YouSaid · the spoken record

Guehenno

lines on the record: 1,147
first: 2000-11-14
most recent: 2011-05-12
sittings or episodes: 58
sources: un-security-council

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“Asplund recently met with President Karzai and was reassured by the President that he fully supports UNAMA's efforts to reach out to the Afghan public, especially those Afghans who feel alienated from their Government and are not opposed to the Constitution and are not targets of United Nations sanctions under the process initiated by resolution 1267 (1999). In order to be more effective, we will strengthen our field presence by adding international staff to UNAMA's seven provincial offices created over the last 18 months, as approved in the last budget. We are also about to undertake an assessment, in close cooperation with the Department of Safety and Security, of UNAMA's field activities, with a view to possibly opening new field offices where security permits.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“We have learned from other peace operations that the second set of post-conflict elections is often more critical than the first. That will likely be the case for Afghanistan. We are reviewing our structures and resources to ensure that we can react immediately, once we receive a request for assistance and once Afghan authorities take the required decisions on the electoral date and on essential electoral legislation. I encourage the Afghan Government and legislative institutions to take those decisions without further delay. The issue of political outreach remains central to our efforts. Mr.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“The United Nations played a significant role in the 2004 and 2005 elections, where we not only provided technical advice but were also co-responsible for the elections through our presence in the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB). We remain willing to provide support for the next cycle of elections, with the understanding that, unlike the previous cycle, the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission will be clearly in the lead. The registration of voters and the holding of elections will require significant financial support from the international community. We are working with the Electoral Commission to complete the plans so that we can submit them to donors. The obstacles should not be underestimated, nor should the stakes.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“In the time since NATO assumed leadership of ISAF, we have created mechanisms for coordination and learned how to work with each other - at the provincial level, where Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and UNAMA offices interact; at the 3 Kabul level, between the UNAMA leadership and ISAF headquarters in Kabul; and at the headquarters level, in New York and Brussels. We look forward to the Bucharest meeting on Afghanistan to be held in early April, when NATO will present its own comprehensive approach. The Secretary-General will attend that meeting, demonstrating the high priority we ascribe to this relationship and to achieving success in Afghanistan. The third issue that I wanted to highlight is the upcoming elections.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“Support for the Afghanistan National Development Strategy means that donors provide more of their funds through the Afghan core budget. Strengthening the JCMB means ensuring that it is at least aware of all the major assistance projects taking place in the country and can identify whether certain sectors or provinces are being under-served and be in a position to propose adjustments. The JCMB secretariat may need to be strengthened so as to organize and analyze such data. The second issue is UNAMA's relationship with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). That relationship rests on two firm pillars: our common goals and our complementary but distinct mandates, both of which have their source in the Security Council.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“Among the conclusions of the Tokyo meeting was that the Compact remains the expression of the international partnership with the Afghan Government, that the JCMB constitutes the primary coordination body to oversee that partnership, and that the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, when it is presented at the Paris conference in June, will be the blueprint to implement the goals of the Compact. There are, therefore, two key issues to ensuring that all of that leads to improvements in the lives of all Afghans. The first is that the Afghanistan National Development Strategy must be given as much support as possible; the second is that the JCMB must be able to play an effective role. The Secretary-General's recommendations reflect those two priorities.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“The Secretary-General's recommendations on that essential question are the culmination of a discussion that began in September of last year at the high-level meeting on Afghanistan held at the margins of the General Assembly. We heard the very clear calls made by many participants for the United Nations to enhance its coordination efforts. We subsequently began consultations with Member States, the Afghan Government and within UNAMA on how best to achieve that. Those discussions were carried forward to the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) meeting in Tokyo last month.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“As indicated in the Secretary-General's report of 6 March, we feel that that mandate is still appropriate, and is sufficiently broad to fulfil our objectives. We have therefore not sought to change or expand UNAMA's mandate. We do not feel, in other words, that UNAMA needs additional powers. We do think, however, that, in the face of the evolved situation, the mandate needs to be sharpened. That is why the Secretary-General has proposed the six areas of focus set out in paragraph 64 08-26870 of his report. I would like to draw the Council's attention to a few of those areas of focus. The first one is the coordination of international assistance.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“In the light of that common diagnosis of the problems before us, the Security Council now has the important responsibility of renewing UNAMA's mandate. Despite important progress in Afghanistan - in particular in the areas of education and public health - and despite a fast-growing economy, we still face the serious problems I have just mentioned. Given the evolution of the situation during the past two years, now is the time to confront those challenges and to make the necessary changes and corrections in course. For that reason, the Secretary-General has included in his report a section on UNAMA's mandate that we hope will assist the Council in its decisions on the Mission's future. (spoke in English) UNAMA's current mandate is the product of negotiations with the Afghan Government and key partners that took place at the end of 2005.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“A massive illegal drug economy is thriving in the context of the State's weak authority. It has also abetted the insurgency and undermined the State. The regional environment is complex and national interests are sometimes pursued at the expense of an effort to mutually support stability in Afghanistan in a coordinated manner. Finally, the international community, while certainly being committed and generous, has also too often been insufficiently united on crucial issues relating to the strategy in Afghanistan. The United Nations bears its own share of responsibility for the deficiencies in international coordination. We recognize that and, as I will explain during this briefing, we are working to correct it. However, we also need the cooperation of our international and Afghan partners.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“In that regard, I would like to thank all the Member States that have expressed their strong support for him as he takes up his duties in Kabul. The report (5/2008/ 159) of the Secretary-General, which was released last week, speaks for itself. It describes frankly the difficulties we have faced, especially in the past year. However, we have learned some important lessons by virtue of those difficulties, which we must now apply. In particular, we have an increasingly shared diagnosis of the main obstacles 08-26870 before us. We face an insurgency that has proven to be more robust than we expected, as well as more ruthless than we ever imagined. Afghan governmental institutions remain fragile. Being without sufficient capacity, they are even more fragile due to the corrosive and destructive practices of corruption.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking you, Sir, for your initiative of convening this open debate on Afghanistan. The many members who have asked to speak today vividly remind us of how many friends Afghanistan has in the international community, and reflect the determination we all share to help Afghanistan rebuild, reconcile and fulfil the aspirations of the Bonn Agreement and the Afghanistan Compact. I am pleased to be accompanied today by Mr. B0 Asplund, who has ably led the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) since the departure of Tom Koenigs last December, and, above all, by Ambassador Kai Eide, whom, as the President just noted, the Secretary-General has recently appointed as his new Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA. He will bring new dynamism to our efforts.”
2008-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5851 (2008) · source
“Such political dialogue really is the foundation for the solution both of the short-term issues that we have discussed this morning, such as the internally displaced persons, the petitioners and the fugitives, and of the longer-term challenges, such as security sector reform, the strengthening of the judiciary, and also, of course, as many speakers have stressed, the socio-economic challenges facing Timor- Leste. It is therefore very encouraging to see such a strong consensus here on what is needed in Timor- Leste to continue our partnership with that country.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: At this late hour, I just wish first to place on record the gratitude of the United Nations for the strong commitment of the international community to Timor-Leste, which has been so much in evidence during this meeting. We greatly appreciate the support of the Security Council. We greatly appreciate the support of the neighbours and of all those nations that have spoken this morning and that are so critical to the provision of security as well as development aid to Timor-Leste. I noted during this meeting how many speakers stressed the importance of political dialogue and consensus in Timor-Leste. Indeed, that dialogue was spearheaded by President Ramos-Horta himself during those meetings of 17 January and 7 February that I mentioned in my briefing.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Each, in and of itself, should be solvable with a concerted effort across the political spectrum. Recent efforts led by President Ramos-Horta - to which I have referred - to bring together FRETILIN and the Government coalition were promising and need to continue. Solving those immediate issues will allow the country to give its full attention to the core underlying socio-economic challenges - in particular widespread poverty and massive youth unemployment - that, if not addressed, will continue to threaten the political stability of Timor-Leste”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“The Secretary-General also emphasized the need to address critical political and security-related issues through inclusive and collaborative processes, and the importance of a meaningful and constructive role for the opposition. Let me say in conclusion that, confronted by the tragic events of 11 February, the Government, the parliament and the opposition acted in an exemplary manner, and State institutions did indeed function according to the constitution. That is indeed encouraging. But the fact that Timor-Leste came so close to a real breakdown shows how important and urgent it is to address a number of issues: the remaining Reinado supporters, who are under arrest warrants; the petitioners; and the internally displaced persons. Those pressing issues have been unresolved since the crisis of 2006.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Despite the country's considerable oil revenues, the existing legislation regarding the management of the petroleum development fund limits the amount of resources that can flow to the State budget and does not allow for front-loading of expenditures, as might be required to kick-start the economy and address urgent socio-economic issues. In his report to the Council, the Secretary- General noted that the functioning of the parliament, the Government and other State institutions demonstrated progress in building on the gains of the peaceful electoral process, as well as a commitment to restore normalcy following the 2006 crisis.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“The United Nations and other international partners assisted the Government in an assessment of and response to the damage, but the country needs to strengthen its institutional capacities for dealing with such events. Other factors, including chronic food insecurity, can also adversely affect the humanitarian situation. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme estimate that 20 per cent of the population is food insecure and that a further 23 per cent is highly vulnerable to becoming food insecure. Furthermore, rural livelihoods are fragile and create the potential for migration to urban areas ill- prepared to deal with expanding populations. Short- and medium-term employment programmes continue to be desperately needed.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As mentioned earlier, I am pleased that, as a first step forward in the transition from blanket food assistance towards targeted assistance to the vulnerable, food rations distributed to the IDPs have been reduced as of February by 50 per cent without any major security incident, although just over half of the beneficiaries have refused the reduced rations. The chronic and longer-term vulnerabilities in the country include its susceptibility to natural disasters. Just this past month, parts of the country were hit by severe storms. According to the Disaster Operations Centre, over 700 houses were damaged or destroyed. Those events, and a locust infestation, also caused significant crop damage that may have implications for food security.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Further, on 25 January, the Prime Minister and Minister for Social Solidarity held a meeting with IDP camp managers. UNMIT has and will continue to actively encourage such initiatives, as well as the appeal of the Prime Minister to the IDPs that all people of Timor- Leste need to rise above partisan politics to resolve such critical issues facing the country. A durable solution to the IDP situation, through voluntary return or relocation, will require a holistic approach that depends on a number of factors, including, among others, an improved security environment, a strengthened legal framework for resolving land and property disputes, and economic regeneration and livelihood activities.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Timor-Leste faces two interlinked humanitarian challenges: the resolution of the situation of the remaining 100,000 IDPs throughout the country, with 30,000 in camps in Dili, and addressing longer-term and chronic vulnerabilities that may have a direct humanitarian impact on the overall population. The IDP situation is a political and security concern, as well as a humanitarian one, and largely considered as neither short term nor easily fixed. On 12 January, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Khare joined President Ramos-Horta, President of the National Parliament Fernando de Arat'ljo, Prime Minister Gusmao and F-FDTL Commander Ruak in a meeting with the IDPs, which was the first such meeting with the current national leadership.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Even though UNMIT's mandated tasks do not directly include assistance for the further development of the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), it will be crucial for the cohesive functioning of the security sector as a whole to further strengthen its institutional capacities, policies and processes. Furthermore, the development of cooperative relations and trust between the PNTL and F-FDTL is vital to improve inter- operationability between those security institutions, as well as for the progressive assumption of law enforcement responsibility by the PNTL. Sustained international support will thus be important for the continued efforts of the F-FDTL command, under the leadership of Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, to further develop the Armed Forces so that they can discharge their military role appropriately for a peacetime setting.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As a positive step in that direction, UNMIT and the Timor- Leste Government signed on 12 February an agreement concerning United Nations assistance to the Office of the Prosecutor-General to complete outstanding investigations of the former Serious Crimes Unit. Investigations have already begun. Despite constraints faced by the judicial system, notable progress is also being made in implementing the recommendations of the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry report. UNMIT also remains prepared to provide assistance to the Government and Parliament regarding the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation of Timor-Leste.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“The Timorese police service is one component of the larger rule of law architecture that includes the courts, the Office of the Prosecutor-General, public defenders and the corrections system, as well as the legal framework, all of which are in need of enhanced international support if the increasing backlog of cases is to be tackled and the credibility of the justice system bolstered in the eyes of the Timorese people. To ensure access to justice, to determine the truth, to establish credible accountability for crimes committed, to provide compensation for victims and to establish proper precedents for the future are all Vital elements that remain of paramount concern.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“While the reform and rebuilding of the PNTL is a process that will take some years, progress over this year will be critical in determining the direction and strategies to be followed over the long term. In going forth with assistance to rebuild the PNTL, UNMIT police efforts must be part of a larger holistic strategy developed by the Timor-Leste Government in coordination with the broader international community, whose bilateral assistance will also remain essential in the medium and long terms. As with any UNMIT mandated tasks, the understanding and support of the Timorese population are an important and key element for success. To that end, in January the UNMIT Police Commissioner and other senior police officers participated in a series of public outreach meetings with civil society groups across the country.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As outlined in the Secretary-General's report, the progress of the phased transfer will depend in part on increasing capabilities of individual PNTL officers through consistent and structured mentoring processes, as well as physical co-location. As police posts, and eventually districts, are handed over to the PNTL, UNMIT police officers, within the authorized strength, will be progressively deployed to sub-districts and specialized units - such as the Border Patrol Unit - which currently do not benefit from their full-time presence. The expert mission which will travel to UNMIT in late March to conduct a thorough assessment of PNTL requirements, as well as possible adjustments needed to UNMIT police skill sets, will be crucial for further refining those initiatives.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Until the PNTL has more fully developed its capacities, a continued strong UNMIT police presence, including the four formed police units, will be essential to ensure stability in order to build on the gains made over the course of the current mandate period. On 4 February, PNTL assumed command of three police posts in Dili under the continued supervision and guidance of UNMIT police, who remain stationed in those posts, though in reduced numbers. The outcome of that pilot handover and lessons learned will be taken into account in proceeding with the gradual phased transfer of law enforcement responsibility to the PNTL throughout the country.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“With the completion of the screening process, UNMIT police has focused more on the professional development of individual PNTL officers through training and mentoring, as well as on the institutional strengthening of the PNTL as an impartial, professional and reliable service. I would like to reiterate the need for police-contributing countries to provide officers with the required expertise in training and mentoring, including women officers, which is also important in view of the high incidence of gender-based violence in the country. I would also note that the ratio of women officers within the PNTL is four times that of the UNMIT police.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Broad input of civil society into the security sector reform process will contribute to a sense of public ownership needed to support the further development of security forces, which act in an impartial manner with due respect for human rights. The Government-led and United Nations-supported country-wide survey to ascertain the views of the Timorese population on the security sector is a vital element to ensure the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders. As emphasized in the Secretary-General's report, following the 2007 elections the UNMIT police has devoted increasing attention to the reform and rebuilding of the national police.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“At the request of FRET ILIN, the Special Representative also hosted a meeting on security sector review and reform for the party's leadership on 6 February, during which agreement was reached to hold fortnightly working-level meetings to exchange Views and contribute to the process. As reflected by resolution 1704 (2006), the mandated tasks of UNMIT are wide-ranging - understandably so, given the multifaceted challenges confronting Timor-Leste. In that connection, let me briefly touch upon some of the key issues raised in the Secretary-General's report. Security sector reform is a long-term process that must be approached in a holistic manner, taking account of a wide range of factors.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Other mechanisms established earlier have also been utilized to promote dialogue on critical issues facing the country, notably, the weekly bilateral meetings of the Special Representative, respectively with the President, the Prime Minister and the Secretary-General of FRETILIN, as the party with the largest number of seats in parliament; the Special Representative's regular meetings with the President of the National Parliament, leaders of political parties and civil society; and the fortnightly meetings of the High- Level Coordination Committee and the Trilateral Coordination Forum.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Constructive efforts were made by the President of the National Parliament, Fernando "La Sama" de Araujo, to promote the establishment of an ad hoc all- party parliamentary commission to address the pressing issues of the IDPs and the petitioners. UNMIT supported those efforts and, while this particular initiative has for the time being been overtaken by events, UNMIT will continue to support all such initiatives to enhance inter-party cooperation.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“By all accounts, that 7 February meeting was another positive step forward, with the parties reaching consensus on the desirability of such a mechanism and looking forward to further talks the following week. In a letter to the Secretary-General on 7 February, FRETILIN Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri positively referred to progress made in those discussions and the efforts of all concerned to foster an inclusive and participatory environment to enable the country to move forward. President Ramos-Horta himself has played a crucial role in bringing the parties together, and I hope that the parties will continue to come together to keep the positive momentum going while he is recovering. UNMIT will continue with its good offices to facilitate that process.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“In a 17 January meeting, President Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Gusmao, FRETILIN President Lu-Olo Guterres and FRETILIN Secretary-General Alkatiri had constructive discussions on the establishment of possible mechanisms for promoting more inclusive approaches for addressing the country's pressing problems. On 7 February, the President convened another meeting, at his home, between the leaders of the four parties comprising the Government coalition, the Alliance for a Parliamentary Majority (AMP) and FRETILIN to further discuss mechanisms for collaboration to jointly address such pressing problems as the internally displaced persons (IDPs), the petitioners and the then fugitive Reinado, as well as critical longer-term issues of security sector review and reform and strengthening of the justice sector and of public administration.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As members know, the accord specified inclusiveness and participation as basic principles of good governance, as well as the need to ensure a meaningful and constructive role for the opposition in parliament and the participation of civil society in the political, economic and social development process of the country. It is promising that, since those high-level visits, serious efforts in this direction have been undertaken under the leadership of President Ramos-Horta, who curtailed his official visit to Brazil by a few days to return to Dili on 3 February.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As had been highlighted by the Security Council, the Secretary-General emphasized that intensified efforts to promote dialogue to defuse existing tensions and foster greater political consensus, as well as the strengthening of inclusive democratic processes, will be essential for achieving sustainable stability and prosperity in Timor-Leste. Both visits therefore underscored the importance of further progress towards implementation of the commitments made by all parties within the context of the political party accord of 26 May 2007.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“In the wake of Reinado's death, the Government is intensifying outreach efforts to those who had been his followers to join these discussions, in the hope that the tragic events of 11 February might serve as a turning point in the process. The Visit of the Security Council mission last November and the mid-December visit of the Secretary-General to Timor-Leste reflected the continuing strong support of the international community for the Timorese people, with both being the first such visits since the restoration of the country's independence over five years ago.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Nevertheless, the course of events over the past 10 days reinforces the importance for UNMIT, in partnership with the Timorese, to continue focusing efforts on the four priority areas outlined in the Secretary-General's report, that is, the review and reform of the security sector, the strengthening of the rule of law, economic and social development and the promotion of a culture of democratic governance. While the pressing problems of the petitioners are not yet resolved, the group of petitioners that began gathering in Dili two weeks ago in response to the Government's call to pursue discussions on the resolution of their grievances has continued to increase in number, reaching about 155 by mid-week, and more are expected.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As conveyed in our last briefing, it is reassuring that, following the 11 February events, the Timor-Leste Government, the parliament, all political parties - including in the opposition - security institutions and the population at large responded with calm and restraint and with due respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. What some feared might have deteriorated into a destabilizing crisis did not happen, with the institutions of the State and citizens showing strong resilience. All political leaders of the country and the general population will hopefully continue to refrain from politicizing these terrible events. Of course, the 11 February incidents raise some serious security-related issues which will need to be addressed.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“The UNMIT police and the PNTL, in coordination with the international security forces and F-FDTL, have remained on high security alert and have launched an investigation into the attacks against the President and the Prime Minister. Before proceeding with an update on developments since the issuance of the Secretary- General's report, I would like to share some observations on the tragic attacks on the President and the Prime Minister. While the full effect of these events 08-24762 is not yet known, the stability of a State cannot be measured only in terms of the occurrence or absence of outbreaks of Violence or emergencies, but also by how the State addresses such challenges.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“As of 19 February, a daily meeting between the commanders of all four security institutions is being held. Further, as of 18 February, two daily meetings are being held between the UNMIT Police Commissioner and the Commander of the international security forces within the context of a new committee for the coordination of international assistance. (spoke in English) Immediately following the attacks, Timorese leaders from all parties came together to urge calm, and the country has remained peaceful, including throughout the funeral ceremonies for fugitive Alfredo Reinado and one of his accomplices who died during the attack on the President's residence.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“Based on discussions between the Special Representative and the Government and an exchange of letters with the Prime Minister dated 21 February, it has been agreed that those PNTL officers who participate, for a limited period of time, in the operations undertaken by the Joint Command would not be under the direct supervision and responsibility of the UNMIT Police Commissioner, who also serves as interim PNTL general commander, during that period. All other elements of the supplemental policing arrangement between the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations remain unchanged. Within the framework of the Trilateral Coordination Forum, new mechanisms have been established to enhance coordination between the F-FDTL, PNTL, UNMIT police and international security forces.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“In taking those measures, the Government and parliament have acted with restraint and with full respect for constitutional provisions and human rights. In close cooperation with UNMIT, the Government has, since the morning of ll February, shown leadership in carrying out and coordinating security operations. In addition to efforts by the United Nations police and the international security forces - 08-24762 the latter supplemented by an additional contingent of military and police personnel - the Government of Timor-Leste established, by Resolution No. 3/2008, approved by the Council of Ministers on 17 February, a joint command of the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the National Police Force of Timor- Leste (PNTL) to undertake security operations during the state of siege.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“I am pleased to report that since our briefing to the Council following that event, the security situation has remained calm in Timor-Leste. In fact, there have been no further significant security incidents in the country. I am relieved to report that President Ramos- Horta, while still hospitalized, is in stable condition and that doctors are hopeful that he will make a full recovery. To ensure public order and to facilitate ongoing security operations to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks of ll February, the parliament endorsed the decision to extend the 48-hour state of siege declared on 11 February for an additional 10 days, until 23 February, and that could be extended still more. The state of siege imposes restrictions on night-time movement, a curfew from 8 pm. to 6 am. and a ban on public demonstrations.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“It is a pleasure and an honour for me to introduce the third report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), covering the period from 21 August 2007 to 7 January 2008. As you know, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Atul Khare, had travelled to New York to brief the Council, but returned to Timor- Leste in the wake of the tragic events of 11 February, when President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were attacked in Dili. Mr. Khare's presence and good offices during this sensitive period in Timor-Leste were considered essential. The incidents of 11 February in Timor-Leste shocked the entire international community, as conveyed in the Secretary-General's statement that day.”
2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source
“What we are witnessing is actually a war, with offensive and counter-offensive fighting, which will put the peacekeeping operation in a very difficult situation, because we will be there in the midst of a shooting war between parties that want to consolidate their positions. Neither side can accept a defeat, and that is a very worrying trend, as Special Envoy Eliasson said, if we want to gradually lower the level of violence. We do hope that those attacks will not be pursued further into Jebel Mun, because the reality of that war is that civilians are the victims of such combat. Whether attacks are launched by movements or by the Government of the Sudan, the civilians are the main victims. Their houses are burned, their villages are 28 destroyed, and peace becomes a more remote prospect as violence develops.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“What I would want to say on this very disturbing new spike in violence in Darfur is that, unfortunately, for those who have been following the situation it does not come as a surprise. We have seen in recent weeks and days - actually, even yesterday - more reinforcement in El Geneina. Vehicles are coming from Nyala to reinforce Government forces. Also, we can recall the events in December. As this Council will recall, in December there were attacks conducted by the movements in those same areas where the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is trying to consolidate its positions north of El Geneina, with bombings and attacks against the Sudanese armed forces by JEM. in response.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“They will need to be confirmed and verified, but it seems that an attack was launched this morning by a joint Sudanese Armed Forces-Arab militia convoy on two localities north of El Geneina - Abu Suruj and Sirba. That attack, apparently, was supported by helicopters and possibly fixed-wing aircraft. Moreover, just north of those two localities, the attack would have been pursued on Sileia, which is a bit to the north-east of Sirba, I am told, with two bombs dropped on that particular locality. A compound of Medecins sans Frontieres was looted a week or so ago. There has been a lot of upheaval in those localities, but these are still very preliminary reports.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“The representative of the United Kingdom asked about the conclusion of the status-of-forces agreement and protecting the freedom of movement in that agreement. We have had very constructive discussions with the Government of the Sudan on the agreement, so I do hope that we will not find any obstacles in our path, on this critical issue of freedom of movement. I look forward to the conclusion of the agreement in the same spirit in which we have conducted the discussions thus far. Let me now come to the other question raised by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom with respect to the events presently unfolding in Darfur. It was in the course of this briefing that we received what are still preliminary reports.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: Allow me to thank the Council for the support it provides to a very challenging mission. Our partnership with the African Union is key, and I am very grateful for the very close relationship that we have with the African Union in moving forward together in that endeavour. I was asked three specific questions. I will start with the last question, from the representative of the United States of America, regarding the helicopters and the Ethiopian offer. We are indeed very grateful to the Government of Ethiopia for making that offer and we welcome that pledge. I am not in a position today to give the exact timeline. We will quickly conduct a review of that offer to see whether it meets the requirements. But it is indeed a very welcome pledge.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source