YouSaid · the spoken record

John Weston

lines on the record: 525
first: 1995-08-07
most recent: 1998-06-30
sittings or episodes: 79
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

“The European Union is due to host the third in a series of ministerial meetings between the Union and the Southern African Development Community in Vienna in November this year, and it is working to enhance its dialogue with subregional organizations, for example, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa and ECOWAS. The European Union is also in discussions with the OAU and its member States regarding a proposed European Union/Africa summit for the year 2000. The Secretary-General's report rightly focuses on the importance of creating an environment in which durable peace is sustained and economic growth promoted.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The European Union also participated actively in the recent seminar in Oslo to discuss the proposal by Mali for a moratorium on the import, export and manufacture of light weapons in the Saharo-Sahelian region. The European Union fully endorses the hope of the Secretary-General that the international community should strive to complement African efforts to resolve Africa's problems. The European Union welcomes the emphasis placed in the Secretary-General's report on the further development of regional cooperation and integration among African countries across a wide range of different fields.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The Union will continue to support efforts aimed at the establishment of effective national control measures on the transfer of conventional arms, combating illegal arms trafficking and the banning and clearing of anti-personnel landmines. Last year, the European Union agreed to a programme to combat illicit trafficking in conventional arms. As part of the programme, an international seminar involving the European Union and southern African countries and non- governmental organizations from both regions will take place in Johannesburg in May with a view to identifying practical solutions to the problems of illicit trafficking in southern Africa.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The Secretary-General's report also examines sanctions as a tool which may be used in cases of threats to international peace and security. The European Union welcomes the Secretary-General's recommendation that sanctions should be better targeted at decision makers and endorses the call for more rigorous enforcement of sanctions by the international community. In particular, the Union supports the Secretary-General's focus on the need for effective measures to ensure the strict implementation of arms embargoes. The European Union welcomes the Secretary- General's call for all African countries to participate in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The European Union has followed this approach by encouraging diplomatic efforts at early stages in unfolding crises, for example, through the appointment of its own special envoy to the Great Lakes region of Africa. Humanitarian assistance, like diplomatic efforts, is also an integral component of early action. As the largest donor of international humanitarian aid, the European Union fully endorses the Secretary-General's call for greater coordination in the provision of such aid and the need to ensure the security of humanitarian personnel. The European Union also welcomes the Secretary-General's initiative in calling for the establishment of an international mechanism to assist host Governments in maintaining the security and neutrality of refugee camps and settlements, and it looks forward to examining these ideas in greater depth.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“We also very much support the efforts which the United Nations and the OAU have made to follow up the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations' recommendations last year on efforts to enhance African peacekeeping capacity. The informal meeting on the subject, which Under-Secretary-General Miyet chaired, was a great success and provided a multilateral framework for activities in this area. We welcome the new role of the United Nations as a clearing house for information on such activities. Additional contributions to the United Nations trust fund for enhancing African peacekeeping capacity would also strengthen the efforts of the United Nations. The European Union also subscribes to the Secretary-General's idea that where necessary, early warning must be complemented by early action.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The European Union also supports increased cooperation between the United Nations and subregional organizations in the areas of conflict prevention, management and resolution. It commends in particular the initiative of African States in the region to establish the Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic, and the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the resolution of the crises in Liberia and Sierra Leone. It also recognizes other regional initiatives such as the efforts to promote political dialogue in Burundi.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The European Union is committed to a proactive policy on conflict prevention and resolution, focusing on preventing the outbreak of violent conflicts at an early stage as well as on post- conflict peace-building and using the full range of policy instruments available, including development assistance. These goals are set out in the European Union's common position on conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, agreed in 1997. The European Union supports the Secretary- General's recommendations that the United Nations should develop closer relations with African regional and subregional organizations and arrangements and has itself established a consultative mechanism with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which we wish to develop.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The Secretary-General has provided a clear and candid analysis of the sources of conflict in Africa and the reasons why they persist. The report contains concrete recommendations on ways to prevent and address conflict in Africa and on how to lay the foundations for subsequent durable peace. This holistic approach, as you yourself, Mr. President, called it this morning, is most welcome, and the European Union looks forward to further comprehensive discussions on all the aspects covered in the report. The report encourages the European Union to continue its efforts in the field of peace-building and conflict prevention, management and resolution, and to enhance African capacities in these areas.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“I have the honour to make the following statement on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia and the Associated country Cyprus, as well as the European Free Trade Association countries members of the European Economic Area, Iceland and Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement. The European Union warmly welcomes the publication of this report. The European Union applauds the Secretary- General for this authoritative and wide-ranging document, which brings together many ideas and approaches as a comprehensive policy and at a particularly opportune time.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“But the Secretary-General offers us hope and many practical suggestions for improving our individual and collective performance. The British Government is keen to respond. We want to make our own contribution to that collective political will, which the Secretary-General rightly identifies as key to the successful implementation of this list of good intentions. We will be listening particularly closely to our African partners, within and outside the Council. Their leadership, determination and political skills are Vital to achieving the results we all want to see. Meanwhile, the best tribute we can pay to the Secretary-General's report is to act upon it and to act quickly. Africa cannot wait.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“The United Kingdom has already converted into grant all its official development assistance debt held by the poorest countries, and supports the rapid and flexible implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative, as expressed in the British Chancellor's Mauritius Mandate statement last September. Together with other creditor Governments and the international financial institutions, we will continue to work with the Governments of the poorest countries to reduce the burden of debt. The Secretary-General seeks the support of the group of major industrialized countries. I can assure him today that the developing world in general, and Africa in particular, will be high on the agenda of the G-8 Summit when it meets in Birmingham from 15 to 17 May. The scope and complexity of conflict in Africa can seem daunting.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“The British Government is fully committed to the United Nations- approved international development targets, including reducing by half the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015 and ensuring universal primary education in all countries by 2015; progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of women; and improvements in health-care and mortality rates. Britain has pledged to increase by 50 per cent its commitments to primary health-care, basic education and the provision of safe drinking water in Africa between 1997 and 2000 as part of our effort to ensure that these targets become a reality for Africa. And Britain strongly supports the call to reduce Africa's debt burden.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We endorse his call for a timetable for legislation to implement the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. An African convention could be an important part of this. We also warmly welcome the fact that the Secretary- General has linked the issues of tackling poverty and protecting the environment. The two are inextricably linked. Some of the root causes of conflict lie in environmental issues. Rwanda, for example, has the highest population density in Africa. Eliminating poverty is essential to caring for the planet. In order to achieve this goal, Africa needs and deserves our continued and increased moral and financial support.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We hope that the special challenges he lists in this field will be tackled urgently by the Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs. He can count on our support. Our general welcome for this report extends to the chapter on building a durable peace and promoting economic growth. We hope the General Assembly will also have the opportunity to discuss these issues, but we would like to endorse here and now the Secretary- General's assessment of the importance of respect for human rights - which include the rights to education, health-care and a livelihood, as well as civil and political rights - and the rule of law and the need to create a positive environment for investment and economic growth. We welcome the Secretary-General' s frankness in underlining the damage done by corruption.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We have taken forward work during the United Kingdom Presidency of the EU under the EU Programme for Combating Illicit Trafficking. A British- funded seminar in South Africa next month will seek to identify practical ways of tackling the problem at the subregional level. The Secretary-General is right to highlight the plight of refugees, where we welcome his ideas on a mechanism to assist with the maintenance of the neutrality and security of refugee camps. We also agree on the need to take a hard look at humanitarian assistance. We support wholeheartedly his determination to ensure that humanitarian action is fully consistent with broader United Nations peace and development activities, and properly coordinated.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We agree that supplementary regional registers would be a useful further development. In this context, we, too, commend the Government of Mali's initiative for a moratorium by States in the Sahara-Sahel subregion on the import, export and manufacture of light weapons. Our Department for International Development has pledged $300,000 to a United Nations Development Programme project in support of the moratorium once the latter has been agreed. We fully agree with the report on the need for restraint by arms-exporting countries. We have proposed and are trying to secure European Union-wide agreement on similar standards through our proposal for a European Union (EU) Code of Conduct on arms exports. The proliferation of light weapons in Africa is as much the result of illicit trafficking as of legal transfers. The report recognizes this.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We agree with the Secretary-General that sanctions can be effective in encouraging States to bring their behaviour back into line with accepted international norms. We agree that, wherever possible, "smart" sanctions should be used, targeted to hit political leaders and decision makers, and that economic sanctions should contain humanitarian exemptions to minimize their impact on ordinary people. We support the Secretary-General's call for Member States to adopt legislation making the violation of any Security Council arms embargo a criminal offence. I can confirm that the United Kingdom always pursues such violations with the full rigour of the law. We endorse the Secretary-General's call for all African countries to provide returns to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We welcome the extent of cooperation in putting Sierra Leone back on its feet. We have offered $2 million for the Trust Fund; we urge others to contribute swiftly too, if peace is to be sustained. We agree that mandates for peacekeeping operations must include clear recommendations for the transition to post-conflict peace-building. This is an area where better coordination is urgently required within the United Nations system. We look forward to the development of United Nations-wide country strategies for post-conflict peace- building, involving the Bretton Woods institutions as well as the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“The multilateral efforts now launched under United Nations auspices, in close consultation with the Organization of African Unity, should do much to strengthen African peacekeeping capacity and help implement the recommendations in this report. Such capacity enhancement will, we hope, deliver its own rewards in the long term. But, in the short term, we must, as the Secretary-General insists, demonstrate the political will to deal with the conflicts with which we are confronted in Africa. There can be no question of a retreat by the Security Council from Africa. Its responsibilities are clear. Regional and subregional organizations have a key role, but they cannot substitute for the United Nations. What we need is active partnership with Africa. Britain is trying to play its part, both inside and outside the Council.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“The United Nations has shown in Eastern Slavonia that, given the right mandates and resources, it can tackle the toughest operations. And if it does not have the resources, perhaps we should be giving greater thought to ways of providing them. We agree with the Secretary-General that the long- term enhancement of African peacekeeping capacity is a key priority. It is also one which stands out as a partnership between developed and developing countries, between Africa and the international community. We were delighted to work with Zimbabwe and the States of southern Africa in the Blue Hungwe exercise last year and to participate in the Guidimakha exercise in Senegal this year. We stand ready to help in other similar African initiatives. Many African nations have a proud history in United Nations peacekeeping. We should build on that.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“We should have moved more quickly to secure peace in Sierra Leone before its people were subject to the brutalities of last year's military coup. We could, and should, have done more to halt the fighting in the Congo (Brazzaville). The experience of intervention in Somalia was a bitter one, but that of non-intervention in Rwanda - as my Swedish colleague has eloquently reminded us this morning - was perhaps worse. Fear of the financial costs of intervention cannot be allowed to become our guiding principle. We all know the realities of intra-State conflict. Intervention can be difficult and dangerous, but it can often be unavoidable if we are to prevent humanitarian catastrophes and the insidious spread of instability. We cannot shy away from the demanding military requirements of humanitarian interventions.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“The United Kingdom warmly welcomes the Secretary-General's report, and we congratulate him on his comprehensive, objective and balanced analysis of the causes of conflict in Africa. We agree that we must tackle the root causes, and not just the symptoms, of conflict. The United Nations is uniquely qualified to coordinate a comprehensive approach to the long-term, structural causes of conflict. The Secretary-General's analysis of the realities of preventive action, peace-building and peacekeeping in Africa and his operational recommendations are also spot on. We endorse them, and so should the Security Council. Africa has been the scene over the last few years of some of the United Nations greatest successes, but also of its greatest failures. We need to learn from both. We must admit our mistakes and do so frankly.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875 (1998) · source
“That concludes my statement on behalf of the European Union. I wish now to make a very short statement in my capacity as Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom. I am pleased to announced today that the British Government will make a financial contribution of 100,000 pounds sterling to the Trust Fund supporting the International Commission of Inquiry for the next phase of its work.”
1998-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3870 (1998) · source
“In this regard, the European Union welcomes the action of the Security Council to reactivate the International Commission of Inquiry on illegal arms flows to Rwanda. In its new common position on Rwanda, adopted on 30 March, the European Union affirmed its support for the work of the Commission as an important means to help bring an end to the continuing destabilizing conflict. The member States of the European Union pledge their full cooperation in the work of the Commission in its new phase. The European Union is committed to working together with the Government of Rwanda to secure an end to conflict and recovery from genocide, to promote national reconciliation and the democratic process, to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to foster economic prosperity in the country.”
1998-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3870 (1998) · source
“I have the honour to make the following statement on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - and the associated country Cyprus, as well as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country member of the European Economic Area Iceland, align themselves with this statement. The European Union expresses its concern at recurrent violence in Rwanda which is contributing to the persistent instability in the Great Lakes region as a whole. We unequivocally condemn the continued armed insurgency by elements with a genocidal motive, and in particular the acts of brutal violence perpetrated by such groups against unarmed civilians, including women and children.”
1998-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3870 (1998) · source
“There are many challenges ahead facing its Government and people which will need to be met in order to consolidate the progress made over the past year. The European Union believes the United Nations, through MINURCA and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, can make a significant contribution to meeting those challenges and help build lasting peace, democracy and development in the Central African Republic.”
1998-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3867 (1998) · source
“We also welcome the intention of the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative in the Central African Republic, and fully support the coordination and cooperation roles assigned to him, in particular his responsibilities for encouraging assistance from the international community to the Central African Republic. In this respect, the European Union will continue to provide development assistance, especially under the European Development Fund. This will include substantial support for the rehabilitation of the transport sector and assistance to the health sector. The European Union shares the concerns which have been expressed over the fragility of the situation in the Central African Republic.”
1998-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3867 (1998) · source
“The European Union recognizes that while important progress has been made in implementing the provisions of the Bangui Agreements and towards reform in the social, economic, electoral and security spheres, there remain many important tasks ahead. In this context we note with satisfaction President Patasse's commitments to further reform measures in these areas and to the successful holding of a National Reconciliation Conference in Bangui in March. We look forward to continued progress leading to the holding of free and fair elections later this year. The European Union warmly welcomes the establishment of MINURCA to replace MISAB from mid-April. We recognize that its security, training, disarmament and electoral assistance responsibilities will play a key role in the period leading up to elections.”
1998-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3867 (1998) · source
“Thus the operation conducted by MISAB was approved and authorized by the Security Council during the course of last year. In this context, we commend the contributions of those African countries that have provided troops to MISAB and the substantial commitment of one member State of the European Union, France, in support. We welcome the continued commitment of these countries to participate in and support, together with others, the new United Nations operation, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA), which will shortly take over from MISAB. We applaud this new expression of United Nations readiness to act in the peacekeeping field.”
1998-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3867 (1998) · source
“The signing of the Bangui Agreements represented a major breakthrough in this process, and we pay tribute to the key role of regional leaders; the International Mediation Committee, under President Bongo of Gabon; and the International Monitoring Committee in this regard. The European Union also congratulates the Inter- African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) on the vital contribution it has made to the improvement in the security situation in the Central African Republic over the past year. The rapid and effective deployment of this mission in 1997 is an important example of a regional response to regional problems and demonstrates the professionalism and capabilities of African peacekeepers.”
1998-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3867 (1998) · source
“I have the honour to make the following statement on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - and the associated country Cyprus, as well as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country member of the European Economic Area Norway, align themselves with this statement. The European Union welcomes the significant steps which have been made towards stabilization in the Central African Republic following the breakdown of security and civil order in 1996.”
1998-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3867 (1998) · source
“It has opened the way to the trial in absentia, as permitted under French law, of the six suspects. The European Union notes also Libya's declaration that it no longer supports terrorism and the steps it has taken to end its support for terrorism. Nevertheless, Libya's failure to comply fully with the Security Council resolutions remains a serious obstacle in the way of the development of its relations with the international community. The requirements of Security Council resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) are clear. In the view of the European Union, only when Libya has complied fully with these requirements will sanctions be lifted.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The Court has not pronounced on the merits of the Libyan claim concerning the applicability of the Montreal Convention. Nor do these decisions affect the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, which remain in full force. Libya must comply with them as required by the Charter of the United Nations. Regarding the bombing of flight UTA 772, which resulted in the death of 170 people, the European Union notes that the cooperation with French judicial authorities finally satisfied most of the French demands, although some of them have still not been met. This cooperation enabled the investigating magistrate to make significant progress by giving him the opportunity to issue two additional arrest warrants for Libyan nationals and to complete the file of the inquiry.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The European Union notes that the report of the fact- finding mission to Libya has been sent to the sanctions Committee for consideration. The European Union welcomes the recent press statement by the Chairman of the sanctions Committee emphasizing the readiness of the sanctions Committee to continue to respond promptly to requests for humanitarian exemptions and its determination to continue to pay special attention to all humanitarian issues arising under the relevant Security Council resolutions, including those pertaining to religious obligations. Regarding the recent decisions of the International Court of Justice, the European Union notes that these decisions were procedural in nature and that the Court will consider the arguments on the substance of the cases in full before reaching a final judgment.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The European Union calls on the Libyan Government to comply fully with the resolutions of the Security Council, in particular to ensure the appearance of those charged with the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 for trial before the appropriate United Kingdom or United States court, as set forth in resolution 883 (1993). The European Union welcomes the recent report by independent legal experts appointed by the Secretary- General of the United Nations. Its findings make clear that the Scottish judicial system is fair and independent; that in this particular case the two accused would receive a fair trial in Scotland; and that their rights would be fully protected. The European Union also welcomes the offer of the United Kingdom to allow international observers to attend the trial in Scotland.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The European Union stresses the need to strengthen international cooperation between States, international organizations, agencies, regional organizations and the United Nations in order to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed. The decisions taken by the Security Council with regard to Libya were and remain guided by the desire to curb international terrorism and to ensure that justice is done. The European Union deeply regrets that, more than nine years after the bombing of Pan Am flight 103, with the loss of 270 lives, and six and a half years after charges were filed, those accused of this crime have still not been brought to justice.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“I have the honour to make the following statement on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - as well as the European Free Trade Association country member of the European Economic Area, Iceland, align themselves with this statement. The European Union reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms. Terrorism constitutes a threat to international peace and security.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“In terms of their lasting claims to justice, the victims do not, in the words of the poet, "go gentle into that good night", they "rage, rage against the dying of the light". Let those who have spoken today in favour of justice for the families and relief from sanctions for Libya prevail upon the Government of Libya to perform the simple act of handing over the two suspects as soon as possible, with all the guarantees that have been offered.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Indeed, an application by Libya that it should no longer be called upon to surrender the two accused because of these proceedings has already been rejected by the International Court, in a previous decision of 1992. I hope that today's debate will dispel some of the misrepresentations and distortions advanced by the Libyan Government in its efforts to avoid compliance with the resolutions of this Council. We should never lose sight of the original reason why sanctions were imposed. They were imposed because Libya refuses to give up for trial in Scotland or the United States the two Libyans who stand accused of the destruction of Pan Am flight 103, an act of mass murder which cost 270 innocent lives. Libya's attempts to justify that refusal are without force or credibility.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“It was not a decision that Libya, or for that matter the International Court of Justice, which has no jurisdiction to hear criminal cases, should try the case against them. Most importantly, it was not a decision that the Security Council resolutions under which Libya is obliged to surrender the two for trial in Scotland or the United States are invalid. These resolutions are unaffected by the Court's ruling and therefore remain in force. Despite all attempts to muddy the waters, the plain fact remains that Libya is under international obligations adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter, with which it has not yet complied. Libya's claims that the ruling relieves Libya of its obligations to hand over the two accused for trial in Scotland or the United States are simply false.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“This decision was just one stage in the judicial proceedings, with the main argument on the merits still to come. The United Kingdom Government will contest the next phase of this case vigorously: our argument on the binding nature of these resolutions and their overriding authority is one which has implications beyond the facts of this case and which should be of great concern for all those States that are anxious to uphold the authority of the decisions of this Council. That is what the Court's decision was about. Let me also remind Council members what it was not about. It was not a decision that Libya's claim was valid. It was not in any way a decision on the merits of the case against the two accused.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The Court decided on 27 February that this United Kingdom point is a substantive one and that it cannot be ruled on in a preliminary way; rather, the case should be considered at a full hearing. The Court decided: "Having established its jurisdiction and concluded that the application is admissible, the Court will be able to consider this objection [that is, the objection based on the authority of the Security Council resolutions] when it reaches the merits of the case". [5/1998/191, p. 80, para. 50] So what the Court has decided is that the substance of this question, concerning the interpretation of the Montreal Convention and the respective authority of the Convention and the resolutions of this Council, should be fully considered.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“What the Court decided was that it did have jurisdiction to decide on the merits of the Libyan case about the Montreal Convention. It did not decide that Libya's claims to try the case in Libya were justified, and there has been no decision on that question at all. The United Kingdom is arguing before the Court that this matter is governed by Security Council resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992) and 883 (1993), which oblige Libya to surrender the two accused for trial in Scotland or the United States. Obligations under the United Nations Charter - including compliance with binding Security Council resolutions - take precedence over any other alleged international obligations.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The sanctions Committee has declared its willingness to facilitate these arrangements again this year. And again in today's press release, the Committee reiterates that willingness, and its willingness to continue considering necessary humanitarian exemptions from the sanctions regime. Let me now comment briefly, Sir, on the recent decisions of the International Court of Justice. In his letter to you of 4 March, the Libyan Permanent Representative grossly misrepresents the facts. The decisions delivered by the International Court on 27 February were rulings on preliminary objections lodged by the United Kingdom and the United States to the Libyan claim before the Court that, under the Montreal Convention, it has the exclusive right to try the two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The facts are simple: there have been no problems with medical evacuations this year, nor have any medical evacuations been prevented in previous years when agreed procedures have been observed. Earlier this week the sanctions Committee repeated its willingness to increase the number of destinations for medical evacuations and to replace Libyan medical-evacuation aircraft. And in a press release from the Chairman of the Committee today, the Committee makes clear that it will consider all necessary steps to ensure that Libya has the means safely and expeditiously to perform medical evacuation flights. Similarly, the sanctions Committee has always shown its respect for the religious obligations of Libyan Muslims by facilitating arrangements to allow Libyan pilgrims to perform the Hajj.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Meanwhile, and again I quote Libyan official sources, Libyan gross domestic product went up by 6 per cent in 1997 and is predicted to go up a further 7 per cent this year. If there is any truth to the Libyan Government's statements about economic hardship, it might in the circumstances be more realistic to look for the causes, not in sanctions, but in policies. Mr. Petrovsky's report also clearly states that Libya is not making full use of the exemptions that already exist to respond to humanitarian emergencies. On medical evacuation flights, the United Nations Secretariat provides a 24-hour service to deal with requests for emergency evacuation flights every single day of the year.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Petrovsky, does not support these claims. Indeed, to claim that restrictions on air travel have a major humanitarian impact is, in itself, implausible. The sanctions in resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) have been carefully targeted to minimize their impact on the Libyan population. The vast majority of Libya's imports and exports are unaffected, including all medicines and other humanitarian supplies. I have also heard the suggestion that Libya's oil production is affected. Let me quote Libya's own figures that oil production in 1997 averaged 1.42 million barrels a day, up by 20,000 barrels a day from 1996, an increase that helped boost Libyan foreign currency reserves up to a comfortable $9.95 billion. Libya has one of the highest per-capita incomes on the African continent.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“The speediest and fairest route would be through the Scottish courts in Scotland. Moving the trial to a third country would be without precedent. It could offer to those who are looking to frustrate progress and justice another opportunity for prevarication and procedural delay. We have heard in the past from Libya that it cannot require the accused to stand trial in Scotland; it is worth remembering that in 1993 Libya said that it would encourage the accused to do so. Frankly, we dispute that contention. But assuming for one moment that it were true, why should Libya be better able to require them to attend a trial elsewhere? I turn next to sanctions. Libya is claiming that the Security Council's resolutions are unjust because of the impact of sanctions on their country. The report of the Secretary-General's own emissary, Mr.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“They also concluded that, contrary to Libyan claims, the accused would receive a fair trial under the Scottish judicial system, and that their rights during the pre-trial, trial and post-trial proceedings would be fully protected in accordance with international standards. Let me make it clear that for the trial itself in Scotland, the British Government would also welcome international observers, from the United Nations, from the Organization of African Unity, from the Arab League and, of course, from Libya. The independent United Nations experts concluded from their visit that their presence could be easily and fully accommodated. The OAU and the Arab League have stated that they wish to see justice done as soon as possible. On this specific point, the report of the Secretary-General's expert mission is quite clear.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source