YouSaid · the spoken record

Menan

lines on the record: 687
first: 2012-01-11
most recent: 2013-12-18
sittings or episodes: 97
sources: un-security-council

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“The situation in the Middle East The President (spoke in French): Under rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the Syrian Arab Republic to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2012/77, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Bahrain, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.”
2012-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6711 (2012) · source
“As this is the first meeting of the Council for the month of February 2012, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Baso Sangqu, Permanent Representative of South Africa, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of January 2012. I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Sangqu and his delegation for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council's business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted.”
2012-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6711 (2012) · source
“Nevertheless, so as to ensure that peace and the inclusive dialogue we are hoping to see remain possible, the Syrian opposition must stand by its initial approach of achieving democracy without Violence. Togo believes that the endeavours of the Arab League should be supported and that it should be encouraged to make greater efforts to bring about a rapprochement between the Syrian regime and the opposition, with a View to enabling direct negotiations. Such negotiations should be held under the auspices of the Arab League and with the support of the United Nations, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the crisis and thereby averting the potential civil war that looms on the horizon.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“This body, which is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, must be able to engage in honest and heartfelt discussions so as to arrive at the best way to help Syria find a way out of the difficult situation facing its people, a situation that the delegation of Togo believes has gone on for far too long. However, at this stage it is imperative that the violence stop. The Council must speak with a unified voice, leaving aside narrow interests, and launch an urgent appeal to the Syrian authorities to stop the spiral of violence. Togo believes it is now utterly clear that we must not put in the same category acts of violence perpetrated by the Government and those of protesters.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“That is why Togo is concerned about the likelihood of the implementation of the League of Arab States' far-reaching road map, elaborated in the framework of Chapter VI of the Charter. Could the Security Council not take action on this initiative - the outcome of the efforts of a regional organization authorized to propose ways of ending the crisis - without being accused of supporting the violence? On the other hand, could the Council, given the current situation, call upon the President of Syria to step down, without being accused of supporting one of the parties to the conflict?”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“The League of Arab States has proposed a road map that includes the formation of a Government of national unity with the essential goal of preparing and convening general and presidential elections in the country in the near future. President Bashar al-Assad would transfer his mandate to the Vice-President, who would work with a Prime Minister elected by consensus and who would manage the transitional Government. The implementation of the road map presupposes an end to the violence and engagement in honest, open and inclusive dialogue. However, this all depends on the goodwill of the Syria authorities in its implementation. Unfortunately, we have seen that the current Government is not prepared to step down, much less take part in the transition process as recommended by the road map.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“Until recently, we spoke of protesters with bare hands; today they have become a rebellion, having begun to take up arms. Faced with such a situation, it is hardly surprising that the mission of the League of Arab States did not achieve the expected results and that the mission itself had to be suspended. My country deplores the fact that the members of the mission were unable to conduct their work freely and without hindrance. Even worse, the violence continued while the mission was still on the ground. Togo condemns the violence, murders, kidnappings, extrajudicial executions, rapes and violations of human rights that have been perpetrated in Syria. My country calls on the Syrian Government to put an end to the violence, lift the siege of certain neighbourhoods or cities, and order the military and its tanks to return to their barracks.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): Allow me to thank the Chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Syria of the League of Arab States, His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, as well as the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, for their briefings to the Council, as well as for the praiseworthy efforts that they continue to undertake to bring peace to Syria. Since mid-March 2011, Syria has experienced a serious crisis, with adverse impacts on neighbouring countries that are hosting thousands of refugees. The observer mission to Syria, deployed by the League of Arab States on 26 December 2011, sought to put an end to the repression of protesters and to bring all forms of violence, whatever their source, to a halt. Unfortunately, the violence, far from being rooted out, continues.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“To that end, my country welcomes the ongoing cooperation among the Economic Community of West African States, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa in the context of combating those new threats to peace and security in the region. By acting together, the international community can overcome organized crime in the Sahel. Togo firmly believes that the Security Council should play a decisive role to that end in the coming months. Togo also supports the draft press statement that the French delegation has proposed to the Council.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“The efforts of the United Nations should also address the human rights component and urge Governments to fully respect such rights in combating insecurity and terrorism. The States of the region are making great individual efforts to deal with the situation. Strengthening the capacity of security personnel, increasing border controls and other targeted measures are part of that committed struggle. However, Togo believes that regional and international cooperation should be one of the effective tools for combating the situation. The ease with which criminals and other highway bandits communicate and move from one country to another requires the establishment of multifaceted cooperation in order to make it possible for the various initiatives undertaken to achieve the anticipated goals.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“In the View of the delegation of Togo, all those issues require prompt action to prevent the Sahel region from sinking into complete insecurity, which would be very damaging to its development. In that regard, the recommendations made by the assessment team to prevent the spread of conflicts, the destabilization of States and worsening humanitarian problems deserve close attention. In that regard, the international community should provide economic and financial support to the countries of the region and help them to develop economic and social reintegration programmes. It is generally recognized that when States face serious insecurity issues, respect for human rights takes second place.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“The return of migrant workers to their countries and provinces of origin completely impoverished, people fleeing the fighting, refugees in neighbouring countries and the freer movement of all types of weapons in the region are new challenges now facing the Sahel countries and the entire region. One such challenge remaining is the population growth of countries, which has a direct consequence on housing, schooling and the availability of farmland. To that, one can add the terrorist acts of the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and Boko Haram, as well as increased transnational organized crime. Together, those challenges put political pressure on Governments and have a direct and dangerous impact on the peace, security and stability in the countries concerned.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“While the leaders of the region took bold measures to combat that scourge, the Libyan crisis arose and exacerbated the situation. The true impact of that crisis has been clearly established by the assessment team, since it identified several sectors that have suffered, such as the political, security, humanitarian and development spheres. In short, all the foundations of the State have been affected. In addition to the foregoing issues are the already chronic and recurrent problems of the region, such as drought, famine and malnutrition. The Libyan crisis has therefore exacerbated the region's problems.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): The Togolese delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his timely initiative to dispatch an assessment mission on the impact of the Libyan crisis on the Sahel region. It welcomes the report (S/2012/42) of the mission that Mr. Lynn Pascoe has just presented. The inter-agency composition of the mission demonstrates the importance that the United Nations attaches to the topic under consideration in the context of regional and international peace and security. Over the past two decades, the once stable Sahel region has become an area where insecurity is rife owing to acts of terrorism and trafficking in drugs, weapons, goods and humans - in short, all the elements of organized crime. Since the region borders West Africa, the scourge has rapidly spread there.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“The Security Council should continue to seek a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Of course, it is difficult to agree on this issue within the Council, but the Council's responsibility under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security requires that it bring sufficient pressure to bear on the two sides to ensure that they negotiate in good faith so as to come to a definitive solution to the conflict, which has pitted these two sides against each other for too long. It is undeniable that the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a just and sustainable manner will have positive repercussions for peace and security throughout the Middle East.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“Togo, which has good relations with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, believes that there can be no peace without negotiations carried out in good faith by the two parties. My country's position has always been for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, living side by side with Israel in peace and security within secure and internationally recognized borders. I also wish to urge our friends in Israel and Palestine to encourage and support the peace process. Along those lines, all acts inciting violence, from either side, must end. Israel must also be recognized by all Palestinian parties as a partner and interlocutor with whom they must negotiate. The Quartet, which is the facilitator of these negotiations, must also be the guarantor of the application on the ground of the outcome of the negotiations.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“The recent initiative of Jordan to host a meeting of representatives of the Quartet and Israeli and Palestinian negotiators is part of the efforts for the resumption of the negotiations, which have been suspended since September 2010. This is why dialogue must always be encouraged, for we know that the progress obtained in the region, albeit limited, was possible only thanks to negotiations. Togo reiterates its support to the Quartet and calls on the two parties to overcome their differences and to bear in mind the interests of their peoples and the future of the region as they engage in direct negotiations with the objective of reaching a definitive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“Against that grim background, we can welcome some positive acts, such as the release of several hundred Palestinian prisoners and of the Israeli soldier, Shalit. Also, the decision to resume transferring the customs and tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, which were frozen after the vote in UNESCO, and the willingness demonstrated by the two parties to resume direct negotiations, as called for by the Quartet in its statement of 23 September 2011 (see SG/2178), should be welcomed. On that last point, Togo would like to note once again the remarkable work by the envoys of the Quartet and its representative, Mr. Tony Blair, who, in the framework of the three cycles of separate meetings, prepared parties for direct negotiations.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“In the Gaza Strip, the situation continues to be difficult due to the blockade, which, in the view of Togo, should be lifted. The issue of refugees in Palestinian camps also continues to be a source of great concern and raises the issue of respect for human rights. That is why we hailed the praiseworthy work undertaken by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and call upon the international community to continue to provide it with substantial material and financial support, as recently expressed in its appeal for funding. On the other hand, rocket fire on Israel and the taking of extremist positions, which lead to reprisals, must end, so as to create conditions conducive to sustained discussions between the two parties.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“The lack of trust between the parties, above all the absence of political will, and the pressure of national public opinion are in part at the root of the stagnating situation. At a time when the Palestinian Authority is carrying out efforts to garner international recognition of Palestine with a view to the creation of a State of that name, diplomacy has not yet produced the desired results on the ground, even as the international community continues to rest its hope for a lasting peace based on the principle of land for peace. Moreover, the announcement in the last quarter of 2011 of new settlements and the approval on 27 November 2011 of a plan for the construction of a hundred housing units in Shilo in the West Bank are hardly conducive to lasting peace in the region.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): The situation in the Middle East, at the core of which is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, retains the attention of the Security Council, which today is devoting a public debate to the topic. I would like to congratulate the South African presidency for giving the Council, once again, the opportunity to take up this issue, which is of concern to the Council and to the delegation of Togo. I would also like to thank the Assistant Secretary- General, Mr. Fernandez-Taranco, for his briefing. The peace process between Israel and Palestine continues to experience difficulties. There has been little progress on the ground. Unfortunately, acts of violence continue to be perpetrated by both sides.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“Togo welcomes the adoption of measures by the United Nations on the protection of civilians and children in armed conflict. The Security Council should also encourage better international cooperation in the promotion of the rule of law and justice, and assist countries - developing countries in particular - in ensuring that those principles are anchored in their daily lives.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“While it is the State that can most readily enforce the law and ensure its primacy in times of peace, challenges remain to civic well-being in conflict and post-conflict societies. It is therefore important during the reconstruction phase for a viable and credible justice system to be established in order to promote respect for human rights, national reconciliation, peace and stability. We feel that such a system should be able to integrate reparations and punitive justice, while incorporating national sociological values and traditional mechanisms prevent, manage and settle conflicts. In conclusion, Togo reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law and transitional justice, and believes that the Security Council should continue to play its role in promoting and coordinating efforts in this area.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“It has established a fully active truth, justice and reconciliation commission, which seeks to shed light on acts of violence perpetrated in the country's past, identify victims and ensure reparations in the context of national reconciliation. My country also welcomes the gradual establishment of international and ad hoc tribunals, the International Court of Justice in particular, that have promoted number of positive developments. The perpetrators of serious Violations of human rights and international law who, for any reason, cannot be tried in their own countries must be referred to those courts. Ideally, however, alleged perpetrators would be held accountable for their actions before national courts.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“However, to do that, justice must operate with equality and independently on the basis of the strength of the law and not the law of force. There must be equal justice for all. It must be accessible to all, without any impediment linked to social rank, ethnic origin, culture or religion. Justice for all must be encouraged, in particular in post- conflict countries, because a lack of justice and the prevalence of impunity undoubtedly fuel cycles of vengeance and violence. My country therefore welcomes the fact that the Secretary-General's report on the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict 12-2096] and post-conflict societies (S/2011/634*) is focused on access to justice for all. The Government of Togo has undertaken broad reform of its justice system to ensure respect for the rights of all citizens.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“The preamble to Togo's basic law therefore clearly recognizes the primacy of international law and affirms that the State must be founded only on relevant international legal principles and instruments. Furthermore, my country believes that the best way to promote justice and the rule of law is to ensure that the conduct of all national political stakeholders, as well as the international community, is anchored in the principles of law, and that the violation of such principles be punished in line with established norms. That is why Togo believes that no crime committed during armed conflict should ever go unpunished, including genocide, rape, gender-based violence and violence against children. It is also undeniable that the perpetrators of such crimes must be punished in accordance with the national law of each country.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“Peace and respect for the law are therefore interlinked, while respect for the rule of law is a prerequisite for peace and security, guaranteeing human rights and combating impunity. I would briefly like to underscore the fact that the role of the International Court of Justice takes on particular importance in that regard. The Court has intervened in situations where a peaceful settlement has not been achieved. In that way, the Court contributes to the maintenance of peace and security and to the promotion of justice and the rule of law. It is also undeniable that international law is beneficial and effective only if it is implemented at the national level. That is why Togo thought that the functioning of its institutions should be based, first and foremost, on respect for justice and the rule of law.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): Today's Security Council open debate on the issue of justice and the rule of law has great significance for our delegation. Togo would like to congratulate your presidency, Sir, for having organized it, and thanks the Secretary-General for his report (S/20121/634*) and his presentation. As part of this debate, my delegation would like to make the following remarks. Renouncing the use of force is a fundamental principle of the United Nations, even if the requirements of collective security and the right to 12-2096] self-defence limit its scope. From the outset, it is worth recalling that essential principle at a time when we note that force seems to be the choice for achieving justice, to the detriment of the peaceful settlement of conflicts.”
2012-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6705 (2012) · source
“Togo believes that the countries of the Horn of Africa should overcome their differences and pool their efforts with a view to freeing neighbouring Somalia from the tyranny of interest groups and to allow the subregion as a whole to enjoy peace, security and stability. I would like to conclude by briefly referring to the humanitarian situation, which, although tragic a few weeks ago, has improved gradually thanks to the action taken by humanitarian organizations and to the aid provided by several countries, which Togo welcomes. Protection and support for refugees should continue to be of major concern for the United Nations.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“We feel that it is important to point out that the support provided to the Transitional Federal Government authorities to tackle such criminal acts should not only be focused on material means, but also on capacity-building and judicial assistance in order to make it possible to prosecute the pirates who have been arrested. It is clear that all the sacrifices made by AMISOM's soldiers, all the hardships experienced by the Somali people and all the material and financial commitments made by the international community will only be rewarded by peace in Somalia if the measures taken by the Security Council are upheld by all States. Violations prevent a swift settlement of the matter, which would only worsen the hardship felt by the Somali population.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“It is encouraging to note that the United Nations has become very much involved in that fight by cooperating closely with such international organizations as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In the course of the twenty- seventh session of its biennial Assembly, on 30 November 2011, the IMO adopted a resolution on piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia. By doing so, the IMO renewed the commitment of its members to effectively continue the combat that scourge with a view to eliminating it entirely, while at the same time respecting international law. But it also called upon countries whose ships are flying their flag to adopt precautionary measures to help prevent attacks and to provide security for ships.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“The fight against piracy should be merciless, as the success of that phenomenon in Somalia is being emulated elsewhere, in particular in the Gulf of Guinea. The fight should be coordinated. Any assistance provided to the countries of the subregion in patrolling their coastlines must effectively confront the pirates. In that context, Togo welcomes the dynamic steps taken by the European Union, NATO and Combined Task Force 151, a multinational coalition naval force, which have reduced the number of attacks on and seizures of ships. Togo reiterates its support for the relevant Security Council resolutions on the issue of piracy and invites the States of the region to join forces with the international community, not only to hunt down the pirates but also, most important, to cut off their means of support.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“troops, which could reach a strength of 17,000. Togo welcomes the conclusions of the meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held on 5 January, in which formal recommendations were made to expand the force as a necessary step towards improving the security situation in Somalia and achieving peace and reconciliation by implementing the Kampala Accord and the Mogadishu road map. The fight against insecurity in the world is being waged, as evidenced by the measures currently under consideration by the Security Council. Nevertheless, insecurity on the high seas persists. Although the frequency of acts of piracy has diminished to some extent, several ships and dozens of hostages remain in the hands of pirates.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Somalis are being targeted by Al-Shabaab in other regions of the country. In that regard, we are pleased that the countries deploying troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as other countries of the region, agreed to continue joint planning activities in order to develop options for tying together all ongoing military operations in Somalia into a coordinated and coherent effort against Al-Shabaab, as well as to extend the authority of the Transitional Federal Government beyond the capital. The execution of that ambitious plan, in a country where weapons are in wide circulation and can be bought for next to nothing, requires troops and additional resources. That is why the African Union Peace and Security Council is justified in requesting that the Security Council increase the number of AMISOM.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Obviously, that success is also contingent on the provision of sustained and meaningful financial support by the international community. While the future seems promising for Somalia, the present still remains a cause for deep concern in terms of the security situation. In his report, the Secretary-General confirms that the capital city of Mogadishu, which is now controlled almost entirely by the Transitional Federal Government, is not safe from indiscriminate attacks carried out by armed elements and former Al-Shabaab fighters wearing Transitional Federal Government uniforms. Suicide attacks are terrorizing the population and justify the deployment of additional troops to control the 16 districts of the capital. However, Mogadishu is obviously not the only city in Somalia.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Togo welcomes the fact that Somalia is truly a central concern of the Security Council, which last year held several meetings and adopted a number of resolutions on issues related to that country. The situation in Somalia, which has long been unstable, has recently been taking a positive turn in the political, security and humanitarian assistance areas, as detailed in the most recent report of the Secretary- General, issued on 9 December 2011 (S/2011/759). My country welcomes the adoption, by the Transitional Federal Institutions, of the road map for ending the Somali transition by 20 August. The success of that comprehensive programme depends on the willingness of the various political actors to work together. My country urges them to do so.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to congratulate South Africa on having assumed the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January, as well as to welcome you, Madam Minister, as you lead the Council in its discussions today. I also wish to thank your country for having organized this meeting, in which representatives of the African Union and countries of the subregion are taking part, specifically Kenya and Uganda. I welcome the presence of their distinguished representatives in the Chamber. Finally, I wish to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union for their briefings.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source