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

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

“Since then, the price of fuel has been increased twice, and significant levels of inflation have driven prices up considerably for basic food items and commodities. The overall poverty level is also indicated by the share of the household budget taken by food consumption, which on average is as high as 69 per cent. Although the protests coincided with the Government's sudden decision on 19 August to sharply increase the price of fuel, the marches by monks across the country appear to have provided a catalyst for the demonstrations to become explicitly political in nature. That must be understood within the context of Myanmar's complex history since independence. What is clear is that since 1988 the democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar have been denied by the Government in the name of stability and security.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“It is clear, however, that the demonstrations over the past few weeks have been, for the most part, an expression of deep and widespread discontent about socio-economic conditions in the country. General vulnerability in Myanmar is defined by accelerating impoverishment and the growing inability of the social service structures to address the basic needs of the general population. As an illustration, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assessment of household living conditions for the period 2004-2005 noted that one third of Myanmar's people lived below the poverty line and that 90 per cent of the people were spending less than $300 per year. At the time of the study, UNDP predicted that a 10 per cent rise in prices could push another one third of the country below the poverty line.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“In my discussions with senior Governments officials, I was told that the demonstrations were instigated by a small minority of elements opposed to the Government and supported from outside; that the demonstrations were limited to Yangon and Mandalay, while the rest of the country had remained calm; that the authorities had indeed shown the utmost restraint in handling the situation; and that most of those arrested could be expected to be released shortly, after investigation and interrogation. My delegation was also taken to a mass rally in Lashio, in north-eastern Shan State, which was organized in support of the 3 Government's National Convention and seven-step political road map.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“I brought that fact immediately to the attention of the authorities at the highest level, and the two staff members were subsequently released. A third national United Nations staff member and a dependent were also reported missing later, and both have also since been released. The United Nations Office in Yangon has received requests from people asking for a safe place to hide.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Of great concern to the United Nations and the international community are the continuing and disturbing reports of abuses being committed by security and non-uniformed elements, particularly at night during curfew, including raids on private homes, beatings, arbitrary arrests and disappearances. There are also continuing reports of mass relocation outside Yangon of monks arrested in the course of the demonstrations and monasteries that remain blockaded. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, who is with us at this meeting, and the Human Rights Council have issued strong appeals for independent verification of those reports and accountability for any human rights violations. During the mission, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Yangon reported that at least two national United Nations staff members were arrested and detained.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“In my last two briefings, I updated members of the Council on the backdrop to the growing demonstrations since 19 August. The authorities initially exercised restraint in dealing with the 07-52995 protests - which was very much appreciated - but in the week preceding the mission tensions escalated through violent repression by the authorities against peaceful demonstrators. By the Government's own account, up to a dozen people - including a Japanese journalist - were killed, several dozens wounded, and over 2,000 arrested. Unconfirmed reports, however, put the number of casualties higher. By the time my mission started, the protests on the streets of Yangon had been largely put down, and by the time the mission ended, the streets were busier and activity seemed to be returning to normal, although the situation remains tense.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“As was the case during each of my previous visits to Myanmar, I was able to meet with both the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, and with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I also met with Acting Prime Minister Lieutenant General Thein Sein and other members of Government. Although, despite repeated requests, I was not able to meet with other relevant interlocutors - including the National League for Democracy (NLD) and representatives of the monks and 88 Generation Students - I did receive messages from many groups and individuals that have also informed my findings, including, of course, the close help I got from the United Nations country team. The conditions in which my mission was undertaken and its duration were such that any assessment of the situation on the ground is necessarily limited.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Within the context of the good offices mandate entrusted to the Secretary-General by the General Assembly, my mission had three main objectives: first, to assess the situation on the ground in the wake of recent demonstrations; secondly, to deliver clear messages from the Secretary-General to the Myanmar authorities at the highest level; and thirdly, to try to promote dialogue between the Government and the opposition as the best path to ending the present crisis and achieving national reconciliation. Before addressing each of those objectives, however, I would like to express my gratitude to the Myanmar authorities for their flexibility in developing the programme of my visit as it evolved.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Mr. Gambari: Thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the outcome of my recent mission to Myanmar from 29 September to 2 October. Members of the Council are fully aware of the circumstances in which the Secretary-General decided to dispatch me to Myanmar, and I am grateful for the clear and strong support expressed by the Council for my mission. On behalf of the Secretary-General, I would like to thank the Myanmar Government for having received me and for the cooperation extended to my delegation during our visit.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“All sides have a shared responsibility, in our view, to resolve their political differences through the democratic process and in a peaceful manner, in order to spare their respective populations further anxiety, further insecurity and further turmoil. Prospects for a wider regional dialogue must also be cautiously monitored and the door should remain open to discussions that may lead to wider regional and comprehensive peace. The Secretary-General has discussed with many interlocutors both the opportunities that now exist to make genuine strides towards peace and the very real obstacles that must be overcome. He considers next week's meeting of the Quartet to be an important opportunity to chart a way forward for re-energizing the peace process and implementing all relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“The Secretary- General encourages the two leaders to build on their progress to date by implementing agreements and by starting to address the fundamental issues of the conflict. Solutions are urgently needed to the political impasses both among the Palestinians and in Lebanon. The Secretary-General encourages leaders in both contexts to overcome their differences and to find a way to move forward that serves the best interests of their respective peoples. Lebanon, as its people know all too well, can ill afford any further deterioration in the situation. For many Lebanese, ugly spectres of the past have again begun to emerge.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“As of today, at least 840 individual cluster strike locations have been identified, with each strike location containing up to hundreds of individual bomblets or sub-munitions. The Secretary-General has designated Major- General Claudio Graziano of Italy as UNIFIL Force Commander to succeed Major-General Alain Pellegrini. The handover ceremony is scheduled to take place on 2 February 2007. In conclusion, I wish to observe that none of us in this Chamber, outside of it or worldwide can afford 07-22082 another year like the last one that we witnessed in Lebanon and the Middle East. Therefore, we believe strongly that a resumed political process between Israel and the Palestinians is a clear priority.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“This makes it even more important that the support promised to the army by the international community be delivered, and delivered in a timely manner. UNIFIL continues to maintain good relations with the Israel Defense Forces. However, Israeli air violations of Lebanese airspace continue. That damages the credibility of both UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces. We again urge Israel to cease those violations. Civilians continue to be killed and injured by the cluster munitions dropped on Lebanon during last year's conflict. During the month of December, incidents led to the death of 3 people and the injury of 21 others, including 5 children and 2 Belgian peacekeepers. The United Nations is continuing its programme to identify and remove unexploded ordnance in southern Lebanon.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“We are greatly concerned regarding those risks and the effect they have on the stability and security of Lebanon, which all sides state they wish to maintain. We remain in contact with all parties, we encourage an early return to dialogue and we support the continuing efforts, including the efforts of the Arab League and its Secretary-General, Amre Moussa, to bring the leaders to compromise and consensus. General stability has returned to southern Lebanon due to the deployment of the enhanced United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces, which continue to have a high level of cooperation. The Lebanese army is now playing a crucial role in the south, as well as in Beirut and other parts of the country, including Lebanon's eastern and northern borders.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“Following a call from the opposition for a general strike, thousands of Lebanese from opposing political factions faced each other, often violently, on the streets. Few regions of the country were spared by the unrest that led to at least 3 dead and over 100 injured, some very seriously. Major roads throughout the country, and in particular in Beirut and its airport, were effectively blocked by burning tires and earth barriers. A tense calm returned to Beirut yesterday following the decision by the opposition to suspend the strike, but tensions remain high. However, the opposition has stated that further escalation will occur unless the Government accedes to its demands. The events of 23 January showed how easily political tensions can spill over into violence.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“Without greater freedom of access and movement and without the political process that is carrying the parties towards a two-State solution, the most that aid can do is to contain, for a limited time, the spread of grievances and the spread of instability. The experience of the past year shows that this type of investment brings rapidly diminishing returns. Turning to Lebanon, the Secretary-General is today attending the Paris III conference, where he will be reiterating the strong support of the United Nations for Lebanon and urging redoubled efforts by all sides to return to dialogue and to break the paralysing political impasse. The demonstrations that began in Beirut on 1 December 2006 had largely been peaceful until last Tuesday, 23 January.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“The total assistance to Palestinians last year, not including funds channelled to the Palestinian Authority Government or Hamas by regional donors, reached around $1.2 billion. That is nearly a 10 per cent increase in aid over 2005. Humanitarian assistance alone doubled since 2004, taking mainly the form of food aid and cash-for-work programmes. However, real GDP per capita declined by at least 8 per cent in the past year. Poverty levels increased by 30 per cent. Public institutions that we in the international community built up have been severely weakened by a lack of operational funds, energy shortages and military damage. The worsening situation on the ground underscores the limits of what international assistance can accomplish.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“In the past year, the International Monetary Fund estimates that donors provided over $700 million in budget support. Over half of this came from Arab League member States through direct contributions to the Office of the President. The remainder was mainly provided by Western donors through the temporary international mechanism (TIM) and bilateral donations. The TIM, designed to provide emergency support to social sectors, is currently in its seventh month and has so far disbursed $266 million. The international community channelled a further $450 million, equivalent to approximately 11 per cent of Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP), in life-sustaining humanitarian programmes to Palestinians through United Nations agencies and NGOs.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“I should add that, on 16 January, the Israeli press published understandings for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria, which were supposedly arrived at through a private initiative. The Governments of Israel and Syria have strongly denied any official connection with that initiative. Concerning aid and the socio-economic situation, I wish to mention that it is exactly a year today since Palestinian legislative elections brought the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority Government to power, leading to a reassessment of donor programmes and the cessation of financial transfers by Israel. It should be noted, however, that international aid to the Palestinians has actually increased; what is different is that aid is mostly bypassing the Palestinian Government.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“As I mentioned earlier, United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently visited the region and announced that she would soon bring Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas together to discuss "the political horizon". She expressed her commitment to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of a revitalized Quartet. The European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, also visited the region last week, as I mentioned earlier. The Secretary- General will attend a Quartet principals meeting on 2 February in Washington, DC, and Quartet envoys met yesterday in Paris. The Government of Syria has publicly called in recent months for a resumption of negotiations with Israel.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“This has highlighted both growing Israeli interest in addressing the conflict through negotiations and internal divisions over precisely how to do so. I am pleased, however, to report that regional and international leaders have intensified their engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian arena. There have been consultations among a number of countries in the region, including President Mubarak's meeting with Prime Minister Olmert on 4 January. 3 The fifteenth anniversary of the 1991 Madrid Conference was marked by a conference sponsored by non-governmental organizations (NGOS), in which prominent regional and international personalities and senior European and United Nations officials participated. They discussed options for trying to bring about progress towards a permanent status agreement and a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“President Abbas subsequently reaffirmed that early elections remain on the table if a national unity government is not formed. Turning to Israeli political developments, a number of political scandals and other developments have underscored the difficulties that the coalition Government is facing in forging and implementing a clear agenda. The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Dan Halutz, resigned, and an official inquiry into the conduct of last summer's war with Hizbollah is continuing. The campaign for Chairman of the Labour Party - the junior coalition partner - is under way in preparation for primaries in May. Several senior ministers have publicly discussed their views and plans on how to carry forward the political process.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“It should also be noted that, while refusing to countenance recognition of Israel, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashal recently told news outlets that Israel's existence was a reality and that, with the formation of a Palestinian State within the 4 June 1967 borders, "there will remain a State called Israel; this is a matter of fact". President Abbas recently met Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus and subsequently met Khaled Mashal. A joint statement was issued after the meeting with Mashal, stating that progress had been made towards the formation of a national unity government and calling for an end to internal fighting. The statement also rejected the concept of an interim Palestinian State with provisional borders.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“Nevertheless, each time factional fighting has threatened to spin out of control, President Abbas and Prime Minister Haniyeh have managed to reach understandings to 07-22082 de-escalate the tensions, which is a positive development. Efforts to form a Palestinian national unity government have resumed, involving dialogue in Gaza as well as in Damascus. It appears that the main issues of disagreement are over control of the Ministry of the Interior and the strength of the language concerning the commitment to Arab and international resolutions.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“In total, 43 people were killed in Palestinian-on-Palestinian internal conflict during the reporting period, nearly double the number killed by Israeli military operations. Internal violence has been accompanied by heightened negative political rhetoric and threats and the strengthening of factional forces. President Abbas announced that the Hamas-affiliated special executive force, under the Ministry of the Interior, is illegal unless immediately integrated into existing security services. Tensions also flared in late December. The President called for early presidential and parliamentary elections unless agreement could be reached on a national unity government.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“It is important, by way of context, to note that the evolving Israeli-Palestinian dialogue is complicated by the internal political situation both in the occupied Palestinian territories and in Israel. In the occupied Palestinian territories, the pendulum has swung between worsening civil conflict and renewed efforts to forge national unity. Factional tension rose to acute levels in mid-December and again in early January. Deplorable incidents included the killing of three children as they were being taken to school; a shoot-out between gunmen at the Rafah terminal as Prime Minister Haniyeh returned from a regional tour; and a siege at the home of an official in Gaza, which resulted in the killing of the official and several others.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“According to OCHA, the number of barriers currently on the ground - 527 - represents a 25 per cent increase over the course of 2006. The Government of Israel approved the repopulation of a settlement deep in the Jordan Valley by 30 families evacuated from Gaza in 2005; such a relocation is in Violation of the Road Map. The decision was put on hold after international protests, but settlement activity continues. According to official Israeli figures, the number of West Bank settlers, excluding those in East Jerusalem, has increased by nearly 6 per cent since 2005. Moreover, the Government's pledges to remove outposts remain unfulfilled, and the construction of the barrier on the occupied Palestinian territory continues, despite the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported a modest easing in the operation of a few West Bank checkpoints, but the anticipated removal of the roadblocks has yet to materialize. Access and movement need to be improved. During the first 16 days of 2007, average exports out of Karni stood at approximately 46 trucks a day. This represents an improving trend, but still reflects only 11 per cent of the Agreement on Movement and Access target of 400 per day. We encourage further progress on that front. During the same period, Rafah was opened, primarily for pilgrims, for just 32 per cent of the scheduled opening hours. Finally, there has been no 07-22082 discernable improvement in movement for Palestinians in the West Bank.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“They agreed to revive the joint committees established in the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings and to resume the work of the quadripartite security committee between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and the United States. Prime Minister Olmert also undertook to transfer to the Office of President Abbas $100 million of the more than half a billion dollars of Palestinian clearance revenues being withheld by Israel. He also agreed to intensity efforts to upgrade the crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to ease procedures at a number of checkpoints in the West Bank and to remove a number of roadblocks. Implementation of those understandings is proceeding slowly. Israel has in the past few days transferred the $100 million.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“Indeed, operations to arrest or kill wanted Palestinians continue on a regular basis in West Bank population centres, as evidenced by the Israel Defense Forces raid on Ramallah on 4 January, in which 5 Palestinians were killed and 35 were injured. During the reporting period, 28 Palestinians were killed and over 130 were injured in Israeli military operations, while 10 Israelis were injured by Palestinian militants. Efforts led by Egypt are continuing on an arrangement to secure the release the Israeli corporal captured last summer and of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, but so far these have not yielded results. Nevertheless, President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert met on 23 December in Jerusalem.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council have also been engaged in the search for a renewed and credible dialogue towards the resolution of this intractable conflict. Both President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert have been working hard to try to ease tensions and move towards a resumption of political dialogue. The ceasefire agreed to at the end of November in Gaza remains in place, although, according to Israeli officials, militants have fired more than 104 rockets into southern Israel during the past two months. In the 2 face of those attacks, the Israeli Government has, to its credit, shown considerable restraint. Despite its flaws, the ceasefire has significantly reduced violence, and we encourage the parties to try to build on it. The ceasefire has not, however, been extended to the West Bank.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“Mr. Gambari: The former Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, presented his final report on this subject (S/2006/956) to the Council in early December. This briefing will cover events that have occurred since then, in a period of heightened levels of instability and suffering combined with a renewed sense of international urgency to find a political way ahead, as evidenced by the visits of Secretary Condoleezza Rice and High Representative Javier Solana to the region, the proposed meeting of the Quartet on 2 February in Washington, DC, and a possible early tripartite meeting of President Abbas, Prime Minister Olmert and Secretary Rice. I am also encouraged by reports that Foreign Minister Livni will soon be meeting President Abbas in Davos.”
2007-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5624 (2007) · source
“In conclusion, I encourage the members of the Security Council and other partners, such as the European Union, the African Union, South Africa, Turkey and others, to continue to provide the generous assistance that they rendered during the 2006 electoral process. The logistical challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain. The Council's continued support for the electoral process through financial, technical and other assistance, as well as its endorsement of the Secretary-General's proposals for local elections, will be very critical in that regard.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“The establishment of local structures and institutions that have been freely chosen by their constituents is, in our View, essential for the legitimate extension of State authority, improved governance and the building of durable peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which will have consequences for the region. As has been stated, the Great Lakes region is an area in which we are following very closely developments in the areas of governance, development and security. Permit me to express our gratitude to our colleagues in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and MONUC and to our European Union partners. It was only by pooling our resources, ideas and expertise and by sharing responsibilities that the international community was able to deliver in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the challenges.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“Similarly, the law on decentralization, which would define the new provinces in accordance with the constitution, as well as the local constituencies for administrative and electoral purposes, must be adopted. Following the adoption of those legislative instruments, the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs will continue to assist MONUC's Electoral Division in providing capacity- building and support to the new election commission - particularly in finalizing the modalities for the local elections - as well as a voter registration update and operational preparations for and conduct of the 6,000 polls of the local elections. That effort could take anywhere from 13 to 18 months, depending on the modalities chosen. The actual elections will probably not begin before September 2007.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“The Global and All-Inclusive Agreement of 2002 called for free and transparent elections to be held at all levels, including local elections. Therefore, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now in a post-transitional period. But this is by no means a post-electoral period, because indirect elections by the provincial assemblies for senators, governors and vice-governors are expected to take place by the end of this month. Local elections for municipal and rural councils are expected in the latter part of 2007. As a matter of fact, there are several legislative prerequisites for that to take place. The organic law establishing the post- transition national Independent Electoral Commission, mandated under the constitution to organize and conduct elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, still needs to be adopted.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“Observers noted that, in spite of the enormous logistical challenges involved, these elections reflected the outcomes of lessons learned from the first round of elections - that is, more efficient collection of results from the 50,000 polling stations in 12,000 locations, greater transparency in the electoral operations and improved training of the 250,000 polling workers. As a matter of fact, during my visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo last October, I observed firsthand in Mbandaka, in Equateur province, several training sessions for some of those polling officials. The elections have resulted in the establishment of the first democratically elected national institutions in more than four decades. Of that, we can all be justly proud - most especially, the Congolese themselves. However, much still needs to be done.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“I met with the major stakeholders, including the two candidates, to encourage an environment of calm, tolerance and national reconciliation during and after the electoral process. In light of the disturbances following the first round of results, I specifically stressed the need for positive and constructive campaigning, conducted in accordance with the 7 electoral code of conduct. I also urged acceptance of the results by all parties and avoidance of a winner- takes-all attitude by the successful candidates. The presidential run-off and the provincial assembly elections were subsequently held, as we know, on 29 October. The conduct of these elections by the Electoral Commission, including the transparency of the count and tabulation process, was generally praised by international observers, the media, and several world leaders.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“Once again, I wish to join my colleague, Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, in congratulating the Commission, and especially its Chairman, the indefatigable Abbe Malu Malu, on these monumental achievements. The first round of presidential and national assembly elections were held on 30 July 2006. DPA also conducted several field missions in the country in 2006 to assist the MONUC Electoral Division with the operational planning for the 30 July and 29 October elections. From its roster of electoral experts, DPA continues to provide clearance for electoral staff and consultants. In my own capacity as United Nations Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Activities, I visited the country in early October, along with Mr. Craig Jenness, Director of my Electoral Assistance Division.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“The role of the United Nations electoral team, which includes the Projet d'appui au processus electoral en Republique Democratique du Congo (APEC), a programme supported by the United Nations Development Programme, has been to support the Independent Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the IEC headquarters, as well as in field offices nationwide. On 18 and 19 December 2005, the Independent Electoral Commission, with the support of MONUC, organized the constitutional referendum, in which the Congolese voted overwhelmingly to adopt the constitution, which was subsequently promulgated on 18 February 2006. The voter registration exercise conducted between June and December 2005 resulted in the establishment of voters lists containing the names of 25.5 million eligible voters.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) is charged by the General Assembly with coordinating and supporting all United Nations electoral activity. DPA, through its Electoral Assistance Division, has been involved with the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2003, when it conducted the initial needs assessment which preceded the establishment of the Electoral Division of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). DPA has continued to provide ongoing advice and support to our colleagues in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and MONUC in the largest electoral assistance mission ever conducted by this Organization.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“Mr. Gambari: I wish to join my colleague, Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, in commending the European Union and other partners for their support in the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I wish also to commend Mr. Solana in particular for his leadership role in this regard. The successful holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards the end of 2006 is now a matter of historical record. Although elections are never an end in themselves, they are, when credible, a critical part of any democratic process. Holding successful and credible elections as the international community did in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by the United Nations, is a testimony to what can be achieved when there is a collective effort.”
2007-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5616 (2007) · source
“We also continue to hope that adversaries within the region will begin talking to resolve their differences. Any and all opportunities for dialogue, however difficult, should be explored. Finally, I believe that the inspiration for peace must come from somewhere, and where better than from those Israelis and those Palestinians who have been hurt the most by this prolonged conflict. Statements from victims on both sides of the Israeli- Palestinian divide suggest that there is a growing fatigue with the current state of affairs and a desire to progress towards a solution, rather than continuing to engage in a never-ending cycle of punishment and revenge. We hope that, with the assistance of the international community, Israeli, Palestinian and other regional leaders will be able to achieve such progress before the end of this year.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Israel should also meet its agreements and obligations, establishing a clear timeline and method for dismantling settlement outposts, as set out in the Road Map, and transferring value added tax and customs revenues that it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The absence of such transfers is depriving Palestinian Authority civil servants of their salaries and hurting close to a million dependents, as well as weakening the Palestinian Authority institutions on which a Palestinian State is meant to be based. Furthermore, progress on the regional peace track is also necessary to stabilize an increasingly volatile situation in the Middle East. The Syrian role is crucial in a number of areas, and we continue to hope that international initiatives to encourage a more positive role will, in fact, bear fruit.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Formation of such a government would also help lift the restrictions on donor funding to its institutions, which is crucial, given the gravity of the Palestinian Authority's fiscal crisis. Israel, for its part, must also act responsibly to calm the situation and bring about conditions in which negotiations can resume. Israel should act prudently and proportionally in defending its citizens, so as to avoid civilian casualties. Operating with area weapons like artillery in civilian neighourhoods such as Beit Hanoun makes civilian casualties inevitable. A review of the entire policy of military pressure may well be in order.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“At this moment, however, it is difficult to see a breakthrough without the establishment of a new Palestinian government that puts the Palestinian Authority as a whole in a position to better address the needs of the people, to fully engage with the international community, to ensure the release of the Israeli soldier currently held captive in Gaza and to maintain a cease-fire. The establishment of such a government as a culmination of President Abbas's efforts is a worthy goal in itself. Movement in the right direction should be encouraged by the international community and rewarded when it occurs. The United Nations, therefore, continues to encourage the efforts of President Abbas to establish a Palestinian government whose political programme reflects the basic tenets of the peace process, as the Quartet agreed on 20 September.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The occupation of Palestinian territory that began in 1967 will not be brought to an end through indiscriminate attacks against Israeli civilians. It is of critical importance to return to the political track. Israelis and Palestinians both need to receive reassurance that the prospect of actually solving the conflict is not dead. New initiatives from the international community are taking shape, and a reinvigorated third party intervention may help to push the parties to move beyond the current impasse. The Secretary-General fervently hopes that the Quartet will take concrete steps - and take them soon- to promote a return to negotiations.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Once again, we fully acknowledge Israel's right to self-defence, as long as it is exercised in accordance with international law. However, the incursions into Beit Hanoun produced a huge number of non-combatant deaths, revealing a manifestly excessive use of force. Moreover, there was a subsequent increase in rocket fire into Israel, even though the stated purpose of the operation was to stop such attacks. Such actions and counteractions intensify anger against Israel, both among Palestinians and throughout the Middle East. They exacerbate existing resentment over the continued occupation, with apparently no end in sight. In the light of these results, it is hard to see the effectiveness of such operations. Palestinian rocket fire, which is legally and morally wrong, is also counterproductive.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“We have seen another month of violence in the Middle East, one that, for the tragedy at Beit Hanoun, will almost certainly be remembered as a dark hour in this very protracted and tragic conflict. Again, civilians on both sides have suffered as a result of the conflict. Palestinians are mourning the loss or injury of more than 240 friends and relatives in Beit Hanoun, which was devastated by repeated Israeli incursions. Only a few kilometres away, in the Israeli town of Sderot, Israelis are grieving the death of one person and the injury of 14 others who were hit by Palestinian rocket fire. 06-62387 The events of this month highlight once again the fact that this conflict cannot be resolved through military means.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The IDF has withdrawn from the areas surrounding the village of Ghajar. The tripartite meetings between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the IDF and UNIFIL continued to provide a constructive forum, inter alia on the situation pertaining to the village of Ghajar, and all sides remain optimistic that finalization of the temporary security arrangement for Ghajar can be achieved in the near future. A more detailed report on progress in the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) will, of course, be provided by the Secretary-General to the Council on 30 November. On 15 November, the Secretary-General presented to the Security Council his report on the establishment of a tribunal of an international character pursuant to resolution 1664 (2006). In that regard, the Legal Counsel, Mr. Nicolas Michel, addressed the Council only yesterday.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source