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 Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, document S/ 1995/ 1002. Members of the Council also have before them document S/ 1995/ 1015, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. The first speaker is the representative of Canada. I invite him to take a seat at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Canada in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Fowler (Canada) took the seat reserved for him at the side of the Council Chamber. The President (interpretation from Russian): The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Argentina, Botswana, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, Oman, Russian Federation, Rwanda, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America The President (interpretation from Russian): There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1028 (1995). The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 5.15 pm.”
1995-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3604 (1995) · source
“I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the following other documents: S/ 1995/ 1001, letter dated 30 November 1995 from the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council; and S/ 1995/ 1018, letter dated 8 December 1995 from the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting the texts of two letters dated 13 August and 24 November 1995, respectively, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Rwanda addressed to the Secretary-General. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to vote on the draft resolution in document S/ 1995/ 1019. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided.”
1995-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3604 (1995) · source
“The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, document S/ 1995/ 1002. Members of the Council also have before them document S/ 1995/ 1019, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations.”
1995-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3604 (1995) · source
“"The Security Council considers that such actions are dangerous and detrimental to the spirit of confidence essential for the implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina (S/ 1995/999, annex). "The Security Council demands that all such actions be stopped immediately and stresses the need for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to demonstrate the cooperation essential for the successful implementation of the Peace Agreement." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/l995/60. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter. The meeting rose at 5.40 pm.”
1995-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3603 (1995) · source
“The President (interpretation from Russian): The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council expresses deep concern over the looting and burning of houses by the HVO forces in the area of Mrkonjic Grad and Sipovo, which have continued for some time, and it also notes with concern that similar acts have been committed by Bosnian Serb forces in other areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council is also deeply concerned by reports that the HVO is moving mine laying equipment into the Mrkonjic Grad and Sipovo areas.”
1995-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3603 (1995) · source
“The situation in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina The President (interpretation from Russian): I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Misic' (Bosnia and Herzegovina) took a place at the Council table.”
1995-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3603 (1995) · source
“As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of December, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Salim Bin Mohammed Al-Khussaiby, Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of November 1995. I am sure I speak for all members of the Security Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Al-Khussaiby for the great diplomatic skill with which he conducted the Council's business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted.”
1995-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3603 (1995) · source
“In view of the amendments made to the draft resolution and the fact that it is an integral part of the Agreement package approved in Dayton by the leaders of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the FRY, the Russian delegation, although unable to associate itself with this draft resolution, will abstain in the voting.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“We believe that the Balkans should never again pose a threat to international security and stability. Therefore, we are in favour not of an arms build-up in the region, but of a restriction and reduction of arms. Furthermore, we would have preferred the draft to provide for a more clear-cut mechanism to operate in the event the peace process should be derailed. We believe that in this matter a more carefully considered and responsible approach was needed, particularly since these are serious matters whose significance goes well beyond the confines of the region itself. Of particular importance in this connection will be the reports from the Secretary-General to the Security Council to the effect that the parties are in fact fulfilling their obligations on arms limitation. We look forward to such reports.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“First and foremost, this represents an even approach to all parties in the light of the phased removal of restrictions on the supply of weapons and also in the light of the fact that the text includes, at our insistence, the obligation of the Security Council to exercise control over measures to prevent an arms race in the region. This should also be helped by the work of the Sanctions Committee, to which the draft resolution has issued corresponding instructions. Nevertheless, despite these merits, this draft resolution raises serious doubts and concerns for the Russian Federation. This is because neither the spirit nor the letter of the text follow the logic of the political process, which is aimed at ending military confrontation in the region. This has already been mentioned by several of my colleagues today.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“The draft resolution, of which Russia is a co-sponsor, is a balanced document which envisages various situations, including unfavourable scenarios in the development of the situation, including the possibility of the reintroduction of sanctions if there should be any gross violation of the commitments made under the Peace Agreement. To this end, it provides that reports be made to the Security Council after joint consultations of senior leaders of the international military and civilian structures in Bosnia. The Security Council may take its own decision, depending on who is responsible for such violations. The other draft resolution, on the lifting of the military embargo, has certain merits.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“We remain convinced that the conditions for the final lifting of the sanctions were met long ago, when the demands of resolution 757 (1992) were met and Belgrade actively joined in the efforts of the Contact Group on the Bosnian settlement; it has now guaranteed the adoption of the peace plan. While welcoming the end of the economic blockade against Yugoslavia and declaring our readiness to promote comprehensive cooperation between our States to rebuild the region, we believe that this is all the more timely since the humanitarian crisis there, of an unprecedented scale, has worsened considerably in recent months due to the influx into the FRY of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Croatia and Bosnia, which requires the adoption of immediate steps to relieve their plight.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“As an active participant in the Dayton talks, Russia intends to continue contributing to the development of the peace process and will be prepared to continue discussing the military aspect of the settlement both on a multilateral and a bilateral basis. We attach particular importance to the fact that immediately after the initialling of the Agreement in Dayton the provision of the draft resolution before us relating to the indefinite suspension of economic sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Republic of Serbia should come into operation. This is an extremely important step, albeit belated.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“In this regard, they will be answerable to their peoples and the international community. Only by continuing political dialogue and seeking compromise, taking account of the interests and equal rights of all, can there be durable peace in this region. Before us lies the difficult process of implementing the Peace Agreement, the final parameters of which still need to be spelled out. In this connection, I would like to recall that the Russian side, when initialling the Agreement in Dayton, reserved its position regarding military implementation. On this matter, Russia continues to entertain serious doubts, in particular with regard to the absence of the necessary political control on the part of the Security Council over the military operation. But we will, of course, be returning to this question.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“Four years after the beginning of the tragedy in the Balkans, we can conclude only that nothing has come of this conflict but grief, suffering and devastation. There were no victors in this conflict, nor could there be any. Everyone has lost- the Serbs, the Croatians, the Muslims and Europe as a whole. We would like to pay tribute to the spirit of realism and of profound responsibility to their peoples that was displayed by the leaders of the States parties to the conflict. They mustered sufficient strength and courage to rise above their enmities and to make the difficult choice in favour of peace - the only correct one. What is now essential is for the parties to sign forthwith the Agreement that has been reached and to start faithfully to implement them.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Russian Federation welcomes the initialling in Dayton by the parties to the Bosnian conflict of the package of documents on the peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A major step has been taken towards a comprehensive settlement of the most tragic conflict to have taken place in post-war Europe. Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union, acting in concert in the framework of the Contact Group, have done some solid work. The United Nations assistance at various stages of the peace process was an important factor in achieving progress. We would like to pay a tribute to the courageous personnel of the United Nations Forces, who carried out their mandate in extremely difficult circumstances.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“In today's broader and more positive atmosphere, the absence of a reaction on the part of the Security Council would clearly be unsatisfactory. Sanctions should be completely lifted without delay. In essence, their retention is already a hindrance to efforts under way to reach a political settlement. Given our position in favour of an immediate lifting of sanctions, we take note of paragraph 3 of the draft resolution, which reaffirms the Security Council's decision to consider further steps with regard to measures applicable to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the light of further progress in the situation. Such steps towards a further easing of sanctions might be adopted at any time, without waiting for the current resolution's deadline to expire.”
1995-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3578 (1995) · source
“In a broader context, the Russian delegation believes that the constructive policy of the Yugoslav leadership should meet with an appropriate response from the international community. The result of the negotiations in Geneva, expressed in the agreed joint declaration of the parties and the signing of agreed basic principles, as well as Belgrade's new policy towards the Bosnian question, are convincing evidence of the fact that, in current conditions, retaining the sanctions regime against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would run against the spirit and letter of resolutions 757 (1992), 787 (1992) and 820 (1993). In fact, it is well known that these resolutions were adopted in entirely different circumstances.”
1995-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3578 (1995) · source
“We believe that the positive changes in the draft resolution objectively reflect the conclusions contained in the latest report on the operations of the Mission of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, submitted pursuant to resolutions 988 (1995) and 1003 (1995), which contains a clear affirmation that the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia continues to comply with its obligation to close the border. The report's information on the adequate response of officials of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to isolated incidents of violations of the border regime and with Mission personnel are additional proof of Belgrade's firm intent to fulfil the obligations it has undertaken.”
1995-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3578 (1995) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): In the view of the Russian delegation, the draft resolution on the suspension of some sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is a significant improvement over previous resolutions on this subject. In particular, the draft resolution is now free of provisions not pertaining to Belgrade's decision to close the border with Bosnia to all but humanitarian deliveries. A step in the right direction is the substantial - more than two- fold - increase in the time-frame for the next suspension of some sanctions. Bearing these aspects in mind, we support this draft resolution.”
1995-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3578 (1995) · source
“It is important that the Contact Group' s proposals, which have been in existence for over a year, including not only the map of territorial delimitations, but also the very principles of an equitable constitutional framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina, have, following the Geneva meetings, been accepted by all parties. The outcome in Geneva, we believe, creates an important positive impulse for an intensified political process on the basis of concerted efforts on the part of all parties concerned. The Russian initiatives, as put forward by President Yeltsin, are also directed along these lines. Let us hope that the logic of war will finally yield to the logic of peace.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Instead, as we all know, UNPROFOR issued an ultimatum to one of the parties. Such developments may have very serious consequences, not only for the prospects of a peace settlement in Bosnia, but also for peace-keeping activities of the United Nations as a whole and its relationship with regional organizations and arrangements. We were very pleased to hear the heartening news from Geneva that agreement has been reached on a Bosnian settlement between the Foreign Ministers of Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina under the aegis of the international Contact Group. The logic of peace is making headway, not thanks to but in spite of the mass bombings. Incidentally, as is known, the Bosnian Serbs had agreed to participate in the negotiations as part of a single delegation with Yugoslavia even before the NATO strikes started.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“One wonders, therefore, about the entire United Nations operation in Bosnia. We have pointed out that the most recent ultimatum to the Bosnian Serbs essentially contained demands which were previously addressed by the Security Council to both parties in resolution 987 (1995). Thus, the Security Council demand that both parties implement the mutually agreed demilitarization of the safe areas was ignored, as was its call for a cease-fire and a cessation of hostilities. Furthermore, in the same resolution the Security Council called on the parties to cooperate with UNPROFOR in the implementation of these agreements. However, since that resolution was adopted the Security Council has been given no information whatsoever on how UNPROFOR has carried out its instructions to promote negotiations between the parties.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“I wish to quote from a document distributed by the NATO secretariat at a meeting of the Political Committee of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council: "In the evening of 5 September, firing was observed in Sarajevo. According to the United Nations evaluation, an exchange of fire, initiated by the forces of the Bosnian Government, had taken place between the two belligerent parties. The Rapid Reaction Force fired warning shots towards the forces of the Bosnian Serbs. The commander of the local forces of the Bosnian Government received a letter containing a warning." This approach, I think, very clearly illustrates the fact that the Rapid Reaction Force is no longer impartial, although it remains an integral part of the United Nations peace- keeping operation in Bosnia.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Furthermore, as we understand it, this memorandum also contains a number of other fundamental changes in the approach to United Nations operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In View of the extreme importance of this question, we would also request that the text of the memorandum be immediately made available to members of the Security Council. Fifthly, the active participation of the Rapid Reaction Force in neutralizing Serbian positions clearly exceeds its mandate as set out in resolution 988 (1995). This is no longer about protecting United Nations personnel and humanitarian convoys; it is a Virtual participation in military action against one side.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Fourthly, we recently learned from the media and from statements made by the representatives of UNPROFOR that a certain memorandum of understanding exists between NATO and the United Nations on the use of air power under the new conditions. Neither the Security Council nor the troop-contributing countries - at least, not Russia - were informed of that memorandum, although, as the press made quite clear once again, according to that memorandum the region in which force would be applied falls outside the boundaries of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in fact overlaps into neighbouring States as well. This is in direct violation of resolutions of the Security Council.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“It would be interesting to know when and by whom such a decision was taken, because it runs counter to the most recent clarification of the Secretary-General, who in his letter of 1 August to the President of the Security Council (document S/1995/623) clearly indicated that, regarding cooperation between the United Nations and NATO in the use of air power, "These 'dual-key' arrangements remain in place." (S/1995/623, second paragraph) As the Council knows, those arrangements gave the United Nations the right to independently put an end to the strikes. For us, as for other Members that contribute troops to the United Nations forces and who are not NATO members, this is an extremely sensitive and important issue, since we are here talking about, among other things, the safety and security of our own peace- keepers.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Secondly, the bombing and shelling this time were disproportionate and extensive, whereas hitherto there had been a different understanding in the Security Council in that regard. We know the decision on disproportionate response was adopted in the NATO Council. However, the Security Council took no decisions on changing the principle of proportionality regarding the use of force. Thirdly, we were astonished to learn, literally a few days ago, from responsible members of the Secretariat of the United Nations, that recently there had been a qualitative change in the "dual-key" procedure, and that now the United Nations had no opportunity to put an end to the use of force without NATO's agreement.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“In the light of that experience, we confirm and reiterate our demand that the Security Council be immediately informed of the details of the most recent investigation. I would particularly like to emphasize that the procedures agreed upon in the Security Council for the use of force in Bosnia and Herzegovina were seriously violated this time. First, the necessary consultations were not held with members of the Security Council, as stipulated in resolution 844 (1993). Nor were the members of the Security Council informed in timely fashion of the actions that had been taken. This is particularly inadmissible since the actions taken clearly represent a qualitative change in the nature of the use of force. I repeat that the members of the Council, unlike in previous instances, were informed only after the event.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“I should like to say quite clearly that we strongly condemn any such terrorist act, no matter who carries it out. The Security Council was informed that the investigation carried out by the United Nations forces established that the Bosnian Serbs were responsible. Taking this information on trust, we had expected more detailed clarification of the grounds for such a conclusion, particularly since we read items in the press that cast some doubt upon it. I should like to recall that in the case of a similar incident in a Sarajevo market, on 5 February 1994, which was also used as a pretext for using force against the Bosnian Serbs, Members of the United Nations were able, albeit belatedly, to know the results of the investigation: the culprits of the crime could not in fact be identified. Strikes, however, were still carried out.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Can we call the daily, planned destruction of the military potential of the Bosnian Serbs "deterrence", as described in resolution 836 (1993), when the military potential of the Bosnian Serbs has been systematically destroyed over many days? The targets of the bombings are not only military sites, but also equipment and infrastructure - bridges and lines of communication, including civilian ones. The delegation of the Russian Federation has so far received no reply to questions regarding either the damage or the casualties caused by the bombings, including those among the civilian population. We insist that the Security Council be immediately informed of the facts. As the Council knows, the reason for initiating this action was the bloody incident in a Sarajevo market.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Russia's position was once again clearly expressed in the most recent statements of President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation and statements made by its Foreign Ministry. We are firmly convinced that NATO's continuing air strikes and the Rapid Reaction Force's shelling of the Bosnian Serbs is not strengthening but, rather, undermining efforts to reach a political settlement. They go beyond the decisions of the Security Council, change the peace-keeping character of the United Nations operation in Bosnia and involve the international community in a conflict against one of the parties. The only logic we can see in NATO's actions is a punitive one.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Russian Federation requested that an urgent, formal meeting of the Security Council be called once again to consider the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the situation that has arisen from the extensive bombing of Bosnian Serb positions by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) aircraft. We wish to repeat our earnest demand that an immediate end be put to these acts of force. Our approach to this matter is well known, and over the last 10 days it has been expressed repeatedly to our partners in the Contact Group, the heads of the Secretariat of the United Nations, in consultations of the Security Council and in meetings of the countries contributing troops to the United Nations forces in Bosnia.”
1995-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3575 (1995) · source
“The Russian Federation, as one of the observer States at the inter-Tajik talks held under United Nations auspices, is making its contribution to moving the peace process forward. It is clear, however, that only unswerving and full implementation by the parties of all the obligations they have undertaken can create a climate conducive to dialogue on the fundamental constitutional and political issues. The continuing acts of provocation in some areas along the Tajik-Afghan border by militant opposition die-hards by no means helps establish such a climate. The Russian Federation expects that the Security- Council's urgent appeals will be heeded by the Tajik parties and will provide a significant boost to their efforts to seek ways to achieve national reconciliation.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3544 (1995) · source
“We note that the draft resolution expresses satisfaction at the close liaison between UNMOT, the CIS Peace-keeping Forces and the border troops in Tajikistan. In the View of the Russian Federation, this close cooperation between the United Nations Mission and the CIS Peace-keeping force is an important factor for stabilizing the situation. We are satisfied with the draft resolution submitted today for adoption by the Council, primarily because it directs the parties to search energetically for ways to achieve national reconciliation with a view to the fastest possible achievement of agreements on fundamental issues relating to Tajikistan's future political and constitutional order.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3544 (1995) · source
“The Russian Federation actively supports the Secretary-General's proposal to deploy, with the agreement of the Afghan authorities, a special UNMOT unit in northern Afghanistan to allow for more direct liaison with the T ajik opposition and to establish a base for investigating, on both sides of the Tajik-Afghan border, violations of the agreement on a temporary cease- fire and the cessation of other hostile acts of 17 September 1994. I should like once again to draw members' attention to the repeated appeals the leadership of Tajikistan and by the States contributing troops to the Peace-keeping Force of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for a fully-fledged United Nations operation to be deployed in Tajikistan. As is well known, this idea is supported by the Tajik opposition too.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3544 (1995) · source
“Mr. Sidorov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Russian delegation attaches great importance to the adoption by the Security Council of the draft resolution on extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT). The Mission's activities are an important factor stabilizing the situation in Tajikistan and on the Tajik-Afghan border, and are facilitating the successful implementation of the inter- Tajik agreements. The Russian Federation believes that there is a need to further reinforce the Mission's capabilities, as this would enable it to carry out its allotted tasks more effectively. We in particular intend to return to the question of an increase in the number of UNMOT personnel.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3544 (1995) · source
“The possibilities of the negotiating process have not been fully exhausted and we will continue to cooperate with all in a political settlement, especially with our partners here in the Security Council and in the Contact Group and with all who favour peace over war.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“In the light of all the circumstances which I have mentioned, Russia will be forced to abstain in the voting. At the same time, we feel that it is necessary once again to call quite seriously upon all parties to the conflict to forgo any attempt to resolve their differences on the battlefield; rather, they should try to do so at the negotiating table. As was indicated at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group in the Netherlands, Russia assumes that it is necessary to make additional efforts to give a new impetus to the settlement process. In this context, the key issue is the question of ending the sanctions against Belgrade.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“We do not expect this to happen; we expect that the administration of the United Nations operation, which bears a great responsibility, will display the necessary wisdom and care in implementing the decision with respect to possible action by the rapid-reaction force and carefully take into account the possible consequences of any acts of force, so as not to allow further use of force in Bosnia or a repetition of the hostage crisis - and ultimately so as not to permit the situation to be played out according to the Somalia scenario. We also expect that the main efforts of the administration of the United Nations operations will be focused on ensuring the cooperation of both parties, having them conclude a cease-fire agreement and putting a decisive end to hostilities.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“These violations fuel the conflict, engender illusions about the possibility of resolving it by military means, and have a negative impact on the safety of the peace-keepers. The Security Council must take genuine steps to put an end to this heedless attitude towards resolution 713 (1991). We are also concerned about the haste with which the draft resolution was brought before the Council. The Secretary-General's document on financial implications appeared only a few hours ago. But the main thing is that the Council did not have time to agree on reliable guarantees against attempts to use the rapid-reaction force to involve UNPROFOR in a war. Such attempts are already under way; we cannot ignore them.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“We warned about this threat and proposed that the Security Council express its concern about this matter in the very text of the draft resolution. That proposal was not adopted. We now face a serious escalation of the military situation in Bosnia. We have no doubt about the right of Governments to choose any policy. But if United Nations forces are in a country and if Security Council resolutions have been adopted on the matter, there is a concomitant obligation to implement the decisions of the Council. We also proposed referring in the draft resolution to the inadmissible violations of the arms embargo in former Yugoslavia, including in Bosnia; that proposal was not accepted.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“We fully share the anger over inadmissible acts committed by Bosnian Serbs, to which the draft resolution refers in detail. But we cannot fail to note that the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina too bears responsibility for provocations, for violating agreements and for direct attacks on UNPROFOR. Today not only the Serbs but Government forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are blockading UNPROFOR peace-keepers. A few days ago the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued an ultimatum to the Canadian contingent near Visoko, demanding the withdrawal of two observation posts, which were then subjected to mortar and artillery fire. As we speak, Government forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are attempting a massive attack in the Sarajevo region.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“We call on both sides to facilitate the implementation of that idea, which would make it possible to prevent the emergence of hotbeds of tension around these areas and to prevent the possible misuse of their status, especially for preparing military attacks. It would also enhance the safety of the peaceful civilians living there. It is extremely important that, as stated in the draft resolution, measures to strengthen UNPROFOR should be implemented in consultation with all parties. At the same time, some of our important proposed amendments were not taken into account. Specifically, the draft resolution does not manage to avoid the impression that the rapid reaction force is intended to operate against one of the Bosnian parties.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“In principle, we favour enhancing the security of United Nations personnel, including through providing UNPROFOR with a rapid-reaction capability. Russia is as interested as others in ending the treacherous actions against peace-keeping personnel, whatever their source. But strengthening UNPROFOR's ability to protect the lives and safety of its peace-keepers should in no way make United Nations forces a party to the conflict. It is of paramount importance that the draft resolution clearly calls for the maintenance of UNPROFOR's impartial, peace-keeping nature and for the retention of present decision-making procedures and rules of engagement. We are grateful to the sponsors for taking into account several of our other proposals as well, including that relating to the demilitarization of the safe areas.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“In our view, those clear conclusions were reflected in the report of the Secretary-General on the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). One of the key ideas in the report relates to the need to draw a clear distinction between peace-keeping and peace enforcement operations. In considering the various options for the future of UNPROFOR, the Secretary-General has noted the advantages that could be gained by a return to a purely peace-keeping function for the operation. We think those arguments are very convincing. We are convinced that, independent of the question of the draft resolution, the assessment set out in the report of the Secretary-General remains valid for the future work of the Council, and not just on the question of Bosnia.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“Mr. Lavrov (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): We look at the draft resolution in the general context of the situation in Bosnia and its possible future development, including from the point of view of continuing and enhancing the effectiveness of United Nations operations. Nowadays it is often said that the lesson to be learned from the present escalation of the Bosnian crisis is that measures must be taken to prevent attacks against United Nations personnel. While we agree with the grounds for such measures, we think that the main lesson is far broader: that the use of force is not a panacea, and that decisive action is needed to achieve a breakthrough for a political settlement.”
1995-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3543 (1995) · source
“We cannot fail to be concerned by the situation resulting from the continuing militarization of certain camps located in adjacent countries. We note with satisfaction the useful activity of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which, through constructive contacts with the Zairian authorities, was able to establish order in refugee camps under UNHCR's control. We hope that Rwanda's neighbouring countries, in accordance with the provisions of the resolution just adopted, will take all necessary measures to put an end to the illegal delivery of weapons to extremists from the Rwandan opposition. This will be an important contribution to the maintenance of stability both in Rwanda and in the region as a whole.”
1995-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3542 (1995) · source