YouSaid · the spoken record

Kafando

lines on the record: 833
first: 1999-02-22
most recent: 2019-10-30
sittings or episodes: 129
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

“Regional organizations are closer to the theatres of conflict, have developed their mandates and have strengthened their institutions, thus becoming partners that the Council can no longer continue to ignore on the ground. The Security Council must now permanently make them part of its approach.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Moreover, and as noted in the Secretary- General's report dated 13 April 1998 on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, the United Nations could help the African Union develop its capacities for planning, launching and managing operations from its headquarters and could assist the African Union and subregional organizations in strengthening their capacity to control illicit weapons trafficking. In order to achieve that, the Security Council should first acknowledge that the decisions of regional organizations regarding peacekeeping matters are complementary to its mandate and actions.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Indeed, the United Nations can increase its support for the African Union in its peacekeeping and conflict prevention efforts by strengthening its capacity to guarantee stability in the post-conflict period, by enhancing its political, financial and technical support for the Union, as already recommended in the October 2004 report of the Secretary-General, and by supporting the implementation of the Protocol relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, which seeks to establish an early- warning and security system, particularly by helping the Union to create an African standby force, which would make it possible to react more swiftly.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In general, cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union takes various forms: technical support, which provides competent and experienced experts and technicians; and logistical support, which provides personnel and equipment, particularly in observation and peacekeeping missions. However, financial support is clearly insufficient; at present, it is virtually non-existent. The African Union has become an essential partner in managing peace and security on the African continent. It intends to continue to address that challenge. In order to do that, it needs the Security Council's support.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Such cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, imposed primarily by needs and circumstances, is the expression of mutual will. Thus, at a meeting in Nairobi in 2004, the Security Council had already insisted on the need for joint efforts between the two organizations to resolve conflicts on the continent and to promote lasting peace, development and stability in Africa. In addition, the Ouagadougou Agreement on Cote d'Ivoire recognizes the Organization's major role in its implementation and in supporting the parties throughout that process and recalls that the role of the Impartial Forces of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire and of Licorne remain essential for completing the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process and for the country's reunification.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“11 Thus, the referral and settlement of African conflicts now go through a logical process. It begins with consideration by decision-making bodies at the level of regional organizations and ends with the taking of a final decision by the Security Council. As proof of that, I need only refer to a current event: the political agreement between the Ivorian parties, which was first approved by the Mediation and Security Council of the Economic Community of West African States and then by the African Union Peace and Security Council before being submitted to the United Nations Security Council. So everything is occurring as if the conflict had already been sorted out at the subregional and regional levels. That enables the Security Council, as the final body, to reach a swift and consensual settlement.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso) (spoke in French): I wish to sincerely congratulate you, Mr. President, on the talent and skill with which the South African presidency has so admirably led the Security Council this month and on the choice of topic that you have put before us today. It is a subject of paramount importance, because African issues are among the Council's top priorities. Most of the issues that come repeatedly before the Security Council relate to the African continent and countries in conflict, including Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan-Darfur, or those emerging from conflict, such as Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The persistence of those conflicts has resulted in the establishment of close institutional cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Your colleague and friend, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, who would very much have wished to participate in this important debate but who was unable to travel at the last minute, has instructed me to convey this brotherly sentiment to you.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Above and beyond all those actions, it must be clearly understood that the maintenance of peace and security in West Africa is first and foremost the responsibility of the States and all the political actors there. In conclusion, I wish to commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, whose important statement will undoubtedly help deepen our understanding of the issue, and especially to better define the vital elements of any resolution of cross-border issues in West Africa. To you personally, Mr. President, we repeat how gratified we are with the exemplary way in which you represent us in the Security Council.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Still, in the area of cooperation, I must not forget the increasingly visible partnership with the European Union, particularly in the area of training, logistical support, assistance to post-conflict reconstruction and assistance in the humanitarian area. In February 2004 there was a consultation between the European Union and ECOWAS at Abuja, which led to the establishment of a common work programme with clearly defined objectives. We take this opportunity - even if voices of greater authority have already done so - to commend and thank all those of good will who thus helped our subregion find a better balance for tackling the only worthwhile objective: the battle for development.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Above and beyond the specific assistance given in the context of peacekeeping operations, I believe that I can state that in Liberia and Sierra Leone and now in Cote d'Ivoire, the United Nations has, more than any other organization, made a decisive contribution in the struggle against two major scourges in West Africa: first, against the circulation of small arms and light weapons, in the framework of the Bamako Moratorium - to which much reference has been made this morning; and secondly, against the use of child soldiers, whose plight has been vividly depicted for us by Mr. Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“We must acknowledge that the magnitude of the actions required and the tasks to be fulfilled places a considerable constraint on the preventive and development policies of States and obliges them to rely on international assistance, first and foremost that of the United Nations. The political and social consequences of the security situation and conflicts in West Africa have been thoroughly noted and studied in the successive reports of the Secretary-General. The Security Council itself became involved, including by dispatching a mission to the subregion in June 2004, a mission that reported exhaustively on the real situation prevailing in West Africa. Thus cooperation with the United Nations is encouraging and should be further strengthened with the admission of ECOWAS as an observer to the United Nations.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Even the bilateral commissions have offered opportunities to rethink the measures and actions undertaken to combat insecurity and instability in West Africa. But it is plain that much more needs to be done to promote and render safe the free movement of people and goods among member countries within the meaning of the ECOWAS Protocol to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, trafficking in children and the recruitment and use of child soldiers and other mercenaries. Manifestly, there is a need for more resolve and more means to put a stop to monetary extortion and brutal acts committed at the roadblocks and to end the activities of traffickers and thieves of all descriptions.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“President, are convinced, as we are, that the proper understanding and mastery of these phenomena will to a large extent determine whether stability and peace prevail in our subregion, thus enabling it to embark on genuine development. We recognize, as the report of the Secretary- General does, that the last decade was particularly trying for West Africa in terms of conflict, political crises and insecurity in all its forms. Nonetheless, there has been no lack of resolve and determination on the part of States or political leaders. Many of them have contributed with initiatives that have helped to rein in some forms of violence and banditry. Those initiatives include, among other factors, police cooperation and exchange of information among States and regular consultations among the authorities responsible for security issues.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso) (spoke in French): Mr. President, allow me to begin by welcoming you in our midst and congratulating you on the skilful way in which you are discharging your responsibilities as the head of this Council. It is a source of pride for us to see Benin presiding over the Security Council, a pride which is entirely understandable when one realizes that, in addition to being a neighbour, a brother and a friend of Burkina Faso, holding the same values and united in a common destiny within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Benin does us credit by its ardent and committed championing of the cause of peace. Thus we fully understand that in your term in the presidency of the Council, you should wish to present for our consideration the thorny topic of cross-border issues in West Africa. You, Mr.”
2005-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5131 (2005) · source
“Recently the High Commissioner on Human Rights, when speaking about the atrocities against and assassinations of civilians in the conflict in cote d'Ivoire, said that those responsible for atrocities in Cote d'Ivoire must remember that henceforth they are liable to judgement before the ICC. This anguished appeal by the primary person with responsibility for human rights throws light on the horrible tragedy being played out in Cote d'Ivoire, where civilians, often foreigners, suffer inhuman and degrading treatment and are subject to blind violence, summary execution and arbitrary arrest, on the basis of nationality, ethnic origin and religious intolerance. It is high time for the international community itself to become aware of this and shoulder its responsibilities to ensure better protection for civilians in that country.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“All those who violate humanitarian law, either by omission or by commission, must be responsible for what they have done. State parties to the Geneva Conventions have to include in their criminal legislation the punishable offences with regard to violations of the Conventions. States have the responsibility to seek persons accused of such violations and bring them to justice or to extradite them to a third country on the basis, of course, of the principle of universal competence, that is, regardless of the nationality of the offender or the place where the offence was committed. Soon this kind of recourse will be broadened to include the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is essential to punish violations of international humanitarian law in order to deter and punish serious breaches.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“if humanitarian intervention is, indeed, an unacceptable assault on sovereignty, how should we respond to a Rwanda, to a Srebrenica - to gross and systematic violations of human rights that offend every precept of our common humanity?" (A/54/2000, para. 217) The dilemma is a real one. Actually, everything depends on the circumstances and gravity of the situation. Most persons facing this classical tragedy have advocated a reasonable approach. In other words, if it is a planned genocide or a scheduled ethnic cleansing, either by the State or else because the State has been negligent or defiant, then it would be better to intervene, given the situation. But, there is one prerequisite. The Security Council, responsible for maintaining peace and security, must endorse such action. Finally, there is the problem of sanctions.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I would also mention the criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, which will shortly be supplemented by the Sierra Leone court and, especially, the International Criminal Court (ICC). Lastly, I would mention the very important part played by non-governmental organizations working with humanitarian matters. All of these players, in their own way and in solidarity, help to protect civilians in various armed conflicts. This debate on humanitarian protection brings up the controversy about the need for intervention. In a word, does protection of human rights take precedence over State sovereignty? The Secretary-General tried to respond to this point in his Millennium Report, in which he stated, .”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“How international humanitarian law is applied depends on how rigorously States try to ensure respect for that law, whether it be international or internal conflicts, the latter of course implying the adoption of appropriate national legislation. Applying international humanitarian law is a concern of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, two institutions that we commend and congratulate for their humanitarian work. However, with the many changes in the international order, and with the increase in the number of security issues, new actors have made their entrance onto the stage, primarily the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to whom we are greatly indebted for their commitment to human dignity.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that disregard and contempt for human rights have led to barbaric acts that outrage the human conscience. Let us be clear: what is involved here is human rights. Protecting civilians in armed conflict means taking up the cause of human rights, particularly in a world where the idea of ethnic cleansing has increasing currency. The duty - or, rather, the responsibility - to provide protection is a sacred duty incumbent upon States and parties to a conflict. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions are bound by a number of legal provisions whereby violations of international humanitarian law can be punished by sanctions.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“How could one forget the tragedies experienced in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi and other countries? Closer to home, we stand by helpless - if not resigned and aloof - as tragedies unfold in Cote d'Ivoire, where killing fields have been discovered where most of the victims were immigrant workers from the subregion. Both sides accuse and blame one another, but that hardly matters. Above and beyond their contemptible and heinous nature, such actions must be condemned and punished. Protection is supposed to be provided to civilian populations, particularly foreign civilians, who have nothing to do with the conflict in that country.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“However, the Geneva Conventions codify conflicts and provide special legal protection for civilians. Current conflicts, especially domestic ones, are usually attributed to political demands or opposition. Their main characteristic today is that civilians, who are potential targets, are extremely vulnerable in those conflicts. For example, many domestic conflicts are merely a way of settling ethnic or tribal rivalries and acting on feelings of religious intolerance. Or, they may just be a way of getting rid of foreign minorities who have been made scapegoats of political or economic failure. We know that zealous efforts to crush uprisings and opposition often lead political regimes to order, or cover up, excesses and atrocities against civilians. There are many examples of that type of reaction in quite a few African countries.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso) (spoke in French): The topic that you, Madam President, have chosen for today's debate, namely, the protection of civilians in armed conflict, was a well chosen and timely subject, given the alarming events taking place throughout the world, and in Africa in particular. My delegation would like to thank you for giving us this opportunity to share our thoughts on this subject with the members of the Security Council. First of all, however, we would like to congratulate you, Madam President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council, and to say how admirably you are discharging your duties. We also wish to extend our gratitude to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China. Every armed conflict necessarily takes its toll of victims.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“When dealing with the elusive subject of international terrorism, no one speaker can be exhaustive. Only by sharing ideas and bringing together our proposals will we be able to take a decisive step towards the eradication of international terrorism.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Burkina Faso, which, together with other nations, is firmly committed to this struggle, has already submitted to the Counter-Terrorism Committee its report on measures taken by my country to combat terrorism. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and the members of the Committee, for the remarkable work that they have already done; the results are already evident. Finally, everything must be done to prevent the use, by terrorists, of weapons of mass destruction. Armed only with pocket knives, they managed to cause the destruction of the twin towers. What would happen if they had weapons of mass destruction? Such are the few thoughts that today's debate inspired.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“We were stunned to learn that, before the attacks of 11 September, the main instigators had met several times in major European cities in order to plan their crimes, right under everyone's noses. Secondly, it is essential to strengthen inter-State cooperation in this regard, especially in the area of information exchange. This is one of the most reliable preventive measures we can take to thwart terrorist plots. It is thanks to such cooperation that two of the major plotters of the 11 September attacks were neutralized in Karachi on 11 September 2002. In this respect, the establishment by the United Nations of the Counter-Terrorism Committee has made it possible today to centralize the important and valuable information transmitted by more than 175 countries.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“First, it is the duty of States that have not yet done so to bring their national legislation into line with the needs of combating international terrorism. For instance, in Africa, under the aegis of the African Union, the Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism has just attained the necessary number of ratifications to enter into force. The African Union conference on terrorism recently held in Algiers also served to strengthen the legal arsenal in this regard by adopting additional protocols to that Convention. Adapting national laws to the needs of the moment should be aimed at enhancing the vigilance of police and security services, including through careful border controls.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“It is not something that can be carried out by a single State or by a group of States, regardless of their power. This is something that involves us all, and it is for that reason that we believe that the appropriate framework to pursue this effort and to achieve success is the United Nations, which is the super-national Organization par excellence with the responsibility of guaranteeing international security. Any solitary undertaking runs the risk of becoming an exercise in adventurism. That indeed was the warning of the Secretary-General when he said that "Even the most powerful countries know that they need to work with others, in multilateral institutions, to achieve their aims". (A/57/PV.2) In our view, the anti-terrorism strategy must be based on the following three imperatives.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“At the same time, the financial networks of that terrorist organization have been replaced. Al Qaeda reportedly continues to receive funds from the personal inheritance of Osama bin Laden and from the proceeds of his investments. That is to say nothing of the fact that, according to United Nations experts, the financing of terrorism continues to benefit from the support of many financial intermediaries and Islamic charitable organizations. The Swiss prosecutor general, inquiring into the banking activities of terrorists in his country, has stated that most of Al Qaeda's financial assets have been converted into gold and diamonds and are now beyond the reach of banks. Like the phoenix of Greek mythology, terrorism always rises from its ashes. Let us make no mistake: the battle we have decided to wage will be long and difficult.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Immediately after the events of 11 September, most States strengthened their national legislation with regard to combating terrorism. On the multilateral level, the United Nations has taken a decisive role in this crusade by adopting resolutions on the question and by establishing the Counter-Terrorism Committee. Impressive resources have also been mobilized in this effort. Despite all those efforts, however, there is still much to be done. The fall of the Taliban regime and the destruction of their sanctuary in Afghanistan, as well as the arrest of some terrorists, and their detention, including at Guantanamo, have not yet served to eradicate the Al Qaeda organization, which continues to defy the world by threatening to carry out biological terrorism.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Until that time, this had been for all of us something that happened to other people. The barbaric acts we witnessed for over a decade in Algeria and those in Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam, Egypt and other places had theretofore been reported as news briefs and events that barely intruded on our tranquillity. But today, in both our collective and individual memories, terrorism represents a terrible reality and a real wound; so much so that some even avoid using the term terrorism because of its emotional resonance. What is important is that we have decided to combat this scourge collectively and resolutely. The anti-terrorist effort begun last year mobilized the entire international community, which is now united in a spirit of survival. Not since the anti-Nazi coalition has the world had such a keen awareness of a common enemy.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso) (spoke in French): It is both a pleasure and a source of pride for me to see you, Sir, presiding over this important body. As you are well aware, these sentiments are first and foremost due to the very strong personal ties that bind us, as well as to my delegation's confidence that, under your presidency, the Security Council will surely carry out useful work. That confidence is also borne out by our knowledge of your thoroughness, competence and sense of duty. We would also like to congratulate your predecessor, Ambassador Tafrov, on having presided over the work of the Council last month with such great skill. It took the disaster of 11 September 2001 for the entire world to comprehend the tragic and hideous nature of terrorism in all its dimensions.”
2002-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption2 (2002) · source
“We are not against this, a priori, but we remain convinced that other investigations are pointless as long as we do not set up a permanent international mechanism that could guarantee continuous monitoring for follow-up of sanctions as decreed by the Security Council. In its final recommendation, the Panel of Experts came to the same conclusion, a point which many speakers have made here. Burkina Faso fervently hopes that this recommendation will receive the closest attention. In conclusion, I should like, on behalf of my country and my Government, to pay tribute to the Security Council for its foresight and wisdom in the exercise ofits work.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Indeed, in paragraph 165 of the report in S/2000/1l95, the experts state that "Throughout its work, the Panel was struck by the widespread breaking of Security Council sanctions on both weapons and diamonds." Consequently, instead of continuing to accuse certain Member States, the Security Council, as the guarantor of international peace, should, with the cooperation of regional and subregional organizations and based on lessons drawn from the two reports, on Sierra Leone and on Angola, organize better monitoring of the traffic in diamonds, arms and related materials. We believe that the suggestions made by the Panel of Experts are worthy of interest. The Security Council, through resolution 1336 (2001) of 23 January 2001, decided to extend for three months the mandate of the Monitoring Mechanism.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to study the report (S/2000/ll95) on Sierra Leone, which also refers to that monitoring mechanism, which was greatly welcomed and hailed as exemplary. I should like to thank those friendly States that have expressed their readiness to help us in its implementation and functioning. I have undertaken a minor exercise that has led me to form an idea of the number of countries referred to in the report of the Monitoring Mechanism: those that are clearly implicated and those that are referred using the subtle euphemism, "sensitive" countries, of which there are about 40. If we add to that observation the judgement of the Panel of Experts on Sierra Leone - a judgement that, by analogy, can be equally applied to the case of Angola - it should not be so easy to accuse any particular country.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Subsequently, again on the basis of a list provided by the United Nations, a further order added six more UNITA officials to the initial list of undesirable persons. This refutes the claims in paragraph 95 of the report. The suggestion that, despite the steps taken by the Government, certain UNITA officials are still in Burkina Faso, remains in the realm of hypothesis. Other measures that I could mention include the governmental communique of 12 March 2000, firmly condemning UNITA; the decree of 27 October 2000 banning, throughout the territory of Burkina Faso, transactions in precious stones and metals that originate in conflict zones; and the creation of a high- level authority to monitor the import and use of arms by the Government of Burkina Faso, which is under the supervision of the United Nations.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Furthermore, that commitment has been supported by a series of concrete measures undertaken by the Government of Burkina Faso as a guarantee of its good faith and full readiness to cooperate. Indeed, immediately after the appearance of the first report on Angola, an inter-ministerial committee was set up by presidential decree to follow up on sanctions against UNITA, with the express mission "to work towards the follow-up and implementation of United Nations sanctions against UNIT ". Article 1 of the order implementing that decree bans the entry into Burkina Faso of any Angolan nationals who are not on official mission under instruction from the Angolan Government. On the basis of a list of names provided by the United Nations, article 2 of the order prohibits the entry of 83 UNITA officials.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“In order to clarify matters for the Council, it may be worth highlighting the fact that my country has worked harmoniously and in close cooperation with the Panel of Experts led by Ambassador Juan Larrain. The team itself can certify that during its two visits to Burkina Faso it carried out its activities with full independence and without any obstruction or hindrance. By working in that way we wanted to show and attest to the fact that our decision to cooperate fully with the United Nations was not taken lightly but was a genuine commitment on our part to help to resolve not only the question of Angola but all other crises that seriously compromise international peace and security.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“President. Those relations have always been quite excellent. This meeting of the Security Council is being held to consider the final report of the Monitoring Mechanism on sanctions against UNITA. As we know, some of the report's conclusions concern my country. After reading the report carefully, it did not seem to us absolutely necessary to go into great detail or to indulge in any sort of polemics. We would therefore simply like to take note of the report, as we did with regard to the report of the Panel of Experts on Sierra Leone - especially because we feel everything has been said through our various exchanges with the United Nations.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso) (spoke in French): Before getting to the point of my statement, I must pay tribute to you, Mr. President, for the seriousness, competence and spirit of self-sacrifice with which you are so honourably carrying out your difficult responsibilities as President of the Security Council. Like your predecessor, Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani, to whom we would like to reiterate our sincere congratulations, you have brought your own style to your mission by essentially giving pride of place to such issues of major interest as the situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone and Western Sahara, as well as to the problem of peace-building and the question of relations between the United Nations and regional organizations. I need not dwell on the quality of relations between your country and mine, Mr.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“To put it mildly, my Government thinks that the best reward for our total commitment to cooperate with the United Nations would be to close the past chapter in order to give the present and the future a chance. In conclusion, Mr. President, and without prejudice to decisions that your Council will be taking in due course following its deliberations on the report of the Panel of Experts, we wish to convey thanks to those who have understood us and even supported us and to those who have not spared us when it came to criticizing us. You are all entitled to our respect, because all of you, in your own way and according to your view of the objective facts and of fairness, have done your duty.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It is precisely in the light of all ofthese efforts by my country that it is really difficult for us to understand the recommendations contained in paragraph 35 of the report. According to these recommendations, the Panel of Experts recommends new investigations into the import of weapons by Burkina Faso over the last five years - that is to say, well before the Council's seizure of the question of Sierra Leone, because the first resolution on Sierra Leone dates back to 1997. Frankly, we do not understand the reasons behind this recommendation, which does not offer any encouragement to the steps taken by my country, but what is more, it does not contribute at all to trying to find a solution to the Sierra Leonean crisis.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It is understood, furthermore, that the United Nations would be informed of how weapons acquired by Burkina Faso would be used under our national budget and that any movement of weapons would be the subject of prior communication to the United Nations Secretariat. So, in brief, this is the substance of this measure that we hope will remove, once and for all, any ambiguity and will allay any suspicion about us. Very few States would be prepared to subject themselves to this action, which is tantamount to infringement of sovereignty. Burkina Faso did so to prove its staunch resolve to contribute to the implementation of Security Council resolutions and any other measures that seek to guarantee peace and security in Africa and in the world.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Under the terms of the decree, the mechanism is governed by a high authority consisting of members of the Government and the Parliament - that is, the National Assembly and the Chamber of Representatives - which is authorized, under United Nations supervision, to "monitor any import of weapons by the Government of Burkina Faso, in strict conformity with the relevant provisions of the ECOWAS Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons, also in strict conformity with the rules governing public contracts, as well as procedures for the issuance of final destination certificates and the drafting of the import manifest. The High Authority is also authorized to prevent any illicit trafficking in weapons in the territory of Burkina Faso".”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“But the most important and decisive step by far was the one that followed from the decision taken by Burkina Faso to establish a mechanism to monitor the importing and utilization of weapons, a mechanism which will be established for a period of three years under United Nations supervision. Furthermore, I can announce to this Council that the decree that established this mechanism and which defined its juridical nature and regime, as well as the modalities for its functioning, has just been adopted by the governmental council at its meeting of 24 January 2001. A letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations proposes that both sides, Burkina Faso and the United Nations, get together to determine the political and technical structure under which this mechanism could be formalized.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Shortly after, we welcomed three successive investigative missions to Ouagadougou from the United Nations, the first two concerning Angola and the latter Sierra Leone, to which our Government gave total freedom and full facilities for conducting their work. They were allowed to visit and even to photograph military warehouses. They were allowed to question whomever they wanted, and, of course, they were allowed to have working meetings with the inter-ministerial committee. In a word, Burkina Faso, a nation which respects freedom and is now open to democratic values and requirements, gave every leeway to your missi dominici freely to accomplish their duty.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The first step was to set up an inter-ministerial committee on 22 March 2000 to follow up sanctions against UNITA. Article 1 of the enabling legislation stipulates "the general authority for the follow-up and implementation of Security Council resolutions". The immediate consequence of this regulation was that nationals of Angola and Sierra Leone, with the exception of those on official mission from the legal Governments of these countries, would be prohibited from entering, transiting or residing in Burkina Faso. Subsequently, the Government prohibited, according to a decree issued on 27 October 2000, any transactions involving precious stones and metals coming from conflict areas throughout the whole ofthe national territory of Burkina Faso.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Accordingly, we deem it, to put it mildly, inappropriate to try to argue the case once again and to put us on the defensive. Wisdom and the determination to try to find a solution to the question incline us merely to take note ofthe final report ofthe Panel of Experts. One of the objectives of the Security Council, when it assigned the investigation mission to the Panel of Experts, was to encourage incriminated countries to attest to their good faith and their total willingness to cooperate with the United Nations. That is how we understood the message, and that is how we translated it in the various steps taken by my Government to show our full willingness and firm resolve to work with the United Nations transparently and honestly.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source
“As everyone knows, this report concerns us, and I should therefore like, on behalf of my Government, to make a brief statement in this respect. Since the very beginning, Burkina Faso's position has been well-known, having been set forth in detail - first, during the initial hearings on Sierra Leone diamonds last July at the United Nations; then during the various discussions with members of the Panel during their investigative missions in our country; and again in London last December, where, during the intergovernmental meeting on conflict diamonds, we had an opportunity once again to make our position clear. Finally, in the broader context of the General Assembly, we recently participated in a debate on the role of conflict diamonds, which resulted in the adoption of resolution 55/56, which we co-sponsored.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264Resumption1 (2001) · source