YouSaid · the spoken record

Kama]

lines on the record: 125
first: 1995-04-11
most recent: 1999-02-22
sittings or episodes: 17
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

“This cannot be justified under any circumstances. The United Nations should adopt the "vacant seat" formula that was endorsed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference in its own meetings. That would reflect reality. More importantly, it would also encourage the factions to move towards a broad-based dispensation in order to secure full international legitimacy and recognition. In the meantime, while Pakistan welcomes this open debate in the Security Council, it is convinced that we have not heard the true voice of the Afghan people, who alone can decide on their own future. Until and unless we do so, our discussions here will continue to be ill- informed and incomplete. It is high time that the Security Council listened to the views of the Taliban in order to have a more balanced view of the situation in Afghanistan.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We have done business with every regime in Kabul, regardless of whether it was that of Nur Mohammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin, Mojadedi or Rabbani. We will continue to adhere to that policy. It is important not only to be equitable, but also to be seen to be equitable towards the Afghan factions. The previous criterion for recognition of any of the factions as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan appears to have been control of Kabul. The Rabbani regime was accorded recognition when it controlled Kabul and six other provinces. Today, it has neither de facto control of the capital, as it holds sway over only three outlying provinces, nor any de jure legitimacy. Yet it continues to be tolerated as the Government of Afghanistan and continues to occupy Afghanistan's seat in the United Nations.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“It is important for the international community to reiterate its total commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. There are continuing and disturbing reports of the provision of weapons and ammunition and the presence of foreign military personnel in Afghanistan. We have proposed on a number of occasions in the past that an arms embargo should be imposed on Afghanistan. We continue to believe that such an embargo would be helpful in containing the incentives for conflict. It would also have a psychological impact on the Afghans, influencing them to agree to an intra-Afghan dialogue with the aim of achieving a political settlement of the problem. Pakistan recognizes the State of Afghanistan.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“Compare that effort at broad-based government to the statement made just two days ago by Commander Massoud to journalists, in which he, for his part, threatens to continue along the futile path of a military confrontation in the following words: "This year we have the intention of fighting on several fronts"; and again, "All our groups will begin fighting from several directions simultaneously". Should the current polarization continue, or should it be encouraged from the outside, there is the danger of the fragmentation of Afghanistan along ethnic fault lines. This would have serious implications for the peace and stability of the entire region. It is therefore imperative that outside interference in support of one or the other of the contending factions cease.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“To prove our claim of a broad- based Government in Afghanistan, we present a list of the Ministers and Governors belonging to Tajik and Uzbek tribes." This was followed by a list of the four Tajik and Uzbek Ministers in the Ministries of Education, Refugees, and Planning in the central Government in Kabul and the three Governors of the Paktia, Parwan, and Kapisa provinces of Afghanistan. The statement of the Taliban went on to say: "Keeping in mind the above facts, we request all representatives of nations to convey these messages and ask the Governments to reopen their embassies in Kabul and let the Islamic State of Afghanistan represent the Afghan nation in the United Nations and in the Organization of the Islamic Conference".”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We do not hold any brief for them, but here is what we heard their representatives say during the recently concluded meeting of the Islamic summit in Islamabad: "The Taliban Islamic movement has been blamed differently. It is blamed as a movement started just for power for the Pashtun tribe, or it is said that this Government cannot represent the people of the Afghan nation. To deny the above- mentioned incorrect statements, we can say that this movement is neither a tribal nor a national movement, nor does it work for the advantage of a tribe or any foreign country. The movement does not allow others to interfere in Afghanistan. Similarly, it does not want to interfere in others' internal affairs. The Islamic State of Afghanistan is in favour of good relations with all countries of the world.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“Much has been said about the Taliban. The Taliban, who control Kabul and two thirds of Afghanistan, are a reality and cannot simply be wished away. Given the support that they undoubtedly have from the population in all the provinces that they control, it would be futile to indulge in name-calling, wishful thinking or military confrontation. It would be far better obviously to engage them in constructive dialogue in an effort to get them to moderate some of their policies. We have to take serious note of the fact that the Taliban have publicly proclaimed that they do not want to rule Afghanistan alone. They have expressed their willingness to include all ethnic groups in the formation of a government in Afghanistan.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We do not support a military solution, and we continue to believe that a broad-based government is the only viable solution for a multi-ethnic Afghanistan. Pakistan has a deep vested interest in peace in Afghanistan. As a consequence of the continued instability in Afghanistan, there are more than 1.5 million refugees even today in Pakistan. We are facing great difficulties with the upkeep of these refugees in the face of donor fatigue and our own limited resources. We are also the victims of terrorism, drug trafficking and arms smuggling as a result of conditions inside Afghanistan. Our access to Central Asia, and the prospects of mutually beneficial economic collaboration with that region, have not materialized. No country in the world, therefore, has a deeper vested interest in peace in Afghanistan than does Pakistan.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“It is equally clear that the people of Afghanistan themselves, brave, noble, and peace-loving as they are, are fed up with the factional strife that has riven that country, and they earnestly dream of resuming a normal life in conditions of dignity and security. It is incumbent upon all of us, observing Afghanistan from the outside as we do, to assist the people of Afghanistan in their quest for normalcy. This would require a comprehensive framework for restoring peace in Afghanistan, with the total commitment and support of the international community. This comprehensive framework should have political, economic and humanitarian components and should be implemented with vigour and determination. Pakistan, for its part, is adhering to a policy of strict neutrality and non-interference in Afghanistan.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“Mr. Kama] (Pakistan): In accordance with your strict injunctions, Mr. President, I will refrain from congratulating you sincerely on the assumption of your high office, and from expressing my admiration for your predecessor, but you know, Sir, that such indeed are our deeply held sentiments. My delegation has already outlined its reading of the underlying causes of the conflict in Afghanistan on a number of previous occasions in statements before the Council. I do not, therefore, intend to repeat those details, which set out the clear background to the situation that we are all faced with in that country and which remain as valid today as when we made those earlier statements. What is clear to all of us is that we have a civil war in Afghanistan today.”
1997-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3765Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We are confident that the Security Council is conscious of the importance that is attached to Al-Quds A1- Sharif by the entire Muslim world and to the dangers inherent in allowing the prevailing resentment to foster.”
1997-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745Resumption1 (1997) · source
“The Government and the people of Pakistan are deeply concerned at these latest actions by the Israeli authorities, which are seriously undermining the peace process. Pakistan urges the Security Council to uphold the just position taken by the Palestinians on the issue of Jerusalem, a position which is based on international law and justice. We also call upon the Council not only to take urgent measures to redress the current grave situation; which imperils the peace of the Holy City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, but to prevent the further deterioration of the situation. We firmly believe that the Council has the duty to call upon the Israeli authorities immediately to end these unjust actions and to desist from taking similar actions in the future.”
1997-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We fully share the expectations of the international community that there will be no attempt to derail the implementation of the agreements and accords concluded so far. The provisions of these agreements and accords must be sincerely complied with in both letter and spirit. We hope that the Israeli leadership will concede the realities on the ground and resolve all pending issues -- including the immediate reversal of their alarming actions - with the Palestinian National Authority. We strongly urge the demonstration of the requisite flexibility and accommodation, as well as a sincere commitment to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that will ensure security and stability for all in the Middle East.”
1997-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745Resumption1 (1997) · source
“Israeli acts of provocation have once again shattered hopes that the peace process would lead to the early exercise by the Palestinian people of their right to self- determination through the establishment of an independent homeland. This would require the complete Withdrawal by the Israeli authorities from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including the Holy City of Al-Quds Al~ Sharif. Pakistan's support for the just struggle for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is well known. We have consistently stated that Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) continue to provide a viable and just framework for a durable and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question. It is imperative that the peace process, arrived at through bold and courageous initiatives, not collapse.”
1997-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We were equally disturbed to learn that Israel has continued to isolate East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank by declaring it off-limits to Palestinians and withdrawing residence permits for the city's original Arab inhabitants. Pakistan strongly condemns all these actions, which constitute a blatant violation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and General Assembly,.the Declaration of Principles and subsequent agreements. The special significance of the Holy City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the international community in general and the Islamic Ummah in particular requires no elaboration. Israeli measures that are aimed at altering the legal status Security Council 3745th meeting (Resumption l) Fifty-second year 6 March 1997 and demographic composition of Jerusalem are illegal and invalid.”
1997-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745Resumption1 (1997) · source
“Mr. Kama] (Pakistan): At the outset, let me congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. I am confident that under your talented and able guidance, the Council will be able successfully to fulfil its responsibilities during the current month. I should like also to take this opportunity to express my admiration for your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Kenya, for the excellent manner in which he conducted the affairs of the Council. It is with a sense of utmost concern that the Government of Pakistan views the recent decision by Israel to build a new settlement consisting of 600 housing units in the Jabal Abu Ghneim area of East Jerusalem. Israel has also kept open the tunnel extending under the Western Wall of the Al-Aqsa mosque, Al-Haram Al- Sharif.”
1997-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745Resumption1 (1997) · source
“We firmly believe that the Council has the duty to call upon the Israeli authorities immediately to end these unjust actions and to desist from taking similar measures in future. We are confident that the Security Council is conscious of the importance that is attached to Al-Quds al-Sharif by the entire Muslim world and of the dangers inherent in allowing the prevailing resentment to fester.”
1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source
“We strongly urge the demonstration of the requisite flexibility and accommodation, as well as a sincere commitment to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that will ensure security and stability in the Middle East. The Government and the people of Pakistan are deeply concerned at these latest actions by the Israeli authorities, which are seriously undermining the peace process. It urges the Security Council to uphold the just position taken by the Palestinians on the issue of Jerusalem, a position which was based on international law and justice. We also call upon the Council not only to take urgent measures to redress the current grave situation, as it imperils the peace of the holy city of Al-Quds al-Sharif, but also to prevent the further deterioration of the situation.”
1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source
“It is imperative that the peace process, arrived at through bold and courageous initiatives, should not collapse. We fully share the expectations of the international community that there should be no attempt to derail the implementation of the agreements and accords concluded so far. The provisions of these agreements and accords must be sincerely complied with, both in letter and in spirit. We hope that the new Israeli leadership in Israel will concede to the realities on the ground and resolve all pending issues with the Palestinian national Authority, including the reversal of these recent alarming actions.”
1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source
“These Israeli measures, which are aimed at altering the legal status and demographic composition of Jerusalem, are illegal and invalid. These provocative Israeli actions have dashed the hopes that the peace process would lead to the early exercise by the Palestinian people of its right to self- determination through the establishment of an independent homeland. This required the complete withdrawal by the Israeli authorities from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including the Holy City of Al-Quds al-Sharif. Pakistan's support for the just struggle for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is well known. We have consistently stated that Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) continue to provide a viable and just framework for a durable and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question.”
1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source
“It is with a sense of outrage and concern that the Government of Pakistan views the recent action taken by the Israeli Government in opening an entrance to the tunnel extending under the western wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the provocative attempts to permit the observance of Jewish religious rites in the holy sanctuary of Al-Haram al-Sharif. We have been equally shocked to learn about the indiscriminate shooting by Israeli armed forces of civilian Palestinian demonstrators, resulting in an alarming number of casualties. Pakistan strongly condemns all these actions. The special significance of the Holy City of Al-Quds al-Sharif for the international community in general and the Islamic Ummah, in particular, requires no further elaboration.”
1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source
“Mr. Kama] (Pakistan): Since this is the first time I am addressing the Security Council under your presidency, Sir, let me congratulate you on the assumption of your high office. Under your talented and able guidance, the Council has been able successfully to fulfil its responsibilities during the current month. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my admiration for your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Germany, for the excellent manner in which he conducted the affairs of the Council.”
1996-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3698Resumption1 (1996) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that while Pakistan will continue its consistent policy of actively participating in all efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations in preserving international peace and security, the safety of our troops is a matter of priority. Pakistan therefore urges the international community to contribute to strengthening the demining capability of United Nations, particularly in peace-keeping operations.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“The demining standby capacity of the United Nations should also be strengthened by placing trained personnel, equipment, modern technology and other facilities at the disposal of the United Nations. Pakistan believes that the sharing of the costs of demining must be based on the principle that those who lay land-mines must bear the primary responsibility for their clearance. Parties that have wreaked havoc by indiscriminately deploying mines must not be allowed to walk away from the scene of the carnage. In the context of peace-keeping operations, wherever the abusers can be identified, they should be made to pay for the devastating suffering that they have caused.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“The Secretary-General has also acknowledged that the start-up costs of mine-clearance are often very high because a demining programme may need to create almost all of its own infrastructure. Yet the human cost of not destroying these mines is proving to be even higher. Thousands of lives are lost to explosions; entire regions are denied basic services because repairs to an infrastructure are impeded; humanitarian aid shipments are disrupted; and organized societies are thrown into chaos. The international community should make grants and contributions in order to provide adequate financing for demining activities undertaken in various operations.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“Demining operations could be designed to rid the civilian populations of mine-infested countries from this menace. Therefore, the linkage between a peace-keeping operation and a humanitarian programme is of critical importance. That is why it could be advantageous for future peace-keeping operations to continue to include resources for the early establishment of an integrated demining programme. In order to ensure a coordinated approach to the land-mine problem, it is also important to link the peace-keeping mine-clearance activities closely to the humanitarian activities from the very beginning. This would also ensure the continuance of mine-related activities following the expiry of a peace-keeping mandate. We are cognizant of the fact that mine clearance operations are slow, painstaking, expensive and dangerous.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“United Nations peace-keeping forces carry out demining for two primary purposes: first, to ensure a secure environment to engage in peace-keeping, and secondly, to carry out other parts of their mandates. For example, in Cambodia the United Nations peace-keeping mandate included the conduct of elections, so polling sites were demined. In Angola, part of the United Nations peace-keeping mandate is to restore the free movement of people and to create an indigenous demining capacity. While these two objectives are of primary concern, would it not be prudent to plan mine clearance beyond peace-keeping operations, while staying within the context? As we all know, the removal of land-mines is one of the prerequisites for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a country.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“The severity of the hazards is further substantiated by the fact that land-mines are the second leading cause of operational deaths of United Nations troops serving in certain parts of the former Yugoslavia. Similarly, in Angola, the United Nations military observers are not able to effectively monitor cease-fire agreements because their mobility has been restricted by the threat of undiscovered mines. Unfortunately, Pakistani peace-keepers have also suffered as a consequence of the indiscriminate use of land-mines. Just last June, one of our site supervisors serving with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission was seriously injured while undertaking a demining operation.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“More than 800 people, mostly innocent civilians, are killed every month by land-mines. The number of victims who are maimed and mutilated is even higher. Land-mines have thus become a problem which has achieved the dimensions of a world-wide plague. The magnitude and complexity of the international land-mine problem, in the context of United Nations peace- keeping operations in particular, is immense. The deployment of peace-keepers in a mine-strewn country is replete with grave threats to their safety and security. These perils seriously undermine their performance. Along with the civilian population, the peace-keepers also fall victims to randomly scattered mines.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“Mr. Kama] (Pakistan): My delegation would like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the high office of President. I would also like to convey our profound appreciation to the German delegation for providing us an opportunity to address an extremely important aspect of United Nations peace-keeping operations. As one of the largest troop-contributing countries to United Nations peace-keeping operations, and the largest today, Pakistan has consistently contributed to demining activities in such operations. The problems posed by the indiscriminate laying of the alarming number of over 110 million land-mines in more than 60 countries across various regions of the world are of grave concern. Since the current rate of mine laying far exceeds the rate of mine clearance, the problem simply continues to get worse.”
1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source
“Pakistan also fully supports the point of view that Lebanon is entitled to be appropriately compensated for the destruction it has suffered at the hands of the Israeli forces.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“Resolution 425 (1978) in particular calls for strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries. This resolution also calls upon Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanon and withdraw forthwith its forces from the territory of Lebanon. Regrettably, this resolution remains not only unimplemented but continues to be flagrantly violated by the Israeli authorities. The Government and the people of Pakistan are extremely disturbed by these developments in Lebanon and call upon the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility to put an immediate end to these aggressive actions by the Israeli forces. Israel must immediately cease its military actions against Lebanon and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“These premeditated and carefully planned aggressive actions have resulted in civilian casualties, the displacement of thousands of civilians and massive destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure. Pakistan deplores and condemns the targeting and killing of the civilian population. Pakistan has consistently stressed that Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 425 (1978) continue to provide a viable and just framework for the achievement of a durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We also firmly believe that, during the transitional period, Israel, as the occupying Power under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, remains obliged fully to respect and implement the provisions of the Convention and relevant Security Council resolutions in the occupied Arab territories.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“Mr. Kama] (Pakistan): We have once again assembled today in the Security Council to consider the extremely grave situation in Lebanon. Pakistan strongly deplores and condemns the tragic incident of this morning, which has resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and Fijian peace- keepers. On 15 April, we expressed our deep concern over the escalation of hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, as well as inside Lebanon. We find the continuation of this conflict reprehensible and deplorable and call for the immediate cessation of hostilities by the Israeli forces. This escalation of hostilities is neither justifiable nor in keeping with the objective of obtaining a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The continuation of these aggressive actions by Israel is further increasing tensions in the region.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“We strongly urge the demonstration of the requisite flexibility and accommodation, as well as a sincere commitment to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that will ensure security and stability for all the peoples and States of the Middle East region. The Government and the people of Pakistan are deeply concerned at the latest policies, practices and actions, which are seriously undermining this peace process. It calls upon the Security Council to take urgent measures to redress the current grave situation, as it imperils the peace of the Holy City of Al-Quds al-Sharif. We firmly believe that the Council has the duty to call upon the Israeli authorities to immediately end these unjust policies and practices and to desist from taking similar measures in future.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652Resumption1 (1996) · source
“This requires the withdrawal by the Israeli authorities from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including the Holy City of Al-Quds al-Sharif. Pakistan's support for the just struggle for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is well known. We have consistently stated that Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) continue to provide a viable and just framework for a durable and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question. It is imperative to maintain the present momentum that has been achieved in the negotiating process. We fully share the expectations of the international community that there should be no delay in the implementation of the agreements and accords concluded so far. The provisions of these agreements and accords should be complied with both in letter and in spirit.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652Resumption1 (1996) · source
“As has been pointed out by Ambassador Nasser Al-Kidwa, these actions are in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, as well as of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and other organs of the United Nations. They also violate the agreements reached with the Palestine Liberation Organization. Furthermore, these measures are particularly disturbing, as they have a direct bearing on the peace process which had been arrived at through bold and courageous initiatives taken earlier. We fully share the belief that the peace process should lead to the early exercise by the Palestinian people of their right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent homeland.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652Resumption1 (1996) · source
“Mr. Kama] (Pakistan): It is with a sense of deep shock and concern that the Government of Pakistan views the recent measures taken by the Israeli authorities against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the Holy City of Jerusalem/Al-Quds al-Sharif. The Israeli measures of making Al-Quds al-Sharif off limits to the Palestinian people and of imposing stringent restrictions on their entry into the city have created enormous problems, particularly in view of the special status of the city as the religious, commercial and cultural centre for the Palestinian people. The complete details, as well as the serious consequences of these measures on the Palestinian people and their economy, have already been described by the Permanent Observer of Palestine.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652Resumption1 (1996) · source
“We hope that this debate in the Security Council will not only help sensitize the international community about the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan, but will also give a major impetus to the efforts of the United Nations Special Mission for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“We have seen the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, dated 3 April 1996. Pakistan fully supports the efforts of the Special Mission of the Secretary-General to Afghanistan to facilitate national rapprochement and reconstruction in Afghanistan. Pakistan has welcomed this open debate in the Security Council. However, we are convinced that we have not heard the true voice of the Afghan people, who alone can decide on their future. Until and unless we do so, our discussions will continue to be ill-informed and incomplete. We have to find ways and means to hear the views of all the factions in Afghanistan, without being inhibited simply by rules and regulations.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“We also need such assistance for the refugees in Pakistan and Iran, and we need to make effective plans for their rapid repatriation to a peaceful Afghanistan. We fully appreciate the sufferings of the Afghan people, of whom more than 1.5 million still reside in Pakistan as refugees. We are continuing to extend all possible assistance to these Afghan refugees. So far, we have spent around 10.5 billion rupees from our own modest resources on their care and maintenance. We have also allowed unimpeded passage of food items across our borders into Afghanistan. We have facilitated ongoing World Food Programme, United Nations Development Programme and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operations for relief assistance in Afghanistan. The ICRC has so far airlifted a total of 900 tonnes of food supplies from Peshawar to Kabul.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“In our View, it would be premature to convene an international conference on Afghanistan at this stage. As experience and history indicate, no solution from outside can be imposed on the Afghans. A durable solution can be evolved only by the Afghans themselves. A representative gathering of the Afghans under the auspices of the United Nations, assisted if necessary by the Friends of Afghanistan, would appear to us to be a more feasible means of launching the intra-Afghan peace process. The other elements of a comprehensive approach require equal attention: we need a generous and sustained international commitment to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, and the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“We also favour a complete ban on weapons and arms supplies to the warring factions in Afghanistan. The imposition of a general arms embargo by the Security Council would convey the right signal to the Afghan warlords of the international community's determination to bring this intolerable situation to an early end. The Council should also consider imposing an embargo to interdict, effectively, the plane-loads of ammunition being flown into Afghanistan each day from various destinations. Monitoring the arms and air embargoes would require an effective mechanism, which we hope it would be possible for the United Nations to set up, in cooperation, possibly, with the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The idea of an international conference on Afghanistan has been talked about.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“The Security Council must lend its fullest support to the efforts of the United Nations Special Mission to revive the intra-Afghan political process. A representative gathering of the Afghan leaders should be convened under United Nations auspices, or under the joint auspices of the United Nations and neighbouring countries, with a view to launching a credible process involving the transfer of power to a fully representative, broad-based government. Pakistan stands ready to support such a process, which is the only way to address the issues. Such a gathering could also address the question of the induction of a neutral security force and the demilitarization of Kabul and Afghanistan as important steps which should proceed simultaneously with the formation of a broad-based government.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“On the other hand, the Taliban control more than half the country and are locked in a struggle with the nominal central authority. A quarter is controlled by General Dostum, and other parts by smaller factions. The intellectuals, the technocrats, the refugees and the vast majority of common Afghans view with disgust this outrageous power play, which has done great discredit to the pride of the Afghan nation. Those opposed to the nominal central authority question its legitimacy. Central to this is the fact that, under the Afghan accords of March 1993, the term of the government in Kabul expired in June 1994. These accords were arrived at by a process of intra- Afghan dialogue. The dialogue has since been interrupted.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“More fundamentally, the trumpeting of these allegations is a naive attempt to explain away the untenable situation that these factions find themselves in, due to a complete lack of popular support from the Afghan people. The culture of money, weapons and drugs has been deliberately cultivated in order to foist on the people of Afghanistan military diktat by self-seeking mercenaries who have shown by their actions that they care little about the Afghan nation or about Islam. It is indeed ironic that the nominal central authority physically controls only 5 of the 32 provinces, yet, despite its long, self-extended term, it has not been able to obtain the allegiance of those over whom it arrogates to itself the right to govern.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“Unfortunately, many political factions have been reduced to mere pawns in a chess game that has broader regional and international dimensions. Pakistan, which stood steadfast with the Afghan people in their heroic struggle for the liberation of their country, provided succour and support to millions of Afghan refugees and suffered most from the war in Afghanistan, is today being portrayed by some as playing politics in Afghanistan. Those who accuse us of interfering in Afghanistan know full well that we have scrupulously refrained from supporting one faction or another. These allegations against us are concocted in a transparent attempt to cover up the massive weapon supplies from certain quarters or are an expression of disappointment on finding no such support from Pakistan.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“Attempts by one group or another to claim legitimacy on the basis of lapsed agreements have been a core factor in, fuelling the factional strife. The General Assembly therefore clearly stipulated as essential the transfer of power through the urgent establishment of a fully representative and broad-based authoritative council. The United Nations Special Mission has made commendable efforts to deal with this issue. Regrettably, these efforts continue to be frustrated by lack of political will and remain hostage to the changing political and military configurations in Afghanistan. The massive infusion of weapons and funds from abroad for various political and military factions compounds the problem and weakens the resolve on the part of the protagonists to seek national reconciliation.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“A comprehensive framework for restoring peace in Afghanistan, with the real commitment and support of the international community, must be delineated. It should have political, economic and humanitarian components and should be implemented with vigour and determination. The international community has identified the essential political elements for peace in Afghanistan. These are reflected in the resolution adopted unanimously by the General Assembly at its fiftieth session. Much of the strife in Afghanistan can be attributed to the absence of legitimate governance. Legitimacy flows not from military diktat or the use of weaponry against innocent civilians, but from the confidence and support of those civilians.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source
“The consistent position of the Government of Pakistan on this fratricidal conflict has always been that only a broad- based interim mechanism, in which all factions would participate, could pave the way to a democratic government that alone could provide the necessary durable fabric for this multi-ethnic country. Durable peace requires abandoning the politics of domination and exclusion and achieving a genuine national reconciliation among all the political, ethnic and various other segments of Afghan society. It is also evident that the people of Afghanistan are fed up with factional strife and earnestly dream of resuming normal life in conditions of peace and security. It is therefore incumbent upon the United Nations and the international community to assist them in this regard.”
1996-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3650 (1996) · source