YouSaid · the spoken record

Nambiar

lines on the record: 300
first: 2002-07-10
most recent: 2006-07-21
sittings or episodes: 28
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

“We also hope that the Council will consider ways of enhancing its cooperation with the General Assembly on these issues. We note other initiatives taken, including the joint initiative by France and Switzerland to define a political arrangement on cooperation with regard to the traceability of illicit small arms and light weapons, as well as to the voluntary furnishing of information by States on implementation of the agreed Programme of Action. India fully supports the first step of developing a comprehensive tracing system and enhancing cooperation among States towards that end. In this connection, we see the need to strengthen the effectiveness of the Interpol Weapons and Explosives Tracking System.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We were also pleased to hear the statement by Under- Secretary-General J ayantha Dhanapala. The Secretary- General's report identifies areas where further action by the Council is required in addressing the global problem of illicit small arms and light weapons. It emphasizes the key role of the Council in preventing, combating and eliminating the uncontrolled spread of such weapons. In his report, the Secretary-General has listed a number of recommendations based on suggestions made by Member States. We find many of them to be very useful. Some of them are directly addressed to the Council. We trust that the Council will take appropriate further action with respect to the recommendations that are directly within its competence.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623Resumption1 (2002) · source
“India is privileged to be playing a leading role as Chairman of the Group of Governmental Experts established by the Secretary-General to examine the feasibility of developing an international instrument to enable States to identify and trace, in a timely and reliable manner, illicit small arms and light weapons. The Group of Governmental Experts has held the first of its three mandated sessions, and it has been able to identify a number of elements of common understanding, on which work will continue at its forthcoming sessions. The Group will submit its findings to the Secretary-General during the fifty- eighth session of the General Assembly. India welcomes the report of the Secretary- General contained in document S/2002/1053, which reflects recent initiatives taken by the Security Council.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In his report on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (A/57/160), the Secretary-General has provided an overview of the activities undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations to implement General Assembly resolution 56/24 V, adopted by the Assembly on 24 December 2001. That report, which covers the period from June 2001 to June 2002, includes actions taken to implement the Programme of Action adopted at the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in New York in July 2001.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Annually, small arms claim between 300,000 and 500,000 lives, of which the overwhelming percentage are civilian lives - many of those the lives of women and children. In India, we are particularly conscious of the lethality of such weapons. Over the past two decades, more than 35,000 innocent people have fallen victim to the depredations of terrorists using illicit weapons. The seizures of small arms and explosives by the Government of India make it abundantly clear to us that that illicit pool is of a magnitude and of a sophistication that require urgent and serious attention on the part of all law-abiding societies.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate of the Security Council on small arms and for allowing us to speak so early in the afternoon. India is particularly aware of the complexity and the lethality of the problems associated with the accumulation, dispersal and transfer of illicit small arms and light weapons. As we have stated in the past, the trade in small arms is licit only if their export and import take place through official, legal channels. Arms exported by a Government that violates none of its own laws are nevertheless illicit if they are sent to non-State actors in another country, bypassing or subverting laws there. During the past decade, illicit weapons have been the weapons of choice in an overwhelming number of major conflicts.”
2002-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4623Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In our view, it is a timely and ambitious undertaking of the Security Council in fulfilment of its responsibility to maintain international peace and security. The Council must act swiftly and resolutely to implement the counter-terrorism resolution with neither fear nor favour. I compliment the Council on the purposeful start it has made and would like to assure you that the Council and its Committee will have my delegation's full support in the fulfilment of their mandate.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The approach adopted so far by the CTC to elicit information and then to probe countries in a manner which encourages them to consider the deficiencies in their legal system has served a useful purpose. However, some work still remains. There are countries which have not submitted any report, because of lack of capacity or other reasons. An approach by the CTC to provide technical assistance, where required, may be useful in such a context. There have also been references to a possible regional approach. This may not be relevant in regions where terrorism emanates from within the region. I have earlier reiterated that resolution 1373 (2001) marks a watershed in our common combat against terrorism.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Member States may say they have complied with these provisions in letter, but how is the CTC or Security Council going to account for the complaint of a Member State which is a victim of such cross-border terrorist acts? What is the action that can be taken against errant Member States? There is a growing momentum towards ratification of all twelve sectoral conventions on terrorism. Countries have also either strengthened existing legislation to tackle terrorism and strengthened institutions, procedures and mechanisms to combat the financing of terrorism, or, where these are absent, have begun them. These achievements should not be underestimated.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is not beyond the knowledge of the Council that even when Member States have ratified other anti-terrorism conventions there has been more than one instance of blatant non- compliance. Neither the United Nations nor the Member States affected has been able to do much about it. Therefore, enforceability of violations assumes significance. I would like draw the particular attention of the Council to sub-paragraphs 2(b), (d) and (e) and 3(a) of resolution 1373 (2001). They deal with what I would call cross-border or transnational terrorism. These sub- paragraphs mandate Members to take actions to prevent the financial planning and facilitation of terrorism against other States. Sub-paragraph 2(e) calls upon States to bring perpetrators of such offences to justice.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Member States have responded promptly to the resolution, judging by the fact that over 170 national reports have been received by the CTC in the first round of reporting, while 83 countries have submitted a second round of reports. This reflects the importance the membership attaches to the work of the Committee and the support it enjoys across the board. I would like to reiterate here that India is fully committed to implementing its obligations under resolution 1373 (2001). We have submitted two reports so far. The CTC has been doing commendable work in persuading Member States to take legislative and other measures that comply with resolution 1373 (2001). But there is a long way to go before we can say we have been able to make resolution 1373 (2001) really effective and operational.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is against that background that we would like to share with the Security Council some suggestions that we hope will be beneficial to the implementation of the counter-terrorism resolution and a more effective response from the Council and the Committee to this grave threat to international peace and security. The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has worked with unceasing effort to coordinate an international approach to tackling international terrorism. We commend Ambassador Greenstock and his colleagues on the Committee, as well as the experts who have helped in furthering the Committee's work, for their untiring labour and productive results. We appreciate the fact that the Chairman of the Committee has held regular briefing sessions for Member States on the progress made by the Committee in implementing the resolution.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The global war against terrorism has so far been successfully conducted against Al Qaeda and has resulted in the removal of the regressive and obscurantist Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) has sent a clear and unambiguous message that the world community will no longer tolerate terrorists or their sponsors; that the international community is determined to hold the perpetrators and instigators of terror to account; and that the civilized world will no longer permit such acts to be conducted with impunity. India unreservedly supports resolution 1373 (2001). The anguish and suffering caused by terrorism is well known to us. We have fought this terror and will continue to do so with unflinching determination and resolve. We have also gained valuable lessons from this tragic period.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The determination of the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their electoral right to choose their representatives has been marred by a campaign of intimidation and terror inspired from across the border. That campaign has been designed specifically to foster a climate of fear and instability. But, as is abundantly clear in all democratic societies and as has been expressly confirmed in this case as well, the preferred option invariably is that of the ballot over the bullet. Our commitment to the preservation of the rule of law also remains undiminished. The international community has responded to the collective challenge created by terrorism and its backers through resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The act of terror is intended to cause physical, psychological, social and political damage on a scale that is meant to destabilize communities and to disrupt and retard peace, economic progress and development, social harmony and political institution-building. We know from experience that open, liberal and democratic societies are particularly vulnerable. India has been a victim of State-sponsored, cross- border terrorism for two decades now, with a horrendous toll of tens of thousands of persons killed. The recent terrorist attack in a place of worship in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, left over 30 innocent men, women and children dead and hundreds of others wounded.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Perhaps this was due to a sense of immunity felt by some societies from the worst manifestations of this phenomenon. Without their conscious engagement, political will and determination, no struggle against terrorism could become a global reality. States that were victims of terrorism, which had hitherto faced this challenge on their own, now find support and sympathy. Indeed, they have now been asked to join the coalition to combat this global evil. We in India believe that terrorism is a common enemy of all peoples, of all beliefs and of all religions. It is a disorder that seeks to undermine the peaceful, democratic and cooperative order that most civil societies aspire to attain.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“One year after the catastrophe of 11 September, such a meeting is opportune to review the progress achieved in our common endeavour to extirpate this phenomenon from our midst and to assess what more needs to be done in this regard. For some decades, global terrorism has fixed its malign attention upon many countries across the world, bringing in its wake the pain and waste of human tragedy through wanton murders, mindless mayhem and indiscriminate destruction. In recent years this phenomenon has become more pervasive, organized and networked, arising as it has from the debris of the polarizations, divisions and conflicts that characterized the cold war era. The response of the international community to this challenge had, until recently, been generally episodic, sometimes apathetic, and characterized often by tokenism.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We extend our warmest congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you success in dealing with the complicated issues engaging the attention of this body. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Bulgaria on the work achieved during the month of its presidency, coinciding as it did with the anniversary of the attacks of 11 September and the general debate in the General Assembly. I also take this opportunity to congratulate Angola, Chile, Germany, Pakistan and Spain on their election by the General Assembly to the Council beginning next year. We commend your initiative, Mr. President, to convene this open meeting of the Council on the subject of counter-terrorism, which is the overriding concern of the international community today.”
2002-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4618Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The answer lies in all concerned persevering in their efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and in not allowing vested interests to derail a process designed to bring peace, security and economic well-being to an entire generation of people in the region. India joins the rest of the international community in calling for continued forward movement in realizing the vision of two States, living side by side within secure and recognized boundaries, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002).”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The resurgence of violence threatens to derail efforts towards peace, as do the military measures of the IDF. The resumption of suicide bombings by militant groups are an act of random violence designed to torpedo the progress by the parties concerned towards arriving at conciliatory measures. We condemn the suicide bombings and the violence against innocent civilians. It is our belief that no situation, however difficult, can justify acts of violence against innocent civilians, be they Israelis or Palestinians or any other people of the Earth on which we cohabit. Another crossroad has been reached, requiring another debate in the Security Council on the Bengalese issue.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“According to the report, unemployment in the occupied territories is around 50 per cent and poverty levels have reached 70 per cent in Gaza and 55 per cent in the West Bank, while income losses are estimated at $7.6 million a day, with a total loss of $3.3 billion since October 2000. The Secretary- General has reported that, despite high-level Israeli assurances of increased cooperation with the aid agencies, there have been only marginal improvements on the ground. We urge the Government of Israel to do all that is possible to alleviate the social and economic plight of the Palestinian population by lifting closures and blockades, by allowing unhindered access to humanitarian supplies and by releasing the balance of funds due to the Palestinian Authority.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The extent of the continuing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been highlighted by the Secretary-General's Personal Humanitarian Envoy, Catherine Bertini, who visited the region last August and, more recently, by the release of the report of the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator (UNSCO) for the Middle East peace process on the impact of closure and other mobility restrictions on Palestinian productive activities. The UNSCO report shows that the Palestinian economy is in a severe depression, with only international aid stemming a possible total breakdown.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“My Government strongly deplores Israeli retaliatory measures against President Arafat and believes them to be counterproductive. We believe that, far from contributing to Israel's security, they can only jeopardize efforts towards peace. President Arafat remains the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and any attack against him would seriously undermine ongoing efforts to find a solution to the conflict. We call upon the Israeli Government to completely withdraw its forces from President Arafat's compound forthwith and to work with the Palestinian Authority in de-escalating the situation.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The reoccupation of the headquarters of the President of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah on 19 September and the wanton destruction of property around the President's headquarters by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) serve no constructive purpose. Israeli forces have also reacted strongly to spontaneous Palestinian protests against Israeli actions in President Arafat's compound, leading to the deaths of more Palestinians and injuries to several others. The incursions of the IDF into Palestinian-controlled areas of Gaza and the reimposition of curfews and closures in all Palestinian cities, with the exception of Bethlehem, have taken the region back to the situation of six weeks ago and have set back the political process.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Six weeks of relative quiet in the Middle East gave rise to hopes for the possibility of progress in addressing the conflict raging in the region. The decision of the Quartet, in its meeting of 17 September, to come up with a three- phase road map for achieving a two-State solution within three years, as well as the Quartet's meetings with the Foreign Ministers of countries in the region, were positive signs. Unfortunately, recent developments, including the two suicide attacks inside Israel, the bomb blast in a Palestinian school and subsequent Israeli action in Ramallah, have worked to negate all efforts towards reconciliation.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council during a month charged with a full agenda, coinciding, as it does, with the General Assembly and with the first anniversary of the 11 September attacks. We thank you for convening this emergency open meeting of the Council on the serious situation in the Middle East, which allows us to take stock of the recent developments. Although in the month leading up to 17 September, 56 Palestinians and five Israelis lost their lives, the six weeks from 4 August to 18 September were unique in that they represented the longest period without a suicide bombing or major Israeli military activity since September 2000.”
2002-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4614Resumption1 (2002) · source
“My Government attaches great importance to the ongoing efforts of the "quartet" and to the initiative of Saudi Arabia endorsed by the Arab League Summit at Beirut, aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source
“In this context, we support the Secretary-General's call for the parties to fully respect their international obligations as well as to facilitate the work of the United Nations and of other agencies. It would seem from actions such as the Monday night attack that we are moving away from the vision of Israel and Palestine living peacefully as two States, side by side within secure and recognized boundaries. But such a slide back must not be allowed to happen. We reiterate our call for an immediate end to violence and the resumption of dialogue leading to a negotiated and permanent settlement of this question based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and as envisaged in resolution 1397 (2002).”
2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source
“It has been almost two years since the commencement of the current spiral of aggravated action and reaction in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. Countless lives have been lost and many others broken by the loss of livelihood or of loved ones. All efforts to find a solution have been frustrated for one reason or another. We join our friends from the Arab Group in requesting the Security Council to call for necessary measures to bring an end to the current tragic situation. In the meantime, we are also faced with what Secretary-General Kofi Annan has referred to as a "threat of economic collapse and social destitution" looming over the occupied territories. India believes it is time for the international community to act proactively to reduce the suffering and deprivation faced by the Palestinians.”
2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source
“In his statement of 22 July, the Secretary-General pointed out that "Israel has the legal and moral responsibility to take all measures to avoid the loss of innocent life; it clearly failed to do so in using a missile against an apartment building." Even while we have noted the statement by Israel that this was a mistake, we cannot but strongly deplore this act of unwarranted violence and indiscriminate killings at a time when serious efforts are afoot to broker de-escalating actions between the concerned parties. We have in the past deplored the acts of violence perpetrated against Israeli civilians. In the present instance, we join other Member countries in calling upon Israel to conduct itself in a manner that is fully consistent with international humanitarian law.”
2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source
“Mr. President, we are grateful to you for convening this meeting at short notice following the sharp deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. The attack launched by Israel late Monday night in the Gaza Strip has resulted in the loss of a large number of precious human lives and injury to hundreds. Most of the dead and injured were helpless and unarmed Palestinian civilians, including women and children.”
2002-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4588 (2002) · source
“I would like to underline my Government's support for, and best wishes to, President Hamid Karzai, to the Transitional Authority and to the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to build and secure for themselves a stable, prosperous and democratic nation. India's interest, and also the interest of all peace-loving peoples around the world, lies in the emergence of a strong, united and independent Afghanistan.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“On behalf of my Government, I wish to express our strong commendation of Ambassador Brahimi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and the team of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for their tireless, imaginative and highly disciplined efforts, which have contributed so significantly to bringing us to this stage in the difficult process of the political stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan. We extend our support to them in the task of furthering the consensus in favour of positive change and of working with the Afghan people in meeting the challenges before them as they move towards the establishment of a freely elected, constitutional and democratic Government in Afghanistan.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“One of the bulwarks against destabilizing factors in the Afghan capital has been the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which has performed commendably under difficult circumstances. We wish to commend the Government of the United Kingdom for their successful handling of the ISAF command. We also express our appreciation to the Government of Turkey for agreeing to take over command of ISAF. We wish them all success in their important task of maintaining security in the Kabul area.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We have also provided medical and paramedical teams, extensive medical stores, medical instruments and equipment in various cities of Afghanistan. More than 18 tonnes of material for artificial limbs was sent to set up a camp for amputees in Kabul. Earthquake relief in the form of 10,000 blankets, a substantial number of tents and medical supplies was delivered in April 2002. A computer training centre has been established and is being run in Afghanistan by Indian experts. Skills upgrading for various professionals and Internet access via very small aperture terminals (VSAT) have also been established for the Interim Administration of Afghanistan. In extending our assistance, we have scrupulously adhered to the concept of Afghan ownership and prioritization in designing and implementing programmes for Afghanistan.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“India is committed to providing extensive humanitarian, project and financial assistance to Afghanistan's reconstruction. As part of our $100 million financial commitment, we transferred $10 million to the Afghan Government as a cash subsidy grant on 10 July 2002. Another $11.5 million is available for project-related assistance. Details are being worked out for the transfer of three Airbus aircraft as a grant to Ariana Airlines. Fifty buses have been provided to the Afghan Government. We have committed an amount of 1 million tonnes of wheat as food aid to Afghanistan. Discussions are on with the World Food Programme to operationalize part of that commitment as high protein biscuits for a school feeding programme in Afghanistan.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“As a measure of our support to institution-building in Afghanistan, my Government has undertaken the organization and conduct of 12 training courses involving approximately 250 officers of the Afghan police in specialized areas including investigation techniques, logistics, personnel management and general policing duties. In order to address the multifaceted challenges that it faces today - and this includes the continuing threats from regrouping Al Qaeda and Taliban elements - Afghanistan requires substantial, extensive and long-term international assistance to meet its reconstruction and humanitarian requirements. This would be a process of nation-building to which the international community would have to lend a continuous helping hand.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It would be tragic and downright dangerous for Afghanistan and for regional and international peace and security if the malevolent and extremist forces manifested in Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and their external support, were allowed to succeed in their efforts. To meet this challenge, a major element of the institutional reconstruction effort in Afghanistan has to be the development of the country's security structures. It is important that those structures be established as Afghan institutions flowing out of intra-Afghan processes relevant to and targeted at meeting Afghan needs in response to internal and external threats.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Secretary-General, in his 11 July report (S/2002/737) on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security refers to the threats to the consolidation of peace and civil government in the country posed by actions of the ex-Taliban and Al Qaeda forces that explicitly oppose the Bonn process, as well as to those posed by the presence of armed factions. The continued regrouping of Al Qaeda and Taliban cadres along Afghanistan's southern and south-eastern borders heavily impinges on the security situation in Afghanistan, as well as on the rest of our region, and is of serious concern to us. What is more worrying is that they continue to receive external support.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The assassination on 6 July of Vice- President Haji Abdul Qadir, within a month of the Loya Jirga, was a disquieting sign that the forces of instability and extremism continue to cast their dark shadow over Afghanistan and the rest of the region. We strongly condemn this and other incidents. We cannot allow those forces to succeed. We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Brahimi, for his valuable briefing today.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The transitional Government, like its predecessor, the Interim Administration, faces the uphill task of rebuilding the Afghan national economy, infrastructure and institutions of governance. It also faces an uncertain security situation in certain parts of the country. While the international community has every reason to feel satisfied at the remarkable process of transformation in Afghanistan from the totalitarian, unrepresentative and brutal Taliban regime to the multi-ethnic, democratic order represented by the Transitional Administration, we cannot overlook the threats and dangers that could undermine those achievements.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“From the selection of approximately 1,000 delegates from 390 districts of Afghanistan - in particular the selection and activism of some 200 women delegates - through the actual conduct of the Loya Jirga, the progressive evolution of a consensus and, finally, the election of the head of State, approval and appointment of the Transitional Authority of Afghanistan and of other structures, the entire process was carried out in accordance with the agreement reached in Bonn, where the Afghan parties had pledged to move towards a freely elected and constitutional Government. We welcome the outcome of the Emergency Loya Jirga and the election of Hamid Karzai as the President of the transitional Islamic Government of Afghanistan.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Since the last consideration by the Security Council of the situation in Afghanistan, a number of momentous developments have taken place. The first and most positive development has been the successful conclusion last month of the Emergency Loya Jirga, which represents the will of the Afghan people.”
2002-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4579Resumption1 (2002) · source
“India is not a signatory to the ICC Statute for reasons that are well known. We would urge the Council to give careful consideration to the views of major troop- contributing countries that are not party to the ICC before taking a decision. The Council should not allow United Nations peacekeeping operations, an important tool for the maintenance of international peace and security in its hands, to be undermined by its own decisions.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source
“Quite apart from the exemplary discipline and commitment to the cause of peace displayed by them, we see them as answerable for their behaviour to authorities within the established hierarchy of command and to our own established institutions, not to institutions whose jurisdiction we do not recognize. Notwithstanding that, we understand the dilemma of the countries that have signed the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and have taken upon themselves certain specific obligations thereunder. We recognize that they are free to submit their nationals, including their troops, to the jurisdiction of the ICC as a national decision. The Council's decision on this issue will have broad ramifications for United Nations peacekeeping operations as well as for troop-contributing countries.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source
“As a measure of abundant caution, the Council should ensure that troops for United Nations peacekeeping missions are drawn from countries that uphold healthy democratic traditions and where respect for the rule of law, constitutional order, civilian control over armed forces and basic transparency in the functioning of institutions are observed. Obviously, troops that usurp power at home and undermine or emasculate constitutional structures are unlikely to promote or reinforce the rule of law elsewhere. As representatives of a democracy - the largest in the world - with an independent judiciary whose contribution to the jurisprudence of the rights of the individual is likely to have few equals, we find it difficult to accept an outside authority purporting to sit in judgement upon the actions of our troops.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source
“Their record has been a matter of pride for all of us. This is particularly true for countries such as India that have contributed peacekeepers in significant numbers. To our knowledge, there has been no instance of a United Nations peacekeeping force having been accused of committing an egregious crime. We are of the view that, in practical terms, the possibility of United Nations peacekeepers being involved in crimes that would bring them within the purview of international tribunals such as the International Criminal Court is extremely remote. Therefore, in taking a decision on this matter, the Council will do well to bear in mind the actual historical experience and to ponder whether there is need at all to seek a cure for an ailment that does not exist.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source
“As of now, United Nations peacekeepers are provided immunity under status of forces agreements. Such immunity is provided for sound practical reasons that have stood the test of time. Exposing them now to allegations and possible harassment through charges of crimes committed during the exercise of their functions as peacekeepers, apart from laying them open to the possibility of motivated charges, is likely to put these forces on the defensive, constrict their capacity to take firm action when required and, eventually, adversely affect the readiness of potential troop contributors to provide troops to the United Nations for peacekeeping functions. Over the past five decades, United Nations peacekeepers have contributed immensely to the preservation of peace in different parts of the world.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source
“We shall do so in a constructive spirit and with a sense of responsibility as a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations. United Nations peacekeepers, by definition, are deployed to serve the cause of international peace, often in lands unknown to them, far removed from their homes or national interests. They operate under strict mandates and tight rules of engagement established by the United Nations. They are drawn from a number of countries and are supervised from United Nations Headquarters, in addition to the political leadership of the mission concerned. Moreover, they are accountable to their own Governments for their actions in the field. It is therefore highly unlikely that United Nations peacekeepers would commit criminal offences of an egregious nature or gross, premeditated and systemic crimes.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source
“Please accept my delegation's congratulations, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July. While the agenda item under consideration today is the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the issue that has so far prevented the Council from adopting a substantive resolution on that item is the immunity of peacekeepers from the jurisdiction of third parties, including international criminal tribunals, with respect to possible allegations of criminal offences committed during peacekeeping operations. We appreciate the opportunity given to non- members of the Council to share their perspective on the ongoing debate in the Council's informal consultations on this important and, indeed, divisive issue.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568 (2002) · source