YouSaid · the spoken record

Hunter

lines on the record

302

first

2018-08-29

most recent

2022-05-17

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53

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un-security-council

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1. “I would like to thank Executive Director Fedotov for his briefing. The scourge of drug addiction continues to claim too many lives around the world, including in West and Central Africa. The harm caused by illicit drug cultivation, trafficking and consumption is linked to organized crime, illegal financial flows, corruption and, in some cases, even terrorism. Regardless of the region or context, it is clear the corrosive impact of transnational drug trafficking impairs the rule of law, weakens public trust in Government and undermines social and economic development. While the primary responsibility for international drug control policy belongs to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Security Council also has a role to play in addressing the links among drug trafficking, terrorism and international peace and security.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

2. “However, we urge the mission to continue its heightened security posture and visible presence in southern Lebanon and to actively and regularly update the Security Council on this very serious and ongoing issue.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

3. “The United States strongly supports the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon. We continue to work with others in the international community to provide assistance to the LAF to allow it to perform its mission as effectively as possible. More broadly, we also call on Iran and its agents to stop their aggressive behaviour and provocation in the region, which pose an unacceptable threat to Israeli and regional security. We thank UNIFIL for the constructive liaison role the mission has played between the Governments of Lebanon and Israel in order to facilitate clear communication, preserve stability along the Blue Line and document these incidents.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

4. “We call on President Michel Aoun and the Lebanese Government to undertake all possible efforts to halt Hizbullah's illicit tunnelling into Israel and to ensure that there is no escalation of tensions or violence. That includes President Aoun directing the Lebanese Armed Forces to act promptly to investigate the suspected starting points of the tunnels. We also call upon UNIFIL to take all the necessary measures to ensure that its area of operations is not used for hostile activities and to ensure that those tunnels do not pose a threat to peace and security. UNIFIL must be provided all possible relevant information, and full access to, the suspected tunnel locations in southern Lebanon, if it is to complete its independent assessment.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

5. “We appreciate that Israel and Lebanon expressed to UNIFIL that they have no intention to escalate the situation along the Blue Line any will continue to work with UNIFIL to that end. We urge both partners to continue to exercise restraint and to utilize fully UNIFIL's liaison capabilities. UNIFIL must be in a position to exercise its mandate to the fullest extent possible. But can we know with certainty that Hizbullah is equally committed to maintaining peace and stability? The answer is no, we cannot. The United States strongly supports Israel's efforts to defend its sovereignty and unconditionally affirms Israel's right to self-defence.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

6. “It is both regrettable and incomprehensible that some Council members dismiss the threat that Hizbullah poses and its ability to act as a spoiler to the Council's broader objective for peace between Israel and Lebanon. It is time that the Security Council acts as one and speaks in one voice - Hizbullah is a serious and a real threat. That reality must underpin all of our actions moving forward from today. To those who are not yet convinced that Hizbullah is a serious threat to the peace and security of Israel, Lebanon and the region I ask the following * What further proof do you need? Did we forget the violence in 2006? Do we not hear Nasrallah bragging of his vast stocks of precise weapons and his ability to hit anywhere inside Israel?”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

7. “The United States has taken Hizbullah's threats to the security of Israel and the Israeli people at face value, and it is high time that the Council and the international community do so as well. The Council's differing views on Hizbullah have undermined the international community's efforts to support peace and stability along the Blue Line and between Israel and Lebanon. UNIFIL and the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon play a critical role in ensuring peace and stability. We call upon them to proactively implement their respective mandates to advance efforts towards a durable peace between Israel and Lebanon.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

8. “I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing today. Over the past few weeks we have seen images and news of tunnels discovered in northern Israel. As the Under-Secretary-General has told us this morning, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has confirmed so far the existence of four tunnels close to the Blue Line and to date has independently verified that two of those tunnels cross the Blue Line. UNIFIL has also determined that two of those tunnels constitute violations of resolution 1701 (2006). We can only speculate how many more will be uncovered in the coming days and weeks. Those facts are indisputable, and they should leave no doubt on who is responsible.”

   2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

9. “We commend regional actors for their leadership and commitment to supporting peace in South Sudan, and we are counting on the region to maintain pressure on the parties to implement the peace agreement and uphold the United Nations arms embargo aimed at preventing the flow of weapons into South Sudan, which would further destabilize the country and the region. In conclusion, the United States continues to support the people of South Sudan and their aspirations for freedom, peace and prosperity. We call on South Sudan's leaders to make those aspirations a reality by implementing the revitalized Peace Agreement, ending the cycle of impunity for perpetrators of atrocities and allowing UNMISS to operate freely, in accordance with its mandate.”

   2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

10. “If the recent peace agreement is to have any chance of success, South Sudan's leaders must be willing to break the cycle of impunity for those responsible for atrocities, as well as any actors who fuel the conflict in South Sudan. In support of the commitment of the United States to peace and stability in South Sudan, on 14 December the United States Government imposed sanctions on three individuals. Sanctions were imposed on Israel Ziv and Obac William Olawo for their roles in expanding or extending the conflict, and on Gregory Vasili for actions that have undermined peace, stability and security in South Sudan.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

11. “We call on the Government and opposition groups to provide the United Nations, ceasefire monitors, humanitarian actors and development partners with free and unhindered access throughout the entirety of South Sudan in order to provide life-saving assistance to all those in need. South Sudan's taxation policies present another impediment to humanitarian and development actors. We noted the recent taxation circular published on 5 December, and we urge the Government to institute a temporary waiver on taxes and fees for all international staff of humanitarian and development organizations for the duration of the crisis.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

12. “But 19 incidents, as reported in the Secretary-General's latest report (S/2018/1103), is completely unacceptable. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) must have full and unrestricted movement throughout South Sudan, in accordance with the status of forces agreement between the United Nations and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan concerning the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. With nearly 2 million South Sudanese internally displaced and over 6 million facing food insecurity, denying access to those working to protect and save lives is unconscionable. Most parts of the country will continue to face severe hunger through January, with famine a real possibility in many conflict-affected areas, should insecurity or access denial continue to disrupt the delivery of emergency assistance to people in need.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

13. “In the spirit of implementing the peace agreement, the United States reiterates its call for the release of those who have been arbitrarily detained and the prisoners of war. Many individuals, including Peter Biar Ajak, remain imprisoned without the ability to seek legal review of their detentions. The failure to release all political detainees runs counter to the letter and spirit of the latest peace agreement and previous agreements. The United States strongly condemns the bureaucratic and physical impediments imposed by the Government of South Sudan, opposition forces and others that prevent the United Nations and humanitarian and development actors from providing life-saving assistance and security to the most vulnerable. Even one incident of the Government restricting the movement of United Nations personnel is one too many.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

14. “As we said last month in this Chamber (see S/PV.8403), we welcome the reduction in violent clashes and the formation of some of the pre-transitional committees. We are pleased to observe some confidence-building measures between the parties, including at the local level. The inclusion of women's groups, civil-society organizations and other stakeholders in the implementation is a positive step, and we urge the effort to continue and to be even more expansive. However, the United States is concerned that the parties have shown little progress in negotiating a solution on security arrangements. We call on the leaders of South Sudan to commit fully to making those tough decisions, which proved to be a significant obstacle to the implementation of the previous peace agreement.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

15. “Let me begin by commending the Council for reaching consensus on the Security Council press statement of 7 December (SC/13611) regarding the horrific sexual and gender-based Violence in northern South Sudan. The United States remains deeply concerned, particularly by the inadequate response from the Government of South Sudan. Although those incidents of coordinated sexual violence occurred weeks ago, the Government has neither condemned the attacks nor held anyone accountable. Three months since the signing of the revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the international community and, most important, the South Sudanese people have seen some progress on the implementation of pre-transitional arrangements.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

16. “We thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his updates on the situation in South Sudan, which, along with the briefing by Special Representative Patten, reminds us why the international community needs to strengthen calls for accountability for horrific atrocities. We thank them very much for their work and for giving a voice to those who cannot always speak for themselves. We also greatly welcome the briefing by Ambassador Wronecka and thank her for her tireless work on the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015), on South Sudan sanctions, which now, more than ever, is a key pillar ofthe Council's commitment to peace in South Sudan.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source

17. “We urge them to recognize the value of fully committing to normalization, which will bring great benefits to the people, the economies and the peace and security of both countries. Mutual recognition and normalized relations between Serbia and Kosovo are the future, and all sides will benefit from recognizing and embracing that reality.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8427 (2018) · source

18. “We expect the Government of Kosovo to adhere reliably to all existing arrangements and commitments regarding troop movements and the operation of forces in Kosovo, particularly its 2013 commitment to the NATO Secretary General that any operations in northern Kosovo require consultation with the Commander of the Kosovo Force. Ultimately, however, Kosovo's security is best served by normalizing relations with Serbia. Dialogue should be both countries' overarching priority, and we urge both to remove any barriers and not to take provocative actions that prevent a return to the negotiating table and reaching a comprehensive normalization agreement. We encourage both Kosovo and Serbia to take immediate steps to lower tensions and create the conditions for rapid progress on the normalization dialogue.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8427 (2018) · source

19. “The Force is neither the Kosovo Liberation Army nor an armed Kosovo-Albanian group. It is a separate, multi-ethnic force that was established following Kosovo's 2008 independence, and which the International Court of Justice clearly ruled in 2010 does not violate international law or resolution 1244 (1999). The vote on Kosovo on 14 December brings no immediate change to the structure, mission or operations of the Force. Rather, it was a first step, representing the beginning of the practical, ongoing work of building a multi-ethnic force, in accordance with the Government of Kosovo's 10-year transition plan. We call on the Government of Kosovo to continue its close coordination with NATO allies and partners in engaging in outreach to its minority communities now and throughout the years-long process ahead.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8427 (2018) · source

20. “I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations for his briefing today and welcome President Vucie and President Thaci to the Council. We thank them for their remarks and forjoining us here today. The United States reaffirms its support for a gradual, transparent transition to a professional, multi-ethic NATO interoperable force that serves and reflects all of Kosovo's communities. The legislation passed by Kosovo's Assembly last week is fully in line with resolution 1244 (1999). It is Kosovo's sovereign right to establish and maintain an armed force. Resolution 1244 (1999) authorized the establishment of an international security presence in Kosovo and charged it with demilitarizing the Kosovo Liberation Army and other armed Kosovo-Albanian groups. Those provisions do not apply to the Kosovo Security Force.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8427 (2018) · source

21. “We encourage the Government of Afghanistan to advance the implementation of its national drug control strategy and national drug action plan. We also ask our fellow donors to consider ways in which we can support those efforts. The United States welcomes this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the long-term peace and prosperity of Afghanistan and to the Afghan people.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

22. “We also thank the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for again providing a valuable report on the status of opium production in Afghanistan. Despite the reduction in production in 2018, it is clear that the opium challenge in Afghanistan remains acute and will require dedicated focus in the months and years ahead. Our collective approach to addressing that complex challenge must remain broad. Direct efforts to scale back production, including eradication, must be part of the solution. At the same time, we must also focus on supporting Afghan law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, increasing access to evidence-based treatment for substance abuse, and perhaps, most importantly, supporting efforts to help Afghan farmers develop alternative, licit livelihoods.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

23. “Despite the challenging environment, the United States and our NATO partners remain committed to strengthening the professionalization and ability of the Afghan security forces to protect the people of Afghanistan. Indeed, building that capacity in a way that prioritizes long- term sustainability and ensures that Afghanistan's security forces are inclusive and representative of the Afghan population is an essential element in laying the groundwork for long-term peace. The United States also supports the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) and encourages Member States to fully implement their sanctions obligations. Implementation is key for sanctions to be an effective tool for achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

24. “The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan plays a critical role in supporting Afghanistan's electoral process and coordinating donor assistance. We urge the Mission to continue to prioritize its efforts to bolster the capabilities of the Afghan Election Commission to ensure that the presidential election is as credible and transparent as possible. Regardless of which candidate ultimately prevails, the United States will remain committed to working with the Afghan people and the next Afghan Government on areas of mutual interest, including the fight against terrorism, promoting the rule of law and inclusive democracy, protecting human rights and increasing economic prosperity. On security, the United States is deeply concerned that violence in parts of Afghanistan remains at unacceptably high levels.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

25. “Such a commitment requires broad-based collaboration and can be sustained only through effective burden-sharing among donors, Afghan stakeholders and the broader international community In addition to lending support to Afghanistan's peace process, the United States also remains committed to supporting preparations for the presidential elections to ensure that they are transparent and credible. We were pleased to witness millions of Afghans exercise their right to vote in October's parliamentary elections despite the security challenges. In advance of the presidential election, we believe it will be important for the Independent Election Commission to address technical issues based on lessons learned from the parliamentary elections. We also note the importance of conducting credible investigations into allegations of electoral fraud.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

26. “To fully seize that opportunity, we welcome the decision taken by Afghanistan's partners - and reflected in the Geneva conference joint communique - to accelerate our collaboration on the socioeconomic requirements for peace. We urge all of our fellow donors, development partners and all stakeholders to prioritize the development on an action plan for a broad-based programme of post-settlement economic initiatives. That includes a return of Afghan capital, increased Afghan and foreign investment, job creation and enhanced regional economic integration. We thank the World Bank for its key role in working to make the plan a reality.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

27. “In appointing Ambassador Khalilzad at this time, the United States is sending a clear message that we believe peace in Afghanistan is possible. Now is the time for the parties to the conflict and the broader international community to seize this opportunity for peace. While we are regularly reminded of the challenge security environment in Afghanistan and the heavy toll of the ongoing conflict on the Afghan people, we have also seen some encouraging signs that point to prospects for peace. We call on the Taliban to establish an authoritative team of negotiators to engage in inter-Afghan talks with the Afghan Government and other Afghans.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

28. “The United States welcomes the outcomes ofthe Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan, held three weeks ago, where the international community reaffirmed its long-term commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and self-reliant Afghanistan. At the Geneva conference, Afghanistan's international partners underscored their commitment to supporting the peace process. We also agreed on the need to look beyond peace negotiations to begin planning for the broader economic agenda required for lasting peace. Underscoring the priority President Trump places on achieving a durable peace agreement in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Pompeo appointed Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad as the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation to lead the efforts of the United States Government to bring an end to the Afghan conflict.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source

29. “This should not be a complicated or contentious process. The United States and Russia have worked successfully together to make a humanitarian delivery possible in November. It is important that we - the United States and Russia - work together with the United Nations again now to secure a second delivery to Rukban this month, as agreed. Progress is possible. Let us spare no effort to facilitate an immediate delivery. There is no time for further delays. The United States is ready to move forward with the second delivery to Rukban immediately, and with the convening of the constitutional committee immediately. The Syrian people are still counting on the Council. We call on our fellow Council members and the Syrian regime and its allies to join in our sense of urgency and resolve these issues without further delay.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

30. “Russia's promises to actively support the United Nations efforts to convene the committee have yet to be fulfilled, and the 30 December deadline, laid out in the Istanbul summit statement, is rapidly approaching. Few places exemplify humanitarian need as much as Rukban, where once again a United Nations shipment of assistance is delayed. The United States is gravely concerned by the humanitarian conditions in Rukban and calls on the Al-Assad regime and the Russian Federation to take all the necessary steps to urgently facilitate the next aid convoy. The United Nations has underscored the need to move with a sense of urgency. Winterization supplies are urgently needed in the camp and UNICEF stands ready to conduct another round of critical children's immunizations. It should be noted that those vaccinations are time-sensitive.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

31. “Last week, my Government made public our analysis that pro-regime forces likely used tear gas against civilians in Aleppo on 24 November, and then the Al-Assad regime and Russia falsely accused the opposition and extremist groups of conducting a chlorine attack. We believe that the intention behind Damascus and Moscow's disinformation campaign was to use the alleged attack to undermine confidence in the ceasefire in Idlib. Given the grave humanitarian consequences of a break in the Idlib ceasefire, it is important that Council members do all they can to ensure that the ceasefire holds. Efforts must move forward to form the constitutional committee as quickly as possible.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

32. “Cross-line and cross-border access remains vital for millions of Syrian civilians who rely on the continuation of this resolution's mechanism for life-sustaining aid. Unfortunately, the risks of even greaterhumanitarian suffering in Syria remain high, absent tangible progress towards a political solution through the formation of a constitutional committee and due to troubling reports and indications of a potential military escalation in Idlib, despite the fragile ceasefire, held together by the Turkey-Russia brokered demilitarized zone. Let me repeat that any military escalation in Idlib would be catastrophic for the millions of non-combatants there and for the stability of Syria's neighbours.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

33. “The uncertainty around humanitarian access and the regime's unwillingness to uphold humanitarian principles are why a l2-month renewal of resolution 2165 (2014) was so critical. Make no mistake that the United States looks forward to the day when this mandate is no longer needed - first, because there will be no risk of further military escalation by the regime or its allies, and, secondly, because we will see tangible improvements in unhindered and sustained access throughout Syria. However, it is clear from Under-Secretary-General Lowcock's briefing today that the humanitarian conditions in Syria remain dire. Security conditions are fragile, and in some areas they remain very dangerous.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

34. “Until the Al-Assad regime lives up to its commitments to provide regular, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and fully engage in a political transition, in line with resolution 2254 (2015), the United States and our partners will not consider providing reconstruction funds for Syria, absent an irreversible political process. It is a sad reality of the Syrian conflict that the Al-Assad regime remains committed to using humanitarian access and aid as a political tool. To this day Damascus has not approved United Nations aid convoys to access Idlib, where 3 million people can be reached only through the cross-border mechanism. The people of Rukban are once again waiting on the regime to facilitate a second aid convoy.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

35. “In Syria today, there are 13 million people, over 70 per cent of the country's population, in need of humanitarian assistance. And, by far, most of the people who need assistance are in areas controlled by the regime. That is because, as always, the Al-Assad regime seeks to punish the Syrian people, not to help them. When we look at the significant gaps in humanitarian access in eastern Ghouta, Idlib and Rukban, and we look at the ongoing instability of the security situation and the hundreds of thousands who remain arbitrarily detained in regime prisons, it is clear that the conditions in Syria are still very dire, and for many Syrians they remain very dangerous. Those conditions are not conducive to the facilitation of large-scale returns of refugees, and now is not the time to be pushing Syrians to return home.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

36. “In the face of that astounding humanitarian need, the United States remains the single-largest humanitarian donor to the Syria crisis, having provided over $9 billion in humanitarian aid to those most in need since the start of the conflict. We are proud of our unwavering commitment to support the Syrian people, and we will continue it. But we need to be clear that conditions in Syria are not changing for the better, even though some would like us to think that they are. In 2018 the Al-Assad regime attacked civilian populations using chemical weapons, air strikes and barrel bombs to reassert control over half the territory. Even as the regime has seized more territory, the truth is that humanitarian needs are getting worse.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

37. “I would like to commend Sweden and Kuwait for their stewardship over the negotiations to ensure that the Council's deliberations on the continuation of the United Nation's vital cross- border humanitarian aid mechanism remained focused on the needs of the Syrian people, millions of whom have received life-sustaining aid from the humanitarian aid mechanism established under resolution 2165 (2014) since the mandate was first adopted by the Council, four years ago. Today's vote to continue the cross-border humanitarian deliveries will ensure that food, clothing, shelter and medical supplies reach, on average, 1 million people in Syria each month. The United Nations cross- border mechanism is transparent, effective and essential for improving humanitarian conditions inside Syria.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

38. “I thank Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for his briefing. Once again, we commend the very important work the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its humanitarian partners do on a daily basis to help the Syrian people. Mr. Lowcock's briefings shed light on the facts regarding Syrians in need of help and the humanitarian system's ability to reach them, and that helps us make decisions in the Security Council based on the realities on the ground and not on political spin. The United States is proud to have voted in favour of resolution 2449 (2018), which renews resolution 2165 (2014) for another 12 months.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8423 (2018) · source

39. “We reiterate our commitment to supporting the stability and peace that the people of Lebanon and Israel have long desired.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8338 (2018) · source

40. “Twelve years later, it is unacceptable that Hizbullah continues to flout this embargo, Lebanon's sovereignty and the will of the majority of the Lebanese people. Another important component in this mandate is the language on the Maritime Task Force. At the inception of the Task Force, the Security Council failed to provide a clear transition strategy and goal for the Lebanese Navy to work towards eventually assuming responsibilities for the Task Force. We have taken steps to correct that oversight, and urge the international community to support the strengthening and expansion of Lebanese naval capabilities accordingly. As we continue to review missions against our peacekeeping principles, the United States will continue to work to ensure that UNIFIL remains an effective mission.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8338 (2018) · source

41. “The United States is pleased to join the consensus in support of the mandate renewal today. I also want to commend France for the cooperative spirit in which it led the process. Maintaining peace and stability between Lebanon and Israel is of paramount importance. The mandate makes clear that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) must have freedom ofmovement and access to the Blue Line. The mandate also underscores the importance of the arms embargo included in resolution 1701 (2006). With the support of Iran, Hizbullah has grown its arsenal in Lebanon in direct threat to peace along the Blue Line and the stability of all of Lebanon. In support of the Taif Accords, the Security Council decided that all States shall prevent the sale or supply of arms in Lebanon to any entity other than the Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8338 (2018) · source

42. “The steps taken to fix the wrongs of so many wasted months of gridlock have been bold and important, but the road to enduring success is long. We will continue to work with the Government as it emerges from this frustrating stall and strives to achieve security and opportunity for all of its country's citizens.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8337 (2018) · source

43. “We welcome the support of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea- Bissau and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the Government's reactivation of the transnational crime unit and encourage UNODC to continue to build its capacity in the country. We also salute the efforts of civil society and concerned citizens to encourage transparency in governance and a culture of respect for human rights in the country. We are encouraged by the ongoing expanding efforts of the Bissau-Guinean Council of Women, in particular its drive for inclusion in the development of the stability pact called for in the Conakry Agreement. Only a few months remain before critical elections that could solidify the political progress made so far this year.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8337 (2018) · source

44. “We encourage the international community and Guinea-Bissau's partners in the region to support the Government's efforts to prepare for and execute these elections. We also commend the generous contributions of the Economic Community of West African States to that effort and express our gratitude for its continued leadership as a mediator. Even with this welcome progress and upcoming elections, the Security Council must remain vigilant, since the consensus agreements that helped to ease the political crisis remain fragile. The United States shares the Secretary-General's concerns about the continued threat that drug trafficking and transnational organized crime pose to Guinea-Bissau and the broader subregion.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8337 (2018) · source

45. “I thank all the briefers for their remarks today. We also welcome Prime Minister Gomes and express our appreciation for his ongoing efforts to foster unity in the Government and prepare for critical elections in November. The United States is pleased to note the welcome political progress in Guinea-Bissau since April. We commend the political leaders for taking much-needed and long-delayed steps aimed at breaking through a nearly three-year stalemate to get the Government moving again for the well-being ofthe people oquinea- Bissau, and encourage them to continue to implement the Conakry Agreement and pursue critical reforms. Next on Guinea-Bissau's political horizon, we look forward to successful voter registration and free, fair and transparent legislative elections in November.”

    2018-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8337 (2018) · source

46. “It is easy for us to express support for mediation, but it is only when we actually empower mediators and use the tools that we have to push parties back to the table that we can expect to see results.”

    2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source

47. “In theory, those missions support political solutions, but in reality, they are perpetuating a status quo. The United States is going back to those legacy peacekeeping missions and asking hard questions about what we are achieving. We are making a renewed push to see whether the parties are working with the United Nations to make political progress and, if they are not, we are going to reassess what those missions are doing. Either way, we do mediators no favours when we let the status quo be an end in itself. The United Nations can never walk away from mediation. Even in the worst of circumstances, we look to the United Nations and its mediators to keep trying to find a way out of conflict. That is the fundamental purpose of the Organization. For mediators, talk can be powerful, but for the Security Council, talk is cheap.”

    2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source

48. “We do not know whether those negotiations will ultimately be successful, but we know that progress will not be possible without consequences for those who refuse to compromise for peace. We must not let mediation blind us to the realities of what people are doing to each other on the ground. We want diplomacy to work, but when it does not, we must have the courage to say it and to pursue a meaningful response. That is how we help mediators out - by showing the parties that there will be consequences if they do not commit to talks. The United States has also made it a priority to push for political progress in places that have long been on our agenda. In situations like those in Cyprus and Western Sahara, we have peacekeeping missions that have sat on the ground for decades.”

    2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source

49. “In South Sudan, the Council waited years before finally imposing an arms embargo. That is a place where war has raged out of control. Government troops and other armed groups have slaughtered civilians, burned down their villages and committed unspeakable atrocities. The United States repeatedly sought to impose sanctions as a step towards holding South Sudan's leaders accountable for their actions, but we were told over and over to wait for talks to come through. Agreements and ceasefires came and went and the Violence continued, but we were still told to wait to take action. In the end, we adopted an arms embargo and new sanctions last month. Now, the parties will have a new incentive to negotiate in earnest and reach a sustainable agreement that represents the needs and interests of the South Sudanese people.”

    2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source

50. “The missing ingredient when it comes to mediation is often a real desire on the part of us, the members of the Security Council, to see those efforts succeed. Around the world, the Security Council is quick to send out envoys and proclaim our support for them. There are United Nations-led dialogues and political processes in Yemen, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Colombia, Afghanistan and the Great Lakes, to name just a few. Those are some of the world's most daunting conflicts, and we are looking to the United Nations envoys to find solutions. But they cannot do it alone. That is why the United States has pushed the Security Council to impose real consequences when parties are not willing to negotiate. Mediators may not be able to compel people to come to the table, so we have to play that role.”

    2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source