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

“The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document 5/2003/821, which contains the text of a letter dated 14 August 2003 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. Members of the Council also have before them document 5/2003/832, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote. There being no objection, it is so decided. A vote was taken by show of hands.”
2003-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4813 (2003) · source
“I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Ileka (Democratic Republic of the Congo) took a seat at the Council table. The President (spoke in Arabic): The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
2003-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4813 (2003) · source
“There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.50 pm.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“At the meeting, the ministers also agreed to establish a committee - to include Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States - to follow up developments in Iraq and to establish the necessary international contacts in this regard. In conclusion, we wish to affirm that Iraq, throughout its time-honoured history, has overcome many challenges and emerged victorious. Iraqis have contributed to building an Arab civilization in which we all take pride. We are confident that Iraq will overcome its current hardship and ultimately succeed, despite the destruction and grief, thanks to the unity of its people and the support of its Arab brethren, the international community and the United Nations. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“The Arab ministers for foreign affairs, members of the Follow-up and Action Committee of the Council of the League of Arab States, held an important meeting in Cairo on 5 August at which they discussed the situation in the Arab sphere in all its aspects. The Arab ministers reaffirmed the need for Iraq to recover its sovereignty over its land and resources, for an end to the occupation and for the rapid establishment of a national Government in accordance with a clearly defined schedule. The Arab ministers stressed the need of a pivotal role for the United Nations in the political process in Iraq and for the Organization to cooperate with the League of Arab States and with other regional and national actors to that end, under the aegis of the Security Council.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“He called on the Secretary-General to implement this vision and to make it a reality, which, in his view, represented the way out of Iraq's current dilemma. The suffering of the Iraqi people is a source of concern to all peoples throughout the world. The Syrian Arab Republic, through various institutions, has made every possible effort to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqis by extending medical, food and other material assistance, supplementing similar efforts undertaken by Arab and other States and by the United Nations and its various programmes providing assistance sorely needed by the Iraqi people.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“Farouk Al-Shara', Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Syria, addressed a message to the Secretary-General expressing his shock over this criminal act of aggression against the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad and extending his heartfelt condolences over the loss of Mr. Vieira de Mello. The Syrian leadership has first-hand experience of his dedication to the pivotal role which the United Nations should play in assisting Iraq to recover its independence and freedom. Syria supports the beliefs and vision which the late Mr. Vieira de Mello so faithfully upheld and which stressed the importance of ending the occupation of Iraq and of that country's recovery of its freedom, sovereignty, political independence and control over its natural resources.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the Syrian Arab Republic. Grief has engulfed the United Nations and the Security Council in the wake of the horrendous attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, killing many innocent people, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello. The Government of Syria immediately denounced this despicable act, stressing the importance of a continued and enhanced role for the United Nations in Iraq. Furthermore, President Bashar Al-Assad conveyed his condolences to the President of Brazil, in which he denounced and deplored this heinous criminal act. Mr.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“I now give the floor to the members of the Security Council. As there is no list of speakers, I invite those Council members who wish to take the floor to so indicate to the Secretariat as from now.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear briefings by His Excellency Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the representative of the United Kingdom, and by His Excellency Mr. John Negroponte, the representative of the United States. I now give the floor to Mr. John Negroponte, the representative of the United States.”
2003-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4812 (2003) · source
“I thank Mr. Ti'irk for his comprehensive briefing and for the kind words he addressed to me. In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations, I should now like to invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting rose at 11.35 a.m.”
2003-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4810 (2003) · source
“In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations, and in the absence of objection, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Danilo Turk, Assistant Secretary- General for Political Affairs. There being no objection, it is so decided. I invite Mr. Tiirk to take a seat at the Council table. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear a briefing by Mr. Danilo Tiirk, Assistant Secretary- General for Political Affairs. On behalf of the Council, I would like to welcome Mr. Turk, and I give him the floor.”
2003-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4810 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation welcomes the adoption by consensus of the draft resolution on the Western Sahara. Any lack of agreement between Arab parties is of great concern to Syria. Syria always makes every possible effort to resolve differences between Arab parties. We hope that the consensus resolution that we have adopted will bring the parties together with a View to achieving a peaceful resolution of the question of Western Sahara. We would like to thank the Secretary-General and express appreciation for his efforts and those of his Personal Envoy. We wish them every success in their endeavours in the near future.”
2003-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4801 (2003) · source
“For the United Nations to ensure that that campaign is taking place, it is not enough to say that we are combating terrorism; in fact, a number of measures have been adopted and actions undertaken to fight terrorism. However, the international community must energetically condemn terrorist acts. Here, I do not wish to go into detail. As I just said, what has been done is indeed important, but much remains to be done. Obtaining information and making it available to Member States is a long, difficult task that requires cooperation among the Secretariat, the Security Council and both Committees so that the Organization's responsibilities are clear with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“The Committee is faithful to the provisions of paragraph 3 of resolution 1455 (2003), which stresses the need to improve the exchange of information between the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC), established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001). That has been reflected in the meetings and contacts of the experts of both Committees. Accordingly, we must take note of the joint communique adopted by both Committees to clear up any ambiguity or misunderstanding with regard to the work that they have done concerning Member States. Countering international terrorism is a major task that requires planning and genuine cooperation among States.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“Thirdly, I wish to refer to the Monitoring Group. The Group's reports have become more valuable, focused and extensive. They are also more credible and transparent, while also more clearly reflecting the information transmitted to the Monitoring Group from every source, including from the Group's own field missions. Given the importance of the Group's work and the need to provide it with assistance to carry out its mission, the Committee has, in cooperation with the Secretariat, strengthened the Monitoring Group by making several recommendations to assist it in reviewing and analysing the reports submitted by States pursuant to resolution 1455 (2003). Fourthly, I wish to mention the subject of cooperation between the Committee and the Counter- Terrorism Committee.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to dwell on some of the points he touched upon. I should first like to take up the issue of substantive reports. As we have heard, a number of Member States have indeed submitted reports. The guidelines adopted by the Committee have facilitated the preparation by States of their reports, as well as the Committee's study of those reports. We therefore encourage Member States that have not yet done so to submit their reports to the Committee as soon as possible. In that regard, I would like to point out that the Syrian Arab Republic has submitted all the reports requested of it. Secondly, I would like to mention the Committee's consolidated list. Thanks to the efforts that have been made, that list has become more valuable, more detailed and easier to read.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“We congratulate him on the Committee's excellent work and thank him for his personal efforts, and those of his Mission, aimed at ensuring the success of the Committee's work. The important work done by the Committee represents an important preliminary step in the international efforts to combat terrorism. Those activities are of particular importance to the work of the Security Council, as demonstrated by the series of resolutions adopted by the Council to confront this major challenge facing the international community. The points mentioned by Ambassador Munoz regarding the progress made by the Committee clearly demonstrate the enormous amount of work done by the Council, its members and the Secretariat to implement the provisions of the Council's resolutions.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, allow me to warmly welcome Ambassador Jones Parry, the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations. We wish him every success in his new post, and we assure him that we wish to continue the sincere and productive cooperation enjoyed by our two delegations. We would also like to thank Ambassador Munoz, the Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), for his second oral briefing made in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1455 (2003). We also wish to thank him for the detailed and valuable information he has presented regarding the efforts made and the work undertaken by States to implement the provisions of resolutions 1267 (1999), 1333 (2000), 1390 (2002) and 1455 (2003).”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“My delegation also supports the draft presidential statement on Cote d'Ivoire now before the Security Council that the representative of France was kind enough to introduce.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“My delegation appreciates the efforts being made by countries members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), by ECOWAS forces and by France on behalf of peace. We also call on donor countries and on international financial institutions to provide the material financial and logistical assistance needed to enable the ECOWAS forces to continue to carry out their mission of ensuring peace and security in the region. My delegation reaffirms its support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for C6te d'Ivoire and for all the specialized agencies and programmes working in the region. We support their efforts to assist C6te d'Ivoire in overcoming the exceptional circumstances that have befallen it in the past few months.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“In that context, we welcome the 4 July joint statement of the Forces nationales and the Forces nouvelles in Cote d'Ivoire declaring an end to hostilities, support for the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra Agreements and loyalty to President Gbagbo and to the Government of National Reconciliation, headed by Prime Minister Diarra. The statement also expressed the resolve to implement the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme in the country. The Syrian delegation calls on all the parties to fully and expeditiously implement all provisions of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreements in order to ensure full participation and transparency in the country. We welcome the fact that Prime Minister Diarra stressed that very concept in his statement a short while ago.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“The Security Council mission recently returned from C6te d'Ivoire. Our main objective was to promote the peace process there and to ensure respect by all parties of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. We shall support all steps by the Prime Minister to implement that Agreement. We and Cote d'Ivoire, that friendly country, have recently witnessed much pain and suffering. We believe the time has come for the friendly people of Cote d'Ivoire to enjoy security and national reconciliation. We believe the peace process must move forward.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset I must express my appreciation to my neighbour, Ambassador Greenstock. I wish to add my voice to the President's observations at the start of this meeting on his role in strengthening the Security Council. Let me stress to him that we shall miss his constructive role and deep experience. It is a pleasure to warmly welcome His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Reconciliation Government in Cote d'Ivoire, Mr. Diarra. Let me express our appreciation to him for his personal efforts and those of his Government to attain peace in that friendly country. Let me also welcome the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We fully appreciate his efforts to achieve peace and national reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“I would like to stress that there should be complete equality among the six working languages on the Committee's web page. The danger of international terrorism requires the concerted effort of the members of the international community. That cooperation should not superficial or limited to a set period of time. We would like to affirm what you, Sir, said in your statement a few minutes ago. We would like to seriously examine the roots, reasons and causes of terrorism. We should diagnose the causes of terrorism in order to eradicate it. In that context, it is important to define terrorism and to distinguish between it and the right of peoples to liberation, which is a right enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. That right should be safeguarded by everyone. All measures should be taken to ensure that right.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“The Committee has pursued an open dialogue with Member States in a framework of transparency and has given assistance to those countries that have expressed the need to enhance their capacity to combat terrorism. The Committee has had real interaction with regional and subregional organizations. My delegation supports the programme of work for the next 90 days presented by the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. Syria has cooperated fully with the Committee and would like to reaffirm its willingness to continue to make every effort to carry out that programme of work in order to meet the needs of Member States. My delegation commends the Secretariat's efforts in publishing a further page concerning the CTC on the Internet.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“The CTC was able to fully meet its responsibilities in the period under review. The Committee has worked tirelessly to make progress in enhancing the capacity of Member States to harmonize their national legislation with the provisions of resolution 1373 (2001). That success is evidenced in the cooperation of Member States vis-a-vis the provisions of the resolution, and especially in the fact that the requisite reports have been provided to the Committee. Every State has now submitted its initial report; 154 States have submitted a second report; and 35 States have presented their third report. I am pleased that Syria is among the 35 countries that have submitted the third report within the time established. That is further demonstration of our seriousness in promoting the international community's efforts to combat terrorism.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic welcomes the holding of this meeting. We would like to convey our gratitude to you personally, Mr. President, in your capacity as the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), for the great efforts you have made in the last three months. We fully agree with you that the people of your friendly country have faced terrorist attacks for many years and that they have fought terrorism. All of us should make use of the lessons to be learned from your struggle against terrorism. My delegation would also like to express its gratitude to the Vice-Chairmen of the Committee, its experts, members and Secretariat staff for all their efforts to make the work of the Committee a success in the past.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“We are fully confident that the international community and the United Nations, including the Security Council, will support the people of that country in the final stage of their journey towards a brighter future.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“Solano expressed a number of views and criteria that would ensure an end to massacres and war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He indicated several responsibilities to be shouldered by the European Union to promote national reconciliation and development in that country. Syria welcomes all the steps that the European Union will undertake or has already undertaken. I thank the European Union for its interest and its continuous follow-up of the situation in that country. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is passing through a historic stage, moving from violence and conflict to peace and security, from destruction and chaos to reconstruction, justice and respect for human rights.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“The Syrian delegation welcomes the formation of a Transitional Government of national unity, which will lead the country to democratic elections, put an end to the conflict and set the country on the road to peace and development, for the benefit of a people who have so greatly suffered. We hope that the National Observatory for Human Rights and the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission will begin their work as soon as possible to unify the position of the entire Congolese people in order to preserve the welfare of the country. The Security Council has on previous occasions underlined the positive and decisive role that countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo can play in promoting the peace process and ensuring its success; Syria reaffirms that role. In his statement on behalf of the European Union, Mr.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“We support the draft resolution prepared by the Council, and look forward to adopting it as soon as possible so that a modified, strengthened MONUC can continue its work in support of the peace process and prevent it from being reversed and put an end to the actions of those factions that are trying to kill innocent children or use them as soldiers - a matter that is not admissible under international humanitarian law. Along with other members of the Council, we reaffirm that those who have perpetrated massacres and violated humanitarian laws will be punished.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“The intervention of the European Force in order to put an end to the killings in Bunia represents a new stage in promoting the pacification of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We would like to express our gratitude in particular for the role of France in this area. We should not forget the efforts made by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and the Uruguayan contingent in particular, in taking up important responsibilities at a very difficult period. We wish the Bangladesh contingent, whose main forces have begun to reach Ituri, every success in undertaking its responsibilities. Syria agrees with the Security Council's proposals and recommendations to strengthen MONUC.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“President, expressed on behalf of the Council for the success that he has achieved. We are especially pleased to welcome the presence of Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary-General and High Representative for Common Policy and Security Policy of the European Union, and we would like to express to the European Union and to him, personally, our gratitude for the efforts made to bring about peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other important areas of the world. Little time elapsed between visits of the Security Council mission to Central Africa and of Mr. Solana to the same region. The views expressed earlier by Mr. Solana with regard to achieving a final settlement of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were very similar to the Security Council mission's conclusions.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting to discuss the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are pleased to express to Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, our gratitude for his briefing, in which he contributed very important information concerning recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would also like to extend to Mr. Ngongi, the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our deepest appreciation for the efforts over the past two years to bring about peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would like to associate myself with the words of gratitude that you, Mr.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“We hope that the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Observatory for Human Rights will be able to begin their work and make it possible to put an end to such violations. The reports introduced to us today on the crimes committed during the events in Mambasa evoke outrage and horror of those who could perpetrate such crimes. 1 should like to ask Mr. Ramcharan a question. What are the local and international mechanisms and structures that might be deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to bring to justice human rights violators and the perpetrators of the massacres described in the reports before us, in light of the establishment of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Observatory for Human Rights?”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“The mission did indeed deal with these matters and, through Ambassador De La Sabliere at the head of the mission and during the course of meetings with various factions and leaders, also sent the message that the massacres in Ituri will not go unpunished. We also noted that massacres, murders, abductions, rapes and the displacement of civilian populations and families are crimes which the international community, and the Security Council in particular, simply cannot tolerate. Syria welcomes the establishment of the transitional Government incorporating the various factions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the All-Inclusive Agreement. It is our hope that this will prove to be an important step towards ending all the human rights violations in that country.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I should like to thank you, Madam, for convening this meeting of the Council to consider the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We thank Under-Secretary-General Guehenno and Mr. Ramcharan, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, for their briefings on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have now returned from our mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was intended to strengthen the peace process and to convince all of the parties, local and international alike, of the need to comply with the Lusaka and Pretoria Agreements on the establishment of peace.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“We congratulate him on the progress made during his mandate and wish him every success in his future work once he has completed his task as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kosovo.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“We must also protect vulnerable groups and women and encourage them to participate in public life, in accordance with the action plan known as "Community Proportional Representation", put forward by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Kosovo Prime Minister last year. My delegation reaffirms the need to pursue dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina regarding practical matters to be resolved, and we are pleased to note that the United Nations Office in Belgrade began its work on 1 July 2003. My delegation also supports the Secretary- General's comments in his report that the challenges faced by UNMIK must be met by working in the framework of the "standards before status" policy, as explained by Mr. Steiner. Finally, my delegation welcomes Mr. Steiner's efforts and contribution to UNMIK.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“My delegation welcomes the transfer of powers to Provisional Institutions, in accordance with chapter 5 of the Constitutional Framework, which will make it possible to strengthen the capacity of the Provisional Institutions to assume new responsibilities. The Government of Kosovo took 27 decisions in that regard during the period covered by the report, 12 of which relate to legislation. The Kosovo Assembly made great progress in forwarding legislation to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for promulgation following revision. The municipal assemblies have also made great efforts to adopt legislation, which has been slow.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic wishes to reaffirm to Mr. Steiner its deep appreciation for his efforts to obtain the release of prisoners and to restore the political process in Kosovo, which will lead to the establishment of civilian institutions there. We agree with Mr. Steiner in his assessment of the positive aspect represented by the open appeal addressed to all displaced persons in Kosovo and the hopes and objectives contained therein. My delegation expresses its satisfaction with the Secretary-General's report (S/2003/675) on the work done by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), submitted pursuant to resolution 1244 (1999), which is now before us.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We express our full support for all your efforts for the maintenance of international peace and security. We thank Ambassador Lavrov and the friendly delegation of the Russian Federation for their efforts last month to carry out the tasks of the Council. We welcome Mr. Michael Steiner. We have heard his briefing at the opening of this meeting, a very detailed and thorough statement on all aspects of the situation in Kosovo. In particular, he provided us with the details of the successes achieved during the past 18 months and of the obstacles that continue to impede full implementation of resolution 1244 (1999).”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“Oshima its great appreciation for all the sincere efforts that he has made in the service of the lofty aims of our international Organization and his admirable dedication in shouldering his responsibilities to make our world more capable of coping with the humanitarian questions and challenges it faces. We wish Mr. Oshima every success in his future endeavours.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“The Secretary-General is to be commended for presenting several reports on the plight of the victims of armed conflict and the gross violations of human rights, so that such issues can occupy a more prominent position in the deliberations of the United Nations, including in the Security Council. The growing cooperation among the various organs, agencies and departments of the United Nations is an important factor in strengthening the work of United Nations mechanisms to protect civilians in armed conflict. We welcome the current cooperation between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Finally, my delegation would like to express to Mr.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“My delegation believes that the Fourth Geneva Convention must be strictly respected in the occupied Palestinian territories, the occupied Syrian territories and all conflict zones in the world. This requires that the international community promptly apply international instruments to provide civil and legal protection under international humanitarian law and continue to apply pressure in that regard. My delegation affirms that reconciliation and justice must necessarily go hand in hand in order to deal with the root causes of conflict and prevent impunity. We wish to stress the need to prevent parties engaged in conflict from enjoying impunity.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“The most vivid example of the problem is the failure of the international community thus far to shoulder its responsibilities for the protection of the unarmed Palestinian people. The number of Palestinian victims, including women, children and the elderly, over the last two and a half years amounts to more than 2,460 martyrs and tens of thousands of wounded and disabled. This is not to speak of the practices that Mr. Oshima touched upon in his statement before the Council this morning, such as the constant closing of Palestinian towns and villages, blocking the delivery of supplies and medicines to Palestinians and preventing them from getting to hospitals and clinics. Such practices are no different from those that Israel carries out in the occupied Syrian Golan.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“We hope, in this regard, that the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the transitional multinational force led by France will continue to prevent attacks against innocent civilians. The United Nations has made significant progress in recent years in tackling this question. Much remains to be done, however, if we are to reach our desired goal, which will require the political determination and will of the international community and its institutions. Protection of civilians in armed conflict must be a top priority for the United Nations in the coming years if it is to adequately deal with the problem. The Middle East region offers the clearest example of suffering of civilians in armed conflict.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“The importance of the issue stems from the fact that the overwhelming majority of the victims of armed conflict are civilians, millions of whom have been killed during the past decade. Armed conflicts have also displaced tens of millions of civilians, including countless women and children, who have been deprived of a dignified life that is free from fear. It is regrettable that Africa continues to experience situations of armed conflict, which have devastating effects on innocent civilians. By way of example, we cite the recent suffering of innocent civilians in the Ituri region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is still fresh on our minds.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): My delegation would like to express its deep gratitude to you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We concur with what you said about how much we will regret the departure of Ambassador Traore, who has made earnest and unstinting efforts here at the Security Council and elsewhere in the maintenance of international peace and security. Our missions have enjoyed a special bond, which reflects the relations between our two fraternal countries. We wish Ambassador Traore every success in his future endeavours. My delegation would also like to thank Under- Secretary-General Oshima for the important comprehensive report that he has presented to us.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source