YouSaid · the spoken record

Kouchner

lines on the record: 245
first: 2000-06-09
most recent: 2010-09-23
sittings or episodes: 11
sources: un-security-council

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“Mr. Kouchner (France) (spoke in French): France believes that this meeting is important. Settlement activities have been stepped up since Annapolis. With its European partners, France has had the opportunity to state clearly and repeatedly its concerns at that accelerated building of settlements and the tenders, namely in East Jerusalem. The European Union (EU) believes that the building of settlements anywhere in the Palestinian occupied territories is illegal with respect to international law. It harms the credibility of the process started in Annapolis and affects the viability of the future necessary, indispensable Palestinian State; it makes the development of the Palestinian economy more difficult; and finally, it causes tension, as illustrated by the recent exactions of the settlers with regard to the Palestinians.”
2008-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5983 (2008) · source
“In the spirit of this responsibility to protect, in situations where the civilian population is threatened and exposed to violence, we are committed to providing support on the ground at the request of States, who of course still bear the primary responsibility for protecting their populations.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“To conclude, the Secretary-General should now start planning for this force, which we believe should be deployed both in Chad and in the Central African Republic, whose modalities and the size of whose components will have to be carefully studied. It must be capable of meeting the challenges that are faced every day as a result of crime. That is what we will implement in Chad and in the Central African Republic. It is in the spirit of fulfilling our responsibility to protect, an old notion that has been somewhat forgotten with which the Council is well acquainted.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“Solana indicated, we must do everything we can to prevent a security vacuum in the area. The transfer of authority from EUFOR to a United Nations force must take place in good conditions. Otherwise, we will have to start again from scratch. So the transfer must take place in the best possible circumstances and at the time of the expiry of the European Union force. Any option that would postpone this transition would endanger the people whom we have sought to protect and whom we have succeeded in protecting. Therefore, we welcome agreement that has been reached among Security Council members to express, in a resolution renewing MINURCAT's mandate, their intention to deploy a United Nations force to take over from EUFOR, the mandate of which will be decided upon by 15 December.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“EUFOR only makes sense if there is an effort at development and if the non-governmental organizations are sufficiently safe to allow for the rebuilding of villages. That is what is essential. Once these steps are undertaken, and once the rainy season is over, the efforts at rebuilding and assistance to the civilian population must be expedited, thanks in particular to financing from the European Commission, which is something that we and Mr. Solana have underscored. We must maintain a sufficient level of security in the areas of return. In accordance with the guidance of resolution 1778 (2007), the Europeans are in favour of the replacement of EUFOR by a United Nations force in March 2009. We thank the Secretary-General for his report (8/2008/601), which closely examines the possible options for this takeover. As Mr.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“da Silva Angelo indicated to the Council last week (see S/PV.5976), acceleration of the deployment of MINURCAT and the Detachement integre de securite is crucial and urgent. I know that I am pressing hard on this point, but I assure the Council that it is necessary. The adoption later today of the draft resolution renewing MINURCAT's mandate is of course important and necessary, and my country fully supports it. The international community must remain engaged, in particular to lend its support, as emphasized by Javier Solana, to the return of displaced persons under the best possible conditions, and on a voluntary basis, of course. I understand that a first timid movement has taken place: a few thousand individuals have started to return to the areas they were forced to flee because of the violence.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“They benefit, of course, from the support provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but these people still lack security. The activities on the ground of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) and the Chadian Detachement inte'gre' de securite provided for in resolution 1778 (2007) are indispensable in order to improve security for the civilian population. I am adamant: without that, we will never be truly satisfied, and the local populations will continue to live through a time of insecurity. Anyone who has visited the camps would know that women are unable to leave the camps without being attacked just 100 metres away. To search for water is a huge trial that they risk their lives to undertake. The danger has abated in some places, but it is not enough. As Mr.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“Moreover, the operation has also been appreciated by the great non-governmental organization Oxfam, which recently reported that EUFOR has made numerous refugees and displaced peoples feel safer and has been able to act in an impartial manner, which was far from easy to do. However, despite EUFOR's small successes, there is a persistent lack of security, which is fed by the lack of a sustainable political solution and by the difficulties encountered in the deployment of an operational police force. I apologize for emphasizing this point, but there has to be an operational police component, in particular in order to provide security for the refugee camps and the areas surrounding them. I referred earlier to displaced persons in Chad, but there are also refugees.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“Eastern Chad and the north-western Central African Republic need both protection and humanitarian assistance. But they will never have that in full if, on the other side of the border, a similar force is not deployed to contain the rebellion that is spilling over to both sides of the border. Thanks to the commitment of the numerous countries that have contributed to this operation, EUFOR is fulfilling its role effectively, and the European mission has been able to provide security to this zone. And there is no need for me to recall the recent incidents that resulted in deaths. The non-governmental organizations and the United Nations agencies also welcome the presence of 3 the European forces, as they can attest. We have always played our role by deploying rapidly more than 3,000 troops.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“By taking the initiative last year of adopting resolution 1778 (2007), we wanted to provide a response to the regional dimension of the Darfur crisis as a complement, of course, to the actions undertaken by the United Nations and the African Union in Darfur itself, and in fact on the other side of the border. This EUFOR operation is working smoothly, and I thank Mr. Solana for pointing that out. But it is not going as smoothly as we had expected, since we had thought that on the other side of the border, in the Sudan, a hybrid force would be deployed: in an African Union- United Nations force that would have been a counterpart to EUFOR, which would have provided complete security to the population - to more than a million persons - refugees, displaced persons and Chadian populations within Chad.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“So I thank Javier Solana and I am very pleased that the action of the European Union-led military force in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR) has been described here, as this is the largest autonomous military operation ever deployed by Europe. EUFOR in Chad and in the Central African Republic symbolizes, to my mind, the European Union contribution to United Nations action, first and foremost. But I know that this is not the first time that Europeans have committed themselves alongside the United Nations in Africa. I recall that, in 2003 and 2006, the European Union was also deployed in the context of its Common Foreign and Security Policy and its Common Security and Defence Policy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; let us recall that fact. And the outcome was positive.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“Mr. Kouchner (France) (spoke in French): I greet all my colleagues seated here around the table. I would like in particular to welcome my former foreign ministerial colleague, the Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations, since, as the High Representative of the European Union has just told us, nothing would be accomplished without the participation of the Africans. Nothing would be done or would have been done without the participation and the agreement of Chad, of course, but also of the entire African Union. 08-51755 It has not been easy to make it clear that the people of eastern Chad demand security.”
2008-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5980 (2008) · source
“When we begin a mediation effort and that effort is successful, let us not forget that it is impossible to determine a real date when the crisis ends. I wanted to emphasize those three small points. We should, of course, pursue efforts to better coordinate the actions of the international community from the start, the early warning always too late - and the international community's efforts - always too late - until the end of the crisis, which is never really predictable.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“In the critical weeks that follow the announcement of peace, the international community must support still-fragile national institutions and allow them to answer the critical needs of the people and to help exit - an important word - the crisis. We talked about mediation. We spoke - and I did not say "interference"; it is forbidden, of course - of the responsibility to protect. It is not very credible here, but I will use the term. However, I will tell you that we do not have enough of a school for crisis emergence. Nation-building is not really taught. I think it is necessary, when we talk about mediation, to emphasize that that should be followed by a deployment that could last for years, even a generation.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there are sanctions against persons who are "impeding disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration". On the boundaries of the peaceful settlement of disputes and coercion, peacekeeping operations maintain a stabilizing presence on the ground, which in some cases could be mobilized in support of efforts for dialogue. Because the mandate is in principle the conclusion of a peace agreement, mediators are often the messengers of the international community's reinvestment in a theatre of crisis. Actions must be taken quickly.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“If there is no comprehensive regional approach - I would say even almost global - then it is very difficult to achieve progress. While the distinction exists, we should not become blocked in a logic of separation between Chapter VII and Chapter VI. I would recall that every decision of the Security Council is mandatory. Sanctions can be a tool for mediation and conflict settlement, of course, but when the international community refuses dialogue with terrorists or war criminals, maybe then sanctions are necessary. There is a whole debate on that, and honestly, we have had positive and negative examples. When some refuse to enter a peace process, they must be brought to negotiate and to cooperate.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“The European Union over the past few years has also strengthened its mediation in the Balkans - Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, prisoner exchanges, Croatia, etc. Everyone knows that story. More broadly, the European Union is prepared to offers its support and mediation for the peace process in the Middle East in particular. The EU believes, somewhat legitimately, that the association of its 27 countries can play a political role in some areas and that it is not used enough. It is used more for giving money than for mediation. We have experience, and it has not always been negative. The second point is that mediation must be part of a comprehensive approach to a crisis. That is a very political matter, not just a sixth sense, or tactics.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“There are many examples of United Nations successes - El Salvador, Cambodia, Namibia, Guatemala, Burundi, etc. We should emphasize them, for they are quickly forgotten. When things do not work, everyone criticizes the United Nations - "What is the United Nations doing?" When they do work, we forget everything in a moment. The list of United Nations mediation successes over the last 20 years, especially since the end of the cold war, is considerable. When we criticize the United Nations, we must also think of its successes. Regional organizations and actors play a growing role in mediation. I could emphasize the Organization of American States in Haiti, the Pacific Islands Forum, the African Union, etc. Those are essential organizations.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“So the establishment of a mediation support unit and a team of experts in key areas of mediation is certainly progress, but it is a little bit like humanitarian affairs. At the start it was a great surprise and everybody approved it. Then it became like university teaching, but it is not the same thing. Further, with regard to humanitarian affairs, I am sitting next to the Croatian Prime Minister. In mediation I would say that there is humanitarian mediation that is necessary to enable humanitarian access - I am thinking about Dubrovnik, Mr. Prime Minister. Let us not forget that not everything is political, or everything is political, in humanitarian affairs also. Humanitarianism used to be trendy; it is much less so now, and that is too bad.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“It is not enough; know- how is needed, personal qualities, the ability to adapt according to the balance of forces and especially the ability to remain legitimate and credible - that is the most difficult thing. We are all tempted; we have all done it, wanting to give a small advantage where there should not be one. We are all tempted to say that one is right and the other is wrong. That is impossible; it will not work. If I had the time - which I don't - I would tell the Council of the temptation we had, the French presidency of the European Union, a few days ago to attempt to bring forward a somewhat positive mediation in the problem in the Caucuses between Georgia and Russia. That could be an example, one not achieved, and perhaps it would be a bit pretentious to emphasize the necessary efforts.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“Today's debate allows us to honour those efforts and emphasize our support for the United Nations role in providing solutions to difficult problems through negotiations. I spoke of Palestine, where that is still the case, and we speak of Darfur, which is always the case. I wish to emphasize three points very quickly. Mediation is at the heart of diplomatic and political activity. Some doubt that. Diplomacy is often criticized, but the good offices allow us to convey messages among parties that no longer dialogue. Mediation offers a solution, a compromise, to move beyond a hardened situation. Those initiatives are the instruments, the reflexes, of heads of State and politicians working for peace.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“These ambitions were stymied, the Council will recall, by an act of terrorism in which Bernadotte and his French military counsel Serot were assassinated. Folke Bernadotte was the first United Nations mediator, but also the first representative of the United Nations to give his life in an attempt to find a solution through dialogue and cooperation. Since then, other well- known United Nations mediators, and others who were less well known and were invisible, have also paid - I should, obviously, cite Dag Hammarskjold and Sergio Vieira de Mello - and have given their lives for peace. The beginning we know; the end we do not know; it belongs to all of us. It is a long movement.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“In addition, I welcome what my friend Franco Frattini said, because the role of women and, in particular, of civil society - which was also referred to by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium - is essential. Let me say that to give a scientific aspect of mediation is very praiseworthy, but there is something intangible, perhaps invented on the fly, in analyzing a situation, maybe a bit of spontaneity or chance - a terrible chance to take sometimes. We do not really know why we make a mistake, but we know we will make mistakes, but sometimes a door opens and the chance works out. I would like to recall that 60 years ago Count Bernadotte was sent as the first mediator of the United Nations in order "to promote a peaceful adjustment of the future status in Palestine", and we are still at it.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“Mr. Kouchner (France) (spoke in French): After listening to preceding speakers, I obviously wish to discuss something that might be a bit prickly - everyone is tempted to do so: the roles that we have been able to play in the various mediations that we have encountered. In that context, I wish to commend the Burkina Faso presidency. I wish to pay tribute to President Compaore for the eminent role that he has played and, taking advantage of his absence, to commend the effectiveness of his mediation on many occasions, particularly in Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. I also wish to commend Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, because I perceived the technician and the man of commitment in his statement. He was quite right when he spoke of the slowness required to attain an objective quietly yet swiftly. Bravo! That takes time.”
2008-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5979 (2008) · source
“On 16 January 2008, a few days ago, we held a working meeting with the principal relevant actors that led to the establishment of a follow-up forum for the Paris Commitments, which Minister Rama Yade deals with. Its first meeting is scheduled to be held in September 2008 on the sidelines of the General Assembly session. I would like to thank members in advance for their active and resolute participation in that meeting. Once again, this is a cause that must mobilize us all, completely and tirelessly. It is the least we can do for the tens of thousands of children who are innocent victims of a barbarity that through them, is an attack on the very future of our common humanity.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“The Slovene presidency of the European Union has decided to make children in armed conflict its priority in the area of human rights, a decision about which I am delighted. France, for its part, organized together with UNICEF, in February 2007, a ministerial conference entitled "Free Children from War," at which 59 countries signed on to the Paris Commitments to protect children unlawfully recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups, a collection of principles and good practices that will, we hope, significantly strengthen our efforts. Following that success, we organized, again together with UNICEF, a ministerial follow-up conference in October 2007, at which seven more countries joined the Paris Commitments.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“In addition, I believe the time has come to reflect together on the possibility of permitting the Working Group to deal with the tragedy of sexual violence, independently of whether or not there are child soldiers in the country concerned. That would indisputably be a major step forward. Just as we came to grips with the problem of child soldiers, I am sure that we will reach a consensus on the need to remedy sexual violence. As I said a moment ago, action by the Security Council is indispensable to moving forward on this question. Such action does not prevent other initiatives. The European Union therefore adopted guidelines and an action plan on this question in 2003, in addition to a list of priority situations in which it will intervene in the future.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“The Council's Working Group must absolutely strengthen its action on this question. In its recommendations it must demand that the belligerents draw up action plans to combat sexual violence and follow through on their implementation. Some might find it paradoxical that we ask the belligerents themselves to combat these crimes, but it is essential. At the same time, the military leadership must bear this in mind. It may be a paradox, it may even seem immoral, but it is effective. The Working Group should strengthen its efforts to combat impunity by relentlessly demanding the arrest of those responsible for rape and call on Governments to act in this regard.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“The Working Group must follow 08-2361] up those actions by calling for the imposition of sanctions against uncooperative parties. The Working Group's mandate is not limited to the issue of child soldiers alone. Although that is certainly its main priority, it also considers and formulates recommendations concerning five other grave violations of children's rights, including sexual violence. During a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo last month, I was able to see on the ground the seriousness and extent of the widespread, systematic and premeditated use of sexual crime as an instrument of war. That barbarity concerns us all. There, too, our failure to act would be reprehensible. I welcome the fact that the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo recognizes this as the most serious crime.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“There are many things to remind us daily of the forever unfinished nature of this struggle. As always, the international community must remain mobilized and redouble its efforts. France would in particular like to see a strengthening of the deterrent character of the Working Group. Its members must not shy away from adopting strong targeted sanctions. Otherwise, what are we here for? This is an issue that pertains to its credibility. There is no credible deterrence without real sanctions. International criminal justice - the International Criminal Court or other special tribunals - has made essential progress this year through remarkable actions, especially against Germain Katanga, Charles Taylor and Colonel Mathieu Ngudjolo, among others, charging them with the use and recruitment of children under the age of 15.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“But we know that they also owe a great deal to Ms. Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict. I pay tribute to her efforts, as well as those of UNICEF. I also wish to acknowledge the cooperation, in some cases on a voluntary basis, of all the countries affected by this terrible scourge. I thank them warmly. In spite of those significant successes, I do not wish to give the impression that all the problems are being resolved. We still have much to do. There is the reappearance of children in the battlefields of Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burma. I recently visited those countries, and I could tell of the horror still fresh in my mind. Just today, the Central African Republic and Afghanistan were placed on the list of situations of concern.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“That innovative and profoundly original mechanism - in which France had a major role in establishing and over which we have had the honour to preside since its 08-2361] inception - has resulted in tangible progress. Thousands of children have been freed and returned to civilian life - especially in Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and numerous other countries, which I shall forego naming. Recommendations have been made with regard to 10 of the 12 situations on the agenda. The Working Group will soon take up the last two pending cases, namely, those of the Philippines and Colombia. Lastly, for the first time, we are going to remove a country from that sad list - Cote d'Ivoire. Those considerable gains could not have been achieved without the determination of the members of the Security Council, which I commend.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“Mr. Kouchner (France) (spoke in French): The tragedy of child soldiers forces us to be determined and uncompromising. In spite of the countless and inevitable difficulties, of which we are all aware, our sole objective should be the eradication of this barbarous phenomenon. That is why I am pleased that I could come from Paris to be here today with participants in a project that poses a challenge to us all. This issue constitutes an affront to all that we are. The United Nations must play a central role in combating this hateful form of slavery that turns victims into assassins. The establishment in 2005 of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict has already made it possible for us to act.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834 (2008) · source
“I share the feelings of the representative of Yugoslavia, but this issue needs to be addressed during negotiations. I like very much the way in which he cited "substantial autonomy" as the objective of resolution 1244 (1999), and I think that we will be able to make progress in that very sensitive area. I should like to thank the representative of Albania not only for his cooperation, which is so often offered by Tirana, but also for having mentioned the International Tribunal and the need to wait for a final status to be proposed at the end, not at the beginning, ofthe peace process. I apologize for having spoken at some length. I wished to try to respond to everyone, and I understand very well that some differences of opinion remain regarding an operation which, I think, is probably one ofthe hardest in the world.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“I am not entirely clear as to what he means, but I think it would be difficult to achieve the agreement that the representative of the Yugoslav Federation wishes to see between KFOR and UNMIK, in terms of diplomatic mission status. As I said, I am not entirely clear on what he means. As concerns detainees and missing persons, since yesterday's visit everything is possible, including - if the amnesty law is passed quickly - the very significant release of a large number of detainees. In any case, we remain in continuous and close contact. I have already expressed my opinion regarding the return of the armed forces. I know that a limited number are provided for in resolution 1244 (1999). I do not think that this is possible right now. Nor it is possible yet to determine final status.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Just because we want to see a return does not mean that we can ensure that it takes place in conditions of security. That is why the murder of four members of the Ashkali minority was a terrible blow for us. We absolutely must ensure sufficient security to prevent this from turning into a fiasco and endangering lives. We are working to that end. I do not want to burden the Council with statistics, but security is vastly improved now over what it was at the start. There was a week during the electoral campaign when there was only one murder. That had never happened in the past. Remember, there used to be 50 a week at the outset. So the situation has improved, but this is not enough. In any case, we need to be able to work to ensure a safer environment for the return.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Others will take more time. But the important thing is that he said he accepts resolution 1244 (1999). That is nothing new, of course. President Kostunica has said so, and the Albanian and Serb leaders of Kosovo together accepted and signed that document. So now that resolution 1244 (1999) is accepted all around, I think that the way is becoming clearer. I know it will be a long and hard road, but I know also that we will able to reach an understanding on what is most important. Of course, I am in favour of the return. Everyone is. All of the Kosovar Albanians, all the minorities in Kosovo are backing the return of all groups. Yet here once again - and I am saying this for the benefit not only of the representative of Russia but of all - there is many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“To Austria, which holds the chairmanship- in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), let me express our deep appreciation, because without the OSCE there would have been no elections. Indeed, the OSCE and UNMIK worked together day and night in perfect harmony despite the difficulties and conflicts - let me reiterate, in harmony despite conflicts - and we owe the success ofthe elections to them. I would like to say a few words also to the representative of the Yugoslav Federation. First of all, I should like to thank him for having taken that moderate tone. I thank him for his statement and for the way in which he delivered it. I think that certain issues - and here I speak not just for myself, of course, but for Kosovars from all communities - we should be able to settle among ourselves very quickly.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“We do not want to go against the majority of the Albanian population, which is closely following our work and which for the moment, regrettably, is not able to engage in a direct dialogue with Belgrade. I am certain, however, that thanks to elected representatives, a more direct dialogue will be possible very soon. I should like to thank the representative of the European Union - and of all of the countries he mentioned that are not yet members ofthe Union - for his statement regarding the return of the Serbs, for the considerable material assistance which Europe is providing us, and for the moral support as well. Allow me also to say to my friend Jean-David Levitte how much I appreciated the personal comments he added at the end of his formal statement. Let me very quickly address the three subsequent statements.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“There was a real physical fear of registering. Of course, some of the Serbs who did not want to participate were politically motivated; they have that right. That is quite understandable. But many of those Serbs, people with whom we work every day and who wanted to vote, could not because they were prevented, in a brutal manner, from doing so. That, I think, is not really a boycott. As concerns a dialogue with Belgrade - and I am gratified that its need was emphasized - it is well under way. We will try to expand it to the extent possible - that is, within the constraints of the technical and practical possibilities for success and of doing something visible.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“I thank her also for having recalled that we had opened a centre in Pristina to host the families of detainees and of missing persons. The right to governance, as Namibia said, is a lofty concept and a fine phrase. There has been a rapprochement among groups and committees, and, as the representative of Mali rightly said, a tremendous number of people are at work in all of the committees, and all groups are represented. The group that is working on the return of the Serbs has noted that all Serb organizations have come together to ensure that this return takes place. Of course, this group is working not only with the Serbs but also with UNMIK and other representatives. I agree with many of the comments made by the representative of Ukraine. Let me simply say that the word "boycott" seems to me inappropriate.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“United Nations missions should come with a kind of law and order "kit" - a kind of authority, which is strengthened and backed, to immediately impose law and order. These peacekeeping missions need to be improved in that respect. In any case, I thank the representative of Tunisia for having said that the moratorium was necessary in order to prevent returns from Europe from taking place in great numbers during the winter. I was gratified to hear the representative of Jamaica, who is very familiar with the situation, say that things were moving ahead and that this Mission was a model one for the United Nations. As I tend to be rather pessimistic by nature, I did not assume this was meant for me, but I would like to thank her on behalf of the entire team.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“What is the Special Representative to do when he knows, for example, that there are certain suspicions about a person, so that his own conviction is to keep certain people in detention, when the judges I appointed decide to release them? What does one do in a case like that? Follow the example of those who do not believe in respect for human rights and allow the security situation to deteriorate? People who have had family members killed then become incensed and seek revenge. It is difficult to impose law and order very rapidly in a country that has not known either for a very long time. Together with my friend, Sergio Vieira de Mello, at a meeting presided over by Mrs. Louise Frechette, we drew some conclusions from the somewhat brutal way in which we have to had to deal with this absence oflaw and order.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“I have written a number of reports and made a number of criticisms, but it is much easier to criticize than to achieve anything. From time to time, when we read reports that are critical of us, we are a bit distressed that sometimes the critics are not there with us to put their noses to the grindstone. I wish that they were and would also make proposals. We have appointed judges, but we made the mistake - I agree with the representative of the Russian Federation that we have made others - of not calling from the start on international judges. We have appointed Albanian judges. Tradition, threats, the proximity of torture and death, the fact that the common graves have not yet all been opened - all this means that justice is flawed, it is true.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“I also thank the representative of Malaysia for referring to Ambassador Amneus, the Special Envoy on persons deprived of liberty, who played a remarkable role by going to Belgrade recently to visit the prisons in which Albanian detainees were in danger. They included Ms. Flora Brovina, whose release all representatives welcomed also played a considerable role. I thank them for that. I especially thank Mr. Kostunica, which I have already done officially, for having authorized it. As I have said, Ambassador Amneus played an important role. I would say to the representative of Tunisia that we have begun reform of the judicial system, even if it is still inadequate. It is very difficult to accomplish. I was always militantly in favour of human rights, and I still am.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Everything is not perfect, but I would like to know when was the last election in any of the countries represented here in which 80 per cent ofthe population could vote. In my country, which I love and salute, in the last election the turnout was 23 per cent. Mea culpa. The result was quite satisfactory; nothing is perfect. But dialogue takes two. We are working on that. But when only one side wants to engage in dialogue, the conditions have not yet been met. I thank Argentina, and am aware of its role in the region. I have met many of its representatives. I thank its representative for his comments.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“To the representative of Canada, who, like the representative of the United Kingdom, is always generous with his presence and his support in the field, I say that I share his feelings. As the Ambassador of the United Kingdom also said, the question of future status will be negotiated later. Events cannot be rushed; that would be a mistake. I am grateful for your reference to the need to maintain the authority of the International Criminal Tribunal. There can be no peace without justice. It is very difficult to establish justice, law and order in this region of the Balkans, for cultural reasons and because of the recent suffering. I wish to say to the representative of China that the Turks and the other minority groups also participated in the elections.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Ambassador, and I think that we have taken them into account. I thank the representative ofthe United Kingdom. I note his moderation concerning the Serb elections on 24 December, which should lead to a parliament of Serbia whose importance for Mr. Kostunica and democracy I understand. Do not believe that I am indifferent to that. To the contrary, I shall provide all the support I can. Arrangements must be made. I took note of that word and I am satisfied with that very moderate language. After the technical refusal that I mentioned, we shall see to it that these arrangements come about. Why not? Regarding the holding of elections as soon as possible, I also noted the comment of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, for which I thank him.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“The dialogue undoubtedly will not be easy with the Kosovar Albanians or the other minorities of Kosovo, but with UNMIK things are already under way. We are to meet soon in Zagreb at the European Union summit to be held on 24 December. I agree, nothing is perfect, and certainly not the return. We have not - I say this on your behalf as well, because, you too are involved, and not only me - managed to change mindsets and wipe out the memory of suffering in a year and a half. It will take time. We have not changed the men and women of the Balkans, who for centuries have faced isolation and in terms of themselves and their environment have had very tense and difficult relations. That will come. People familiar with these countries know that we have to be patient, because this will take time. I understand your objections, Mr.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Those elections will be rectified, I assure you, by further votes and, no doubt, by the appointment of a number of representatives of the minorities of which you have spoken. I would also like to make it clear to the representative of the Russian Federation that the Joint Military Commission that he spoke about is functioning very well. We meet very regularly. Many difficulties have been resolved, thanks to that Commission. As for substantive dialogue with the Serbs, it has begun. We have met at least four times. UNMIK representatives have gone to Belgrade and, as I said yesterday, representatives very close to Mr. Kostunica, including his head of Cabinet, have come to Kosovo. We are starting.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source