YouSaid · the spoken record

Lee See-Young

lines on the record: 90
first: 1998-09-29
most recent: 2000-02-09
sittings or episodes: 10
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Mr. President, I would like first of all to extend our appreciation to you for taking the very successful initiative of organizing this open debate on the important issue of the situation in Africa. We highly commend the Netherlands' contribution to the promotion of transparency in the work of the Security Council, as demonstrated by its initiatives of having organized already two open briefings and now the second open debate this month. I would also like to pay my tribute to Prime Minister Wim Kok for his leadership. My delegation is also grateful to the Secretary- General, Kofi Annan, for his comprehensive and timely progress report on the implementation of the recommendations contained in his Africa report of April last year and for his insightful statement yesterday morning. Mr.”
1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source
“My delegation hopes that following the Council's adoption of the draft resolution today, the implementation of concrete recommendations will be tenaciously pursued, closely monitored and periodically reviewed in close collaboration with other United Nations organs and agencies and, of course, with the full support of the entire United Nations membership. Let me conclude by reiterating my delegation's hope that the Security Council will continue to expand its involvement in the area of protection of civilians and all displaced persons in conflict situations in the months to come. For its part, the Republic of Korea will continue to be actively involved in and to make contributions to this process.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We fully support a number of practical suggestions made by the Secretary-General, in particular the deployment of international military observers and the relocation of camps to a safe area away from war zones. My delegation also appreciates the ongoing efforts made by Mrs. Ogata and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to deal with this problem through the elaboration of three tiered options, namely, soft, intermediate and hard. Last but not least, we share the view of the Secretary- General that it is important to establish an agreed mechanism and timetable for follow-up and review of the report. The primary responsibility of the Security Council resides in promoting the political settlement of regional conflicts in such a way as not to unjustly prolong civilian suffering.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Removing landmines has now become a global agenda item, requiring global action. In both conflict and post-conflict situations, mine clearance is an urgent precondition for securing the minimum safety of civilians. As a donor of the Mine Action Support Group, the Republic of Korea has, since 1996, actively participated in demining activities in Cambodia, Tajikistan and Ethiopia. We will continue to make such contributions in the future. Fourthly, we would like to echo the primary importance of maintaining the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps. We have witnessed the ramifications of the failure to do so in some conflict situations, most notably in the Great Lakes region of Africa.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“With cross- border arms flows in full swing, country-specific arms embargoes may not suffice to staunch the illicit flow of arms, and therefore the regional approach warrants serious examination. The Security Council should also devise a more reliable mechanism to better implement the arms embargoes which have already been imposed by the Council in some conflict areas but which have been deemed ineffective. This problem ought to be urgently addressed in the interest of both the credibility of Council action and the practical need to stop an activity responsible for prolonging civilian suffering. Thirdly, in his report the Secretary-General encourages Member States to give political and financial support and assistance to other States to facilitate compliance with the Ottawa Convention on Landmines.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We also support the Secretary-General's recommendation to make use of relevant human rights information and analysis as indicators for potential preventive action by the United Nations. Secondly, I would like to touch upon the issue of sanctions and arms embargoes. The Security Council has made consistent efforts to refine the use of sanctions. While we recognize the difficulty of achieving "smart sanctions" in the real world, we also believe that there is a continuing need to minimize collateral, unintended humanitarian suffering through the imposition of more specifically targeted sanctions and mechanisms for periodic substantive reviews. Arms embargoes should be imposed in all situations where parties to the conflict target civilians.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We believe that the positive contribution made by the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force can be further built upon. In view of the multifaceted nature of recent conflicts, there is an urgent need to strengthen the rapid- reaction capability of the United Nations to cover not only the traditional mandates of peacekeeping but also a number of other functions of peace-building, in particular protection of humanitarian assistance to of innocent civilians and of their human rights. In this context, we would like to join the appeal to all Member States to participate more actively in the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System, with increased inclusion of specialized civil and humanitarian units.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“As suggested in the report before the Council, the development of a protocol to the 1994 Convention could be a useful idea. Now I would like to turn to the issue of how to improve the physical protection of civilians in conflicts. My delegation believes that the Security Council should continue to take a proactive role in this field as the international community increasingly considers serious humanitarian problems to be a threat to international peace and security. The first issue I would like to raise in this regard is the need to strengthen the United Nations capability for conflict prevention and rapid response to crises. My delegation concurs with the Secretary- General's recommendation on the proactive use of a preventive monitoring presence in areas of potential conflict and on the deployment of preventive peacekeeping missions.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In this context, we agree with the Secretary-General's View that there is a need to consider using enforcement measures to facilitate the arrest and surrender of those persons accused by the ad hoc Tribunals, and to devise judicial and investigative mechanisms, with national and international components, pending the establishment of the International Criminal Court. In View of the urgency of better ensuring the safety of United Nations and humanitarian personnel, we join the Secretary-General's call for early ratification of the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. My delegation also favours the exploration of an appropriate mechanism to extend the scope of legal protection to cover all personnel.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“My delegation hopes that the adoption of this draft resolution will mark another step forward for the international community in its fight against the culture of impunity and to foster a climate of compliance. Having said that, I would like to highlight the following points to which my delegation attaches particular importance. My first point concerns the issue of how to strengthen the legal framework so as to better protect civilians in conflicts. We are encouraged by the recent developments aimed at enabling the international community to collectively combat the culture of impunity. In particular, we are encouraged by the adoption in Rome last year of the Statute of International Criminal Court. The Security Council has set examples by establishing the two ad hoc Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“My delegation is pleased to see that our initiative has been continuously followed up and further expanded by other like-minded member States. In this regard, my delegation welcomes wholeheartedly the Secretary-General's report contained in document S/1999/957 as a comprehensive blueprint for future action by the Security Council and other relevant organs, bodies and agencies of the United Nations to improve both the legal and the physical protection of civilians in armed conflict. My delegation therefore supports the draft resolution before the Council, which endorses a number of practical recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Across the planet, the plight of innocent civilians, in particular those of vulnerable groups, has been continuing with alarming frequency and intensity, as those in war zones have increasingly become the deliberate targets of warring parties. It is all the more frustrating to note this unfortunate trend when just last August we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Geneva Conventions. To deal with this daunting challenge with a sense of urgency, the Republic of Korea, during its presidency of the Security Council in the month of May 1997, took the initiative of organizing an open debate, the first of its kind, on the subject of protecting humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Allow me at the outset to extend my delegation's appreciation to you, Sir, for taking the initiative of organizing this open debate on the very important issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict. We recognize highly the effort of the Netherlands to build on the previous Council debate on this subject - a debate initiated by Canada in February of this year - and also to promote the transparency of the work of the Council. My delegation equally appreciates Secretary-General Kofi Annan's comprehensive and action-oriented report on this issue and his inspiring statement yesterday morning. My appreciation goes also to Mrs. Mary Robinson for her valuable contribution yesterday and to Mr. de Mello in particular for his important role in the process of preparing this important report.”
1999-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4046Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In conclusion, I take this opportunity to reaffirm the willingness and readiness of the Government of the Republic of Korea to contribute to the efforts of the parties directly concerned and of the international community. We will work closely with them in bringing expeditiously the volatile and tragic situation in East Timor to a peaceful solution acceptable to all of us.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“I do not want to conclude without paying my delegation's special tribute to the entire staff - men and women - of UNAMET and all other humanitarian personnel, particularly those who still remain voluntarily and courageously in Dili, for their tireless efforts, devotion and sometimes sacrifices that they have so valiantly demonstrated in the face of an extremely difficult environment throughout the process, since the popular consultation up to now. Our appreciation also goes to the members of the Security Council mission to East Timor for all their efforts in Jakarta, yesterday in Dili and now back in Jakarta. We look forward to their report and recommendations, which will hopefully lead to appropriate action by the Council.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“In the process of taking these urgent measures, we very much hope that Indonesia will be able to consider favourably the help of the international community as necessary, as suggested by the Secretary-General, and accept the friendly offers readily available, individually or collectively, to help Indonesia fulfil its responsibility of restoring order and security for the people of East Timor and of helping humanitarian assistance to reach those desperately in need without further delay. We are encouraged to hear this morning of the emergence of signs of flexibility on the part of the Indonesian authorities in this regard. We sincerely hope that these signs will turn out to be true and be turned into reality sooner rather than later.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“However, given the deterioration of the situation in East Timor, as reported by the Secretary-General, even after the imposition of martial law, we cannot but renew our call upon the Indonesian Government to continue to take necessary measures in a more decisive and vigorous manner to fulfil its responsibility to restore law and order, to protect all human lives and to help facilitate the activities of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) in carrying out its mandate.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“We therefore strongly urge all parties directly concerned to reaffirm their commitments to respect the results of the popular consultation and to continue to take all necessary measures to uphold them and to put them into practice. The Republic of Korea, as a longstanding and close friend of Indonesia, has intensely followed with appreciation the events in East Timor and the measures the Indonesian Government has taken so far to restore law and order and to help assist humanitarian activities.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“My Government deeply deplores the rapidly deteriorating situation in East Timor as described in the Secretary-General's statements, even after the introduction of martial law. We also remain seriously concerned about the fate of tens of thousands of internally displaced persons in Dili and elsewhere. We would be remiss if we did not recognize the bold initiative taken by the Indonesian Government in agreeing to organize the popular consultation in East Timor under the auspices of the United Nations. Now that the free will of the East Timorese people is clearly confirmed in a most peaceful, orderly and democratic manner, thanks mainly to Indonesian cooperation, we firmly believe that the results of the popular consultation should be the sole foundation on which the tragedy in East Timor should be brought to an end.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“Allow me to begin by expressing my delegation's appreciation to you, Sir, and through you to Security Council members for having decided to organize today's open debate in a formal session on this deepening tragic crisis unfolding in East Timor. My delegation sincerely hopes that today's meeting will indeed contribute to restoring and further enhancing the credibility and authority of the United Nations as a whole and the Security Council in particular vis-a-vis world public opinion, in effectively and responsibly responding to such an emergency crisis situation as East Timor. We noted with appreciation and also with grave concern the Secretary-General's statements on East Timor yesterday and this morning.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“The international community should avoid wasting the valuable resources it has spent to restore peace by leaving that peace vulnerable to renewed conflicts. We welcome today's open meeting as an opportunity to increase international awareness of this important issue. We sincerely hope that the views and suggestions presented here today will help Council members and the United Nations system as a whole to better address this important and urgent issue and to take relevant actions as necessary sooner rather than later.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In this connection, my delegation welcomes the specific recommendation contained in Council resolution 1208 (1998) to include, in the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements, military and police units and personnel trained for humanitarian operations, together with related equipment. We support this recommendation's early translation into action. We wish to request Council members to continue to look at other options to enhance the security and safety of all those in need of protection as well as of their protectors. Post-conflict peace-building is indeed a very challenging task for the international community today, as the number of conflict situations grows in the post-cold-war era. In particular, it takes even greater time and energy to build peace and socio-economic infrastructure in cases where States fail or societies collapse.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“We therefore welcome the establishment of the United Nations Mine Action Service as the focal point for mine action within the United Nations system. We hope that the Service will strengthen its cooperation with various regional and subregional organizations. Since 1996, my country has actively participated in the Mine Action Support Group as a donor and made contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund to help with mine clearance in Cambodia, Tajikistan and Ethiopia. Last but not least, we would like to invite the Council, once again, to give special attention to the need for ensuring the security and safety of United Nations and other personnel, as well as the security and safety of all innocent civilians in conflict situations. We believe that the Council should continue to give high priority to this issue.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“We believe that the establishment of appropriate regional and subregional registers of conventional arms should not be limited to Africa but should be expanded to other continents as well. More efforts should also be made to deal with the supply side of the arms flow. Thirdly, I wish to stress the importance of demining as one of the essential components of post-conflict peace- building. Given the sheer number of landmines strewn over the globe and the formidable costs of their clearance, the impact of anti-personnel landmines extends beyond the immediate danger to lives and property to a wide array of socio-economic and developmental aspects in the mine-affected countries. Mine clearance is now a global agenda requiring global action.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“With this in mind, my Government contributed $250,000 last year, when we served on the Council, to the programmes for the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants in Angola. We welcome the ongoing efforts of the Council to enhance the effective implementation of the arms embargoes already imposed by the Council. With cross- border arms flows well in place, however, country- specific arms embargoes do not suffice to stem the illicit trafficking of arms. In this regard, we look forward to the Secretary-Generals playing a positive role in implementing the Security Council recommendations on the regional approach to the illicit flow of arms to and in Africa, as contained in Council resolution 1209 (1998) of 19 November this year.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In this connection, the involvement of regional or subregional organizations in the process would be very useful, given their geographical proximity and comparative advantage in terms of local information. Moreover, in view of the financial burdens of various peace-building activities, it is also necessary to explore the possibility of engaging international financial institutions in this process at an early date. Secondly, we believe that measures towards disarmament and demobilization, including the collection and dismantling of small arms and the rehabilitation of militias, are keys to avoiding the recurrence of violence and to building peace in post-conflict situations.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“My delegation hopes that such a strategic framework would be formulated as soon as possible, drawing on the various lessons learned from past experiences. In this process, special attention should be paid to the need to ensure the smooth transition from the peacekeeping phase to peace-building activities. We are of the view that one of the main focuses should be on exploring the practical ways and means to cultivate the local capacity to sustain peace in the fragile conditions of the post-conflict period. It is not only more effective but also more economical to help local communities to build their own capacities to sustain peace in the long run.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“First and foremost, it is important to maintain close coordination between the two major organs of the United Nations, namely the General Assembly and the Security Council, which have the main political responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter. My delegation supports the coordinating role of the Department of Political Affairs as the focal point at Headquarters and that of special or other representatives of Secretary-General in the field, as set out in the Secretary-General's report of 18 November 1998. In this connection, we look forward to further elaboration of the Secretary-General's suggestion in favour of the strategic framework approach for response to and recovery from crisis.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“When the Security Council considers authorizing peacekeeping operations which would involve post-conflict peace-building activities, the Council, in our view, should provide clear, realistic and appropriate mandates for such activities, backed by sufficient resources. It is equally important to respect the distinct mandates of other United Nations organs, bodies or agencies which cover post-conflict peace-building measures. Having said that, I would like to comment on the following four points to which my Government attaches particular importance. My first point concerns the need for more effective coordination among all actors as well as local capacity- building. The multifaceted nature of post-conflict peace-building inevitably brings together a number of different bodies and actors.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Mr. President, allow me at the outset to express my delegation's appreciation to you for your initiative to organize the Security Council's open meeting today on the important issue before us. We also welcome today's meeting as yet another meaningful step forward in restoring the transparency of the work of the Security Council. In many conflict situations these days, it has become increasingly hard to define a clear boundary between peacekeeping and post-conflict peace-building operations. More often than not, maintaining peace is as difficult as restoring peace. It is therefore imperative for the international community to take a holistic approach to ensure not only the restoration of peace but also its consolidation in conflict areas.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The time for action has come. We welcome today's open debate as an opportunity to increase international awareness of this issue. We sincerely hope that all the views, suggestions and proposals presented today will be fully reflected, examined and agreed upon, if possible, in the Council's follow-up on this issue. We further hope that it will be done in close collaboration with other relevant United Nations organs and agencies, as well as with the United Nations membership as a whole. I would like to conclude by reiterating that my Government stands ready to continue to make contributions in this regard.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Another related issue is the scope of humanitarian personnel covered by the relevant United Nations Convention. Such a scope should be expanded to provide adequate legal protection to the local staff of humanitarian organizations. Last but not the least, I would like to suggest that the Council expand its discourse with other relevant organs and agencies, in particular the General Assembly, on this issue. The Secretary-General's report before us today touches upon many areas which go beyond the mandate of the Council. My delegation is of the View that serious thought should be given to submitting the report to the General Assembly for consideration under a related agenda item. The international community has to rise to the daunting challenge of providing adequate security to United Nations and humanitarian workers.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Ensuring universal respect for international humanitarian norms is a necessary precondition for the restoration of a safe environment for the conduct of humanitarian work. In achieving this objective, the establishment of ad hoc International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda was an important step forward. A milestone along the path in combating the culture of impunity was set by the recent adoption of the Statue of the International Criminal Court. Further efforts must be made to strengthen law enforcement against the violators of international humanitarian norms at both the national and international levels. Specific measures should be taken to hold transgressing parties and their leaders physically and financially liable to their victims under international law.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“The Council also possesses the useful leverage of arms embargoes. The proliferation of arms in areas of actual or potential conflict remains one of the most serious sources of insecurity for refugees and their protectors alike. The Council should explore imposing an arms embargo targeted against a region where cross- border movements of arms are frequent and rampant. Serious consideration also needs to be given to better ensuring the effective implementation of arms embargoes by the Council. Once imposed, arms embargoes need to be monitored and enforced through a more effective mechanism. Failure to do so will not only aggravate civilian suffering, but also undermine the credibility of the Council's action. My third point concerns the legal framework. The culture of impunity must be prevented from further spreading.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“The Council has learned useful and sometimes painful lessons from its past experiences in dealing with the situations in Somalia, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and the former Zaire. We hope that these lessons learned will help the Council in future deployments of peacekeeping forces. We would like to invite the special attention of the Council to the need for the separation of armed combatants from bona fide refugees and displaced populations. Refugee-hosting countries are often unable or unwilling to maintain law and order in refugee camps. In such cases, the Council is strongly requested to ensure that appropriate measures are taken in a timely manner to prevent armed elements from turning refugee camps into military bases. Militias must also be stopped from using refugees as human shields.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Political inaction on the part of the Council results in procrastination in the resolution of conflicts and thus the prolongation of civilian suffering. In such cases, humanitarian assistance cannot be a substitute for political action and therefore is not sustainable. Humanitarian activities should be backed by the political initiatives of the Council as well as its willingness to take the necessary security measures, including the deployment of peacekeeping forces. When peacekeeping operations are deployed by the Council in support of humanitarian operations, the Council should strive to appropriately match their mandates to their resources. Clear rules of engagement are also required.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“We welcome and support the presidential statement to be issued today at the end of this debate, which will express the Council's intention to have a serious follow-up to the Secretary-General's report. A number of areas suggested in the report are directly or indirectly related to the Council's mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security. Although humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping operations are distinct from each other, the fact remains that the Security Council's involvement is now indispensable for the protection of humanitarian assistance in conflicts. We must not forget that the primary responsibility of the Council resides in promoting the political settlement of conflict situations.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“Allow me to take this opportunity to highlight the following points. The first concerns the urgent need for the international community to translate the recommendations contained in the report into action. Indeed, a variety of sources of problems have been identified. Unfortunately, however, these sources have not been addressed adequately by the international community due to the lack of will and resources. Now is the time to take resolute steps to tackle them. The Secretary-General's report contains a number of specific recommendations. We should all look into ways and means to implement them. Given the complex nature of the issue at hand, the international community should take a coordinated and comprehensive approach. This leads to my second comment, on the role of the Security Council.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“It is indeed regrettable that their safety and security are constantly endangered by wanton attempts at abduction, detention and killing. The Republic of Korea believes that the time has come for the international community to stand up and deal seriously with these challenges. It was for this reason that my Government, then occupying the presidency of the Security Council, took the initiative to organize the first open debate on this issue in May 1997. We are grateful to the Secretary-General and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for taking the lead in preparing the follow-up report on this issue, as requested in the Security Council presidential statement of June 1997. We agree with the analysis pertaining to the sources of problems and strongly endorse the recommendations contained in the report.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source
“I would like to express my delegation's gratitude to you, Mr. President, for your initiative in organizing the Security Council's open debate today on the important and urgent issue of protection for humanitarian assistance. My thanks go also to the Deputy Secretary-General for her important introductory remarks. As conflicts persist in the post-cold-war era, the plight of tens of millions of innocent civilians continues with an alarming intensity. In particular, children, women and other vulnerable groups are abused in many deplorable ways. Moreover, as we have all witnessed in recent months, an ever increasing number of those who volunteer to help innocent people in conflict situations find their lives threatened or sacrificed.”
1998-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3932 (1998) · source