YouSaid · the spoken record

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224

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2001-01-16

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2005-02-28

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38

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un-security-council

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1. “We strongly support that as a means to assist Timor-Leste's transition from a peacekeeping to sustainable developmental framework.”

   2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source

2. “We urge both Governments to also give priority to a response to the draft legal framework to guide border normalization issues, which was passed to them for consideration in November last year. As a regional neighbour, Timor-Leste will continue to be one of our core bilateral development assistance partners. We will keep under review our bilateral assistance to determine whether there is additional assistance that we can provide. But we agree that there remain many capacity-building tasks that can best be provided for by multilateral institutions. We therefore consider it appropriate that development agencies and international financial institutions have begun to assume some responsibilities that currently rest with the peacekeeping mission.”

   2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source

3. “We consider a modest, time- bound follow-on mission to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), tasked primarily with capacity-building, to be an appropriate way to assist Timor-Leste's transition to a sustainable development assistance framework. The evidence of warm and strengthened relations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia is to be welcomed. We are encouraged by the further progress on demarcation of the border, which has been referred to here today, including in the statement just made by the Permanent Representative of Indonesia. We look forward to further progress being achieved before the conclusion of UNMISET's mandate in May this year.”

   2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source

4. “The consolidation phase of the United Nations role in Timor-Leste, which was initiated last year, requires that a delicate balance be struck between a robust assessment of what is needed on the ground and an instinctive caution not to precipitously withdraw. We continue to see a role, beyond a standard developmental one, for the United Nations in Timor- Leste to safeguard the enormous progress that has been made to date. The Secretary-General's latest report provides guidance on the areas in which the international community should continue to support Timor-Leste and identifies those sectors that are considered crucial for long-term stability.”

   2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source

5. “I would like to join others in saying what a pleasure it is to have Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta here with us today. I would also like to thank Mr. Hasegawa for the introduction and briefing he gave with regard to the report of the Secretary-General. New Zealand joins other speakers in reflecting on the unprecedented progress made by Timor-Leste towards self-sufficiency in just 5 years. Given the events of 1999, that has been a truly remarkable achievement, and one that should rightly engender pride among Timor-Leste's Government and people. When we consider the scale of suffering in terrible conflicts unfolding elsewhere on the international stage, it is heartening to see Timor-Leste focussing on the tasks associated with post-conflict peacebuilding.”

   2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source

6. “The Panel's recommendations on internal threats and the responsibility to protect are timely, and we urge Council members and the wider United Nations membership to give them serious consideration. As strong advocates of multilateralism and the rule of law, New Zealand and Australia support the concept of the responsibility to protect as a good basis for developing a new consensus on international action within a United Nations framework in order to prevent, or to respond effectively to, situations of extreme suffering. Gross and systematic violations of human rights anywhere are a threat to the security of us all and cannot be tolerated.”

   2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100Resumption1 (2004) · source

7. “New Zealand and Australia remain committed to working towards ensuring that the international legal regime adequately meets the needs of personnel who form part of United Nations operations, and whose work, by its nature, renders them vulnerable to attack. We also stress, however, that it is vital for the integrity of the United Nations that the conduct of United Nations peacekeepers and United Nations missions is also beyond reproach in fulfilling the duty of protecting civilian populations. Fourthly and finally, New Zealand and Australia welcome the report of the Secretary-General's High- level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, and its focus on effectively addressing the range of threats to global security.”

   2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100Resumption1 (2004) · source

8. “The crucial role that the International Criminal Court will now play in dealing with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity cannot be overstated. The United Nations and its Member States must fully commit to establishing a culture of protection for civilians. To that end, all countries that have not yet done so are urged to accede to the convention establishing the International Criminal Court and to recognize its jurisdiction. Thirdly, the scope of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel must be widened to cover all situations where United Nations and other associated personnel are engaged in peacekeeping, humanitarian and other assistance- related activities.”

   2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100Resumption1 (2004) · source

9. “A high degree of impunity has been allowed to exist because of delays in establishing, or indeed the failure to establish, appropriate criminal tribunals in which offenders can be brought to justice. Impunity allows those responsible to avoid being held to account for their actions, denies justice to the victims and their families and sends the message that the international community is not prepared to take action, even when the fundamental rights of humanity are breached. New Zealand and Australia are strong supporters of the International Criminal Court. Since the adoption of the Rome Statute, we have worked closely with others to encourage its widespread ratification and implementation and to ensure recognition and respect for the Court in the United Nations and in the wider international arena.”

   2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100Resumption1 (2004) · source

10. “New Zealand and Australia share those views, and I would like to make just four specific points here today. First, we continue to see too many violent and often fatal attacks deliberately targeting humanitarian workers, most of whom are unarmed civilians participating in United Nations missions in the field. In his fourth report on the subject, the Secretary-General highlighted that the safeguarding of humanitarian personnel is a key challenge for the United Nations. Regrettably, little has changed since that report was published. Secondly, it is of great concern that those who carry out attacks against both civilians and humanitarian workers do so seemingly with impunity. The sad reality is that most of those responsible for such atrocities have not been brought to justice.”

    2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100Resumption1 (2004) · source

11. “I would like to thank the President for calling and presiding over this open debate of the Council today. I have the honour to speak on behalf of both New Zealand and Australia. I would also like to thank Mr. Egeland for his sobering briefing this morning on the international situation regarding the protection of civilians. It is clear that there is a crisis in protection despite the existence of important international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. The examples of the situation in Darfur, the ongoing conflicts in West Africa and violence in the Middle East are testament to the need for sustained and increased attention to this issue by the international community. Others have spoken about the need for the United Nations and the international community to move towards a culture of protection.”

    2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100Resumption1 (2004) · source

12. “Those responsible for crimes committed in 1999 must be brought to justice in a manner that is consistent with the standards of international law. The international community cannot tolerate an environment of impunity. New Zealand therefore welcomes all efforts to continue to address that issue, and we look forward to the Secretary-General's thoughts on the most effective arrangement to address the challenges involved. In conclusion, Timor-Leste has made great strides. As I said at the beginning of my statement, we congratulate the country's Government for its determined efforts as a young nation. As we move into a new phase of consolidation and transition, continued support from the international community - and particularly from the United Nations - will be vital for Timor-Leste's future.”

    2004-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5076 (2004) · source

13. “Like others, we are pleased to note that, following the last meeting of the Security Council, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General constituted several working groups bringing together all parties, including the Government of Timor-Leste, UNMISET, United Nations agencies, the Bretton Woods institutions, non-governmental organizations and donor partners to examine the steps necessary to manage the transition. We look forward to continued cooperation and strategizing along those lines. I would also like to highlight that a transition strategy will be very important in the justice sector. New Zealand remains a strong supporter of the work of the Serious Crimes Unit and of the Special Panels, which are essential components of an internationally supported process to see justice served for crimes committed in East Timor in 1999.”

    2004-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5076 (2004) · source

14. “As identified in the Secretary- General's report, it will be necessary for UNMISET to ensure that the remaining time is well used, in order to ensure a smooth handover of remaining functions to the Government of Timor-Leste and, where appropriate, to ensure that the necessary assistance is available from bilateral and multilateral partners. As part of this transition strategy, we hope that the Security Council, together with United Nations agencies and donors, will give particular thought to the shape of support that will be required when UNMISET necessarily comes to an end. It is of paramount importance that we have in place a robust strategy to ensure a successful transition from conflict resolution and peacekeeping to consolidation and nation-building.”

    2004-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5076 (2004) · source

15. “Looking at the key achievements over the past few months, we are pleased to note the progress made in developing key State institutions and security agencies, including the adoption of important legislation. We are also pleased to note that good progress has been made in respect to delineating the land border between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, and we look forward to final agreement being reached on that issue in the near future. Similarly, we look forward to further positive negotiations between Timor-Leste and Australia regarding the maritime boundary. Looking forward, we fully support the Secretary- General's recommendation that the current objectives, configuration and mandate of UNMISET should be continued as currently structured until May 2005. We see the coming months as a consolidation and transition phase.”

    2004-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5076 (2004) · source

16. “I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the preparation of his progress report (S/2004/888) and Mr. Hasegawa for his briefing and presentation earlier in the meeting. Once again, we commend the progress that has been made in Timor-Leste through the work of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), the Government of Timor-Leste and the commitment of international donors who continue to support those efforts. In particular, we congratulate the Government of Timor-Leste for its continuing determination in addressing the significant challenges it faces as a small emerging nation, with limited resources and capacity.”

    2004-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5076 (2004) · source

17. “We consider that information about what the United Nations assesses as critical to support Timor-Leste, as it adjusts to the planned departure of a peacekeeping presence next year, could make a useful contribution to other Governments' bilateral development assistance processes.”

    2004-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5024 (2004) · source

18. “If domestic processes are not able to ensure justice, we see a role for the United Nations and the Security Council in ensuring that accountability is established and justice is seen to be done. We are encouraged by the engagement of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in a wide spectrum of activities in Timor-Leste. The transition from a peacekeeping presence to a standard developmental presence for the United Nations is a critical part of the consolidation phase of this mission, and we see it as very appropriate for these issues to be addressed in a peacekeeping mission progress report. We encourage the United Nations to look at opportunities for sharing its assessment of key remaining tasks with donors.”

    2004-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5024 (2004) · source

19. “We are encouraged by the advice that the Serious Crimes Unit has prepared a strategy to complete its work, according to the timetable set by the Security Council in resolution 1543 (2004). Bilaterally, we have also given strong support to the work of Timor-Leste's Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation, which complements the work of the Serious Crimes Unit in respect of lesser crimes. New Zealand has consistently said that those responsible for the crimes committed in Timor-Leste in 1999 must be brought to justice in a manner consistent with the standards of international law. We are deeply concerned that the ad hoc processes established for this purpose appear to have failed. We do not consider it acceptable for the international community to tolerate an environment of impunity.”

    2004-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5024 (2004) · source

20. “We congratulate the Government of Timor-Leste for its determination in addressing the significant challenges it faces as a small emerging nation with limited resources and capacity. With respect to the security sector, we agree that there remain some critical challenges in building the capacity of Timor-Leste's security infrastructure, particularly in the area of rapid intervention. We look forward to advice on further progress on police and security sector training in the next report. We continue to strongly support the work of the Serious Crimes Unit and Special Panels as essential components of an internationally supported process to see justice served for crimes committed in East Timor in 1999.”

    2004-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5024 (2004) · source

21. “I should like at the outset to thank the Secretary-General for the preparation of this interim report. As foreshadowed in April, the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) has entered a final consolidation phase. A three-month stock-taking of progress in key mandated tasks is a useful way to determine what areas require particular attention, as the Council prepares for what we expect will be the final mandate renewal in November. We see many positive developments across civilian institutions. Good progress has been made on delineation of the land border between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, with a final agreement expected in the coming weeks. Key justice and human rights legislation has been passed and preparations are on track for parliamentary elections in 2006.”

    2004-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5024 (2004) · source

22. “As a regional neighbour and friend, New Zealand will continue, through multilateral and bilateral mechanisms, to support Timor-Leste's journey towards self-sufficiency.”

    2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source

23. “First, the elaboration of the security and stability component of UNMISET provides a clear and meaningful picture of its composition and tasks, and we appreciate the careful matching of capabilities to practical requirements on the ground. Secondly, the report highlights the deepening bilateral relationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, which was also referred to by Ambassador Jenie in the statement that he gave to the Council just a few minutes ago. The attention given by both parties to further developing this important relationship is clearly to be welcomed by us all. Finally, we commend the determination and the leadership of Timor-Leste as the United Nations Mission enters this final consolidation phase.”

    2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source

24. “We commend the Serious Crimes Unit for the progress made this year and for its commitment to a strategy that will refocus resources on litigation and defence in order to work towards completion of its programme of work by 20 May 2005. The resolution of outstanding justice issues is also being pursued through the parallel work of Timor- Leste's Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation, which New Zealand strongly supports and to which it has contributed 1.2 million New Zealand dollars during the past year. There are two other aspects of the most recent report of the Secretary-General that we would like to briefly mention.”

    2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source

25. “Ambassador Sharma's goals, and those of the people serving under him, have undoubtedly contributed to a genuine, well-reciprocated partnership between the United Nations and the Government and the people of Timor-Leste. New Zealand strongly supports the Secretary- General's recommendation that UNMISET be extended for a further 12 months. The reduced size and modified mandate laid out in the Secretary-General's report (S/2004/333) are, in our view, well judged and appropriate for a final consolidation phase. We are particularly satisfied with the emphasis placed on the work undertaken by the Serious Crimes Unit. This is a critical component of the United Nations Mission, and we welcome the Security Council's continued support for the principle that those who have perpetrated serious crimes shall not enjoy impunity.”

    2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source

26. “At the outset, may I join others in expressing our condolences to the Russian Federation on the terrorist bombing that recently occurred in Grozny. I would also like, at the outset, to acknowledge the presence of Senior Minister Ana Pessoa Pinto, who we are very pleased to see here in the Council Chamber today, as well as of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, whose leadership of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) we very warmly acknowledge and appreciate. It is fitting that both of them are able to join us today as we reflect on what has been achieved in Timor-Leste and what remaining tasks lie ahead.”

    2004-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4965 (2004) · source

27. “The joint Australia-New Zealand strategy for law and justice has included the training of new recruits for the autonomous Bougainville police force - 50 of whom are expected to graduate and to be deployed to Bougainville at the end of June - as well as a range of coordination and infrastructure projects. From New Zealand's national perspective, we are especially pleased that, along with support for village courts, work has started on the third phase of the New Zealand community policing project.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

28. “The Pacific Islands Forum group has maintained for some time that Bougainville is ready to move on from the formal peace process to a new focus on law and order and economic development. Recent progress has vindicated that confidence. Of course, the autonomy envisaged in the Bougainville Peace Agreement will be sustainable only with appropriate and affordable institutions, underpinned by economic growth. It is important for Bougainvilleans, and the rest of Papua New Guinea, to know that the international community remains engaged in their future - again, a number of other Council members have made the same point this morning. Regional partners, including Australia and New Zealand, have been extensively involved for some time in economic and social development projects and in capacity-building.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

29. “More remains to be done, of course, particularly in the build-up to Bougainville's elections. We encourage the Papua New Guinea Government and Bougainvillean leaders to move ahead with those preparations as soon as possible to build on the good faith shown by all parties in fostering progress in the peace process. Obviously, the international community remains willing to assist. We would support the extension of the United Nations Observer Mission for a limited time to assist with the preparations, as envisaged in the Bougainville Peace Agreement. I should like to thank those Council members who, in their statements this morning, have also expressed support for an extension of UNOMB's mandate. We hope that that will be readily agreed upon in the Council.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

30. “I should like to thank Assistant Secretary- General T'urk for his comments this morning and also to thank him and the staff of the Department of Political Affairs here in New York for their continued input and focus on Bougainville. At the same time, members of our group remain conscious that there are still many weapons at large in the community, and we urge all parties to continue working to remove them. This is a significant juncture for Bougainville. Important progress has been made thanks to the hard work of the Papua New Guinea Government and Bougainvillean representatives. We welcome, for example, the recent announcement by Sir Peter Barter of a Papua New Guinea Government ministerial committee to promote a proactive Government approach to Bougainville.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

31. “Let me echo the congratulations and best wishes expressed to you, Sir, on your presidency, along with the thanks expressed to Ambassador Pleuger. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum members represented at the United Nations: Australia, Fiji, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and my own country, New Zealand. The Pacific Islands Forum group welcomes the continued progress towards peace and prosperity on Bougainville. We especially welcome the high level of weapons destruction and the number of large and important reconciliation ceremonies held recently, which is a very positive sign. We wish to acknowledge the positive role the United Nations Observer Mission is playing in relation to this.”

    2004-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4962 (2004) · source

32. “However, those qualms must not be allowed to distract States, including members of the Council, from the importance of the issues being addressed in the draft resolution and the need for all Member States to take all possible measures to prevent non-State actors gaining access to weapons of mass destruction. It is our hope that this draft resolution, which addresses a gap in global security, will at the same time provide a catalyst to reenergize our other work on multilateral disarmament and arms control.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

33. “We look forward to further elaboration of how it is proposed to monitor implementation after that period, and what assistance in implementation might be made available to Member States that need it. We welcome the Council's clarification that any action in respect of States that the Council judges not to have met the requirements of the resolution will be discussed and that any decisions will be taken by the Council as a whole. Finally, it is important that issues of process and substance do not become confused. It is no secret that there is some disquiet within and without the Council over the process by which this draft resolution is being produced.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

34. “These are complex issues, and they must be addressed comprehensively and effectively. It is very hard to set up the necessary comprehensive framework for verification and compliance under a Security Council resolution. We believe that it is now urgent to start work on multilateral treaty commitments to address these issues. Fifthly, we note that the Council intends to monitor closely the implementation of the draft resolution and to create a committee of all members of the Council for that purpose. We expect that the committee will draw on expertise from the existing multilateral regimes to guide its work and to give greater clarity to Member States as to how best to implement the general requirements of the resolution in practice. We note, however, that the committee is to operate for a period of no more than six months.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

35. “This is a major gap that the draft resolution can begin to fill. Thirdly, if this draft resolution is to have value, it must be more than simply a political statement. By placing the draft resolution under Chapter VII, members of the Council are sending a clear signal of the importance they place on the obligations it contains. We share the Council's view of the importance of these obligations. The bottom line is that if the Council is going to attempt to plug this gap, it must be plugged tightly. Anything less would undermine the credibility of the Council's actions and the fight against non-proliferation itself by providing a false sense that the problem has been solved. Fourthly, in New Zealand's view, this draft resolution represents a critical stopgap measure rather than an optimal solution.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

36. “In our view, the only way to guarantee that weapons of mass destruction do not fall into the hands of others is to eliminate them totally through a transparent and verifiable process of disarmament. We therefore underline our strong support for the reference in the second draft preambular paragraph to the presidential statement adopted by heads of State and Government on 31 January 1992, including the express reference to the need for all Member States to fulfil their obligations in relation to arms control and disarmament. Secondly, we place importance on the fact that the draft resolution would also impose restraints on those States that have deliberately chosen to stand outside the major disarmament and non-proliferation treaties to which most States, including my own, have committed themselves.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

37. “However, the draft resolution will not succeed in its aim without the support and acceptance of Member States. Such acceptance requires the Council to dispel any impression of negotiations behind closed doors or that a small group of States is drafting laws for the broader membership without the opportunity for all Member States to express their views. That is why New Zealand has joined other States in requesting this open debate. Before I make some specific points on the draft resolution, I want to reaffirm New Zealand's strong view that it is no substitute for the development of strong and effective multilateral disarmament instruments. We see the draft resolution as part of a wider debate that covers disarmament and proliferation of all types, both horizontal and vertical.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

38. “There can be no doubt that weapons of mass destruction are a threat to international peace and security. They are a legitimate subject for consideration by the Council and we welcome its attention to the issues involved. We support the draft rcsolution's aim of controlling the horizontal proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. None of us wants to see terrorists get their hands on these weapons or on materials that would allow their construction. It is unfortunate that, to date, there has not been sufficient will to see the existing multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation regimes sufficiently strengthened, with the result that the Council is now being asked to step forward to fill a gap, with the required urgency.”

    2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source

39. “It faces enormous challenges in nation-building and in the provision of the most basic services, such as in health and education, to its population, more than half of whom are under the age of 15. Continued assistance from the international community, both through the United Nations and bilaterally, will therefore be vital to support Timor-Leste in this important consolidation phase.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

40. “The Secretary-General has articulated a number of concerns, particularly on the need for the Timor-Leste Government to expedite the development of key aspects of the administration's legislative and regulatory framework, including the adoption of legislation in key areas. In this respect, I would like to mention the civil service act; legislation for the creation of the Office of the Provedor; legislation to ensure transparency and accountability; and an organic law for the police and a defence act for the military, as well as related regulations and policies to clarify their responsibilities and relationships. Much has been achieved in Timor-Leste, but much remains to be done. Timor-Leste is one of the poorest countries in the world.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

41. “We also support further action on the part of the international community to follow up on the human rights abuses that occurred in East Timor in 1999. We further note the valuable work done by the Timor-Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation to address lesser crimes and promote community reconciliation, and the fact that ongoing donor support will be necessary to enable the Commission to complete its work. We endorse the Secretary-General's proposal for continuing United Nations support for capacity- building in the public administration of Timor-Leste. We note that the role of the Government of Timor- Leste in this process is vital.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

42. “It was also very clear that as yet Timor-Leste has virtually no capacity to respond on its own to any incidents that might occur in the border areas. New Zealand remains open to views on how best to provide those assurances. But what is important is that they be credible and effective. New Zealand welcomes the progress in the bilateral relationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. It will obviously be important to continue to address border demarcation in the coming months, including at local level in the border areas, so as to build up mutual trust and confidence and to work towards the normalization of local cross-border relations. New Zealand also strongly supports the continuation of the work of the Serious Crimes Unit for a further year.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

43. “The military component, observers and troops - at present 1,750 military personnel - is to be reduced to less than 25 per cent of the current presence, to a minimum operational level of 350. New Zealand agrees with the Secretary-General and the Timor-Leste Government about the importance of the assurances that would be provided by retention of a modest military force, as recommended, with quick-reaction and air-borne capability, to maintain confidence and stability in the border areas. During the visit of New Zealand's Minister for Foreign Affairs to Timor-Leste earlier this month, it was evident that there is considerable anxiety about this issue in Timor- Leste - and of course Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta spoke very eloquently on that issue.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

44. “In New Zealand's view, it is important for the international community to do its utmost to continue to support Timor-Leste through this transition period. New Zealand therefore fully endorses the recommendation of the Secretary-General for an extension of UNMISET for a further year in a reduced size and with a modified mandate, which would be a twelve-month consolidation phase. In New Zealand's view, the composition of the mission recommended by the Secretary-General is appropriate, given the requirements on the ground. The Secretary-General's recommendation represents a significant further downsizing of the current mission across the board. There is to be a further reduction in the number of civilian advisers, and the civilian police component is to be reduced by a further 50 per cent.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

45. “New Zealand's principal concern is to see the important gains made in Timor-Leste safeguarded, and I think it is fair to say, given the comments that have been made here this morning that this is very much a common objective of both the Council members and the other States who have spoken. The path to nationhood for Timor-Leste has obviously been a difficult one, and it should not come as a surprise to any of us that there is still much to be done. The role that the United Nations has played in Timor-Leste has been vital in assisting this new nation. Bilateral assistance programmes are playing an increasingly important role, but it is clear that there is much more to be done in establishing key institutions and in ensuring that Timor-Leste has been placed on a firm footing before United Nations support is ended.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

46. “New Zealand welcomes the Secretary-General's special report on the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) (S/2004/117), as introduced by Under- Secretary-General Guehenno this morning. I would also very much like to join others in warmly acknowledging the presence of Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta in the Council again. Like others who have spoken, we commend the progress that has been made in Timor-Leste through the work of UNMISET and its predecessor, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). We also commend the work that has been done by the Government of Timor-Leste and the commitment of international donors to support these efforts.”

    2004-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4913 (2004) · source

47. “New Zealand, along with Australia and other donors, has made significant investments in the development of the island. We encourage enhanced engagement by United Nations funds and programmes to complement those efforts. Should the Council approve a continued United Nations political presence, the size of that mission should be reflective of the needs on the ground at present, and Council members will want to weigh carefully the views that have been put to them today on that point.”

    2003-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4881 (2003) · source

48. “We encourage all parties to expedite a final decision to destroy the contained weapons and thus to conclude the disarmament process on the island. We are mindful that the Government of Papua New Guinea has requested the United Nations to continue to play a constructive role in the peace process. It is of key importance, as the peace process progresses, to ensure that all Bougainvilleans have a say in setting the agenda for the process. Too often in the recent past, the views of former combatants have been given disproportionate weight. An ongoing United Nations political presence should therefore be structured in such a way so as to ensure that the voices of all Bougainvilleans are heard. The main concern for the vast majority of Bougainvilleans is the improvement of their social and economic conditions.”

    2003-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4881 (2003) · source

49. “I thank Assistant Secretary-General Tiirk for his comprehensive briefing to the Council this morning. New Zealand welcomes the ongoing progress with the peace process on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville, and we are grateful to the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOB) for its useful role in that effort. I should also say that we very much appreciate the support provided by the Department of Political Affairs and its staff at the New York end. While it is encouraging that Bougainville factions have met to discuss the final fate of the weapons that have been contained, we would have hoped that an unambiguous decision to immediately destroy the weapons could have been made.”

    2003-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4881 (2003) · source

50. “We endorse his intention to provide further careful evaluation and proposals on a possible United Nations presence after the conclusion of UNMISET, and look forward to further discussion of this issue early next year. Finally, Ijoin others who have reflected on the memory of the late Sergio Vieira de Mello and the huge contribution which he made to Timor-Leste; of course, we fully reflect on those memories.”

    2003-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4843 (2003) · source