YouSaid · the spoken record

Mcnee

lines on the record: 444
first: 2006-07-21
most recent: 2011-04-06
sittings or episodes: 53
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

“In the last analysis, the Council, the United Nations as a whole and the Member States that constitute it will be judged in terms of their willingness to make a real difference in the lives of the people who need our help most. Our actions must be concrete, and we must make flexible and pragmatic use of the tools at our disposal. 06-6406] The Council can continue to rely on Canada's support in overcoming these difficulties.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000) and 1674 (2006), together with resolutions on conflict prevention, women and peace and security, children and armed conflict, the safety of humanitarian workers, impunity and the exploitation of natural resources are a clear set of mutually reinforcing Council commitments. To the extent that they create a framework for Council action, those resolutions also establish criteria that all Member States can apply to hold the Council accountable when it is slow to act. The most direct measures of success are the number of lives saved, the number of displacements avoided and the mitigation and settlement of conflicts.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In addition, those deployed with a Security Council mandate to protect civilians must better understand what is expected of them and take a joint approach. For example, it is essential that all actors cooperate to ensure that the predeployment training of military and civilian police includes a specific focus on civilian protection when such a mandate is entrusted to them. The lO-point plan proposed by Mr. Egeland requires our sustained support. Each point represents a concrete and essential component. Canada wholeheartedly endorses this programme. A strong framework now exists for the protection of civilians.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Canada encourages the Secretariat and United Nations agencies to leave no room for ambiguity in their assessments, because previous resolutions have authorized them to indicate to Member States situations that require their attention to protect civilians. It is essential to provide the Council and other competent bodies with concrete advice and recommendations. The effectiveness of United Nations action depends on the capacity of United Nations country teams on the ground. Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinators and individual staff must be in a position to indicate protection concerns to parties to conflict. Progress in this area has been only modest; we must further strengthen this capacity.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The United Nations must also address hate media in its own mission planning and operations. If left unchecked, hate media can further fan the flames of conflict and put populations at greater risk. Early efforts by the United Nations to counter hate media and to ensure that those who propagate hatred are brought to justice are important preventive steps. (spoke in French) While the leadership of the Security Council is essential to strengthen the protection of civilians, it is a responsibility that must be shared by all of us: the Council, the Secretariat, United Nations agencies and 06-6406] Member States.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Canada is also concerned by deadly attacks on United Nations and associated personnel. A recent study has highlighted that attacks against aid workers are increasingly politically motivated and that national staff are more at risk than ever before. Canada urges Member States to sign or ratify the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel and its Optional Protocol. Member States must show the willingness to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of acts against United Nations and associated personnel. Let me also underscore the importance of protecting and promoting the right to freedom of opinion and expression. In that respect, the security of journalists - particularly in armed conflict - requires our ongoing attention.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Field visits by the Council are also key. Council missions provide an indispensable opportunity to urge parties to a conflict to allow safe and unimpeded access by aid workers to those in need, to reinforce that there will be no impunity for genocide and war crimes, and to ensure that United Nations missions are being vigilant in protecting civilians and meeting the needs of displaced populations. There can be no impunity. States must prosecute those who commit genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or other serious human rights violations. No amnesty should be granted for international crimes. The Council and the broader United Nations membership have a particular responsibility to ensure that those who commit serious Violations of international law are brought to justice.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Council should outline specific actions to be taken by parties to a conflict, monitor their implementation and apply penalties if actions are not taken. The message must be unequivocal - perpetrators of abuse will be held accountable for their actions. On Darfur, the Council and the wider international community has been divided and inconsistent. There must be consequences for countries that violate the arms embargo and for all parties that continue to Violate the peace agreements and human rights in Darfur. We urge all parties to adhere to the principles agreed to in Addis Ababa, including the need to re-energize the political process, to establish a strengthened ceasefire, and to find a way forward for peacekeeping in Darfur. The Darfur crisis can only be resolved through a political process, not through violence.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Council should show leadership by demonstrating a greater willingness to draw on the United Nations human rights mechanisms for early warning, while promoting preventative deployments, targeted sanctions, diplomatic initiatives and adherence to international legal instruments in support of affected populations. In that, strong and consistent Security Council resolutions are critical. Where peace support operations are given protection mandates, these mandates must be unambiguous and backed up by adequate financial and human resources. Effective action also requires consistent follow- up. The Council must be proactive in monitoring the implementation of its protection-related commitments. That means drawing on lessons learned from missions with protection mandates, as well as being prepared to rethink and readjust policy approaches.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Council has a direct role to play in encouraging and promoting the protection of civilians. Council members have repeatedly pledged that they and the wider international community will take steps in this regard. We applaud this leadership and we will continue to support and monitor the implementation of the Council's commitments. Looking ahead, the Council must be more proactive in responding to situations where civilians are at risk. Greater focus should be given to timely, credible preventative measures, in addition to restorative actions. That means drawing on the many levers at the Council's disposal, including good offices, envoys and monitoring missions.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Similarly, the recent shelling of an internally displaced persons camp near Vakarai in Sri Lanka highlights the heavy price paid by civilians in that long-standing conflict, particularly where perceptions of civilians have grown ambiguous, and thus their targeting, recruitment as child soldiers, or denial of assistance to them, is no longer viewed as taboo by some. We urge the parties to the conflict to exercise the utmost restraint and to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by promoting the protection of civilians and facilitating safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to civilians in need. The linkage between civilian protection and the maintenance of international peace and security is well established.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Canada is deeply concerned by the continuing violence and the persistent culture of impunity in Darfur. We condemn persistent violence, in particular sexual and gender-based violence committed by all parties, including in internally displaced persons camps, where rape continues to be used as a weapon of war. Canada continues to call for an immediate end to the ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur and an end to the persistent culture of impunity there. We urge the Government of Sudan to prevent further violations, to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with international law, and to facilitate humanitarian action.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In the field, agencies are devoting greater attention to refining their abilities to meet protection needs. United Nations missions are authorized to use force to deter and respond to attacks on civilians and some are organizing themselves so that civilian protection acts as a unifying cross-mission theme. In addition, new sanctions regimes have been more attentive to the need to target their impact so as to mitigate unintended humanitarian consequences. Canada very much welcomes the adoption of resolution 1674 (2006) earlier this year. Nevertheless, efforts to date suggest that international action, including by the Council, remains uneven. We need look no further than the grave humanitarian situation in Darfur to understand that our vigilance must not wane.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“First, the Security Council must demonstrate courageous leadership and unwavering political will to ensure that populations at risk have access to the greatest protection possible. Secondly, continued emphasis must be placed on ending impunity. Perpetrators of attacks against civilians in violation of international law must be held accountable for their 06-6406] actions. Thirdly, we all share in the responsibility to advance a culture of protection. The Council, the United Nations Secretariat and agencies and Member States must make advocacy, monitoring and capacity- building watchwords for our efforts. Since the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict was first brought onto the Security Council agenda, important and practical progress has been made.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“I would like to thank Qatar for convening this open debate today. The Canadian Government wishes to pay tribute to Jan Egeland for the great commitment and very strong leadership he has brought to protecting civilians worldwide. All people should live in reasonable expectation that they will not be subject to serious violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. People should not live in daily fear that they will be deliberately targeted. Yet millions of people around the world are targeted and remain displaced and dispossessed. In Darfur, Sri Lanka, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and northern Uganda, men, women and children face daily threats including threats to the very right to life. Today, I would like to focus on three themes.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Of course, we also call on them to establish their own time-bound action plans to end the recruitment of child soldiers. Efforts to address protection needs on the ground must be mutually reinforcing. We should not utilize the Council solely to express our concerns. States, including members of the Security Council, must demonstrate their willingness to ensure that populations at risk always have access to the fullest protection possible. In so doing, we must hold those responsible accountable for their actions and ensure that the defence of rights, monitoring and the strengthening of capacities become the bywords of our activities. In short, our multilateralism must bring concrete results.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“(spoke in French) We also eagerly look forward to the comprehensive assessment of child protection advisers in peace operations; their contributions have been useful in monitoring and reporting efforts and in combating sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeeping personnel. Although the Council has on three occasions requested the development of action plans by parties recruiting and using child soldiers, those requests have been heeded only by C6te d'Ivoire and Uganda. Canada calls for full implementation of commitments under those plans to ensure that no child is part of a fighting force. With regard to all the other parties listed in this year's report, it would be advisable for them to draw on the lessons learned in Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In particular, sexual violence against girls is still widely reported by the Secretary-General. Further progress will require the sustained attention of the international community, comprehensive and effective reporting and concrete responses by the Council that protect affected populations in a sustainable way. Canada congratulates UNICEF and the United Nations country teams for their efforts in the establishment of the monitoring and reporting mechanism in seven initial countries. It is critical that the Working Group continue to focus on the establishment of monitoring and reporting in all situations of concern and that it extend the mandate of the mechanism to include all six categories of grave violations against children beyond their recruitment and use as soldiers.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Special Representative's Special Adviser on Sri Lanka has reported that serious abuses against children are ongoing in that country. We encourage the Council to remain apprised of the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka and to pursue recommended action on the Sudan to combat impunity there. Canada applauds the work of the Secretary- General and his team, in particular his Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, for the wealth of reporting done on children and armed conflict over the past year. The Secretary-General's 2006 report recognizes some progress over the past year, in particular in Uganda, where the hope for peace has led to a decrease in abductions and "night commuters". However, there are many situations that have deteriorated, and new ones reported.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The challenge now is for the Council to turn clear recommendations - such as strengthening the child protection framework of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - into action. Canada calls upon the Council, in the form of the Group of Experts and the Sanctions Committee, to implement the sanctions recommended, including conducting expert-level missions to assess progress. Canada commends the Working Group for meeting an ambitions agenda. In addition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, conclusions on the Sudan have also been adopted. The situations in cote d'Ivoire and Burundi have been considered, and will soon be followed by those in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Somalia.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We call upon the international community to support the work of the ICC and national courts as they bring to justice those who perpetrate serious international crimes, including those committed against children. Of the 38 violators identified in the Secretary- General's report as recruiting and using child soldiers, 16 have been listed in all reports since 2002. In order to end this culture of impunity, it is essential that the Security Council apply targeted measures against those persistent violators. The recommendations of the Council's Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (see S/2006/724) with respect to the report of the Secretary- General on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2006/389) are a good example of both cooperative measures and targeted sanctions.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Canada welcomes both this open debate and the 2006 annual report (S/2006/826) of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict. Today is an opportunity once again for the Council to focus on the severity of continued acts of violence against children in violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. The Council has a central role to play in protecting children who suffer from the horrific effects of armed conflict and in holding accountable those responsible for the atrocities committed against them. The date of 9 November 2006 was a historic day. It was the start of the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the former militia leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo charged with recruiting children. Canada welcomes this important first step in combating impunity.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Council can succeed in establishing sustainable peace and security only if it fully recognizes the contribution that women make to their future and to the future of their nations.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“In addition, Canada urges the Peacebuilding Commission to develop modalities to ensure the active participation of civil society and representative women's organizations in all areas of its work and to make sure that women's groups actively contribute to peacebuilding and long-term development strategies from the outset. Canada also calls on the Peacebuilding Commission to adopt an internal policy on gender mainstreaming in its structure and operations. This could include integrating a gender-based analysis in its arrangements for the management, disbursement and use of the new Peacebuilding Fund. Additionally, Canada believes strongly that the Peacebuilding Support Office would benefit from a permanent gender adviser position at the senior management level.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“(spoke in French) In addition, it is important that we build an effective international capacity to prevent and respond to situations in which civilians, particularly women, are at high risk. Canada will continue to monitor the implementation by the Council of its commitments, particularly in country-specific contexts, and to support work that enhances the efforts of the Council and the wider international community in this area. Such efforts include ensuring that gender-equality concerns are integrated into Council resolutions establishing or extending peacekeeping missions and are included in terms of reference for Council missions and mission reports.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“Canada welcomes the Council's pledge, and that of the Peacebuilding Commission and the wider international community, to take steps to promote gender equality and support the empowerment of women. However, Canada is also aware that, as noted by the Secretary-General in his current report to the Council on women, peace and security (S/2006/770), attention to gender equality has not been systematically integrated. In this regard, Canada would like to stress the increasing need for effective monitoring systems, including systematic sex-disaggregated data collection, and more concrete accountability and reporting mechanisms in all areas related to resolution 1325 (2000).”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“Canada warmly welcomes the recent appointment of Carolyn McAskie as Assistant Secretary-General, Peacebuilding Support Office, and would like to thank her for her deep commitment and her continuing engagement on this important agenda. The Council's direct role in ensuring that women participate at all levels in peace consolidation and that gender equality is integrated throughout all peace and security activities is now well established. The Peacebuilding Commission also shares this responsibility and recently reaffirmed - at its first country-specific meetings on Burundi and on Sierra Leone - the centrality of resolution 1325 (2000) to its work.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“In order for peace consolidation to integrate gender equality and women's rights effectively, we need to focus both on the increased direct participation of women in peace processes and on institutional reform that is aware of gender. Without this two-pronged approach, peace consolidation will not be realized. Last week, Canada co-hosted a panel discussion with the United Nations Development Fund for Women to discuss women's priorities in peace consolidation, especially in the areas of gender justice, security-sector reform and good governance, and to discuss the critical nature of operationalizing resolution 1325 (2000) in its work.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“As with many issues that come before the Council for action, the women, peace and security agenda is not an abstract political concept. In Burundi, we have witnessed the positive impact of women's participation in peace negotiations. In Afghanistan, we have witnessed the strength and commitment of women who fought to enshrine equal rights in their constitution. In post-genocide Rwanda, women have captured a record number of seats in the elected assembly. Such gains need to be protected and built upon so as to ensure their long-lasting positive effects. The Council is well aware, however - as is the wider international community - that effective and sustainable peace, justice and security will not be achieved if we do not consider all the related activities through a gender lens.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“As we mark the sixth anniversary of the adoption of Council resolution 1325 (2000) and welcome the Secretary-General's in-depth study on violence against women (A/6l/l22/Add.l), Canada calls on the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission to intensify efforts to address all acts of gender-based violence against women and girls and to eliminate impunity for such violence so that women can play a full role in the reconstruction of their communities and benefit from the dividends of peace. In this respect, we have seen some positive steps forward. In April of this year, the Council adopted resolution 1674 (2006), on the protection of civilians. That resolution includes strong provisions for prioritizing civilian protection as part of peace support operations and for addressing sexual and gender-based violence.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank Japan for having convened this open debate today. I would also like to thank today's speakers for having demonstrated how important our continued commitment is in moving the women, peace and security agenda forward. Canada fully endorses the statement to be made later today by the representative of Slovenia on behalf on the Human Security Network.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556 (2006) · source
“In conclusion, Canada is firmly committed to the provision of humanitarian assistance, stabilization, reconstruction and capacity-building in Lebanon, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza. We stand ready to continue to work constructively with other Member States and to try to address some of the key problems with a view to achieving peace and security in the region.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“(spoke in French) Lebanon has been at the forefront of international attention, but Canada would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that real and lasting peace in the Middle East is inextricably linked to the search for a viable solution - that is, two States, Israel and Palestine. Canada supports President Abbas and is following with interest his efforts to establish a national unity Government. If Hamas is serious about helping the Palestinian people, it must immediately and unconditionally release the kidnapped Israeli soldier, and it must commit to the Quartet principles of recognition of Israel, acceptance of international agreements and the renunciation of violence.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Canada is disappointed that Iran and Syria, arms suppliers and financial backers of Hizbollah, have not yet accepted the terms of the resolution. They should not be allowed to spoil the peace. The Lebanese Government must be strengthened so that it can fulfil its rightful role as the provider for and protector of its people. It is equally important for the Lebanese people to have confidence that their Government is capable of delivering on the key responsibilities of a sovereign State. Countries in the region should support the efforts of this nascent democracy to flourish without having to compete against resources being sent to terrorist organizations. The international community needs to continue providing humanitarian and reconstruction relief.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“This body unanimously agreed on a resolution that articulates the necessary elements for a lasting peace. At the centre of that is the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, including Hizbollah, so that there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than those of the Lebanese State. This is not the first time the Security Council has dealt with this issue, but it is Canada's hope that, with the unanimous passage of resolution 1701 (2006), it will be the last. Canada welcomes the Lebanese Government's ordering the deployment of 15,000 soldiers to south Lebanon and its announcement that it will not tolerate other armed groups in its territory. When the Lebanese army, backed by the United Nations, becomes the sole Visible armed force in south Lebanon, the positive impact on the region will be great.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“Canada has also actively supported humanitarian agencies to reach civilians in need, including the transport by sea of humanitarian personnel and over 140 tons of relief items. Canada stands behind the Lebanese Government. Reconstruction efforts must ultimately be led by the State - not Hizbollah. All Member States share an obligation to ensure that resolution 1701 (2006) is respected, including agreements with both Governments on its implementation, and that a full arms embargo is enforced. We all also share a collective responsibility to see that obligations under international humanitarian law are respected by all. The fundamental challenge ahead is to ensure that Hizbollah does not rearm and does not present an even greater threat to Israel in the future.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“My Government is pleased to see that after 34 days of violent conflict, there is now a ceasefire in Lebanon. As we saw this weekend, however, this ceasefire is fragile. Nonetheless, we are confident that the Governments of both Israel and Lebanon are committed to a true cessation of hostilities. The two Governments understand that both the Israeli and Lebanese people need security and stability above all. The Government of Canada has already responded positively to the urgent appeal to support Lebanon. On 16 August, Canada announced the creation of a $25 million Lebanon relief fund to respond to humanitarian, early recovery, stabilization and reconstruction needs, in order to help people rebuild their lives. This new fund will build on Canada's previous allocation of $5.5 million to address immediate humanitarian needs.”
2006-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5515 (2006) · source
“An end to violence includes recognizing Israel as a legitimate neighbour and its right to lasting security. It also includes recognizing the right of Palestinians to their own State, independent, viable and capable of achieving the aspirations of their people. It is the responsibility of all parties to work for the cessation of violence. Only then can the international community move towards repairing the terrible damage that has been done over the past week and generate a process aimed at a lasting solution to this conflict that has gone on for too long. Not only the Security Council, but also all of the United Nations and its Member States must play a more significant role in the Middle East if we are to achieve long-term security and stability in the region.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The resolution to this crisis begins with ceasing the launching of Qassam rockets into Israeli towns and immediately and unconditionally returning the young Israeli corporal to his family. (spoke in French) Canada urges Israel to exercise the utmost restraint in its operations in Gaza and to respect international humanitarian law, including with regard to the free flow of basic necessities of life. Civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has already been largely devastated, and the civilian victims are more numerous every day. Ultimately, a negotiated settlement is the only road forward. Canada endorses the Quartet's conditions for the Palestinian Authority - that is, to recognize Israel's fundamental right to exist, to accept previously signed agreements, and, finally, to renounce violence.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Canada also reaffirms the G-8's call for the Security Council to examine without delay the possibility of deploying an international security/monitoring presence in Lebanon. This should be accompanied by the development of a political framework to create conditions for stability and a lasting peace. Canada also strongly endorses the G-8's appeal to the Council to develop a plan for the full implementation of resolution 1559 (2004). This body must play a role in the implementation of that resolution, and we welcome the Secretary-General's efforts in this regard. The situation in Gaza is also deeply troubling. Canada is committed to supporting President Abbas and continues to call on the Palestinian Authority to take immediate steps to bring peace and stability to its people.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The heaviest costs in this regard continue to be borne by the Lebanese people. Canada is already contributing to international humanitarian efforts to assist them. Although the Lebanese Government has been faced with a formidable challenge, Syria and Iran - countries that aid and abet Hizbollah with financial and military support - must be held accountable. It is also essential that any country in the area that has influence on this terrorist organization should encourage an end to violence and the recognition of Israel's right to exist. The key to ending this senseless violence lies with Hizbollah. It must stop the rocket attacks. It must release the abducted soldiers.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is also obvious that the abduction was only the prelude to a major offensive intended to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible, which is evident in Hizbollah's indiscriminate launching of hundreds of rockets into urban areas deep in Israel with devastating consequences, including the deaths of innocents. It was also intended to sabotage the internal Lebanese democratic political dialogue, whose objectives include fulfilling resolution 1559 (2004). And finally, it was intended to serve the interests of Hizbollah's backers in Damascus and Tehran. This body passed resolution 1559 (2004) in an earnest effort to disarm the terrorist organization Hizbollah. It is a tragedy for Lebanon that since that time Hizbollah has been allowed to operate with impunity in southern Lebanon.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The crisis in Lebanon has escalated at an alarming pace, and the greatest toll has been exacted upon innocent civilians in Lebanon and Israel. Hizbollah violated Israel's sovereignty, unprovoked. Israel's response to the abduction and killing of its soldiers was an exercise of its right to self-defence. The G-8 reinforced this principle in its 16 July Saint Petersburg Declaration - to which Canada adheres strongly - calling upon Israel to exercise utmost restraint and seek to avoid casualties among innocent civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure, and to refrain from acts that would destabilize the Government of Lebanon. It is now clear that Hizbollah's objectives went far beyond the abduction of Israeli soldiers.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Today violence rages in the Middle East once again. It is civilians on all sides who pay the heaviest price. We extend our deep condolences to the families of all the victims affected by this crisis. Canadians have been directly affected by this crisis. Recently, eight Canadians visiting relatives were killed in southern Lebanon. As we speak, Canada is working hard to rescue its nationals and others who wish to leave Lebanon. The dynamics in the region must change. Sovereign, democratic countries like Lebanon cannot be held hostage by terrorists. As we have all seen to our dismay, the independent acts of terrorist organizations, encouraged by countries supporting them, can quickly embroil neighbouring countries in hostilities. This serves no one's interests.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source