YouSaid · the spoken record

Khalilzad

lines on the record

562

first

2007-05-02

most recent

2009-01-16

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74

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un-security-council

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1. “Finally, we join the Secretary-General in calling for reconciliation among Timorese political leaders and parties and for coordination in addressing the challenges facing the country. We express our appreciation for Special Representative Khare's efforts to facilitate such a dialogue.”

   2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source

2. “The recent past underscores the importance of developing professional and effective police and military forces under civilian control, in order to provide the security necessary for political stability and economic development. In that regard, we appreciate UNMIT'S ongoing efforts to promote security sector reform. With a view to long-term stability and growth, we appreciate UNMIT's efforts to develop the effectiveness of the Timorese justice system and encourage additional assessments of justice sector needs. Despite recent challenges, it will be important for UNMIT to retain its welcome focus on the prevention of gender-based violence and attention to the needs of victims.”

   2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source

3. “To meet that goal, we encourage implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry, including bringing those responsible for crimes to justice under domestic law. We concur with the Secretary-General's recommendation of a one-year extension of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), as composed at present. UNMIT is playing a vital role in ensuring and restoring stability in Timor-Leste. We will depend on UNMIT to continue its support for the Timorese in developing the capacity of the National Police Force of Timor-Leste (PNTL), achieving accountability for the 2006 crisis and strengthening the justice sector in the coming year.”

   2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source

4. “Let me begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Guehenno and Ambassador Santos for updating the Council. The United States deplores the recent attacks on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao by the rebel group associated with dissident Alfredo Reinado. They constituted an unacceptable assault on the Timorese Government. We welcome the decision of Australia, in response to this crisis, to send 200 additional troops to strengthen the International Security Forces an addition that has provided a backbone for efforts to restore and maintain stability in the area. We also thank Australia for its full medical and military support. These recent attacks underscore the necessity of achieving accountability for the 2006 crisis. That is central to establishing law in Timor-Leste.”

   2008-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5843 (2008) · source

5. “I know that will take time. We should be prepared to do our part to help them. The United States is prepared to do its part.”

   2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

6. “To President Tadie, we express today our strong desire to maintain and strengthen our relationship with Serbia, a historical friend and ally in two world wars. We understand that the independence of Kosovo is difficult for Serbia to accept. We can assure you, Mr. President, that the United States wishes to work with you and that it will be a strong supporter to you as you pursue a path towards Europe. To others at this table and in this Chamber, I urge that we come together. The time for scoring political points is over. Together, we should encourage negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina to normalize diplomatic, social and economic relations. We can best promote stability in the Balkan region by effectively encouraging such normalization and encouraging them to meet the standards for European Union membership.”

   2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

7. “We will work together to help Kosovo realize the commitments that it has freely undertaken, including the commitment to protect the rights of its ethnic minorities, and to ensure that the entire region of South-East Europe can move forward towards a democratic, prosperous and stable future. In that regard, the European Union has made an extraordinary offer to help Kosovo develop its rule of law sector and implement reforms required for European Union membership. The United Nations should welcome that offer of support. New international presences are required to protect the substantial United Nations investment in Kosovo and preserve the legacy of the United Nations there. I want Kosovo to know that the United States will stand with it as it assumes responsibility for its destiny.”

   2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

8. “We have not, do not and will not accept the Kosovo example as a precedent for any other conflict or dispute. Thirdly, let me talk about the future. Kosovo now stands at an important threshold in its development. Fortunately, Kosovo has a blueprint, the Ahtisaari plan, for its path to becoming a functional, multi-ethnic and democratic country. Kosovo's embrace of the Ahtisaari plan and the commitment, contained in its declaration of independence, to the highest principles of the United Nations Charter are heartening. Kosovo has said that it seeks to become a responsible, peace-loving State. It is time for Kosovo to take its rightful place among the community of nations as a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic State.”

   2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

9. “But the reality is that Kosovo is clearly a special case and has been treated as such by the United Nations since 1999. As we have noted repeatedly, the violent and non-consensual break-up of Yugoslavia; Milosevic's policies of repression and ethnic cleansing, which led the international community to act; the adoption of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), under which Serbia has long been prevented from exercising normal governmental authority in Kosovo; and the United Nations-facilitated political process to help determine Kosovo's future status are all factors that make the situation in Kosovo different from other conflicts or situations and one that does not set a precedent for other regions. My country's recognition of Kosovo's independence is based upon the specific circumstances in which Kosovo now finds itself.”

   2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

10. “The recognition of Kosovo's sovereignty by a substantial number of European Union Governments, the United States and countries in other regions on the first day since Kosovo declared its independence has ensured that that fact is irreversible. Our collective efforts must now focus on working constructively with Kosovo and Serbia to help them turn a new page. Secondly, let me address legal concerns and the issue of precedent. Resolution 1244 (1999) rendered Kosovo unique by requiring the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to withdraw its military, paramilitary and police forces from Kosovo and to place Kosovo under interim United Nations administration, effectively replacing Belgrade's governance of Kosovo. I understand the concern of some that Kosovo's independence could be cited as a precedent in other parts of the world.”

    2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

11. “As United Nations Envoys Kai Eide and Martti Ahtisaari, a series of Special Representatives of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Secretary-General himself told us repeatedly, this interim status quo was unsustainable. The people of Kosovo have therefore decided to bring the issue to a close themselves. They did so in a mature, non-violent and responsible manner. Kosovo's declaration of independence is a logical, legitimate and legal response to the situation at hand. Kosovo's declaration is fully consistent with resolution 1244 (1999) and expressly recognizes that that resolution will remain in force.”

    2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

12. “He was convinced that uncertainty over its future status had become a major obstacle to Kosovo's democratic development, that the United Nations Mission in Kosovo had exhausted its potential to facilitate further progress, that Kosovo's estrangement from Serbia was irreversible and that only an independent Kosovo could produce the fully mature democratic institutions needed to realize his Vision. We continue to accept Mr. Ahtisaari's wisdom. Much to our regret, the Council was blocked from adopting a draft resolution endorsing that plan, which would have helped facilitate Kosovo's path forward.”

    2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

13. “Belgrade and Pristina negotiated for more than two years to resolve the status of Kosovo, first facilitated by Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and then by a Troika comprising the European Union, Russia and the United States. Those intensive efforts left no stone unturned. But the parties could not reach agreement, confirming that their positions on the fundamental question of status were irreconcilable. President Ahtisaari, on behalf of the Secretary- General, recommended that Kosovo become independent, subject to a period of international supervision.”

    2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

14. “Towards the end of the decade, the Serbian Government of Slobodan Milosevic brought ethnic cleansing to Kosovo. Responding to that humanitarian disaster and clear threats to international peace and security, NATO led a military intervention that stopped the Violence and brought peace to Kosovo. The Security Council solidified that peace by adopting resolution 1244 (1999) in June 1999 - an unprecedented resolution that provided for an interim political framework and circumscribed Serb sovereignty in that territory, and that called for the determination of Kosovo's final status. There was much effort to reach an agreement between the two sides, Kosovo and Serbia, on final status.”

    2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

15. “Like colleagues who have spoken before me, I would like to welcome President Tadic' once again to the Security Council. We are also pleased to see the Secretary- General here. And I welcome the new Ambassador of Croatia to the Council and look forward to working with him. In exercise of its sovereign rights, the United States has today recognized an independent and sovereign Kosovo. Our recognition was communicated by President Bush to the President of Kosovo a few hours ago. We congratulate Kosovo and welcome it to the family of nations. I would like to make three points today. The first concerns how we got to where we are. Kosovo's independence is the culmination of a long, unique process caused by Yugoslavia's Violent, non-consensual break-up. Throughout the 1990s, war wreaked havoc throughout the former Yugoslavia.”

    2008-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5839 (2008) · source

16. “We call on the Sudan, Chad and rebel groups to cease all cross-border incursions. We urge the Sudan and Chad not to interfere in each other's internal affairs. Those are necessary steps for a lasting and sustainable peace in the region. Like other speakers, I wish my Croatian colleague all the best in her next endeavour; we will miss her. I also wish my Chinese colleagues a happy new year.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

17. “We strongly urge the United Nations and the AU to quickly agree upon the immediate appointment of a single joint mediator to lead the negotiations and to assist all parties in reaching a negotiated settlement of the conflict. The recent conflict in Chad underscores the regional dimension of the conflict in the area. With regard to Darfur, in addition to the humanitarian, political and UNAMID tracks, the United Nations effort also needs to be focused on developing an effective regional approach. To that end, we need to fully deploy the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad as soon as possible. We are very disturbed by reports that the Government of the Sudan played a significant role in supporting the rebel attack on the legitimate Government of Chad.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

18. “We urge other members to join us in a coordinated effort to ensure that UNAMID troop- contributing countries arrive in Darfur trained and equipped to carry out their mission. With regard to the peace process, it is clear that we have not made enough progress. Success in the Darfur peace process, led by the United Nations and the African Union, is essential to ending the suffering of the people of Darfur and to the long-term prospects for success of the United Nations/AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur - UNAMID. We continue to urge rebel factions to come together in order to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and we support the Special Envoy's effort to unify the rebel movements. We think that that effort needs more consistent attention from the international community.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

19. “Like other delegations, we urge redoubled efforts to ensure that UNAMID can fill its force generation gaps, including by filling the critical need for air, logistical and transport assets. We were encouraged to hear that the Government of Ethiopia has offered helicopters that appear to meet some of UNAMID's requirements, and we look forward to hearing formally from the United Nations about the prospects for the deployment of those assets. The United States, for its part, is committed to assisting UNAMID deployment through the training and equipping of certain African troop-contributing countries that have made pledges to UNAMID. We have provided the United Nations with more than $40-million worth of equipment to be used by UNAMID. We have allocated an additional $100 million to train and equip troop-contributing countries.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

20. “The agreement must incorporate the same principles that apply to United Nations peacekeeping missions anywhere in the world. Secondly, the United States expects that the Government of the Sudan will cooperate fully with the upcoming deployments of UNAMID forces. The Egyptian engineer, signal and heavy transport unit should deploy by 10 March, followed by Egyptian and Ethiopian infantry battalions in March and April. The Thai infantry battalion should deploy within an April time frame. If the Sudanese Government does not deliver on those steps in a timely manner, then the Security Council will need to consider appropriate action to ensure compliance. The credibility of the Security Council is on the line. I now turn to the role of the international community.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

21. “We were pleased by the Secretary-General's briefing to the Security Council on 5 February, in which he reported - as Mr. Guehenno did today - progress in discussions with the Sudanese on the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). We hope that a breakthrough has indeed been achieved. As always with the Government of the Sudan, the proof of its commitment is in its actions. If the Sudanese are truly committed to UNAMID's deployment, we expect the following to happen in the coming weeks. First, we expect the status-of-forces agreement to be signed on 10 February. The United States urges the Sudanese Government to cooperate fully with UNAMID to finalize that agreement without further delay, including the outstanding issues of aviation and ground movements.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

22. “We greatly appreciate the briefings provided today by Under-Secretary-General Guehenno and Special Envoy Eliasson. We thank them for their efforts to bring a sustainable peace to the region. We also thank Permanent Observer Ratsifandrihamanana of the African Union (AU) for her statement. In addition, we are grateful to the Secretary-General for his personal engagement on Darfur issues, including his recent trip to Africa, about which he briefed the Council on Tuesday. The rapid deployment of an effective peacekeeping force for Darfur and finding a lasting political settlement to the conflict are both of critical importance to my country. This morning, I would like to cover those two issues and also address the impact of the Chad conflict on the future of the region.”

    2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source

23. “A Palestinian State will enhance stability in the Middle East and will contribute to the security of the people of Israel. And, as President Bush said, the establishment of the State of Palestine is long overdue. The Palestinian people deserve it. We know that the members of the Council share that vision. We will look for their support as we continue our work to realize a better future for the Palestinians, the Israelis and all the peoples of the Middle East.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

24. “Finally, the parties' bilateral negotiations are essential in establishing a peace settlement that ends the occupation that began in 1967. The only way to have a lasting peace is for both sides to come together to make difficult choices and implement them, in order to establish trust. The United States believes that President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert will make such choices, because they both value the importance of democracy in creating conditions of security and stability. It is our hope that their teams will negotiate seriously and touch upon all of the difficult core issues between them. It is important to sustain the momentum for the two-State vision that was generated in Annapolis in November and further built upon at the donor conference in Paris in December. We remain committed to the creation of a Palestinian State.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

25. “For the Palestinians, it includes confronting terrorists and dismantling their infrastructure. Secondly, the Palestinians need to build their economy and political and security institutions, with the help of Israel and the international community. Quartet Representative Tony Blair is making important progress on Palestinian economic reform and institution-building, and he has established good working relationships with Prime Minister Fayyad and Israeli Defence Minister Barak. The third track is the international track. The international community has shown, both in Paris and in Annapolis, that they fully support this effort. The United States appreciates the Arab Peace Initiative and believes that THE Arab States that are committed to regional peace should reach out to Israel.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

26. “In addition to the personal efforts of President Bush and Secretary Rice, the President has appointed Lieutenant General William Fraser to monitor and facilitate progress on the Road Map, Lieutenant General Keith Dayton to help the Palestinians as they work to professionalize their security forces, and General Jim Jones to work with the parties and regional partners to develop some ideas for a security concept for a future Palestinian State. It is our judgement that efforts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians must progress along four tracks. First, both sides need to fulfil their commitments under the Road Map, as the parties reaffirmed at Annapolis. For the Israelis, that includes ending settlement expansion and removing unauthorized outposts.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

27. “That is why President Bush just completed a trip to the Middle East, in order to reinforce the full support of the United States for a negotiated peace settlement. As we deal with the current situation in Gaza, we must maintain focus on the long-term goal of establishing a Palestinian State that is democratic, contiguous, independent and viable. Achieving that goal is so important to the United States that we have invested a significant amount of political capital.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

28. “If Hamas cared more about the well-being and the future of Gazans than it did about its own political agenda, it would put an end to the ongoing rocket attacks on Israel and relinquish its illegitimate control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. We look forward to Gaza being reunited with the West Bank under the legitimate and responsible leadership of the Palestinian Authority. Until that time, the international community should focus its efforts on supporting the legitimate leaders of the Palestinian Authority - President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. The aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to peace and security will never be realized through violence. A better future for both peoples can be realized only through negotiations and peaceful means.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

29. “The Government of Israel has stated that it will not allow a humanitarian crisis to develop in Gaza and has said that it will ensure the continued flow of humanitarian supplies, so that the most basic needs of Gazans will continue to be met. The Israelis have said that they understand the need to permit fuel and electricity in Gaza. In our private discussions with the Israeli leadership, we have stressed the importance of avoiding a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We do not want innocent Gazans to suffer. We also believe that Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's idea of allowing the Palestinian Authority to have a greater role at the border crossings could be examined. Hamas, which violently seized power in June, is seeking to exploit the current situation, a situation of its own making. The Council should not fall into that trap.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

30. “But we believe that the current situation is the result of Hamas policies and actions, especially the ongoing rain of rockets into southern Israel despite a complete Israeli withdrawal in 2005. Therefore, Hamas is ultimately responsible for the current situation. The United States condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing firing of rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel by terror groups. These attacks on innocent Israeli civilians must stop. We expect the Government of Israel, when responding to these attacks, to take all possible steps to avoid civilian casualties and to minimize the impact on innocent civilians in Gaza.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

31. “I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe for his briefing and for United Nations continued support to achieve peace in the Middle East. The United States shares the concerns of the international community about the very difficult current situation in Gaza and the plight of the Palestinian people, a plight that warrants our attention. As we do so, we should not lose sight of how that situation came to be, nor of what we are working to achieve, that is - Gaza as an integral part of a future Palestinian State. I want to make clear that the United States will not abandon the people of Gaza. We will continue to provide humanitarian aid to help meet the basic needs of the Gazans.”

    2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source

32. “Iraqis who fled the violence are beginning to return and to rebuild their lives. Some 20,000 Iraqis were able to travel to Mecca by air and ground from 11 December to 7 January to perform the hajj. In preparation for that, the Mosul airport reopened to civilian flights after being closed for several years. In my remarks today, I have described how tactical and operational momentum is continuing to build. The key to channeling this hard-won momentum into long-term success will be the willingness and ability of national leaders to capitalize upon these local gains, pass and implement remaining key legislation and promote reconciliation. Success in Iraq is important, not only for the Iraqi people, but for Iraq's neighbours, the region and the entire international community.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

33. “UNAMI has also demonstrated its leadership and its role as co-lead for the International Compact with Iraq and in its support for the United Nations Development Group, which administers one of the Iraq trust funds of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq. In recent months, UNAMI has contributed substantially to setting up the secretariat that is helping Iraq and its donor partners to implement the reforms and initiatives that are called for in the Compact and helping Iraq to achieve economic self- sufficiency. Iraq is now a different place from one year ago. Much hard work remains, but levels of violence are significantly reduced and solid progress is being made. Hope is returning to Baghdad and returning to towns and villages throughout the country.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

34. “International and regional engagement also continue to improve. We are grateful for the Secretary- General's participation in the expanded neighbours ministerial meeting, in Istanbul in November 2007, and for UNAMI's offer to support the Government of Iraq in coordinating future meetings. UNAMI has played an important role in the development of the terms of reference for an ad hoc expanded neighbours' support mechanism office to be established in Baghdad. UNAMI's commitment to provide technical assistance and personnel for the office will be elemental to its success and will help the expanded neighbours process to continue to serve as a valuable forum for Iraq and its neighbours to address common security concerns and create opportunities for greater cooperation.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

35. “Turning to economic issues, Iraqi ministries executed 43 per cent of their capital budget as of 30 September 2007, which is a substantial improvement over full-year 2006 budget execution. This investment in the economy should help to stimulate growth and reduce vulnerability. In many parts of Iraq, the reopening of schools, clinics and markets and improvements in essential services all suggest improvements resulting from hard-fought security gains. Year-on-year inflation fell from 65 per cent in 2006 to 16 per cent through November 2007. The International Monetary Fund projected that Iraq will have modest growth of 1.3 per cent in 2007 but significant improvement in the coming year. In addition, 44 countries agreed to debt-reduction for the Government of Iraq on Paris Club terms.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

36. “They must work together to address issues such as corruption and terrorist financing and to pass laws on provincial powers, hydrocarbons and elections, to lay the groundwork for provincial elections that are long overdue. The Government must also address the mounting problem of corruption, including repairing the damage to the Commission on Public Integrity. This quarter, the Council of Representatives of Iraq overcame significant hurdles to pass the de-Baathification reform bill. This legislation, which would allow many former members of the Baath party to assume positions in Government, took months to achieve and involved considerable compromise and collaboration by many political leaders. The Presidency Council is currently considering the ratification.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

37. “The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to train, equip and fund Shia extremists despite reported assurances to Prime Minister Al-Maliki that Iran will cease lethal aid. Iraq has come a long way, but much work remains to be done. Looking ahead, we know that Iraq faces challenges in several areas. In 2008, the coalition's four main areas of focus for the Ministries of Defence and Interior and their forces will continue to be: to develop ministerial capacity; to improve the capabilities of the Iraqi forces; to build specific enabling capabilities, including logistics, sustainment and training capabilities; and to support the expansion of the Iraqi forces. Politically, Iraq's leaders need to foster an atmosphere of cooperation and compromise, placing national interests over parochial ones.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

38. “The Anbar awakening turned the tide in the fight against Al-Qaida in Iraq in the Arab-Sunni tribal areas. Today, local citizens are fighting Al-Qaida and working with coalition and Iraqi forces to bring security to their neighbourhoods. As a result, during this quarter attacks in Anbar plummeted to less than 6 per cent of the total, and life is rapidly returning to normal. Despite these security gains, foreign terrorists and suicide bombers still enter Iraq through Syria. Syria must do more to stem these flows, including instituting a stricter visa regime, detaining known facilitators, increasing information-sharing with countries of origin and transit and further enhancing border security.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

39. “Local leaders, both Arab- Sunni and Arab-Shia, are working with coalition forces, provincial reconstruction teams and the Government of Iraq to improve security and economic conditions in their areas. There are about 80,000 local citizens who have volunteered to fight against extremists under coalition force supervision in many parts of Iraq. These citizens protect critical infrastructure in their neighbourhoods, and some form neighbourhood watch groups. Anbar province continues to show dramatic improvement in security. A year ago, Anbar province was the most violent province in Iraq, accounting for more than 25 per cent of all attacks throughout the country. Its citizens grew weary of the violence and turmoil that plagued their province and began to cooperate closely with Iraqi and coalition forces.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

40. “Prime Minister Al-Maliki has pledged that Iraq will assume security responsibility for the remaining nine provinces by the end of 2008. The provinces under the coalition's security control will continue to transition in the coming months as Iraqi forces demonstrate their readiness to assume this responsibility. This transition to provincial Iraqi control is proceeding as planned. On 29 October Karbala province made the transition, and on 16 December Basra province did the same. Over the previous four months, Iraqi security forces had maintained their own security and successfully demonstrated their readiness to assume full responsibility over Iraq's second largest city and its environment. Bottom-up reconciliation in the provinces has made significant advances.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

41. “Iraqi forces conducted a surge of their own in 2007, providing well over 100,000 more Iraqi police and soldiers. As of 24 December 2007, the number of Iraqi Defence and Interior Ministry personnel had risen to 516,646. Ten divisions, 34 brigades and 108 battalions have the lead in counter-insurgency operations in their areas of responsibility - an increase of one brigade and five battalions since last quarter. And of all formed Iraqi armed units, 77 per cent are rated as being able to plan, execute and sustain operations with minimal or no assistance from the coalition forces. The coalition continues to transfer responsibility for security to the Government of Iraq, which now has the lead security responsibly for 9 out of 18 provinces.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

42. “08-21255 There are currently 33 countries playing an essential role to support security in Iraq, as part of either coalition or UNAMI operations. Coalition members other than the United States and Iraq contribute approximately 10,300 troops to the coalition and another 450 to support UNAMI. The specific contributions run from major patrolling operations, such as the 1,850-soldier-strong Georgian contingent that operates in Wasit province, to the Albanian contingent guarding an airfield, to the 37-soldier contingent of Bosnians who find and destroy unexploded ordnance. These troops play an indispensable role in the coalition's daily operations and successes in Iraq. The Government of Iraq is also moving forward to take greater control of the country's security.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

43. “Coalition casualty rates have dropped as well, and December 2007 saw the second-lowest death toll of the war going back to May 2003. Another striking trend is the reduction in ethno-sectarian attacks and deaths, both of which decreased over 90 per cent in Baghdad's security districts from January to December 2007. Weekly incidents involving improvised explosive devices (IED) have fallen 68 per cent since the start of Operation Phantom Thunder in late June 2006. That drop in IED incidents may be attributed to the disruption of insurgent networks that has hindered their operational capability. Finally, high-profile attacks in Iraq, such as car bombs and suicide attacks, have declined by over 50 per cent since March 2007.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

44. “The overall reduction in security incidents can be attributed to several factors, including the continued decrease in the capabilities of Al-Qaida in Iraq and militia extremists, increased tribal initiatives against Al-Qaida and other extremists, Muqtada al-Sadr's ceasefire order to his Jaish al-Mahdi militia, the increased capability of Iraqi military and police, and the sustained presence of coalition and Iraqi forces among the population. Today, we can look back at some of the gains of the surge in MNF-I forces. Let me introduce some specific examples. The overall number of civilian casualties has declined significantly this quarter and is now below the level of February 2006, prior to the Samarra mosque bombing.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

45. “The continued implementation of the New Way Forward strategy, combined with the surge in overall force levels in Iraq, has considerably improved levels of security during the past quarter. Efforts to enhance population security, such as the establishment of joint security stations in key areas, have enhanced coalition and Iraqi forces' ability to interact with local residents and obtain information on insurgents and illegal militia activities. Improved security is beginning to achieve momentum that, if maintained, may lead to sustained stability. The number of security incidents has fallen significantly and is now at levels last seen in early 2005. Monthly overall attacks - those against Iraqi security forces, civilians, the coalition forces and infrastructure have been reduced by 60 per cent since June 2007.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

46. “We are pleased that the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1790 (2007) on 18 December, extending the mandate of MNF-I for another year and allowing Iraq time to achieve the objectives it has set for itself as an independent and sovereign State. The United States shares with the Iraqi people the goal of achieving a secure, stable and democratic Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbours. It was with that goal in mind one year ago that President Bush approved an increase in our troop strength in Iraq so as to help Iraqis secure the population, isolate extremists, create the conditions for political and economic progress, and accelerate the transition to Iraqi responsibility.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

47. “It is my pleasure to report to today on behalf of the Multinational Forces in Iraq (MNF-I), as requested by Security Council resolutions 1546 (2004), 1637 (2005), 1723 (2006) and 1790 (2007). I was pleased to hear the report on the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and to see the progress it is making under the leadership of Special Representative De Mistura, particularly in helping to address issues associated with article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution. We look forward to its anticipated contributions to meeting all objectives of resolution 1770 (2007) and appreciate the Secretariat's support for the UNAMI mission.”

    2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source

48. “In conclusion, I should like to restate the commitment of the United States to work in collaboration with the Government of Iraq in order to help Iraq achieve the objectives that it has set for itself as an independent and sovereign State.”

    2007-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5808 (2007) · source

49. “The Government of the United States is proud of its role in helping Iraq combat the challenges of terrorism and other violent acts besetting the country. We believe that the extension of these Council mandates is critical, as these authorities provide a framework for the international community to sustain its support for the people and the Government of Iraq as they work to consolidate and extend the gains made this year. In particular, this resolution will enable the MNF-I to continue to participate in the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq; it will enable the DFI to continue to ensure that the Government's revenues are used for the benefit of the Iraqi people; and it will enable the IAMB to continue to provide critical oversight, advisory and monitoring functions.”

    2007-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5808 (2007) · source

50. “This vote complements the decision taken by the Council last August to expand the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and the launching of the International Compact with Iraq last May in Sharm el-Sheikh. Together, those actions signal that the international community recognizes that what happens in Iraq has profound consequences for us all and that the Iraqis' striving to establish a stable, peaceful and prosperous democracy merits our continued support. They also signal the progress that the Iraqi people and Government have made on the path towards economic and security self-reliance. I call on the Iraqi leaders to make similar progress with regard to national reconciliation.”

    2007-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5808 (2007) · source