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

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“We understand the importance of the Panel's work and the importance of providing it with all the assistance it needs to collect documents that would support its conclusions. We have also endorsed the idea that the Panel should meet with those mentioned in the report. But we feel that the Panel failed to make such contacts or to ask questions about the contents of a number of paragraphs relating to some major countries in the region and the relationship between those countries and some of the companies mentioned in the report. Levelling accusations against Arab cities and countries such as Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in some paragraphs of the report was out of place and unacceptable.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“As far as we know, the report was not supposed to deal with the internal affairs of other African countries or with political aspects related to Arab countries. Therefore, we would like to express our dissatisfaction at the levelling of accusations and the description of some business people as members of international criminal organizations. Is that not somewhat exaggerated? We also note that the report was based on information provided by informers, be they companies or competing traders. That affects the accuracy of the report and the credibility of the Panel of Experts. My delegation welcomed the efforts made by the Chairman and members of the Panel during the Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region and subsequent in Council meetings.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We also commend the representatives of the Secretary- General in the region and hail the important role played by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). Having considered the report of the Panel of Experts, we are a bit surprised by some of its contents and by its failure to secure irrefutable evidence before levelling blame and accusations against individuals and companies; indeed, this has been done even without prior contact with those individuals or with representatives of those companies. In addition, we reject conclusions volunteered by members of the Panel when such conclusions were not required or when they were based on reasoning that is difficult to understand. Here, we would like to note the report's political reference to a number of companies in Africa and in the Arab region.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“After the complete withdrawal of all foreign forces and the halting of all military actions, a phase of reconstruction and the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration or repatriation of ex- combatants would begin. We believe that the international community, the international financial institutions and donor countries should fulfil their commitments to help the region attain sustainable development and the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), by promoting the institutions of the Africa Union and supporting its programmes. In that regard, we commend South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania for having facilitated the holding of various meetings and the achievement of several agreements.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic believes that it is vital to establish peace in the Great Lakes region, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular, through the implementation of all existing agreements, starting with the Lusaka Agreement and the Sun City, Pretoria and Luanda agreements. In that regard, we call upon all the parties involved in the inter-Congolese dialogue and upon the neighbouring countries to speedily implement all those agreements. That would lead to prosperity for the region, put an end to the illegal exploitation of its resources and ensure the enjoyment by all citizens of the benefits of peace.”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We wish at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month and to wish you all success in your work. We would also like to extend our thanks to your predecessor, Mr. Belinga-Eboutou, the Permanent Representative of Cameroon, for the excellent way in which he guided the work of the Council during his presidency last month. We would also like to greet the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uganda, as well as Ambassador Mahmoud Kassem and other members of the Panel of Experts. Our delegation has considered the report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2002/1146).”
2002-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4642Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In conclusion, I should like to thank all the facilitators, who have undertaken tremendous efforts with a View to achieving agreement among the countries concerned and the various groups within those States, and I should like also to acknowledge the efforts of the States of the region and of their leaders, who have spared no personal effort to achieve national reconciliation.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“To achieve this objective, we must ensure an early resolution of local conflicts and support regional economic integration, encourage regional trade and put an end to commercial operations run by criminal elements that wish to exploit the wealth of the countries concerned. This will pave the way for legitimate and transparent forms of trade, which will supplant the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and wealth of some of those States. We support the provision of assistance to the States of Central Africa to give them the means to manage and settle their own disputes and so that they can play an important role in African integration, in accordance with their strategic geographical position, and so that they can shape their own destiny, free of the control and hegemony of other countries.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We must also go beyond narrow solutions and embrace more comprehensive ones, in cooperation with other bodies of the United Nations system such as the Economic and Social Council. It is also very important not to overlook the role of international organizations, donor countries and donor organizations, as well as the importance of the assistance given by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Bretton Woods institutions for the reconstruction of the economies of the States of the region, so that the peoples of the region can enjoy the dividends of peace, encourage confidence-building and bring about sustainable peace and development.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Syria believes that the international community should make it possible for African States to deploy multinational African forces in the States of the region in order to settle African disputes, as happened recently in the Central African Republic, and that it should also encourage and support African initiatives to settle disputes in that continent. We are in favour of finding effective solutions by addressing the real causes of conflicts in the region, and we believe also that the recommendations of the Working Group on the Causes of Conflict should be taken into consideration. We would like to commend the efforts of Ambassador Koonjul, Chairman of the Working Group, in this respect.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is also making the necessary international contacts, with a view to withdrawing the Sahelian-Saharan Community forces and to enabling the new force to work to maintain peace and security; to protect the democratically elected President and State institutions; to deal with the political and economic problems facing the Central African Republic; and to extend the necessary financial support, of which they are in dire need and which is one of the most important elements of stability in the region.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“That new force will continue the tasks begun by its predecessor from the Community of Sahelo-Saharan States, which too has become an African force pursuant to a decision of the conflict settlement committee meeting at the ministerial level, which was endorsed at the African Union summit held in Durban, South Africa. The forces have played a very important role in maintaining peace and stability in the Central African Republic. The Sahelian-Saharan Community has exerted tremendous efforts to achieve national reconciliation among all the parties. We would like to mention here the efforts of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, which recently received the President of Chad, Mr. Idriss Deby, and the President of the Central African Republic, Mr. Ange-Felix Patasse, in its capacity as the current Chairman of the Sahelian-Saharan Community.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We also welcome the summit of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), which was held in Libreville, Gabon, on 2 October 2002, to examine the situation between the Central African Republic and Chad. A few days ago, the Security Council welcomed (see S/PRST/2002/28) that summit and its outcome, and supported its decisions, particularly that concerning the deployment in the Central African Republic of an International Observation Force composed of 300 to 350 troops from the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon and Mali. That is an extremely important subregional effort, to which African States are contributing in order to maintain peace and security in the area.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Republic of South Africa and Tanzania played a very important role in organizing and bringing together the parties to the conflict, in facilitating the agreements among them and in implementing those agreements. We also welcome the Luanda agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda of 6 September 2002, which will lead to the withdrawal of Ugandan forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to cooperation and normalization of relations between the two countries. We also welcome the summit conferences held among heads of State of the region, such as the regional summit on Burundi, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 7 October 2002. That was a first step towards a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that would include all the parties and was a step towards implementing the Arusha Agreement.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Syria welcomes the high-level visits made by leaders of countries of the region to neighbouring States to settle disputes peacefully and to restore mutual confidence and good relations in a spirit of friendship and good neighbourliness, in full accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union. These include the recent visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Bujumbura, Burundi, which yielded very positive results for both countries. We also welcome the agreements recently signed between several States of the region, all of which augur a peaceful solution for conflicts. These include the recent Pretoria Agreement on the Great Lakes region, which reaffirmed earlier fundamental agreements such as those signed at Lusaka, Sun City and Pretoria.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The establishment of the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX) reflects the urgent need for cooperation with the United Nations for conflict prevention, settlement and management in Central Africa, for dealing with post-conflict situations and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and resettlement, and for supporting progress towards the maintenance of peace. Experience has shown that conflicts in the States of Central Africa need to be dealt with in a more comprehensive manner not limited to the particular country concerned, but rather always taking into account the surrounding climate, because of the close ties between neighbouring countries, which bear on the root causes of conflicts and on their settlement.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We are confident that the Union will pursue the efforts initiated by its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity, to find permanent solutions to the varied problems of the continent. In addition to regional efforts, efforts are also being undertaken at the subregional level. But such efforts have often suffered from a lack of resources, escalating conflicts and the fact that some of the economic groups established among African States have not been able to address those problems. In that regard, Syria considers that we need to strengthen and enhance the capabilities of the African States, the African Union and its recently established organs so that they can address, resolve and manage these crises and achieve collective security.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Council has established five peacekeeping or peacemaking missions in the region, out of the 12 missions in the African continent as a whole. If that demonstrates anything, it is the special attention paid by the Security Council to the settlement of disputes in that region and to the establishment of peace and security therein. The Central African region deserves the attention devoted to it by the United Nations system generally, and by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in particular. I also salute the very important role played by the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, through his own efforts and those of his personal envoys and representatives. Syria welcomed the establishment of the African Union and the fact that some of its organs have begun to function.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I wish, at the outset, to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and for your very valuable background note (S/2002/ 1179) on the topic under discussion. We also warmly welcome the presence of Ministers for Foreign Affairs from Central African States. It is indeed very regrettable that a series of armed conflicts have ravaged the Central African region, some of which have endured for several years and all of which have had dire humanitarian, social, economic, security and political consequences. It is high time that the region, and the African continent in general, enjoyed peace and security. Over the years, the Security Council has devoted much attention to the settlement of disputes in the Central African region.”
2002-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4630Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Israel also has no right to interfere in Lebanese affairs, or to claim to be concerned about Lebanon, because it has killed thousands, I don't want to exaggerate, but Israel has killed at least thousands, if not tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens in the course of three or four invasions of Lebanon that sometimes reached the capital, Beirut. Israel destroyed everything on the ground. This fact is well known to everyone. I realize that everyone knows the facts, but I only want to make it absolutely clear that the representative of Israel cannot get away with false claims and lies such as these. My colleagues tell me I have spoken at length. I believe that is so and I will stop here.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“The Syrian youth who died in Lebanon number in the thousands and all the Lebanese in all strata of Lebanese society are grateful to Syria for the role it has played. As Ijust stated, the Syrian presence in Lebanon is governed by agreements between the two Governments, and Syria is prepared to fulfil all requests made by the Lebanese Government, but it is clear that Israel is not pleased when there are such brotherly ties between two Arab countries. That is a problem for Israel. The ties between Lebanon and Syria are those of brotherhood and cooperation and are based on equality and friendly relations among nations. They are based on the wishes of all the different sectors of the Lebanese people.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“There are agreements between Syria and Lebanon on this Syrian military presence in Lebanon that protects national reconciliation and preserves the unity and integrity of Lebanon at the request of the legitimate Lebanese Government. Syria is prepared, as agreed with the Lebanese Government, to consider its presence in Lebanon in accordance with the wishes of the legitimate Government in Lebanon. And it is a legitimate Government, as we know. Israel has not recognized that Government, but that is Israel's problem. I would also like to ask, is there a single Government in the entire world that does not recognize the present Lebanese Government? It seems that this is only an Israeli problem. It shows the dissatisfaction of Israel with what has been accomplished through cooperation between brothers in Syria and Lebanon.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Lebanon went through an extremely destructive civil war, such as the wars that took place in the Balkans and in many African countries. The international community deployed tremendous efforts before Syria got involved in Lebanon in order to solve the situation, but those efforts were all futile. One million Lebanese were forced to go to Syria during the escalation of the Lebanese civil war. When all the Lebanese forces and all the political parties in Lebanon appealed to Syria to intervene, when Syria received a formal request from the Lebanese Government, to save the people and Government of Lebanon, Syria intervened.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“But the biggest lie that was uttered by the representative of Israel is the one regarding Lebanon. There is no other country in the world that speaks more about Lebanese-Syrian ties than Israel. This Council is the world. Is there a single representative in this Council or outside that speaks more about Lebanon-Syria than the Israeli representative? The country that is most concerned about the unity, integrity and independence of Lebanon and the liberation of its territory that is still under occupation is Syria. The country that is most concerned with the best Lebanese Government that controls the situation in its own country is Syria. But the reason why the Syrian forces went into Lebanon is another issue.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“And I do not need to recall it here now. This is Israeli democracy. What exactly are we talking about in this Council? When we say that we want peace, we are faced with tanks and jet fighters and artillery fire that kill our people. When we ask for a comprehensive and just peace, we are told that it will not be achieved unless Israel annexes all the occupied Arab territories. Democracy should come from within. It should be the main feature of relations among nations and at the international level as well. The State farthest from democracy is Israel. My country has its own democracy. We have elections at all levels. During the next few days we will witness the holding of elections of the Syrian Parliament, free and democratic elections, such as those held in any country in the world.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“After all that, the representative of Israel dares to speak of democracy. What kind of democracy is that? The statement by the representative of Israel is a danger to democracy and an affront to Israel. Democracy for some and not everyone has been condemned by the entire world. The racist regime in South Africa pretended that it was a democratic regime. It held elections. But this Council attacked the racist regime in South Africa for many years until it was eliminated. Incidentally, one of the very few countries in the world that cooperated with the racist regime in South Africa, as well as those in Namibia and Zimbabwe, was Israel, whose representative speaks about democracy. Israel ceased cooperation with the racist regime in South Africa only after that regime was totally eliminated. This is a fact that everyone knows.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“When I listen to such false claims, lies, misrepresentations and ridiculous statements, I remember how the world has judged Israel as an aggressor, an occupier of other peoples territories and as an outlaw, an international outlaw. When we speak of democracy, and we spoke a while ago about the real Israeli democracy, which is a democracy of killing, occupation, destruction, and the oppression of all the States of the region with weapons of mass destruction that everyone has said should be destroyed as well. The other issue that I would like to mention is that the Israeli regime is a blood-thirsty regime by any standard. It exercises State terrorism. Today, it directed its tanks to bombard Rafah and killed 8 Palestinians. Last week, they bombed Gaza and killed almost 18 innocent civilians, including many innocent children.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syria) (spoke in Arabic): I believe that the Council and the speakers who have spoken during the past two days - and, if I am right, more than 90 per cent of them - have spoken very clearly. This Council should not in any way deal in double standards. Everyone who spoke at this meeting referred in one way or another to Israel. Israel has not only spoiled the situation in the Middle East, but has also undermined the legal framework of collective endeavours on the international scene. I believe that the logic used by the representative of Israel condemns him first and foremost. Occupation is rejected under any pretext. It is a shame that someone comes to this Council to defend occupation. I can hardly believe that I am at the Security Council in the midst of international legitimacy, the edifice of international legitimacy.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Will our current open debates in the Council over the next few days define the next step needed to embark on a phase of peace, hope and security for the Iraqi people, the region and the entire world? This is the challenge for us all. Let us work towards achieving peace instead of waging war, and let us work towards the implementation of all Security Council resolutions in order to achieve peace and security for all.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“The other fact the Israeli representative failed to mention is the existence of scores of Lebanese prisoners, kidnapped by Israel from their homes and families, their mosques and from the streets and villages of South Lebanon. Obfuscation of facts will not serve the representative of Israel, because the facts are known to all members of the Council. Israel should recommit itself to the peace process and put an end to its occupation of the occupied Arab territories. That is the only solution that will achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region. Finally, we must affirm that the Iraqi people have suffered long enough from the effects of the embargoes and sanctions imposed upon Iraq for more than eleven years. These people have not seen any light at the end of this long dark tunnel of suffering, death and destruction.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“What is truly strange about the Israeli logic is the talk about democracy while Israel is practising various kinds of murder and destruction in the occupied Arab territories. Is there a new concept called the democracy of occupation? Or is there a new logic regarding democratic occupation? This is a distortion. And this is clowning before this Council. It is unacceptable clowning. The representative of Israel spoke about South Lebanon. However, he forgot to mention Israel's twenty-year occupation of South Lebanon in flagrant defiance of Security Council resolution 425 (1978). Had it not been for the sacrifices of the Lebanese national resistance, Israel would not have withdrawn.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Unlike the distortion practised by the representative of Israel, who spoke just a little while ago, in his attempt to distort the Charter, we affirm that Article 25 of the Charter calls on all States to implement Security Council resolutions and that all Council resolutions are binding and must be implemented. For the first time we hear about resolutions adopted by the Council that are mere recommendations or resolutions of a different nature. This is distortion. All Security Council resolutions are binding on all Members. As for Israel, which has attempted to avoid the implementation of these resolutions for more than five decades, it must not be allowed to shirk its responsibility to implement relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“We would like to affirm the need for goodwill in dealing with the Iraq issue, especially since the Security Council has not taken any action to mitigate the severe effects of the sanctions imposed on Iraq, in spite of the progress in the destruction of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in the previous inspection phases. Most delegations that have addressed this meeting have affirmed the need to implement Security Council resolutions without double standard, in particular not excluding Israel from the implementation of Security Council resolutions.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“We must recall that escalating the tone of military aggression against Iraq and beating the drums of war do not serve the principles and purposes to which we have agreed in the United Nations Charter. The founding of the United Nations in the wake of the Second World War aimed at establishing a world of peace and security. In no way can we accept an unwarranted war whose victims will be mainly innocent civilians. Also, the repercussions of such wars will be devastating to Iraq in particular and will increase extremism and its grave consequences in a turbulent area because of events in the occupied territories and Israel's flagrant defiance of relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“In the context of our understanding of the developments we referred to, Syria believes that the basic task now is to preserve as much as possible unity of action in the Council and unity of position in support of the task of the inspectors. We have declared on more than one occasion that there is no justification to sacrifice the unity of action in the Council, especially since Iraq has fulfilled all the requirements of the practical arrangements needed by the inspectors. Also, the questions raised by Mr. Blix in his meeting with the Security Council and the consultations last Tuesday can be solved in the context of the great flexibility displayed by the Iraqi side and in the context of the mutual wish of all sides to scrupulously implement relevant Security Council resolutions on Iraq.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“If we take into account the accomplishments achieved during the previous phases of inspection and the conclusions of the Arab Summit in Beirut and Iraq's expression of its will to return the Kuwaiti national archives and to find a mechanism that is now under discussion to solve the question of Kuwaiti prisoners, through the efforts to be undertaken by Mr. Yuli Vorontsov, the High-level Coordinator, we could say that the goal of closing the entire Iraq file in the Security Council is now within reach. The Security Council during this period has witnessed consultations and discussions on the next step in the work of the Council as regards Iraq.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Furthermore, the Iraqi side displayed the necessary flexibility and consented to the facilities requested by the representatives of the United Nations. The letters exchanged between Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei on the one hand, and Iraqi officials on the other hand, made it clear that the Iraqi side has endorsed all the understandings achieved. Iraq displayed its readiness to accept the inspectors as of 19 October. Syria and other States have affirmed, during all the debates held in the Security Council, the utmost importance of benefiting immediately from such positive developments, calling for the dispatch of inspectors to Iraq promptly so that they can resume their work without delay, especially since the Council has been calling, for the last four years, for the return of inspectors to Iraq.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Serious developments in recent weeks have attracted the interest of the international community as they may be conducive to reaching the required solution guaranteeing the implementation of Security Council resolutions on Iraq. In Vienna on 30 September and 1 October, Mr. Hans Blix, the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC, and Mr. Mohammed ElBaradei, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met with an Iraqi delegation. A constructive and successful debate was held on the practical arrangements for the return of United Nations inspectors to Iraq. Reports and statements by Messrs. Blix and ElBaradei describe this meeting as successful, since it proved possible to achieve a mutual understanding on the practical arrangements for the work of the inspectors in Iraq.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Syria is pleased whenever certain States declare their commitment to resorting to international legitimacy to solve pending problems between the United Nations and Iraq. Syria encourages and supports this approach, because it is the real guarantee of maintaining international peace and security in spite of our bitter feeling at the double standard used in dealing with Security Council resolutions. However, we continue to call on Iraq to comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, including those relevant to the return of inspectors to Iraq. At the same time, we must recall the need to implement the provisions of Security Council resolution 687 (1991), especially its paragraph 14, which calls for the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“We also stress that it is the right of the Iraqi people alone to decide their future without any interference in their internal affairs. It is the duty of all Members of our Organization to commit themselves to the implementation of United Nations resolutions. In keeping with that commitment, Syria supports the resumption of dialogue between Iraq and the Secretary-General with the objective of reaching a political solution that meets the requirements of the Security Council and that grants Iraq hope of peace, security and the lifting of the sanctions imposed on it, especially as Iraq has officially recognized the State of Kuwait and its international borders." (A/57/PV.8, p. 13) The Arab Summit convened in Beirut and the Ministerial Meeting held in Cairo a few weeks ago affirmed their rejection of any military attack on Iraq.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“In their entirety, they have conveyed the urgency of settling the Iraqi question by peaceful means and in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and with international law. In this regard, we are pleased to express our satisfaction at the assertion by most delegations of the need to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and the unity of its people. In his statement to the General Assembly on 15 September, Mr. Farouk Al-Shara', Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, defined Syria's clear position on developments in the Iraqi situation. He stated: "The international community is committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. We cannot recall anyone doubting that commitment.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me to express to you, Sir, our appreciation of your efforts to convene this meeting. We also wish to offer Ambassador Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations and Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, our deep thanks for his call on the Security Council to convene this general debate on the question of Iraq. We believe that this debate is timely, especially given the increased talk of grave developments in Iraq in particular and the region in general. We have listened carefully yesterday and today to all the statements made before the Council.”
2002-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4625Resumption3 (2002) · source
“Thirdly, there is the right of peoples to struggle by all means possible and in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter in order to achieve self-determination and liberate their land from occupation. In conclusion, let me stress that the Syrian delegation will cooperate with the other members of the Security Council in preparing the draft presidential statement in order to satisfy the requirements and the tasks entrusted to this Council in preventing the spread of small and light weapons.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“In this regard, let me reaffirm what has been stated in many of the statements at the beginning of this meeting regarding the need for all States to respect the sanctions imposed on States that allow the flow of small and light weapons to other States. Secondly, the Security Council must continue to reaffirm the following rights. First is the inherited, historical and inalienable right to self-defence, whether individually or collectively, according to the provisions of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Second is the right of every State to manufacture small arms and light weapons and to import and acquire such weapons in order to defend itself and satisfy its security needs while ensuring that such weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“The Syrian Government gives great importance to setting ways and means to assist the Security Council in dealing with the issue of the trafficking of small and light arms. The following are among the important aspects that may be stressed in the Council's consideration of the issue. First, the Security Council could encourage initiatives aimed at mobilizing resources and expertise in order to enhance the implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. It could provide assistance to States upon their request to help in the implementation of that Programme of Action.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“The right to carry such weapons is entrusted only to those agencies responsible for protecting the security and safety of citizens. In this context, let me refer to the fact that in the Syrian Arab Republic, the crime rate stemming from the illicit trade in small and light weapons is one of the lowest in the world. In View of the importance of regional and international cooperation and interaction in facing up to the issue of illicit trade in small and light weapons, the Syrian Arab Republic has signed a large number of agreements with sisterly and friendly States in order to suppress the illicit trade of such weapons and maintain our common security. Syria has also signed a number of important international agreements in this regard.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“Such priorities were clearly and unanimously set out in the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament, in 1978, which affirmed that the utmost priority must be given to nuclear disarmament and the more destructive weapons of mass destruction than to conventional weapons. Syria, which continues to make every effort to defend the life, security and dignity of its citizens, is keen on ensuring that small and light weapons remain nothing more than a means to ensure the security and future of its citizens. In this regard, the Syrian Government has enacted legislation and adopted a number of measures to ensure that such weapons do not fall in the wrong hands.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“Many of the conflicts where such weapons are used find their roots in national, social and economic conditions inherited from colonial times or stemming from foreign occupation. This is the situation in Africa, the Middle East and many other States, particularly in developing States. Such conditions ineluctably lead to disputes that may well turn into military conflicts. Considering the issue of small weapons and combating the illicit trade in such weapons can in no way mean setting aside the priorities set out by the United Nations in the field of disarmament.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“The final document of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, adopted in July 2001, affirms the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and the need to refrain from intervening in their internal affairs, as well as the individual and collective right to self-defence as provided by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The implicit right of States to acquire weapons to defend themselves and to establish their own defence systems is a fundamental issue that cannot be overstepped. Consideration of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons must not divert attention from the genuine roots of conflict in many parts of the world.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source
“Such double standards allow some countries to use such weapons with the resultant bloodshed, destruction and threats to the sovereignty and national territorial integrity of States in one region while such weapons are prohibited in other regions, despite the great similarity in circumstances. We also believe that it is necessary, indeed fundamental, for our continuing principled support of the struggle of peoples to end foreign occupation with its concomitant injustice, oppression, underdevelopment and destruction. It is important not to form a line behind a small group that is acting to change international principles of freedom and human rights, and that is trying to use such changed principles in the service of narrow interests under the general rubric of international terrorism.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623 (2002) · source