YouSaid · the spoken record

Mahbubani

lines on the record: 1,011
first: 1999-09-11
most recent: 2004-05-10
sittings or episodes: 106
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

“Here, I would like to add that we agree with the representative of France that our purpose should not be to point fingers at anyone but to stop the plundering and to find a way for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to move forward. On the substance of the report, in general, we see the Panel's report as an important contribution to our efforts to stem the illegal outflow of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Even as we wrestle with the problem of the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we must recognize that such exploitation is possible only when the parties involved know that they can get away with it.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Panel has quite wisely proposed a grace period of four to five months before a final decision is taken on the imposition of the financial and travel restrictions that it has recommended against the individuals and companies listed in Annexes I and II of the report. That grace period is needed to clear up any disputes that those named may have and, at the same time, provide the opportunity for the guilty parties to cease their illegal activities. However, the Security Council does not have any mechanism to assist it, so as to ensure that the observance of due process and the necessary high evidentiary standards will be the final arbiters before we make our decision on the Panel's recommendations. We will take up this question again when the Council meets next week in informal consultations to discuss the outcome of today's debate.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The chairman of one such company, Oryx Natural Resources, visited Security Council members in New York last week, including our delegation, to make the case that his company was innocent. He also told us that the Panel had made no attempt to contact him or his company to check its facts prior to implicating his company in the report. In our View, such responses to the report must be fully addressed so that no innocent party is inadvertently included among the guilty but the guilty parties are conclusively shown to be what they are. To achieve this, we must ensure that due process is observed.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The information provided by the Panel is vital for a clearer understanding of the actual situation and will certainly play a key role in our decision on the next steps that need to be taken to stem "the plundering of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo" (para. 1). However, as the Security Council deliberates on this substantial report, we will also need to take into account the responses of the Governments, individuals and companies implicated in the report. It is no understatement to say that the report has stirred up a hornet's nest. As we have heard today, many of the parties implicated in the report have accused the Panel of failing to observe due process and of relying on flimsy evidence in arriving at its findings.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We are also impressed by the standards of proof adopted by the Panel and the fact that they "made every effort to fairly and objectively evaluate the information it has gathered", as stated in paragraph 8 of the report. The Panel's credibility has been given the acknowledgement it deserves by the Porter Commission, as cited in paragraph 136 of the report. My delegation is particularly impressed by the detailed findings by the Panel with regard to the elite networks that continue to exploit the resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, even as foreign forces finally withdraw from the country.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We, too, congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency for this month and join colleagues in expressing our appreciation to Ambassador Belinga-Eboutou and his team for his presiding over the Council last month. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the Foreign Minister of Uganda for his participation here today. We join our colleagues in thanking Ambassador Kassem and the other members of the Panel for their very comprehensive and insightful report, contained in document S/2002/ll46. Given the complexity of the problems stipulated in the Panel's new mandate and the very difficult conditions under which they had to work, we appreciate the determined manner in which they went about their work, as well as the candour of their report.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“If, as a result of today's debate, a better understanding develops within the donor community, the recipient countries and, of course, within other organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, if all can see eye to eye on their respective roles in the region, it would make a difference to the region. For all these reasons, Mr. President, we commend you for organizing this debate, even though the participation from outside the region has not been as good as we would have liked it to be, we believe that you will make a contribution. And we hope that the provisional verbatim record of this meeting will serve as a very valuable resource for the Council in future.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The fourth way in which this debate can be helpful is by making everyone aware of their respective responsibilities to ensure success in the region. As we all know, development is a partnership. It is a partnership between the donor community and the countries of the region. For that partnership to succeed, both sides have got to see eye to eye on what each side can do. If I heard the statements from the donor countries here accurately, I thought they were sending a fairly nuanced statement, saying "We can do so much if we get this from you". That was the sort of message that they were sending.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I think that at some point in time we have got to sit down and do an audit of what we have decided, then look at what we have actually implemented and what we have not implemented. And if we have not implemented, we should also see why not. To take just one example that has been mentioned by several speakers in today's discussion: there is clearly a need to convene an international conference on the Great Lakes. That is one of the themes that I have heard being discussed. The question is, when do we begin work on such a conference? What is required to ensure its success? How does the Council need to prepare for it? I hope that today's debate generates the awareness that we need to see this sort of follow-up action.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The third way in which this debate can be helpful is for us to try to focus on the concrete follow-up action that needs to be taken after today's meeting and after the statements that have been made today. Clearly, one of the structural weaknesses of the Council - of course, we all know how powerful the Council is internationally and all that - but one of its built-in structural weaknesses is its inability to monitor whether its resolutions, presidential statements and press statements have been implemented. There is literally no mechanism that follows through on all this. Of course, in the Central African region, we have a tremendous number of resolutions, presidential statements and various calls for action.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I am not sure what the answer to the question is, but apparently yesterday at the Ad Hoc Working Group on Africa, chaired by Ambassador Koonjul, a discussion has begun on how to coordinate the work of the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General. I hope that will make a contribution. But it is not just the Special Representatives because, if you listen to the statements made today, there is a tremendous variety of work coming. And if I heard the Minister from the Central African Republic correctly in translation, he said that given the multiplicity of initiatives, we must develop synergy among the initiatives that occur in the region. Again, I hope that today's debate will result in a sort of synergy of all the initiatives that we have seen so far in the region.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Frankly, until we listened to the statements today, we had no idea of the range of initiatives and of the work being done. I think that at some point in time someone somewhere - we are not sure who actually - but clearly somewhere in the United Nations system, someone has to take the responsibility for seeing whether these different initiatives fit together. I thought, for example, Ambassador Williamson from the United States made a concrete suggestion. He said that there are six Special Representatives of the Secretary-General in the region. The obvious question to ask is: do the six Special Representatives coordinate their work or do their work in individual parcels with no coordination?”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“President, your paper alone, for example, has taught us that there is a tremendous multiplicity of initiatives in the region. For example, you talk of the regional cooperation being based on a tripod comprising the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries and the Economic Community of Central African States. And, of course, you talk of the role of the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa, too. We think that all this information is very valuable. It is a debate such as this that generates the information that we need to make a judgement. The second way in which such a debate can be helpful is if as a result of it we develop a desire to have a certain degree of conceptual coherence in the work done by the United Nations system and by others in the region.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“At the same time, the question that came to our mind was how could this debate today make a difference to the situation? How can we ensure that at the end of the day, after this open debate, we have actually made a contribution to solving the problem that you have described? We think that there are at least four different ways in which such a debate can be helpful. The first way is that, clearly, such a debate generates a lot of awareness of the problem. I am a bit disappointed by the lack of participation of Member States from outside the subregion. But even so, I think the sheer fact that the debate has been held and will be reported in the United Nations Journal and in the provisional verbatim record will, I think, generate a lot of interest. Certainly, Mr.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“So, we commend you for opening a new frontier in the Council's work. We also want to thank you very much for the background paper (S/2002/ 1179) and also thank the Secretariat for providing us with a paper this morning on this region. In our view, the problem is, in fact, clearly enunciated in your paper, Mr. President. Indeed, you have been remarkably candid in the opening paragraph of your paper where you say, "Despite enormous potential and vast mineral, water and agricultural resources, Central Africa in the broad sense has been slow in embarking on its economic and social development, and projects to the world the least positive image of all the subregions of Africa." (S/2002/11 79) We commend you, Mr. President, for stating the problem so clearly.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“First, let me join you, Mr. President, in warmly welcoming the ministers who have come here to join us for this debate. I hope they found it worth their while to travel all the way to New York for this open meeting. I also want to join our colleagues in commending you for organizing this debate on Central Africa. I believe that this is the first time that the Council is actually having a debate on Central Africa as a whole. We cannot say that for sure because we have been on the Council for only two years. We do not have the long institutional memory of the permanent members, but whatever little research that we have done suggests that this is the first time that the Council is addressing Central Africa as a whole, rather than addressing just Burundi, Rwanda, the Great Lakes and so on.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“This is an outcome that all of us would like to avoid. The final choice therefore lies with the Government of Iraq. The people of Iraq have suffered for far too long. We urge this Government to make the right decision at this critical moment.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“We urge Iraq to cooperate fully with UNMOVIC in identifying and accounting for all of its weapons of mass destruction programmes. Under paragraph 22 of resolution 687 (1991), the embargo on Iraqi exports will have no further force or effect once the Council agrees that Iraq has complied with all the requirements relating to its weapons of mass destruction disarmament obligations. It is also important to recall that resolution 687 (1991) notes in paragraph 14 that these actions to be taken by Iraq "represent steps towards the goal of establishing in the Middle East a zone free from weapons of mass destruction". We stand at a crossroads on this issue. Only one path will bring us towards peace. If Iraq refuses to meet its disarmament obligations, it will most certainly take itself down the other path.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“According to the latest figures of the oil-for-food programme, Iraq would need to export about $7 billion worth of oil during the current phase which ends on 25 November, to meet its humanitarian programme budget of $5 billion. Since the current phase began on 30 May 2002, only $3.3 billion worth of oil has been shipped. In other words, exports would have to be doubled in half the time to meet the programme's target. The oil-for-food programme was conceived as a temporary measure to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. It is not a substitute for normal economic activity in Iraq. It will end as soon as the Government of Iraq has fully complied with relevant resolutions. Therefore, Iraq's full compliance with relevant Council resolutions provides the path for sanctions relief.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“It has been in effect since December 1996 and has made a considerable difference in the lives of the Iraqi people. But it is not a perfect system. It has had to be modified over the years to meet the humanitarian needs of the people. The revised procedures for the Goods Review List adopted in resolution 1409 (2002) of May 2002 were another step forward in the efforts to further improve that system. But the current shortfall in funding for humanitarian contracts due to the fall in oil exports is of great concern. We will work with our colleagues in the Council to urgently address the factors contributing to the drop in exports. This is an urgent issue.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Singapore attaches great importance to improving the humanitarian situation of the people of Iraq, who have suffered greatly over the past decade. Security Council resolution 661 (1990) was adopted 12 years ago. Although the sanctions were aimed at the Government of Iraq, the innocent people of Iraq have borne the heaviest burden of sanctions, due largely to the Government's continued non-compliance with Council resolutions. Furthermore, after more than a decade, Kuwaiti and other families continue to be deprived of a sense of closure on the issue of missing Kuwaitis and third country nationals. In an effort to address the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people, the oil-for-food programme was established under resolution 986 (1995) of April 1995.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Blix has repeatedly put it, in an effective but correct manner. Today, the stakes are very high. The difference between successful and unsuccessful inspections may be the difference between war and peace. Mr. Blix therefore bears a heavy burden. However, we have full confidence in him and his team, and his long experience, professionalism, judgement, impartiality and temperament are eminently suited to the task ahead. It is therefore essential that the Security Council not attempt to micromanage him as he carries out his tasks. As one of our colleagues said in the Council's informal consultations, we should strengthen his hand and not tie his feet. Even as we focus on the important question of disarming Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, we must not lose sight of the human dimension of the Iraq issue.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Unfettered access and the provision of solid evidence matching Iraq's declarations will provide a high level of confidence that Iraq is complying with its obligations to eradicate all weapons of mass destruction. We note that the Government of Iraq has yet to provide its confirmation of the points of understanding reached in the Vienna talks on the practical arrangements for inspections, as outlined in the joint letter of 8 October from Mr. Hans Blix and Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei. We urge the Government of Iraq to do so unequivocally and without delay. As Mr. Blix told the Security Council at its informal consultations on 15 October, the simplest way to clear up remaining points would be to affirm the contents of the joint letter. At the same time, UNMOVIC and IAEA must ensure that all inspections are carried out, as Mr.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“The return of United Nations inspectors is the first step towards Iraq's compliance with all Council resolutions. But inspections per se are not the goal. The final goal is to ensure that Iraq does not retain any weapons of mass destruction and that it does not revive any such weapons programmes in that regard. We believe that United Nations weapons inspectors must have all the rights of inspection that would enable them to achieve these goals. We urge Iraq to cooperate fully with UNMOVIC and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enable their inspectors to perform effective inspections and monitoring. This means giving immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to all sites, including presidential sites, without exception.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“A Security Council that does not recognize new geopolitical realities will inevitably become a Council that is unable to carry out its work effectively. We note that in the statement delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Secretary-General the Secretary-General also said that the Council may "choose to pass a new resolution strengthening the inspectors' hands so that there are no weaknesses or ambiguities". Indeed, the Secretary-General considered that such a step would be appropriate. The events of 11 September have also brought new focus to the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. Singapore attaches great importance to this question. In our view, the emphasis of any new resolution should be on disarming Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction, in compliance with the decisions of the Security Council.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Today, even though UNMOVIC can return to Iraq without the legal necessity of a new resolution, a consensus is developing that there may be wisdom in obtaining agreement on a new resolution before the return of inspectors. First, resolution 1284 (1999) was not adopted unanimously. Three permanent members and one non- permanent member abstained because of ambiguities in that resolution. This also underscores the need to secure Council unity and the will to enforce the decisions of the Council, which is ultimately more important than passing new resolutions. Indeed, in a statement delivered on his behalf yesterday by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette, the Secretary- General also emphasized the importance of Security Council unity. Secondly, we must recognize that the geopolitics of this issue have shifted since December 1999.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“We should bear in mind this unfortunate turn of events in 1998 as we attempt once more to achieve the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions on Iraq. After December 1998, it took the Council almost a year to reach agreement on a new resolution. Resolution 1284 (1999) was adopted by a vote of 11 in favour and 4 abstentions. It provided for the suspension of most sanctions if Iraq cooperated fully with UNSCOM's successor, the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC). Almost three years have passed since that resolution was adopted, but UNMOVIC has been unable to resume its inspections.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“It also warned that "any violation would have severest consequences for Iraq". Despite that, the situation deteriorated. Iraq barred UNSCOM. from inspecting new facilities. In November 1998, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1205 (1998). Iraq's refusal to cooperate with UNSCOM. was deemed a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement. Further efforts to obtain Iraqi cooperation were not successful. The inspectors were withdrawn. That was followed by a bombing campaign in December 1998 by the United States and the United Kingdom. Known as Operation Desert Fox, that campaign was directed against Iraqi weapons of mass destruction facilities and other military targets.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Instead of declarations and verifications, inspections soon turned into a persistent pattern of hide-and-seek. The inspections crises became especially acute after 1997 and 1998. The tense stand-offs and expulsions of inspectors were followed by temporary compromises that allowed UNSCOM. to resume inspections. In February 1998, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Iraq and the Secretary-General. It provided for access to eight presidential sites by inspectors and diplomatic observers. Resolution 1154 (1998), which was adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter, stressed that compliance by Iraq with its obligations to accord immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access in conformity with the relevant resolutions was necessary for the implementation of resolution 687 (1991).”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“The ceasefire terms adopted by the Council in resolution 687 (1991) required Iraq to end its weapons of mass destruction programmes, recognize Kuwait, account for missing Kuwaitis and third-party nationals, return Kuwaiti property and end its support for international terrorism. Resolution 687 (1991) was designed as a comprehensive framework to restore peace and maintain the security of the region. Regrettably, Iraq has not complied with many of the terms of that resolution, even though 11 and-a-half years have passed. The United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) was also formed under resolution 687 (1991) to oversee Iraq's compliance with its disarmament obligations. Unfortunately, problems over access to suspected weapons of mass destruction sites began almost as soon as UNSCOM. commenced operations, in April 1991.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Hence, to maintain its credibility and authority, the Council must vigorously pursue the implementation of all its resolutions, whether they are on Iraq, the Middle East, the Balkans or Africa. Selective implementation will undermine the Council's moral authority. In the case of Iraq, some important questions have remained outstanding since the end of the Gulf War, in 1991. One of the most critical of those questions is the disarmament of all Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. That obligation was the keystone of the post-Gulf War ceasefire settlement reached between the coalition forces and Iraq.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Secretary-General Kofi Annan also declared to the General Assembly on 12 September that "If Iraq's defiance continues, the Security Council must face its responsibilities." Virtually all of us, including Singapore, have consistently taken the position that Iraq must comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 687 (1991), and 1284 (1999). Those two key resolutions provide the governing standards for Iraqi compliance. Article 25 of the Charter clearly states that the decisions of the Security Council are legally binding on all States. All Security Council resolutions, irrespective of whether they are adopted under Chapter VI or Chapter VII of the Charter, must be complied with. No Council resolution on any issue can be cast aside without consequence.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Most Member States have learned through the media about the concepts contained in the various draft texts. Intensive discussions in the corridors have, in turn, led to today's discussions in the Chamber. We are pleased that the wider membership has decided to participate in this debate and to provide their views on how the Council should proceed. As we conduct our meeting today it is vital to remind ourselves that the Security Council, pursuant to Article 24 of the Charter, has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In his address to the General Assembly on 12 September, United States President George Bush urged that the terms of the Council's previous resolutions against Iraq be enforced.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“As we conduct our debate in this Chamber, we cannot ignore a wider global debate that is taking place on the same subject. There is a clear international consensus that Iraq must comply with the Council's resolutions that it has hitherto defied. But a simultaneous discussion is taking place about the possibility of war in Iraq, a war that would have potentially far-reaching consequences. That is why the Council needs to confront this issue squarely. Only the Council can deliver a credible alternative path towards peace. The good news is that United Nations weapons inspectors are poised to return to Iraq, after a hiatus of nearly four years. To ensure that they return to Iraq with a strong hand, intensive consultations are underway on a new resolution.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“The topic we are discussing is a very serious one, but I hope that I may begin with a slightly mischievous remark. One of the most common themes that we have heard in the discussion so far is that this whole process has seen the marginalization of the elected members of the Council. Yet this afternoon, when all of the permanent members except one had spoken and an elected member began to speak, the Chamber emptied. I think the actions in this Chamber indicate the realities that we must deal with. I turn now to my text. This meeting is timely. The whole world is focused on the issue of Iraq. As more than 15 months have passed since the Security Council last met formally to consider the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, it is time for the Council to revisit the key issues.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“One more final point, I apologize for having read out at great length the statement, but ifI had not read it out, it would not appear in the provisional verbatim record, and therefore it would not be circulated. My apologies to all my colleagues for having done this to them.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Finally, I hope that, as was the case under the Irish presidency of the Council in October 2001, after the General Assembly debate on the Annual Report scheduled for next month, the Council will discuss the comments and suggestions raised during the debate to reflect on the key points made, so as to consider further improvements to the Council's working methods, work and future reports. Last year, Singapore submitted a brief summary of the key points made at the general debate to facilitate such a discussion. We would be happy to do so again this year. The Council's discussion ofthe points raised at the General Assembly will go a long way towards meeting our common objective of building a relationship of trust and confidence between the General Assembly and the Security Council.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Instead of blaming others, the Council should stop and ask itself, why have these situations not improved? Merely responding by issuing more press, presidential statements and resolutions may not be enough in most instances. We should review and see if we have become too comfortable with conservative and safe positions, instead of looking for alternative and creative solutions. The credibility of the Security Council will only be eroded over time if the Council is habitually seen to be unable to meet its responsibilities with regard to those long-standing files. Its press releases, Presidential Statements and resolutions could be ignored if there is a perceived gap between the Council's intentions and its actual accomplishments.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Often, the most urgent, rather than the most important, issues are given the most attention. Annually there is only one occasion for such a strategic review of the work of the Council. That takes places during the annual retreat of the Security Council with the Secretary-General. We commend the Secretary-General for hosting his retreats, but it may be useful to find other occasions for a comprehensive and strategic review of the work of the Council. All organizations find it healthy to do this. The Council should do no less. It may be useful for the Council to conduct from time to time an in-depth review and evaluation of its own action or often non-action, as the case may be, especially on the long-standing files so as to invigorate them. It may be too easy to blame the protagonists concerned.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Each Council member should designate an expert on organizational innovation and improvement, and that Council Working Group should meet regularly. Hopefully, that Working Group can make suggestions that will improve the working methods, reduce the workload, enable the Council to spend its time focusing on those issues that require the most attention and on its Charter responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security. The second suggestion we would like to make is that the Council should meet periodically to do a strategic review of its work. While its workload has grown by leaps and bounds - and I think that is documented in the reports - the Council has not found opportunities to do a strategic overview of all the work done. There is no conscious effort to prioritize the work of the Council.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Yet, there is no single adequate description of the full range of activities conducted by the Council, which now include public meetings, private meetings, informal consultations, meetings with troop-contributing countries, working groups, formal and informal friends groups, contact groups, and so on. It is time for someone to draw a full picture ofthe total architecture of the Council. Once we have clearly drawn the big picture, it will be easier to review the Council. At the same time, the Security Council should also respond positively to the Secretary-General's efforts to imbue the United Nations family with a new spirit of reform. One way of introducing a culture of innovation to the Council is for the informal Working Group on the working methods and procedures to be more active.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Finally, in conclusion, I hope, Mr. President, that you will permit me to end my remarks by suggesting that it may be useful practice for members of the Council to also provide recommendations on how the Council can improve its performance in subsequent years. For our part, we would like to suggest at least two areas. First, I think the Council should respond positively to the suggestion made by the Secretary- General that we should "codify" improvements made by the Council. Both the institutional structure of the Council and the work of the Council have grown in size and complexity.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Indeed, the Council needs to establish a cohesive and coordinated approach in cooperation with other relevant United Nations bodies, such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, just to name a few. Neither of those lists is exhaustive. We have not mentioned many significant issues, including Iraq, which is the subject of the day, Western Sahara, Georgia, Cyprus, the Balkans, and so on. But in the limited time we have, it would be impossible to list all the successful and less successful files. Nevertheless, when the General Assembly meets to review this year's Annual Report, we hope that they will refer to the evaluations made by the members of the Council who have been actively involved in the management of those difficult issues.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Still, the Council needs to develop a comprehensive policy to deal with the security and humanitarian dimensions ofthe Somalia issue. Liberia was also one of the Council's strategic orphans until Ambassador Zinser of Mexico recommended a fresh look at it. Clearly, the Council needs to have a comprehensive and coherent policy to protect its major investments in West Africa. Finally, the increasing complexities relating to the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons from situations in the Council's many conflict files have not been adequately addressed by the Council today.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Council has, so far, not been able to follow up decisively on the initiative proposed by the Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region in April 2002. That could affect the credibility ofthe Council as well as its future missions. However, in View of the recent agreements signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Rwanda and Uganda, the Council is now provided with new opportunities to respond positively to the Secretary-General's recommendations on how the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can play a bigger role. Somalia was clearly one of the strategic orphans- and I hope that phrase will not be misunderstood - of the Council until Norway took it up.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“Some of its files clearly need more attention. Again, as an illustrative rather than a comprehensive list, let me cite a few examples. The Working Group on sanctions was originally scheduled to complete its work in November 2000. Now, almost two years later, it remains trapped in a logjam. We hope that Council members will support Ambassador Belinga-Eboutou, as he tries to revitalize this Working Group. The Middle East crisis has been aggravated in recent months. However, the Council adopted resolution 1397 (2002), which was a landmark resolution that reaffirmed the vision of a region where two States, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side within secure and recognized borders. We hope that the Quartet, a new diplomatic vehicle, will work to implement it.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“So far, Afghanistan has surpassed all expectations in moving back towards the path of peace and stability, even though many challenges remain. The problem, as we know, is that the security situation remains fragile, but there continues to be strong reluctance to consider the geographical expansion of the International Security Assistance Force. That has to be addressed by the Council. Finally, with regard to Sierra Leone, the return of delicate peace and stability to Sierra Leone, following the successful elections held on 14 May 2002 and the ongoing efforts by the Sierra Leone Government to implement recovery measures, has bolstered the credibility of the Council and has reaffirmed the important role it plays. But, to be completely candid, the Council is a human institution; therefore, it has its share of successes and failures.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“The Council's enlightened decision to establish the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor as a successor to UNTAET to continue to assist East Timor to maintain security and stability and carry out core areas of administration in the early years of its independence was reflective of the Council's commitment to institute clear and credible exit strategies for the United Nations. Regarding Afghanistan, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi helped shepherd the Bonn process and, through his effective leadership of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, he continues to ensure its implementation. Incidentally, as an aside, yesterday somebody was telling me that if there were free and fair elections in Afghanistan, Ambassador Brahimi would be elected President overnight. He is the most popular person in Afghanistan today.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“It also provided the necessary leadership to galvanize international action. If the Security Council had not existed on 12 September 2001, it would have had to be invented then. The fight against terrorism showed once again the indispensability of the Council. Secondly, with regard to East Timor, the work of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) paved the way for the birth of the Democratic Republic of East Timor on 20 May 2002, and East Timor will be admitted as a full United Nations Member by the General Assembly tomorrow.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source
“We are confident that our colleagues can improve on them and probably develop better criteria. In our considered View, any objective evaluation of the performance of the Council for the period covered in this year's Annual Report should result in an overall positive assessment. It has been a good year. There have been many success stories. It would be impossible to cite all of them but it may be useful to cite a few as an illustrative list. First, with regard to terrorism, the Council's response to the threat of terrorism after Sept 11, especially through its substantive resolutions, the Counter-Terrorism Committee chaired by Sir Jeremy Greenstock and the 1267 Sanctions Committee chaired by Ambassador Valdivieso, demonstrated the real value of the Council. The Security Council legitimized a global response.”
2002-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4616 (2002) · source