YouSaid · the spoken record

Neewoor

lines on the record: 202
first: 2001-01-16
most recent: 2001-06-29
sittings or episodes: 29
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

“I will try to heed your appeal, Sir, and to be brief. I shall not comment on all the points that are relevant in this case. First, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Hans Haekkerup, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kosovo and the head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). We thank for the briefing he has given us on the situation in Kosovo. We also thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report. We are fully conscious of the huge dimension of the work UNMIK is shouldering to consolidate peace, tackle ethnic violence, establish and conduct an effective administration and prepare Kosovo politically for the democratic process necessary to its autonomy within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.”
2001-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4296 (2001) · source
“Last but not least, I wish to emphasize that the starting point for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority should be where the negotiations stood when the two sides last met. It took a long time and enormous patience and skill on both sides for the negotiations to reach that critical point from the early beginnings of the Oslo process. The important gains already achieved must be preserved and should constitute the foundation for future negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The rest are matters of detail that the two sides must work out at the negotiating table in a spirit of mutual accommodation, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). Israel has been insisting that all violence must end before negotiations can resume. In our view, the best and surest way to end the ongoing cycle of violence is to deploy a United Nations observer force in the occupied territories. This was suggested yesterday to Mr. Shimon Peres by several delegations, including Mauritius, in the Security Council. We hope the Israeli Government will respond favourably to this important proposal. The Security Council will shortly consider a draft resolution on the Middle East that must include such a proposal, and my delegation will fully support the adoption of the draft resolution by the Council.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The other reason given in this regard by Mr. Peres is the continuation of violence. Ambassador Al-Kidwa, on the other hand, gave the Council a vivid picture of the frustration of the Palestinian people and their suffering under Israel's occupation and blockade. We would like to say to both the Israelis and the Palestinians that the two peoples have only one destiny, and that is peaceful coexistence in mutual trust. There is no other option, and to search for one is supremely futile. It has been so in the past; it is so now; and it will be so in the future. The right of the Palestinian people to an independent State is unquestionable, and so is the right of the Israelis to exist as a nation with secure borders.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We believe that the international community should do all it can to encourage the two sides to get back to the task of negotiating a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question. The Security Council in particular must assume its responsibility in this regard. The Security Council had the opportunity to hear Mr. Shimon Peres, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel, yesterday afternoon, and we were reassured by his statement that peace is at the centre of the policies of the new Israeli Government. The Council also heard yesterday the Ambassador of the Observer Mission of Palestine, Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, who also reaffirmed the commitment of the Palestinian Authority to peace in the Middle East. According to Mr. Peres, it is high emotions rather than politics that are preventing the peace process from moving forward.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Thirdly, the blockade of the Palestinian territories by Israel is inflicting untold suffering on the Palestinian people, who not only are deprived of their freedom of movement but are also unable to earn their normal livelihood. It also imposes great economic and financial hardship on the Palestinian Authority by denying essential revenues to which it is entitled. Fourthly, in Israel a new Government under the leadership of Mr. Ariel Sharon was sworn into office last week following the recent elections, and Israel should be in a position again to resume negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. In the atmosphere of the continuing stalemate, more than enough violence has occurred, with the loss of many precious lives. The stalemate must end, and negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority must resume without further delay.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for holding this important meeting of the Security Council to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. We believe that this meeting requested by the Arab League is appropriate and very timely for the following reasons. First, the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which was halted several months ago as it moved into the final rounds towards a negotiated settlement, remains stalled, with no visible prospect for early resumption. Secondly, the violence between Palestinians and Israelis, which started in September last year and which has already taken a heavy toll of lives on both sides, particularly among the Palestinians, continues, albeit at a lesser level but with no end in sight, and clouds the prospects for negotiations to start again.”
2001-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4295Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Lubbers that the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone must be strengthened as urgently as possible so that it can assist in the return of refugees to Sierra Leone through the safe passage that is proposed to be created. Mr. Lubbers has also spoken about the need to address seriously the problem of poverty, which further exacerbates conflicts in the Mano River Union region. We share Mr. Lubbers' assessment and call upon the United Nations bodies concerned to redouble their efforts in this regard. We also urge the international community and the Bretton Woods institutions to put in additional efforts towards alleviating poverty in the Mano River Union region. I cannot conclude without paying a warm tribute to UNHCR and all the non-governmental organizations that are engaged in assisting the refugees.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“Lubbers for ensuring a safe passage for the refugees. We have no doubt that the community of donors and the international financial institutions will respond to the mammoth humanitarian situation existing today in West Africa and will contribute generously to alleviate the suffering of the refugees. In this regard, we welcome the meeting of the officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and the representatives of the Guinea Government to assess the country's social service needs in the wake of the humanitarian situation along its common borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone. My delegation agrees with Mr.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“In this regard, we welcome the appeal made by the President of Mali and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States to the leaders of the Mano River Union to meet urgently at summit level to seek a negotiable solution to the crisis. My delegation believes that it is equally important for the Government of Liberia, in particular for the President of Liberia, to be fully involved in finding a comprehensive solution for the safe return home of all refugees. In this regard, we wish to reiterate the demand made to the President of Liberia in the Security Council resolution adopted yesterday to stop all support provided to the RUF in Sierra Leone. The President of Liberia should also fulfil his commitment to UNHCR to adhere to the basic principles agreed in the discussions with Mr.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“According to them, the refugees would not like to utilize the safety corridors for fear that no matter what guarantees are secured for safe passage they may be attacked by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), since the corridors would pass through rebel-held areas. These organizations prefer that the refugees be temporarily relocated to northern Guinea until the situation improves enough for them to go back to Sierra Leone safely. We would appreciate Mr. Lubbers' views on this. The impact of the civil war in Sierra Leone and its spillover effect into Guinea have been the principal causes of the misery suffered by innocent civilians on both sides of the borders of the two countries. It is imperative that the leaders of the Mano River Union address the issue at the highest political level.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“My delegation welcomes the demarche by UNHCR, in particular Mr. Ruud Lubbers' personal involvement, in establishing safety corridors for the return of refugees. It is our hope that both the Government of Guinea and the military will extend their full cooperation to UNHCR for the operation of the safety corridors within Guinean territory, in particular along the main road between Gueckedou and Kissidougou, as well as the route leading to Conakry. Let me emphasize that we are indeed very grateful to the Government of Guinea for hosting such a vast number of refugees despite its own economic and other difficulties. We are aware that some humanitarian organizations working on the ground in Guinea do not believe that safety corridors for the return of refugees to Sierra Leone can work.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“While we derive some comfort from the fact that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme have been able to dispatch some food convoys to the "parrot's beak" region, where both the Sierra Leonean refugees and the internally displaced persons in Guinea had not received any food in five months, we are particularly concerned by the predicament faced by the most vulnerable victims of the situation - namely, the elderly, women and children. The death rate among children under five years of age in the refugee camps is still very high. According to a report recently issued by the International Rescue Committee, one third of infants born in the Kenema district in Sierra Leone die before reaching their first birthday. Such a situation cannot be allowed to continue.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“We thank Mr. Lubbers for his comprehensive briefing on the humanitarian situation on the common borders between Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The dire humanitarian situation portrayed by Mr. Lubbers in his briefing is indeed very distressing. The appalling conditions in which the refugees and internally displaced persons find themselves in both Guinea and Sierra Leone are a matter of grave concern. Unless immediate steps are taken, we could be heading towards a real humanitarian catastrophe. The situation is certainly going to become further aggravated with the beginning of the rainy season in West Africa.”
2001-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4291 (2001) · source
“We assure the Minister of our total support, and we endorse the presidential statement that will be issued at the end of our meeting.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“My delegation welcomes the Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Security Council Chamber, and thanks him for the briefing he has given us. My delegation condemns the acts of violence in northern Macedonia by Albanian extremists. We appreciate the fact that the Government of Macedonia has exercised great restraint in addressing the situation resulting from the action of the Albanian extremists. We have no doubt that the Kosovo Force and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo will provide full support to the Government of Macedonia in addressing the situation. Macedonia is an example of a stable, multi-ethnic democracy and deserves the full support of the Security Council for the proposals that the Minister presented to manage the crisis imposed on it by the Albanian militants.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4289 (2001) · source
“Finally, I would like to suggest that the Security Council establish a working group with responsibility to make recommendations to the Council on implementation of the summit declaration. Furthermore, consideration should be given to the possibility of holding a ministerial meeting of the Security Council during the next session of the General Assembly for a review of the Security Council summit declaration.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We believe that a special unit should be set up in the United Nations Secretariat to facilitate coordination between the Security Council and the various United Nations bodies in the areas of post- conflict peace-building. The maintenance of international peace and security also entails the prevention of conflicts. The Security Council summit addressed this issue and suggested that regional offices of the Security Council be established, with the responsibility of preventing conflicts. We strongly support that proposal. We believe that such regional offices could also work closely with the regional organizations, which, too, have an important role in conflict prevention as well as in the management of conflicts.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The Security Council summit declaration referred to this problem, and it is now for us collectively to address this important issue in a comprehensive manner and come up with an appropriate solution. The maintenance of international peace and security, as referred to in the United Nations Charter, has larger connotations than just peacekeeping operations. The Security Council summit declaration rightly recognizes this and emphasizes that peace- building and identifying the root causes of conflicts should be given due attention by the Security Council and the United Nations in general. In order to address these issues, there is a need for cooperation between the Security Council and the other organs of the United Nations system, in particular the Economic and Social Council.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The imposition of mandatory sanctions is the only other tool available to the Security Council for enforcing its decisions. Unfortunately, the Security Council itself does not have the capacity to ensure compliance with its sanctions regimes. In such a situation, the sanctions are violated with impunity and often fail to serve their intended purpose. We then have a situation in which everything remains at a standstill, sometimes for years. We also have situations in which sanctions bitterly affect the people rather than the defaulting regimes for which they are intended, and the sanctions become the subject of popular outcry because of the humanitarian crisis to which they often lead.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The Security Council summit declaration appropriately called for particular attention to be given to peacekeeping in Africa. The Brahimi report addressed many of the shortcomings of United Nations peacekeeping operations and has made important recommendations, some of which are being implemented gradually. One very significant recommendation, which is also being implemented, is that there should be regular consultations, at every stage of peacekeeping operations, between the Security Council and the troop- contributing countries. We are hopeful that the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations established last month by the Security Council, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Curtis Ward of Jamaica, will deal with all relevant aspects for further improvement of United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We send rumbling and ill-equipped fire engines, often much too late, to contain raging fires of conflicts, and then realize that we have entrusted an impossible job to our firemen. Somalia, Angola and Sierra Leone are examples in this regard. At times our fire engines do not even start, as we saw in the case of Rwanda, where millions were being killed in a cruel genocide and were crying for help from the international community, and also in the case of Palestine last year. We know, furthermore, that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has waited more than 20 months for the deployment of a peacekeeping operation. Obviously, United Nations peacekeeping in Africa has been lacking in even-handedness, to the extent that there are allegations of double standards when it comes to deployment on the African continent.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We believe that the ongoing discussion in the General Assembly on reform of the Security Council needs to be concluded expeditiously in order to enable the Council to function more efficiently in fulfilling the responsibilities conferred upon it by the United Nations Charter. We would like to propose that we consider having a group of wise men, including former statesmen, discuss those issues of reform which continue to elude solutions in our discussions and make proposals to us for further consideration, because we need to move on with reforms of the Security Council. The manner in which conflicts are addressed presently by the Security Council can at best be described as "firefighting" with inadequate material, financial and human resources.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“(S/PV4194) We know that this important statement of the Secretary-General, which he reiterated this morning, is fully shared by most United Nations Members and is particularly relevant to the Security Council. We all agree that the maintenance of international peace and security has become a much more complex proposition than was originally envisaged in the United Nations Charter. Unfortunately, we have not adapted our structures and methods to deal with the new situation. The Security Council, which has the primary responsibility in this regard, continues to function within the parameters of a world order that has long since changed, and does not reflect the realities of our times. Its decision-making is, more often than not, flawed and inconsistent as well as lacking in credibility.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“There is no doubt that the institution of the Security Council as the instrument for the maintenance of international peace and security is in urgent need of rethinking if it is to continue to assume the role the Charter has given it. The Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, speaking at the Security Council summit six months ago, could not have better portrayed the present state of affairs: "Too many vulnerable communities in too many regions of the world now hesitate to look to the United Nations to assist them in their hour of need. No amount of resolutions or statements can change that reality; only action can: prompt, united, effective action pursued with skill and discipline to halt conflict and to restore the peace. Only such determined action can restore the reputation of the United Nations as a credible force for peace and justice".”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It is unfortunate that this important declaration has remained more or less dormant since its adoption at the summit level on 7 September last year. Indeed, the declaration sums up most of the concerns the members of the United Nations have regarding the effectiveness of the Security Council today, as the apex world body for the maintenance of international peace and security. It addresses the serious challenges the Security Council faces in carrying out its responsibilities today in changing circumstances and makes important proposals for the way forward. It reaffirms the need for reform, so that representation in the Security Council can become more equitable and its decisions more credible.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“This format enables the Security Council members to have the benefit of the views of the general membership of the United Nations and enables us to react to those views to the extent possible in an interactive process. This, we have no doubt, is much appreciated by the general membership. When the leaders of the countries serving on the Security Council meet in a special summit, as it happened six months ago, and, following their serious deliberations, agree to a declaration that incorporates their collective views on a subject as important as "Ensuring an effective role for the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly in Africa", such a declaration not only requires our serious attention but should be implemented by all possible means as a priority.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Let me begin by congratulating Ukraine once again on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March. I also thank Tunisia for its very effective presidency of the Council last month. My delegation is grateful to you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate on the follow-up to the Security Council summit held six months ago alongside of the Millennium Summit. We are also grateful to your delegation for the comprehensive background paper you have circulated with the aim of spurring meaningful discussion on this extremely important topic. We appreciate that for today's meeting you have decided on the format introduced under Singapore's presidency that allows the non-members of the Security Council to speak first.”
2001-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4288Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Finally, we urge the countries where UNITA elements have sanctuary, and from which they provide support for the sinister designs of UNITA, to exercise stronger control over the activities of such elements so that the use of their territories does not constitute a factor in UNITA's perpetuation of the sterile conflict in Angola. We warmly commend the Chairman and the members of the Monitoring Mechanism for all their work and their comprehensive report. My delegation supports France's proposal for the establishment of a permanent monitoring mechanism for all sanctions regimes and for sanctions-busting in particular. In the meantime, we support the extension of the Mechanism mandate for another three months.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“We urge weapons exporting countries to further strengthen their control of arms exports in order to prevent their arms from reaching the forces of rebellion and destabilization against legitimate Governments. We also support strong action, as mentioned in the report of the Monitoring Mechanism, against aircraft, ships and persons in the transportation industry involved in busting embargoes on arms shipments. In this regard, in order that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) can assume the responsibility for surveillance in the southern African region as proposed by the earlier Panel, we call upon the international community to provide the necessary financial and technical support to SADC without further delay.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“This is done with impunity, in violation of sanctions regimes established by the Security Council. The Monitoring Mechanism, like the panels on Sierra Leone and on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, followed the leads and came up with very credible conclusions in that regard. We in the Security Council must go beyond the "naming and shaming" system to impose appropriate sanctions against those found guilty of complicity in sanctions-busting. We strongly support the recommendations on setting up a global certification scheme for the diamond trade, as this would help make clear the difference between legal and illegal diamonds in that trade.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“It is reprehensible indeed that the greed of a few in Africa and elsewhere should cause so much suffering to so many people in the African continent. That cannot be allowed to continue. The nefarious trade in conflict diamonds involves not only sellers, but buyers as well, in addition to other greedy beneficiaries who supply rebel forces with weapons paid for with blood money from the sale of conflict diamonds. It also involves many unscrupulous elements in the air and sea transport trade. The nexus includes not only private individuals and business persons but, in certain instances, even political leaders who allow their territories to be used as transit points for the movement of illegal arms and fuel to forces of senseless rebellions, all for the personal rewards they reap in the process.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“The fact that Mr. Savimbi persists in waging civil war is a clear indication that his motive is other than to serve the cause of peace and stability and the well- being of the Angolan people. Indeed, it seems that it is the lure of Angola's diamond resources that principally motivates him. Mr. Savimbi and UNITA have been a bad influence elsewhere in Africa. The misery the people of Sierra Leone are enduring is also attributed to the lure of diamonds and to the looting of the mineral and other natural resources of their country. We also know of the similar situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, the destabilizing role of Liberia in Sierra Leone and Guinea has its motivation in taking advantage of conflict diamonds.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“We are confident that the recommendations will help make a further dent in the capacity of the Uniao Nacional Para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) to acquire arms and logistics paid for through illegal exploitation of Angolan diamonds in order to wage war against the Angolan people, war which over so many years has inflicted so much misery on the population of Angola, has brought about a humanitarian disaster and has retarded the development process ofthe country. We have no doubt that Mr. Jonas Savimbi knows full well that he cannot achieve a military victory in Angola. The reverses he has suffered recently are clear evidence of that. The only alternative open to him if he wishes to be a serious stakeholder in the political life of Angola is to renew his commitment to the Lusaka Protocol and to participate in its implementation.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“We take this opportunity to pay tribute to Ambassador Heinbecker's predecessor, Ambassador Robert Fowler, whose vision and dedicated work laid the foundation for the important work of the Monitoring Mechanism. We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Minister for External Relations of Angola, in our midst today. My delegation has taken careful note ofthe report of the Monitoring Mechanism, and we fully endorse that report as well as all the recommendations of the Monitoring Mechanism.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“I would like first of all to thank Ambassador Richard Ryan, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993) concerning Angola, for his presentation of the report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Angola Sanctions (S/2000/l225) this afternoon. We know how seriously Ambassador Ryan has been working since he took over the chairmanship ofthe Committee on Angola in January this year, along with the other members of his Committee, for the early examination by the Security Council of the report and the recommendations of the Monitoring Mechanism. In the same breath, I wish to express our thanks to the former Chairman of the Angola Committee, Ambassador Paul Heinbecker of Canada, for his very able stewardship of the Committee last year.”
2001-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4283 (2001) · source
“We stress that, in the preparations for the proposed elections, UNMIK must ensure that all ethnic groups have the opportunity to participate. In that regard, the opening of an UNMIK office in Belgrade is extremely important, as it would facilitate the participation in the elections of Serbs who are at present constrained from leaving their homes in Kosovo. It is also important that the legal and administrative authorities of Kosovo should provide for the representation of all ethnic groups. Finally, we urge the Serbian authorities to release all Albanian prisoners still being held in Serbian prisons. A general amnesty in that regard can be very helpful for the establishment of inter-ethnic harmony. My delegation fully supports the work of UNMIK for the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999).”
2001-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4277 (2001) · source
“We appreciate the comprehensive briefing given to us by Mr. Guehenno. The situation in Kosovo today obviously has not undergone any significant change since the Council was last briefed a couple of weeks ago. We note with concern that violence has continued, the worst case being the events in Mitrovica in which a number of United Nations peacekeepers were injured. We need hardly emphasize that the first and foremost task before the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) is to curb all violence so that the process of peace-building can proceed. We commend UNMIK for the comprehensive plan it is implementing to restore peace and normalcy in Kosovo. We wish to reiterate that Kosovars' destiny can only be multi-ethnic coexistence.”
2001-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4277 (2001) · source
“Although the humanitarian relief agencies are doing a commendable job in alleviating their suffering, we would like to see the international community make more efforts to provide further assistance to these people, who find themselves in dire economic conditions. But there is no doubt that only when peace and stability are firmly established in all the countries of the region will the end of human suffering be ensured. In conclusion, my delegation would like to add that no progress can be achieved unless the leaders of the Great Lakes region show their determination, will and commitment to engage fully in bringing stability and peace to the region. We believe that the time to do so is now.”
2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source
“The dire conditions prevailing in the Great Lakes region are largely a result of the illegal circulation of and trafficking in small arms and light weapons and the use of mineral and other resources for financing paramilitary and organized rebel groups. We are therefore looking forward to the report and the findings of the United Nations panel on illegal exploitation of natural resources and other sources of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is due next month. We are extremely concerned by the humanitarian situation arising from the instability in the Great Lakes region. All the countries of this region face the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons.”
2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source
“In this regard, we have noted with satisfaction that Rwanda has offered to go beyond the provisions of the disengagement plan and withdraw its forces to a distance of up to 200 miles. We welcome this positive commitment by Rwanda. Our goal, of course, is to bring about the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the earliest. We are confident that the meeting of heads of State of the region in the coming days will add new impetus to the momentum already created to advance the Lusaka process. We call for the earliest deployment of phase II of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1332 (2000).”
2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source
“Last Friday the new President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in his statement to the Security Council, reconfirmed his country's commitment to move the Lusaka process forward and to actively pursue the inter- Congolese dialogue. We would like to see all the parties to the conflict reaffirm their commitments similarly. We believe there is today an excellent opportunity for peace in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo and in the Great Lakes region. Indeed, for the last few weeks we have been hearing statements of commitment from the parties to the conflict to move the Lusaka process forward. Now is the time for these statements to be translated into concrete action by all those concerned. In this regard, the highest priority undoubtedly is the implementation of the disengagement plan signed in Harare in December.”
2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source
“First of all, I wish to thank you, Mr. Minister, for presiding over this important meeting. The delegation of Mauritius is very pleased to welcome Mr. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, to the Security Council Chamber this morning. We thank the President for his important briefing. In the wake ofthe recent tragic event in Kinshasa, the Security Council received guarantees from Rwanda that it did not intend to take advantage of the situation. Similar guarantees were also received from Uganda. We are glad that these guarantees have been respected, and on that account, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to remain largely peaceful. There is no doubt that the Lusaka Agreement constitutes the only basis for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, indeed, in the whole Great Lakes region.”
2001-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4273 (2001) · source
“Finally, peace-building enterprises can succeed only if they are backed by the necessary financial support. We hope that the United Nations, the international financial institutions and the donor community will work together concertedly to make sure that what we are discussing today does not remain a dead letter.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source
“We welcome the initiative taken to invite the World Bank to participate in the Executive Committee on Peace and Security, which is responsible for the design and implementation of post-conflict peace-building initiatives within the United Nations. We must also work towards enhancing the coordination role of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) within the United Nations, since with the growing number of conflicts, there is greater need to make peace-building operations a high priority. Article 65 of the United Nations Charter lays down clearly the parameters for cooperation between the Security Council and ECOSOC. We believe that Article 65, which so far has been applied only once - in 1999, in favour of Haiti- should become a Vital instrument for comprehensive United Nations post-conflict peace- building efforts.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source
“However, we would like to see more timely efforts applied towards the construction of basic physical infrastructures, proper transportation and telecommunications, schools and public health facilities as part of the reconstruction programmes. Education would indeed provide the younger generation with technical and professional training, which is the essential foundation for the acquisition of skills. These are important elements that would eventually lead to job creation and consequently enhance the quality of life ofthe people. In conclusion, let me add that with the designation of the Department of Political Affairs as the focal point within the United Nations for post- conflict peace-building, there has been better coordination and progress in peace-building activities.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source
“The training, reforming and restructuring of local police forces are very important components of peace- building. My delegation subscribes to paragraphs 39 to 41 of the Brahimi report, especially with regard to the call for a doctrinal shift in the use of civilian police and human right experts in complex peacekeeping operations, with a View to strengthening the legal institutions and improving human rights. The rehabilitation and resettlement of the local population after conflicts remain the central objectives of any peace-building undertaking. Our efforts should be focused more and more at creating the conditions conducive to sustainable economic growth necessary for reconstruction. United Nations agencies, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations are already heavily engaged in reconstruction activities.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source
“For this reason alone, we ponder why several countries are still crippled in poverty despite being endowed with rich natural resources. Last week we renewed the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), and everyone expressed satisfaction at the fact that the people of East Timor were heading towards the achievement of their cherished goal of independence. The role of UNTAET in training the East Timorese to take charge of their administrative machinery and institutions, which are the prerequisites for a newly independent democratic nation, demonstrates the resolve of the United Nations for a comprehensive approach towards peace-building. The success of a peace-building operation lies to a great extent in the sense of security felt by citizens.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source
“They should be encouraged to undertake national reconciliation and to promote unity, as well as demonstrate respect for human rights. States should avail themselves of the expertise of the United Nations, including through the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in drafting national plans of action for human rights and strengthening their judicial institutions. There will be no sustained peace and security if individuals continue to live in fear of arbitrary arrest and detention. Newly established democratic Governments should also enlist the expertise of the International Civil Service Commission to help build a credible, transparent and accountable public administration. Corruption, malpractice and distorted decision-making not only stall economic development but also discourage foreign investment.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source
“Free and fair elections are one of the important pillars that sustain democratic societies. It is a fact that democracies rarely go to war against each other. It is equally true that democracies have a lower level of internal conflicts than non-democracies. My delegation wishes to underscore the importance of putting in place a democratically elected Government once a peace agreement has been reached. It is encouraging to note that the Electoral Assistance Division of the United Nations is providing more and more assistance to electoral processes worldwide. Illegitimate and non-credible regimes very often carry the seeds of instability that eventually lead to frustration among the population, as a result of which conflicts may arise. Governments have a major responsibility in the process of confidence-building.”
2001-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4272 (2001) · source