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1997-01-10

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2005-10-13

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un-security-council

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1. “I was particularly happy to hear the representative of Tajikistan state here today that genuine civil peace and concord is irreversible. The international community - in particular, the United Nations - has been on hand to help the parties reach this stage and will continue to do so by offering its assistance towards implementing and consolidating peace in Tajikistan. The Security Council today extends the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan for six months and authorizes an increase in its strength, as recommended by the Secretary-General, in order to carry out the tasks attributed to that United Nations mission. Like others, however, we remain concerned that the security situation is not yet under control, thereby threatening UNMOT and other international personnel as they carry out their activities.”

   1997-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3833 (1997) · source

2. “According to the latest report of the Secretary-General, there has been progress in the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan. This is welcome news. It is particularly important to note that the Commission on National Reconciliation, on which both the Government of Tajikistan and the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) are represented, has now been convened on Tajik soil and has begun its work in earnest. Other important steps have been taken, which have de-escalated tensions and allowed the return of refugees. There is no substitute for commitment and hard work by the parties to make peace. We encourage both the Government and the UT 0 actively to continue their efforts to implement fully the General Agreement.”

   1997-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3833 (1997) · source

3. “We hope this clear message from the Council will finally be understood in Baghdad, so that a new path of true cooperation with the Security Council will be opened. We want the Iraqi nation to regain its full role within the international community and the Iraqi people to see an end to their suffering.”

   1997-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3831 (1997) · source

4. “Nobody should forget why ultimately we are here, confronted with another crisis with Iraq - one more such crisis since 1990. Iraq faces sanctions imposed by the Security Council because Iraq violated international law by invading another country. The United Nations has no quarrel with the Iraqi people. Nor is it the aim of the United Nations to question Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is in the hands of the Government of Iraq to bring an end to these sanctions. The only way they can be lifted is through Iraq's full compliance with the resolutions of the Security Council. They can be lifted soon, provided Iraq cooperates fully, honestly and unconditionally with UNSCOM.”

   1997-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3831 (1997) · source

5. “Portugal has supported all diplomatic efforts developed to make the Iraqi authorities understand the need to rescind their unacceptable decision and comply unconditionally with their obligations. We welcomed in particular the initiative taken by the Secretary-General in sending personal representatives all the way to Baghdad to try to convey this message directly to the Iraqi Government. Unfortunately, we have not seen any positive results. This draft resolution is therefore the necessary next step. The additional sanctions foreseen are sharply targeted in order not to impose further suffering on the Iraqi population, which has made many sacrifices, or on neighbouring countries. They are designed to affect those Iraqi officials and members of the Iraqi armed forces who are responsible for Iraq's non-compliance with its obligations.”

   1997-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3831 (1997) · source

6. “The present draft resolution, which we have joined in sponsoring, is the logical outcome of previous decisions taken by the Council since June. Then, the Council sent a clear message of warning to the Government of Iraq by adopting unanimously resolution 1115 (1997). By that resolution the Council called upon Iraq to cooperate fully with the Special Commission or face additional sanctions. On 29 October, the Council, once again unanimously, through the voice of its President, made a strong statement of condemnation of the decision of the Government of Iraq in attempting to dictate the terms of its cooperation with the Special Commission. The Council also warned of the serious consequences of Iraq's failure to comply immediately and fully with its obligations.”

   1997-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3831 (1997) · source

7. “Portugal deeply regrets this serious crisis, which was provoked by the Iraqi challenge to the authority of the Security Council. The obstacles repeatedly raised by the Iraqi authorities in the last months to the work of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) are unacceptable. The Special Commission is an arm of the Security Council, with the duty to conduct inspections on its behalf. Challenging UNSCOM. is challenging the Council is challenging the United Nations. That is intolerable. Also intolerable is the decision announced by Iraq on 29 October and the Iraqi behaviour since then: the conditions Iraq has sought to impose on UNSCOM operations; its refusal to accept members of the Special Commission on grounds of their nationality; the removal of equipment; the threats against aircraft in the service of the United Nations.”

   1997-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3831 (1997) · source

8. “We urge the Government of Angola and UNITA to reaffirm in practical and positive steps their commitment to national reconciliation and peace. The future of the Angolan people is at stake.”

   1997-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3827 (1997) · source

9. “Unfortunately, UNITA, despite some positive actions and promises, has not taken those concrete and irreversible steps, and the international community, through the Security Council, has to act accordingly. We hope that UNITA will understand the message that is being sent by the Council. The measures that will go into force tomorrow are not an end in themselves. They are aimed at achieving the objectives shared by all those who wish to see peace take root in Angola; and, let me stress once more, these objectives were freely accepted by the signatories of the "Acordos de Paz" and the Lusaka Protocol. The Council is clearly ready to review these measures in the light of meaningful and irreversible progress on the ground, but it is equally ready to consider additional measures, if needed.”

   1997-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3827 (1997) · source

10. “The very slow pace of the demilitarization of UNITA and the slow-down of the extension of State administration into the areas controlled by UNITA following the adoption of resolution 1130 (1997), as reported by the Secretary- General, are of particular concern to Portugal. The Security Council gave UNITA two grace periods - 60 days - in which it had the time and the opportunity to move positively and decisively towards fulfilling its obligations and the terms of the "Acordos de Paz", the Lusaka Protocol and the relevant resolutions of the Council. In adopting resolution 1127 (1997), the Council sent a clear and unambiguous message to UNITA: take concrete and irreversible steps towards a successful conclusion of the peace process.”

    1997-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3827 (1997) · source

11. “Portugal fully supports the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), until 30 January 1998. It endorses the recommendation of the Secretary-General to postpone the withdrawal of the United Nations military component until the end of November, taking into account the situation on the ground. The peace process in Angola has reached a mature phase, but it is clearly not yet irreversible. Indeed, we are in a process, but we have not yet achieved the peace. The draft resolution before us has been designed to work towards that goal, and we urge its full implementation. We deeply regret that significant progress has not been made in the remaining key tasks of the peace process.”

    1997-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3827 (1997) · source

12. “Nothing less than full cooperation by Iraq with the Special Commission will enable it to fulfil its task. We agree with those who say that what is most important is to have access to the truth. The cooperation of Iraq is fundamental in this regard. The Council shall give UNSCOM. and Ambassador Butler all the latitude he deems necessary, in accordance with the resolutions of the Council concerning the work of the Special Commission, to establish the most adequate means to achieve its goals. For these reasons, the draft resolution before us is, in our View, the most appropriate response of the Council in the present circumstances. It sends a clear message to Iraq: Let UNSCOM. proceed with its task. Let it find the truth. Let the Commission accomplish its mission. Cooperate fully with it so that sanctions may finally be lifted.”

    1997-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3826 (1997) · source

13. “The work of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) is fundamental to achieving the goals that the Council established in adopting resolution 687 (1991). Full cooperation on the part of the Iraqi authorities is essential to this process. The Security Council must be consistent in its decisions. We cannot forget why resolution 1115 (1997) was adopted last June. The Council must take a firm stand in order to send a clear signal that it cannot tolerate further incidents, such as those reported by the Executive Chairman of the Special Commission, which prevent UNSCOM. from carrying out its mission. We acknowledge that Iraq has been offering some degree of cooperation to UNSCOM. lately. But, at the same time, obstruction of UNSCOM. inspections has continued. This is unacceptable.”

    1997-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3826 (1997) · source

14. “Now, UNITA is in a position to benefit from the fruits of political power-sharing and national reconciliation. The seeds of war must be definitively relegated to the past. The Angolan people fully deserve this. We hope that this time UNITA's leadership will be able to understand that there is no better alternative to peace, democracy and progress, and that it will act accordingly. The international community expects no less from UNITA.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

15. “Portugal also supports the Secretary-General's proposal to further postpone the withdrawal of the United Nations military units from Angola and to retain in the country up to 2,650 military personnel until the end of October 1997, taking into account the situation on the ground and the wish expressed by the Government of Angola to maintain in the country a sizeable United Nations presence until the demobilization process is over. Portugal will maintain its participation in MONUA, providing the missions medical unit as well as military and civilian police observers. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the Security Council is giving UNITA another opportunity to abide by the obligations it freely accepted in 1991 and in 1994.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

16. “UNITA has to understand that its current behaviour left the Security Council without other credible options besides the one of imposing additional sanctions. These have been designed to stimulate UNITA to move in the right direction. We want UNIT A back in the peace process. We do not want to exclude UNITA from it. Portugal still hopes, as do other members of the Council, that on 30 September the sanctions will not have to enter into force. That would mean that UNITA's leadership had fully understood the message we are sending today.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

17. “The National Assembly approved a special status for the President of UNITA as the Leader of the Largest Opposition Party, but Dr. Savimbi still refuses to meet President Eduardo Dos Santos in Luanda. This is a crucial moment in the peace process in Angola. It requires positive and decisive steps from UNITA's leadership, instead of the repetition of the usual tactics of last-minute, half-hearted concessions on the eve of Security Council deliberations. These tactics are unacceptable, unwanted and unjustifiable. The international community has been clearly asking UNITA to abide by its own commitments. Procrastination is no longer a viable replacement for genuine national reconciliation and a lasting peace in Angola.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

18. “The President of the Security Council stated afterwards that this Protocol and the 1991 peace accords should lay the foundation for lasting peace in Angola. The current situation in Angola seems to be a paradox, although not an innocent one. On the one hand, UNITA participates in the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation, its deputies have participated in the activities of the National Assembly, and some of its generals and other senior officers, as well as about 1,000 troops, have been incorporated into the Angolan Armed Forces. But on the other hand, UNITA clearly has been trying to keep a shadow army, its propaganda machine has been working against the peace process, and, last but not least, UNITA has been able to prevent the extension of the State administration throughout the country.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

19. “In 1992 UNITA refused to accept the results of the elections in Angola, even after the Security Council endorsed the statement by the Secretary-General's Special Representative that the election had been generally free and fair and called upon UNITA to respect its results. The Angolan people was then denied the opportunity of seeing its internal conflict put to an end through democratic elections, without there having to be winners or losers on the battlefield. The most devastating war Angola has ever experienced ensued. Two years later, UNITA was offered another opportunity to get back on the road to peace. The Lusaka Protocol, signed on 20 November 1994, brought to the peace process the concept of political power-sharing, which had not been foreseen by the agreement signed in 1991.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

20. “We have to bear in mind that between the signing of the "Acordos de Paz" on 31 May 1991 and the end of 1996, the Security Council adopted 21 resolutions directly related to the situation in Angola. In addition, the President of the Security Council issued 25 statements on the same subject. To complete the picture, I would like to underline the fact that in 1997 this body has already adopted four resolutions and issued three presidential statements on this same matter. In a way, this statistical exercise also reveals the unrelenting persistence of obstacles to the full implementation of the peace process in Angola, due in particular to the recurrent lack of compliance by UN ITA with the obligations it freely undertook in the "Acordos de Paz" and in the Lusaka Protocol.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

21. “And he concludes that it is obvious that the current state of affairs is mainly the result of delays by UNITA in implementing its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol. The Secretary-General also indicates that the complete demilitarization of UNITA, the restoration of State administration throughout the country, the transformation of radio VORGAN into a non-partisan station, and the true transformation of UNITA into a political party are imperatives for the implementation of the peace process. Portugal, as an observer of the peace process, fully agrees with this position. The international community has been following very closely all the vicissitudes of the peace process in Angola. Patience and persistence are probably the key words if one wants to understand the work of the Security Council regarding this situation.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

22. “Portugal associates itself with the statement made by the representative of the presidency of the European Union. The preambular part of the draft resolution before the Security Council deplores the failure of UNITA to comply with its obligations under the "Acordos de Paz", the Lusaka Protocol and relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular, resolution 1118 (1997). The draft resolution also declares that the resulting situation in Angola constitutes a threat to international peace and security in the region. In his first progress report on the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), the Secretary- General notes that the progress achieved in Angola during the previous two and a half years is being severely undermined by persistent tensions throughout the country.”

    1997-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3814 (1997) · source

23. “I would like to pay tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, to the UNSMIH personnel and to their Governments, for the positive roles they have played and to the United States and Canada for their crucial role in ensuring the success of the Mission so far.”

    1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source

24. “My delegation will therefore vote in favour of the draft resolution before us today on the creation of a new Mission in Haiti, and we consider that the maintenance of a United Nations presence for a period of four months, until 30 November 1997, is of the utmost importance. We look forward to the Secretary-General's recommendations on the nature of a subsequent international presence in Haiti, in the fields of public security and judicial reform, as well as in monitoring human rights, as called for in the draft resolution before us today. Vitally important to the country's stability is a sustained long-term effort on the part of the international community.”

    1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source

25. “Had UNSMIH not been there, the situation would undoubtedly be far worse. It is very significant in this respect that despite their differences, the Haitian authorities and the main political leaders have requested the maintenance of the United Nations presence in that country. In fact, a self-sustained and fully functioning police force is essential in order to ensure a secure and stable environment, economic rehabilitation and the consolidation of democracy in Haiti. We concur with the conclusions of the Secretary- General's report that, so far, the Haitian National Police has not reached the level of professionalization required to tackle successfully the problems in fields such as criminal investigation, narcotics and crowd control, among others.”

    1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source

26. “Portugal agrees with the assessment of the political and the security situation in Haiti made by the Secretary-General in his latest report. Indeed, despite some progress, the situation in the country remains fragile, both in political and economic fields. The continued support of the international community remains vital for the political stability and economic development of Haiti. Without it, it would be much more difficult for the Haitian people to build a society based on the rule of law and respect for human rights. We also believe that the international presence in Haiti, and the United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) in particular, has been extremely important, specifically by assisting the Government to form a public force respectful of legality and by helping to consolidate the transition to democracy.”

    1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source

27. “After investing so heavily in peace for Angola - MONUA will be the fourth United Nations operation there - the United Nations should stay the course, which is hopefully nearing its destination. Recent developments in the area have underlined the importance of peace and national reconciliation in Angola for stability and security in the wider region. The international community, in the interest of security in the region, must therefore support the conclusion of the peace process in Angola. The establishment of MONUA is an important step in that direction.”

    1997-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3795 (1997) · source

28. “We have also pledged funds to the International Organization for Migration for demobilization and social reintegration programmes and urge other countries to contribute as well. MONUA can play a vital role in enhancing confidence and creating an atmosphere of trust, which is needed to pave the way for democratic consolidation, including the rule of law, and the economic rehabilitation of the country. My country will continue to intensify its bilateral programmes of cooperation with the Government of Angola. With regard to the military aspects of this follow-on operation, we share the Secretary-General's View that the pace of withdrawal of United Nations military forces on the ground must be dictated by the situation in Angola and the progress in consolidating peace rather than by external budgetary constraints.”

    1997-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3795 (1997) · source

29. “The same could certainly be said about their constructive cooperation within the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation. We urge them to continue to follow this pattern. The different components of MONUA will play a crucial role in this important stage of the peace process. In particular, the monitoring of human rights and humanitarian aspects will have a long-term effect on the type of post-war society that will emerge in Angola. In this context, we fully support the strengthening of the police component of MONUA as well as its political assistance for promotion of tolerance and national reconciliation. Portugal will be participating fully in MONUA, as it will be providing the Mission's medical unit as well as military and civilian police observers.”

    1997-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3795 (1997) · source

30. “On the other hand, the Angolans must get the message that they must seize this opportunity to consolidate peace. A return to war will not be tolerated by the international community. We hope that the long-awaited meeting inside Angola between President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos and Mr. Jonas Savimbi will take place as soon as possible. My delegation believes that this meeting will contribute decisively to the completion of the remaining political and military aspects of the peace process. Despite the ongoing tensions in north-east Angola, the manner in which both the Government and UNITA leadership have been dealing with each other shows that they may have learned something from bitter experience about the virtues of restraint and dialogue.”

    1997-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3795 (1997) · source

31. “My delegation would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to the exemplary efforts of Maitre Beye and the staff of UNAVEM. III, whose diligence and patience have overcome countless obstacles, including that most difficult one to conquer - despair that there will ever be peace. The United Nations should be justly proud of the work that UNAVEM. III has done in Angola in support of peace and national reconciliation. Certain things, however, remain to be done, and problems do persist. As the Secretary-General points out in his report, the road towards lasting peace in Angola remains a difficult one. Portugal believes that the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) is the right response to the current situation in Angola. It will permit the United Nations to remain engaged in the process, which is still fragile.”

    1997-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3795 (1997) · source

32. “Portugal associates itself with the statement made this morning by the representative of the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Portugal shares the positive assessment of the peace process in Angola contained in the Secretary-General's report. Indeed, the formation of a Government of Unity and National Reconciliation, the return of UNITA parliamentarians to the National Assembly, the start of normalization of State administration and the special status of the President of UNIT A all are milestones in the Angolan peace process. These important achievements were obtained with the firm engagement and support of the international community, and particularly of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM. III), and the tireless efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Maitre Beye.”

    1997-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3795 (1997) · source

33. “Humanitarian assistance is all about protecting people trapped by armed conflict and protecting their fundamental rights. International peace and security are at stake if those fundamental rights are grossly violated. Humanitarian assistance cannot be delivered if its purveyors are threatened. The Security Council must place these concerns high on the agenda when dealing with specific conflicts and devise a long- term strategy to deal with them and incorporate it in effective preventive action. Finally, let me say that Portugal believes it would be useful to reflect this debate in a presidential statement by the Council. We are ready to cooperate with your delegation, Mr. President, to work towards such an outcome.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

34. “The United Nations, and all our Governments, cannot act in the humanitarian and human rights fields without the dedicated and persistent action of non-govemmental organizations. We therefore hope that non-govemmental organizations will be able to attend our open discussions on this matter in the future and offer their substantive input. The revitalization of the Security Council after the cold war places a particular responsibility on all of us who serve on this body. We cannot afford to limit ourselves to react whenever the "CNN factor", combined with the effects of the "global village" and of "mobilizing shame", press our Governments into belated action. Humanitarian assistance cannot be delivered in a political and military vacuum. It will never alone ensure a lasting solution to a conflict.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

35. “The same concerns justify the need for the Security Council to consider at the earlier stages of conflicts the imposition of selective sanctions targeted to really hurt the warring party and its supporters, measures such as arms embargoes, travel restrictions and the freezing of assets, among others, which would be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on their effectiveness. Punishment requires evidence of the violations and of the individual responsibility of the perpetrators. Investigation by international monitors is therefore crucial. The Council must hold warring parties accountable for cooperating and facilitating such international missions. Allow me to stress that my delegation believes it would be important to have the community of non- governmental organizations participating in this debate.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

36. “The third problem facing us is how to fight the impunity of all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, be it against those who are being protected in conflict situations or against those who are providing the protection. The punishment of the perpetrators of such violations is both the main deterrent against the spreading of a pattern of further violations and the least that can be done out of respect for the victims. Those on the ground, as well as their political and military leaders, should be held accountable at the national level and, when appropriate, before international courts. In addition to whatever individual responsibility criminal proceedings may establish, political leaders must also pay a political price.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

37. “But what happens when no State is prepared to act, when the Council cannot be prompted to take an initiative despite the seriousness of the situation? Can we continue to leave humanitarian actors alone in the field facing the extremely dangerous security situations which often arise from unresolved political issues? We cannot, of course. That is why we support the proposals made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, among others, calling for the establishment within the Secretariat of a rapid-deployment capability. We call on the Council to discuss this specific proposal and to seek the views of the Secretary-General on how this could be rapidly put into practice.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

38. “Peacekeeping operations in some cases have been used by the Security Council to provide a military component to facilitate humanitarian relief. In general, this has met with success, even in cases where the humanitarian community initially feared the corrupting implications of such military backing. Bosnia is certainly such a case. In other situations the Council has authorized the deployment of an international military presence to protect emergency humanitarian assistance at the initiative of some Member States. The most recent example is Albania, and so far it has achieved positive results. This shows how important and desirable regional initiatives are, provided their authors seek and obtain proper endorsement from the Council.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

39. “One might say that United Nations Member States have not been willing to risk the lives of their military, just the lives of their aid workers. A special tribute, an expression of gratitude and encouragement, is due to those brave and generous women and men who work for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Food Programme and all other United Nations agencies, as well as to those working for humanitarian and human rights non- governmental organizations, who continue to carry out those activities despite the hardship and the serious personal risks involved. They need support. They need collective Security Council action, not collective inaction. They need us - officials, Governments and political leaders - to do our job.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

40. “We must ensure that all those involved in United Nations humanitarian and military operations are aware of all these dimensions and receive the proper training for carrying out the tasks involved. And since the most vulnerable groups of civilians in need of protection - namely, refugees and displaced persons - are women and children, due consideration must be given to the gender perspective and to the specific needs of protecting children, as the representative of UNICEF so forcefully explained to us this morning. The second problem - how to protect the protectors - has emerged as a particularly pressing and alarming one, as we have seen increasingly in many recent conflicts. Not much has been done to address properly this problem despite the many calls for military support for humanitarian relief operations.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

41. “This implies that, when measuring the success or the needs of a humanitarian assistance operation, the Council must take into consideration the extent to which those core rights are being protected, not just whether food convoys are reaching their destination. This also means that when considering any kind of international military intervention, through a peacekeeping operation, or another kind of operation, in order to back and support humanitarian action, the Council must spell out clearly in its mandate the purpose of protecting human rights, alongside the political and military objectives. An integrated approach to crisis management is needed, encompassing human rights in the humanitarian, political and developmental dimensions.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

42. “The central element of humanitarian assistance is, in fact, protection of the most basic human rights: the right to life, first and foremost, and other basic rights inherent to the dignity of the human person. That is the purpose and the essence of international humanitarian law, which all Member States, all United Nations agencies, all warring parties and all military forces are bound to respect and enforce. This is the message that was transmitted very clearly to the Council by Mrs. Ogata when she stressed that assistance to and protection of people are based upon respect for the fundamental human rights of people. She went further and called for a security concept that puts human beings at its centre. That is precisely the approach that Portugal urges the Council to adopt, assuming our full share of responsibility for it.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

43. “The Council must clearly address three main problems: first, how to protect those who need protection most - that is, the civilian population caught up in armed conflicts and the particularly vulnerable groups of refugees and internally displaced people; secondly, how to protect the protectors when they themselves are targets of attacks; and thirdly, how to counter the impunity of the perpetrators of such crimes. In dealing with the first problem - how to protect those most vulnerable - the Council must not forget a crucial element: the fact that humanitarian assistance is certainly not limited to the delivery of aid, be it food, shelter or medical care.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

44. “But we prefer instead to highlight the fact that in almost all conflicts today, from Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia to the Great Lakes, the warring parties themselves are keen on a United Nations humanitarian presence, not only because of the benefits they themselves receive from humanitarian aid provided to refugees and civilian populations, but also because of the political legitimacy they sense this presence bestows on them; and this despite the fact that an international humanitarian presence, regardless of the impartiality with which it carries out its tasks, may be seen to be an embarrassing witness to unspeakable atrocities.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

45. “The internal nature of such conflicts might be recalled to resist or caution against United Nations-backed international humanitarian intervention in the name of the old banners of state sovereignty, non-interference in domestic affairs and territorial integrity. We could dwell on the legitimacy that the Charter confers upon the Council to determine when such intervention is necessary and justified. This decision by the Council would then bypass the sovereignty and correlative principles and require all Member States to abide by it.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

46. “The protection of civilian populations and refugees involved in conflicts requiring humanitarian assistance increasingly seeks to counter threats to international peace and security. In recent conflicts, refugees and internally displaced persons have not only been one of the consequences of war but have actually been the target of hostilities which threaten international peace and security. Therefore, this question falls under either Chapter VI or Chapter VII of the Charter, and thus calls for Council action under Articles 41 and/or 42. Later the Netherlands will be making a statement on behalf of the European Union which we fully endorse. In that statement, attention is called to the nature of intra-State conflict, which increasingly characterizes most of the crises developing in the post-cold-war era.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

47. “Also, the Council should not fail to develop thinking on its role in this field in the light of the major dilemmas faced today by United Nations humanitarian assistance, as outlined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees when she came to the Council last month. Under-Secretary-General Akashi and representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reminded of these dilemmas very clearly today. We welcome their forceful statements and pledge to give full attention to the concerns and suggestions they left with us.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

48. “Portugal congratulates you and thanks you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate. We believe that protection for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations is a major issue involving the responsibility of the international community. Therefore, it must be properly addressed by the Security Council with the participation of the general membership of the United Nations. We also believe it is timely for the Council to discuss this issue openly and on the record. The Council has recently been occupied with very serious crises to which this problem of the protection for humanitarian operations is central.”

    1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778Resumption1 (1997) · source

49. “I really enjoyed being here and working with all of you, my colleagues, and with the Secretariat. I am very grateful to all of you. Thank you very much. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at I] p.m.”

    1997-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3773 (1997) · source

50. “In this context, it reiterates its call upon the ADFL and others concerned in the region to cooperate fully with the recently established United Nations investigative mission by ensuring unimpeded access to all areas and sites under investigation, as well as the security of the members of the mission. It attaches great importance to the commitment of the leader of the ADFL to take appropriate action against members of the ADFL who violate the rules of international humanitarian law concerning the treatment of refugees and civilians. "The Security Council will remain seized of the matter." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/l997/24. Before closing the meeting, I wish to thank you very much for all the cooperation during this month of my presidency.”

    1997-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3773 (1997) · source