YouSaid · the spoken record

Goledzinowski

lines on the record: 143
first: 2008-08-19
most recent: 2011-07-12
sittings or episodes: 21
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

“Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Council's discussion of the Secretary-General's latest report on the situation in Afghanistan (S/2009/323). I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, Sir, on my Government's behalf, and to congratulate you on your leadership of this Council over the past month. Australia appreciates the United Nations leadership of international civilian engagement in Afghanistan, and we would like to acknowledge again the tireless efforts of Special Representative Eide in that regard. As we have said before and will no doubt say again, international engagement in Afghanistan must address security, governance and regional cooperation. We all understand the importance of creating a secure environment in Afghanistan in which development and economic opportunities can grow.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In closing, a significant challenge remains: to continue efforts to equip all States to deal effectively with the international terrorist threat. Australia hopes that the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy will continue to provide impetus for the international community to adopt practical measures that facilitate counter-terrorism cooperation by way of extradition, prosecution, information flows and capacity-building. We will continue to work to promote cooperation between Member States to implement the Strategy in full.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“An effective international legal framework is fundamental to addressing the global terrorist threat. In addition to fully implementing our obligations to freeze terrorist assets, Australia has ratified 13 of the 16 international counter-terrorism instruments of universal application, and we are currently assessing the legislative changes necessary to implement the remainder. We have also signed 14 bilateral counter-terrorism memorandums of understanding with partners, which set out our framework for counter-terrorism cooperation and the sharing of best practices. Australia also co-chairs, with Belgium, a project team of the Financial Action Task Force, which is developing new guidelines on best- practice implementation of obligations regarding terrorist asset-freezing.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“It is also important that the Committees continue to cooperate with the General Assembly through close engagement with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and with the broader United Nations system. Australia strongly supports the work of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED). In that context, we commend the work of CTED and its energetic head, Mr. Mike Smith, in particular for the Directorate's focus on effective technical cooperation and assistance in its work with the Counter-Terrorism Action Group. Constructive relations with Member States - particularly donor and recipient countries - are critical to the success of the work of CTED. We look forward to the upcoming CTED visit to Australia in July and to the opportunity to share with CTED our approach to counter-terrorism efforts domestically and in the region.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“We also welcome the recent attention given by the 1540 Committee to institutional issues, including the conclusion of its work programme, the completion of its selection process for new experts and its decision to instigate a comprehensive review of the implementation of the resolution. In order to capitalize on the unique role that the United Nations can play in addressing terrorism, Australia encourages the Committees and their expert bodies to continue to explore ways to work more closely together. We see scope for further cooperation, especially in relation to streamlined reporting regimes, assessment missions and the facilitation of technical assistance.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Australia appreciates and strongly supports the work of the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). We also acknowledge the able assistance provided by their respective expert bodies. A global effort is needed to oppose terrorism effectively, and the United Nations has the unique capacity to set and enforce international norms and standards in this area. Australia welcomes recent developments within the Committees, including the commencement of the review of all names on the 1267 Committee's consolidated list and the conclusion of procedures for drafting narrative summaries on the reasons for listing each entry. The effectiveness of the 1267 Committee is directly related to the relevance and currency of the consolidated list. We remain committed to full cooperation with the Committee.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Continued progress in Afghanistan depends on strengthened and expanded engagement by the United Nations and the international community, in concert with the Government and the people of Afghanistan.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“Australia will, of course, participate in the Afghan conference to be held in The Hague. That meeting will be a key opportunity to look critically at what is working and what is not in Afghanistan and how we can make our collective efforts more effective. We welcome the United Nations role in co-chairing the meeting, and, of course, we thank the Netherlands, our valued partners in Oruzgan, for hosting it. Australia strongly supports UNAMA and the extension of its mandate. We will need to continue to ensure that this operation is properly resourced. We also wish to record our deep appreciation for the invaluable efforts of Mr. Kai Eide and for his leadership of his courageous team at UNAMA.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“In that context, Australia very much values the efforts of Special Representative Kai Eide and his team in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to achieve better unity of effort in international donor activity. Australia stands ready to be coordinated. We also support the expansion of UNAMA's reach through new provincial offices. That sends a clear signal of the United Nations commitment to provide more direct assistance through programmes and outreach at the community level, where help is most needed. We particularly welcome the opening of an UNAMA provincial office in Oruzgan, where our military and civilian personnel are deployed. We look forward to working with the new office to improve conditions in that part of southern Afghanistan.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“Political reconciliation and, ultimately, a political settlement will also be critical elements of a lasting and durable solution for Afghanistan. Constructive engagement by regional countries will be very important. But Australia also recognizes the magnitude of the humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan, and we are doing our bit - some 600 million dollars' worth since 2001. I would particularly highlight the work that is being done by my compatriots in the areas of mine action and also through the food assistance being delivered by the World Food Programme. We welcome the importance attached in the Secretary-General's report to ensuring that development assistance is applied intelligently according to coordinated and comprehensive plans with clear goals.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“We also support efforts to find a solution to constitutional issues in a manner that would ensure the legitimacy and stability of government until the inauguration. Moreover, we are committed to supporting the conduct of the elections. We recently announced $3 million for the United Nations Development Programme to establish an independent electoral complaints commission, and we had previously supported the electoral registration. Afghanistan and its international partners face enormous challenges, as outlined eloquently by the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan. Improving security is critical to reconstruction and development. That will require the Afghan Government forces to take the lead. To assist that, Australia has provided an operational mentoring and liaison team to Afghanistan.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“Australia is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this debate. In the interests of time, I will skip some parts of my distributed statement. We agree with the Secretary-General's report (S/2009/135), and with other speakers that have referenced it, that 2009 will be a critical year in Afghanistan. Ensuring the credible conduct of elections will be important for demonstrating that Afghanistan's emerging democracy will not be disrupted by the Taliban insurgency. Australia welcomes the August date for elections announced by the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission. That timing provides an opportunity for the necessary logistical preparations to be carried out to allow the people of Afghanistan to exercise their democratic right.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“In conclusion, we look forward to working with members of the Council and members of the African Union in the coming months as we further consider this important report.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Australia also looks forward to continuing our support for the E-Learning for African Peacekeepers programme, known as ELAP. We have been a proud supporter of this programme since its inception, in 2006. In that time, the programme has attracted over 168,000 enrolments, at no cost to the participants, in distance training across some 22 peacekeeping courses. As noted throughout this report, military capabilities can never substitute for long-term political solutions to crises. Australia has been pleased to contribute to United Nations initiatives aimed at strengthening the relationship between the AU and the Organization and at developing more effective conflict- prevention mechanisms in Africa, both at the regional and subregional levels.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“During his visit to Addis Ababa last month, the Australian Minister for Defence announced that a number of places would be made available for AU- nominated officers to undertake training in Australian defence courses on vital military skills to help increase the effectiveness of peace missions. The Defence Minister also announced that Australia would co- sponsor, together with the AU and United Nations, a peacekeeping symposium in Africa later this year to allow for an exchange of expertise and experiences. Furthermore, he undertook to explore the possibility that Australia may be able to provide some modest training and mentoring assistance to the Eastern African Standby Brigade to help build the capacities and capabilities of the AU for peacekeeping and peace- support and prevention activities.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We need to recognize that those United Nations resources are scarce and need to be used in a cost-effective and efficient manner. I would like to emphasize that the Australian Government is keen to strengthen our engagement with Africa and the AU in the field of peace and security and to cooperate where appropriate with African Member States in addressing many of the challenges raised in the report. This was outlined by our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Smith, when he addressed the African Union Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa on 29 January.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“With Africa remaining home to 40 per cent of global peace operations, the need to strengthen the AU's capacity for peacekeeping, both in terms of responding to crises and promoting long-term stability, is self-evident. We support the provision of assistance by the United Nations to develop the AU's conflict- prevention and peacekeeping capacity, and we encourage the United Nations Secretariat and the AU Commission to explore ways in which their relationship can be further developed. With more than 70 per cent of the United Nations military personnel and more than 50 per cent of its police personnel deployed to missions in Africa, we also support the report's call for the establishment of a more effective strategic relationship between the United Nations and the AU.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“These recommendations demand further reflection by Member States, both in the Security Council and in the General Assembly. Australia commends the AU for its increasing engagement in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction activities. The challenges are significant, especially for a relatively new regional organization that is trying to address operational imperatives while simultaneously developing its own peace and security architecture. In addressing these operational and institutional challenges, we would encourage the AU to learn from the experiences, both good and bad, of the United Nations and other comparable regional organizations.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“First of all, Mr. President, please accept my country's congratulations on your appointment to your very high office. Thank you also for this opportunity to address the Council on the report of joint African Union-United Nations panel on support for African Union peacekeeping operations (S/2008/8l3). At the outset, I would like to commend the panel for their comprehensive, thorough and realistic report. The panel has raised a number of recommendations for strengthening the United Nations-African Union (AU) relationship with regard to peacekeeping and for developing the AU's structural, procedural, logistical and human resources. The report has also raised some interesting proposals regarding the establishment of a new financial mechanism aimed at strengthening the AU's capacity, both for peacekeeping and capacity- building.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We welcome renewed interest in the Saudi- sponsored Arab Peace Initiative as a possible basis for further discussions, and hope that progress can be made on the Israel-Syria track. Peace will be achieved only with the support of the international community. Of course, it is the parties' principals who will have to make peace, but we have a deep and serious responsibility to support that process. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians have asked us to support their efforts by promoting an environment conducive to peace, non-violence and the two-State solution. The Quartet has similarly called on all of us to provide diplomatic and political support and to assist in building the institutions necessary for a future Palestinian State. Australia is committed to providing that support and we stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Australia is deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which we referenced a few weeks ago during Israel's recent appearance at the Human Rights Council in the context of the Universal Periodic Review process. We are very much concerned by the resumption of violence and indiscriminate attacks against Israel, which we have condemned. We strongly support the Quartet's call for the Egyptian- brokered ceasefire to be respected and extended. Australia echoes the Quartet's call for humanitarian supplies into Gaza to be assured continuously. Like all right-thinking nations, Australia supports efforts to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and its neighbours, consistent with the Security Council's resolutions, including its most recent resolution on the subject, resolution 1850 (2008).”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We welcome the statement of the Middle East Quartet of 15 December 2008, reiterating its support for the ongoing negotiations through the Annapolis process. We were encouraged by the commitment of the parties to the Quartet on 9November 2008 at Sharm el-Sheikh to "vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations", and of course to implementing their respective obligations under the Road Map for peace. The progress made at Annapolis must not be lost. That is why it is important that, irrespective of the composition of the leadership in Israel or the Palestinian Authority, this progress must continue, and they must expedite bilateral negotiations and of course abide by their obligations under the Road Map.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049Resumption1 (2008) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Serry for his informative briefing. I think we all owe thanks and respect to the members of the Secretariat, who do such important work on this issue. I would also like to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to speak today on this very important issue. It might seem trite to refer to this as an important issue, but it is important to all of us, wherever we live, including in Australia. We spoke at some length on this in the General Assembly, so I will be brief today. As a firm friend of Israel and of the Palestinian people, Australia shares the vision of two States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace, security and security.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I should like to thank the President for convening this debate and also for his uncompromising national statement and for undertaking to prepare a presidential statement for adoption at the conclusion of this debate.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“The Pakistan-Afghanistan border region remains in the forefront of the fight against terrorism. All nations have a direct interest in ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a base for the export of terrorist activity and a focus for terrorism in South Asia and more widely. Finally, in the spirit of the Secretary-General's Alliance of Civilizations initiative and other interfaith dialogue activities, Australia is working with regional Governments to underline our shared values based on tolerance, non-violence, respect for human dignity, diversity and pluralism, as well as our consistent, unequivocal and strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“Australia strongly supports efforts to prevent this within the framework of measures such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Australia's whole-of-Government counter- terrorism capacity-building and operational collaboration efforts will continue, particularly in South-East Asia. The region's foremost terrorist organizations have been significantly disrupted through successful counter-terrorism actions carried out by Indonesia and other regional Governments, but the terrorist groups are resilient and have not abandoned their violent goals. Splinter groups and independent cells continue to pose a threat. We will continue to work with Governments in our region to ensure that counter- terrorism successes are consolidated. Australia is also deeply committed to expanding its cooperation with the countries in South Asia.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“Effective mitigation of terrorist attacks involves the combination of an appropriate security response with broader strategies to enhance social cohesion and community resilience and to lessen the appeal of radical ideology leading to violent extremism. In addition, we recognize that the flexible and networked organizational structures of terrorist groups enable them to take rapid advantage of new technologies. In seeking to counter the influence of extremist propaganda on the Internet and elsewhere and the challenges of cyber-terrorism, Governments need to become more flexible, adaptive and collaborative. A key concern for the international community in examining the connections between terrorism and other threats to global security is the threat of terrorists' acquiring and using chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“Our international counter-terrorism engagement is based on three pillars: policy dialogue, including this debate; operational collaboration; and counter-terrorism capacity-building with international partners. Australia also supports the Vital work of the United Nations in developing a comprehensive legal framework in the field of counter-terrorism and in promoting cooperation among Member States in combating terrorism. As the representative of Costa Rica emphasized, effective counter-terrorism efforts are not susceptible to purely military solutions; they require police, intelligence, political and broader developmental activities, as has been emphasized by a number of speakers today.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“At the same time, we also recognize that Al-Qaida-inspired extremism has never depended on a single overarching group or organization. Its fluid and decentralized nature is exemplified in the phenomenon of so-called home-grown terrorism, which is carried out largely in developed countries by those who have been radicalized and organized independently. The evolving and persistent nature of the terrorist threat calls for a long-term international strategy. No country can combat terrorism effectively on its own. The Australian Government recognizes that, in order to protect Australia and Australians from the threat of terrorism, international cooperation is essential.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“In Australia's assessment, while headway is being made to counter Al-Qaida-inspired violent extremism, it is likely to remain a challenge to the global security environment for the foreseeable future. Indeed, whenever we are tempted to think that this problem is behind us, we are reminded in a cruel fashion of how much further we need to go. The ideology of such extremism appeals across generations and continues to attract new adherents despite its appalling record of violence. Al-Qaida continues to be the vanguard of the movement. It has itself planned and undertaken attacks and funded and facilitated attacks by others. It has also created a sophisticated global propaganda machine, which in turn has inspired others.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to speak today on Australia's assessment of the current threats to international security from terrorism. First, I would like to join others in expressing our condemnation and disgust at the recent attacks in Mumbai. Australia reiterates its sympathy and solidarity with the Government and the people of India. Australians, I know, were deeply shocked by those attacks, not just because we lost two of our own, but also because of the randomness and cruelty with which they were carried out. These were well-organized and deliberate attacks that would have required careful preparation, planning, facilitation and training. Every effort must be made to bring the perpetrators to justice and to ensure that no such attack can ever happen again.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“I would also like to echo Indonesia's call for greater use of web-based information technology, not just to disseminate information but also to gather inputs on less controversial matters from a wider pool of expertise. Finally, we non-members should also reflect on our own performance. Too often we turn up at open debates and merely read out what our capitals have sent us, rather than responding to the interventions that have gone before and that have been the product of very careful consideration. On those occasions when we are invited to open debates, as noted by the United States delegation, we often fail to turn up. We ignore time limits, and we do not avail ourselves of the opportunity, as we are frequently reminded by the President, to shorten our statements and distribute longer written texts.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The work of one external organization mentioned a few moments ago by a previous speakers - Security Council Report - illustrates the value of external auditing. That is a body very well and ably led by someone very well known to many of us. He is a gentleman who participated in the last debate on this issue, back in 1994. Nineteen ninety-four: as we in Australia say, that is a long time between drinks. One of the most compelling ideas I have heard today was raised by the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica. He said that his delegation advocates "for periodic open debates on these issues every two years, so that each elected member can have at least one opportunity, during its tenure of membership of the Council, to debate the working methods of this organ" (supra). That is a good idea. We should just do it.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“What percentage of the drafting recommendations of the 10 elected members or non-members of the Council are ever accepted? As we have been reminded, some Council Presidents have done very well in maximizing transparency and access by non-members - and we are grateful for that - but have all? The Council should keep those sorts of statistics and issue them periodically - say, every two years - so that we can know if we are making progress or not. I note that the representative of Croatia cited some performance statistics in his intervention. We should do more of that, and information should be more readily available. Self-assessment can be useful and necessary but, equally, an external assessor is not a bad idea.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Real change will require substantive reform but, as I think all statements up to now have emphasized, the reform of working methods can help. A good start would be for the Council to formally state that it has an objective and that that objective is to be like any modern effective organization: to be accountable and transparent. Secondly, we believe that reliable progress can only be made if one measures what one does. How much of the Council's work is done behind closed doors? As others have asked, how much of it should be done behind closed doors? How soon are newly elected Council members brought into deliberations? How often are resolutions drafted ahead of open debates and what, if any, changes are made as a consequence of those debates?”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Australia has not been on the Council for over 20 years, but we have been a contributor to many peacekeeping operations mandated by this body. Of course, as a Member we are bound by its decisions. We therefore believe that the basic mindset of the Council should be one of active accountability and deliberate transparency. Let me offer a few brief thoughts on what that might mean in practice. More details can be found in the printed copy of Australia's intervention. First, the Council has an image problem. Outside of this building, and perhaps even outside the Chamber, and certainly in many capitals and among the wider public, it is regarded as a bit of a closed club doing good where it can but regularly and jealously guarding its privileges and specific interests. That image is not going to change overnight.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“I would like to thank you very much, Mr. President, for convening this debate. Given the lateness of the hour, I promise the interpreters and others that I will be as brief as possible. I would also like to thank those who have spoken before me. Every intervention I have heard contained good and valuable ideas with which we strongly agree and of which we have taken careful note. I would also like to acknowledge the important role that Japan has played, and to thank Costa Rica, Jordan, Lichtenstein, Singapore and Switzerland for the burden they have taken on in advancing this issue. While Security Council reform in general has been stuck, some modest improvements in the Council's working methods have been achieved. We encourage more work in that regard.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“As Timor-Leste turns its mind increasingly to longer-term security and development challenges, the international community must remain fully engaged and must remain fully coordinated.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5958 (2008) · source
“The challenges facing the police should not be underestimated and will take many years to address. Until the police force has been significantly strengthened, it will be vital to retain an ongoing strong United Nations presence to underpin security. Without that, other gains will be jeopardized. 08-4651] I can assure the Council that Australia will remain engaged and will play a substantial role in assisting Timor-Leste: first, through our leadership of the International Stabilization Force, with the strong support of New Zealand; secondly, through our role as a leading development partner of Timor-Leste; and finally, through Australia's enhanced engagement over the coming years in terms of providing assistance to Timor-Leste's police and military forces.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5958 (2008) · source
“While Timor-Leste has made good progress, the Secretary-General's report (S/2008/501) makes clear that Timor-Leste will require continued strong support from the United Nations and bilateral partners. In Australia's view, nowhere is this more apparent than in the security sector; all previous speakers have referred to this. We note that the United Nations is working with the Government of Timor-Leste to ensure a smooth handover of policing responsibilities, and we welcome the criteria developed by Timor-Leste and UNMIT to gauge the readiness of the national police to assume responsibility. However, we strongly encourage UNMIT and Timor-Leste to ensure that the handover is undertaken in accordance with achievement of those criteria rather than with any fixed timetable.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5958 (2008) · source
“The Government of Timor-Leste responded quickly, positively and effectively to the shocking shooting attacks on President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao that took place on 11 February. Its civil and military institutions worked together and took primary responsibility for responding. The citizens of Timor- Leste should also be commended for their unity in the wake of the attacks. Australia would also like to praise the efforts of Timor-Leste's partners, in particular the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) under the very able leadership of Mr. Atul Khare. It is UNMIT's ongoing support to the Timor-Leste Government which provides the enabling environment and the stability to allow the Government to move forward, as it is doing.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5958 (2008) · source
“Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate again in the Council's deliberations. I should like to go on record endorsing the remarks I have heard today from the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste and Mr. Khare. During the most recent deliberations in February, Australia and others called on Timor-Leste to take greater responsibility for its future through political and economic reform, the development of the private sector and the provision of health care, education and housing. We have been heartened by Timor-Leste's efforts over the past six months and by the progress made on a number of long-standing challenges, including the issues of internally displaced persons and petitioners, which have been mentioned by others.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5958 (2008) · source
“In my personal capacity and on behalf of my Government, I should like to add our tribute to the memory of the 22 United Nations staff members, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, who were murdered five years ago in the tragic and vile terrorist attack against the United Nations compound in Baghdad. I first met Sergio in Dili, Timor-Leste, many years ago, and I worked for him briefly as his Chief of Staff when he first assumed the position of High Commissioner for Human Rights. I was in Baghdad in those dreadful days when the attack happened. Some bear the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace. The rest of us must dedicate ourselves to completing their unfinished business. It is therefore appropriate that the Council should return to the situation in Timor-Leste on this anniversary.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5958 (2008) · source