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

“At the beginning of this week, as my French colleague implied, those of us involved in negotiations on a draft text were cautiously optimistic about the prospects for agreement. But Russia's decision on Tuesday unilaterally to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia torpedoed those negotiations. By its actions, Moscow has effectively ruled out agreement on a comprehensive Council response to the situation in Georgia. Let me be clear. Russian military action and Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia constitute a unilateral attempt to redraw the borders of a neighbouring country through the use of force. It is our view that that is entirely unacceptable and unjustified.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“We supported French-led efforts to secure an immediate end to the fighting, efforts that culminated in the six-point agreement signed by Russia and Georgia, together with the agreed clarifications issued by President Sarkozy. We support it, and we continue to support efforts to ensure the full implementation of that agreement, including the full withdrawal of Russian forces back to the positions occupied prior to 7 August. To that end, we and others have been closely involved in discussions here in New York on a draft Security Council resolution that would command broad support in the Council, that would codify all elements of the six-point plan and that would establish the basis for progress towards a lasting settlement to the conflict.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Allow me to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting in response to the very understandable request from the Permanent Representative of Georgia. We are grateful for the briefings from the Secretariat. Events in Georgia over the past three weeks raise fundamental questions for the Council - and for the United Nations more widely - and this meeting is an important opportunity for Council members to set out their views. Since the outbreak of fighting in Georgia on 7August, the United Kingdom's approach has been based on two basic principles: first, full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity; and secondly, full support for efforts to end the violence and lay the foundations for a peaceful and enduring settlement to the conflict that is acceptable to all the parties.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Secondly, we can look at further ways of keeping the Security Council agenda up to date and self- explanatory. The title of today's debate is a classic example of using bureaucratic language rather than something that can be readily understood by all. Thirdly, we could take up the responsibility of the Council presidency to guide the Council without constraining it and ensure that the standards of effectiveness and transparency set out in the 2006 presidential note are implemented and upheld. Those areas, as well as others that emerge today, will play a crucial part in informing the discussions of the Working Group. We look forward to taking that forward in the Group in due course. In closing, I would like to reaffirm the United Kingdom's commitment to ensuring that the Council is as transparent and as effective as possible.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The Council has also increased its interaction with regional organizations. We have responded to requests from African countries to enhance our relationship with the African Union and its peace and security machinery. That led to meetings of the Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council in 2007 and 2008. Those are all positive trends, but this is an ongoing process. I would like to identify the following areas where the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, which is under Ambassador Arias's able chairmanship, could do further work. First, we could consider our practice on the use of rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure for parties to a conflict who are not Member States to take advantage of the scope offered by that rule.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“In the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate the Council has institutionalized a standing body of expertise designed to monitor global standards mandated by the Council. The Peacebuilding Commission is well-placed to create a new centre of expertise. The Council is working harder. Twenty-four substantive subjects were discussed in the period 1996-1997. Ten years later, from 2006-2007, the number had doubled to 49. Ad hoc committees that deal with a range of thematic issues, such as children in armed conflict, sanctions and peacekeeping operations, have been created. That thematic approach feeds directly into country-specific issues, broadening the debate and highlighting linkages between different issues on the Council's agenda. All of that helps us in our primary role of maintaining international peace and security.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The Council's discussions on Timor-Leste last week illustrated our flexibility with regard to the format of meetings. We had both formal debate and private consultations, allowing for participation by interested parties and interactive discussion between Council members and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. There will always be a need to balance transparency with the need for the Council to be able to work effectively. It is right that the Council continue to look for ways to open up its work to non-members. The Council has also shown a greater willingness to consult and take advice from expert bodies. Expert panels assist with the monitoring of sanctions and assist the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004).”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Beyond those times during which we held the presidency, we have sought the View of a wide range of interlocutors on issues under discussion by the Council- for example, through the use of Arria Formula meetings. A case in point is our work on Somalia, where an Arria Formula meeting in March provided an opportunity to hear views from outside organizations involved in Somalia. That fed directly into the Council's work. We also hosted an Arria Formula discussion on sexual violence in conflict, followed by the open debate under the United States presidency later in June. There are some welcome trends towards greater transparency in the Security Council. The Council now meets more in formal meetings and has fewer informal consultations in proportion to the year 2000, for instance.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The United Kingdom played a full and active part in the drafting of the 2006 note (5/2006/507) by the President and fully supports its implementation. There is much being done already. Individual Council members have an obligation to do all they can to promote and implement the measures we have agreed. For example, during the United Kingdom's presidencies of the Council we made it a priority to notify Council members in advance of a meeting of the main themes under consideration, to help focus the discussion. We also briefed non-members of the Council at the beginning and end of our presidencies, as well as immediately following each discussion of the Council.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica for calling today's debate, as well as you, Mr. President, for convening the meeting. I should also like to thank the Secretary-General for the interest that he has shown in the meeting. Continually improving the way we work is a practice relevant to all international organizations. Its basic objective is at the heart of my Prime Minister's initiative on international institutional reform. All organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council, have a responsibility to ensure that they work effectively and transparently. The views expressed here, including by non-members of the Council, will inform the ongoing work of the Council on its working methods.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“First and foremost, that means immediate withdrawal of Russian forces to the lines held prior to the outbreak of hostilities. There can be no excuse for further delay, and for that reason we support the draft resolution that has been put forward by France.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“The return of refugees and internally displaced people will be an important element of any long-term settlement of the conflict in Georgia. Russia's failure to withdraw its forces, and the actions of those forces, raise questions about Russia's objectives in Georgia and about its willingness to honour the agreement signed by President Medvedev. They also call into question Russia's commitment to some of the founding principles of the United Nations and to respect for the resolutions of the Security Council, which have consistently upheld Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United Kingdom calls on Russia to take immediate steps to comply with the agreement it has signed and to end its military aggression in Georgia.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Russian forces in Georgia are now, in effect, an army of occupation, and they will remain so until they withdraw to the positions held prior to 7 August and force levels return to those that prevailed then. We remain gravely concerned too by the humanitarian situation in Georgia. We are particularly disturbed by reports of killings and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by South Ossetian and Abkhaz irregulars, in areas controlled by Russian forces. It goes without saying that Russia has a legal and moral obligation to prevent such acts, but, instead, what we have seen is the eviction of virtually all ethnic Georgians from South Ossetia. We welcome the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to the region.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Russian spokesmen try to present the problem as a conflict between Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, with Russia's role one of peacekeeper. That claim was always doubtful. The last two weeks have demonstrated beyond any doubt that Russia is a party to the conflict. Indeed, Russia's letter last week, saying that they were acting under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, confirmed that they are a party to the conflict, and Russian actions since 7 August have gone way beyond those of a peacekeeper or mediator. So let us not pretend that this is anything other than a conflict between Russia and Georgia, a conflict which Russia has clearly won militarily.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Why do Russian checkpoints continue to block civilian traffic on major transit routes, in breach of President Sarkozy's clarifications to the 12 August agreement? Only yesterday, the United Kingdom's defence attache to Georgia was turned back from a Russian checkpoint in Georgia and told he required a Russian visa in order to proceed further. Do foreigners now need Russian visas to travel within Georgia? It is hard to see how Russian actions are consistent with Russia's claimed justification for their military assault - namely the protection of its peacekeepers and civilians in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, even though most of those civilians have only recently been handed Russian passports and have not lived in Russia. I think the facts make it clear that this is a conflict between Georgia and Russia.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“On the contrary, Russian forces remain in their positions deep inside Georgia, way beyond the conflict zones of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We are equally troubled by the actions of the Russian forces now occupying Georgian territory. Since 7 August, we have seen a systematic attempt to destroy Georgia's infrastructure. On the military side, naval patrol boats have been sunk at their moorings. Barracks and other military installations well beyond the conflict zone have been levelled. And Russian forces have destroyed civilian infrastructure too. I would like to ask the Russian ambassador what justification there could possibly be for Russian forces destroying a railway bridge on the main east-west rail link and for blocking a tunnel on a major road.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“I thank Mr. Pascoe and Mr. Mulet for their briefings to the Council, and I welcome Ambassador Alasania. On 11 August, in this Chamber, the United Kingdom and others welcomed the French-led efforts to secure an immediate end to the fighting in Georgia. The culmination of those efforts was the six-point agreement signed by Russia and Georgia a week ago, together with the agreed clarifications issued by President Sarkozy. One week on, however, the Russian Federation has failed to implement its part of the agreement. Russian forces have not complied with the requirement to withdraw to their positions prior to 7 August. Russia has spoken publicly of its intention to withdraw, and we have heard statements from Moscow claiming that withdrawal has begun, but we see little evidence of this on the ground.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“It will require patience, determination and a willingness to grapple with difficult decisions along the way, but peace is attainable, and we must continue to strive for it. 08-44474”
2008-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5947 (2008) · source
“We very much welcome the appointment of Mr. Bassole as Chief Mediator; he has our full backing. Thirdly, the Council will need to continue considering the important issues of justice and impunity in Darfur. Article 16 of the ICC Statute will be part of that discussion, but it will not be only the part. Sudan's lack of cooperation with the ICC will also be directly relevant, as will other factors. The Council's discussions on Darfur have made clear that, while there are different views on tackling the issue of impunity, our support for UNAMID and the efforts of the United Nations and the African Union to bring security and stability to Darfur is unstinting. Those efforts are central to the pursuit of peace in Darfur, and the Security Council cannot give up on that goal. It is still some way off.”
2008-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5947 (2008) · source
“We will not stand in the way of a Security Council discussion of whether there is a case for invoking article 16 of the Rome Statute in relation to President Al-Bashir, but that discussion will raise profound questions about the relationship between peace and justice. It is not something that the Security Council should rush into. Building on the support for today's resolution, the Security Council and the Secretariat are facing three tasks in the future. First, we should do all we can to accelerate UNAMID's deployment. This resolution endorses the Secretary-General's target of having 80 per cent of the force in place by the end of this year, that is, in five months' time. We all know the obstacles, but much more needs to be done to overcome them. Secondly, the Council has to give its unstinting support to the political process.”
2008-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5947 (2008) · source
“The second point I want to make about today's discussions is that no position has been taken by the 08-44474 Security Council on the question of whether to take any action in the light of the proposal of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to indict President Al-Bashir. That issue is to be addressed on another day. Let me be clear about the United Kingdom's position. The United Kingdom did not believe that it was right to consider such an important issue as part of a resolution renewing UNAMID's mandate. It was of course the Security Council that decided in resolution 1593 (2005) that the situation in Darfur warranted investigation by the ICC.”
2008-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5947 (2008) · source
“When in 2007 the Security Council first mandated the African Union-United Nations force in Darfur, we made a commitment to help bring security to the people of Darfur. We have renewed that commitment today. It is not a commitment that we take lightly. The recent attack in which seven peacekeepers were killed was a grim reminder of the difficulties and dangers that UNAMID peacekeepers face daily. I pay tribute once again to those who died. We owe it to them and to their colleagues to renew our efforts for peace and stability in Darfur, throughout Sudan and throughout the region.”
2008-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5947 (2008) · source
“May I begin by saying that the United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of resolution 1828 (2008) by the Security Council today and that, as the informal coordinator of the resolution, I am very grateful to all Council members for their help. We came very close to achieving a consensus, and I regret that it was only lack of time, really, that prevented us from being able to address the outstanding concerns of one delegation. I want to make two fundamental points about today's discussions. The first is that the entire Council, we believe, is behind the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and wants it to succeed. I think that will become clear in the statements that we are making after this vote.”
2008-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5947 (2008) · source
“We congratulate the Kosovo Government on the progress made since its declaration of independence in adopting and enacting priority legislation on minority rights and decentralization and on the entry into force of the new Constitution on 15 June. We welcome the outreach efforts by Kosovo's political leaders to the Kosovo Serb communities. We urge them to continue with those efforts. They are very important, and they lay the foundation for the multi-ethnic community in Kosovo that we are all looking for. I would like to conclude by saying that today, both Mr. Jeremie and Mr. Hyseni looked forward, and that is what this Council should do. We now have a clear path before us towards a more stable and prosperous region increasingly at ease with itself, and I believe that that is the vision behind which the Security Council should unite.”
2008-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5944 (2008) · source
“We believe that the dialogue must be conducted in an open, transparent and balanced manner, in close cooperation and consultation with the authorities in Pristina and with relevant stakeholders. We believe that it can make a useful contribution to determining how Serbia can work with Kosovo and with the international presences there as part of enhancing cooperation among all the countries of the Balkans. Of course, that dialogue does not represent the beginning of a new negotiation process; the time for talking about Kosovo's status is past. The United Kingdom and many other countries with interests in and commitment to the Balkan region have recognized Kosovo as an independent State, and that is not going to change.”
2008-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5944 (2008) · source
“As it is in the interests of maintaining peace and stability in Kosovo and the region, we all share that goal, and I believe that we should all support the Secretary- General in those efforts. Obviously, the reconfigured international presence will work primarily with the Kosovo Government. We believe that the European Union Rule of Law Mission for Kosovo can and will soon be able to deploy as planned and play its role as envisaged. We look to Belgrade to support its words and actions about peace and stability in Kosovo with actions on the ground. We noted with interest the Special Representative's dialogue with Belgrade that started this week on the six specific issues identified in the Secretary-General's special report in June (S/2008/354).”
2008-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5944 (2008) · source
“Zannier here as Special Representative of the Secretary-General, again for the first time. We thank him for his informative, timely and very clear briefing. The Secretary-General informed the Council last month, on 20 June of his decision to reconfigure the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in the light of the profoundly changed reality in Kosovo. Whether or not we recognize Kosovo's independence, I do not think anyone can contest the Secretary-General's assessment that UNMIK could no longer perform the vast majority of its tasks as an interim administration. We therefore welcome his instructions to UNMIK to work with other international organizations in Kosovo, notably the European Union and NATO, to effect the efficient reconfiguration of the international presence there.”
2008-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5944 (2008) · source
“In particular, I would like to warmly congratulate the Serbian Government on the arrest of Radovan Karadzic this week. We had proposed that the Security Council as a whole welcome that hugely important step forward, and we regret that one delegation was not ready to do so. But let me state clearly on behalf of the United Kingdom how warmly we welcome that particular step and that we see it as a very significant advance for Serbia on the road towards Europe. We hope that the Serbian authorities will continue his efforts and complete the process of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, not least by locating and transferring the remaining indictees, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2008/458) and to welcome Mr.”
2008-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5944 (2008) · source
“I would like to welcome Foreign Minister Hyseni in his first appearance before the Security Council. It is important that Kosovo have the opportunity to speak for itself and to present its position on its future and that of the region. It is very good to see Foreign Minister Jeremie here again. I would like to warmly welcome the constructive approach that he set out to the Council today. There are still some difference between us, but I believe we now have a basis to move towards our common goal of a future in Europe's institutions for Serbia and Kosovo alike. I welcome and take very seriously what Mr. Jeremie said about Serbia's intentions, not least about its future in Europe and the practical steps that his Government has taken towards that goal.”
2008-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5944 (2008) · source
“It is important, too, that Lebanese militias be prevented from acquiring arms via Syrian territory and we will continue to provide support to Lebanese security forces to increase their capacity for effective border management. We welcome the recent meeting between President Sleiman and President Assad in Paris and hope that renewed political contacts between the leaders of Syria and Lebanon will translate into concrete action to delineate borders and establish diplomatic relations between the two countries, as called for in Security Council resolutions. We are encouraged by the continued proximity talks between Israel and Syria under Turkey's auspices. However, we believe that there is more that Syria could do to support the wider peace process, including by ending their support for Palestinian rejectionist movements.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“Lebanon has the United Kingdom's full support in tackling the important challenges that lie ahead. Those include a programme of support to the Lebanese security sector, assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and unswerving support for the International Independent Investigation Commission and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The United Kingdom underlines the importance of the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006). We welcome the exchange of prisoners that was brokered by the German authorities and pay tribute to those who have worked intensively to secure that outcome. We continue to support the vital work of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in maintaining peace and stability in south Lebanon.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“To that end, the Council has worked for some weeks to seek agreement on a draft resolution that is both balanced and engages constructively in support of the Annapolis process and of progress on the ground. Our assessment is that a text that focuses on only one aspect of the conflict will not find the necessary degree of support in this Council. We hope that the Council can continue to work on that issue without a fixed timeline and offer its voice and its authority in support of the intensive efforts under way to find peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The United Kingdom welcomes the formation of a national unity Government in Lebanon. That is an important step in delivering on the Doha agreement of May and in promoting the long-term stability of Lebanon.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“We welcome the lead the United Nations is taking by putting forward the immediate steps that could be taken to improve the humanitarian situation. However, the Palestinian Authority is at a critical juncture. As Mr. Pascoe's briefing made clear, the Authority will be in the red in a matter of weeks. The European Union and the United Kingdom have responded to Palestinian requests to front-load our budget support. We have done so, and we have spent what we can for this year. Others must now follow through on the pledges they made at Paris last December, and to which they committed again at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in London in May. The Security Council has its part to play. We have consistently made clear that the Security Council should be able to find its voice once more on the issue of the Middle East.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“While in Palestine, my Prime Minister made clear that the Palestinians must continue to act with perseverance and persistence against terrorists who target Israeli civilians. We welcome the security sector reforms that the Palestinian Authority is implementing and we are happy to play a part in those efforts. Egypt's tireless work has led to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. We commend all parties for their continued commitment to that agreement, and it is important that the United Nations support efforts to deal with the outstanding issues, including the end of arms smuggling and the return of Corporal Shalit. We hope that Israel, in line with its own commitments, will reopen crossings and increase supplies to Gaza.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“We welcome the most recent meeting between President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert in Paris this past week. The success ofthe bilateral negotiations is going to depend in part on a public perception in the region that progress is being made on the ground. My Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, earlier this week visited the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel and gave a moving and powerful speech to the Knesset, the first ever by a British Prime Minister. When he was in Israel, my Prime Minister reiterated that settlement-building erodes trust, heightens Palestinian suffering and makes the compromises that Israel will need to make for peace more difficult. It is therefore crucial, both for the daily lives of Palestinians and for peace to be achieved, that Israel freeze settlements and dismantle outposts, as it has agreed to do.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“Allow me to begin by paying a warm tribute to the work of Ambassador Gillerman. I do not think there is anyone here at the United Nations who has to work harder than Ambassador Gillerman to defend the reputation of his country, or anyone who does it with the same brilliance, charm, incisive intellect and dedication that he has brought to the task over the past six years. He is going to be sorely missed, although I am sure we will listen to his successor in this Chamber with the same rapt attention with which we have listened to him. 08-4326] I would also like to thank Mr. Pascoe for his detailed briefing on the situation in the region. My country gives its unwavering support to the peace process and the agreements reached at Annapolis.”
2008-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5940 (2008) · source
“If we are not to see more violence, more economic chaos, more refugees and a greater threat to regional peace and stability, then we, the international community, have to do what we can to create the conditions for a real political process that some chance of success. At present, such a process does not exist. With the vetoing of this draft resolution, we now need to look for a new way forward. We will discuss this with our partners in Europe and with our friends in the African Union and across the world. The people of Zimbabwe need to be given hope that there is an end in sight to their suffering. The Security Council today has failed to offer them that hope.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“Zimbabwe faces not only a political crisis. It also faces a grave humanitarian crisis for which the Government of Zimbabwe bears full responsibility. The Zimbabwean authorities have ignored every single appeal for the restrictions on humanitarian supplies to be lifted. Again, the Council failed today by vetoing this draft resolution to require Mr. Mugabe's Government to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered. Many times during our discussions of this issue, Council members have said that the people of Zimbabwe must be allowed to find their own way forward. Of course, they must; that is what they tried to do when they voted on 29 March. We must respect the outcome of the elections on that day.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“This draft resolution only failed because it has been vetoed by the Russian Federation and China. Russia's action is, frankly, inexplicable. Only three days ago, the meeting of Group of Eight leaders, which of course includes President Medvedev of Russia, adopted a statement on Zimbabwe that recommended the appointment of a United Nations special envoy and went on to say, "We will take further steps, inter alia introducing financial and other measures against those individuals responsible for violence". The draft resolution that Russia and China have just vetoed was precisely to implement those two decisions. We View their decision as deeply damaging to the long-term interests of Zimbabwe's people. It has in our view harmed the prospects for bringing to an early end the violence and the oppression in Zimbabwe.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“We have missed the opportunity to strengthen the mediation efforts, giving them the full weight of the international community by the addition of a United Nations envoy. We look to the Secretary-General to appoint such an envoy anyway, on his own authority. We have missed the opportunity to back up South Africa's mediation efforts with something more than words. That is why the draft resolution included carefully targeted sanctions aimed at those who have brought about the current crisis, with a clear message that they would be lifted once an inclusive political settlement is reached. And finally, we have lost an opportunity to impose an arms embargo. The last thing Zimbabwe needs now is more arms. We hope that Government and civil society in Southern Africa will continue to ensure that arms do not get through to the Mugabe Government.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“The Security Council has often determined - for example, in Sierra Leone, Sudan and Somalia - that political instability and violence in one country has consequences for wider peace and stability, requiring the Council to act. That remains true in Zimbabwe today. The African Union has already acknowledged, in its resolution of 1July, the risk that the conflict in Zimbabwe may spread across the subregion. We should reflect on the opportunities we have lost today. We have missed the opportunity to impose a legal obligation on Mr. Mugabe's Government to end the violence and intimidation which have scarred Zimbabwe and made normal politics impossible and which are destabilizing the region. The millions of refugees - a quarter of Zimbabwe's population - constitute a stark demonstration of this.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“Secondly, the draft resolution was not an attempt to undermine ongoing mediations efforts; precisely the opposite. The draft resolution would have required the Government of Zimbabwe to engage with those efforts, and it would have put some countervailing pressure on the ruling regime to balance the appalling pressure and intimidation that they continue to exert on the political opposition. We have supported President Mbeki's mediation efforts, but we have to be realistic: those efforts have so far come to naught. The only one who has benefited to date is Mr. Mugabe. Thirdly, this draft resolution was not a foray into the internal affairs of an African country.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“This draft resolution did not represent a new judgement by the Security Council on the recent elections in Zimbabwe. The Council unanimously made that judgement on 23 June through its presidential statement (S/PRST/2008/23). Our collective assessment was that free and fair elections were impossible under the prevailing conditions of a campaign of violence against the political opposition and the denial of the opposition's right to campaign freely. Regrettably, that proved to be the case when President Mugabe went ahead anyway. Local and regional observers, and many African leaders, made clear that the outcome was not free and fair and could not be considered legitimate. We also agreed on 23 June that the results of the 29 March elections must be respected.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“Deputy Secretary-General Migiro told the Security Council three days ago (see S/PV.5929) that the situation in Zimbabwe was a challenge to the world, and today the Security Council has failed to rise to that challenge. Ms. Migiro said that this was a moment of truth for democracy in Africa. The Security Council has failed to shoulder its responsibility to do what it can to prevent a national tragedy deepening and spreading its effects across Southern Africa. I would like to be very clear about the draft resolution we have just voted on, a draft resolution sponsored by a range of countries, including African countries. It has been widely misrepresented by some members of the Council and by the representative of Zimbabwe just now.”
2008-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5933 (2008) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to play its full part in achieving that objective, in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, Afghanistan's neighbours, the United Nations and the international community.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“We also welcome the focus on elections and agree that there is a need for urgent and decisive action to prepare for the 2009 and 2010 elections and ensure that they are held satisfactorily. We endorse the priority given by the report to reducing the production and trafficking of drugs. We are extremely concerned at growing evidence of the links between the narcotics trade, the insurgency and wider criminality. It is essential that counter-narcotics efforts be mainstreamed throughout the Government of Afghanistan's policies and that they be supported by the international community. The Secretary-General's call to focus our collective efforts on the goal of improving the lives of the Afghan people is an important reminder of why the international community is so engaged in Afghanistan.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“We particularly support the report's proposals and commitment to increase UNAMA's staff, expand its field presence and make structural changes to the Mission. We must ensure urgent implementation of those changes so that they can facilitate better delivery across the board, particularly delivery on governance, delivery on the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and aid effectiveness and delivery on humanitarian challenges and improving United Nations coordination. UNAMA will only be able to deliver on these if it is properly resourced to do so. We support the priorities identified in the report, including addressing security concerns, support for the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, governance and institution-building, attacking corruption and regional cooperation.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“We want to see early, demonstrable progress in improving the lives of the Afghan people through better security, improved governance and greater prosperity. Strong United Nations leadership will be essential if we are to continue to make progress. We fully endorse the report's call for all Member States to support a strengthened UNAMA. We applaud Kai Eide for the way in which he has re-energized UNAMA since his appointment in March. We fully support his work to further empower UNAMA as an organization, and the role of the Special Representative. At the Paris Conference, the international community agreed that we must do all we can to support UNAMA in achieving its final goals in Afghanistan. The international community must now back those words with actions, by supporting initiatives that increase UNAMA's effectiveness.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“As this weekend's terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Kabul have tragically illustrated, insecurity in Afghanistan directly affects the people of that country and the wider region. We have a collective responsibility to the people of Afghanistan, and a common interest in confronting those who seek to undermine democracy and pursue their interests through violence, intolerance and extremism. That responsibility falls both on the international community and on the Governments of the region. As we work in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, we urge them to take early decisive action to improve accountability and combat corruption, as well as to promote political dialogue so that we can build confidence among ordinary Afghans.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the Secretary- General's special report (S/2008/434) on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in response to the Paris Conference, held on 12 June. We are grateful to the Government of France for holding such a successful conference, which provided a timely and welcome reaffirmation of the international community's commitment to Afghanistan. I think there has been significant progress in Afghanistan since 2001. We must bear that in mind as we address the very significant challenges that still face us. None of us is complacent about the scale and importance of the task ahead, but we should be proud of what we have achieved so far. We should not underestimate what is at stake.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source