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

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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. “We share the serious concern set out in the High Representative's report about the internal political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past six months. In particular, we regret the lack of political will to deliver progress on key reforms and the challenges to the Dayton Agreement and to the High Representative's authority. The United Kingdom fully supports all the decisions taken by the High Representative during the reporting period. We are concerned about plans for a referendum in the Republika Srpska entity challenging the legitimacy of the High Representative's decisions. All actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be clear that the international community, including the Security Council, is fully committed to the country's territorial integrity and to the framework established by the Dayton Agreement.”

   2010-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6319 (2010) · source

2. “We are concerned that, while some countries in the region have made significant progress over the past year, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to be held back by political deadlock. We do not want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina fall behind the rest of the region. Like the High Representative, the United Kingdom welcomes recent positive steps on regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. The Serbian parliamentary resolution condemning the Srebrenica massacre was a welcome step towards greater reconciliation in the region. Serbia, Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina have sought to improve their relations through the Istanbul Declaration. We urge Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue to respond positively to such initiatives. We look forward to the forthcoming high- level Sarajevo meeting on advancing regional cooperation.”

   2010-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6319 (2010) · source

3. “I too would like to join other Security Council colleagues in welcoming to the Council Chamber today His Excellency Mr. Haris Silajdzic', Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Mr. Valentin Inzko, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would also like to thank the High Representative for his comprehensive, balanced and sobering report on developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past six months (S/2010/235, annex, enclosure). The United Kingdom fully supports and appreciates the High Representative's efforts to uphold the Dayton Agreement and to facilitate the reform process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United Kingdom supports European Union (EU) enlargement to all the countries of the Western Balkans. EU integration is crucial to entrench stability there.”

   2010-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6319 (2010) · source

4. “It is important, however, to keep UNMIK's size and resources under close review to ensure that they are commensurate with the scale of its responsibilities. Kosovo has established its position as a viable, independent State with European Union support for its European perspective. The United Kingdom remains committed to working with Kosovo, Serbia and the wider international community in promoting stability, reconciliation, regional cooperation and economic progress so that Kosovo can advance towards a European Union perspective in parallel with its neighbours.”

   2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

5. “The United Kingdom strongly supports Serbia's goal of European Union membership. We encourage Serbia to devote its full resources to making progress along this path. Continued disagreement over status issues will only serve as a distraction from achieving this important strategic objective. The United Kingdom supports the valuable work that the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) is doing in Kosovo. It is important that Belgrade and Pristina continue to cooperate closely with EULEX so that the rule of law, higher standards of governance and justice can be delivered to all of Kosovo's communities. Steps to enable the full functioning of the court in Mitrovica would be a clear demonstration of that cooperation. UNMIK also continues to do useful work in Kosovo, particularly in support of minority communities.”

   2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

6. “All sides have committed themselves to this, and we look to Pristina to honour this commitment and to others to take a measured response to the incident. We strongly encourage deeper cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina on practical issues and echo the Secretary-General's call for flexibility and pragmatism in finding solutions. This can only be to the benefit of all communities in Kosovo. It is also important for all parties to continue addressing the wrongs of the past in order to promote reconciliation and to improve regional relations. In that vein, the United Kingdom commends recent cooperation on missing persons, which has led to the discovery of a mass grave in Serbia. We also welcome the Serbian Parliament's recent resolution condemning the Srebrenica massacre. These are both positive steps.”

   2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

7. “Given that the last reporting period saw a decrease in the number of security incidents, we are pleased to see that this positive trend has continued. Moreover, it helps create the right atmosphere for the transition of the Kosovo Force to a deterrent presence. It is important, however, that Kosovo take further steps to improve its standards in governance and rule of law. This is essential if Kosovo is to match the progress towards European integration made by its neighbours. The United Kingdom supports efforts to help Kosovars of all communities to rebuild and return to their pre-conflict homes. The ability of all communities in Kosovo to live in safety and dignity is of paramount importance. The recent incidence in Zallq/Zac was serious and should be condemned. There is no place in Kosovo for violence.”

   2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

8. “This demonstrates a real commitment by the Kosovo Government to improve the everyday lives of minority communities. We encourage the residents of Partesh/Partes and North Mitrovica to take part in these elections and to embrace the advantages that decentralization will offer local communities. This includes greater access to public services, more control over the resources provided to them by the Pristina Government, and a stronger voice to make their legitimate concerns heard by Kosovo's decision- making institutions and the international organizations assisting their development. We note the Secretary-General's finding that there has been no increase in the number of ethnically- motivated Violent incidents in Kosovo.”

   2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

9. “Since the Secretary-General's most recent report (S/2010/169), we are pleased that four more United Nations Member States have recognized Kosovo, bringing the total to 68. I would also like to recognize Kosovo's second anniversary of independence, which took place this February. We are pleased to note that progress has continued in Kosovo over recent months. Following local elections, the Kosovo Government established four of the six new Kosovo Serb majority municipalities envisaged in former United Nations Special Envoy Ahtisaari's Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement (S/2007/168/Add.1). The remaining two municipalities are due to be established later this year after municipal and mayoral elections in Partesh/Partes on 20 June and North Mitrovica in the autumn.”

   2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

10. “I would like to join other Security Council colleagues in welcoming the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Lamberto Zannier; the Foreign Minister of Serbia, Mr. Vuk Jeremic'; and the Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Mr. Skender Hyseni, to the Council Chamber today and to thank them for their statements. I would like to commend, in particular, the important work of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in promoting stability and reconciliation in Kosovo and to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Zannier, for his continued leadership and hard work. The United Kingdom's support for Kosovo's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.”

    2010-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6314 (2010) · source

11. “The Security Council's primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security requires us to set the strategic direction for cooperation with regional bodies. Those relationships will be of vital importance in the years ahead. There is more that we can do together, particularly in areas such as preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding. We look forward to a strengthened partnership between the United Nations and the EU, built on shared values and with a strong commitment to action in support of those values.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

12. “The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has the primary responsibility for coordinating international civilian support. In that role, Staffan de Mistura works closely with Vygaudas Usackas, head of the EU delegation, and Mark Sedwill, NATO's senior civilian representative. In January, participants at the London Conference encouraged them to work closely together, and we are pleased that that is now a reality. Lastly, sanctions are an area where close cooperation between the EU and the United Nations is vital. As the world's biggest economy and home to some of the most open and trade-oriented countries in the world, the European Union is central to maintaining effective sanctions regimes.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

13. “First, the United Nations and the EU have worked together to bring peace and security to the Balkans since the conflicts of the 19905. In Kosovo, the EU is taking on the lead role in supporting the development of rule of law and governance standards. The EU continues to work to help all countries of the Western Balkans to realize their aspirations to join the European Union and to finally break from the divisions of the past. Secondly, the EU is working alongside the United Nations and others to help in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to help that country make progress on the complex issues of police and army reform. Such efforts will be crucial, especially as the United Nations seeks to focus its efforts towards peacebuilding. Thirdly, the United Nations and the EU and other regional organizations are partners in Afghanistan.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

14. “Over 3,000 military and over 4,000 civilian personnel are currently deployed through the European Union in crisis management operations ranging from the Balkans to Africa and the Middle East. Right now, the European Union is working with the United Nations in eight major crisis theatres. In 2009, the EU and its member States provided over €400 million in funding for stabilization activities and crisis management missions. A sign of the close cooperation that exists between the European Union and the United Nations is that today, as we meet here in the Council, Under- Secretary-General Alain Le Roy is in Brussels, meeting with the EU's Political and Security Committee. Let me give four examples of that close cooperation.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

15. “They share many objectives: maintaining international peace and security, tackling poverty and delivering humanitarian assistance, and addressing global threats and challenges, such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change. As Baroness Ashton has said, the European Union and its member States match their political commitment with resources, providing almost 40 per cent of the United Nations budget. The European Union is the world's largest donor, providing almost two thirds of all development assistance. The European Union makes a major contribution to peace and security around the world. It has launched more than 20 missions, bringing European policemen, judges, peacekeepers and aid workers to three separate continents.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

16. “The European Union emerged from the shadow of conflict in the twentieth century. That experience has helped to make the European Union a force for stability and prosperity in its neighbourhood - from the Balkans and the Caucuses to the Middle East and North Africa. As a result of both history and geography, the European Union retains a deep interest in, and commitment to, Africa in particular. The European Union is now sharing its experience and improving coordination with other regional organizations, including the African Union. Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter sets out a clear framework for cooperation between the EU and the United Nations. The European Union is a natural partner for the United Nations.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

17. “I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. I would also like to join other colleagues in warmly welcoming Baroness Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to the Security Council today. Baroness Ashton's first appearance before the Council reflects the significant changes in the external personality of the European Union, which she has just described. The European Union created Baroness Ashton's role through the Lisbon Treaty in order to improve the coherence, focus and delivery of the European Union's external relations. In short, the Lisbon Treaty will help the European Union become a more effective international partner for the United Nations and for other regional organizations.”

    2010-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6306 (2010) · source

18. “MINUSTAH should also continue to aid the rehabilitation and development of local policing capabilities, which will be key to MINUSTAH's meeting its goal of establishing a secure environment. We are committed to the long-term engagement of the United Nations in Haiti. We must ensure that, if we are to help Haiti through this challenging period, we have the right people with the right skills for the tasks at hand. We support the efforts of MINUSTAH troops to maintain a secure environment. We also wish to ensure that the longer-term reconstruction effort is performed by those best qualified in the wider United Nations family and beyond.”

    2010-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6303 (2010) · source

19. “We are confident that MINUSTAH's current mandate enables it to play an important role in supporting the wider reconstruction efforts, while ensuring that its core duties are maintained. In our view, MINUSTAH's primary focus should remain the provision and maintenance of a peaceful and secure environment. The aftermath of January's earthquake has seen the emergence of new security challenges, such as the need to protect the vulnerable inhabitants of displacement camps, recapture escaped criminals and combat an increase in drug trafficking. Haiti remains dependent on MINUSTAH to maintain law and order. We agree that MINUSTAH should continue to play this role for the immediate future, and we shall look carefully at the Secretary- General's proposals for further enhancements in this light.”

    2010-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6303 (2010) · source

20. “In this regard, we welcome the pivotal role that former President Clinton is playing as United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti in overseeing this work, including in preparing the March conference, which showed the international community rallying in support of the people of Haiti. Before January's devastating earthquake, the Security Council discussed the need to establish a clear strategy for international engagement in Haiti, setting the country on the path to lasting stability so that its economy could grow and broader development needs could be met. It is even more important now that we pursue this strategy. That includes ensuring that those donors, international organizations or parts of the United Nations family that are best placed to provide support are engaged and able to help Haiti to deliver.”

    2010-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6303 (2010) · source

21. “Mulet and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) are making an invaluable contribution to the post-earthquake recovery effort, which is particularly commendable given the very challenging circumstances that the Mission is working under, including dealing with the loss of so many United Nations lives, including among MINUSTAH's leadership. Mr. Mulet and his team have worked tirelessly to rebuild the lives and hopes of the Haitian people. A productive partnership between the Haitian authorities and the international community is vital to achieving progress. We underline the significant contribution that international donors continue to make to improving Haiti's economy, and stress the importance of well-organized donor coordination.”

    2010-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6303 (2010) · source

22. “I would like to join my colleagues in welcoming Prime Minister Bellerive to the Security Council today and to extend again the United Kingdom's sincere condolences to the people of Haiti for the loss of over 200,000 lives in J anuary's devastating earthquake. I also welcome Mr. Edmond Mulet, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, to this meeting and thank him for his briefing today. I would like to express our ongoing support for the United Nations efforts in assisting the Haitian people. Mr.”

    2010-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6303 (2010) · source

23. “The United Kingdom sincerely hopes that the 10-year anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) is one that will be remembered as a milestone in the implementation of this item, setting the tone for the next decade, with women, peace and security as an ongoing priority for all Member States. We support today's draft presidential statement.”

    2010-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6302 (2010) · source

24. “I want to make two other points on this important agenda item. First, I want to express the United Kingdom's support for the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. In only a few short weeks, Ms. Wallstrom has already raised the level of attention that we pay to women, peace and security issues, and we hope that this trend will continue. Related to that, we fully support the creation of the composite gender entity as the best option for strengthening the capacity, accountability and effectiveness of the United Nations system in gender equality and the empowerment of women, including the issue of women, peace and security.”

    2010-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6302 (2010) · source

25. “In October, the United Kingdom hopes that the Council will be in a position, drawing upon Views from across the United Nations membership, to endorse indicators against which we can set goals, measure progress and adjust our efforts to ensure that we make good on the ambitions of those who drafted and those who supported resolution 1325 (2000). We need to know where we start from in order to assess the progress we want to make. Where we succeed, we should examine Why. Where our efforts are found wanting, we should direct more time and resources deliberately to empower women to support post-conflict recovery. Of course, some things are difficult to measure and difficult to quantify, but that is no excuse. It is a challenge that we need to overcome. We should build up our indicators and refine them based on experience.”

    2010-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6302 (2010) · source

26. “Ine's Alberdi, Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, committed to answering the Council's challenge for indicators to measure progress, saying: "It is time for us all to count the numbers of women at the peace table, the numbers of women raped in war, the numbers of internally displaced women who never recover their property, the numbers of women defenders of human rights killed for speaking out." (S/PV.6]96, p. 7) Thanks to her efforts, and in particular the efforts of Ms. Mayanja and her team over the past six months, we now have some impressive analysis - a list of 26 indicators to build on, to strengthen and to examine before the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) in October. I congratulate her on this thorough report (S/2010/173).”

    2010-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6302 (2010) · source

27. “Last year, the Council adopted two important resolutions on this agenda item to address the continued threat from sexual violence in conflict and to ensure that women's participation, including in peace processes, achieves the status it deserves. At that time, many Council members emphasized that more needed to be done to implement resolution 1325 (2000), the landmark resolution that 10 years ago raised women's empowerment as a crucial issue for international peace and security. In the second of those two debates in October of last year, Ms.”

    2010-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6302 (2010) · source

28. “I thank you, Mr. President, for scheduling today's debate. I offer a warm welcome to Ms. Wallstrom and Ms. Mayanja and thank them for their helpful and forceful briefings this morning. The United Kingdom believes that the Council must continue to give issues on women, peace and security sustained attention. As Ms. Wallstrom said, this is not a women's issue. It is a peace and security issue. We have spoken many times in the Council Chamber about the devastating and disproportionate effect that conflict has on women and girls. The impact is all the more debilitating because it most affects the very people we rely on to rebuild a society and to deliver lasting peace and long-term stability.”

    2010-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6302 (2010) · source

29. “We would also support regular briefings from the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. In conclusion, note 8/2006/507 covers a lot of ground, and today the Council will hear many proposals for how it might be improved. It is right that the Council's procedures as a whole should be reviewed, but we would encourage you, Mr. President, to identify for agreement by the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions a short list of priority areas for implementation, which it would be the responsibility of future presidencies to take forward. We look forward to participating actively in that ongoing debate. 10-3235]”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

30. “The Council must be clear from the outset on its objectives and must design the format of the mission accordingly, including, where appropriate, by sending missions composed of a limited number of Council members. Seventh, the Council should pay greater attention to conflict prevention. There should be a greater openness to discussions in the Council on situations of emerging conflict, so that we can determine an effective preventive response. We would like to see more frequent briefings by the Secretariat, on an ad hoc basis, on situations of emerging concern. The Secretary-General and his senior officials should be invited to brief the Security Council as a matter of routine when they return from visits to countries on the Council's agenda or other countries of concern.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

31. “As the Permanent Representative of Austria has said, we should also seek more focused advice from the Peacebuilding Commission as we discuss peacekeeping mandates. Fifth, we welcome the recent innovation of informal interactive dialogues, which has widened the scope for interaction with non-members. This has enabled the Council to discuss sensitive issues in a flexible format, and we encourage further use of such informal formats for Council meetings. Sixth, Security Council missions can be an effective tool for the Council to understand and influence high-priority issues. We now need to consider how to maximize their operational effectiveness.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

32. “The Secretariat should help by keeping its briefings short and operationally focused. Fourth, broadening the range of views available to the Security Council can often help its effectiveness. The United Kingdom and France have led efforts to improve the Council's dialogue with troop- and police- contributing countries. Under our presidency in August last year, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2009/24) which reaffirmed the Council's intention to further strengthen its cooperation with 10-32351 those countries and the need to build on this progress. We commend the current presidency for providing summaries of troop-contributing country meetings at the start of Council discussions. But it is not just the troop-contributing countries.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

33. “We have made such briefings a priority during our recent presidencies and encourage others to make this a consistent practice. Second, we need to make sure that the current arrangements for meetings of the Council in these new temporary premises do not impede interaction between Council members and other Member States. Third, we need to balance transparency with effectiveness. The Security Council needs to be able to discuss some sensitive matters out of the public eye. But when we do meet in private the onus is on us as Council members to make sure that we have a genuinely interactive discussion. On occasion, our private consultations differ little from formal meetings in the Chamber. I hope that we can make a collective effort to make the informal consultations a forum for real debate.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

34. “Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate today. Japan has made an important contribution over recent years to the development of Security Council working methods, including through your leadership on the presidential note contained in document S/2006/507, which has helpfully codified and clarified our working practices. Our guiding principle should be effectiveness, and I would like to highlight seven points, picking up the themes of your concept paper for this debate (S/2010/165). First, we welcome the positive trends identified in your paper towards greater transparency of Council working methods. A particular responsibility falls on the presidency each month to keep other Member States informed of the Council's work.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

35. “History is littered with collapsed or faltered peace processes, some of which are due to underlying governance and rule of law issues not being addressed. When such threats emerge, the Council needs to be able to react rapidly to prevent further deterioration. The United Kingdom supports the draft presidential statement that is before the Council.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

36. “The Council should have an opportunity to listen to that advice when discussing peacebuilding and peacekeeping issues. The PBC review provides an opportunity for us to establish that practice. The Council was due to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo this weekend. Unfortunately, that has had to be postponed for climactic reasons. But we hope we will be able to reinstate that visit soon. We think that the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be a real test of the international community's ability to move from a primarily peacekeeping presence to a broader peacebuilding role. That will require the United Nations system, the international financial institutions and the wider international community to play a more significant role in helping to restore a State and to support it in addressing critical peacebuilding needs.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

37. “That will allow us to make the right investments in order to achieve more timely and predictable responses in such areas as support for re-establishing the basic functions of a State. The conclusions of both those strands of work need to be included in the Secretary-General's follow- up report on peacebuilding. That report should include a frank assessment of what is, and what is not, working on the ground. Thirdly, we need a Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) that has real impact on the ground. The PBC's focus should be on helping countries to address the barriers to peacebuilding and on getting clear commitments from Governments and the international community about what needs to be done in a defined period of time to help achieve that. And we need the PBC to have a much more distinctive voice when providing advice.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

38. “The United Nations, and in particular the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, has a key role in bringing the United Nations system and the wider international community systems - political, security and development efforts - behind a common nationally owned strategy. So how can the United Nations and the broader international community deliver more effectively? In the coming months, I believe, we should focus on three issues. First, we need to improve the speed and quality of deployable civilian experts to help build national capacities. As the Secretary-General said earlier today, the recently launched review of civilian capacities needs to generate practical solutions. Secondly, we need greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities within the United Nations and a strengthened partnership with the World Bank.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

39. “Countries at risk of relapsing into conflict need to be able to provide sufficient security and access to justice, and be able to resolve conflicts peacefully to allow for the departure of peacekeeping troops. International support for that process is not just about offering barracks and boots. Integrating combatants who were previously fighting each other in a new army, ensuring the discipline of that new army and then putting it under proper civilian oversight can be daunting tasks for a new Government overseeing a fragile peace pI'OCGSS. Those elements alone are insufficient. Successful peacebuilding needs real progress on providing basic services and economic recovery. That must start as soon as possible after a peace agreement is reached. Delivering that requires leadership and vision from within the country itself.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

40. “But conflict prevention and peacekeeping are all part of this broader goal of sustainable peacebuilding, and it tests every resource - political, security and development - that the United Nations can deploy. As the minister from Sierra Leone said earlier today, we need to look at the rebalancing of resources between conflict prevention, peacebuilding and peacekeeping. The ultimate goal for us should be to strengthen the capacities of countries emerging from conflict to drive forward their own recovery processes and address the very difficult governance, security and development challenges they face. As we discussed in the Council debate in January under the French presidency, the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding is not a linear one.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

41. “I would like to welcome you, Mr. President, to the Security Council today and to thank you, both for presiding over this important debate today and for the excellent contribution that Japan's delegation makes to the Council's work. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General and the ministerial and other participants today for sharing their particular insights. It has been especially valuable to hear the perspectives of countries taking important steps on the long and challenging path to rebuilding themselves. Peacebuilding is at the heart of this Council's work. In some senses, everything we do in this Council is about building peace. We give it different labels, depending on the specific task at hand.”

    2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299 (2010) · source

42. “The region, this Council, the Quartet and the broader international community must send a clear and unambiguous message about our shared vision, the parameters of a solution and our willingness to stand ready to provide practical support, as required, once negotiations get under way. The world is ready and waiting, but it is up to the parties themselves to take the first steps.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

43. “We welcome the limited Israeli cooperation with the United Nations Gaza reconstruction initiative and the easing of restrictions on the flow of some goods into Gaza, as outlined by Mr. Pascoe. But it is not sufficient. We urge Israel to open the crossings so Gazans can access the means to meet their needs legitimately. Finally, the region and the wider international community must play a key role. We fully support the efforts of the United States Administration to bring the parties to the negotiating table. Active Arab engagement and encouragement will also be crucial to creating an atmosphere conducive to peace and securing the desired end state.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

44. “This ambitious and impressive effort needs to be reinforced by a unified leadership. Fourthly, Israel must ensure that its actions do not damage the prospects for a viable Palestinian State under unified leadership. Israel's de facto blockade of Gaza only serves to radicalize and isolate its population, a key stakeholder in any future peace. Furthermore, it is a failed policy. The tunnels are becoming more sophisticated, to the point where there are frequent reports of four-by-four vehicles being smuggled through them. Consequently, it is almost certainly more difficult to monitor and control the flow of illicit weapons into Gaza, and Hamas is profiting, both financially and politically, from the tunnel economy.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

45. “It is the responsibility of Hamas, if it genuinely wants a peaceful and better future for the citizens of Gaza, to ensure an end to all violent attacks emanating from Gaza and to release unconditionally Gilad Shalit, who has been held without Red Cross access for nearly four years. The Palestinian Authority should also avoid any actions that make restarting the negotiations more difficult. In particular, we find any form of commemoration or celebration of individuals who have been responsible for the death of civilians deeply distasteful. Thirdly, sustainable peace requires a viable Palestinian State represented by a united leadership. We continue to support the Palestinian Authority's two- year State-building plan that will lay the foundation of a future State.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

46. “Last month's announcement of 16,000 new housing units in the Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomo was not only illegal, but had an immediate negative impact on the prospects for resumed peace talks. We are also concerned by the recent Israeli decision to change the deportation rules for Palestinian nationals living in the West Bank. We urge the Israeli authorities, in accordance with international law, to respect the freedom of Palestinians to live in the West Bank and to move freely within the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian side must also refrain from incitement. The recent deaths of two Israel Defense Forces soldiers in Gaza - and Israel's response, which resulted in the deaths of at least four Palestinians - were a tragic reminder of the risk of a return to a cycle of Violence.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

47. “We urge the parties to urgently enter into proximity talks. Both sides should be prepared to use the talks to discuss all core issues. But indirect talks are no substitute for direct negotiations, so the aim must be for proximity talks to rapidly lead to face-to- face negotiations. Setting a clear time frame is key. We therefore welcome the 24-month time frame articulated in the Quartet's 19 March statement. Secondly, both sides must work harder on creating an atmosphere conducive to peace. That requires them to abide by their previous commitments and to avoid provocation and incitement. Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories, including in East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law and should stop.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

48. “The end state is clear - an independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours. This objective is shared by almost all of the international community. There is also broad international convergence on the parameters of a conclusive solution: two States, borders based on those of 1967, Jerusalem as the capital of both States, and a just settlement for refugees. But whatever the will of the international community and whatever its shared goal and common understanding of the parameters, there can be no peace until the parties themselves take the necessary steps to move the process forward. I would like to make four points on what we believe needs to happen in order to make progress. First, peace can be achieved only through negotiations.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

49. “I should like to express the condolences of the British Government to the delegation of China on the loss of life following the devastating earthquake today. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary- General Lynn Pascoe for his briefing this morning. Peace in the Middle East remains a key priority for the United Kingdom. As long as a sustainable solution eludes us, the situation in Palestine and Israel will remain a catalyst for resentment, violence and extremism. So it is in the interest of this Council, which is charged with maintaining global peace and security, and of the rest of the international community to encourage a rapid resumption and conclusion of negotiations between the parties, leading to a lasting peace.”

    2010-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6298 (2010) · source

50. “The draft presidential statement before us points the way for addressing this scourge and we strongly support the measures it contains.”

    2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source