YouSaid · the spoken record

Kumalo

lines on the record: 1,090
first: 1999-08-25
most recent: 2008-12-31
sittings or episodes: 160
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

“What remains is a lack of much-needed political will to allow women to fully participate in, and contribute to, the resolution of conflicts. Promoting the role of women in the consolidation of peace underscores the four main principles of resolution 1325 (2000). First, there is a need for the full and unrestricted participation of women in all decision-making and peace processes. Secondly, it is important to integrate gender perspectives and training into peacekeeping operations. Thirdly, there is an obligation to protect women and girls from human rights abuses, including gender-based violence in conflict zones. Fourthly, there is a need to mainstream the gender perspective into United Nations reporting systems and programme-implementation mechanisms.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“We associate ourselves with the statements to be made later on by the representative of Lesotho on behalf of the Southern African Development Community group, and by the representative of Slovenia on behalf of the Human Security Network. With the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we came to realize the important contribution made by women in the maintenance of peace and security. We have also come to accept that women are not simply victims of war and conflicts, but important role-players in the resolution of those same conflicts. Since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have seen a growing demand for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations. Women are gradually finding a place in the implementation of peace agreements, post-conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and disarmament.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“We would like to thank the delegation of Japan for organizing this very important meeting. We are also pleased by the participation of Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), a body that has already been involved in the implementation of this important resolution. We also welcome Ms. Carolyn McAskie, Assistant Secretary-General, Peacebuilding Support Office. We look forward to the further strengthening of the work that has been done on this important issue. My delegation is indeed pleased to address the Security Council on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“They, like all others, deserve justice and have an inalienable right to live in freedom from attacks. For this reason, it is important that the success of the reform of the United Nations be measured according to how far we go towards meeting the objectives of the Organization as set out in the Charter, rather than against extraneous factors such as the money that major contributors may save by abolishing mandates.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474Resumption1 (2006) · source
“However, the suggestion that the Peacebuilding Commission can assist only countries that are not on the agenda of the Security Council would gravely limit its ability to help those that require its assistance before it has even become fully operational. During the 2005 world summit, Member States recognized the inherent responsibility that exists to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. This fundamental reaffirmation of the dignity and worth of the human person and the equality of races, cultures and genders must now be followed by action. The people of Darfur and the people of Palestine are among those who look to the Security Council to protect them from the crimes that are currently being inflicted upon them with impunity.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is significant that the Human Rights Council was created as an organ of the General Assembly, which is the only truly representative body within this Organization. Member States should now participate actively and constructively in the new body to mould it into an institution that will become the prime defender and promoter of human rights worldwide. That is best achieved by reducing the politicization of human rights issues and the selectivity with which they are currently addressed. The world is placing its faith in the new Peacebuilding Commission, which is tasked with helping promote social progress and better standards of life in post-conflict societies. That institution may help to foster the conditions in which the rule of law might be re-established and thereby prevent future conflicts.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Security Council's mixed track record and the erosion of its credibility suggest that there is clear room for improvement. Indeed, if the Council is to realize its full potential to strengthen international law and to help instil the rule of law, comprehensive reform would be required, reform that addresses both its composition and its working methods. In particular, developing countries would have to be brought into the Council's decision-making process through inclusion in the permanent membership category. A closer working relationship between the Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council would also be required. The replacement of the Commission on Human Rights by the Human Rights Council is a significant reform that has placed the United Nations on a firm footing to protect all human rights.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474Resumption1 (2006) · source
“When one considers the Security Council's performance in places like Rwanda and Darfur, the results are clearly less than satisfactory. On the other hand, the Council has helped to bring some of those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere to trial. The Council has also helped to strengthen State institutions in a number of conflict- afflicted societies and has played a constructive role in promoting national reconciliation, judicial and 06-4010] security-sector reform and political inclusiveness in those societies. However, the Security Council's partisan performance in the Middle East and the perception that some are above the law in the so-called war on terrorism is a serious indictment of this body.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Allow me at the outset, Sir, to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June 2006. Any credible debate on the role of the Security Council in strengthening international law, the rule of law and the maintenance of international peace and security ought to begin with an assessment of the performance of the Security Council itself. The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and for saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The question that therefore arises is whether the Security Council, in its current form, is representative of the United Nations membership and is willing and able to carry out its Charter responsibilities.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In conclusion, we wish to commend the efforts made by the United Nations, in particular by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdes, in helping to create a climate that is conducive to the people of Haiti exercising their democratic rights, despite the difficult challenges and obstacles they face. South Africa, working through the African Union and in partnership with CARICOM, is ready to join the international community to assist the people of Haiti in their efforts to build a peaceful, stable, just and prosperous State. We are convinced that Haiti can succeed only to the extent to which the international community can provide political support and the much- needed resources for development. That, we believe, is the least that the Haitian people would expect from us.”
2006-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5397Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We believe that the new leadership of Haiti is ready to seize the opportunity to work with all segments of Haitian society in building national unity, reconciliation, justice and peace. No one among us would wish for a recurrence of the political instability that Haiti experienced two years ago. For that reason, we remain convinced that a long-lasting political future for Haiti depends on the comprehensive resolution of its internal political dynamic. We believe that the time has come for all political parties in Haiti, including the Lavalas party and its leadership, to join together to create political stability in Haiti. The international community must make a long-term commitment to assisting all the Haitian parties to achieve a long- lasting political solution in Haiti.”
2006-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5397Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We believe that the successful democratic election now requires that the Haitian people, in partnership with the international community, focus on the economic development of Haiti to help set that nation on the path to sustainable, long-term development. There can be no security without development, and human rights are difficult to promote and uphold in a situation where there is no political stability. It is therefore incumbent upon the United Nations and its agencies, together with the Bretton Woods institutions, to work together with the people of Haiti to achieve sustainable development and strengthen democracy and to promote political change and national reconciliation.”
2006-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5397Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. President, we thank you for allowing us to participate in today's open meeting and share our views on the question of Haiti. We welcome the presence today of the newly elected President of Haiti, Mr. Rene Preval. We extend our warmest congratulations to President-elect Preval and all the Haitian people who participated in the elections. South Africa believes that the successful outcome of the February elections in Haiti has given the country yet another opportunity to tackle the long-term political and developmental challenges it faces. The people of Haiti have suffered for far too long. The levels of poverty and underdevelopment in that country are the highest in the western hemisphere.”
2006-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5397Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We represent developing countries that look to the United Nations to assist them in development and to help our people respond to the permanent threat of underdevelopment. We believe in the need for security. However, security without development will always be unattainable.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“We are aware that, when the Security Council has assumed for itself the function of overseeing a programme - such as the oil-for-food programme, which was created, managed and overseen by the Council - the experience has not been satisfactory. It was the General Assembly that had to institute additional safeguards such as the newly created Ethics Office, the whistleblower programme and the strengthening of the OIOS following the erroneous perception of widespread corruption and mismanagement within the United Nations. Throughout the process of United Nations reform, the Group of 77 and China, representing more than two thirds of the United Nations membership, has always been ready to engage in constructive dialogue with Member States from all regions of the world. For us, the United Nations matters.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“Therefore, the insinuation that developing countries might somehow be tolerant of corruption, mismanagement and fraud is wrong. The Group of 77 and China always expects the Secretary-General to take immediate action in cases of corruption, fraud or any wrongdoing within the Organization. We believe that staff should be held accountable for any wrongdoing, irrespective of their nationality or seniority. We wish to ensure that any disciplinary action meets due process, in accordance with the basic principles of justice and fairness, and that it is in line with the rules and regulations of the Organization. That is why we believe that today's debate undermines the General Assembly, particularly the oversight function that belongs to all Member States.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“We have always called for greater transparency and accountability within the Organization, as well as for more effective utilization of its resources. Procurement policies and practices fall under the purview of the General Assembly and are discussed on a regular basis in that body. The Assembly has always considered reports of the oversight bodies on procurement and on the audited financial statements of peacekeeping operations. In fact, in the past few years, decisive action by the General Assembly has led to substantial reforms of the procurement system. The report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) that is being discussed here today was requested by members of the Group of 77 and China, and we still expect it to be formally introduced in and considered by the General Assembly.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“The fundamental principle underpinning that collective effort is that the United Nations is an intergovernmental body in which the voice of each and every Member State must be heard and respected, irrespective of the contributions made to the budget of the Organization. All Member States of the United Nations are required to contribute resources to the Organization on the basis of their capacity to pay. The fact that there may be a difference in the levels of monetary contribution to the Organization does not imply any difference in the decision-making role of Member States in the United Nations. The Group of 77 and China has always supported the Secretary-General's efforts to reform the United Nations.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“Like the Non-Aligned Movement, we wish to reiterate our concern over the encroachment by the Security Council on the functions and powers of the General Assembly and of the Economic and Social Council. We see the Security Council infringing on issues that traditionally fall outside of its competence and assuming for itself norm-setting powers that are solely within the purview of the General Assembly. Discussing matters such as procurement is contrary to Article 24 of the Charter, which clearly sets out the primary responsibility of the Council. This meeting comes at a time when the rest of the membership of the United Nations is actively engaged in a process led by the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly to reform and strengthen the United Nations.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, I would like to point out that, for the Group of 77 and China, the Security Council is not the forum for discussing matters that fall within the purview of the General Assembly. The Charter of the United Nations clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of the principal organs of the United Nations, as do the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, which is the chief deliberative, policy- making and representative organ of the United Nations.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“If strategies to deal with those challenges are to be effective and successful, they have to be comprehensive in nature and address the root causes and negative consequences of the conflict. We wish to reaffirm that the United Nations has a vital and fundamental role to play in post-conflict situations. It is the only organization that has the unique experience of helping people rebuild their countries after the ruin of armed conflict. We believe that the proposed Peacebuilding Commission can provide the much-needed coordination. We welcome you, Mr. Minister, to New York. Your presence indicates how important this issue is.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Because it often takes donors a long time to give critical support to countries that have just emerged from conflict, particularly in the context of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, it would be important for the United Nations to take responsibility by financing that important step from assessed contributions until such time as other resources are secured. We believe that the establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission would go a long way towards bridging those gaps, and we have therefore supported the Secretary-General's proposal for the creation of such a mechanism. Countries in post- conflict situations face significant challenges to the establishment of lasting peace. Failure to properly address those challenges could precipitate further conflict or result in a sharp decline in social and economic progress.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The establishment of the Economic and Social Council's ad hoc advisory groups on countries emerging from conflict, designed initially for Burundi and Guinea- Bissau and, more recently, Haiti, bear testimony to that awareness. We also note with appreciation that the Secretariat has tried to exert efforts to ensure a common approach to the work of United Nations agencies, particularly those operating in conflict countries. However, as we have learned in both Burundi and Guinea-Bissau, for conflict resolution to be effective, there is a need to engage other role players, such as international donors and the Bretton Woods institutions, which already have their own programmes in support of peacebuilding. The challenge is to harness the efforts of all role players early enough to ensure coordination from the start.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Yet, experience has taught us that this is the most critical stage of conflict resolution since it is a stage when peace agreements are most fragile and need to be consolidated. The challenge we face in our own African-led peace initiatives is gaining the necessary political, moral and material support from the international community to ensure an effective transition from immediate security and humanitarian needs to long- term development, which is a prerequisite for sustainable peace. Over the past several years, both the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council have come to recognize the importance of comprehensive and long-term strategies for peacebuilding.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Addressing those long-term needs is vital if we are to prevent a recurrence or a slide back into conflict. In other words, if the United Nations is to be successful, there needs to be a focal point that deals with peacebuilding in a comprehensive manner. In his report entitled "In larger freedom" (A/59/2005), the Secretary-General too acknowledges that significant deficits remain in the planning, financing and implementation capacities of the United Nations system. As a result, he has proposed the establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission. When a conflict is at its peak, there is usually a myriad of interventions, starting with the involvement of the Security Council in carrying out its mandate for maintaining international peace and security. Once the conflict subsides, all the interventions gradually disappear.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Allow me to congratulate you, Madam, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of May. This debate is certainly timely in the context of our ongoing collective effort to strengthen the capacities of the United Nations to assist countries emerging from conflict to attain lasting and durable peace. There is general agreement that addressing the long-term needs of countries emerging from conflict requires a high degree of coordination and coherence among the various international actors supporting peacebuilding. Peacebuilding goes beyond disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and beyond giving the necessary assistance to refugees. It also involves longer-term needs such as reviving the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening the rule of law and establishing democratic institutions.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Our concern is that, should the Security Council be unable to act this time around, it will make the achievement of a peaceful solution in the Middle East even more remote. The Council must call for an immediate cessation of all military operations in Gaza and the withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from that area. Furthermore, the Council must call on Israel to ensure the unfettered access and safety of United Nations personnel and all medical and humanitarian aid workers to provide emergency assistance to a civilian population that finds itself caught up in yet another conflict. That is the least that the people of Gaza would expect from this Council.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“That prompted many delegations once again to urge both Israel and Palestine to honour their commitments under the Quartet's road map and to remind them that there can be no military solution to the crisis. The only way to achieve progress is through dialogue and negotiations that will lead to the creation of two States, an Israeli State and a Palestinian State, both with secure and internationally recognized borders. South Africa has always been among those States that have condemned all acts of violence, terror, excessive and indiscriminate use of force, and the physical destruction of property. The situation in Gaza over the past few days has deteriorated much further than anyone could have imagined, and the Security Council can no longer postpone taking action.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“My delegation wishes to extend its congratulations to you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. Just last week, an overwhelming number of delegations, participating in the general debate of the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly, identified the situation in the Middle East as requiring urgent attention by the international community. There had been encouraging reports that Israel was planning to withdraw from Gaza and the Quartet had called for such disengagement to take place in the context of the road map. But there was also concern because, each time there has been a hopeful sign in the Middle East, it has been met by increasing violence and destruction.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“In conclusion, in the area of peace and security, the Group is concerned about the restructuring of the security sector. Working and living conditions for the military are extremely poor. In the context of the recent history of Guinea-Bissau, the transformation of the armed forces into a professional force is absolutely critical to minimizing the risk of the country's relapsing into conflict. This is important because the security situation in Guinea-Bissau remains fragile in a subregion that is itself fragile. The joint mission has concluded that it is essential to continue to monitor and support political, economic and social developments in Guinea-Bissau. Indeed, our Group concurs and believes that sustained support is absolutely essential to ensuring that Guinea- Bissau does not lose the recent gains achieved.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“Our Group would hope that the Security Council will urge the IMF to positively consider the resumption of a programme for Guinea-Bissau. The World Bank's new medium-term strategy, expected to begin in September 2004, is also a welcome sign of the Bank's confidence in Guinea- Bissau. The new programme will support the restoration of macroeconomic stability and provide support for social services, particularly health and education, the reinforcement of governance and the rehabilitation of economic infrastructure, namely, in water, energy, transport and telecommunications. Both the Fund and the Bank, however, have made it clear that the implementation of their own programmes will not be successful without the strong and active engagement of the donor community.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“The Group is very encouraged by the positive approach that the Bretton Woods institutions continue to pursue in regard to Guinea-Bissau. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has played a critical and constructive role in supporting the Government of Guinea-Bissau by providing technical assistance in many areas, including in revenue administration, customs, expenditure management and real and fiscal sector statistics. The IMF Executive Board is expected to meet in mid-September 2004 to consider the report of article IV consultations with the Government of Guinea-Bissau. It is expected that the Board may consider a programme that could lead to the resumption of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility programme for Guinea-Bissau.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“A Treasury Committee that includes the United Nations Development Programme scrutinizes both revenue collection and expenditures within the Ministry of Economy and Finance. As a result, there are already visible gains in revenue collection that have made it possible for the Government to be able, after only 45 days in office, to pay three months of salaries to its public servants from its own resources. However, Guinea-Bissau remains in need of official development assistance to rebuild its social and economic infrastructure and private investment to relaunch the economy. Our Group is convinced that a modest investment in the short- to medium-term in the economy would help Guinea-Bissau to consolidate the progress that the Government has made so far.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“This approach should help restore international economic and financial confidence in Guinea-Bissau. During our visit, we saw a Government that is committed to improved governance and is in the process of strengthening mechanisms that will deepen democracy in that country. The Council may recall frequent changes and dismissals of senior officials, including in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, that contributed to the institutional instability of the past and threatened peace and security in Guinea-Bissau. The new Government, however, has begun practising greater transparency and accountability in public administration by selecting senior public officials based on merit and technical experience. This approach by the Government is already contributing to overall stability.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“On 28 March 2004, Guinea-Bissau held legislative elections that were deemed free, fair and transparent by a team of international observers. Nonetheless, the optimism we have about the future of Guinea-Bissau is not based simply on the holding of a successful election. Our joint visit confirmed that there is reason to describe what is happening in Guinea-Bissau as a breakthrough. The newly elected National Popular Assembly is committed to completing the review of the Constitution during its current session that will lay the groundwork for the holding of presidential elections in 2005. The new Government is also intent on strengthening its partnership and dialogue with its international development partners, in the spirit of the partnership approach endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in 2003.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“First, allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of July. I wish to also thank you for inviting the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau to participate in this meeting to discuss the report of the Security Council mission to West Africa. Without the support of the Security Council, and in particular of Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom, who led the Security Council mission, our participation in the mission might not have been possible. We thank Ambassador Jones Parry for making it possible. We are also thankful to this Council for its support and its growing and meaningful working relationship with the Economic and Social Council. There have been very significant and meaningful changes that have taken place in Guinea-Bissau.”
2004-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5005 (2004) · source
“It is more likely that front companies or front end-users would be used instead. The ability to prevent such a transfer is less dependent on the fact that the item is controlled and more dependent on information about the real end use to which it will be put. That information holds the key to success and can be made available only through intelligence sharing. My delegation believes that it is through such sharing of intelligence information that the gap in non- proliferation controls can be bridged.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The challenge for the Security Council, whose mandate is the maintenance of international peace and security, is to ensure that the systems assistance that we already have to control the technologies, material and equipment for the production and delivery of weapons of mass destruction are implemented more effectively and improved where necessary. The efficiency of those systems and the ability of States to implement control measures in a way that will prevent access by all of those, both States and non-State actors, who wish to use these items for the development of weapons of mass destruction depends on the sharing of intelligence and information. It is unlikely that any application for the transfer of a controlled item would be for a transfer to an end- user that is known to be a terrorist organization.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“The absence of such clearly defined lists if items in the draft resolution could lead to conflicting interpretations of "controlled items" and to a multitude of control lists. A more effective an sustainable approach would be to utilize the existing mechanisms and regimes to ensure that they operate more efficiently and effectively. My delegation believes that all States Members of the United Nations would be opposed to the prospect of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of non-State actors, especially terrorists.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In recognizing the dual-use nature of such materials, there may be potential implications for a wide range of institutions, including hospitals, laboratories, universities, veterinary clinics, agricultural research centres and similar institutions. In terms of South Africa's national legislation that controls such materials, there are clearly defined lists of items that are regulated. This is also the case in schedules attached to the Chemical Weapons Convention and other regimes, such as the Zanger Committee, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime. Such specified lists of controlled items are essential to ensure that those controlling these items know exactly what to control.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“It is important that the draft resolution be drafted in a manner that makes it practical and implementable by States. The current draft resolution imposes obligations on United Nations Member States and attempts to legislate on behalf of States by prescribing the nature and type of measures that will have to be implemented by States. That is the case also where States have already accepted non-proliferation obligations under international treaties and other legal instruments. South Africa believes that the draft resolution could have far-reaching legal and practical implications for Member States, especially those that have a capacity in nuclear, chemical and biological matters.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“South Africa believes that the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction can be effectively addressed only if we use all the instruments at our disposal, in the fields of both non-proliferation and disarmament. The attempt to establish a mechanism in the Security Council that is isolated from the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is a weakness that may impact on the effectiveness of the measures being considered in the draft resolution. It is South Africa's belief that universal adherence to and compliance with international agreements on weapons of mass destruction and the complete elimination of those weapons provide the international community with the only guarantee against the threat or use of those weapons.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“There is only a passing reference to disarmament in spite of the fact that chemical and biological weapons have been prohibited by international law and despite the unequivocal undertaking of the nuclear-weapon States to eliminate their nuclear arsenals. On the issue of non-proliferation, the draft resolution addresses only non-State actors while ignoring the threat to international peace and security posed by proliferation by States. If the Council were not to act in a comprehensive manner there is a danger that loopholes might remain that could be exploited by those who seek financial or political gain and by those who seek to achieve their objectives through terror.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“South Africa shares the concerns regarding the threat that weapons of mass destruction pose not only to individual countries but also to the international community as a whole. This threat is exacerbated by the possibility that weapons of mass destruction could fall into the hands of terrorist groups or those engaged in the activities of networks dealing in the illicit transfer of weapons of mass destruction and related technology and materials. We are concerned, however, that the draft resolution under consideration addresses only the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and even then in an incomplete manner.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“South Africa welcomes this open debate and the fact that the Security Council is discussing the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, particularly as it relates to non-State actors. We requested this debate, together with the delegations of Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, because it is our view that this open debate provides an opportunity for the wider membership of the United Nations to contribute to the proposed draft resolution by sharing new ideas and proposals. We are pleased that the sponsors have already taken some of the recommendations that have been made during the consultations that have been going on. We trust that the recommendations made during the course of this debate will also be taken into consideration and reflected in further adjustments to the draft resolution.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In the case of Guinea-Bissau and Burundi, the clear priority, as stated by representatives of the private sectors we met in both those countries, is for the international community to provide budget support to the two Governments so that the State institutions can pay their arrears to the private companies contracted by them during the times of conflict.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“It contributes to the success in post-conflict reconstruction and development by becoming an engine of economic growth. The international community is the most important player in creating the political environment in which the private sector can do business. As business is driven by the profit margin, it needs peace and stability in which to operate. That can be best achieved by a concerted effort by the international community through a clear commitment to peacekeeping and the deployment of peacekeepers in situations of conflict. Bilateral and multilateral incentives such as investment guaranties and lending policies could play a role in spurring economic activity. However, those actions and instruments have to correspond to the challenges of the specific situation.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“Often it is the local businesses that offer employment opportunities to demobilized fighters who are forced to disarm as part of the reconstruction and post-conflict resolution. Successful disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and resettlement or repatriation need a substantial and sustained local economy to absorb the demobilized fighters. Furthermore, a healthy local private sector is an attraction and prerequisite for the involvement of the international private sector in a country emerging from conflict. To put it more bluntly, foreign businesses are reluctant to move into countries where local business is not investing its own money in its own country. The partnership between local and international business is a critical confidence-building step for a country emerging from conflict.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“As those countries begin to emerge from conflict, it has become one of the high priorities for the incoming Governments to receive assistance in settling debts to the local businesses. The international community has to find a way to assist the new Governments in fulfilling these obligations in order to avert widespread bankruptcies with the resultant job losses and shrinking business bases in these countries emerging from conflict. Settling the outstanding government debts to local businesses also provides a much-expected injection of money back into the economy. It allows the local private sector to gain access to desperately needed capital, which enables it to expand and take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the return to peace and stability.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source
“The local business owners faced a collapsing economic infrastructure, limited - if any - access to credit, deteriorating transport systems, communication deficiencies, evaporating energy supplies and other disruptions to production that result from conflict. Eventually, many of these businesses were forced to close, while others barely survived. Meanwhile, the rising conflict did not prevent Governments from demanding contracts for the supply of products and services from local businesses, even during the conflict. Those Governments were in no position to meet their commitments under the contracts they signed, and that resulted in the build-up of substantial arrears carried by the local private sector.”
2004-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4943 (2004) · source