YouSaid · the spoken record

Mehlis

lines on the record
20
first
2005-10-25
most recent
2005-12-13
sittings or episodes
2
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un-security-council

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  1. “However, the Commission cannot prejudge the actual length of the investigation it has been carrying out at the behest of the Lebanese Government. Many factors are to be taken into account. This has been and will remain, first and foremost, a Lebanese investigation. The Commission should pursue its work as long as its assistance is needed and sought. Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that the Syrian authorities are also responsible for the pace of the investigation, because this depends on the extent of their full and unconditional cooperation. In conclusion, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all the parties, and particularly to the Secretary-General, for the enduring efforts they have exerted in order to help the Commission move ahead. It is with regret that I shall be leaving the Commission as soon as a successor is appointed.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  2. “The Commission has recorded the extensive interviews of the Syrian suspects, the statements have to be assessed, and new evidence has to be reviewed before leading to the questioning of new witnesses or suspects. Consequently, this might be the starting point of the much-sought-after cooperation of the Syrian authorities with the Commission. It remains to be seen whether Syrian cooperation will be in full and without any conditions. In his letter dated 14 October 2005 (S/2005/651, annex), the Prime Minister of Lebanon requested, on behalf of the Lebanese Government, an extension of UNIIIC's mandate for another six months. The Commission supports that request and recommends such an extension, as set out in resolution 1636 (2005).”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  3. “Resolution 1636 (2005), particularly its section III, set out a clear and unambiguous framework for Syria's work with the Commission, calling for full and unconditional cooperation. Yet, it has been after much hesitation and procrastination that the Syrian authorities finally agreed to move on the request to interview five Syrian officials whom the Commission considers as suspects, in Vienna and on conditions determined by the Commission. This took place only a week ago. At this rate, the investigation may take another year or two. Cooperation and good faith should be diligent and timely. Yet the Syrian authorities did indeed make the five Syrian suspects available for questioning under conditions set out by the Commission. This latest development is undoubtedly an important stage in the investigation.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  4. “Gebrane Tueni in order to interview him as a witness in the Hariri case, and it is very sad that he left us under such horrendous circumstances. In parallel to the Lebanese track, the Commission has been trying hard to make headway on the Syrian track. The Commission's relations with the Syrian authorities have been marked by conflicting signals. It was not clear at all times who from the Syrian side is the privileged interlocutor of the Commission. This has caused confusion and delays. I was here seven weeks ago in this very Chamber (see S/PV.5292), suggesting to the Syrian authorities that they carry out their own investigation into the assassination of Mr. Hariri.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  5. “It is the Commission's View that the convergence of many factors - such as the overhaul of the security apparatus; the arrest of four former security officials, among others; the expanded authority granted to the Commission through resolution 1636 (2005); and the ensuing interviews of Syrian suspects - has boosted the confidence and resolve of the Lebanese people and Government. Despite the widespread apprehension that preceded the issuance of the Commission's October report and the anxieties that lingered afterwards, the security situation remained calm until yesterday's incident. In this respect, on behalf of the Commission, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of yesterday's bombing attack in Beirut. I would like to express my sincere condolences and my deepest sympathy to their families and friends. I met with Mr.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  6. “In that sense, one cannot but underscore the importance of the ever-closer links between the Commission and the Lebanese authorities in order to stay the course, with a steady pace in the investigation. To date, the Commission has interviewed over 500 witnesses and has established, together with the Lebanese authorities, a list of 19 suspects. It has followed traces and leads developed since its inception and has focused on a number of promising tracks. In the course of the investigation, it has become evident that the Commission is working mainly on two tracks: one Lebanese and one Syrian. On the Lebanese track, the Commission has been able to resolve most impediments, thanks to the cooperation of the Lebanese authorities and their willingness to help and facilitate the Commission's work in all ways possible.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  7. “Indeed, if resolution 1595 (2005) gave executive authority to the Commission, resolution 1636 (2005) built on it, giving it further authority so as to enable it to move forward with the investigation on all its tracks and to attain its main objective: to help identify the perpetrators, sponsors, organizers and accomplices in the terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others on 14 February 2005, in Beirut. In conformity with those resolutions, the Commission has pursued both existing and new lines of inquiry. It remained guided by the same principles of cooperation and information-sharing with the Lebanese security and judicial authorities.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  8. “Mr. Mehlis: The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC), which was created pursuant to Security Council resolution 1595 (2005), has been through two mandate renewals. It issued its first report (8/2005/662) on 19 October and submitted its latest report to the Secretary-General on Sunday, 11 December, prior to the end of its mandate on 15 December. The report reflects the outcome of the work the Commission has carried out since its last extension seven weeks ago. Security Council resolution 1636 (2005), which was adopted on 31 October, has been instrumental in helping our work.”

    2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source

  9. “In the meantime, the Lebanese judicial and security authorities, who have shown good will and demonstrated a growing ability to handle the case, would benefit from all the legal and technical support the international community could provide, either bilaterally or through the United Nations system.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  10. “In conclusion, allow me to reiterate that the total number of investigators who have served in the Commission was 30, coming from 17 different United Nations Member States. The drafting team was composed of members representing eight different nationalities. It has been of particular importance to me to maintain a geographical balance in the teams in order to enhance the Commission's credibility. Finally, if and when the overall investigation is completed, it will be up to the Lebanese authorities to seek the way ahead and determine the nature and location of any judicial mechanism to be set up.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  11. “Therefore, since the Commission will continue its work until 15 December, the safety and security of its members must be a priority. Ever since the Commission started its work in Lebanon, in addition to its own security team, the Lebanese security forces - namely, the army and the police - have played a major role in ensuring the protection of its members and headquarters. They took exceptional security measures, for which I wish to thank them on behalf of all the Commission's members. However, it should be noted that despite all the precautionary measures, the level of risk, which was already high, will further increase, particularly after the issuance of the report. I would also add that the Commission has received a number of threats that were deemed, in the assessment of our security personnel, to be credible.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  12. “And it will endeavour to provide the Lebanese authorities with any technical assistance they might require. Moreover, the Commission is of the view that this would provide yet another opportunity for the Syrian authorities to show greater and meaningful cooperation and to provide any relevant substantial evidence on the assassination. For this reason, the Syrian authorities may wish to carry out, on their part, their own investigation into the assassination of Mr. Hariri in an open and transparent manner. That would enable the 3 Commission to fill in the gaps and to have a clearer picture about the organizers and perpetrators of the 14 February terrorist act. As the Commissioner of UNIIIC, I am also responsible for the safety and security of my staff.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  13. “More time should be allotted to further investigate our findings and look into emerging leads. I would note that it is entirely normal that a case of this type takes many months, if not years, to cover all aspects of investigation with certitude and to prepare a case for prosecution. The Lebanese Government recently asked for an extension of the Commission's mandate until 15 December. As the extension has been granted, the Commission's modus operandi will remain unchanged - that is, the Commission will maintain the same level of cooperation with the Lebanese authorities and, wherever possible, will help to enhance it. The Commission will re- interview a number of witnesses and interview new ones as the investigation unfolds. It will complete its examination of material evidence obtained recently.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  14. “Our modus operandi, our findings and conclusions are set out in that document, which is before you today at this important session of the Council. I do not wish to burden you by repeating the content of that report or with further details. However, there are certain elements and facts that I wish to stress at this time. Over 130 days, 30 investigators from 17 countries interviewed more than 400 witnesses and suspects, reviewed approximately 60,000 documents and produced more than 16,500 pages of documents. More than 450 pieces of evidence have been collected. Some main lines of investigation have been identified and leads established. However, for such a multidimensional and complex case as the one under review, the investigation cannot be considered complete as of now.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  15. “Thanks to the backing and active engagement of the Lebanese authorities, we have been able to integrate our work together, as envisaged by the Security Council in April. Of utmost importance has been the valuable assistance extended by other organizations of the United Nations family, as well as by other international organizations, such as Interpol. Several United Nations Member States provided expertise that contributed in no small measure to 05-56783 shedding light on major areas of the investigation. On behalf of all the members of the Commission, I wish to convey to all of them my sincere thanks and profound gratitude. On 19 October 2005, I submitted the Commission's report to the Secretary-General.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  16. “With the political authorities, arrangements were made to facilitate our work and to give the Commission the moral and physical backing it most needed. With the judicial authorities, regular meetings were held to exchange updated information, files, statements and new evidence. Plans were agreed for the upcoming phases of the investigation, and lists of witnesses were submitted to the Lebanese authorities for summoning for questioning. With the security authorities, raid and search operations were conducted in tandem. A striking example was the joint UNIIIC-Internal Security Forces (ISF) operation carried out on 30 August 2005 for the house raid and search of former senior security officials, who were later arrested by the Lebanese authorities.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  17. “To the credit of the Lebanese judicial and security authorities, they have come a long way in terms of their ability to pursue the investigations. Some problems of public trust remain. More recently, they have shown growing levels of professionalism and competence. They have been helped in this by the presence and active support of the United Nations. Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons for this positive change is the setting aside of past constraints and the stepping down of the old guard. On the other hand, the close interest and valuable support shown by the international community in Lebanese affairs has been encouraging. The Commission established close working links with the Lebanese authorities, and channels of communication were kept open with all sides.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  18. “In keeping with the letter and the spirit of resolution 1595 (2005), the Commission and the Government of Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the modalities of cooperation between the two parties. Having set the framework of work and cooperation early on, the Commission has been able to 05-56783 move ahead with its investigation. The earlier Fact- finding Mission led by Mr. Peter FitZGerald and the accompanying files were a valuable source of information during the early phase of our work. In addition, we relied to a large extent on the 8,000-page Lebanese case docket handed over to the Commission in order to understand the dimensions of the case, to draw up a preliminary list of potential witnesses and suspects and to focus on possible leads to pursue.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  19. “Before going into the details of this unique and unprecedented experience - by United Nations standards - I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Secretary-General and to the Security Council members, who, by appointing me, have shown me and my team trust and confidence, upon which I have drawn throughout the five months I have spent in Lebanon and which has been a great source of comfort and encouragement. My heartfelt thanks also go to the Lebanese people and Government for their unwavering support and full confidence. The Commission, which was established in full agreement with the Government of Lebanon, became fully operational on 16 June 2005.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source

  20. “Mr. Mehlis: The terrorist attack of 14 February 2005 that claimed the lives of Mr. Rafik Hariri and 22 others was a landmark event in the history of Lebanon. It was a tragedy that came as the country was beginning to heal the wounds of a long civil war. Allow me first to pay tribute to the memory of all the victims and acknowledge the suffering of the bereaved families. On 7 April 2005, the Security Council adopted resolution 1595 (2005), whereby the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) was set up. The Commission was designed to be a supportive mechanism for the Lebanese judicial and security authorities to carry forward the investigation into the assassination.”

    2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source