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

“It goes on to report that each interview was conducted in the presence of a representative of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one interpreter, two note takers and additional persons whose affiliations were not identified. In paragraph 35, the report concludes that the lack of cooperation of the Syrian Government with the Commission has impeded the investigation and made it difficult to follow leads established by the evidence collected from a variety of sources. That is an extremely strange statement, as it runs counter to the agreement made with the Commissioner of the Investigative Commission. Syria offered for the meetings to be held in any place on Syrian territory to be chosen freely by the Commission.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“That accusation does a great injustice to Syria. Syria has sent letters to the Commissioner of the Investigation Commission, informing him of its readiness to cooperate. Syria sent a representative to Geneva to meet with the Commissioner at a time of his choosing, with various dates suggested before the issuance of the procedural report. On the basis of that meeting, the Commissioner and one of his assistants visited Syria on 12 September 2005. During that visit, procedures were agreed on for those whom the Commission wished to interview. However, paragraph 34 of the report states that the Syrian Authorities refused to have the Commission interview those individuals in a third country.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“In paragraph 20, the report states: "the investigation of such a terrorist act with multifaceted international dimensions and their ramifications normally needs months (if not years) to be completed so as to be able to establish firm ground for a potential trial of any accused individuals". (Ibid., para. 20) Here, I would like to step back and address those who are in such a hurry to pass judgement, to adopt resolutions, to impose measures and to mobilize members of the Security Council in support of their extremist position. I wonder what their real objectives are? I am certain that they have nothing to do with uncovering the truth, which is the common objective of both Syria and the international community. The report accuses Syria of not having sufficiently cooperated with the Commission.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“Fifthly, the report, in both form and content, accuses my country before the investigation has been completed. That can be seen by the results and conclusions drawn under the chapter entitled "Conclusions". The Commission admits, however, that it must continue its investigations in a number of areas in order to identify the perpetrators of this criminal act. I am pleased that, in the preface to the report, Mr. Mehlis refers to the need to continue investigations. The Commission further states that the investigation still needs a considerable amount of time.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“However, the report also mentions, and then summarily dismisses, another hypothesis: the possibility that an unknown, third party carried out a wiretap. Thirdly, the report's conclusions, which point the finger at Syria, depend completely on the credibility of the testimony of people with strongly declared political antipathy to Syria. At the same time, the report casts doubt on the credibility of the testimony of Syrian officials. Fourtth, the report contains the testimony of three persons, only one of whom is identified. He is a forger and a swindler, and he has been previously convicted by both the Lebanese and Syrian judicial authorities. In addition, the three sets of testimony contradict each other, and thus they lack the necessary credibility to be relied upon.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“Again, there is a hypothesis in paragraph 124, that "There is probable cause to believe that the decision to assassinate former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri could not have been taken without the approval of top-ranked Syrian security officials and could not have been further organized without the collusion of their counterparts in the Lebanese security services." (Ibid., para. 124) 6 However, that is a charge that could be levelled against the security service of any country in the world on whose territory a terrorist crime or act has taken place. In later paragraphs, among other things, the report bases its conclusions on the wiretapping of former Prime Minister Hariri by the Lebanese security service.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“Secondly, it is indeed regrettable for us to read in the report the Commission's strange hypothesis that: "Given the infiltration of Lebanese institutions and society by the Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services working in tandem, it would be difficult to envisage a scenario whereby such a complex assassination plot could have been carried out without their knowledge." (5/2005/662, para. 216) On that basis, the report can be seen to accuse Syria. But, then, what about the major terrorist crimes that were, regrettably, carried out on 11 September 2001 in New York, on 11 March 2005 in Madrid, and on 7 July 2005 in London - as well as the many other terrorist acts that have been carried out - despite the fact that all those countries have very strong and highly effective intelligence and security authorities?”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“In view of the fact that every paragraph of the report deserves a comment to refute its content, I will put our remarks before you in brief in the hope that Council members will take them into account during its consideration of the report in subsequent consultations. First, I would like to point out that the report is clearly influenced by the political climate prevailing in Lebanon after the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri. That is clearly evident in the second chapter of the report, entitled "Background". In paragraphs 25 and 26 and what follows in that chapter, the report examined the structure of Syrian-Lebanese relations and their ramifications on the Lebanese arena.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“In order to achieve them, Syria has cooperated with all onal sons of Lebanon, including the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who always supported the role of Syria in Lebanon and always gave expression to that, both when he was in power and when he was not. He always expressed his faith in the role of Syria and his appreciation for its assistance, even doing so just a few minutes before he was assassinated. 5 This heinous crime runs counter to all the principles that Syria upholds and clearly is against Syrian interests. Allow me to make a few comments on the report introduced by Mr. Mehlis a few moments ago (S/2005/662).”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“However, I will say briefly that these two independent Arab States have been linked throughout history by the ties of neighbourliness, kinship, aspirations and mutual concerns. In that regard, Syria was in a unique position to come to Lebanon's aid when, in 1975, a destructive civil war erupted and tore that country apart and destroyed the role of its institutions, its army and its national fabric. The end of the civil war and return to normalcy could not have been achieved without huge sacrifices, namely at least 13,000 Syrian military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice while extinguishing the fires of the civil war in Lebanon. The security, stability, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon have always been in the forefront of Syria's concerns.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“I would also like to point out that this dastardly act has led to an escalation of tension in the region, particularly because in some quarters, either on the basis of a suspect or premeditated scheme or out of bad faith, this crime has been used in a despicable manner in order to fan the flames of hostility against Syria and to increase accusations against it. It is indeed strange that every crime committed has a number of suspects, except this particular crime for which unfortunately only one possibility has been advanced, involving an accusation against Syria, levelled even before the body of Mr. Hariri was laid to rest. I will not lay out for the Security Council a history of the relations between the peoples of Syria and Lebanon and our countries.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“At the outset, I would like to assure those present here that what I will say expresses the truth as seen by the leadership and the people of Syria. I also reiterate our full faith in the role of the United Nations and our total respect for its resolutions. 05-5678?Â» The heinous crime that took the life of Premier Hariri targeted the unity and stability of Lebanon. It also targeted the Syrian sacrifices for Lebanon and its status in both Lebanon and the region. Based on this, Syria, when informed of the crime, reaffirmed that finding the culprits and those who backed them is a Syrian imperative as much as it is a Lebanese imperative.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): First of all, Mr. President, I would like to congratulate you upon your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. I wish you all success in the discharge of your responsibilities. I would also like to express our appreciation for the efforts made by your predecessor, Ambassador Baja, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines, in conducting the business of the Council last month. I would like to join you in welcoming the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, who is with us in this meeting. Allow me to express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity to address the Security Council before its important deliberations on the report of the International Independent Investigation Commission.”
2005-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5292 (2005) · source
“It is very strange that the United States should call upon Syria to take stringent measures along its border with one neighbouring country and, at the same time, express concern that the same measures are being taken on Syria's other border, with Lebanon.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The delegation of the United States of America has described the situation between Syria and Lebanon in an artificial and thoroughly false manner. That constitutes unacceptable interference in the relations between two brotherly countries. The tone of incitement of the United States statement does not bode well for Lebanon or its relations with Syria. We do not think that the question of movements between our two countries was worthy of being raised in the Security Council, especially because the recent controls at the Syrian-Lebanese border are temporary and dictated by security requirements. I wish to remind the United States delegation that the two sides, without mediation or interference from the United States, are cooperating and are well on the way to settling the issue.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Unimpeded, Israel continues to carry out its illegal and unjust practices and policies in full view of the international community and, unfortunately, in full view of the Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council must make bold and courageous decisions to ensure full compliance with its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and to ensure the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the region on all tracks. The Council must ensure the rule of international law and put an end to the cycle of violence and bloodshed that for so many decades has prevented the attainment of comprehensive and just peace, security and freedom in that important part of the world.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Israel must not be allowed to use the withdrawal as a cover for its continued occupation of the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem. Israel uses many flimsy arguments in its war against the Palestinians; the Council heard some of them from the representative of Israel earlier in today's meeting. However, the essence of the conflict is one people's military occupation of another people and their land for more than four decades. It is about the occupying Power's relentless aggression against the peoples and the lands of Syria and Palestine. It is about Israel's refusal to end that occupation because it is attempting to acquire more territory by force and to displace large numbers of Palestinians from their homes and lands, using death, destruction and misery as tools to carry out its expansionist schemes.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The Palestinian detainees and their brethren detained in the Golan Heights live in unacceptable prisons that fail to meet the most basic sanitary conditions. Approximately a week ago, Hayel Abu Zaid, a Syrian citizen from the occupied Syrian Golan, died, a few days after his release from prison as a result of inhuman treatment, torture and deliberate neglect at the hands of the Israeli authorities during his more than 18 years in prison. The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza must be complete and comprehensive. Israel must also fully withdraw from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The international community must be vigilant and must call for full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza - including its land, sea and air spaces in order to make the withdrawal complete.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“If the Israeli Government's actions against settlers in the Gaza Strip are genuine, why is the Government planning to establish more settlements? Israelis know full well that those settlements cannot remain, because they present an insurmountable obstacle to the achievement of peace in the region. More than 8,000 Palestinians, including 259 children, are being held in Israeli prisons. Over the past year alone, Israel has killed more than 859 Palestinians. In total, more than 3,670 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since 2000. Is that not a war crime? It is shocking that 41 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East have been deliberately killed by Israel, without any notable reaction from the international community, including the Security Council.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“In addition to all their other illegal actions, the Israeli occupation forces have escalated their acts of aggression against the Palestinian people. In recent days, they have destroyed a great number of Palestinian homes, and, in clear violation of international law and humanitarian law, they have assassinated a number of Palestinians and continue to do so. Through its recent decisions, the Israeli Cabinet has established a large number of settlements and approved the expansion of existing settlements, to the detriment of the Palestinian people's property and rights. The fact that Israel seeks to establish settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories reveals the falseness of the claims of successive Israeli Governments, including the current Government, that they wish to achieve peace.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The Israeli plan will result in the isolation of more than 65,000 Palestinians from their families, property, hospitals, schools and universities. We must also look closely at recent Israeli statements in the context of Israel's other plans to build a number of settlements to isolate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian environment and, in practice, to annex it to Israel. In that way, Israel will have drawn new borders that are very different from those of 1967. The wall, which is three times higher than and nearly twice as long as the notorious Berlin wall, has become yet another symbol of oppression, suppression and the arrogance of power. We are confident that the wall's fate will be no better than that of its predecessor, which has passed into history.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“When we consider that the Court demanded that Israel end its violations of international law, halt the construction of the wall, dismantle the sections already built and provide the Palestinians with reparations for the damage caused by its construction, we cannot fail to note the contradiction between the Court's position and what the representative of Israel said in his statement, which was an attempt to mislead the Council and international public opinion. Israel has turned a deaf ear to the international community's condemnation of its policies and its expansionist wall. Proof of that can be seen in the fact that only a few days ago, the Israeli Cabinet took the decision to continue building the wall in the heart of occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, and to complete it by September.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The latest Israeli escalation forges yet another link in the endless chain of Israel's violations of international law and international humanitarian law. A few days ago, we marked the passing of an entire year since the International Court of Justice issued its historic advisory opinion on the colonialist wall built by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. Instead of fully complying with the advisory opinion of the world's highest judicial body, Israel, the occupying Power, has continued building the wall as an expression of its contempt for the advisory opinion and for the will of the international community as expressed by the General Assembly in its resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting, which provides an opportunity for world public opinion and United Nations Member States to become familiar with the gravity of the situation in the Middle East in general and of the question of Palestine in particular. We are pleased to see Mr. Alvaro de Soto in the Council for the first time in his capacity as Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General. We wish him every success in his endeavours. Every day that Israel continues its illegal occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Syrian Golan, the anguish of millions of Arab citizens increases as they suffer under the scourge of the occupation and its catastrophic economic, social and humanitarian effects.”
2005-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5230Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We are fully confident that the Security Council will take the necessary measures in this area. The fight against international terrorism concerns all of the world's countries, because terrorism is a scourge that we all face; it crosses all cultures, borders and civilizations. I reiterate once again that Syria, as always, will be at the forefront of the international fight against this threat.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Syria stresses its full cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee through the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and through my Government's submission of our national reports to the Committee. We emphasize that the Committee must serve as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, multilateral and international conventions related to weapons control and the elimination of weapons. Here, I would like to point out that coordination and cooperation among the three Security Council committees are very important in the struggle against terrorism. Such coordination and cooperation enhance the work of the Committees and lighten the burden on countries, particularly with regard to the writing of reports, since there is less duplication of information as a result.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“That requires a concerted international effort, led by the United Nations and utilizing the multilateral disarmament machinery. Syria shares the international community's concern that weapons of mass destruction may get into the hands of terrorists and non-State actors. Therefore, we have submitted our national report on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). We hope that the Security Council will consider the draft resolution that we submitted before our membership ended in 2003 aimed at establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, given that such weapons pose an imminent threat to international peace and security in the region and throughout the world.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Mayoral's delegation also noted that a number of measures have been undertaken by Syrian authorities in various areas, particularly with regard to our borders with neighbouring countries. We have always stressed the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism. Syria has reached agreements in that regard with a number of countries, including members of the Security Council. That has greatly contributed to the sharing of security information in order to combat this international threat. Thus it is important to recognize Syria's efforts in this area. Everyone agrees that weapons of mass destruction and their proliferation continue to pose a threat to international peace and security. The best way to eliminate that threat is to totally eradicate such weapons.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Thus Syria has acceded to most international conventions aimed at combating terrorism, and we are considering ratifying the remaining ones. The Syrian delegation believes that the successful visit to several Member States by Mr. Cesar Mayoral, Chairman of the 1267 Committee, and members of the Committee last May represents an important effort to strengthen international cooperation and understanding in the area of counter-terrorism. In some of the meetings that took place, Syrian officials shared their Views with Mr. Mayoral on enhancing cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism, focusing in particular on Syria's experience in the 19805 as a result of the terrorist acts that threatened our national security. Mr.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Moreover, my delegation welcomes the cooperation and coordination between the Committee and its Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED). We hope that the CTED will be able to begin its work as soon as possible. That will promote capacity-building and the provision of technical assistance to help States prepare their reports in a timely manner and in a way that will promote the implementation of Security Council resolutions. In order to strengthen the legal framework for combating terrorism, the President of the Syrian Arab Republic issued legislative decree 33, dated 1 May 2005, concerning money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. Syria also acceded to international counter-terrorism conventions in accordance with decree 5, dated 3 April 2005.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“After terrorist attacks were carried out against a number of countries to destabilize them, Syria once again called for an international counter-terrorism strategy and reiterated its offer to cooperate with all relevant international and regional organizations to enhance the security and legal frameworks for putting an end to international terrorism. My delegation has noted with great interest that the Counter-Terrorism Committee has always been guided by the principles of cooperation, transparency and equal treatment in its revitalization efforts. In mid- April Syria presented its fourth report to the Committee in accordance with paragraph 6 of resolution 1373 (2001). The report was issued as an official document of the Security Council (5/2005/265, annex).”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“In their pursuit of those terrorist elements in the border region between Syria and Lebanon, Syrian security forces have detained 37 members of those networks who sought to terrorize our citizens and to destabilize our country. A number of those security forces were killed. Syria was one of the first countries to call for stronger international counter-terrorism efforts. Since 1985 Syria has called for an international conference under United Nations auspices to define terrorism, to mount an effective international counter-terrorism strategy and to distinguish terrorism from the legitimate struggle of all peoples under occupation to liberate themselves, which is a right guaranteed by international norms and instruments.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We also thank Ambassador Loj, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001); Mr. Mayoral, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999); and Mr. Motoc, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). We thank them for their work in skilfully steering the deliberations of the aforementioned Committees. Syria has suffered the scourge of terrorism for decades. In recent weeks, Syrian security forces have uncovered a terrorist network seeking to carry out acts of terrorism inside and outside our country.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I congratulate you, Sir, and your friendly country on your accession to the presidency of the Council for this month. We are fully confident that your efforts and leadership of our work will enhance the role of the Council in maintaining international peace and security. At the outset, my delegation reiterates that the people and Government of Syria condemn the bloody act of terrorism that took place in London, the murder of the Egyptian ambassador to Iraq and the acts of terrorism that took the lives of Turkish citizens in Istanbul. We extend our sincerest condolences to those countries and reconfirm our resolve to strengthen international cooperation in putting an end to the scourge of terrorism.”
2005-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5229Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Because of the importance of the issue of women in armed conflict, a symposium was held in Beirut, Lebanon, a few months ago, on Arab women in armed conflict, with the participation of women's delegations, experts on women's issues, civil society organizations from all Arab countries and high-level delegations from Syria and other Arab countries. The symposium made recommendations that should be taken into consideration. Resolution 1325 (2000) provides a solid political framework for dealing with gender-based Violence in armed conflict and in peace-building situations. The challenge that we face, however, is that of transforming that political framework into political will and concrete action.”
2004-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5066 (2004) · source
“Here we must also recall that the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) include addressing not only the situation of women in armed conflict, but also, clearly, that of women under occupation. There is no doubt that the international community is aware of the tragic situation of Syrian and Palestinian women and girls under Israeli occupation. In Syria, women play a role in all decision- making processes in the political, economic, social, cultural, health, education, labour and development spheres. Syrian women occupy high positions and participate in the electoral process both by voting and by running for office in all legislative municipal, local, labour union and occupational councils. The scope of this involvement prevents any violations of women's rights.”
2004-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5066 (2004) · source
“Action is required at all levels: within societies that suffer from such practices by all United Nations bodies and by the international donor community. With regret, we must point out that no concrete progress has been made in protecting women and girls in armed conflict from all forms of violence, including human trafficking, rape, murder and other violations of women's rights. In our View, strong international pressure should be applied to those parties to armed conflict which do not respect the relevant provisions of international law and international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. In this connection, we believe that the Secretary-General's recommendations constitute an encouraging starting point for preventing violence against women in armed conflict and for facing up to that phenomenon.”
2004-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5066 (2004) · source
“It has furthered the strengthening, promotion and integration of existing General Assembly and Economic and Social Council mechanisms relating to the protection of women in armed conflict, to strengthening measures to empower women and to promoting their equal participation in peacekeeping operations and important decision- making in the post-conflict reconstruction of States and societies. In this context, we hail the important accomplishments that have been achieved in implementing the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000), as noted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/814), which my delegation has read very carefully. The shameful and terrible situation of the millions of victims of sexual violence makes it important to give immediate attention to this matter, which presents a long-term challenge to us all.”
2004-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5066 (2004) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We would like to express our thanks to you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on women and peace and security, an issue of great importance on the agenda of the international community. We listened with great interest to the statements made earlier by Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, Ms. Thoraya Obaid and Ms. Louise Arbour, each of whom addressed a different aspect of the issue under consideration. The Security Council's interest in the issue of women and armed conflict contributes to the activities of the entire United Nations system in this area.”
2004-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5066 (2004) · source
“In conclusion, the Security Council must urgently condemn Israel, its war crimes and its policy of State terror. It has become clearer than ever that peace in the region cannot prevail unless Israel can be made to fulfil its commitment to the realization of a just and comprehensive peace based on the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the principle of land for peace, the Madrid terms of reference and the Arab peace initiative.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“Therefore the so-called giving back of Gaza becomes a reason for Israel to demolish it, with its occupants still in place. It becomes a reason to target and assassinate one leader after another to prevent any negotiations or even the establishment of a Palestinian State. The Israeli Government will not do what it takes to realize a just and comprehensive peace; it is shirking its responsibilities; it has rejected United Nations resolutions relevant to the occupied Arab territories; and it is ignoring the Arab peace initiative. This shirking, this avoidance, this rejection, this defiance - they cannot conceal the fact that Israel is a Government of occupation and expansion whose actions are taken at the expense of the Palestinian people.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“Furthermore, Israel, the occupying force, reiterates that the attacks it carries out are part and parcel of an overall military operation, and, according to a statement made by its Prime Minister this afternoon, it plans to continue, and even escalate, such operations in the coming weeks. While Israel says it plans to withdraw its forces from Gaza, we see that it is asking for measures to be taken and guarantees to be provided. It wants to exact a high price for such a withdrawal, which, in effect, constitutes a violation of international law and of the resolutions of the Council. Therefore, withdrawal from Gaza becomes a pretext for Israel to kill many people in Gaza, to besiege them, deprive them of sovereignty over their territorial waters and air space, and undermine their relations with their neighbours.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“How can we explain the negative position taken by the Security Council in the face of flagrant Israeli defiance and arrogance and its flouting of all norms and practices of international law? How long will Israel be allowed to remain above the law as a result of the negative position of the Security Council towards its daily killing of Palestinians? We have repeatedly warned against the plans of the head of the Israeli Government and his attempts to mislead the international community. At a time when he claims to be adopting measures to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, we find him amassing his forces in various parts of the Strip. He is increasing the number of settlements in the West Bank and continuing to build the racist separation wall, in defiance of the opinion of the International Court of Justice.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“This is a war crime that deserves the international community's deterrence and condemnation to prevent a spillover in the Middle East and the rest of the world. According to figures provided by the Secretariat, the number of Palestinians killed by the occupation forces in the past four years stands at about 3,500. Israel's killing and destruction in the occupied Palestinian territories constitute collective punishment against the Palestinian people living under brutal occupation. Many questions beg for answers. How long will the Security Council remain incapable of condemning Israeli terrorism and of adopting a position in favour of justice and equality among peoples, free from double standards?”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“This has left behind a trail of death and destruction in all parts of the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. Such attacks have become commonplace. The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, while Israel pursues its illegal destructive policies and practices against the Palestinian people. The toll among Palestinian citizens killed by Israel in recent days stands at 83, many of whom were children or elderly people; eight more have been killed today. The Israeli military machine continues cutting a swath of death and terror that has led to the wounding of more than 350 people and to the destruction of many homes, schools, health centres and United Nations facilities.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“If it is true that this meeting was long overdue, it is also true that an opportunity remains for the Council to shoulder its responsibilities by adopting measures that would end the crimes mercilessly perpetrated by Israel against a defenceless, unprotected people. These acts are being committed without any respect for international law or for the 40 Security Council and more than 600 General Assembly resolutions on this subject. Days and weeks have passed, and Israel continues its barbaric military actions against the Palestinian people. Israel has not hesitated to use against civilian targets the latest weapons in its arsenal, including missiles, tanks, fighter jets, bulldozers and various types and classes of internationally banned weapons.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. I would also like to express our appreciation for the way in which Ambassador Yafiez-Barnuevo conducted the Council's deliberations last month. I would like to thank you and, through you, the other members of the Council for promptly responding to the request to convene this meeting to address the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories. My delegation would like to associate itself with the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Tunisia in his capacity as Chairman of the Arab Group.”
2004-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5049 (2004) · source
“We stress the need to comply with the principles of international law, including justice and respect for human dignity and integrity.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“We hope that the United Nations will be able to draft legal and security norms to ensure the unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance. We also draw attention to the suffering of women and children in armed conflict and to the need to challenge the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, which only helps to prolong such conflicts. Finally, I would emphasize that the only way ultimately to settle conflicts is to address their root causes, such as occupation in the case of the Arab- Israeli conflict, and to ensure the implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy. We can also achieve comprehensive and just peace by eliminating the political, economic and social causes of conflicts in many countries.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Their implementation should be followed closely so that the international community can overcome the challenges that we face in protecting civilians; we must emphasize the norms of international law and international humanitarian law as well as the long-accepted norms of the protection of human rights. In this regard, we would stress the need for the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, each within its sphere of competence, to discuss this report and its contents, and for coordination between the three principal organs of the United Nations that will allow the issue to be addressed systematically. My delegation attaches great importance to the need for access to vulnerable groups in conflict zones, which we consider to be one of the most important aspects of the protection of civilians, a complex and multifaceted task.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source