YouSaid · the spoken record

GAMBARI

lines on the record: 1,141
first: 1992-07-15
most recent: 2012-07-24
sittings or episodes: 98
sources: un-security-council

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“It reiterates its demands, contained inter alia in its resolution 1009 (1995), that the Government of Croatia respect fully the rights of the local Serb population including their right to remain or return in safety, investigate all reports of human rights violations and take appropriate measures to put an end to such acts. The Council calls upon the Government of Croatia to lift any time-limits placed on the return of refugees to Croatia to reclaim their property. The Council also calls on the Government to cooperate with international humanitarian organizations in the creation of conditions conducive for the repatriation of refugees in safety and dignity. "The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1995/49.”
1995-10-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3584 (1995) · source
“The decisions of the Government of Croatia in this regard may lead to the involuntary return of tens of thousands of people to an area that is neither safe nor prepared to receive them. The Council stresses the importance of the principle of non-refoulement set out in the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees, to which Croatia is a party. The Council urges the Government of Croatia to continue to provide asylum to all refugees regardless of their origin. "The Security Council is also seriously concerned at the situation of the refugees from the Republic of Croatia wishing to return, as well as of those ethnic Serbs who have chosen to remain in the Republic of Croatia.”
1995-10-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3584 (1995) · source
“The President: The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council expresses its concern at the humanitarian situation in and around the Republic of Croatia, including the situation of refugees from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The Security Council is particularly concerned at the withdrawal of refugee status from and the consequent ending of assistance to many refugees from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at present in the Republic of Croatia.”
1995-10-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3584 (1995) · source
“The situation in Croatia The President: I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Nobilo (Croatia) took a place at the Council table; Mr. Mist'c (Bosnia and Herzegovina) took the place reserved for him at the side of the Council Chamber.”
1995-10-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3584 (1995) · source
“As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of October, I should like to take this opportunity to pay a tribute, on behalf of the members of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Francesco Paolo Fulci, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of September 1995. I am sure I speak for all members of the Security Council in expressing our deep appreciation to Ambassador Fulci for the great diplomatic skill, excellent manner and unfailing courtesy with which he conducted the Council's business last month. We express appreciation also to the members of his delegation. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted.”
1995-10-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3584 (1995) · source
“Finally, it is our View that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be spared further horrors of war. They have suffered too much and too long from the atrocities committed by those who are also committed to the destruction of their multi-ethnic country.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3564 (1995) · source
“We therefore support the call in paragraph 1 of the resolution that the Bosnian Serb party give immediate access for representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international agencies to all the persons in its custody so that they can be duly documented as a first step to their immediate and unconditional release. In conclusion, my delegation would like to reiterate what we have said in respect of Croatia: that the only hope for a durable and lasting peace is a negotiated settlement which accommodates the concerns of all the constituent groups. In this connection, the Contact Group must redouble its efforts and demonstrate better unity of action in the promotion of a settlement on the basis of the Contact Group Peace Plan as a starting point.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3564 (1995) · source
“Their towns have been occupied by Bosnian Serb forces, and they have been forced out of their homes and been made to join the teeming ranks of refugees and displaced persons. My delegation joins other Council members in reaffirming the total unacceptability of the occupation of these safe areas by the Bosnian Serb forces. Of more immediate concern, however, are the reports of grave violations of international humanitarian law in and around Srebrenica. As of today over 7,000 young and middle-aged men, former inhabitants of Srebrenica, have not been accounted for.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3564 (1995) · source
“With regard to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, my delegation has mixed feelings and reactions. On the positive side, we note with satisfaction that the three-year siege on the enclave of Bihac has been lifted and that a supply line for humanitarian assistance to its population has been established. It is a welcome development also to read reports and see pictures of the population of Bihac who, for the first time in three years, have cause to breathe the air of freedom and, hopefully, look forward to a semblance of normal life. We also hope that the lifting of the siege of the safe area of Bihac from the occupation by the Bosnian Serbs will not be short-lived. On the other hand, however, the inhabitants of the safe areas of Srebrenica and Zepa were not as lucky as those of Bihac.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3564 (1995) · source
“Moreover, all genuine efforts and initiatives must be welcomed and encouraged, and that is why the recent initiative of President Yeltsin of the Russian Federation and those of some other members of the Contact Group deserve our full support. Finally, we salute all the personnel of UNCRO and the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) for their continued service in the cause of peace and their discharge of their noble duties under very trying and exceptional circumstances.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“Events on the ground may, in fact, have offered new negotiating possibilities for a settlement in the Balkans. However, time is of the essence, and we need to redouble our efforts if we are to take advantage of the latest developments on the ground to get political negotiations restarted and intensified. In this connection, the Contact Group must redouble its efforts and demonstrate greater unity of action in its dealings with all the parties, with no favourites. We must propose solutions that would promote a comprehensive and lasting peace that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States in the former Yugoslavia within their internationally recognized borders and on the basis of mutual recognition of all the successor States.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“As the Security Council has emphasized repeatedly, there can be no military solution to the conflict in Croatia or, indeed, throughout the former Yugoslavia. My delegation believes that all efforts must therefore be made and, indeed, intensified to avoid broadening war in the Balkans. We urge all the parties and others concerned to exercise maximum restraint on all fronts, and especially in the area known as Sector East. We further call on all the parties to return to the negotiating table and promptly resume talks under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia. My delegation believes that a peaceful solution to the conflict in Croatia and Bosnia is still possible and is now even more urgent. The prospect of a larger Balkan conflict is not unavoidable.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“With regard to the humanitarian situation, we fully endorse the request made to the Secretary-General in operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution to assess urgently, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the humanitarian situation and needs of the civilian population, both refugees and internationally displaced persons. Furthermore, we call on the Croatian authorities to move quickly to restore normality to all the areas under their control, ensure safe passage for those who want to leave and encourage the return of those who would like to go back to their homes.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“My Government unreservedly condemns the unacceptable acts of the Croatian Government forces against UNCRO personnel and the civilian population and would like to remind the Croatian Government of its duty to ensure the safety and protection of United Nations personnel within its territory, as well as of its obligations under international humanitarian law. We have condemned, vigorously and often, the Bosnian Serbs for such actions, and we find them even more objectionable coming from the army of a Member State of the United Nations. We hope the investigations and processes under way to identify and punish the culprits will be concluded soon.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“The draft resolution before us, dealing with Croatia, attempts to respond to some of this fallout from the broad military offensive by the Croatian Government and is aimed at helping to stabilize the situation. Hence, the draft resolution will enjoy the support of my delegation. In accordance with the text of the draft resolution, my delegation regrets the breakdown of the Geneva talks, deplores the recent military offensive of the Croatian Government and condemns the shelling of civilian targets.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“It has come to light, for example, that our Blue Helmets were not only attacked but also used as human shields and made to march in front of the advancing Croatian army. United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia (UNCRO) personnel have already suffered three fatalities. My Government would like to seize this opportunity to send its formal condolences to the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of Denmark for the loss of some of their brave young men. Furthermore, we are now faced with the humanitarian nightmare of the war, with over 100,000 refugees and displaced persons urgently needing assistance. Related to this, we have confirmed reports of the shelling of some refugee columns and civilian targets.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“The objective of the international community's involvement in the territories of the former Yugoslavia is to promote peace and discourage more war, and therefore the outbreak of hostilities and the broad military offensive of the Croatian Government, following the failure of the recent Geneva talks, are regrettable. The Security Council therefore condemned these negative developments in its presidential statement of 4 August 1995. The launching of the military offensive has produced very serious and negative consequences. Through the Secretary-General's letter of 7 August 1995 and the constant, almost daily briefings of the Secretariat, we have been made aware of some worrisome developments.”
1995-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3563 (1995) · source
“III's mandate, as proposed by the Secretary- General, and my delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution before us. Finally, we wish to pay a well-deserved tribute to Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, to Major-General Chris Garuba, Force Commander of UNAVEM. III, to all the personnel of UNAVEM. III and to the Secretary-General himself for his personal efforts and contribution to the peace process in Angola.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“III infantry battalions has been borne out by the View of the Secretary-General that the progressive deployment of elements of UNAVEM. III has helped consolidate the cease-fire and promote the spirit of the Lusaka Protocol. While taking due cognizance of the practical difficulties of a faster pace of deployment - in particular, those having to do with mines - we hope all efforts will be made to match the pace of deployment with the greater commitment that has been demonstrated by the Angolan parties. My delegation would also like to remind the Angolan parties of their responsibility for the safety and protection of UNAVEM. III personnel and the humanitarian agencies operating within their respective territories. Of course, we support the six-month extension of UNAVEM.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“We are grateful to the Secretary-General for highlighting the socio-economic aspects of the peace process in Angola, efforts which are now referred to as post-conflict peace-building. Angola is a country that has suffered from the devastating effects of war for over 30 years. Therefore, improvements in the social and economic areas hold the key to the establishment of durable peace in that country. In our View, the international community should assist the people of Angola as they try to tackle the enormous challenges they will face in what will surely be a long and arduous process of rehabilitation and reconstruction. In conclusion, my delegation is gratified that the validity of our repeated calls for accelerated deployment of UNAVEM.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“We also hope that arrangements reached by the two sides during the high-level meeting in Luanda, from 19 June to early July 1995, concerning the acceleration of the timetable for the implementation of the various aspects of the Lusaka Protocol, will be strictly adhered to and that both sides will further demonstrate their commitment by cooperating with UNAVEM. III personnel and, in particular, with the Joint Commission. My delegation notes with satisfaction that as of July 1995 UNAVEM. III personnel had been deployed to 55 sites throughout Angola and that 5 additional sites will soon have a UNAVEM. presence. The current strength of UNAVEM. III, which stands at 1,970, has, in our view, undoubtedly had a salutary effect on the peace process in Angola.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“In spite of these positive signs in the peace process in Angola, we are concerned, none the less, about the slow progress in troop disengagement, demining and the establishment of the quartering areas. It is important to strive to overcome the various difficulties, including logistical and financial, that have accounted for the slow pace of progress in these areas. We therefore call on the Government of Angola and on UNITA, in cooperation with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM. III), to finalize arrangements for the establishment of quartering areas, complete the disengagement of troops and expedite the conduct of demining.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“On the military side, we note that no major breach of the peace has occurred, although the incidence of violations is still unacceptably high. With regard to the humanitarian situation in Angola, we are happy to note that it has continued to improve since February 1995 as a direct result of the peace process and the expanded presence of the United Nations in the country. However, we appeal to the international community to contribute generously to the funding of other humanitarian activities, including for demobilization and reintegration and for the repatriation of refugees. Although these problems do not catch the attention of the international media or get headlines, their resolution is no less vital for the consolidation of peace in Angola.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“The proposals that have been put forward in the area of national reconciliation and power-sharing, through the offer of a vice-presidency to Mr. Savimbi, have the support of my Government. We therefore urge both sides to work towards further accommodation in the higher interest of lasting peace in Angola. In this context, we were further encouraged by the assurances the Secretary- General received, during his recent visit to the country, from both the President of Angola and the leader of UNITA of their continued and even greater commitment to the peace process. Experience of other conflict situations has shown that the success of a peace process is truly dependent on the will and commitment of a people and its leaders, supported, of course, patiently by the international community.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“The latest report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Angola is on the whole a positive one with regard to the peace process in that country. The news coming out of Angola is gradually and steadily getting better; one could indeed say that the peace process in Angola now seems truly irreversible. There is a lesson here for the international community: that the cause of peace is better served by perseverance than by a policy of cut and run. On the political front, the 6 May 1995 meeting between the President of Angola and the UNITA leader has created a positive atmosphere and generated a momentum which has been taken advantage of by all concerned to advance the peace process. Furthermore, my delegation is particularly encouraged by the fact that contacts between the two leaders have become more frequent.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“Permit me at the outset, Sir, to express my delegation's delight at seeing you preside over the affairs of our Council this month. We have no doubt whatsoever that with you as our President the work of the Council is indeed in excellent hands. My delegation would also like to express hearty thanks to your predecessor, Ambassador Martinez Blanco, and to the entire Honduran delegation for their excellent stewardship of the Council during the month of July. May I also seize this opportunity to formally welcome to the Council the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Sir John Weston. We feel sure that his contributions to the work of our Council will be as distinguished as those of his predecessor.”
1995-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3562 (1995) · source
“In the meantime, however, my delegation would like to emphasize the need for the rapid deployment of the rapid reaction force and also stress the need to respond urgently and adequately to the humanitarian needs of the tens of thousands who have joined the unfortunate ranks of displaced persons and refugees. For the thousandth time we also call for renewed diplomatic efforts to find a political solution to this tragic conflict. This appears to us now to be the international community's only remaining hope. Finally, in supporting the draft resolution before the Security Council, my delegation would like to pay tribute to the personnel of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and, in particular, to those deployed in Srebrenica, for their sacrifices in the cause of peace.”
1995-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3553 (1995) · source
“In response to extremely provocative acts by the Bosnian Serbs, the pattern of United Nations responses has unfortunately been one of doing too little, and often too late. The draft resolution before us is intended to reverse the latest of the debacles that have befallen the international community in trying to confront a determined and systematic aggressor. Whether the draft resolution contains enough strong elements and any additional political will which will finally convince the aggressor of our collective determination to draw the line remains to be seen. None the less, this latest act of aggression by the Bosnian Serbs must not be legitimized by inaction or feeble action by the international community.”
1995-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3553 (1995) · source
“Today in Bosnia there is no peace to keep and no political will to impose one. Herein lies the dilemma of the continued involvement by the United Nations with the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fall of the safe area of Srebrenica simply adds to the dilemma and reinforces what we have all known - that is, that the phrase "safe areas" is becoming a sad misnomer. Furthermore, the detention of Dutch soldiers by the Bosnian Serbs means that history is repeating itself within a short time-frame and with tragic consequences for the civilian population. This further exposes the impotence of the United Nations under the present circumstances to protect its own personnel - not to speak of protecting innocent civilians.”
1995-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3553 (1995) · source
“At the time of the adoption of resolution 998 (1995), on the establishment of the rapid reaction force, my delegation called the Security Council's attention to the fact that, contrary to the Secretary-General' s request in his earlier report, in document S/1995/444, we had failed to clarify and clearly spell out the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, in supporting resolution 998 (1995) my delegation stated that in order for the rapid reaction force to be able to enhance UNPROFOR's capability of discharging its duties there must be a cease- fire, a cessation of hostilities, cooperation by both parties, and the intensification of the political process leading to an acceptable political settlement of the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
1995-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3553 (1995) · source
“The draft resolution before the Council represents a factual, non-judgemental but forthright response of the international community to the worrying developments resulting from the land expropriation in East Jerusalem. The primary objective of the resolution is not to condemn, but to encourage Israel to put an end to what appears to be a trend which, if not checked, could reverse the gains already achieved in the peace process. What is more, my delegation is convinced that the consequences of inaction by the Security Council would undermine the authority of the Council itself and could damage the credibility of the United Nations as the ultimate defender of the rights of all States, including the strong, and especially the weak. My delegation will therefore vote in favour of the draft resolution.”
1995-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3538 (1995) · source
“It is in this connection that my delegation viewed with concern the recent settlement activities of one of the parties, which violate both the letter and the spirit of relevant Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and could very well jeopardize the peace process. In particular, we very much regret the recent decision of the Government of Israel to expropriate 53.5 hectares of land in East Jerusalem, an act which - apart from undermining confidence between the parties - also pre-empts the future discussions envisaged for the final stage of negotiations on the status of Jerusalem. We are of course not oblivious of Israel's legitimate security concerns, but we cannot see how land confiscations can constitute an appropriate response to those concerns.”
1995-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3538 (1995) · source
“We believe that further specific measures must be taken not only to preserve these gains but also to implement fully the remaining aspects of the peace process. My delegation has been under no illusion that the search for peace in the Middle East would be entirely hitch-free. We have always known that there would be bumps on the road to achieving a just and desirable peace in the region. None the less, we hope that the parties will not allow hope to fade in the region and our expectation remains that the parties concerned should persevere and continue to demonstrate the good faith and commitment required to achieve a negotiated settlement. To this end, the role of the international community is to be as supportive as possible and the way it can best do so is, in our opinion, by being an impartial umpire.”
1995-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3538 (1995) · source
“My delegation believes that, on the Israeli-Palestinian question, there is no real alternative to a peaceful and negotiated settlement. Hence, my Government has always supported every effort made to achieve this objective, including the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Nigeria has been encouraged by the progress made so far by the parties to implement the various aspects of the Declaration of Principles. In this context, we recall the Gaza-Jericho Agreement of May 1994 and the Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities of August 1994, both of which have made it possible to establish the Palestinian Authority.”
1995-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3538 (1995) · source
“We call on the Palestinian Authority, for its part, to do all it can within its area of competence to combat any and all acts of terrorism.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“We cannot support this act, which we believe is capable of undermining the faith of one party in the true intentions of the other and may well play straight into the hands of extremists on both sides - i.e., those who are entirely set against the peace process. It is in this regard that my delegation will call upon Israel to rescind its decision on land expropriation and make the necessary and difficult compromises with the Palestinians in order to accelerate the implementation of relevant agreements. We are of course not unaware of Israel's legitimate security concerns and the pressure of Israeli public opinion on its Government to do something to reassure the population. However, we find it difficult to see how land confiscation can be regarded as the best way to respond to those legitimate concerns.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“It is for this reason that, in February, my delegation expressed grave concern over the continued building of new settlements in the West Bank. We believe that such settlement activities are illegal, that they contravene the Fourth Geneva Convention and that they represent a clear obstacle to an overall peace that could be exploited by radical groups on both sides of the divide to undermine the spirit of the peace process and reverse the progress that has so far been achieved. It is therefore a matter of regret that Israel has continued with this unfortunate policy by its recent decision to expropriate 53 hectares of land situated in the East Jerusalem area.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“That is why my delegation, during the debate on this question in February, commended the vision, courage and determination of the leaderships of Israel, the PLO and of the other States in the region that have maintained their commitment to peace regardless of the bombings and terrorist acts that seemed to have been precisely timed and aimed at derailing the peace process. The Declaration of Principles signed in Washington on 13 September 1993 and the Gaza-Jericho agreement, together with resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), set out, inter alia, a clear timetable for the negotiations towards the permanent status of Palestine. They also contain obligations on both sides and set out the rules and modes of behaviour that should guide all parties in the course of the process.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“The international community has never been under any illusion that the peace process was going to be hitch- free, given the long history of hostility, antagonism and mistrust between the parties to the conflict. None the less, we have remained confident that the momentum for peace that has been generated will never be allowed to slip away. In this connection, the entire international community must continue to assist the parties, encourage them and nudge them in the right direction in times of difficulty to ensure that they do not lose sight of the larger interest and goal of a just and lasting peace in the region.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“Important steps that followed in 1994 included the Gaza-Jericho agreement of May and the Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities in August, both of which have made possible the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. That Authority is a crucially important first step in the fulfilment of the historic aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and nationhood. Furthermore, on 26 October 1994, another historic peace treaty, between Israel and Jordan, was signed. Besides opening a new phase in bilateral relations between the two countries, this treaty also put the whole region on the threshold of peace by enhancing the possibilities for progress in the Israeli-Lebanon and Israeli-Syrian tracks of the peace process.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“It is also an appropriate and timely occasion to renew our support for the Middle East peace process and its achievements. During the past two years, we have witnessed historic progress, unimaginable only a few years back, in the efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, starting with the Madrid initiative of October 1991. My Government welcomed the historic signing in Washington of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993, and we expressed the hope that the agreement would pave the way for more substantive transformations in the Middle East. Ever since, our hopes have generally been confirmed and were certainly not misplaced.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“For the second time in less than three months, the Security Council is deliberating the situation in the Middle East at a particularly crucial and delicate time in the peace process, when it seems that the parties to the Middle East conflict are beginning to lose faith in the negotiating frameworks to which they have agreed since the signing of the Declaration of Principles on 13 September 1993. That is why my delegation welcomes the opportunity of this debate to remind the parties - both of them - that there is no alternative to a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian question in accordance with resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and in particular with the agreements which they themselves have signed.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3536 (1995) · source
“Against the background of Nigeria's own participation in similar subregional United Nations peace efforts in West Africa, my delegation understands very well the vital necessity for additional contributions to be elicited from as many States as possible in order to support the peace process, for otherwise that process could be unduly protracted and difficult to resolve. We call also on the parties to demonstrate increased flexibility and to negotiate in good faith as well as to improve their overall cooperation with UNOMIG and the CIS peace-keeping force. Finally, my delegation will gladly vote in favour of the current draft resolution, which extends UNOMIG's mandate for an additional period of six months, in the conviction that UNOMIG has a continuing, vital role to play in the search for peace in Georgia.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“To this end, it is essential not only that suitable political and security conditions should be established to encourage the return of the refugees, but also that, as is reiterated in paragraph 6 of the draft resolution before us, all parties should come to a quick acceptance of the timetable proposed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for voluntary returns. The cooperation between the United Nations, the CIS and the OSCE in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict augurs well for peacemaking and conflict resolution in the post-cold-war era and therefore deserves the support of the international community, which it needs if the desired goal is to be achieved.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“In this connection, we underline the need, as reflected in the current draft resolution, for the parties to achieve substantive progress in the negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and to refrain from any unilateral action that could complicate or hinder an early and comprehensive settlement. My delegation believes that the issue of the return of the refugees and displaced persons is crucial to the settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. The current situation, in which both the Government of Georgia and the Abkhaz authorities are unable to guarantee the safety of the displaced persons and the protection of the repatriated under the quadripartite agreement of 4 April 1994, is unfortunate and should be reversed.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“In the words of the Secretary-General, "The organized repatriation of refugees and displaced persons to Abkhazia, remains at a standstill" (S/1995/342, para. 13) partly because of the objection of "The Abkhaz side to the speedy return of refugees and displaced persons." (ibid.) Nigeria associates itself fully with the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General, with the assistance of the Russian Federation and the support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“The latest report of the Secretary-General concerning the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, dated 1 May 1995 (S/1995/342), indicates, regrettably, that progress in the peace process has continued to be difficult despite the important efforts of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and others concerned to mediate peace in the region. At the political level, the occasional outbursts of violence, such as occurred in the Ghali region in mid- March and early April, have critically undermined the climate of confidence that is necessary for continuing negotiations between the parties to the conflict. Moreover, the political talks about the status of Abkhazia which takes due account of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia have not made the desired progress.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“Mr. President, permit me first of all to express my delegation's sincere congratulations to you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. Under your guidance which, as in the past, has been characterized by so much grace, great skill and confidence, the business of the Council is in very good hands indeed. I should also like to express appreciation to Ambassador Kovanda for the especially able manner in which he guided the Council's work during the month of April. May I also, on behalf of my delegation, welcome to our midst the Foreign Minister of Georgia, His Excellency Dr. Alexander Chikvaidze.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“Unless the interests and perspectives of the Contact Group are harmonized and adequate pressure is promptly brought to bear on the parties in a non- discriminatory manner, the draft resolution we are about to vote for, like several others before it, may not achieve the desired objectives after all. And what a great pity that would be, once again, in the continuing tragedy in the area.”
1995-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3522 (1995) · source
“There is no doubt that the Contact Group countries themselves have a unique role to play, as members of the Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the European Union or, in some cases, all three. As in my subregion, where the apparent lack of unity of interests and positions of member States has not augured well for the peace process in Liberia, so too in Bosnia and Herzegovina the diversity of interests and perspectives of countries in the subregion with the necessary leverage has not helped matters at all. Hence, we believe it is necessary for the States in the Contact Group to harmonize their views as soon as possible on how best the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina may be resolved.”
1995-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3522 (1995) · source