YouSaid · the spoken record

Meece

lines on the record

207

first

2010-10-15

most recent

2013-02-22

sittings or episodes

8

sources

un-security-council

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1. “I must also note, however, that even good short- term military operations alone will not be sufficient to ensure long-term security. The fundamental threat posed by armed groups requires a broader strategy, also requiring our continued focus. Such a strategy must include military pressure but must also go well beyond to a daunting array of issues. Our operational collaboration with the FARDC is predicated on the basis of conditionality, intended to ensure that support to FARDC operations is consistent with human rights principles. However, many aspects of our collaboration have been increasingly viewed by FARDC commanders as an obstacle to be avoided, which has led to an increase in FARDC unilateral operations without MONUSCO involvement or support.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source

2. “I must be frank, however, to underscore that all of those MONUSCO activities cannot serve as the complete answer to the security problems of the east. The scale of the problem is enormous. The best data available, for example, suggests that over 15,000 rapes were committed last year in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Armed groups operate in many widely dispersed areas, 10-58489 not only in proximity to villages and towns but indeed often intermixed with the civilian population. In that vast area - larger than Afghanistan - it is not possible for MONUSCO to ensure full protection for all civilians. To approach that goal would require vastly greater force levels and resources. In that context, Government security forces of course have the primary responsibility to ensure security for the people of the Congo.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source

3. “I believe it accomplished its essential goals, at least for the short term. It is our intent and interest to continue a more active military stance, resources permitting. I consider this to be an essential component of the strategy to improve general security. I should note that the number of forward MONUSCO bases, which are referred to as company operating bases and temporary operating bases, has greatly multiplied over the past year as we have better identified high-risk zones. We currently have over 90 of those bases, a level which, frankly, is reaching, if not exceeding, our present support capacity. We are now at the point where new bases will have to be balanced by the closure of others. Overall helicopter- lift capability is a critical factor in that calculation, as are budgetary limits.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source

4. “Given the apparently escalating violence in North Kivu of July and August, however, the Force Commander and I also thought it important to establish a more visible and active MONUSCO military posture. In that regard, we planned and launched Operation Shop Window, in the Pinga and Walikale area, from I to 18 September, involving roughly 750 MONUSCO troops. Although we kept the Forces arme'es de la Republique democratique du Congo (FARDC) fully briefed on the Operation, it was a unilateral MONUSCO operation, the first of its kind in a very long time. Among other goals, it was our intent to check the freedom of operations seemingly enjoyed by armed elements in the area and to generally change the immediate dynamic of violence. The Operation was well received by the FARDC and Government leaders.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source

5. “The Council has received briefings and updates from Under-Secretary-General Le Roy, Assistant Secretary-General Khare and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Wallstrom with regard to many of the specific measures and new initiatives we have taken to address deficiencies and to improve our effectiveness in this area. I can assure the Council that this review will not be a one-time activity with a defined time frame. 10-58489 In the past, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) pioneered many innovative tactics to increase the Mission's reach and impact. However, we are committed to doing more. The report of the Secretary-General provides details of our ongoing efforts in that regard.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source

6. “I therefore spent a good part of my first weeks in the eastern part of the country. Nevertheless, I believe that the dialogue with Government officials began on a sound footing, although much work remains to be done. I believe this effort to be crucial, both for the satisfactory execution of our ongoing operations, especially with regard to efforts to protect the civilian population and humanitarian efforts, and for carrying out longer-term goals associated with stabilization and security efforts. (spoke in English) The horrific attacks in late July and early August in North Kivu clearly underscored the importance of civilian protection and provoked a major internal review of our programmes related to MONUSCO protection activities.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source

7. “Mr. Meece: I am pleased to brief the Security Council in connection with the first report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (S/20lO/512). (spoke in French) Since my arrival in Kinshasa about three months ago, I set myself the immediate priority of fostering an ongoing and constructive dialogue with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, my settling-in period was interrupted by a sequence of serious events in the east of the country, namely, the mass rapes and attacks in the areas of Kibua and Mpofi, in North Kivu, and a direct assault against a MONUSCO base in Kirumba, also in North Kivu, as well as by the worrying general escalation of violence.”

   2010-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6403 (2010) · source