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

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Since the report was completed, there have been a few developments that I would like to bring to the attention of the Council. Among those are allegations from the RCD that the Forces armees congolaises (FAC) have allegedly occupied positions vacated by the RCD. MONUC intends to investigate the allegations, and has taken the matter up with the Government. As the Council knows, we had hoped that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Kamel Morjane could be with us this week. Unfortunately, on his way here he suffered a severe bout of malaria and is currently recuperating in Geneva. En route there, he visited Libreville for talks with President Bongo.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“MONUC will investigate those allegations, as it has done in the past, and make its findings known as soon as possible. In his report, the Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by the neutral facilitator of the inter- Congolese dialogue, Sir Ketumile Masire, of the convening of a preparatory meeting for the dialogue on 16 July. MONUC will continue to support the efforts of the facilitator and looks forward to further developments in the planning and conduct of the dialogue. Sir Ketumile Masire has now dispatched his two senior advisers, Mr. Archibald Mogwe and Mr. Mohamed E1 Hacen Ould Lebat, to visit all 11 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in preparation for the preparatory meeting to be held on 16 July.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“Needless to say, we do not accept that interpretation, and we continue to favour the reopening of the river system as the most important single step that can be taken to promote an economic recovery of the country, to enable the Congolese people to re- establish contacts, to reinforce the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, not least, to enable MONUC to support its own contingents throughout the country in a way that would be cheaper and more easily sustainable. The Force Commander, General Diallo, is taking this matter up today with the RCD as a matter of urgency. The Council may wish to call on the RCD not to link the progress of the MONUC convoy with its demand for an investigation of the ceasefire violation claims.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“Another barge, loaded with fuel for MONUC and accompanied by a boat chartered by MONUC, is today at Lisala, between Mbandaka and Kisangani. In this connection, we have noted with concern the reported statement of a senior RCD official that the rebel group might block the MONUC fuel convoy before it reaches Kisangani. The official was quoted yesterday as saying that the RCD would not let the boat reach Kisangani before MONUC investigates allegations of ceasefire violations which the RCD claims have been committed by Government forces. The RCD also claimed that the reopening of the river "would only benefit President Kabila and facilitate infiltration".”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“During its recent visit, the Security Council mission became aware of the economic aspects of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the role that MONUC could play in improving the economic situation. While this is not usually a feature of peacekeeping operations, its importance in this case cannot be over-stressed. The reopening of the Congo River system - which was announced by Ambassador Levitte, the leader of the mission, during its visit to Mbandaka - is of central significance, politically, militarily and economically. As a first step towards the reopening of the river, two fast Uruguayan patrol boats with 14 military personnel onboard left Kinshasa for Mbandaka on 8 June, accompanying a barge loaded with vehicles and bulk fuel and water containers. That convoy is due to arrive in Mbandaka on 16 June.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“It should be noted that the risks could also increase, in what has become a widespread climate of impunity and lawlessness in many parts of the country. With reference to the specific question of the security of the civilian populations in the areas to be evacuated by foreign forces as they withdraw, the Secretary-General has made clear his view that this is primarily the responsibility of the parties. Nevertheless, where it is safe to do so, the deployment of MONUC civilian human rights monitors, civil affairs officers and, eventually, civilian police officers is intended to mitigate the potential threat that these populations might face.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“At the same time, through its public information operations, including radio, MONUC will explain to the Congolese parties and people what it and the broader international community are doing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The information gathered will supplement the detailed data that the parties are expected to provide in respect of the armed groups to be disarmed and demobilized. The human rights, humanitarian and child- protection personnel will also have a great deal to do in terms of helping to improve the quality of life of the Congolese people. As access to civilian populations in need increases, and as foreign and rebel armies disengage and begin to withdraw, the possibilities of providing assistance will increase.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“So far, in view of the daunting logistical problems of deployment, the vast majority of the civilian staff of the operation have been administrative and logistical personnel. As we contemplate entry into phase III, it will be necessary to expand the other civilian operations of the mission, including the political, human rights, humanitarian, child protection and public information staff. The Secretary-General also considers that the inclusion in MONUC, for the first time, of the nucleus of a civilian police component is of major importance. The function of many of these civilian staff will be, in brief, to gather as much information as possible concerning the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the east and, most especially, in the Kivus.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“In keeping with its expectations that the local authorities will retain responsibility for civil administration and the maintenance of law and order, MONUC has no objection to the RCD remaining as the de facto civil authority in Kisangani. Accordingly, it is vital for local stability to ensure, prior to the withdrawal of RCD military forces, that the local police have adequate capacity to maintain law and order after the departure of RCD military forces. Although MONUC is prepared to build up its military strength in order to ensure its own security, it has no intention of assuming law and order functions in Kisangani. (spoke in English) The Secretary-General envisages an expansion of the civilian components of MONUC.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“The demilitarization of Kisangani was demanded by the Security Council in its resolution 1304 (2000), a demand reinforced by the Security Council mission during its recent visit to the region. MONUC will continue to insist that the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) withdraw its forces from Kisangani. To that end, MONUC military planners are prepared to assist the RCD to draw up plans for an orderly withdrawal of its forces from Kisangani. At the same time, MONUC is very much aware of the political, military and symbolic importance of Kisangani to the RCD, as well as of the potential fragility of the economic and security situation there. A precipitous withdrawal of RCD military forces could contribute to creating trouble in the city and could have adverse implications for the peace process.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“For example, the vastness of the country and the lack of infrastructure require the establishment of four helicopter refuelling bases - at Manono, Ilebo, Boende and Basankusu - which will need to be protected by armed security units of approximately 200 personnel each. A second riverine unit, also of some 200 personnel, has already been approved. Additional military observers will be needed to verify and monitor some of the more remote positions occupied by the parties pursuant to the disengagement plan, and to staff forward headquarters locations. A military police unit will also be required, and there will be a need to reinforce existing contingents in some areas, including Kisangani.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“As Council members will recall, that specific military information was required in accordance with the plans for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups. MONUC is continuing to work with the parties in compiling and analyzing that information, so that it will be able to prepare the plans. The Secretary-General is not at this time seeking to exceed the authorized troop strength of 5,537, which was approved by the Security Council in its resolution 1291 (2000). However, it is envisaged to continue to build up the military contingent of MONUC within the figure of 5,537.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“The Secretary-General also requests authorization from the Security Council for a transition to the third phase of MONUC deployment. The second phase- deployment to monitor and verify the disengagement of forces from the confrontation line - is now in the process of being accomplished, as Front de liberation du Congo (FLC) forces draw back from their forward positions. MONUC is in the process of confirming the withdrawal of FLC units from Befale and Bolomba. However, the Secretary-General is not yet ready to submit detailed plans for MONUC activities in phase III, since the parties have not yet provided the information required to formulate such detailed plans.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“The eighth report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) was issued on 8 June 2001 as document S/2001/572. The report describes developments since the issuance of the Secretary- General's previous report (8/2001/373), on 17 April, and contains recommendations for the future activities of MONUC. The mandate of MONUC is scheduled to terminate on 15 June. In his report, the Secretary-General recommends an extension of the mandate of MONUC for 12 months, until 15 June 2002. The objective of that long extension is to demonstrate the commitment of the Security Council to MONUC and to the resolution of the conflict in the Great Lakes region. It is also designed to facilitate the recruitment of civilian staff of the necessary high quality by ensuring greater continuity.”
2001-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4327 (2001) · source
“Some funds are available, but more will be needed in future if the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process is to be more than bringing people to account and actually reintegrating them into society, which is the real, long-term fundamental issue if we want to have success in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The World Bank in that respect is likely to convene a donors' conference in the near future. UNAMSIL has the leading role on the ground through the role of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Doss.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“Let me also add in that respect that we can expect that a significant number of the returning internally displaced persons - about 13,000 - will be coming from Lungi, since a number of people from Sierra Leone had left the Kambia zone for the Lungi zone, which is near the capital, Freetown. The last question was posed by the Ambassador of Norway on the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. (spoke in English) Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration does continue, but, unfortunately, at the moment it is down to a trickle, and the issue is really to move in a higher gear to make it substantive, so that the ceasefire, as agreed, is fully implemented. Both UNAMSIL and the Government of Sierra Leone are ready to do more in the next phase of organized disarmament.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“(spoke in French) The representative of France asked questions on the practical measures that UNAMSIL could take to ensure the return of the refugees to the Kambia zone after the disarmament of the RUF in that zone. I can say that UNAMSIL will first of all carefully monitor the withdrawal of the RUF and the deployment of the Sierra Leone Army. It will step up patrolling in that zone, eventually using a set point of departure, which could be established in Kambia itself. Ensuring the security of refugees is the responsibility of the Sierra Leone Army, but UNAMSIL will monitor developments, and the humanitarian community will, of course, see to the hosting of those refugees.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“Making a broader political point, I want to stress the importance we attach to cooperation with ECOWAS, and I take this opportunity to express the appreciation of the Secretariat for the efforts of ECOWAS in securing greater cooperation between the key players in this conflict. Without cooperation between those key players, it would indeed be quite difficult to implement a regional strategy. The relative success of UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone has been based on the very close coordination in Sierra Leone and on the possibility of implementing the Ceasefire Agreement, as agreed on 10 November last. Lacking such a basis, it is indeed very difficult to foresee any real progress at the regional level.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“That coordination happens at two levels: at the level of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Adeniji. There are actually frequent consultations at the top political level. There is also participation by ECOWAS in the coordination mechanism that has been established between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone, and ECOWAS has a representative in Freetown. There is also coordination with ECOWAS in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations here in New York. We have sent teams to assist ECOWAS with technical advice at various meetings to prepare for deployment.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“I will come back to that in reply to the question posed by the Permanent Representative of Norway. Failing that, all we will have is fine words. If concrete progress follows on the ground, then we will be in a position to exploit the next window of opportunity, which will be the next dry season 4 that is, between October and May. If at that time there is full deployment of UNAMSIL, if the authority of the Government of Sierra Leone has been established throughout the country, if there is full disarmament of the RUF as well as of the CDF, and if the electoral preparations have been completed, then I think we should, and could, have the elections as anticipated. The second series of questions was put by the Permanent Representative of Colombia, and I will answer those that were specifically addressed to me, on coordination with ECOWAS.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“According to press reports quoting the chief of staff of the Sierra Leone Army, operations were carried out by the Donsos - people from Guinea - against the RUF to open up the corridor to return to Guinea. Presently UNAMSIL is investigating those reports and this particular ceasefire violation. With respect to the elections, are we on the right track? As I said in my briefing, what we have seen is indeed a first step, as is the positive atmosphere at the Abuja review meeting. It needs to be followed, as Sir Jeremy said, by very concrete action on the ground, namely ensuring freedom of movement throughout the country; the surrender of weapons; and active progress - real, substantive progress - in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: First, I will address the questions put by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom. He asked a factual question on clashes in the east. There have been three series of clashes. The first took place on 19 April in the Tongo area. The Civil Defence Forces (CDF) allegedly attacked Revolutionary United Front (RUF) positions in response to what was perceived as a RUF build-up in the area. The RUF retaliated and dislodged the CDF, which is now based in Lago. The second series of clashes occurred in Talia, 9 kilometres east of Mano Junction, on 6 May. It was also a CDF operation. The third ceasefire violation is being investigated by the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), further north in the Kono district.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“UNAMSIL has conducted sensitization seminars for its troops and distributed condoms throughout the force and will shortly be distributing HIV/AIDS awareness cards designed specifically for peacekeepers, in coordination with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Finally, I should like to refer to my colleagues in the Department of Political Affairs and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Assistant Secretary-General Ibrahima Fall and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Carolyn McAskie, who will brief members on the recommendations of the recent Inter-Agency Mission to West Africa and Ms. McAskie's mission to the countries of the Mano River Union, respectively.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“These advisers will assist him in drawing up a shortlist. Meanwhile, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has identified three persons considered suitable as international members of the Commission and is currently ascertaining their availability. UNAMSIL is also working with human rights non-governmental organizations that have formed a TRC working group, in order to reinforce the feeling of local ownership. A sensitization campaign on the TRC is also under way. On the issue of HIV/AIDS, I would like to point out that the United Nations is stepping up its efforts to raise the awareness of the troops on the ground with regard to the risks of HIV/AIDS.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“This is part of the efforts to establish a permanent human rights presence in the provinces to undertake, inter alia, monitoring, reporting, training and capacity-building in human rights and international law, with emphasis on the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). In this regard, it is our intention to augment the human rights section of UNAMSIL from 14 to 20 professionals. Significant progress has been made towards establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with an initial assessment of the 54 nominations received for the four national positions, and the impending convening by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of his statutory advisers, representing the Inter-religious Council, the Council of Paramount Chiefs and the international community based in Sierra Leone.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“As a result of UNAMSIL's constant pressure on the RUF, Government education and medical officials have conducted assessment visits, and national school examinations will soon be conducted in Makeni and elsewhere. The RUF also agreed to, and actually called for, the deployment of the Sierra Leone police force in Lunsar. The postal service is also in the process of being restored in Lunsar. However, the lack of resources and capacity on the part of the Government remains a major constraint in the efforts to extend civil administration. With regard to human rights, UNAMSIL forward deployment upcountry also involved the opening of the first human rights office in Kenema.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“UNAMSIL has also received reports of artillery and helicopter gunship attacks by Guinean forces on RUF positions near the Sierra Leone-Guinea border. It is hoped that the withdrawal of the RUF from Kambia will bring these attacks to an end in that area. In the meantime, we call on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint. The extension of the authority of the Government of Sierra Leone throughout the country has continued. Members of the Council may recall that, in his ninth report on UNAMSIL, the Secretary-General stressed that the ongoing deployment of UNAMSIL troops is being undertaken for the principal purpose of facilitating the restoration of Government authority throughout Sierra Leone.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“UNAMSIL has received reports of clashes between the CDF and the RUF near Tongo fields on 19 April, and at Talia, 9 kilometres east of Mano Junction, on 6 May. UNAMSIL's investigations of the first report of a ceasefire violation determined that the RUF repelled an attack by CDF forces. At present, the situation in the area has been stabilized, and civilians that had fled to Kenema and Mano Junction have started returning to their villages. UNAMSIL is still investigating the second report of ceasefire violations. Reportedly, the CDF had received orders from its leadership in Freetown to recapture the Kono district from the RUF. It should be borne in mind that the Kono district is a key diamond-producing area. The RUF has claimed that CDF attacks on their position in the Kono district were carried out with the assistance of Guinean forces.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“The local people have warmly welcomed UNAMSIL's deployment and patrols, which had an immediate and very positive effect on economic activities in the areas concerned and on the return of displaced persons. UNAMSIL is considering the establishment of a permanent presence in Kambia and Koidu. The Pakistani contingent should start deploying at the end of this month, with the arrival of an advance party of 900 men. There will be several elements in the Pakistani brigade, and the full contingent of about 4,500 should be on the ground by early September. The Secretariat is also reviewing offers by Nepal and Senegal, in particular with regard to the equipment of their possible contingents. (Spoke in English) I would now like to turn now to some ceasefire violations.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“Turning to the deployment of UNAMSIL in areas being held by the RUF, I should like to inform the Council that, in keeping with its concept of operations, UNAMSIL deployed into RUF-held areas, notably Lunsar, Makeni and Magburaka, between 7 and 23 April. UNAMSIL has also continued to conduct long-range patrols into these areas, including three patrols to the Kono district, two of which took place at night, enabling the area to be approached from both the west and the east. One patrol was conducted from Magburaka to Koidu, Konkoworo, Saima and Koardu, which is 2 kilometres from the Guinea border. From the east, the Guinean battalion patrolled from Daru to Bumumbu, Benda Juma, Gandahun and Woama. Long- range patrols were also carried out three times to Kailahun from Daru, as well as to Buedu.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“It is worth noting that the withdrawal of all RUF combatants from the Kambia district would facilitate efforts at repatriating Sierra Leonean refugees from Guinea so that they can return home. Such a withdrawal would also set a positive precedent for the withdrawal of the RUF from other areas, particularly the diamond-producing areas. On 9 May, UNAMSIL organized a meeting with the Government of Sierra Leone to prepare for the 15 May meeting between the RUF, the Government of Sierra Leone and UNAMSIL, which will clarify modalities and establish a firm timetable for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, in keeping with a decision taken at the review meeting of the Abuja ceasefire Agreement.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“I understand that the Permanent Representative of Mali has kept the Security Council well informed of these important developments. (Spoke in French) I should now like to touch on follow-up actions by the parties and by UNAMSIL. In a meeting held at Makeni on 6 May, the RUF military leaders unanimously endorsed the Abuja decisions and established committees to oversee follow-up implementation of these decisions. In subsequent meetings with UNAMSIL, RUF representatives reiterated their leaders' commitment to withdraw from Kambia on 18 May, to release at least 200 child combatants by 25 May, and to return all seized weapons by 30 May. These undertakings by the RUF are a positive development that need to be encouraged and very closely followed up.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“During the period under review, ECOWAS leaders actively pursued their efforts to advance the peace process in Sierra Leone. On 11 April, an Extraordinary Summit meeting of ECOWAS Heads of State was held in Abuja. That meeting called on the Security Council to authorize and assist the deployment of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) forces along the borders of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. It also set up a mediation committee, comprising the Presidents of Mali, Nigeria and Togo, to encourage dialogue between the Heads of State of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and it decided to dispatch an ECOWAS mission to Liberia on 18 April to assess Liberia's compliance with the Security Council's demands in resolution 1343 (2001).”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“On balance, we believe that, if properly implemented by both sides in good faith, the Abuja meeting has the potential to create the confidence needed to make further progress. It is a first step. The Government has set up a high-ranking task force to oversee the implementation of the Abuja meeting. The members of this task force will also represent the Government at the meeting on the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme with the RUF, to be held tomorrow. The RUF, in a meeting with Special Representative of the Secretary-General Adeniji last Friday, 11 May, reaffirmed its commitments, but also stressed the need for more confidence-building measures. It also said it was ready to welcome the deployment of the Sierra Leone police in the areas now under the RUF's control.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“UNAMSIL, accompanied by unarmed RUF observers, would mount increased patrols in the district. The withdrawing RUF combatants would be disarmed and screened for absorption into the Sierra Leone army. Confidence-building measures reached at the meeting include the Government of Sierra Leone's declared intention and preparedness to address the RUF's political concerns, including releasing some detained RUF officials; facilitating the complete certification of the RUF as a political party; and providing land or office space to the party in Freetown and in the provinces. The Abuja meeting constitutes a step in the right direction. Obviously, the right balance will have to be struck between giving the RUF the opportunity to transform itself into a political entity, and maintaining a strong posture for UNAMSIL.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“The meeting called for the simultaneous disarmament of the CDF and the RUF, and a decision was taken to set up a joint committee comprising UNAMSIL, the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF, to meet in Freetown on 15 May to develop a firm timetable and modalities for the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. The meeting also called on the RUF to release all abductees, in particular child combatants, and called on the two parties to create an atmosphere conducive to the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons. The review meeting also decided that in order to stop the RUF incursions and the Guinean attacks, the RUF would withdraw all its combatants from the Kambia district and allow the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) to deploy there.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“It was concluded that the ceasefire Agreement had been largely observed, but that the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) had violated it by attacking the RUF in Tongo on 19 April. The Government of Sierra Leone should exert the necessary control over the CDF in order to avert future attacks which could jeopardize the peace process. The Government of Sierra Leone was called upon to extend its authority throughout the country in the wake of UNAMSIL's deployment. There was a renewed commitment by the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF to remove all roadblocks in areas under their control. The RUF pledged to return, by 30 May 2001, all weapons and equipment it had seized from UNAMSIL and ECOMOG.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“Since our last briefing to the Security Council, the major political development was the meeting in Abuja on 2 May 2001 of ECOWAS, the United Nations, the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF to review the implementation of the Abuja ceasefire Agreement. The review meeting was preceded on 1 May by a meeting of the United Nations-ECOWAS-Government of Sierra Leone coordination mechanism. The review meeting was chaired by the Foreign Minister of Mali and attended by UNAMSIL, the Government of Sierra Leone, and an RUF delegation led by Omrie Golley, Chairman of the RUF Political and Peace Council. The meeting, which was held in a frank but cordial atmosphere, resulted in a number of important conclusions and decisions, as follows.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“Mr. Guehenno: As requested, I would like to brief the Security Council on recent developments in Sierra Leone and in the subregion, including progress in the forward deployment of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), various meetings involving the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), and actions taken or being envisaged by the parties and by UNAMSIL in implementing the decisions of the recent review meeting of the Abuja ceasefire Agreement. First, I will touch on the political developments.”
2001-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4319 (2001) · source
“It is that difference that, for the moment, has not yet been overcome and that prevents a direct route - and it is a really circuitous route that has to be taken: almost going through Djibouti, so it is two sides of a triangle instead of one line between the two capitals.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“At the moment, a team from the office of the Chief of the Cartographic Section of the Secretariat is in Asmara; it will establish such a plan of field activities. It is on that basis that we will then be in a position to address very precisely the request of the Security Council about the exact logistical costs for the Boundary Commission. The question of direct flights was also raised by several delegations. The Ethiopian party has agreed to a route that is almost direct but that slightly deviates from a direct route because that would overfly some Ethiopian defensive positions. At the moment, the Eritrean party insists on an absolutely direct route.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“Both parties have shown a spirit of cooperation, and we hope that that spirit will help resolve this problem. But at the moment I cannot give an answer to the question. The representatives of Ukraine and of France also asked about the financing of the trust fund for the Boundary Commission, and about the financial arrangements for the Commission. First, let me say that the recent contributions and pledges to the trust fund would put its balance at $5.7 million. And the Boundary Commission has requested each party to make deposits towards meeting the costs of the Commission. The budget for the logistics of the Commission is not yet there, because it has to be developed on the basis of a detailed assessment, in the field, of what exactly will be needed.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“The first question, posed by the representative of Tunisia, related to mines and demining efforts in the area. Cooperation with the parties has been good in terms of obtaining the information we need. As I have noted, Eritrea has provided 313 detailed maps of mined areas; Ethiopia too has provided substantial information, and we are expecting supplementary information from Ethiopia. The full demining of the area will undoubtedly involve considerable work; in the meantime, we must mark mined areas and keep the population away in order to avoid the tragedy of civilians stepping on unmarked mines. (spoke in English) The representative of Ukraine asked about the status of the commissioners. We hope that the issue of commissioners both on the Boundary Commission and on the Claims Commission will be resolved promptly.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“At the same time, the Council may wish to encourage the parties to cooperate fully with UNMEE and the United Nations in the resolution of all outstanding issues and, in particular, with the Secretary-General in his efforts to resolve the impasse regarding the composition of the Boundary Commission and the Claims Commission. As members of the Council are aware, the exit strategy of UNMEE is linked to the successful completion of the work of the Boundary Commission. It is therefore essential that the Commission be able to begin its work without further delay.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“He has a similar responsibility with regard to the challenges interposed by both parties to three out of five members of the Claims Commission. The Secretary-General met yesterday with the Permanent Representatives of Ethiopia and Eritrea to seek a solution to the current impasse. The Presidents of both Commissions have requested the parties to make deposits to cover the initial costs of these two bodies, pursuant to the commitments undertaken by the parties in the 12 December Algiers Agreement. While some contributions to the Claims Commission have been received, the parties have not yet made any deposits to the Boundary Commission. In conclusion, I would suggest that the Security Council express its appreciation for the remarkable progress achieved so far.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“In this connection, it should be mentioned that the Boundary Commission held its first informal meeting in The Hague on 25 and 26 March, with the participation of the agents for both Ethiopia and Eritrea. At that meeting, the Commission presented to the parties a tentative timeline of activities. A team from the Office of the Secretary of the Commission is currently in Asmara drawing up a plan of action for the on-site activities required by the delimitation and demarcation of the border. However, the formal orders putting in motion the work of the Commission can be issued only once the challenge to one of the Commissioners, interposed by Ethiopia, is resolved. At the request of the President of the Boundary Commission, the Secretary-General has been asked to resolve this challenge.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“In this connection, I would like to remind the parties of their obligations under the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, in particular the granting of unfettered direct-access flights and freedom of movement throughout UNMEE's area of operations. During the reporting period, there has been no significant violation of the ceasefire and the situation remains calm. I regret to inform Council members that, on 16 April, three Jordanian soldiers were injured, two of them seriously, when their vehicle overturned on a road in sector West. As indicated in the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, and as UNMEE has reiterated to the parties on numerous occasions, the TSZ is temporary in nature and does not prejudge the final status of the contested areas, to be decided by the Boundary Commission established by the 12 December Algiers agreement.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“Turning to operational issues, I am pleased to inform the Council that the deployment of the Mission is now almost complete. As of 17 April, the strength of the military component of UNMEE stood at 4,360 personnel, of which 501 are national support elements. This figure includes 218 military observers. I am also pleased to inform members of the Council that the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Ethiopia was signed on 23 March. We also hope that progress will soon be made in our ongoing negotiations on the SOFA with Eritrea. The issue of direct flights between Addis Ababa and Asmara, on which the Council was extensively briefed on previous occasions, is still unresolved. UNMEE continues to face repeated restrictions of movement in all three sectors. These are being addressed with military authorities on a case-by-case basis.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“The Ethiopian authorities have also provided some minefield information, but additional clarifications are being sought. As regards demining operations in the TSZ, these have been restricted to limited clearance operations, reportedly conducted by the military forces of both sides prior to their redeployment and realignment, and to the demining tasks undertaken by UNMEE's engineer units in support of the deployment of the peacekeeping operation. Currently, there are limited mine and unexploded ordnance clearance and minefield-marking activities being carried out inside the TSZ. In addition, an international demining non- governmental organization is conducting a dangerous area survey in the TSZ. Mine-awareness activities have been initiated throughout the mission area.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source
“So far, 14 projects - for a total budget of over $160,000- have been approved by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. However, quick-impact projects are, as their name indicates, a stop-gap measure, which cannot substitute for much- needed larger-scale interventions. The humanitarian challenges linked to the establishment of the Temporary Security Zone are enormous. The United Nations calls upon the international community to contribute generously to the United Nations Country Team appeals of the two countries. As I mentioned before, UNMEE remains very concerned about the landmine situation. In response to repeated requests from the Mission, Eritrean authorities recently provided 313 minefield records, which are currently being examined by UNMEE.”
2001-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4310 (2001) · source