YouSaid · the spoken record

Jagne

lines on the record: 307
first: 1998-06-06
most recent: 2003-03-18
sittings or episodes: 55
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

“In neighbouring Liberia the first United Nations Peace-building Support Office has been established, and we can learn a lot from the experience acquired there to establish similar offices elsewhere. A United Nations presence, no matter how symbolic, always provides a feeling of security for the local populations, and, by extension, it has a salutary effect on confidence-building measures generally. For all intents and purposes, the success of any peace-building programme depends to a large extent on the availability of resources. This is why a concerted and coordinated effort is indispensable for the effective mobilization of the necessary domestic and international resources.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“This is one way of creating confidence-building measures that in turn could facilitate efforts geared towards national reconciliation. This presupposes, of course, that, should there be a large number of refugees and displaced persons, the priority of priorities would be to ensure their safe repatriation and resettlement, with special attention given to women, children and the elderly. It will be recalled that a few months ago, when we discussed a related topic - I am referring to the question of "Children and armed conflict" - Ambassador Olara Otunnu spoke at length on post-conflict peace-building and his plans to set up a pilot project in Sierra Leone for this purpose.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“In his widely acclaimed report entitled "The causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa", the Secretary-General defined post-conflict peace-building as "actions undertaken at the end of a conflict to consolidate peace and prevent a recurrence of armed confrontation". (S/1998/318, para. 63) Since the absence of conflict does not necessarily mean the prevalence of peace, the consolidation process for the restoration of durable peace should start almost immediately - and we cannot agree more that time is of the essence. With the help of the rest of the international community - coupled with the required degree of political will - reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes should be put in place as quickly as possible.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“We have no doubt that if all the parties concerned muster enough political will, there will be a radical departure from the stage of mere damage control to the serious quest for conflict resolution. In our view, this is where the emphasis should be placed. Let us face it: demonizing the Taliban alone will not yield the desired results; the six plus two talks hold the key to a lasting solution in Afghanistan. Let all the parties concerned redouble their efforts in order to jump-start the process. This offers a better prospect for the formation of a broad-based Government, not only to guarantee a lasting peace in Afghanistan, but also to respond adequately to the security concerns of the neighbouring countries. The draft resolution before us should have put more emphasis on the achievements made by Ambassador Brahimi.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“It must also be made very clear that a military solution to the Afghan crisis is certainly not the best option and it is not in the long-term interest of the people of Afghanistan. The delegation of the Gambia is in favour of a negotiated settlement through the "six plus two" talks, not a military onslaught. It should be recognized as well that the six plus two process has thus far achieved little. Moving the peace process forward depends largely on that process adopting one attitude and speaking with one voice. We wonder how the legitimate concerns of the countries concerned can be addressed if they themselves do not take the process seriously. This is why my delegation looks forward to the next meeting of the six-plus-two to be held in the region, with the participation of all the interested parties.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“It will be recalled that following the recent visit to Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries by the Secretary-General' s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Ambassador Brahimi, my delegation, having listened to him with rapt attention congratulated him warmly on what he had been able to achieve during that delicate and difficult mission. It was successful by all accounts. Yes, it could be described as modest, but at the same time, it provides us with some concrete elements to build upon if we wish to exploit the window of opportunity that has been opened. In the face of the overwhelming evidence that the Taliban control most of the national territory, vain threats, ultimatums and inflammatory language might be counter- productive.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“The most recent example is the recent signing in Abuja of the agreement between the Government of Guinea-Bissau and the self-proclaimed military junta which, inter alia, guarantees free access to humanitarian organizations and agencies to reach the affected civilian population. That is very commendable indeed; it is the way it should be, for no degree of political expedience is worth the sacrifice of human lives in a ruthless and inconsiderate manner, such as the denial of access to humanitarian assistance. We hope that the rest of the international community will heed our appeal so that the momentum generated is maintained for the consolidation of the peace process in all the countries that Mrs. Ogata mentioned in her briefing this morning.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“My delegation is grateful to Mrs. Ogata for her comprehensive briefing on a subject of particular concern and interest to the international community: the perennial problem of the plight of refugees. We are particularly delighted to note that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has established closer ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as far as the West African subregion is concerned. As the High Commissioner has rightly pointed out, West Africa has had its fair share of conflicts, but, with the great regional efforts deployed so far, peace is gradually being restored to the region. It goes without saying, however, that as we have limited resources we will need the support of the rest of the international community to complement our own efforts.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“In view of the fact that the draft resolution calmly but firmly provides yet another opportunity for Iraq to resume cooperation, my delegation will vote in favour of it.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“What this draft resolution is attempting to do is free the international community from that deadly grip and, hopefully, break the vicious cycle of mini-crisis after mini-crisis. We want to move forward. It was in that spirit that resolution 1194 (1998) was adopted in order to set in motion the process that would culminate in a comprehensive review - provided, of course, that the logical sequence was adhered to. There is no need to emphasize that the first step in this sequence of events is for Iraq to rescind its decision of 5 August. My delegation subscribes wholeheartedly to the View that by failing thus far to comply with its relevant obligations, Iraq is unnecessarily postponing the proposed comprehensive review and, by extension, prolonging the unwarranted suffering of the people of Iraq.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“My delegation would simply like to reiterate that it was flabbergasted by the decision taken by Iraq on 31 October 1998 to cease cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission and to continue imposing restrictions on the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This constituted yet another slap in the face, especially at that time, when the Security Council was in the process of fine-tuning a possible concept for a comprehensive review of sanctions imposed on Iraq. The Security Council was working painstakingly in that direction when what had been conveniently described as a "hiccup" suddenly assumed another dimension because of the decision taken on 31 October, so that now it looks like a stranglehold.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“As it is a balanced text, incorporating as much as possible the concerns of everybody, my delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“This is why the latter was left with no option but to take a tougher stance. A resolution with teeth was needed, and therefore resolution 1199 (1998) was adopted. This is diplomacy with some backbone, without which the entire situation would have led to disaster by now. Without being overly optimistic, we can say that common sense appeared to have prevailed, leading to the signing in Belgrade of the agreements to establish verification missions in Kosovo. This is what the draft resolution before us is all about, basically. Over and above that, however, it paves the way for a negotiated settlement, provided that the parties concerned are ready to cooperate, and we urge them to strike while the iron is hot.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“The appalling humanitarian situation in Kosovo has been haunting the collective conscience of the international community for some time now. It cannot be gainsaid that the present situation is a result of the wider underlying political problems that have plagued the area for so long. The key to a lasting settlement lies in the resolution of these problems. It was in that spirit that resolution 1160 (1998) was adopted. It is saddening to note that, contrary to the expectations placed in the adoption of that resolution, the situation on the ground did not improve at all. Instead, the humanitarian and human rights situation deteriorated to an alarming extent. As was so aptly described by one of our colleagues, the resolution was thrown back into the face of the Security Council.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“It is not enough that the Council merely condemns or, even less, just expresses concern over these issues while the United Nations and other humanitarian personnel are increasingly attacked and sometimes killed in conflict situations. The time has now come for the Council to be more action- oriented in dealing with these issues. In this context, my delegation would support the development of clear-cut guidelines to deal with the pressing problems raised in the Secretary-Generals report. The very first step in this direction is to deal with the root causes of conflicts.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“One such measure is mandatory training of humanitarian personnel on security procedures prior to deployment. In this connection, my delegation welcomes the joint training package on security training by the United Nations Security Coordinator and UNHCR. We hope that the organizations concerned will come up with the necessary funds to undertake this training. We also encourage States to contribute to the trust fund for security. Finally, in our View the Security Council has a role to play in protection for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations. There is, however, no definite position by the Council on this issue.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“An international mechanism to assist host States to deal with these issues would be in order. Since the ad hoc Working Group of the Security Council established pursuant to resolution 1170 (1998) is considering these issues as part of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on Africa, my delegation eagerly awaits the product of its work. Of equal importance to the issues of access to and protection of refugees and vulnerable groups in conflict situations is the security of humanitarian personnel. While we agree that Member States should ratify the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel and the Statute of the International Criminal Court, other concrete measures should be adopted to ensure their safety.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“We agree that solidarity and burden-sharing are important to encourage States to respect humanitarian principles as well as their international obligations. We also recognize that the international community should be ready to assist these States, and that such assistance should not be at the expense of official development assistance. The creation of a secure environment for civilians endangered by conflict and for the delivery of humanitarian assistance is a matter that requires thorough and urgent consideration. Many States, particularly in Africa, lack the capacity to do this. The options articulated in the report of the Secretary-General are numerous. My delegation would like to take special note of the need to build local capacity in this regard.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Individuals responsible for crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law must take personal responsibility for their actions. That is why my delegation welcomes the establishment of the International Criminal Court to ensure an appropriate international response to gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law. Henceforth, no army, no ruler, no junta anywhere will be able to abuse human rights continuously with impunity. My delegation looks forward to the coming into effect of the Statute of the Court and encourages Member States to consider signing the treaty. The burden of hosting refugees is often very great. Its political and socio-economic impact on developing countries that receive large populations is often heavy.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“We must not, however, overlook the fact that in some instances violations of these laws mainly result from factors other than lack of knowledge of them. In any case, dissemination of the norms and principles of international law is a very important step. We welcome the advocacy activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Emergency Relief Coordinator, the Division for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). My delegation would welcome a stepping up of these promotional activities and a better targeting of the audience. Enforcement of the relevant international norms and principles should be a priority. The culture of impunity must be brought to an end.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“My delegation believes that first and foremost the issue of compliance with international law should be addressed. States and non-State actors in conflict situations must respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. In this context, we agree with the Secretary-General's recommendation that Member States should reaffirm their commitments to the international law regime that deals with the subject. Member States which have not yet acceded to the relevant legal regimes should endeavour to do so. With regard to non-State actors, we agree that knowledge of or respect for the international law regime governing people in conflict situations is generally lacking.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Notwithstanding this body of laws, we are increasingly burdened by the problem of access of refugees and other vulnerable populations in conflict situations to humanitarian assistance, and the related problem of the safety and security of the personnel of the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. It is disheartening to note that between 1 January 1992 and 31 August 1998, 153 United Nations personnel have lost their lives and 43 incidents of hostage-taking of United Nations personnel have been reported. This trend cannot continue; it should not be allowed to continue. The Security Council and other concerned bodies and organs of the United Nations system should do everything possible in accordance with their respective mandates to bring to an end this perennial problem.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“My delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report. We find it to be very instructive in its analysis of the problem of protection for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations. We would also like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on arranging this open discussion of this burning issue. There are adequate legal mechanisms designed by the international community for the protecting of refugees and other persons affected by conflict and for the protection of humanitarian assistance to such persons.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Beye, in memory, therefore, would be for the Government and, in particular, UNITA to work resolutely towards the genuine peace and national reconciliation, which the people of Angola deserve so much." [S/1998/723, para. 40]”
1998-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3916 (1998) · source
“In the same vein, we note with satisfaction that the Secretary-General has sent a Special Envoy to the region. We are anxious to share his assessment of the situation upon his return. Until then, my delegation agrees with the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend the mandate of MONUA for a month, until 15 September 1998. What happens next will depend to a large extent on the Angolans themselves. If only they would draw inspiration from the words of all those who paid a well- deserved tribute to the late Maitre Beye and his team for the ultimate sacrifice that they made, and try their utmost to accomplish the cherished dream of bringing peace and national reconciliation to Angola. It could not have been better expressed by the Secretary-General than when he said in his report: "The best way to honour Mr.”
1998-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3916 (1998) · source
“In the process, as always, the innocent civilians bear the brunt of the attendant difficulties and atrocities: human rights abuses, exposure to landmines, mass killings, poverty, illness and disease, people internally displaced or haunted by the spectre of being refugees - the list could go on and on. The draft resolution before us is a last-ditch attempt to salvage the peace process before the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) expires. We hope that the parties concerned will understand once and for all that there is no alternative to the Lusaka Protocol. In this context, my delegation also welcomes the appointment of a new Special Representative to continue the good work that Maitre Beye had been doing, and we call on all Angolans to give their unflinching support to him in carrying out his mandate.”
1998-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3916 (1998) · source
“We are yet again faced with an urgent situation, but have limited options at our disposal to deal with a conflict that is seemingly intractable. We have seen it before: each time the situation in Angola is discussed, no sooner are our hopes raised than they are dashed again for one reason or another. Everything humanly possible has been done by the international community to help bring peace to Angola, but those efforts have been consistently frustrated, culminating in a state of neither peace nor war. Considering the rapidly deteriorating political and security situation, that new sounds like an understatement.”
1998-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3916 (1998) · source
“Also of significance to my delegation is operative paragraph 11, which condemns the acts of violence against the personnel of UNOMIG and places responsibility squarely on the parties to "take determined measures to put a stop to such acts which subvert the peace process". [S/1998/699, para. 11] We hope that the two sides will heed the call of the Council. On the whole, we find the draft resolution to be in the right direction and we will vote in its favour.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“We hope that the parties concerned will continue negotiations with a view to resolving their outstanding differences and proceed to implement the agreements reached at the Geneva meeting. My delegation has carefully studied the draft resolution before us. We attach great importance to operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution, which reiterates that the primary responsibility for achieving peace rests upon the parties themselves and reminds them that the continued commitment of the international community to assist them depends on the progress they make in this regard. This provision sends the right signals to the two sides.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“As the Council is considering, through the draft resolution on the table, the extension of the mandate of UNOMIG, we would like to take this opportunity to remind both sides to the conflict that they cannot continue to hold the international community hostage to their unwillingness to resolve their differences peacefully and to renounce the use of force. We urge the belligerents to summon the necessary political will to settle their differences peacefully. We also take this opportunity to call upon them to implement fully and without delay their commitments under the Moscow Agreement and all subsequent agreements. In this context, my delegation welcomes the recent meeting that was held in Geneva.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“My delegation notes that the presence of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) in the area is essential. It not only serves as a stabilizing factor in the area, but also provides useful support for the political process and helps to create a sense of confidence and security among the residents of the area. As its mandate is about to expire, my delegation would support its extension for a further period of six months until 31 January 1999. If this is not done, the already volatile situation in the area may degenerate into an extremely uncontrollable conflagration.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“By their activities, the efforts of the international community to move the peace process forward have been continuously frustrated. The two sides owe it to the international community and to their people to listen to the voice of reason. While we call on them to honour their obligations, we deem it pertinent, at this juncture, to congratulate the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and the members of his team, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Russian Federation as facilitator, the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peacekeeping force and the group of Friends of the Secretary-General for their relentless efforts for a peaceful settlement in Abkhazia, Georgia.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“The situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, is still extremely volatile, notwithstanding the efforts of the international community to bring about peace in the area. My delegation was deeply disturbed by the recent events in May in the Gali district. We are particularly disturbed by the burning of houses constructed at a cost of $2 million out of funds of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These events led to an outflow of approximately 40,000 refugees for the second time. This undesirable situation is being further exacerbated by attacks on United Nations personnel. My delegation calls for a condemnation of these activities and demands that the parties put a stop to such activities. The success of the peace initiatives to resolve the conflict in Georgia will depend mainly on the parties themselves.”
1998-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3912 (1998) · source
“All these developments augur well for the Observer Mission that we are about to establish in Sierra Leone. My delegation will therefore vote in favour of the draft resolution before us.”
1998-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3902 (1998) · source
“This does not exclude either the RUF rebels or the remnants of the ousted junta, who should now seize the opportunity offered to them to lay down their arms honourably, and to contribute constructively to the rebirth of their nation. My delegation would also like to hail, as another moral boost, the mini-summit held recently in Abuja at the initiative of the Secretary-General, bringing together President Taylor and President Kabbah. We would like to commend the Secretary-General and the new Nigerian leadership for convening such an important meeting, which will no doubt strengthen confidence-building measures between the two neighbouring countries. It is gratifying to note that the non-aggression pact within the framework of the Mano River Union was evoked during the Abuja meeting.”
1998-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3902 (1998) · source
“That said, the fact remains that the establishment of UNOMSIL is a welcome development that should serve as a moral boost for the Government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and the people of Sierra Leone. We note with appreciation the efforts being made by the Government of Sierra Leone to consolidate its authority throughout the country to the extent possible, at the same time pursuing the important and difficult task of national reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation. It is our fervent hope that the convening of a high- level conference to mobilize assistance for Sierra Leone will send the right signals to all Sierra Leoneans to speed up the process of national reconciliation.”
1998-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3902 (1998) · source
“In this context, we would like to thank the United States and all other countries which have been helping ECOMOG in one way or another. This is all the more necessary as there is still some resistance in certain parts of the country by elements of the misguided erstwhile junta and the notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in their unholy alliance to continue to wreak maximum havoc. Against this background, and considering that UNOMSIL will not have a force of its own, the success of the Mission will depend to a large extent on the strength of ECOMOG both quantitatively and qualitatively. In fact, UNOMSIL will be deployed to secure areas only and it is ECOMOG which will provide the much-needed security.”
1998-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3902 (1998) · source
“Let me at the outset express my delegation's gratitude to the delegation of the United Kingdom for the timely initiative taken to come up with the draft resolution before us, geared towards the establishment of a United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL). Such a mission, in our View, will complement the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). It will be seen as a mutually reinforcing partnership in the implementation of the plan for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. While not wishing to blow our own trumpet, we have to admit that ECOMOG has been playing its peacekeeping role in a manner that deserves not only praise but also our continued support in the form of logistics and material supplies.”
1998-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3902 (1998) · source
“Sacrifices and concessions had to be made to get to where we are today, although we still have a long way to go. That was why it was called the "peace of the brave". The situation having come this far, my delegation believes that there should be no turning back. No stone should be left unturned in the quest for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. That is why we support the peace process. It cannot be gainsaid that it has been deadlocked for quite sometime now, but my delegation has faith in the ability of the United States, in its indefatigable efforts as the principal peace-broker, to give fresh impetus to the process - with the support, of course, of the parties concerned. Let us give peace a chance.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900 (1998) · source
“Besides, the Holy City of Jerusalem, we must remember, is home to all the three revealed religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - and therefore it should be transformed not into a theatre of conflict, but into a terrain for cooperation. Furthermore, we would have thought that the question of Jerusalem was scheduled for discussion at the permanent status/final status negotiations, in which case conventional wisdom dictates restraint and respite until then, in accordance with the Oslo accords. In these difficult times, we should all be looking for practical ways to reactivate the peace process, as there appears to be no credible alternative to the Oslo accords. The latter constitute a reasonable modus vivendi for Israelis and Palestinians, in particular, because both sides need to live in peace alongside each other.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900 (1998) · source
“Peace is a priceless commodity. For a region of the world that has hardly known any meaningful peace for so long, any action that is likely to raise questions, no matter how good the intentions might be, should be avoided at all costs in the interest of peace. This is why my delegation cannot but express concern over the recent developments aimed at extending the municipal boundaries of the Holy City of Jerusalem, Al-Quds Al- Sharif. In our view, the present stage of the peace process, which is in a state of near-paralysis, has already given rise to feelings of frustration and fatigue. In this context, it would be ill-advised to do anything that would complicate matters unnecessarily and increase tension in an already volatile situation. We do not wish to see anything that could derail the peace process.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900 (1998) · source
“In conclusion, my delegation wishes to reiterate what we said during the special session on drugs about the need to protect our children. It goes without saying that children anywhere in the world are looked upon as the future of society, and they should therefore be protected by all means. We all have a common stake in doing so, and it is a responsibility that we cannot abdicate.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“Today, again, we are told that 90 per cent of conflict casualties around the world are civilians, of which a large and increasing number are children. It is distressing to note that even if they are not killed, they are abused, brutalized and traumatized, or, in some cases, maimed. The situation is bad enough already to warrant a prompt response. The high-level symposium held in London recently devoted to the problem of children in armed conflict is a step in the right direction as far as the sensitization campaign is concerned. Similar meetings should be held all over the world and at regular intervals. We hope that in this way there will be renewed interest in the relevant international instruments, as well as the local norms and value systems.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“While thinking aloud on how best to deal with the perpetrators of such heinous crimes, we should at the same time give due consideration to the victims in a post-conflict recovery programme, especially the rehabilitation and reintegration of children. In this connection, my delegation supports fully the proposal by Special Representative Otunnu to start pilot projects for this purpose in post-conflict situations. He deserves the support and encouragement of all in this noble endeavour. There is also an urgent need to address the related issue of what the Special Representative calls the crisis of youth. It will be recalled that the recent special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem revealed that youths are the main victims of the drug menace.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“This is why in conflict situations they go for the easy targets - women and children, the most vulnerable group in society. What is even more painful is the fact that such armed groups usually attack civilian targets such as schools and hospitals, acts viciously calculated to inflict maximum loss of innocent lives. My delegation is of the view that the perpetrators of atrocities against women and children should not be allowed to have a feeling of impunity. They must not go scot-free. The time has now come to bring the full force of the law upon them. It is our fervent hope that with the eventual establishment of a permanent international criminal court, those who abuse, brutalize and traumatize women and children will be snatched from any hiding place by the long arm of the law and brought to justice.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“The first step in this direction is to stop using child soldiers, which would require States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to re-examine the Convention with a View to raising the minimum age for recruitment and participation from 15 to 18 years. It is our firm conviction that, with the necessary political will, this can be achieved. But that does not solve the problem entirely, if we take into account the persistent problem of internal conflicts and civil wars. Experience has shown that, more often than not, under such circumstances armed groups - be they rebels, insurgents or whatever they are called - have very little or no regard whatsoever for either international law governing warfare or even their own local value systems.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“The rightful place for a child is certainly not in the battlefield, but in the classroom or on the playground. The Graca Machel report on the impact of armed conflict on children has been an eye-opener on an issue which constitutes a cause for serious concern. With the appointment of the Secretary- General's Special Representative, children all over the world now have a public advocate whose constructive approach to the whole question, quite apart from his enthusiasm and dynamism, will, in our View, contribute in no small measure to the campaign to raise public awareness of the problem and then, through concerted international efforts, address it in all its facets.”
1998-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3896 (1998) · source
“The oil-for-food programme, which is designed specifically to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people, has, to a large extent, been functioning smoothly and, contrary to growing fears in some quarters, the programme is conceived as a temporary measure. My delegation is convinced that, with the approval of the distribution plan already submitted by Iraq, the subsequent approval for the purchase of the necessary spare parts and other equipment will go a long way towards improving even further the overall humanitarian situation in Iraq. Furthermore, there is provision for the periodic review of the plan for possible amendment, if and when necessary, in conformity with Council resolution 1153 (1998). The exemplary cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations on the oil-for-food programme is very healthy, generally speaking.”
1998-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3893 (1998) · source
“Let me begin by thanking the sponsors for the great effort that was put into the draft resolution before us and, indeed, for the high degree of flexibility that they have demonstrated throughout, in reaction to various proposals and counter-proposals, to arrive at a consensus. The early adoption of this draft resolution is a clear indication of our collective endeavour to respond urgently at all times to the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq. With the adoption of the draft resolution, the green light is thus given for the purchase of the spare parts that would enable Iraq to pump more oil in sufficient quantities to meet the shortfall in order to arrive at the total sum of $5 billion - $5.256 billion, to be more precise.”
1998-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3893 (1998) · source
“In order to ensure that the Bosnian authorities create an environment free from these hostilities, we share the Secretary-Generals view that the success of the programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina will depend upon the ability of the international community to secure the compliance of the parties with their commitment in the Peace Agreement. In the light of the foregoing, therefore, and in view of the Secretary-General's recommendation that the presence of a credible military force is a precondition for the effective implementation of the mandate of UNMIBH and for further progress in the peace process in general, my delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution calling for the extension of the mandate of UNMIBH.”
1998-06-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3892 (1998) · source