YouSaid · the spoken record

Legwaila

lines on the record: 469
first: 1992-07-16
most recent: 1999-09-17
sittings or episodes: 63
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

“The political atmosphere has been poisoned by extremist views that threaten to destroy national institutions, and political discourse is characterized by incitement to hatred and violence. Botswana is deeply disturbed by these developments. We are convinced that the international community can no longer watch in an impassive manner the human tragedy that is unfolding in Burundi. Something needs to be done, and done urgently, at the political and diplomatic levels to arrest the situation before it gets totally out of control. The draft resolution which the Security Council is about to adopt is direct and unambiguous. It calls upon the people of Burundi to enter into serious and meaningful negotiations to bring an end to the daily killings and to establish conditions conducive to national reconciliation, democracy and the rule of law.”
1996-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3623 (1996) · source
“Whether we like it or not, Burundi has been bleeding for some time now. There were at first conflicting reports and denials from Bujumbura about what was actually happening, but the international community is increasingly unanimous in its assessment of the frightening and deteriorating security situation in that country. The authorities in Bujumbura are finding it increasingly difficult to protect the lives of their people, and they have our sympathies. The political leaders and parties accuse each other of "ethnic cleansing", and, by their own admission, the country is in a state of civil war, as the Secretary-General's letter contained in document S/ 1996/36 clearly states.”
1996-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3623 (1996) · source
“It will depend on recourse to political dialogue by the parties in Eastern Slavonia and the surrounding areas, and on the creation of conditions of trust and confidence among all the ethnic groups not only in Eastern Slavonia but in the whole territory of Croatia.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“The question of human rights is one of the most important elements in the peace process in Eastern Slavonia, as it is in Croatia as a whole. The continuing Violations of the human rights of the Serb population in the former Sectors North and South are, to put it mildly, unhelpful to the peace process in Croatia. We call upon the Croatian Government to institute the necessary guarantees of full respect of the rights of the Serb population in Croatia and to create conditions suitable for the safe return of the refugees. In the final analysis, it is clear that the successful implementation of the Basic Agreement will depend on the safety of and respect for United Nations personnel.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“The caucus of the Non-Aligned Movement worked with the sponsors of the draft resolution in an effort to ensure that a credible United Nations presence able to respond to any situation in the most robust manner would be established. Although the initial troop deployment will be less than what the Secretary-General had proposed, we fervently hope that paragraphs 13 and 14 of draft resolution S/1996/23 will provide, as we are assured they will by the authors of the text, an effective safeguard of the safety and security of UNTAES. In other words, we hope that these two paragraphs will make it clear enough that the multinational Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina will have full authority to deter any attacks against UNTAES.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“It is therefore clear that UNTAES will be doomed to failure without the cooperation of the Government of Croatia and the local Serb authorities. It should also be very clear to the parties that the humiliation to which United Nations personnel were regularly subjected in neighbouring Bosnia, in the former Sectors West, North and South, and in the region of Eastern Slavonia itself in the recent past will not be tolerated. The Secretary-General suggested in his report that the Council should authorize a force large enough to protect itself and other United Nations personnel, in view of past experience in former Yugoslavia.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“The recent announcement by the parties to the conflict that they will respect the authority of the United Nations was therefore a welcome development. The relative decline in the level of military activity in the region following the signing of the Basic Agreement has given us reason for cautious optimism, and it is for that reason that we support the establishment of a United Nations operation there. We are not, however, unaware of the poor record of both parties in honouring previous agreements. The parties should realize that UNTAES is being established to help them implement their own agreement, not to force them to do so. Its mandate as spelled out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the draft resolution conforms strictly to the limits and scope of the Basic Agreement signed by both parties.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“The Security Council has two principal tasks under the Basic Agreement on the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, signed on 12 November 1995: to create a transitional administration for the region and to establish a peace implementation force. Draft resolution S/1996/23 would do just that. It would establish a United Nations peace-keeping operation to be known as the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES), consisting of both military and civilian components. Thus, following the adoption of that draft resolution the Security Council will have fulfilled its obligation under the Basic Agreement. It will be up to the parties to fulfil their end of the deal.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“The delegation of Botswana believes a negotiated settlement is always possible in any political conflict. We are therefore delighted that reason has ultimately prevailed in Eastern Slavonia, where the Croatian Government and the local Serb authorities have abandoned the logic of war in favour of a political solution. The key to lasting peace in that region now lies with the full implementation of the Basic Agreement, within the time limits set therein. It is imperative that the parties strictly adhere to the commitments they have entered into, including by creating conditions of trust and confidence among all the ethnic groups in Eastern Slavonia. In this connection, it is crucial for the parties to respect fully the cease-fire and enable the demilitarization process to proceed as planned.”
1996-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3619 (1996) · source
“The draft resolution requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council within the next three months on the efforts of his Special Envoy and the Russian Federation as facilitator to find a solution to the Abkhaz problem. It is our fervent hope that this time substantive progress on both the political and refugee questions will be made so that peace and security can return to Georgia. In conclusion, I wish to extend my delegation's sincere thanks to the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Ambassador Brunner, and to the Government of the Russian Federation for their untiring efforts to find a solution to the Georgia-Abkhaz conflict.”
1996-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3618 (1996) · source
“These elements have already been accepted by the Government of the Republic of Georgia, and the Abkhaz side should show its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict by doing likewise. We are deeply disturbed by the level of violence and ethnic killings in the Gali region. Human rights violations, particularly towards the Georgian population in that region, cannot be allowed to continue with impunity. The Abkhaz authorities have a responsibility for the safety of all peoples in Abkhazia, irrespective of their ethnic origin. It is for this reason that we support the language of operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution before us, which calls upon on the Abkhaz leadership to ensure the protection of all persons in areas under its control.”
1996-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3618 (1996) · source
“The callousness with which the Abkhaz side treats the plight of the 250,000 refugees that they have expelled from their homes is most disheartening, to say the least. We believe that it is time the Abkhaz authorities took the decisions of the Security Council regarding the peace process in Abkhazia seriously. Botswana believes that a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict in Georgia is still possible. The essential elements for such a settlement are already in place, and they include the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons, preservation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia and a constitutional framework conferring a special status on Abkhazia.”
1996-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3618 (1996) · source
“Allow me first to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to wish you every success. You can count on our support. I must also pay tribute to Ambassador Lavrov of the Russian Federation, for his excellent stewardship of the Council during the month of December. Since the civil war started in Abkhazia three years ago, the international community has made concerted efforts to find a solution to the constitutional crises in that region of Georgia, but such efforts have been thwarted by the self-declared Government of Abkhazia, which continues to reject proposals for a unitary state. We sometimes wonder whether Security Council resolutions and presidential statements mean anything to the parties to the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, particularly to Mr. Ardzinba and his forces.”
1996-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3618 (1996) · source
“All cases of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights must be fully investigated and those found responsible punished accordingly. The draft resolution before us calls upon all States, particularly those in the region of the former Yugoslavia, to cooperate with the Tribunal. We strongly support this provision. We wish to underline the urgent need for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to allow the establishment of offices of the Tribunal on its territory. This will convince everyone that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has met the requirements for readmittance into the family of nations.”
1995-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3612 (1995) · source
“The Bosnian Serbs' denial to the international humanitarian organizations of access to the affected areas, and the belated attempt to "recreate" the events in these areas, can only confirm the involvement of the Bosnian Serbs in these bestial crimes. The international community must therefore dismiss with contempt the heartless cynicism in Mr. J ovanovie's letter and stand firm on its demand for access to all the affected areas. The work of the International Tribunal responsible for bringing to justice those who committed these violations of humanitarian law must be expedited. Persons who have committed violations of international humanitarian law and human rights must know that they will not go unpunished.”
1995-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3612 (1995) · source
“Sadly, it may no longer be possible to secure such access now that the Serbs have been allowed, under the Dayton Peace Agreement, to keep these enclaves. To compound this exasperating act of defiance by the Serbs, we are now being asked to believe that the gruesome massacres that took place in Srebrenica, Zepa and other areas were the work of the Bosnian Muslims themselves, who decided to massacre each other, for the most incredible of reasons, as explained in Mr. Jovanovie's letter, and that the Serbs who brutally overran those enclaves had nothing to do with the massacres. This is as ludicrous as it is incomprehensible. If the Bosnian Serbs are totally blameless, as is alleged in the letter, why did it take Mr. Jovanovie so long to inform the Council of these heinous crimes?”
1995-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3612 (1995) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General documents numerous specific instances of summary execution, rape, mass expulsion, arbitrary detention, forced labour and large-scale disappearance, allegedly carried out by the Bosnian Serb and paramilitary forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It confirms beyond any doubt that massive violations of international humanitarian law and human rights have occurred in the areas of Srebrenica, Zepa, Banja Luka and Sanski Most. These despicable crimes have shocked the conscience of the international community, and they deserve the strongest condemnation. It is most regrettable that, to date, the Bosnian Serbs have refused to heed Council resolutions and presidential statements calling for international access to Srebrenica, Zepa and other affected areas.”
1995-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3612 (1995) · source
“The interest that Member States of the United Nations have shown in the work of the Security Council in recent years should be viewed as a positive development. The Security Council derives its authority and legitimacy from the general membership of the United Nations that are not members of the Security Council. We believe it is only fair that they should make a contribution to the work of the Council if it is to act effectively on their behalf in accordance with Article 24 (1) of the Charter.”
1995-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3611 (1995) · source
“The establishment of a more formal mechanism such as the one proposed by the 34 co- signatories, we believe, would enhance the level of participation of troop-contributing countries in Council decisions, particularly because the chairman of the mechanism would be required to submit written reports to the Council on the views expressed by participants at each meeting, as is the practice with other subsidiary bodies of other United Nations organs. The co-sponsors of this initiative do not intend to usurp the powers bestowed by the Charter on the Security Council in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. The proposal to establish a formal mechanism is only intended to improve the representative character of the decision- making process in the Security Council.”
1995-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3611 (1995) · source
“We have no doubts about the usefulness of the existing mechanism for consultations between members of the Security Council and countries contributing troops to United Nations peace-keeping operations. As a matter of fact, it has afforded troop- contributing countries the opportunity to put their views across regarding decisions that may have a bearing on their contingents. But we do not think this mechanism does any justice to the spirit of Article 44 of the Charter. Article 44 provides for the participation of troop- contributing countries "in the decisions of the Security Council concerning the employment of contingents". The existing mechanism, however, does not give troop- contributing countries the full opportunity to "participate in the decisions of the Security Council", as foreseen in Article 44.”
1995-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3611 (1995) · source
“This consultative mechanism has contributed significantly to the improved relations between members of the Council and troop-contributing countries, and it will, hopefully, lead to efficiency and effectiveness in peace-keeping operations. The issues raised in the proposal of Argentina and 33 other States - to whom we owe a debt of gratitude - are not completely new. They have been discussed by the Council on previous occasions. Regrettably, some members of the Council remain opposed to the proposed establishment of a subsidiary organ of the Security Council to formalize the procedures set out in the Council presidential statement of 4 November 1994.”
1995-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3611 (1995) · source
“The delegation of Botswana attaches great importance to the question of transparency in the work of the Security Council. We therefore welcomed the procedures instituted last year providing for regular consultations between the members of the Security Council and countries contributing troops to United Nations peace-keeping operations as a significant development in the process towards such transparency. The participation of troop contributors in the exchange of views regarding any peace-keeping operation has opened up the work of the Council and made it more responsive and accountable to the interests of the troop contributors.”
1995-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3611 (1995) · source
“There should be no place for them to hide; they must be pursued to the ends of the Earth and punished for their crimes. My delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution before us.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“To recap, the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina offers the best promise for peace in that area so far. Whether there will be a bright or a bleak future in that country and its surroundings rests with the people of the area themselves and with their neighbours. The Peace Agreement has laid down the framework, the starting point from which they can make improvements where there are shortcomings in the Agreement. But what is most important is the political will and the commitment to give peace a chance. Excruciating as it may sound, the unhappy past should, as much as possible, be forgotten and the innocent people exculpated so that they can resume leading normal lives. The machinery is in place to deal with the perpetrators of war crimes.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“The population was disappointed that UNPROFOR could not provide them with the impenetrable protection against attack that they had hoped for. Thus, the credibility of the United Nations was put on the line. Its reliability as an instrument for the maintenance of international peace and security was called into question. The perceived failure of the United Nations to restore peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in the parties seeking help elsewhere. Nevertheless, the victims of tragedies, such as that which befell the people of Bosnia, continue to look to the United Nations for assistance in the mitigation of their conflicts and the alleviation of the misery and wretchedness Visited upon them by these wars.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“Secondly, the United Nations did not have at its disposal the financial, manpower and logistical resources required for the task. UNPROFOR came under heavy attack for failing to do things it was not equipped to do. Those who bore the main brunt of the war thought that UNPROFOR would fight the war on their behalf. In their situation of distress this was understandable. But they missed a fundamental point: UNPROFOR could not fight the war on the side of any of the parties, nor was it ever mandated to fight a war. It was of paramount importance that it remain an impartial arbiter, since its primary mission was to keep the warring parties separated and to ensure delivery of humanitarian supplies to the needy. But it was certainly not a fighting force.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“There is no doubt that the United Nations peace forces played an important role in Bosnia. But they were sent on a mission impossible. The ferocity displayed by the warring parties, to kill each other with total abandon, made it imperative for the international community to intervene to rescue Bosnia from self-destruction. When the United Nations made the decision to get involved in Bosnia, this was in a bid to search for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Unfortunately, the United Nations peace-keeping operation became one of the victims of the war. First of all, the parties to the conflict became unreliable partners in the search for peace. They felt, with differing degrees of bellicosity, that they could gain more on the battlefield than at the negotiating table.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“As we bid farewell to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), we bow our heads in homage to the United Nations peace-keepers who paid the supreme price in the service of peace in the former Yugoslavia. We also pay a well deserved tribute to all the men and women of UNPROFOR who tried in difficult conditions to keep the peace when there was clearly none to keep. Their work, as well as that of those who lost their lives, was not in vain. Many lives were saved thanks to their contribution and sacrifices. A lot has been said and written about the United Nations peace-keeping operation in the former Yugoslavia. The lessons to be drawn from it are not ordinary lessons. We have to do a lot of soul-searching in order to draw conclusions about the many setbacks and about the successes.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“They should seize the opportunity presented by this Agreement to create conditions conducive to a secure and durable peace in their country. They should turn over a new leaf and start a journey on the road to national reconciliation and healing and a peaceful future. They owe this to future generations of Bosnians. The international community can only assist them in building a sense of nationhood and unity, justice and a shared destiny. We urge the donor community to contribute generously to the process of reconstruction and development in Bosnia. But this too will depend upon the readiness and willingness of the parties to cooperate not only with their partners but, more important, among themselves.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“The prospects for peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina have never been brighter. The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina initialled in Dayton, Ohio, last month and signed in Paris yesterday ushers in a new era of hope where there was despair, accommodation and cooperation where there were confrontation and conflict. This is in no way a perfect peace; that is to be expected after three and half years of hostilities. There is no doubt that the scars of the deep wounds that the people of Bosnia inflicted upon one another during the war will remain visible for a long time to come, but the Agreement signed yesterday offers the best prospects for a peaceful future. The onus is squarely on the parties: resumption of hostilities or adherence to the Dayton Peace Agreement.”
1995-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3607 (1995) · source
“In all these challenges, the international community should not abandon Rwanda. In this respect, we have noted the Government of Rwanda's request that it receive assistance by way of UNAMIR's equipment and material when the mandate of the Mission ends. The difficulties that the Government of Rwanda is experiencing as a result of inheriting a country which was brutally and severely looted are well known. This has made the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation extremely difficult. We therefore fully support operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution and hope that a way will be found to respond positively to the genuine request of Rwanda.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“However, it has demonstrated flexibility by accepting a further three-month extension in response to our collective View that the continued presence of UNAMIR in Rwanda is in Rwanda's interest. The assistance of the international community will continue to be critical in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the socio-economic sectors of the Rwandese national economy. The greatest challenge facing the Government and the people of Rwanda is the return and resettlement of the refugee population. In the short term, it will be necessary to assist Rwanda to develop the capacity to receive a large number of returning refugees. In the long term, substantial resources will be needed to embark on an accelerated housing programme, in view of the complex problems related to ownership of property.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“The draft has been the subject of intensive and painstaking negotiations. We are pleased that the spirit of compromise prevailed, and we now have a consensus text. Botswana's preference would have been for UNAMIR's mandate to be extended by a further six months, for the reasons stated in paragraph 47 of the report. UNAMIR plays an important role as the eyes and ears of the international community, as we have stated. This is even more crucial in View of the increased infiltration and acts of sabotage perpetrated by the former Rwandese Government Forces. We have noted that the Government of Rwanda had originally requested that the mandate of UNAMIR be terminated on 8 December 1995.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“While the efforts made by President Carter have certainly advanced the cause of peace and security in the region, as evidenced by the results of the Cairo meeting, the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity should continue their efforts aimed at enabling the Governments of the region to find common ground on an agenda for the conference. The report of the Secretary-General clearly shows that there are issues concerning relations between Rwanda and some neighbouring States that the Security Council cannot afford to ignore. The Security Council is unanimous in its recognition of the fact that Rwanda's current difficulties have subregional dimensions that require political and diplomatic solutions. My delegation has carefully considered the draft resolution contained in document S/ 1995/ 1015.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“It is regrettable that 1.6 million of these refugees are still in camps in neighbouring States. Their return and resettlement is a key element in the process of national reconciliation. The report of the Secretary-General indicates that a lot still needs to be done before agreement can be reached on convening a regional conference under the auspices of the United Nations. We are of the view that the Cairo Conference was not intended to be a substitute for the regional conference proposed by the United Nations.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“The delegation of Botswana congratulates you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. I assure you of the full support and cooperation of my delegation. I also wish to thank the Ambassador of Oman for the efficient manner in which he guided the work of the Council in November. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) has made a tremendous contribution to peace and stability, not only in Rwanda but in the Great Lakes region. With respect to Rwanda itself, a country that at one point had more than 2 million of its inhabitants outside its borders as refugees, the presence of UNAMIR is an important catalyst in the process of national healing and a reassurance to the refugees that they can return to their country safely, in honour and dignity.”
1995-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3605 (1995) · source
“And lastly, a special word of deep appreciation to the men and women of the United Nations Peace Forces, under the able leadership of our Secretary-General. They did a wonderful job in very trying circumstances, and in the process many of them lost their precious lives. They definitely deserved better.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“Have they been saved by the Dayton agreements? In conclusion, let me congratulate the parties on a fruitful and worthwhile three weeks of negotiations in Dayton, Ohio. They have given their people a promise of peace and, hopefully, a future free of war and human suffering. We can only request them fully to honour the commitments they have made and translate into concrete action what they have agreed on paper. I should like also to pay a well-deserved tribute to the mediators for their determination and perseverance, even when the negotiations appeared to falter. The Government of the United States deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. It worked very hard to reconcile what appeared irreconcilable, which says a lot about its diplomatic skills.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“We also believe that at an appropriate time in the near future the Security Council will have to hold substantive discussions on the role of the United Nations in the implementation of the General Framework Agreement, including the authorization of a multinational force, its mandate, composition and command-and-control structure and the nature of the relationship that would be established between the United Nations and the Force Commander for purposes of coordination and information flow. In other words, there are several questions in our minds that still beg for answers, and we hope the answers will not be long in coming. Indeed, there is a particular, nagging question to which we desperately seek an answer: are those who have been indicted for the commission of acts of genocide now beyond the reach of the arm of the law?”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“It is our hope that the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will do everything in its power to ensure that the implementation of the Peace Agreement progresses without let or hindrance, which would in turn open the way for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to take its rightful place in the family of nations. Although we welcome the Peace Agreement, we still face imponderables. We do not as yet have a full appreciation of what the Agreement really entails, nor do we know what the parties themselves believe they have achieved. This could have a bearing on the implementation of the Agreement.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“My delegation will also vote in favour of the draft resolution on the suspension of sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The sanctions were imposed to pressure the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to accept political dialogue as opposed to the logic of war, and now that this objective has been realized we feel it is indeed time the sanctions were suspended and, finally, lifted. We recognize that much remains to be done to secure peace in the Balkans. The resolve of the parties to remain committed to a peaceful settlement of their differences is the only way forward. They need our continuous encouragement and persuasion. Our support for the suspension of the sanctions until such time as the Peace Agreement is implemented should be understood in this context.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“As early as 25 September 1991 the Security Council adopted resolution 713 (1991), which imposed a general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Yugoslavia. The idea was to restrict the flow of arms to the conflicting parties and minimize the possibility of a wider conflagration in the Balkans. We therefore find it a bit ironic that the Agreement allows for the lifting of the arms embargo before there is certainty of durable peace. We are a little worried that the amassing of weapons by the parties may lead to the reigniting of the conflict. None the less, we appreciate that the situation on the ground has changed, and there is no cause for alarm, at least for now. My delegation therefore has no problem supporting the draft resolution on the lifting of the arms embargo.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“It is also our hope that the initialling and consequent signature of the Agreement will be not an end in themselves, but the beginning of a process that will bring about peace and stability in that war-ravaged country. In fact, all the peoples of former Yugoslavia are yearning for peace. It is clear, however, that peace will only come if they can learn to tolerate one another and adopt live-and-let-live attitudes towards one another. It is time they realized that the right to existence of one ethnic group is not a negation of the right of other groups to existence, nor should it necessarily present a threat to such existence. It is only with that realization that coexistence in that area and mutual trust will return to former Yugoslavia.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“The delegation of Botswana welcomes the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded and initialled yesterday by the Presidents of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is indeed a historic agreement that promises to bring to an end three and half years of a brutal conflict, three and half years of one of the most devastating wars in the history of modern Europe, a war which is estimated to have claimed close to a quarter of a million innocent lives. It is our ardent hope that after almost four years of a painful and tortuous war the peoples of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina are now ready to resolve their differences amicably and to live with each other as good neighbours.”
1995-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3595 (1995) · source
“The recovery and rehabilitation of the Liberian national economy is a major challenge, which the people of Liberia cannot tackle alone. Subparagraphs (a) to (g) of operative paragraph 2 clearly outline the adjusted mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL). The successful implementation of the mandate will depend to a large extent on the cooperation of the Liberian parties with ECOMOG and UNOMIL, whose presence should be seen as one creating an atmosphere in which the Liberians themselves can work with each other to rebuild their war-ravaged country. The people of Liberia should understand that the continued provision of assistance by the international community is contingent upon their demonstrated consistency in working towards the attainment of national reconciliation and lasting peace.”
1995-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3592 (1995) · source
“The United Nations has the responsibility to ensure that the gains that have been made are not reversed by the lack of resources for demobilization. Botswana fully supports the provision of resources for the demobilization under the assessed budget. The demobilization process is too important to be left to voluntary contributions, which may not be disbursed in a timely manner. The international community is fully aware of the needs of the Liberian people. The Conference on Assistance to Liberia, held on 27 October 1995, offered an opportunity to reassess the sum total of the problems facing Liberia today. The humanitarian needs of 700,000 displaced persons and over 700,000 refugees are enormous. The return and resettlement of the refugees and displaced persons are vital to any comprehensive and durable peace.”
1995-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3592 (1995) · source
“The pivotal contribution of ECOWAS member States to bringing about the Abuja Agreement and their continued determination to ensure its successful implementation are admirable. In operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution before us Member States are urged to demonstrate their support for peace in Liberia in practical terms. The international community is called upon to provide the necessary financial and logistical support to ECOMOG to enable it to carry out its mandate. The time has come for the international community to assume its responsibilities in the restoration of peace in Liberia. The Secretary-General correctly points out in the report before the Council that the demobilization and reintegration of the combatants into the mainstream of civil society are essential if the peace process is to succeed.”
1995-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3592 (1995) · source
“While it is essential that the Council of State assume overall authority in the peace process, it is equally important that the members of the Council should not lose command of their fighters. They still have a major responsibility to ensure that the fighters report to the assembly points. We are concerned by indications, cited in paragraph 19 of the Secretary- General's report, that there is: "an apparent weakening in the command structure within some of the factions". (S/1995/88], para. 19) It would not be in the interests of the peace process to allow this situation to get out of control. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) has a Vital role to play in the implementation of the cease-fire and the disarmament and demobilization of the combatants.”
1995-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3592 (1995) · source
“The efforts that have been made by the Liberian National Transitional Government are encouraging. We urge it to continue its commitment to the implementation of the Abuja Agreement, as it represents the only hope so far for peace in that war-torn country. The emergent peace process in Liberia requires of the members of the Council of State a demonstration of a willingness and a readiness for compromise and pragmatism in addressing priority issues. The momentum for peace must not be lost. The Liberian political leaders have a primary responsibility to ensure that the fighters under their command comply with the Abuja Agreement. In this regard, the disengagement, disarmament and demobilization of the combatants are among the areas that demand their urgent attention.”
1995-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3592 (1995) · source
“The people of Liberia have experienced more than two months of relative peace. This is a short period of time, given the tremendous suffering the Liberians have had to endure over the past six years. And yet, 75 days of peace, after so many years of death and destruction, represent a period of hope and promise - the hope for peace and the promise of a better tomorrow. This is the period for which the people of Liberia have yearned all these years. We share with them the joy of waking up to a day without the staccato of machine-guns and the loss of innocent lives. Botswana welcomes the positive developments in Liberia and hopes that the parties and political leaders of that country will move expeditiously to consolidate the peace process and establish a firm foundation for stability and national reconciliation.”
1995-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3592 (1995) · source