YouSaid · the spoken record

Fulci

lines on the record: 496
first: 1994-02-14
most recent: 1999-09-11
sittings or episodes: 74
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

“We know that a good-will coalition is already in the making, at the initiative of Australia. As the Italian Prime Minister announced yesterday, Italy stands ready to make its contribution to this endeavour. But for the Council to act swiftly, the consent of Indonesia is urgently needed. Given the gravity of the situation, Italy adds its voice to the strong appeal of the Secretary-General and many Member States for this consent to be given. One final word: we firmly believe that all those who have ordered or perpetrated atrocities in East Timor should be brought to justice by the Indonesian authorities. Everybody - everybody on every corner of this planet - must be aware that the culture of impunity no longer exists.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source
“It was the United Nations that acted as a guarantor of this referendum. It is now the United Nations - and specifically the Security Council, to whom we have delegated primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security - that must help to restore peace and order in East Timor. It can be done. Faced by the risk of a similar tragedy, this Council on Good Friday of two years ago authorized in less than 24 hours the dispatch to Albania of a multinational force set up by a coalition of the willing. At that time, an enormous potential humanitarian disaster was averted, thanks to that swift action of the Security Council. A similar prompt initiative is needed now. Inaction or late action by the Council would further undermine the credibility of this vital institution in the eyes of the people of the world.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Their impact on civil and human conscience is enormous. These images immediately recall similar scenes in Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo. A great country like Indonesia, with its long tradition of tolerance and solidarity, cannot, simply cannot, allow these atrocities against innocent and defenceless civilians to continue. Action to stop them is needed now, immediately. Like many others, we make a strong appeal to our Indonesian friends to allow basic humanitarian considerations to prevail over all else. But we also appeal to the international community. It cannot remain indifferent and powerless before the tragic events in East Timor. The time has come for the United Nations to act. It was the United Nations-brokered Agreement of 5 May that led to a democratic and free referendum.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Mr. Fulci: First of all, allow me to express to you my sincere congratulations for assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of September, and allow me to wish you all the best in your very delicate endeavour. Italy subscribes totally and strongly to the statement made by the Representative of Finland, Ambassador Rasi, on behalf of the European Union. Like many previous speakers, we are grateful to you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting, also as a proof to the world that the Council acts in full transparency when faced with major crises. I have asked for the floor to testify to the deep emotions and sense of horror that the massacres under way in East Timor have stirred in all Italians. Day after day, images of brutality, murder, arson and looting are invading our homes through the small screen.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Italy strongly urges the cooperation of all States, international and national organizations, relevant United Nations bodies and civil society in stepping up their efforts to that end. After all, we must never forget that children are the future of humanity: our own future.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Fourthly, since 1994, as has been recalled today, a working group at the United Nations has been studying a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child that would set 18 as the minimum age for involvement in hostilities. This draft protocol should at long last be finalized, opened for signature and ratified as soon as possible. Finally, for the effective protection of children from the risk of mines, we need a complete ban on anti- personnel landmines, strengthened financial assistance for demining operations, mine-awareness programmes that teach children to avoid mines, and rehabilitation and assistance programmes for children injured and maimed by mines. The scourge of children in wars must be eradicated, and eradicated immediately.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“In this context, we strongly hope that the final statute of the international criminal court, which is currently being negotiated in Rome, will include a provision bringing within the jurisdiction of that court the crime of using children in hostilities. T hirdly, in peace agreements and in peace-building, we need to give high priority to the problems of children and to the need to integrate them into civil society. Substantial - not nominal - financial and human resources should be earmarked by the donor community for humanitarian aid and assistance to children who are victims of war for their demobilization and rehabilitation after the conflict.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“We dare to propose the following measures, whose immediate implementation would greatly contribute, we believe, to the defence of children. First, we should raise to an even greater extent the awareness of public opinion and let the world know where, how and by whom these horrible crimes of exploitation of innocent children are committed. Every case in which a warlord presses children into conflict must be denounced and exposed. We need in particular to mobilize the media: believe me, a special report on the little screen in our houses can often do more good than dozens of conferences or workshops on the issue. Secondly, we must urge the immediate demobilization of all active soldiers younger than 18; the adoption of measures to achieve this goal would send an important signal to the international community.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“In particular, it has stressed that it believes, in the light of the definition of the child and the principle of the best interests of the child, that no child under the age of 18 should ever be allowed to be involved in hostilities, either directly or indirectly. I believe that it is high time that everyone fully complies with these very precise and binding provisions. We very much welcome the adoption of a presidential statement by the Security Council on children affected by armed conflict. It will certainly send a strong and unequivocal message to Governments, to armed bands and warlords, and to world public opinion on the relevance of the problem and the need to find an urgent solution. Most of all - and here I agree entirely with Special Representative Olara Otunnu - what we need most of all is to move from words to action.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Under that article, States parties are required to respect and to ensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflicts; take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not attained the age of 15 years do not take a direct part in hostilities; refrain from recruiting under-15-year-olds into their armed forces; give priority to the oldest in recruiting any 15-to-18-year-olds; and take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict. Building on these provisions, the Geneva-based Committee on the Rights of the Child has emphasized in its jurisprudence that the effects of armed conflict on children should be considered in the framework of all the articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Furthermore, in the wake of wars children are exposed to the dangers of landmines and thousands of unexploded devices, sometimes disguised to look like toys - like butterflies or pineapples. As was mentioned earlier, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in the last 10 years alone 2 million children have been killed in wars, 6 million maimed, 12 million left homeless. Is this not a modern-day "massacre of the innocents"? The problem of children in war is dealt with extensively in article 38 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Sometimes a combination of poverty and fear leads families to offer their children to warring groups: their "paycheck" often goes straight to the family. At other times children become soldiers simply to survive; with no centre to their lives, they come to see the various armed factions as a sort of family. In their forced exodus from conflict areas, huge waves of refugees and displaced persons have a deep physical and emotional impact on children, who are the more vulnerable in such events - the first to suffer and the first to die. They often have to walk for days at a time without food or water, while refugee camps are all too often characterized by high levels of violence, abuse and untold humiliation and suffering.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Machel and to strongly support the role of Ambassador Olara Otunnu as United Nations Special Representative in defence of children affected by war. For centuries, maybe millennia, during war and other armed conflicts children have been exposed to all forms of Violence. In the past these used to be considered the unfortunate but inevitable side-effects of war. However, they have now taken on new and even more horrifying characteristics: more and more children have become involved directly in wars as combatants, deliberately recruited for this purpose by Governments, armed groups or warlords. Some are impressed into the army; others are kidnapped from their families; still others are forced to enlist in order to defend their families. Many children are picked up off the street, or from schools or orphanages.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“I would be remiss if I did not equally acknowledge the very impressive and magnificent role played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ambassador Olara Otunnu, in raising public awareness of the tragedy of the children soldiers. Ambassador Otunnu is carrying on in the distinguished tradition of Mrs. Graca Machel, who brought the gravity of the phenomenon in all its dimensions to the attention of the world in her well-known 1996 study on the impact of armed conflict on children, which was presented that same year to the General Assembly. It remains the most thorough and up-to-date study of the phenomenon. I should like once again to take this opportunity to thank Mrs.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“It was here in the Security Council, in January 1996, that I heard for the first time a detailed account of the tragic phenomenon of child soldiers. It was when the current Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, then Permanent Representative of the United States, delivered a very strong and passionate statement upon her return from Liberia. Mrs. Albright described the plight of Liberian children in the following terms: "The era of the child soldier in Liberia must come to an end immediately. It is an outrage by any standard of civilization that children under the age of 15, numbering between 4,000 and 6,000, are toting automatic weapons, slaughtering innocent civilians and ignoring the rule of law. They have no identity other than through the weapon they carry." [S/PV.3621, p.5] These words could not be more timely today.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“I would like, however, to add some considerations not only as the Permanent Representative of Italy, but also as one of the 10 elected, independent members of a Committee which sits in Geneva three times a year to monitor the implementation of the international Convention on the Rights of the Child. Today, thanks especially to your own efforts and sensitivity, Mr. President, the Security Council has a unique opportunity to discuss how the world can protect children affected by armed conflict and ensure compliance with the too-often-challenged obligations enshrined in article 38 of that Convention, which is - allow me to remind the Council - even more universal than the Charter of the United Nations, having been signed by 193 countries and ratified by 191.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Allow me first of all to express the grief of my Government, and my own personal sorrow, at the tragic death last Friday of a dear friend, Maitre Alioune Blondin Beye, former Foreign Minister of Mali and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Angola, and at the deaths of five of his colleagues and two members of the aeroplane crew. Maitre Blondin Beye and the United Nations officers accompanying him gave their lives, under the flag of the United Nations, for the cause of peace and a better future for all the people of Africa. They deserve our highest tribute and immense gratitude. Italy fully endorses the statement delivered by Sir John Weston on behalf of the European Union.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“We share the Secretary-General's assessment that this progress is still fragile, and therefore the Mission's engagement in Bosnia will be needed for a long period to come. In this regard, we agree that future security arrangements should be carefully considered since they impact on the IPTF's ability to function effectively. Italy fully supports the draft resolution before the Council, which it co-sponsored. To conclude, allow me to assure the Council that my country will continue its commitment to contribute to international efforts aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region as a whole.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“The Council is in the process of renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is playing a crucial role in stabilizing the country, especially the restructuring of law enforcement institutions, through the International Police Task Force (IPTF), to which Italy already contributes personnel and to which it intends to allocate additional funding. In the context of the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia, the IPTF has the essential function of reassuring the civilian population and paving the way toward national reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. We welcome the Secretary- General's intention to expand the Force's areas of operation to key public security issues, such as financial crime, smuggling and corruption, and judicial reform. The IPTF's activities are of a long-term nature.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“These criteria should be applied to every aspect of the peace process, such as respect for human rights - how fundamental is respect for human rights, especially there - the return of refugees, media restructuring, and the fight against corruption. Another essential aspect of the peace process is full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. It is our strong hope that the parties will translate their commitments into effective and concrete collaboration.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“Italy, which is contributing many troops to SFOR, will certainly continue to play its part, also in the eventual multinational follow-up force. My country is one of the major contributors of emergency assistance and reconstruction aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We believe that an effective use of reconstruction funds may prove crucial to fostering and consolidating peace. Aid must be used as a catalyst to ensure genuine reconciliation. Economic assistance should also be seen as a way to encourage democratization in the whole region. Conditionality does not mean penalizing or discriminating against one or another party: it means encouraging everyone to take a positive attitude towards the peace process.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“The maintenance of an international military presence in Bosnia after the Stabilization Force (SFOR) mandate expires in June 1998 is essential to ensuring security and stability in Bosnia and the region. Italy therefore welcomes the consensus that is emerging on this need. We are ready to work with our partners on identifying the best possible options. We believe that a presence led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continues to be necessary and must have as broad a participation of countries as possible. In this regard, we warmly welcome the announcement made yesterday by President Clinton that the United States will keep its troops in Bosnia. Let me also stress that nobody, nobody can deny the extent of Europe's current commitment, both in military and economic terms.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“In this context, respect for human rights and the rule of law are the basis for all societies that intend to grow towards prosperity and development. We trust that the parties will commit themselves to protecting and promoting these basic rights and be firmly committed to ensuring respect for them in every sector of society. Secondly, fostering good relations with and between neighbouring countries is crucial to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. But special relationships between the entities and other countries should be in full compliance with the Dayton Agreement. In this context, I would like to recall Italy's assistance to the Bosnian Presidency of the Central European Initiative in 1997, which only a few weeks ago successfully organized this year's summit in Sarajevo.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“In this respect, we note that, thanks also to the action of the High Representative, earlier this week the Bosnian parliament adopted two of the three laws agreed upon in Bonn. We also welcome the provisional entering into effect of the law on citizenship. In our view, improvements are needed in the following areas. First, the common institutions must function properly. The elections held in Bosnia since 1996 have favoured a trend toward a more pluralistic political scenario. Consequently, the enhancement of political, civil and media freedom, and the establishment of pluralism in opinions and political parties must become priority objectives. The ultimate goal should be political stabilization through a continuing series of democratic elections supervised by the international community.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“Italy associates itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union by the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg. We strongly support the conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference held in Bonn from 9 to 10 December 1997, which sets the stage for further progress in the peace process in Bosnia. Since the last Peace Implementation Conference in London, and thanks also to the tireless efforts of the High Representative and his office, it is fair to say that progress has been made. To consolidate these achievements and make the peace process irreversible, the international community should take a careful look at the future. It is now up to the parties to show renewed determination to respect the conunitments they have freely entered into, and work toward the full stabilization of the country and the region.”
1997-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3842Resumption (1997) · source
“Through them, these officers and soldiers, the ideals of peace and solidarity of the Charter become a reality for millions of people throughout the world. We owe them all a lasting debt of gratitude. The next speaker inscribed on my list is the representative of Turkey. I invite him to take a seat at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“My thanks also go to all the other members of the Security Council for their earnest commitment in authorizing and monitoring the operation, particularly Ambassador Dejammet of France, whose country was one of the major contributors to the force and whose delegation played such an essential role in the Council's deliberations and in keeping the Council informed. And, of course, my sincere congratulations go to our colleague Ambassador Kulla of Albania, who, throughout these trying times for his country, always followed the process here in New York with calm, expertise and diplomatic skill. However, our work here would produce few or no results were it not for the bravery and dedication of the officers and soldiers who risk their lives daily in the field of peacekeeping activities.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“I wish to reiterate my country's sincere gratitude to the 10 other States and Governments that cooperated so effectively for the positive outcome of this operation, and express our profound, sincere appreciation to the Council Presidents, who fully grasped the urgency of the situation at critical moments: Ambassador Wlosowicz of Poland; Ambassador Monteiro of Portugal; Ambassador Park of the Republic of Korea; Ambassador Lavrov of the Russian Federation; Ambassador Osvald of Sweden; and of course you, Mr. President.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“To that end, as has been recalled in previous statements, in May and July we convened two preparatory conferences in Rome, chaired personally by our Foreign Minister, Mr. Dini, in which international financial institutions, the main donors, and all the other international organizations involved took part. These conferences will be followed by a ministerial meeting in Rome this coming fall, and later by a donors' conference in Brussels. We are confident that, with the support of the international community, Albania will show the necessary determination to be fully reintegrated into the European family, to which it belongs by geography, history and culture.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“On the multilateral level, we will act within the framework of the international organizations already involved, the international financial institutions, and the many non- governmental organizations which have already begun to help Albania meet its challenges: let us not forget the non-governmental organizations, which always play such an important role in such situations. On the bilateral level, the Italian Government has established an ad hoc committee, composed of the relevant administrations involved in assistance to Albania and chaired by Commissioner Angioni, to coordinate all bilateral initiatives aimed at the social and economic recovery of the country, giving priority to public education, the health and judicial systems, the promotion of trade, and the fostering of small to medium-size businesses.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“The major multilateral and bilateral donors are working together effectively to help the Albanians stabilize the economy, creating the conditions for sound, sustainable growth. But economic growth alone will not bring about stability and progress: the country's administration and democratic institutions must also be strengthened, as we have learned from recent events. Special consideration should also be given to the most vulnerable segments of the Albanian population, in particular the children, who are the future of the country - who are the future of all our countries - and for whom appropriate assistance programmes must be urgently adopted. Italy pledges to continue to extend a helping hand to support the rehabilitation of its Adriatic neighbour.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“Consequently, as our colleague from Guinea-Bissau has already noted, Albania can be considered another United Nations success story, like Mozambique, Cambodia, El Salvador and Haiti. From this point forward, Albania is entering a second, no less difficult, phase: it must address long-term national reconciliation, the rehabilitation of State institutions, economic reform, and reconstruction. Nobody can deny that the primary responsibility for Albania's future lies with the Albanian people and the Albanian authorities. But their efforts will be to no avail if the international community falls short in offering badly-needed assistance during this new phase. We seem to be off to a good start.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“The sixth factor was the comprehensive and ongoing integration of the political, military and humanitarian aspects of the entire operation. Last but not least was the total, absolute respect by the force for its mandate regarding complete neutrality and impartiality towards the Albanian political forces, and regarding refraining from any kind of police activities, no matter how difficult this proved at times. In short, on this occasion there was strict compliance with the three golden rules of the updated peacekeeping doctrine: request and consent of the legitimate Government; absolute impartiality of the peacekeepers; and no recourse to weapons by peacekeepers except in self-defence.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“Representatives of the United Nations and its related agencies, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Western European Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross all attended as observers. Thus, all the contributing countries and the international organizations involved could interact and make common decisions in real time, always based on consensus - and I underline this point, which I think is very important. The steering committee also prepared the 11 bi-weekly reports mandated by the Security Council, thus providing prompt and thorough information concerning the activities of the force. Fifthly, definite limits were placed on the time-frame of the operation from the outset, with a sunset clause that was fully respected.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“The third factor was the rapid planning and deployment of the multinational protection force. I am proud to say that it took the Italian general staff only four days from the adoption of the resolution to submit the operational guidelines to other participating countries, while at the same time an advance mission landed in Albania. Two weeks later the first contingents of the multinational protection force were deployed in the field. Fourthly, there was intense and in-depth political consultation and coordination among the participating countries, giving the force the necessary guidance from the outset. A steering committee was established, and it met weekly in Rome under the chairmanship of Ambassador Amedeo de Franchis. It consisted of the political directors of the 11 troop-contributing countries and the commander of the force.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“I dare say that if the international community had acted with the same speed and determination in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Great Lakes region, thousands of lives would probably have been spared and immense suffering and destruction prevented. In our opinion, several factors contributed to the positive outcome of the Albanian operation. Some of them were innovative and could prove useful in the planning and conduct of similar activities in the future. First was the unity of intent shown by a group of countries to get involved immediately in a risky but necessary operation. Secondly, there was decisive action by the Security Council, which on 28 March 1997 approved the mandate for the force in one day, within 12 hours of the Albanian authorities' request. I believe that that is a record for this body.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“The economic situation had plummeted with the collapse of the so-called pyramid schemes, which devastated the savings of thousands of families. A humanitarian emergency was encroaching by the day. Arms depots were looted, and the civilian population came to be heavily armed. Common crime was rampant, and more so after the collapse of the prison system. There was imminent risk of a spillover of the crisis to neighbouring countries. Thanks to the decisiveness and rapidity of the international community's action, the situation was contained and has been reversed, and 3.5 million Albanians are now back on the road towards normality, internal security and, hopefully, economic and social rehabilitation.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“In retrospect, this positive outcome stemmed from two key elements: the determination of a group of countries - the "coalition of the willing" - to act swiftly to restore a situation of normalcy in Albania, even at the risk of the lives of their troops: and the equally swift deliberations of the Security Council, in the presence of Secretary-General Kofi Annan - who, representatives may remember, went twice to Albania to instill urgency and who gave the Italian authorities invaluable advice on the conduct of the operation during his visit to Rome. We cannot forget that when the decision was made to start the operation, the Government was losing control over the territory, with the country sliding towards anarchy.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“This deserves mention because I think it was a major element in the success. The process was monitored by the OSCE, and culminated in the election of a new Parliament and the formation of a new Government. The elections were a crucial step on the road to the stability and national reconciliation of the country; they strengthened democratization and gave confidence back to Albanians.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“The multinational protection force - authorized by Security Council resolutions 1101 (1997) and 1114 (1997) - closely cooperated with the Albanian authorities, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other major international organizations, including the United Nations and its related agencies, to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. The force facilitated the safe and prompt delivery of humanitarian assistance and helped create a secure environment for the missions of international organizations. Moreover, the multinational protection force provided the security framework needed for the Albanian elections; this was made possible through the relentless shuttle diplomacy of President Vranitzky, the special envoy of the Danish Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“First of all let me say that Italy fully endorses the statement that will be made by the distinguished Permanent Representative of Luxembourg, Ambassador Jean-Louis Wolzfeld, on behalf of the European Union and associated countries. On 11 August, the commander of the multinational protection force, General Forlani, left Albanian soil, completing the withdrawal of the contingents of the 11 countries which participated in Operation Alba. A total of 7,215 men were deployed, more than half of them Italian. They carried out 1,698 missions. Under the force's protection, 5,168 tons of food and 339 tons of medicine were distributed.”
1997-08-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3811 (1997) · source
“Needless to say, I express the sincere thanks of the Government and people of Italy to all the countries that have joined in this action of good will, and to all their soldiers on the ground. Without the soldiers and their daily commitment and sacrifice, the concept of international solidarity in emergencies such as this would remain empty words.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“President, by expressing my warmest thanks to you personally and to all the members of the Council for the positive and swift decisions made both on 28 March and today, proving how effective this body can be in promoting peace and stability in the world, in line with the noble principles and ideals envisioned in the Charter. I also wish to thank in particular the Permanent Representative of France, Ambassador Alain Dejammet, for having so ably and so eloquently presented to the Security Council the views and the needs of the countries participating in the multinational protection force. I also wish to commend the actions of the Permanent Representative of Albania, Ambassador Kulla, who has worked tirelessly in and around this Chamber to alleviate the plight of his country in these trying times.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“Needless to say, this will have to include the mobilization of resources from the donor community and close coordination between the donors, the international financial institutions and the Albanian authorities. The key to effectiveness and early response in this crisis has been intense and in-depth consultation and coordination. The initial decision to create a Steering Committee in Rome, in which all the countries contributing to the force and the international organizations involved could interact and make common decisions in real time, once a week, was a tool contributing to the success of the entire operation. We believe it provides an example to be followed for similar occurrences in the future. I conclude, Mr.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“In short, it will be the Albanian people's first step towards taking charge, once again, of their own destiny. Of course, the achievement of this goal will not mean the end of either the economic emergency or the need for a sustained international commitment in Albania. The country will still be faced with a number of economic, financial and social difficulties that will need to be addressed in order to put the country safely back on the road to peace, development and progress. A preparatory meeting for a donor conference took place in Rome on 26 May, under the chairmanship of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamberto Dini. A ministerial conference will be convened, again in Rome, after the Albanian elections to assess the progress in Albania and provide guidance for future international action.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“For Italy, Operation Alba represented an extraordinary commitment of men and resources. Our leadership of a force of 6,115 men, our contingents in other parts of the Balkans, and the initiatives that my country supported and will continue to support are testimony to our commitment to both the security of a nation with whom we have ties of friendship and history, and the stability of the entire region. Operation Alba will hopefully be concluded in six weeks. We welcome the OSCE'S decision of yesterday, 18 June, to support the Albanian decision to hold new parliamentary elections on 29 June. We are confident that these elections will be a crucial step on the road out of the Albanian crisis and towards a period of rehabilitation and reconstruction.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“These two elements were crucial to achieving the goals contained in the mandate: in humanitarian terms, the return to a situation of normalcy; in security terms, first, as I said earlier, the containment of a rapidly deteriorating situation, and secondly, a steady, gradual return to law and order, allowing international organizations to carry on their operations in Albania. The multinational protection force has been a constant and highly visible point of reference for Albanian institutions and for all the citizens of Albania, helping to restore a climate of greater trust. Judging from other crisis areas where the international community was unable to respond with equal speed and determination, it is not hard to imagine what the Albanian situation might have been today if the Council and the force had not promptly intervened.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“In so doing, the draft resolution also rightly underlines the fact that the mandate of the force has been carried out and implemented, in close cooperation with the Albanian authorities, in a neutral and impartial way and, I would add, with the utmost precision. The multinational protection force has conformed in every respect and detail to the dispositions contained in resolution 1101 (1997). Six comprehensive and detailed bi-monthly reports were punctually submitted to the Council and examined by it. Thanks to the multinational contingent's constant presence and patrolling activity throughout almost all of Albania, the force has had the greatest possible visibility and mobility.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“Under its then President, Ambassador Wlosowicz of Poland, the Security Council approved resolution 1101 (1997) in record time, on 28 March, only one day after it had been submitted. Thanks to this swift action, 11 European countries - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey - established the force led by Italy. In a matter of days - I repeat, days, not weeks - this force was deployed on Albanian territory, in the framework of a peace operation code-named "Alba". The mandate contained in the original resolution expires on 28 June. The new draft resolution before the Council accepts the request that the mandate be extended for another six weeks.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source
“The unity of intent and action of the international community in facing the Albanian crisis has been, in our opinion, exemplary. That is what made it possible to contain a rapidly deteriorating situation that could have threatened the long-term stability of the country. By taking quick and effective action, the international community also prevented a dangerous spill-over into neighbouring countries. To get an idea of how difficult a task this was, consider the number of bodies involved: the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union, the Department of Humanitarians Affairs of the United Nations and the Western European Union.”
1997-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3791 (1997) · source