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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“We have every confidence in the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and will support him in taking the appropriate decisions. The destabilizing activities that are being orchestrated by armed Albanian extremist groups around Kosovo cannot be tolerated. We very strongly condemn acts of violence on the northern border of Macedonia and in the Tetovo region. The integrity of Macedonia must be respected. We cannot accept the extremists' desire to alter by force the borders between Yugoslavia and Macedonia, particularly those between Kosovo and Macedonia. The policy of moderation adopted by the Skopje authorities must be supported. The Macedonian Albanians must also be offered every political prospect possible within the current constitutional framework.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“With respect to Kosovo-wide elections, we continue to believe that they will be useful to the democratic process and to the substantial autonomy provided for in resolution 1244 (1999), provided the following conditions are met: first, the competences and mandates of the bodies to be elected must be precisely defined; secondly, satisfactory security conditions must be ensured; and thirdly, all minorities, including the Serbs, must participate in the voting. In this regard, we welcome recent statements made by Belgrade authorities - Mr. Djindjic and Mr. Svilanovic in particular - on the participation of Serbs in the voting. Those statements represent the right direction. The elections can be held once these conditions are met. Setting a date a priori would be risky.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“We expect in-depth discussions to be held with the Kosovars. The objective is to engage them and to get them thinking about the meaning of autonomy, including matters relating to the protection and rights of minorities. This process must also involve a clear commitment from them to respect and implement all the elements of that autonomy. The representatives of all communities must participate in this process, including the Kosovo Serbs. At the same time, Belgrade must be kept informed.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR), working together, have mobilized to take up the challenge laid down by the extremists. They are carrying out their mission with courage and perseverance. However, in order to stamp out violence, UNMIK and KFOR also need the involvement of all of Kosovar society. It is essential that all political leaders of the province support them actively and unambiguously. It is by ending ethnic confrontation, guaranteeing the right of all to security and safety and opening themselves to peaceful dialogue that Kosovars will succeed in join democratic Europe. We welcome the process begun by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to define the institutions of self-government in Kosovo, pursuant to resolution 1244 (1999).”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): I should like, in my national capacity, to add a few comments to the statement that the Permanent Representative of Sweden will make on behalf of the European Union. I wish at the outset to welcome the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Haekkerup, who is on his first visit to New York in his new capacity. From the moment he arrived in Pristina, Mr. Haekkerup plunged into the important mission entrusted to him to continue the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999) in all its aspects. We would assure him of our encouragement and full support in the discharge of his mandate. As the Special Representative emphasized, combating violence, particularly that motivated by ethnic hatred, remains a central concern of the international community in Kosovo.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Rather, we should define a positive approach and facilitate the search for a solution to this tragedy, working together with Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“That is why France, along with other countries, particularly the United Kingdom, initiated this idea last November. This mechanism will be helpful if it is accepted and agreed upon by the parties, and if it enjoys their full cooperation. The work of the observers would be an extension of the work begun by the Mitchell commission. The mechanism will be useful only if it is a part of a larger picture: the reduction of violence, compliance with commitments undertaken at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit and the resumption of negotiations. It is in this spirit that we are considering any action that might be taken by the Council. But the Council will be heard by the parties only if it is united. We should not judge the past.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Kofi Annan, who has close contacts with all the parties involved in the Middle East crisis, can play a useful role. We fully support his action. However, the Security Council also has a part to play. The current situation is a threat to peace in the region and therefore comes under its jurisdiction. It has already addressed the historical background and the origins of the crisis by adopting resolution 1322 (2000). It is now up to the Security Council, with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, to think about proposals that would facilitate contacts between the parties and would guarantee the desired results. Sending observers to the field could be a useful mechanism in this regard, to ease tensions and to monitor compliance with commitments undertaken by the parties.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Respect for the agreements signed since Oslo and a real freeze on settlements will greatly contribute to this. The Palestinian issue cannot be separated from a just and comprehensive settlement of the conflict between Israel and the Arab countries. We call for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Syria and between Israel and Lebanon on the basis of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). How can we help negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority? We have to think about how to restore a minimum of trust between the parties. The impetus provided by the United States remains essential. The European Union, Russia, Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations can also contribute to this, as they showed at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. In particular the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The solutions that have been explored will one day form the basis of the long-awaited final settlement. Such a settlement must be based on Israel's right to live in peace within recognized borders and on the right of the Palestinian people to have a state, a territory and a capital. It is based on resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), on the principle of land for peace, and on the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference. Weapons must be silenced, and dialogue must resume. We solemnly call upon the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to do all within their power to halt the spiral of violence. The current situation, in which each is waiting for the other to make the first move, can only lead to an impasse. Firm acts are necessary to restore real trust.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The European Union and its members - the largest provider of assistance to the Palestinian people - have taken special measures to assist the population and the Palestinian Authority. The entire international community must take part in this spirit of solidarity. These violent confrontations are all the more troublesome considering that the two parties had never been so close to peace, both at Camp David and at Tabah. Openness on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides had made it possible to obtain, for the very first time, a glimpse of an agreement, even on the most sensitive aspects - Jerusalem, refugees and the territories. Hopes for peace and for harmonious coexistence, focused on cooperation and the future, must live on. We continue to believe that the negotiations of the last few months have paved the way for us to follow.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“France and the European Union have also registered their deep concern at the measures taken by Israeli Government, including the blockading of territories and the refusal to hand over to the Palestinian Authority the taxes that have been assessed on its behalf - these are among the many collective reprisals that can only exacerbate tensions and the resentment of an entire people. Generally speaking, Israel must respect human rights and international humanitarian law, namely the Fourth Geneva Convention, which applies to all of the occupied Palestinian territories. The easing of travel restrictions imposed by the Israeli Government, if indeed it takes place, is a move in the right direction. The strategy followed in recent weeks could only fuel frustrations and worsen the already catastrophic economic situation.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“There is continuing insecurity in the Palestinian territories and in Israel, despair on the part of a people with no prospects, and a disastrous economic situation. Negotiations between the parties have been broken off since the Tabah meeting, and a climate of deep-seated suspicion and even hatred prevails. The gains of the Oslo process are in jeopardy. It is crucial that calm be restored. France and the European Union have on several occasions condemned violence in all its forms: the use of excessive force by the Israeli army against Palestinian civilians and the unacceptable summary executions, but also the acts of terrorism that have caused grief among the Israeli people.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): The Ambassador of Sweden will express the position of all of the countries of the European Union in his statement, which France wholeheartedly supports. However, France would like to stress several points. France wishes first of all to express its very deep consternation at the tragedy that has been unfolding over the past six months in the Palestinian territories and in Israel. More than 400 people have died, most of them Palestinians, including dozens of children. Here we would like to express our deepest regrets and extend our condolences to the families of all the victims. The situation is serious. The parties appear to have less and less control over the events.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“France has already made a direct contribution to UNHCR and provided assistance to Guinea. We intend to pursue this twofold effort in order to help Guinea ensure that its army is up to the challenges that lie ahead and its authorities to welcome in safety the refugees they are willing to accept on their soil. France also provides direct assistance to UNHCR so that it may carry out the tasks entrusted to it.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“As the Ambassador of Jamaica pointed out, all this will take time. If we follow that line of reasoning and focus our attention on the immediate emergencies, we agree that the voluntary returns cannot be very numerous. As a result, our duty undoubtedly lies in helping Guinea to resettle on its territory the very large number of refugees that it has accepted with such great generosity for so many years. I believe that our first duty is to provide more means to Guinea and to UNHCR in order to continue this policy of generous welcome while awaiting the desired resettlement of the majority of refugees in their countries of origin. I heard Mr. Lubbers' appeal to everyone's generosity and I will convey his message in the confidence that he will have a positive response from France.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“Of course, I am thinking above all of the more numerous refugees from Sierra Leone. Mr. Lubbers referred to the role of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). I fully agree with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in saying that, having set personnel numbers that are now too low, UNAMSIL will have to focus its energy on its mandate. Perhaps, once those numbers will have increased in a second phase, it may be able to consider other tasks. A force of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was considered, with mandates that evolved as thinking evolved. Mr. Lubbers mentioned the possibility of assigning the establishment of a corridor to ECOWAS, but all that is still uncertain and would warrant a dialogue between the regional organization and the Security Council on concrete modalities.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“It is thus fitting that we hold this dialogue on a regular basis and that we have a good understanding. I thank the High Commissioner for having clearly explained his vision of the situation and the directions that he would like his Office to take. Like Sir Jeremy, I have questions and even some doubts about the cooperation of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and of the other rebel movements in the region, the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia in particular. We therefore question the possibility of organizing a mass voluntary return that many refugees, such as the 100,000 Liberian refugees, would certainly like to undertake to their countries. I would ask Mr. Lubbers' opinion as to how many can return safely to their country of origin.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): I wish to thank Mr. Lubbers for having joined us in the Security Council and for having undertaken his first trip to West Africa, a fragile and suffering place that is of the highest concern to us. His Office has a key and essential role to play alongside the Security Council in helping the countries of the region emerge from their cr1s1s. The problem of refugees is a human problem, but it has also become a political one, a stake in the conflict. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) finds itself dealing with an essential political dimension that transcends the humanitarian aspect. It is therefore clear that we are partners in managing two different but complementary aspects of this crisis.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“France resolutely supports the policy that is so consistently and moderately being maintained by all the authorities of the country to foster a pluralistic and democratic Macedonia and peace in the region. President Chirac said so when he received President Trajkovski in Paris. Minister for Foreign Affairs Vedrine will say it again in a few days in Skopje. In this test France is firmly at the side of Macedonia.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“This is indeed what the Kosovo Force has undertaken to do with great determination by deploying all the way to the border and cooperating more closely with Macedonia. Macedonia is a key element in the regional balance. Its sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Its borders, confirmed by the agreement of 23 February, must be defended. Its internal stability must be preserved. Since its independence, and with wisdom, its leaders have implemented a policy designed to ensure harmonious coexistence among all of the communities that together make up Macedonia. Everything must be done to maintain harmony in this pluralistic society. What is at stake is the future of a country as well as the future of all of south-eastern Europe.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): I should like to welcome Minister Kerim to the Council Chamber. In addition to the statement which will be made in a few moments by the Ambassador of Sweden on behalf of the European Union, I should like to make a few comments in my national capacity. The Council, as the Minister has emphasized, is meeting in his presence at a time when small armed groups have for several days been provoking serious incidents at the border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Macedonia. The destabilization attempts undertaken by such groups at the regional level must be most strongly condemned. The extremists must understand that the international community will not allow them to continue carrying out those deeds. They must be isolated, and their actions must be stopped.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“Finally, our sanctions serve more as incentives than as punishment. The aim is to induce those targeted to redress their behaviour and to return to stricter respect for international law. For all these reasons, France considers that we need a modest permanent monitoring mechanism, and we appeal for the establishment of such a mechanism. I would like to say in conclusion that this debate is useful because it allows us to reflect interactively on what we are doing and helps us understand that there is still a long road to travel. It is for the Ambassador of Singapore to say this, with his sharp-edged lucidity, but France would also like to take the liberty of saying that we have already travelled some of that road.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“In all the resolutions on Ethiopia/Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and, this morning, on Liberia, we have progressively improved the targeting of the sanctions, not against the population but against the principal leaders. Secondly, we have increasingly established clear objectives and clear, verifiable criteria for the lifting of sanctions. Thirdly, we take care to make prior assessments of the humanitarian impact of sanctions on a population. This is a real step forward. Fourthly, I think I can say that four times out of four in recent months we have adopted time-bound sanctions. That is not a sign of weakness, but of the Council's willingness to re-evaluate the situation and to consider whether and how we should continue at the end of the one-year period. I believe this is progress.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The true message to peacekeeping operations is the partnership that we commit ourselves to entering into with the parties to a conflict themselves. Here, we must make the international community as a whole understand that this is a sealed agreement and that when it is violated, as it was in Sierra Leone, the Security Council has to act and do its utmost. That is what we did this morning. My fifth and last comment refers to sanctions, the necessary complement. Between words and weapons, we have sanctions. Sanctions were criticized by some this morning and France itself has some reservations about them. Above and beyond our questions, we must acknowledge the fact that our Council has made great progress in recent months in preparing a truly new, sharper and better targeted doctrine that can gradually be put into effect.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Once again, the mandate we have given the Mission is not to impose peace - we are not able to do that-but to monitor the implementation of the Agreement that the parties themselves have signed and claim to wish to implement. If our task is indeed to monitor the implementation of a disengagement agreement, there are sufficient means to do so. In that first phase, we were to assist a dynamic for peace, to the existence of which the ministers who came to New York attested. That, however, is only the initial phase, which must be followed by others, including the genuine withdrawal to the borders of all foreign forces. In involving ourselves in that second phase, we will need to review the mandate and the necessary means to fulfil it. That is the task that awaits us when we visit the region in mid-May.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“How many people can we assemble to go to the Congo or to Sierra Leone? This leads me to my fourth comment on peacekeeping operations themselves. We have the guidelines from our heads of State, as well as the Brahimi report, which we would like to implement in its entirety. In this respect, I wish to return in greater detail to the subject of the Congo and the United Nations Organization Mission there, because several representatives who spoke this morning asked whether we were right or not. The Ambassador of Singapore rephrased the question. Since we discussed this just before the adoption of resolution 1341 (2001), I think we might enlighten our colleagues outside the Council. There was a genuine discussion as we wondered whether or not to go in. We said yes, we can go; in any case, we must go.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“His implicit question was whether the Security Council is ready to send 500,000 people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To put the question in these terms shows that, if we are being logical, we cannot send the same mission to the Congo that we have assigned to NATO leadership in Kosovo. There, we are imposing peace with the necessary means to do so. As to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was decided after a lengthy debate that we would abide by the will of the parties themselves and observe their disengagement and withdrawal. Each crisis must be judged in the light of what it represents and of the ways and means that the Council can realistically hope to put together. Here, we need to go above and beyond the Council and turn to the Members of the Organization.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“This morning's resolution is a good example of persistent and ultimately constructive dialogue between the Security Council and a subregional organization. My third comment relates to criticism addressed to the Security Council by several speakers this morning regarding its pusillanimity. We are not bold or courageous enough; we could do more. The Ambassador of Singapore said this with his customary eloquence. We can all think of many instances when we should have done more or better. This may be true, but we must ask ourselves what we want to do. I would respond to the Ambassador of Singapore's reference to figures. Currently, there are 45,000 personnel from the Atlantic Alliance in Kosovo, which contains some 5 per cent of the territory and no more than 10 per cent of the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Dialogue is good, but it must occur at a very early phase when a regional or subregional organization may later wish the Council to assume a mandate or undertake a mission. The other difficulty is finding the proper balance between the respect that the Council owes to subregional and regional organizations that wish to do their work for peace and the primary responsibility of the Security Council. It seems to me that the resolution that we adopted this morning on the crisis in West Africa and the role of Liberia demonstrates that, after many days of sometimes painful but ultimately productive dialogue, we achieved consensus, not only among the 15 members of the Council, but also between the Council and ECOWAS.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The problem is how to implement it in a satisfactory manner. I think that there are two difficulties in this respect. First, regional organizations themselves -or, even more frequently, subregional organizations, which are just beginning to emerge and do not always have the necessary cohesion, much less the means to implement their decisions -turn to the Security Council for that purpose. However, we have problems when the Security Council is not involved early on in the preparation of such decisions, because we are sometimes assigned missions in which the Council does not wish to become involved. For instance, the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement calls upon us to disarm the negative forces - the Interahamwe and the former Rwandan Armed Forces. I think there is a unanimous belief among its members that the Council cannot perform that function.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Yesterday - and I think this was a first since the United Nations was established-we heard the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), because that organization is responsible for the Kosovo Force. Earlier, in January, we heard the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania on behalf of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. As to Africa, we have hosted the ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with increasing frequency, last month under the presidency of Tunisia and in June under the French presidency. In February and June, we hosted ministers from Central Africa, members of the Political Committee of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, who came to discuss the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I therefore believe that cooperation exists.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“There is a message here: from near or far, we are all involved in the implementation of resolutions we adopt in this Chamber, beginning with the parties to a conflict, to which most of the resolutions are addressed. My second comment relates to the role of regional organizations. This is a difficult issue, but I think the Security Council has made progress in this regard. Several delegations-Canada, Sweden on behalf of the European Union, and Argentina- addressed that issue at great length this morning. They emphasized the importance they attach to this cooperation between the Council and regional organizations. I think I can safely say that, in this Chamber, Council members feel exactly the same desire to work with the regional organizations on an ever-increasing basis. The truth is, that is what we are doing.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The first comment relates to the effectiveness of Security Council decisions. This morning Mr. Kofi Annan emphasized that adopting resolutions is fine, but it is even better to implement them in the field. This morning several countries addressed this point insistently: Argentina, Algeria, Pakistan and Croatia. Political will to implement resolutions is vital. This is a real message being sent to the 15 members of the Council. But by definition it is also being sent to the entire international community, since the implementation of resolutions often goes beyond the 15 members of the Security Council. I am thinking particularly about the parties to a conflict themselves. They are the ones who are first called on to implement Security Council resolutions.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): Thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this debate, which, as the Ambassador of Singapore has said, allows us to check where we stand in the implementation of one of our resolutions, which actually is our roadmap, as it was adopted by the heads of State themselves. It was good to hear this morning the views of the Ambassadors of non-members States of the Council regarding our work. Sweden spoke on behalf of the European Union and made a wide-ranging statement. As you had asked, Sir, I would like to respond to this morning's statements, as well as to those made this afternoon, in the spirit of an interactive debate, which is often lacking in our work. I shall refer to five comments that were made in the context of this debate.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Secondly, and in a more targeted manner, we would propose that we ask States to undertake inquiries and, if need be, to take the appropriate administrative and judicial measures against the activities of merchants of war such as Victor Bout, who are internationally acknowledged to be primarily responsible for sanctions-busting operations.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Quite logically, the same weaknesses are apparent in the sanctions provisions regarding organized crime and the merchants of war. We note the same violations. Victor Bout and his company, Air Cess, are at the heart of sanctions-busting operations. No less than seven pages of the report of Ambassador Larrain are devoted to him. This comparison of the two conflicts leads me to put forward two proposals, which we have submitted to the Security Council. First, we have in mind a plan to create a permanent mechanism for monitoring sanctions and illicit traffic in valuable raw materials involved in conflicts. Such a permanent mechanism would allow us to gather in one location the necessary expertise to cross-reference data systematically and to formulate comprehensive recommendations.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“They should be limited to cases in which there is a threat to the peace, a breach of the peace or an act of aggression. An increase in sanctions regimes would, furthermore, result in practical management problems that would be difficult to resolve. I should like to conclude this statement by making a comment and putting forward two proposals. First, there are obvious parallels between the report of the Monitoring Mechanism and that of the Panel of Experts on Sierra Leone, with regard both to the observed sanctions violations and to the recommendations made to remedy them. This similarity is due, inter alia, to the sources that are fuelling the conflict: a rebel movement supplied thanks to arms trafficking, itself fed by revenues from illicit diamond trafficking and supported by sophisticated transport and intermediary networks.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“As my delegation had the opportunity to note previously, during an earlier debate on Angola last April, we believe that only a constructive, instructive and unified approach can, in the long term, ensure the success of sanctions and fulfil their objective of completely isolating UNITA and its leader, Jonas Savimbi. Only that approach will allow us to force them to comply with their obligations and their commitments for national reconciliation and a return to peace. Imposing secondary sanctions against countries that are believed to have violated sanctions is the wrong response to a genuine problem. As we have had the opportunity of stating on several occasions, sanctions, in order to remain relevant and credible and retain their political force, should be used in a limited manner, as provided for by the Charter.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Above and beyond these two recommendations, France notes with great interest all of the proposals - most of which are extremely relevant - put forward by the Monitoring Mechanism. However, I should like recall the position of France on the question of secondary sanctions. Clearly, it is not enough to highlight sanctions violations; we must also find the proper means to put an end to them. But for this purpose, rather than doling out punishment, we must help States, regional organizations and the other actors involved - such as companies and professional organizations - to implement the measures taken by our Council and to ensure compliance with them.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“In this connection, I welcome the imminent publication of an updated list by the sanctions Committee. This is a necessary instrument for States to be in a position to implement the sanctions effectively. The second recommendation, which I should like to emphasize, is the importance ofthe establishment, as soon as possible, of a system - monitored by the Security Council - for the certification of Angolan diamonds, as well as a system for licensing buyers. In the same vein, France supports the establishment of an overall certification system for diamonds and welcomes the encouraging results of the international conference held in Windhoek last week on conflict diamonds. We want to be able to submit a draft convention to the Sixth Committee at the fifty-sixth session ofthe General Assembly next fall.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“We must continue to find concrete means that will help to enhance the effectiveness of measures against UNITA and to dismantle diamond-, oil- and arms- trafficking networks, as well as transport networks and networks for the falsification of documents - be they false identity papers or forged end-user certificates for arms exports. These networks, with the complicity of some and by taking advantage of the weakness of others, continue to fuel the conflict and hold back progress towards a genuine process of national reconciliation and a lasting return to civil peace. In this context, France attaches particular importance to two of the recommendations of the Monitoring Mechanism. First, there is a need regularly to update the list of UNITA leaders and their family members to whom States must refuse entry into their territory.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“The military capacity of UNITA has been considerably weakened, and the organization has hardly any territorial bases left in the country itself. Several thousand rebels have given themselves up to the legitimate authorities in order to take part in the process of pacification and national reconstruction and in the implementation of the Bicesse and Lusaka Protocol agreements. There is no doubt that the sanctions-monitoring process has, under the authority of the Committee, yielded results by helping to maintain and to intensify the pressure on Jonas Savimbi and his movement.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“They have endeavoured to follow a strict methodology with regard to evidence, cross-referencing information sources and respecting the right of response of protagonists, States, organizations or individuals that have been the subject of accusations. The report also has the major advantage of attempting to describe problems in arms-trafficking and diamond-trafficking linked to sophisticated organized crime networks, comprehensively and in all their complexity, without simplifying or glossing over the difficulties and the responses. The work of the Monitoring Mechanism shows that violations of sanctions are continuing. It is encouraging, however, to note that the sanctions have, at least in part, achieved results.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“As I did last month during the open debate of the Security Council on the report of the Panel of Experts on Sierra Leone, I would like once again to emphasize the importance that France attaches to the holding of real debates that are transparent and open to all regarding reports that in some way or another make accusations towards States. Since the effectiveness of any sanctions regime depends first and foremost on the determination and capacity of States to implement it, it is essential that each one be able to put forward its views in a constructive dialogue. I welcome the fact that today we are able to have such a discussion on the report of the Mechanism to monitor sanctions against UNITA. France welcomes the rigorous work done by Ambassador Larrain and his team.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“Mr. Levitte (France) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to welcome here the Minister for External Relations of Angola, Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda, as well as the members of the Mechanism to monitor sanctions against UNITA, in particular its Chairman, Ambassador Juan Larrain. May I also pay tribute to the new Chairman of the Committee on sanctions, the Ambassador of Ireland, to whom I wish every success in his new duties. France fully agrees with the views that will be expressed in a few moments by the Ambassador of Sweden on behalf of the European Union regarding a conflict that has lasted too long and whose catastrophic humanitarian consequences we have all seen: 300,000 deaths in the past 10 years, 3 million displaced persons today and every day more victims, especially from anti-personnel mines.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“The European Union, for its part, has already earmarked close to â‚¬l million for humanitarian work in the Presevo region and intends to do more in the future. KFOR, for its part, has strengthened its staff on the administrative border. These measures will make possible closer monitoring of illegal activities in that area. Any solution in the Presevo valley would also require that there be cooperation between KFOR and Belgrade, including in the field.”
2001-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4277 (2001) · source
“With regard to the situation concerning the administrative border between Kosovo and the southern part of Serbia, the presidential statement of the Security Council on 19 December 2000, as well as the statement to the press on 30 January 2001, made possible a strong condemnation of the activities of terrorist groups. Political steps taken recently by the Belgrade authorities, under the aegis of President Kostunica, are part of the attempt to find a peaceful solution. We should support this willingness by Belgrade to undertake, despite any difficulties encountered, negotiations with local representatives of the Albanian community. Support by the international community for economic, political and social measures to help the peoples of the area, particularly those of Albanian origin, will also be necessary.”
2001-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4277 (2001) · source
“Relating to the holding of general elections, I would like to emphasize that it is necessary at the start to have a precise definition of the nature and functions of the provisional institutions that will be elected. Preparation in impeccable conditions is also a prerequisite. Everything must be implemented in order to ensure the participation of all communities, particularly the Serbian community, in the elections. At this time, continuing discussions amongst the Kosovars of all ethnic origins concerning the temporary structures of the autonomy, under the authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, is a necessary step. It would be desirable for the other parties to be informed of those discussions and then to be associated to them. From this angle, setting up an UNMIK office in Belgrade is a positive measure.”
2001-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4277 (2001) · source
“However, reducing tensions is first the responsibility of the Kosovars themselves. To promote the involvement of citizens in this struggle against violence, the Kosovo political leaders bear particular responsibility. Their active support is required. In this connection, following the Mitrovica events, the statement published on 1 February by Albanian leaders in Kosovo to condemn the violence was a positive sign. In the Mitrovica area as well as elsewhere, de'tente must be sought. We give our full support to the efforts of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and KFOR to bring the violence among the ethnic groups to an end and to guarantee to all the inhabitants the security that all ethnic groups have the right to claim, and also to overcome as quickly as possible the division amongst the communities.”
2001-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4277 (2001) · source