YouSaid · the spoken record

Mayr-Harting

lines on the record: 1,537
first: 2008-12-09
most recent: 2015-10-08
sittings or episodes: 180
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 wish to thank the Secretary-General for joining us here today, for the briefing he gave us today and, above all, for his active engagement on Myanmar as well as for that of his Special Adviser, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari. Allow me to also acknowledge the presence of the Permanent Representative of Myanmar and let me assure him that we have listened to his statement very attentively. It was a courageous decision, on the part of the Secretary-General, to visit Myanmar and to seek a dialogue with both the Myanmar Government and the opposition. It has my country's full support. Austria strongly welcomes his leadership in conveying the concerns and messages of the international community to the Government and in particular to Senior General Than Shwe.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“Operation Atalanta, the European Union mission to fight piracy, is undoubtedly the most visible and most recent contribution of the European Union in Somalia. Of course, it is not the only one. The European Union's contribution in the form of humanitarian aid and development programmes is also considerable. Like all other members of the European Union, Austria attaches high importance to support for the Somali security sector and AMISOM, thus contributing to a climate conducive to achieving peace and development.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“We encourage the parties represented in the Working Group to work closely together to address this problem vigorously. We express our deep appreciation to the African Union, and to Uganda and Burundi as AMISOM. troop- contributors, for the efforts and risks they are taking to improve the situation in and around Mogadishu. Austria also strongly supports the United Nations logistics support package for AMISOM. Moreover, Austria stressed the need for close cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union and donors, such as the European Union, in addressing the most pressing needs of Somalia and the wider region of the Horn of Africa. Concerning the scourge of piracy, we attach high importance to addressing its root causes and ensuring accountability.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“More than 200,000 people have fled Mogadishu alone, increasing the number of IDPs in the country, as others have already noted, to over 1.2 million. We are deeply concerned by their catastrophic humanitarian and human rights situation. Extrajudicial and arbitrary executions, arrests and torture, as practiced by Al-Shabaab, must stop immediately. We also call on all parties to allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid for those in need and to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel in Somalia. We condemn recent attacks on aid organizations. We pay tribute to humanitarian workers, Who continue to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid in this very difficult environment. We applaud the establishment of the Justice and Reconciliation Working Group as a vehicle to addressing impunity for human rights violations in Somalia.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“As others have already said, we will have more information on this issue when the Monitoring Group of the Somali sanctions Committee reports to the Security Council at the end of this month. That report will give us a very important opportunity to further discuss this issue as well as to discuss possible action by the Council. With reference to the comments made by the Permanent Representative of Somalia about the presence of foreign fighters in his country, let me add that substantiated information on this issue may also be of interest to the Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). Those who suffer most in the situation are civilians, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially women and children, who are the most vulnerable. We have seen a surge in the number of IDPs in the past two months.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“The Djibouti Agreement constitutes the only viable and legitimate framework for achieving lasting peace in Somalia. We therefore urge all parties in Somalia to join this process and its structures and, by doing so, to contribute to the stabilization and development of the country. A renegotiation of the Djibouti Agreement cannot be an option. Austria condemns the attempts of extremists to overthrow the TFG. We are deeply worried by reports about foreign support to the insurgency. We also note the deep concern expressed by the heads of State or Government of the African Union during their recent summit in Sirte concerning arms supplies to insurgent groups in Somalia.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“Let me first thank Under-Secretaries-General Pascoe and Malcorra for their briefings today. Let me also add that we highly welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Somalia and the Permanent Observer of the African Union. Austria aligns itself with the statement that the representative of Sweden will deliver in the course of this debate on behalf of the presidency of the European Union. Austria fully supports the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). In the first half of this year, important progress in the Djibouti peace process has been achieved. However, the security situation has deteriorated considerably since then. While the focus of our efforts needs to be on stabilizing the situation, it is also important that efforts continue at reaching out to opposition groups which are not part of the Djibouti process.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“In order to support the positive developments occurring in Afghanistan, we must not lose focus, and I also say this against the background of other regional developments. We must abide by the commitments and priorities set in Paris in June 2008, and reaffirmed at The Hague this year.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“As the recently published United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2009 has highlighted, the decline of global opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was largely a result of a decrease in Afghanistan's cultivation area. Austria is currently supporting three UNODC projects in Afghanistan aimed at strengthening Afghanistan-Iran border controls, at capacity-building in the area of criminal justice and at fighting corruption. Austria is also a long-time supporter of the UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch, which conducts several programmes aimed at capacity-building in Afghanistan and in the region. In closing, I would like to thank the Secretary- General for his efforts to develop benchmarks in close consultation with the Afghan Government. We look forward to his report in September.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Investment in capacity- building, in the creation of sustainable jobs and incomes and in a lasting expansion of Government presence is essential in achieving sustainable progress for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan and the whole region. We are encouraged by the new mechanisms developed by the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, which can help to increase aid effectiveness. Furthermore, the new Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development facility, which aims at increasing incentives for the cultivation of alternatives to poppy production, is a promising instrument. Regional cooperation and coordination in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and supply is of great importance.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Austria is currently examining the possibility of a contribution to EU and United Nations programmes focused on police and rule-of-law training activities. We are strong supporters of demining activities and have made a financial contribution towards that, allowing the deployment of three mine-clearance teams, which together are projected to clear high- priority mine-contaminated land in the central and northern regions of Afghanistan. Afghan ownership is also of critical importance in the civilian field. We welcome the formulation by the Afghan Government of a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the civilian surge in follow-up to the Hague Conference.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“We share the concerns expressed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General regarding the deterioration of the security situation, including the high toll of civilian casualties, which threatens to overshadow many positive achievements. While recognizing the complexity of the fight against the insurgency, we share the view of the Secretary-General that it is critical to avoid a situation where more troops lead to more civilian casualties and to behaviour that offends the population. We are encouraged by the recent statements made by General McChrystal noting the absolute priority of avoiding civilian casualties. The Afghanization of relevant operations and, in more general terms, the ongoing reform and strengthening of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police is of great relevance in this context.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“At the same time, we view the deployment of domestic observers as crucial in ensuring that a larger percentage of polling stations is covered. At this juncture, the preparation for and organization of the first round of the elections on 20 August deserves priority attention. However - and this is sometimes forgotten - we believe that it is also essential to prepare carefully for the possibility of a second round of presidential elections in the fall of this year. The provision of security in the course of the coming months, and in particular during the elections, will represent a great challenge.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“We wish to commend, in particular, UNAMA's successful efforts to encourage women to register as candidates for provincial council seats and its focus on factors that constrain the ability of women to exercise their political rights in full. At the same time, we view with some concern trends of increased violence against women and the recent introduction of draft legislation of a discriminatory nature. Austria welcomes decisions by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to send election monitoring teams. We will participate in the proposed EU election observation mission, and will also make a financial contribution to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights election support team.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“The legitimacy of democratic institutions and the credibility of the international community in Afghanistan would be greatly enhanced in the eyes of the Afghan population by elections that are perceived as having been free and fair. We welcome the fact that, to date, the Independent Election Commission has adhered successfully to its timetable for the first Afghan-led election process. At the same time, we encourage the Commission to continue working closely with international experts. Austria greatly appreciates the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to support and promote a credible election process. In this context, we welcome the establishment of the Political Rights monitoring programme, in partnership with the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, as an important step forward.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Moving on to the item under discussion today, I wish to thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Kai Eide for the frank assessment that he has given us today of the current situation and the challenges ahead, as well as for his continued dedication and commitment. I also wish to welcome the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Ambassador Zahir Tanin, who is seated at this table. Austria aligns itself with the statement to be made later in this debate by the representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union. We share the assessment of the Secretary-General that supporting free, fair and credible elections is essential.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“On this very special day for you and for the Security Council, I would first like to join other colleagues in thanking and congratulating you, Mr. President, on the way you have conducted the work of the Council. In the past six months, I have greatly appreciated your outstanding professionalism, shrewdness and what I would call the Tacitus-like concision of your statements before the Council. I should also like to say that we greatly appreciated your continued insistence on the need for transparency in the work of the Council. We join others in wishing you all the best in your future endeavours.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Allow me to conclude by reiterating Austria's dedication to the reform of United Nations peacekeeping, a process that needs our urgent and continued commitment if we wish to achieve noteworthy results in the foreseeable future.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“We also believe that the international community needs to pay increased attention to the interface between security and development - particularly in post-conflict and other fragile situations. Peace operations can make important contributions to a sustainable socio-economic development of the region in which they are deployed. An increased emphasis on local and regional procurement is just one of the options that come to mind. Building on some of the positions put forward during the Council's January debate on peacekeeping, Austria has begun a dialogue with DPKO, the Department of Field Support and the Peacebuilding Support Office on how to optimize the socio-economic impact of peace missions. We look forward to working with other interested delegations on this important issue.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“It is clear that, in order to implement protection mandates, peacekeeping missions must be more effective and better resourced. We are convinced that the independent study commissioned by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on protection mandates in peace operations will make important recommendations and will thus add to the overall reform efforts of United Nations peacekeeping. As I already mentioned this past Friday, Austria hopes that the Council will be in a position to make progress in this matter in the framework of the debate on the protection of civilians scheduled for the month of November.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“While the Council bears the main responsibility for establishing achievable mandates, troop- and police-contributing countries and other actors have the responsibility to deliver on the ground and must therefore be given an adequate hearing. In the Council's debate on the protection of civilians this past Friday, we reiterated our support for the strengthening of protection mandates in peacekeeping operations. Their role in ensuring the physical protection of the civilian population affected by armed conflict, and in particular of women and children, is of utmost importance. Their contribution to the promotion of human rights, the strengthening of the rule of law and an increased role for women in peace processes and peacebuilding, as well as in the fight against impunity, is invaluable.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Strengthening the capacities of the AU is an essential prerequisite for fair and equitable burden-sharing in contributing to peace and security and for stronger regional and national ownership. For this very reason, we are in favour of a substantial and open-minded debate of the proposals contained in the Prodi report. The lessons learned and the experiences gained by the various missions on the ground, and in particular by national contingents, can provide the Council with comprehensive information for its deliberations on the review and extension of mandates. Early and consistent involvement of Force Commanders as well as troop- and police-contributing countries will help to create common understanding and trust, as well as an increased willingness to effectively implement the mandates adopted by the Council.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Given the unprecedented expansion of United Nations peacekeeping and the limits to human and financial resources, other available options for responding to conflicts, in particular preventive action, must be considered very seriously. Shaping an integrated and coherent strategy in close cooperation with other international, regional, subregional, local and possibly non-governmental actors will be crucial for the success of our future approach. In this regard, we strongly support an enhanced cooperation with interested regional organizations. As far as peacekeeping on the African continent is concerned, close cooperation with the African Union (AU) must remain a particular priority.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Austria, as a longstanding troop and police contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations and to other United Nations mandated peace missions, supports initiatives for improved cooperation and coordination between troop-contributing countries, police-contributing countries and the Council. We need a better inclusion of troop- and police-contributing countries and financial contributors when planning and reviewing peacekeeping mandates. Clear and achievable mandates are key to the success of United Nations peace operations. The formulation of mandates ought to take into account all the tools in question, on the basis of a needs assessment. The tools we choose must be part of an overall political strategy and serve clear goals. In many cases, the resulting mandate will therefore need to follow a phased approach.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“We have already witnessed some first changes in the Council's approach to mandate extensions, including the more systematic use of benchmarks and progress monitoring. We have studied the executive summary of the New Horizon non-paper, which identifies the key challenges of United Nations peacekeeping, and we are looking forward to more detailed proposals in the non-paper. This Department of Peacekeeping Operations initiative is most timely. We also believe that the Brahimi report, though written at a time when only 20,000 peacekeepers were deployed, has not lost its validity. Some of its core issues need to be revisited, but it can still provide useful guidance to our efforts.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“At the outset, allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate, which gives us a timely opportunity to continue our discussions on this important matter. We particularly welcome the participation of major troop and financial contributors. Allow me to also thank Under-Secretary- General Alain Le Roy and Under-Secretary-General Susanna Malcorra for presenting us with a first executive summary of the New Horizon non-paper. Austria also associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union later in this meeting. We support the ongoing processes focusing on the reform of United Nations peacekeeping. Austria would like to thank France, the United Kingdom, Japan as Chair of the Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, and Canada for their efforts.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“The aim of the debate should be to identify a set of concrete measures to address current challenges in the protection of civilians. We look forward to working with all interested delegations and the Secretariat towards this goal.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Security Council's first consideration of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. This anniversary provides us with a good opportunity to take stock and to reaffirm our commitment to protecting civilians from the devastating effects of armed conflict, as emphasized by the Secretary-General in his report. In response to this call of the Secretary-General, Austria is therefore planning to organize a debate of the Council, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary, during its presidency of the Council in November. Austria's Foreign Minister, Mr. Michael Spindelegger, has a strong personal commitment in this area and therefore intends to preside over that important meeting personally.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“A further issue that needs urgent attention from the Security Council is the vulnerability of civilians in relation to the abundance of weapons, mainly small arms and light weapons. Austria also welcomes the emphasis placed by the Secretary-General on the devastating humanitarian consequences of weapons with area effects, such as cluster munitions. The victims and survivors of these weapons need special attention and protection. The provisions on victim assistance in the new Convention on Cluster Munitions comprehensively address the immediate concerns of victims. In our View, this should become the new international standard for victim assistance. Austria calls on all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Convention as soon as possible.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“Important efforts have also been undertaken to secure commitments from non-State actors to stop the recruitment of child soldiers and to end the use of landmines. The Security Council should further contribute to strengthening the rule of law by supporting criminal justice mechanisms and other mechanisms for accountability and by affirming its opposition to impunity. Fighting impunity should be seen as part of a comprehensive approach to seeking sustainable peace, justice, truth and national reconciliation. More efforts are needed to strengthen national systems in order to build their capacities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that victims are granted an effective remedy.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“We need to take the lessons from such experiences and see how they can be applied to other missions. Ensuring better compliance of parties to conflict with international humanitarian law has already been rightly identified by many speakers as another area requiring priority attention. This is a particular problem with regard to many non-State actors. The Council needs to continue consistently to call for compliance by all parties to a conflict and to ensure investigations in cases of alleged violations and consequences for non-compliance. We welcome the experiences gained by the United Nations in negotiating with parties to a conflict, in particular non-State actors, in order to improve humanitarian access and compliance with international humanitarian law.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“Let me add that the recent mission of the Security Council to the Democratic Republic of the Congo gave us a very good opportunity to observe at close range the complexities that United Nations peacekeeping missions and troop-contributing countries may face in the implementation of their mandates. That is why we applaud the recent positive developments in several peacekeeping operations, in particular the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, such as the adoption of a comprehensive strategy to combat sexual violence and the decision to give clear priority to the protection of the civilian population. From our point of view, the task assigned to MINURCAT of strengthening national police capacities in Chad is another important positive development.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“Austria has also contributed to the independent study commissioned by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which seeks to analyse the experiences so far in the implementation of such protection mandates in peace operations. We look forward to discussing the findings and recommendations of that study. It is our hope that they will contribute to the overall reform efforts of United Nations peacekeeping and to the further strengthening of the protection agenda of the Council. Our aim must be to have more effective and better resourced peacekeeping missions that are in a position to implement their protection mandates in a credible and consistent manner.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“Also, the challenges identified in the Secretary-General's report should receive particular attention. The question of how to enhance the protection of civilians through peacekeeping operations has been identified as a major challenge. In recent years, several peacekeeping missions have been mandated by the Council to ensure the physical protection of the civilian population. Indeed, its mandate to provide protection to refugees and internally displaced persons was a strong factor in Austria's decision to contribute troops to the European Union Force in Chad and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT).”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“Systematic attention needs to be paid to protection concerns in the daily deliberations of the Council. Therefore, Austria welcomes the establishment of the Security Council Expert Group on the Protection of Civilians, which has already demonstrated its usefulness in better addressing protection concerns. We hope that the Council will make full use of the potential of this innovative mechanism. More consistent and comprehensive reporting on protection issues in the Secretary-General's regular reports would enable the Council to act more systematically regarding the protection of civilians, and particularly of women and children. The aide- memoire on the protection of civilians (S/PRST/2009/1, annex) offers a very good framework in this regard.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“The issues addressed include compliance by parties to a conflict with their obligations under international humanitarian law, unhindered access for humanitarian organizations to people in need, accountability for serious violations against civilians, and the protection of civilians through peacekeeping missions. Austria is a fervent supporter of that protection agenda, and we stand ready to contribute to its implementation. We welcome the Secretary General's report (S/2009/277) before us that identifies the major challenges that we are facing in the implementation of the protection of civilians agenda. The report provides an excellent basis for our further work. Let me also welcome the access annex attached to the present report. More specific reporting on access constraints will enable the Council to react in a more effective way.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“At the outset, Mr. President, let me thank you for organizing this debate and Under-Secretary-General Sir John Holmes for his important briefing, as well as for the constant commitment of Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in this area. Austria associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union, as well as with the statement made by the representative of the Costa Rica on behalf of the Human Security Network. Over the past 10 years, the Council has developed a comprehensive protection agenda, imposing clear obligations on parties to conflict and providing a toolbox for Security Council action.”
2009-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6151 (2009) · source
“We hope for a further strengthening of Iraq's re-engagement with its neighbours, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, and early progress in negotiations - including, I wish to underline, bilateral negotiations - towards the resolution of outstanding bilateral issues. Finally, let me say that we are grateful to you, Sir, and to the United States of America for preparing today's draft presidential statement. It has our full support.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“Austria and the European Union stand ready to support Iraq's efforts to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law, including by translating the national strategy to combat corruption into action. These efforts are essential to rebuilding the trust of the Iraqi people in their institutions. The equal participation of women will be critical if that goal is to be achieved. As Iraqi Security Forces assume increasing levels of responsibility, we would particularly encourage engaging women in the police and in the army. Let me underline Austria's firm commitment to supporting the efforts of the people and the Government of Iraq to make the country democratic, unified and prosperous. We therefore also support the early conclusion of a partnership and cooperation agreement between Iraq and the European Union.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“The Independent High Commission for Human Rights could and should make an important contribution to these endeavours. We therefore very much hope that the Iraqi authorities will soon make it possible for the Commission to begin its important work. We welcome the progress made towards Iraq's ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and hope that it will provide fresh impetus to the reform of the criminal justice system. We urge Iraq to reinstate the moratorium on executions observed since August 2007. I also wish to recall the statement of the European Union on this subject.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“At the same time, we share the Secretary-General's view that increased efforts towards integration, resettlement and return are critical to allow for sustainable returns in safety and dignity. This would also convey the message to the more than 1.5 million Iraqi refugees abroad that they, too, can have a future back home. We recognize the immense efforts of the Syrian and Jordanian Governments to accommodate Iraqi refugees. As UNAMI's human rights report underlines, additional steps to strengthen the rule of law and end impunity are necessary. We are encouraged by Iraq's commitment to strengthening the protection of human rights. We therefore hope that the recommendations contained in the report - in particular those relevant to the protection of women, children and vulnerable groups - will be implemented as soon as possible.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“In View of budgetary challenges due to the economic crisis and declining oil revenues, national and regional leaders need to overcome the deadlock on the regulation of the hydrocarbon sector. This would also be very beneficial to encouraging foreign investment in the country. The signing of the memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation with the European Union would be equally beneficial in that regard. The recent rise in indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including by suicide bombers, is a stark reminder of the fragility of the hard-won security gains. Manifold challenges persist. We are encouraged that Iraq's internally displaced continue to return to their communities.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“We welcome the recent initiative of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to launch a high-level dialogue between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan regional Government on the disputed internal boundaries. It is of very great importance that leaders on all sides focus on national reconciliation in the run- up to the Kurdistan regional elections next month and the national elections in January 2010. On the issue of power-sharing, property and demography in Kirkuk, we welcome the assistance that UNAMI has provided to the parliamentary committee. We regret that the committee has not yet been in a position to report back on progress. We expect continued and genuine commitment on the part of all to resolving the outstanding issues concerning the allocation of Government posts.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“Let me first of all thank you, Your Excellency, for assuming the presidency of this very important meeting. I would also like to thank Special Representative De Mistura for his briefing and commend the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for its unwavering commitment to assist the people of Iraq in rebuilding their country. I would also like to express Austria's appreciation for your extraordinary personal dedication, courage and leadership, in particular in promoting dialogue and national and political reconciliation. I would also like to thank the representative of Iraq for his statement. As the Secretary-General pointed out in his report (S/2009/284) national reconciliation remains the main priority for a stable and peaceful Iraq.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“At the same time, we very much appreciate the clear commitment by the Government of Kosovo to the European future and the European perspective of its country. We are convinced that that shared vision will clearly benefit all citizens of Serbia and Kosovo and will help them to look ahead to overcome existing differences and allow for the necessary progress.”
2009-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6144 (2009) · source
“Equally, we expect the Belgrade authorities to use their influence in order to ensure a more positive approach in that regard by the Kosovo Serbs. While deploring the fact that the overall number of voluntary minority returns remains disappointingly low, we are encouraged by news of the recent gradual increase in numbers. We express our hope that Kosovo's project for returns will prove to be effective in creating conditions conducive to the reintegration of minority communities. Austria, as is well known, has consistently supported a future for all peoples of the Western Balkans within the European Union. In particular, we hope that Serbia can rapidly advance on its path towards European integration, and Belgrade knows that it can count on the support of the Austrian Government in that matter.”
2009-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6144 (2009) · source
“We therefore encourage both Pristina and Belgrade to bridge their differences and reach a productive working relationship. Recent reports warn that, owing to political, social and economic discrimination against smaller minorities who have inhabited Kosovo for centuries, many of their members may be forced to leave the country, which give us cause for concern. We hope that the Kosovo authorities, with the help of the international presence, will increase efforts to translate their commitments regarding a tolerant and multi-ethnic society into effective action so as to facilitate the active participation of all minorities, including the smaller ones, as I said, in all aspects of public life. Particular attention should be paid to the practical application of international human rights law with regard to the entire territory and population.”
2009-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6144 (2009) · source
“While we appreciate the well-coordinated reaction of UNMIK, EULEX and KFOR, we want to reiterate that lasting and peaceful solutions can only be found if all communities engage directly both with each other and with the international presences. We share the Secretary-General's observation that the efforts of all sides, with the support of the international community, need to continue to further implement the practical arrangements laid out in his report, issued in November last year (S/2008/692). We welcome the increased contribution of EULEX in discussions in the area of the rule of law. Impasses in the fields of police, justice, property rights and customs continue to hinder the normalization of daily life, with negative impacts for both Kosovo and Serbia.”
2009-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6144 (2009) · source
“We particularly welcome progress in the ongoing decentralizing process in Kosovo, which will be key to addressing minority protection and to strengthening local governance throughout the country. Successful implementation clearly benefiting the minority population, above all the Kosovo Serb community, will, however, depend on their participation in this process and, in particular, in the upcoming local elections. We are confident that with the necessary pragmatism, solutions to contentious matters can be found, thus taking Kosovo closer to the objective of a multi-ethnic and peaceful society. Despite relative stability in the past months, tensions and incidents of violence, as in northern Mitrovica over the reconstruction of houses by Kosovo Albanian returnees, continue to have a destabilizing potential.”
2009-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6144 (2009) · source
“In the light of the downsizing of UNMIK, we appreciate the valuable role that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to play in Kosovo in areas where UNMIK has concluded its work or has greatly reduced its activities. The extensive civilian field presence of the OSCE throughout all parts of Kosovo is unparalleled and brings unique continuity and balance to its grassroots monitoring and capacity-building efforts. The early warning mechanism that this monitoring provides is highly valued, in particular at the municipal level. The local elections foreseen for 15 November will also highlight the indispensable support the OSCE has maintained for nearly a decade to the developing democratic institutions of Kosovo. As we have just heard, there have been several positive developments over the reporting period.”
2009-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6144 (2009) · source