YouSaid · the spoken record

Jaafari

lines on the record: 2,603
first: 2006-07-21
most recent: 2019-11-22
sittings or episodes: 185
sources: un-security-council

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“We are astounded by that irrational non-objective political trend that strives, in an absurd and frantic manner, to undermine stability, security and coexistence in the entire region generally, and in Syria in particular, by defaming Syria and its important political stature and role in the Arab region and the world. Those parties have repeatedly abused the Council, using it as a cover-up for implementing their interventions in the domestic affairs of Member States. And even when those parties were faced with the desire of the other States on the Council to rise above those interventionist policies, we noted that the former resorted to unilateral actions outside the scope of international law to implement their political and military schemes.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“This includes misuse of those rightful demands as a ladder to facilitate external opposition, provoke sectarian unrest and insecurity, pave the way for external intervention and to call for that intervention. All of those actions are categorically rejected by the Syrian people, including by the honest domestic opposition. In that connection, certain parties within the Security Council continue to promote the Council's involvement in Syria's domestic affairs and development, which is a tremendous disservice to the rule of law. It is also in the interest of the agendas of certain parties who oppose Syria on the basis of unfounded pretexts, including the pretext of maintaining international peace and security. That is not in the interest of Syria's security and stability.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“I do not think anyone would chose to ignore the massacres and human rights violations that were committed in Viet Nam, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia, Algeria and many other African countries and in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in Libya, and in the prisons of Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and the secret prisons in Europe, to mention just a few. We have stated previously that Syria is beleaguered by a two-pronged problem. The first prong is that the country truly requires economic, political and social reforms. Such reforms are necessary and the masses have called for them. That is what we are working to achieve. The second prong is the misuse of the demands and needs of the masses for purposes that are diametrically opposed to the desires of the Syrian people.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“Despite the terrible haemorrhaging of the entire homeland of my country, Syria, of which I am proud, there are certain States that are leading the international campaign to intervene in Syria under the pretext of human rights and the protection of civilians. Those countries continue to reject the existence of the armed terrorist groups in Syria, for reasons that are known to all. Moreover, those States continue to protect and sponsor the leaders of those terrorist groups, whom they host in their capitals. They continue to convene for them one conference after another, where they refuse to engage in dialogue with my Government. Notably, those States are infamous for their black notebook in the field of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“Mohammad Ali Akeel, dean of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Homs. On 25 September, a fourth armed terrorist group assassinated Dr. Hassan Eid, Director of Cardiology at the National Hospital in Horns. All of those crimes were committed in the same week. Unfortunately, they were added to the 800 army, police and security personnel and a similar number of our civilian citizens who were killed. We are deeply saddened by that. The armed terrorist groups inaugurated a new era of terrorism, targeting Syria's State institutions, the army and universities, by assassinating our scientific, medical, academic and spiritual leaders.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“That aggressive discourse has revealed the prejudice against my country, Syria, and against its political leadership that exists in certain Western capitals. The prejudice is due to our independent political position, which does not conform to the agendas of those capitals. On 3 October, an armed terrorist group assassinated both Saria Hassoun, the son of Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, and Dr. Mohammad al-Omar, a history professor at the University of Aleppo. A few days ago, on 29 September, to be exact, another armed terrorist group assassinated Aws Abdel Karim Khalil, a nuclear engineer and dean of the University of Homs. Two days earlier, on 27 September, a third armed terrorist group assassinated Nael al-Dakhil, dean of the Chemistry Faculty at the University of Homs, as well as Dr.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“Mr. Ja'afari (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset I wish to congratulate you, Madam, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We also extend our congratulations and appreciation to our fellow Ambassador of Lebanon for his able and successful conduct of the Council's tasks during the past month. The unprecedented, aggressive language used by certain ambassadors against my country and against its political leadership has facilitated my task today, for their discourse underscored what we and other friendly ambassadors have said, namely, that my country is being targeted by its enemies on the basis of principle, and not on any humanitarian reasons whatsoever.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“I will not go into further detail, as I would have to refer to other speakers who have also furnished Israel with nuclear technology, helped it to build nuclear reactors, and defended its refusal to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to place its nuclear installations under international supervision. All of this is only part of what I would like to discuss, but I would like to thank you, Sir, for having given me the floor. I hope that the Council will focus on real issues within its mandate instead of encroaching upon the sovereignty of a State Member of the United Nations and meddling with its internal affairs.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Therefore, threatening this stability is extremely dangerous to the region and international security and stability, especially when such meddling is done by countries harbouring animosity towards us, based on principle and for political reasons. These are the same States responsible for the disasters of the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the division of the region. These are important considerations that those with a poor memory should bear in mind when seeking a clear perception of what is happening in the world. To speak of concern for pluralistic Syrian society, as the representative of Germany did, is not at all consistent with Germany's provision to Israel in recent years of six submarines that can be equipped with nuclear warheads.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“We host half a million Palestinian refugees as a result of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and half a million Syrians displaced from the Golan. Not one of those Who have spoken today to express their concern at the internal incidents in Syria has offered any form of humanitarian support to help us meet these dangerous challenges, which are not of our own creation. Moreover, no Hollywood stars have come to visit the millions of refugees who have fled to our country. Yes, Syria's stability is important - very important - to the Middle East, as one of our colleagues has pointed out.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“These facts, and not some internal domestic incidents that could have taken place in any State Member of the Organization, are relevant to the Security Council's mandate. My country has received 2 million Iraqi refugees, who fled Iraq because of the American- and British-led military invasion. But we have not put our brothers in camps or asked them to live in tents. We welcomed them as they awaited the liberation of Iraq so that they could return to their own homes and land. Since we first received these 2 million Iraqi refugees, no one in the international community has even offered humanitarian aid to assist us in bearing the burden that has been thrust upon us by the British and United States invasion and occupation of Iraq.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Not all of this news, it appears, has reached the ears of some representatives who have spoken today. They have never even mentioned these issues in their statements on United Nations resolutions and the renewal of the UNDOF mandate over the past 30 years. Our people's suffering in the occupied Golan Heights deserved some reference a long time ago. Instead, these speakers focused exclusively on the strictly internal affairs of a founding State Member of this Organization. According to a report issued in Washington, D.C., yesterday, the recent wars waged by the United States military have cost $4 trillion. These wars have led to disasters in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the world. We now also hear of the scandal of NATO's failure to respect the strict mandate of resolution 1973 (2011), and this scandal is there for all to see.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Since the formation of UNDOF in 1974, we have continued to draw the attention of the Security Council and the Secretary-General to the activities of Israel, the occupying Power - and that is its legal title - and its authorities. They have built settlements in the Golan, which now number 44. They continue to build bypass roads around Syrian cities in the Golan and to drain Mas'adah Lake, on which thousands of Syrian farmers depend for their living. They continue to oppress the citizens of the Syrian Golan Heights, who refuse to carry Israeli identification cards and reject the Israeli occupation, and to undertake campaigns to arrest them. In 1981, the Council unanimously adopted its renowned resolution 497 (1981), which condemned and rejected the Israeli occupying Power's decision to annex the occupied Golan Heights.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Syria expresses its deep appreciation to the Council members that did not get involved in these brazen tactics and suspicious activities. We note that the reforms announced by President Bashar Al-Assad, which emanate from his belief in the need to implement reforms that Will meet the demands and aspirations of the Syrian people, will be applied on the ground through the national dialogue conference, the consultations for which will begin in the next few days. We should keep in mind that some of these reforms have now become a tangible reality on the ground and enjoy the support and the appreciation of the international community, as we have reported consecutively to the Secretary-General and members of the Security Council.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Without going into detail concerning the attempts we have witnessed on the part of some Council members to involve the Council in issues that are none of its business, we must confess our bafflement over the attempts - described to us by certain colleagues, Whom we thank - of some of these parties to include references to Syrian domestic affairs in a technical draft resolution extending the mandate of UNDOF. This is a technical issue that the Security Council has addressed in a technical manner dozens of times over the many years of the Israeli occupation of our Golan. This exploitation of strictly internal developments in Syria is aimed solely at putting political pressure on Syria, and is another indication of how some member States will not hesitate to continue to use the Security Council as a tool to enforce their own policies.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Ever since the start of the recent internal events and developments in Syria, and especially after certain extremists started using violence and bearing arms against the forces of law and order and innocent Syrian citizens, including peaceful demonstrators, it has become clear to us and to many observers throughout the world that some parties, including in this very Security Council, are attempting to involve the Council, on the pretext of weak excuses and justifications, in internal developments that have nothing to do with its role, responsibilities or mandate.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Syria expresses its regret that the long-sought- after just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East that certain colleagues have mentioned has not been achieved yet. Israel has not withdrawn from the occupied Golan Heights, in implementation of resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 497 (1981) and of all international initiatives in that respect, including the Arab Peace Initiative and other well-known terms of reference. It has also not complied with international law. This has led, naturally, to the prolonged presence of that force in part of our occupied land. In that regard, we ask the Security Council to play its due role by putting an end to the Israeli occupation of our land and thus uphold the mandate that it has given itself through its own resolutions and fulfil its task of maintaining international peace and security.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Moreover, Syria has maintained close ties with officials of UNDOF and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, as well as with DPKO, for a period of approximately 40 years - the duration of the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. The periodic reports issued by the Secretary- General since the Israeli occupation of the Golan began in 1967 have expressed appreciation for Syria's positive attitude in cooperating with UNDOF and its personnel as well as in ensuring their safety and respecting their mandate. On behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic, we reiterate that we will do everything necessary to maintain the safety of UNDOF's personnel in order to ensure the success of its mandate.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“We would therefore like to express our appreciation for the efforts being made by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and by UNDOF personnel in the occupied Golan Heights to observe the Agreement on Disengagement and to maintain peace and security in the Force's area of operations, which is, of course, in implementation of its mandate. UNDOF has always been, and continues to be, the safest peacekeeping operation of all such operations being carried out by the United Nations throughout the world. Syria has supported and facilitated the work of UNDOF and respected its mandate since the Force was formed in 1974.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“Mr. Ja'afari (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic would like at the outset to express its appreciation for the efforts being made by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and to the members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). I want them to remember this statement. UNDOF personnel in the occupied Golan Heights are on a part of our land that has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The reason UNDOF forces are in the Golan is the Israeli occupation of the Golan. I want this fact to remain present in the minds of our colleagues.”
2011-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6572 (2011) · source
“I shall conclude by quoting what I read in an Israeli newspaper. In 2009, Or Ben-David Katz, a 19-year-old Israeli girl, stated that she fully intended to flout Israeli law by refusing to perform military service. In an open letter to the Israeli Government, that young woman declared: "To refuse means to say no. No to the military rule in the West Bank, no to the use of violence as a means of defence no to war and no to a society that claims to be democratic, but forces youths to carry weapons, kill and be killed". That young woman has been imprisoned three times for her views.”
2011-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6536 (2011) · source
“State terrorism perpetrated by Israel has affected the United Arab Emirates, as the Council is aware, and the Sudan. Other areas have been affected as well, including European and non-European capitals alike, which have seen assassinations of Palestinians and other Arabs. Israel is the State that has introduced official terrorism to the region. All of that in the knowledge that Zionist terrorist groups such as the Stern Gang, the Irgun, the Hagganah and the Balmakh have massacred thousands of Palestinians and caused their exodus, as well as killing Count Folke Bernadotte, a United Nations representative, in 1948. The first terrorist act in the region was committed by Israel, in 1954 - I repeat, in 1954 - with the hijacking of a Syrian civilian aircraft. In those days, nobody spoke of Hamas or Hizbullah.”
2011-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6536 (2011) · source
“He obviously thought that, in inappropriately mentioning my country's name in his statement, it would be possible to deflect attention from the root causes of problems in the Middle East, namely, the continuing occupation by Israel of Palestinian territories, and ensure that people's gazes were averted from the crimes perpetrated by Israel against the unarmed Palestinian people. The whole world knows that Israel, as an occupying Power, is implementing a sadistic holocaust against the Palestinians, a holocaust based on settlements and the displacement of people and the annexation of Arab territories. State terrorism is the worst form of terrorism in the world. There is a special archive, an encyclopedia and a museum testifying to the crimes of genocide and war crimes perpetrated by Israel since it began its occupation of the territories.”
2011-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6536 (2011) · source
“The famous resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 1974, resolution 3314 (XXIX), defines occupation as constituting the worst possible form of aggression. The representatives of Israel may say what they wish when it comes to lies and untruths beyond the realm of international legality. Within that realm, however, there are many resolutions condemning and denouncing Israel's acts and its violations of the rights of the Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian peoples living under its occupation for decades. The representative of Israel has once again taken advantage of the forum of the Security Council for propaganda, which cannot stand against truth.”
2011-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6536 (2011) · source
“Mr. Ja'afari (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): As the Security Council is aware, Syria has on many occasions said in the Council that we fully cooperate, on an ongoing basis, with the Committees established by the Council pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). My country resolutely condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in particular State terrorism. Terrorism is indeed a crime that affects all peoples. We firmly believe that the United Nations plays an essential role in combating terrorism. There is no denying that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality, culture or civilization. Under no circumstances is it appropriate to fail to distinguish terrorism from the right of peoples to self- determination and independence.”
2011-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6536 (2011) · source
“In this context, we find it truly strange to hear the Permanent Representative of the United States of America make unfounded claims, which can in no way be considered serious or legitimate, concerning Syria's alleged exploitation of its special relations with Iran to "repress" Syrian citizens. This surreal, Hollywood- style attempt to link the two countries reflects a lack of respect for the Security Council and its responsibility to protect international peace and security, and clearly reveals the United States Administration's true ill will towards my country. Such designs have no bearing whatsoever on the interests of Syria, its people or its Government.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“If there is any doubt as to the truth of what we are saying, we would ask why some have used the so-called right of veto 48 times to protect Israeli aggression and occupation, most recently a scant two months ago - a veto that led to the aborting of an international resolution condemning Israeli settlement of occupied Palestinian land. We expect from the leaders of the members of the Security Council that they encourage further national reform instead of attempting to ignore the path of reform and to sow doubt as to the continuing attempts at reform by my Government - a reform that is ongoing and will continue.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“The attempt by some members of the Security Council, with unprecedented enthusiasm, to bring what is a Syrian internal affair under the agenda item entitled "The situation in the Middle East" - an item devoted fundamentally to seeking a peaceful settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the establishment of a 11-31393 Palestinian State according to well-known international terms of reference - makes us and many others wonder about the decades-long lack of such enthusiasm in attempting to end the Israeli occupation of Arab lands occupied since 1967. However, for us the answer is clear. It is a policy of double standards. It is the dominance of the rule of force over the rule of law.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“Syria also stresses that it will move forward on the road of reform, as announced by the President of the Syrian Arab Republic. We will continue to satisfy the legitimate demands of our citizens; we will continue to protect their lives and property. We will not allow terrorism or extremism to kill our people.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“All the peoples of the world are now aware of the new methods used by some States to interfere in the affairs of other States, be it in the framework of the so- called responsibility to protect or that of humanitarian intervention, which have been rejected by all developing countries, even as attempts are being made to ram them through international forums, including the United Nations. We have always feared that the use of such lofty concepts would undermine the unity, sovereignty and independence of the peoples of the developing countries. Syria stresses that what is happening on the ground can in no way be considered peaceful demonstrations. Otherwise, how could so many martyrs have fallen among our security forces, our army and our innocent civilians?”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“Policies of interference in the affairs of other States on the basis of various pretexts and justifications have always proved to be erroneous. We believe that some of the statements we have heard today against Syria can only be considered an encouragement to extremism and terrorism. The price will be paid by innocents in Syria and the rest of the world. Stability and peace in the region will also pay a price. We cannot be convinced that the convening of such meetings serves the interests of the Syrian people, even as it is interpreted by extremist groups as international support for them and their wrongful practices. We reaffirm that the age of colonialism has passed.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“It is saving them from the seditious plots being hatched by Syria's enemies in an attempt to undermine its security and independence. It is rejecting the massive political pressure brought to bear by some from outside the country to change national policies that serve the interests of the people and the nation. In order to safeguard the rights of all Syrian citizens, a judicial commission has been set up to investigate all cases involving losses of life among civilians and military personnel, which are regrettable, as a result of the latest clashes. The falling of even one victim from my Government, which we regret, is too high a price to pay. As a Government, we cannot accept that some claim to value the lives of our sons more than we do.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“The operation also led to the detention of a large number of members of those extremist groups that have been sowing terror and death; other groups managed to escape outside the province. The detainees have admitted to their crimes and to the fact that they had received large sums of money for their acts, which the State can neither accept nor justify. Syria sees no justification for a debate on this issue in the Security Council. We view with grave suspicion the attempts made by some to give the impression that the Syrian State does not protect its people. While armed groups have committed acts of killing and destruction, as I have stated, let me stress that no one has the right to protect, or even hint at protecting, such groups. The Syrian State is defending its people.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“It was natural, under such circumstances, for the State to undertake to fulfil - just as would any other State facing such threats and dangers - its fundamental responsibility to respond to the calls of its citizens, who had been enjoying peace and security. The Syrian leadership is convinced that such extremist circles do not want reform; they want to overthrow the Government through killing and chaos. It was thus natural for the Syrian leadership to respond to the appeals of its citizens that it save them from the actions of such terrorist extremist groups and to restore order to the country. That is exactly what happened in the city of Dar'a, which Mr. Pascoe mentioned earlier. Security forces found large numbers of sophisticated weapons, including machine guns and advanced communications equipment.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“These actions have had a negative impact on our national economy. Markets are stalled. Tourism has come to a halt. Investment is down. All of this is part of an effort to heighten instability in as many Syrian cities and villages as possible. The authorities, within the responsibility that they have to protect Syria and its borders with neighbouring countries, have stopped many arms shipments that had been sent to groups attempting to undermine stability and security in the country. It has been proved that those weapons were sent from overseas by extremist religious groups to their agents inside the country with the goal of killing innocent people, burning public and private institutions and, in general, causing chaos in the country.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“For example, let me refer to an article in the Washington Post dated Monday, 18 April, which states that, since 2006, the State Department has provided up to $6 million to several Syrian opposition figures to run a satellite television station called Barada, which is headquartered in London. In addition, since 2005, the United States Administration has provided financial support to Syrian opposition figures. All of this is part of a long-term campaign that, according to the Washington Post, "is aimed at the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad. To complete the picture of this conspiracy against my country, allow me to refer the Council to the statement made to a number of media outlets by a Syrian opposition figure living in France, namely, that he had received offers from three foreign parties to bring weapons into Syria.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“There has been incitement to terrorism and sabotage. Doubts have been sown as to the Government's intent. In many cases, facts have been turned on their heads. Demonstrators have been incited to burn State property and raise doubt about its position on events. There has been encouragement to acts of violence and justification for it, in an attempt to make the Government's reform efforts null and void. There have also been fatwas from beyond our borders, calling for opposition to authority and State institutions. That campaign has been accompanied by information confirming that official parties outside the country have been financing and responsible for inciting acts of sabotage against Syria, its people and its leadership.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“The President has issued instructions to respond to all legitimate demands, including investigating all acts of killing and declaring that all civilian and military casualties are to be considered as martyrs. Faced with these initiatives of openness by the State and its institutions, those who are attempting to undermine Syria have tried to exploit the positive environment in order to erode the country's security and stability by blocking roads, threatening citizens, forcing schools and Government institutions to close and continuing to carry out acts that run counter to the interests of citizens, their security and their ability to live normal lives throughout the country. That campaign within Syria has gone hand-in- hand with an unprecedented media campaign in the region against Syria and its national and Arab policies.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“Rather than backing down in the light of the reform measures taken by the Syrian leadership, regrettably, the parties behind the demonstrations have responded with further attacks against army positions and by destroying security installations, killing many security personnel, mutilating corpses, raising slogans of incitement and burning private and public establishments. I have here with me the names of 51 members of the armed forces who were killed by these armed gangs. The list includes the names of both soldiers and officers. I would be happy to provide copies to anyone who would like one. In response to popular demands, the President of the Syrian Arab Republic has met with delegations from every province in the country in order to respond directly to citizen complaints and demands.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“As the Security Council is aware, the Government has taken many measures in response to legitimate popular demands, including the lifting of the state of emergency, the abolition of the High Security Court and the issuance, for the first time in Syria's history, of a legislative decree on peaceful demonstrations. Measures have also been taken to combat corruption and to respond to popular demands on issues related to the daily lives of Syrian citizens. Moreover, I would like to draw the Council's attention to the fact that there will be further measures by the Government to bolster reform in the country, following calls from several members of the Council.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“Mr. Ja'afari (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): More than six weeks have passed since the onset of acts of violence perpetrated by extremist groups whose fundamental goal is clearly the fall of the Syrian Government. Throughout this time, law enforcement authorities have exercised the utmost restraint, in order to avoid the killing of innocent civilians. However, those groups, which included armed criminal elements, have continued to kill innocent citizens and many members of the security forces, as well as to attack Government facilities and army and law enforcement installations.”
2011-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6524 (2011) · source
“We would have liked to hear the representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom express, if only just once, their sympathy for and empathy with the suffering of the Syrians living in the Syrian Golan, occupied since 1967. We would have liked to hear those two delegations call on Israel to put an end to the state of emergency that has been in effect in that country since 1948 to this day. The state of emergency has been used to seize Palestinian territory, to destroy houses and expel their inhabitants, and to allow gangs of Israeli settlers to occupy the land. Furthermore, Israel has exploited an emergency regulation enacted under the British Mandate in 1939 and applied to all of Palestine.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Those who make such calls are responsible for negative incitement and for irresponsible acts that harm the interests of peoples and Governments. That represents a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and an irrational attempt to use international law to take advantage of this meeting on the situation in the Middle East, which is limited to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in particular the question of Palestine. Thus, it is a misuse of that agenda item to ignore the underlying aspects of the problem. It also encourages the continuing Israeli aggression and occupation and the Israeli Government's engagement in further violence and settlement expansion. Furthermore, it encourages intransigence and defiance of the wishes of the international community and the Palestinian people for peace.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Needless to say, any reform in any State Member of the United Nations is, according to the Charter, a domestic issue. All must respect the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States, including some permanent member States. Such reforms must not be obstructed by obstacles that could only serve foreign interests and agendas. Whoever encourages reform from the outside cannot deliberately ignore the fact that reforms and measures have been undertaken on the ground. Those individuals must not endeavour to undermine the very well-known Syrian model of reform, which is based on tolerance and co-existence among the various sectors of the country's population. A number of calls have been made in the Security Council, including for the overthrow of legitimate Governments.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“He called on the Government to be active and to take immediate action in order to launch a number of draft proposals to ensure reforms and promote national democracy and citizen participation, for the purpose of consolidating national unity, stability and security for the country and its citizens. Four days after that meeting, the Government submitted three draft laws, which were signed by the President and entered into force today, lifting the emergency law, dismantling the Supreme State Security Court and granting the right to peaceful demonstrations. The Government is now working expeditiously on a number of new draft laws on political parties, the media and local administrations. President Al-Assad is seen by all as a reforming leader, because he is aware of the fact that these reforms are a national necessity - exclusively national.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We reiterate that this measure is totally rejected and unacceptable and does not change the fact that the Golan is occupied Syrian land and that the restoration of the entire Golan to the borders of 4 June 1967 must be the basis of any peacebuilding arrangements. We hold the Israeli Government responsible for all these hostile and provocative policies. In their statements today, some permanent members of the Council have referred to the situation in my country. They have spoken in biased terms and have made very dangerous exaggerated statements. I would like to draw the attention of the Security Council to the following. On Saturday, 16 April, Syria's President chaired the first meeting of the new Government.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“A council of settlers in the Golan has undertaken a new provocative measure in the form of a publicity campaign for the building of new settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan. The campaign, called "Welcome to Golan", is responsible for transferring 3,000 Israeli settler families to the Golan. The Israeli Knesset recently adopted a law requiring a general referendum before any Israeli retreat from the occupied Syrian Golan or occupied East Jerusalem. This is in total disregard for international law and the resolutions of the Security Council, in particular resolutions 497 (1981) and 487 (1981).”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We reaffirm that the protection of Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese civilians living under Israeli occupation and subject to Israeli attacks on a daily basis is an integral part of the issue of protecting all civilians without distinction. The Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan is also a very serious issue. Israel refuses to return and reintegrate the Syrian Golan into Syria and flouts international resolutions, in particular resolution 497 (1981), which declares the occupation of the Syrian Golan by Israel to be completely illegal, null and void. Israel is continuing its policy of terror and repression against Syrian civilians in the Golan, as well as to imprison Syrian citizens. It is also seizing land and continuing settlement activities, including its most recent settlement campaign in the Syrian Golan.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In this context, we are shocked by the lack of any response from the international community to the appeals by the Palestinian people. For many decades, the international community has ignored the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and its continued occupation of Arab land. In the past few days, the League of Arab States has called upon the Security Council to adopt a resolution to impose an air embargo against Israeli airplanes attacking Gaza, so as to protect unarmed civilians and to put an end to the unjust embargo. We therefore call on the Security Council to follow up immediately on that demand by the League of Arab States to protect Palestinian civilians.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“But the Israeli perpetrators of those crimes have not been held accountable or subjected to any punishment. Israel continues to reject the rebuilding of schools and other facilities by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and is preventing all such activities and projects in Gaza. That has only encouraged Israel to pursue its inhuman embargo against the people living in Gaza. In addition, Israel is once again threatening further aggression against the second humanitarian flotilla, which is planning to provide humanitarian aid. Israel is committing further aggression against Gaza and is undertaking further massacres of Palestinians, creating dozens of innocent casualties and many hundreds of wounded civilians.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source