YouSaid · the spoken record

Mark Lyall Grant

lines on the record: 1,799
first: 2009-11-13
most recent: 2015-04-24
sittings or episodes: 275
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

“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the United Kingdom. I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General J an Kubis for his first briefing to the Security Council this morning. I also thank Ambassador Tanin for his important statement. I shall focus my comments today on the importance of the international community delivering on the political commitment made to Afghanistan at the Bonn Conference. We must use this year to signal our enduring commitment to Afghanistan's security and economic viability for the post-2014 decade of transformation. First, at the NATO Chicago Summit in May, we need to agree a long-term funding plan for the Afghan national security forces and to clarify NATO's role in Afghanistan after 2014.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“I would remind Council members that if they are circulating lengthy written statements, they do not need to read out the entire text.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2012/l33, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. I now give the floor to Mr. Kubis.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Security Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Finland, Japan, Norway and Turkey to participate in this meeting. Under rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Jan Kubis, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, to participate in this meeting. Under rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
2012-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6735 (2012) · source
“There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting rose at 4 p.m. 12-25357”
2012-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6731 (2012) · source
“I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2012/ 129, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. I now give the floor to Mr. Martin.”
2012-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6731 (2012) · source
“Under rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Libya to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Abdurrahim El-Keib, Prime Minister of Libya, and request the Protocol Officer to escort him to his seat at the Council table. Mr. Abdurrahim El-Keib, Prime Minister of Libya, was escorted to a seat at the Council table. The President: In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Ian Martin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
2012-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6731 (2012) · source
“The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 10.40 a.m.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Council expresses its gratitude and full support for the continuing work of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel for the Sudan and its Chair, President Thabo Mbeki, as well as of Special Representative of the Secretary- General Haile Menkerios, and stresses the collaborative partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in this regard. The Council calls on the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to extend their full cooperation to the AUHIP." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2012/5. I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“"The Council strongly urges the Sudan and South Sudan to continue working within the context of the AUHIP-facilitated negotiations process to reach agreement on all outstanding issues as soon as possible, and encourages the continued partnership among the AUHIP, the United Nations and other key international stakeholders with a view to combining their efforts in support of those negotiations. "The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the Sudan and South Sudan.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“It calls on the Sudan and South Sudan to cooperate fully with the United Nations missions to ensure them free access throughout their areas of operation and to ensure unhindered and expeditious movement of all personnel, including by swiftly granting visas and travel permits, as well as of equipment, provisions, supplies and other goods, including vehicles, aircraft and spare parts, which are for the exclusive and official use of United Nations missions.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“"The Security Council strongly urges the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to reach agreement on the status of disputed areas along the Sudan/South Sudan border, and to agree on and swiftly implement a process and timeline for demarcation of the border under the facilitation of the AUHIP. "The Security Council reiterates its full support to United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Sudan and South Sudan.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Security Council strongly urges both States to work within the framework of the AUHIP's January 2012 comprehensive proposal in order to reach mutual agreements without delay on transitional financial arrangements and commercial oil arrangements. "The Security Council urges the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to ensure that clear procedures for acquiring nationality in the respective States are in place, together with relevant documentation regarding residency or right to employment. If such arrangements are not in place before the end of the 8 April transition period, the Council urges both States to agree on an extension.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Council demands that the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan facilitate the safe and dignified return of persons displaced from Abyei to their homes, and grant full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the Abyei Area. The Council emphasizes the need for a safe and cooperative migration season. "The Security Council regards the settlement of oil and financial arrangements between the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan as a critical element of the two countries' security, stability and prosperity as viable States. The Council affirms that any unilateral action related to the oil sector is detrimental to the security, stability and prosperity of both States.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Security Council welcomes the decision of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to establish and move forward with the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, in accordance with the 29 June 2011 Agreement on Border Security and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism. The Council urges the parties to agree on a map that will outline the area of operations for the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone and the area of operations for border monitors. The Council demands that the two countries accelerate implementation of the 20 June 2011 Agreement and the immediate establishment of the Abyei Area Administration, and work actively towards a long-term political resolution of Abyei's final status.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Security Council welcomes the tripartite proposal by the United Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States in that regard, welcomes its acceptance by the SPLM-North and encourages the Government of the Sudan to do the same. "The Security Council deeply deplores the continued failure of the Sudanese and South Sudanese security forces to redeploy from the 12-25259 Abyei Area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area (S/2011/384) and the 8 September 2011 decision of the Abyei Area Joint Oversight Committee (S/2011/593).”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“"With regard to the humanitarian situation, the Security Council emphasizes the grave urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to avert a worsening of the serious crisis in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, and demands that the Government of the Sudan and the SPLM-North cooperate fully with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies and organizations, and ensure, in accordance with international law, including applicable international humanitarian law and guiding principles of emergency humanitarian assistance, the safe, unhindered and immediate access of United Nations and other humanitarian personnel, as well as the delivery of supplies and equipment, in order to allow such personnel to efficiently perform their task of assisting conflict-affected civilian populations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“"The Security Council recalls the 28 June 2011 Framework Agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) on political and security arrangements for Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states, and urges them to return to direct talks to resolve all political and security issues on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and of the agreed principles of the Framework Agreement. The Security Council urges them to resolve the underlying issues that have fuelled the current conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, to end all violence and to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Security Council strongly supports the efforts of the AUHIP and the United Nations to assist in that regard.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Security Council affirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both the Sudan and South Sudan. "The Security Council reiterates that the core objectives of the international community and all stakeholders in the Sudan and South Sudan are the peaceful coexistence of two fully viable States, embracing democratic governance, rule of law, accountability, equality, respect for human rights, justice and economic development, in particular the establishment of the conditions for conflict-affected communities to build strong and sustainable livelihoods.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“The Council urges the two countries to implement and respect the letter and spirit of their 10 February Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Aggression and Cooperation, which was agreed under the auspices of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP). "The Security Council demands that all parties cease military operations in the border areas and put an end to the cycle of violence. It further demands that the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan take no action that would undermine the security and stability of the other, including through any direct or indirect form of support to armed groups in the other's territory. The Security Council condemns actions by any armed group aimed at the forced overthrow of the Government of either the Sudan or South Sudan.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of South Sudan and the Sudan to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. After consultation among Council members, I have been authorized to make the following statement on their behalf: "The Security Council expresses grave concern about reports of repeated incidents of cross-border violence between the Sudan and South Sudan, including troop movements, support to proxy forces and aerial bombardments, and views the situation as a serious threat to international peace and security.”
2012-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6730 (2012) · source
“There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 4.10 p.m. 13”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Under rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Ethiopia to participate in this meeting. I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than four minutes, in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Finally, we have noticed a disturbing trend recently of certain members of the Security Council arguing that they do not feel bound by resolutions adopted when they were not on the Council. Security Council resolutions are, of course, legally binding on all States Members of the United Nations, and no Member State can distance itself from resolutions or undermine their implementation, whether or not they were present on the Council when those resolutions were adopted.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“For that reason, the United Kingdom is disappointed that the Council has not yet been able to agree a presidential statement condemning conflict-related sexual violence. It sends a depressing message to the world at large, and in particular to victims and survivors, that on the occasion of this debate the Council has not yet been able to agree a public statement on impunity, on prevention and early warning, on follow-up to resolution 1960 (2010) over the past year, and, crucially, on the excellent work of Ms. Wallstrom. We trust that intensive and urgent efforts will continue among Council members to agree a public position on these important issues, and that all delegations will demonstrate the necessary commitment, sensitivity and vision to make such a statement possible. The United Kingdom will certainly be active in such efforts.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“Early warning and prevention systems are vital tools in both preventing and in tackling conflict-related sexual violence. Rape is increasingly used as a tactic of war, and the Security Council should be united in condemnation of it and steadfast in support of the crucial work of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The adoption of resolution 1960 (2010), the appointment of Ms. Wallstrom, the establishment of her good offices alongside the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the work of women protection advisors all contribute to preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual 12-2393] violence, and thereby to international peace and stability. We firmly believe that the Council needs to sustain and build on this work.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“We recognize the good work of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law. It supports Member States in strengthening the rule of law and institutional safeguards against impunity by working with them to improve rule of law processes and ensuring that those who commit sexual violence are brought to justice. It is not until impunity has been combated and the perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence are brought to account that justice will have been done. All parties to conflict must learn that it is the perpetrator, and not the survivor, who will pay the price. Finally, we welcome the development of a framework of early warning signs specific to conflict- related sexual violence, as well as the ambition to integrate this analysis into existing and emerging early warning and prevention systems.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“We note that these parties are listed for the first time, and support appropriate action being taken against those responsible for these terrible acts. It is important that the Council take into account information on conflict-related sexual Violence when considering post-conflict situations and other situations of concern. However, conflict-related sexual violence is not confined to countries on the Security Council's agenda, as we see incidents or patterns occur in other settings. The Special Representative of the Secretary- General must be able to address conflict-related sexual Violence wherever a pattern or trend exists as an early warning sign of conflict. These crimes must be reported, addressed and punished, and the survivors must be treated with dignity throughout the reporting process.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict has played an important part in implementing the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements. Ms. Wallstrom has also worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of non-governmental and civil society organizations are heard. Secondly, we welcome the efforts towards greater accountability and an end to impunity. The United Nations monitoring and reporting mechanisms provide reliable, objective and evidence-based information on conflict-related sexual violence against women, men, girls and boys. Under resolution 1960 (2010), the Security Council can now hold to account parties credibly suspected of committing acts of rape or other forms of sexual violence.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“I join others in thanking Margot Wallstrom and Herve Ladsous for their briefings, and Amina Megheirbi for her moving words on behalf of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. The United Kingdom welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2012/33). We wholeheartedly support the work and the mandate of Margot Wallstrom. I would like to make three points. First, I would like to commend Special Representative of the Secretary-General Wallstrom for the good work that she has done to raise the profile of this issue, including fighting against impunity. We welcome her concerted efforts in tackling this issue, leading to a more coordinated response from the United Nations system, as she set out this morning.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“This is a landmark opportunity for the Security Council to reshape the United Nations presence in a way that can support Timorese efforts to sustain the peace and to tackle Timor-Leste's longer-term peacebuilding challenges. We are committed to ensuring that the views of the Timorese Government and people are taken into account during this period of transition. At the same time, we are clear that nothing in paragraph 21 of this resolution can be read as limiting or qualifying the role or decision-making authority of the Council in determining the mandate and configuration of United Nations missions.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6721 (2012) · source
“The United Kingdom is pleased to have co-sponsored resolution 2037 (2012). As we made clear in our statement to the Council yesterday, we commend the development of the Joint Transition Plan by the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and believe that it can set a standard for future peacekeeping to peacebuilding transitions. We encourage the United Nations and host States to work together to produce comprehensive, detailed plans for safeguarding the future stability of a country supported by the Security Council. We are confident that the United Nations and the Government of Timor-Leste will continue the cooperation they enjoyed in the development of the Joint Transition Plan to present a clear proposal for the shape, concept and objectives of the post-UNMIT United Nations presence.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6721 (2012) · source
“The United Kingdom provided over $15 million in bilateral support for that agenda last year. Today, we have announced a further $30 million for the stability of the Somali regions. We urge others to respond quickly and generously.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“We will continue to provide bilateral assistance on prosecution and prison capacity, as requested by regional States. The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia is undertaking important work to explore the legal and evidential thresholds for prosecution, with the aim of increasing the number of successful prosecutions of suspected pirates. It is important that we coordinate that work as we move forward. The threat of piracy, the effects of the famine in Somalia and terrorism are all symptoms of one central problem - the breakdown of the Somali State. Tackling piracy and its causes cannot be separated from that. We need to tackle the factors on land that feed piracy at sea, including deterrence, security, the rule of law and development. It is crucial that the international community mobilize in an integrated way.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“In that regard, we welcome recent efforts to ensure that convicted pirates serve out their sentences in Somalia, in particular the commitments made by Puntland and Somaliland for post-trial transfer. We hope that agreement on the legal and practical framework for transferring pirates to United Nations-constructed prisons in Somalia is reached quickly. We are grateful for the commitment of the Seychelles to transfer convicted pirates to Somaliland. We strongly support the work of the UNODC counter-piracy programme, including on the investigation and trial process, and its work to provide additional prison capacity. We call on all partners in the international community to work together to create a sustainable model for regional prosecution.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“The report reaffirms the preference of regional States that we should build capacity in a way that does not prevent facilities and expertise being used to prosecute in other areas of the law. We agree that that would help create a more sustainable solution to the piracy problem. A long-term solution that would enable Somali pirates to be prosecuted and imprisoned in Somalia is necessary. The report notes the preference of the Somali authorities for new courts to be established within Somalia rather than extraterritorially. That approach is in line with the existing work of UNODC and UNDP to build capacity in Puntland and Somaliland. We fully support that approach. The report rightly highlights the problem of limited prison capacity.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“Despite the significant reduction in the number of successful attacks in the past year, the threat of piracy remains serious. We strongly support efforts to bolster prosecution and prison capacity in regional States and in Somalia. Several States already play a vital role in bringing suspected pirates to justice, supported by the international community. The report highlights serious capacity constraints in Somalia. Prosecution by regional States has therefore been instrumental in efforts to counter piracy. We believe that that continues to be the most effective way to prosecute pirates over the short term. We support, in principle, the report's implementation proposals to increase capacity through specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia, but continuing our work to build the capacity of regional States also remains essential.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2012/50) and both Patricia O'Brien and Yuri Fedotov for their comprehensive briefing this morning. We are grateful for the work of the United Nations and its agencies on counter-piracy programmes, particularly the efforts being undertaken by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with States in the region and in Somalia itself. The United Kingdom remains strongly committed to the fight against piracy. We believe that it is vital to break the piracy business model. We need a comprehensive approach that tackles piracy directly and its root causes on land. Piracy will be one of the main focuses of discussion at the London Conference on Somalia, which my Prime Minister will host tomorrow.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6719 (2012) · source
“That will help those organizations to deliver the responsibilities they have assumed for peace and security on the continent and to build on the progress made in developing the African peace and security architecture. We encourage the cooperation and coordination between the AU and the United Nations on AMISOM. to continue and to develop in the future. The United Kingdom recognizes the important role that regional organizations can play in the pursuit 12-23786 of peace and security in Africa and elsewhere. AMISOM's success demonstrates that. The resolution adopted today provides AMISOM. with the support it needs and deserves.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6718 (2012) · source
“That is important to ensure that military action in Somalia is undertaken carefully and contributes to the wider political strategy for Somalia. An expanded and better resourced AMISOM. will help increase areas of stability in Somalia. It will help the political process in Somalia by enabling Somalis outside the capital to take part in the political and constitutional process, making that process more representative and legitimate. Expanding AMISOM. to areas beyond Mogadishu will increase the pressure on Al-Shabaab and further decrease the space available to 1t. Capacity-building needs to be at the heart of the relationship between the United Nations and the African Union (AU) and its subregional organizations.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6718 (2012) · source
“strategic concept and the Secretary-General's special report (S/2012/74) on AMISOM. The AMISOM. strategic concept and the Secretary-General's report gave the Council a clear view on what AMISOM. needed to make progress in Somalia. AMISOM. needed troop levels to increase to 17,731, and it needed more sustainable and predictable funding. The resolution adopted today gives AMISOM those tools, increasing troop numbers to the required level and increasing funding for the AMISOM operation from the United Nations logistical package. The resolution also gives AMISOM. a clearer mandate to operate, promoting effective regional coordination and cooperation and stressing the importance of the development of effective Somali security forces.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6718 (2012) · source
“The United Kingdom sponsored resolution 2036 (2012) because the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) needs the right support to help it work with the Somali security forces to secure a more stable and peaceful Somalia. The resolution gives AMISOM. the troops and resources necessary to enable it to effectively capitalize on the gains already made and to increase the military pressure on Al-Shabaab. I am grateful for colleagues' support during the negotiations on the resolution. It marks an important step in advance of the London conference on Somalia tomorrow, which will look at the wider international approach to Somalia. The Council's decision today was informed by a joint United Nations-African Union planning on AMISOM. in a technical assessment mission, the development of an African Union-AMISOM.”
2012-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6718 (2012) · source
“The United Nations estimates that approximately 50 tons of cocaine, worth about $1.8 billion, are passing illegally through West Africa to Europe every year. In the last six months alone, nearly 400 kg of cocaine, with a United Kingdom street value of more than $30 million, has been seized by the Togolese authorities. This is a timely and important debate, and I am grateful for Togo's leadership on this critical issue. We fully support the draft presidential statement negotiated by Togo and agreed by the Council.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“In that regard, the United Kingdom strongly welcomes the leadership shown by ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African States in working together on a maritime security strategy for West Africa. We also warmly welcome the industry-led initiative to create a maritime trade information- sharing centre based on the United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Office, which has proved very valuable in tackling piracy off the coast of Somalia. As with piracy, the problem of drug trafficking in West Africa requires regional solutions alongside specific national action. We look forward to ECOWAS ministers implementing the regional plan against drug trafficking agreed in 2008. Cocaine traffic through West Africa fuels corruption and conflict. It impedes economic development and poses a direct threat to those countries battling illegal drug use.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“It is therefore in all of our interests to work together to address the threats to maritime security to prevent further destabilization, and, like others, I welcome the opportunity to discuss this in more detail later in the month. We believe that maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea can best be addressed through a regional response. We encourage States in the region to work more closely together on this issue and with the United Nations Office in West Africa. It is important that action be taken now to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, and we hope that West African heads of State will be able to prioritize activities to tackle the range of maritime security threats facing their countries.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“One of the key vehicles in that connection is the European Union Sahel strategy, which the United Kingdom is pleased to support. The year 2011 showed a significant increase in the volume and impact of armed robbery and piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea linked to illegal fishing, oil bunkering and trafficking of narcotics, people and weapons. Those incidents appear to be concentrated off the coast of Nigeria and Benin, although there have been reports of attacks further along the coast and out to sea, some including evidence of the use of mother ships. Such incidents threaten the security and the economic and social stability of countries in the region.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“However, the Sahel region still faces a range of complex and interlinked challenges, including food insecurity, conflict, terrorism, diminished State capacity and climatic shocks. In addition to a growing humanitarian crisis in the region, recent Tuareg insurgencies in northern Mali and evidence of Al-Qaida's growing ambition in the region make this a critical area for the international community to focus on. Defeating terrorism, disrupting organized crime and, above all, achieving sustained peace and security in the region are issues that should indeed be considered in the Council. The United Kingdom is working closely with its international partners to ensure a coherent and focused approach to promoting security and development in the Sahel.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened and for chairing this important debate, and for your clear statement of concern at the beginning of the debate. I should like also to thank the Secretary-General for his earlier contribution and Mr. Fedotov for his briefing today. It is right that the Security Council has recently focused on the potential threats to regional peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel created by the trafficking of drugs, weapons, oil, counterfeit goods and other commodities. Those threats undermine regional stability and economic development, and they fuel conflict and terrorism. The United Kingdom welcomes Togo's leadership on those issues. We share the View that many West African countries appear to be leaving behind a long and troubled period of civil war.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“Should the regime continue on its current bloody trajectory, we will once again bring the issue back to this Council, in consultation with our colleagues in the Arab League.”
2012-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6711 (2012) · source
“The reality is that Russia and China have today made a choice to turn their backs on the Arab world and the support tyranny rather than the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. They have failed in their responsibility as 12-22356 permanent members of the Security Council, and they have done so on the most shameful of days of the Syrian killing machine's three hundred days of oppression. The United Kingdom will continue to support the Arab League's efforts to bring about a peaceful transition in Syria. We shall continue to support the brave Syrian people in their demands for change. The regime must cease the violence. There must now be a transition to a new political dispensation.”
2012-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6711 (2012) · source