YouSaid · the spoken record

Haroon

lines on the record: 396
first: 2008-11-19
most recent: 2012-09-20
sittings or episodes: 41
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

“And the progress we see today is, I think, something that we can credit to him and the great work he has done in the short period that he has been there. Pakistan greatly values UNAMA's activities in the areas of governance assistance, aid delivery, judicial reforms, coordination among donors, humanitarian assistance, the eradication of poppy cultivation, counter-narcotics, and landmine removal. I take this opportunity to reiterate our readiness to provide all possible assistance to Special Representative de Mistura and his team. As the international community completes the first decade of engagement with Afghanistan after the Bonn process, it must remain steadfast in its commitments and introspective in its conduct. Next month, the Security Council will consider the mandate of ISAF.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“Interestingly, while in North Waziristan, we are combating terrorism - and the Orakzai tribe specifically - this largest kingdom in India, Bhopal, was an Orakzai kingdom. This shows that it is not sanctuaries that people need to worry about; it is centuries of travel into these areas, which remain where they are. People will come and go. Drawing lines, as we have done - whether it be the Durand or the Maginot in France, which certainly did not stop Hitler - does not stop anyone. People carry around centuries of history and will continue travelling on the routes that they know and accept. The United Nations, through its Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), under the able leadership of Staffan de Mistura, is playing a commendable role in the country.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“And for those who know the region well, I am sure Staffan would confirm how difficult it is to bring democracy there. We call for early and voluntary returns of the nearly 3 million Afghan refugees who still live in Pakistan. We note progress in this area, with the voluntary return of 91,583 refugees from Pakistan in past three months, as noted in the report. This is a gratifying step forward. We would stress the need to strengthen reintegration programmes for refugees within Afghanistan's development strategy. Here I should like to say that there are corridors that for centuries have led from Afghanistan eastwards into the heart of India. I think the largest Afghan-led kingdom was in Madyar Pradesh; it went by the name of Bhopal.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“Earlier, our two countries had successfully concluded the Transit Trade Agreement, upgrading a similar agreement signed in 1962. We have pledged to continue with development projects in Afghanistan, despite our known constraints as a result of the unprecedented floods in Pakistan. We are also engaged in security and intelligence cooperation with Afghanistan, including through the Tripartite Commission, which also includes the United States and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Pakistan has commended the Afghan nation and Government and the Independent Election Commission on the successful holding of Wolesi Jirga elections on 18 September. These elections demonstrated the commitment to strengthening democratic traditions and institutions in Afghanistan, despite numerous challenges.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“The immediate neighbours of Afghanistan have a special role to play in its stability. Pakistan is engaged with other countries in a number of important regional initiatives on Afghanistan. Those initiatives aim at a greater regional connectivity with a view to promoting economic and commercial cooperation and rooting out the menaces of narcotics, terrorism and extremism. Pakistan is deeply committed to strengthening its ties with Afghanistan in all areas. Our bilateral relations are marked by close cooperation in all fields. There is continuous dialogue and regular exchange of visits at the highest levels. President Hamid Karzai paid an important visit to Pakistan this month. The joint statement issued on the occasion of his visit charts the future trajectory of our bilateral relations.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“In a society suffering from four decades of war, the vexing question of security cannot be addressed by another war. Military action alone is not and will not be a solution to Afghanistan's problems. We share the view expressed by the Secretary- General that a viable reconciliation process is vital for durable and long-term peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan supports an Afghan-led and inclusive reconciliation process to bring the opposition groups into the political mainstream. We therefore welcome the establishment of the High Peace Council in Afghanistan. It is our hope that the Security Council will continue to be a willing partner of the Afghan Government in the reconciliation process. Pakistan has always emphasized the importance of regional unity in dealing with challenges of security and development in Afghanistan.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“As the Afghan Government assumes greater responsibilities in areas of security, governance and economic and social development, it will need the continuous support of the international community, and this must be forthcoming. It is our sincere hope that parties on both side of this equation will fulfil their mandated tasks. We agree with the Secretary-General that for the Kabul process to succeed, our efforts must be focused on priority areas with appropriate sequencing and coordination. The Secretary-General has also cautioned that optimism and progress achieved in Afghanistan continue "to be overshadowed by the deterioration in the security situation". He has rightly observed that in the context of security, the Government's efforts to implement peace and reintegration programmes are particularly important.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“Over the years, the Secretary-General's reports have become a credible pronouncement on progress and setbacks in Afghanistan. I am happy to note that in the latest report, progress outweighs setbacks. That trend must be sustained. The report of the Secretary General under consideration today has rightly mentioned the Kabul Conference as the major political development of the last three months. The Conference was a landmark event. Its outcome, the Kabul process, has generated the optimism of a destination in sight. The Kabul process clearly spells out the respective roles of the Afghan Government and the international community in terms of j oint commitments and detailed benchmarks.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“I would like to begin, Mr. President, by extending my sincere felicitations on the successful Turkish presidency of the Security Council and on your able guidance of the Council's work during this month. I will also compliment the Afghan Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is here, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, because I think this time there is a lot of change in the Secretary-General's work. He is emphasizing a change for the better. There seems to be progress. I think that for the first time there is something to be fairly positive about. On the basis of thr quarterly report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/463), I would like to congratulate all of them for the achievements and the movement forward in Afghanistan.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“In the context of a comprehensive approach, engagement of strong regional actors can only be described as propitious. The African Union's participation in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the African Union Mission in Somalia is invaluable in both political and military terms. We welcome replicating that template in other missions. United Nations peacekeeping has graduated from its traditional form to multifaceted missions with complex mandates. This evolution is part of the discourse on peacekeeping reform. Just like the peacekeeping missions, such discourse must remain depoliticized. We hope that today's meeting will steer our collective deliberations on the challenges of modern day peacekeeping towards professional and pragmatic realms.”
2010-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6370 (2010) · source
“Beyond this, generalizing the concept of robust peacekeeping can risk overloading the United Nations peacekeeping architecture. It is evident that success in complex missions with robust mandates requires a comprehensive approach that ranges from conflict prevention to conflict management to preventing relapse. Protection of civilians and support to humanitarian assistance are the cardinal objectives, which cannot be accomplished without ownership by the host entity. Engagement of the host Government and local political actors, however instable and rudimentary they may be, is therefore essential. Emphasis on security sector reform, together with disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and peacebuilding strategies, will only cushion the physical challenge inherent in the protection of civilians and support to humanitarian assistance.”
2010-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6370 (2010) · source
“The complex mandates often ascribed as robust peacekeeping are conceived, drafted and adopted here. It becomes the responsibility of the Council to ensure that existing peacekeeping architecture provides for sufficient troop strength, trained and well-equipped personnel, force enablers and multipliers, rapid deployment, tactical and strategic reserve capacities and logistic backups to sustain the challenges of what we call robust peacekeeping. Needless to say, sufficient finances should also be kept in mind as an enabler. Equally important is applying robust peacekeeping with reference to a particular conflict zone and not treating the concept with the broad brush of political generalizations. Robustness of the required extent is present in all the missions.”
2010-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6370 (2010) · source
“Council resolutions 1509 (2003) and 1565 (2004), which authorized strengthened missions in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo respectively, were supported by Pakistan during its term in the Council in 2003 and 2004. Pakistani troops have also participated in those very challenging Missions. But I feel that not enough has been said or attention paid in the Council. We should have taken the Council as the absolutely correct forum to discuss the concept of robust peacekeeping. I have heard the discussion by force commanders on this issue, and I would beg to disagree with some of what has been said. I believe that it is here in this Chamber that we must make the decisions. While we must listen to them, we must also encourage them to act more boldly and to seek to meet the wishes of the Council in a more decisive manner.”
2010-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6370 (2010) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's meeting, although normally at this time of year we look forward to a more in-depth exchange. And, while welcoming all the bemedalled gentlemen and officers sitting in this Chamber, I would like to have seen a more interactive format. But perhaps that can be done at some other time. The initiative to get views of the force commanders on peacekeeping themes is commendable. I will briefly touch on the concepts discussed in today's meeting. At the outset, I would like to mention that I endorse a lot of what my colleague from India closed his speech with. As a leading troop contributor with vital stakes in United Nations peacekeeping operations, Pakistan has been supportive of peacekeeping missions with complex and challenging mandates. That is evident from our record in the Security Council.”
2010-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6370 (2010) · source
“Normally, in the law of the jungle, when an elephant prevails and becomes overpowering and becomes an absolute killer, it is called a rogue elephant. No matter what one call it, the jungle moves away from it. Nature is divided; nature cannot bring together its forces of peace, harmony and existence. That is what is essential to understand - that power by itself must not be the goal of all means possible. In a civilized world it must be expressed in a way that is beneficial and not destructive. I conclude by reiterating Pakistan's support for a lasting peace for the Arabs, Israelis and all the inhabitants of the region. We have a strong commitment to the realization of an independent, promised sovereign and viable State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, living in peace with 10-45934 all its neigbours.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Those people had embarked upon a noble mission, and, beyond all that has been said, that flotilla could have been escorted into an area where it could have disembarked peacefully and peacefully given up the goods that had been brought on board. We have no doubt of the humanitarian nature of that convoy, and to cast aspersions on its noble intentions is misleading. I believe that the Turkish people, who were most of those affected, have been friends to Israel in the Muslim world and have worked hard to try to break this impossible impasse. For them to suffer such a consequence is, in my mind, unfortunate and, to say the least, not in the interest of friends who try to help. It is a very simple thing: power knows no limitation.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The present Israeli policies of blockades, separations and checkpoints can lead to the imprisonment of the entire Palestinian population as and when that may be deemed necessary. That continues to kill the peace process, as peace cannot be achieved between a prison guard and a prisoner. Israel must seize the fleeting opportunity for peace and convert the ongoing proximity talks into direct and meaningful negotiations with the aim of reaching a two-State solution. I will take this opportunity to express concern at the lack of credible independent investigations of the Israeli aggression against the freedom flotilla in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“That is violence, and it continues with encouragement to some of the more enthusiastic settlers, who continue many forms of offense without any check or culpability. The recent self-imposed hiatus in settlement activity, which was never observed by Israel itself, is ending in September. That is hardly helping the cause of peace in the region. In itself the threat of settlements continues to cast a shadow on any meaningful peace process. The plight of Palestinian people must end. The world cannot be a bystander to their miseries. Many international experts of the region have noted that the constituency for peace among the Palestinian 8 population is constantly shrinking. It is being pointed out that more and more Palestinians see little justification in pursuing unequal peace with an unequal partner.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Settlement activity of recent times has accrued numerous patterns, the most worrying of which is the trend around East Jerusalem, where the status of centuries-old prayer places, mosques, churches and cemeteries of the Palestinian people is being altered in the name of excavation and creating new housing space. I would say proudly here that when the last Jew left my city of Karachi in Pakistan and sold the synagogue for a condominium, a lot of us got together to stand and protect, until today, the Jewish cemetery in Karachi and ensure that none of it is ever violated. Nobody asked us to do that, but we feel a commitment to do it. Only last Tuesday, Israel destroyed at least six Palestinian buildings in East Jerusalem.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Illegal separation walls, settlements and checkpoints even here block the integrity and unity of this age-old city - a city where, I may add, the Muslim Turkish sultans, when acting for the Muslim world, invited the much troubled Spanish diaspora of the Jewish nation to return and take a seat on the council of Jerusalem so that they could participate in the working of Jerusalem. That remains something outside the purview of the recent and current Muslim minority of that city. Second in priorities is the requirement to stem the continuation of settlement activity. It is not only considered contrary to international law; it also a departure from the pledges made by Israel from time to time on the issue. This settlement activity is seen by much of the international community as a way and means for a major provocation.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The Middle East Quartet statement of 21 June 2010 has called the next important aspect, the blockade of Gaza, "unsustainable, unacceptable and not in the interest of any of those concerned". Now that is a key point. We are thinking from both sides. The recent measures by Israel to ease the blockade of Gaza are what are unfortunately categorized as a little too late 7 and far too little to work with. The outside world and the freedom-loving people of the world find this unacceptable. The situation in occupied Jerusalem is not much different.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Even today that settlement eludes us, and unfortunately, the plight of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories under conflict and violence remains. We are now in the seventh decade of our collective failure to enforce peace in the Middle East. I call for collective action to facilitate a long-term political settlement, which must create a viable Palestinian State. We may prioritize this action into two areas. First, we must unequivocally call upon Israel to end what most here consider a repressive policy of occupying forces - repressive because those forces have converted the Palestinian land into a maze, a myriad of checkpoints, road blocks, military siege and separation walls. It has started to look more like a Times crossword puzzle.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“My thanks go to you, Madam President, for convening this very important meeting. I would like thank Lynn Pascoe for his valuable insights. But unfortunately, what we are looking for - something new to work with - has not been forthcoming. At the outset I would like to associate myself with the statements made by my friend the representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and by the representative of Syria on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The situation in the Middle East is as old as the United Nations. It has been debated in the Security Council for many years, and we have passed countless resolutions and presidential statements calling for a settlement.”
2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Accordingly, the tools of preventive diplomacy could be better optimized if used in conjunction with rectifying measures in such areas. Today's debate will refresh our collective understanding of the issue of peace and security. Let me thank you, Madam President, for this valuable initiative of opening a debate that will prove to the world how very important your leadership is today.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In our view, demographic trends with high proportion of youth population, lack of employment, poverty, income inequalities, food and water crises and deficits in education and health lie at the root of these conflicts. I would particularly like to state that the example set by Africa in Copenhagen was indeed something that can be emulated by many others. And, not to be outdone, with regard to the very reform of this Council, Africa has set, by its steadfastness and its own beliefs, a trend which many thought could not last - and they have been baffled by what has been achieved. We have to move beyond security paradigms and the traditional tools of preventive diplomacy to include areas such as fair trade practices, food and environmental security and investment in governance institutions.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The African Union, with other regional and subregional actors including local civil society, has effectively worked for the cause of peace, in sectors as diverse as the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the anti-piracy campaign off the coast of Somalia, and in facilitating the political processes following the recently held elections in Burundi and in many other African States where elections were not considered possible some years ago. The Secretary-General's report of 21 June 2010 (S/2010/324) also notes the active role of the Economic Community of West African States in promoting peace and stability of West Africa. Many speakers today have very elaborately outlined the future challenges of peace and security in Africa. These challenges are not confined to Africa alone.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The African Union has provided strategic coherence, leadership and on-the-ground management in nearly all conflicts on the continent. Through close partnership in recent years, it has added value to the work of the United Nations, particularly that of the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. The African Union is also ideally placed to improve the structure of global governance and make it more egalitarian and just. The record of its recent review meeting in Addis Ababa makes positive reading for the future of Africa.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“As the principal organ with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council also needs to make a wider and more effective use of the procedures and means for pacific settlement of disputes, particularly Articles 33 and 38 of the Charter. There has been an injudicious use of Chapter VII in certain conflict situations, and these merit due consideration. These injudicious uses, in our view, have damaged the efforts for pacific settlement under Chapter VI and have created an impression that non-Chapter VII resolutions are somehow not equally binding. This does not augur well for international peace. A proactive regional organization with its hands on the local pulse can counter such a trend.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“And on the subject of reconciliation, one cannot continue without mentioning former President Mandela and Archbishop Tutu. They have been much larger than life, bright illuminations in a firmament of stars, where they have outshone all those around the world; today they are icons of peace, security and stability. The Secretary-General's report of April 2009 (S/2009/ 189) on enhancing mediation and its support activities laid emphasis on early engagement and on processes addressing the root causes of conflict. This is an important lesson we must learn from the past.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Bodies such as the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the Panel of the Wise have imparted to Africa strengths never envisaged before. Africa has sagaciously resorted to the vast spectrum of modalities envisaged in Chapter VI and other relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter. These have prevented disputes from arising and have ably laid to rest some ongoing ones. The United Nations has had some success in employing the tools of preventive diplomacy in these conflicts. However, we are not here to sit back, and indeed we need to strengthen and make full use of comparative advantages of Africa's regional, national and local capacities for mediation, conflict prevention, reconciliation and dialogue.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Today, Africa's collective endeavour towards peace and security helps us believe and reinforces our own quest for sustainable peace in our region and beyond. We have been a friend and perhaps even a partner with Africa in search of peace and stability in our own neighbourhood, and today one is proud to say that Africa is leading the way with so many practical examples that we indeed can learn from it. We have seen in the recent past so many conflicts, so many wars that were thought a decade ago to be ones that would destroy that continent. And today we find that wise, able leadership - including, I must add here, that of two very able Secretaries-Generals preceding the current one, together with our own current Secretary-General himself - has played an essential role in creating the preventive doctrine.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I feel that these reflections and the recent speech from this very chair by my brother the Permanent Representative of Senegal, who stated his case so eloquently, clearly show that if anyone today believes the world has a chance it is because here in this Security Council and at this institution so much has been made possible by your compatriots, Madam President. We have seen important strides towards addressing the challenges of peace, security and nation-building. I think the holding of today's debate attests to the close attention that you - and, through you, some very able leadership in Africa - are paying to security. In the early twentieth century, the independence movements in India and Pakistan and the subcontinent and the freedom struggle against colonialism in Africa were mutually inspiring.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“For how long have we sat in these halls and heard the despair of Africa. For how long have we Viewed horrible genocide and so much waste for so beautiful a land? For how long have we further despaired that the world has not taken cognizance of some of the most brutal acts that have taken place in the history of the world? Today I am proud to represent a Member of this Organization, where, Madam, you as an African are the President of the Security Council, where an African is the President of the General Assembly and where many very august members sitting around this table are of that continent. While North and Central Africa are ably represented at the highest offices in this Council, South Africa needs to be congratulated on holding a tournament of international brotherhood never before held in so significantly peaceful an atmosphere.”
2010-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6360Resumption1 (2010) · source
“But believe me, as far as we are concerned, we will do anything to protect our civilians, and yet relentlessly pursue all those who try to make the world an unsafe place.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We are very concerned about attacks on humanitarian actors, and we are committed and continue to provide all possible protection and security to humanitarian actors working in Pakistan. We have often succeeded in retrieving those who were kidnapped. Many hundreds of our own security personnel have given their lives to protect humanitarian actors. I cannot underscore that more strongly than I am doing now. Let us not underestimate our constraints, of which the Council is aware, or let our will and sacrifice be undermined by being included in dissimilar country groupings. We have our own particular situation. Obviously, we ask for the Council's indulgence and understanding.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“By the grace of God, we have been able to see a lot of them back in the various parts from which they came. In my mind, that is vindication that we have tried our level best and succeeded in keeping civilians out of harm's way. Pakistan is a functioning democracy with a very strong, rejuvenated judiciary that is pursuing suo moto any contradiction of humanitarian acts or matters in a very activist manner. That is being done at the highest possible forums, even up to the supreme judiciary level. We are determined to achieve the protection and promotion of the human rights of all our citizens. That objective has the fullest support not only of our people, but also of the international community.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“They were asked to leave the areas before our militaries moved in with complete international backing to rid the areas of the miscreants creating world terror. The fact is that they went out voluntarily and that OCHA did a really good job in looking after them, as did many other institutions and the Government of Pakistan. Less than a few hundred thousand were actually in camps set up by OCHA; the others were in fact looked after by our own people and the Government. The fact that they went back at such a fast rate is perhaps a reflection of the fact that they were kept out of harm's way. They could have suffered awfully, but we brought them out despite the fact that our doing so perhaps gave a lot of leeway for the terrorists to slip away. But we took that option because it was the right one. We had to protect our people.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I think that the two comments made about Pakistan - one on the aspect of thousands of civilian conflict dead, where we are bunched together with Gaza, Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan and Somalia; and the other on the 1.8 million displaced people in Pakistan, although it has been stated quite clearly that many have since returned - need a little more explanation. First, the world is calling upon us all the time to take on international terrorism in the boundary regions so widely mentioned in the document before me. We have to go along with the international community. But I think that document rightly says that, whereas in Swat and in South Waziristan there were at one stage nearly 1.8 million people displaced, they were not in fact displaced.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Perhaps we should have heard more mention of parts of the world where innocent people continue to suffer because of their inability to exercise their right to self-determination and the lack of judicial succour. Maybe the mention of the attack on the humanitarian flotilla in international waters off the coast of Gaza, which was an act of wilful intent, and the continuing violations in Palestine could have been portrayed a little better. But as far as we are concerned, we have the very difficult task of eliminating the scourge of international terrorism from our territories and of protecting not only ourselves but the world.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“That was rightfully reflected in Mr. John Holmes' submissions. Pakistan is very proud of being one of the largest troop-contributing countries to United Nations peacekeeping missions and is fully engaged in this important debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. However, there have been some references made that are perhaps somewhat out of context and might have been better viewed in perspective, as I shall explain in a while. As we debate the subject of the protection of civilians in armed conflict, we understand, or should understand, that this is not a debate on the protection of civilians in all situations. There are some strict applications and criteria.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Please accept my felicitations, Madam President, on your assumption of your very important office and for your able stewardship in convening this very important debate. We have carefully listened to the briefings of the Secretary-General and Mr. John Holmes, the Under- Secretary-General heading the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). We bid him a fond farewell and commend the very good work he has done in his tenure. It is a thankless job. Of course, we wish him the very best in his next appointment. I also wish to thank Ms. Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights. At the outset, let me state unequivocally that the Government of Pakistan condemns attacks on civilians under all circumstances. It is indeed an abominable act that cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We expect the United Nations and the international community to assist in this endeavour and to understand it specifically from this perspective. At the conclusion of one decade of engagement with Afghanistan, I repeat a call for introspection and a genuine appraisal of achievements and failures. Afghanistan needs the sustained engagement of the international community, but without interference in its internal affairs. I would conclude by reiterating that long-term objectives of peace, stability and development in Afghanistan can be realized only by respecting its sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“Our bilateral trade has recorded very steady growth, and Pakistan has doubled its efforts for education in Afghanistan, despite our own situation. We are also engaged in security and intelligence cooperation with Afghanistan, including through the Tripartite Commission, which includes the United States and the International Security Assistance Force. We are also engaged in a trilateral process with the Afghan and Turkish Governments. We are committed to a voluntary, gradual, safe and dignified return of nearly 3 million Afghan refugees still in Pakistan. There is a need for more diligent and sustained efforts at creating necessary pull-factors in Afghanistan. We would stress the need to strengthen reintegration programmes for refugees within Afghanistan's National Development Strategy.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“UNAMA must leverage this advantage to further streamline result- oriented activities, specifically in the areas of security, development and reconstruction. I would say that Pakistan is very committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship with Afghanistan. We have had two very important declarations which, again, have not been talked about here much but would be interesting documentation to read and draw lessons from. They are the 2009 Joint Declaration on Future Directions of Bilateral Cooperation, signed by the two Presidents, and the 2010 the Joint Declaration on Next Steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan Comprehensive Cooperation. I believe that we will see further developments with respect to these documents in the coming weeks and months.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“We have talked about it before; it has not happened yet, but we hope to see it happen. One of the greatest things I would admire Mr. De Mistura for, because I know that it is within his capability, would be for him to work with the confidence of President Karzai, because it is so important at this stage for some sort of unanimity to emerge. With regard to the London Conference, I believe that the implementation of Afghanistan National Development Strategy is going to be very important. But again, as I mentioned earlier, we must ensure that funding reaches to all levels and that it percolates and permeates down to those levels that can find benefit and take substantial consolation and comfort in the fact that the international community cares.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“In my own country and the country of my friend the Ambassador of India, when regiments were raised by the British, we very often had regional loyalties. We had the Sikh army, the frontier forces, the Baluch army and the Marathas; and I could go on and on. There was a certain loyalty which came with that. It did not impede an empire from inspiring loyalty, but it worked. I think that should be understood here. And it will be understood if we raise from the absolute base those loyalties at local levels that can then create a stronger National Army and protect and be more successful. I would like to recognize specifically the role of UNAMA, ably led by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura. With regard to the resolutions for expanding its presence, they are fine, I think.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“First, let us build the capacity of the Afghan National Army and police institutions; secondly, let us talk to the insurgents - that is, the Taliban. I believe that, as far as the latter is concerned, if any one should talk to the Taliban, I must stress to this body that the people sought out must be on a list provided by President Karzai, who will know better whom to talk with in the interest of Afghanistan and the international community. As far as the Afghan National Army is concerned, I will say here without any doubt in my mind that, in a society that does not understand central federal leadership as easily as we do in many other parts of the world - and I quote now Mr. Brzezinski, who put it so ably and is supported by Mr. Brent Srowcroft - "you have to understand that regional loyalties play an important role".”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“In his previous report, the Secretary-General noted that we must resolve to implement "a political reform that addresses the root causes of the insurgency, including through efforts aimed at improving governance and an Afghan-led political process to re-establish peace" (S/2009/674, para. 25). I believe that we are yet to start doing something concrete in that direction. The present report emphasizes that "[d]eveloping the security sector requires an overarching framework that includes a national threat assessment, which is basis for Afghan national security policy and concomitant strategy" (S/2010/318, para. 1 5) At this particular stage, I would like to say that the normal answer to this sort of a thing is twofold.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“The Secretary-General's report notes no great improvement in that area, and that is regrettable. However, stereotyping our disappointments has also become regrettable. We must be more understanding. We must try to understand from the perspective of what works. Here, I digress - with your kind indulgence, Mr. President. The situation is much like a burst tyre or a tube on a bicycle, and we seem to be busy not getting fresh air into the tube, but in fact trying to repair the pump that will bring in the fresh air. That always becomes something that costs much more and creates less of a focus and impact. Very regrettably, that is rather what is happening. We must avoid complacency about what we can achieve and have really achieved. I feel that any real discernment on that ground will prove that we have been a little too complacent.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“The communique issued by the Peace Jirga on formulating a national strategy for sustainable peace is a very important document that needs further promotion here in these halls. To say the least, the forthcoming parliamentary elections will, I believe, play a very important role in what will emerge in Afghanistan. I believe that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has a critical and key role to play at this stage in creating the credibility that will make it acceptable to all of us, which at this stage is so important to so many around the world. We know that the Afghan challenge has been insecurity driven by insurgency and some exploitation by drug traffickers and criminals, who abound everywhere in the world but may be slightly more prominent there.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source