YouSaid · the spoken record

Mekdad

lines on the record: 597
first: 2001-03-19
most recent: 2006-06-14
sittings or episodes: 87
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

“Once again, I would like to emphasize that Syria's cooperation is based upon its wish to find and reveal the truth, something which is in our best interests.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“06-38709 Fifthly, we have noted with satisfaction the continued confidentiality of the investigation; we welcome such confidentiality and would like it to continue. Sixthly, Syria agrees with the report as regards the need for adequate time to complete the investigations and gather all the necessary solid evidence and proof before moving on to the next step. In conclusion, Syria agrees with the importance of providing the international investigation with all the resources and time it needs to finish its work, enabling it to gather true evidence in the absence of politicization and false and erroneous hypotheses. Here, we would like to emphasize that, through the Syrian Judicial Commission, Syria will continue to cooperate actively in order to help the International Commission.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“Thirdly, Syria supports the emphasis in the report on the necessity of carefully and accurately analysing and assessing the evidence in accordance with the highest standards and parameters of international criminal procedure, in particular with respect to false testimony provided to the Commission for well-known political reasons. Fourthly, we note that the Commission has made requests for assistance to 13 other States in addition to Syria and Lebanon. In that context, we would like to emphasize that Security Council resolution 1595 (2005) called upon all States to cooperate fully with the International Independent Investigation Commission, in order to uncover the truth behind the assassination of the late Rafik Hariri.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“We note that the accuracy and clarity of the requests presented to the Syrian judicial commission has allowed us to provide the International Commission with the requested information in record time. 06-38709 Secondly, in the framework of cooperation between Syria and the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission, the report notes Syria's positive response to requests made by the Commission with respect to the provision of information and documentation. It further notes that "[t]he Syrian Arab Republic has responded to all of the Commission's requests in a timely manner and in some instances comprehensive responses were provided" (5/2006/375, para. 103). I would stress here that Syria will continue to extend its efforts in that area.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“I wish briefly to refer to the report before the Security Council and to make the following general remarks, without addressing its substantive details so as not to prejudice the investigation, which we believe must be objective, impartial, independent and free of all politicization and political interference. First, the report notes that Syrian cooperation with the Commission has been satisfactory. We emphasize that Syria has cooperated tirelessly and fully with the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission from the moment it began its work to this very day. In that context, the special judicial commission established in Syria is prepared to follow up on coordination and cooperation with the International Commission and to respect all requests for assistance it may submit.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“We hope that the Commission, newly reconstituted a few months ago, will uncover the truth concerning those truly responsible for committing the crime. In that context, we reiterate the assertion we have made on previous occasions to the effect that the greatest threat to the investigation is the attempts by certain parties within or outside our region to use developments in the investigation as an excuse to jump to a priori conclusions unfounded in clear evidence or proof, and to provide false evidence that may be exploited for purposes, including the desire to pressure my country, that are far removed from those for which the Commission was established. The fact is that a revelation of the truth must await the Commission's completion of its task.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“Brammertz's report, as well as its objectivity, professionalism and positive references to Syria's efforts to cooperate with the Commission, to respond constructively to all the Commission's requests, and to 6 provide it with all the necessary information in a timely manner. I wish to stress that the cooperation of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic with the Commission is based on its eagerness to uncover the truth about the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, the late Rafik Hariri, and to expose those who were behind the crime. The report before the Security Council today includes a step-by-step clarification of the Committee's technical work at the scene of the crime and on the means used to commit it.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Madam, on your accession to the presidency of the Security Council. We wish you every success in leading the Council's work this month. We express our deep gratitude for the work of the Permanent Representative of the Congo and his friendly delegation and for their wise leadership of the Council throughout their presidency last month. I also welcome the presence of Mr. Serge Brammertz, Commissioner of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission, and thank him for his briefing. We note the contents of Mr.”
2006-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5458 (2006) · source
“In conclusion, we would like to draw the attention of the Security Council to the gravity of attempts by some circles to utilize the cooperation between Syria and UNIIIC to abuse Syria's intentions in order to achieve special goals. We would like to state that our cooperation is based on revealing the unassailable truth, this being part and parcel of our interests.”
2006-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5388 (2006) · source
“Fourthly, it has become clear that a number of witnesses appearing before the Commission made false allegations in order to mislead the investigation and to lead it to conclusions based on known political biases. We hope that the Commission will avoid any such tendency under the new leadership. Fifthly, we hope that the Commission will follow the new leads referred to in the current report. We would like to emphasize that Council resolution 1595 (2005) calls upon all States to cooperate with the Commission to help identify the truth regarding the assassination of the late Rafik Hariri. Sixthly, we note with satisfaction that the confidentiality of the investigation has been handled very professionally. We welcome this, and we emphasize the need for this professionalism to continue.”
2006-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5388 (2006) · source
“In this connection, the Special Judiciary Commission set up in Syria is ready to cooperate with the International Commission and to respond to all requests presented by it. Syria is of the view that the ability of the Syrian Judiciary Commission to respond to the requests for assistance depends to a great extent on the clarity and accuracy of the requests from UNIIIC and on the need for information relating to some aspects of the investigation concerning Syria. Thirdly, the report refers to cooperation between Syria and the Commission in terms of Syria's response to the requests made by the Commission in submitting information and documents. We would like to emphasize before this Council that Syria continues to make efforts in this connection.”
2006-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5388 (2006) · source
“Permit me to touch briefly on the report before the Council. I wish to make some general observations on it, without delving into substantive details, so as to avoid prejudicing the character of the investigation, which we hope will be impartial, objective, independent and free of political interference. First, the report refers to the joint understandings between Syria and the Investigation Commission on the legal framework and practical cooperation machinery between the two sides in the framework of Syria's response to the Commission's requests for assistance. We would like to stress that such joint understandings take into consideration Syrian legal and judiciary jurisdiction and observe the requirements of national sovereignty. Secondly, Syria has cooperated continuously and completely with the Commission since it began its work.”
2006-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5388 (2006) · source
“I wish to reiterate the assurance of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic that it will continue its cooperation with the Investigation Commission, since we are keen on revealing the truth behind the crime of assassinating the late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The report before the Council moves the investigation of the criminal assassination of Mr. Hariri to a new stage, and we hope that this phase will help identify the parties responsible for that crime, as well as for other crimes that occurred in Lebanon. In this regard, we would like to reiterate what we have said on previous occasions, that the most dangerous thing the investigation has faced is the fact that some parties have encroached upon the investigation with a view to reaching preconceived, unsubstantiated evidence.”
2006-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5388 (2006) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Permit me, Sir, to congratulate your friendly country and you personally on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. I wish you every success in conducting the Council's deliberations this month. By the same token, I welcome the presence of Mr. Serge Brammertz, Commissioner of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC), to present his report. We take note of the contents of the reports and its references to Syria's efforts to cooperate with the Commission in the period under review.”
2006-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5388 (2006) · source
“Damascus is the capital of peace and understanding, whence the prophet Paul spread Christianity; Damascus was the base from which that great religion was launched. Damascus is also the capital of Islamic culture and the starting point of many other great cultures. No one can deny this, least of all someone who practices terrorism day and night and who practices hatred day and night. The work of the three Committees is of great importance for the international community. We all hope that the Security Council will continue to enhance multilateral international cooperation in safeguarding international peace and security and in eradicating terrorism in all its manifestations.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“This is seen in the daily terrorism that has ceaselessly, for decades, been carried out by Israel through its continued terrorist occupation of occupied Arab territories, its ongoing killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians, its destruction of their property, and its construction of a separation wall on their territory. We believe that the Israeli representative's exploitation of this Chamber in an attempt to sell his Government's terrorist policies and to cast doubt on what other States are doing to fight terrorism is intended to cloak Israel's terrorist acts. We should not be silent about this matter, which has serious negative consequences. Over the past few days, Israel has killed dozens of innocent civilians; we are waiting for the Security Council to condemn those acts and to adopt measures to put a stop to them.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“We call for agreement on a legal definition of terrorism encompassing the work that has already been done and drawing a distinction between terrorism and the legitimate right of peoples to fight occupation and to liberate their lands. We call upon the General Assembly to achieve this within the framework of a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy in conformity with the September 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/1). This should promote peace and development, and should confront State terrorism. Our Arab region is a victim of terrorism in general, and State terrorism in particular.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“The United Nations provides a unique framework for our collective pursuit of international cooperation and coordination among all States in fighting terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. My delegation attaches great importance to international counter-terrorism conventions and notes that States are shouldering their responsibilities under such instruments. In that regard, we will make an effective contribution to the forthcoming discussions in the General Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee on a comprehensive convention against international terrorism, with a View to finding a way to put an end to that scourge.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“We call upon the Security Council, as it addresses international terrorism - which poses a threat to international peace and security - not to interfere in matters falling within the exclusive purview of the General Assembly, in particular legislative matters. That would affect the legislative weight of measures adopted by the Security Council and would call the Council's credibility further into question. We attach great importance to the role of the Security Council and to international counter- terrorism efforts. We call upon States members of the Council to avoid double standards in the fight against terrorism, because these undermine the Council's credibility and the action it takes.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“They should not infringe on the powers of the General Assembly. Syria has submitted its report under the resolution, along with addenda requested by the Committee. The addenda include references to laws on money- laundering, the financing of terrorism and nuclear materials. Syria is committed to cooperating with the Security Council Committees in the sphere of counter- terrorism. It is putting in place national legislation and undertaking effective measures to fight terrorism and fulfil its commitments in this area. We welcome the efforts of the three Committees to coordinate their work to fulfil their mandates. Here, we call on the three counter-terrorism Committees to avoid duplication of work, both among themselves and vis-a-vis bodies established by the General Assembly.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“The Committee has considered the reports submitted by States; here we wish to recall that a month ago Syria submitted an additional report supplementing its fourth report, which made reference to matters related to money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, in connection with recent legislation formulated by Syria to address money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. Syria is enhancing transparency in the areas of finance and banking related to investment and banking privacy. We have established a committee to develop legislation in these areas. While we support resolution 1540 (2004) and the work of the Committee established pursuant to that resolution, we consider that the Committee's activities should not be seen as replacing those of the multilateral disarmament machinery.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“However, in spite of those efforts, the Security Council did not pay serious attention to what the General Assembly called for in the context of the outcome document at the September summit - that is, the need to tackle the issue of including and reviewing names in the Consolidated List, as well as delisting, and the problems related to enforcing bans, especially the similarities between names, the duplication of names and the incorrect spelling of names. We also welcome the briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) and its Executive Directorate relating to resolution 1624 (2005), on incitement to terrorist acts.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, my delegation would like to thank Ambassadors ngsj, Mayoral and Burian for their briefings. We welcome these public Security Council meetings to discuss this important issue. Syria condemns international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Syria was a victim of terrible terrorist acts and was one of the first countries to call attention to this grave danger. We called for developing national and international strategies to combat it. Syria carries out its obligations with regard to the Consolidated List, both electronically and through hard-copy documents, which were distributed to all of our ports and borders. We also note with satisfaction the fact that the 1267 Counter-Terrorism Committee is making great efforts to fulfil its mandates.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“Regrettably, some Council members did not even want to take note of these letters. To bring pressure to bear and to attempt to impose one's will on others runs counter to the principles governing relations among States, which must be based on mutual respect, constructive dialogue and openness to others. Lastly, let me reiterate Syria's firm commitment fully to cooperate with the Commission during the coming period.”
2005-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5329 (2005) · source
“It is regrettable that, although we have clearly stated that contacts between Syria and the Commission were under way and that efforts were being made by both sides to reach mutual agreement on issues relating to the questioning of Syrian citizens, some have chosen to overlook everything we have stated, have reached selective conclusions based on the Commission's report, and have used them in a distorted way against my country. Syria has discharged its responsibilities in a spirit of sincerity, certain as it was that a professional and objective investigation would lead to Syria's being cleared. We have not cooperated with the Commission just to please certain parties, but because we wanted to cooperate. During the preceding period, we informed the Council, via letters to all of its members, about all of our actions and efforts.”
2005-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5329 (2005) · source
“I would like to reiterate that, despite the full cooperation shown by Syria within the framework of its sovereignty and the rights of its citizens, in accordance with international law and humanitarian law, certain States, because of their narrow interests, insisted on saying that we have not positively cooperated with the International Independent Investigation Commission or with respect to the implementation of the relevant resolutions in a record short time, even though many of the resolutions on the Middle East that have been adopted over the past 38 years have yet to be implemented.”
2005-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5329 (2005) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I should like to express my appreciation for this opportunity to make a few brief comments on the resolution just adopted by the Security Council. I should like at the outset to express my country's appreciation for the efforts made by many States members of the Council to prevent the adoption of a resolution contravening international law, the principles of the Charter and the role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2005-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5329 (2005) · source
“Syria requests that the Council take into account the comments made in my statement. In addition, I would like to point out that Syria, which has fully implemented all the relevant United Nations resolutions, looks to the Security Council and its members to work with the same zeal and interest to ensure the implementation of Council resolutions relevant to the Middle East region.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“The previous report assumed that it might have entered Lebanon through Syria on the basis of testimony given by witnesses who were proved to lack credibility: Zuheir Saddik and Hussam Hussam. Fourthly, both reports referred to the possible presence of a third party, but the Commission did not attach due significance to that possibility, despite the fact that it is extremely important for the completion of the investigation. We have commented on some of the basic issues covered in the report. We would like to make additional comments and observations, but time constraints do not allow us to do so. Here, I should like to reiterate once again that Syria, which has cooperated fully with the investigation during the recent period, is prepared to continue to do so in the forthcoming period.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“The Syrian Embassy in Paris received a handwritten letter from him stating that he had been kidnapped and coerced to give his previous testimony, upon which the Commission continues to rely in its new report. It is noteworthy that, as stated in paragraph 28 of the report, the Commission determined through an analysis of Mr. Saddik's DNA that a substantial part of his statement was false: namely, the part related to his purported attendance at meetings in an apartment in the Beirut suburb of Al-Dahiyye to plan the crime. Therefore, the Commission must conclude that the rest of his testimony is also false and invalid. Thirdly, in the report, the Commission has not yet been able to determine how the Mitsubishi vehicle carrying the explosives arrived in Lebanon.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“The International Commission could have summoned that witness to Vienna instead of continuing to rely on his previous testimony. There is no truth whatsoever to the report's statements that Mr. Hussam is being manipulated or intimidated and that some of his close relatives in Syria were threatened and arrested before his public statement. Secondly, we wonder why the Commission did not investigate the nature of Zuheir Saddik's movements between our region and certain European countries during the past few months, despite all the suspicions surrounding his testimony, which changed his status from that of a witness to that of a suspect, and despite the fact that he was arrested in France two months ago and is still being held. There has been no response thus far to the request for his extradition.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“The task of the Commission must be to seek out evidence and leads that will enable it to identify the perpetrators of the crime and to build on such evidence and leads in order to identify those who were involved in its planning, direction and implementation. In that regard, we would like to make the following basic comments. First, the witness Hussam Taher Hussam arrived in Syria abruptly. He made some statements and clarifications to the international media of his own free will, recanting his previous testimony to the International Independent Investigation Commission. His statement was recorded by the Syrian Judicial Commission and its content was transmitted to the International Independent Investigation Commission.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“For example, the investigators summarized the interviewees' statements instead of making a verbatim record; the lawyers were not given official copies of the records; and the interviewees were not allowed to sign their statements in Arabic versions, but had to sign their statements transcribed in a language that they do not understand. The report of the International Independent Investigation Commission essentially reaffirms the conclusions of the previous report, which were based on the presumption of guilt and the making of prejudged accusations. Therefore, the criticisms of the previous report also apply to this one.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“In order to reaffirm our desire to cooperate, we informed the International Independent Investigation Commission that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic would welcome a meeting with the head of the Commission in Damascus or during an official visit to Europe. The understanding reached between the representatives of the Syrian Foreign Ministry and the Commissioner led to the Commission's agreement to implement the basic guarantees contained in international human rights conventions with respect to criminal proceedings. However, the Commission's investigators did not follow those principles in the interviews conducted in Vienna. That led the appointed British lawyers to write a letter to the Commissioner in which they cited several irregularities in the investigation.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“The rights of the States concerned in the investigation had to be clear, specific and consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and in conformity with the generally recognized principles of international law. I believe that the Commission did not maintain one of the investigation's most important principles: confidentiality. Its reports were consistently leaked to the media and were handled in a distorted and prejudiced manner. We do not believe that the members of the Security Council, when they voted to adopt resolution 1636 (2005), sought to encroach upon State sovereignty or to ignore the commitment to implement basic norms of human rights.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“It has assisted the International Commission with all the investigations conducted in Syria and provided all the records, information and lists required. The Security Council can examine those details whenever it wishes to do so. The International Independent Investigation Commission's non-recognition of the Syrian Judicial Commission led to an undesirable delay. We had hoped that the International Commission would show interest in cooperating with the Syrian Judicial Commission. We would have liked to see constructive interaction between the two bodies in order speedily to attain the Council's objectives. The Syrian Judicial Commission will continue its work so that information from the International Commission can be made available to it, enabling it to fully discharge its mandate.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“I would like to reiterate that Syria is making every possible effort to facilitate the task of the Commission so that it can discharge its mandate in the best possible manner. In that context, we disagree with the imprecise statements contained in the Commission's report, referring to Syria's reluctance to fully cooperate with the Commission and its work. On the contrary, Syria has consistently and continuously communicated with the Commission. That is documented through the contacts and the exchanges between the two parties that ultimately led to a mutual understanding on the modalities for conducting the investigation in Vienna. Contrary to the statement contained in paragraph 30 of the report, the special Syrian Judicial Commission, since its creation, has discharged its tasks in a professional and transparent manner.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“Allow me to start by reiterating once again Syria's condemnation of the operation that led to the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Mr. Rafik Hariri. I would also like to reiterate Syria's condemnation of the bombing that took place in a Beirut suburb yesterday, which took the life of Mr. Gebrane Tueni. Syria condemns the earlier series of bombings aimed at destabilizing Lebanon and creating tensions in the relations between Syria and Lebanon as well as the attempt to immediately blame those bombings on Syria. All those actions are part of a broader plan to destabilize the region as a whole. Today's consideration of the second report of the International Independent Investigation Commission (S/2005/775) provides a further opportunity for Syria to express its commitment to cooperating with the Commission.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the current month. I thank you for giving us this opportunity to express the views of the Syrian Arab Republic concerning the second report of the International Independent Investigation Commission. Allow me also to express our appreciation to Mr. Andrey Denisov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, and the members of his mission for their conduct of the work of the Council last month. I would like to join you, Sir, in welcoming the presence of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is with us today at this meeting of the Security Council.”
2005-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5323 (2005) · source
“This is a threat to regional and international peace and security, because Israel has hundreds of nuclear weapons and other WMDs. The protection of Israel by certain parties, and especially the fact that certain parties have covered up Israel's terrorist acts, should not be accepted because of serious and dangerous consequences. Allow me to conclude by saying that the work of these three Committees is very important for the international community and we are hopeful that they will enrich our multilateral international cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2005-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5293 (2005) · source
“We will participate effectively in the forthcoming discussions to conclude a comprehensive treaty on global terrorism by finding solutions that meet the needs for combating that scourge. We have submitted all the required reports within the framework of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1540 (2004) and 1267 (1999). The Syrian authorities are following up work with other regional and international organizations in this area. In the coming days, we will submit our third report pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We believe that the 1540 Committee should continue its work to fight WMDs, especially in the Middle East, and to prevent such weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists. All Arab countries have acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel is the only country in the Middle East which has not done so.”
2005-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5293 (2005) · source
“The United Nations is a unique forum for our collective work, which allows full coordination and cooperation among all countries in fighting terrorism and working against the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). In this respect, the Arab region suffers from terrorism in general and State terrorism in particular, namely the terrorism practised by Israel through its continued occupation of Arab land and its continuous killing of Palestinian citizens, the destruction of their property and the building of the separation wall on their land. My country was among the first to sign the Convention against Nuclear Terrorism and worked towards the acceptance of that Convention.”
2005-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5293 (2005) · source
“Syria also makes sincere efforts to develop its own legislation and to take effective measures to carry out its commitments in that respect. We are proud to submit our reports early. As part of its work, the Syrian parliament has also placed top priority on the implementation of our anti-terrorism commitments. Laws have been enacted and complete instructions on the laws have been issued. For example, about two months ago, a law was enacted to combat money- laundering. In addition, the executive authorities are making all necessary and sincere efforts in that respect. During its latest visit to Syria, the 1267 Committee saw for itself the great efforts my country is making in this respect.”
2005-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5293 (2005) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation would like to thank Ambassadors Cesar Mayoral, Ellen Margrethe Loj and loan Motoc for their briefings on the work of the Committees. We would welcome the continuing opportunity for the Council to hold open meetings to discuss such an important question. Syria condemns international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Syria itself has been a victim of terrible terrorist acts and was among the first to draw attention to the danger and to call for a national and global strategy to combat terrorism. Syria is committed to cooperating with the various Security Council committees fighting terrorism. We proved this when we were members of the Council, where we participated effectively in the work of the counter-terrorism committees.”
2005-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5293 (2005) · source
“Therefore, the Commission should not have accused or cast doubt on anyone; it should have limited itself to submitting a procedural report pending the completion of its investigation into the various areas referred to in its report, and it should have provided evidence for its accusations. We look forward to the Security Council's consideration of the report in the light of the points we 8 have just raised. Those points have also been raised by hundreds of specialists, jurists and politicians in many countries. Lebanon and the region from which we come need tranquillity and stability, not further destabilization and suffering. In conclusion, I reiterate that Syria will spare no effort to achieve the stability of Lebanon, because that is at the heart of our strategy and of the aspirations of the two brotherly Syrian and Lebanese peoples.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, has stated that Syria is innocent of this crime and is ready and willing to pursue and prosecute any Syrian conclusively implicated in it. Syria is the main victim of this crime, in particular because the relations between Syria and the late Prime Minister Hariri had been characterized by cooperation and respect since the mid-1980s. That fact was personally reaffirmed by the Prime Minister in an interview with the Lebanese newspaper As-Safir on 14 February 2005, minutes before he was assassinated. Finally, in its report the International Independent Investigation Commission acknowledged that it has an extensive programme of work and that it considers all persons - including those against whom it has levelled accusations - to be innocent until proven guilty.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“Mehlis and that the Commission had sufficient time to review the agreement and to request that it be amended between the two parties in a manner consistent with the Commission's approach. However, nothing of the sort was put before us. During the past period, Syria has cooperated faithfully and sincerely with the International Independent Investigation Commission. As we have stated previously, that stems not only from Syria's commitment to international legality, but also from its serious desire to arrive at the truth. Here, I should like to reaffirm before the Council that during the coming period, Syria will continue to cooperate with the Commission and will provide it with any information that can assist it in concluding its investigation and in arriving at the truth. His Excellency Mr.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“All of which proves that Syria has fully cooperated with the Commission and therefore refutes the accusation that it failed to do so. In paragraph 16 of its report, the Commission complained that the media had a tendency to continuously publish rumours and speculation. Syria has had reason to complain about the media campaign against it because of the leaks from the Commission and from certain quarters of the United Nations. Moreover, we had thought that the Commission was committed to the principle of confidentiality in carrying out its investigation. However, that principle was repeatedly violated before the writing of the report, in addition to the fact that the report itself was leaked to the media before it was given to us. We must also recall that an agreement was reached with Mr.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“As for the presence of other persons referred to in the report, the Commission must identify them, because the place where the interviews took place was under United Nations security control. Following those meetings and interviews, one of the investigators informed us on 22 September that the group would like to come back and hear from other witnesses whose names were mentioned during the interviews. Syria agreed to that request, but the Commission has not returned to Damascus. It should be recalled that the Commission contacted the Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information in order to complete its investigation after leaving Damascus. Syria provided the Commission with the answers requested at the time.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“The Commission expressed its wish to have the interviews take place near the Syrian- Lebanese border and that was precisely what happened. The Commission could have rejected that arrangement. Concerning the presence of a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the interviews, the representative in question was a lawyer and was present in that capacity. Mr. Mehlis did not object to the representative's presence. He could have objected to that and his request would have been honoured. As for the presence of a note taker, the note taker was present at Mr. Mehlis's request, so that the witness could read the record of their testimony and sign it in Arabic.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source