YouSaid · the spoken record

Loj

lines on the record: 525
first: 2002-07-10
most recent: 2016-11-17
sittings or episodes: 76
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

“In late July, the legislature adopted a joint resolution that will serve as the framework for the next elections, commonly referred to as the Threshold Bill. This law is a political compromise reached after months of debate, and endorses the current 64 seats in the House of Representatives while adding another nine seats to be delineated by the National Elections Commission. This compromise was a significant achievement since earlier versions of the bill were highly controversial and had even been vetoed twice by the President. Both legislative houses recently enacted another outstanding piece of legislation, a joint resolution proposing amendments to election-related provisions of the Constitution.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“Given the fact that Liberia's major security threats are internal rather than external, it will be important to ensure that security agencies, especially the police, immigration and corrections services, are strengthened to meet their future operational challenges. 10-50803 While we continue to encourage the Government to progressively increase budgetary allocations to the security sector, we are all fully aware of the financial limitations. The reality is that much more external support will be required, and I cannot appeal strongly enough to Member States to come forward to support the Government in these endeavours. The Liberian political scene is fully seized with preparations for the 2011 presidential and legislative elections, and much activity has been ongoing to adopt key legislation, mobilize resources and build capacity.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“Also, just last week, violence erupted on the grounds of one of Liberia's larger rubber plantations, the LAC plantation in Grand Bassa county. The issue is all too familiar, as workers in large concession areas continue to clash with company management in the pursuit of improved labour conditions, and local security actors are unable to contain these alone. Liberians' low confidence in the justice system highlights the importance of strengthening the rule of law and security institutions. One year ago, following my briefing to the Council, representatives of the Government of Liberia presented strategic plans for key security institutions in a special partners' forum. While I believe that those presentations were well received, the plans still require substantial donor support if they are to be effectively implemented.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“These are quickly becoming the weapons of choice for many criminals, illegal rubber-tappers and those engaged in illegal mining. UNMIL has intensified its work with the Government to address the legislative and operational gaps in small arms control in Liberia. Security incidents, like those described in the progress report in Harper and Lofa raise serious concerns. Many are originally sparked by minor incidents that quickly develop into large-scale security situations. These easily overwhelm local security institutions and require UNMIL intervention to contain. Numerous prison disturbances have also arisen in reaction to poor conditions and outbreaks of disease, and unfortunately, needs are addressed only when they culminate in violence.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“Security within the subregion is calm but fragile, and the Mission continues to monitor developments along the borders very closely, as well as recent events in Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire. UNMIL's presence represents a stabilizing influence in the subregion and 10-50803 serves as a deterrent to illegal cross-border activities, including drug trafficking. Internally, Liberia still faces potentially destabilizing security challenges arising from mob violence, ethnic and communal tensions, competition for natural resources, land disputes, sexual and gender- based violence, and armed robbery. Alarming rates of unemployment, including among youth and ex-combatants, raise further security concerns. UNMIL has also noted the increasing availability of regionally made guns, which are smuggled into Liberia.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“While the overall situation in Liberia has remained stable, it continues to be fragile, and additional progress is needed in a number of areas to truly consolidate the peace. Liberia has asked to be added to the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and hosted a visit from the Commission just a few weeks ago. The Government has specified rule of law, security sector reform and national reconciliation as important priority areas to the Commission. If I may add, Liberia being on the agenda of the PBC would offer a unique opportunity for the Security Council and the Commission to ensure that peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts become mutually supportive in line with resolution 1645 (2005).”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“I must also praise President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for her strong commitment to peace consolidation and the advancement of Liberia's development goals. As I have previously stated in this Chamber, nowhere is it more clearly illustrated than in Liberia that there cannot be sustainable security without development, and there cannot be sustainable development without security. Council Members will already have had a chance to read the Secretary-General's most recent progress report detailing recent developments in the country. I will thus focus my remarks on some recent events that illustrate that a number of critical areas still need to be addressed to achieve further progress and to enable UNMIL to successfully hand over its responsibilities.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“Ms. Loj: I would like to thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to present the twenty-first progress report 2 of the Secretary-General (S/2010/429) on the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). In doing so, I extend my appreciation to the members of the Security Council for their support to the work of the Mission. As many of them know, I have been engaged with Liberia for several years now, from when I served on the Council and chaired the sanctions Committee in 2005 and 2006, through my present appointment as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and coordinator of United Nations operations. From this vantage point, I can attest to the tremendous progress that Liberia has made in recent years, much of which has been made possible by the security umbrella that the United Nations peacekeeping mission has provided.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“While that is understandable, let me reiterate that nothing beats experiencing the challenges at first hand, in the field. We always welcome visits to Liberia from the Security Council and other Member States at different levels, especially since so many Members are not represented in Monrovia. Mr. President, thank you once again for inviting me to participate in this debate. Merci beaucoup.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“The development of benchmarks to monitor the consolidation, draw-down and withdrawal of a mission is important and is a vital tool to guide transition. In Liberia - thanks to my colleague on my left - we have been working with benchmarks since 2006 and have learned how important it is to define clearly what we are measuring. Are we assessing the achievements of the Mission against its mandate, or against overall progress in the country? I strongly believe it should be the latter. If it is, we need to measure not only the impact of the Mission's activities, but also the impact of those being conducted by the entire United Nations family, the Government and other partners. Finally, Member States and the Council have much focused on reporting from missions.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“A third set of challenges relates to ensuring national ownership - the overarching prerequisite for any transition or exit. Transforming a mission from doers to mentors is the key to sustainability and is probably the hardest task for any mission. Yet without national ownership, no peace can be sustained. The United Nations in Liberia was able to plan its intervention based on clear national leadership and in alignment with national planning frameworks fairly early on. I wish to conclude with a few words on the tools available to facilitate transitions and exits. First of all, as I have said, exit strategies should be incorporated from the early days of the mission, even if they are not fully formulated. Otherwise, the mission will act like a ship without a clear destination.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“In my mind, there is no doubt that for peacebuilding activities to succeed, funds other than, and in addition to, assessed funds - whether through the agencies and programmes working with a mission or through bilateral partners - must be available. Security sector reform is more than plans and policies. It is also implementation. If voluntary funds to sustain implementation do not materialize, that creates significant gaps on the ground. Let me illustrate with the case of the Liberian National Police. The Mission's mandate is primarily focused on training and mentoring. But even the best trained police officer needs the means to function - equipment, transport, etc. Unless the voluntary funds are forthcoming, the police force will not have the desired impact.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“It includes innovated approaches such as joint programmes, joint offices and joint use of United Nations assets - but also a general willingness to find pragmatic solutions to common challenges. We are, as we say, working together and trying hard to deliver as one. Keeping in mind that an exit strategy should form part of every entrance strategy, that integration should be institutionalized early on in the life of a mission. However, due to different governing bodies, budget cycles and even procurement rules and regulations, achieving true integration and delivering as one can be extremely challenging. My plea would be that the various governing bodies and the Member States consider that issue. Another point has to do with assessed versus voluntary contributions.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“There appears to be conceptual agreement across the United Nations system and among Member States concerning the integrated approach to keep, to build and to sustain the peace, for instance in a country like Liberia. The challenges we face, however, concern how to implement that approach in practice. That is further accentuated by the institutional framework we have established, both in terms of governing bodies and the generation of resources, especially assessed versus voluntary contributions. Let me provide a few concrete examples of these implementation challenges. While Liberia is not yet a self-starter, delivering as one country - although I expect it to become one soon - the level of integration between the country team and the Mission is very good.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“If the goal post keeps changing, so to speak, there will be consequences as to when the desired end state can be reached. Secondly, I would like to make a few comments on the challenges and constraints we face when implementing mandates, especially in integrated missions. Integrated missions are generally tasked not only with keeping the peace but also with assisting to build national capacities to sustain the peace - in other words, peacebuilding. For those missions, peacekeeping and peacebuilding are not two separate sequential processes; they are two sides of the same coin, are closely interlinked and must be pursued simultaneously.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“How are such incidents meant to be treated in a peacekeeping mission? How is a mission to deal with an imminent threat when the threat comes from civilians? Such questions need to be well thought through when mandates are formulated. We need implementable mandates rather than politically correct ones, which I have often more informally called "Christmas trees". Each mandate should be adjusted to the specific context on the ground. What works in one place may be impossible to implement in another. Furthermore, it is important that the Council exercise great care when changing a mission's mandate. If new tasks are being continuously added, the context surrounding the original ones, including the provision of a security umbrella, and the conditions for its transition and exit will become increasingly difficult.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“6), the then-Secretary- General states "A good exit or transition strategy depends on a good entrance strategy" - with the entrance strategy, of course being embodied in the mandate of the mission. It is therefore paramount that a mission's initial mandate be clear in its priorities, be realistic and leave no room for ambiguity. In Liberia, some of the day-to-day challenges we face are related to the interpretation of our mandate - with regard to the protection of civilians, for instance. How should "imminent threat of physical danger" and "within its capabilities" be interpreted? These are weak phrases that can be taken as all-encompassing or as nothing at all. Furthermore, in Liberia incidents of mob violence are common and often involve attacks not only on the Liberian National Police but also on civilians.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“Based on my experience from two years as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia, I would like to focus my remarks on three issues: mandates, implementation and tools. At the outset, however, let me underline that for all three of those elements, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each and every conflict and peacekeeping challenge has to be reviewed and the solutions adjusted to the specific challenges characterizing the country or the conflict. There is no recipe that can be applied across the board. Country-specific challenges and capacities have to be taken into account from the outset, and measures need to be decided and applied accordingly. First, a few words about mandates. In his report in April 2001 (S/2001/394, para.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“Ms. Loj: I thank the Security Council for inviting me to participate in this important debate about United Nations peacekeeping. The debate on this issue over the past 12 months in the Security Council and in the General Assembly, as well as internally in the Secretariat, has been not only timely but also necessary to ensure common understanding on how to tackle future peacekeeping challenges. Let me add that, in thinking about these issues, it is not always necessary to develop fresh ideas. Sometimes, it is also useful to revisit long-standing proposals and evaluate them against today's and tomorrow's challenges. Today's debate has a special focus on how to end peacekeeping operations and how to transition into longer-term conflict-prevention activities.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“Together with the excellent cooperation of the Government and all Liberian partners, that makes it truly rewarding - although challenging - to serve as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Liberia. We count on the Security Council's continued support in our endeavours.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“The security of Liberia continues to rely heavily on the presence of UNMIL military and police forces. That is clear evidence that peace has not taken firm root and that it is not yet time to declare victory and leave the country. Finally, allow me to express our gratitude to troop-contributing and civilian-police-contributing countries, the personnel of UNMIL and the United Nations country team, as well as to the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, national and international non-governmental organizations and our bilateral and multilateral partners, which have so tirelessly pursued the cause of peace in Liberia.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“08-30407 Let me conclude by stating that Liberia today is a place of hope, characterized by many positive developments. The country has been free of conflict for the past four years, and there is good news coming out of Liberia. However, the hope and the tranquillity that we see today are tempered by a tenuous and fragile peace. Liberia is still a place where one can wake up in the morning and hear that an argument between two fish sellers in a market has degenerated into an ethnic problem with a wider threat that a house of worship will be burned down. Liberia is still a place where rumours about ritual killings or disappearances can suddenly lead to the burning down of a police station or an attack on Liberian and UNMIL security forces and United Nations vehicles.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“The drawdown plan is intended to provide the time and space needed for Liberia to build up its own police and military forces and progressively to assume full responsibility for national security. The drawdown is also being implemented taking into consideration developments in the immediate subregion. UNMIL's military personnel continue to maintain a high level of vigilance in the border areas in order to discourage any cross-border trafficking in weapons or people. However, UNMIL is not in control of events outside Liberia's borders, and we will therefore need to continue to be prudent as we proceed with the troop adjustments, so as not to put the gains we have made at risk, not only for Liberia, but for the subregion as a whole.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“By 30 September, 2,450 troops will have been repatriated, leaving the Mission's troop strength at 11,691. With regard to the police component, its drawdown will begin before the end of this month: 498 police advisers will depart the Mission in seven stages between now and December 2010, bringing the police strength to 742 personnel by December 2010. We have also been making appropriate adjustments to the civilian staffing of the Mission. The drawdown of UNMIL is being carried out in a well planned manner so as to minimize threats to the security of the State. The process will also ensure that UNMIL is able to assist the Government in dealing with any serious disruptions or civil disturbances.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“That is being done through preventive measures, including extensive training, as well as through the prompt investigation of cases and the implementation of disciplinary measures when allegations have been substantiated. I am proud 08-30407 to say that our efforts have been yielding good results, as reflected in the significant reduction in the number of cases of sexual exploitation and abuse that were reported during the most recent reporting period. We will, however, not rest on our laurels. In compliance with Security Council resolution 1777 (2007), the drawdown process of UNMIL has commenced. A battalion each from Namibia and Bangladesh has been withdrawn, while the Ghanaian and Nigerian battalions have been reduced by one company each. Another battalion, from Senegal, will be repatriated in June 2008.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“March was a historic month for Liberia, not just because of the completion of the poverty reduction strategy, but also because the country reached the decision point under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt Initiative, as announced by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The next step will be for Liberia to reach the HIPC completion point. If that is to happen, successful implementation of the poverty reduction strategy and of the Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme will be critical. In that respect, the progress made within the framework of the Programme is encouraging. The Mission and the United Nations country team have continued to strengthen efforts to prevent or penalize sexual abuse and exploitation.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“However, even if revenue collection can be enhanced and if the ambitious economic growth projections can be achieved, a significant funding gap will still need to be covered by external contributions. The Government will therefore need all the support it can get from international partners. In that regard, the upcoming Partners Forum, expected to be held during the last week of June in Berlin, will be a critical milestone. It is important that all development partners use the poverty reduction strategy as the framework for their activities.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“I also urge the international community to provide the Commission with the funding support it urgently needs to fulfil its mandate. Liberia's new national poverty reduction strategy has been finalized. It has been based on a grass-roots participatory process, with ordinary citizens making inputs into the development agenda. That is very positive, but, of course, it has also raised expectations among Liberians, who want to see tangible results. The implementation of the strategy will not be easy, especially given the limited national implementation capacity available. And economic growth is urgently needed, especially in order to reduce the high unemployment rate, which also constitutes a serious security concern.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“The Government of Liberia and all other relevant groups working to bring about positive change in this matter deserve the support of the international community. I am also glad to report that the public hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are going along well. A number of witnesses, including perpetrators and victims, have come before the Commission, both in Monrovia and in the counties, to give accounts of their experiences during the war. It is, however, disappointing that none of the major actors have so far testified. That does not augur well for the reconciliation process. I therefore wish to repeat the call of the Secretary-General to all Liberians to cooperate with the Commission in order to move the process forward.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“We have also undertaken a funding gap analysis to identify the resources - both recurrent and capital - that will be required over the next years for the full development of the LNP. The incidence of gender-based violence in Liberia, in particular rape, is simply unacceptable. I am, however, pleased to report that with the support of UNMIL and the United Nations country team, the Government is in the process of finalizing the national gender policy. It has also developed a national action plan against gender-based violence to deter and prosecute rape cases. A special court created to prosecute rape cases will hopefully give teeth to the new rape law. But again, plans alone cannot do the trick. The mindset of Liberians committing these crimes - often against young children - simply must change.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“In that regard, I am pleased to report that the Government held a Cabinet retreat in March, during which the problems in the rule of law sector, in particular the police and judicial institutions, were discussed and it was agreed to address them as a matter of priority. UNMIL is collaborating with the Government to examine these problems and come up with solutions. A rule of law retreat is being planned to bring the executive and judiciary together at the national level to address those problems. UNMIL and the Government also recently held a joint forum to discuss the disturbing phenomenon of attacks on police and police stations. UNMIL is encouraged by the Government's plan to address those problems in a holistic manner.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“These include the lack of adequate funding; a shortage of qualified judicial officials; the lack of infrastructure, including courts and prisons; inadequate numbers of qualified judicial and legal officers; poor case management; low salaries; and corruption. As a result of those deficiencies, many Liberians have little confidence in the justice system. The lack of confidence in the rule of law institutions of Liberia, and especially in the LNP and 3 the judicial system, deserves urgent attention. That will require not only improvements in the performance of law enforcement and judicial institutions, but equally important, a reorientation in the mindset of the population, which is too quick to resort to extrajudicial measures.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“In the meantime, the development of the Emergency Response Unit within the police force is making progress. The training of the first batch of 90 officers has commenced. This process is, however, encountering some delays and funding gaps, which need to be addressed soon. In that regard, I wish to thank the Governments of the United States and Ireland, which have so far provided funding for the programme. But additional funds are needed from international partners, both to ensure a more effective functioning of the LNP and for the Unit to be operational by July 2009. Despite efforts by the Government of Liberia to enhance the rule of law, deficiencies in the justice system continue to pose serious challenges to the administration of justice countrywide.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“The reform of the Liberian National Police (LNP) constitutes a bigger challenge at this point. The LNP still needs to gain the trust of the Liberian population. As of 30 June 2007, we had achieved the quantitative benchmark of providing basic training for 3,500 police officers. However, we now need to focus on improving the quality and professionalism of the individual police officers, enhancing the management structure and providing the LNP with the equipment and resources necessary to perform effectively. Recent disciplinary problems within the LNP have also raised the issue of the effectiveness of the vetting procedures for the new LNP. The Government of Liberia and UNMIL are now looking at ways to review the process, including through a verification exercise.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“UNMIL itself has recently been a target of such action, when former UNMIL individual contractors carried out a violent protest during which three staff members were injured and two UNMIL vehicles were set ablaze. These security incidents highlight the need for the Government to finalize the national security strategy and the reforms of the security institutions. 08-30407 These efforts are ongoing, but at a slower pace than originally planned. Progress is being made in the training and restructuring of the new Armed Forces of Liberia, and it is my hope that this tempo will be sustained. Any further delays will make it impossible for the new army to be fully operational before late 2009 and would impact directly on the timeline for the UNMIL drawdown plan.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“There continue to be occasional violent incidents on rubber plantations and in diamond- mining areas. The crime rate, in relation to both armed robberies and rape, remains high, and, in many of the reported rape cases, the victims are young girls - or rather children. In addition, there have been an increasing number of incidents of mob violence and attempts to administer mob justice, including attacks on police personnel and police stations by angry crowds who want to assault and even kill crime suspects being detained by the police. That is a clear sign of lack of trust in the security and justice system and of a readiness - as during the years of conflict - on the part of citizens to continue to fend for themselves.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“The security situation along Liberia's borders with three neighbouring countries was calm during the reporting period, but the situation on all three borders is closely monitored by UNMIL. Unrest in any of Liberia's neighbouring countries will have immediate negative consequences for the security situation in Liberia, and vice versa. In that respect, it is not only the political developments that should be closely monitored; we also need to constantly assess the potential negative consequences of the increasing use of some countries in the subregion as transit points for international drug trafficking. That is in addition to the occasional civil unrest due to sharp increases in the price of rice and gasoline. Internally, the security situation in Liberia remains fragile.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“The challenges relate to security, the 08-30407 rule of law, governance and economic development - all of which are closely interlinked. Those challenges have guided the formulation of the drawdown benchmarks that have been presented in the Secretary- General's report. At this critical juncture of Liberia's recovery, I would like in particular to highlight three critical areas that will need special attention: the reform of the security sector, not least the reform of the Liberian National Police; the reform of rule of law institutions; and the effective implementation of the new poverty reduction strategy and the priority task of addressing the high unemployment rate.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“Let me assure the Council that what has been accomplished in the two years since then under the dedicated and hardworking leadership of Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her Government is truly amazing and highly commendable. But nowhere is it illustrated more clearly than in Liberia how closely peacebuilding and peacekeeping are linked. Nowhere is it illustrated more clearly than in Liberia that there will be no sustainable security without development and that there will be no development without sustainable security. Steady progress has been achieved during the past two years in Liberia, including in the most recent reporting period, and the overall situation remains stable. But the security situation is fragile, and further progress is needed in a number of areas to truly solidify progress.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“On the basis of those and the progress achieved, benchmarks for the drawdown phase have been developed in close consultation with the Government of Liberia and international partners. Since the report has recently been released, I need not go through it in detail. I will instead focus on a number of critical areas that need to be addressed for further progress in Liberia and to enable the United Nations Mission in Liberia to successfully draw down. Members of the Council know that I took up my duties as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Liberia just three months ago. But most members will also know that, in my previous capacity, I followed developments in Liberia closely during 2005 and 2006 as Chairman of the Security Council's Sanctions Committee on Liberia and, in that capacity, first visited the country in April 2006.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“Ms. Loj: Let me begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to present the sixteenth progress report (S/2008/183) of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). In doing so, I extend my appreciation to the members of the Security Council for their strong support for the work of the Mission. Significant progress has been made since the Council was briefed in September 2007 by my predecessor, Mr. Alan Doss. The Secretary-General's report that is before the Council provides an update on major developments in Liberia and the progress made in meeting the core benchmarks for the consolidation phase of UNMIL's consolidation, drawdown and withdrawal plan.”
2008-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5864 (2008) · source
“Governments in the region have the primary responsibility to protect their own populations; if they fail to do so, they leave that responsibility to the international community. Finally, in order to secure long-term stability and respect for the rule of law, all States concerned must take action to bring to justice perpetrators of violations of human rights and international law. Impunity should not be the order of the day, and all States must cooperate with international criminal courts, including the International Criminal Court, to facilitate investigation and to ensure apprehension and surrender of suspects. Where the United Nations is engaged, it should be part and parcel of its mandate to assist States in eliminating impunity.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5603 (2006) · source
“We should not allow the positive developments in the Great Lakes region to be lost in yet another regional conflict. I would like to stress that the positive developments in the Great Lakes region to a large extent are a consequence of the improved neighbourly relations and the close cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations. 11 Allow me to use this opportunity to commend Tanzania and South Africa for the constructive role they have played, and continue to play, in support of peace in the region. Let me conclude with a few words on the protection of civilians and on impunity. Despite the progress just mentioned, the need for protection of civilian populations continues to be immense throughout the region.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5603 (2006) · source
“We hope to see strong commitment from the core countries with regard to implementation and the establishment of an efficient follow-up mechanism with regional actors in the lead. The current situation in the Great Lakes region is promising. The successful conclusion of the transition processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi and the ongoing peace negotiations between the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army give rise to optimism. However, the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still very difficult, and the continuing deterioration of the situation in Darfur and its spillover to neighbouring countries are causes for great concern. They constitute a significant threat to international peace and stability in the larger region.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5603 (2006) · source
“I too wish to start by thanking Mr. Ibrahima Fall, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula for their briefings. Denmark appreciates this opportunity to discuss the issue of peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region. We would like to associate ourselves with the statement to be made by the representative of Finland on behalf of the European Union. The adoption of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region at the Second Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region is encouraging. It could certainly be a useful contribution to advancing the peace and security agenda of the region. Political will and dedication are the driving force in promoting peace and stability.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5603 (2006) · source
“Finally, let me remind all Member States of their obligation to implement sanctions adopted by the Security Council. In the case of Liberia, far more needs to be done, especially in the subregion, to prevent flagrant violations of the travel ban and to implement 06-67222 the assets freeze. At the same time, however, and on a more general note, it is essential that the decisions of the Council be made and communicated in such a way that they can actually be implemented by all States Members of the United Nations.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“That sends a key message to Liberia and the international community that the Committee is willing to revise its list in light of new developments. I hope that more delistings will also follow after I leave the Committee. In that connection, let me stress my delegation's consistent position that improved delisting procedures that live up to the principles of due process would greatly enhance the credibility and effectiveness of any sanctions regime. Resolution 1730 (2006), adopted yesterday, is a step in the right direction. Had I continued as a sanctions chairman, I would have suggested new guidelines based on that resolution, but also building on the established practice in the Liberia Committee of giving individuals direct access in exceptional cases.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“The current Liberia Panel has accrued an in-depth knowledge of the history of the sanctions, benefiting the Committee as well as the Government, which has also profited from the experts' advice. That is why the Council will, I hope, extend the current Panel this afternoon. In that context, I appeal for a constructive look at the administrative procedures for appointing panels of experts so as to ensure that those procedures serve the subject matter and enhance institutional memory. As Chairman of the Committee, it was my goal to ensure that positive developments in Liberia also resulted in adjustments to the individual sanctions. I have discussed that several times with President Johnson-Sirleaf, including during my visit in April. One individual was delisted last week - the first since the list was established.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“The work in the Committee on monitoring the conditions set for the lifting of sanctions, and the specific wording in resolution 1689 (2006) in particular, have, I believe, been instrumental in ensuring the swift adoption of effective legislation, illustrating how the Council's decisions can have a direct effect on the ground. Unfortunately, the Council will have to extend the diamond sanctions, but I feel confident that the extension will continue to act as a vehicle for reform so that Liberia can become Kimberley-compliant and the embargo can be lifted within the next six months. The value of the Panel of Experts - the Committee's daily eyes and ears on the ground - cannot be underestimated.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“My time as Chairman of the Liberia Committee has been marked by an improvement of the situation in Liberia after the democratically elected Government took office in January 2006. The Council can, through the use of targeted sanctions, create a strong incentive for concerned parties to change their course of action in the interests of peace. The Liberia sanctions regime, which is part of a comprehensive policy, is a pertinent example of such a positive effect. Two months ago, the Council decided not to reinstate the timber sanctions, since Liberia had adopted the necessary legislation to ensure that revenues from the timber will not again fuel conflict, but benefit the Liberians.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source