YouSaid · the spoken record

MERIMEE

lines on the record: 993
first: 1992-01-06
most recent: 1995-09-15
sittings or episodes: 178
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): France has followed with interest the latest developments in the situation in Liberia. It is pleased at the conclusion of the Accra Agreement, which at long last provides a glimmer of hope for peace for Liberia. France pays tribute to the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for his efforts to reconcile the factions. It hopes that the commitments undertaken by all the Liberian parties will this time be respected. It deeply regrets that the Accra talks on the setting up of the Council of State have failed, and it calls upon the parties to set up without delay this organ that is so essential for the transition.”
1995-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3489 (1995) · source
“My delegation strongly encourages the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to continue to honour their commitments, to further improve their cooperation with the Mission of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia and to continue to support the plan and the action of the Contact Group in the quest for a political solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
1995-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3487 (1995) · source
“Since then the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) have honoured their commitment to close the border with the territories of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina under Serbian control and have cooperated with the observer Mission of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia (ICFY). All the reports of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the Conference attest to this. My delegation considers that the renewal of the suspension of certain sanctions applicable to Belgrade is therefore perfectly justified. Following the conclusion of an agreement on the general cessation of hostilities, it is important to give fresh impetus to the process of negotiations on the basis of acceptance of the Contact Group's plan as a starting point.”
1995-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3487 (1995) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): The beginning of your presidency has already demonstrated that the Council is in safe hands, Sir. We are pleased, but not in the least surprised. I should like to convey my delegation's gratitude for the Rwandan presidency last month, which met all our expectations. My delegation welcomes the Council's decision to extend the suspension of certain sanctions applicable to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), which were adopted in September in resolution 943 (1994). That resolution took account of a basic change that had occurred in August, when the Belgrade authorities, which had accepted the Contact Group's plan, decided to break off political and economic relations with the Pale leadership.”
1995-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3487 (1995) · source
“During the General Assembly debate on increase in the membership of the Security Council, many Permanent Representatives stressed the need to strengthen the trust between the Security Council and the membership of the United Nations at large. Our sole objective in having made the proposals before the Council today is to reinstate the conditions for that indispensable trust. I am profoundly convinced that this objective is not beyond our reach if we make the necessary effort.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“To preserve the effectiveness of the Security Council and to avoid excessively protracted debates - which would defeat the purpose of this exercise - it would also be desirable to take measures to exhort speakers to be moderate. We have no doubt that all speakers would understand that it was in their own clear interest to practise restraint and brevity. The exercise we wish to begin is not a short-term endeavour. There is no point in acting hastily. But we must show determination if the Council is to move closer, little by little, but persistently, to a harmonious balance between public meetings and non-public consultations. We count here on the support of all delegations.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“As to the way to implement this initiative, the French delegation is open to all suggestions. We believe we should proceed without haste and should engage in experimentation. We do not think that any specific decision of the Council seems necessary, for we are merely recommending the restoration of the Council's normal practice: the rebirth of the principle of public meetings, which has never ceased, at least in writing, to be the rule. Initially, we would want each President of the Council to decide at the beginning of each monthly term to determine, through bilateral consultations, the subjects on which a public debate could be useful, and to propose a programme of such subjects to the other members of the Council.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“For example, we think that when members of the Council receive a report from the Secretary-General and conduct an exchange of views on that report, the exchange of views could be held in public. Similarly, when a Council member proposes a draft resolution, it could introduce and argue for the text in a public meeting. That is the thrust of the French aide-memoire circulated on 11 November 1994 as an official document of the General Assembly and of the Security Council. Clearly, the measures it proposes are not intended to replace other transparency measures already in place, including those set out in presidential statements of 3 May 1994 (S/PRST/1994/22) and 4 November 1994 (S/PRST/1994/62) relating to consultations with troop contributing countries, but rather to supplement them.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“It is during informal meetings that we achieve compromises that delegations initially accept ad referendum and not on the basis of instructions from the Governments. Holding such negotiations in public would obviously slow them and paralyse them. I think that is just common sense. The other possibility, which we advocate, is to restore the balance between official meetings and informal consultations. In our view, we must distinguish between, on the one hand, information, consultation and general exchanges of views - which with some exceptions could be the subject of public debate - and, on the other hand, negotiation and the drafting of texts, for which other procedures are preferable. That division, of course, is but a suggestion: in these matters we must flee any hint of the systematic. The choices are a matter of common sense.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“I should note that informal meetings are not even real Council meetings at all; they have no official existence, and are assigned no number. Yet it is in these meetings that all the Council's work is carried out. The result of this situation is strong frustration and a lack of information. There is frustration among non- members of the Council; and members of the Council have inadequate information because there are too few opportunities for debate for them to understand the general feelings of those interested in items on the Council's agenda. Two kinds of measures could deal with the drawbacks of this situation. The first - which we think would be bad - would be to make these informal meetings more public. But informal meetings are necessary as all those involved in multilateral diplomacy know.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“Our evaluation is that this uneasiness results in large part from the fact that informal consultations have become the Council's characteristic working method, while public meetings, originally the norm, are increasingly rare and increasingly devoid of content: everyone knows that when the Council goes into public meeting everything has been decided in advance. Thus, all of the Council's work takes place behind closed doors, without observers and without a written record. We think this is a dangerous departure. First of all, it runs counter to rule 48 of the Council's provisional tules of procedure, which provides that "Unless it decides otherwise, the Security Council shall meet in public". Public meetings are therefore the rule, and non-public meetings the exception.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): The French delegation did not request a discussion of Security Council working methods and of the degree to which the Council's meetings are public in order to follow fashion or to play an attractive role in the current consideration of the transparency of the Security Council. We did so because of an observation and an evaluation. Our observation was an obvious one: there is a certain uneasiness in relations between the Security Council and Members of the United Nations. I shall not dwell on this point, because everyone is aware of it.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3483 (1994) · source
“There is no intention whatever to take the place of the parties themselves, for they have primary responsibility for the political settlement of their disputes. However, the signal sent today by our Council should encourage them to continue along the path of negotiation that they have chosen. In this respect, my delegation would recall the paramount importance of holding at an early date the fourth round of inter-Tajik talks, scheduled to take place in Moscow. We earnestly hope that this meeting will yield substantive results. Finally, my delegation would like to pay tribute to the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Piriz- Ballon, whose perseverance is greatly appreciated.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3482 (1994) · source
“The agreement reached in Islamabad was a positive step, deserving of support, and the resolution just adopted concretely reflects our determination to help the parties implement it. The effective maintenance of the cessation of hostilities is essential to the continuation of the process that should lead Tajikistan to national reconciliation, to the holding of free and fair elections and to the establishment of democracy. We feel that no effort should be spared in promoting the speedy achievement of a political agreement within the framework of negotiations under United Nations auspices, with the assistance of several States in the region. Indeed, the resolution just adopted makes this progress a precondition for continued United Nations assistance to Tajikistan.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3482 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): My delegation welcomes the decision just adopted by our Council to establish, for a six-month period, a United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan to assist the Joint Commission to monitor the implementation of the Agreement of 17 September 1994. In the presidential statement of 8 November 1994 (S/PRST/1994/65) the Security Council welcomed the extension until 6 February 1995 of the Agreement on a Temporary Cease-fire and the Cessation of Other Hostile Acts - the extension agreed upon in Islamabad between the Tajik parties, and it called on the parties to pursue the goal of an overall political settlement.”
1994-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3482 (1994) · source
“It is now up to the Angolan parties, which are so close to the attainment of their goal, to make the necessary efforts to complete the process of peace and national reconciliation for the sake of their own country.”
1994-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3477 (1994) · source
“The two months given UNAVEM II will no doubt be a time of intensive activity on the ground in Angola in the quest for the attainment of the goals I have mentioned and of all the goals set forth in the resolution. Within the United Nations it will be a time for deep reflection on the possible future mandate of a new United Nations operation in Angola. In this context, towards the end of January my delegation will be awaiting the Secretary-General's recommendations, which it will of course study with the keenest attention. Not so long ago peace in Angola seemed a hard-to- reach objective, but recent developments have brought its attainment closer.”
1994-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3477 (1994) · source
“In this respect, we welcome the Secretary-General's decision to deploy UNAVEM II personnel on Angolan territory if conditions make it possible to do so. In this connection, the Secretary-General quite rightly recalled in his report an idea that is reflected in the resolution we have just adopted - namely, that the Angolans were the principal architects of peace in Angola. This means in particular that the Angolan parties should strive fully, resolutely and definitively to comply with the cease-fire agreed to on 22 November. This tangible sign of their commitment to peace has always been the condition on which the deployment of United Nations personnel is based. The parties should remember this in their future efforts to pursue and consolidate the cessation of hostilities and compliance with the cease-fire.”
1994-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3477 (1994) · source
“It is just as necessary to put an end to the 19 years of war in Angola, during which the civilian population has suffered most. For this encouraging progress towards peace in Angola my delegation wishes to thank and offer heartfelt congratulations to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Maitre Blondin Beye, whose persistence, accompanied and supported by his unflagging enthusiasm, has had a great impact on the events of recent weeks. We should also like to congratulate the three observer States for their work, as well as the other participants in the peace process in Angola. The United Nations must forge ahead in Angola and accompany the Angolan people in its quest for peace and national harmony.”
1994-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3477 (1994) · source
“Since the adoption of our previous resolution, on 27 October, very important events have taken place in Angola - primarily, of course, the initialling on 31 October and, in particular, the signing on 20 November of the Lusaka Protocol by the Government of Angola and UNITA. This very important, detailed agreement, which took a long time to negotiate, should make an important contribution to the establishment of lasting peace in Angola, as well as to national reconciliation. The meeting in Luanda of the Joint Commission that is to monitor the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol is also an encouraging sign. To sum up, since the signing of the Lusaka Protocol a lasting political settlement of the Angolan conflict seems to be attainable.”
1994-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3477 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): Once more we have renewed the mandate of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM ID) in its current form. My delegation voted in favour of resolution 966 (1994), which extended the mandate for a period of two months - until 8 February 1995. We are happy that this was done in the presence of the Minister for External Relations of Angola, Mr. Venancio De Moura, whom we welcome. I said "Once more", but recent developments in Angola enable one to say that this extension of the mandate of UNAVEM II is different from previous extensions.”
1994-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3477 (1994) · source
“France has consistently condemned the actions conducted by the militias in the camps to dissuade refugees from returning. However, it is clear that in order to counteract the harmful influence of those militias, which are guilty of the worst atrocities in Rwanda, trust must be fully restored in Rwanda. It is also essential that the Security Council act promptly and take the necessary decisions to resolve the security question in the camps. The implementation of these two points - restoration of trust in Rwanda and security in the refugee camps - will make it possible for the international community to continue to commit itself fully to a settlement of the Rwandese crisis by promoting the repatriation of the refugees, which is an indispensable prelude to the reconciliation of all Rwandese.”
1994-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3473 (1994) · source
“However, it is clear that the national reconciliation of all Rwandese does not depend solely on financial resources provided to the Government of Rwanda. We note in this regard that in his report the Secretary-General himself stresses, "While the lack of financial resources has been a major factor in impeding activities towards national reconciliation, there are some reasons to believe that the Government could do more, even within its meagre resources, to ensure that all Rwandese are part of the political process." (S/1994/1344, para. 9) We hope this appeal will be heeded. By the same token, we encourage the new Rwandese Government to step up its cooperation with UNAMIR so that the latter can very soon start broadcasting messages to encourage the refugees to return.”
1994-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3473 (1994) · source
“As emphasized by the Secretary-General in his report on UNAMIR, we find encouraging the statements made by the new Rwandese authorities to reassure expatriate Rwandese and to persuade them to return home. My Government hopes these efforts will be stepped up and that a just solution will be found for the question of the these refugees' recovery of the property they left in Rwanda when they fled to neighbouring countries. We are aware that the Kigali Government has an extremely difficult situation to face today and _ that assistance from the international community is necessary to help them rebuild their country. For this reason my country has decided, together with its partners in the European Union, that a large amount of aid will be furnished to Rwanda without delay.”
1994-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3473 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): France voted in favour of the resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) until 9 June 1995. It believes that the maintenance of the United Nations operation in Rwanda is necessary to enable the country to regain stability. For us the operation is also an indispensable guarantee for the return of Rwandese refugees and their reintegration into their country. We also welcome the deployment in the country of human rights observers, the number of which is to be increased to 150 by the end of the year. France intends to take an active part in that work, which should help to restore trust among refugees who have already returned to Rwanda.”
1994-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3473 (1994) · source
“France is participating in UNMIH through the provision of police and gendarmes. A contingent is already in place. France is prepared to make its contribution to the rebirth of this country. In addition to the usual economic and technical assistance, it is willing to help to rebuild its institutions and its legal system - prerequisites for the establishment of a state of law and political stability. A comprehensive programme of cooperation has been undertaken, and missions are visiting Haiti for this purpose with a view to supporting the efforts of the Government and of the international community.”
1994-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3470 (1994) · source
“Because of its concern that this should be prepared for in the best possible conditions my delegation voted in favour of the resolution, by which it is decided to strengthen the advance team of UNMIH. Special emphasis should be placed on the training of the police and on the preparations for free and regular legislative elections. My delegation wishes to recall the importance that we attach to this point in time, which is a crucial moment in the political life of Haiti and in the restoration of democracy. The United Nations should step up _ its preparations for the holding of this poll, and the Haitian Government should undertake without delay the measures that are within its competence. France is prepared to provide assistance with the arrangements for the elections.”
1994-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3470 (1994) · source
“Violence, a daily occurrence prior to the intervention, has declined considerably, and while, owing to the persistent unrest, it is too early to see the establishment of a safe and stable environment in the provinces where the Multinational Force is not present, it cannot be denied that significant progress has been made in that direction. I should like once again to pay a tribute to the leaders and participants of the Multinational Force. In this favourable context, my delegation believes that thought should be given, here and now, to the transition period and to the replacement of the multinational force by the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).”
1994-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3470 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): Since the intervention of the Multinational Force in Haiti in peaceful conditions, which we sincerely welcome, the situation in Haiti has steadily improved. As stipulated in the Governors Island Agreement, President Aristide has returned to his country. He has initiated a genuine policy of national reconciliation and has designated a Prime Minister appreciated by all sectors of Haitian society. Mr. Smark Michel, in turn, has formed an open Government determined to implement a pragmatic programme to rebuild the country's institutions and economy. Human rights today are better respected.”
1994-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3470 (1994) · source
“The task was by no means an easy one, and our resolution recording the independence of Palau should therefore be regarded as something more than a routine step.”
1994-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3455 (1994) · source
“This formula reduces to the minimum the budgetary implications of its continued operation, whose cost will henceforth be negligible for the Organization, without there being any need to contemplate any modification of its status, thus not closing any doors for the future. Consequently, we should think twice before recommending that the Charter be amended to terminate the legal existence of that body. The Trusteeship Council thus remains an instrument that the international community could resort to if necessary. The work of the Trusteeship Council represents a considerable success by the United Nations: all the Territories placed under the Trusteeship System are now complete masters of their destinies.”
1994-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3455 (1994) · source
“Your thanks must also go to the Administering Power, the United States of America, for having successfully carried out the mandate entrusted to it, which comes to an end with the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the United States. The date of its entry into force, 1 October 1994, is historic for another reason: with Palau's accession to independence, the Trusteeship Council has successfully completed the task entrusted to it under the Charter of the United Nations with respect to those Territories placed under the Trusteeship System following the Second World War. This is why, during its session last May, it adopted an amendment to its rules of procedure under which it no longer needs to meet regularly.”
1994-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3455 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France) (interpretation from French): Since France is currently serving as President of the Trusteeship Council, it is a special pleasure for me to welcome the adoption by the Security Council of the resolution recording the accession of the Republic of Palau to independence. This resolution is the final necessary step to mark the end of the Trusteeship System's applicability to Palau. On this occasion, I should like to extend to the Government and people of Palau our best wishes for every success in their first undertakings as an independent State. In particular, it is my hope that the Republic of Palau will shortly be joining us as the youngest Member of the United Nations.”
1994-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3455 (1994) · source
“They certainly do not justify the resumption of hostilities we have noted recently. For these reasons, my Government will spare no effort to oppose the trends which could emerge in favour of a military solution. It will devote all its energy to consolidating and developing the results achieved through the diplomatic process. It is convinced that our Council will give its full support to the efforts under way and to the pursuit of the political process.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“Croatia, the obligatory transit point for the shipment of weapons to Bosnia and Herzegovina, would be in a position to impose, for example, political conditions on the destination of the weapons. Finally, the Bosnian Serbs, for their part, would put an end to any chance for dialogue. The increase in radicalism that would follow would close the way to a political settlement, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in Croatia. Circumstances in no way justify lifting the arms embargo, at a time when the military situation is stabilized, or at least was until these last few days, when the Contact Group is actively pursuing its efforts, when new pressures are being exerted on the Bosnian Serbs and finally when negotiations are under way with regard to the zones protected by the United Nations in Croatia.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“Such a measure would inevitably imply a withdrawal of UNPROFOR, which would have to be carried out before the actual lifting of the embargo. I recall, moreover, that the Force was deployed within the context of the establishment of the embargo on weapons. The elimination of that embargo would inevitably affect the very conditions that allowed for the deployment of UNPROFOR. The withdrawal of the Force would mean the end of assistance and of protection for many peoples. Moreover, a lifting of the embargo on weapons for Bosnia and Herzegovina would intensify tensions between the communities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the countries which emerged from the former Yugoslavia. It would indeed be very difficult to avoid counter-claims. We note that Slovenia has already made such a claim.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“The proposals for lifting the embargo on arms to be delivered to the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, even if deferred for six months, would, still more surely, have the same consequences. First, the continuation of the diplomatic efforts would be jeopardized. One cannot indeed simultaneously follow a logic of war and a logic of peace. Once the Council's decisions were known, the parties would be preparing for war. Then UNPROFOR would be exposed to the consequences of offensive military action and reprisals. It would be taken hostage, its security would be jeopardized, and it would be rendered useless. The numerous declarations of the protagonists on the ground leave no doubt on this subject - such would be the chain of events that would be triggered.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“Recent actions by the forces of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croat-Bosniac Federation, in particular in the area of Bihac and around Sarajevo, if they were to continue, could lead to an escalation, the result of which would be unclear but the political consequences of which would be clear: a halt to the diplomatic process, and the eventual withdrawal of UNPROFOR, which would be prevented from exercising its mandate, and whose security would be threatened. For this reason, we strongly appeal to the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the other parties involved to cease hostilities and to refrain from fresh military offensives.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“For this reason, efforts are continuing within the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia and the Contact Group. In this regard, it is essential to maintain a unified and resolute line of action and to enjoy the support of the international community. However, while the political process is continuing and pressure is being exerted on the Bosnian Serbs, we cannot, unfortunately, fail to note the tendency towards seeking a military solution.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“With respect to the Bosnian Serbs, there are two ways we can bring them to accept the Contact Group's plan: on the one hand, through continued strict political and economic isolation, which will intensify the pressure that is already being exerted on them as a result of the gradual depletion of existing stocks; and on the other hand, through confirmation of the fact that the various communities will enjoy equal rights with regard to the constitution, subject to the preservation of the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will deprive the extremist Serbs of the arguments they are using now to deceive their population and reject our proposals on the ground that they are being subjected to unfair treatment. There is a need to consolidate and build upon the results obtained through the diplomatic process.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“In this regard, we expect Belgrade to recognize Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, to continue its support for the plan of the Contact Group, to continue to have no political and economic relations with the Bosnian Serbs, and to approve the plan of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, which will be put before the parties as a basis for a political solution in Croatia.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“From this point of view, the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), by pursuing its mission, often in very difficult conditions, has created the environment needed in the search for a peaceful solution, by working tirelessly for the conclusion and control of cease-fire and disengagement agreements. It has also played an inestimable role in supplying humanitarian assistance to populations without which the non-combatants would not have been able to survive. It has well earned its name of "Protection Force". Let us not forget that UNPROFOR has saved hundreds of thousands of human lives. We pay tribute to its work. The international community will now be pursuing its efforts to overcome the obstinacy of those who have rejected the peace plan and to encourage those who have approved it to work towards an overall settlement.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“A series of high-level exchanges between Zagreb and Belgrade began last week at the prompting of the co-Chairmen. Such contacts, if pursued in good faith, may be decisive. There cannot indeed be a lasting settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina without an agreement in Croatia. The recognition of each other by Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) is the key to a political solution to the two conflicts. The results obtained must be assessed in the light of what, today, would be the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina if the international community had not manifested its resolve in Sarajevo, its will to achieve a cessation of the hostilities and its determination to promote a peaceful solution.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“It was accepted by the Government and the President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina - to whom we are grateful - and by Croatia and Serbia. Only the Bosnian Serbs have, thus far, rejected it. The reversal of the authorities in Belgrade has been reflected in a break in the political and economic relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Bosnian Serbs on whom resolution 942 (1994) imposed severe sanctions. In fact the self- proclaimed authorities of Pale are now in total isolation. At the same time, the negotiations on a modus vivendi in Croatia are continuing and a plan for a political settlement is being prepared within the framework of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“Mr. Merimee (France)(interpretation from French): Today the Council is once again debating the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is, however, doing so in a new context. Indeed, in recent months the peace efforts have led to significant results that we need to consolidate and enhance. After the European Union's plan of action laid down the parameters of a political agreement a year ago, and following the turning points in the conflict created by the Sarajevo ultimatum and the formation of the Croat- Bosniac Federation, the establishment of a Contact Group made it possible to unite the diplomatic efforts of the European Union, the United States and the Russian Federation. The peace plan presented to the parties by the Contact Group obtained the support of the international community.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3454 (1994) · source
“We should like to express in advance our full confidence in the judges and personnel that will be entrusted with carrying out this formidable but essential task on our behalf.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3453 (1994) · source
“The International Law Commission has drafted the statute for this new body and it will now be up to the General Assembly and to States to take the necessary measures to ensure that this important project comes to fruition in the very near future. In our view, it is only because such a court does not exist that the Security Council has had to make use of its powers to establish a first and then a second ad hoc international tribunal. This initiative on the part of the organ entrusted with the maintenance of peace was legitimate and indispensable. It can also provide international penal experience which will be useful for the establishment of the future permanent court.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3453 (1994) · source
“This magistrate should be appointed very quickly, so that the Prosecutor's Office can have someone with sufficient knowledge of the language and the cultural context of this region of Africa. Concerning the interpretation of certain provisions of the statute, the French delegation wishes to refer to the statement in explanation of vote which it made when resolution 827 (1993), dealing with the establishment of the Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, was adopted. The interpretative comments made at that time remain valid for my delegation in the case now before us. In conclusion, I hope that the judgement of such cases in the future will fall within the competence of a permanent international criminal court established by treaty.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3453 (1994) · source
“Concerning the structure of the Tribunal, the means envisaged are to a great extent the same as those available to the Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, in particular concerning the Appeals Chamber and the Office of the Prosecutor. This should allow these two elements of the Tribunal to function more economically and more harmoniously. This should also allow this new jurisdiction to start work very quickly, since Judge Goldstone, who will have the initiative in undertaking prosecutions of the perpetrators of criminal acts in Rwanda, has already assumed his duties. We note with satisfaction that the statute mentions that there will be a special deputy for Rwandan affairs.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3453 (1994) · source
“The choice of this time period makes it possible to take into account possible acts of planning and preparation of genocide which took place beginning on 6 April this year. It also makes it possible for the Tribunal to hear cases involving serious infractions which continued to be committed after July 1994 on the territory of Rwanda and on the territory of neighbouring States - first and foremost in the refugee camps. It goes without saying that if major infractions, together with violations of humanitarian law, were repeated after the end of 1994, the Security Council would be entitled to extend the Tribunal's competence beyond the time period envisaged at present.”
1994-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3453 (1994) · source