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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“On the whole, however, post-conflict peace-building represents a fully independent aspect of that complex peacekeeping strategy, and usually provides for the implementation of large-scale, long-term and often expensive projects that go beyond the bounds of peacekeeping operations. In concentrating primarily on a solution to the social, economic and humanitarian tasks of recovery, peace-building for the most part falls within the sphere of competence of the Economic and Social Council and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, which must work in close contact with other international financial, economic and humanitarian Organizations, in particular in providing material and financial resources for peace-building activities.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“The practice of post-conflict peace-building, which is developing vigorously, is so far raising more questions than it is providing answers, but it has become clear that without effective efforts in this area it will be impossible to reliably establish necessary conditions for the non- resumption of conflicts. A number of concrete peace-building tasks, such as disarmament, the demobilization and reintegration into peaceful life of armed parties included in conflicts and demining are sometimes included in the mandates of multifunctional peacekeeping operations conducted under Security Council mandates. In practice, a smooth transition is thereby ensured from the peacekeeping stage to the following phase of post-conflict peace-building.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“The resolution of this problem is linked to the development of the potential of the United Nations in the area of rapid crisis response, and Russia supports the efforts undertaken by Member States and by the United Nations Secretariat to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and to expand their resource base. We are open to the possibility of practical cooperation being further developed in this area. The most effective means to achieve that objective remains the system of United Nations stand-by arrangements, which is currently being formulated. We welcome the strategy that is being established at international level for conflict prevention and settlement in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. An important component of this strategy is post-conflict peace-building.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“The implementation of such attempts could destabilize and destroy the entire international system, which is founded on the primacy of the United Nations and on international law. We trust that in considering such concepts the relevant States will remember that in addition to being members of a defensive alliance created during the cold-war era, they also bear responsibility, as Members of the United Nations, for respecting the system of collective security enshrined in the Charter. We are convinced of the need to strengthen the central role of the United Nations in peacekeeping.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“In that respect, the clearest such attempt can be seen in the drawing up of a new strategic concept of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). According to reports, an idea is being considered to transform NATO into a leading international peacekeeping organization whose actions, which would extend beyond the bounds of the geographic zone for which the Alliance has responsibility, would be taken solely on the basis of its own assessments and decisions, thereby sidestepping the Security Council. It is clear that we are talking about attempts to replace the Charter-based functions and the prerogatives of the Security Council with unilateral actions taken by regional mechanisms, directly contravening the United Nations Charter.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“This also applies fully to enforcement operations carried out by regional organizations or multinational coalitions, which cannot be deployed without the authorization of the Security Council and which must be transparent and accountable to the Council. Modern international practice offers quite a few examples of constructive interaction between regional organizations or multinational coalitions and the United Nations in the conduct of peacekeeping operations on various continents, with the Security Council playing the central role. Such a positive practice must be encouraged and strengthened as much as possible. Against that background, we must express our concern about attempts to make it possible for individual States or coalitions to use force or take enforcement measures without the approval of the Security Council.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Russia has consistently based its policies on the conviction that the use of force by the international community is an exceptional and extreme measure, to be taken only in cases where a real threat to international peace and security exists under Chapter VII of the Charter and when all political and diplomatic opportunities for the settlement of a conflict have been exhausted. Enforcement peacekeeping operations, which are justified under such conditions, can be implemented only through a decision of the Security Council and under the tight political and appropriate operational control of the Council.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“It was precisely on the basis of the United Nations Charter that the fundamental, universally recognized principles of peacekeeping were formed including, first and foremost, ensuring that the Security Council maintained political leadership and control over peacekeeping operations, impartiality, the agreement of the parties and the existence of clearly formulated mandates for those operations, backed by sufficient resources. Precise adherence to those principles in practice is a prerequisite for the success of any peacekeeping operation.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): Recent years have been characterized by an active evolution in the theory and practice of international peacekeeping. This is an objective process. The enormity and complexity of the tasks facing us in that area dictate the need for a constant improvement of the mechanisms for preventing and settling regional crises. The peacekeeping efforts of the international community must be as effective as possible. At the same time, the United Nations Charter, which assigns to the Security Council primary responsibility for and a central role in this very important area, remains the immutable and universal legal basis for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Last year and this year, Russia's Ministry for emergency situations provided various forms of humanitarian assistance, worth about $600,000, to assist the Afghan population suffering because of the continuing hostilities, as well as because of the earthquake. Russia is prepared to continue constructive cooperation with all Afghan factions and interested States in order to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan on the basis of the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“We welcome the fourth meeting of the Afghanistan Support Group, which began yesterday in Tokyo with the participation of representatives of donor countries - including Russia - and a number of international and non-governmental organizations. We hope that the outcome of that meeting will foster the mobilization of international efforts to respond to the acute humanitarian situation in central and north-eastern Afghanistan. We demand that the Taliban ensure the safety and security of international humanitarian staff and grant them unimpeded access to all regions under their control so that they can render assistance to all people in Afghanistan who need it. The Russian Federation, despite its domestic economic difficulties, continues to render humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“We attach great significance to a thorough preparation of the Tashkent meeting of representatives of that group of States in order to work out a uniform policy with respect to the Taliban and other Afghan parties. Among other things, the members of the group could assume the responsibility of refusing to provide military support to the parties to the Afghan conflict and of not allowing their territories to be used for that purpose. This would undoubtedly give further impetus to all work done on the Afghan front. We support the appeal of the Secretary-General to render comprehensive assistance to the Afghan population.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“A decisive, coordinating and integrating role in the drafting of any plan for an Afghan settlement must belong to the United Nations. In that connection, we support the efforts carried out by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi on the basis of the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. We also support the activities of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan. We find the Secretary-General's proposal to create a civil affairs unit within that Mission justified. We continue to attach great hopes to the activities of the "six plus two" group, which remains the fundamental international forum for negotiations on a settlement in Afghanistan.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“There have even been reports that Hazara elders were taken prisoner, transported to Kabul and put on display in a cage. It is high time for the Taliban leadership to acknowledge that there can be no military solution to the Afghan problem and to forbid such conduct. Those leaders must immediately halt military activities and, on the example of the Government coalition, agree to the establishment of a long-term ceasefire and the commencement of serious negotiations regarding ways and means to establish peace and national concord in the country. Only through the Taliban's steadfast implementation of United Nations decisions, including decisions on key issues of the Afghan settlement, can there be a basis for constructive interaction with other Afghan parties and the world community to establish a lasting peace in Afghanistan.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“The refusal to accept a durable ceasefire; the repeated undermining of negotiations and the final withdrawal from negotiations; the unwillingness to cooperate with the representatives of other political forces; the killing of foreign diplomats, journalists and staff of international organizations; mass persecutions, forcible displacements and even executions for national or religious reasons, including the massacres in Mazar-e-Sharif and Bamyan; systematic and flagrant violations of human rights, including discrimination against girls and women; encouraging the spread of illicit drug-trafficking and supporting international terrorism - this is but an incomplete list of the Taliban's activities, which are well known to the entire international community.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“Massive military assistance brings to naught the efforts of the international community to establish an inter-Afghan negotiating process, strengthens the Taliban's pretension to unilateral control over the country and leads them to scorn the elementary norms of civilized conduct and to commit large-scale crimes.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“Russia views the escalation of military activities in the north of Afghanistan by the Taliban as a real threat to the southern borders of the Commonwealth of Independent States and, together with other members of the Commonwealth, reserves its right to take all necessary measures to ensure the proper protection of its borders, including measures in accordance with existing international legal commitments. The Taliban's military expansion in northern Afghanistan is being carried out with the direct involvement of foreign military personnel, in planning and in logistical operations, as well as in fighting on the side of the Taliban. This is borne out by concrete facts, including the capture by the forces of the Islamic Government of Afghanistan of a large number of non-Afghan prisoners of war.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Russian Federation came forward with the initiative to have the Security Council adopt a new resolution on Afghanistan designed to give an assessment of the present phase of the Afghan conflict. Disregarding the will of the international community that they cooperate for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan and the aspirations of the Afghan people for national concord and the preservation of the integrity of the country, the Taliban have made yet another attempt to resolve the Afghan problem by force of arms, to expand their control over the entire territory of Afghanistan and to impose upon the people of that country a regime based on religious fanaticism, extremism and intolerance of dissent.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“Ogata to say what might be the humanitarian consequences in case such ideas of unilateral humanitarian interference with the use of force were implemented, regardless of the existence of decisions of the Security Council. What might be the consequences for the humanitarian situation and for operations of the humanitarian agencies?”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“I agree that all of these options need to be taken fully into account, and I am sure that when necessary, the Security Council will support each of these three options. Recently, however, voices spoke up in favour of what we might perhaps call the fourth option. Statements have been made to the effect that the humanitarian crisis in a given country in itself is already sufficient grounds for unilateral armed intervention, without any kind of decision by the Security Council. As regards the political and international legal implications of such statements, we understand the sense here that this is a totally unacceptable approach, running counter to all the bases of the existing system of international relations. I would like to know - regarding the humanitarian aspect of this problem - whether there are possibilities now for Mrs.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“This is important not only for Bosnia, but also for Croatia, in the territory of Eastern Slavonia. Therefore, my question is, as the problem of the mass return has not yet been resolved, what is the situation regarding rendering international assistance to those countries in whose territory there continue to be hundreds of thousands of refugees? Are there sufficient means for that? And, if not, then why not? Perhaps there is a need to appeal to donors for additional support here. My second question is the following: Mrs. Ogata spoke of the existence of the "soft" option for action in conflict situations, of the possibility of the establishment of United Nations peacekeeping operations and of the "medium" option by which the regional organizations could deploy their peacekeeping operations.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“We spoke in detail about efforts in this area when Under-Secretary-General Sergio Vieira de Mello was in Moscow recently, and we are counting on this question's being resolved in the very near future. Now I wish to ask my two questions. We have heard today that the problem of the refugees and displaced persons in Kosovo - which we hope will be successfully resolved - should not force us to forget about the problems of refugees in other countries in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, where there are an enormous number of people still unable to return to their homes. Mrs. Ogata has already noted that the process of the return of the refugees - in particular, the return of the national minorities - is not going very quickly. We encourage UN HCR and, naturally, the High Representative, to do everything possible to speed up this process.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): I am glad to welcome Mrs. Ogata once again to the Security Council. I have two comments and two questions. My first comment is very simple: we share your assessment, Mr. President, of the briefing which was just given to us by Mrs. Ogata, and we reaffirm our support for the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). My second comment regards the subject with which Mrs. Ogata began her statement - namely, the fate of the regional representative of UNHCR in the Northern Caucasus, Mr. Cochetel. We have already discussed this question with Mrs. Ogata today at our meeting with her, and I wish to reaffirm that the Russian Government is doing everything necessary in order to ensure the release of Mr. Cochetel as speedily as possible.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“This naturally refers to action under paragraph 22 of that resolution regarding the lifting of the oil embargo once Iraq meets its disarmament obligations. The same understanding was stated in the letter sent on 30 October by the President of the Security Council to the Secretary- General in support of his idea of a comprehensive review. That concept is reaffirmed in the draft resolution. We hope that, in the light of all this, Baghdad will again assess the emerging situation and rescind its decision of 31 October. With this in mind, as well as the fact that the sponsors incorporated a number of amendments reflecting our principled approach to the situation, the Russian delegations joins the consensus and will support the draft resolution.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“We are pleased to note that the draft resolution before us seeks precisely a political solution to the Iraqi problem and contains no language that could be arbitrarily interpreted as some kind of permission to use force. The draft resolution makes it clear that the Security Council, in accordance with its primary responsibility under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security, will remain actively seized of the situation. Without in any way attempting to justify Iraq's actions, I wish to stress the exceptional importance of total clarity with regard to the Security Council's intentions to implement its own resolutions. The draft resolution clearly reaffirms the Council's intention to take a decision on the current sanctions in accordance with the relevant provisions of resolution 687 (1991).”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“We are engaging in active diplomatic efforts to promote a settlement of the problem, in the belief that only the resumption of the constructive cooperation of Iraq with the United Nations will make possible a comprehensive review and the prospect of lifting the oil embargo. The way to overcome this new crisis lies, we believe, exclusively in political and diplomatic efforts alongside the active role of the Secretary-General. Any attempt to resolve the problem by force would have highly unpredictable and dangerous consequences, both for the United Nations ability to continue to monitor proscribed military activity in Iraq and for peace and stability in the region and in the Middle East as a whole.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): We learned with deep concern of the decision of the Iraqi leadership on 31 October to halt cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission. That decision is unacceptable. It has jeopardized the search of recent months for a solution to the Iraqi problem. That step runs counter to the agreements between the Secretary-General and the Iraqi side that Baghdad would rescind its decision of 5 August and that the Security Council would conduct a comprehensive review of the Iraqi situation. Those agreements opened the way to the lifting of sanctions on Iraq. Following upon Iraq's decision of 31 October, Russia immediately informed the Iraqi leadership of its position.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“That strategy, which precludes the granting of carte blanche with respect to the use of force, is reflected in the draft resolution, and we shall not object to its adoption. We hope that this Council decision will accelerate the implementation of the Belgrade agreements and the dispatch of the OSCE Mission. We also expect the immediate rescission of the NATO decision on the possible use of force, the so-called activation order, which at present remains in force. This is of particular importance with respect to ensuring the safety of OSCE personnel. In conclusion, I want to reaffirm that Russia will continue to make an active and concrete contribution to the political settlement of the Kosovo problem.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“But questions of freedom of the press lie far beyond the powers of the Security Council, and therefore cannot be the object of a Council resolution, especially one adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter. It is other United Nations organs that consider such matters. We were ready to continue to work on the draft resolution, but the sponsors hurried to bring it to the vote in its present form, which made it impossible to take our continuing concerns into account. In the circumstances, the Russian delegation will abstain in the vote on the draft resolution. We are convinced that there are no differences of opinion among members of the Security Council on the strategy for action to achieve a peaceful settlement in Kosovo.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“At the same time, the draft resolution does not take fully into account the recent positive changes with respect to Belgrade's implementation of the Council's demands. We cannot agree with the one-sided assertion in the preambular part of the text that the unresolved situation in Kosovo constitutes a continuing threat to peace and security in the region. We regret that the sponsors of the draft resolution refused to delete the portion of the text relating to freedom of operation of media outlets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. I want everyone to be very clear about our position on this matter: for us, freedom of the press is one of the bases of democracy. It is one of the important elements we have achieved in the course of changing our society, and we value it highly.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“This serves as a reminder to those who are violating the arms embargo, and in particular the prohibition on supplying outside weapons or assistance to the Kosovo terrorists. We note that paragraph 15 of the draft resolution makes it clear that the embargo shall not apply to equipment for missions established in accordance with the Belgrade agreements. Also important is the fact that the draft resolution provides for the parties concerned with the implementation of the Belgrade agreements to report regularly to the Security Council on their activities through the Secretary- General. Here the Secretary-General will take account of input from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as well. The Security Council will consider the evolution of the situation on the basis of those reports and assessments by the Secretary-General.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“The Kosovar Albanian leadership still has not publicly condemned terrorism. Fighters in the so- called Kosovo Liberation Army have in recent times greatly increased their provocative activities and, as a rule, this is happening precisely in the regions from which Serbian security forces are being withdrawn. In violation of the arms embargo imposed by Security Council resolution 1160 (1998), illegal weapons continue to reach Kosovo and fighters are infiltrating. This creates a real threat of a new outbreak of violence and tension. As members know, resolution 1160 (1998) was adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter. The draft resolution before us today also makes reference to that chapter.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“We are satisfied that the authors of the draft, having overcome their hesitations, have clearly stated in paragraph 9 that, in the event of an emergency, measures to ensure the safety of the Verification Missions, including arrangements for evacuating OSCE personnel, will be undertaken strictly in accordance with the procedure provided for in the agreements signed with Yugoslavia. The clarity introduced on this issue provides guarantees against arbitrary and unsanctioned actions. Nor can one fail to take account of the possible danger to the implementation of the agreements between the OSCE and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a result of actions by the Kosovar Albanians. We are alarmed by news of their continuing failure to comply with the demands of the Security Council.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“We are satisfied that in the final analysis, the approach of continuing joint efforts within the framework of the Contact Group in the interests of the peace and stability of the region has prevailed. Enforcement elements have been excluded from the draft resolution, and there are no provisions in it that would directly or indirectly sanction the automatic use of force, which would be to the detriment of the prerogatives of the Security Council under the Charter. In the course of the work on the draft resolution, much attention was paid to the question of ensuring the security of the personnel of the Verification Missions in Kosovo. Russia attaches great importance to this issue, especially since a large number of Russian representatives will be working in the OSCE mission.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“These positive shifts have been witnessed, in particular, by the group of diplomatic observers from countries of the European Union, Russia and the United States working in the region. At the same time, much still remains to be done. The task of the political resolution of the Kosovo problem has always been, and remains, the sole strategic objective of the Contact Group. Even though differences of opinion have sometimes arisen among its members, those differences relate to tactics and methods for moving towards that objective. To some extent, differences of tactical approach also emerged when we were agreeing on the draft resolution that is before us.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“There has clearly been some progress in Belgrade's fulfilment of the requirements contained in Security Council resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998). Offensive operations and repressive actions against the civilian population have been ended. The withdrawal of the units of Serbian security forces and of the Yugoslav army to their permanent stations, including outside Kosovo, is continuing. Cooperation between the Serb and Yugoslav authorities and international humanitarian organizations is expanding. The unimpeded access of those organizations to the people in need of assistance is being secured, as is the necessary freedom of movement of international personnel in the territory of Kosovo.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“The understandings reached by Ambassador Holbrooke, the representative of the Contact Group, with President Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the agreements signed on that basis regarding the dispatch of missions to verify the fulfilment by Belgrade and the Kosovar Albanians of the requirements of Security Council resolution 1199 (1998) have created important conditions for progress towards a peaceful, lasting resolution of the conflict in Kosovo on the basis of strict respect for the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Russia fully supports the Belgrade agreements. We call upon Belgrade to implement them fully, and we intend to play a most active role in the OSCE Verification Mission in Kosovo.”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): In the development of the situation in the Serbian region of Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a new, important stage has been reached, opening up prospects for a political solution of the Kosovo problem. Thanks to the energetic coordinated efforts of the members of the Contact Group, a real possibility has emerged to stabilize the situation in and around Kosovo. As is well known, Russia has been playing an active role in these developments. 1 should like to recall that, during the recent visit to Belgrade of the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, the Yugoslav leadership agreed, in principle, to accept a mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).”
1998-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3937 (1998) · source
“We need here a comprehensive and all-encompassing approach, as has been very rightly noted by the Secretary-General. The Russian Federation will continue to make an active contribution to the preparation and implementation of such an approach.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Curbing the flow of arms into conflict areas is one of the main stabilizing factors which can help solve humanitarian issues. The Secretary-General's report touches on the burning issue of enhancing the effectiveness of arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council. This is an area for focusing collective efforts, primarily by the members of the Council. Arms embargoes with holes in them can simply intensify the military confrontation of the parties to the conflict and, indeed, undermine the authority of the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole. We trust that today's debate will help ensure more effective humanitarian assistance, through the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security. This task is, of course, broader than simply protecting humanitarian assistance.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“In any event, the functions and prerogatives of the Security Council are enshrined in the United Nations Charter and cannot be interfered with, including, primarily, the Council's exclusive authority to provide humanitarian operations with elements of coercion. The specific parameters and limits for the use of force must be very carefully worked through, depending on the actual situation, and must be clearly set forth in mandates for operations approved by the Security Council. A comprehensive, critical assessment is required, inter alia, of the experience in establishing "safe areas" and "humanitarian corridors". Civilian populations must not be used as hostages in actions involving force, which are not always impartial, even when these actions are officially considered to be purely humanitarian.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“In this context, we are pleased to note increased activity by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its close cooperation with the Security Council. The use of force by the international community is an extreme means of bringing pressure to bear on the conflicting parties with a View to the settlement of crises and conflicts. This applies fully in the humanitarian area also. One cannot fully exclude the use of the military, or force, factor in ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. However, the notion of humanitarian coercion or humanitarian intervention raises quite a number of general and extremely practical issues.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Instead of being an effective means for stabilizing situations and supporting political settlements, it would contribute to the escalation of conflicts. The sad examples of Somalia and Rwanda force us to give serious thought to these matters. We fully agree with the recommendation of the Secretary-General on the need to develop in the mandates for peacekeeping operations clear and feasible humanitarian tasks - backed by adequate human, material and financial resources. There is a real need for broader consultation and cooperation between the Security Council and humanitarian agencies, including primarily the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), at the stage of planning and preparing for peacekeeping operations that involve humanitarian tasks.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“We are seriously disturbed about the recent incidents involving attacks and other uses of force against international humanitarian personnel. Such illegal actions cannot be justified in any way whatsoever. At the same time, we cannot forget that an important requisite for assuring the safety of humanitarian personnel is not only the presence of military contingents sent by the Security Council to protect them, but also strict compliance with the principle of impartiality in providing humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian assistance cannot under any circumstance be used as a means of bringing political influence to bear on either side to a conflict. Otherwise, it would conflict with its basic objective.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“While the Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the humanitarian agencies have their own mandates and deal with specific tasks distinct from - although often quite closely related to - the functions of the peacekeeping contingents. In his report the Secretary-General quite rightly questions the practical need for maintaining this functional distinction. Certainly it would be expedient to establish clearer coordination between the military, political and humanitarian components of peacekeeping operations, inter alia through the effective distribution of operations between the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and the humanitarian coordinators.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“That is why as a rule peacekeeping and humanitarian operations are carried out in parallel, and very often the humanitarian component becomes one of the key functions, in the multifaceted peacekeeping operations authorized by the Security Council. The Council is often asked to provide active political support for the work of humanitarian organizations. Such support provides assurance that the actual work of these organizations in providing humanitarian assistance will not only be supported but also protected by the authority of the Security Council. At the same time, the work of the Security Council and that of humanitarian organizations cannot be equated.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Secretary-General' s report prepared at the request of the Security Council on protection for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations provides us with an opportunity to consider more profoundly this urgent matter. Experience shows that without effective humanitarian assistance to refugees, displaced persons and other categories of civilians, we cannot expect to succeed in preventing conflicts from escalating or in promoting the stabilization of conflict areas, or can we provide reliable assurances that such conflicts will not be resumed.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Along with the activities carried out within the framework of the United Nations, we are considering various options regarding how to broaden our practical involvement in strengthening the Africans' peace-building potential - first of all in such areas as transport and technical support of humanitarian relief projects and training rescue team members and personnel for peacekeeping operations. Mindful of the concern many African countries have with regard to the problem of mines, we are ready to provide our expert services in demining, in particular in Angola, Mozambique and Egypt. We have submitted our proposals on these and a number of other issues to the United Nations Secretariat. We will provide data for the United Nations database now under development regarding on our capabilities to train peacekeepers.”
1998-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3931 (1998) · source
“This presupposes the expansion of the practice of regional peace-building operations backed by the Security Council. At the same time, of course, Charter-stipulated principles regarding the role of the Security Council in launching peacekeeping operations should be complied with. Military operations conducted by regional structures, especially those involving the use of force, are permissible only if they are explicitly authorized by the Security Council. This incontestable rule applies also to the actions of coalition forces formed on an ad hoc basis. Russia intends to render every possible assistance to resolving the problems of the African continent, working in tandem with those countries with which we have traditionally maintained friendly, partnership relations. Africa has been and continues to be an area of priority concern for us.”
1998-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3931 (1998) · source
“We also consider it important to encourage in every possible way the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution to function at full capacity. We think that the Africans' efforts should be supported by the authority and capacities of the United Nations. The issue is not to be regarded as a substitution for the efforts of the Africans themselves, but rather as mutually reinforcing cooperation and assistance on the part of the United Nations and other organizations and countries in establishing pan-African peace-building mechanisms. In addition, we consider it important to actively use the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations that encourage regional organizations to show greater initiative in the field of preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
1998-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3931 (1998) · source