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

“The Ad Hoc Liaison Committee discussed convening a pledging conference to mobilize the target sum of $3 billion, as agreed in principle at the Group of Eight (G-S) Summit in October. A specific date has not yet been identified, but the conference is expected to take place in the first half of 2006. I should now like to move on to the status of the implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access. In its presentation to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, the World Bank reiterated that movement restrictions imposed on goods and people continued to be the major obstacle to Palestinian economic growth. That underscores the importance of the Agreement on Movement and Access, which was signed last month. Implementation is proceeding on some parts of the Agreement.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“Donors agreed on the need for the Palestinian Authority to implement, as a matter of priority, a medium-term fiscal stabilization plan and stressed that reform must continue in the coming months, even though the election period may make this more difficult. The Palestinian Authority's fiscal situation is so acute that there is real concern that, this month, December salaries may not be paid. The United Nations reported three significant socio-economic trends that emerged in 2005. First, poverty rates increased despite overall growth in the economy and in employment rates. Secondly - and related to that - the gap between rich and poor widened. And, thirdly, geographic disparities became more pronounced, with humanitarian needs highest in the Gaza Strip and in the northern and southern areas of the West Bank.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“This enhanced role in aid management constitutes an important step towards the assumption of some recipient-State functions by the Palestinian Authority, in accordance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Paris principles. The need for the Palestinian Authority to adhere to the reform agenda and to re-establish fiscal discipline was a central theme of the meeting. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported on the fiscal crisis thus: the Palestinian Authority's deficit rose from 14 per cent to 17 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the past year, and may well reach 19 per cent of GDP in 2006.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“I would like first to touch upon the economic, fiscal and the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. Let me begin with the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting held in London on 14 December, where donors, the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel met to discuss the economic, fiscal and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and to assess progress in Palestinian reform. The Palestinian Authority presented an update on its precarious financial situation and shared with donors the main elements of its medium-term development plan for the next three years. The meeting adopted a revised donor structure that strengthens the role of the Palestinian Authority.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“Mr. Gambari: When I last briefed the Council on this item on behalf of the Secretariat on 30 November (see S/PV.53l2), I spoke of the opportunities for, and challenges to, progress towards peace in the Middle East. This month has seen some positive developments, notably steps toward the implementation of the Access and Movement Agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. But violence has continued in the occupied Palestinian territory, in Israel and in Lebanon. This violence undoubtedly raises tension in the region at a time when the political situation is evolving very rapidly. In the coming weeks, the parties must strive for a return to calm. An atmosphere of stability and restraint will help to ensure that voices of peace and moderation are heard and heeded during the crucial electoral period.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“In accordance with its mandate, as circumstances permit and as requested, UNAMI is determined to continue to work for all the people of Iraq, in partnership with the Iraqi Government and with the full backing and support of the international community through the Security Council.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“However, in order for UNAMI to remain effective and to expand its activities beyond Baghdad, it needs the Council's continued support and adequate resources. In that respect, the air assets necessary for moving into and around the country are critical for UNAMI's future deployment. The United Nations has accompanied Iraq at every step of its transition thus far. The men and women of UNAMI, under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Qazi, deserve our full admiration and support for their dedication and for the efforts they are making in the cause of peace.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“While in resolution 1637 (2005) the Council reaffirmed the leading role of the United Nations in assisting Iraq with further political and economic development, it must be recognized that the capacity of the United Nations in Iraq depends on the commitment and support of States Members of the Organization. In that regard, I am pleased to report that last week, on 8 December, I signed with Ambassador John Bolton the agreement between the United Nations and the United States, as the overall commander of the multinational force, concerning the establishment of security for UNAMI. That historic and important agreement formalizes the security arrangements that are already in place for the United Nations in Iraq.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“After three years of dramatic change and decades of deprivation, Iraqis are still looking to their leaders for the tangible improvements necessary to better their everyday lives and to further stabilize their country. It is therefore in the interest of the region - particularly of Iraq's neighbours - and of the international community as a whole to continue to provide long-term support to Iraq. The Council has a special responsibility in that regard to help normalize Iraq's status as a full and respected member of the international community. Upon his return from Baghdad, the Secretary- General had the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the exceptionally difficult conditions under which UNAMI operates in Iraq.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the commitment of the multinational force to take initial corrective steps, particularly with regard to the issue of detainees. We also urge the Iraqi Government to follow up on its announced actions to address that serious situation. For its part, UNAMI will continue to encourage all concerned to make every effort to ensure that the basic human rights of all Iraqis are respected and that both past and present abuses are addressed based on the rule of law and international obligations. The United Nations expects the full backing of the Security Council in implementing that important aspect of our mandate. Equally important will be the ability of the new Government to deliver quickly on the real needs and genuine expectations of the Iraqi people.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“An important aspect of our work in that regard relates to the human rights situation, particularly in the light of increasingly disturbing reports in recent weeks. The Secretary-General has repeatedly drawn attention to the plight of human rights in Iraq, condemning terrorist, insurgent and paramilitary attacks against innocent civilians. He has repeatedly called on all sides to strictly observe their obligations under international humanitarian law. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has also been seized of the matter. The situation requires not only our continued attention but, more important, urgent action, particularly by the Iraqi authorities and by the multinational force.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“Irrespective of the outcome of the election, the need for national dialogue and reconciliation is real, and so is the opportunity for Iraq's political constituencies to reach out to one another with a View to building their future together, through dialogue, mutual understanding and compromise. The United Nations stands ready to contribute to supporting that goal in a direct and practical way. Iraq's greatest asset is the diversity of its people, their skills and their shared history. We will continue to make every effort to help facilitate genuine political progress and promote greater understanding between Iraq's diverse communities. Dialogue and reconciliation will therefore be at the heart of United Nations activities in all areas of our mandate.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“The result of the constitutional referendum showed that a significant proportion of Iraqis could not support the draft constitution in its current format. The Cairo meeting showed that the basis for national consensus on difficult issues still remains. The United Nations remains confident, however, that consensus can be achieved on those points in the constitution on which agreement has not yet been reached. UNAMI therefore stands ready to continue to provide its assistance to the Council of Representatives and to the Constitutional Review Commission in the discharging of their duties.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“All political initiatives will have to take account of that fact. We hope that the Council of Representatives will assemble at the earliest opportunity after the results have become clear and that the new Government will be formed as soon as possible thereafter. The United Nations encourages all of Iraq's elected representatives and its political leaders to do their utmost to speed up the formation of the administration, so that the positive momentum created by the election carries through to Iraq's new sovereign Government. One of the most important tasks facing the new Council of Representatives will be to establish a Constitutional Review Commission and enable it to undertake its work in a credible and effective manner.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“We encouraged the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, and his team to support the efforts of the League of Arab States and of its Secretary-General, Amre Moussa, in creating a forum in which real differences could be discussed in a meaningful way and a constructive manner. The Secretary-General has expressed the commitment of the United Nations to continue to work with the Arab League, the Government of Iraq and all the participants at the Cairo meeting to ensure that this initiative leads to a sustained process of dialogue and of reconciliation, in accordance with resolution 1546 (2004) and in full respect for Iraq's national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. After the election, a new political landscape will undoubtedly emerge in Iraq.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“Under the auspices of the League of Arab States, a group of Iraq's political, social and religious leaders came together in Cairo from 19 to 21 November to discuss the need for national reconciliation and the development of confidence-building measures that will lessen tensions, reassert the aspirations which all Iraqi communities share, and, no less important, agree that violence and negative external forces should have no place in Iraq's political life and future. Although this was only a preliminary meeting, the conference showed that, given the right encouragement and space, Iraq's representatives could contribute substantively to a political process that draws back from civil strife and puts what Iraqis have in common ahead of ethnic and sectarian identities or differences.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“In turn, that was intended to have a positive impact on the security situation. In fact, this has not occurred, and much remains to be done to develop a momentum within the political process that places emphasis on what the Iraqis have in common rather than on what divides them. Iraq's political leaders know that the overwhelming majority of Iraq's citizens wish to live in a stable, peaceful and democratic Iraq.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“The growing strength of popular participation in the three polls held this year, which we very much encouraged, is a sign of the new political dynamic developing in Iraq, and it is a positive one. Tomorrow's vote will provide a measure of the confidence that the Iraqi people are ready to place in their own future at a time when they continue to face formidable security, political and economic challenges. The United Nations once again encourages all Iraqis to exercise their democratic right to vote and appeals to all parties to refrain from violence or any action which could undermine the democratic process. Of course, the process of political transition is far from complete. As the Secretary-General's report makes clear, the framework laid out in resolution 1546 (2004) was intended to promote national dialogue and reconciliation.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“Mr. Gambari: The report before the Council details the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) from September to November 2005. Having accompanied the Secretary- General during his visit to Baghdad on 12 November, I am pleased to be able to brief the Council today on the work of our mission and to share some firsthand impressions of the challenges that the United Nations faces in Iraq as we move into 2006. The Secretary-General's report comes as tomorrow's election is about to bring to a conclusion the political transition process outlined in resolution 1546 (2004). To have kept that process on track under very difficult conditions is testimony to the commitment of most Iraqis to participate in shaping their country's future through peaceful, democratic means.”
2005-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5325 (2005) · source
“If the Palestinian elections are successfully conducted and once Israelis have determined at the ballot box which political direction they wish their leaders to take, we may yet see the emergence of new circumstances in which to press forward, quickly and decisively, with the implementation of all phases of the road map towards the goal of a just and lasting peace based on two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and within secure and recognized borders, in accordance with Security Council resolutions. The United Nations will, of course, continue to work towards the goal of a comprehensive and just peace in the region. I believe strongly that that goal is both imperative and achievable.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“It also complicates efforts to achieve a viable two-State solution with contiguity of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and with meaningful linkages between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Finally, the coming electoral period calls for the utmost wisdom and political determination on both sides and should be turned into an opportunity for forward movement, not stagnation. The Palestinian 6 elections can serve as a platform for the necessary transition from a heavily and disparately armed society to a society built on the rule of law in which the Palestinian Authority holds a monopoly on instruments of violence. We hope that all will support the Palestinians' right to decide on their conduct - including participation - and that Israel will cooperate so that the playing field is level.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“In addition, Palestinians need an Authority that manages budgetary resources carefully and that plans effectively for a future Palestinian State. I look forward with great interest to reports on Palestinian institutional strengthening and economic development, which will be delivered to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in two weeks' time. The Government of Israel has yet to fulfil its road map obligations to cease settlement activity and to dismantle settlement outposts constructed since March 2001. Israel's continued creation of facts on the ground damages the Palestinian leaders who are seeking to be elected on a platform of peaceful negotiations with Israel.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Above all, I return from the region with the strong belief that the only way forward for Israelis and Palestinians alike is, on the one hand, for the parties to ensure the success of disengagement by fully implementing the recent Agreement on Movement and Access; and, on the other, for both parties to take 5 renewed action, in parallel, to fulfil their obligations under phase one of the road map. The Palestinian Authority must implement proper restructuring of its security services and must take action against individuals involved in violence. Israel must act with restraint. It is in its own interest to support the Palestinian Authority's efforts to establish calm during the coming weeks and months.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“On the other hand, I have also discussed with interlocutors, or seen with my own eyes, a number of very real challenges to progress: the extent to which the barrier, checkpoints and Israeli settlements dominate the landscape in the West Bank; the dire economic and social situation of many people in Gaza and the West Bank; the weakness of the rule of the law in the areas under Palestinian control; the genuine insecurity and fear that Israelis face on a daily basis; and the border between Israel and Lebanon - always tense, recently volatile - where the Government of Lebanon has yet to assert its full sovereignty and control. I have also seen, with great admiration, the determination of the United Nations system on the ground to help improve the situation and to do so in a better coordinated manner.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“I have seen many things that make me optimistic: the Rafah crossing, where Palestinians have assumed control of part of their border for the first time in their history; the Gaza settlements that Israel evacuated and destroyed, setting a vital precedent for the future; the resolve of Palestinian officials to proceed with elections and economic and security sector reforms; and the awareness of Israeli officials that they must consider the impact of their actions on the very Palestinian partner with Whom they must try to make peace. And in Beirut, I witnessed the determination of the Government of Lebanon to assert its control over the entire country, which is vital if regional peace is to be secured.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Israel claims its actions were necessary in the face of evidence of possible hostile acts by Hizbullah, while the Government of Lebanon claims that the violations serve to provoke attacks. Their cessation, which the 05-62208 United Nations has repeatedly called for, would contribute to the maintenance of calm along the Blue Line. Nonetheless, it is the policy of the United Nations - and we will continue to assert before both parties, in the strongest terms - that one violation cannot justify another. It is thus imperative to reduce tensions and achieve security on both sides of the Blue Line. To conclude, I returned from the region hopeful about the future but with a renewed appreciation of the immense challenges the region faces. I returned an optimist, but without illusions.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Consistent with its mandate, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, played an important role in bringing about a ceasefire and securing the handover of the bodies of the three Hizbullah fighters killed, while Special Coordinator De Soto and Mr. Pedersen, Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon, remained in close touch with Israeli and Lebanese interlocutors respectively. I must also report that Israel violated Lebanese airspace along coastal areas on many occasions during the reporting period, including before the Hizbullah attacks. There were also two large sonic booms over civilian areas. And after the attacks, leaflets were dropped over Beirut. Since 21 November, 12 air violations by Israel have been recorded.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Prime Minister Siniora's Government has been working to formulate a financial and economic plan that will be the subject of the next meeting of the Core Group of countries, which have offered their support for Lebanon's various reform initiatives. The critical importance of the Government of Lebanon extending its full control over all its territory was underlined on 21 November, when Hizbullah initiated heavy attacks in Ghajar village and the Shab'a farms area from the Lebanese side of the Blue Line. The exchange of fire subsequently extended all along the Blue Line. Mr. Guehenno briefed the Council on those attacks last week, and the Council has spoken very clearly on them.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“In my discussions on the work of the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, I underlined that resolution 1636 (2005), adopted recently by the Security Council, made 05-62208 clear Syria's obligation to extend its full support and cooperation to the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission. I reiterated that the modalities of such cooperation should be agreed in a bilateral fashion between the Syrian authorities and the Commission. As reported last Friday, the Commission and the Syrian authorities have reached an agreement to conduct the interviews of the Syrian individuals concerned in Vienna. My visit confirmed my earlier assessment that Lebanon remains committed to moving ahead with a challenging and important programme of political and socio-economic reform.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“It is too early to say what the impact of those major political realignments will be on Israel's approach to the peace process, but this is no doubt an important time for the future of both Israel and the Palestinians. Lebanon is also at a critical stage in its history and faces a number of important challenges. During my visit to Beirut, I told all Lebanese interlocutors of the commitment of the United Nations to continue working closely with the Government of Lebanon and to support Lebanon's independence, sovereignty, stability and security. I reiterated our belief that the challenges facing Lebanon should be met through a process led by the Lebanese people themselves and supported by the United Nations and the international community as necessary.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“The Israeli authorities, while expressing their intention not to interfere with the poll, said that they would not cooperate in its conduct. Under the road map, the Palestinian Authority is committed to holding free, open and fair elections, and Israel must support the development of Palestinian democracy and facilitate elections, including in East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, in Israel, the Labour Party has elected a new leader, Amir Peretz, who has informed Prime Minister Sharon that Labour will leave the coalition Government. New elections are expected by the end of March. Mr. Sharon has announced his intention to leave the Likud party and seek re-election as Prime Minister as head of the new Kadima - or Forward - Party.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Nevertheless, technical preparations by the Palestinian Central Election Commission are well under way to meet the unchanged target date of 25 January 2006 for the legislative elections. The United Nations will assist the Commission through a liaison and support unit to coordinate international observers, similar to the unit set up for last year's presidential election. The main concerns of the Central Election Commission, whose President I met in Ramallah, are that the modalities of the poll in East Jerusalem be finalized as soon as possible, that the freedom of movement of candidates be assured by Israeli Authorities during the January campaigning period and that prisoners in Israeli jails be allowed to vote.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“I reiterate the Secretary-General's call on Israel to abide by its legal obligations as set forth in the 9 July 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and in General Assembly resolution ES-10/15. Against that backdrop, we are entering a delicate electoral period, with further rounds of Palestinian municipal elections in December, Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for 25 January 2006 and Israeli elections scheduled for the end of March, following Prime Minister Sharon's request to the President of Israel to dissolve the Knesset. Primary elections for the ruling Fatah party have already taken place in several locations, but after claims of fraud and the storming of a number of Gaza polling stations by militants two days ago, the primaries were suspended.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Israel officials have indicated that there will be a series of such crossings along the route of the barrier between East Jerusalem and the remainder of the West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces have also continued to issue military land requisition orders in various parts of the West Bank to acquire land for barrier construction. As I witnessed during my visit to the region, the combination of settlement activity and barrier construction is creating new and significant facts on the ground in the West Bank. That is particularly the case in and around East Jerusalem, where the route of the barrier fragments and isolates Palestinian neighbourhoods.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“The road map calls for a freeze of all settlement activity, including the natural growth of settlements, and for settlement outposts constructed since March 2001 to be dismantled. On 24 November, the Israeli press reported that Housing Minister Yitzhak Herzog published tenders for an additional 350 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. Israel has also continued construction all along the projected route of the barrier, including on occupied Palestinian territory in East Jerusalem and between Jerusalem and Ramallah. A new terminal was opened at the main entrance to Bethlehem, located some 500 to 600 metres further inside occupied Palestinian territory than the previous checkpoint and functioning much like an international border crossing.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Continued efforts are necessary to develop viable and effective strategies to deal with the militias. President Abbas has established a leadership committee on security reform, which, in turn, has mandated a technical team to develop a white paper on safety and security for Palestinians. That process will involve public dialogue in an effort to build national consensus. Those efforts have the strong support of the United States Security Coordinator, Lieutenant General William Ward, whose successor, Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, will soon be on the ground. The United 3 States Security Coordinator has also been supporting efforts to improve Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation. Let me turn to the issues of barrier construction and settlement activity.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“The Secretary-General promptly condemned that act of terror. Violence took its toll on Palestinian civilians as well as on Israelis. During the reporting period, at least seven Palestinian civilians were killed, including, tragically, an 11-year-old boy carrying a toy gun, who was fatally shot by Israeli forces in Jenin on 3 November. The Palestinian security services have taken some action, including arrests, against those who persist in carrying out terrorist attacks. Measures have also been taken to keep weapons off the streets and to assert the rule of law in areas under Palestinian control. More work needs, of course, to be done in that regard. There have also been efforts to rehabilitate former militia members by employing them in the security services. That, however, has given rise to serious fiscal concerns.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“I would add that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) held a successful conference of donors and host countries in Jordan this month to raise funds for continued support for Palestinian refugees in the region. Continued support for UNRWA programmes will be vital for stability and recovery in the occupied Palestinian territory in the post-disengagement period. The fragile security situation and the need for more decisive action in accordance with the road map have been underlined by continued violence. Throughout the reporting period, the Israeli army targeted alleged militants in the West Bank and Gaza and undertook major arrest campaigns in the West Bank. On 26 October, a suicide bomber blew himself up at Hadera market in Israel, killing six Israeli civilians.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“At the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting, it is hoped that the Palestinian Authority will announce new aid coordination structures designed to enhance Palestinian control of the coordination of donor assistance and present a full outline of its medium-term development plan. Together, those initiatives should contribute to the process of Palestinian institutional development, as envisaged in the road map. It is hoped that that the Palestinian Authority will commit itself to 05-62208 tackling a number of outstanding issues in its own plan. The Palestinian Authority's fiscal situation is also of immediate concern, and urgent action will be required before the end of the year to address the anticipated fiscal crisis.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“As part of its ongoing work, which will now feed into implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access, the United Nations is compiling a comprehensive set of recommendations to reduce obstacles, improve movement and enhance Palestinian access to essential services and markets. The full implementation of all aspects of the Agreement on Movement and Access is a vital step towards Palestinian economic recovery. Recovery will also require the strengthening of Palestinian institutions and economic management and the effective distribution of international aid. Those issues will be on the agenda of the mid-December meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, which is the primary policy-making meeting of donors, the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“OCHA will be confirming that figure with the Israel Defense Forces, but it appears that much of the increase has been in the northern West Bank - the area where in August four Israeli settlements were removed and where movement had previously been eased. Meanwhile, a picture is emerging of the West Bank divided into three distinct areas - north, central and south. While movement is relatively free inside those areas, travel between them - with the exception of Nablus - is severely hampered by a combination of checkpoints, travel permits and physical obstacles.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“They deserve our collective support and encouragement. The Quartet Special Envoy intends to issue reports every two weeks, so as to keep the international community informed of progress. His first report, issued yesterday, shows, among other things, that over 800 people are 05-62208 passing through Rafah every day, even though the crossing is currently open for only four hours a day. Those numbers are expected to increase as Rafah moves towards 24-hour operation. In this regard, the United Nations will be playing its part in tracking progress in the implementation of the Agreement, including with regard to the casing of movement restrictions in the West Bank. According to figures from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of obstacles to movement has increased in the past two months from 376 to 396.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Fourthly, the Government of Israel has undertaken to review the system of movement restrictions in the West Bank and to reduce them to the maximum extent possible by the end of this year. Fifthly, the construction of the seaport is to begin immediately. Finally, the parties will continue discussions on the airport. The Agreement addresses a number of the issues that were left hanging after Israel's withdrawal of settlements and military infrastructure from the Gaza Strip. The recent Agreement resolved those issues or set up frameworks for doing so. Everything now hinges on the full and timely implementation of the Agreement. Meanwhile, representatives of the United States Government are working closely with the parties on implementation, and Mr. Wolfensohn's team will be tracking progress on behalf of the Quartet.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“On that day, 757 people entered Gaza at Rafah and 830 exited. The European Union's 90-man-strong Border Assistance Mission will be responsible for resolving any disputes between Israel and the Palestinian Authority arising from the Agreement. Secondly, the parties agreed that the crossings between Gaza and Israel would operate continuously, unlike in the past. The aim is for 150 export trucks to be processed daily by the end of 2005 and for 400 to be processed daily by the end of next year. Goods will enter Gaza through Kerem Shalom, where Israel, Egypt and Gaza meet. The European Union will monitor customs arrangements, with its mission being reviewed in a year's time. Thirdly, bus convoys between Gaza and the West Bank will start on 15 December, with truck convoys following on 15 January 2006.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“The Agreement was made possible by months of very hard work by Quartet Special Envoy James Wolfensohn and his team and, at the end, by the personal engagement of the Secretary of State of the United States, Condoleezza Rice, and the European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. The Agreement envisages an unprecedented third-party role for the European Union, an enhanced contribution by the 2 United States Security Coordinator, support from the Quartet Special Envoy and the continued close involvement of the United Nations and the World Bank. The first aspect of the Agreement was implemented last Saturday, when the Rafah crossing reopened under Palestinian control for travellers in both directions and for the outgoing passage of goods, with supervision by the European Union as a third party.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Mr. Gambari: I returned last week from my first visit to the Middle East in my capacity as Under- Secretary-General for Political Affairs. I accompanied the Secretary-General on his visit to Iraq, and then proceeded to Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. In this briefing, I will present the Secretariat's assessment of events on the ground since the previous briefing to the Council on 20 October and will share with members some impressions gained during my visit. In doing so, I will try not to go over the ground covered by the Secretary-General himself and by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations in their recent briefings to the Council. Two weeks ago, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority reached an Agreement on Movement and Access.”
2005-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5312 (2005) · source
“Further energetic coordination, cooperation and engagement by Israelis, by the Palestinians and by the international community are needed in order to translate successful disengagement into a negotiated and sustainable peace.”
2005-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5287 (2005) · source
“The events of the past month have highlighted how Palestinian internal security problems have the potential to derail the political process and the peace process. There is evidence that Palestinians strongly support President Abbas' efforts to rein in militant groups. The Palestinian leadership now needs to build on that support and demonstrate its ability to improve Palestinian law enforcement capabilities. Finally, I would like to say that the withdrawal of Israeli settlers and military infrastructure has lifted a burden from the people of Gaza. It also has the potential to create new opportunities for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
2005-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5287 (2005) · source
“One of Israel's primary obligations under the road map is to halt all settlement activity, including natural growth, and dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. The cessation of settlement activity is an important confidence-building measure; while Israel continues to construct settlements in the West Bank, it is hard for President Abbas to convince Palestinians that peaceful negotiations with Israel will lead to the creation of a viable Palestinian State. The same must be said of Israel's construction of the barrier on Palestinian land. For its part, the Palestinian Authority must persist with comprehensive reform and with the strengthening of its security services with the aim of ending violence and terror, as stipulated in the road map.”
2005-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5287 (2005) · source
“The Quartet will continue, as it has for the past three years, to work to achieve the vision of a just, lasting and comprehensive regional peace based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002). We welcome today's meeting between President Bush and President Abbas in Washington, DC. However, the international community can only assist in restarting the peace process; it cannot lead a return to negotiations unless both parties take bold steps to fulfil their respective commitments. The parties must work constructively over the coming month to clear up the outstanding access and movement issues relating to disengagement, acting in parallel to implement obligations set out in the road map.”
2005-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5287 (2005) · source