YouSaid · the spoken record

Levitte

lines on the record: 1,215
first: 2000-03-21
most recent: 2002-11-12
sittings or episodes: 146
sources: un-security-council

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“As I said during the luncheon that the Ambassador of China organized for the Secretary-General a few days ago, if I had not been faithful to these United Nations values, I would be in material breach of my convictions. Thanks to all of you, and it is only "an revoir", because I will be able to come back again to New York.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Through resolution 1397 (2002), our Council plotted the way, that of two States living in peace, side by side, within secure and recognized boundaries. I believe our Council has to give its full support to the efforts of the Quartet. The road map that Sir Kieran referred to and which is to be adopted next month should receive the Council's support. We shall go back to this during our consultations. But on the case of the Middle East, it is clear that the Security Council must be able to play its full role. I want to conclude by saying that I shall take with me to Washington not just the most friendly memories of our years of cooperation, but also the values that are incarnated in the United Nations Charter.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“I will conclude my stay with you with the Middle East. Perhaps this is the most frustrating issue for members of the Council, the one on which we might express the most regret. Nevertheless, here again, I believe there are positive signs. The very fact that we are having a regular meeting at the initiative of Syria, following a proposal by Tunisia, is in itself a small encouraging sign. In the past we had to fight for weeks to simply have a briefing, but now it is something that seems quite natural. Be it with the Secretary-General or Sir Kieran Prendergast, or Terje Roed-Larson when he is in New York, we have an opportunity to take stock of the situation. More generally, I think that the Quartet embodies the common will of the international community to fully play its role.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“This strengthens the credibility and authority not just of the Council, but that of the United Nations. The Secretary-General's initiative on Cyprus, which we supported, is another example. I would like to say a word about Africa, which is what takes up most of our time together. For me it was an honour to lead the Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region. I think that the fragile progress made is a source of particular satisfaction for all Council members. We should never forget that it is in Africa that the most deadly conflicts continue. In the Great Lakes region alone, in four years there have been three million dead. Therefore I think that our duty is to continue tirelessly our efforts, because if the Security Council does not put all its energy in the African crisis, no one will do it in its place.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): This is an emotional moment for me, taking leave of my colleagues at this last public meeting in which I will have had the honour of having taken part. Our Council has become somewhat a family for the 15 members who make it up. I think we probably spend more time together than we do with our real families. Our days and sometimes our nights are devoted to this life in common. I think that this work together helps us understand each other better, what we think in our deepest thoughts. This explains why the Council in recent months and years has made great progress in terms of credibility and effectiveness in its work. The results achieved with regard to Iraq are a particularly striking example of this.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“France's goal is to work tirelessly to ensure stability in the region. It is against that backdrop, and through collective responsibility, that the efforts of the international community to disarm Iraq should be carried out. War can only be the last recourse. The rules of the game spelled out by the Security Council are clear and demanding and require the unfailing cooperation of Iraqi leaders. If Iraq wants to avoid confrontation it must understand that this is its last opportunity.”
2002-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4644 (2002) · source
“ElBaradei will make full use of the new powers they have been given and that they will rigorously and professionally discharge the essential responsibilities entrusted to them by the Security Council. With their mandate and greater authority, their teams must now proceed immediately to Iraq to resume inspections. In the course of the day, France, Russia and China will make public a joint statement stressing the scope of the text of the resolution just adopted. This resolution represents a success for the Security Council and the United Nations. That success must now become a success for peace. As President Jacques Chirac of France said yesterday, all of France's diplomatic efforts in recent weeks were directed towards giving peace a chance. In other words, those efforts sought to achieve the peaceful disarmament of Iraq.”
2002-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4644 (2002) · source
“Their teams will be able to have immediate and unrestricted access to all sites they wish to inspect. They will be able to hear, at their convenience, all Iraqi leaders involved in activities covered by the resolution. Multinational composition will guarantee impartiality. They will have all the technical and logistical arrangements necessary to carry out their tasks. Naturally, the inspectors will have to count on the complete cooperation of the Iraqi authorities to verify that Iraq does not have weapons of mass destruction and to ensure its disarmament. To begin with, Iraq within seven days must unambiguously state its decision to apply in full this resolution and to cooperate actively with the inspectors. It must within 30 days provide a declaration which will facilitate their work. France is fully confident that Mr. Blix and Mr.”
2002-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4644 (2002) · source
“That objective has been attained: in the event that the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) or the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports to the Security Council that Iraq has not complied with its obligations, the Council would meet immediately to evaluate the seriousness of the violations and draw the appropriate conclusions. France welcomes the fact that all ambiguity on this point and all elements of automaticity have disappeared from the resolution. As we wished, the resolution we have just adopted also gives the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC and the Director General of IAEA a clear mandate and stronger authority to carry out their mission.”
2002-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4644 (2002) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): France considers that the resolution that has just been adopted unanimously is a good resolution for the following reasons. The resolution strengthens the role and authority of the Security Council. That was the main and constant objective of France throughout the negotiations which have just concluded. That objective was reflected in our request that a two-stage approach be established and complied with, ensuring that the Security Council would maintain control of the process at each stage.”
2002-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4644 (2002) · source
“The Ba-N'Daw and Kassem reports are timely reminders that the undoubtedly positive developments in the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should not lead us to forget realities in the field. In addition to the progress made in the withdrawal of foreign forces, which we welcome, there are local conflicts, such as in Ituri, that are more or less manipulated and provoke genuine humanitarian catastrophes. Such conflicts have many causes, but they are all fuelled, as the Ba-N'Daw and Kassem reports show, by the ambition to control local natural resources. This issue is therefore more timely than ever and the success of the peace process depends on it. This is not the time to give up.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“Their names appear on the list of persons subject to travel bans under resolution 1343 (2001) on Liberia. The very least that can be said, however, is that the restrictions do not seem to have hampered their activities in the Congo to any significant degree. This being the case, we believe that the time has come once again to consider an approach that would enable us to compare these different types of information and the Council to adopt a coherent and effective line of action. We must put an end to the destabilizing activities of these international dealers throughout Africa and beyond. We must fully shoulder our responsibilities in this respect.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“It is disturbing to note a certain number of similarities. We note, for instance, that the same names of arms dealers and commodities traders recur again and again in all these reports. Three individuals identified by Mr. Kassem are also active elsewhere. Mr. Leonid Minim and Mr. Sanjivan Ruprah are also mentioned by the Liberia and Sierra Leone Panels. The name of Mr. Victor Bout also appears not only in the reports of the Liberia and Sierra Leone Panels, but also in the report of the Angola Panel and even in report of the follow-up group on Afghanistan, which mentions transactions between Mr. Bout, the Taliban and Al Qaeda. I emphasize that very important point. Mr. Minim, Mr. Ruprah and Mr. Bout are already the targets of Security Council sanctions.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“The Council will meet next week to decide on follow-up action, particularly in the light of the statements we have heard today. I believe, however, that two comments can be made right away. First, the Council must continue to hear periodic reports on this issue. The Council might create a monitoring body, as Mr. Kassem has recommended, or simply renew the Panel's mandate, but we must maintain our independent capacity of observation. I would add that the Experts' next report will provide us with a new assessment of the activities of those who were named in the previous report, in the light of indications they will have provided and of any developments noted by the Experts in the field. Secondly, a reading of the Ba-N'Daw and Kassem reports should encourage us to reread reports written by other experts concerning other crises.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“We await with interest the report which the Commission is to issue in a few days. We also welcome the response of the Prosecutor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who last week initiated proceedings involving all the members of the Government named in the Kassem report. We invite the other parties concerned to adopt a similar approach. It is through dialogue and by examining evidence with respect, of course, for the safety of the Panel's sources - that the truth will emerge. Each State implicated in the report is responsible for putting an end to the activities of its citizens or undertaken on its territory that are linked to the illegal exploitation of the resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Council has before it a long list of recommendations, all of which are relevant and some of which are quite novel.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“To begin with, there must be a dialogue among those who have been implicated by the Ba-N'Daw and Kassem reports and by the Panel's experts. Each of the parties has the right to respond and to have his or her views heard. It would be desirable for the Secretariat to publish, within a month, a technical addendum to Mr. Kassem's most recent report, taking up the elements that all the parties mentioned in the report wish to emphasize. For the most part, those parties have spoken this morning. In this connection, there are reasons to welcome the positive approach of the Ugandan authorities, who have created the independent Porter Commission - to which the Minister referred at length this morning - to investigate incidents in which Ugandan officials are implicated.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“But that distinction should not prevent the Congolese Government from punishing misconduct that might occur when such practices are verified. In that regard, I believe that I reflect the opinions of all my colleagues on the Security Council in emphasizing that strengthening the rule of law and extending it throughout the territory of a reunified Congo are decisive steps in the fight against the plundering of the country's resources. That is one of the reasons why the Council supports the ongoing negotiations among Congolese parties. We hope that they will lead as quickly as possible to an all-inclusive agreement on the transition. We are not here today to judge anyone, but we want results. We want an end to the plundering of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the conflict that has torn the region apart.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“I recall that, for at least four years, the Congolese Government had to deal with conflict situations on its own territory. Illegal actions may have been taken that were motivated, for example, by a desire for personal enrichment. But those constitute a violation of domestic law and should therefore be punished and redressed by the Congolese authorities in respect for the domestic law of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That distinction, I believe, is necessary and must be taken into account in any study of the linkage between the exploitation of the resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the continuance of the conflict. The entire world recognizes the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its Government. No one intends to equate the legal, recognized Government with other actors in the conflict.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“Obviously, any exploitation is illegal that benefits entities other than the legal Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that are not acting within the framework of Congolese legal provisions. The pillaging carried out by members of foreign forces stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or on their behalf by Congolese agents therefore falls into that category. Along with occupation of the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - which the Council has consistently denounced - it constitutes a violation of Congolese sovereignty and thus of international law. It must cease immediately. However, measures that the Congolese Government might take with regard to exploiting the country's resources are not inherently illegal.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“It implicates all the participants: the foreign, uninvited forces, in particular Rwanda and Uganda; certain invited forces, such as Zimbabwe; the Congolese rebels - the grave accusations against the Mouvement de liberation congolais (MLC) and the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) in the earlier reports remain valid, if I am to believe what Ambassador Kassem explained to us - and finally, members of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The international community's message to those parties is extremely clear. The natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot and must not be used except to benefit the Congolese; no one has a right to illegally exploit them. In that regard, a distinction must be made among the various actors concerned. What is meant by "illegal exploitation"?”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“Those three studies form one whole. They enable us to approach the peace process from the perspective of economic interests. That aspect is not taken into account in the peace agreements signed by the parties, but it is obviously essential to bear it in mind if we are to put an end to the conflict. The plundering of the Congo has become one of the conflict's principal engines. And it is all the more important to take that into account because, as Ambassador Kassem explained, the plundering is being adapted to developments in the peace process. If we are not careful, it could ruin all the efforts of the various parties finally to restore peace to the Great Lakes region. The picture that the Group of Experts has painted is worrisome.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“France initiated the creation of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on its link with the continuing conflict in that country. The objective was to put an end to such illegal exploitation, not only because the plundering is morally unacceptable, but also because today it constitutes one of the factors driving conflict in the Great Lakes region. Two years after its creation, the Panel of Experts has kept its promises. It has carried out considerable work, having presented three substantive reports: that of Mrs. Ba-N'Daw, presented in April 2001 (S/2001/357); the addendum to that report, prepared by Ambassador Kassem last November (S/2001/1072); and the report that Mr. Kassem submitted last month (S/2002/1146).”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): As this is our first formal meeting in November, I should like to express to you, Sir, France's wishes for every success as you preside over the Council during this extremely important month for the future of the United Nations. I should like to add to those customary compliments a very particular tribute to the Permanent Representative of Cameroon, who presided over our work last month with effectiveness and distinction. In addition, it is a pleasure to see the Foreign Minister of Uganda, Mr. Wapakhabulo, here at this table once again. The French delegation has listened attentively to the previous speakers.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642 (2002) · source
“France hopes that today's debate will be an opportunity for the Council to continue to think about how best to develop its strategies and recommendations when it considers how best to avoid the impact of armed conflict on women and how to strengthen women's role in the rebuilding and strengthening of peace. It is also the hope of France that the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) will in fact be implemented in every mission established by the Council.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“In that regard, I have a concrete proposal to make: why not therefore establish a gender adviser within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations? Doing so would make it possible systematically to include the gender dimension in every one of the 15 peacekeeping missions currently deployed. It would also make it possible to provide better training for the personnel being sent into the field, as well as to define operating standards and procedures in this area. In that connection, I would also like to mention an example of something that we in France welcomed. The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees has prepared a code of conduct to combat any possible sexual abuse in refugee camps. That code should serve as a basis for similar commitments required of all personnel serving in peacekeeping operations.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Secondly, I believe that information about women and girls in armed conflict should be made available to the Council Whenever we take up conflict situations such as the one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or any other conflict of concern, and not just when we hold thematic debates such as today's. I should now like to turn to the role of the United Nations itself. The United Nations must serve as an example. Having women participate in processes to re- establish peace must also mean systematically having women participate in every aspect of the Council's peacekeeping operations. In that regard, I would like to pay tribute to the commitment of Under-Secretary- General Jean-Marie Guehenno, who at every possible occasion has been promoting the establishment of gender-adviser posts in many United Nations missions.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Rebuilding societies emerging from armed conflicts and establishing new democratic forms of Government must be based on the active participation of women in political as well as, more broadly, public life. In that regard, I would like to suggest a few specific actions. First of all, specific measures must be implemented to include girl soldiers in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes. The report of the Secretary-General correctly notes that girl soldiers do not currently benefit from DDR programmes. This is something of concern to me personally, as last year I organized a meeting that included girl soldiers. I was truly struck by what amounts to the virtual martyrdom of girl soldiers. I believe this is something we must follow very closely.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Christine Lee, who is here with us and whom I would like to thank. In that vein, allow me to cite two concrete examples. In Afghanistan the United Nations encouraged parties to the Bonn Agreement to include women in their delegations. That was real progress. We must move ahead in the same direction without letup. My second example is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the inter-Congolese dialogue held in Sun City, South Africa, a few months ago, every delegation included a significant number of representatives from women's organizations. Again, that trend must be continued and strengthened. Peace cannot be built without the full and determinant involvement of women.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Participation was a key word in the Beijing Platform for Action. In a word, participation means that women should be able to act everywhere and under all circumstances. Women are the ones in the best position to define their priorities on the basis of their respective situations. Much progress has to be made in ensuring cooperation between the United Nations and actors on the ground. The Council should promote that cooperation by encouraging regular contacts between United Nations organs, on the one hand, and women's organizations and networks in the field, on the other. That request is constantly made of us in fairly strong terms, as we were reminded by the non-governmental organizations in attendance at the Council meeting held last week under the Arria formula on the initiative of Ms.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Lastly, strategies aimed at conflict- prevention and strengthening peace must integrate the gender perspective in order to take into account the needs of women and to enable them to participate fully in decision-making at every level. Mr. Kofi Annan has invited us to take stock of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) two years after its adoption. Let us say right away that, as he forcefully pointed out in his report, much remains to be done. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the 21 concrete and constructive actions he has suggested. In that regard, I would like to emphasize two points. First, when we look at conflicts we often observe that women's roles are still viewed, too often, as essentially passive ones. We must instead emphasize participation by women at every turn.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Of course, like the issue of the protection of children in armed conflict, the subject of women in armed conflict must be taken up in a spirit of cooperation among all the various bodies of the United Nations, as well as in a spirit of imagination, synthesis and consensus. Resolution 1325 (2000) sets forth three basic principles. The first is that women are not simply victims of armed conflict; they are, and must be, full- fledged actors in the process of resolving conflicts and rebuilding after them. Secondly, women are involved in the decisions and recommendations of the various competent bodies of the United Nations. There must, therefore, be more women in decision-making positions.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“In a few days - on 31 October, to be exact - the Council will adopt, at the initiative of the Council President, a statement recalling that the Council remains, more than ever, seized of the follow-up and implementation of the provisions contained in resolution 1325 (2000), adopted two years ago, concerning women, peace and security. In that presidential statement, the Council will focus on the specific areas that require its attention and action. We consider today's debate appropriate for considering and defining together the guidelines for our action in the coming months. The attention that the Security Council gives to the protection of civilians in armed conflict stems wholly from its mandate in the area of peace and security.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): I thank the Secretary-General for his presence at the opening of this meeting, but also, and above all, for his commitment to this great undertaking. Just one set of figures enables us to measure the scope of today's debate. During the First World War, 80 per cent of those who died in combat were men - more specifically, soldiers and officers. In the conflicts ravaging the world today, 80 per cent of victims are civilians - more specifically, women and children. That is just to give us some idea of the importance of taking measures to remedy what is truly a scourge of our time. France fully associates itself with the statement to be made shortly by the Danish presidency of the European Union.”
2002-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635 (2002) · source
“In these circumstances, it seems to us that we can draw three conclusions with regard to operations. The first is that we should encourage, call on and urge future leaders to take that message into account and to commit themselves resolutely to the path of reform. That is what the electors want: reform. Secondly, we should support the reform priorities identified by Lord Ashdown and summed up by the phrase "first justice, then jobs" (supra). Perhaps, we should place particular stress on combating organized crime, which is clearly a priority task for everyone. Thirdly and lastly, as Lord Ashdown has stated, that programme will be successfully carried out only if the international community and all the actors engaged in that country are fully mobilized on a sustained basis.”
2002-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4631 (2002) · source
“I think this will enable the European Union to take over on 1 January 2003 in the best possible circumstances. With respect to recent events, and on the substance of the issues, we, of course, support what the presidency of the European Union will be saying on these issues. But I would say that we essentially concur in Lord Ashdown's assessment of the results of 5 October elections. There are some things that might be regretted in those elections. But it is true that they do not mark a return to a conservative attitude or a style of politics which would run counter to the country's interests. They reflect, as Lord Ashdown has said, a degree of disappointment on the part of electors, particularly with respect to their chief priorities, which remain jobs, improving living conditions and combating corruption.”
2002-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4631 (2002) · source
“Mr. Duclos (France) (spoke in French): As you requested, Mr. President, I shall confine myself to some brief comments. Allow me first to congratulate Lord Ashdown on the work that he has already done in the space of a few months. I wish also to pay special tribute to Jacques Paul Klein, who has had a successful and outstanding tenure in Bosnia. We hail his passion and his effectiveness. He has dedicated them to a very fine cause with remarkable results. Allow me also to hail the activities of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) in training and restructuring the police force, and to pay tribute to the excellent cooperation there has been between the European Union and the United Nations in the transition period.”
2002-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4631 (2002) · source
“By placing this action within the framework of collective security, the French approach aims to ensure its legitimacy and effectiveness, while respecting the principles defined by the United Nations Charter.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Finally, given the gravity of the situation, in which nothing less than peace or war is at stake, it is essential for the Security Council to remain in charge of the process every step of the way. This is fundamental for the legitimacy of our action and essential for maintaining unanimous support for our common objectives. This debate constitutes an important, perhaps even cardinal, moment for our Council and, beyond that, for our Organization. What is at stake in the ongoing negotiations is fundamental: even beyond Iraq, we are talking about the future of the international order, relations between North and South, and notably, our relationship with the Arab world. An action of uncertain legitimacy, one that does not enjoy the support of the international community, would not be understood and could gravely affect these relations.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Only a two-stage approach will allow us to preserve our Council's unity; any kind of "automaticity" in the use of force will profoundly divide us. The two-stage approach is, rather, the choice of cohesion. United in sending Iraq a message of firmness in an initial resolution, the Security Council will, we have no doubt, remain united to assume all of its responsibilities during the second stage, should Iraq violate its commitments. The Security Council must also demonstrate fairness by showing Iraq that war is not inevitable if it fully and scrupulously fulfils its obligations. This new behaviour would open the way to the suspension and then the lifting of sanctions, in accordance with Security Council resolutions.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“During the second stage, if UNMOVIC or the IAEA observe that Iraq is refusing to cooperate fully with inspectors, the Security Council would meet immediately to decide on the appropriate measures to take, without ruling out anything a priori. France believes that this approach, which is also the one proposed by the Secretary-General in his message to the Council, is the only one that can offer us the unity, cohesion, fairness and legitimacy so crucial to the effectiveness of our action. The unity of the Security Council is absolutely vital. In the past, Iraq has taken advantage of divisions within the international community to renege on its obligations and defy the Council's authority. Only a united front will convince it not to repeat this error.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“It is up to them to determine what would help them achieve their mission. Our duty is to assist them, not to complicate their task. France attaches importance to the principle of collective security, which lies at the heart of the functioning of our Organization and the international order. The Iraqi question cannot be an exception. That is why we are proposing a two-stage approach. During the first stage, the Security Council should adopt a resolution clearly specifying the "rules of the game." It would define the inspection regime with a view to ensuring that the inspectors can accomplish their mission fully and without any hindrance. This resolution should also send a clear warning to Iraq that the Council will not tolerate new violations.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“France, however, is fully disposed to support measures strengthening the inspection regime, insofar as that proves necessary to facilitate the inspectors' work. The question of immediate access to the presidential sites, for example, must be examined by the Security Council. On the other hand, we reject measures that would in fact multiply the risk of incidents without improving the effectiveness of the work carried out by UNMOVIC and the IAEA. We also set store by the multinational, independent nature of the inspectors; any measure countering this fundamental element would be tantamount to repeating past mistakes and would not have our support. Finally, it is the opinion of Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei - that is, those who will have to lead the inspections on the ground - that should guide the Security Council in its choices.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“ElBaradei to achieve the mandate entrusted to them by the Security Council with the utmost rigor and professionalism. In any case, there is no reason to question the effectiveness of their teams a priori, as the inspection regime established under resolution 1284 (1999) has not yet been tested on the ground. Furthermore, the outcome of United Nations inspections has been very positive. It is a fact that United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspectors destroyed more weapons of mass destruction between 1991 and 1998 than did the military operations during the Gulf War. In 1998, the IAEA believed it had succeeded in dismantling the Iraqi nuclear programme. It was not the inspections that failed, but the international community's ability to enforce its decisions in a sufficiently firm and united manner.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“During discussions conducted in Vienna by the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Baghdad confirmed this decision. Practical arrangements were made for carrying out inspections. UNMOVIC and the IAEA must now return to Iraq as soon as possible. The United Nations must verify the sincerity of its commitments. In the light of past experience, the international community cannot be satisfied with words alone. Iraq must translate its promises into concrete, verifiable and lasting acts. Here and there, doubts and reservations have been expressed about the inspectors' ability to fulfil their mission. France has the greatest confidence in the ability of Mr. Blix and Mr.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, in Iraq or elsewhere, constitutes a serious threat to international security. In the face of this challenge, it is the Security Council's duty to place firmness and lucidity in the service of a common objective. For France, that objective is the disarmament of Iraq. This implies the return of the inspectors and the resumption of monitoring on the ground. On 16 September, Iraq, under unanimous pressure from the international community and thanks to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, agreed to the unconditional return of the inspectors.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): Since December 1998, United Nations disarmament inspectors have no longer been present in Iraq. For nearly four years now, the international community has not been able to verify whether Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction and whether it is pursuing programmes to that end. By refusing to allow the return of United Nations inspectors, Iraq has defied the international community and the authority of the Security Council. Even though France does not possess irrefutable proof, there are several indications that Iraq has used this situation to pursue or resume its prohibited programmes, notably in the chemical and biological areas. The behaviour of the Baghdad authorities has given rise to strong suspicions in this regard. This situation cannot be tolerated.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“That cooperation must not only aim at avoiding needless duplication of activities or means but must also contribute to better cohesion in the efforts to fight terrorism in a given region. In order to successfully carry out all those tasks, the Counter-Terrorism Committee must be able to count on full cooperation from all. France, for its part, will continue to cooperate with the Committee at the national level and within the European Union. And it will do so with determination.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618 (2002) · source
“Here, it must be very clear that it is not the duty of the Committee itself to provide that assistance. It must simply carry out a better assessment of the requests for assistance brought to its attention and must help to put those requesting assistance in contact with those who have made offers in the relevant areas. In that respect, the directory of technical assistance is an important tool; more States and international and regional organizations that can provide technical assistance in the areas covered by resolution 1373 (2001) should participate in the directory. Finally, we must continue to maintain close relations with international and regional organizations that have capabilities in the area of fighting terrorism.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618 (2002) · source
“As indicated by its work programme for the remainder of the year, the Committee must simultaneously continue the evaluation of the reports and follow-up reports that it receives by carrying out a nuanced review of the reports according to the priorities that it has established. In the opinion of my delegation, that review must also take into greater account the compatibility of legislation that has been adopted with the administrative and other structures that have been put in place, in order to make possible the most effective implementation possible. We must enhance the Committee's action in facilitating the provision of the technical assistance that is requested or that is considered by the Committee to be necessary or even a priority.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618 (2002) · source
“Those that have not yet done so are urgently requested to do so quickly. Secondly, the adoption in every country of legislation and administrative measures designed to combat international terrorism in all of its aspects, in particular the major aspect of the fight to suppress its financing, is an ongoing process that needs to be supplemented and adapted as needed. Finally, we must ensure that the provisions adopted will be effectively implemented in practice. That requires, among other things, appropriate administrative measures and structures. The work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee is thus far from finished.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618 (2002) · source