YouSaid · the spoken record

Major General Asarta Cuevas

lines on the record: 32
first: 2011-07-27
most recent: 2011-07-27
sittings or episodes: 1
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

“By way of conclusion, I can say that the most recent meeting on 7 July saw the creation of four subcommittees - one for infrastructure, one for command and control, another for troop capacity and movement, and another for operational issues. All of that is geared to making headway towards being able to transfer all our responsibilities - and I underline again that this is mandated by resolution 1701 (2006) - to the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Regarding the transfer of responsibilities from UNIFIL to the LAF, in keeping with the joint technical review that I mentioned earlier, we have a strategic dialogue in place with the LAF. The purpose of the dialogue is to assess UNIFIL capacity and the tasks that it must fulfil pursuant to its mandate under resolution 1701 (2006). It is also to assess LAF capacity and which of our missions it can undertake, with the ultimate goal of leaving the Lebanese Armed Forces to fulfil all the tasks conferred on UNIFIL under resolution 1701 (2006). We recognize that UNIFIL cannot be in Lebanon forever. At some point, we must withdraw. The LAF will have to assume the responsibilities currently now assumed by UNIFIL. When will that day come? We do not know, but we are working towards it.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Of a total of 12 soldiers, six were wounded, all lightly except one who has an eye in quite bad condition, but he will not lose it. Of those, three were flown home to France today. The other three are still working in their units. We were actually lucky. Turning to the second question about our coordination with the LAF, it is excellent in our operations area. They have officials and representatives at all levels and in every location. They are aware of our activities on a daily basis and there is complete transparency. Beyond the area of operations, at the Force Commander level we coordinate with the chief of intelligence and the Commander in Chief of the LAF. If they have information or anything important that I need to know, they communicate it right away.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“I have proposed daily reconnaissance of that road, at different times each day, together with the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, but only in sensitive areas that are highly vulnerable to attack. I have been waiting for a response for two months. Finally last Friday, I sent a formal letter to the Commander in Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, proposing this initiative yet again and asking for a response. Sadly, yesterday there was another attack. I am not saying that we could have avoided it had we taken the measures 1 proposed, but we might have. I also want to update the Council on what happened with the incident yesterday. There were four vehicles, three of which were armoured, while the third was not. The attack was against the fourth vehicle, which was an armoured vehicle with jammers.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“However, if individuals need to leave the area of operations- to go on vacation via the airport, for instance - we have painted 14 unmarked vehicles, using various colours, that are made available to soldiers and other UNIFIL personnel for individual needs. We have taken one additional measure that I proposed to General Kahwaji and the chief of intelligence of the LAF for the southern sector. That measure involves daily reconnaissance of the highway that connects our area of operations with the port and airport of Beirut. For us, it amounts to an extension of our area of operations, but it is not actually within that area. We therefore need to work closely with the Lebanon Government and the LAF.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“What that means is that, in cooperation with the LAF and the population, we can control our area of operations, but outside that we do not have control. That is the national responsibility of the Lebanese Government and Armed Forces. They must guarantee security along the coastal highway, which is basically UNIFIL's only route for relief troops and supplies and to access the Beirut port and airport where our soldiers arrive at and leave the country. Having discussed convoys, I will turn to the safety of individuals, towards which we have taken certain additional measures, including a ban on the use of marked UNIFIL vehicles for personal use outside the area of operations.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Following the attack of 27 May on an Italian patrol, in which six soldiers were wounded, I sent a directive to my soldiers containing additional security measures. The most important of those measures included the orders that convoys, where possible, should always take place at night and with jammers; that two vehicles at a minimum must always travel together; that our soldiers should wear flak jackets and helmets; and that, whenever possible, the LAF should also provide bodyguards and maintain ongoing contact with the joint operations centre. It is important to stress that those instructions were for convoys travelling outside our area of operations, because the two terrorist attacks on us - the first in May and the other yesterday i took place outside of UNIFIL's area of operations. Similar attacks took place in 2008 in the same zone.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“At the outset, I should like to thank all members of the Council for their kind words addressed to our French soldiers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) who suffered a criminal terrorist attack yesterday. The French Ambassador asked three questions. The first was about how our soldiers can be better protected. The second was about coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The third related to the transfer of responsibility to the LAF. Turning to the question about how our soldiers can be better protected, I must say that UNIFIL has enough robust means and protection to achieve its missions. The protection of vehicles is a national responsibility. In this case, France, Spain and Italy have had no problem providing us with armoured vehicles.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“In the tripartite meetings and in the meetings I have with the parties, I always say the same thing: (spoke in English) Do not give, do not take. (spoke in Spanish) Do not provoke, and do not react to any provocation. That is the best way of avoiding incidents along the Blue Line. I think that I have answered the questions, but if further clarifications are required, I would be happy to provide them.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Also in our recommendations, which I will read word for word, we said that the Israeli forces should refrain from responding in such situations, unless it is clearly required for their own immediate self-defence, taking into account the fact that both countries, Lebanon and Israel, have the right to self-defence. But the Israel Defense Forces must not resort to the excessive use of force and must always take action that is commensurate with the offence, and therefore they should also include equipment, units and experts for controlling demonstrators and for crowd control. We also said that both countries - Israel and Lebanon - should ensure that in these types of situations, they use troops that are properly trained and equipped to try to prevent this type of incident from occurring.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Turning to the second question, which was asked by the representative of Lebanon, I should like to refer to the recommendations that UNIFIL made to the parties following the tragic incidents that took place on 15 May, Nakba Day, this year. Those recommendations included the fact that only the Lebanese authorities are responsible for law and order within Lebanon, and that they had to take the measures necessary to prevent incidents along the Blue Line, which, as is well known, is a very sensitive area, where most incidents take place; it has been the line of withdrawal of the Israeli forces since the war of 2000. Therefore, to prevent such incidents from occurring, what is necessary is comprehensive oversight of the population.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“To date also, taking into account the fact that we cannot go onto private property or search homes - that is an obligation of the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces - there has been no evidence of the illegal trafficking of weapons. What I mean by that is that neither I personally nor any of my soldiers have seen the arsenals that have been referred to. We would like to see them to determine if they do in fact exist. I should like to say also that the most recent launching of rockets from our area of operations against Israel took place in October 2009, so for almost two years now, thanks to the efforts of the population of the south, the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL, the cessation of hostilities has been maintained and there have been no rocket launchings against Israel.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Under our mandate, UNIFIL cannot go into private homes or onto private property unless there is credible evidence and an immediate threat relating to a violation of resolution 1701 (2006). Our troops which are deployed in southern Lebanon, between the Litani river and the Blue Line, consist of about 12,500 soldiers and more than 1,000 civilians. Those soldiers, who are from 35 different countries, are involved in between 10,000 to 12,000 operational activities a month. During those operational activities, we have discovered, in the five years since the adoption of resolution 1701 (2006), stores of ammunition, bunkers and weapons, but all of that predates the conflict - the 2006 war.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Please allow me to answer the questions in my own language, Spanish, so that I can respond more precisely. Concerning the so-called Hizbullah arsenal, in the mandate in resolution 1701 (2006), the primary responsibility to ensure that there are no weapons other than those belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL falls to the Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Under our mandate, under resolution 1701 (2006), the primary responsibility for ensuring that there is no type of weapon other than those of the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL in UNIFIL's area of operation falls on the Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“UNIF IL is providing a window of opportunity that should be seized in order to make progress towards achieving the main objectives of resolution 1701 (2006), which I reiterate, namely, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution of the conflict. Very soon the Council will discuss the extension of UNIFIL's mandate. As Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, I would highly appreciate the continued support of the Security Council and in particular its express support for the safety and freedom of movement of UNIFIL personnel, as well as the objectives of the strategic dialogue process.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Since the adoption of the resolution, UNIFIL has enjoyed the unanimous support of the Security Council for its operation in south Lebanon. That support remains of vital importance in order for UNIFIL to be in a strong position to continue to carry out its mandate. These are key factors for continued success in the implementation of UNIFIL's mandate. At the same time, however, UNIFIL's success in eventually handing over responsibilities to the Lebanese Army and drawing down its own forces will ultimately depend on a political process to resolve the issues underlying the conflict.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“The ministerial statement of the new Government reiterates Lebanon's strong commitment to resolution 1701 (2006) and to UNIFIL's mandate. At the most recent tripartite meeting, on 13 July, the head of the Lebanese delegation confirmed that there has been no change in the orders to the Lebanese Armed Forces with respect to implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and cooperation with UNIFIL. While the new Government's period in office has been short, UNIFIL has noted that the Government and the Army are acting in that spirit. This was confirmed by Prime Minister Mikati in his first visit to south Lebanon, on 16 July, which included a symbolic visit to UNIFIL headquarters, constituting a strong statement of support for our Mission. The Government of Israel also remains committed to the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006).”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Rather, the calm and relative stability that UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army and the Israel Defense Forces have established and maintained across the Blue Line provide a window of opportunity for a political process to address the issues, which are beyond the remit of a peacekeeping mission such as UNIFIL can support a political process by ensuring a conducive security situation, but it cannot replace a political, diplomatic process. I therefore believe it is necessary to refocus all our efforts on achieving the main objectives of resolution 1701 (2006), namely, a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict. UNIFIL enjoys the support of the population in the south, and the Lebanese national consensus on resolution 1701 (2006) has been maintained.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“With the tripartite forum and the strategic dialogue mechanism, UNIFIL is in a good position to advance the military operational issues mandated to it in resolution 1701 (2006). The successful implementation of these processes will, hopefully, ensure that the situation in south Lebanon and along the Blue Line will remain calm and that the cessation of hostilities between the parties will be maintained. Essentially, that would ensure maintaining the status quo of relative calm, but in a precariously fragile environment. However, I believe we - the United Nations, UNIFIL, the Security Council and the international community - should not be satisfied with maintaining this status quo.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“The Lebanese authorities - Government and Army - welcomed this recommendation, and the mechanism has been established and has taken up its work. The process will assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in establishing appropriate operational capabilities for implementing tasks mandated in resolution 1701 (2006) and will eventually facilitate the gradual handover of responsibility to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The strategic dialogue mechanism will proceed on the basis of analyses of the UNIFIL and Lebanese Army ground forces and maritime assets and will set a series of benchmarks reflecting the correlation between the capacity and responsibilities of UNIFIL vis-a-vis the capacity and responsibilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“The tripartite forum has developed into a key mechanism for liaison and coordination between the parties, and both parties have committed themselves to it and use it actively. The forum continues to play a critical role in advancing the Blue Line marking process, in finding practical solutions to contentious issues and thereby in defusing tensions and preventing the escalation of incidents in areas along the Blue Line. The Lebanese Armed Forces are a strategic partner for UNIFIL in maintaining the new strategic environment in south Lebanon and in implementing resolution 1701 (2006). The joint Department of Peacekeeping Operations-UNIFIL technical review, which was completed at the beginning of 2010, therefore recommended that a regular strategic dialogue mechanism between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces be set up.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“It also called for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution of the conflict based, inter alia, on full respect for the Blue Line by both parties and security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani River of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL. In addition to carrying out its military operational activities, UNIFIL established the tripartite forum, in which it discusses with senior representatives of the Israel Defense Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces violations of resolution 1701 (2006), military operational issues and confidence-building measures between the two sides.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“This is in many ways the result of the close cooperation between UNIF IL and the Lebanese Army, which helped establish a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon. Almost five years since the adoption of resolution 1701 (2006), it is an appropriate moment to look again at the main objectives of the resolution and how we need to proceed in order to achieve them. Resolution 1701 (2006) called for a full cessation of hostilities.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“At this point, I would also like to convey to the Council how greatly the Mission has benefited from the unwavering support it has received over the years from the Council, as expressed most strongly in resolution 1773 (2007). On the basis of that resolution, UNIFIL regularly reminds the parties of their responsibilities to scrupulously respect the safety and security of United Nations personnel and the freedom of movement of UNIFIL and reiterates with Lebanese interlocutors the Council's call for closer cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army. Despite the security challenges I spoke about earlier, the security situation in the south, as I mentioned before, remains generally relatively stable, and south Lebanon has enjoyed the five quietest and calmest years in many decades.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“How has UNIFIL reacted to these events? We have increased force protection and risk-mitigating measures, which often means that more personnel are required to carry out the same activities. We also conduct more operational activities, together with the Lebanese Armed Forces to the extent that the capacity of the Lebanese Army allows but without limiting the performance of UNIF IL in carrying out activities, especially those we consider essential. The Council can rest assured that neither terrorist attacks nor unfriendly encounters with the population will deter UNIFIL from carrying out its mandate. We continue to do so with the same resolve as ever.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Finally, throughout the month of June, the Mission experienced a number of incidents of unfriendly behaviour by individuals or groups of individuals towards UNIFIL patrols and restricted freedom of movement of UNIFIL. These incidents do give me real cause for concern. In many instances, the Lebanese side cites a perceived infringement of the individual's or local community's privacy by the UNIFIL troops taking photos or inadvertently entering private property as the reason for the unfriendly behaviour towards our troops. However, not all such situations can be explained in this way, and we cannot exclude that there may also be instances when the population may be encouraged to act in this way in an attempt to discourage UNIFIL from carrying out its activities and thereby fulfilling its mandate throughout the area of operations.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Specifically, the Lebanese authorities should carry out a full assessment of all security and other risks of violations of resolution 1701 (2006) and of measures required to maintain law and order before authorizing any demonstration in the vicinity of the Blue Line. The Lebanese Army did not authorize demonstrations in the vicinity of the Blue Line during the Naksa period in early June, thereby preventing a repetition of such violence. These measures have indeed proven to be effective, and they demonstrate yet again the resolve and determination of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the people of southern Lebanon to work towards lasting peace and stability in the south.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“On 15 May - and this is also covered in the Secretary-General's report - a large demonstration took place on the occasion of what the Palestinians commemorate as Nakba Day. I will not repeat in detail the sequence of the tragic events that, according to the information provided to UNIFIL by Lebanese authorities, resulted in 7 persons being killed and more than 100 injured. We have discussed our preliminary findings on the events with the parties and, having sent the UNIFIL investigation report to them, will do so in more detail at the next tripartite meeting, planned for August. UNIFIL has also conveyed to the parties its recommendations for preventing such incidents in the future.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“These investigations are still ongoing. The attack was condemned by all senior political leaders across the political spectrum. The cooperation with the Lebanese authorities in conducting the investigation and in instituting additional risk-mitigation measures, such as Lebanese Army escorts, has been good. In addition, I, as the designated official for security in south Lebanon, undertook to reduce the risk of a similar attack by adopting additional protection measures, including for military convoys and other movements inside and outside the UNIFIL area of operations, and for enhanced force protection. Nevertheless, it is impossible to completely prevent such terrorist attacks.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“They will be repatriated today to France. UNIFIL forensic experts are coordinating closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. This was the fifth attack against UNIF IL since the adoption of resolution 1701 (2006). Council members will also be aware of the attack against a UNIFIL convoy that occurred on 27 May on the highway to Beirut, when a remote-controlled roadside bomb exploded, injuring six Italian peacekeepers. Two were seriously wounded, while four suffered light to moderate injuries. In addition, two Lebanese civilians sustained minor injuries. This was the first attack in more than three years. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Lebanese authorities and UNIFIL immediately launched an investigation, as have the Italian authorities.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“On the whole, southern Lebanon and northern Israel have enjoyed the five quietest and calmest years in many decades. The situation in UNIFIL's area of operations also remained relatively stable during the first half of 2011, when the political situation in the country was at an impasse. Nevertheless, in recent months, UNIFIL has experienced a series of events that reflected the range of threats that the Mission is exposed to and that affect the security situation. Yesterday, at around 6 p.m. local time, an explosion targeted a UNIFIL convoy along the coastal road near the town of Saida, which is outside UNIFIL's area of operations. According to preliminary information, the attack injured six UNIFIL peacekeepers. Three of them were transported with minor injuries to hospital for treatment, where their condition is said to be stable.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source
“Major General Asarta Cuevas: I thank you very much, Sir, for your kind words and for giving me the opportunity to address the Council today. Last week, the Council met to discuss the latest report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) (8/2011/406). I know that the Council was briefed by Special Coordinator Williams and the Department for Peacekeeping Operations. Today, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight one of my main concerns in southern Lebanon: the issue of safety and security and its impact on the operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). I will then also touch on the broader issue of the status of the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and the focus for the coming period to ensure further progress in its overall implementation.”
2011-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6592 (2011) · source