YouSaid · the spoken record

Fall

lines on the record: 769
first: 1997-09-12
most recent: 2021-12-15
sittings or episodes: 61
sources: un-security-council

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“With the signing of the Lusaka Protocol and the many initiatives that have been taken, we can acknowledge that progress has certainly been made, but the situation remains alarming, particularly in the humanitarian sphere. Guerrilla activities have exacerbated the situation in several provinces, leading to the internal displacement of more than 4 million people out of a population of 12 million. That is the sombre picture that was sketched for us this morning. Obviously, the statistics are shocking; as Mr. Oshima said in his briefing, they are among the worst in the world. Above and beyond the many difficulties currently facing the people of Angola, the restoration of peace, in our opinion, is of the essence.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“Mr. Fall (Guinea) (spoke in French): Today's meeting is most timely. My delegation welcomes the delegation from Angola led by Mr. Georges Chikoti, Vice-Minister for External Relations, and thanks Mr. Chikoti for the useful information he has provided about the situation in Angola, including its humanitarian dimensions. Our thanks go also to Mr. Kenzo Oshima for the superb work he has been doing and for the invaluable information he has shared with us today. As members know, the conflict in Angola is among the oldest crises in Africa; it may be the oldest of all. And because of its scale and its subregional dimension, it has caused profound suffering to the Angolan people.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“I wish to pay tribute to the humanitarian staff he heads for the dedicated and courageous work they are doing under what are often very dangerous and trying circumstances.”
2002-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4470 (2002) · source
“Lubbers quite rightly stressed, that refugees do not become a source of tension between States, particularly those of origin and those that receive them. The 1951 Convention essentially rests on shared responsibilities. Regrettably, the host countries continue to bear the heaviest burden, a fact which continues to be a source of concern. Ambassador Franco addressed this issue at some length earlier, and we fully share his views in that respect. Likewise, the situation of displaced persons remains a continuing source of concern. Every possible measure should be taken by the international community to restore and consolidate peace and security in countries that have just emerged from conflict and to adopt effective additional measures likely to promote national reconciliation and development. Allow me to thank Mr. Lubbers once again.”
2002-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4470 (2002) · source
“Lubbers is considering to encourage the remaining Sierra Leoneans living as refugees, inter alia, in Guinea to go home. What measures have been taken for their repatriation and reintegration within Sierra Leone? I should like to stress that Guinea, a country that hosts refugees, welcomes Mr. Lubbers" initiative of Global Consultations on an agenda for protecting refugees. In our opinion, that initiative is now necessary in order to revitalize international legal instruments aimed at protecting refugees, notably the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the better to adjust them to the current international environment and thus to ensure protection for refugees and, as Mr.”
2002-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4470 (2002) · source
“Regardless of the current increased focus on Afghanistan, as the representative of France pointed out earlier, we still feel that Africa remains a special case that must continue to enjoy focused attention. We can see that Mr. Lubbers is providing that attention and encourage him to continue to do so. While there may be real hope today for Sierra Leone, we must nevertheless continue to stress the problems of Sierra Leonean refugees, notably the resumption of their repatriation with a view to enabling them to participate in the elections scheduled for May and thus to ensuring the broadest possible participation of the Sierra Leonean people in those consultations, which are of great importance to this Council. In that connection, I wonder what specific measures Mr.”
2002-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4470 (2002) · source
“Mr. Fall (Guinea) (spoke in French): My delegation wishes in its turn to thank Mr. Lubbers for his very detailed and useful briefing. My delegation welcomes his presentation and thanks Mr. Lubbers for the regularity with which he remains in touch with our Council and of his briefings since his assumption of the leadership of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He has done well, given that issues involving refugees arise in all phases of a crisis, including in the settlement of conflicts and even in post-conflict periods. It is encouraging to note his ongoing interest in the fate of the many refugees in Africa.”
2002-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4470 (2002) · source
“The Council has just taken the innovative step of organizing a briefing on the question of the Middle East. That wise decision was implemented during your presidency, Sir, and we had a very useful exchange on recent developments in the situation in the Middle East. On the questions of procedure and documentation, the Council was not able - as Ambassador Mahbubani would have liked - to complete its work. Some progress was made. Let us hope that the Council will soon be able to reach agreement on that point. In conclusion, I would like to say once again how much my delegation has appreciated the work that you accomplished, Sir, as President during the month of January and tell you how greatly we have benefited from it.”
2002-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4466 (2002) · source
“We all agree that peace and security must be restored and consolidated in Africa so that that continent can take up the challenge of development. You deserve a great deal of credit, Sir, and my delegation would like to very warmly congratulate you. Secondly, my delegation welcomes the format of the debate that you organized on counter-terrorism. The interactive dialogue that was employed on that occasion in the discussion among members and non-members of the Council, as well as the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, was very useful. It enabled all Member States to take the pulse of and assess the remarkable work done by the Committee, and I would like to congratulate you for that, Mr. President. Another issue is the question of the Middle East.”
2002-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4466 (2002) · source
“Above all, you deserve the credit for your inspired decision to organize a public debate on the situation in Africa. That meeting, which was a great success, demonstrated the great interest that Member States have in Africa. The meeting enabled us to consolidate our respective approaches to Africa, provide diagnoses and identify current problems, as well as to share our hopes. We hope that the important elements contained in the presidential statement that resulted from that historic meeting will be duly considered and taken into account by the Secretariat, as well as by the Council itself, so that we can bolster our partnership with African institutions: the Organization of African Unity - in particular its Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution - and subregional organizations.”
2002-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4466 (2002) · source
“Mr. Fall (Guinea) (spoke in French): My delegation would like to associate itself with the good wishes that the Council has expressed for Ambassador Shen, who is leaving us, and to say how much we have appreciated his wisdom and his contribution in the work of the Council. I would like to say, Mr. President, how much my delegation has appreciated the work done by your delegation this month. My delegation has just completed its first month as a member of the Council and, thanks to your openness, we have been able to assess the course that we will be taking together. My delegation particularly appreciated the fact that, under your presidency, Sir, we discussed many issues relating to Africa - indeed, almost all of the African questions - on the Council's agenda.”
2002-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4466 (2002) · source
“Finally, at the operational level, it was decided to welcome the creation by the Economic and Social Council of an advisory group on countries emerging from conflict. That is an entirely free-form and unofficial attempt to summarize the principal political, institutional and operational conclusions.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Seventh, there was a wish for better coordination of peace efforts and initiatives in Africa, both within the United Nations system and with the OAU, regional organizations, subregional organizations and individual countries. In the eighth place, at the operational level, it was noted that there was insufficient financing of disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation operations, particularly in respect of reintegration, reinsertion and reconstruction, and it was proposed that much more stable and viable resources be given to those operations to avoid the syndrome of Liberia and Guinea-Bissau. In the ninth place, at the operational level, it was proposed that the United Nations Office in West Africa be made into an operational instrument to apply an integrated regional approach of the peace, security and development triad.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“In fifth place, as an adjunct to the previous recommendation, the desire has been expressed that the sanctions decided on be targeted and effective but respectful of the physical and social well-being of civilian populations. In that regard, the desire has been expressed that the Security Council finalize the review that it has undertaken of sanctions and their collateral effects. The sixth recommendation, at the operational level, was for the implementation of a structural cooperation mechanism between the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council and the OAU, pursuant to the Algiers Declaration on the prevention of and fight against terrorism.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“The first recommendation is the prompt implementation of the declarations and resolutions already adopted by the Security Council at earlier meetings concerning operational cooperation between the United Nations and the OAU, particularly at its meeting of December 1999 and its Summit in September 2000. The second operational recommendation is the establishment by the Security Council of a working group on Africa with a clear, action-oriented mandate. The third recommendation is that there be more Security Council visits on the ground in connection with peacekeeping operations in Africa. The fourth recommendation is the establishment of a standing mechanism for following up the application of sanctions adopted by the Security Council.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Fourthly, it has been proposed that relations of cooperation be strengthened between the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions with regard to the problems of peace, security and development in Africa. Finally, at the institutional level, it has been recommended that the OAU and subregional organizations, particularly the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution be strengthened and provided institutional, financial and material support. Following the political and institutional recommendations, there are, lastly, recommendations of an operational nature. Here I would echo those who have said that the time for action has come.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“At the political level, those are the main conclusions. Turning now to institutional aspects, the first recommendation that I would like to note relates to the request that has been made that the framework for cooperation between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council should be strengthened at the institutional level. Secondly, there has been a call for the creation of a framework for consultative cooperation between the Security Council and the Central Organ of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution and between the Security Council and such organs as exist within the subregional organizations. Thirdly, it has been proposed that a focal point be established for coordination of the multisectoral activities of the United Nations system in Africa.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Fifthly, it has been proposed - again, at the political level - that the Security Council strengthen the multidisciplinary character of its peacekeeping operations in Africa. Sixthly, it has been requested that measures be taken to end the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and that active support be given to the application of the Bamako Declaration and the Moratorium on the Import, Export and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons, adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Finally, at the political as well as the economic level, a clear majority has emerged requesting support for the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) - the most recent initiative, launched by Africans themselves, and one that the Group of Seven has already expressed willingness to support.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Secondly, it has been proposed that the Security Council play a much more proactive role with regard to matters of peace and security in Africa - in particular, that it make a more resolute and timely commitment, without selectivity and based upon mandates that provide for forces and resources in keeping with reality, along the lines of the action that the Council undertakes elsewhere. Thirdly, it has been suggested that the present culture and policy of reaction be replaced by a policy of conflict prevention. Fourthly, it has been proposed that the Security Council adopt and put into practice a comprehensive, integrated approach to the problems of peace, security and development in Africa.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“At this late hour, I am sure that the Council will understand that it is not possible for me to attempt to summarize all of these categories. For that reason, I will confine myself - in line with the guidelines provided beforehand by your delegation, Mr. President- to the conclusions containing specific proposals for the improvement of the Security Council's action in Africa. One could look at those conclusions from three different perspectives: the political, the institutional and the operational. With regard to the political dimension, the first conclusion that can be drawn is the unanimous agreement that has emerged calling for the speedy implementation of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Millennium Declaration relating to Africa.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“The discussion that we have been participating in since yesterday has been extremely informative. Generally speaking, four types of statement can be identified. In the first category were general statements on the situation in Africa - those pertaining to the continent as a whole or to particular regions, such as East Africa or the area covered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or the Mano River Union area. Along with that group of statements was a second set relating essentially to national policies with regard to Africa. A third category pertained to the action of the Security Council in Africa. Finally, there was a fourth series of statements containing proposals for initiatives for future Security Council action.”
2002-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption2 (2002) · source
“The results achieved by the international community to date testify to the resolve of all to combat and eliminate terrorism. To achieve that objective, the cooperation of all States is necessary. In conclusion, allow me to thank Ambassador Navarrete for the quality of his contribution to the work of the Council. His soothing voice, full of wisdom, will be missed by the Council, and we wish him every success in the pursuit of his career.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In the context of assistance to be provided to States, my delegation welcomes the forthcoming establishment of a source list of consultative and specialized services in the field of legislative and administrative practices, as envisaged in resolution 1373 (2001). Special attention is to be given to the States that have the greatest need for assistance in the development of their initial reports. In this regard, we encourage the prompt establishment of a special trust fund. My delegation appreciates the procedure laid out by the Committee with regard to reviewing the initial reports submitted by Member States. We believe that the procedure thus proposed, and the experience drawn from it in reviewing initial reports, will contribute to improving the future work of the Committee.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“My delegation, while welcoming the appointment of experts, wishes to encourage the representation of all regions within the group of experts, as this would foster an understanding of the problems experienced by States of different regions. We welcome also the cooperation of various entities with the Committee. My delegation would also suggest that the Committee strengthen its cooperation with regional organizations, as the rigorous implementation of regional instruments against terrorism could benefit the work of the Committee. I would like to associate myself with the message of thanks to Sir Jeremy Greenstock for the very encouraging information he gave us this morning on this subject in response to a question by Ambassador Ryan.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The dedication and personal commitment of Sir Jeremy, as well as the transparency with which he reports to representatives of Member States and other institutions on the activities of the Committee, are ample testimony of his resolve to cooperate with all parties in discharging the mandate entrusted to the Committee. We encourage the Committee to continue its work and assure it of the full support of the Guinean delegation. We must now forge ahead and increasingly focus on the assessments resulting from the review of the various reports of Member States and, when possible, make the most of comparative advantages on all sides, in order to harmonize activities in the common fight against terrorism.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The elaboration of rules relating to the work of the Committee, the provision to Member States of the necessary guidelines needed for the preparation of national reports, the publication of a list of contacts, the drawing up, in cooperation with the Secretary-General, of a roster of experts in areas relevant to the work of the Committee, and the submission to date of numerous reports by Member States, demonstrate once again the will of the Committee and of Member States fully to cooperate on this matter. My delegation wishes to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and to the other members of the Committee, for the high calibre of the programme of work presented.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Guinea believes that terrorism poses a threat to international peace and security and it fully associates itself with the efforts under way to combat and eradicate it. Guinea welcomes the victorious struggle waged by the United States against the Al-Qaeda network and its sponsors, the Taliban. It believes that effective and vigorous measures must be taken by all States effectively to combat international terrorism. That is why my country unreservedly supports the provisions contained in the resolutions of the Security Council adopted since the deadly attacks of 11 September, in particular resolution 1373 (2001), and calls on all States fully to implement them. My delegation wishes to congratulate the Counter-Terrorism Committee which, since its inception, has done outstanding work.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Fall (Guinea) (spoke in French): Like Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani, I wish to congratulate you, Mr. President, for having chosen the format of this meeting, which has enabled States that are not members of the Council to participate actively in this interactive dialogue with the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. Allow me also to thank those delegations that have reiterated their congratulations to us and expressed their support as Guinea takes its seat in the Council. Let us recall that, immediately following the tragic events of 11 September 2001, the international community made clear its resolve to wage a battle against terrorism. The spontaneous reaction of the General Assembly and the Security Council clearly indicates that the time has finally come to tackle with growing determination the scourge of terrorism.”
2002-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4453Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity, following the members of the Security Council and on behalf of the Secretary-General, to pay tribute to President Alpha Oumar Konare's chairmanship of ECOWAS. On behalf of the Secretary-General, I can bear witness to the fact that he has made partnership with the United Nations a day-to-day reality. We appreciate his vision and initiatives, but especially his dynamism, availability and sense of efficiency and collaboration and, above all, the important successes he has achieved at the head of ECOWAS in the peace process, with regard to the movement of weapons and in strengthening economic integration in West Africa. It is on that note, on behalf of the Secretary-General, that I would like to conclude my statement.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“I can confirm that this is the approach that has been followed since the beginning, because - apart from the fact that ECOWAS was a member of the inter-agency mission in West Africa - the report of the mission has shown that the action of the future United Nations Office in West Africa will involve a partnership with ECOWAS. The partnership will serve as a kind of matrix to measure the success of the Office, particularly with a view to strengthening the capacities of the ECOWAS secretariat. The penultimate question concerns the interaction between the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. I believe that I have already referred to that.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“The Security Council had envisaged a joint meeting between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. I believe that initiative is still on the table, and one hopes that within the context of the mechanism that you have considered putting into place, Mr. President, it might be possible for West Africa to test this kind of inter-agency coordination within the United Nations system. In addition, a proposal was made that the partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should be the guiding factor of the work of the Office.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“However, the Secretariat is sending a mission to the area in January to contact authorities with a View to the imminent establishment of the Tribunal, inter alia. In a second question, it was suggested that for a future debate on West Africa, a report be prepared by the Secretariat indicating the application of the recommendations and evaluating the actions initiated. The Secretariat has noted this recommendation and will do its utmost to prepare an interim report. Thirdly, it was suggested that natural resources and development issues be integrated with peace and security issued. The Council will remember that the report of the inter-agency mission had been moving in that direction, and that is why the Council decided that the reports should be submitted to the Economic and Social Council as well.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Another financing question was raised with regard to the problem of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and peace-building. I can only reiterate the recommendations of the inter-agency mission, and the observations made throughout this debate, concerning the importance of strengthening significantly the financial aspect of reintegration in DDR. Finally, a last financing problem concerns the Tribunal and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Sierra Leone. The Council will recall that, for good reasons, it was decided to finance both the Tribunal in Sierra Leone and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission through voluntary contributions. Today, one must acknowledge that the funds are insufficient to permit the launching of those two institutions.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“At this late hour, I shall try to confine myself to certain of the comments that have been made. I ask the indulgence of Council members in advance. With regard to substantive matters, the question was asked whether the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa would be financed from the regular budget of the United Nations or, implicitly, on the basis of voluntary contributions. I would like to respond that in the current state of affairs it is on the basis of the regular budget of the Organization. The draft budget has already come before the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, and the Secretariat hopes that the General Assembly, through its Fifth Committee, will give its consent to the financing of the Office.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Finally, my country encourages the involvement of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone in organizing the forthcoming elections there with a view to enabling that country to finally re-establish lasting peace. In conclusion, my delegation would like once against to reiterate the willingness of the Government of Guinea to provide full support for the various initiatives aimed at transforming West Africa into a zone of peace, security and cooperation.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Furthermore, my country is following very closely the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme in Sierra Leone. While welcoming the encouraging progress made in this area, my delegation would like to encourage the international community to provide full support for this process. Peace-building does, indeed, depend on that. As you are aware, Mr. President, the absence of a genuine policy of national reconciliation and the failure of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme in Liberia, with the consequent proliferation and uncontrolled circulation of weapons, have resulted in new fighting, including in Sierra Leone and, recently, along the border of the countries of the Mano River Union.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“As a result of a civil society initiative, a constructive dialogue has begun among the leaders of the three countries. The forthcoming meeting between the heads of State of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will, we hope, enable the following objectives to be attained: first, the restoration of trust among the three Governments; secondly, the neutralization of rebel groups operating in the subregion; and, thirdly, the re-launching of the activities of the Mano River Union. However, to back up the encouraging results in the Mano River area, my delegation would like the Council to continue to monitor the situation carefully. In this context, the Council should give special attention to the recommendations contained in the report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia, in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1343 (2001).”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“We believe that the elaboration of a comprehensive United Nations framework plan to help in developing the region, including a strategic plan of action for peace-building and recovery in our countries, is an absolute necessity. An emergency plan could be implemented to provide massive aid for reconstructing countries devastated by war and those that have suffered particularly from the consequences of conflict. My delegation would like to stress the leading role of ECOWAS in preventing and resolving conflict in the subregion. In Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea- Bissau, ECOWAS and its intervention force, the Monitoring Group, have certainly made a considerable contribution to resolving crises. Today, the Mano River area is a source of serious concern to us. Significant progress has been made over the past few months, however.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“We support the idea of effectively taking into account national and subregional problems in programming strategies as this will facilitate the preparation of comprehensive programmes. The preparation of coherent strategies requires greater cooperation between, on the one hand, Governments and entities within the United Nations system and, on the other, the United Nations system, ECOWAS and other subregional organizations. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the imminent opening of the United Nations Office for West Africa. This new partnership will certainly provide another United Nations point of support, which can strengthen the Organization's cooperation with ECOWAS and the main actors working to resolve conflict and establish good governance in the subregion.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“That is why my country welcomed with great interest the Secretary- General's initiative to send an inter-agency mission to the subregion. The mission was led by Mr. Ibrahima Fall, whose presence here today I would like to welcome. The mission submitted a series of very relevant recommendations for the preservation of peace and security in West Africa. These have enabled us to identify the subregion's real needs for lasting peace. We would like to support the recommendations in the Fall report, particularly those relating to readjustment of the various mechanisms for drawing up the different strategies and policies of the United Nations system and to creation of a mechanism for systematic and regular consultations between the various agencies in the United Nations system.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“From Liberia, through Guinea-Bissau to Sierra Leone - to mention just the most serious crises - West Africa has, for more than 10 years, been prey to the consequences of many conflicts. Other conflict situations, latent or known, persist that are also a cause for concern. These conflicts have severely tested subregional equilibrium, resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, led to major destruction of infrastructure and forced hundreds of thousands of people into exile. They have slowed the pace of socio-economic integration, which the States of the subregion had embarked upon under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). We no longer have to demonstrate that these conflicts are subregional in scope. It now appears that only a comprehensive approach can preserve peace, security and harmony in West Africa.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Mr. Fall (Guinea) (spoke in French): My delegation is pleased in many ways at seeing you, Sir, presiding over the Security Council for this month of December. I would like to assure you of the full cooperation of my delegation. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate your predecessor, Ambassador Patricia Durrant, for the outstanding work accomplished during her presidency last month. The delegation of Guinea is grateful to you, Mr. President, for having put the situation in West Africa on the Council's agenda today. We believe that consideration of this issue is very timely, since that part of Africa, long considered an area of peace and social harmony, has become the arena for a cycle of conflict that has affected the entire subregion.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Let us hope that the United Nations will be a catalyst for international cooperation and assistance for this new African renaissance.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to say that through the West Africa initiative, the Secretary-General, the Security Council and United Nations at large have embarked on a new approach to the action of the United Nations system in Africa, in line with the global trend towards regional cooperation with regard to security, economic development and peace, both at the level of the subregions of West, Central, East and North Africa and that of the entire continent. I am pleased to point out that the initiative for West Africa is beginning precisely when the continent itself is transforming the Organization of African Unity into the African Union and has decided to undertake its action within the framework of a New Partnership for Africa's Development.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“We are also encouraged by the fact that the Bretton Woods institutions and the bilateral donors have shown their willingness to cooperate with the Office. The World Bank has recently developed an integrated development strategy for West Africa with the participation of the countries concerned. The Task Force on the West African Subregion recently held preliminary discussions with several other potential partners for the implementation of the mandate of the Office for West Africa.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“As noted in the terms of reference of the letter sent to the Council by the Secretary-General, the Office will develop and implement its mandate taking duly into account the specific mandates of the agencies of the United Nations as well as the peacekeeping operations in the subregion. As noted in the report of the inter-agency mission, the Office will also serve as an interface for cooperation with partners outside Africa and West Africa. The decision of the European Union to name a special envoy of the President for the Mano River Union, and its decision to devise a regional strategy for West Africa, show clearly that the European Union reaffirms its commitment to this regional approach.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Preparations for this Office have already been taking shape. In fact, as I speak, a two-person mission is in Dakar to try to resolve logistical problems in the implementation of the decision to establish the Office. It is to be established as of the beginning of 2002, with an initial mandate of three years, subject to review after one year of operation. The Office will be financed, if the General Assembly agrees, from the regular budget of the Organization. The mandate of the Office implies for the United Nations a questioning of the methods and practices applied, whose main fault is that they consider countries individually, not the subregion. This is why the Office will undoubtedly encounter some difficulties and will need the constant support of the Security Council.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“It called for assistance for information exchange and analysis and also the establishment of a joint mission of good offices between the United Nations and ECOWAS. Lastly, ECOWAS would like assistance from the United Nations to train its troops for peacekeeping operations. In light of all these challenges, we can now better understand the importance of the Secretary-General's decision to establish the United Nations Office for West Africa. This Office, which will be the first of its kind, will be responsible for strengthening relations with the United Nations system and coherence in its work in the subregion. It should also serve as a focal point for liaison and assist ECOWAS and the Mano River Union with a View to considering the use of good offices and the special roles that they can play in the countries of the subregion.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“This is why the Secretary-General has envisaged the establishment of a post of Special Adviser on Human Rights in the framework of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for West Africa, to ensure that human rights issues will be an integral part of all initiatives in West Africa, and, in particular, in the area of conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution. The last problem concerns support to the secretariats of ECOWAS and the Mano River Union. The talks that we have had with the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS have clearly indicated the needs of ECOWAS. Indeed, as regards conflict prevention, ECOWAS is calling for cooperation with the United Nations in the development of its conflict-prevention mechanisms, for its headquarters as well as its early rapid warning systems.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“The same should apply to Sierra Leone, but we prefer to draw the Council's attention to the need to find the necessary funding for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Tribunal for conducting trials regarding flagrant human rights violations. The fifth issue that concerns us is the humanitarian situation. I have already devoted enough time to this to be able to simply note that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has recently launched a Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for West Africa, which seeks $160 million to confront the humanitarian situation in 2002. We hope that the Council will echo this appeal so as to elicit greater support from the international community. As for the issue of human rights, the questions taken up in the report of 2 May continue to pose serious problems.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source