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

“A vital role should also be played by the international donor bodies and organizations, whose assistance in the reconstruction in Africa is of great importance. As a member of the Security Council, Syria has sought to focus close attention on the problems facing Africa. Syria has called upon the international community in the past, and calls upon it today, to spare no effort to put an end to the conflicts ravaging numerous African States. We earnestly hope that, together, we will manage to fulfil the promise we made to Africa to help it to overcome its difficulties and continue to enrich human civilization and human progress.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Experience has shown that we need to deal with African conflicts holistically and on a broad regional basis, given the fact that most neighbouring States are involved in the causes of the conflicts and need to be involved in the solutions. In this regard, we welcome the significant role played by the leaders of the African States to organize and mediate meetings with the goal of settling conflicts peacefully and of rebuilding mutual confidence and relations among States. We reaffirm the need to deal with the root causes of conflict in Africa. We greatly appreciate the importance of the work of the Council's Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and the need to put its recommendations into effect.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“It also supports the efforts being made by the Union to settle conflicts in Africa. We acknowledge in particular the role of the presidency of the African Union, South Africa, in this regard. We also welcome regional and subregional efforts to resolve conflicts in the States of that continent, especially the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States, as well as those of other regional organizations, such as the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Syria calls upon the international community to enhance the material capabilities of African regional organizations so that they can effectively discharge their mandates.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“In this regard, we hope that the two forthcoming Council missions to Central and West Africa will be able to discharge the mandates assigned to them so that the desired results can be achieved. Direct meetings between the members of the two missions and the leaders of about 12 States suffering from, or directly or indirectly involved in, such conflicts will be beneficial. The leaders of those States and the leaders of rival organizations must heed the call of the international community to end all forms of destruction and to all hostilities. This will be especially beneficial if accompanied by a firm stance with regard to those who circumvent the resolutions of international legitimacy or are reluctant to implement such resolutions. Syria welcomed the establishment of the African Union and the start of work by its subsidiary bodies.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The Economic and Social Council has also made a significant effort, and we must not forget the very important role played by Secretary-General Kofi Annan personally or through his special envoys and personal representatives in the region, to try to reconcile differing points of view and put an end to conflict and military confrontation with a view to enabling the parties to implement the accords arrived at and the resolutions of the Council. Despite such measures to resolve conflict and build peace, we believe that the international effort must be given further impetus. The Security Council recently dispatched missions to several States, including in southern Africa, East Africa and the Great Lakes region. The positive results of those missions have been reflected in the subsequent development of events.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“In recent years, the Security Council has spared no effort in trying to tackle the crises that have engulfed certain African countries. In an attempt to deal with these crises, the Council has established 12 missions to support or establish peace in various States on that continent. The Council's adoption this morning of a resolution to dispatch a multinational emergency force to the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is further evidence of its active follow-up of the developments in the countries of that continent. Such attention on the part of the Council can be placed within the context of interest shown by the other bodies of the United Nations. The General Assembly has made a notable effort, in particular by adopting the New Partnership for Africa's Development.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Some of those conflicts have been raging for many years and have had unprecedented repercussions at the political, security, economic, social and humanitarian levels. Peace and security for the continent and its States are long overdue; Africa should no longer be punished for its rich endowment with natural resources and for its racial and ethnic diversity. In spite of efforts made at a number of levels to resolve the problems faced by Africa, the desired results have not been achieved. We would like from the outset to reaffirm our belief that the international community should pay greater attention to Africa and should make a concerted effort to assist it in its development and to rehabilitate it after the destruction of the past few decades.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Africa represents the conscience of the world and its promising future. Africa stands for purity; it is the symbol of giving. On its vast land numerous races have come together, and through the determined efforts of its peoples it has helped to enrich the human heritage. On the basis of that understanding, my delegation extends its profound gratitude to you, Mr. President, and to your brotherly delegation, for having convened this important meeting. We would also like to thank Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, for his important statement. We are deeply saddened to see a number of the States of Africa plagued by conflicts, many of which have been imposed upon them.”
2003-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4766Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Along with other States members of the Security Council, Syria attempted to effect fundamental amendments to the draft resolution that were designed to give the United Nations a central role in Iraq and to ensure that the Iraqi people would enjoy the wealth of its country and the speediest possible end to the occupation of its land. "Syria's vote in favour of the resolution is in conformity with its ongoing desire for unity within the Security Council, which we believe to be the fundamental framework for the maintenance of international legitimacy." I wish the position of Syria that I have just read and its implications for the resolution we adopted this out to be reflected in the official records of the Security morning. Council. At a later stage, I shall convey to the . . . . . The meetin rose at 5.30 .m.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762Resumption1 (2003) · source
“On the basis of the interest of the Government and people of Syria to improve the conditions of our brothers, the Iraqi people, we believed that we were compelled to vote in favour of the resolution despite our conviction that it fails to rise to the expectations and aspirations of the Iraqi people for their country to be a sovereign and united land and nation, enjoying their natural resources and playing an effective role in both the Arab and the international arenas. "Syria's vote in favour of the resolution can in no way be interpreted as a change in its position of rejecting the war against Iraq as illegitimate. We cannot imagine how the United Nations could legitimize foreign occupation.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): It is my pleasure to convey to you once again, Sir, our deep appreciation for all the efforts you have made and the serious work you have undertaken over the past few days. Allow me to explain to you and to the members of the Security Council the decision of the Syrian Arab Republic with respect to resolution 1483 (2003), adopted by the Security Council this morning. We would have voted in favour of the resolution had we been granted the additional time for deliberation before the voting that we requested on more than one occasion. I shall now read out our explanation of vote: "For many years, Syria has called for the sanctions imposed on the Iraqi people to be lifted and for the mitigation of the consequences of the unjust embargo, including malnutrition and the lack of medicines.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Kastberg about the rate of enrolment of students in elementary and secondary schools. The looting that took place in Iraq has led to veritable disasters in that aspect, in particular in the elementary and secondary schools and in the universities, which were thoroughly looted. What percentage of students have gone back to school, and what is required of the international community and of the oil for food programme to meet the basic requirements for restoring the educational system to an acceptable level - a level that would ensure that future Iraqi generations will not lose a whole school year as a result of these developments?”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762 (2003) · source
“We must not forget them, given the fact that the news we have received through the media is a cause for grave concern. We reaffirm anew that there is a need to follow up on this humanitarian question with all the attention it deserves. I have two brief questions for Mr. Nabarro and Mr. Kastberg. Of course, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization (WHO) are directly supervising the supply of medical and foodstuffs to Iraq under resolution 1472 (2003). What is their assessment of what has been delivered to Iraq to date? What are the bases for the choice of foodstuffs and medical supplies, and what priority is being given to their delivery to Iraq? We would like to know that in order to be able to increase the contributions we can make or that we can encourage through our membership in the Council. I have a question for Mr.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762 (2003) · source
“Carol Bellamy, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), living with the people of Iraq and the children of Iraq in the difficult circumstances they face. We are confident that these efforts, supported by the United Nations specialized agencies and humanitarian agencies worldwide, will lead to the alleviation of the plight of that people. We pay tribute to Ms. Bellamy and to all the other specialized agencies that have effectively contributed to the alleviation of the suffering of the Iraqi people. In this meeting we have among us the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and we would like to make reference to the tragic situation of the Kuwaiti prisoners of war and missing persons.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762 (2003) · source
“We believe that it is necessary to make every effort to deal with those issues, because, failing that, it will be impossible to achieve the other objectives set, as was eloquently pointed by the representatives of the specialized agencies and the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. As is well known, the Syrian Arab Republic has sent a great deal of humanitarian relief supplies, including medicine and foodstuffs, to the Iraqi people through the specialized agencies. We are confident that the contributions made by the people of Syria to their Iraqi brethren will increase in the coming days. Among the things that have greatly impressed us as Arabs has been seeing Ms.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762 (2003) · source
“I should like also to thank the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General for their prompt actions in dealing with that disaster - as if the Arab region did not already have enough disasters to deal with. The Syrian Arab Republic has made every effort to cooperate with the United Nations agencies represented here today in order to address the severe humanitarian crisis affecting the people of Iraq. We have acceded to all the requests they made. In particular, as I said earlier, we share their grave concern vis-a-vis the lack of security and of law and order in that country.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset, Sir, to express to you our appreciation for convening this meeting. Our particular appreciation goes also to the Deputy Secretary-General and to Mr. Malloch Brown, Mr. Morris, Mr. Nabarro, Mr. Kastberg and Mr. Kellenberger. We listened very attentively to their briefings, and I should like to reiterate to them all that we share their concerns. We strongly support them in their efforts. Before I continue, I should like to reiterate the condolences expressed by Ms. Frechette to the brotherly people of Algeria, who are facing a veritable catastrophe as a result of the earthquake.”
2003-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4762 (2003) · source
“We believe that the country status report on the Millennium Development Goals that Timor-Leste is to submit to the United Nations during its celebration of independence in May will allow the international community and the donor community to continue to help that country consolidate progress and development.”
2003-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4744 (2003) · source
“My delegation therefore supports the Secretary- General's recommendation that the mandate of UNMISET be extended for a further year, until 20 May 2004. The developments in the political situation in Timor-Leste, as described in the report, reflect developments at all levels, in particular those in its relationship with Indonesia, which is based on the political commitment of the two parties. It deserves our support and admiration. We hope that these positive developments will continue, leading to the settlement of all outstanding issues between the two parties. Finally, I should like to reiterate the importance of providing the financial resources necessary to ensure the economic and political development of Timor-Leste. Such resources will be based on the generosity of the donors.”
2003-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4744 (2003) · source
“The Secretary-General's report of 3 March highlighted those obstacles, in particular a series of incidents affecting security that were most alarming and which led to adjustments to the downsizing plan for UNMISET to allow the Mission to accomplish its mandated tasks within this changed environment. The Security Council assumed its responsibilities in unanimously adopting resolution 1473 (2003), by which it established measures to adjust the downsizing of the Mission's police component and supported a revised schedule for the downsizing of the military component. In so doing, the Council showed its resolve to continue to provide all necessary assistance for the success and long-term development of Timor-Leste.”
2003-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4744 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to thank the Secretary- General most sincerely for having submitted his report on the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET). We welcome Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNMISET. We thank him for having introduced and exhaustively summarized the report. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations. The essential role of the international community in ensuring independence and peace in Timor-Leste makes the Security Council's responsibility a dual and particularly onerous one. The efforts to consolidate Timor-Leste's independence demonstrate that those made to ensure security, development and progress there, despite all the obstacles, are indeed succeeding.”
2003-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4744 (2003) · source
“We should not take money from their pockets in order to feed them. International funds have to be used. Does the WFP now have the necessary funds to meet the new needs created by the war?”
2003-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4736 (2003) · source
“We are closely watching the role played by the World Food Programme (WFP) within the framework of the oil-for- food programme. I think that it has played a very constructive role. I believe Mr. Morris will agree with me when I say that the situation has changed since the war in Iraq began. We believe that there is a new role for the WFP and humanitarian agencies to play, which would be separate from the role of the oil-for-food programme. That is because the oil-for-food programme was limited to meeting the needs of the Iraqi people during a specific period of time and in a very specific situation. But now, everything has changed. There is a war. That war must be governed by the Geneva Conventions, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention. We believe that we should not use the Iraqi people's own funds to assist them.”
2003-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4736 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to join preceding speakers in welcoming Mr. Morris and to express my satisfaction at his very informative briefing. This is one of the most urgent and important of issues and is one to which the Security Council has not devoted enough time. As Ambassador Greenstock mentioned, there are certain limits to the responsibilities of the Security Council. This issue relates to the responsibility of States and, as Ambassador Schumacher of Germany said, to good governance. However, despite those limitations, I think that this issue is very important. It deserves further consideration so that we can clarify the role that the Council could play in resolving this important problem. At the start of his presentation, Mr. Morris mentioned the timely issue of Iraq.”
2003-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4736 (2003) · source
“I am sorry that the representative of Israel attempted to torpedo the occasion; however, he has failed in that effort. I would emphasize that Syria will continue to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We believe that the only solution is for those people to return to their homes, then there would be no terrorism. There would be no acts of violence, as some call them. We say that those Palestinians have the right to express their hopes and aspirations. They have the right to defend their dignity and protect their rights. It is not the duty of Syria or of any other party to oppress or silence the Palestinians, as Israel wishes. The Palestinians have the right to express themselves under human rights principles and international law. Israel is wrong once again if it believes that Syria can disregard the Palestinians' right to self-expression. In conclusion, I must return to the purpose of this meeting. I should like once again to congratulate Ambassador Greenstock on all his achievements.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“However, Israel has resisted international legitimacy and continues to defy it. In brief, because of the formal nature of this occasion, I should merely like to say that last year alone, more than 2,600 innocent Palestinians were killed by the Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. The Palestinians have done nothing during the past three months, at least, while Israel for its part, during the same period, has killed 300 Palestinians in cold blood without justification. Yesterday alone Israel killed seven innocent Palestinian civilians. I ask the Council: who is the terrorist? I would repeat: Palestinians living in Syria are victims of Israeli terrorism. They have been displaced by force from their homes and villages and towns.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“However, he has not and will not succeed, because, as everyone knows, what takes place in the occupied Arab territories is a result of Israeli terrorism and Israel's continuing occupation and unprecedented oppression of the Palestinian people and its aspirations to dignity and self-determination. Even more astonishing, the representative of Israel points a finger of accusation and names and shames, so to speak, other parties. This is laughable indeed. It would seem that the representative of Israel to the United Nations is again ignorant, and to date, seems not to be aware that this particular Security Council has adopted dozens of resolutions that accuse and condemn Israel itself. The United Nations and the Security Council have named and shamed and condemned Israel in dozens of resolutions.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“A full camp of innocent people is a closed military zone, and the school is used for detention and harassment. The press release goes on the state that UNRWA Commissioner-General Peter Hansen called the occupation of the Agency's school 'a violation of international legal norms' and called on the Israeli authorities 'to leave UNRWA's school and allow UNRWA access to its other facilities in the Tulkarem camp so that essential services can be restored to the refugees."' Is this not terrorism, by definition? Have other aggressors, except perhaps during the Second World War, committed similar acts? Now the representative of Israel points a finger of accusation at others. Once again, if this is not terrorism, what is it then? The representative of Israel has tried to portray the butcher as victim.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The briefing cited a press release issued by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which reads, in part, as follows: "In the early morning on 2 April, Israeli military forces broke into and occupied a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) girls' school in Tulkarem refugee camp in the West Bank, and proceeded to use the school as a detention centre for male residents of the camp between the ages of 15 and 40. The Agency strongly protests this flagrant violation of United Nations privileges and immunities and the continuing denial of UNRWA's access to the school and the camp as a whole, which has been declared a closed military zone."(PAL/]940).”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“In the manner of a bankrupt merchant, he came back to his old, tattered account books to dig up a number of lies and to fulfil the role entrusted to him to deceive and mislead the Security Council and distract it from its true task of combating terrorism - terrorism that is perpetrated by his Government and army in the occupied territory. Yesterday's daily press briefing by the United Nations Department of Public Information to journalists attests to this.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We met today for two purposes. The first is to honour Sir Jeremy Greenstock and express how much we respect the efforts he has made now that the Chairmanship of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) is passing to Ambassador Arias. The second was a quick overview of the CTC's achievements and tasks for the next stage to come. However, the Israeli representative, who made his statement just before the morning meeting adjourned, did not respect the occasion or the reason why we met.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We must once again emphasize that we should be cautious and refrain from making accusations against specific faiths or nationalities. Terrorism is not exclusive to any religion or nationality; it makes no distinction between East and West and is a global threat that must be combated everywhere it occurs. The Syrian Arab Republic calls for further effective international cooperation within the United Nations and in keeping with the principles and purposes of the Charter and established norms of international law and treaties. Such cooperation is needed to stem the tide of international terrorism, which is plaguing the world, in all its forms and manifestations.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“For progress to be achieved, international terrorism needs to be confronted and combated within the framework of international legality, the United Nations Charter and international law, while maintaining full respect for human rights, the civil and political rights of the individual, and without compromising these rights under the pretext of combating terrorism. In closing, we must reaffirm, in no uncertain terms and without any ambiguity, that we should not undermine those who are defending their occupied territories and desist from labelling them as terrorists. Resisting foreign occupation is a legitimate act, guaranteed under international norms and treaties. This act of resistance is quite different from despicable acts of terrorism, which we categorically condemn and view as absolutely criminal.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“Also, we welcome the composition of the new membership of the Bureau, and we support the next suggested 90-day plan of work, which runs from 1 April 2003 to 30 June 2003. The Syrian delegation reaffirms its intention to spare no effort in order to carry out the plan of action so as to meet the aspirations of all United Nations members. Here we would like to place on record that the active role of the Syrian Arab Republic within the work of the CTC during the past period will continue in the forthcoming period. As all are aware, Syria has been fully cooperative with the CTC in submitting the required reports. Building a solid legislative foundation for combating terrorism is essential, especially at the international, regional, subregional and national levels.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“Credit is due to him for acquainting the international community with the machinery and work of the Committee and for creating interactive cooperation between the CTC and international, regional and subregional organizations, as demonstrated at the successful Special Meeting convened by the CTC last month. As we bid a fond farewell to Ambassador Greenstock in his term as Chairman of the CTC, having successfully fulfilled his mandate, we welcome Ambassador Inocencio Arias, the Permanent Representative of Spain, as he assumes his new function as CTC Chairman. We trust that he will fulfil this mandate successfully. My delegation pledges its full cooperation with him, as we had done with Ambassador Greenstock.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“My delegation would like to take this opportunity to express its deep appreciation to the Committee's Chairman, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock, his Vice-Chairmen, other members of the CTC and the experts, who exerted immense efforts to examine and discuss States' reports. We would also like to thank the Secretariat for its effective contribution to the success of the CTC's work. Today we would like to pay special tribute to the contributions of Ambassador Greenstock, who chaired the CTC over the past 18 months. He showed great diplomatic skill, ability and robust work. Sir Jeremy paid attention to the most minute details, culminating with the current status of the Committee.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“In the course of that period, the CTC worked intensely and achieved substantive success in alerting United Nations Member States and in enhancing their capacity to bring their national legislations into line with the provisions and requirements of resolution 1373 (2001) and to combat international terrorism. Evidence of this success is demonstrated in the interaction between Member States and the CTC, and in the number of reports the CTC has received, now in excess of 340, for the first and second stages, in addition to a good number of reports submitted for the third stage. The CTC has been able to create an open and transparent dialogue with States and has managed to provide assistance to those States who have sought such assistance in order to enhance their capacity in combating terrorism.”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): We wish to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption to the presidency of the Security Council for the current month, and we wish you success. We pledge our full cooperation, and we thank you for convening this meeting. We express our appreciation for the efforts made by your predecessor, the Ambassador of Guinea, for his successful stewardship of the Council last month. Today we are meeting, one and a half years after the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).”
2003-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4734 (2003) · source
“We also express our appreciation for the Peace Monitoring Group's contribution to the peace process and thank the regional donors for supporting the peace process. We encourage them to provide their assistance in the future. Finally, we wish to join the Secretary-General in expressing appreciation to Mr. Noel Sinclair and the members of his team, who are working hard to assist in achieving peace and stability in Bougainville.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“We also hope to complete the other measures, including the elections that are to be held prior to the end of the year, and establishing an autonomous Government by the end of its mandate. We had hoped that the report would have more details about the exit strategy, the time frame for this strategy and the succeeding stages in the implementation of the mandate of the Office. On the other hand, we wish to express our appreciation for the commitment by the new Government of Papua New Guinea to implementing the Peace Agreement, particularly the signature of a memorandum of understanding between the National Government and the parties in Bougainville, which have established a mechanism for consultation. We share the Secretary-General's view that the establishment of that mechanism is an indication of the confidence between the two parties.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“With respect to the constitutional process, we would like to express our optimism at the preparation of the draft Constitution for Bougainville. We hope that the second draft will soon be discussed, with the hope that internal consultations will be carried out easily and quickly. We agree with the report that no constituent assembly can be established before verifying the completion of stage II of weapons disposal. We believe that the report is realistic in its description of the process in Bougainville. Although the Office mandate's final objective - to verify that weapons collected in stage II are in secured containers under the supervision of the Office - is not fully realized, it has been effective.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“The delay in completing stage II of the weapons disposal was a source of concern because it prevented any progress in the establishment of an autonomous government in Bougainville and the implementation of the referendum among the population of Bougainville on their political future. Despite reports of enhanced efforts for concluding this stage, only 80 per cent of it was completed. As well, Francis Ona and the Me'ekamui Defence Force belonging to him have not yet participated in the peace process. We hope that appeals, initiatives and communications directed at him will convince him to join the process. We also hope that those contacts will allow us to get a clear commitment that no measure or policy that could hinder the Peace Agreement will be pursued.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset to express our wholehearted thanks to the Secretary-General for his report on the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOB) and to thank Mr. Danilo Tiirk, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, for this morning's briefing on recent developments on the ground. It gives us pleasure to welcome among us the Permanent Representative of the friendly nation of Papua New Guinea and to express to him personally and to his Government our gratitude for the important information that he provided to us on recent developments in Bougainville and on the positive cooperation of the Government of Papua New Guinea with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.”
2003-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4728 (2003) · source
“We therefore urge all donors to continue to provide constant assistance to enable that country to move beyond the current phase of reconstruction and to help the Government in its efforts to ensure the implementation of its national development plan.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“We also support the revised strategy for the police component and believe that, pursuant to the report, there is a need for another year to ensure further progress before the Timor-Leste police is able to tackle all its responsibilities. We feel that this is a wise and well-rounded idea. We should also like to express our gratitude for the ongoing cooperation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia to which the report refers. We await the delimitation of the border, scheduled to be completed by June. In discussing progress in Timor-Leste, we must refer to the importance of the economic factor in development and of the provision of necessary resources to ensure economic and social development.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“The Secretary-General's report - the second submitted since Timor-Leste's accession to independence - is of special importance in its reference to certain key issues. In the military and security context in particular, it refers to concerns over the security situation in that country. We share the Secretary-General's concerns in that regard. The report's conclusions and recommendations on adjusting the Mission's plans are therefore especially important. In this connection, we particularly support the Secretary-General's request regarding adjustments to the Mission and the downsizing of its personnel. We support the revised military strategy to adjust the military component and to implement a simplified two- phase programme for the redeployment of personnel, to conclude in May 2004.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): I should like at the outset most particularly to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor. We also wish to thank Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his briefing on the report and on the latest developments in the situation in Timor-Leste. The international community has played an important role in ensuring peace and stability in Timor- Leste. We are all duty-bound to preserve our achievements. Developments over the past three years have shown that the path on which that country has embarked has led to even greater success and will guarantee its development, progress and independence.”
2003-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4715 (2003) · source
“Guehenno say that the security situation in Afghanistan remains fragile and that the security environment has not been what we would have all wished for. Naturally, we believe that there is a connection between what Mr. Guehenno has said and the facts presented by Mr. Braun and Mr. Nishimura. We think that, for us to be able to undertake Mr. Braun's and Mr. Nishimura's ambitious programmes, we must take into account the comments made by Mr. Guehenno. We believe that the DDR process will be lengthy and that therefore we must link the reconstruction efforts with the demobilization process. How do Mr. Nishimura and Mr. Braun intend to bridge the gap between reconstruction and demobilization on the one hand and the security situation on the other?”
2003-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4711 (2003) · source
“Mr. Mekdad (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me at the outset, Sir, to express my heartfelt condolences to the Governments of Afghanistan and of Pakistan with respect to the air crash that killed the Afghan Minister for Mines and Industry as well as several Pakistani officials. We would like to welcome among us Mr. Guehenno, Ambassador Nishimura and Ambassador Braun, and we thank them all for their important briefings. Mr. Guehenno briefed us on the general security situation in Afghanistan, and Mr. Braun on the re-establishment of the civil police. We thank them for the detailed information they provided in this regard. Likewise, we would like also to thank Mr. Nishimura, who described the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme in Afghanistan. In brief, we have a comment and a question. We heard Mr.”
2003-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4711 (2003) · source