YouSaid · the spoken record

John Sawers

lines on the record

590

first

2007-08-28

most recent

2009-10-14

sittings or episodes

89

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

1. “We emphasize that handing back lead responsibility for security in Basra to the Iraqi Government does not mark the end of the United Kingdom's involvement in Iraq but, rather, moves our relationship with the Iraqi Government and the people of Iraq, and of Basra in particular, into a new phase. We will continue to support the people and the Government of Iraq as they forge a more secure and prosperous future based on principles of democracy and national reconciliation. We welcome UNAMI's plans, as set out by the Special Representative, to re-engage in Basra and to re-establish a presence there, and we will support the mission as it does so.”

   2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

2. “That was a major step forward and reflected the confidence of the Multinational Force and the Government of Iraq in the growing capacity of the Iraqi security forces, as well as the improving trend in the security situation in Basra. The overall level of violence in the south-east has dropped in recent months. But there was an outbreak of violence and loss of life in Basra and Nasiriyah on 18 January, which we condemn. Those attacks were intended to create disorder in the cities, and there can be no justification for them. The British Government congratulates Iraqi security forces in their handling of the violence. That was their first major test in Basra since the transfer of security responsibility to Iraqi control. They acted professionally and with confidence and determination.”

   2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

3. “We encourage Iraqis to work closely with UNAMI to ensure that the process to agree upon the future status of disputed areas is transparent and inclusive and that it promotes stability in Iraq. As the Secretary-General has set out in his report, UNAMI and United Nations agencies have undertaken to work more coherently in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and development aid. In that context, we look forward to the launch of the United Nations consolidated appeal to provide support to vulnerable groups. As Ambassador Khalilzad reported, on 16 December 2007 security responsibility for Basra province passed from the Multinational Force to Iraqi control, thereby completing the transfer of security responsibility in the four southern provinces of Iraq previously under the security control of the United Kingdom-led multinational division.”

   2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

4. “I would like to join colleagues in welcoming Mr. De Mistura to the Council and in thanking him for his presentation of the Secretary-General's report (S/2008/ 19). I would also like to thank Ambassador Khalilzad for his presentation on behalf of the Multinational Force in Iraq, to which the United Kingdom remains the second- largest contributor. The United Kingdom reaffirms its support for the work of Mr. De Mistura and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in the implementation of the Mission's expanded mandate, as set out in resolution 1770 (2007). We welcome in particular the intensive dialogue that UNAMI has pursued on the subject of Kirkuk, helping the main political stakeholders to forge a preliminary consensus on the way ahead.”

   2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

5. “United Kingdom forces will continue to operate in an overwatch capacity, providing training, mentoring and advice into the future, retaining the capability to re-intervene in support of the Iraqi security forces, if required. We will take a decision in spring of next year on the next phase of our military presence. As security continues to improve, we are continuing our efforts to promote effective economic governance in the south and are stepping up our work to support investment and business activity.”

   2007-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5808 (2007) · source

6. “On 16 December, last Sunday, security responsibility for Basra province passed from the MNF-I to Iraqi control. Basra was the last of the four southern provinces of Iraq previously under the security control of the United Kingdom-led Multinational Division South-East and the Iraqi authorities now have security responsibility and control in nine out of Iraq's 18 provinces. Handing back lead responsibility for security in Basra to the Iraqi Government is not the end of the United Kingdom's involvement in Iraq or in the south. We are determined to fulfil our obligations and commitments to the Government and the people of Iraq.”

   2007-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5808 (2007) · source

7. “The resolution that we have adopted today is a unanimous response by the Security Council to a request from the Government of Iraq. The resolution recognizes the Iraqi request to retain the presence of the multinational force (MNF) in Iraq and extends for 12 months that force's mandate on the terms set out in resolution 1546 (2004), as well as the arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. The resolution comes with the assurance that the Iraqi Government may, at any time, seek a review of the arrangements or, indeed, the termination of the MNF's mandate. The United Kingdom will continue working in close partnership with the Iraqi Government, both bilaterally and as a contributor to the multinational forces.”

   2007-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5808 (2007) · source

8. “On the role of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), we believe that the United Nations should continue to support that force. The Ugandan contingent is doing a demanding job in difficult conditions. We welcome the news that Burundi hopes to deploy troops very soon, and we call on Ghana and Nigeria to honour as soon as possible their commitments to AMISOM. The United Kingdom has extended financial support to the force, including support for Burundi's deployment, and we are ready to consider further support for other countries to deploy. We hope our partners will also consider similar such backing.”

   2007-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5805 (2007) · source

9. “Full implementation of the conclusions of the National Reconciliation Congress will be crucial, in particular launching a constitutional process, establishing a clear, timetabled road map to elections at the end of the transitional period and advancing a full and meaningful dialogue with all actors in Somalia's political process: clan leaders and elders, religious groups, opposition groups, civil society and business. We will need to support the Special Representative's new initiatives to get this process moving forward. On security, we welcome the Special Representative's new thinking. We support the proposal for a technical assessment mission to Somalia to help advance the contingency planning of the United Nations.”

   2007-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5805 (2007) · source

10. “In particular, the Transitional Federal Government should ensure that humanitarian relief can be delivered freely throughout all the areas it controls, and it should also protect those in receipt of humanitarian relief and the displaced persons who are trying to return to their homes. On the political process, we welcome the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Mr. Nur Hassan Hussein. His appointment provides an opportunity to revitalize the political process. We look forward to him beginning work in earnest, once he has finalized the new Government cabinet.”

    2007-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5805 (2007) · source

11. “We welcome in particular his discussions with the Transitional Federal Government leadership, with the regional and international players and with a wide range of Somali stake-holders, who will have a part to play in Somalia's future. My delegation welcomes the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator's recent visit to Somalia. Easing the humanitarian crisis should be our immediate priority. That will require continuing efforts from the United Nations, and it will take action and cooperation also by Somali actors on the ground, both Government and rebels, to ensure humanitarian access.”

    2007-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5805 (2007) · source

12. “I begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Ould Abdallah, for his briefing and also the representative of Somalia for his contribution. Somalia remains a challenge for the Security Council and for the United Nations and the African Union as a whole. Making progress there, as today's briefing makes clear, is a long-term task and a vital one. The United Nations is uniquely placed to help address all the range of needs in Somalia: humanitarian, political, security and developmental. We warmly support Mr. Ould Abdallah's efforts to address those complex problems and to coordinate and lead an effective United Nations response.”

    2007-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5805 (2007) · source

13. “In the light of the Prosecutor's account of the failure of the Government of the Sudan to cooperate, that warrants a formal response by the Council today, as suggested by the Permanent Representatives of Panama and France. I agree with their proposals and I hope that such a response can be agreed.”

    2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source

14. “I therefore urge the Government of the Sudan, on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom, to 07-6267 comply with its obligations under resolution 1593 (2005) and to cooperate with the Court, specifically by ensuring the immediate arrest and surrender of the two indictees. We also call on all other parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and its Prosecutor. There can be no impunity for the terrible crimes committed in Darfur. The Security Council should, in the view of the United Kingdom, give its full and public backing to the International Criminal Court.”

    2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source

15. “The Government of the Sudan clearly has the ability to arrest and surrender the two indictees to the Court but has chosen not to do so, in defiance both of the International Criminal Court and of the Security Council. We are also deeply concerned by the Prosecutor's reports of ongoing crimes in Darfur against civilians, including displaced persons within their camps, and against humanitarian workers and United Nations and African Union personnel. The numerous incidents catalogued in the Prosecutor's report illustrate the very grave humanitarian situation which continues to exist in Darfur. My Government deplores acts of violence committed by all parties to the conflict and calls on all sides to work together towards a peaceful resolution.”

    2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source

16. “It is important that those who have been accused of the most serious crimes are brought to justice. My Government is therefore gravely concerned that the two individuals for whom the Court has issued arrest warrants remain at large and that the Government of the Sudan has not given any cooperation to the Court. We note that since the warrants were transmitted to the Government of the Sudan in June this year, instead of cooperating with the Court in the execution of the warrants, as it is legally obliged to do under resolution 1593 (2005), the Government has instead adopted the course of protecting the indictees. The Prosecutor's accounts of the activities of Ahmad Harun and the protection he enjoys from the Sudanese Government is of special concern.”

    2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source

17. “May I join my colleagues in thanking Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo 8 for all the efforts he and his Office have made over the past six months to implement the mandates conferred by the Security Council on him to investigate the situation in Darfur. And I would like to thank him in particular for his report and his statement today, which was a frank and disturbing account of recent events in Darfur and in the Sudan relevant to the mandate of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of the ICC. We see it as a central pillar of the international community's efforts to combat impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern. Justice is an essential part of delivering a sustainable peace in Darfur, as we recognized when the Security Council adopted resolution 1593 (2005).”

    2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source

18. “Urgent action on all four of these tracks is required to build a sustainable peace in Darfur. The Council should stand ready to take tough action against any party that works to undermine any aspect of the peace process. As we saw following the crisis in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the risks to the security of the Sudan as a whole continue to grow. The United Kingdom calls on the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to resume a dialogue to resolve the key challenges to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement so that it can continue to be implemented and remain on schedule.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

19. “I call on the Sudan to lift the restriction on access for humanitarian workers and to allow the international force to create the conditions in which the humanitarian situation can be effectively addressed. Fourthly, peace in Darfur also depends on ending the culture of impunity. We look to the Government of the Sudan to respect its obligations under resolution 1593 (2005) and carry out the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants. It is, frankly, an insult to the Security Council that one of the indictees charged with crimes against humanity in Darfur has been appointed a minister in the Sudanese Government. I am concerned that, when the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court reports to this Council next month, he will have little positive to say, and we will have to address that.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

20. “Thirdly, the reason we have devoted so much time and energy to the issue of Darfur is the huge suffering of the people of Darfur. Over 200,000 have been killed and over 2 million forced from their homes, many of whom have now lived in makeshift camps for several years. The humanitarian situation remains critical and it continues to get worse. A further 400,000 people have been displaced from their homes this year, according to United Nations figures. Seven humanitarian workers were killed last month - the highest number ever in a single month. The United Nations humanitarian communique with the Sudan is still being only partially implemented.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

21. “Agreements have still not been reached on force composition or on a status of forces agreement. We look to the Government of the Sudan to finalize those quickly; the responses given so far do not give any encouragement that that is its intention. The Government of the Sudan must also provide land and flight permits. The Sudanese Government's seeming determination to politicize the United Nations-African Union force in Darfur increases the risks to the units that are allowed to deploy. The hybrid force is a difficult enough challenge for the United Nations and the African Union; the Sudan Government's foot-dragging and obstruction risk making it impossible. I am afraid that the harangue we have just heard from the Ambassador of the Sudan does not give us any confidence that the Government of the Sudan is about to change its ways.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

22. “The consequences of that will be severe for the people of Darfur. The recent attack on the African Union Mission in Sudan in Haskanita was an illustration of the risks that UNAMID will have to be prepared to face, quite apart from its being able to meet the challenge of protecting the civilians of Darfur. Under-Secretary-General Guehenno has made clear the problems that the United Nations and the African Union face. First, United Nations Members have failed to provide the capabilities needed. We will continue to lobby potential contributors, and I hope that others will do likewise. The military alternatives, as set out by Mr. Guehenno, are not attractive. Secondly, despite its acceptance of resolution 1769 (2007), the Government of the Sudan has failed to demonstrate a commitment to the resolution's effective and timely implementation.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

23. “We must learn the lessons of the Darfur peace agreement negotiations. Patience and realism are needed to ensure the effective participation of civil leaders in Darfur. We will continue to support Mr. Eliasson and Mr. Salim Salim and we urge the Secretary-General to appoint a chief mediator to lead the peace talks on a day-by-day basis in support of the two envoys. On the peacekeeping force, as Under-Secretary- General Guehenno has highlighted, there is some small, slow progress being made, but the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as a whole gets more and more behind schedule. There is a growing risk that the hybrid force will not be an effective military force capable of implementing its mandate when it takes over on 1 January.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

24. “We believe we should keep focused on three points that I hope all members of the Council would support. First of all, all parties in Darfur must be encouraged to engage fully and constructively and, if necessary, we must push them in that direction. Secondly, the immediate priority should be the cessation of hostilities, effectively monitored by the hybrid force. This will be essential to create a period of calm for negotiations on political issues. I welcome the Government of the Sudan's commitment in this regard and we look to them to honour it. The rebels must follow suit. Thirdly, the final settlement reached must be inclusive and sustainable. The talks must involve the full range of Darfur's society, as Mr. Eliasson has said today. They should not be limited to leaders of armed groups.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

25. “May I add my own thanks to Special Envoy Jan Eliasson and Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guehenno for their reports today, and even more so for their continuing efforts to resolve the crisis in Darfur. I believe today's briefings have shown that the prospects for early peace are slim. Progress is inadequate on all four of the tracks of concern to us - the political track, the security track, the humanitarian track and the tackling of impunity. Let me take each of them in turn. On the political process, we welcome and strongly support the continuing efforts of the United Nations and African Union (AU) Envoys. We hope the Council will give its continued support to them and we call on others to rally behind their efforts. In Sirte, the Envoys made a start, but it is clear that the process is going to be long and protracted.”

    2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source

26. “Finally, I associate myself with the statement to be made later by the representative of Portugal on behalf of the European Union.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

27. “And the Council should hear from OCHA and the Department of Political Affairs, as well as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, as we consider peacekeeping issues, where protection is key. Moreover, we agree that safe, timely and unimpeded access for the delivery of assistance is crucial. We welcome OCHA's initiative of developing a monitoring and reporting mechanism. And we agree that we need more emphasis on reporting on sexual violence and on ways to address it, including sanctions against those responsible. Above all, we need to mainstream the protection agenda in the Council's work and across the conflict cycle. That is a big challenge, but it is one that we have to meet. We will work with the Secretariat, Council colleagues and others to take this forward.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

28. “The conflict in Darfur continues to be characterized by gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights and of international humanitarian law. In addition, the Government in Khartoum continues to ignore the demands of the International Criminal Court (ICC). One of the indictees even remains a government Minister. The Government of the Sudan is required to cooperate with the ICC and to surrender the two individuals for whom arrest warrants have been issued. The Council will consider that issue in detail when the ICC Prosecutor reports to us next month. The Secretary-General's report contains substantive recommendations. The United Kingdom agrees that the United Nations needs to be more systematic in including the protection of civilians in the reporting we receive and the mandates we adopt.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

29. “In eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there are widespread abuses of the civilian population by armed combatants, of which the brutal and calculated practice of sexual violence is a particularly grave example. All those responsible, in the armed forces and in illegal armed groups, must be brought to justice in order to secure justice for their victims and to deter others. Therefore, in renewing the mandate for the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the end of this year, we should ensure more effective action, including supporting the recent agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to tackle the scourge of the Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda, the former genocidaires and other ethnic armed groups who terrorize the civilian population.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

30. “In particular, as my Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has proposed, we need to develop the capacity to deploy international civilian capabilities to rebuild shattered societies, just as we can deploy military units to help preserve the peace. The report of the Secretary-General shows the scale of the task we face. It details the scourge of sexual violence, a problem caused by the sense of impunity from justice that its perpetrators believe they enjoy. If States cannot provide a functioning system of law and order, it becomes the responsibility of the international community to ensure that justice is done. That is integral to building peace in post-conflict societies and to deterring future crimes. United Nations peacekeeping missions also have a crucial role to play in tackling sexual violence.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

31. “We therefore need to build on the responsibility to protect through improving our ability across the conflict cycle. We need to do more before conflict breaks out by being more aware of potential crises and ready to act through a range of tools. The work of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities and the special adviser on the prevention and resolution of conflict is central to our efforts. We welcome those appointments. I join my Belgian colleague in expressing the hope that their positions will soon be confirmed. We need to do more during conflict, through more emphasis on humanitarian access and on preventing or punishing abuses. We need to do more post-conflict by being better at stabilization and peacebuilding.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

32. “What we want is a partnership where international assistance, for example in building judicial capacity or in reforming the security sector, helps strengthen States' ability to exercise their sovereign responsibilities. But in those exceptional cases in which States cannot or will not protect civilians from the gravest abuses of their human rights, the international community not only has a right to act, but a responsibility to do so. That action can come in a range of forms, from sanctions against those responsible to direct intervention to protect civilians and should always be proportionate and carefully chosen. That is part of the wider challenge of becoming collectively more capable of anticipating and preventing crises and more effective in our actions when such crises arise.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

33. “The United Kingdom sees three roles that the Council should play: first, in setting standards to be applied to the protection of civilians during armed conflict; secondly, in ensuring integrity and effectiveness in United Nations missions; and thirdly, in pressuring and persuading States to meet their obligations. I wish to address the normative framework and the need to put those norms into practice. I will also highlight some country situations in which action is needed. Resolution 1674 (2006) affirmed the agreement reached at the 2005 World Summit on the responsibility to protect. The resolution recognizes the primary responsibility of States for protecting their own citizens, but also underscores the shared responsibility of the international community to help States fulfil that responsibility.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

34. “I wish to start by thanking you, Mr. President, for including this issue on our agenda today. I welcome the fact that the Secretary-General took the trouble to join us today, and I thank him for his statement. I think that exemplifies his commitment to doing more to protect civilians in armed conflict. We are also grateful for his thought- provoking report (S/2007/643) and to Sir John Holmes for the work of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). I believe the discussion today has demonstrated the centrality of this issue to all of the work of the Council. As the Secretary-General's report notes, resolution 1674 (2006) was a watershed in the Council's work in the protection of civilians. The challenge is to build on that achievement.”

    2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source

35. “Gambari today are welcome and could be the beginning of a process that achieves peace, prosperity and stability. But they could also be a false dawn. Previous meetings and discussions failed to yield the results needed, so it is important that in pursuing the present opportunity, we stay united and focused on this issue to bring about the changes we all want to see.”

    2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source

36. “It is important that he be given freedom of movement and access to facilitate the process of reconciliation, not only with those he saw this time but also representatives of other civil society groups such as the 88 Generation students, the ethnic minorities, the monks and those still detained. Moves by the Burmese authorities to control Mr. Gambari's activities raise questions about their sincerity in engaging with the good offices mission. The solution to Burma's problems will remain one for all Burma's people to find, with assistance from the United Nations and the international community. We, the international community, will need to continue to pressure and persuade the regime to make progress. The small steps forward described by Mr.”

    2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source

37. “I understand that Suu Suu Nway, who has campaigned bravely and resolutely to rid Burma of forced labour, has recently been arrested by the authorities, a move that raises a question mark over the regime's commitment to Mr. Gambari to make no further such arrests. We believe that Mr. Pinheiro should be allowed to address fully all these concerns and we look forward to his report to the Human Rights Council. We would welcome Mr. Gambari's early return to Burma, and for him to be able to pay repeat visits on an unrestricted basis, as indicated to him by the Prime Minister of Burma.”

    2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source

38. “The regime must remove the restraints on her access to her party and allow other opposition leaders, ethnic minority leaders and other stakeholders to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi and with one another freely and without impediment in order to ensure a genuine, inclusive and meaningful dialogue. We share Aung San Suu Kyi's view that the dialogue should be time bound, not least so that we can measure the results. 5 We welcome Special Rapporteur Pinheiro's current visit. We remain very concerned about the fate of those who participated in peaceful demonstrations in September and about the ongoing arrests and long sentences issued. It is important that we do not lose sight of the continuing arrests taking place.”

    2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source

39. “The biggest step forward came following Mr. Gambari's meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We welcome the statement that Mr. Gambari delivered on her behalf, in particular her commitment to pursue the path of dialogue constructively and her invitation to the Government and all relevant parties to join her in that spirit. Now it is the turn of the regime in Burma to reciprocate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's readiness to cooperate. Initial meetings between her and the Government liaison officer and meetings with her party leadership are important, but are only first steps. We support Mr. Gambari's call on the authorities to unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi.”

    2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source

40. “I would like to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to Mr. Gambari for his briefing, and in particular for his efforts to broker a process of national reconciliation in Burma. His hard work and his tireless travel in the Asia region have helped to maintain high-level international engagement, which will be vital to bringing about real progress inside Burma. His latest visit to Burma was clearly not easy. As he was confined for most of the time to Nay Pyi Taw, unable to choose who he would see and denied access to the Senior General, the approach of the Burmese authorities was not in line with the expectation of the Security Council, as set out in our presidential statement of 11 October (S/PRST/2007/37). We are also concerned at the effective expulsion of the head of the United Nations country team on the eve of Mr. Gambari's visit.”

    2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source

41. “May I just say, on Afghanistan, that we are appalled by today's suicide bombing in New Baghlan, which seems to have killed up to 100 people, including five members of the Afghan Parliament. Actions such as this are inhuman. We utterly condemn those responsible and those who supplied the materials for this act of terrorism. Around the world, the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations are partners for peace, as the statement we will adopt later today makes clear. The challenges are more complex than ever, but the opportunities for progress are also there. That should be our focus and our common goal.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

42. “It has stabilized the Balkans after the tumultuous 19905. And it stands ready, as the most militarily capable multinational organization, to consider further demanding security tasks. EU military operations in the Balkans have been conducted in partnership with NATO, and both the European Union and NATO work closely with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, another valuable organization in our conflict resolution toolbox. NATO, the EU and the United Nations are also working together in Afghanistan. In such cases, an array of international involvement can be needed. Different actors can bring different assets. But it is crucial that coordination of the international effort is effective, and the United Nations often has the central role to play there.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

43. “The EU is directly engaged in building up the rule of law in Iraq, providing police support and training in Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, developing Palestinian Security Forces and providing the peacekeeping force in Bosnia. On Bosnia, we look forward to hearing from the High Representative on 15 November. We support the steps he has taken to ensure the continued viability of the Dayton Agreement. The European Union also stands ready to take on its responsibilities in Kosovo, working alongside NATO, once the status process is concluded next month. NATO, of course, is our second regional organization, a transatlantic alliance designed to defend the West during the cold war, and now transformed so it can project stability and security beyond our region. NATO bears the brunt of the security effort in Afghanistan.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

44. “My Government hopes that such efforts could also succeed in Zimbabwe. The South African Government and the Southern African Development Community have been engaged to seek to resolve the crisis there. We would support any process to improve the plight of the people in Zimbabwe, where human rights abuses, appalling standards of government, brutal intimidation and economic collapse have turned a once rich nation into one of the most desperate places on Earth. Our principal organization in Europe, the European Union (EU), has developed new capabilities in foreign policy and defence over the last 10 years. I associate myself with the statement to be made later in this debate by Portugal on behalf of the EU. In Africa, but also in the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia, the EU is active in military and civilian stabilization efforts.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

45. “My Government supports the AU-United Nations proposed composition of this force, and we look to the Government of the Sudan to accept it without reservations. Darfur is also a diplomatic partnership between the African Union and the United Nations. Salim Salim and Jan Eliasson are working to build a sustainable peace, supported by a joint mediation team. They need all our support in what will be a difficult and lengthy process. In the Middle East, the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Gulf Cooperation Council play valuable roles in promoting cooperation and political progress. Across Africa, we have seen regional and subregional organizations playing an important role in conflict resolution, for example the Economic Community of West African States in the Ivory Coast.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

46. “In Africa, the expanding role of the African Union (AU) has been one of the most important developments of recent years. The Security Council mission to Addis Ababa this summer resulted in a joint declaration, committing this Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council to intensify their cooperation across the conflict spectrum. As part of this, we should explore more sustained United Nations support for the African Union, including in capacity- building. We look forward to the forthcoming report from the Secretary-General. In Darfur, this partnership faces a critical test, as the AU-United Nations hybrid force takes over from the purely AU force. The experience to come in Darfur is bound to provide lessons for both organizations. Our priority now must be the effective deployment of the hybrid force.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

47. “Mr. President, it is an honour having you chair our meeting today. Thank you for doing so. And you have chosen a topical issue. Although the Charter recognized from the outset the role of regional organizations, they have never been as active and important as they are today. I would like to highlight just a few examples and challenges. We have seen the contribution that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made to focusing international attention on Burma, not least the support ASEAN is giving to the efforts of the Secretary-General, whose presence is also extremely welcome here today, and Professor Gambari. My Government hopes the ASEAN Summit later this month will send a strong further message about the need for change in Burma.”

    2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source

48. “I would draw attention to the request for financial and logistical assistance made by the Secretary-General, as set out by Mr. Pascoe today, which are needed to allow the United Nations to implement its role fully. I hope that Member States will consider what support they can provide. As I said at the beginning, there is an opportunity now for Iraq and for us all that we must not miss.”

    2007-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5763 (2007) · source

49. “Subject to military advice nearer the time, we plan to move to a second stage of overwatch in the spring of 2008, when we will have fewer troops, with a more limited reintervention capacity, largely focused on training and mentoring. In parallel, we will be supporting the economic reconstruction work announced by Prime Minister al-Maliki in July, including by helping to establish a new Basra development commission, strengthening the engagement of the international private sector in the south and providing advice on investment and growth. International support for provincial authorities is important as they coordinate projects in the south that will have a lasting effect. We are working closely with the United Nations to advise on and facilitate the establishment of a United Nations presence in Basra over the coming months.”

    2007-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5763 (2007) · source

50. “As a result of the progress we have made in training Iraqi security forces, and based on conditions on the ground, we expect that provincial Iraqi control will be established in Basra province in the next two months. That would complete the transfer of responsibility for security to Iraqi control in the four southern Iraqi provinces that have been under British responsibility. British forces will then focus on training and mentoring the Iraqi army and police, securing supply routes and policing the Iraq-Iran border, while maintaining the ability to come to the assistance of Iraqi security forces when called upon.”

    2007-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5763 (2007) · source