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

“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We have listened carefully to the statements by the representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1483 (2003). We have also listened carefully to the colleagues who have preceded me in taking the floor. Syria has clearly expressed its position vis-a-vis the Iraq problem before the Council on many occasions. More than once, we and other States members of the Security Council have suggested ways to overcome the tragic situation in Iraq. Syria is not merely a country that neighbours Iraq; since the dawn of time history, geography, destiny and common interests all have bound the peoples of our two brotherly countries together.”
2003-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4869 (2003) · source
“We believe that the presidential declaration before us reflects our position and the desire of the Council to see success for this international conference on peace and security in the Great Lakes region. It also reflects the need for successful preparation for the conference. We are confident that the Security Council will adopt this draft presidential statement at the end of this debate, as a contribution by the Council to collective international efforts towards peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region of Africa.”
2003-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4865 (2003) · source
“Those efforts have begun to crystallize, as stated by the Secretary-General, whether in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi or Rwanda. We support the recommendation of the Secretary- General to the core countries participating in the conference to concentrate on the conference's priorities and to set up specific policies, programmes, projects and activities in the various sub-themes to be discussed at the conference. This would lead the conference to achieve peace, security, economic development and regional integration. We believe that this would in turn lead to an improvement of the humanitarian and social situation of the peoples of the region and would allow the peoples of the region to finally reap the fruits of peace.”
2003-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4865 (2003) · source
“Syria encourages, all States concerned, particularly those in the Great Lakes region, to participate actively in all stages of the preparation of the conference towards its success and the achievement of its desired goals. We also add our voice in appealing to donor countries to provide all possible material and logistical help required for the convening of the conference. We cannot fail to thank the African Union and South Africa for their efforts and effective participation, in addition to many other States that have taken a constructive role: Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, the Congo, Namibia and others. Syria stresses the importance of the international community providing every possible support to the process as a whole and to peace efforts in the region.”
2003-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4865 (2003) · source
“Syria supports all international, regional and subregional efforts being made towards peace and security in the Great Lakes region and in the African continent in general. We also highly appreciate the efforts being made by the neighbouring countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi towards that objective. These efforts will be crowned with the convening of an international conference on the Great Lakes region. My delegation has taken note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2003/1099) and has understood the special details regarding the convening of the conference. We are cognizant of the difficulties that must be surmounted in order for the conference to succeed, at the national and the regional levels.”
2003-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4865 (2003) · source
“Abdulkader Shareef, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania, which has been so generous in offering to host the preparatory meeting of the conference in 2004. We also welcome Italy as the current president of the European Union. We also believe that the presence of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Keli Walubita, confirms the concern that the African Union has for the success of this important conference. We welcome Mr. Ibrahima Fall, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, and we thank him for the efforts he has made towards an excellent preparation of the conference.”
2003-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4865 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syria) (spoke in Arabic): We share your strong condemnation of the acts of terror in Turkey that have killed a number of innocent Turkish civilians, in addition to the British Consul-General in Istanbul. Allow me to express our grief and condolences to Turkey, our neighbour, and its people, as well as to the Government and people of the United Kingdom. I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on the Great Lakes region. We also thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for his comprehensive and substantial statement this morning. We are pleased to welcome Mr. Francisco Madeira, Minister of the Presidency for Parliamentary and Diplomatic Affairs of Mozambique, whose country is the current President of the African Union. We are also delighted to welcome Mr.”
2003-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4865 (2003) · source
“Despite all that, the basic obstacles impeding national efforts to achieve the objectives of the Declaration of Commitment lie in the lack of financial and human resources to support the efforts made so far. Finally, I wish to reaffirm once again that Syria is fully prepared to do everything possible to reinforce our collective effort to face this epidemic in order to guarantee a brighter and healthier future for humanity.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“In 2003, the National Committee to Combat AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases sought to achieve the following: enforcement of the commitment of all national authorities in efforts, national plans and educational and media activities to combat AIDS; reinforcement and development of capacities and national resources to combat AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases and to provide care to the infected; the integration of AIDS prevention programmes into reproductive health programmes, primary health care and school curricula; reinforcement of the role of health research and epidemiology studies; and the establishment of an AIDS database. We pay special attention to the question of increasing health awareness among individuals, particularly the armed forces.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“It set up a multisectoral, strategic national plan, which led to the establishment of a national committee on AIDS, that has made efforts in all fields, as mentioned in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the efforts of health authorities in Syria and the role played by private organizations and the social and religious institutions, the rate of the spread of this disease is very modest.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“I would like to confirm that the elimination of this disease depends on cooperation among the countries of the world and on providing assistance to poor and developing countries in order to support their national efforts. This is by necessity linked to international, technological and scientific advances, which should lead to the provision of preventive vaccines, to better treatment and to the development of better medicines. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic was cognizant of the danger of this disease at an early stage, particularly for the armed forces, and it considered HIV/AIDS a main source of concern. In 1987, it established a national programme to combat HIV/AIDS.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“We would like to express our appreciation for the efforts made personally by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan in this respect. There is an urgent need to earmark more money at both international and national levels. There is a need to support the Global Fund to Combat AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and to provide medicines that are affordable to those infected, in particular in developing countries. We cannot forget the vital role played by non-governmental organizations, and national and international organizations that are active in this field. This contributes to reinforcing international efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. The document issued from the twenty-sixth special session of General Assembly on HIV/AIDS represents an important basis for the international community's combat against this disease.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, for his statement, which contained basic points and facts that the international community has to take seriously into account in order to contain this epidemic. We would like to confirm that the efforts of UNAIDS are basic and vital within the framework of international efforts. The General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and relevant United Nations agencies, particularly the World Health Organization, are basic to the ability of the international community to deal with this epidemic, taking into consideration the effect of this disease on stability and security in some countries. We would like to indicate here that international efforts and international cooperation are basic and necessary for pushing forward the positive steps that have been taken to date.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“Jean-Marie Guehenno, for the information he provided on the implementation by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) of the relevant paragraphs on the matter contained in resolution 1308 (2000). We would like to indicate that awareness, training and commitment to the measures followed by the administration are in the final analysis part of the comprehensive international campaign to combat this epidemic and to put an end to it. My delegation would like to express its admiration and satisfaction with the content of the report of Mr. Guehenno concerning the measures to combat AIDS within the framework of peacekeeping operations, particularly since my country, beginning in 1974, hosts some 1,000 peacekeepers in the framework of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force. We would like to thank Mr.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to express our appreciation for holding this meeting, which comes within the framework of international efforts to combat the spread of the AIDS epidemic, particularly concerning peacekeeping operations that exist in different parts of the world. What we aim for is to create awareness and to train the members of peacekeeping operations on the question of prevention of and dealing with this epidemic in order to contain it and to prevent its spread in the field. Allow us, Mr. President, to share your welcome of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and his presence in our midst, while we discuss this very important item. We would like to thank the Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr.”
2003-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4859 (2003) · source
“We hope for such a collective effort in order to achieve the best possible results, minimize the damage caused by this problem and avoid further humanitarian losses due to mines.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“Here, I should like to commend the role played by the United Nations through its mine-action centres, which have done excellent work in the past two decades in many countries facing this problem. Proceeding from its belief in this humanitarian role, my country - with the cooperation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and other Arab donors - has assisted brotherly Lebanon in removing mines from the liberated Lebanese territories that were planted by the Israeli occupation forces. Field assistance, expertise and training are being offered in order to help eliminate the mines and their catastrophic effects on civilians and the inhabitants of the affected areas. This noble work must always be undertaken with sincere and tireless effort if it is to achieve its desired objectives.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“The significance of this subject lies in its link to the humanitarian dimension and to the number of casualties among civilian workers in peacekeeping forces. It is worth noting that demining is a long-term and dangerous undertaking; it may often take decades and require vast financial resources to complete, given the difficulties of action in this field, particularly the lack of minefield maps or the unwillingness of certain parties to provide them to the relevant demining agencies, as well as the special geographical characteristics of certain conflict zones. The link between peacekeeping operations and humanitarian programmes is extremely important, since both are undertaken in the context of peacekeeping and post-conflict peace-building.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I should like to thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting on the vital topic of the importance of mine action for peacekeeping operations. We hope that our deliberations will again draw attention to the humanitarian aspects of the problem. We also thank Mr. Guehenno and Mr. Dahinden for their useful briefings on this subject. Demining activities have two dimensions, humanitarian and disarmament, both of which, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, are mandates of the General Assembly. The General Assembly has addressed these two dimensions in the past and adopted a number of resolutions on them. I reaffirm that mine action in peacekeeping operations in no way entails a transfer of responsibilities from the Assembly to the Security Council.”
2003-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4858 (2003) · source
“Finally, the delegation of Syria hopes that resolution 1325 (2000), as well as this debate held by the Security Council, will present a serious opportunity to consider the major problems that women suffer from in general and that women and girls in conflict situations suffer from in particular, in order to put an end to their suffering and to move towards a society of equality, progress and peace.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“Since education and work are of crucial importance for the liberation of women and the necessary advancement of girls, it is acutely necessary to identify the legal and social barriers that deny women education and work and prevent them from contributing to economic construction; then, clear and necessary strategies and plans in that field must be prepared. We would also stress that it is of extreme importance to pay attention to the needs of women and girls as ex-combatants in post-conflict situations. There should be more programmes for women and girl ex- combatants in order to create a more favourable environment for them after the conflict and ensure their safe return to the productive workforce in society and to a decent life.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“It is also necessary to integrate the gender perspective in the mandates of peacekeeping operations and deal with this issue in the reports to the Security Council. In addition, there is a need to make available the necessary financial and human resources to integrate women and girls, and not to be content with paying lip service to that objective. We also believe that the United Nations agencies must have unhindered access to all areas and people - in particular women and girls - in need of their assistance.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“The situation of Palestinian women in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is a case in point. In that regard, we reaffirm the need to respect international humanitarian law and the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, in particular women and children, referred to in operative paragraph 9 of resolution 1325 (2000). However, the content of that paragraph has not been heeded by the occupying Power in the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Palestinian territories. My delegation believes that we should stress the importance of taking specific steps to implement resolution 1325 (2000), including the need for all peace agreements to deal with the outcome and impact of armed conflict on women and girls, their participation in the peace process and their priority needs once conflict has ended.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“We reaffirm the importance of the recommendations adopted at United Nations conferences concerning women, the last of which was the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly in 2000. They all constitute milestones in the march towards promoting and strengthening the status and role of women in the economic, social and political spheres. Resolution 1325 (2000) underscores the fact that women and children account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict. This is attributed to the fact that they are the most vulnerable groups in societies and make soft targets for attacks. We also underline that in times of armed conflict and foreign occupation, women are deprived of their most basic rights, let alone their right to participate in political decision-making.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“This sends a clear message about the need to mobilize efforts and generate the necessary interest at the international level to deal with this issue. The recommendations in the report (S/2002/1154) of the Secretary-General, issued last year in response to resolution 1325 (2000), reflect an important examination of the impact of armed conflict on women and of the role of women in peace-building. Those recommendations constitute a step towards consolidating the achievements made so far and dealing with current challenges. In that regard, we recall that resolution 1325 (2000) dealt not only with the question of peacekeeping operations, but also with many other issues, such as respect for international law, the rights of women and girls and their protection during armed conflict.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Guehenno, for his comprehensive briefing on the mandate and role of the gender advisers in peacekeeping operations in implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. I also thank Ms. Amy Smythe for the information on her experiences in the field that she conveyed to the Council. That we are meeting today on the third anniversary of the Council's adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security reflects clearly the Security Council's ongoing interest in the role of women in peace and security, in conflict and post-conflict situations.”
2003-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4852 (2003) · source
“It is only natural, in this respect, to emphasize that we need to continue the amendment of contracts until the 21 November deadline and to consider flexible mechanisms to deal with these matters after that deadline. We believe that it is also important to show flexibility with respect to the deadline. For example, contractors whose contracts have received priority are not to blame if their contracts have not been amended before 21 November. Several other important points were addressed by preceding speakers, and they should all be considered seriously. The companies and contractors who have been working with the programme since 1996 deserve our respect, cooperation and all due truthfulness and scrupulousness until the end of the Programme. In conclusion, I am confident that those in charge of the Office of the Iraq Programme, led by Mr.”
2003-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4851 (2003) · source
“But we must uphold and respect the rights of the companies that have worked with the programme and have helped implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. Consequently, we believe that what preceding speakers have said about the need to establish clear criteria is very important, so that contractors and companies can know how priorities have been determined and why some contracts have not received priority or been accepted. Those companies must be informed of the status of their contracts and be given any information relevant to the authentication of goods entering Iraq, points of entry, contact points at ports, and the changes to take effect after 21 November.”
2003-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4851 (2003) · source
“I wish to express our appreciation, through him, for the efforts made by the Programme's entire staff, who have carried out their work with professionalism, integrity, sincerity and dedication. Ambassador Pleuger, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 661 (1990), commented in his brief but comprehensive and accurate statement on all aspects of the ordered and streamlined termination of the work of the oil-for- food programme. We echo all the concerns he raised regarding that process. We believe that that is a very complex and important process that involves two elements: the rights of companies, contractors and suppliers and the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people - which are our central concern.”
2003-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4851 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I wish at the outset to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. We also wish to commend Ambassador Pleuger and the other members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 661 (1990) for their accurate and direct work. I wish to join other Council members in expressing condolences to the families of staff of humanitarian agencies, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who lost their lives in the attacks on international personnel. We fully condemn those unacceptable attacks. Allow me also to express our gratitude to Mr. Benon Sevan, Executive Director of the Iraq Programme.”
2003-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4851 (2003) · source
“It is an inherent right that must be upheld by all Member States, and all measures must be taken to preserve it. Syria here reaffirms its firm commitment to combating terrorism and its continued cooperation with all members of the world community that wish to pursue that cooperation; it underlines the important role played by the Counter-Terrorism Committee and expresses its satisfaction at the work accomplished by the Committee in carrying out its mandate.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“It gravely harms and distorts global efforts to claim to be fighting terrorism while practising terrorism daily on the ground, such as by committing crimes against humanity, war crimes, massacres and acts of aggression; displacing and killing civilians; pursuing settlement policies; annexing territories; violating international law and Security Council resolutions; and breaching treaties. The danger of international terrorism requires joint global action without prejudice, double standards or the muzzling of world public opinion. Terrorism must be diagnosed in order to combat and end it. In that regard, we wish to stress the necessity of defining terrorism and of distinguishing between it and the legitimate right of peoples to liberation. The right of liberation is guaranteed by the Charter of the United Nations.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We are grateful for the efforts of the assistance task force, which coordinates work between those countries that request assistance, the donor countries and those who are capable of rendering assistance. We also appreciate the genuine interaction between the Committee and regional, subregional and international organizations in accordance with their respective mandates. Syria supports the ninth 90-day work programme submitted by the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (S/2003/995, annex). In that context, Syria underlines its determination to continue all efforts to implement that programme within the framework of resolution 1373 (2001). My delegation also supports the continued mandate of the current officers and the current Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Arias, as we highly appreciate his efforts and his dedication to his work.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Subsequently, on 9 September 2003, in the context of the sustained efforts made by Syria to combat terrorism, the President of the Syrian Arab Republic issued presidential decree number 59, which includes legislation to combat money-laundering and all other illicit financial transactions. That is yet a further demonstration of our sustained determination to coordinate efforts with the international community in fighting terrorism and the financing of terrorism. We are also pleased that the Committee is continuing to maintain an open dialogue with all of the Members of the United Nations, in a framework of transparency, in order to facilitate the delivery of aid to those States that have expressed a need for such assistance with a view to upgrading their capabilities in fighting terrorism.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Furthermore, the Committee has worked intensively to make progress in upgrading the capacities of Member States with a view to enabling them to align their national legislation with the requirements and provisions of resolution 1373 (2001). This success has been due to the interaction between most Member States and the Committee in the framework of resolution 1373 (2001), as demonstrated by the second and third reports submitted to the Committee. I am pleased to say that Syria is one of the States that have submitted their third reports in accordance with the timetable.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic welcomes the convening of this meeting and expresses its appreciation to Ambassador Inocencio Arias, Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), for his extraordinary efforts over the past few months. Furthermore, my delegation would like to express its appreciation to the two Vice-Chairmen, the members of the Committee, the experts and the Secretariat for their successful efforts in fulfilling the mandate of the Committee throughout its past eight stages. The Counter-Terrorism Committee has succeeded in fulfilling its responsibilities and mandate.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We hope too that the resolution will promote the role of the United Nations and the Secretary-General, especially because the stability of the situation in Iraq and the safeguarding of its sovereignty and territorial integrity are very important to Syria and other neighbouring countries and will have a positive impact on the situation in the region. Syria will continue to make every possible effort to respond to the needs of the Iraqi people and will endeavour to alleviate their suffering and provide them with what they need for stability and security.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4844 (2003) · source
“Even though the resolution does not respond to all our expectations, which are closely linked to the aspirations of the Iraqi people to freedom and independence, we hope that the resolution will represent an incentive and a further step along that road and that the commitments set out in the resolution will be fulfilled in order to accelerate the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis, with a view to the adoption of a constitution and the formation of an internationally recognized elected and representative Government.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4844 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I, too, would like to welcome the presence at this meeting of the Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan. The Syrian Arab Republic joined the Security Council consensus and voted in favour of resolution 1511 (2003). We did so after consultations with the representatives of France, Russia, Germany and China and with the representatives of the other States elected to the Council, and after contacts between my country and countries with which we have relations of friendship and cooperation, among them Japan.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4844 (2003) · source
“The Council's failure to shoulder its responsibility would have a negative impact on its credibility and would further exacerbate the situation in the region, bringing dire and uncontrollable consequences and distancing us from the objectives on which the entire world has agreed: to bring just and comprehensive peace to the region. Finally, through Syria, the Arab Group has last Friday submitted a balanced draft resolution that took the concerns of the Security Council into consideration and we hope that it will be put to the vote at the conclusion of this open debate.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“The Security Council, the principal body entrusted with maintaining international peace and security, is called upon to shoulder its responsibilities in the face of Israel's criminal practices. The Council must condemn Israel clearly and unequivocally. It must deter Israel and make it clear to it that its settlements, colonialism, the annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories through the expansionist wall's construction, to consolidate the annexation of occupied East Jerusalem, and its aggressions against Syria and Lebanon are illegitimate acts constituting a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law, international humanitarian law and the numerous resolutions adopted by the Security Council, including the resolutions on which the Middle East peace process are founded.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“Israel, which attempts to justify its actions by claiming it is combating terrorism, is in fact perpetrating war crimes and terrorism against the civilian Palestinian population, men, women and children, as they build their expansionist wall as part of their policy of settler colonialism. Israel is even exporting its crises through aggression against Syria and Lebanon. The campaign against terrorism is greatly harmed by the fact that Israel is exploiting that campaign in order to conceal its objectives and to divert attention from its acts of expansion and aggression. If Israel's killings of dozens of Palestinians in the last two days and the destruction of more than 20 homes - as has been recognized by United Nations agencies - is not terrorism, then what is?”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“Thus, Israel is not only violating the Fourth Geneva Convention by building those settlements but goes even further by annexing those settlements to Israel. That was demonstrated very clearly by the Israeli Government's recent decision for the wall to enclose the "Ariel" settlement, which was established 22 kilometres into the occupied Palestinian territories. Those actions are, in fact, war crimes under the Fourth Geneva Convention and its Additional Protocol 1. Therefore, Israel should be deterred from continuing and no legal or political legitimacy should be granted to its actions. It can be seen from the aforementioned that the present Israeli Government, led by General Sharon, who is well known as an enemy of peace, is merely a war Government aiming to put an end to the peace process and any real chance of implementing it.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“Secondly, by building the wall, Israel is in fact annexing vast expanses of the territories of the West Bank, thus violating one of the foremost principles of international law: the acquisition of others' territory by force is inadmissible. Therefore, Israel's acts violate resolution 242 (1967), which provides the foundation for the Middle East peace process. Thirdly, the route traced by the wall clearly reveals that Israel aims to consolidate its annexation of occupied Jerusalem, in flagrant violation of resolution 478 (1980), which holds Israel's annexation of eastern Jerusalem to be null and void. Fourthly, Israel plans to enclose within the wall large settlements established in occupied Palestinian territories, containing more than 200,000 settlers.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“Rather, the wall is being built to achieve the following objectives. First, the route traced by the wall is far removed from the borders of the territories occupied since 1967, penetrating deep into Palestinian territories. This reveals the Israeli Government's real intention: to create facts on the ground allowing them to set borders as they wish, thus placing the Palestinian people in large bantustans and isolating them. That would make it impossible to achieve the objective of the peace process with the Palestinians which is: to establish a Palestinian State in the territories occupied since 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“It comes as no surprise to us that the occupation Government, which by law prevents its citizens from learning the truth about its practices in the occupied territories, is attempting to mislead international public opinion concerning its real objectives and true intentions. The current Government is following the notorious method of the infamous Goebbels: lie, lie and lie again, until others come to believe what you are saying. Unfortunately for the rulers of Israel, the world will not continue to believe their lies. One day it will learn the truth - with the exception of a small minority, who at some point in the future will discover that they have been on the wrong side. Israel's objective in building its racist, expansionist wall, is not, as it claims, to protect its security.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“The fact that he did not say a word about where the wall is being built is proof that his comments are mere allegations. Incidentally, it is being built on the occupied Palestinian territories - perhaps the representative of Israel is not aware of that fact. He did not say in his statement that Israel has, de facto, annexed land, that the wall has been built on territory that is under dispute, or that that had been done by means of fait accompli and the logic of force alone. What are referred to as the disputed territories are the remains of the Palestinian territories. Israel wants to take control of what is left of the Palestinian territories by using that particular logic. Those who know Israel are well aware that this method is not unusual.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): The Security Council is meeting for the third time in less than a month to discuss the illegal practices of the Israeli occupation. Today, we are discussing in particular the recent decision of the Israeli Government to begin work on the second phase of what it refers to as the separation fence. We have just listened to the statement of the representative of the Government of occupation and terrorism - the Israeli Government. We were not, of course, surprised that the statement contained many lies and allegations. His comments are only part of a campaign to distort reality and mislead international public opinion - a campaign that has been going on for more than 55 years.”
2003-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4841 (2003) · source
“Israel demonstrates its respect for the rights of the Palestinian people at checkpoints, in the building of the fence and in the demolition of the houses of civilians while their inhabitants are still inside. Such actions provide evidence of the Israeli attitude to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments of international humanitarian law, which we are all seeking to respect. Is that truly respect for human rights? Do States members of the Council believe in Israel's unique way of showing respect for human rights? I say to Israel that the members of the Council would not accept such notions. In conclusion, I would like to thank those who condemned the Israeli act of aggression against my country. In doing so they expressed their support for the Charter and for international legitimacy.”
2003-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4836 (2003) · source
“Has not Syria saved lives, as recognized by United States Administration officials? Were we in fact on the wrong side when we cooperated in that field? We do not believe that this is the case. The responsibility of one permanent member in the Security Council and a co-sponsor of the peace process makes it incumbent on that party to adopt balanced positions that do not encourage acts of aggression and that do not accept any such acts, but that would deter the commission of such acts. I would like to refer briefly to the comments that the representative of Israel made about democracy and respect for human rights, among other issues. The Israeli record with regard to democratic practices is very well known to all of us.”
2003-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4836 (2003) · source