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

“It is most unfortunate, to say the least, that all these innocent people had to flee their homes in fear of their lives for no other reason but that they happened to belong to an ethnic group wrongly considered to be inimical to the interests of the ethnic separatists and purists of Abkhazia. We are witnessing here a consciously crafted policy of "ethnic cleansing", so rightly characterized as such by the Budapest summit of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). It is sad indeed that ethnic intolerance has uprooted a whole people from the comfort of their homes and subjected them to live in cramped and squalid conditions in refugee camps.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“It gives me great pleasure indeed to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. We are confident that the Council will successfully discharge its duties during your stewardship of its business this month. I also wish to pay a special tribute to Ambassador Kovanda of the Czech Republic for the excellent manner in which he conducted the work of the Council during the busy month of April. He is the best slave-driver we have in the Council. We thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/1995/342) on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia. Unfortunately, what emerges from the report is not encouraging. It is disappointing to learn that more than 300,000 men, women and children are still languishing in the refugee camps waiting anxiously and in anguish to return to their homes.”
1995-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3535 (1995) · source
“We congratulate the troop contributors and the men and women of ONUSAL on a job well done, and we congratulate the Secretary-General and his staff. We also salute the men and women of peace in El Salvador who steadfastly cooperated with the United Nations to ensure the success of the mission and the return of conditions of relative peace and stability in their country.”
1995-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3528 (1995) · source
“The onus for achieving durable peace and sustainable development and for avoiding a reversion to war and destruction rests with the Salvadorans themselves. The United Nations is a peace arbiter, an honest broker which is ready and willing to help the people of El Salvador in post-conflict peace-building. The Salvadorans should take full advantage of the presence of the United Nations office and resolve amicably whatever differences they still have. They owe that responsibility to themselves and to future generations of Salvadorans. In this valedictory meeting of the Security Council on ONUSAL, the United Nations can pat itself on the back as it adds El Salvador to the list of its recent success stories in peace-keeping operations, such as Cambodia and Mozambique.”
1995-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3528 (1995) · source
“It is our hope, however, that the Government of El Salvador and the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional (FMLN) will fully cooperate with the United Nations residual team which is intended to help them implement the Peace Accords to finality and ensure that the political gains made so far are not reversed. The United Nations has nursed the people of El Salvador to the current stage in the peace process. It is now up to the people of El Salvador and their leaders to carry the peace process beyond the point where it will no longer be assailable. The international community can provide as much assistance as the country has the absorption capacity for - as the resolution we are about to adopt requests - but such assistance will be beneficial to the people of El Salvador only in conditions of peace and tranquillity.”
1995-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3528 (1995) · source
“We are encouraged by their continued commitment to the development of a new political culture in their country based on the principles of democracy, political reconciliation and broad-based national consensus. We would have wished that the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL) had been the totally resounding success we expect all United Nations peace-keeping operations to be, but we are pragmatic enough to know that all political undertakings are often victims of human frailties. Differences and mutual suspicion can be expected after many years of conflict.”
1995-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3528 (1995) · source
“Botswana's support for the pacific settlement of conflicts is well known. It is born out of our national traditions and experience in our part of the world. We come from a part of Africa which has hitherto been engulfed in conflict and war. The dust of conflict is just settling in Mozambique and South Africa, and Angola is still tottering towards peace. We therefore know the difference between the benefits of peace and the wretchedness of war brought about by political inequities. The experience of the people of El Salvador is in many ways similar to ours in southern Africa. After many years of an internecine, fratricidal war of attrition, the Salvadorans have finally realized the futility of war.”
1995-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3528 (1995) · source
“The extraordinary ferocity of the war, the physical devastation, the deliberate massacre of civilians and the wanton indifference to human suffering have continued unabated for three years now. All attempts at mediation have thus far foundered. Surely the parties to that conflict should by now have come to terms with the futility of a war that is proving unwinnable; they should by now have come to the realization that they can never resolve their differences through the barrel of the gun. And yet, tragically, the senseless carnage continues, with no end in sight.”
1995-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3521 (1995) · source
“It is unacceptable that the Blue Helmets of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), who left the comfort of their homes to go and help the people of Bosnia live in peace with one another, should themselves be victims of unprovoked attacks. It is imperative that the Council should institute specific measures to avoid a recurrence of similar incidents in the future. We therefore agree with the import of operative paragraph 2 of the draft resolution, which requests the Secretary-General to submit proposals on measures to be undertaken to prevent attacks on UNPROFOR and its personnel. The general deterioration in the situation in Bosnia makes us wonder how long the international community will have to wait for the dawn of common sense in that war-ravaged country.”
1995-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3521 (1995) · source
“Let me at the outset express the sincere condolences of my delegation to the Government of France and, through Ambassador Merimee, to the families of the two French soldiers killed in the alley-ways of Sarajevo this past week. The Security Council issued a Presidential statement last Friday condemning the killing of Sergeant Rals Gunther, and the response of the warmongers in Bosnia was to murder Corporal Eric Hardouin. The perpetrators of these cold- blooded murders should not be left under any illusion that they can intimidate the United Nations out of Bosnia. It is demonstrably clear to us that there is a deliberate plan by elements of one or both of the parties in the Bosnia conflict to target the United Nations forces for attack, and this trend should be nipped in the bud before it gets out of control.”
1995-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3521 (1995) · source
“There can be no doubt that this "temporary measure" cannot satisfy the needs of the people of Iraq: the needs of the people of Iraq can be satisfied only when Iraq has satisfied the requirements of the relevant Security Council resolutions. In other words, the ball rests squarely in Iraq's court. We have noted with satisfaction the full cooperation that the Government of Iraq has extended to the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) in most of the areas in which the Commission has been working. We hope that the remaining issues will be resolved in the not-too- distant future so that Iraq can awake from the nightmare of sanctions.”
1995-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3519 (1995) · source
“It is our sincere hope that the fifth preambular paragraph, subparagraph 8 (a) and paragraphs 10 and 18 have addressed some of the concerns expressed by the Government of Iraq. My delegation would not, of course, be surprised if Iraq does not like the resolution or if it does not agree with everything contained in it, but we hope they will accept the spirit reflected in it and implement it for the benefit of the Iraqi people. Of course, we would be terribly disappointed if the resolution is consigned to the graveyard like resolutions 706 (1991) and 712 (1991), because that would not make Council look good. The third preambular paragraph clearly states that what the Security Council is doing is providing "a temporary measure for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people" while their country is still subject to mandatory sanctions.”
1995-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3519 (1995) · source
“The humanitarian situation in Iraq is a matter of serious concern to my delegation. The sanctions imposed against Iraq by the United Nations have inevitably had adverse effects on the nutritional and health situation of the people of that country. The primary purpose of the resolution we are about to adopt is to help alleviate the deterioration in this situation and alleviate the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. It is for this reason that my delegation will join others in voting in favour. Considerable efforts have been made during the past few days to blunt what some consider to be the rough edges of the draft resolution by taking into account the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq to accommodate Iraq's national sensitivities.”
1995-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3519 (1995) · source
“The resolution the Security Council has just adopted is of fundamental importance to the peace process in Liberia and to the Liberian people, who have lost control of their country to the rule of the gun. The extension of UNOMIL's mandate to 30 June 1995 is possibly Liberia's last chance. It is our sincere hope that the factions and political leaders there will understand the message very clearly. My delegation wholeheartedly welcomes the efforts of Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States in the search for peace in Liberia. We hope that the summit meeting planned for 10 May 1995 will be successful in bringing peace to that ravaged country. We shudder to imagine what will happen to Liberia if the various factions once again fail to cooperate.”
1995-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3517 (1995) · source
“My delegation very strongly holds the view that in the final analysis the ultimate assurance against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is the complete elimination of those weapons. We are hopeful that Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will remain a constant reminder to the nuclear-weapon States of their obligations under the Treaty.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“In fact, non-nuclear-weapon States should also be asking for protection against the use of nuclear weapons even in the case of a conflict between nuclear-weapon States, because the fallout would affect them all in the same way. It is therefore only fair that the non-nuclear-weapon States should expect to be met half way by their partners in the Non-Proliferation Treaty that enjoy the privileged monopoly of possessing nuclear weapons. They have given up the sovereign right to acquire these weapons for the sake of world peace and stability. Their concerns should therefore be accorded serious thought and understanding. Their right - and I emphasize "right" - to seek and receive protection must be recognized.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“The non-nuclear-weapon States have contributed immensely to the maintenance of international peace and security by deciding to forgo the development, acquisition or possession of nuclear weapons. The world is today a relatively safer place to live in thanks to their vision and generosity. Their decision to forgo the right to have nuclear weapons in their defence capabilities should be matched by a more positive recognition by the nuclear-weapon States that they have a right to protection against the use of such weapons. This is the barest minimum required as a true confidence- building measure amongst non-nuclear-weapon States that forgoing possession of nuclear weapons was not a miscalculation which will leave them perpetually vulnerable to the threat of these weapons.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“While fully cognizant of the importance of this draft resolution, my delegation remains convinced that the assurances it offers non-nuclear-weapon States should have been a clear and unequivocal statement of intent on the part of nuclear-weapon States on the non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States. In fact, it would have been even more reassuring if the present draft resolution had come in the form of a legally binding international instrument. The separate statements we referred to earlier on negative security assurances made by the nuclear-weapon States would thus form part of such a legal instrument, which could then be annexed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“The rest, I am afraid, are nothing more than statements of good intentions - solemn as they are. The road to protection against nuclear weapons is not paved with good intentions. It is the understanding of my delegation that the draft resolution before us is not being presented on a quid pro quo basis relative to the issues before the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It is our hope that this draft resolution is intended to help and/or influence, positively, the deliberations in the Conference.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“We consider the draft resolution before us to be a noteworthy contribution towards the adoption of further measures to be undertaken by the nuclear-weapon States to safeguard the security of non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. We also consider the separate statements made individually by each nuclear-weapon State regarding negative security assurances to be a significant gesture of goodwill towards meeting the concerns of the non-nuclear-weapon States. Like others, we wish these statements were all categoric in committing these States to the non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States. We most appreciate the fact that at least one of the statements came close - but only close - to meeting all our concerns.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“I congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. A well-deserved tribute goes also to Ambassador Li of China for the efficient manner in which he led the Council during the month of March. We agree with everything said by the Chairman of the Non-aligned Movement in his statement. He spoke on our behalf. But we have deliberately decided to repeat what he said - not everything, of course - in order to drive the message home. The delegation of Botswana appreciates the efforts made by the permanent members of the Security Council regarding nuclear security assurances.”
1995-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3514 (1995) · source
“We hope that the Government of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the various ethnic groups therein will soon find an amicable solution to their differences and work together to bring peace and stability to their country. We should also like to urge The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to pursue, through the joint border commission, and with the assistance of UNPREDEP, the establishment of a clear international border between the two countries within the period of the extended mandate.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“The primary task of UNPROFOR as a preventive peace-keeping mission in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been a great success. This is one of the first United Nations experiments in preventive action, and it has shown positive results. This is a good lesson for the United Nations. It is for this reason that Botswana supports the extension of the United Nations presence until 30 November 1995 and the change of UNPROFOR's name to United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP). The success represented by UNPROFOR in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia does not, unfortunately, apply to the search for a solution to the political situation in that country.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“We would have wished the cease-fire period to be used productively in soul-searching reflections on the futility of war and the efficacy of diplomacy and patient negotiations as instruments for seeking solutions to differences between peoples. We are confident that these reflections would have improved the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Bosnia. The current offensive by Government forces, as well as the shelling of civilian targets inside the safe areas by the Bosnian Serbs must cease, if they have not ceased. We call upon all sides to desist from violations of the cease-fire which could lead to a prolongation of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I wish to stress the importance my Government attaches to a further extension of both the cessation of hostilities agreement and the cease-fire agreement.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“Their efforts and sacrifices have been crucial in both the protection of lives and the safeguarding of the rights of minorities, as well as in the distribution of humanitarian assistance. Botswana supports the proposed continued presence of UNPROFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a period of eight months with the same mandate. The sudden deterioration in the military situation in the troubled Republic is a source of serious concern to my delegation. It is most regrettable that the lull created by the cease-fire agreement of December 1994 has somehow been used to plan for new offensives. We find this most unfortunate indeed.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“The present draft resolution may not have given President Tudjman everything he desired to have, but that can be expected in any negotiation process. The people of Croatia should be thankful for the presence of UNPROFOR in their country during the past three years, for we wonder whether Croatia would have been able to save itself, in the prevailing circumstances in the Balkans, left to its own devices. We hope the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia (UNCRO) will enjoy the unqualified support and respect of all its intended beneficiaries. The conclusion of the status of forces agreement at an early date is a must, and would be most welcome. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we wish to thank the men and women of UNPROFOR and the troop contributors for a job well done in a very difficult situation.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“We bow our heads in appreciation of the supreme price they have paid in the service of the international community. The situation in the former Yugoslavia would definitely be much worse without the Blue Helmets and the sacrifices they have made. The draft resolutions before us today are another demonstration of the commitment and determination of the United Nations to keep the peace in the area in very trying circumstances indeed. In Croatia, we welcome the statesmanship of President Tudjman in rescinding his decision demanding the withdrawal of the United Nations forces. The continued presence of the United Nations forces in Croatia in one form or another will contribute in no small measure to the stabilization of the country and to the provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance to those most in need.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“First, Mr. President, I must congratulate Ambassador Li Zhaoxing, through you, on the efficient manner in which he guided the deliberations of our Council during the month of March. He certainly deserves a day off to enjoy some sun in the beautiful Caribbean. The delegation of Botswana welcomes the report of the Secretary-General, contained in document S/1995/222 of 22 March 1995, regarding the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The report has proved most useful, not only as a source of information on the latest developments in the Balkans, but also as a guide in the preparation of draft resolutions before us. We mourn the deaths of the 152 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the former Yugoslavia.”
1995-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3512 (1995) · source
“I thank the Permanent Observer of Palestine for the kind words he addressed to me and to the Council. There are no further speakers. The Security Council will remain seized of this matter. The meeting rose at 6.55 pm.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of lebanon for the kind words he addressed to me. The Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations has asked to speak. I call on him.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Syria for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Lebanon. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Sudan for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Turkey for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Sudan. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Brunei Darussalam for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Turkey. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank Mr. Ansay for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Brunei Darussalam. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Morocco for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is Mr. Ahmet Engin Assay, Permanent Observer for the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the United Nations, to whom the Council has extended an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Pakistan for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Morocco. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Pakistan. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of Malaysia for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“The international community must assist the parties to proceed rapidly along the road towards a negotiated peace, on which they have embarked together - the only road that can ensure a lasting peace in the region. The President: I thank the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Malaysia. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“The Committee calls on all concerned to do everything possible to surmount the current obstacles and to advance towards full implementation of the agreements that have been reached thus far. The convening of today's meeting of the Security Council indicates that the continuing deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories has become a matter of major concern to the members of the Council and to the international community as a whole. The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People therefore hopes that this debate will culminate in a clear demonstration of the Council's determination to find ways and means to reinvigorate the peace process.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“Noting the similar concerns expressed by the Council of the Arab League in its resolution of 5 January 1995 and by the Permanent Observer of Palestine in his letters to the Secretary-General of 9 and 31 January 1995, the Committee wishes to join them in appealing to the Security Council, to the sponsors of the peace process and to all others concerned to exert their influence on the Israeli Government to end its settlement policy, as an indispensable step towards the attainment of the just and lasting peace we are all working for. The Committee believes that only rapid and consistent progress in the peace process, leading to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, will prevent the current situation from deteriorating even further.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“The Committee considers that the increasing expansion and consolidation of settlements create facts on the ground inconsistent with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) - which the current peace process seeks to implement - and seriously compromise the agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“On behalf of the Committee, I should like to recall that the Security Council, in its resolution 465 of 1 March 1980 and other resolutions, determined that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, have no legal validity, are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and, furthermore, constitute a serious obstruction to the attainment of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“It is well known that the Israeli settlements are contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which is applicable to all the territory occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. The Council has repeatedly reaffirmed this fact in several resolutions. Moreover, settlements are a very serious obstacle to peace, and the continuing settlement activity violates the letter and the spirit of the agreements reached between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, as well as threatening the integrity of the peace process at this critical stage. These developments have also triggered widespread demonstrations by Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, highlighting the importance of the settlement issue for the future exercise of Palestinian rights and the peace process itself.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“The plan in question, under which 500 homes would be built in Maaleh Adumin, 800 in Givat Zeev and at least 500 in the religious settlement of Bitar, was met with immediate criticism from the Palestinians, who hope to gain self-rule in the occupied West Bank through the negotiations now under way. It should be noted that the Israeli decision comes at a time when the implementation of the second stage of the 13 September 1993 Declaration of Principles has been delayed for seven months, including the redeployment of the Israeli forces away from populated areas in the West Bank and the election of the Palestinian Council. Clearly, this decision further undermines the current peace process and exacerbates the already fragile, tense and dangerous atmosphere in the occupied territory.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“Not only that, even more Palestinian land is being confiscated, existing settlements are constantly expanding and ever more buildings are being put up while yet more settlements are being established, particularly in and around the occupied city of East Jerusalem. Since September 1994, several announcements by high-level Israeli officials have indicated a toughening of Israel's position on this key issue, and Israeli policies and other goings-on have caused serious friction. Even as recently as 19 February 1995 the Israeli Government, in a vote that showed how divided it is, approved the expansion of three Jewish settlements in the West Bank, near Jerusalem. This decision cannot but have an adverse impact on the peace talks with the Palestinians.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I am speaking of Israel's continued construction and progressive expansion of settlements on Palestinian land. For many years the Committee I represent has tried, as have other United Nations bodies, to make the international community aware of the illegality of those actions. Israel, the occupying Power, continues to implement the unlawful policy of establishing settlements in occupied Palestinian territory and authorizing more and more Israeli settlers to move into them, in the most direct and serious contravention of article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, and also in Violation of many Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 446 (1979), 452 (1979) and 465 (1980).”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I should also like to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate your predecessor, Ambassador Emilio Cardenas, Permanent Representative of Argentina, for his exemplary guidance of the Council's work during the month of January. I am also grateful to the members of the Council for allowing me, as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, to participate in the important debate on the question of the establishment of Israeli settlements in the territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and the dangerous consequences they could have for the Palestinian people and the Middle East peace process. The issue before us is as complex from the political, diplomatic standpoint as it is painful and emotional from the human.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source
“I thank the representative of the United Arab Emirates for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is His Excellency Mr. Keba Birane Cisse, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. Cisse (Chairman, Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People) (interpretation from French): I congratulate you warmly, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. I am certain that your great experience and diplomatic skill will contribute to the success of the Council's deliberations.”
1995-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3505Resumption1 (1995) · source