YouSaid · the spoken record

Koenigs

lines on the record: 73
first: 2006-03-14
most recent: 2007-10-15
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“We have to win the legitimacy of the Afghan Government, because only an Afghan Government that is legitimate, and perceived as such, will be able to finally overcome the challenges posed by the insurgency. Fourthly, and lastly, in my View, the efforts of Afghanistan and the international community should, and can be, an integral peacemaking factor for the whole region, just as the region can, and must be, a peacemaking factor for Afghanistan. On the other hand, the conflicts and instability in the region could, but must not be, a disintegrating factor for Afghanistan and our efforts.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“I would like to mention that, because it is vital to security, governance might be the most important and challenging of all. Afghan- owned security must be achieved, but counter-narcotics efforts, capacity development and regional cooperation are also necessary. Thirdly, counter-insurgency can only be successful if it increases the legitimacy of the Government of Afghanistan. All our efforts in the areas of governance, counternarcotics, security and regional cooperation must therefore focus on the overarching importance of the legitimacy of the legally elected 36 Government. We must therefore win hearts and minds not only for ourselves, but also for the Afghan Government.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Mr. Koenigs: Let me make four very brief comments. First of all, I would like to thank the Security Council for the continued broad support that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and its entire staff has received from it, for we depend on its ongoing support. At the moment, UNAMA faces not only the usual challenges of a post-conflict mission but also a burgeoning conflict in the south of the country. We therefore have both peacekeeping and peacemaking challenges ahead. Secondly, I appreciate that the priorities have been clear in all the meetings held in the past month: first, security and security sector reform; secondly, governance; thirdly, counter-narcotics efforts; and, fourthly, regional cooperation. That came through in all the comments made today.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“We commend the clear resolve of the Afghan people, who have now been battered by nearly 30 years of war and conflict, to build on their achievements of the past six years by contributing to a genuine peace process that embraces civil society, tribal groups, elected representatives, the legitimate Government and opposition groups and that engages all in a common effort to make national reconciliation a real prospect. Finally, I would like to thank the Council for its continuing commitment to the peace process in Afghanistan and to UNAMA's mission. On a more personal note, I would like to thank the Council for the support it has given me - which in many cases went beyond diplomatic routine - as the leader of UNAMA, which is one of the most challenging and fascinating of United Nations missions.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Notwithstanding the serious challenges facing Afghanistan, it is heartening to be able to report the involvement of several thousand people in marches and other activities throughout Afghanistan on the International Day of Peace, which was observed on 21 September. The UNAMA-led communications campaign begun in July to mobilize grass-roots voices for peace culminated in peace debates, spontaneous gatherings and, perhaps most important, a successful Government of Afghanistan/UNICEF/World Health Organization Peace Day polio vaccination campaign in previously inaccessible areas of the south and east.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“With its 17 offices in the field, and in the numerous working groups of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, UNAMA will make its best efforts to deliver effective coordination throughout the country at the national and sub-national levels. With a view to reinforcing regional and provincial offices, in its 2008 budget submission, UNAMA will request a moderate increase in international posts, including for the police and military advisory units. It should be stressed that UNAMA's activities, in particular in the field, must be carried out with all precautionary measures to protect our staff. That requires sufficient resources. On all those issues, the support of Council members is highly appreciated.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“At the President's request, the parliament is currently considering the merits of harmonizing the presidential and parliamentary election cycles, which expire in 2009 and 2010, respectively. I urge the international community to ensure that it supports election preparations in a coherent manner, with the goal of achieving well-prepared, free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections at the central and district levels. To that end, I encourage donors to meet the shortfall from the previous elections and to provide the necessary resources for a voter registry and for building the capacity of the Independent Electoral Commission. UNAMA will continue to play its central coordinating role and take new initiatives in the areas where we can make a meaningful contribution.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“That growing political diversity is the healthiest indicator yet that Afghans are taking charge of their own destiny and that the perspectives of key political players in Afghanistan both within and outside the Government have shifted from post-electoral to pre-electoral concerns. As noted in the report of the Secretary-General, at their meeting in May, the members of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board of the Afghanistan Compact recommended that the Government and the National Assembly should ensure the Assembly's timely adoption of an electoral law that would allow for cost-effective and secure elections, as called for by the Afghanistan Compact.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“In the version ultimately approved by both houses of parliament - which post- dates the one referred to in paragraph 16 of the report (S/2007/555) of the Secretary-General - the independence of Afghan media has been largely protected. Extensive lobbying by Afghan journalists and civil society and by the international community, including UNAMA, appears to have been successful in many respects. The President and his supporters responded to the formation, in May, of the National United Front - a political opposition party with which several members of the Cabinet are associated - with the recent registration of a Republican Party, to which other Cabinet members belong.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“I was told that several Taliban commanders have expressed the wish to live in peace under the current constitution - out of fear for their survival and uncertainty about the sustainability of their sanctuaries and in response to signals pointing towards the need for dialogue at many levels, above all in the wake of the Afghanistan-Pakistan peace jirga held in early August. The Taliban as an organization remains, at least in part, determined to continue its military campaign. There are currently no prospects for negotiations with the top leadership of the Taliban. In the past few weeks, the parliament passed legislation governing political parties, the structure of the Government and property. Many of those subjects have provoked discussion and even controversy, none more so than the Media Law.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“To that end, the recently formed International Police Coordination Board, whose mandate is to bring coherence to police development efforts, should be structured to function on the basis of Afghan leadership as the central policy body for police reform. In the past two months, the President and the parliament have increasingly expressed the desire to conduct outreach to insurgents willing to reconcile with the Government. However, to be effective, national reconciliation will require a comprehensive strategy defined by the parameters of the Afghan constitution.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“At the same time, the absence of a unified vision of the police that addresses the requirements of law enforcement and counter- insurgency has perpetuated an environment dominated by a culture of patronage and corruption. In addition, we cannot ignore the fact that, to date this year, the violent insurgency has cost more than 1,000 policemen their lives. The Government of Afghanistan and the international community must urgently come together to develop a definitive structure for the National Police that embraces both gendarmerie and civilian police functions. The Government of Afghanistan and its partners have only belatedly understood the specific role the police must play, and the additional support they require, in any successful counter-insurgency strategy.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“The efforts of all those - in particular the Afghan Government, the United States and the European Union - whose great commitment to reforming the Afghan National Police has resulted in higher quality police chiefs, new standards of vetting 07-54010 and professionalism, merit-based selection of police officials, improved vehicles and equipment and growing effectiveness on the part of the uniformed, border, traffic and civil order police in most parts of the country are highly appreciated. Nevertheless, parts of the Ministry of Interior have proved resistant to principles of accountability and transparency, thereby hampering the development of the Afghan National Police.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“In instances where Government and international efforts have been aligned and focused on institutional capacity development - such as in the Afghan National Army and the ministries of finance, education, health and rural development - there has been consolidated progress. Where that has not happened - such as in the Civil Service Commission, counter-narcotics, sub-national governance and the Ministry of Interior - progress has been limited.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“If unchecked, those whose financial interests are served by the drug trade will use their profits to buy political power ahead of elections, which will in turn sow the seeds for a self-perpetuating narco-State. For that reason, I would like to commend the Government and its international partners for its recent commitment, through the Policy Action Group on 10 October, to a 12-point action plan on which to base implementation of the national drug control strategy. While the actions are quite comprehensive, to be successful they will require determined leadership and great political will on the part of the Government, supported by all the international partners. Capacity-building remains a key weapon with which to combat the corrosive power of corruption.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“A disjointed international community approach, combined with a lack of Afghan leadership at the national and sub-national levels, has allowed drug traffickers to prosper. Where there has been success - for example in Balkh province, which was declared poppy free this year - it has been the direct result of unequivocal Afghan leadership. That should serve as a model for efforts throughout the country. The dangers posed by the record poppy harvest have gone beyond the societal and health issues, as it has encouraged an alliance of convenience between the insurgents and drug lords. Both parties have an interest in a weak State and are further exploiting that synergy and fostering corruption among local administrators and key security officials, most often the police.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Such a programme could build on the successful completion of this summer's sub-national consultations, which involved 11,000 people participating in the development of 35 provincial development plans. That will complement the ongoing work with the sector strategies and help ensure that the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, to be finalized by March next year, will be truly representative. I urge the international community to work closely with the Strategy and to support the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board secretariat to ensure that the Strategy becomes an enduring vehicle for the partnership between the Government of Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan. For the dangers of weak governance, one need look no further than the 34 per cent increase in opium production in 2007.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“The creation last month of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) is belated, especially given that its task is undoubtedly one of the most important and difficult ones facing the administration today. The strategic framework recently presented by IDLG, which identifies the need to achieve transparent, accountable, participatory and inclusive governance, must be refined into concrete and manageable tasks, assigned across ministries, and pursued with determination. I hope that donors wholeheartedly support IDLG's work, which should form the backbone of comprehensive political engagement and dramatically increase the public's trust in Government.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“While internationally supported military operations or, indeed, the ever-more capable Afghan National Army can potentially provide temporary security, opportunity requires a just institutional framework in which commitment to the Constitution's precepts - that is, good citizenship - is rewarded. Along with that, transgression must be punished. Only good governance, led by senior leadership within the Government and delivered through both the civilian and military arms of the State, will end the culture of corruption and impunity that has dangerously eroded public confidence. The focus on shoring up the central Government has come at the cost of provincial administrations, which, as a result of being long neglected by both the Government and its international partners, are weak and undersupported.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Those include the issuance of orders to all regional commands to adjust tactics, where possible, to increase protection of civilians and the improvement of systems for compensation and information-sharing. The Security Council has reinforced such efforts to protect civilians in the new language of the International Security Assistance Force's recent mandate extension of 19 September in resolution 1776 (2007). 3 I wish to stress that there can be no further delays in addressing the twin challenges of governance and outreach, on which progress in Afghanistan depends. In order to thrive, Afghan communities require security and opportunity.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Although, amid the violence in Afghanistan, suicide attacks receive the most publicity, perhaps the biggest threat to the civilian population and overall stability is the ongoing campaign of intimidation, abduction and execution being carried out by anti- Government elements against all those seen to have a connection with the Afghan Government or the international community. It is imperative that the protection of civilians remain at the forefront of everyone's efforts in Afghanistan, for a failure to secure the population's support will not only protract the conflict, causing further devastation, but also hold the country's development hostage to violence and undermine the legitimacy of our efforts. I am pleased to be able to note concrete steps taken by ISAF and Operation Enduring Freedom on the issue of civilian casualties.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“One recommendation in that sense is to be found in paragraph 84 of the Secretary-General's report. I was deeply troubled by the recent decision of the Afghan Government to execute 15 prisoners on SOctober. As members are all aware, the United Nations does not support the imposition of the death penalty and, specifically with regard to Afghanistan, in 2005 the Commission on Human Rights called on Afghan authorities to declare a moratorium on the death penalty in light of procedural and substantive flaws in the judicial system. I must take this opportunity to urge the Government to reinstate the moratorium and to respect the international laws governing the illegality of the death penalty when a fair trial cannot be guaranteed.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“In the current climate of instability and conflict, the lack of oversight mechanisms for human rights, especially with regard to the opacity of the mandate of the National Directorate for Security, the intelligence service, and lack of access to its facilities are of 07-54010 particular concern. It should also be added that the lack of coordination of the National Directorate for Security with both the justice system and, in some areas, even with other security organizations is a hindrance to security within the country. I urge the Government to investigate allegations of arbitrary detention and torture of detainees, granting UNAMA and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission unrestricted access to monitor the National Directorate for Security detention centres and activities throughout the country.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“NATO and ISAF must work with the Government of Afghanistan and with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to ensure that an integrated political and military strategy and a shared security plan for Afghanistan that take full account of military, counter-insurgency, governance, development, reconstruction and human dimensions are sources of strength for all in standing against violence and bringing peace to Afghanistan over the winter months and throughout 2008. Key to the success of such an integrated strategy is the greater inclusion of Afghanistan's civilian and military leaders in the planning of security operations in regional commands, International Security Assistance Force headquarters, and NATO military headquarters.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“That is a significant increase, and a sad result is the increase in the number of casualties - at least 1,200 civilians have been killed since January this yean The Afghan National Army will be at around 47,000 soldiers strong by the end of this year. The Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan hopes to deliver a force of 70,000 by the end of 2008. At the same time, a programme of focused district development should begin to address the poor standards of the Afghan National Police. But numbers are not a measure of capability, and for the time being we must recognize that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) represents the most capable defence of the Government against the insurgency.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“For the region, a key target remains complementing the focus of Afghanistan's neighbours on their bilateral relationships by 07-54010 furthering, and expanding upon, multilateral approaches to enduring stability for Afghanistan. The coordination of international and Afghan military actors has improved at both the national and regional levels, and there have been significant tactical military successes in the south and in the east since I briefed this Council in March. In the past two months, the level of violence has subsided. Nonetheless, on a month-by-month basis, compared with last year, the number of violent incidents is up by approximately 30 per cent. So far this year, the United Nations has recorded 606 detonated improvised explosive devices and 133 suicide attacks, as compared with 88 at this time last year.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“After frank discussions, it took decisions on trade and transit, finalization of commercially viable power purchase agreements and facilitation of transborder labour movements and of voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The huge importance of active regional cooperation for stability and economic development was stressed by all speakers. However, despite the positive steps taken during the meeting, discussion of key topics highlighted a capacity deficit in regional cooperation, which must be addressed first and foremost within the Government of Afghanistan by the creation of supporting regional units in the lead ministries, led by the reinforced Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Mr. Koenigs: First of all, Sir, I wish to thank you for your kind words. I am pleased to note that as we come together today to consider the way forward in Afghanistan, many of us here do so for the second or even a third time in a month. There could be no clearer indication of the priority that the international community rightly assigns to success in Afghanistan and the enduring commitment to a better future for all Afghans. The most recent of these three meetings - the sixth Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board meeting on 3 October in Kabul - focused on regional economic cooperation.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Mr. Koenigs: I have taken careful note of all the very constructive remarks made today. They will give UNAMA the necessary guidance for the next time. I wish to make only three remarks. First, I would like to thank the Council and all its members for the continuous support for the Afghan people and the democratically elected Afghan Government. UNAMA will certainly continue to implement the mandate the Council has given us. I am very grateful that the members of the Council intend to extend the mandate for another 12 months, strengthening UNAMA's role of protecting civilians in armed conflict. Lastly, I have taken note of the many very supportive and frank remarks on the work of UNAMA and its staff. I will be happy to convey that message to our nearly 300 international and 1,200 national staff.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“We will continue to endeavour to ensure that coordination in all fields, political outreach and regional cooperation continue to improve in the areas we have identified as critical to the success of the transition.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“While UNAMA has been making strenuous efforts to protect its staff, it is facing serious operational constraints. Against that background, recruiting and retaining qualified staff represents a major challenge, especially in the field offices. In view of the importance of UNAMA's role at this critical juncture in the Afghan peace process and especially in view of the increasing need for UNAMA's outreach, that issue must also be addressed in terms of financial resources. Your support in that regard will be critical. I wish to thank the Council and the international community for their continuing commitment to the peace process in Afghanistan and to the mission of UNAMA.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The justice institutions will need to further restructure and reform their organizations for greater accountability, improved service delivery and work conditions and better resources and security for justice officials. In March, the Supreme Court, the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice each presented comprehensive new reform strategies as part of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy process. Now is the time to seek funding for a concrete implementable national programme for justice institutions. Finally, I would like to raise one UNAMA-related internal issue. The continued lack of a secure environment severely limits the ability of the mission to implement its mandate and exposes its staff - in particular, those in the field - to considerable risk.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Eradication activities must be accompanied by both effective alternative livelihood programmes and enforcement measures against drug networks, to break the nexus of drug trafficking, insurgency, violence and corruption. 07-27564 Widespread corruption within the justice sector is a major concern. To tackle that problem, the reform process urgently needs to address the issue of the low- level salaries of judges and prosecutors and the other recurrent expenditures in the justice system. The Afghan budget will not be able to cover those expenses in the foreseeable future. There is a strong case for the establishment of some form of multidonor funding mechanism within the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund to meet these and other costs.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“It will be vital to lay continuing stress on concrete measures to recognize and honour victims and support reconciliation. Counter-narcotics efforts continue to be an area of utmost strategic priority. The implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy requires concerted action by the international community and the Afghan Government to prevent a possible failure of counter- narcotics policy. Initial reports of this year's opium poppy planting indicate that there will be a record harvest in 2007. Eradication is ongoing, but it has not had a critical impact on opium poppy cultivation in the southern provinces. A significant decrease is expected in the north where initiatives to promote licit livelihoods have succeeded and governance and law enforcement have been strengthened.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The key elements of the Action Plan include, among other things, establishing the truth about atrocities committed between April 1978 and the fall of the Taliban in 2001, measures to honour victims, reform of State institutions - including vetting and reconciliation initiatives - and providing recommendations on an appropriate accountability mechanism. The key objectives of the Plan, which remains a benchmark under the Afghanistan Compact, have to be protected, and United Nations principles with regard to the inadmissibility of amnesties for crimes against humanity, war crimes and other egregious human rights violations have to be respected. The debate on those issues in Afghanistan is likely to remain Vigorous and at times divisive.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“07-27564 On 10 March, the Wolesi Jirga approved a revised reconciliation and general amnesty bill that grants amnesty to all political and belligerent groups involved in the armed conflict before the establishment of the Interim Administration in 2001, as well as to those individuals and groups still in armed opposition to the Government who join the national reconciliation process. Since the right of individuals to seek justice with respect to individual crimes is explicitly not affected, that, like any initiative to integrate groups willing to live in peace under the new Constitution, is welcome. Nevertheless, the principal framework for action in that area remains the Action Plan on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation launched by the President on 10 December 2006.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The continuing impunity of terrorist networks based in Waziristan but operating in Afghanistan remains of high concern, as does information about Taliban leadership presence and training activities in and around Quetta, Peshawar and Miram Shah. I welcome as a very positive step the recent arrest in Quetta of Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, one of Mullah Omar's two deputies and former Taliban Minister of Defence - a key figure featuring on the sanctions list established under Security Council resolution 1267 (1999). Regional cooperation remains essential to resolving the insurgency. Existing practical initiatives to increase regional trust and dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan, notably in infrastructure, health and private sector development, have to be further developed as confidence-building measures.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Our work must be an effective complement to Government and military action. The new UNAMA provincial offices are meant to open doors and initiate dialogue with a wide variety of groups whose role will be critical in ending the conflict. The Policy Action Group led by President Karzai must be made increasingly operational at the provincial level to guide and support the concerned provincial governors and enable further outreach to the districts. There is a strategic consensus on the need to disrupt Taliban leadership networks as a key aspect of the multifaceted effort to defeat the insurgency. The capacity of national law enforcement authorities to locate and arrest Taliban leaders needs to be strengthened in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“A credible strategy is needed to enlist the support of tribal leaders and their communities for Government initiatives to keep the peace, restore basic services and meet urgent humanitarian needs. A successful counter- narcotics policy in Helmand, Uruzgan and elsewhere will depend on the re-establishment of governance and strong community engagement. As the Secretary-General's report before the Council in document S/2007/152 makes clear, UNAMA is eager to strengthen its efforts to deliver effective coordination, meet humanitarian needs and promote regional cooperation in economic, social, development and other spheres. Our constructive role in outreach to vulnerable communities to develop local solutions for governance and insecurity can be of enormous value and deserves reinforcement.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Strategies to overcome that disaffection are urgently required. Local solutions to improve security through outreach to local communities have proven successful in Paktya, Khost, Kandahar and Kunar provinces, often with UNAMA support. On the other hand, a considerable number of provincial governors and other key officials continue to underperform in that respect; support to the provinces from the central Government is sometimes insufficient. The current situation in Helmand province illustrates that. The Afghan Government has so far failed to project its authority into such districts as Nauzad, Sangin, Kajaki and Baghran even when community leaders have demonstrated courage in defying the Taliban.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“As a complement to military action, there is considerable potential for improved security through political outreach to disaffected tribal groups and commanders with a "soft" commitment to the Taliban and other insurgent groups. There are signs that more groups than ever are receptive to Afghan Government overtures when they are credibly made. While insurgency-affected areas are concentrated along the Afghan-Pakistani border, with suicide attackers, facilitators and Taliban commanders continuing to cross over from Pakistan, the insurgency has a distinct local profile from district to district and is equally susceptible to local solutions. It is critical in that regard for the Afghan Government to recognize that alienation along tribal lines has resulted in many cases from past actions of Government officials.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“In line with its human rights mandate, UNAMA has sought to position itself as an impartial and credible advocate on behalf of civilians by conducting objective verifications of those incidents and sharing the information with key actors. Our primary aim is to prevent further civilian casualties caused by any party to the conflict, even if our greatest concern remains the flagrant disregard of insurgent groups for civilian lives. Afghan Government and international military forces, too, must take greater care to ensure that they are seeking to do no harm to civilians and are so perceived. Afghan villages and communities must be able to count on their Government and ISAF for protection from Violence in all its forms.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“That incident prompted demonstrations against the foreign military forces. In Kapisa, an ISAF air strike on a residential compound killed nine persons, including four children. The compound was targeted after two men were seen firing their weapons at a nearby Afghan National Army base, according to a United States military spokesperson. 3 Those incidents expose the grave risks posed by civilian losses in military action. Beyond the tragic loss of innocent human life, the resulting disaffection and civil unrest, loss of public support, as well as victims' right to justice place the international effort to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan under additional stress.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Taliban-led terrorist and insurgent groups bear sole responsibility for the high toll of deaths and injuries caused by suicide bombings. Despite some successes by Afghan security forces in detecting and dismantling suicide attack facilitation networks, there have been 27 suicide attacks so far this year - a figure that exceeds by far the rate in the same period of last year. Over 80 per cent of the Victims of those attacks are civilian bystanders. There have been a number of cases of civilian casualties caused by Government and international military forces during the reporting period. On 4 March in Nangahar province, 12 civilians were killed and 38 injured in the aftermath of a vehicle-borne suicide improvised explosive device attack on a United States Marine Corps convoy.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Past experience indicates that we can expect intensified violence as the weather gets warmer and spring begins. But the ability of Taliban forces to acquire and retain the military initiative is now under active challenge in many districts. Its symbiotic relationship with drug-trafficking networks in Helmand and other southern provinces has been exposed as never before. Moreover, the Taliban model of governance remains broadly unpopular. Given the nature of this contest, I welcome the commitment of new forces to ISAF, which will generate a credible theatre reserve for the first time. Those include an additional 3,500 soldiers from the United States, 1,400 from the United Kingdom, 1,000 from Poland, 400 from Bulgaria and 300 from Hungary. As military action increases, the protection of civilians has emerged as a burning concern.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“Improved utilization of development aid and accelerated budget execution, together with a strengthened international military presence and reinforced Afghanistan security forces, remain key prerequisites for the success of both development and military efforts during 2007. 07-27564 As we speak, ISAF, together with Afghan national security forces, is engaged in large-scale operations against Taliban forces. The main theatre of operation is in the Sangin and Kajaki districts, in Helmand, although areas of Uruzgan, Kandahar, Farah and Ghor are also affected. Operation Achilles, which was launched on 6 March, and the subsequent offensive Operation Nowruz - which translates as "new year", which begins tomorrow - aim to defeat a tough enemy in unforgiving terrain.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The continued passivity of many Government agencies - in the expectation that the international community will come to their rescue to meet the Compact objectives - only serves to delay progress, and in some cases even to undermine it. For the process to succeed it is critical that the Government starts to View political advice by members of the international community as a genuine attempt to assist rather than as an attempt to control. It is of fundamental importance that the Government takes seriously the issue of top-down reform of key ministries, particularly the Ministry of the Interior. If it does not, the bottom-up attempts of the international community - for instance, to reform the police - will be an opportunity lost.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“For some donors and some key sectors that must entail reinforced staffing and resources on the ground in Kabul and in Afghanistan's provinces. For the Afghan Government to fulfil its role under the Compact, the National Assembly needs to become more engaged in the Compact implementation process by including relevant discussions in its plenary agenda. Increased involvement will enable the National Assembly to analyse the Government's reporting on the use of donor assistance and to advance its legislative function. Many other wings of the Government, including the Ministry of the Interior, will need to take more seriously their responsibility under the Compact.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to implement effective coordination of the 07-27564 international community and with the Government of Afghanistan at the provincial and national levels. I count on the support of the Council to make the Afghanistan National Development Strategy work. It will deliver results only if everyone contributes to the process. To be candid, international participation needs to improve. I would therefore like to request, through the Council, that all donors ensure meaningful participation by their Government representatives in the National Development Strategy working and consultative groups, starting right now, in the run-up to the Afghanistan Development Forum, to be held on 30 April, and the fifth JCMB meeting, to be held on 1 May.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“I would like to thank the Security Council for reinforcing the current consensus on the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (J CMB) as the principal framework guiding the Government of Afghanistan and the international community in the implementation of the Afghanistan Compact. It is crucial at this moment to ensure that the Afghanistan National Development Strategy works well and delivers. At the last JCMB meeting in Berlin, which included the participation of political directors from capitals, donors underscored their support for the Government's goal of exerting greater ownership over security, reconstruction and development activities. Afghan ministries are currently drafting their five-year strategies, and subnational consultations are about to begin, in May.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source