YouSaid · the spoken record

Ngowe

lines on the record: 141
first: 1995-04-21
most recent: 1996-08-30
sittings or episodes: 23
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

“The people of Liberia will never forget their sterling efforts and sacrifices. We appeal to the rest of the ECOWAS member States to join their brothers in the search for peace in Liberia. The Liberian peace dividend would be shared among all West African States, and it is imperative that all States in the subregion should participate in its attainment. They should do whatever it takes to get involved, and they should not allow any obstacle to stand in their way. We believe the crisis in Liberia would be more amenable to a solution with a determined, collective and united approach by all countries of the subregion. The United Nations cannot afford to allow the efforts of ECOMOG to fail.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“We applaud and commend the commitment and tenacity of purpose of the ECOWAS member States participating in ECOMOG. It is unfortunate that signs of "Liberia fatigue" are starting to manifest themselves among them. They are doing an exemplary job in regional peace-keeping, one worth emulating elsewhere in Africa and other parts of the world. Our wish is that they stay the course. They should persevere and transcend the present difficulties. We are fully alive to the immense financial and logistical problems with which they have to contend, but we are also aware that they have been so close to success that nothing new is likely to match their experience or their staying capacity. History will pass a better judgment on their unswerving determination to secure peace in Liberia than the world is currently doing.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“The international community was fully aware from the time the Abuja Agreement was signed that the success of the peace process depended on the speedy disengagement, disarmament and demobilization of the combatants. There was ample information on the financial and material resources necessary to get the job done. Yet the appeals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) for financial and logistical support did not elicit a sufficient and effective response from the international community. These African States have made tremendous sacrifices for the cause of peace in Liberia. They have fully understood that so long as the sore that is Liberia continues to fester, none of them can enjoy good health.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“The resumption of hostilities has revealed the faction leaders as power-hungry, self-seeking men with no love for country and people. They should endeavour to change this image if they are to be taken seriously and be worthy of the assistance of the international community. There is no doubt that the current fighting was a grave mistake, a terrible military rniscalculation which resulted in a stalemate. It should not have been attempted in the first place. It is clear that no faction leader can now hope to impose his will on the others. In other words, the faction leaders have no choice but to resume negotiations aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Liberian national crisis. The most painful aspect of the tragedy in Liberia is that it was predictable.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“My delegation was deeply disturbed by the resumption of fighting in Liberia on 6 April 1996, which reversed in the cruellest and most brutal manner the gains of a promising peace process. The senseless bloodletting that has been visited upon Monrovia, which had been a safe haven for most of the six years of civil war, brought despair where there had been hope for a peaceful future. The Liberian faction leaders and parties bear ultimate responsibility for leading their country and their people down a path of merciless killings and wanton destruction of property. It is incomprehensible that people who aspire to the leadership of their country can at the same time reduce it to a wasteland and its capital to a ghost town. What kind of country do they want to rule - a country that has been reduced to rubble?”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“Coming from southern Africa, we are fully alive to the negative effects that terrorism and destabilization can have on the economies of countries. We do not wish them to be visited upon the countries of East Africa, or any group of States, for that matter.”
1996-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3660 (1996) · source
“The draft resolution before us sends the right message about the commitment of the international community to effectively combat terrorism. All States should cooperate in the efforts to rid the world of the menace of terrorism. It is therefore our ardent hope that the Government of the Sudan will also cooperate in this endeavour and take concrete steps to ensure compliance with the demands of the international community. This would send a clear signal that the Sudan does not abet terrorist activities and the Government of the Sudan would have clearly dissociated itself from the terrorism that its neighbours accuse it of encouraging. The peoples of East Africa want peace, without which they cannot develop their countries.”
1996-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3660 (1996) · source
“What is most striking about the report is that all the Sudan's neighbours, visited by the Special Envoy, accuse the Sudanese Government of supporting terrorist activities in their countries. We find this most disturbing. Africa is drowning in all manner of problems, and it can ill afford to add more. We therefore appeal to the Sudan and its neighbours to respect each other's territorial integrity. My delegation voted in favour of resolution 1044 (1996) because of its firm aversion to terrorism. Terrorism is the scourge of world society today, and it is incumbent upon all States, including the Sudan, to get rid of this scourge. The extradition of the three suspects to Ethiopia would serve as a deterrent to terrorists in the region and beyond. Those with terrorist intentions would know that there is no place to hide.”
1996-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3660 (1996) · source
“We are aware that the draft resolution before us is not as stringent on the Sudan as it could have been, or as some would have wanted it to be, thanks to the efforts of the co-sponsors. We are banking on the compliance of the Government of the Sudan with the Security Council resolutions; we trust that the Sudan will hand over the three suspects to Ethiopia for prosecution and that it will not be necessary for the Security Council to adopt a third resolution on this matter. Immediately following the adoption of resolution 1044 (1996), the Secretary-General dispatched a Special Envoy to Africa for consultations on the implementation of that resolution, and a report on the results of that diplomatic effort was submitted to the Security Council.”
1996-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3660 (1996) · source
“When the Security Council adopted resolution 1044 (1996) on 31 January 1996, my delegation expressed the hope that it would be the last resolution to be adopted by the Council on the question of the extradition to Ethiopia of the three suspects wanted in connection with the assassination attempt on the life of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last June. We had hoped the Government of the Sudan would comply with the demands of resolution 1044 (1996) and avoid a prolonged dispute with the Security Council. It is not too late; the Sudan can still do what is expected of it by Security Council resolution 1044 (1996). The Sudan is a fellow African country, and we do not harbour any ill intentions against its brotherly people.”
1996-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3660 (1996) · source
“It would therefore be an important step forward if the States neighbouring Rwanda were to agree to the deployment of United Nations observers, in line with operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution in front of us. In this connection, we look forward to the outcome of the Secretary-General's consultations and express the hope that they will be crowned with success.”
1996-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3656 (1996) · source
“The Commission of Inquiry can succeed in its noble but arduous task only if it enjoys the support and cooperation of Member States, in particular, those of the Great Lakes region of central Africa. The Government of Seychelles has already contributed meaningfully to the work of the Commission, and we call upon other States, in accordance with operative paragraphs 8, 9, and 10 of the draft resolution before us, to do likewise. The sale and flow of arms demands a multifaceted approach. It is not enough to carry out investigations after arms and related materiel have been delivered. Priority should be given to stemming the flow of such weapons.”
1996-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3656 (1996) · source
“While the International Commission of Inquiry has made tremendous progress in its investigations, it is clear from paragraphs 19 and 20 of the report that some work still remains to be done. We are gravely concerned about reports that aircraft were continuing to land at Goma and Bukavu and that some former Rwandese government forces were engaging in fund-raising activities with the aim of financing an armed return to Rwanda. The continued investigations of the Commission are very important in that they serve as a powerful deterrent to those who still harbour the idea of armed incursions into Rwanda for the purpose of changing the present order by force.”
1996-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3656 (1996) · source
“In this respect we recognize the valiant efforts of non-governmental organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and the personnel of the world news media for the work they have done in documenting evidence on the sale and supply of arms to former Rwandese government forces. There can be no doubt that the lives of the personnel of these organizations were in great danger as they went about their work, which turned out to be of great benefit to the investigations of the International Commission. They demonstrated in concrete terms their solidarity with a country whose people are still struggling to recover from the devastating consequences of genocide, the perpetrators of which are not remorseful - they are at present rearming and retraining with a View to returning to the country by force.”
1996-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3656 (1996) · source
“The situation in the Great Lakes region is potentially explosive. It is a matter of paramount importance that the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council in resolutions 918 (1994), 997 (1995) and 1011 (1995) be effectively implemented. We value the contribution of the International Commission of Inquiry in the enforcement of these resolutions. The findings and conclusions of the Commission have had a profound impact in generating international awareness about the obligation to comply with the Security Council resolutions. It is significant that the work of the International Commission has shown that it is not only States or Governments that are concerned about matters of peace and security. Individual citizens and organizations also have a role to play and can contribute meaningfully and effectively towards this goal.”
1996-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3656 (1996) · source
“They list the priority areas: immediate cease-fire, support for diplomatic efforts; respect for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Lebanon; the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel, and the need for humanitarian assistance. It is our hope that the parties will comply with this resolution. It no longer serves any useful purpose to argue about who started the hostilities. The most important thing at this stage is to end the fighting and give peace a chance.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“Even the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has not been spared. UNIFIL buildings have been damaged and some UNIFIL troops have sustained injuries. The actions of the Israeli armed forces clearly put the lives of the United Nations forces in serious danger. We call upon Israel to respect United Nations personnel at all times. The Security Council cannot afford to watch impassively the war tragedy that is unfolding in Lebanon. The Council should always be ready to respond in a timeously to situations that constitute a grave threat to international peace and security. The parties should cease hostilities immediately. In this regard, we welcome the content of the operative paragraphs of resolution 1052 (1996), which we have just adopted.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“The position of my delegation on the current situation in Lebanon was stated during the open debate held on Monday, 15 April 1996. We believe that the grave situation that now obtains in Lebanon could have been averted had the Security Council adopted a formal decision at the end of the orientation debate. This is an extremely serious matter, to which the Council should have reacted with the utmost urgency. Lebanese people have been massacred in the most brutal manner. The Israeli military actions have definitely gone beyond the limits of Israel's legitimate right to self-defence. The present Israeli military activities in Lebanon constitute an outright invasion of that country. Bombs, rockets and other missiles are being directly targeted at the civilian population, resulting in death, suffering and extensive destruction of property.”
1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source
“They must today realize that there is an alternative to war and destruction. The only sensible and realistic solution to the Middle East problem is for the parties to engage in purposeful negotiations aimed at the attainment of a just and lasting peace. In this regard, we strongly support the commendable efforts of the Governments of the United States and the Russian Federation in encouraging the parties to the Middle East conflict to negotiate a comprehensive political settlement. The bombardment of Lebanon is a major setback to these peace efforts, but everything that can be done must be done to ensure that the peace initiatives are not frustrated. The alternative to the peace efforts can only be more conflict and bloodshed, war and destruction.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source
“The current carnage unleashed against the people of Lebanon, like the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin and the suicide attacks against the innocent civilian population of Israel, serves as a constant reminder of the reality that the Middle East still remains a cauldron of conflict and bloodshed. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon are today being violated with reckless abandon by Israel, and the long-term consequences of the Israeli actions are difficult to predict. National security is often cited as the reason for these attacks, but everyone, including Hezbollah, should by now have realized that the politics of mutual destruction cannot enhance the security of anyone in the region. They have been playing this dangerous game for far too long.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source
“The Israeli military attacks against the people of Lebanon must cease immediately. Yet we are acutely aware that Israel cannot be expected to watch impassively when Hezbollah continues to rain bombs into its territory, causing turmoil and unmitigated tragedy. It is equally true that Hezbollah will continue to carry out attacks against Israel in an effort to dislodge the latter from southern Lebanon, which it occupies in violation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978). One thing leads to the other: Hezbollah attacks invite massive Israeli retaliatory strikes, in most cases against civilian targets. This seesaw of attacks and massive reprisals is a dangerous game which, unfortunately, involves human lives, and it should not be allowed to continue indefinitely in a region as volatile as the Middle East.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source
“We are gravely appalled by the indiscriminate killings of innocent Lebanese civilians, the destruction of their villages and towns and the bombardment of power plants, none of which have been proved to have had anything to do with Hezbollah. The current destruction and mayhem caused by the Israeli military forces has resulted in the displacement of over 400,000 people, thus creating a serious humanitarian catastrophe. This situation does not augur well for peace in the area. It can only have an effect opposite to that which Israel expects: a groundswell of support for Hezbollah and bitter resentment and hatred for Israel. The horrid activities of Hezbollah cannot and must not be used as a pretext for the annihilation of the people of Lebanon, for whatever reason. Not every Lebanese is a member or supporter of Hezbollah.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source
“The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1039 (1996) on 29 January 1996. That resolution extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a further period of six months. This was yet another demonstration of the commitment of the international community to the restoration of peace and normalcy in Lebanon. It had been our hope that the signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1993, the conclusion of the Israel-Jordan Agreement and the talks between Israel and Syria would have a positive impact on the relations between Israel and Lebanon. Our hopes were shattered by the horrendous pictures which have appeared on our television screens during the last few days.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source
“The capacity of the border closures to damage the peace process, poison the political atmosphere and reduce the pace of the implementation of the Agreements should not be underestimated. The safety and security interests of the Israeli people should be weighed against the human rights and welfare of the Palestinian people as well as the overall objective of establishing a durable peace. It is important that in all its efforts to guarantee the genuine security interests of its people, Israel should at the same time avoid taking measures which would harm the spirit and letter of the historic and solemn agreements it entered into with the Palestine Liberation Organization. Equally, the Palestine National Authority should do everything it can to help stem the tide of terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“They are a form of collective punishment which hurts the peace-loving people of Palestine, against whom they should not have been aimed in the first place. No impression of desperation or panic should be created, because that is exactly what the enemies of the peace process hope to see and work hard to achieve. It is therefore a matter of profound importance that the Government of Israel do everything it possibly can to avoid alienating the majority of the Palestinian people, who, in free and fair elections, recently expressed their desire for peace by reaffirming their support for the Palestine Liberation Organization, the partner of Israel in the peace process in the Middle East.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The peace-loving people of Palestine shared the pain of their Israeli brethren. They honestly commiserated and sympathized with the people of Israel following these horrid and merciless suicide bomb attacks. They understood and fully appreciated that such despicable acts were not directed only at the people of Israel but at the Palestinians as well, because the disruption of the peace process could be nothing but a dagger pointed at the people of Palestine. My delegation has noted the letters dated 1 April 1996 (S/1996/233) and 2 April 1996 (S/1996/235) concerning the impact of the measures taken by Israel against the people of the Palestinian territories. The measures adopted by the Government of Israel are clearly a blunt instrument which does not distinguish between the guilty and the innocent.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The peace that so many have yearned for, for so long, cannot be allowed to unravel at the point of its consummation due to the unguided activities of a few. The difficulties facing the peace process are truly undeniable. Tackling them requires unity of purpose and commitment by the peacemakers. Botswana recognizes the limited but difficult choices before the Government of Israel to guarantee the safety and security of its people. The brutal terrorist attacks which took place in Jerusalem on 3 March and in Tel Aviv on 4 March, which claimed several lives and caused colossal suffering to many people, are a grim reality that the Government had to contend with and respond to in the best manner it saw fit. These heinous crimes could only have been perpetrated by the enemies of peace against innocent and unsuspecting civilians.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“There are still many enemies of peace in that region: assassins, suicide bombers, fanatics - you name them - who are bent on the use of force where others have opted for peaceful coexistence and the establishment of good-neighbourly relations as the best path to a prosperous and mutually beneficial future between the peoples of Israel and Palestine. It is clear that the overwhelming majority of the peoples of Israel and Palestine fall into the latter category. They should therefore derive strength and fortitude from each other and work tirelessly in the face of all odds for the fulfilment of their hopes and aspirations for a better tomorrow. They cannot afford to be panicked by threats or to surrender to the machinations of the enemies of peace.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“We urge the Government of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority to remain unwavering in their commitment to the peace process. Recent events have shown that it takes courage and bravery to make peace. It is those who do not fear living in peace with their former enemies and neighbours who will be ready to walk the extra mile in pursuit of peace. It is obvious - at times painfully so - that the road to peace in the Middle East has been and will be fraught with many obstacles, pitfalls and dangers.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Govemment Arrangements, signed in Washington, DC, on 13 September 1993, and the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip signed in Washington, DC, on 28 September 1995, made Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization partners in the search for durable peace in the Middle East. These agreements constitute the foundation for peace and are an attempt to fulfil the common desire of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to end years of bitter confrontation and establish, in its place, a new era of mutual recognition, peaceful coexistence and cooperation. These are noble objectives which enjoy the strong political and moral support of Botswana.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The Security Council cannot, however, ignore attempts by a few armed men to frustrate the will of the majority. It is important that the international community should assist the people of Liberia in whatever way possible to liberate themselves from the clutches of these few armed men and not blame them for, or abandon them in, their captivity. Botswana supports the Secretary-General's recommendation to extend the mandate of UNOMIL for a period of four months, until 31 May 1996. It is our hope that during this period substantial progress will be made in the implementation of the peace process and that elections will be held as scheduled. And it is also our hope that the international community will be generous in rendering assistance to ECOMOG, which shoulders the greater responsibility in the implementation of the Abuja Agreement.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“The international community should not lose sight of the crucial role that the holding of legislative and presidential elections could play in establishing a legitimate and representative Government which could contribute to the sustenance of peace and stability in that country. In this respect, we welcome the Secretary- General's intention, stated in paragraph 10 of his report, to send a technical mission to Liberia to consult with the LNTG, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ECOWAS on matters related to the electoral process. We look forward to his report and recommendations. There is general consensus that the people involved in any given conflict situation bear the ultimate responsibility for the restoration of peace and national reconciliation.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“It should demonstrate its resolve and determination to search for solutions to all conflict situations in the world in equal measure and on the basis that peace restored anywhere is peace maintained everywhere. Otherwise, our common humanity and the common destiny of mankind would be in doubt. In other words, conflict situations in Africa should be treated like conflict situations elsewhere, and Liberia is a test-case. Equally, the relationship between the United Nations and regional and subregional arrangements in peace-keeping operations should be reviewed so that the former could assist in the peace- keeping missions of regional organizations.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“The report indicates not only that the implementation of the Agreement is behind schedule, but that the whole peace process is in serious danger of being completely derailed. The international community should not allow this situation to continue irreversibly. The solution to this dangerous development is known to the international community: ECOMOG urgently needs financial and logistic support. A lot has already been said about ECOMOG's lack of financial and logistic resources. It is most regrettable, therefore, that five months after the signing of the Abuja Peace Agreement ECOMOG has not yet been provided with the necessary resources. It is time the international community lived up to its responsibilities in the maintenance of peace and security.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“The tragic events of 28 December 1995, regrettable as they are, highlighted the difficulties and realities with which ECOMOG has to contend. We condemn the senseless attack on ECOMOG and deeply regret the loss of human life. The Security Council should call upon all factions to respect the cease-fire and direct their energies to the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia. It is true that ECOMOG took a risk "in deploying its troops without the strength and resources necessary to carry out its mandate". (S/1996/47, para. 5) But is it not equally true that the situation could have deteriorated further had ECOMOG done nothing? In paragraph 17, the report of the Secretary-General speaks of a most disturbing development in the implementation of the Abuja Peace Agreement.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“The Liberian political leaders and parties should do all in their power to create a climate conducive to the delivery of such assistance. The international community needs to be assured that this assistance will be used for the purpose for which it is intended. The creation of conditions of security and stability in the country is indispensable to inspiring confidence in this regard. The report (S/l995/1042) of the Secretary-General dated 18 December 1995 informed the Council that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) had decided to deploy troops in the most critical areas of Liberia in an effort to maintain the momentum of the peace process. This is a commendable task by ECOMOG, given the risks involved in such an endeavour.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“Wilton Sankawulo, and the Vice-Chairmen of the Council in explaining the peace process to the combatants, with a View to preparing them for disarmament and demobilization, are commendable. There is no doubt that the peace process will endure and remain sustainable only if the people who actually have control over the instruments of war at their command understand the need to disarm and demobilize. All the members of the Liberian National Transitional Government (LNTG) should make concerted efforts to contribute to this noble task by ensuring that those loyal to them receive the same message. The provision of assistance to ex-combatants should be improved and make attractive their reintegration into civilian life.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“The "Fifteenth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia" (S/ 1996/47) affords us an opportunity to consider such a report in a formal meeting of the Security Council. This is a positive response to the wishes of the Member States to bring about transparency in the work and decision-making process of the United Nations. It is a matter of particular significance to my delegation that it is the situation in Liberia, one of the oldest conflicts in Africa, that is being discussed under this arrangement. It is our hope that today's meeting will focus the attention of the international community on the Liberian tragedy and the need to find an urgent solution to it. The efforts of the Chairman of the Council of State, Mr.”
1996-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3621 (1996) · source
“The success of the Commission hinges on the cooperation that it can receive from all concerned in the subregion and beyond, as reflected in operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution. The cooperation of all States is equally important. Operative paragraph 3 calls upon States to collate relevant information and make it available to the Commission. Operative paragraph 7 calls upon all States to cooperate with the Commission in facilitating its investigations. It is clear that the international community has a role to play in the success of the work of the Commission.”
1995-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3574 (1995) · source
“This is not the first time that the Council has considered the question of the flow of arms to the former Rwandese government forces. The possibility of deploying military observers in airfields and other transportation points in and around border crossing points in the neighbouring States has been explored. The outcome of that proposal is now a matter of public record. The establishment of an International Commission of Inquiry perhaps represents the Council's last hope in its efforts to end this flow of arms. The significance and urgency of the work of the Commission and its contribution to peace and security in the Great Lakes region cannot therefore be overemphasized in this regard.”
1995-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3574 (1995) · source
“I would like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of September. I wish to assure you of the cooperation of the delegation of Botswana. I also wish to thank Ambassador Wisnumurti of Indonesia for his excellent stewardship of the Council last month. The draft resolution contained in document S/ 1995/771 is before the Council today mainly because of reported violations of Security Council resolution 918 (1994) of 17 May 1994, which imposed the arms embargo on Rwanda. The flow of arms and related materiel to elements of the former Rwandese government forces gravely undermines stability and national reconciliation in Rwanda and constitutes a serious threat to peace and security in the Great Lakes region.”
1995-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3574 (1995) · source
“This can occur only if all citizens are fully aware that they will be held personally responsible and accountable for their actions in accordance with the law of the land and before their own institutions and people. The international community can only support and assist them in this difficult task. The draft resolution before us crystallizes the revulsion of international public opinion and the overwhelming consensus on the need to eradicate impunity in Burundi. It is time that the people of Burundi did everything possible to assign impunity to its rightful place: the relics of their past unhappy history. Nobody can do that for them. In short, the Government and people of Burundi have an opportunity to make a clean break with their dark past and to create decent standards of behaviour and civilized conduct with institutional guarantees.”
1995-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3571 (1995) · source
“Of course such recommendations would be subject to the acceptance or otherwise of the Burundi authorities. We, however, find this idea attractive because in a highly polarized society such as that of Burundi today it is only institutions based on justice, the rule of law and democracy that can guarantee protection of the rights of all individuals irrespective of ethnic origin. If the commission could come up with clear-cut recommendations relating to these measures which could be acceptable to the Burundi authorities, a cornerstone would have been laid in establishing impartial institutions that could address all issues or respond to all situations without fear or favour. It is, after all, the duty and responsibility of the people of Burundi themselves to bring an end to the vicious cycle of impunity.”
1995-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3571 (1995) · source
“Operative paragraph 1 (a) and (b) and operative paragraph 5 (a) to (f) constitute the spirit and the very essence of the work of the commission. It would be an exercise in futility if the Security Council were to establish a commission which could not work freely in Burundi nor have its recommendations implemented. In this respect we urge the Government of Burundi to extend its full cooperation to the commission which it itself has invited. My delegation is particularly attracted to what ideas and recommendations on "measures of a legal, political or administrative nature, including measures requiring legislative or constitutional reform..." (S/1995/724, para. 1 (b)) the commission might come up with, because we firmly believe that such an approach is forward looking.”
1995-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3571 (1995) · source
“At the same time, we must be careful in dealing with this matter lest we open old wounds in our zeal to bring the perpetrators to book and find ourselves in a much worse situation when the commission leaves Burundi than when it came in. In other words, the work of the commission should at the end of the day help foster national reconciliation and political stability in Burundi. The draft resolution before the Council addresses the pertinent issues contained in the report of the Secretary-General. Needless to say, the cooperation of the Government of Burundi is not only vital but the key to the successful outcome of the work of the commission and the follow-up mechanisms. It is the Government of Burundi which will have to implement the recommendations of the Commission.”
1995-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3571 (1995) · source
“We are deeply distressed by the politically motivated killings that have become a feature of life in Burundi. We fully share the frustration and deep concern of many delegations which believe that the creeping culture of killings which threatens to take root in Burundi must be stopped and reversed. It is a matter of paramount importance that the Commission should be international, independent and impartial if it is to be credible and successful. The report before the Council underlines, for a good reason, the importance of proceeding urgently but cautiously in establishing the commission. The perpetrators of the coup attempt of October 1993 and the massacres which followed must be brought to justice.”
1995-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3571 (1995) · source
“The delegation of Botswana has carefully studied document S/ 1995/631, which contains a letter from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council and the report of Dr. Pedro Nikken on the proposal to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate the facts surrounding the October 1993 coup attempt in Burundi and the massacres that followed it. We are grateful to the Secretary-General and, through him, to Dr. Nikken for the excellent report, which constitutes a solid basis for the deliberations of the Council. We would have wished that, where atrocities had occurred such as those in Burundi in 1993, concerted efforts had been made to deliver justice swiftly. Failure to deliver justice on time has now resulted in a self-perpetuating situation.”
1995-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3571 (1995) · source
“Operative paragraph 5 correctly requests the Secretary-General to report on his efforts for the preparation and convening of a regional conference on security, stability and development within one month of the adoption of this draft resolution. According to the Secretary-General's report, the Government of Rwanda has taken steps to improve relations with its neighbours. These efforts form a good basis for subregional cooperation and they have the full support of my delegation.”
1995-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3566 (1995) · source
“The message to the Government of Rwanda is also loud and clear. Paragraph 6 of the draft resolution before us calls upon the Government to create conditions which will enable the over 2 million refugees to return in honour and dignity. The return of the refugees is at the heart of Rwanda's problems. The acquisition of defensive capability is only a temporary measure. The real solution will come with the return of the refugees, national reconciliation and durable peace in the country, and we encourage the continued efforts of the Government of Rwanda in this regard. My delegation attaches the utmost importance to the political and diplomatic efforts aimed at finding solutions to the problems facing Rwanda and the States of the Great Lakes subregion.”
1995-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3566 (1995) · source
“The Government of Rwanda continues to make concerted efforts to create a climate conducive to national healing and reconciliation, and we do not believe that elements of the former Government forces should be allowed to disrupt this process. The lifting of the arms embargo on Rwanda should not be misconstrued as licence for military preparations by anyone. This would be unacceptable as it would lead to an increase in tension and instability in the subregion. It is the hope of my delegation that the action of the Council will serve to deter those who committed genocide and who still entertain the idea of shooting their way back to Kigali to continue their despicable deeds. The international community should be united in its resolve to ensure that there will never be any repetition of the events which started in April 1994.”
1995-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3566 (1995) · source