indicates that the situation has remained the same and that the jails and detention centres in Afghanistan are being seriously neglected. We reiterate the importance of respect for human rights by all and the need for respect for international law.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“As I said the last time I addressed the Council on this issue, I believe we all agree that the solution will require a general rapprochement, and not just recourse to force, if we are to restore stability. We believe that inclusive national reconciliation among the various sectors of the population, as called for by President Karzai and, previously, by the Constitutional Council, is very important to establishing stability. There must also be parallel efforts in the area of development, so as to ensure dignified socio-economic conditions for all Afghan citizens, so that they do not have to turn to illegal means of earning a living. That should also contribute to the fight against corruption and extremism. The Afghan Government should thus regain the people's confidence in its ability to meet their essential needs.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“We believe that, as Mr. Tanin has said, development is a very important element of security and stability. There can be do doubt that there has been much progress in a number of areas, including in demining and combating narcotics, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General mentioned in his briefing; in the vaccination of children; and in improving regional relations and launching a dialogue between Afghanistan and its neighbours. However, we must accept that many shortcomings remain despite all the efforts and commitments. I believe that all of that must be properly assessed and that we must look into the causes that have led to the current situation.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“However, the figures are nevertheless quite significant, and we believe that there is room for improvement. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General has indicated that the international forces are trying to reduce the number of civilian victims. We hope that those efforts will lead to the desired results. In that regard, we also condemn the acts of insurgent forces that result in civilian casualties. This meeting is taking place two years after the London Conference and four months after the Paris Conference, where the Afghanistan National Development Strategy was adopted. Pledges of assistance have exceeded $21 billion. It may be worth assessing the progress made in the implementation of the Strategy, especially as regards the commitments made and the performance of the Afghan Government in the area of development.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“This meeting is taking place at a time when, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General has pointed out, the situation in Afghanistan is characterized by a serious deterioration. According to the report of the Secretary-General, this may be the most difficult time since the fall of the Taliban, especially as regards the great number of civilian victims, resulting from acts of war in the first eight months of this year - an increase of 39 per cent over the same period last year. That is a cause of concern to us; but of greater concern yet is the fact that 40 per cent, or about half, of the deaths have been due to attacks by pro-Government and international forces. We appreciate all the steps and arrangements being taken by the forces to avoid civilian casualties and damage to property.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): I should like first to express my gratitude to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive and detailed report (S/2008/617). I should also like to thank Mr. Kai Eide for the comprehensive briefing he has just given us. I welcome the efforts being made by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General despite the difficult conditions in which they are working. I also wish to welcome the presence among us of Mr. Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and to thank him for his statement. In keeping with his advice, I shall be cautious when speaking about Afghanistan.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“The elections mean a great deal to those who day after day suffer hunger and who live in an environment marked by a lack of respect and a lack of security, and I am not minimizing the significance of the elections: I believe they are indeed important. At the same time, I believe that where there is hunger and a lack of safety and security, the best option is to give priority to fighting hunger and providing security. We thank the delegation of Burkina Faso for its initiative in drafting a presidential statement, which we fully endorse.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“We are gratified by the major role that the Peacebuilding Commission is playing in Guinea- Bissau, by the forthcoming establishment of a national peacebuilding fund secretariat office for Guinea-Bissau and by the four quick-impact projects approved by the Commission, which are now under way. Here, we commend the relevant United Nations agencies and other partners and express our deep appreciation to Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti for her efforts. In conclusion, I reaffirm my delegation's deep appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations, the donor community, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States, Brazil and other partners. At the same time, we are of the view that they should give priority to security sector and judicial reform and to combating hunger and poverty. Permit me to make a comment.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Regrettably, owing to the difficulties faced by national and international anti-trafficking institutions, the country has become a transit hub. The report of the Secretary- General makes this clear in referring to Operation Bissalanca, and it was underscored by what the Minister of Justice told the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau: that there is involvement at the national level. We therefore consider it important to support the Secretary-General's recommendation that a group of experts be established to investigate the problem - in cooperation with the local authorities, of course - and the activities, role and identity of those involved in drug trafficking and other transnational crime, with a View to taking the necessary punitive measures against them.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Reason for hope, however, is seen in positive developments and achievements with respect to the role of the Peacebuilding Commission and the endeavours of the Government and the United Nations system to formulate an integrated framework for peacebuilding. In her briefing, Mrs. Viotti spoke of the adoption of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau and of the improved environment for the holding of elections, for voter registration and for the filling of the funding gap. All parties have shown their commitment to that end. Among the issues that require immediate attention is drug trafficking, which endangers peace, security and reconstruction in Guinea-Bissau, in the subregion and throughout the continent.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“In commending the efforts and achievements of the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the international community, we are compelled to acknowledge that the report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/628) highlights many causes for concern. The deepening political crisis; the spectres of military tension and pressure; the coup attempt; the withdrawal from the Government of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde; the spread of organized crime, especially drug trafficking; the rampant impunity that forces people to take the law into their own hands; the modest annual economic growth rate of 3 per cent; increasing prices, especially for staples such as rice; and the ongoing cholera epidemic: all of these are mentioned in the report and in the two briefings we heard this morning, and they are cause for grave concern.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to join those who spoke before me in congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. We wish to assure you of our cooperation and support. We are truly confident that you will ably guide our work. We also wish to express our appreciation to Ambassador Michel Kafando and his delegation for their wise and effective leadership of the Council last month. We thank Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary- General for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, Chairperson of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for their briefings. We also welcome Ambassador Cabral to this meeting.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Thus, Israel's pretexts have nothing to do with security. I reiterate that Israel's settlement policy is systematic and rooted in the aspiration to a Greater Israel. It reminds us of David Ben-Gurion's vision, as reflected in his view that there was no reason for Israel to negotiate with the Arabs as they both bid claim to the same thing. That means that the Israelis believe that Palestinian territory is in fact Israeli territory and that it is impossible to ascertain the extent to which the Palestinian territories are indeed Palestinian. That Israeli practice must be halted. It is a breeding ground for lasting instability in the region and a clear incitement to violence. Is that what he really wanted?”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“It is often said that the settlement policy is based on security considerations. Establishing a link between security and settlements is unfortunately an attempt to justify Israel's acts of violence and serves as a pretext for Israel to continue to benefit from international protection. I should like to refer to a passage from a World Bank report detailing the constraints that Israel has imposed under the pretext of security but which merely extend the settlement policy and the expansion of settlements. The report stresses the fact that the Palestinian Authority has made great efforts to honour its commitment to the road map, to ensure respect for the rule of law and to extend its authority over its territory. However, those efforts have been largely undermined by Israel's acts of violence.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“There was a wave of assaults on Palestinians in the village of Burin on 13 September, resulting in six Palestinian deaths and eight serious injuries. I also wish to convey another testimony reported to us. Israel has established a system of apartheid within the occupied Palestinian territories, exemplified by the establishment of two separate judiciary entities in the same region, where the human rights of an individual are based on his nationality. Such a unique system reminds us of the apartheid regime in South Africa. The report that just quoted also indicates that the territories are controlled by various means, including systematic violence against Palestinians by settlers, with the support of the Israeli army, that has also led to the expulsion of Palestinians from areas around the settlements.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“They transfer settlers to this land and encourage settlers to expand by giving them housing allowances and tax breaks and by making investments. The Israeli authorities encourage the settlers to tighten their grip on Palestinians and their land, compelling them to leave their land. As President Mahmoud Abbas stated this morning, the settlers have not hesitated to resort to violence against Palestinians and their property. This has happened in the full view of the occupying forces, who protect the settlers while ignoring complaints lodged by the Palestinians. I would like to refer here to the daily attacks on villages in the Nablus area - attacks perpetuated against the Palestinian people by the settlers. The most recent of such attacks resulted in the torching of dozens of olive groves in the village of Awarta on 14 September.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“They exploit the existence of settlements in order to justify their continued violation of numerous Palestinian rights, including the right to residence, the right to a livelihood and the right to movement. The report indicates that Israel's radical changes to the map of the West Bank will prevent any possibility of building an independent and viable Palestinian State, in accordance with the right to self-determination. I point out that this is testimony contained in an Israeli report. Settlement activity policy is an established, systematic policy of successive Israeli Governments. The Israeli authorities have used and continue to use every means available to them and do not hesitate to seize land under any pretext for the purpose of establishing Jewish settlements.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“Everyone is aware of the Israeli construction of the apartheid separation wall despite the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Settlement activity not only impedes the peace process; even more, that policy serves the declared Israeli aim of sabotaging the very notion of the emergence of an independent, viable Palestinian State. This poses a serious threat to both regional and international peace and security. In this regard, I would also like to cite an Israeli report from which I will draw attention to a number of extracts. Hundreds of thousands of dunums of Palestinian land have been usurped and used for the construction or expansion of numerous Jewish settlements. The Israeli authorities prevent all Palestinians from gaining access to these territories.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“It says that construction activities increased by 55 per cent and that the number of tenders for new settlement construction bids increased by 550 per cent. Thus, the settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories has increased considerably at an accelerated pace since the Annapolis Conference, held last year. All of this has happened despite the commitments made pursuant to the Road Map and in spite of the outcome of the Annapolis Conference and in spite of international resolutions which reaffirm the illegality of the settlement activities and call on the Israeli occupation authorities to put an end to such activities and to dismantle the settlements that have been erected. In spite of this, the Israeli authorities have intensified this form of activity in the West Bank especially around Jerusalem.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“Should it not lead us to wonder what occurs every time the Israelis begin negotiations with Palestinians? What happens is an acceleration of the settlement policy and an increase in the number of settlements, which has risen considerably since the Oslo Agreement, whose anniversary was commemorated some days ago. Everyone knows that settlement activity has increased in an unprecedented manner 4 and I do mean unprecedented - since the Annapolis Conference. I am basing my comments on this subject on an Israeli report. As Mr. Mahmoud Abbas said this morning, the Israelis know full well what is taking place on the ground. This report, which was published by an Israeli non-governmental organization (NGO), compares the settlement policy for the first quarter of this year with the same quarter in 2007.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“This situation has existed for six decades now, with everything that this implies in terms of war and humanitarian tragedy: six decades during which the Security Council has adopted a series of resolutions, none of which, unfortunately, have been implemented. In fact, these days, when it comes to Palestinian issues, the Council sometimes even refrains from issuing a press release, no matter how grave the situation it has discussed. Perhaps appearance of the Arab Group before the Security Council to ask the Council to listen to it represents a new phase concerning this subject. Unfortunately, this is the first time in the history of the Council that a State or a group of States has told the Council that all it wishes is the opportunity to express itself in this Chamber. Is this not important for the Council?”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): I would like first of all to welcome the President of the Palestinian National Authority, His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, and the Ministers who are present at today's meeting. I will not conceal the fact that I always hesitate before taking the floor to address the Council when it discusses the Palestinian question in any of its aspects. That is because I know that this issue has been on the agenda of the United Nations and of the Security Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, for more than six decades.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“Therefore, the African Union, with its dynamism and growing capabilities and the will and determination of its leaders, can be a model for United Nations ties with regional organizations and the maintenance of international peace and security in a regional context. That is what we hope. In closing, Mr. President, I would like to thank your country's delegation for preparing the draft presidential statement. We support it fully and look forward to adopting it at the end of this session.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“The noble efforts of the Secretariat and its resources are still inadequate to the logistical and planning support needed to enhance African capabilities and in light of the diplomatic efforts that the African continent has witnessed from the establishment of the Organization of African Unity in the 1960s to this very day. We must reconsider the existing approach in light of the lessons of the past and support mediation efforts that would eliminate or at least alleviate human suffering and the international system and the power of the Security Council as the main guardian of international peace and security.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“Allow me to state frankly nevertheless that we are still far from implementing our obligations and the recommendations offered in those documents, nor have we yet achieved an international African partnership that integrates resources and capabilities and renounces circumstantial, partial and expensive approaches in favour of comprehensive long-term solutions. That has become bitterly clear from my country's experience with mediation initiatives over the past decades. Much remains to be done and there are still structures and mechanisms that require development.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“Moreover, neither the non-binding nature of mediation, compared to other peaceful means of settlement, nor the fact that mediation may not achieve its objectives in all cases undermines its importance, because mediation allows the parties to re-evaluate or reconsider their positions and thus to move forward in their efforts to reach a sustainable peaceful settlement to conflict. There is no doubt that the effectiveness of mediation rests not only upon the impartiality of the mediator and his skills and knowledge of the geographical, historical and cultural framework of the conflict and its root causes, but also on the unity and coordination of regional and international efforts. That has been affirmed by international and African reports and documents on African conflicts and on the strategies and means for managing them.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“The concept paper that the delegation of Burkina Faso has prepared focuses on mediation as a means to settle disputes that is given special priority in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter and is reaffirmed by the Statute of the African Union and many other texts. The option of mediation offers ideas and proposals to urge the parties to a dispute to resort to dialogue. At minimum cost, either before or after a conflict breaks out, mediation can ensure that the parties find a way to end it and to build and maintain peace. Mediation that takes the interests and requirements of local parties into account is appropriate to the situation in Africa in particular and the international situation in general, especially since the end of the cold war and the subsequent search for consensus solutions.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): It was a great honour for us to see His Excellency Mr. Blaise Compaore, President of the Republic of Burkina Faso, presiding over our Council and managing our work, following the able leadership of our colleague Ambassador Michel Kafando. We are also honoured by the presence of our other distinguished guests. Today's meeting adds value and special importance to our deliberations and falls within the framework of the efforts and firm determination of President Compaore and the other leaders of Africa to achieve lasting security, without which our continent will not enjoy sustainable development.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“We are committed, under the terms of concept paper S/2006/507, to continue to work for that purpose. The working group has presented today a very important issue concerning its work. We support its work and we would like to get a briefing as soon as possible on that matter.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Fourthly, we must deepen the Council's relationship with regional organizations such as the African Union, since many of the issues that are considered before the Council have a direct impact on their members. There is no doubt that procedural matters evoke differences among Member States, something that the United Nations has known since its inception. The adoption of the rules of procedure of the Council has been frozen for a long time, and those rules remain provisional. There are many demands, of course, from within the Council and General Assembly as well as from outside, that we take some sort of action concerning this issue. A working group has been established and continues to undertake very important efforts under the leadership of Ambassador Arias.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“First, we must expand open debates, particularly on issues that have been under lengthy consideration by the Council, so that open debates become the rule and anything else the exception. The limitation of open debates or their late announcement affects the right of those interested in addressing the Council to do so and makes their participation more rhetorical than actual or effective. Secondly, we must develop the other formats of open debates, particularly press briefings, so that they allow wider participation, which would respond to the needs of smaller States for comprehensive briefings. Articles 31 and 32 of the Charter, in particular, address that matter. Thirdly, we must develop and codify the participation of States that are not members of the Council in the work of the subsidiary bodies of the Council.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“There is still hesitation - albeit often selective - within the Council in resorting to that format. We have no doubt that more transparency would enhance the legitimacy of our resolutions and promote their wider acceptance. Such acceptance will be achieved when the background and the different points of View in our debates are known by all and our commitment to the principles of the United Nations and Article 24 of the Charter can be verified by all. Some might say that an increase in transparency would be at the expense of the efficiency that is so important for a body responsible for international peace and security. But in focusing on efficiency, we should look beyond mere decision-making: an increase in transparency will not affect efficiency if it is carried out in the following manner.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“How can we respond to demands for reform and deal with matters that are important to all those who work for the Council, under Articles 24 and 30 of the Charter, when we are dealing with a nearly invisible body that is continuously in session behind closed doors, without any need or any objective justification for such an institution? Concerning meetings, if the note considers public meetings more important than private meetings, the many types of open meetings and public meetings and the reasons for selecting each one of them need more objective checks and definitions. We believe that an open debate, which is closer to a public debate, under rule 48 of the provisional rules of procedure, must be considered more important than debates in any other format. That has not, regretfully, been the case.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The note is not the first attempt - and will not the last - and, as stated in its introduction, it is no more than a number of measures that were previously agreed upon. To summarize, complex texts that are difficult to understand do not provide an adequate response to the issues evoked, including those contained in the Secretariat's document addressed to the Council dated 17 February 2007. That response highlights the fact that progress must be made on other elements, and a balance must be struck between the question of whether to hold informal consultations or meetings on the one hand and the type of meetings to be held on the other. Informal consultations, which take up most of our time must only be resorted to in exceptional circumstances.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The formal aspects of the note in document S/2006/507 do not undermine the importance of this debate, and, has been said, format is a twin of freedom. The note codifies practices that have been imposed since the 19905 to accommodate the changes that have taken place in the international environment and the increasing acceptance of the role of the United Nations in dispute settlement. We have therefore left behind the atmosphere of confidentiality of previous decades and established rules for announcements, statements and important briefings. There is no doubt that doing so offers a response to some of the demands of the international community, in particular after the holding of the 2005 World Summit. Despite all of that, ensuring continuous improvement means, by definition, that such efforts must be continued.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to welcome the presence of Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General, among us, and thank him for his statement. I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, and, through you, the group of five small countries, for choosing the timing of this debate and its subject. At the outset, we would like to align ourselves with the statement to be made later by the representative of Cuba on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. This is the first time since 1994 that we have held an open debate on the reform of the working methods of the Council. Such a reform would be carried out on the basis of the concept paper before us, which has accurately laid out the framework of the discussion.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“In spite of the suffering, the dire humanitarian situation and the deteriorating situation on the ground, the Council has shown itself to be incapable of agreeing on common language. My country would support any initiative whatsoever, any efforts whatsoever, aimed at reaching consensus within this Council. Here, we reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire, for a return to the status quo ante and for respect for existing resolutions and agreements.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): Like those who took the floor earlier, I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Assistant Secretary-General Mulet for their briefings. My country wishes to state its deep concern at the escalation of violence and the very high number of civilian casualties, displaced persons and refugees, as well as the large-scale destruction in the capital of South Ossetia and in other areas. Mistaken assessments or a certain short- sightedness can unfortunately lead to disasters of this nature. But when that occurs, the international community, and the Security Council in particular, must urgently shoulder their responsibilities. We see very clearly that a serious humanitarian disaster has beset the region, and the Council must focus on putting an end to it.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): What we have heard at this meeting from the representatives of the Russian Federation and of Georgia clearly demonstrates the deterioration of the situation and its serious implications for international peace and security. My country wishes to express its deepest regret at the outbreak of violence in the region. We particularly regret the large number of casualties among civilians and peacekeepers. We call for an immediate ceasefire and a return to the pre-conflict situation. We call for peaceful negotiations and an end to provocation. We express the hope that the Security Council will stand up and send a strong message commensurate with the gravity of the situation that has exploded in the region.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source