YouSaid · the spoken record

Kamara

lines on the record: 303
first: 1999-10-22
most recent: 2019-08-02
sittings or episodes: 33
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

“Unless the international community, led by the Security Council, deals effectively with this purveyor of death and terror, as we have witnessed in Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa, there can be no stability or peace in our continent. Using the experience of Sierra Leone as an example, I would like to conclude by stressing the role of the Security Council in peace-building. Peace- building is also a means of conflict prevention. Armed conflicts could flare up again if the international community fails to provide timely and adequate resources for the reintegration of ex-combatants.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The situation in Sierra Leone, typical of what prevails in many other conflict areas of Africa, has taught us that the concept of intra-State conflict is misnamed. Most of the so-called civil or internal conflicts are international in character and dimension. This is because the conflicts continue to be fuelled and financed by international networks of illicit arms traders and the illicit transfer of diamonds and other precious minerals. The principal beneficiaries of these illegal transactions are thousands of miles from the theatres of the African conflicts. So, there is an international responsibility for curbing the flow of illicit arms to Africa. The curb itself is a contribution to conflict prevention.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We recall that on one occasion, following reports of rebel atrocities, the Security Council hinted that all allegations of such violations should be investigated with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. In Security Council resolution 1313 (2000), UNAMSIL was mandated, among other things, within its capabilities and areas of deployment, to afford protection to civilians under threat of imminent violence. One wonders whether, if such assurances of civilian protection had been given, in 1998, for example, we would not have helped save the limbs of innocent Sierra Leoneans, including nursing babies, who subsequently became victims of gruesome acts of amputation and mutilation. Also on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict, we recall that responses to consolidated appeals for assistance often fell short of their targets.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“On several occasions the Security Council commended the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Sierra Leone, and appealed for resources, including much-needed logistical support to help ECOMOG maintain an effective peacekeeping presence in Sierra Leone. The response was inadequate and often slow. Indeed, we recall that at one crucial stage the withdrawal of ECOMOG posed a serious security problem for us. On the humanitarian side, the incidence of rebel atrocities could have been greatly reduced if the international community had responded to the crisis much earlier.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Could the Security Council and the international community have acted much earlier to save the limbs of thousands of victims of rebel atrocities over the past 11 years? These are some of the questions President Kabbah had in mind when, in his address to mark the end of the demobilization process in Sierra Leone, he said, "We must confess, though, that there were times in the course of the armed conflict when many of our people thought that we were being abandoned, or that our cry for help was perhaps not loud enough to prod the world to provide the quality and quantum of response that our precarious situation required." Judging from the gravity of the situation and the humanitarian emergency facing the country, the response was, if not late, then relatively slow.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Secondly, what has been the international community's response to intra-State instability and other conflicts in Africa, and what actions have been taken to prevent such outbreaks? Let me briefly examine these two questions in the context of the situation in my country, Sierra Leone. Just over a week ago, with the assistance of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), the process of disarming some 42,000 ex-combatants was completed. It was a remarkable accomplishment. For this we are grateful. It has laid a solid foundation for peace and stability not only for Sierra Leone but also for the West African subregion. But the question is, could the international community have responded earlier to the critical situation in Sierra Leone and helped save the lives of thousands of people?”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We are at the stage where Africa's problems 4 serious problems that still result in considerable loss of human lives on a daily basis 4 could be submerged in the flood of other developments on the international scene. We agree that the Security Council should be more proactive in the search for urgent solutions to the problems facing the most disadvantaged continent in the world today. The guidelines for this meeting raise a number of pertinent questions. Allow me to focus on two, which in the view of my delegation, are germane to the issue of why the Council and the international community have not achieved the desired results as far as Africa is concerned. First, why are the responses of the international community, including the Security Council, in addressing African conflicts so slow?”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Coincidentally, two years ago, the month of January was described as "the month of Africa" in the Security Council. The guidelines for today's meeting suggest that notwithstanding the interest that the Council has shown in the past, we are not getting the desired overall result for solving Africa's problems. It appears that most parts of Africa are in a state of permanent crisis. Therefore, my delegation believes that this meeting is timely. It provides another opportunity for the Security Council to take stock of recent developments and possible shortcomings that affect the continent, and to remind the international community that Africa is still part of our interdependent world. We agree that it is necessary for the Council and the international community to refocus attention on Africa. The reason is clear.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is a pleasure for my delegation to join others in congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January. Please allow me also to congratulate the new members of the Council: Bulgaria, Cameroon, Guinea, Mexico and the Syrian Arab Republic. Allow me also at the outset to extend my delegation's profound condolences and sympathy to the Governments and the peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Nigeria for the loss of lives and mass destruction of property due to the recent volcanic eruption in the Congo, in Goma, and the ammunition-dump explosions in Lagos, Nigeria. I would like to commend the delegation of Mauritius for its initiative to convene this open meeting devoted exclusively to the situation in Africa.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“This is the reintegration of ex- combatants, especially the youth, into society. Our countries could revert to cycles of conflict unless we urgently confront this particular challenge: the status and condition of youth, former combatants as well as non-combatants, in our subregion. Serious consideration should be given to the recommendation of the inter-agency mission that socio-economic programmes geared towards alleviating youth unemployment be implemented. We would also like to stress the urgent need to address the problem of education and training for this special population group. To a large extent, the future of peace and stability in our subregion lies in their hands.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Since the roots of conflict, insecurity and political instability are embedded in economic and social inequities, we also endorse the recommendation of the inter-agency mission that the United Nations agencies should make a concerted effort to assist our Governments in focusing on area-development programmes covering basic social services, such as health, nutrition, water and sanitation. In short, what we are emphasizing is that we cannot speak about peace and security in West Africa unless there is a drastic reduction of the level of poverty in our respective countries. Let me conclude with one particular area of concern that some speakers have already alluded to, especially the Nigerian representative, relating not only to the situation in Sierra Leone, but also to those countries of the subregion that are emerging from armed conflict.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“We have the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its various institutions for improving the lives and livelihood of the peoples of the subregion, as well as the Mano River Union. We therefore strongly endorse the recommendation that the United Nations system and the international community strengthen the ECOWAS Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security. The idea of enhancing cooperation with the United Nations system to develop an ECOWAS early warning system should be pursued as a matter of priority. In this connection, we welcome the establishment of the new United Nations Office for West Africa in Dakar.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“What we need is a new strategy of implementation - a strategy that will focus on concrete measures involving the participation and contribution of the various national, regional and international components of human development. The principle of partnership must be translated into reality. My delegation would like to stress that most of the recommendations of the inter-agency mission could be implemented speedily and effectively, because we already have the relevant mechanisms and institutions within the subregion to effect such implementation. They already exist. We should use them to their full potential. The two main areas are economic cooperation and integration, and conflict prevention and management.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Meanwhile, we hope that nothing will be done in the form of words or threats of action to increase tension across the borders of our respective countries. The relative calm must be maintained by all means. We cannot afford to either diminish or erase the progress that we have achieved so far. Peace in Sierra Leone is peace not only for Sierra Leoneans, but also for Liberians, Guineans and other West Africans. Let me turn briefly to the recommendations of the report of the inter-agency mission. The problems and priority needs of the West African subregion have been identified. We know the nature and complexity of these problems. We also know the interrelationships between them.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Over the past several months, we have also witnessed important developments within the Mano River Union. The meetings of the Joint Security Committee of the Mano River Union countries, as well as those of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, have facilitated efforts to rebuild confidence and strengthen the determination of the three countries to restore peace and stability. Sierra Leone believes that conciliation and tolerance among the leadership of the Mano River Union countries constitute one of the most effective means of achieving peace and stability in the three countries, which should contribute immensely to peace in the subregion as a whole. This is why my head of State, President Kabbah, is actively pursuing efforts initiated a few months ago for a Mano River Union summit meeting early next year.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“The Secretary- General observes in his latest report on the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), document S/2001/1195 of 13 December, that a secure environment with increased freedom of movement, gradual return of refugees and a resurgence of economic activity is emerging. The Government, with the support of its newly restructured military and UNAMSIL, has done an extraordinary job in establishing authority in the entire country. The decision of the Government to announce the dates for presidential and parliamentary elections next May is a clear indication of the progress that we have achieved in the peace process. We need the continued support and encouragement of the international community to at least maintain the current momentum.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“It is seven months since the Security Council discussed the report of the inter-agency mission to West Africa, led by Assistant Secretary-General Ibrahima Fall. We share his conclusion that we desperately need an integrated regional approach to the current crisis in the West African subregion. A lot has happened since the report was published. For instance, in Sierra Leone today, the prospects for peace and security have never been brighter. The disarmament and demobilization of ex- combatants is almost complete, and the process of reintegration is gradually taking shape.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“We are delighted to see you, Mr. President, directing the proceedings of the Council on issues relating to our West African subregion. I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to you and your delegation for your outstanding contribution to the work of the Council during your term in this body. At the same time, please allow me to extend our thanks to your predecessor, Ambassador Durrant of Jamaica, our sister Commonwealth State, not only for presiding over the Council's deliberations during the month of November, but also for her distinctive contribution during the past two years in the Council. In my delegation's View, throughout Jamaica's term, Ambassador Durrant should be credited with, among other things, accentuating the human aspects of the Council's effort to maintain international peace and security.”
2001-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4439 (2001) · source
“Otherwise, the highly lucrative illicit trade in small arms will continue unabated. It is also the view of my delegation that the Council should adopt far- reaching measures to ensure that Member States and their respective authorized entities involved in the production and marketing of small arms are forced to comply with relevant legally binding instruments. It should also effectively cause the strengthening of established moratoriums and similar initiatives and programmes specifically aimed at combating and preventing this trade, which would lead to the eventual eradication of these weapons of mass destruction.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Regional actors have become more attuned to the inner workings of the Council, to the extent that they look to the Council for guidance and approval with regard to their respective intended measures and aspirations, which do not necessarily run counter to the thinking of the wider international community. With that in mind, my delegation is of the view that the Council should markedly and continuously flex its muscular authority over the form and content of the provisions of the Programme of Action, and more specifically over the question of compliance with arms embargoes. Sierra Leone calls on other delegations, especially those that are embroiled in conflict situations, to be constant advocates of stricter compliance with the norms of international law as a measure aimed at putting an end to the culture of impunity.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It is the view of my delegation that the Security Council should develop the capacity to have greater leverage over those parties directly responsible for the propagation of conflicts caused by the proliferation of small arms. In short, we wish to see a Security Council that dishes out sterner, more robust and more resolute measures in order to attain its desired Charter objectives. My delegation also wishes to note that by dispatching advisory missions to conflict areas, the Security Council has invariably grasped in greater detail the full frontal effect, as it were, of the problems involved in many situations. The Council's interaction with high-level delegations ensures complementary cooperation.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The recommendations proposed in the various reports of the Secretary-General should be given much more attention and introspective consideration by the Security Council if the Council is to succeed in that pursuit, especially with regard to the issue of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. It is simply not good enough to issue presidential statements and resolutions that have very little meaningful effect on their intended recipients. My delegation would like to see much more potent action emanating from those statements and resolutions, which would have an appropriately direct bearing and reverberating effect on those recipients.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The Council could maximize its objectives in this sphere by utilizing its many and varied peacekeeping forces in sensitive conflict areas to effectively address the issue of collection, storage, control and destruction of light weapons, also liaising with other actors within the United Nations system, such as the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to name but a few, as well as through non-governmental organizations and civil society, to implement programmes designed to put the message across. We regard the Security Council as the forerunner in the global pursuit of the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“While we acknowledge the fact that considerable effort has been made at various levels in all parts of the world to deal with all aspects of the problem, we must now strengthen and build on those foundations. It is therefore in this vein that we call upon the Security Council to harmonize the positions of Member States in accordance with the provisions adopted in the Programme of Action. The Council must critically emphasize the need for Member States to pursue radical programmes within their respective territories, subregions, regional groupings and elsewhere, aimed at building a greater consensus on the prevention, combat and virtual eradication of the illicit trade in small arms.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The general debate and technical meetings of the Conference have now subsided, but the issue of follow- up has only just begun. In the words of Ambassador Reyes, "while it is critical that Member States take concerted action against the illicit trade in small arms as soon as possible, they must understand that the Conference and its outcome were only first steps in a process". It has also been noted that, in the quest to prevent, combat and eradicate this illicit trade, Governments have committed themselves to considering all aspects of the small arms problem, particularly to brokering, tracing and providing financial and technical assistance.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Sierra Leone attaches great importance to the outcome and future effective implementation of the provisions of the Programme of Action emanating from that timely Conference, which emphatically highlighted the concerns of my Government, which is only now coming to grips with the scope and magnitude of the former rebel insurgency. It is apparently all too evident that the proliferation and illegitimate utilization of small arms, which caused major devastation and carnage in Sierra Leone for over a decade, indeed lends credence to their being termed the real weapons of mass destruction. It has been noted that, within the West African subregion, there are an estimated 7 million deadly weapons in circulation, and the incessant raging conflicts continue to provide the perfect milieu in which the illicit trade in small arms continues to thrive.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Permit me to express Sierra Leone's delight at seeing you, Sir, chair such an important meeting of the Council at the inception of Colombia's presidency for the month of August. My delegation wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to your predecessor, Ambassador Wang Yingfan, for a job well done during the month of July. May I also take this opportunity to proffer congratulatory sentiments through you to Ambassador Camilo Reyes Rodriguez for the exemplary manner in which he conducted the affairs of the recently concluded United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.”
2001-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4355Resumption1 (2001) · source
“More importantly, we wish to pay tribute to the troop- contributing countries for heeding the Secretary- General's request. We have taken due note of the fact that there are almost 13,000 military personnel within UNAMSIL and that the period of the third phase of operations is due to commence shortly. However, the current security of the State, which remains hampered by capacity constraints, rests on the ability of UNAMSIL to rapidly react and to enforce preventive measures before any unforeseen disturbance. Although we are now treading on the path to peace, my delegation is of the conviction that the authorized troop strength of 17,500 military personnel should be met, especially when UNAMSIL will prepare to embark on the fourth phase of operations leading up to the elections.”
2001-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4340 (2001) · source
“The World Bank Paris donor conference, held on 11 and 12 June, dampened my Government's enthusiasm towards the international community's full- fledged support for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. However, we have not lost hope and faith in the push towards concluding this exercise, since the future of the overall peace process hinges on the successful implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. The United Nations and, indeed, the international community must not fail the Government of Sierra Leone in this respect. My Government is appreciative of the Secretary- General's efforts to secure additional troops for the build-up of UNAMSIL's military component, in accordance with operative paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 1346 (2001) of 30 March 2001.”
2001-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4340 (2001) · source
“The Government has currently embarked on a short-term reintegration programme for ex-combatants, which should jump-start their respective absorption into society. But it is imperative to further sensitize those members of the RUF and the CDF to the fact that reintegration support is not and will not be a long-term measure. It must be strongly emphasized to them that the temporary handouts are not meant to be a continuous source of funding, as a measure of dispelling their unrealistic assumptions. In this vein, we require the commitment and support of the international community to assist us to secure adequate resources to enable the Government to properly achieve this objective.”
2001-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4340 (2001) · source
“We are especially elated over the release of child soldiers and abductees so that their lives may be set back on their proper courses. However, I must inform the Council that the reduction in the momentum of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme has largely been due to the extreme lack of fiscal resources. The inadequacy of accommodations to encamp the ex- combatants in various districts within the country in order for them to be appropriately demobilized is but one of the many difficulties confronting the pace of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. My Government is currently in the process of coming to grips with the magnitude of the problem of reintegration, which, as noted in the Secretary- General's report, is pivotal to the success of the entire programme.”
2001-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4340 (2001) · source
“We also note that the message put forth by the Secretariat in the report is very encouraging. We also wish to convey to the Secretariat that the Sierra Leonean people sincerely intend to make the best possible use of the current unique opportunity created by the international community's significant investment within Sierra Leone. The relaunching of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme in May 2001, after the Abuja review meeting between the Government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), has met with considerable success in that a large quantity of arms and ammunition has been deposited with UNAMSIL by the RUF rebel forces and the Civil Defence Force (CDF) and that a sizeable number of ex-combatants has also been demobilized.”
2001-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4340 (2001) · source
“My delegation, Sir, commends your stewardship of the Security Council for the month of June and appreciates the convening of this particular meeting on Sierra Leone to discuss the latest report of the Secretary-General. My delegation also wishes to commend your predecessor, Ambassador Cunningham of the United States, for a job very well done during the month of May. My delegation would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Oluyemi Adeniji, for his comprehensive and brilliant briefing this morning. We also welcome Lieutenant-General Opande, who is here with Mr. Adeniji. My delegation welcomes the tenth report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), noting its very candid, comprehensive and balanced nature.”
2001-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4340 (2001) · source
“My delegation strongly believes that civilians, especially the young, women and the sick must be protected in all conflicts, be they inter-State or intra- State. We strongly believe that those who perpetrate atrocities against an unarmed civilian population must be brought to account for their atrocities. My delegation also believes that international law is the best way to accomplish such action. In this regard, my Government supports all measures, at both the international and regional levels, to bring the perpetrators of crimes against an unarmed and defenceless civilian population to account for their actions. This, in a nutshell, is my delegation's view on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Third entities also participating or having an indirect relationship with the conflict should also be appropriately advised of the applicability of sanctions to their respective interests. Such coercive measures would doubtless enhance and ensure compliance with the requirement to withdraw support for the forces of destruction. The Council, in such cases, should be very decisive in its actions and avoid unnecessary delays in implementing enforcement measures. Very little breathing space should be allowed before the imposition of arms embargoes wherever armed conflicts erupt on a grand scale, and the respective customs authorities and civil forces of Member States should be placed on constant alert to ensure that the proper end-user certificates are issued whenever shipments of weapons are being made.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Through the granting of more robust mandates, hinging on peace enforcement, to peacekeeping operations, certain armed groups will eventually realize that confrontation with an effective instrument of the world body may be an exercise in futility and will comply with the requests for safe access for humanitarian aid agencies to the vulnerable groups. My delegation is particularly concerned about the issue of external actors, be they from the private sector or from political circles, who actively render support to these armed rebel groups in order to perpetuate their nefarious activities in the exploitation of mineral resources. The threat of the use of sanctions that would be a direct blow to their operations should be strongly emphasized and swiftly carried out, with very little warning given to those external actors.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We have introspectively sought answers to the question of how a bona fide Government force during the height of a crisis would set up the appropriate mechanisms to protect its civilian population against a raging rebel force, devoid of morality and humanism, which is supported by external agents bent on facilitating the destruction of nation States. We fully concur that, based on the need for humanitarian operations to be given urgent, safe, and unimpeded access to vulnerable populations in conflict areas, it is necessary for the parties to the conflict to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue. However, it is also imperative for the Security Council to complement a Government's negotiating position in its efforts to actively engage an armed rebel faction by further strengthening the respective mandates of peacekeeping operations.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“My delegation carefully listened to and is appreciative of the statement made this morning by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Mary Robinson. The issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict is, as mentioned in the Secretary-General's report, dependent on the circumstances and stages of the conflict in question. It is dependent also on the scope and magnitude of the protecting forces" capabilities against the onslaught of enemy forces. We in the West African subregion have witnessed barbarism unknown to mankind since the Middle Ages, inflicted upon a civilian population by unrelenting rebel groups.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“My delegation welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General on the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict, contained in document S/2001/331, and thanks him for such a well researched and comprehensive paper which espouses many things that are relevant to the current situation in Sierra Leone and to those of neighbouring countries. My delegation particularly wishes to applaud Mrs. Frechette, the Deputy Secretary-General, for such an excellent briefing, and especially for her visit to Sierra Leone, when, inter alia, she had a one-on-one dialogue with members of the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) group and gained promises of cooperation from them as regards compliance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“My delegation would like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. I should also add that my delegation is pleased to see the representative of a sister Commonwealth nation directing the work of this body. Because of your charisma and your wealth of experience, my delegation has absolute confidence in your presidency for this month. I would like to assure you of our fullest cooperation in addressing the complex problems on the Council's agenda, especially those pertaining to Sierra Leone. Allow me to also pay tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Yel'chenko, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, for the efficient manner in which he conducted the affairs of the Council during the month of March.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The situation is complex and needs concerted efforts on the part of all concerned- including those who are waging and directing aggression and banditry within and across our countries. We welcome the visit of the High Commissioner and look forward to the substantive results of that visit.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“Even if there is a lull in the area and the guns are silent for a while, there is still the threat of hostilities hanging over the refugees who want to return. That is not all. There is also the question of whether the villages and towns within Sierra Leone are safe for them to resettle. What guarantees do they have that the rebels who are still occupying towns and villages will not attack them? We have already expressed support for the idea of "safe corridors", but that is only one side of the equation. Another related issue is the capacity of the Government of Sierra Leone to accept the returnees. As the High Commissioner can attest, we are already overwhelmed not only by the large number of returnees, but also by the thousands of internally displaced persons.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“The High Commissioner and all others who have spoken this afternoon have emphasized that the underlying problem is one of safety and security for the innocent civilians in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. The Government of Sierra Leone has already presented the High Commissioner with details of the problem and our views about how we believe the Mano River Union States and the international community can cooperate in alleviating the situation. Allow me to put the situation in a nutshell: thousands of our people would like to return home. That wish and expectation to return is of course linked, first of all, with the level or intensity of hostilities along the borders of the Mano River Union States.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“Ruud Lubbers, who, in a way, got his feet wet in his new job by visiting the West African subregion to see for himself the magnitude of the humanitarian tragedy that has been unfolding in that part of our continent. My delegation would also like to thank him for giving the Council a clear picture of the situation and of how the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the international community can, and should, respond to that tragedy. Allow me to pay tribute to the Government and the people of Guinea, who have hosted Sierra Leonean refugees over the past several years. Like Sierra Leone, Guinea is a poor country, but, against all odds, it has managed to cope with a large influx of people from across the border. We do not know what we would have done without the generosity of Guinea.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for giving my delegation the opportunity to make a statement at this very important briefing. Because a lot has already been said, I intend to be very brief. We will not be asking questions of Mr. Lubbers, so I am sure that after my statement he will have no reason to take the floor again to answer questions. Let me congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of your responsibility to direct the affairs of the Council during the month of March. May I also, through you, express our appreciation to your predecessor, the representative of Tunisia, for his leadership during the month of February. We applaud the High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“In short, we are saying that Sierra Leone is itself under certain constraints as a result of existing mandatory Security Council measures relating to arms and diamonds. However, I can assure the Council that the people of Sierra Leone consider such constraints to be temporary hurdles along the path towards peace and security in Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries. My delegation has no doubt that the endorsement by the Security Council and the implementation of most of the measures proposed by the Panel of Experts will help to bring about genuine peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone and to stabilize the entire West African subregion.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“While Liberia continues to freely support the RUF in the acquisition of arms, in violation of Security Council resolution 1171 (1998), the Government of Sierra Leone is complying with the provisions of that resolution relating to the stipulation that the importation of arms and military equipment by the Government for its legitimate self-defence should be done through prior-named points of entry and that relevant information about such imports should be communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall then promptly notify all Member States. My delegation holds the view that these and other points should be taken into account in any discussion by the Security Council about the imposition of sanctions based on the recommendations of the Panel of Experts.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“The people of Sierra Leone, including traumatized victims of the rebel war, are suffering as a result of the continued occupation ofthe main diamond areas of the country by the RUF and the illegal export of diamonds from those areas, mainly through Liberia. For three months last year, while the RUF and its supporters were engaged in the traffic of so-called conflict or blood diamonds and weapons, the Government of Sierra Leone, under the provisions of Security Council resolution 1306 (2000), was not allowed to export any diamonds. The diamond certification regime instituted by the Government of Sierra Leone last October is under the scrutiny of the United Nations and subject to periodic review by the United Nations sanctions Committee on Sierra Leone.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“For those who, for one reason or the other, have reservations about the recommendations ofthe Panel of Experts, which advocate strong measures by the Security Council, my delegation would like to recall the following. Some delegations say that sanctions should not hurt innocent people. We agree. But weapons bought from the sale of our diamonds are being used to maim and kill thousands of our people in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leoneans have lives too. There are thousands of Sierra Leonean refugees and displaced persons who are unable to return to their homes because of the prolongation of the conflict in Sierra Leone and the escalation of cross-border skirmishes.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source
“Here my delegation recalls that a large number of States and organizations have been asking the Security Council to change the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone from peacekeeping to peace enforcement. In other words, they want more effective action to end the conflict in Sierra Leone. I should also add that our subregional organization, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has recently told the Secretary-General of the United Nations that in order to successfully discharge their mandate, there is every likelihood that the ECOWAS troops to be deployed along the border areas of Guinea and Liberia may need to employ strong rules of engagement to help stop further armed incursions and restore peace in those areas.”
2001-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4264 (2001) · source