YouSaid · the spoken record

Norman-Chalet

lines on the record: 254
first: 2019-06-20
most recent: 2020-09-25
sittings or episodes: 40
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

“However, local authorities and the civilian-led transitional Government must do more to prevent further militia attacks on civilians, including internally displaced persons, and to hold those responsible for the horrific violence at Masteri and elsewhere. We urge the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and other United Nations agencies to continue to coordinate to protect civilians. The violence, which left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, is a reminder to us all that the protection of civilians must always be at the forefront of our deliberations and decisions with respect to the Sudan, including during our upcoming discussions on the future of UNAMID.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“We hope that, despite the delays in identifying a Special Representative of the Secretary- General, the United Nations will move quickly to hire and deploy UNITAMS personnel. The United States strongly believes that UNITAMS will be able to fulfil its mandate to support the political transition and peace process, assist peacebuilding, development and humanitarian assistance efforts and provide critical assistance for security sector reform, police training, the rule of law and inclusive civilian governance. At the same time, we are deeply concerned with the lack of accountability for recent violence in Darfur and other conflict-affected areas. We note the Sudan’s steps to respond to this violence, including through developing its protection of civilians plan, the appointment of civilian governors and the deployment of a joint force.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“The Juba peace agreement and the Addis Ababa declaration of principles build upon the tremendous momentum in the Sudan that began in late 2018 and early 2019 to achieve peace, freedom and justice, as well as equal rights and opportunities for all Sudanese. We call on the Sudanese Liberation Movement, led by Abdul Wahid, to without delay engage the civilian-led transitional Government to further the cause of peace. Comprehensive peace will need an inclusive and harmonized peace process. Now more than ever, UNITAMS is needed to support the Sudanese people, and we commend the efforts of the United Nations to lay the groundwork for an effective United Nations presence in the Sudan.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“We strongly believe the agreement can bring long- term peace, justice and stability to those who have endured cycles of widespread violence and been victims of atrocities committed with impunity. The next steps will not be easy but the United States is committed to supporting this agreement because we believe it can serve as a foundation for a new just and democratic Sudan. Similarly, the United States welcomes the declaration of principles recently agreed to by the civilian-led transitional Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North. We urge the parties to begin discussions based on those principles soon.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“I want to thank Under-Secretaries-General DiCarlo and Lacroix for their remarks and the updates regarding the latest developments in the Sudan. I would also like to welcome the progress made on the ground since the Security Council met in June (see S/2020/496) to authorize the creation of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). The United States commends the efforts of the civilian-led transitional Government, the Sudanese Revolutionary Front and the Sudan Liberation Army- Minni Minawi faction to reach an agreement that, if upheld an earnest and in a spirit of peace, reconciliation and development, could usher in a new era throughout the Sudan. It is now up to the parties to implement the agreement transparently and in a timely manner.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“Marhabi is one member of an ever-shrinking community of Yemeni Jews, who have been an important part of Yemen’s diverse social fabric for thousands of years. The Houthis must respect freedom of religion and refrain from oppressing members of minority groups. Finally, as other colleagues have highlighted, we continue to monitor the FSO SAFER oil tanker and the grave environmental, economic and humanitarian dangers posed by a potential spill. We call on the Houthis to approve once and for all the United Nations mission plan for the FSO SAFER assessment and to live up to their commitments and permit United Nations technical teams immediate and unconditional access to the deteriorating vessel.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“We also call on the Houthis to reverse their announced decision to close the Sana’a airport to the United Nations and other international relief aircraft as a result of this crisis of their own making. This is simply another example of Houthi extortion using international assistance. Meanwhile, the Yemeni people continue to suffer. This is inexcusable. We urge the Houthis to cease their continuous assault on religious freedom, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of the Yemeni citizen Levi Salem Musa Marhabi. Mr. Marhabi has been wrongfully detained by the Houthis for four years despite a Houthi “court” ordering his release in September 2019. His health continues to deteriorate as he languishes in a Sana’a prison, where the threat of contracting COVID-19 is all too real. Mr.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“Let us be clear: the decrease in fuel imports through Al-Hudaydah port in recent months was caused by Houthi misappropriation of fuel tax and customs receipts from the Central Bank of Yemen that were supposed to have funded Government salaries in northern Yemen. The current shortages would not exist were it not for this inexcusable Houthi fraud. We call on the Houthis and the Government of the Republic of Yemen to expeditiously agree to the Special Envoy’s request to hold discussions on fuel imports and associated revenue disbursements. In the interim, we thank the Government for facilitating the entry of oil tankers into Al-Hudaydah port, including two tankers earlier this month, despite the Houthis’ unfailing intransigence, so that Yemenis can get the fuel they need.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“We also urge donors that have not yet disbursed their 2020 pledges to do so expeditiously, as well as to consider additional financial support to help stabilize the Yemeni currency and allow continued flows of essential commercial imports. We reiterate our call on the Houthis to cease the obstruction of, and interference in, aid operations. Our partners must be able to independently assess needs and respond in line with humanitarian principles. The unhindered flow of essential goods into and throughout Yemen is more vital than ever given the increasing food insecurity plaguing so many Yemenis. The United States notes with serious concern the Houthis’ decision to manufacture a fuel shortage in northern Yemen, choosing profit over the lives of Yemenis.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“Turning specifically to the humanitarian situation, the United States shares the concerns expressed today over the major funding gaps for aid operations this year and the potential implications of the deteriorating economic outlook regarding worsening food insecurity. The Trump Administration has contributed more than $1.3 billion in humanitarian assistance to Yemen over the past two years. Even with this partial suspension of certain assistance operations in Houthi- controlled areas of northern Yemen due to Houthi interference, we remain the largest single donor to Yemen’s humanitarian response this year. We urge our partners and other donor nations, including those in the region, to step up, contribute and help fulfil the humanitarian response plan’s request.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“The Houthis unconscionable persistent cross-border aerial attacks that destroy civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including recently on Abha airport, are additional evidence of the urgent need to maintain the embargo and push back against further Iranian encroachment. We are encouraged by the resumption of the cabinet formation discussions between the Southern Transitional Council and the Government of the Republic of Yemen, and we strongly urge both parties to continue progress on the implementation of the Riyadh agreement. In particular, swift cabinet formation is urgently needed so that the Government can work as a unified body to respond to the needs of the Yemeni people and work the most effectively with the Special Envoy on the political process.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“As Secretary Pompeo said on that day, the United States will never allow the world’s largest State sponsor of terrorism to freely buy and sell planes, tanks, missiles and other kinds of conventional weapons. These United Nations sanctions will continue the arms embargo. The arms embargo is an essential component in our efforts to curb Tehran’s destabilizing actions in Yemen as well as those it is taking against its neighbours. We have said it before, and we will say it again today: the Security Council is utterly failing in its mission to maintain international peace and security by allowing Iran to maintain and expand its destabilizing activity in the region unhindered.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“As we just heard so clearly, the Yemeni people, struggling with an economic crisis, food insecurity, fuel shortages, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and an enduring conflict, deserve such a step forward towards stability and security. But as we well know, another destabilizing force is felt through the Islamic Republic of Iran, which holds little interest in fostering stability and security in Yemen, or anywhere else in the region. Just the opposite: Iran continues to send lethal aid to the Houthis, fuelling the Houthis’ ongoing offense near Ma’rib as well as the larger conflict. On 20 August, the United States initiated the process that will restore virtually all United Nations sanctions on Iran, which had been lifted under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 7 of resolution 2231 (2015).”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“I want to thank Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Lowcock for their insightful but sobering briefings. Mr. Griffiths’ conclusion a gave heart-breaking human face to what we are discussing today and the challenges that we have been seeking to address for some time. In that regard, I also want to make clear, as we have in each of our monthly meetings, that the United States strongly supports his and Mr. Lowcock’s efforts and will continue to do so. In that vein, the United States urges the Government of the Republic of Yemen and the Houthis to work with Special Envoy Griffiths towards agreement on the final draft of the joint declaration. We regret that this process has not yet made more progress.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“The Trump Administration remains as committed as ever to empowering children by promoting their access to essential social services, including education, and increasing their participation in processes that affect their lives and shape their future.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“That is why the United States Government prioritizes not only life-saving child protection programming but also efforts that support children’s longer-term recovery, including through education. To demonstrate the United States Government’s commitment to the children, families and communities in the Sahel in this regard, we recently provided $2.3 million to extend Education Cannot Wait, Burkina Faso’s first emergency response programme, to sustain education services in conflict-affected communities. We will continue to invest in preventative, responsive and gender-sensitive programming to protect children from violence, including in their schools.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“The violence prompting these closures must stop immediately, its perpetrators must be brought to justice and children’s access to education must be restored. These tragedies in the Sahel serve to illuminate the fact that armed conflict impacts children in ways beyond affecting their immediate safety. These children require holistic interventions that support their ability to contribute to peaceful societies, including the provision of equal access to education, age-appropriate vocational training, and job opportunities for both boys and girls. They also need familiar, safe and nurturing routines — particularly within families and in supportive school environments — to heal, build resilience and cope with stress and trauma.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“We also appreciate Special Representative Gamba’s ongoing commitment to preparing the reports, including important details on abuses and violations against children. As we know, however, our work is far from over. In the Central Sahel, for example, attacks on children continue to increase; close to 5 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance. The surge of violence across Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger is having a devastating impact on children’s survival, education, protection and development. Hundreds of children in the region, as we heard just this morning, have been killed, maimed or forcibly separated from their families, while thousands of school closures have affected almost 650,000 children.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“In that regard, I want to highlight that women and girls are disproportionately affected by sexual violence and early and forced marriage amid conflict, and tend to be deliberately targeted by groups that oppose gender equality in education. The threat of rape, sexual assault and abduction on their way to school, or because they want to seek an education, severely constrains women’s and girls’ mobility and, along with other harmful gender norms, often compels them to stay home. We note that the Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict has made progress on numerous conclusions documents, including those recently finalized on Iraq (S/AC.51/2016/2), Colombia (S/AC.51/2020/5) and Somalia (S/AC.51/2017/2). We very much appreciate Belgium’s work in this area. This important work goes on as we continue to discuss the Sudan.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“The irony, of course, is that terrorists often deliberately target or use schools because schools are critical to building resilient communities and also represent Government institutions. This lack of respect for the civilian character of schools can place them at heightened risk of attack. In some cases, malign actors use education to perpetuate prejudice, intolerance and distorted views of history or of others in their community. Meanwhile, armed groups also target schools and routes to schools to abduct children and youth, often for the purpose of recruiting them as soldiers or into forced marriage, sexual slavery or other horrific activities.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“Our support also extends to the protection of families, teachers and schools whenever possible, so that children can retain safe and equitable access to quality education. As Rimana highlighted earlier, schools should provide a safe space free from the threat of violence. When protected, schools also serve as a hub for other life-saving and life-sustaining services. Furthermore, safe access to education is critical to breaking the cycles of poverty and social grievance that underpin countries’ vulnerability to violent extremism and future conflict. Therefore, we cannot approach the pursuit of peace and international security without considering the consequences of failures to uphold the laws that protect children and schools.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“We very much thank the Niger’s efforts to focus today’s discussion on such an important topic. We thank as well Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gamba de Potgieter, Executive Director Fore, Ms. Marika Tsolakis, Ms. Rimana Youssouf Assane Mayaki and Hadiza for their insightful and compelling remarks. The United States remains fully committed to supporting the United Nations critical work to address the effects of conflict on children. There is no issue more important than those affecting the next generation of leaders and citizens in the world. It is only when we support every child in reaching their fullest potential that we will create a safer and more secure world.”
2020-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8756 (2020) · source
“We urge all parties to take the necessary steps to accelerate the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali military and civilian authorities. The United States remains steadfast in its commitments to promoting peace and stability in Somalia and to working with our international partners in assisting the country to reach its goals for a peaceful and prosperous future.”
2020-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8755 (2020) · source
“Since the crisis began, we have provided more than $23 million to support Somalia’s COVID-19 response, including for masks, hospital beds, testing-centre equipment and communication efforts. Finally, as other colleagues have already highlighted this morning, Al-Shabaab remains a destabilizing force in Somalia that has also repeatedly demonstrated the will and capability to launch attacks against neighbouring States. We are encouraged that the Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia forces have made progress on the battlefield, and that those military gains have been followed up with vital stabilization efforts to hold liberated territory. We remain concerned, however, that the implementation of key elements of the Somalia transition plan are behind schedule.”
2020-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8755 (2020) · source
“The United States is and will continue to be a close partner of Somalia. I meant to say earlier that it is very good to have Ambassador Osman here in the Council with us. With more than $5.3 billion in bilateral foreign assistance over the past 20 years, we are working alongside the Somali people in support of improved food security, health-care services, water, sanitation and hygiene. United States humanitarian assistance is helping Somalis overcome flooding, drought, locust infestation and food insecurity, affecting nearly half the population, with a quarter of the people also displaced by natural calamities and conflict. The United States is also working alongside its Somali partners to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”
2020-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8755 (2020) · source
“Elections need to be credible, timely, secure, practical, implementable and built on broad-based consensus in a Somali-owned and Somali-led process. We welcome the discussions under way in Dhuusamarreeb and encourage the parties to reach agreement on a model that meets the criteria and can be implemented by early 2021. The United States further encourages Somali authorities to maintain momentum on the reform efforts that brought about the re-establishment of ties with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in March of this year. Reaching the heavily indebted poor country decision point is an important milestone for Somalia, as it lays the foundation for inclusive economic growth. But such reforms must continue as Somalia seeks to build long-term inclusive economic growth and resiliency.”
2020-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8755 (2020) · source
“Those elections are fundamental to advancing stability and security in the country. Uncertainties and delays in holding elections will have the opposite effect. The challenges Somalia faces require concerted and unified efforts by its leaders. Unfortunately, the withdrawal of confidence in the former Prime Minister and his Government in July by the President and the Lower House of Parliament has only heightened the political tensions. We are concerned that such action has undermined the process of dialogue and negotiation among the Federal Government of Somalia, federal member states and other key stakeholders. We strongly encourage Somalia’s Federal Government and member states to hammer out a way forward for the upcoming elections.”
2020-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8755 (2020) · source
“I thank Special Representative Swan and Special Representative Madeira for joining us today and for their comprehensive updates and briefings. I also join you, Mr. President, in welcoming our new Belgian colleague, Ambassador Kridelka. It is really good to see him in person. Although I saw him on the screen yesterday, I want to welcome him officially to the Security Council today. Somalia stands before a moment of profound opportunity. The country faces difficult circumstances and security challenges to get there, however, including in the attack on the hotel in Mogadishu last weekend, which the United States condemns. We express our condolences to the victims and their families. This and other attacks highlight the need for Somalia to keep the upcoming elections on track.”
2020-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8755 (2020) · source
“The United States is conscious of the long-held desire of the Afghan people for peace. As we have in the past, we will continue to support the goal of a lasting peace in Afghanistan. We hope that Council members will join us in doing so as well.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“We will maintain our engagement with the Afghans to help them achieve a sovereign, unified Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours. The developments endorsed by the resolution are the product of more than a year of unprecedented United States diplomatic engagement with the Taliban, in coordination with our partners in Afghanistan, in the region and around the world. They were made possible by 19 years of military, diplomatic and economic engagement by NATO and our other coalition partners. We are proud of our achievements. The Afghanistan of today is not the Afghanistan of 2001 and that is because of the sincere efforts of Afghans working hand in hand with their friends in the international community. This is a hopeful moment but it is only the beginning.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“We urge the Taliban to learn the negative lessons of the past and be prepared to respect the contributions of all Afghan citizens to the country’s development. As illustrated by our Joint Declaration with the Government of Afghanistan, the United States will continue to steadfastly support Afghanistan. This occasion does not mark the end of the close United States partnership with the Government and people of Afghanistan but a new beginning. After almost two decades and more than $1 trillion in investment in Afghanistan’s security and development, the United States is not walking away. We will continue to invest in a durable relationship with the Afghan Government, including through development and security assistance.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“But more needs to be done, and we urge them to also reduce violence against Afghan forces in the countryside so as to give intra-Afghan negotiations and peace the opportunity to succeed. Such levels of violence risk drawing both sides into a vicious cycle, serves no one and undermines peace. As Secretary Pompeo has said, we expect the Taliban and all Afghans to embrace the progress that has been made for women and girls and to build on it. A brighter future for Afghanistan needs to honour the dignity and potential of all Afghans, ensuring respect for the rights of women and those on the margins of society. With that in mind, the text of today’s resolution makes clear that the Security Council does not support the restoration of the Islamic Emirate and, most especially, its oppressive policies against women, girls and minorities.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“As part of the agreement endorsed by today’s Security Council resolution, the Taliban has made strong commitments to ending its relationships with international terrorists and to preventing any group or individual, including Al-Qaida, from using Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. We will carefully monitor and track the progress of the Taliban and we will continually assess whether the Taliban is living up to its side of the bargain. Other challenges remain. The current high level of violence by the Taliban is not conducive to advancing the peace process. We acknowledge that the Taliban have taken steps to stop attacks in cities and against major bases.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“Significantly, the decree means that technical talks between the Taliban and the Afghan Government representatives in Doha, as well as actual releases, can start immediately. All of this brings Afghans closer to the opportunity to chart a political road map for their country’s future. For Afghanistan to enjoy international standing, support and investment, fundamental rights must be safeguarded and championed. We hope the people of Afghanistan seize the opportunity to achieve a historic peace settlement that ends the conflict in their country, preserves the gains of the last two decades in human rights, basic freedoms and the meaningful participation of women in political and civil institutions, and ensures that the territory of the Afghan people will never again be used by international terrorists to threaten the world.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“To that end, we welcome President Ghani’s statement at his inauguration on 9 March that discussions and negotiations will continue for the next two weeks so as to reach an agreement on an inclusive Government — one that unifies the country and prioritizes peace. We also appreciate Mr. Abdullah’s 9 March statement underscoring similar commitments to peace and inclusiveness. We hope that all parties will resolve their political differences without resorting to violence and come together to focus on peace. Similarly, President Ghani’s 10 March decree on a Taliban prisoner release in exchange for prisoners held by the Taliban is a significant measure that brings Afghans one step closer to intra-Afghan negotiations.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“We are especially grateful to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for Qatar’s support and the critical role his country played in hosting the talks that led to this momentous occasion. We are eagerly looking forward to the next steps of the peace process, although unfortunately the presidential electoral process and the unacceptably high levels of violence by the Taliban in Afghanistan have not permitted intra-Afghan negotiations to start on time. Prioritizing an inclusive Government and a unified Afghanistan is paramount for the future of the country and especially for the cause of peace.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“On 29 February, the United States took a decisive step towards a negotiated peace in Afghanistan with the announcement of a joint declaration with the Afghan Government and an agreement with the Taliban. We were pleased to introduce resolution 2513 (2020), endorsing the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the United States of America and the Taliban and the Joint Declaration between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan. We appreciate the Security Council’s support for this resolution and the constructive engagement of all of our colleagues during the negotiations. The support and engagement of the international community will continue to be critical in the next steps of the peace process.”
2020-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8742 (2020) · source
“Iraq’s political landscape may seem challenging in the immediate term, yet we remain optimistic that Iraq’s new leaders will put the interests of all Iraqis first and believe that they can deliver structural reforms to chart a new prosperous course for Iraq, with UNAMI and the international community standing by its side.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“Humanitarian NGOs, including many United States partners, have been unable to carry out life-saving activities for all Iraqis of all faiths and ethnicities over the past three months owing to a backlog of access requests. We commend UNAMI’s engagement on that issue and call on the Iraqi authorities to urgently find a solution. On the unresolved issue of Kuwaiti and third- country missing persons, property and archives from the first Gulf War, the United States is strongly committed to the efforts of UNAMI, the Tripartite Commission and the International Committee of the Red Cross to make further progress. The recent discovery of remains in Samawah, as was mentioned this morning, is one step towards healing and reconciliation between Iraq and Kuwait.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“As part of its mandate, UNAMI’s technical electoral assistance, in coordination with the Government of Iraq and the Independent High Electoral Commission, will be critical in the months ahead. We encourage UNAMI, alongside locally based non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to assist Iraq towards an inclusive electoral process. I would also like to stress the value of UNAMI’s work, as directed by its mandate, in the monitoring and documenting of human rights abuses and violations. That paper trail is essential to promoting accountability for those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters. We are increasingly concerned about the lack of progress and humanitarian access for NGOs.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“Looking ahead, if Iraq’s new leaders do not address the people’s legitimate economic and governance grievances, the country could reverse years of progress towards stability and prosperity for a new generation of Iraqis. It is because of those high stakes that the work of UNAMI and Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert is so crucial. We call on Iraq’s new leaders to fully embrace UNAMI’s mandate in promoting inclusive political dialogue and reconciliation, advancing structural reforms, facilitating regional engagement and addressing long-standing issues between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government. In a country as full of potential as Iraq, it is hard to isolate a single priority today, but I wish to draw the Council’s attention to the topic of credible early elections, as several Iraqi leaders have called for.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“Iran- backed militias besieged the United States Embassy in Baghdad for nearly 26 hours in recent days, and there continues to be rocket attacks on it, as recently as the last 48 hours. We underscore the Government of Iraq’s special duty under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of diplomatic facilities. Together, Iraqi and coalition forces continue to jointly pursue the Islamic State in Iraq and Sham (ISIS) on the battlefield. We should be mindful that ISIS remains a threat and we call on the international community to assist Iraq in its critical counter- terrorism efforts.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“Iraqis continue to demand a sovereign State that affords them dignity and to resist Iranian coercion, and, in the face of outrageous killings, beatings, kidnappings and torture, the reformist movement endures. That violent assault on the freedom of peaceful expression and assembly has no place in a democracy. The United States will continue to use all available national tools to promote accountability for corruption and serious human rights abuses. That includes our recent national designation of four Iraqis implicated in serious human rights abuses and corruption. I should note that we still face threats by Iran- backed militias, even following the attacks against United States and coalition forces hosted on Iraqi bases, which killed an American earlier in the year.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“Iraqis are choosing their new political leaders as a result of their legitimate demands regarding economic opportunity, good governance, electoral reforms and responsiveness to all Iraqis. We call on Iraq’s next leaders to urgently deliver those reforms, which will combat corruption and promote fair and free elections. We also call on them to protect demonstrators and hold their killers to account, transparently and in accordance with the rule of law and Iraq’s Constitution. Such reforms should be embraced because they are in Iraq’s national interest. Doing so will limit the influence of destabilizing armed groups outside State control, attract foreign investment and ultimately help convert Iraq’s rich natural resources into a higher quality of life for all Iraqis.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“Mr. President, I wish you and your team every success as you assume the monthly rotating presidency of the Security Council. I thank Belgium for its presidency last month. I also very much thank Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert for being here, for her informative briefing and for her leadership. We also extend our thanks to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the entire United Nations country team for the indispensable work they carry out in support of Iraq’s security, stability and prosperity. Iraq still stands at a crossroads — as it did when we were briefed last December (see S/PV.8676) — and, as the Special Representative said, it is in fact still in the headlines.”
2020-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8739 (2020) · source
“We must remain united in our determination that Iran must never acquire a path to nuclear weapons. The 2020 NPT Review Conference will also be an opportunity to highlight how the NPT and the broader nuclear non-proliferation regime have made possible thriving international cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, science and technology. We aim to build on that success. We are optimistic that the NPT will remain at the centre of international security. Yet that outcome is far from guaranteed. We must continue to preserve and strengthen the NPT so that 50 years from now our successors may mark the one hundredth anniversary of the Treaty as an enduring accomplishment that continues to promote international security and prosperity.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“To strengthen the NPT and the non-proliferation regime, States must support the universalization of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) additional protocol, which is an important tool that provides the IAEA the ability to verify the peaceful use of all nuclear material in States with IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreements. Those agreements, in combination with the additional protocol, have become the de facto international standard in nuclear safeguards. Moreover, nuclear supplier States should make the adoption of the additional protocol by recipient States a requirement for nuclear exports. States must also be united in the goal of the final fully verified denuclearization of North Korea. We must remain committed to a secure, peaceful and bright future for North Korea if it fulfils its obligations.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“In fact, when reviewing the text of the Treaty, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that its drafters sought to give greater legal weight to their document at the expense of the NPT, which is unfortunate. As we turn towards the 2020 NPT Review Conference, the United States seeks a positive outcome of that meeting that reflects consensus on the broadest basis possible. We believe that consensus is possible if the parties to the NPT focus on the big picture, emphasize their common interests and avoid insisting on divisive positions that cannot lead to consensus.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“The CEND Working Group has already met twice and will meet again in April. The Working Group seeks to foster constructive dialogue on identifying the challenges to disarmament and on exploring ways to improve the underlying conditions in the global security environment so as to make further progress towards and ultimately achieve nuclear disarmament. In that regard, in addition to its emphasis on dialogue and diplomatic engagement with all relevant parties, the CEND initiative stands in stark contrast to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which fails to address the security challenges that continue to make nuclear deterrence necessary. It will not eliminate a single nuclear warhead or make any nation more secure.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“The stockpile of the United States today has been reduced to less than one eighth of its Cold War peak. We must also recognize that advancing towards the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons must take into account the global security environment. We cannot overlook the fact that the actions of those States that are expanding and modernizing their nuclear stockpiles, threatening their neighbours and violating their arms-control obligations have contributed to a deterioration in global security conditions. To address the security challenges that impede progress on disarmament, the United States, together with more than 40 international partners, has launched a path-breaking new initiative, entitled “Creating an Environment for Nuclear Disarmament”, or CEND.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source