YouSaid · the spoken record

Garcia Margallo

lines on the record: 76
first: 2014-09-19
most recent: 2016-09-21
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-security-council

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“The first issue is that without the cooperation and international coordination on the part of everyone - members and non-members of the coalition - this will not work. Secondly, it is absolutely necessary to coordinate the struggle against foreign fighters. To that end, we recently convened, on 27 and 28 July in Madrid, a special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, which approved a ministerial statement, which I will not read out because it is available to the members of the Security Council. Given its geographical situation and historical tradition, Spain is closely involved with the countries of the Mediterranean and the Near East. We have hosted many meetings with the moderate Syrian opposition in Cordoba. We have facilitated international meetings on Libya involving the most important countries of the world.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Simply put, there has been a lengthy war between the Tripoli and Tobruk factions that has also been exploited by Daesh to plant its black flags on the coast of Libya and has unleashed a flow of illegal migration that is also calling into question the immigration policy of the European Union. In Iraq, things are a little better because, as we see it, there is a legitimate Government which, at our request, has allowed us to send more than 300 Spanish troops to train Iraqi forces. In Spain's opinion, the Iraqi Government should pursue its inclusive efforts so that the Sunnis, the former soldiers of Saddam Hussein and the Kurdish peshmerga will join together with the regular army in a common effort against a common enemy. If I can borrow from the title of a famous pamphlet, what is to be done done?”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“However, the worse part of the situation in Syria is that the fight between the two forces has created a vacuum that Daesh and other forces associated with Al-Qaida have exploited in order to try to establish a caliphate that would drag us back into the darkest periods of the Middle Ages, using the most modern techniques to recruit, finance and broadcast its grisly deeds. The second phenomenon that we have experienced recently is the massive flow of refugees who have to flee their land in search of freedom. This calls into question the very foundation of the immigration and asylum policy of the European Union. It demonstrates that we cannot wait much longer. We must act and act now. In Libya, we also find a very complicated situation.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“As has been said, more than five years of war in Syria have resulted in 250,000 deaths, 12.5 million people who need urgent humanitarian assistance, 8 million internally displaced persons and 4 million refugees outside the country in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, which is putting those countries in a extraordinarily difficult situation. I recall the fact that Lebanon, whose per capita income is one fifth of that of the European Union, has a refugee population equal to 25 per cent of its total population. I do not need to describe Jordan's situation; anyone who has been to Zaatari knows what is happening there.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Once again, the Spanish experience shows that, between 1960 and 1997, after the killings in the Basque country, the victims had to be buried in silence and in the dark, because often they were said to be responsible for their own misfortune. When civil society reacted, things began to change. Lastly, it is necessary to reveal, show and uncover the real face of these murderers. They are not soldiers; they are - I repeat - criminals. They are not believers; they are blasphemous because religion is always the language of peace. Before drawing lessons that could be useful to the international community, I shall make a few comments on the current situation.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Particularly memorable was the Madrid attack of 11 March 2004, in which 190 people, the majority of whom were people of humble origins going to work on local trains, were killed. There are five lessons that we can learn from this experience and that can be useful to the international community. First, as I said yesterday, we do not negotiate with terrorists; we defeat them. Secondly, we defeat them with the law - only with the law, but with the full force of the law. Thirdly, international cooperation is absolutely necessary in terms of intelligence, the coordination of security forces and the speediest possible extradition of murderers. Fourthly, civil society must be involved.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Mr. Garcia Margallo (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin by highlighting the timeliness and relevance of convening this meeting at a particularly complex moment. I would also like to underscore that, in combating the phenomenon of terrorism, it is crucial that there be leadership, perseverance, determination and, above all, unity. Without unity, they will defeat us. Spain has a long and painful experience in combatting domestic and foreign terror. With regard to combatting domestic, separatist terrorism, it is worth recalling that 55 years ago the first victim - a 22-month- old baby girl - died as a result of a bomb explosion in a railway station. Since then, Spain has suffered more than 800 deaths at the hands of the terrorists of Euskadi Ta Askatasuna. With respect to foreign terror, we have suffered many attacks.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“He or she would work in close coordination with the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and take into account the Alliance's valuable legacy. We also propose the establishment ofa specialized international jurisdictional mechanism to bring to trial those responsible for crimes committed out of violent extremism. The objective of justice and the fight against impunity cannot be renounced, as highlighted by resolution 2170 (2014). I conclude by gratefully expressing thanks for the convening of this debate. We are facing a conflict between totalitarianism and humankind's plurality, between intolerance and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Our commitment must be complete, because we are facing a totalitarian threat. Somebody must stop that madness, and that somebody is us - the United Nations.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“We must also cauterize, at its very source, the hemorrhage being caused by fanaticism in many societies. We must use the truth to combat lies and manipulation, and education to fight ignorance, and we must undertake an active campaign to unmask extremism. I want to make two clear, specific proposals. We call on the Secretary-General to immediately implement the action plan that he has just presented. I also submit, for his consideration, that he should appoint, within the Secretariat and using existing resources, a Special Representative endowed with a mandate to combat violent extremism. The Special Representative could, on his behalf, coordinate policies against the fanaticism and extremism feeding terrorism.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“The difficult transition from conflict to peace calls for multidimensional operations adapted to the new political challenges and realities. Lastly, I proposed, and continue to propose, that the peacebuilding agenda, which is closely linked to the idea of reconciliation and is currently under review, should incorporate aspects of intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The time has come to turn to a new page in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Our focus must be global, daring, flexible and fully respectful of human rights and the most sacred principles of humankind. We must ensure that mass crimes and abuses of fundamental human rights do not go unpunished, and must establish a solid foundation to ensure accountability for perpetrators.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“Indeed, at the latest forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, held in Bali, Indonesia, last September, I made a series of specific proposals that, I believe, it is appropriate to recall here. I proposed the creation of a platform of religious leaders for peace in conflict areas, where action is most urgently needed, including Syria, Israel-Palestine and in Iraq. Religion, as I have stated, must build peace rather than cause division. Secondly, I proposed the establishment of a team of expert mediators in intercultural and interreligious affairs who can support the mediation, negotiation and dialogue efforts of United Nations envoys and resident coordinators and political missions on the ground. Thirdly, I suggested, and now reiterate, the inclusion of intercultural and interreligious experts in United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“Experience and effectiveness also counsel the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the root causes of barbarity and injustice. Spain is promoting various actions within the framework of its foreign policy to promote intercultural and interreligious understanding. The Alliance of Civilizations is an instrument of dialogue among religions and peoples in the fight against radicalism. Together with Austria, we are among the founders of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue. It is urgent for both initiatives to deploy their full potential. The United Nations system must incorporate those issues into its daily work in a cross-cutting manner.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“The action plan that the Secretary-General has presented to us contains guidelines for the entire international community. All of us, all of us members, have to work for it to be implemented and we, especially at the Council, must ensure that it is complied with. For Spain,today'sthemeis anabsolutepriorityefirst, because we have experienced at first hand the scourge of terrorism. We are well aware of the suffering of the Victims. We know how important it is to hear their voices in devising strategies aimed at countering terrorism. Secondly, Spain has set the protection and promotion of human rights, the responsibility to protect and the fight against terrorism as the essential axes of its foreign policy.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“We have been doing this. Today's meeting should lead to a new, determined step forward in this endeavour. I wish to express Spain's full support for the important statement of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. I fully endorse his statement. The guidelines that he lays out for us are certain and necessary, especially those that refer to the establishment of an advisory panel of experts to advise on peaceful coexistence among communities of different faiths. The scourge of terrorism must be fought on many fronts. We must make greater efforts to prevent the radicalization and recruitment of young people. We must counter the falsehoods in the terrorists' discourse. We must close off their sources of financing. We must promote harmony among peoples and communities of different faiths.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“Rather, it is a confrontation between civilization, with all of its manifestations of freedom, creativity and diversity, and mass barbarism, which aspires to reduce the individual to an object subject to brutality. It is that simple; it is that terrible. Expressed in such terms, the debate affects not only individuals living in the Middle East, but each and every one of us, and each and every one of our nations. The French presidency of the Council has most appropriately convened this debate. Not only is it timely. It is also a moral and political obligation. It is not enough for us to express our indignation, or express our regret or pain because of so many dreadful crimes. The Victims and the entire international community expect that the Council will act with unity, determination and intelligence against barbarism and hatred.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“Much earlier, the region witnessed the rise of Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and Mithraism. The jihadist terrorism of Daesh threatens to annihilate the diversity that is inherent to the region. Just as we express without any reservavtion our most emphatic rejection and condemnation of jihadist terrorism, we cannot and must not allow for that phenomenon to be confused with Islam. jihadism has manipulated and twisted the message of Islam. It has kidnapped it and held it hostage, creating a violent, cruel, totalitarian, oppressive and expansionist ideology. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the victims ofjihadist terror are Muslims. The fight against jihadist terrorism is not the manifestation of a conflict between Islam and the West, nor is it a clash of civilizations.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“On behalf of Spain, which I am honoured today to represent on behalf of its King, its Government and its people, I want to reach out to them and extend my fraternal greetings filled with affection to each and everyone of the members of the communities that they represent. Now let me ask: what is the reason for this debate. Why are we here? I think the reason is that we run the certain risk that the rich and pluralistic Middle East will disappear. The Middle East is more than a geostrategic space of the first order. It is also a melting pot of races, cultures and beliefs. It is the cradle of the three great monotheistic religions practiced by most of the inhabitants of this planet. But it is also the region that gave birth to Yazidism and the Baha'i, Druze and Ismailist faiths and Mandaeism.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“These voices speak for the elderly and for men, women and children who have been persecuted, expelled from their lands or massacred; they are the voices of the inhabitants of the Middle East, the cradle of civilizations, the source of spirituality and wisdom; they are the voices of a region that is the heritage of all of humankind and that today, more than ever, is being torn apart because of the utter disregard for life and human dignity. Their suffering does not leave us unmoved. Their presence here today at the United Nations gives us greater dignity, it humanizes us and makes us stronger. We owe them our admiration and gratitude. They embody the best of the human condition.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“Mr. Garcia Margallo (Spain) (Spoke in Spanish): This is the first time that I participate in an open debate of the Security Council since Spain became a non-permanent member on 1 January. It is a worthy opportunity for me to do so since the matter that brings us here today is of extreme gravity. My first words are of emotion and respect. I was moved by the testimony we heard, which will resonate for years in this Chamber. The voices we heard are the voices of people of goodwill, people immune to hatred and the desire for revenge. Their words of brotherhood are raised against the intolerable harassment, the irreparable pain and the humiliation inflicted.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“We must fight with intelligence and perseverance. Above all, we must remain united and act together. The people and the Government of Iraq and the international community can count on Spain's full willingness and experience on behalf of this just cause.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“To date, the Spanish Government has contributed significant sums towards helping meet the needs of the Iraqi people. We will continue such efforts in future. Furthermore, we wish to address the following issues with regard to that joint undertaking. First, we will support operations by providing the use of Spanish bases; support and participate in strategic transportation efforts; contribute capacity, including air support, leadership, security and intelligence; participate in advising and standing up military units, in keeping with the priorities of the Iraqi military; and facilitate the supply of military equipment to the legitimate Government of Iraq. The sophistication and the growing strength of jihadist terrorism places us before a very demanding, long-term challenge. There is no place for shortcuts or discouragement.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“We intend to assist the Iraqis on their path - which is now threatened - towards democracy, stability, prosperity and peace. We must strengthen efforts in preventive diplomacy, political dialogue and building institutional capacity. Initiatives such as the Alliance of Civilians and Mediation in the Mediterranean - which Spain leads - are examples of that approach. With regard to dialogue, my country has convened meetings with the moderate Syrian opposition and will convene others in future. As an example of strengthening institutions, we highlight our programme called "Masar" - Arabic for "path" - to support transition in the Arab world. With the same goal and to confront the jihadist threat in northern Africa, on 17 September Spain hosted a conference on stability and development in Libya.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“Prime Minister Al-Abadi has managed to form an inclusive Government. We must support him in strengthening Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity based on solid, participatory institutions. That condition is a sine qua non in the efforts to join forces and goodwill in the fight against the terrorist group that calls itself the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Finally, we must adopt a strategy based on a broad consensus among all regional and international actors. A very important first step towards such a coalition was taken at the Paris conference held on 15 September, in which I was honoured to participate. The Kingdom of Spain, which maintains close friendship ties with the Iraqi people, assumes its responsibility in this joint endeavour.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“The Security Council has already taken a very important step in adopting resolution 2170 (2014), which makes unequivocally clear the will to act against the terrorist groups Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Nusra Front. The resolution provides legitimacy beyond any question. It introduces important elements such as the prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters and the need for the close cooperation of States to prevent recruitment. Spain trusts that the Council will take another significant step in that direction in the upcoming debate next week on foreign terrorist fighters. Spain is currently working to reform its penal code to categorize as a crime of terrorism the participation of radicals in foreign conflicts. Secondly, the international community must respond to the request of the legitimate Government of Iraq.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“At this historic moment, we cannot remain impassive before the systematic elimination of entire communities and religious minorities and the ruthless murders of hostages such as James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines, the abject cruelty of which is shocking. The perpetrators of those crimes must be brought to justice. Experience teaches us that an efficient fight against jihadist terrorism must be based on three essential elements. First, all international interventions should be carried out in accordance with the principles that inspire the Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“Mr. Garcia Margallo (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate and for the invitation to participate to address the grave threats currently faced by Iraq - and not only Iraq. Jihadist terrorism poses a threat to the entire international community. Spain knows that well through its own experience. It is the duty of the Security Council to provide a resolute and effective response to a threat that concerns all of us. We therefore commend the members of the Council on today's adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2014/20, which Spain fully endorses.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source