YouSaid · the spoken record

Lacroix

lines on the record: 1,191
first: 2006-08-31
most recent: 2023-11-14
sittings or episodes: 115
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

“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): In addition to speaking on behalf of France, I am also speaking on behalf of the European Union and the countries that have aligned themselves with this statement: Albania, Croatia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro and Turkey. I should like at the outset to thank the High Representative for his statement and to tell him that we agree with his assessment of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I should also like to assure him of our confidence in him and of the full support of the European Union for his efforts to ensure compliance with the Dayton-Paris accords and to move ahead with the reforms. In addition, I should like to welcome the presence in the Security Council of Mr. Nikola Spirie, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2008-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6033 (2008) · source
“If such a response should prove impracticable today or in the near future, we note also that the Quartet, in which France participates in its capacity as presidency of the European Union, will meet again in December. Moreover, the Security Council will hold an open meeting on the situation in the Middle East on 18 December. We feel that we should use both opportunities to explore possibilities of further action by the Council.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6030 (2008) · source
“Furthermore, again with respect to access to Gaza, the European Union presidency has deplored the refusal to allow the European heads of mission, including the French Consul General in Jerusalem, who is the Union presidency's local representative, to visit Gaza during a field trip to assess the humanitarian and economic situation. France firmly believes that the Security Council has a role to play with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. In View of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, we are prepared to work at any time on a response from the Security Council. We feel that such a response should address all the difficulties of access to the Gaza Strip by putting the incident involving the Libyan vessel in the broader context of access for humanitarian assistance and workers to the Gaza Strip by land and by sea.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6030 (2008) · source
“The presidency of the Council of the European Union therefore called for the reopening of border crossings and the immediate resumption of fuel and humanitarian supplies. In that regard, my delegation recalls that this year the European Union will once again submit to the General Assembly a consensual draft resolution on assistance to the Palestinian people that emphasizes humanitarian access. I also recall that France defends the principle of free humanitarian access in all circumstances and wherever a population is in need of international humanitarian assistance. My delegation welcomes the consensus demonstrated today by the Security Council on that principle, and hopes that such consensus will become the rule with respect to all items on its agenda.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6030 (2008) · source
“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): The Libyan request for a meeting of the Security Council following the interception of a Libyan vessel raises the more general question of access, in particular humanitarian access, to Gaza. The French position was recalled in a statement issued on 14 November by the presidency of the European Union. In that statement, the presidency of the Council of the European Union condemned the resumption of violence, particularly the rocket strikes from Gaza into Israel, and called for its immediate end. However, the presidency deplored the Israeli Government's decision to close border crossings into Gaza. This disproportionate response will again collectively punish the entire civilian population in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is deeply worrying.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6030 (2008) · source
“The European Union is grateful to the three Chairmen, their teams and their experts for the efforts in this endeavour. Faced with such a challenge, the United Nations system should reflect more broadly on the support it can provide to capacity-building and other assistance to States required to implement those three resolutions.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“The European Union itself is fully committed to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). EU member States show the highest record of compliance. The Union is also a major donor to the Committee, with a pledge of â‚¬475,000 to support outreach activities implemented by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. As it works to deliver its mandate, the 1540 Committee must continue to strive to be ever more relevant, more action-oriented and more results- oriented, particularly, but not exclusively, in the area of assistance. We encourage it to continue to work in this spirit. My delegation would like in conclusion to stress that the work carried out by these Committees is long- term work that needs to be followed thoroughly.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“But the threat of nuclear, bacteriological and chemical terrorism remains one of the gravest security challenges faced by the international community. The International Agency for Atomic Energy recently reported to the General Assembly more than 250 incidents in the period January to June 2008. This is a matter of grave concern. In this respect, the European Union deems the 1540 Committee as an essential and legitimate instrument to counter this threat. The Union welcomes the extension of its mandate under Security Council resolution 1810 (2008). The European Union calls for full implementation of the resolution's provisions. It also calls for increased cooperation between the Committee and relevant organizations for the implementation of its mandate.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“We recall in this regard the convening of the fifth special meeting of the Committee in October 2007 in Nairobi, and we look forward to the implementation of its outcome. The European Union is committed to work with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and CTED. The Committee heard a briefing by the EU Counter- Terrorism Coordinator in March; the CTED Executive Director addressed the Counter-Terrorism working party in Brussels in September. The European Union is also currently working on technical assistance projects in support of counter-terrorism activities. At the beginning of my statement, I referred to all of the terrorist attacks this Council has witnessed and reacted to. These are a reminder, if need be, that the threat remains out there.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“The European Union welcomes new tools developed by CTED to monitor States" implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) - namely, the preliminary implementation assessment and the global survey of implementation that was presented to the Security Council in June. We also note the change in terms of visits to States. This is an essential part of CTED's activity, and the European Union is pleased to note that these visits can now be more focused, either on thematic issues, for example, or on regions. We look forward to similar creativity on follow-up, which is essential to the success of these visits over the long run. As part of the general efforts of outreach and increase transparency, the European Union fully supports the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee aimed at strengthening cooperation with regional and specialized organizations.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“The European Union welcomes the new mandate and organizational plan for the work of the Counter- Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), which acts under the Counter-Terrorism Committee. This effort has led to new methods of work to improve dialogue with States, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). The European Union notes in particular the creation of a horizontal working group on respect for human rights and implementation of resolution 1624 (2005). Further work will be required in this area, particularly in helping States to define their own strategies to combat incitement and radicalization. The European Union is currently updating its own strategies in this area and will be pleased to share its experience.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“This is one of the core elements of the efficiency and effectiveness of these sanctions. It is the view of the European Union that the key priority for the Committee over the coming months will be to start implementing the changes introduced in resolution 1822 (2008). It is all the more important for the European Union as these changes will assist the Union in defining its own framework for implementation of the sanctions, following the European Court of Justice ruling in the Qadi case. The European Union wishes to work very closely with the Committee and is grateful for its responsiveness. Given its unique and broad mandate, the Counter- Terrorism Committee also has a very important role to play.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Resolution 1617 (2005) defined the concept of association, which is central to the consolidated list and, as a representative of France, I would not want to omit resolution 1730 (2006), which opened access to individuals to ensure that their petitions to be removed from the list be brought to the attention to the Committee. In this spirit, the European Union welcomes the fact that Security Council members brought improvements with resolution 1822 (2008) on notification, information, the reasons for listing and on the review of the list. It is clear, however, that these efforts will need to be pursued, because they follow a general objective that needs to be constantly borne in mind - namely, ensuring that targeted sanctions are governed by fair and clear procedures.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“After these general remarks, I would like to turn to the work of the three Committees. The European Union fully supports the sanctions against Al-Qaida and the Taliban. Al-Qaida threatens the whole world and is, by its very nature, a unique and paramount threat to international peace and security. Europe has been targeted and struck by this terrorism, as have numerous regions around the world. The European Union is pleased to see that the sanctions regime has evolved over the years, in particular in response to the need to ensure that fair and clear procedures are set up for the listing and delisting of individuals. Resolution 1452 (2002) provided exemptions to the assets freeze.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“The Union also supports close cooperation between these three Committees and their support bodies, and we welcome the practice of joint and common briefings, similar to the one our colleague from Costa Rica gave us today. The three Committees must strive to achieve greater cohesiveness, and we welcome their participation in the broader effort undertaken by the United Nations family to achieve greater cohesiveness throughout the Secretary-General's Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. As a token of the support of the European Union for this close coordination between the three Committees and their expert support groups, the European Union would like to call on the Secretary- General to explore all possible ways to take advantage of the capital master plan and locate these three expert support bodies in a common location.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“We must not renounce our values in trying to defeat those who reject them. This meeting today is an opportunity for us to hear the briefings by the Chairmen of three subsidiary bodies of the Security Council: the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee known as the 1267 Committee; the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), better known as the Counter- Terrorism Committee; and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) on proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors, including terrorists. These are obviously very important subsidiary bodies of the Security Council, and the European Union closely follows their work.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“This global threat requires global cooperation, and it is the European Union's view that no organization is better suited for that purpose than the United Nations. Everyone here knows full well that this Organization has a long track record in setting norms for counter-terrorism. What is also important are the values on which this Organization is founded, values that lead to rejecting the use of terrorist tactics as a means to pursue whatever end, however legitimate it might be. And, when the Council pronounces itself on counter-terrorism, it does so by recalling that all measures taken to combat terrorism must be in conformity with international law, including human rights, refugees and international law. For the European Union, respect for human rights and the rule of law is an essential element of counter-terrorism.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): On behalf of my delegation, I wish to thank you, Sir, for organizing this debate on such an important topic. I would also like to thank Ambassadors Grauls and Jurica for the briefings that they have just delivered to the Council on the work of the Committees they had chaired. I should also like to thank them on behalf of my delegation for the very demanding work that they carry out at the head of these Committees, something they always do in a very professional way. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU). Terrorism knows no borders, and over the past six months the Security Council has pronounced itself on a number of occasions to condemn terrorist attacks worldwide.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Reports by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees about continued Violence and destruction in those areas are particularly alarming. My country therefore considers that an impartial United Nations mission to investigate the humanitarian and human rights situation in Georgia, including in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, should be dispatched without delay. In that spirit, we fully support the efforts of the Secretary-General to explore the role that the United Nations could play, including through the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia. We also reaffirm the readiness of the European Union to make an active contribution on the ground, and we welcome the readiness of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to do likewise.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Finally - perhaps the most pressing concern - there must be complete freedom of humanitarian access. That means free for all, and without delay: free access to all victims by all organizations capable of providing assistance. The long-term resolution of this conflict requires dialogue and the opening of international discussions. Until then, increased international monitoring of the situation on the ground will be necessary. It is particularly vital that the return of refugees be permitted, without hindrance and under international observation. It is also vital, in these troubled times, that vulnerable communities be protected. I am thinking in particular of areas of Georgian population in the separatist entities, which need to be monitored very carefully.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Nonetheless, one thing is certain: the six-point ceasefire agreement of 12 August, which was signed by President Medvedev, President Saakashvili and Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders, should be implemented in full. The military forces that have not yet withdrawn to the pre-hostilities lines must be moved immediately - I am thinking in particular of all forces beyond the line of restricted armament in contravention of the 1994 Moscow agreement. The international mechanism which is to replace the Russian patrols around South Ossetia must be deployed rapidly. The international discussions on security and stability arrangements for the two Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, foreseen in point 6 of the agreement, must begin as soon as possible.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Security Council resolutions cannot be challenged, much less nullified, by military action. Specifically, the territorial integrity of a Member State, repeatedly and unanimously reaffirmed by the Council, absolutely cannot be called into question by armed intervention by a neighbouring State which then proceeds on that basis, and in the absence of a political process including serious international guarantees, to adjust boundaries in an area abutting its own territory. We also need to think about the meaning and true underlying objectives of this decision by Russia. Heads of State of the European Union (EU) will meet on Monday to draw initial lessons from the Russian decision as regards EU relations with Russia.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“I believe we were making significant progress towards an agreement prior to the Russian decision to recognize the independence of the separatist entities. Of course, that decision makes continuing this work extremely difficult, and we strongly deplore it. Georgia has a history in the Security Council. Less than six months ago - as well as a year ago, two years ago and 10 years ago - the Council unanimously and strongly reaffirmed its commitment to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. A few days ago, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation said that recent events had "dashed" the Council's resolutions on Georgia. Such statements are of concern and are clearly contrary to the Charter of the United Nations.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“We also worked with determination to carry out a difficult mediation, which led to a six-point plan signed by the parties - first and foremost by Russia and Georgia, but also by the two separatist entities. Since that agreement was reached, France, in its role of the presidency of the European Union, has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Council can lay the foundations for a lasting solution based on the six- point plan and the clarifications agreed among the parties. Those discussions have not been easy. We have acted resolutely and in good faith in carrying them out. We have listened to the wishes of the members of the Council and done our utmost to arrive at a text that will enjoy consensus.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): First of all, I too would like to thank the representatives of the Secretariat for their briefings. Both in its role of the presidency of the European Union (EU) and in its national capacity, France has strongly condemned the decision taken by the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The President of France informed President Medvedev and President Saakashvili of its views last night. As the Security Council is aware, France is deeply involved in attempting to find a resolution to this conflict. Since the beginning of hostilities, we have committed ourselves to achieving a consensus statement to be adopted by the Council.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“It seems to us that the programme of work adopted by the Working Group should enable it to engage in useful thinking on methods and procedures with a view to presenting possible recommendations to the Council by the end of the year. That could be one of the outcomes of today's discussion.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The Working Group has accepted Ambassador Arias's proposal that it should continue to work on that issue, along with three other matters that are at the heart of today's debate: the format of meetings and the implementation of paragraph 26 of document S/2006/507 regarding increased transparency of open meetings and paragraph 35 on various options for meetings; participation by Council members at various stages of decision-making and negotiation, including their association with the work of subsidiary bodies; and the role of the President of the Council and the Chairs of subsidiary bodies with respect to the broader public and to documentation and procedure.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“In conclusion, my delegation commends Ambassador Arias for the manner in which he is chairing the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. Under his chairmanship, the Group has done useful work on the list of matters of which the Council is seized.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“I believe that we need a more flexible way of managing the list to make it a better source of information on the matters of which the Council is seized. On the question of interaction with all Member States, the concept paper rightly notes the importance of consultation with Member States not members of the Council that are directly involved or specifically affected when preparing and drafting decisions. Measures making possible effective participation by such States and by representatives of regional organizations in official meetings of the Council would also be very useful. My delegation believes that the best possible use should be made of possible procedural modalities to enhance the interactivity of our meetings.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Direct informational notes to non-members of the Council from the Council President and the Chairs of subsidiary bodies are also extremely useful in that regard. Something more important than it might appear and that should be explored is how we add and remove agenda items on the list of matters of which the Council is seized. The present modalities for removing from the list items of which the Council is no longer seized are most restrictive and in a very specific way make it difficult to add certain items. Thus, the list is not always as precise as it should be about the substance of the Council's deliberations: either it contains obsolete items or does not precisely mention other items.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Once again, the spirit of rule 48 means that official meetings should be public as far as possible. My delegation should like to note that consultations should remain what they are: informal meetings for preparing decisions and for negotiations. We do not believe it would be desirable to regulate them more. On the contrary, they should remain informal and interactive, in keeping with their purpose, and not aim to replace the substance of official meetings. Still on the subject of transparency, my delegation should like to recall the considerable progress emphasized in the concept paper, which was achieved thanks to the distribution of programmes of work and meeting announcements through modern means of communication.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“In that respect, we believe the figures given in the President's concept paper (S/2008/528, annex) indicate a good balance. They show that the percentage of official Security Council meetings since 2006 has always been slightly greater than that of consultation meetings, while the proportion of official private meetings is very low. That balance seems satisfactory, in that it enables the Council to conduct the negotiations necessary to prepare decisions, which need a high number of informal meetings, and at the same time to interact sufficiently with the other Member States in official meetings. My delegation also believes that the list of possible formats for meetings in the annex to the note (S/2006/507) gives the Council enough flexibility to allow it to choose the best format depending on the issue being considered.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“That demonstrates well, we believe, that the opening of the Council to the outside and the enhancement of its transparency and its interaction with the rest of the United Nations also responded to the objective of effectiveness - which is in no way opposed to openness. Quite the contrary. The Council acts on behalf of all Member States and can act effectively only if it respects two conditions. It must take into consideration the concerns of Member States but also be accountable to them, which is possible only if there is openness and transparency. Of course, as we already emphasized in 1994, effectiveness also requires an appropriate split of Security Council activity between public meetings and the private consultations that are necessary to the conduct of negotiations and to the development of compromises.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“The opportunities for public meetings were extended, with the holding of policy debates, making it possible to hear the Views of States interested in various ways in the items under consideration, as well as the organization of public exchanges of views among Council members on subjects not warranting private treatment. Since then, the Council has continued to improve its methods and procedures in that spirit of openness, and the note by the President of July 2006 was both the embodiment and amplification of those efforts. It is worth mentioning that that evolution coincided with the development of the Council as an active body, seeking to play fully its key role in resolving issues of maintaining international peace and security.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Fourteen years ago, in this same type of debate on working methods, the Permanent Representative of France noted that there was a certain "malaise" in relations between the Council and other Member States, and noted that the malaise was largely due to the fact that the Council's work was being conducted behind closed doors and without publicity. There was frustration on the part of non-members with the lack of information from Council members, who had little opportunity to exchange information with Member States with an interest in the agenda items. To improve that situation, France proposed a return to the spirit of rule 48 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council, where it says: "Unless it decides otherwise, the Security Council shall meet in public". That 1994 debate launched a real evolution.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): First of all, my delegation would like to thank the Secretary- General for his briefing and you, Mr. President, for having organized this open meeting on the implementation of measures adopted in July 2006 to improve the effectiveness and transparency of the work of the Security Council and to enhance its interaction with the other States Members of the United Nations. France has always been concerned that the working methods of the Security Council should enable the Council not only to act effectively, which is fundamental to its credibility as the principal organ for maintaining international peace and security, but also to maintain a transparent and interactive relationship with the entire membership of the United Nations.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“Therefore, we have circulated to the Council today a draft resolution that is very simple. It is necessary to respect undertakings entered into in the six-point ceasefire agreement. The agreement must be implemented in good faith, and the forces, particularly the Russian forces, must be withdrawn to their respective positions. It is essential that the Council be able to express in a united fashion how urgent this necessity is. It is also essential to our capacity to continue our collective efforts in the future to restore peace to this region.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“France also would like to remind the parties of their obligations stemming from the Sochi accords and subsequent agreements on the necessity to maintain order and prevent irregular forces from causing the civilian population to suffer damage. France also wishes to recall that it is a matter of urgency that refugees and displaced persons must be allowed to return promptly to their homes. Lastly, we welcome the exchange of 20 prisoners that occurred today through the mediation by the Ambassador of France in Tbilisi. We hope that the agreement of protocol signed at that time will be extended to many further exchanges of this type. We would like as rapidly as possible to achieve a lasting solution which respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the independence of Georgia. The withdrawal of forces is a necessary precondition.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“We hope of course that this announcement will be given effect. The Russian withdrawal is an essential component for full implementation of the six-point plan in order to achieve a lasting peace agreement and an international mechanism to guarantee that peace. France and the European Union are more determined than ever to work to achieve this goal. The European Union has expressed its commitment to working on the ground. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is beginning to get involved, even if only modestly, with the deployment of 20 additional observers. During this difficult period, our attention should not be turned away from the humanitarian situation. I would remind all parties of their commitment to guarantee full humanitarian access on the ground.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Russian forces must now withdraw in keeping with the undertakings entered into. By definition, this commitment can only be fulfilled by Russia. On 12 August, President Medvedev undertook to withdraw these forces. Since no movement was apparent, the President of the French Republic reminded him of his commitment on several occasions. On 17 August, he again contacted President Medvedev, who undertook to begin the withdrawal at mid-day on 18 August. The information from the ground and that brought to us from the Secretariat show that nothing or almost nothing has occurred. We even understand that new weapons have been introduced by Russia into Georgian territory. The President of the French Republic has met again today with Mr. Medvedev, who assured him that the withdrawal would begin by 22 August.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“They have also committed, on the Russian side, to withdraw immediately to their pre-7 August positions and, on the Georgian side, to return to their usual quarters. It is essential that arms be put down, but that does not mean that withdrawal any less essential. We should be clear: it is the Russian forces that are primarily concerned. The Georgian army was dislocated by the deployment at a surprising speed of a Russian force with massive, excessive numbers. It was completely driven out of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. On the rest of the territory of Georgia, a number of its essential bases were taken over, occupied or partially or fully destroyed by the Russian army. I am thinking in particular of Gori, Poti, Senaki and Kaspi. Combat operations have ceased, the Georgian army has been almost entirely destroyed.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“The French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kouchner, visited Tbilisi with his Finnish counterpart, the current Chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. President Sarkozy in turn visited the region, where he met President Medevedev in Moscow and President Saakashvili in Tbilisi. The President Sarkozy's mediation on behalf of the European Union made it possible for the Russian Federation, Georgia and the two separatist entities to commit, in writing, to a six-point plan, which the European Council has also endorsed. The plan does not resolve everything, but it constitutes the essential - and the only - basis that we have to reach a lasting solution. The signatories have undertaken permanently to cease hostilities and not resort to force.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Historical accounts will say that it was a series of provocations and reactions, but one thing is clear: Georgia's actions were followed by a brutal and disproportionate reaction by Russia. The violence has claimed numerous victims - at least hundreds of dead- and caused tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons to take to the roads. Whole villages have been destroyed. Instability has once again flared up on the flank of Europe, threatening peace in the region and risking serious tensions in international relations. From the outset, France, on behalf of the European Union, has undertaken massive efforts at the highest levels to bring an end to the hostilities.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting at the request of my delegation. Allow me also to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Assistant Secretary-General Mulet for their briefings and the Permanent Representative of Georgia for his statement. France has requested that this important and urgent meeting be held because we are extremely concerned by the current situation in Georgia. I would like to recall the context that led us to call for this meeting. Following 7 August, over the course of almost a week, fierce fighting occurred in the separatist enclave of South Ossetia and then, with the intervention of the Russian army, throughout Georgian territory, particularly in Abkhazia.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Before we get there, I would like to say that the Security Council bears a significant responsibility that it must shoulder: to support the ongoing diplomatic efforts and to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, for a withdrawal of forces to their earlier positions and for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. Others have said before me, and I too would like to emphasize, that it is important for the Security Council rapidly to speak out on the basis of those elements. France plans to work actively in the coming hours to ensure that the Security Council is indeed able to speak out in this manner. I think the time has come for us all to shoulder our responsibility and to end a deteriorating process that is likely to have serious consequences for international peace and security.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“It is based on three elements: an immediate cessation of hostilities; full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia; and restoration of the status quo preceding the hostilities, which would mean the withdrawal of Russian and Georgian forces to their earlier positions. We consider that those elements are the essential parameters for resolving the crisis. Once we meet the conditions for attaining those objectives, a plan for international engagement could be put in place. It will be necessary to fine-tune its modalities. There is no doubt that the Security Council will be involved in that exercise.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“We have taken note of Georgia's announcement of the withdrawal of its forces from Ossetia and of Georgia's cessation of hostilities; that is an important step. All parties must cease hostilities immediately, and everything possible must be done to achieve a lasting resolution of the situation. I have already referred to the diplomatic efforts undertaken by France, both in its national capacity and as current President of the European Union. The mediation mission undertaken by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union, with the participation of the United States, has travelled to Georgia. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs is to visit Moscow and Tbilisi, and the French President has submitted a simple plan for emerging from this crisis.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“According to the information we have received, there have also been aerial attacks on the Kodori Valley, a build-up of Abkhaz troops and military equipment in the area of the line of demarcation between Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia, and a threat of major military operations by the Abkhaz side. We are also gravely concerned at the consequences of this deteriorating situation: an increasing number of victims, refugees and displaced persons. In that regard, the figures cited by Mr. Pascoe are particularly alarming. We are also gravely concerned at the possible implications of this deteriorating situation for the peace and stability of the region. Everything possible must be done to put an end to this conflict. The priority is an immediate cessation of hostilities.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“Mr. Lacroix (France) (spoke in French): I wish first of all to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Assistant Secretary-General Mulet for their briefings, and to reaffirm our full confidence in them and our support for them and for all members of the Secretariat and the Secretariat leadership. My delegation regrets that it is obliged to note once again that the situation in Georgia has deteriorated. We are particularly alarmed by the expansion of the conflict, both in intensity and in geographical scope, including with continued air strikes against targets outside the area of South Ossetia, the presence of significant maritime forces along the coast and the threat to the region of Abkhazia.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“In this regard, the European Union (EU) is in close contact with all of the protagonists in the crisis. Under the French presidency, the EU spare no efforts to pursue these discussions. It has been decided that Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe envoys as well as envoys from the European Union and the United States will go to Georgia to attain a ceasefire as soon as possible. We call upon the parties to cooperate fully with them to arrive at a lasting solution. Finally, the fighting of recent days has dozens of deaths, hundreds of wounded and thousands of refugees and displaced persons. Everything possible must be done to help those who have fled their homes find shelter, receive care and return quickly to their homes. We cannot add to the tragic nature of this fighting by creating a humanitarian tragedy.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source