YouSaid · the spoken record

Hardeep Singh Puri

lines on the record: 886
first: 2009-11-25
most recent: 2013-02-12
sittings or episodes: 121
sources: un-security-council

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

“The Special Tribunal for Lebanon must be allowed to complete its work. We call on all sides to resolve their differences and maintain peace. While that has been stated several times before, and in many eloquent ways, this central truth bears repetition: a just, fair, durable and credible solution to this vexed problem can only come from meaningful, sincere and results-oriented dialogue, a dialogue that is essentially forward looking. For this, it is important that the ongoing settlement activities by Israel cease forthwith. I would also add that the settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law. We remain convinced that lasting peace in the region will contribute to global stability and prosperity.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470 (2011) · source
“From the resources allocated from the IBSA Trust Fund, we are undertaking the partial reconstruction of the Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza and the construction of an indoor multi-purpose sports complex in Ramallah. We believe that such projects will be of some value to the Palestinian people in improving their health and recreational facilities. We feel that genuine peace in the region requires a resolution of other issues on the remaining tracks of the Middle East peace process, including the restoration of other Arab lands that remain under occupation. Progress on the Lebanese and Syrian tracks of the peace process are therefore critical for achieving comprehensive and durable peace in the region. We are closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon, which is deeply worrying.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470 (2011) · source
“The Prime Minister reiterated India's unwavering support for the Palestinian people's struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel, as endorsed in the Arab Peace Initiative, the Quartet Road Map and relevant Security Council resolutions. Also, India has long contributed to the capacity- and institution-building of the Palestinian people with its material and technical assistance programmes. In this connection, I would also like to mention, as did my colleagues from Brazil and South Africa, the projects in which India has engaged with those countries through the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470 (2011) · source
“The World Bank reported that, if the Palestinian Authority maintains its current performance in institution-building and public services, it will be well positioned for the establishment of a State. Also, there were fewer violent incidents in the 2010 than in previous years. Unless broken, the current impasse has the potential of having a serious impact on the lives of the people, potentially contributing more fuel to an already combustible situation in the region. This should therefore strengthen our resolve in seeking to achieve a breakthrough in the current impasse so that both parties return to talks. India has a long-standing tradition of solidarity with the Palestinian people. It was expressed recently by our Prime Minister in his message on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470 (2011) · source
“I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe for his comprehensive briefing. I would also like to thank the Permanent Observer of Palestine for his statement, to which we listened very carefully. The situation in the Middle East continues to be difficult. The much-awaited resumption of talks in September 2010 between Israel and Palestine lasted only a few meetings. Since then, there has been considerable erosion in mutual confidence between the two parties, thereby undermining the peace process. The events of the past few months have been discouraging, with stalled talks, the resumption of settlement activity and human suffering in Gaza. On the positive side, in spite of the difficult situation in Gaza, the economy there grew by 8 per cent in 2010.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470 (2011) · source
“The problem there requires dialogue with the participation of all groups - not only those armed groups but civil society at large. We therefore urge all parties to return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement expeditiously.”
2011-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6468 (2011) · source
“While the referendum was held without violence, we witnessed during the course of the week a high and worrying level of violence in the Abyei region, which led to the loss of lives. This is cause for concern. We urge the leaders of the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities to show restraint and faithfully implement the agreement mediated by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We commend Ambassador Menkerios and UNMIS for their role in facilitating this agreement. The violence witnessed last week in Abyei should remind us of the need to remain vigilant with regard to the situation on the ground, which remains fragile. We hope that the parties will cease their support for proxy forces and seek to resolve all issues through negotiation and dialogue. The situation in Darfur also remains cause for concern.”
2011-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6468 (2011) · source
“The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), as well as other international and regional organizations that partnered with the South Sudanese authorities, deserve our highest appreciation for the conduct of the referendum. That it was conducted peacefully and without violence is all the more remarkable. The successful conduct of the referendum was an important element in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement reached between the Sudanese parties. The commitment of these parties, expressed at the highest levels, to respecting the outcome of the referendum is equally praiseworthy. We commend this commitment and hope that the same spirit of cooperation and commitment will be shown by the parties to resolve the post-referendum issues that remain to be agreed upon.”
2011-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6468 (2011) · source
“I would like to join other colleagues in thanking President Benjamin Mkapa, Chair of the Secretary-General's Panel on the Referenda in the Sudan, and Mr. Menkerios, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, for their informative briefings and, more important, for the commendable work they have been doing. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the referendum in Southern Sudan was completed successfully and peacefully over a one-week period. A very large number of eligible voters are reported to have cast their ballots. By all accounts, the turnover was well above the required threshold.”
2011-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6468 (2011) · source
“Our $1.3-billion assistance programme is aimed at building infrastructure, capacity-building in critical areas of governance, health, education, agriculture and so forth, and in generating Afghan capacity and employment. At the dawn of the new year, it is our earnest hope that the international community will remain steadfast in its commitment to supporting Afghanistan. Enhanced synergy and coherence of efforts on the part of the international community are critical for creating an enabling environment that can facilitate transition to greater Afghan ownership and put Afghanistan firmly on road to peace, progress and stability. We support the good work done by UNAMA.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“The country's greatest economic potential resides perhaps in its immense potential as a trade, transport and energy hub, and as a bridge linking Central, West and South Asia, given Afghanistan's traditional cultural and economic moorings in South Asia. Growing economic interdependence will also help in weaning disaffected youth away from insurgency and militancy and in promoting regional cooperation. We support the wishes of the Government of Afghanistan to take the lead in this direction. In India's efforts towards the stabilization of Afghanistan, the focus has been on development and humanitarian work to assist the Afghan people as they build a peaceful, stable, democratic and pluralistic nation. We have sought to assist Afghanistan within our means.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“The security and stabilization of Afghanistan will remain a distant goal unless we are able to isolate and root out the syndicate of terrorism, which includes elements of Al-Qaida, the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Toiba and other terrorist and extremist groups, operating from within and outside Afghanistan's borders. As we have discussed today, though we appreciate the gains made in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand against Taliban strongholds, it is worrisome that a deteriorating security environment, especially in the north, has been an ongoing trend this year. The Secretary-General's report notes that there has been a 66 per cent increase in security incidents in Afghanistan compared to the same period in 2009. Afghanistan's stability and economic development depend a lot on its neighbours and the region as a whole.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“India supports the Afghan Government's efforts to reintegrate those individuals who abjure violence, give up armed struggle, do not have links with terrorist groups, and are willing to abide by the values of democracy, pluralism and human rights as enshrined in the Afghan Constitution. As the International Security Assistance Force prepares to gradually withdraw from Afghanistan, there is a need for adequate capacity-building of Afghan security forces, along with adequate enablers, before security responsibility transitions to them. The necessity of dealing with the terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens beyond Afghanistan's borders is equally important in this context. The adequate capacity of Afghanistan's security forces and other institutions is a sine qua non for protecting the country's sovereignty, plurality and democracy.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“I could not agree more with the observation in the Secretary-General's report that, as the process of transition to full Afghan leadership and ownership advances, both the Government and the international community should be guided by realities rather than schedules. We need to guard against the impulse to consider the peace process a shortcut to facilitating transition. Going down that path without respecting the red lines for the process laid out at the London Conference and endorsed at the Kabul Conference would risk Afghanistan backsliding into being a safe haven for terrorists and extremist groups. The international community must bear in mind the lessons learned from past experiences in negotiating with fundamentalist and extremist organizations, and ensure that the process remains Afghan-led, inclusive and transparent.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“In our shared pursuit of sustained and tangible improvements in security, governance and development, the unity of purpose of efforts is indeed imperative to enhance the efficiency and overall coordination of the international community's presence in Afghanistan. I am pleased to note that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is assuming a greater role in generating a coherent approach to coordinating donor assistance and the alignment of provincial reconstruction teams, donors and other implementation partners to the Government- led processes, including at the sub-national level.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“I am happy to note that the focus of the Kabul process has now shifted from planning to implementation and delivery. That is an important step on the road to a transition to greater Afghan ownership. The Secretary- General's latest report also highlights that a framework for detailing implementation plans for the short- and medium-term in all 22 national priority programmes has been put in place. The holding of National Assembly elections in September, despite threats by the Taliban and other illegal armed groups, was an important step in the consolidation of the democratic framework in Afghanistan. We are particularly encouraged by the robust participation and campaigning by some 2,500 candidates, including 396 women. We hope the uncertainty regarding the results of the elections is settled sooner rather than later.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“As the year draws to a close, today's meeting offers us a timely opportunity to comprehensively review the goals and commitments that we have been able to achieve and fulfil in Afghanistan, as well as the tasks that remain unaccomplished on the long road to lasting peace, prosperity and stability in that country. The overarching objective of the efforts of the international community has been to create an enabling environment for the Afghan Government to eventually assume full responsibility and take charge of its own destiny. The London Conference in January, the Kabul Conference in July and the parliamentary elections in September were significant political milestones in that direction. The Kabul Conference marked the beginning of Kabul process, a new phase in the partnership of the Afghan Government with the international community.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“I would like to thank you, Madame President, for scheduling today's debate on the situation in Afghanistan. We are also grateful for the latest report (S/2010/630) of the Secretary-General and appreciate the briefing by his Special Representative Staffan de Mistura. We also thank Ambassador Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan for his statement. I join others in expressing sincere condolences on the passing away of Mr. Richard Holbrooke, the United States Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. An accomplished diplomat, Ambassador Holbrooke served his country and the cause of international peace and security with great distinction in difficult conditions in various parts of the world. He will be missed by us all.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“We have not yet attained a global culture of human rights that could serve as a unifying force rather than a divisive force. As the world's largest democracy, India considers it an honour to uphold and cherish the concept of gender equality and the empowerment of women. I would like to reiterate India's firm commitment to its international obligations flowing from resolution 1325 (2000) and its successor resolutions, and I look forward to engaging constructively and proactively with other delegations in the Security Council from the beginning of next year, when we assume our responsibility as a member of the Council. Let us not lose the momentum that has been generated on this issue on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), a symbol of strength for women and peace and security.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“With the consolidation of authority and responsibility within the United Nations system on women's issues, I am positive that the United Nations system will also coherently coordinate and assist Member States, at their request, in the implementation of the resolution 1325 (2000). We unequivocally, unambiguously and resolutely condemn the abhorrent behaviour of sexual violence in armed conflict, regardless of who perpetrates it, be they party to an armed conflict, peacekeeping personnel, including their civilian components, or humanitarian actors. There is a need for more stringent regulations in combating and eliminating this menace. We would also request the Secretary-General to further strengthen his efforts to ensure zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We are equally mindful that the development of such indicators, benchmarks and guidelines, given their sensitivity, should involve a process of broader intergovernmental consultations and discussions before their eventual adoption. One must also be aware of the difficulties in obtaining authentic, credible, corroborative and verifiable data from conflict-ridden environments. We are happy that Member States were able to reach consensus earlier this year in establishing UN Women, which will be fully operational by January 2011. We were, in that context, particularly pleased by the presence of the newly appointed Under-Secretary- General who heads this Entity with us earlier today.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Discussions on the establishment of a Security Council working group dedicated to reviewing the progress in implementing this resolution are relevant and have our support. We are confident that such an effort will go a long way towards transforming words into concrete action. The United Nations system has also come up with a useful set of indicators as global markers of progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). India has taken note of the set of 26 global indicators in the four key areas. We believe that reaching agreement on the set of goals, targets and indicators to monitor the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) should be the first step in reducing the fragmentation of information and monitoring progress on this critical and important issue.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“While the Secretary-General and several speakers before me have pointed out the mixed results in the implementation of the resolution by the international community and the United Nations system, it is worth noting that the appointment of women to senior decision-making positions, as well as their participation in mission planning, reporting, assessment, post-conflict planning and peacekeeping operations, have increased. We welcome this, but must stress the need to do much more. Equally pertinent is the role played by civil society in internalizing the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) while addressing issues in various conflict zones. We would also, in particular, like to encourage local communities to step forward and assume their rightful role in conflict zones.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We have necessary disciplinary provisions in place to ensure that reports of incidents of violence against women, children or civilians are dealt with firmly, swiftly and resolutely within our existing legal provisions. In 2007, India even had the distinction of being the first country to deploy a full female peacekeeping unit - a 100-strong contingent in Liberia. Deployments similar to this oft-cited Indian example remain, unfortunately, a rarity. India will be happy to contribute positively to this process. As one of the largest contributors of troops to the United Nations, India has been conscious of its responsibility and has trained its troops on this important issue. The United Nations system, Member States and civil society have made steady and noticeable efforts in implementing resolution 1325 (2000).”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“India has consistently held the view that the greater participation of women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction is an essential prerequisite of lasting peace and security. Let me also add my voice to those of other speakers who have called for the greater deployment of female military and police personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and for the provision to all military and police personnel with adequate training to carry out their responsibilities. In this regard, we especially encourage those who champion the importance of the participation of women peacekeepers and have the inclination and capacity to do so. Over the past six decades, India has contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to virtually every peacekeeping operation.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Resolution 1325 (2000) highlights the impact of armed conflict on women and the need for effective institutional arrangements to guarantee their protection and full participation in peace processes. Having had the resolution in operational mode for a decade, we now need to redouble our efforts to increase women's participation at all stages and all levels of peace processes and peacebuilding efforts. We can achieve lasting peace and security in any country only when women are represented at the negotiating table or in talks on post-conflict reconstruction. In the same vein, let me add that the three pillars of lasting peace - namely, economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy - cannot be achieved without the active engagement of women.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“This political empowerment of women is an unprecedented feat in the entire history of the world. Today's open debate of the Security Council marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. I am honoured to take part in this debate. When resolution 1325 (2000) was adopted unanimously in 2000, it was a landmark resolution dealing with women's issues in the area of international peace and security. Recognizing this, the Secretary-General made a very pertinent point by saying that although women suffered the impact of conflict disproportionately, they also held the key to the solutions of the conflict.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“India took a historic initiative of empowering women by reserving one third of the seats in more than 300,000 institutions of local self-government to women. As a result, today, out of the 3.2 million elected representatives in these local bodies, there are 1.2 million women, about 86,000 of whom serve as Chairpersons or Vice-Chairpersons of their respective units. We are taking further steps to increase the participation of women to 50 per cent in these institutions, which would take the number of elected women to between 1.6 and 1.8 million. Presently, a bill mandating such measures is under consideration by the Parliament of India. There are, perhaps, more democratically elected women in India alone than in the rest of the world put together.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“At the outset, I would like to place on record India's appreciation to you, Sir, and through you to your delegation, for having organized this open debate to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). I belong to a country with a 5,000 year-old civilization that regards gender equality and the empowerment of women as its constitutive principles. I am equally proud to be a Sikh - a member of a religion which, at the time of its founding in the latter half of the fifteenth century, deemed it fit to incorporate gender equality and independence for women among its essential attributes. The imperative of the political empowerment of women cannot be overemphasized.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The Secretary-General's report notes that there has been a 69 per cent increase in security incidents compared to the same months in 2009. In conclusion, the international community as a whole has made a great contribution to assisting Afghanistan to stand on its own feet. The Kabul Conference was a big step in the right direction. It is important that the international community remain steadfast in its commitment to supporting Afghanistan. We welcome these efforts and are fully supportive of them. We support the good work done by UNAMA.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“One cannot distinguish between Al-Qaida and the plethora of terrorist organizations that have imbibed the goals and techniques of Al-Qaida. The security and stabilization of Afghanistan will remain a distant goal unless we are able to isolate and root out the syndicate of terrorism, which includes elements of Al-Qaida, the Taliban, the Lashkar e Toiba and other terrorist and extremist groups operating from within and outside Afghanistan's borders. It is therefore essential to ensure that support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorist organizations from outside Afghanistan are ended forthwith. As we debate today, it is worrisome that there has been a continued and continuing deterioration in the security environment.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“The international community must learn lessons from past experiences in negotiating with fundamentalist and extremist organizations, and ensure that any peace process is conducted in an inclusive and transparent manner. Adequate capacity of the Afghan security forces and other Afghan institutions is a sine qua non for protecting Afghanistan's sovereignty, plurality and democracy. The gains of the past nine years stand to be squandered if this aspect does not receive the attention that it deserves as the international community ponders its next steps regarding Afghanistan. The international community should also ensure that there is no selectivity in dealing with terrorism. The fight against terrorism cannot be compartmentalized.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“But if Afghanistan is to realize its full potential in these areas, its neighbours need to come together to forge greater regional cooperation and facilitate trade and transit. Growing economic interdependence will also help to wean disaffected youth away from insurgency and militancy and to create a zone of co-prosperity in the region. We support the wishes of the Government of Afghanistan to take the lead in this direction. Peace and reintegration efforts in Afghanistan can succeed provided they are fully Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and bring all sections of Afghanistan's population together, and provided they abide by the redlines agreed to at the London Conference: giving up violence, cutting off all links with terrorism, and accepting the democratic and pluralistic values of the Afghan Constitution, including women's rights.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“The ultimate aim of our assistance, which presently stands at over $1.3 billion, is to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan State and people to stand on their own feet in the areas of governance and services for the Afghan people. Afghanistan's stability and economic development depend significantly on its neighbours and the region as a whole. Afghanistan's greatest economic potential perhaps resides in its immense potential as a trade, transport and energy hub, and as a bridge linking Central, West and South Asia and the Gulf. Its prosperity also depends on the consumer market of nearly 1.5 billion people in the South Asian subcontinent. The recent reports of Afghanistan's great mineral wealth also open up possibilities for mining and investment.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“India and Afghanistan enjoy a relationship based on history, civilization, trade and cultural exchanges, and shared values and interests stretching back thousands of years. India is committed to the unity, integrity and independence of Afghanistan, underpinned by democracy and cohesive pluralism and free from external interference. India has contributed to these goals through our development partnership, which is implemented entirely in accordance with the priorities of the Afghan Government and people. Our assistance programmes are spread all over Afghanistan and cover all aspects of development: humanitarian assistance, infrastructure, institution- and capacity- building, small-scale quick-gestation projects, and agriculture.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“The Conference demonstrated the Afghan Government's determination to take full responsibility for Afghanistan's own development, security and governance, and the international community's willingness to realign international assistance in accordance with Afghanistan's priorities and action plans. The success of the Kabul process will largely depend on detailing and implementing the commitments flowing from the Kabul Conference. The holding of the National Assembly elections on 18 September, in which over 2,500 candidates contested, was an important step forward in strengthening the democratic framework in Afghanistan. We appreciate the leading role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in providing overall coordination of international support to the electoral process.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank you, Sir, for having convened today's debate on the situation in Afghanistan. We are grateful for the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/493) and are appreciative of the briefing by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura. We also thank Mr. Zalmai Rassoul, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, for his statement. The Kabul Conference marked a new phase in the partnership between the Afghan Government and the international community: the Kabul process and a renewed commitment to a secure, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“We welcome these efforts and are fully supportive of them. We support the good work done by UNAMA. If lasting peace and stability are to be established in Afghanistan, it is critical that the international community remain engaged there, both on the security side as well as in development and capacity-building efforts.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“We have sought to assist Afghanistan within our means. Our $1.3 billion assistance programme is aimed at building infrastructure; capacity-building in the critical areas of governance, health, education and agriculture; and generating employment. Last year, over 300,000 Afghans, mainly women and children, were provided with free medical treatment at the Indian medical missions in Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif. The economy of the battle-scarred Nimroz province was transformed with the building of the Zaranj-Delaram highway, and the homes of the people of Kabul have been lit, after more than a decade, by the Pul-i-Khumri transmission line from the Uzbek border. The international community as a whole has made a contribution in assisting Afghanistan to stand on its feet.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“Afghanistan's neighbours and regional partners will need to be kept in the picture, both by consultation and by adherence to the principle of non-interference in the country's affairs, ensuring that it thrives as a trade and transit hub for the region and by eradicating transnational terrorism. While moving forward on the sensitive issues of reintegration and reconciliation, we need to guard against the impulse to arrive at quick-fix solutions. Against the backdrop of today's worrying security situation, these issues need to be tackled with prudence and the benefit of hindsight, foresight and caution. In India's efforts towards the stabilization of Afghanistan, the focus has been on development and humanitarian work to assist the Afghan people as they build a peaceful, stable, inclusive, democratic and pluralistic nation.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“They should be provided with appropriate resources, combat equipment, enablers and training before any plan for a progressive handover of security responsibilities is considered. The security of Afghanistan and what happens there impacts us, as a country in the region, a close neighbour and a civilizational partner whose ties with the Afghan people stretch into antiquity. A stable and settled Afghanistan, where the rank and file of the Taliban has given up violence against the Government and the people, cut all links with terrorism and subscribed to the values of the Afghan Constitution and its laws, and where development is the hard rationale is what we seek and strive for. It is important also that such a structure be durable and enduring.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“I join others in expressing our condolences for the United Nations staff member killed only yesterday. There is broad recognition that the increase in terrorist actions in Afghanistan is due to the support and sanctuaries available beyond its borders. The security and stabilization of Afghanistan will remain a distant goal unless we are able to isolate and root out the syndicate of terrorism, which includes elements of Al-Qaida, Taliban, Lashkar e Toiba and other terrorist and extremist groups operating from within and outside Afghanistan's borders. We fully support efforts towards the expansion of the capacities of the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General notes that there was a 94 per cent increase in incidents involving improvised explosive devices during the first four months of 2010, a 45 per cent rise in killings of civilians by insurgents, and an increase in complex suicide attacks. Despite a reinforced presence of the International Security Assistance Forces, the continuous deterioration in the security situation is a stark reminder that the challenge from a resurgent Taliban and Al-Qaida is real, and it is one that threatens us all. The wellsprings that sustain such terror still show no signs of being drained. Civilians, humanitarian personnel, international and United Nations staff and diplomatic personnel, including in our mission in Kabul, have been repeatedly targeted in terrorist attacks.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“In this context, the focus of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on its priorities, in particular support for elections, regional cooperation and aid coherence would be helpful in achieving greater synergy and coordination of efforts with the Afghan Government. The success of all our endeavours will be enduring only if their ownership is vested in the Afghan Government and people. In this context, closely intertwined is the need for tangible and sustained improvement in the security situation. This is also absolutely critical to expanding the footprint of the Afghan Government and to creating an enabling environment for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. As we discussed today, an overall deterioration in the Afghan security environment underscores the significant challenges that confront Afghanistan.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“We support the efforts of the Afghan Government to reintegrate those individuals who are willing to abjure violence, do not have ties with terrorist groups, and are willing to abide by the values of democracy, pluralism and human rights, as enshrined in the Afghan Constitution. The process must be inclusive and transparent. The forthcoming Kabul Conference and the parliamentary elections scheduled for September will be important milestones in consolidating the progress made so far. Complementary to the military effort, a sustainable strategy for the stabilization of Afghanistan must focus on development and governance issues.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“I would like to thank you, Sir, for scheduling today's debate on the situation in Afghanistan. We are grateful for the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/318) and are appreciative of the briefing by his Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura. We also thank Ambassador Tanin, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, for his statement. As we move forward, the international approach towards Afghanistan, including the London Conference, has focused on the areas of security, reintegration, development, governance, and regional and international cooperation.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“In conclusion, let me reiterate that we will continue to work closely with the counter-terrorism mechanisms established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). We welcome efforts to use open dialogue as a means to build closer cooperation within the international system. What we need is the necessary political will, accompanied by concerted and resolute action to effectively combat the scourge of terrorism.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“We welcome the Committee's effort to organize thematic briefings, streamline its working methods and give more focus to substantive and analytical work. We have taken note of the latest progress made by the 1540 Committee towards a comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). We support efforts to prepare guidelines for handling assistance requests by countries and to find the means to address the most commonly found gaps in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). It is important that such activities are performed at the request of Member States, keeping in mind their varying national capacities, procedures and systems.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“We support measures to strengthen the review process of the listings in the consolidated list through the office of the ombudsperson, with a view to increasing the fairness and transparency of the sanctions regime. At the same time, we are concerned that the process of listing and de-listing in the consolidated list continues to be subject to political will and pressure - a scenario that we can ill afford in our united fight against terrorism. We would encourage the Committee to continue to work towards improving both the content and the functionality of its website. We fully support the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate's efforts to play a more effective role in countering terrorism.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“We are willing to extend assistance, bilaterally as well as multilaterally, in the greater effort to counter the threat of terrorism. For the strengthening and effective implementation of counter-terrorism measures, the Security Council has focused on upgrading the existing mandates to ensure effective compliance with its resolutions. Such efforts need to be supplemented with a more collaborative approach of extending assistance, utilizing available regional expertise and appropriate technologies. The latest Security Council resolution, 1904 (2009), attempted to streamline the functioning of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source