YouSaid · the spoken record

Kalomoh

lines on the record: 115
first: 2001-11-15
most recent: 2006-12-06
sittings or episodes: 13
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

“I have the great pleasure to present the draft annual report of the Security Council for the 2 period 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006, to be submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to Article 24, paragraph 3, and Article 15, paragraph 1, of the Charter of the United Nations. The factual information contained in the draft report before the Council was prepared by the Secretariat in accordance with the provisions of the note by the President of the Security Council of 22 May 2002, contained in document S/2002/199, and now incorporated in the note by the President of 19 July 2006, contained in document S/2006/507. The draft report before the Council provides a guide to the activities of the Council in a concise and comprehensive manner. Of particular interest is the introduction to the report, which was prepared by the delegation of France.”
2006-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5578 (2006) · source
“The process underscores the fact that dialogue remains the most effective way to reach consensus, and consensus is in turn the most effective means of ensuring stability and national unity in Lebanon. We encourage the Lebanese parties to maintain their commitment to this dialogue as a means through which Lebanon addresses both its national priorities and international commitments. Let us hope that their efforts will continue to bear fruit, thus sending a message throughout the region that peaceful dialogue is indeed the only way forward.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“The interest in negotiations recently expressed by both acting Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas should be seriously explored. Thirdly, despite the gulf between the parties, they and the international community share a common interest and duty to prevent a security or humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. In this context, and while mindful of Israeli security concerns, we would observe that the extended closure of Gaza has caused real hardships. Finally, the beginning of the national dialogue in Lebanon is an historic and positive development. All the political leaders of the country have come together without any external prodding for an open discussion of issues of national concern. Notable progress has been achieved.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“First, while the programme of the new Palestinian Government shows signs of evolution from Hamas' deeply disturbing record and covenant, the Government should, as President Abbas has urged, reassess its positions on the Quartet's principles and President Abbas' platform of peace, if the aspirations of the Palestinian people for peace and statehood are to enjoy the strong international support they deserve. Secondly, as we await the formation of a new Israeli Government, we must recall that if the prospect of a viable Palestinian State in the framework of a two- State solution is seen to dwindle because of unilateral Israeli action, it will become even more difficult to persuade Palestinians that there is anything to be gained from moving toward a compromise.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“The situation along the Blue Line has remained quiet, although there has been continuing concern regarding the potential for instability. The Israeli authorities reported concern over a possible operation by HizbolIah against Israeli targets. The Secretary-General has appealed to the leaders of Israel, Lebanon and Syria to do their utmost to maintain calm, the importance of which cannot be overstated, particularly at this time. Allow me to conclude with these brief observations.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“As the Council is aware, in 2000 the Security Council confirmed the Secretary-General's assessment that the Shab'a Farms lie in an area occupied by Israel in the 1967 war and thus do not fall within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) area of operation and the purview of resolution 425 (1978), but rather of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). However, as is stated in the Secretary-General's report of 22 May 2000 (S/2000/460), the line of withdrawal identified by the United Nations is to be "without prejudice to future border agreements between the Member States concerned". A national dialogue is now concentrating on the issue of the presidency and on reaching a national consensus on the weapons of Hizbollah.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“Discussions so far have led to important consensus on certain issues, including the international investigations into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others, a court of an international nature to try the assassins, and rebuilding Lebanese-Syrian relations on the basis of non-interference and mutual respect with a view to establishing full diplomatic relations. Consensus has also emerged on how to address the question of Palestinian weapons. In this regard, Prime Minister Siniora was tasked with making direct contact with President Assad to discuss the way forward. The two leaders had an initial meeting on this issue in Khartoum, on the margin of the Arab summit. Participants in the dialogue also agreed to initiate a process through which to identify the Shab'a Farms as Lebanese.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“He thanks the Government of Israel for the material and technical support it has provided to the Palestinian Authority. Additional assistance from the international community to the Palestinian Authority is required. Let me now turn to developments in Lebanon. In Lebanon, political leaders have been engaged since 2 March in a national dialogue to address major issues affecting their country, including the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004).”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“The United Nations system is working closely with both parties to contain this crisis. The Food and Agricultural Organization is dealing with the Palestinian Minister for Agriculture, and the World Health Organization is encouraging and coordinating donor response and is supporting the Palestinian Minister for Health in addressing potential cases of human infection. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the World Bank are examining options for distributing cash compensation to farmers. Avian flu is affecting the whole region, including Israel. The Secretary-General welcomes the cooperation among the region's Governments to combat this serious problem and arrest the spread of the disease.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“The closure of Karni also seriously affected the export of produce from Gaza, including from greenhouse installations, previously operated by Israeli settlers, that had been preserved with international support. Some $5.2 million in potential exports were destroyed after perishing before they could be exported. On 26 March the export of goods was permitted for the first time in two weeks. The continuous operation of the Karni commercial crossing, as envisaged in last November's Agreement on Movement and Access, remains vital to Gaza's economic viability and social welfare. As in neighbouring areas of Israel, avian flu has recently been confirmed in two locations in Gaza and is suspected in two other locations in the Strip. An estimated three million birds are affected.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“On March 25, a Palestinian teenager was killed in one such bombardment. Israel reported that its security measures prevented a number of terrorist attacks during the month. Let me now address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Citing security concerns, Israel has closed the Karni crossing into Gaza for 46 days since the beginning of the year. As a consequence, stocks of basic food commodities, including wheat flour, have been severely depleted. The crisis peaked between 17 and 21 March, when bakeries were forced to close and food rationing was introduced. Since then, Karni has reopened to allow over 1,300 truckloads of food to enter Gaza, and stocks of basic commodities are stabilizing.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“Israel was on high security alert during most of the reporting period, and both Israelis and Palestinians suffered from violence. An Israeli civilian was killed and another injured in separate shooting incidents in the northern West Bank on 1 March. A 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in an operation in the Ein Bitilma refugee camp on 3 March, where another teenager was injured. On 6 March a targeted action by Israel against two alleged Palestinian militants in Gaza killed three Palestinian children, including two brothers, and injured eight other passersby. Rockets continued to be launched by Palestinians from Gaza into Israel throughout the month, including, for the first time, a Katyusha rocket on 28 March, and Israel continued to fire artillery at rocket launching sites and bombarded the access routes leading to them.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“That policy has already led Israel to freeze the transfer to the Palestinian Authority of Palestinian customs and VAT revenues amounting to approximately $50 million per month, notwithstanding the provision of the Paris Protocol on the subject. Allow me now to report on security developments. Members of the Council have already been briefed on the events in the Jericho prison on 14 March and the reaction in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as on the efforts of the Secretary-General, among others, to ensure that the situation did not escalate and that calm was restored. President Abbas has demanded the immediate return of many of the prisoners. Israel, on the other hand, has indicated that it intends to hold and try them for their alleged crimes.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“According to statements made during the campaign, Israel would stand ready to proceed unilaterally should it judge that negotiations with the Palestinian side were not possible. President Abbas, for his part, has rejected unilateral measures and has indicated his desire to enter into negotiations with Israel at the earliest opportunity. Acting Prime Minister Olmert said on election night that "if the Palestinians are wise enough to act, then in the near future we will sit together at the negotiating table to create a new reality. If they do not, Israel will take its destiny in hand". In that context, it remains to be seen whether Israel will adhere to its stated policy holding that the entire Palestinian Authority, including the presidency, has become a terrorist entity.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“According to provisional results, the new Kadima party, led by Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, emerged with 28 seats in the Knesset, followed by Labour with 20 seats, Shas with 13, Yisrael Beiteinu with 12 and Likud with 11. The remaining seats were shared by smaller parties. Mr. Olmert stated during the campaign that only parties committed to the so-called convergence plan that he outlined would be invited to join a Kadima-led coalition Government. This plan involves withdrawal from parts of the West Bank, combined with the annexing of major settlement blocs, with the stated goal of setting Israel's permanent borders by 2010. Officials have indicated that important details of the convergence plan remain to be worked out and that Israel would seek international support for it.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“The Quartet concurred that there inevitably will be an effect on direct assistance to that Government and its ministries. "The Quartet encouraged continued humanitarian assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people. The Quartet noted in that context the importance of improved movement and access." The Palestinian Authority continues to be unable to meet its financial obligations. Although the Authority's salary payments were made in February, the Authority was unable to pay $15 million to $20 million in unemployment and other social benefits. Depending on the honouring of pledges made at the Arab League summit, a financing gap of approximately $60 million exists for March salaries. I now turn to Israeli political developments. Israeli elections were held two days ago.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“It will be recalled that the Quartet and the Security Council have called on the new Government to commit to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the road map. This morning the Quartet principals issued a statement, which included the following: "The Quartet welcomed President Abbas's call for the new Palestinian Government to commit to a platform of peace and, having carefully assessed the programme of the new Government approved on 28 March, noted with grave concern that the new Government has not committed to the principles spelled out on 30 January 2006. "The Quartet recalled its View that future assistance to any new Government would be reviewed by donors against that Government's commitment to the principles outlined above.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“It does not, however, acknowledge the status of the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people or the basic tenets of its 1988 declaration of independence, as requested by Fatah and other parties in discussions on a national unity Government. The following priorities are identified in the programme: all matters related to the occupation, the provision of security, improvement of the economic situation, internal reform and fighting corruption, reinforcing the status of the Palestinian cause in the Arab and Islamic worlds and developing international relations to serve Palestinian interests.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas swore in the new Government on 29 March on his return from the Arab League summit in Khartoum, which reaffirmed the commitment of the Arab States to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. The summit also reaffirmed support for the road map. President Abbas had earlier written to Mr. Haniyeh to express his concern at the draft Government programme prepared by Hamas and to ask him to align the programme with that of the Palestinian presidency. The programme subsequently outlined by Prime Minister Haniyeh in his speech before the PLC expresses its respect for the constitutional relationship with President Abbas and its honouring of the relationship with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on the basis of respect for their respective constitutional mandates.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“Mr. Kalomoh: I thank you, Mr. President, for inviting the Secretariat to provide this briefing. The past month has seen major political developments in the Middle East: the establishment of a new Palestinian Government following the elections in January, the conduct of a general election in Israel, and the beginnings of an important national dialogue in Lebanon. Two days ago, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) approved, by 71 votes to 36, the new Palestinian Government, led by Mr. Ismail Haniyeh and comprising Hamas members and independents. The vote followed two months of discussions on the possibility of forming a national unity Government, which did not bear fruit.”
2006-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5404 (2006) · source
“For all these reasons, civil society organizations would have an important role to play in the deliberations of the Peacebuilding Commission. "The 2005 world summit produced some remarkable commitments from Member States. However, for these words to be turned into action, and for prevention and peacebuilding strategies to become more effective, all actors - Governments, international financial institutions, regional organizations and civil society - need to work together as partners. "I am committed to doing my part, and I urge you all to do yours."”
2005-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5264 (2005) · source
“"Civil society is often far out in front of us in identifying new threats and concerns. This is certainly one of its most important roles. Civil society organizations are also indispensable in 'track-two' and 'people-to-people' diplomacy, which is often integral to successful official diplomacy and post-conflict political and reconciliation processes. At times, they can reach parties on the ground that Governments or the United Nations cannot reach. "Civil society organizations can also complement the work of the United Nations by offering valuable analyses originating in the field, by forging partnerships to implement United Nations decisions, by increasing the sustainability of United Nations operations and by creating networks to advocate for peacebuilding.”
2005-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5264 (2005) · source
“Last June's hearings marked a new and welcome step forward in United Nations-civil society relations. So did the Conference on the Role of Civil Society in the Prevention of Armed Conflict and Peacebuilding, held in New York last July, where 500 representatives from civil society around the world gathered to adopt an action agenda. "My message to you today is simple: civil society's role in conflict prevention needs to be fully recognized. Both the United Nations and regional organizations have to do more to tap into civil society's comparative advantages, namely a strong local presence and experience. Local ownership and participation are essential for the success of peace processes, be it conflict prevention, peacemaking or peacebuilding. Dialogue, transparency and accountability must remain a priority.”
2005-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5264 (2005) · source
“Mr. Kalomoh: First of all, I would like to apologize on behalf of the Secretary-General, who, due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, is unable to deliver his statement at this important meeting. He has asked me to do so on his behalf, and I have the pleasure of delivering that statement. "Last week, world leaders renewed their commitment to promote a culture of prevention of armed conflict as a means of effectively addressing the interconnected security and development challenges of our time. They also pledged to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations for the prevention of armed conflict. And they decided to establish a Peacebuilding Commission that will play a key role in preventing the recurrence of armed conflict. "Civil society made a significant impact on the process leading to the summit.”
2005-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5264 (2005) · source
“Of particular interest is the introduction to the report, which contains an analytical summary of the work of the Council for the period covered by the report.”
2005-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5262 (2005) · source
“The draft annual report of the Security Council for the period 1 August 2004 to 31 July 2005, to be submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to Article 15, paragraph 1, and Article 24, paragraph 3, of the United Nations Charter, has been prepared by the Secretariat in accordance with the revised format agreed upon by the Security Council in 2002. The draft report, in the format before the Council, provides a guide to the activities of the Council in a concise manner. In that connection, I should like to note that this is the fourth report prepared in accordance with the provisions of the note by the President of the Security Council of 22 May 2002 (S/2002/199), which were aimed at enhancing the quality of the report and accommodating the views expressed on the previous format.”
2005-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5262 (2005) · source
“Of particular interest is the introduction to the report, which contains an analytical summary of the work of the Council for the period covered by the report. A corrigendum containing changes made by some Council members is also before the Council. I believe and hope that Council members will find the report helpful.”
2004-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5044 (2004) · source
“It gives me great pleasure to present to the Council the draft annual report of the Security Council for the period 1 August 2003 to 31 July 2004, to be submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to Article 24, paragraph 3, of the United Nations Charter, which has been prepared by the Secretariat in line with the revised format agreed upon by the Security Council in 2002. The format of the draft report before the Council provides a guide to the activities of the Council in a concise manner. In this connection, I should like to note that this is the third report prepared in accordance with the provisions of the note by the President of the Security Council of 22 May 2002 (S/2002/l99), which were aimed at enhancing the quality of the report and accommodating the views expressed in the previous format.”
2004-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5044 (2004) · source
“The parties, as well as countries visited by the mission such as South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda, welcomed the mission as an encouragement to the parties and Governments in the countries involved to continue to support the peace process in both Burundi and the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“As described fully in the Secretary-General's progress report and reflected in my remarks today, substantial progress has been made in the peace processes in both Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the Security Council mission to the region last June. However, much remains to be done to consolidate these historic advances and to build sustainable peace in the region as a whole. The international community's commitment to continue supporting peace efforts in the subregion is therefore as critical as ever. The reports we have received from the region indicate that the parties greatly appreciate the visit of the Security Council mission to the region, as it provided an added impetus encouraging the parties to fulfil their commitments to the peace process in both Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“Another important development was the setting up of the Group of Friends of the Great Lakes region, which will be an important partner throughout the preparatory process and the actual holding ofthe conference. Under a revised timetable approved by the National Coordinators of the core countries last month, the conference's first summit is scheduled for November 2004, in the United Republic of Tanzania. However, as noted in the progress report, the increased level of activities in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region requires additional staff resources for that Office. The preparatory process risks being delayed, or even seriously affected, by any lack of necessary budgetary provisions for staff and other resources for the Office ofthe Special Representative.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“As noted in the report, advances achieved in the peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi over the past six months have created a new momentum in favour of convening an international conference on the Great Lakes region. In this connection, since the launching of the conference's preparatory process in June 2003, a number of important steps have been taken with the support of the United Nations, the African Union and donor countries. The core countries' National Coordinators have so far held three meetings to discuss the objectives, themes and structure of the conference. As a result, the outline of the conference has started to take shape.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“The Secretary-General urged the parties to pursue these discussions with a view to having the FNL join the peace process as soon as possible, thus paving the way for the establishment of a full-fledged peacekeeping operation in Burundi. As noted elsewhere in the report, the challenges that lie ahead in Burundi are enormous, as the transitional period is expected to end in November 2004. I take this opportunity to inform the Council that the United Nations multidisciplinary reconnaissance mission is set to arrive in Bujumbura today to examine the situation on the ground and assess how the transitional Government can best be supported in order to ensure the successful conclusion of the peace process - bearing in mind that this process will end with the elections in November 2004.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“The prospects for peace in Burundi improved considerably with the conclusion of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement between the transitional Government and the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratic - Forces nationales pour la defense de la de'mocratie (CNDD-FDD) of Pierre Nkurunziza and the subsequent integration of FDD representatives into the transitional institutions. The implementation of the agreement has so far proceeded well. As Council members may be aware, since the publication of the report, President Ndayizeye of Burundi and a high-level Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) (Rwasa) delegation met, for the first time, in the Netherlands from 18 to 21 January 2004, thus providing further grounds for optimism.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“However, in spite of the vital support and financial contributions provided by a number of donors, AMIB continues to face serious financial and logistical difficulties. United Nations agencies in Bujumbura, with political guidance from the United Nations Office in Burundi, are assisting AMIB within their respective mandates. In the area of donor assistance for economic recovery, at a forum of the development partners of Burundi held in Brussels in mid-January this year, donors pledged a total of $1 billion to support Burundi's socio-economic recovery in the period 2004-2006.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“Concerning support for the reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Consultative Group meeting of the country's development partners was held on 17 and 18 December 2003 in Paris. At that meeting, donor countries and organizations pledged more than $3.9 billion in assistance to the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo for the period 2004-2006. I now turn to the situation in Burundi. As described in the report before the Council, significant progress has been achieved towards implementation of the recommendations of the Council mission. The deployment of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) was completed in October 2003, and the Mission has been carrying out outstanding work.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“The Committee has been instrumental in resolving several deadlocks that had arisen between and among the parties. With regard to the situation in the Ituri district, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo (MONUC) assumed responsibility from the Interim Emergency Multinational Force on 1 September 2003, following the adoption by the Council of resolution 1493 (2003). In Bunia, MONUC has been enforcing a weapons-free policy, and the first phase of the Mission's military expansion outside Bunia is now under way. It should be recalled that MONUC's military deployments in Ituri are intended to stabilize the region to enable the Ituri Interim Administration to begin functioning and to facilitate its integration into the national transitional process.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“The transitional Government's comprehensive programme of work for the transitional period was approved by the new Parliament in December, and the implementation of that work programme is well under way. Progress has also been made in normalizing relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbours, but much needs to be done in that area, with the support of the international community. The pace of the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and resettlement or repatriation of Rwandese, Ugandan and Burundian armed elements has accelerated beyond even our own expectations. The International Committee in Support of the Transition has been meeting in Kinshasa on a regular basis, under the chairmanship of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“Mr. Kalomoh: Thank you very much, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting and for allowing me to introduce the progress report of the Secretary-General on the recommendations of the Security Council mission to Central Africa (S/2004/52), which is before members. The report summarizes advances attained in addressing the recommendations made on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Burundi and on preparations for an international conference on the Great Lakes region. With regard to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as Council members are aware, the transitional Government was established in June 2003, at about the same time as the Council mission was visiting the region.”
2004-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4911 (2004) · source
“The difficulties of the process have been captured in the words of Hannah Arendt, who, when referring to atrocities committed during the Second World War, spoke of how we are unable to forgive what we cannot punish and unable to punish what has turned out to be unforgivable. Our collective experience has shown that the right combination of measures will depend on the specific conditions in each post-conflict situation. In all cases, domestic enlightened leadership can be a catalyst for the creation of the social consensus necessary for reconciliation. At the very least, the past and reconciling with it should offer hopes for a better future. In the words of Maya Angelou, "History, despite its wrenching pain, can not be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“Formal legal processes and processes to bring about truth and justice should go hand in hand with economic and social measures to fight the inequalities and exclusion that may have fuelled the conflict in the first place. Reconciliation is a complex, often difficult process in which contradictions may be inevitable. It involves accounting for the past and meeting demands for justice and the degree of forgiveness that will allow for the reconstruction of a social fabric that has been rent by conflict. It is a process that involves striking a balance between the aggrieved and the aggressors, the pursuit of justice and stability. It is a long-term, difficult process, the conclusion of which cannot be clearly identified in advance.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“They are ill-suited to ensure compensation to a larger number of victims. They are, then, by their nature, ill-adapted to granting "moral" forms of reparation. Whereas criminal courts are intended to resolve the problems of individual accountability for specific alleged crimes, they are ill- suited for establishing official historical accounts. For these reasons and others, additional non-judicial mechanisms, such as truth and reconciliation commissions, may be useful in fulfilling some of these tasks and can complement judicial instruments. Finally, efforts to promote justice need to accompanied by reconciliation and peace-building strategies that will address the root causes of the conflict, be they ethnic, social or economic.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“In doing so, the United Nations has explicitly pursued a number of objectives that have included the provision of justice to the victims of violations and the promotion of national reconciliation within societies affected by conflict. At the international level, the International Criminal Court seeks to ensure that egregious violations do not go unpunished. The establishment of tribunals, however, has not been problem-free, and working with domestic courts when possible is often a wiser course. Criminal courts are the instrument needed to try and punish the guilty. No matter their design, however, they are unlikely to be successful at fully meeting the objectives of providing justice to victims and promoting national reconciliation. They are intended to ascertain the fate of missing persons.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“As the Secretary-General has stated, this Council must attempt to balance the demands for peace and justice, conscious that they often compete and aware that there may be times when they cannot be fully reconciled. When reconciliation does not involve providing a sense of justice for the worst crimes, the wounds of the past have a way of resurfacing. An essential part of reconciliation is to isolate those who are most responsible and have committed the most egregious violations in order to bring them to justice. To ensure that justice is done in post-conflict societies, the United Nations has established, or helped establish, a number of courts and tribunals to try those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed during the preceding or ongoing conflicts.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“The international community can offer assistance, outline options and provide information about what other countries in similar circumstances have done regarding, among others, prosecution, truth-seeking endeavours, reparations and apologies. While amnesties may sometimes be seen as the price to be paid for peace agreements to succeed or for stability to be maintained, the United Nations cannot condone agreements arrived at through negotiations that violate Charter principles. Amnesty clauses in peace agreements must exclude amnesties for war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Blanket amnesty clauses are inconsistent with the twin goals of justice and reconciliation.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“Secondly, it is difficult to achieve reconciliation without a significant measure of justice. Thirdly, there are some crimes that are so heinous that they require that justice be done. Fourthly, the pursuit of justice should not become an obstacle to establishing or maintaining peace. Ending the climate of impunity in conflict, post- conflict and transitional situations is vital to restoring public confidence and normalcy. The particular formula for any given country should be determined on the basis of appropriately facilitated national consultation. It is for each society to decide its own best approach to address past crimes and the violation of domestic or international law.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“To be successful, these instruments need to be combined in a social process of catharsis. Our experience has shown that it is indeed difficult, even impossible, to set in stone prescriptions for reconciliation that would apply to each and every situation. What may work in one case may not be ideal, or ideally suited, in another. The process of catharsis that I mentioned earlier is assisted by different means in different places. Today, during the course of this debate, we are likely to hear specific examples of combinations of measures that have been successfully applied in some circumstances and not so successfully in others. Nonetheless, irrespective of national specificities, some general observations should inform the international community's activities. First, peace without reconciliation is hardly ever durable.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“Others, such as truth and reconciliation commissions, seek to contribute to a better future by establishing an official accounting of past violations of human rights during a specific historical period. Knowing the truth and accepting responsibility, whether judicial or not, is an important basis on which reconciliation can rest. In addition, amnesties, except for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, reparations and targeted assistance programmes designed to promote, inter alia, communal harmony have constituted important tools for international efforts to support national reconciliation processes. The return of displaced populations in post-conflict situations also often provides critical opportunities to sustain a peace process through the promotion of measures conducive to national reconciliation.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“In particular, they must be borne in mind when peace agreements are being negotiated. Peace agreements tend to frame the context for national reconciliation. Often the imperatives of the present, especially the need to restore stability and the rule of law, triumph over the long-term need for justice. Tensions between peace and justice are common in post-conflict societies. Helping war-shattered people to resolve those tensions is a key role that the international community can and should play. The international community has employed a number of instruments in post-conflict situations to address the important issue of reconciliation. I will mention but a few. Some, such as tribunals, seek to contribute to reconciliation by trying and punishing the perpetrators of crimes.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source
“Reconciliation, most simply understood, is about allowing people who share a painful and divided past but who are united in a common future to resume harmonious relations and to live together once more. Often this requires more than simply the laying down of arms and the shaking of hands. To be lasting, reconciliation may require the settling of the past, an accounting of prior wrongs and an acceptance of responsibility for abuses. How this is achieved, though, varies according to specific national circumstances. The pursuit of justice, accounting for past atrocities, restitution for Victims and the regeneration of the severed bonds of trust and civility - these are daunting tasks in a shattered society, but they must not be overlooked when we deal with the pressing matters of restoring stability and bringing violence to a definitive end.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903 (2004) · source