YouSaid · the spoken record

Monteiro

lines on the record: 721
first: 1997-01-10
most recent: 2005-10-13
sittings or episodes: 86
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

“His efforts to raise worldwide awareness and to mobilize official and public opinion for the protection of children affected by armed conflict are bearing visible results. His recent visits to Africa - Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda - and to Colombia, as well as his special agenda for action for the children of Kosovo have shown in a very concrete way how to place the protection and welfare of children on the peace agenda. I welcome his intention to undertake a mission to Sierra Leone later this month, and I hope that a coordinated and concerted response to the dramatic situation of children in that country can be achieved as soon as possible. As a member of the Group of Friends of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, I would like to reaffirm the support of Portugal for the work of Olara Otunnu and his team.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“It is therefore a particular pleasure for me to be able to participate at this meeting. Let me stress, too, that Portugal fully subscribes to the statement made earlier by the Presidency of the European Union. Graga Machel, in her report on the impact of armed conflicts on children, submitted to the General Assembly in 1996, revealed to the international community the extent of suffering by child victims of armed conflicts throughout the world. The painful awareness of this scourge led the Members of the United Nations to request the Secretary- General to name a Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict - Ambassador Olara Otunnu - whose role must be praised and whose presence here today I would like to welcome. I commend him for the active way he is carrying out his mandate.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“It is good to see you back at work, Sir, in this Organization that you know so well. The Security Council can profit today from your exceptional expertise, as much, I am sure, as the General Assembly will benefit in the months to come from your leadership. Let me also congratulate you for the exceptional manner in which Ambassador Andjaba and the delegation of your country have conducted the work of the Council this month and, in particular, for the organization of this open debate. For my delegation, it is indeed an honour to be here today at a meeting presided over by Namibia on a subject to which my delegation is particularly attached. As you might recall, it was under the presidency of Portugal, in June last year, that a debate of the Council open to all Members of the United Nations first took place on this very important topic.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“He visited the region twice: the first time in his national capacity, and this time as Chairman of the sanctions Committee. I would like very much to praise him for this.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“That is why the appeal of the Secretary-General to President Kabbah on the questions of executions and the death penalty is, in my opinion, so important. Naturally, I would like to praise again what Ambassador Dahlgren said about the situation of children. This is an important aspect, and this is why, too, it is so important for the whole Organization to support the role of Ambassador Olara Otunnu. Olara Otunnu is now dealing with the situation of children in armed conflicts, and we have to give him all possible support, and we have to praise the Secretary-General for creating this important function at the United Nations. Once again I would like to praise the work of Ambassador Dahlgren and the initiative that he himself took, not only this second time.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“First of all, Ambassador Dahlgren provides a very vivid picture of how appalling the human rights situation in Sierra Leone is. One point he made is very important. It is important that it be clear that those who are committing these crimes will not be able to do so with impunity. That is why it so important that the International Criminal Court was created this year in Rome. This is very important, because it is absolutely essential to avoid impunity in future situations, as well as in the ones we are facing now. At the same, this calls our attention to another point. In many of these conflicts there can be no military solutions. We have to have, in the end, dialogue and national reconciliation. National reconciliation is an important factor in which, again, human rights play an important role - the guarantee of individuals' rights.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“We can do this only with the participation of all the Member States of the Organization. It is not only the Security Council that can do this. This is a responsibility of the whole Organization. For the Organization to be responsible, naturally it is important for the Security Council to provide information and to share these elements and this work with the general membership. It is important to reveal to the general membership more of the work of the sanctions committees and the work we do in these committees. Regarding the situation in Sierra Leone, I would like very much again to address and thank Ambassador Dahlgren for the very good briefing, in addition to the excellent report that we have from the Secretary-General. Given the time limits, I would just underline two points regarding the information that was shared with us.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“As Ambassador Dahlgren said here, it is not only important that the Chairpersons can get better information during their visits to the region or countries targeted, by the sanctions; it is not only gathering better information that is important, and afterwards coming here and sharing this information as Ambassador Dahlgren did with us this morning - the other point that he made regarding the implementation of sanctions is also very important. This is absolutely essential. We are going on and on, and it is clear that we have to address this question of arms embargoes in a different way. Because if not, they are ineffective, and the Council sometimes seems to be collaborating passively with situations that are totally unacceptable. We can do this only in an open way.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“Ambassador Dahlgren is also creating a precedent here, as was already underlined by my colleagues. I would like to underline it as well. It is very important that we are having this open meeting because it underlines the more active role we want the sanctions committees and their Chairpersons to play. We are debating these proposals in the Security Council, and I very much hope we will take decisions by the end of this month - we are in your hands, Mr. President, until the end of this month - to adopt some guidelines on the questions relating to the debate on sanctions referred to by Ambassador Amorim. The most important point is the role of the Chairpersons of the sanctions committees.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“My delegation also is very happy with the format of this meeting, and I praise you, Mr. President, for organizing it. Naturally I would recall that this is one of the guidelines that we have already adopted in the Council, and I believe that this practice will continue in future. The fact that other States Members of the Organization are participating here or listening to us constitutes an incentive to go ahead with this decision already taken by the Security Council. I am pleased also to see Under-Secretary-General Miyet at this meeting. As he told us in the beginning of his intervention, he also is pleased to be here, and we welcome his presence at this open briefing. The Council has benefited a lot from the briefings of Mr. Miyet, and this is a good opportunity for other States to listen to him.”
1998-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3957 (1998) · source
“As Chairman of the Committee established under Security Council resolution 661 (1990), I have been particularly sensitive to the consequences of this crisis on the Iraqi people and have sought to do everything possible in the context of the humanitarian programme to alleviate their suffering. Portugal will continue to try to contribute actively to find ways to minimize the effects of the current circumstances on top of the already difficult living conditions of the Iraqi people. But we must also remember that the primary responsibility for the well- being of all Iraqis falls to the authorities of that country.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3955 (1998) · source
“The Security Council is thus confronted with a declaration by Ambassador Butler that Iraq has not cooperated fully. The United States and the United Kingdom had made it perfectly clear last month that, in the absence of full cooperation by Iraq, they would act without returning to the Council. It is not, therefore, a surprise to my delegation that a decision has been taken to act militarily. Naturally, the Council will have to evaluate the consequences of military action with regard to fulfilling the goals of disarming Iraq and maintaining peace and security in the region. Portugal deeply regrets that a peaceful solution could not be found. But the main cause of the current crisis is the obstinate policy of Iraq's rulers in refusing to comply with Security Council resolutions.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3955 (1998) · source
“But, after so many efforts and attempts by the Council to bring Iraq to the path of cooperation, the latest report of the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM. states that Iraq has not lived up to its commitments and that, in fact, it has not cooperated fully with UNSCOM. We appreciate the efforts of the Secretary-General to offer for the Council's consideration several possible options to react to the UNSCOM. report. Portugal was ready to consider those options, and said so this morning. In the meantime, however, we have been informed of the decision to withdraw all UNSCOM. and IAEA personnel from Iraq for reasons of safety. The Executive Chairman of UNSCOM. provided further elements on the degree of non- cooperation by Iraq today to Council members.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3955 (1998) · source
“Portugal always hopes that the Security Council will find peaceful solutions to situations of conflict, and it feels no differently in the case of Iraq. We have always been of the view that full cooperation by Iraq with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is essential to fulfil the disarmament tasks, to ensure compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and thus enable the Council to lift the sanctions imposed on Iraq. The confirmation by UN SCOM of full cooperation by Iraq, as promised in its letters of 14 November, would have enabled the Council to proceed speedily with a comprehensive review of all disarmament files, as proposed by the Secretary-General.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3955 (1998) · source
“The present and future of United Nations peacekeeping is strongly based on the experiences of the past. Initially, experience indicated a need for larger and more comprehensive operations which sought to address each and every aspect of a conflict. Subsequently, a more realistic and efficient approach has been taken, tailored to each situation but still recognizing the need to expand the definition of peacekeeping tasks to include peace-building activities. This dynamic development of peacekeeping is the most effective use of the resources of the United Nations in the exercise of its responsibilities in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“In the wider realm of the maintenance of international peace and security, we have seen an important and appropriate division of labour with regional organizations, as foreseen in Chapter VIII of the Charter. We welcome this trend and, in this context, it is important also to identify the peace-building activities within peacekeeping that can benefit from an effective cooperation with regional organizations. A case in point, we believe, is Guinea- Bissau, which will require the careful attention of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, and the continued excellent cooperation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in helping to establish the foundations for a long-lasting peace.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Portugal also agrees with the Secretary-General that curtailng the availability of small arms in a post-conflict situation is a very important activity to reduce tensions and prevent the resumption of hostilities. In this process of peacekeeping and peace-building, it is also essential to ensure the greatest degree possible of coordination among the efforts of the organs of the United Nations - the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council - and those of the United Nations programmes and agencies and the international financial and development institutions, as well as bilateral aid efforts. This will not only avoid duplication and overlap but also optimize the material and human investments in peace of the United Nations. An important role in this area is also played by non-governmental organizations.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“While peace-building tasks are usually predetermined in the peace agreements which bring the fighting to an end and are subsequently integrated into the mandates of peacekeeping operations by the Security Council, it is up to the Secretary-General to ensure the effective coordination on the ground of all the activities of the various components of the operations so that they function in a complementary and coordinated fashion, thereby contributing to the consolidation of the peace process. For this to happen in optimal conditions, there should be a clear leadership and coordination structure on the ground, headed by his Special Representative, whose task is to deploy appropriately all those components at his or her disposal to ensure the stability of the peace process. Such flexibility should also include financial means.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Therefore, quite apart from their intrinsic value, peace-building activities in a peacekeeping context also seem to be sensible, sound insurance policies to secure the investments of the international community in bringing peace to conflict situations. We welcome the increased attention given to this important dynamic by the Secretary-General, as evident in his report on the causes of conflict in Africa.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Peace-building may be post-conflict but it is not, nor should it be, post-peacekeeping. It is important to make this point, since the proper use of peace-building activities in good time, before the end of peacekeeping mandates, will help bridge the transitional gap that inevitably appears between the withdrawal of the peacekeepers and the effective functioning of development activities which address the long-term causes of conflict. In this so-called twilight zone, conflict can erupt again very easily unless steps have been taken to disarm and demobilize, to find relevant occupations for ex-fighters and to help the wider process of national reconciliation through a participatory political process, including democratic elections.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“The strong link between peace-building activities and the immediate goals of establishing and maintaining peace and security was particularly evident in Mozambique, in the work of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ). The careful deployment and effective coordination of peacekeeping and peace-building components secured the successful consolidation of the peace process in Mozambique, which today continues rightly to be supported by the international community. While peacekeeping operations still focus primarily on the military aspects of a peace agreement, the fact is that peace-building activities are increasingly important in ensuring the timely and full implementation of the terms of peace agreements and the fulfilment of peacekeeping mandates. Peace-building is thus essential in the peacekeeping phase.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“Not only must their humanitarian and human rights be rigorously protected and upheld, but they must also be given a chance to secure their socio-economic well-being. In today's peacekeeping, these are on many occasions fully mandated tasks and often make up the main work of the peacekeepers. And rightly so, since without them the recurrence of conflict is not only possible but likely. They act to remove immediate focuses of tension and other factors of destabilization that may threaten the peace process and its implementation. These are the lessons which have been learned by the United Nations in a number of peacekeeping operations and are now being applied in the Central African Republic, in Liberia, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and elsewhere.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“These activities include the demobilization and disarmament of fighting forces; the transformation of armed movements into civil political parties; the reintegration of former combatants into society; the restructuring and unification of police and armed forces and ensuring that in their conduct, all forces meet international human rights standards; the return of refugees and displaced persons; demining programmes; support for political and legal institutions geared towards national reconciliation; and the holding of elections. The successful conclusion of a peace process in situations of intra-State conflict is premised on national reconciliation, which in turn cannot be achieved without safeguarding the rights of individuals.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“This is an important debate which will help the United Nations trace the major lines of current thinking on the interplay between peace-building activities and the immediate task of maintaining or restoring international peace and security. In the increasingly multidisciplinary United Nations peacekeeping operations, particularly those involved in addressing intra-State conflicts, a number of peace- building activities have already been needed during the operational life of those peacekeeping operations as well as after their conclusion. The fact is that certain long-term tasks must be started early, even immediately following a ceasefire, and these are often foreseen in the elaboration of peace agreements.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“At that time, we recommended a discussion by the Council in order to identify those short-term activities - strictly speaking, post-conflict peace-building activities - which were essential to the functioning and, ultimately, the success of peacekeeping operations. Much work had been done by Germany in this respect in helping to define problematic areas, and we felt it was time for the Council itself to address the issue, especially where it had a direct impact on the elaboration of mandates and the very structure of the peacekeeping operations established by the Council. Unfortunately, it was not possible to hold the discussion at that time, but we wholeheartedly welcome its realization here today.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“It is with keen interest and great satisfaction that Portugal welcomes this thematic consideration by the Security Council of the importance of post-conflict peace-building activities in keeping and consolidating peace and security. We very much congratulate you, Sir, for organizing this debate. The statement to be made later on by the Austrian Presidency of the European Union fully reflects our thinking on this matter, and I wish merely to add to and elaborate further on a number of points. It is particularly gratifying for my delegation to participate in this debate today, since it was last year, during the first Portuguese presidency of the Security Council in April 1997, that we raised the issue of peace- building in a peacekeeping context.”
1998-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954 (1998) · source
“These completely intolerable and destabilizing practices represent global threats, and they must cease immediately. In conclusion, Portugal, supporting the efforts of the "six plus two", will vote in favour of the draft resolution before us and urges all Afghan factions to comply fully with it and to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“In this context, my country strongly supports the Secretary-General's proposal to establish within the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan a civil affairs unit aimed at monitoring and promoting respect for international humanitarian standards and human rights, as well as at preventing grave violations of human rights in the future. Another two sources of grave concern are drug- trafficking and the continuing presence of terrorists and terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, both factors with far-reaching repercussions inside and outside the country. No political movement, no matter how much territory it controls, will gain international respectability as long as it is perceived to be harbouring terrorist activities.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“We urge all factions to ensure the safety of civilian communities and to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, We also deplore the widespread violations of human rights in Afghanistan, which continues to be a place where human rights and international humanitarian law do not seem to exist. The continuing and intolerable discrimination imposed by the Taliban against women is a particular source of concern. The Afghan factions must not expect the international community to accept their general lack of commitment to recognize, protect and promote human rights.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“The reports of ethnic- and religious-based persecution represent a particularly worrying aspect of the current situation in Afghanistan. Like others, we strongly condemn the murder of Iranian diplomats and the occupation of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mazar-e-Sharif, which represented a flagrant violation of international law and of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations. The increasingly ethnic nature of the conflict poses a threat to the unity of the Afghan State and makes it more difficult to find a peaceful political solution.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“We therefore strongly support the demand that the Afghan factions stop fighting and enter urgently into negotiations, under United Nations auspices, aimed at creating a fully representative and broad-based Government. We remain deeply concerned by continuing reports of outside interference in the affairs of Afghanistan. Although the enmity between the Afghan factions is deep, we are convinced that the continuation of the conflict is, to a great extent, a consequence of intervention from outside. All countries with an influence on the factions in Afghanistan would do more to promote peace and regional stability by using that influence to prevent the supply of arms and other military support and to encourage the parties to negotiate.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“One of the parties has taken control of most of the country, and it seems convinced that it is in a position to take over militarily the entire Afghan territory. That might be true at this stage. But in reality, the warring factions must recognize that the conflict cannot be settled on the battlefield. Any thought of a conclusive military victory by one party is an illusion. History, old and new, shows us that a military conquest by one of the warring parties will not bring an end to the Afghan conflict. Portugal stands for a political settlement, negotiated between the factions and accommodating the rights and interests of all Afghans.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“Since the Council last discussed the disturbing situation in Afghanistan, on 28 August 1998, the political and humanitarian situation in the country has deteriorated further. In September and October, fighting again intensified and the conflict escalated, provoking alarming regional repercussions. We were concerned, and still are, about the increased threat of the Afghan civil war becoming a regional conflict, and particularly about the rise of military tensions along Afghanistan's borders. We would like to commend the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Brahimi, for helping ease those tensions. The latest fighting has brought about a new phase in the Afghanistan conflict.”
1998-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3952 (1998) · source
“In fact, a self- sustained and fully functioning police is essential to ensure a secure and stable environment and the economic rehabilitation and consolidation of democracy in Haiti. We believe that the maintenance of the presence of the United Nations, as requested recently by President Preval, is of the utmost importance. Indeed, the United Nations should continue to help the Government of Haiti to professionalize its police force. We urge Haiti's authorities to pursue their efforts to form a public force respectful of legality and also to pursue their efforts to revitalize Haiti's justice and penal systems. For all these reasons, Portugal will vote in favour of the draft resolution before us today.”
1998-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3949 (1998) · source
“We want to help Haitians build a country where democracy and progress will be a reality. That can be achieved only if the rule of law and respect for human rights are ensured. The continued presence of the United Nations operation in Haiti, and of MIPONUH in particular, has proved to be an important element for that country's transition to democracy by assisting the Government to form a public force respectful of legality and capable of maintaining public order and security. The Secretary- General in its last report underlines that the Haitian National Police has not yet reached the level of professionalization required to tackle successfully the various problems in daily activities.”
1998-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3949 (1998) · source
“This impasse is having a major impact in terms of eroding public confidence in the capacity and willingness of the authorities to solve the pressing economic and social problems facing the country. We strongly appeal to the Haitian authorities and political leaders to embark urgently on a negotiated solution to the crisis in a spirit of tolerance and compromise. The tasks ahead will be of crucial importance to the consolidation of democracy and national reconstruction. For that reason, we believe that comprehensive and sustained long-term assistance by the international community is vitally important. A continued commitment, in particular from the international financial institutions and other United Nations agencies, is necessary to promote a successful and sustainable development that will underpin political stability in the country.”
1998-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3949 (1998) · source
“One year ago, Portugal was one of the sponsors of the resolution before this Council on the constitution of the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH). Despite considerable progress, serious problems persist in Haiti that require the continuation of the assistance of the United Nations. We are concerned at the continuation of Violence and unrest, the difficult economic situation, the high level of unemployment, the rising cost of living and the slow pace of change in Haiti. Moreover, we are distressed to know that the parliamentary and local elections due to take place this month were postponed, prolonging the present political stalemate.”
1998-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3949 (1998) · source
“That is why I think coordination is so important, coordination among all the bodies and departments of the United Nations and with other international actors, as well. Here I would like to ask you one thing. I know amnesty is very important as an element of confidence- building, and I believe that is what is being prepared in Kosovo. On the other hand, the rule of law should guarantee that situations cannot happen again, that people and leaders are accountable for their own acts. I know you are very much in favour of the International Criminal Court, and I would like to know if we are working in that sense. Because I think this is very important; human security is the only way of guaranteeing stability and peace. Therefore, I would like to know what, in these more critical situations, you are doing in that sense.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“For instance, you mentioned the situation in Guinea-Bissau. Is your Office already preparing something for the new phase? We have an agreement, we have a subregional effort by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), and are we already preparing something concrete to help this operation? I know you are making an enormous effort in Sierra Leone. In regard to your point about the necessity of dialogue and national reconciliation: we have that in Guinea-Bissau. Are we therefore doing something on this question in concrete terms? Finally, regarding post-conflict situations and the return of refugees, this is often a factor that complicates situations.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“I exclude the fourth option, mentioned by Ambassador Lavrov, but you mentioned three other options and very much recommended the adoption of "medium" options. I agree with you on that. My country, for example, is very much in favour of the creation of a rapid deployment force to be used, if necessary, to help secure a certain kind of critical situation. But are we working towards creating that? I know that you are probably suggesting it, and in the draft resolution we are preparing we have something relating to stand-by arrangements on this. I know you work very closely with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Member States on these draft resolutions, but do you think that we can and should really move more quickly in this area? You mentioned the link to subregional peacekeeping, and this is very important.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“You mentioned three areas where all of us have to work together. We have already mentioned the complexity of wars and the fragility of peace. Your point that we should look at the human displacement factor is also very important. I think we can do something only if we look at the rights of the human being, at human rights. There is another central problem, one I know you are very concerned with, as you yourself have already told this Council on previous occasions; I would like to ask you about the question of coordination between your own Office and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Are they working together? Is the coordination working? I will return to the question of coordination with regard to the third area you mentioned. In the second area, you mentioned "soft" options and "medium" options.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“These are all the problems of refugees, internally displaced people and forced population movements that you mentioned. One you pointed to that worried us so much in the past, in addition to demobilization and the reintegration of ex-combatants, is the flow of arms. Another is the separation of refugees from other entities that sometimes use the refugee camps for other activities. Are we doing something concrete about these questions? Is UNHCR involved and doing something practical? This point is mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General, and addressed as well in the draft resolution we are preparing on the security and humanitarian and civilian character of refugee camps and settlements. I very much hope the Council will be able to adopt that draft resolution next week.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“There are movements, even in the United Nations, regarding these two situations, which are very dangerous, and there are groups of countries and even directors of non-governmental organizations in the international arena working on them, and I would like to hear what you think it is possible for this Council and this Organization to do; it has been recalled that the General Assembly has the primary responsibility here. But we are all involved, including the Economic and Social Council. What could be done to give the same or more consistent political support to these two cases that you have mentioned? You mention a number of matters with regard to Africa. We all know that Congo is central - the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“I am very encouraged to see that some of these recommendations are already being translated into practical measures. That is why my delegation welcomes so much your contribution today and the idea that we are not working in theoretical terms; we are doing something concrete. I have no comments on what you said, Mrs. Ogata, but seek some clarification. I do not need clarification on Kosovo; you were very explicit on that. But clarification is necessary with regard to the political support that you receive for Kosovo compared with the lack of political support for other situations - you mentioned Afghanistan and Sudan.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“For instance, in both statements we recalled the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, adopted by the General Assembly in December 1994, which has not yet been ratified. I would like to profit from your presence, Mrs. Ogata, by asking whether you think that, even with its shortcomings, people would like this Convention to have an enlarged scope, and whether we could do something to ratify it. Can you do something to help implement what we have already said twice in our presidential statements? This is also mentioned in the report of the Secretary- General on protection for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations, where we see a certain number of recommendations that are very useful, some of which you have addressed today.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“As a matter of fact, it is a question of better participation of all the membership and of all of us working together towards the same goals. This is why the Security Council is involved in this question. I must pay tribute to you, Mrs. Ogata. You started practical steps that led us to this session today. We heard you last year in informal consultations, following which we had a presidential statement on the matter for the first time. There was another presidential statement this year after we had heard your suggestions and comments. These statements that we adopted - and I think sometimes we have to work in a more systematic way - contain some ideas regarding protection of United Nations personnel and other international personnel.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“My delegation joins the delegations that have already spoken in congratulating you, Mr. President, on convening this meeting. I must recall that it is a consequence of a movement initiated a long time ago by, I think, all members of the Security Council. But I would like to pay tribute to five countries which are no longer members and which started a movement last year, with other members of the Council, to make some proposals on the Council's working methods. One proposal concerned the possibility of public meetings, and we are very happy that it has been implemented. The countries no longer on the Council that signed the relevant document last year were Egypt, Chile, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Korea and Poland. We should pay tribute to them. It is not only a question of transparency.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“It also expresses, in no uncertain terms, the united response of all Council members to the Iraqi stand. It is up to Iraq now. Iraq must immediately reconsider its position, re-engage once and for all on the path of cooperation with UNSCOM. and the IAEA, and ensure full compliance with its obligations. Only in this way will Iraq enable the Council to lift the sanctions.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“The draft resolution we have before us contains the message the Council must now convey to Iraq. It expresses a firm condemnation of the Iraqi decision of 31 October; it renews the support of the Council for the Special Commission and the IAEA; and it demands that Iraq immediately rescind that decision, as well as the 5 August decision. Iraq must understand that it cannot continue to miss the opportunities offered. Iraq cannot continue to delay fulfilling the conditions that will enable the Council to act in accordance with paragraphs 21 and 22 of resolution 687 (1991). Iraq cannot continue to delay the moment when the Council will be in a position to act on the duration of the prohibitions referred to in that resolution. The draft resolution before us represents a firm, unambiguous and determined reaction by the Council.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“In a serious effort to re-establish such a trend, the Council, with the assistance of the Secretary-General, offered to engage, soon after Iraq were to rescind its unacceptable decision of 5 August, in a comprehensive review of Iraq's compliance with its obligations under the relevant resolutions, in order to identify any tasks which still needed to be undertaken to satisfy the remaining requirements of those resolutions. In View of those efforts, it was with dismay and incomprehension that all Council members received the decision of Iraq, last Saturday, to cease any cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission and to continue to impose restrictions on the work of the IAEA, the effective operation of which is essential for the implementation of resolution 687 (1991).”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source