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

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“The time of plundering the natural wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and committing atrocities against civilians has ended. As a matter of principle it is important that the mission has confirmed the need for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with demands set out in Security Council resolutions. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirms its commitment to the inter- Congolese dialogue, and the dialogue would certainly benefit from the adoption by the transitional parliament of the law on political parties and social organizations, listing virtually all legal and financial restrictions on political activities in the country.”
2001-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4323Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The ceasefire is being observed, and generally, despite the well-known problems in the Equateur Province, the process of the disengagement of forces involved in the conflict has begun. The Security Council mission to the region showed that the relations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Nations and MONUC have shifted from antagonism to a solid and positive partnership. The main problems now facing the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are created by the armed opposition. We consider that the policy adopted by the members of the mission in the course of the meetings they held in the region showed convincingly that the time of violating with impunity peace agreements and commitments entered into under Security Council resolutions has ended.”
2001-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4323Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (Spoke in Russian): We have a positive assessment of the Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region. In our view, it helped to strengthen positive tendencies towards settling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we join in praising the work of the mission, and particularly the leader of the mission, the Permanent Representative of France, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte. In our view, encouraging results have been achieved in the peace process of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There has been a successful deployment of United Nations contingents in phase II of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), with the full cooperation of the Government.”
2001-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4323Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We believe that movement towards a political settlement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be a priority for the Security Council. That is how we see the Council's discharge of its responsibilities under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“We call on all the States mentioned in the report to cooperate with the experts in their work and to clarify carefully the situation with regard to the natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Illegal activities, by whomsoever committed, must be brought to an end, and the sooner the better. Russia believes that, in the final analysis, it is the armed conflict that underlies the problem of the illegal exploitation of the resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, just as it underlies the problems of refugees, internally displaced persons and child soldiers, human rights violations, humanitarian crises and many other problems. Only recently has there been some movement towards a settlement of that conflict.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“We are disturbed by the information that it contains about the large-scale looting of resources, in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, we do not believe that the report should prompt the over-hasty adoption of measures on the basis of an emotional response; rather, it should provide food for thought, as it contains information that we must study calmly and carefully. Accordingly, we support a three-month extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts so that, at the end of that period, it can submit an addition to the current report, including commentaries by States named in the report.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“Mr. Granovsky (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I should like first of all to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency; I am confident that you will discharge your duties in the most effective way possible. We would also like to join others in welcoming the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi who are participating in today's meeting of the Security Council. We have listened very carefully to the important statements they have made. The Russian Federation is grateful to the Panel of Experts, chaired by Ms. Safiatou Ba-N'Daw, for the substantive report that it has provided on the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“The third path would be to take it as a rule that the principles and ideas that nobody disputes should be applied at the practical level every single time we discussed a specific item on the agenda of the Security Council on the situation in any given country. Of course, we are far from being able to achieve this every time. Examples have been provided today, by the Permanent Representative of China and other colleagues, and this third path is much more difficult to follow. But if we do not try to follow it, the Security Council will hardly be able to discharge its responsibilities under the Charter.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“The first could be to continue discussing the general principles, seeking, in this context, a mechanism for improving coordination with other United Nations bodies, while, of course, respecting the individual competency and terms of reference of each. That would be useful, though not enough in itself. The second path could be to make use of discussions such as today's debate so as to consider the various individual situations in any given country. That would make our discussions more specific, but they would still not be sufficiently focused. Since certain specific issues would be raised within the context of a general debate, we would not really move towards resolving individual questions.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“Member States and the Secretary-General might perhaps report more quickly to the Council any information that they have about situations that could create a threat to international peace and security, including cases of deliberate refusal to provide safe and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel to civilians in need and gross violations of human rights, where they may constitute a threat to international peace and security. We hope that today's discussion will help to improve the work of the Security Council and that of other agencies and structures in protecting civilians and that it will provide an impetus for further positive progress in this area. With regard to the question about how the Security Council might specifically contribute to this matter, we believe that there are three ways in which we could move forward.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“The mechanism for the Council's interaction with representatives of regional and subregional organizations must be improved on the basis of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly those set out in Chapter VIII. I should also like to point out that that principle is already being applied in the area of peacekeeping interaction between the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Considerably more could be done by States to improve their national legislation and to publicize information about international humanitarian law and the need for full respect for the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, Security Council decisions, human rights standards and the norms and principles of international law.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“International efforts by the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies within the United Nations system can have an additional positive impact in this respect. But it is important for all efforts to be properly coordinated so that, in the area of protecting civilians, as in other matters, there is full respect for the division of labour, pursuant to the Charter and other international legal instruments. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the Security Council's work in this area, and bearing in mind the recommendations made by the Secretary- General, we consider it important for the particular features of each specific armed conflict to be taken into account to a greater extent and, on that basis, for measures to be taken to protect civilians.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“Nobody questions the fact that an effective and appropriate international response to any crisis, including a humanitarian crisis, is essential. Such a reaction must be based on respect for the norms of international law and the provisions of the Charter. It also presupposes - this is a point that that has already been made today - the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace, the full implementation by States of the rules of international comity and respect by all the parties to a conflict of the norms and principles of international law, including humanitarian law. Indeed, it is precisely the States and parties involved in an armed conflict that bear the primary responsibility for providing civilians with protection.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“Many of his proposals are in line with our position, such as those on additional protection for specific sectors of civilians, primarily children, and on the importance of national and, where necessary, international criminal prosecution of those who have committed crimes under international law, inter alia, through the future International Criminal Court. I would recall that Russia signed the Statute of that Court during the Millennium Assembly. At the same time, as many of my colleagues have said, we believe that the one fundamental way to protect the civilian population would be simply to eliminate war from society - to prevent and halt conflict. That is the thrust of the concept of strategic stability proposed by the Russian Federation during the Millennium Assembly.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“It is clear that, in this situation, additional emergency measures are needed at the national, regional and international levels, primarily in the context of coordinating efforts. This is a point that you, Sir, and Mrs. Robinson have addressed, as have my colleagues. We welcome the Secretary-General's two reports, in which he has sought to analyse the reasons for the violation of the norms of international humanitarian law in armed conflict and to offer recommendations on strengthening the protection of civilians.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his report, to Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette for introducing it and to High Commissioner Mrs. Robinson for her participation in this meeting. In the Millennium Declaration, the heads of State undertook to "expand and strengthen the protection of civilians in complex emergencies, in conformity with international humanitarian law". (resolution 55/2, para. 26) Thus, it is not by chance that we are discussing these issues today. Over the past 50 years, a great number of international instruments have been adopted on human rights and international humanitarian law, and yet entirely innocent civilians, including children, women, the elderly, refugees and humanitarian personnel, continue to suffer in the course of armed conflict.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312 (2001) · source
“The international community would be sending a very clear signal that there should be absolutely no new attempt to carve new borders in Europe, including in the Balkans.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Ivanov, put forward in Skopje on 21 March, when he suggested that countries of the region should adopt a legally binding document establishing mutual obligations regarding the strict observance of the basic principles of inter-State relations, primarily, the inviolability of borders, sovereignty equality, respect for each other's territorial integrity, the non-use of force, and preventing the use of their territories for incitement or for the provision of assistance to terrorist activities or participation in such activities in respect of other States. At first glance, this is a very simple proposal, but we are convinced that including these principles within the framework of a legally binding document would have a very positive effect on the entire situation. The Security Council could act as the guarantor of such an agreement.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Recently, in Krivenik, a Kosovo village near the Macedonian border, a huge illegal cache of weapons was found. KFOR needed four trucks to remove it. These caches are really not difficult to find, but I do not want to comment further on that point. We believe that, in order to stabilize the Balkans, we need approaches that are based first and foremost on the political will of the States of the region, with the active support of the international community. That is the precise thrust of the proposal that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia, Mr.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Such occurrences show that that bad example is contagious, and if there are no strict measures to put an end to extremist terrorist activities, many people would like to recreate this kind of scenario in other areas of the Balkans. We are concerned about reports that there has been a recent revival of the activities of the foreign network of Albanian extremists, in particular those in Switzerland, and that this network is being used to provide support for activities in Kosovo and Macedonia. We again draw attention to the need for a clearer, more insistent implementation of resolution 1160 (1998) regarding the arms embargo to Kosovo. We stress the need finally to bring the demilitarization to its logical conclusion and to ensure that the combatants of the former KLA are truly disarmed.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“In this respect, I would like to recall the comments of the Special Rapporteur on Yugoslavia, Mr. Dienstbier, during the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Human Rights. He said that there was a direct link between extremism in Kosovo and ethnic Albanian terrorists who are operating beyond the confines of Kosovo. Bosnia is already suffering from the after-effects of the Kosovo problem; extremists there are starting to use the same methods that are being utilized by the Kosovar Albanian terrorists. There are similar occurrences in the Croatian part of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with international personnel becoming the direct victims of armed attacks and being taken hostage.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“I am sure that this is well known to the United Nations mission in Kosovo, and we are convinced that both the mission and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) must, as the Security Council has already demanded, step up their efforts to put an end to extremism in Kosovo and halt the export of violence from Kosovo to other regions of Yugoslavia and to neighbouring countries, in particular Macedonia. We believe that it is now clear to everybody that the root cause of this situation lies in the policy of placating Kosovo extremists, which was pursued by the previous leadership of the mission. The fact is that all of the problems that have arisen in the region, including the problem of violence, have their origins in that policy. They come from Kosovo; nobody is disputing that fact.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“We therefore earnestly call upon the United Nations mission fully to cooperate with the Serbs on the question of Mitrovica, We are concerned that the Albanian media in Kosovo is publishing articles stating that the leaders of a number of radical Kosovo parties are expressing full support for the activities of the so-called national liberation army in Macedonia, and newspapers in Kosovo are publishing lists of former commanders of the KLA who are now taking part in hostilities in Macedonia. Such people are portrayed as being national heroes.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“So far, there has been no success in establishing such security, and the report of 3 April that was published jointly by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees notes that there has been no decrease in attacks on the members of the non- Albanian people of the province, and that such violence is clearly organized. That report provides concrete facts. In this regard, we would like very seriously to warn against any hasty steps with regard to Mitrovica, Unless the legitimate interests of the Serbs are taken into account in resolving the question of Mitrovica, there is a real danger that the entire territory of Kosovo will be ethnically cleansed.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Sending such a mission to Kosovo would help to calm the mood of the minorities and show them that the Security Council does not intend to disregard their legitimate concerns. It would also be of practical help in supporting the process of cooperation that has been established between the United Nations mission and the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in bringing about the cooperation that was agreed to during the visit paid by Mr. Haekerrup to Belgrade. At this stage, however, we agree that it is important for the international presence to make a more active effort to ensure that there is security there for all, including, of course, the members of the Serb and other non-Albanian communities.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“We take note of the work being undertaken by the United Nations mission in seeking to harmonize the legal framework for the future transitional self- government organs. Such work should be strictly in keeping with the provisions of resolution 1244 (1999), with the participation of Belgrade. We note that this problem was discussed during the talks between Mr. Haekerrup and President Kostunica, and we encourage that dialogue. We also reaffirm our position that the modalities for the elections, and the timetable for holding them, must be endorsed by the Security Council. I remind the Council of our proposals to dispatch a Security Council mission to Kosovo which would, of course, also visit Belgrade. We believe that this should be undertaken before decisions are made on the legal framework and the timetable for holding the elections.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Of course, one of the central questions that everyone is talking about today is the preparation for the Kosovo-wide elections. We are convinced that in order to hold these elections, we need to make sure that the security conditions exist there that would guarantee a genuinely democratic expression of the will of all the province's ethnic communities and the fair participation of these communities in all self- government bodies. We therefore attach importance to ensuring that before elections take place, displaced persons and refugees are able to return to Kosovo. We are convinced that excessive haste in holding the elections, forcing them through without the conditions in place to enable all the residents of Kosovo to vote, would strengthen the mono-ethnic nature of Kosovo and increase the nationalistic mood there.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to Mr. Guehenno for his briefing and for his personal impressions of his trip to Kosovo. We take note of the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Haekkerup, and the Mission he heads to establish normal life in Kosovo and to implement resolution 1244 (1999). We believe Mr. Haekkerup's recent visit to Belgrade, mentioned by Mr. Guehenno, was very important. We believe that all the questions that were discussed during the Special Representative's talks with the President of Yugoslavia will be developed and that the agreements will be fulfilled. We are convinced that unless there is this kind of cooperation with Belgrade, the Mission will not be able to discharge its mandate.”
2001-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4309 (2001) · source
“It is important to stop the expansion of this terrorism that is being cultivated by Albanian extremists, because otherwise the international community will simply be faced with the outbreak of a new and even more destructive regional crisis. We believe that the Security Council, pursuant to its mandate, must follow closely these threats to international peace and security in the region and must be able to take the measures that might prove necessary. In any event, we support the international presence there in its efforts to implement Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), with the understanding, naturally, that a solid system of security in the Balkans must be based on utter respect for the territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of all States in the region.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“We would expect the UNMIK leadership, in cooperation with KFOR, to take additional steps to really achieve and complete the demilitarization of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters so that the so-called post-KLA structures would not be able to have an impact on the political situation. It is also necessary to put an end to illegal transporters' deliveries of arms. Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) is still quite valid and applicable with regard to interdicting attempts to bring arms into Kosovo. Unfortunately, such activities continue. Of course, one must not forget that the weapons being used to whip up violence in the Presevo Valley and in Macedonia are coming out of Kosovo. Everybody knows about this. We are convinced that the activities begun by UNMIK and KFOR must be continued and stepped up.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Recent events in Kosovo and beyond its borders show that Albanian extremists are calculating that through provocation and whipping up tension in the region they will be able to attain their own nationalist goals by force. We welcome the steps that have been taken, but we would like to emphasize once again that it is necessary not only to end such actions by those fighters, but also to provide a public assessment of terrorist actions and of the provocative statements that are regularly made by Kosovo Albanian leaders. We call on the UNMIK leadership to draw attention to the need to provide such an assessment of attempts to whip up nationalist fervour. We must all learn from the sorry experience of a certain overlooking of separatist tendencies on the part of the leaders of the Kosovo Albanians.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Incidentally, the decision on the return of the Yugoslav armed units to the ground safety zone shows, albeit somewhat belatedly, a recognition that ensuring reliable security in the region is simply not possible without the direct participation of the Yugoslav authorities. We hope that in this explosive situation the Presevo Albanians who have made a commitment to this ceasefire will strictly respect that commitment. In that way, appropriate conditions would be established so as to implement the programme for resolving the crisis in southern Serbia, as proposed jointly by the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“We are particularly concerned about the situation in the ground safety zone in southern Serbia, and we therefore welcome the agreements reached between the Kosovo Force (KFOR) command and the Yugoslav side on arrangements for returning Yugoslav army and police units to that ground safety zone. We also note that, in parallel, KFOR is stepping up control over the administrative border between Kosovo and in the Kosovo sector of the Yugoslav-Macedonian border. Taken together, we think that these measures will be able to put an end to the illegal activities by the Albanian armed fighters.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“The final text of the legal framework must be approved by the Security Council, which should also take a decision on the timing of the holding of the elections. In this connection, I would like to recall our proposal that a Security Council mission should visit Kosovo. It could also visit Belgrade and, if security conditions so allow and the Yugoslav authorities agree, the Presevo region as well. In our view such a mission would be very useful if it were to take place before the decision was taken on the legal framework and before the elections. We would be grateful to Mr. Haekkerup if he could perhaps give us his views about this, including a possible time-frame for such a mission.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Agreement on that legal framework must involve not only the various groups in Kosovo, but also the direct participation of Belgrade. We believe that simply informing the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities about the process is obviously not enough. I would also like to note that in the Secretary- General's report there is a statement to the effect that the Kosovo Serb representative withdrew from the Working Group on the legal framework, supposedly on instructions from Belgrade, but as far as we know that statement does not reflect the actual situation, which is much more complex than that. I will not go into detail, but I would like to note that, in any event, there must be participation by Kosovo Serbs in the Working Group in order to make sure that their voice is heard.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Rushing through the elections before the process of the return of refugees has become irreversible and before the proper security is ensured for all inhabitants of the area would simply strengthen the mono-ethnic nature of Kosovo and heighten the nationalist mood in the area, particularly in the districts populated primarily by Albanians, and this would happen not only in Kosovo but elsewhere as well. We have often said that before the election campaign begins there must be absolute clarity in respect of the concept of what is meant by substantial autonomy for Kosovo within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia pursuant to resolution 1244 (1999). As we understand it, that is what UNMIK is trying to accomplish by preparing the legal framework for the future provisional organs of self-government in Kosovo.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Nor has an adequate solution been found to carry out the tasks set forth in resolution 1244 (1999) in order to ensure the necessary conditions for the safe return of Serbs and members of other non-Albanian populations to Kosovo and for their continuing to live there. We would encourage the UNMIK leadership to take a very balanced approach, in cooperation with Belgrade, in order to resolve the whole range of problems involved in preparing for and holding, the Kosovo-wide elections. It is necessary to ensure conditions for a truly democratic expression of the will of all the ethnic communities in the region so that they can participate fairly in the new provisional organs of self-government in Kosovo.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“But there was no reciprocal response to those actions from UNMIK. There are still a number of important problems awaiting solution, and this is certainly not because there was no desire on the part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cooperate in implementing resolution 1244 (1999). I have in mind in particular the question of the agreements that must be signed by the international presences with the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the status of UNMIK and the Kosovo Force (KFOR). The absence of such agreements to date is contrary to all of the existing rules of the United Nations.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“According to that sentence, in paragraph 64 of document S/200l/218, "initial signs of the commitment of the new Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)" are only now emerging. That assessment does not reflect the actual situation, and I do not believe that I need to provide proof in this Chamber that it is not only now that we are seeing signs of commitment by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to resolution 1244 (1999). In fact, we are all familiar with the many steps taken by the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to implement the resolution, and those steps were taken under the previous UNMIK leadership. In other words, those steps were taken by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Government when Mr. Kouchner was the Special Representative.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“However, the first steps he has taken give us grounds for hoping that he will be able to correct the situation relating to the implementation of resolution 1244 ( 1999), particularly insofar as concerns constructive cooperation with the Security Council and the establishment of close interaction between the international presences there and the Yugoslav authorities. We note the steps already taken to open an office of the United Nations Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in Belgrade, and we believe that UNMIK and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will continue to operate in this way thus strengthening their mutual cooperation. Incidentally, in this connection, we wish to draw attention to one sentence in the report of the Secretary-General, a sentence that we regard as incorrect factually and politically.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I should also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Haekkerup, for the briefing he has given us. We are also grateful to the Secretary-General for his report. The assessments and conclusions in the report and the briefing we have just heard provide us with a good opportunity to look at the overall situation in and around Kosovo and to determine what further steps should be taken to implement Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) in its entirety. We wish to pay tribute to the work done by Mr. Haekkerup and by the United Nations Mission that he heads in seeking to establish normalcy in the area. We also understand that Mr. Haekkerup inherited a rather difficult legacy from his predecessor.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“For its part, the Russian Federation is continuing to make every effort to promote the elaboration of a strategy to resolve the current crisis that would be acceptable to the parties directly involved in the conflict and that would promote a speedy settlement of the situation in the region. It is precisely those approaches that will be guiding us in the Security Council in the consideration of the question of a possible international presence in the occupied Palestinian territories. We are counting on the fact that the Security Council will be able to achieve consensus on this question.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“To this end, there must be a speedy establishment of direct Palestinian-Israeli contacts, inter alia, at a high level. Only in that way will it be possible to eliminate the obstacles to a normalization of the situation and to the resumption of the peaceful negotiations. In that context, we note the exchange of messages that took place between the leader of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat, and the Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon. We note also that that exchange was carried out in a rather constructive spirit. The most important thing is that both leaders have reaffirmed their aspiration to achieve peace. In Moscow, hope is being expressed that these positive signals will be further developed in the very near future.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“On the contrary, we are convinced that such steps can only play into the hands of those who want the violence to continue and who are against a resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiating process. We believe that at this stage, a priority task must be the speedy overcoming of violence in the West Bank and in Gaza. On that basis, we call upon the Palestinians and the Israelis to demonstrate maximum restraint and prudence in order to avoid any further escalation of the conflict. We are convinced that, now as never before, compromise is important, and that both sides must meet each other halfway, demonstrate flexibility and realism and ensure the continuity of the peace process, on the basis, first and foremost, of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and of the Madrid principles.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The situation is being exacerbated by the actions of the Israeli side, aimed at the isolation of the West Bank and Gaza, with the use of heavy military equipment. There is a virtual economic blockade of the territory of the Palestinian National Authority. We take note of the clarifications that were made in the statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel, Shimon Peres, at yesterday's Security Council meeting, and which were also reiterated today by the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations. We are convinced, however, that the economic blockade must be immediately lifted. It should be clear also that no terrorist acts - and Russia condemns all such acts - can serve as a justification for such harsh measures as those that are now being taken against the Palestinians.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The Russian Federation has been following with great concern the situation of tension that has prevailed for more than half a year now in the Palestinian territories, as well as the continued acts of violence that have led to the deaths of several hundred people, mostly Palestinians. Since the very beginning of the crisis, the leadership of Russia has been undertaking maximum efforts towards a settlement of the situation and a resumption of the peaceful dialogue between the parties. To this end, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Igor Ivanov, have remained in constant contact with the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships and with the leaders of other interested States, as well as the Secretary- General of the United Nations. Unfortunately, the tensions are not easing.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The Russian Federation attaches great importance to continued discussion in the Security Council of the question of the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The statements made on 14 March at the meetings of the Security Council by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, and by the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, Ambassador Al-Kidwa, provided an opportunity for the members of the Security Council to hear about the approaches of the Israelis and of the Palestinians to ways of overcoming violence on the West Bank and in Gaza and to the search for a way out of the deadlock in the peace dialogue.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“although Russia has repeatedly called for ultimately ensuring strict compliance with resolution 1160 (1998). The leadership of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) must also take additional decisive steps with a view to stemming the continuing illegal activities in Kosovo aimed at stirring up militant nationalism, including the attacks we have heard from the mouths of Kosovo Albanian figures on the Yugoslav-Macedonian border demarcation agreement and the territorial integrity of Macedonia. The United Nations Administration Mission in Kosovo and KFOR bear a special responsibility for preventing the spread of extremism from Kosovo and for retaining stability in the Balkans, and the Security Council must heighten its attention to issues involving compliance by the international presence with their mandates.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“The international community must stem terrorism and violence on an ethnic basis, ensure respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States in the Balkan region. In practical terms, this means in particular the need for the Kosovo Force (KFOR), as required by resolution 1244 (1999), to close the Kosovo portion of the Macedonian-Yugoslav border to the transfer of weapons and fighters from Kosovo. The weapons, including heavy weaponry, that is being used to undermine stability in Macedonia is coming there from Kosovo. In fact, yesterday this was reaffirmed by the Secretary-General of NATO at a meeting with members of the Security Council. So we are all reaping the fruits of aiding and abetting the constant and flagrant violations of the Security Council arms embargo in Kosovo.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“However, we already see the signs today that everyone, both in NATO and in the Islamic world, have caught on to the provocateurs and have prepared to rebuff their activities, which are causing great harm to the Balkans and are in violation of the basic interests of all Albanians living there. We must immediately put an end to the high-handedness of the extremists, disarm and dissolve the illegal armed groups remaining in Kosovo, and isolate their leaders politically. The increasing nationalism in Kosovo, the escalation of tension in the Presevo Valley, where once again today a Yugoslav soldier died, and the outbreak of violence in northern Macedonia are, without exaggeration, a threat to peace, security and stability throughout the Balkan region.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source