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

“We believe it is essential for the Security Council to have a clear sense of MISAB's tasks so that it can effectively monitor their implementation. We therefore look forward to receiving further reports, as provided for in this resolution, on MISAB's progress and the longer-term prospects for the political process in the country. I resume my function as President of the Council. I now put to the vote the draft resolution contained in document S/ 1997/613. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Chile, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Guinea- Bissau, Japan, Kenya, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America The President: There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1125 (1997).”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“The initiatives taken on the Central African Republic to date clearly demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of African leadership in dealing with conflict and instability in the region, and the United Kingdom wishes to reaffirm its support for such initiatives. We note the success so far of MISAB's efforts in reducing the number of arms and heavy weaponry in the Central African Republic. This is a crucial task. But we remain concerned at the large amount of weapons still in circulation and the continuing danger this presents. In this regard, we believe it is essential that the scope of MISAB'S operations is clearly defined. This draft resolution helps to do this. We are grateful, too, for the information received so far, including in General Toure's report, on MISAB's activities to date and its future objectives.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“We welcome in particular the contribution of those countries that have provided troops to the Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements (MISAB), and the continuing French commitment to support the operation. We pay tribute to both the African and French soldiers who have lost their lives attempting to bring about peace and stability. We applaud the role of regional leaders and others in the current mediation efforts, and in particular the work of General Toure as Chairman of the International Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the Bangui Agreements. We believe that the United Nations Development Programme's support for the wider peace-building process is an important factor in the success of these efforts.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom recognizes the gravity of the situation in the Central African Republic and is concerned at the difficulties that the authorities there have experienced in maintaining public order following the recent series of army mutinies. While we are encouraged that a ceasefire has held since June, we are conscious of the continuing insecurity and tension in Bangui and of the risk that this instability may spread throughout the country and region. The United Kingdom believes that the priority must be to ensure that peace and stability are effectively restored, and in that regard we commend the efforts of the African and other States involved in the continued search for a peaceful settlement in the Central African Republic.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“I thank the representative of France for his statement and for his kind words addressed to the preceding presidency and to me.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote. There being no objection it is so decided. I shall first call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the voting.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“Members of the Council have before them identical letters dated 18 July 1997 from the Charge d'affaires ad interim of the Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and to the President of the Security Council, document 8/1997/561. Members of the Council also have before them document S/ 1997/613, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the Central African Republic, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Kenya. I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to document S/ 1997/543, which contains the text of a letter dated 7 July 1997 from the President of Gabon addressed to the Secretary-General. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mrs. Kpongo (Central African Republic) took a seat at the Council table. The President: The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Osvald for the great diplomatic skill with which he conducted the Council's business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. The situation in the Central African Republic Identical letters dated 18 July 1997 from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the Central African Republic to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and to the President of the Security Council (S/1997/561) The President: I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of the Central African Republic, in which she requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“I should like at the outset of the meeting to extend, on behalf of the Council, a warm welcome to the new Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Hans Dahlgren. We look forward to cooperating with him in the Council's work. Expression of thanks to the retiring President The President: As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of August, I should also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Peter Osvald, former Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of July.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“but has failed to translate these assurances into reality. The United Kingdom delegation believes that it is now time to remind Iraq, in a real but measured way, of its obligations to this Council and to the Special Commission. We believe that the draft resolution currently before us is reasonable, proportionate and focused, and for this reason my delegation has sponsored, and will be voting in support of, this text.”
1997-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3792 (1997) · source
“Otherwise we cannot know whether caches of equipment, documents, facilities, or entire programmes still exist of which we are unaware and which will therefore not be subject to monitoring. The Executive Chairman has told us that the organizations responsible for this concealment are closely linked to those responsible for the highest levels of national security in Iraq. It is thus clearly within UNSCOM'S mandate to investigate these organizations. If the Government of Iraq finds this uncomfortable, the remedy is in its hands. It must be completely open with the Special Commission and cease all obstruction and harassment. Only then can there be progress towards fulfilling the requirements of section C of resolution 687 (1991). Iraq has repeatedly assured this Council of its commitment to furnishing full cooperation to UNSCOM.”
1997-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3792 (1997) · source
“UN SCOM' s investigations have clearly demonstrated that from the outset the Government of Iraq has engaged in a coordinated attempt to conceal from the Special Commission the full extent of its activities, both before and after the passage of Security Council resolution 687 (1991), related to weapons of mass destruction. It is simply incredible for Iraq to claim that this campaign of concealment was the work of the late Hussein Kamil and a few associates. If this Council is ever to have confidence that Iraq has fully complied with resolution 687 (1991), it is essential that this mechanism of deception and concealment is fully exposed and brought to an end.”
1997-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3792 (1997) · source
“We continue to witness examples of non-cooperation on the part of Iraq, for example over UNSCOM Inspection 155 in July last year, the saga over the missile debris in December, the recent endangerment of UNSCOM. helicopters, and now these two latest incidents. The Executive Chairman of the Special Commission has declared that Iraq has violated the Joint Programme of Action and the sensitive site modalities drawn up by him in June 1996. He has appealed for the Council's support. We must heed his call. The measures proposed in this resolution are targeted and limited, but they are a clear demonstration of our support.”
1997-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3792 (1997) · source
“The Security Council is meeting today to respond to the latest in a series of incidents in which the Iraqi authorities have sought to impose conditions on the rights of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) - rights which are explicitly set out in resolutions of this Council. Such actions by Iraq are completely unacceptable; the Council is about to condemn them. The blockage of UN SCOM. inspections which occurred on 10 and 12 June is part of a clear pattern of concealment, harassment and obstruction aimed at limiting UNSCOM's access. This Iraqi campaign to prevent the Special Commission carrying out the mandate given to it by this Council is obviously directed from the highest levels in Baghdad.”
1997-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3792 (1997) · source
“Humanitarian crises do not belong under a separate heading or in a separate box with their own special rules and considerations. In response to such crises, the Council must create an overall strategy which addresses both the humanitarian symptoms and the underlying political causes. And in agreeing to any operation to provide protection for a humanitarian operation, the same conditions and criteria which apply to any United Nations peacekeeping operation must be observed.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Humanitarian agencies, which understandably have their own priorities, are not always or necessarily the most objective sources of advice for the wider considerations that the Council has to weigh and, if I dare say so, they are occasionally a little over-optimistic about what peacekeeping operations can achieve. Nonetheless, the views of agencies such as UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) obviously should be taken into account in elaborating the mandate and concept of operations. As the events of the last few years have shown, humanitarian crises, particularly large-scale refugee movements, often have consequences for regional and international peace and security. The Security Council has a responsibility to respond to these crises, but it cannot deal with them in isolation.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Where the Council does choose to authorize such an operation the normal lessons of multifunctional peacekeeping apply. There must also be a clear and proactive media policy for the operation, and close coordination between it and the humanitarian agencies, although the different actors will need to maintain their distinct identities. Where there is one, a special representative of the Secretary-General can play the key role in promoting such coordination. Fifthly, the Council must in the end itself be responsible for deciding the shape, format and objectives of any mission in support of humanitarian goals.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Once troops become involved in securing safe areas, protecting relief convoys or separating genuine refugees from armed elements, they are taking part in operations whose implications go well beyond the purely humanitarian. As Bosnia and Rwanda have shown, the maintenance of political neutrality and impartiality becomes extremely difficult. Fourthly, the Council must recognize that providing protection for a humanitarian intervention is not a soft option. The force has to be properly equipped to respond to the threats it may face, be given a clear and feasible mandate, and receive suitably robust rules of engagement. It may require heavily armed peacekeepers operating under Chapter VII auspices. All too often we have asked the military to do the impossible and failed to give them the resources they need.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Thirdly, the Council must recognize that helping to ensure a secure environment for humanitarian agencies or protecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance will often have political consequences. Wherever possible, intervention should be undertaken with the consent of the parties. Often, however, especially in intra-State conflicts, consent may not be forthcoming or will prove to be incomplete and unreliable. In such circumstances, a decision to provide protection for humanitarian assistance is almost by definition a political act. The mere deployment of armed troops will have consequences on the ground, freezing the political or military situation or altering the balance of forces.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Almost invariably their origins are political - often the results of intra-State conflicts which spring from bad governance, the repression of minorities, the violation of human rights and struggles over land and other natural resources. Humanitarian action can offer relief, but it cannot be a substitute for long-term political solutions. The Council must ensure that its response to an immediate humanitarian crisis is part of a broader strategic framework. Secondly, the Council must have up-to-date, accurate information on the situation on the ground. Unfortunately, such information is all too often lacking. More must be done to increase the range of information available to the United Nations and to ensure that the best use is made of it.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Congratulations, Mr. President, on your presence here today, which is welcome. The subject of today's debate is broad and the issues it raises are important, but it is difficult to deal with them in the abstract. Carefully worked out formulae and academic insights are of limited value when each situation the Council must face is different. Nevertheless the Council has had a good deal of experience in the last few years in dealing with complex humanitarian emergencies and there are lessons to be drawn from that experience. First, it seems to us the Council must take into account the underlying causes of these complex emergencies.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“The leaders of those parties must stop jockeying for power and concentrate on the needs of the people they are supposed to represent.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“The recent drought highlights the continuing need for humanitarian assistance. The United Kingdom has contributed Â£54 million to humanitarian relief in Somalia since 1991. We shall continue to do what we can to alleviate the situation there. But successful relief operations require the cooperation of the parties on the ground, including security, freedom of movement and the opening of seaports and airports. We have been concerned to hear of the problems which humanitarian agencies have encountered in Mogadishu and elsewhere. All the parties in that country have an obligation not only to step up their efforts to achieve peace, but also to ensure that the valuable work of the humanitarian agencies is not impeded.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“At its fifty-third session, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights also issued a statement welcoming regional efforts to promote a political dialogue. In the light of the efforts being made by Kenya, Ethiopia and others, we ourselves see no need for a new initiative on Somalia at this point. But it is vital to ensure that these various efforts are properly coordinated and fully complementary with each other. This is also the moment to recall that none of these efforts can succeed unless the leaders of the various parties in Somalia show the necessary political will. The main responsibility for achieving national reconciliation and for restoring peace rests with them. Here I agree with what my Chinese colleague has just said. Finally, I would like to say a word about the humanitarian situation.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“Participation of all the Somali parties, including those in the north-west, is necessary for the process of reconciliation to stand any chance of success. The Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Security Council have also shown their concern about the continuing conflict in Somalia and their support for regional and other efforts to initiate a political dialogue. In February the Secretary-General issued a report calling for more resources for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation in Somalia, expressing support for regional efforts to achieve a political settlement and calling on all States to comply with the arms embargo. In response, the Security Council issued a presidential statement firmly backing the approach set out by the Secretary-General.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“The conflict in Somalia has certainly gone on for far too long. But it is not fair to say, in our view, that the international community has forgotten Somalia. Numerous efforts have been made to bring the warring factions together. We welcome the part played by the Organization of African Unity, by the Arab League, by the European Union, by Egypt and by Italy. We attach particular importance to the regional efforts led by Kenya and Ethiopia. The Ethiopian- sponsored Sodere declaration and the Kenyan-sponsored Nairobi agreement can play a vital role in laying the foundations on which a political settlement can eventually be built. But it is important that the Nairobi and Sodere agreements are seen as complementary to each other.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“But to be able to continue to do this effectively we need both the resources and the ability to take timely decisions which will be followed by prompt action when required.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“We support his recommendation to extend the mandate of UNAVEM. III to 30 June 1997, and to deploy a United Nations observer mission in Angola thereafter. It is essential that the mandate of the observer mission is strong enough to enable it to be effective. We attach particular importance to the human rights element of it and to the mission having powers to investigate alleged abuses, as well as to the civilian police and public information programmes. Finally, to those who would question the value of the United Nations and the resources devoted to it, the work of UNAVEM. III, the largest current United Nations peacekeeping operation, is a reminder of the critical role which the United Nations can and does play in bringing conflicts to a peaceful resolution.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“In the meantime, we agree with the Secretary-General's recommendation that, as an interim measure, the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM. III) should continue to provide operational support to the mine-clearance programme, on a cost-reimbursable basis from the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, until the end of June. The Secretary-General refers to reports of Angolan involvement in the conflict in Zaire. We share his serious concern at these reports. The people of Angola know all too well the price of armed conflict. They must refrain from any action which would exacerbate conflict in Zaire. We agree with the Secretary-General that the international community must remain engaged in Angola until the goal of full implementation of the peace agreements is reached.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“They are spelled out in the Secretary-General's report (S/ 1997/304). We agree that programmes to incorporate UN ITA personnel into the Angolan army and the national police or to demobilize them should be accelerated. Getting State administration in place throughout the country is also a priority, and it is also important that the people of Angola can move around their country freely and that the exchange of goods is not impeded. We hope that rapid progress will be made on all of these outstanding issues and that they are not allowed to become new obstacles to the peace process. One obstacle to further progress on the free movement of people and goods in Angola is the enormous number of mines which have been laid during the conflict. We hope that the reported delays in the mine-clearance programme will be resolved soon.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“The new Government deserves our full support. These initial weeks and months are likely to be testing. Former adversaries have to learn to work together. A new team must get to grips with the responsibilities of government. UNITA has made the right decision in joining the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation. We trust they will now play a full and constructive part at all levels of the new Government and in the wider process of national reconciliation. We continue to believe that a meeting between President Dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi would be a welcome and visible signal of both leaders' commitment to making the new Government work for the benefit of all Angolans. In the immediate future, there are important political and military tasks which must be completed.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“We welcome the inauguration on ll April of the Angolan Government of Unity and National Reconciliation. This was a major step forward for the people of Angola. We would like to congratulate them on their determination to complete this essential stage of the peace process. We would like also to pay tribute to the work of Special Representative Maitre Beye and to the Secretary- General, whose Visit in March did much to help convince the parties of the Security Council's resolve on this issue. We agree with the Secretary-General's assessment that Angola is closer than ever before to a final settlement. The key now is to ensure that this forward momentum is maintained. Delays have characterized the Angolan peace process for far too long. Let us hope that they are now consigned to the history books.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“They share a common desire for peace in Afghanistan, and they should exploit the synergies between the aid effort and the political process. We applaud the work of the humanitarian agencies in Afghanistan. They are working tirelessly, often in dangerous circumstances, to help the victims of the conflict. The factions should respect the aid agencies, which are there are to help the Afghan people. The people of Afghanistan have suffered for too long. The international community should send a clear message that they want this spring to be a season of peace, not further fighting and misery. The United Nations Special Mission should intensify its efforts to find a solution. Its success depends on all States offering their full support, cutting off external support to the factions and continuing to provide aid to the people.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“We will continue to work with other donors to ensure that aid reaches all Afghans, regardless of gender and consistent with the approach of Security Council resolution 1076 (1996), which denounces discrimination against women and girls. We were glad to participate in the donors' meeting in Ashgabat in January, which reaffirmed this approach. We would encourage all agencies working in Afghanistan to continue to work to a single set of opportunity criteria in this respect. The meeting also agreed upon arrangements for improved United Nations coordination of humanitarian aid. These now need to be implemented in full. It also makes sense for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan and the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan to work closely together.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“A particular priority is rooting out the criminal drug culture which pervades Afghanistan and has an invidious effect beyond Afghanistan's borders. The factions are committed to working with the international community to tackle this problem. We expect those commitments to be honoured. For its part, the United Kingdom has donated Â£900,000 to the United Nations Drug Control Programme to combat drugs in Afghanistan, conditional upon the parties cooperating fully with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, and we have pledged a further Â£1 million. The United Kingdom remains one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. It donated Â£7 million in 1996-1997.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“It must also continue to work for a settlement which offers a fully representative, broad-based transitional government and preserves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. Peace cannot be lasting if the country is riven by ethnic divisions. All factions must be open to working together with others and to respecting the rights of different faiths and different ethnic groups. United Nations agencies can also discuss practical measures with the factions which can improve Afghanistan's future. The factions need to have a better understanding of the costs of war, the benefits of peace and the need for Afghanistan to play a constructive role in restoring stability to the region. These issues include health, demining, return of refugees and economic reconstruction.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“All States should give their full backing to the United Nations Special Mission and refrain from parallel initiatives which could cut across its efforts. We are concerned that the parties continue to receive arms from outside, despite the clear call in Security Council resolution 1076 (1996) for this to stop. The European Union has adopted an embargo on arms sales to Afghanistan, which has been supported by associate countries. Other countries should adopt a similar position of restraint. There can be no military solution which offers lasting peace in Afghanistan. We hope that the factions will learn this lesson without inflicting another round of fighting on the long-suffering Afghan people. The United Nations Special Mission's priority must be the negotiation of an immediate ceasefire.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“General Assembly resolution 51/195 described the United Nations as a universally recognized intermediary and set out its central and impartial role in seeking a peaceful solution. We fully endorse this description. Among their other achievements, we particularly applaud the success of Mr. H011 and the United Nations Special Mission in getting the Afghan parties together in Islamabad on two occasions in recent weeks. It is essential that the Special Mission be afforded every assistance in building on these contacts. It must be able to benefit from the influence of States in the region over different factions. We hope that the United Nations Special Mission's contacts with these States will intensify, as foreseen by General Assembly resolution 50/88.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“This Council last discussed the disturbing situation in Afghanistan in a formal meeting on 16 October last year. It is useful that we should do so again, particularly while we are able to take advantage of the presence of Mr. Holl, the Head of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, here in New York. The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the continued fighting in Afghanistan and at the suffering of its people. We hope that spring will prove to be the season for a peace offensive, not a military offensive. The continued search for peace remains vital. At the forefront of this search are Mr. H011 and the United Nations Special Mission. The United Nations Special Mission deserves the full support of this Council and all Member States.”
1997-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765 (1997) · source
“Road-building should take full account of the sensitivity of territorial issues in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the possible effects on final-status talks. The British Government has urged the Israeli Government not to proceed with its plans for a new settlement in East Jerusalem. This would only detract from the positive atmosphere created by the Hebron agreement and undermine the successful negotiation of final-status issues. The United Kingdom remains committed to the final-status negotiations as the means to a peaceful settlement. These talks are already hedged around with difficulties. Neither side should seek to complicate them further.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“If the Israeli Government shows signs that it is willing to change its hard-line stance, we would be willing toconsider a delay to Council reaction. But if the Israelis are determined to proceed, I believe this Council will, and should, be compelled to respond. We believe that the Israeli Government should honour its word not to build new settlements, including settlements in East Jerusalem. But this in itself is not sufficient. The Israeli Government must also halt the practice of enlarging settlement boundaries and confiscating Palestinian land. Building bypass roads to settlements can, on its own, alter the status of the occupied territories and thereby pre-empt the final-status negotiations. These roads have the effect of isolating Palestinian towns from one another.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“It is not reasonable to ask the Council to ignore this dangerous turn of events, claiming that action by the Council would only make matters worse. On the contrary, it is the responsibility of the Council to make clear to the Israeli Government that it must exercise caution and good sense so that the situation can be restored to a more even footing. It is not too late for the Israeli Government to suspend, or even rescind, its decision in principle to go ahead with Har Homa. There is no reason for the actual construction to start now. The previous Israeli administration postponed similar plans to build in that area, realising the danger such plans, if implemented, represented for all communities.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The strength Security Council 3745th meeting Fifty~second year 5 March 1997 of Palestinian feeling on this issue is understandable, but these feelings must be expressed peacefully and responsibly. We commend them for the restraint they have shown. Reciprocity, to which the Israeli Government attaches such great importance, should argue for equal restraint on their part in taking any action which will inflame the situation. Further provocative actions at this time, such as the closure of Palestinian institutions in the absence of clear evidence that they are Palestinian Authority institutions, cannot be sensible. Israel must bear any consequences of a decision to proceed with the construction of new settlements in East Jerusalem.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The United Kingdom, along with the vast majority of the international community. warmly welcomed the recent agreement reached between the two parties over withdrawal from Hebron. We hoped and believed that it represented a new impetus for peace. Now the Har Homa decision risks destroying the positive atmosphere created by the Hebron agreement. Whatever Israel's position on Jerusalem, it is not in Israel's interests to set back the Palestinian track in this way. We are struck by the wide degree of consensus across the whole international community following the Israeli decision to approve constructions at Hat Homa. The shared sense of dismay ought send a clear message to the Israeli Government to rethink where its current course is heading. We have urged the Palestinian Authority to do what it can to contain reactions among its people.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“For this reason, my delegation feels it is important to reaffirm our positions of principle on settlements, positions which are endorsed by almost the entire international community. Two facts stand out: first, as the British Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifldnd, made clear during a visit to Hebron on 3 November last year, all Israeli settlements in occupied territory are illegal under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This includes settlements in East Jerusalem. Secondly, settlement activities damage the peace process. Not only do they violate the spirit of the Oslo accords and theHebron agreement, they establish facts on the ground which prejudge the final status negotiations. In particular, we cannot condone actions which unashamedly change the status of Jerusalem ahead of those negotiations.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The international community has had to address itself to the situation in the occupied Arab territories on three occasions in recent months: the demolition of the Burj al Laqlaq centre in August 1996, the opening of the Western Wall tunnel in September, and now the announcement of the plan to undertake the construction of new housing units in the Hat Homa/Jahel Abu Ghneim area of East Jerusalem. Of course, we have also witnessed many encouraging developments over the same period, notably the signature of the Hebron agreement. Nevertheless, it is worrying that We have been forced to revisit this subject so often since last summer, and in response to what appear to be increasingly serious incidents The issue of settlements has become central to the whole Middle East peace process.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“We will continue to work to ensure an effective European Union contribution to the consolidation of democracy in Guatemala. Together with other members of the Security Council, we pledge our full support to the long-suffering people of Guatemala. They have put their past behind them; let us do everything possible to ensure that they now enjoy a peaceful and prosperous future.”
1997-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3730 (1997) · source
“That is why, as a sponsor of the draft resolution before us, the United Kingdom will vote in favour of its adoption, and we strongly hope that it will in fact be adopted, on the objective grounds that the proposed deployment is necessary and desirable. We should all measure up to our Security Council responsibilities over this. We look to both parties to the Agreement fully to implement their commitments, and to give the United Nations full cooperation in the verification of the ceasefire and demobilization of combatants. The United Kingdom has long been a firm supporter of the peace process in Central America. We have participated actively in the San J ose dialogue between the European Union and Central American States.”
1997-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3730 (1997) · source
“It is essential that, at this crucial juncture, the international community and this Council, in particular, should demonstrate the commitment to support the process of reconciliation in Guatemala. The United Kingdom, along with - as I understand it - all other members of the Council, agree with the Secretary-General that a rapid deployment of United Nations military observers is necessary in order to verify the ceasefire. The observer group has a clear mandate and exit strategy, as well as the consent of the parties. Authorization of such a deployment is clearly the responsibility of this Council.”
1997-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3730 (1997) · source