YouSaid · the spoken record

Lavrov

lines on the record: 2,533
first: 1994-09-23
most recent: 2023-09-20
sittings or episodes: 322
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

“Another important aspect of strengthening the positive trends in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the overall regional situation. We believe that a solid, positive dynamic in the development of Yugoslav- Bosnian and Croatian-Bosnian relations is extremely important for the further stabilization of the Balkans. In this respect, new opportunities are opening up as a result of the recent signing between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of a bilateral agreement on free trade, the exchange of ambassadors between those two countries and the resumption of the work of the inter-State diplomatic commission on border issues of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.”
2002-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4484 (2002) · source
“Progress in that direction will allow for conditions that will ensure stability and democracy for the political forces in the country, as well as economic, social and cultural development and integration into the European structures. In that context, the question of constitutional reform is a priority. A decision in that respect must be taken by the sides themselves. Any other approach would necessarily lead to negative consequences for stability within the country, particularly on the eve of the Bosnian-wide elections, and would strengthen the position of nationalist parties in both entities. In this regard, it is necessary to be extremely cautious; the imposition on the Bosnians of any solution to this very significant problem by decree of the High Representative could, indeed, be counter-productive.”
2002-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4484 (2002) · source
“We believe that all activities in Bosnia, including the proposed reorganization of the international forces there, should be aimed at strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single, stable and independent State. We have often emphasized that a solid foundation for Bosnian statehood can be laid only through the careful search by the Bosnian parties themselves for mutually acceptable solutions. To that end, the representatives of both entities must demonstrate greater willingness to cooperate, make compromises and find the strength within themselves to rise above narrow ethnic interests so as to achieve common Bosnian goals. Only thus will it be possible to ensure State structures and organs of authority that function normally at all levels, as well as an effective legislature and a single economic space.”
2002-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4484 (2002) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): First of all, I would like to join others in welcoming you, Sir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, to this very important meeting of the Security Council today. We are also grateful to Mr. Petritsch, Mr. Klein and Mr. Solana for their assessments of the current situation in Bosnia. The Russian Federation believes that ensuring stability in Bosnia overall, and in each of its entities, is the main condition for further successful progress in the peace process, on the basis of the Peace Agreement, whose potential is far from exhausted. We support the efforts of the High Representative with a View to restructuring the international presence and, in particular, the plan of action that he has prepared.”
2002-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4484 (2002) · source
“The resolve of Israeli and Palestinian politicians to work to re- establish trust deserves our respect and support. In close cooperation with all interested parties, Russia will continue firmly to work to ensure a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East conflict on the basis of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973); the principles of the Madrid conference, in particular the principle of land for peace; and existing agreements. Our common goal is to establish lasting peace based on equal security for Israel and other States and peoples of the region and to ensure that the Palestinian people enjoy their national rights, including their rights to self-determination and to the creation of a viable sovereign State.”
2002-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478 (2002) · source
“In the interests of eradicating terrorism and of creating conditions of security, there must be cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, headed by its legitimate leader, Yasser Arafat. International efforts must also be intensified to overcome the crisis and to restore the situation to the political track. It is equally important that further concerted action be undertaken by the United Nations, Russia, the United States, the European Union and the interested Arab States, including with respect to the new peace initiatives. We are pleased to note among Palestinians and Israelis alike a growing understanding of the need to overcome these negative dynamics. A delegation of the Palestinian-Israeli coalition for peace is currently in Moscow, composed of eminent politicians and parliamentarians from Israel and Palestine.”
2002-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478 (2002) · source
“On the Palestinian side, this would require putting a halt to any action threatening Israel's security and the lives of civilians, as well as arresting and bringing to justice all those participating in terrorist activities. Israel, for its part, must cease its destruction of the structures of Palestinian national autonomy end the isolation of President Yasser Arafat and halt its extra-judicial assassinations, invasions of Palestinian towns and blockades of Palestinian territories. Russia calls on both sides immediately and unconditionally to take these steps so as to meet each other half-way, to end the violence and to resume the negotiating process.”
2002-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478 (2002) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): Russia is deeply concerned by the ongoing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Despite the efforts of the international community to help settle that conflict, it has proven impossible to achieve a positive breakthrough. Moreover, the violence is acquiring a logic of its own and its consequences are assuming qualitatively new and more dangerous forms. Breaking the spiral of confrontation would be in the S/PV.4478 genuine interests of Palestinians and Israelis alike. There can be no solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by force of arms. The only possible way out of the impasse is the immediate adoption by both parties of corresponding measures, starting with the implementation of the Tent- Mitchell plan forthwith.”
2002-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4478 (2002) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I apologize for just arriving, but I had a counter-terrorism subcommittee meeting, where we were reviewing the first series of reports. I did not want my absence to be taken to mean that I was not satisfied with the work of the Security Council this month. I very briefly would like to express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, your delegation and your Minister. You had a very complicated month, and you steered our ship in a dignified way. We adopted all the decisions that we were supposed to adopt, and I sincerely congratulate you on that. I have just noticed that the Secretariat has also given us a gift, an elegant carafe of water, so this Chamber is becoming better and better. I hope that this will improve our mood next month.”
2002-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4466 (2002) · source
“In the post-conflict recovery stage, it is important to focus on preventing the recurrence of crises, above all through ensuring effective linkage between emergency assistance and subsequent measures to promote long-term sustainable development and social integration of the most vulnerable groups of the population. The Russian Federation is ready to continue - on the basis of open, equal and mutually advantageous partnership - to participate in international efforts to strengthen Africa's peace- building potential.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“To make use of this potential, we need agreed actions of the various bodies and agencies of the United Nations system, including, where necessary, by using Article 65 of the Charter of the United Nations, on cooperation between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. We must strive for effective implementation in Africa of integrated United Nations programmes, combining, on one hand, mine clearance, confiscation of firearms, and demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, and, on the other hand, support for democratic institutions, social and economic reforms and national mechanisms for governance and the administration of justice.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In this respect, experience shows that the Council is interested that, above all, the agreed views of the Africans themselves be taken into account in the search for ways to resolve the various problems in the continent, including those linked to the need to halt the illegal spread of small arms and light weapons and the illegal mining of and traffic in diamonds, the revenue from which finances and arms illegal anti-Government groups. Post-conflict rehabilitation and development assistance must be an important component of the international strategy for ensuring peace and preventing conflicts on the African continent. The socio-economic and humanitarian sectors of the United Nations have significant preventive potential in this area.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The United Nations can make a significant contribution to the mobilization of international donor support for African peacekeeping efforts. As a whole, the most logical approach is the one in which the Africans themselves determine specific goals and tasks of maintaining peace in their continent, while using any peacekeeping force in strict accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. This implies that any preventive or coercive actions, whether they be sanctions or even additional military force, must be authorized by the Security Council.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We support the steps being taken by the Secretary- General to expand links between the United Nations and the OAU and with subregional African organizations on issues such as the prevention and resolution of conflicts. Such links will help promote coordinated implementation in the African region of specific peace initiatives, including those relating to conflicts in the Great Lakes region and in the Mano River Basin. Russia supports the efforts being made by the United Nations to enhance Africa's peacekeeping potential, including those areas such personnel training, the exchange of information, the holding of joint exercises, the implementation of demining programmes, and others. There is substantial potential in the United Nations standby arrangements system.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Priority must be given to using political and diplomatic methods and to neutralizing factors which enable the emergence and the continuation of conflicts. A key role in this regard belongs with the Africans themselves. Peacekeeping efforts of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Economic Community of West African States, the Southern African Development Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the mediation missions of eminent African political figures have in many cases made possible positive progress in the resolution of conflicts, and much has been said in great detail about this today. Russia favours the efforts of Africans themselves being fully bolstered by the authority of the Security Council, and through the logistical capability of the United Nations.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is impossible to have stable and harmonious world development if the African States, which are almost one third of the membership of the international community, remain in a fault zone of heightened political and socio-economic instability. Sharing the conclusions of the United Nations Secretary-General on the vital link between peace and development, Russia favours developing a comprehensive approach to the resolution and prevention of conflicts, poverty eradication, ensuring development and strengthening democracy on the African continent. We need to break the vicious circle of inadequate development, social and inter-ethnic problems, political and military instability, conflicts and the breakdown of development programmes.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We join in the words of appreciation expressed at the holding of this meeting. We are pleased to see you, Sir, presiding. We also welcome the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the President of the Economic and Social Council, and we express our appreciation to all those eminent guests who have come from their capitals to participate in our discussion today. Today's meeting is yet another reaffirmation of the serious concern of the world community about the state of affairs in the African continent and the desire to develop an effective strategy for maintaining peace and stability in Africa.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In such circumstances, we need concrete steps on both sides to achieve de-escalation of the critical situation and energetic political efforts to get out of the dead end. Russia, together with the American co-sponsors of the peace process, with the European Union, with the United Nations and within the framework of the quartet of international intermediaries and other concerned parties, will spare no effort to overcome the explosive spiral of recent developments and to revert the process to a political settlement. The draft resolution that has been presented for the Council's consideration is a balanced one; it decisively condemns terrorism and all other forms of violence; and it calls for the implementation of the Mitchell plan and the resumption of the peace process.”
2001-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4438 (2001) · source
“On the contrary, this can only lead to renewed acts of vengeance between the Palestinians and the Israelis. It is not in the interest of Israel to have a de facto destruction of the Palestine Authority. The Israeli leadership cannot question the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to build its own independent State, and therefore cannot question the existence of Palestinian self-government headed by the legitimately recognized leader of the Palestinian people, Yasser Arafat. This is why the Israeli Government should not undertake any measures that would burn bridges; it should preserve the possibility of a political dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian self-government.”
2001-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4438 (2001) · source
“This is why we believe that the leadership of the Palestine Authority, and Yasser Arafat personally, should take very energetic and harsh measures to put an end to the violence on the part of the Palestinian extremists; they should arrest and punish the terrorists and dismantle their infrastructure. At the same time, we are convinced that it is not through the use of force that a solution to the problems of Israeli-Palestinian relations will be found. That is not the way out. The status quo is totally untenable, because ultimately there can be a settlement only in political terms. It is against this backdrop that we are convinced that any attempts made by Israel to ensure its security through the use of military force can in no way resolve this urgent problem.”
2001-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4438 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russia) (spoke in Russian): Russia, like the whole international community, is alarmed by the dangerously explosive dynamic of recent developments in the relations between Palestinians and the Israeli population. This can have a very negative impact on the overall situation in the Middle East. We decisively condemn the terrorist actions and the raids of extremist organizations against civilian populations in Israel. This only results in discrediting the legitimate claims of the Palestinian people to exercise its national rights. It undermines any attempts to change the course of events and revert to a political settlement, and impedes the possibility of resuming a peaceful Arab- Israeli dialogue.”
2001-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4438 (2001) · source
“However, the transfer of operations to OSCE will involve a substantial additional expenditure that will hardly be covered through voluntary contributions. We need to weigh carefully all of the factors, including the views of the Bosnian sides themselves, and jointly take the most rational decision. Any haste in assigning to the OSCE mission the function of monitoring the activities of the police contingent would be unjustifiable, especially bearing in mind the fact that the mandate of the Mission will be in effect for at least another year. A final decision on the successor to the United Nations Mission should be taken by the Council in compliance with the Peace Agreement, and should be approved by the Security Council.”
2001-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4433 (2001) · source
“However, we believe that we should not act hastily with regard to the introduction of drastic changes in the work of the international structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In our view, the existing proposals must be well worked out, and it is extremely necessary that they be in full compliance with Dayton. In fact, the implementation of reforms must on the whole be proportionate to the development of the situation in the region. We are also not in favour of hasty action with regard to the ultimate fate of the international police operation. We have no doubt that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the best prepared organization for conducting the police operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the conclusion of the core mandate of the United Nations Mission, in December 2002.”
2001-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4433 (2001) · source
“We are convinced that we can carry out this task through coordination of the efforts of all participants in the settlement process and by carrying out serious structural changes in the work of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main areas for such a restructuring should be in enhancing effectiveness and eliminating discrepancies and duplications in the work of international bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in reducing expenditures and the number of staff. As we see it, one of the priority tasks in that process is to define the criteria for compliance by the international organs in Bosnia and Herzegovina with their mandates and to establish clear-cut stages for transfer of their responsibilities for the situation in the country to Bosnians themselves.”
2001-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4433 (2001) · source
“In spite of the narrow mandate of the Mission, which includes promoting the establishment of an effective system of law enforcement bodies in the country, its activities are of significant importance in completing one of the key tasks of the settlement, namely, ensuring public safety and internal stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We note with satisfaction that there has been some success in this regard. We support the activities of the Head of the Mission aimed at fulfilling its core mandate by the end of the year 2002. In view of the fragility of the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we believe that the main goal of the international community in that country is to ensure genuine stability, the basis for which is the Peace Agreement.”
2001-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4433 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): Like other members of the Security Council, we are pleased to see you in the Chair, Mr. President. We join in the words of gratitude addressed to Ambassador Durrant and the entire delegation of Jamaica for the work they did last month. We are also pleased to welcome the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are grateful to Mr. Hedi Annabi for his briefing. Russia has a positive opinion of the activities of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) and of its Head, Mr. Jacques Paul Klein, which are described in detail in the report of the Secretary-General.”
2001-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4433 (2001) · source
“Madam President, I am familiar with your particular commitment to the question of protecting civilians in conflict situations - particularly women and children a and we were not disappointed by the formal meetings of the Security Council held on these questions. They once again made it possible for us to consider those aspects of this very difficult set of problems that fall within the purview of the Security Council. On the whole, the work of the Council in November was purposeful in nature and geared towards the attainment of practical results. A large number of practical decisions were taken, and we were able to consider the items on our agenda in a consistent and thorough manner.”
2001-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4432 (2001) · source
“We deem it very important that in November, both in the formal meetings and in the consultations of the Security Council, top priority matters were touched on that have a direct relationship to the main task of the Council - the maintenance of international peace and security. We take note in this connection of the regular discussions of the situation in Afghanistan and in a number of African States. The meeting with President Nelson Mandela, at which we discussed the situation in Burundi, was very useful. We had a very open and very specific talk between members of the Security Council and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Council also reacted in a timely manner to the Kosovo elections and adopted an important resolution that extended the humanitarian programme in Iraq.”
2001-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4432 (2001) · source
“We also commend the manner in which Security Council made use of the presence in the General Assembly of many foreign ministers and other members of Government of various States. Suffice it to mention the meeting of the Security Council at the foreign minister level on the question of combating terrorism; the participation by the foreign ministers of many countries in the Council's meeting on Afghanistan; the Council's meeting, with the participation of members of the Political Committee for the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, on the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the discussion of the situation in Burundi, with the participation of members of the Government of countries of the region. We believe that this practice is extremely useful.”
2001-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4432 (2001) · source
“Mr. Granovsky (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The delegation of the Russian Federation highly commends your work, Madam President, and sincerely congratulates you on the successful manner in which you have discharged your responsibilities as President of the Security Council for this month. Madam President, you were faced with the very difficult challenge of ensuring that the work of the Council proceeded smoothly during a number of very serious international events, which coincided with ministerial week in the General Assembly. It is the opinion of my delegation that you discharged the duties entrusted to you with a high degree of professionalism and fully achieved the goals set by Jamaica at the beginning of its presidency.”
2001-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4432 (2001) · source
“Holding the elections was not the end, but only the beginning, of the serious work of building a democratic and multi- ethnic Kosovo in strict accordance with resolution 1244 (1999), including respect for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We believe this is how the situation is regarded by the leadership of the United Nations Secretariat, UNMIK and KFOR.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“Resolution 1244 (1999) directly prohibits participation in the political life of Kosovo on the part of those who have been involved in terrorist activities. Before the 17 November elections, the leadership of UNMIK confirmed that they were not aware of the presence of any terrorists in Kosovo, but that they were willing to investigate any possible indications of such presence. Such information has now appeared, and we expect UNMIK to discharge its responsibilities by doing what it said it would. Today - and before 17 November - the priority task is to establish constructive interaction between the international presences, the Yugoslav authorities and the representatives of the Kosovo people in the new, elected institutions of the province.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“We drew attention to a media report that Ibrahim Rugova, just a few days ago, said that he intended to deliver to the Security Council information on preparations in Kosovo by terrorists, including Chechen terrorists. There are also suspicions that those terrorists had contact with persons related to Osama bin Laden. In this connection, we would note that the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has so far not begun any investigation of members of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army, who committed crimes against Serbs inside Kosovo after the deployment there of the international presence in June 1999. We do not exclude either the possibility that many former terrorists may try to join the Kosovo-wide institutions currently being created. It is the direct responsibility of UNMIK to ensure that this does not happen.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“We also think that the time has come to look at the situation in Kosovo in a more sober manner, through the prism of what the international presences will have to focus its future activities on: ensuring genuine security there; creating conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons; finding out what happened to those who were abducted and to the missing; and ensuring access to the basic services of any civilized society - education, healthcare, culture, information - for all inhabitants of the province, regardless of their national or religious origins. There is also a new problem that UNMIK and KFOR cannot ignore.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“We View that Serb participation in the elections as an indication of their determination to participate more actively in the political life of Kosovo and, through legitimate means, to restore the multi- ethnic nature of the province, ensuring that it develops along a truly democratic path as a part of Yugoslavia. Primary responsibility for further progress towards a settlement in the province lies with the international presences, primarily the United Nations Mission there, which will have to fulfil its obligations under the common document of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and UNMIK, in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999).”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“Hence, we cannot simply wait for democracy to arise automatically in Kosovo. The November elections, and indeed last year's municipal elections, simply confirmed that. Ethnic discrimination continues in Kosovo, and as in the past this has ramifications of extremism and terrorism that extend into neighbouring countries. Moreover, crime is on the rise. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) must focus their attention on this issue. As a positive matter, we note that there was a fairly high level of participation in the elections by the Serb population, both those who remained in the province and those who were forced to leave in the wake of the ethnic cleansing carried out by Albanian extremists.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I am grateful to the Assistant Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Hedi Annabi, for his briefing. We are following closely developments in the political situation in Kosovo following the Kosovo- wide elections of 17 November. Unfortunately, we have to say that, at this stage, the task of turning Kosovo into a democratic, multi-ethnic society is still essentially seen as being of secondary importance in the programmes of the main Kosovo Albanian parties, which as a result of the elections now have a legitimate basis on which to exercise a decisive influence on the political life of the province. All those parties continue to say that their main objective is the swift attainment of independence for Kosovo.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4430 (2001) · source
“Thus, we trust that the Yugoslav Tribunal will increasingly rely on cooperation with the national court systems of the countries of the region and will give greater attention to investigations of crimes on the territory of Kosovo.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“This establishes a good basis for the earliest possible conclusion of that body's work. We have also drawn attention to reports in the Yugoslav news media that Ibrahim Rugova intends to give the Security Council information on the training of terrorists in the territory of Kosovo. In the same reports there is mention that the ICTY thus far has not begun any investigations of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, which carried out reprisals against Serbs after the introduction into the province of international forces in June 1999. Now many of these figures are preparing to enter the Government of Kosovo that is being formed.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“We also would like to recall that the Security Council, in its resolution 1329 (2000) - which established the institution of ad litem judges in the ICTY - took note of the position of the Tribunals regarding the fact that they must try the leaders and not the secondary figures. The aforementioned policy of the Prosecutor seems to us a departure from the positions of the Tribunals themselves as set forth in the resolution. At the same time, I would like to say that the ICTY and the ICTR should not go beyond the sphere of their competence. They should not pass political judgement on the nature of the cooperation of States with the Tribunals. With regard to the ICTY, all the States of the former Yugoslavia recently have been showing readiness for constructive cooperation with the ICTY.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“It is very difficult, for example, to believe that all 136 people recently coming under suspicion by the Office of the Prosecutor really are the major organizers and instigators of genocide on the territory of Rwanda. We also have questions about the validity of the Prosecutor's plans to conduct at least 36 more investigations by the end of 2004 with regard to the 150 suspects in the former Yugoslavia. The continuation of such a policy would in fact mean a loss of confidence in the national court systems of the Balkan States and Rwanda. We note with satisfaction that today the Presidents of the ICTY and the ICTR and the Prosecutor talked about the need for further reliance on national legal systems. We hope that these words will be translated into practical steps with regard to the Tribunals" activities.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“At the current stage, we will strive towards more active involvement of the national court systems of the States of the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The Tribunals need to focus on specific crimes where, for various reasons, States are not in a position to conduct investigations independently. In this connection, we cannot agree with the fact that the Prosecutor has virtually already set up a timetable for conducting numerous additional arrests for some years to come. If such an approach were retained, even bearing in mind the ad litem judges, the ICTY and the ICTR could function for a very, very long time to come. We doubt the legal validity of such plans.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“At the same time, a great deal remains to be done. We are carefully studying the proposal of the President of the ICTR that the institution of ad litem judges be introduced into the Tribunal. Naturally, this request deserves comprehensive consideration by the Security Council, equal to that given a similar request last year by the judges of the ICTY. I would like to emphasize the rule - based on the United Nations Charter and other fundamental norms of international law - that the primary responsibility for punishing those guilty of war crimes and other serious international crimes remains with States, and this fact remains unshakeable. International criminal courts in this case play an important but subsidiary role, since they are not in a position to replace national systems of justice.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“Such a lengthy existence of ad hoc Tribunals becomes increasingly difficult to justify, from both the political and practical points of view. As far as the ICTY is concerned, the most timely issue at present is the establishment of a final deadline for its temporary jurisdiction. This task was supported by the Security Council in its resolution 1329 (2000). The Russian Federation has made concrete proposals in this area, and we are counting on the Council to continue its consideration with a view to reaching a consensus. The ICTR, first and foremost, faces the task of enhancing the effectiveness of its activity. Of course, the Tribunal has recently increased its capacity for the trial process, and we note the measures undertaken for significant improvement of its administrative and management capacity.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I would like to express our gratitude to the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Judges Jorda and Pillay, and also the Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, for their comprehensive briefings on the work of the Tribunals. As is well known, the Tribunals were established by the Security Council as temporary judicial bodies, with a View to restoring and maintaining peace in those regions, to holding accountable the main perpetrators of serious international crimes and to promoting national reconciliation. It is quite obvious that the deadline sketched out for those bodies is now expiring.”
2001-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4429 (2001) · source
“The ideas and assessments that we heard today from Ambassador Brahimi will doubtless be taken into consideration in the work of the Security Council on the new resolution on Afghanistan.”
2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414 (2001) · source
“Russia will continue effectively to coordinate its large-scale efforts in this area with international efforts, primarily through the United Nations. But at the same time, we must start planning, in the context of the United Nations, for a long-term strategy for international assistance in the rehabilitation and development of Afghanistan, as a reinforcement of the political efforts to resolve the Afghan conflict. In conclusion, I should like once again to stress the importance that we attach to the efforts of the Secretary-General and of Ambassador Brahimi, and we reaffirm our willingness to work very closely with the Special Representative on the whole range of problems facing Afghanistan.”
2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414 (2001) · source
“The rank-and- file members of the Taliban movement may benefit from the amnesty proclaimed by the United Front if they voluntarily hand over their weapons. With regard to non-Afghans, we believe that, if they surrender, the United Front leadership will also treat them with clemency and spare their lives. Thus their subsequent fate could be determined by judicial means, pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1333 (2000), 1368 (2001) and 1373 (2001). We call on all States Members of the United Nations with influence on the Taliban and on the foreigners who are fighting on their side to exert the necessary pressure on them in order to put an end to their resistance and to any further bloodshed. Like our colleagues, we believe that the immediate priority is to step up humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.”
2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414 (2001) · source
“It is very important here to involve other countries in resolving these issues through the flexible use of the available mechanisms. We would welcome in particular the revitalization of the work of the Group of 21. We also believe that, as the task of post-conflict rehabilitation in Afghanistan becomes more urgent, the role and responsibility of the Afghanistan support group will grow. We are prepared to engage in a constructive consideration of proposals on how to improve the work of the "six plus two" group itself. We have received information that currently, in Kunduz province, in the northeastern part of Afghanistan, a large military group of Taliban is now fully surrounded. That group consists of about 10,000 people, including members of international terrorist organizations and foreign mercenaries.”
2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414 (2001) · source
“We attach great importance to yesterday's meeting of that group, with the participation of Foreign Ministers, at which a thorough exchange of views took place as to the tasks facing the international community in the process of helping the Afghan people building a new life for themselves. The joint declaration that was adopted following that meeting gives an accurate and substantive assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and of ways to redress that situation. We deem it important that the Ministers condemned the Taliban's ties with international terrorism and supported the efforts of the Afghan people to rid themselves of that regime. However, our understanding is that the task of facilitating the search for ways to resolve the Afghan crisis is not the sole prerogative of the "six plus two" group.”
2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414 (2001) · source