YouSaid · the spoken record

Mahmassani

lines on the record

186

first

2002-07-24

most recent

2010-01-27

sittings or episodes

29

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

1. “Any attempts to impose changes on the region, to interfere in its affairs or to control its resources are totally unacceptable. In addition, they will have grave consequences on regional stability, including in the Mediterranean region. At a time when we had hoped and waited that good offices would bring an end to Israel's occupation of Arab territory and to the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab initiative and relevant international resolutions, we have been stunned to see Iraq invaded and occupied. Now we must deal with two occupations, instead of just one. This will generate violence, extremism and hostility among the Arab peoples. The good relations of Britain and the United States with the Arab peoples depend upon the policies of those two States vis-a-Vis fateful Arab issues.”

   2003-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726 (2003) · source

2. “The waging of war against Iraq today leads us to believe that the question of Iraq was never about weapons of mass destruction. The motive behind the war was to usher in a dangerous era in which absolute power is made necessary in order to implement plans and schemes against the peoples and States of the region, so as to redraw the map of the region in a way acceptable to the occupying Power. This is totally unacceptable and will cause turmoil in the Arab world, and in the Middle East in general. At this difficult time, when the Arab nation is facing grave challenges, we once again reaffirm that the form of the Arab peoples' political regimes must be decided by the peoples of the region without foreign interference.”

   2003-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726 (2003) · source

3. “The inspectors themselves stated as much in the Council, saying that they needed a few months to carry out their tasks. In that regard, we once again wish to reaffirm that the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) is the only party authorized to disarm Iraq. Would it not have been better to wait a few months in order to avert a war that we today watch in agony, sadness and terror? This war will have grave consequences in both the region and the world. It is taking place despite the fact that the Security Council, despite numerous pressures and temptations, has refused to give its approval to a draft resolution that would have provided a mere fig leaf for the waging of an unjustified war.”

   2003-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726 (2003) · source

4. “2) "To call for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the invading American/British forces from Iraqi territory and to make them bear the material, moral and legal responsibility for this aggression;" (ibid., para. 3) "To mandate the Arab Group at the United Nations to call for an urgent meeting of the Security Council, with a view to the adoption of a decision to halt the aggression and to secure an immediate withdrawal of the invading forces beyond the international borders of the Republic of Iraq, affirmation of respect for Iraq's sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, and a commitment by all States not to interfere in its internal affairs." (ibid., para. 5) American and British forces have chosen to wage war at a time when Iraq was actively cooperating with United Nations inspectors.”

   2003-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726 (2003) · source

5. “The ministerial decision adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States on 24 March 2003 in connection with the Anglo-American aggression against Iraq decided the following: "To condemn the American/British aggression against Iraq, a State Member of the United Nations and a member of the League of Arab States;" (S/2003/365, annex, para. 1) "To deem this aggression a Violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, a departure from international legitimacy, a threat to international peace and security and an act of defiance against the international community and world public opinion, which call for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and compliance with the decisions of international legitimacy;" (ibid., para.”

   2003-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726 (2003) · source

6. “Mr. Mahmassani (League of Arab States) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me to congratulate you once again, Mr. President, on your wise conduct of the work of the Security Council. The Security Council is meeting today in an emergency meeting to consider the war being waged by the United States and the United Kingdom against an Arab State, namely, Iraq, as well as the repercussions of that war on the security and safety of neighbouring Arab States and on Arab national security. Since 20 March, the armies and air forces of two permanent members of the Security Council have, without the Council's authorization, been waging an unequal and unjust war against Iraq, which has been a Member State of the Organization since the signing of the Charter.”

   2003-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4726 (2003) · source

7. “The Preamble of the Charter states that "We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind".”

   2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

8. “The inspectors have asked for a few months to complete their task, in order to finalize their verification of the peaceful elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Such a request is an insignificant price for averting a hideous and uneven war that will sow devastation and destruction, incite rage and violence and destabilize the Arab region and the entire world. We are at a historic juncture that will determine the destiny of succeeding generations and the future of international legitimacy for a long time to come. The war that is being planned against Iraq will be a prelude to other wars. Humanity will revert to the pre-1939 period: principles and values will collapse, the strong will dominate the weak and chaos will reign supreme.”

   2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

9. “The danger that threatens the security and safety of the Arab nations is Israel's possession of weapons of mass destruction - chemical, biological and nuclear - and their delivery systems; Israel's continued occupation of the Arab territories; its policy of destruction against the Palestinian people; its rejection of Security Council resolution 487 (1981), which provides for the placement of its nuclear programmes and capabilities under IAEA safeguards; and its rejection of the implementation of paragraph 14 of Security Council resolution 687 (1991), which provides for the declaration of the Middle East as a zone free from weapons of mass destruction. Why, then, be silent about the Israeli arsenal, Israel's violation of Security Council resolutions and its threat to the security and safety of Arab States?”

   2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

10. “The affairs of the Arab homeland and the development of its systems of government are to be decided by the peoples of the region, in accordance with their national and regional interests, free from any foreign intervention. Reports of changes to be imposed on the region and of intervention in its domestic affairs are offensive and unacceptable. While we were hoping and waiting for the initiation of good offices to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Arab territories and to the Arab- Israeli conflict, in accordance with the Arab initiative and relevant United Nations resolutions, we were surprised at the massing of armies in preparation for the invasion and occupation of Iraq.”

    2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

11. “How much time would it take to resolve the key remaining disarmament tasks? It would not take years, nor weeks, but months [just months]. (supra, pps. 3-6). (spoke in Arabic) In the light of the conclusions of the report of the inspectors, there is absolutely no justification for waging war against Iraq. We therefore wonder, why war? What present danger or looming threat make war imperative? The insistence on waging war at a time when inspections are proceeding vigorously towards the verification of the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq poses questions as to whether the actual objective of such a war would be the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, or whether there are other aims and schemes.”

    2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

12. “ElBaradei's report of 7 March stated that: (spoke in English) "The IAEA has made important progress there is no indication of resumed nuclear activities there is no indication that Iraq has attempted to import uranium since 1990 there is no indication that Iraq has attempted to import aluminium tubes for use in centrifuge enrichment." (S/PV.47I4, p. 8) (spoke in Arabic) Mr. Blix stated the following: (spoke in English) "We are able to perform professional no-notice inspections all over Iraq and to increase aerial surveillance. [The Al Samoud 2 missile] destruction undertaken constitutes a substantial measure of disarmament. Lethal weapons are being destroyed. initiatives that are now taken by the Iraqi side can be seen as active or even proactive. UNMOVIC is currently drafting the work programme.”

    2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

13. “It also called on Iraq to cooperate in finding a rapid solution to the question of prisoners and detainees, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; to return the remaining archives and properties; and to pursue policies of goodwill. The report of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), presented by Mr. Blix, and the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), presented by Mr. ElBaradei, to the Council on 7 March, stated that positive achievements had been recorded in the conduct of the inspection process and noted the responsiveness and cooperation shown by Iraq. For this reason, we would reiterate the need to continue the inspections in order to close the Iraqi file and lift the sanctions imposed on it, in accordance with paragraph 22 of resolution 687 (1991). Mr.”

    2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

14. “It considered that any such attack would constitute a threat to the national security of all Arab States, and reaffirmed the need to find a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis in the context of international legitimacy, as represented by the Security Council. That decision also called on all States to support Arab efforts aimed at averting the war and stated that that goal would be achieved through Iraq's full implementation of Security Council resolution 1441 (2002) and by granting the inspectors sufficient time to complete their mission. The Arab Summit also recalled Iraq's assurances of its respect for the independence, sovereignty and security of the State of Kuwait.”

    2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

15. “Mr. Mahmassani (League of Arab States) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We have full confidence in your leadership and your wisdom, which eminently qualify you to conduct the work of the Security Council. I wish also to thank your predecessor, the Ambassador of Germany, who presided over the Security Council during the month of February, with great effectiveness and competence, and whose efforts were crowned with success and accomplishments. The decision taken at the Arab Summit, held at Sharm el-Sheikh on 1 March, categorically rejected any attack against Iraq or threat against the security or territorial integrity of any Arab State.”

    2003-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4717 (2003) · source

16. “Upholding the United Nations Charter, international legitimacy and the solidarity and unity of the international community is the only means to face up to the crises of the twenty-first century, to maintain international peace and security and to "save succeeding generations the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind".”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

17. “The imposition of a new military conflict on the Middle East will be a grave mistake that will be very difficult to contain or control. War against Iraq will open a Pandora's box. Violence and civil war will sweep the entire country, fragmenting it. This in turn will undermine the entire Arab region, which has already been plagued with extreme anger due to the Israeli occupation and preparations for another military attack against another brotherly State. War against Iraq will annul the current world order, the United Nations Charter and international law. It would expose States, particularly those of the South, to the danger of attacks on the pretext of preventive measures, leading the entire world back to the era of the League of Nations.”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

18. “The two conflicts have become entwined in the public mind in a way that the West's politicians cannot ignore. When he sought last week to talk his sceptical Labour Party into supporting action against Iraq, Tony Blair, Britain's Prime Minister, got his biggest cheer for the bit of his speech that said UN resolutions should apply in Palestine as much as Iraq." (spoke in Arabic) We are extremely concerned about the increasing possibility of war breaking out against an Arab country. A dark, ominous cloud is gathering on the horizon, threatening the peace and safety of the entire region. We call for the expeditious return of UNMOVIC inspectors to Iraq to fulfil their tasks in order to allow the region and the entire world to breathe easily again. We completely reject the waging of war against an Arab country.”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

19. “Article 25 of the United Nations Charter states that Member States of the United Nations undertake to accept Security Council resolutions and implement them in accordance with the Charter. All Council resolutions should be implemented. Israel has violated scores of them in its conflict with the Arab side. Why does the Security Council not adopt a resolution forcing Israel to implement its resolutions? The Secretary-General of the United Nations stated lately that every time he is in a press conference he is asked about double standards. In its last issue, on 12 October 2002, the Economist magazine addressed this particular matter. (spoke in English) "This question is no longer being asked by Arabs alone. 'No war against Iraq, Free Palestine' has become the slogan of anti-war demonstrations in Europe and America.”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

20. “We also welcomed Iraq's reaffirmation of the Council's call for respect for the independence and sovereignty of Kuwait, and we have called for implementation of resolutions of international legitimacy and for adoption of policies of good intentions. Security Council resolution 687 (1991) also called for the entire region of the Middle East to be free of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. Israel has rejected that and is the only nuclear State in the region. It has large stocks of nuclear weapons and biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction and the ability to strike any region in the Arab world. Why does the Security Council not adopt a resolution to force Israel to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction? Why is there this double standard?”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

21. “There is no reason for the delay in the Council's work, and there is no reason to prejudge the results of the inspectors and to prepare for war. We would like to recall that Article 2 of the United Nations Charter states that all Member States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. The League of Arab States, at the Beirut Summit on 27 and 28 March 2002, completely rejected any strike against Iraq or any threat against the safety and security of any Arab country. We requested that sanctions against Iraq be lifted and called for respect for its territorial integrity and security.”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

22. “Following that, an agreement between Iraq and the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC was reached in Vienna on the arrangements for the return of the weapons inspectors. World markets have been relieved, and the Dow Jones index gained $1 billion in one minute. That relaxation did not last for long, since some have requested that inspectors not return until a new draft resolution is prepared. Iraq has declared that it is free of all weapons of mass destruction and that it is committed to all relevant Security Council resolutions. Therefore, we believe that the present situation requires the return of the inspectors to Iraq as soon as possible, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, in order to fulfil their tasks and to present a report to the Security Council so it can lift the sanctions imposed on Iraq.”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

23. “Mr. Mahmassani (League of Arab States) (spoke in Arabic): First, permit me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month, wishing you every success in your important tasks. I also take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Tafrov for his able stewardship of the Council last month. On 16 September 2002, following the tireless efforts by the Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Amr Moussa, Iraq accepted the return of inspectors of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) without restrictions or conditions, a step that was welcomed by the international community.”

    2002-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption1 (2002) · source

24. “The Arab States have opted for peace as a strategic choice, and thus presented the Arab peace initiative at the Beirut Summit. Security Council members and all other States welcomed the Arab initiative, while Israel rejected it and chose the strategy of war. We have questions for the Security Council. Why are there double standards? Why is Israel allowed to remain above international law and above the United Nations Charter? Why are Security Council resolutions on Israel not enforced as they are for other countries? Israel has violated 28 of the Council's resolutions. Why does the Council not shoulder its responsibilities? And why does it not put an end to Israel's violations and its defiance of international law? Those questions beg for answers.”

    2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source

25. “Terje Roed- Larsen, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, about the humiliating situation in the occupied Arab territories. The crux of the Arab-Israeli conflict is Israel's occupation of Arab territories and its refusal to withdraw to the 4 June 1967 line in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference. As long as the occupation continues, strife will continue, and so will resistance to occupation. Here, we should be committed to preserving United Nations resolutions and the rules of international law, which make clear the legitimacy of resisting occupation within national borders.”

    2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source

26. “The number of Palestinian martyrs killed by occupation-force bullets between 28 September 2000 and 23 July 2002 was 1,705, in addition to the tens of thousands of people who have been wounded and disabled. The number of detainees held during the same period was 6,000, 1,700 of whom are under administrative detention, meaning that they have not been indicted. And the number of detained children, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is about 600. Scores of houses have been demolished. The total area bulldozed by the occupation authority in Gaza is equivalent to 10 per cent of all agricultural land. Many new settlements have been established, including 40 since Sharon came to power. Council members recently heard a briefing by Mr.”

    2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source

27. “(spoke in Arabic) After 50 years of war and violence, when will the Government of Israel be convinced that the policy of force and war will not settle the Middle East crisis and that negotiations and the implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy are the only way for Israel, the State of Palestine and all the other countries of the region to live in peace, security and stability? Israel's violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions have become commonplace, with the killing of women and children, the demolition of homes, expulsions and collective punishment continuing unabatedly as if they were of no concern to anyone. It may be necessary to cite some facts and figures to clarify the dimensions of the heinous Israeli occupation. The following figures might be relevant.”

    2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source

28. “If that is the case for Israel, why are the Israeli forces laying siege to Arafat and punishing him by demolishing his presidential compound? The fact of the matter is that the policy of the Israeli Prime Minister has become irrelevant, and that its logic of force and violence over the logic of negotiations has failed. This policy brings killing and destruction to the Palestinian people without realizing peace and security for the Israeli people. The Israeli opinion polls prove this fact. General Amram Mitzna, the mayor of Haifa, expressed this in a statement he made a couple of days ago: (spoke in English) "Mr. Sharon is leading Israel to disaster with a policy of force, more force and yet more force".”

    2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source

29. “I should like at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. I am confident that you will conduct its proceedings with efficiency and wisdom. I take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador John Negroponte for ably steering the deliberations of the Council last month. The Council meets today to deliberate on the development of the situation in Ramallah, in the aftermath of the Israeli aggression against President Yasser Arafat at his presidential compound, following a suicide operation inside Israel. The Israeli Government announces daily, whether through its Prime Minister or its public officials, that President Arafat is irrelevant and that the Palestinian Authority is without authority.”

    2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source

30. “Furthermore, the withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories and the return to the borders of 4 June 1967 are the beginning of the road to peace and security. The Security Council is also requested to take the necessary measures that would assure the Palestinians that they are not alone in facing the brutal Israeli occupation. The League of Arab States emphasizes that peace is its strategic choice, and that it remains committed to cooperate with this Organization, led by the honourable Security Council, in order to achieve the peace which all the Arabs believe in and which is an international goal for all people, so that it is achieved with justice in the Middle East.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source

31. “Furthermore, it has given its support to the Arab initiative, which was reflected in the last Arab Summit in Beirut. This initiative states that the Arabs are ready to establish normal relations with Israel if Israel withdraws from the Arab land occupied in 1967. The initiative also calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Nonetheless, Israel rejected this initiative, emphasizing its intention to go against the wishes of the countries of the region. The Security Council is requested today to address send a clear message to Israel, stating that the policies of aggression, which it is pursuing through violence, do not achieve peace or security in the region.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source

32. “There is no doubt that the Israeli military actions in the Palestinian occupied territories have reached a stage that reflects a dangerous deterioration in the prospects for peace in the region, an acceptance of the de facto situation whereby Israel tries to impose its own policy without paying any attention to the attempts of the international community to defuse the tension. This represents a flagrant violation of the international will, represented in this Council, and a threat to international peace and security. The international community is unanimous on the need for reaching a peace based on comprehensive justice and on the resolutions of the United Nations, in addition to the principle of land for peace which took root in Madrid.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source

33. “The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States calls attention to the fact that this last Israeli aggression presents a real defiance of the efforts of the "quartet", which tries to bring the region back to the political course, and of the Arab efforts to restore peace in the region. No one, afterward, will have the right to ask about the reasons for the continuing violence in the area, or why the international and Arab efforts are not succeeding in ushering peace to the region.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source

34. “The condemnation of this flagrant Israeli aggression is not enough, especially since Israeli practices are continuing, practices that target civilians, extrajudicial assassinations, expulsions of families and the destruction of homes. This means continuation of violence and instability in the region. It may thus usher dire consequences into the whole area. These actions require the Security Council to act promptly and decisively, as it must assume its full responsibilities for providing international protection for the Palestinian people suffering under the occupation.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source

35. “This comes at a time when the Israeli occupation forces claimed that they do not target civilians and a few hours after news stated that the Palestinian Authority presented the Israeli authorities with a plan for a ceasefire between the two parties, on condition that Israel stops killing Palestinian activists. This also occurs at a delicate time when intensive international and Arab efforts are being deployed to defuse the situation in order to resume the peace process. It is thus clear that Israel in reality seeks violence and the exacerbation of the situation and seeks to erode any attempt to realize permanent and comprehensive peace that would lead to the establishment of the Palestinian State.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source

36. “Mr. Mahmassani (League of Arab States) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, allow me at the outset to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of July. We are confident that your wisdom and skills will lead us to the desired success. I also wish to thank the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic for successfully conducting the duties of the presidency last month. Yesterday at midnight, while people were going to bed, Sharon gave his orders to drop a one-ton bomb on a residential building, killing 15, including 9 children, and injuring about 170. Sharon prided himself on this ugly action, saying that it is one of his most important successes. What happened in Gaza is by all standards a flagrant violation of international laws, a war crime and State terrorism.”

    2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source