YouSaid · the spoken record

Okio

lines on the record: 149
first: 2006-01-23
most recent: 2008-04-30
sittings or episodes: 19
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

“Generally speaking, what we draw from the sixth report of the Secretary-General is a very gloomy picture, given the number of civilian victims of armed conflicts and their geographical distribution. It is a tragedy, often with irreparable effects, experienced every day and at every moment by thousands of people. Like the Permanent Representative of Italy, who spoke earlier, we have doubts concerning any progress made regarding the number of people who are still suffering from the effects of those violent acts. Given the situation, my delegation agrees with the Secretary-General that actions are more important than words and that, when it is not possible to prevent an armed conflict, the protection of civilians should be a priority. We believe that it is a moral duty.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“Mr. Okio (Congo) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to welcome the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and to thank him for his very informative briefing on the exhaustive report of the Secretary- General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2007/643). We also welcome the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, an organization which, as we all know, does a great deal to assist and support the victims who are at the centre of our concerns today. My delegation fully concurs with the statement to be made by Mr. Gaspar Martins, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola, on behalf of the Group of African States.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“In conclusion, we ask the Security Council to take into consideration the concerns of the States of the West and Central African regions as expressed in the final document adopted at the subregional workshop held in Dakkar from 25 to 27 September 2007, so as to make it possible for them to prepare responses for the Security Council Committees involved in the fight against terrorism.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“In that context, we also believe that particular emphasis should be placed on the situation of African countries, which for the most part have large territories and porous borders and lack appropriate infrastructure, logistics and sufficient financial and human resources. Thus, they run the risk of becoming fertile ground for the development of terrorist activity. Finally, we call on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to encourage initiatives such as the those undertaken recently by the three Committees to fight terrorism in association with the UNODC, to continue holding seminars at the regional and subregional levels and to increase the number of visits to States, in order to share information or experience that could prove useful in the long run.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“We share the view of the Chairmen of the three Committees, who stressed in their joint statement that the primary responsibility for combating terrorism rests with Member States. That is true, but only if the State concerned itself has the means to act. Some States are nearly bankrupt. What can they do under those circumstances? Others do not even have effective control over their own territories and borders. That is why we believe that interactive action between States that provide assistance and States that request it, as well as with all actors involved to some degree in the fight against terrorism, must be strengthened.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“We should simply like to highlight the need to pay greater attention to the essential, burning questions being asked today in vulnerable regions or countries that could become fertile ground for terrorism tomorrow. Our fight against terrorism must be diversified to include the issues of development, development assistance and strengthened technical assistance. Of course, none of that falls within the Council's purview. We take this opportunity to welcome the major role played by certain bodies, such as INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in raising the awareness of States and the international community about the real threat of terrorism.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“But the breeding ground for terrorism remains more or less intact. Squalor, poverty, corruption, injustices of all kinds and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons are more present today than ever before in certain countries. And it is in that context that terrorism is spreading. If we have more or less managed to reduce terrorism's financial and material resources, we have not yet succeeded at reducing its recruitment base. Unfortunately, when we deal with these sometimes existential issues, certain tensions arise. What should a policeman or an underpaid customs officer do when faced with the lure of corruption? What can be done by a guard at a border post who lacks the tools needed to detect a false passport, for example?”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“Its horizontal and vertical growth leads us to compare it to the Hydra of Lerna, the serpent with seven heads that, according to mythology, would grow back as soon as they were cut off. That growth is both visible and daily, despite the national and international measures that we have taken since 2001. That can only make us worry. Therefore, we must wonder about the effectiveness of our strategies and their implementation. What we should point out here is that the activities of the three Committees, while remarkable, certainly do not attack the root of this evil, which, moreover, is not their mandate. The Committees are committed to taking appropriate measures against Al-Qaida, the Taliban and associated individuals - all of whom are terrorists - to deprive them of travel, access to sources of financing and weapons of mass destruction.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“Mr. Okio (Congo) (spoke in French): My delegation thanks you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting in a new format that enables us to have a comprehensive assessment of the activities carried out by the three subsidiary bodies of the Security Council: the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). We also wish to commend and thank in particular Ambassadors Verbeke, Arias and Burian for the quality of their work in leading the Committees, as well as the expert groups that assist them in carrying out their missions. As we stated in our first statement on this topic to the Security Council as an elected member, 22 months ago, the phenomenon of terrorism is spreading.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“We welcome the efforts by the countries working to facilitate Mr. Gambari's mission. We also welcome the support of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, in particular in convincing the authorities in Myanmar to make progress. My delegation is, however, aware that the situation is still an issue of concern and must be patiently followed. We note the expulsion from the country of the head of the United Nations team in Myanmar, the human rights situation, the situation of political prisoners and the need to improve the living conditions of the people of Myanmar. In that way and in a spirit of openness and dialogue that must be inclusive and based on a precise timetable, Myanmar will finally be at peace.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“In my delegation's view, in the light of such progress - limited as it may be - we should continue to encourage a patient process of dialogue with the junta in power and Myanmar society as a whole if national reconciliation is to be achieved in accordance with the road map as a step towards the gradual establishment of democracy in the country. It is in that spirit that we supported and adopted the presidential statement of 11 October (S/PRST/ 2007/37), which was very encouraging as far as Mr. Gambari's mission is concerned. Congo, given the results that have already been achieved and the hope they give rise to, recommends that, in the spirit of reconciliation and conciliation, the good offices mission of the Secretary-General continue, conducted by Mr. Gambari, who was invited by the authorities of Myanmar to return.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“Aung San Suu Kyi, although the progress achieved is not yet sufficient, particularly from the Government's side. As for the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, his report gives us an even clearer picture of the human rights situation in that country. While she is still working in very straitened circumstances, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi has been able to meet with members of her party and with representatives of the authorities, particularly the Labour Minister, who has been appointed to act as liaison with her. My delegation hopes, despite everything, that Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi will soon be free, along with all the other political prisoners. We note her statement of optimism about the prospects for national reconciliation and that she is prepared to cooperate with the junta in power.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“Mr. Okio (Congo) (spoke in French): My delegation thanks you, Sir, for having organized this meeting on the situation in Myanmar. We also thank Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, for his most enlightening briefing. In that briefing, he informed us that the Secretary-General's good offices mission to Myanmar is beginning to produce positive results. We note with satisfaction the progress that has been made, particularly the lifting of the curfew, the withdrawal of the military presence from the streets, and the opportunities for action enjoyed by the Secretary- General's Special Envoy, who was able to have fruitful meetings with the various actors in the crisis in Myanmar, particularly the Prime Minister and Ms.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“We need not only to implement them, but also to assist in the resumption of dialogue, confidence- building, respect for the law and economic recovery, which are the sine qua non conditions for maintaining the often fragile balance in developing countries. Here too, the contribution of the regional and subregional organizations is very important. In conclusion, my delegation would like to note that regional organizations should, in conformity with Article 54 of the Charter of the United Nations, submit periodic reports to the Security Council on the relevant activities they have carried out. That would be the best way to share experiences on best practices and to commit the Council to periodic assessments in order to better develop its plans of action in the short, medium and long term.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“We would note here the very important role played by the Advisory Committee in Central Africa and how useful its multifaceted support is to our States. That momentum should, therefore, be maintained. Conflict prevention and resolution, the search for peace and peacebuilding have rightly become nearly permanent quests, especially in Africa. Indeed, the task of restoring peace and rebuilding capacities for development has always been at the centre of our concerns. In that regard, the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission in Burundi and Sierra Leone, with the tremendous level of interest and commitment to it expressed by the international community, deserves to be welcomed. As we know, even the most developed peace agreements do not eliminate the causes of conflict.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“The 26th ministerial meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, held in Yaounde on 7 September 2007, led to a series of recommendations, including the pursuit of regional cooperation for the maintenance of peace and the holding of a ministerial conference on questions of cross-border security. That recommendation led to the adoption of a statement of political commitment by States in the subregion on establishing organizational, administrative, legal and technical mechanisms for cooperation in border zones in order to deal with phenomena such as uncontrolled or forced movements of populations, criminal activities by armed groups, the illegal circulation of small arms and light weapons and the exploitation of natural resources.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“Among existing mechanisms in Africa to be included in the museum of good practices, I would like to emphasize a subregional organization established in 1999 by the Economic Community of Central African States, under the auspices of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, namely, the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa. Its activities, which have been continuously reviewed, have made a significant contribution to improving inter-State relations and the climate of peace and security in the African subregion.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“That dialogue should involve the States in conflict and other States in the subregion, because some conflicts, owing to their complexity and ramifications, go beyond national and subregional boundaries. That is the case in the conflicts in Darfur, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We welcome the fact that that dialogue allowed us to sign, on 16 November 2006, a memorandum of understanding between the Security Council and the African Union, which further formalizes the mechanisms for cooperation between the two bodies.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“That has allowed us to understand how effective such expanded partnerships are in that context, as well as in other areas, such as Afghanistan, with the European Union police missions. We consider those efforts to be best practices that should be made known to others. Congo has always pled for strengthened partnerships between the United Nations and the African Union, so that the decisions of the Security Council, for example, might take into account the concerns of African countries and be therefore legitimate and applicable. We welcome in that context the establishment of the hybrid operation in Darfur. Congo has also always believed in the need for an ongoing dialogue between the Security Council, on the one hand, and the African Union, on the other hand, through its Peace and Security Council.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“We also note the complementary and very professional efforts on the part of Mr. Jan Eliasson and Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim, respectively, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and the Special Envoy of the Chairman of the African Union Commission, during the difficult negotiations between the rebel groups in Darfur and the Government of the Sudan to reach a political solution to the crisis. We also know that African organizations are not the only ones to intervene in that area. The European Union, through its efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and on the border between Chad, the Central African Republic and the Sudan, has also shown that they are very interested in Africa.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“In Liberia and Sierra Leone, as we all know, the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been decisive in putting an end to situations of prolonged conflict. Central Africa, my own region, has not been left out of the initiatives concerning conflict situations in various member countries. In that context, a number of countries in Central Africa have formed a military contingent to stabilize the situation in the Central African Republic, with the logistical support of France, whom we would like to thank. We appreciate the constructive role played by the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference in getting the Government of the Sudan to consent to the necessary transition from the African Union mission in Darfur to a United Nations operation.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“This is, we emphasize, an invaluable contribution to the entire international community in terms of the maintenance of international peace and security. In that respect, the fact that standing brigades are being gradually installed in five regions and will be operational by 2010 should be welcomed for the support it will bring, over the next few years, to the international community. The case of Africa, which my delegation has chosen in order to illustrate its comments, because it is the largest test bed for cooperation between the Council and regional and subregional organizations, shows that the levels of intervention are both varied and complementary in military and diplomatic terms.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“Additionally, for my delegation, the tragedy in Haskanita, where African soldiers serving the cause of peace were attacked in a cowardly fashion, killed and humiliated, did not evoke a timely and appropriate reaction from the Security Council. That shows a certain lack of rationality in some of the reactions of the Council. From our viewpoint, those are bad practices, which must be eliminated. How can the international community fail to note that Africa is, in spite of the difficulties of the current times, in the process of building up its regional capacities, thus contributing further to improving the situation on the continent? The African Union is taking Africa's destiny in hand despite a lack of resources.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“I refer here to the human, logistical, financial and technical support that they often lack. Indeed, the essential question today, particularly in Africa, is whether or not the regional and/or subregional organizations, acting on behalf of the major organ of international peacekeeping, enjoy sufficient support from the international community. If so, how did it happen that the soldiers of the African Union were on the front lines in Darfur without the appropriate means to act in such a mission? Unfortunately, the indispensable support that Africa needed in that case - and that it still needs - has still not been received and has not been perceived by everyone as imperative. The situation regarding the mission in Somalia is proof of that.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“07-58364 There is no denying that the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security today represents genuine progress and that the opportunities for cooperation and interaction between the Council and those organizations have become more diverse in response to the need for a multidisciplinary approach to addressing crisis situations, as described in the Millennium Declaration. Regional arrangements in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security have now become an integral part of collective security, as proclaimed in the presidential statement of 28 March 2007, contained in document S/PRST/2007/7. However, those regional and subregional organizations require the necessary capacity and wherewithal to act.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“The Council's actions with respect to such scourges, while considerable in many ways, have needed to be significantly and sustainably perfected. In that regard, the visionary thinking of the founding fathers of our Organization is evident in their inclusion of Chapter VIII in the Charter, defining the mechanisms and identifying the necessary means for interaction between the Security Council and regional and subregional actors. That most certainly demonstrates the relevance of their vision, which is even more vibrant today.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“Mr. Okio (Congo) (spoke in French): My delegation thanks you, Sir, for taking the felicitous initiative of convening this public debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. I welcome the presence of the Secretary-General and thank him for his valuable contribution to the consideration of this important issue, as well as for all his initiatives to strengthen the Organization's capacities. Over the past two years, our experience as a non-permanent member of the Council has made us witness to countless situations resulting in death, injury and other atrocities as the consequences of civil wars and acts of terrorism through the devastating effects of small arms and light weapons, of which Africa is most certainly the principal victim.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776 (2007) · source
“Choi Young-jin as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and we assure him of our full cooperation in the discharge of his mission. Finally, my delegation supports the draft statement to the press proposed by the French delegation.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“We support the Secretary-General's recommendation that the current mandate and troop levels of UNOCI be maintained and that a review of the question be considered once we get closer to the key objectives, namely, the dismantling of the militias, the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants, the identification of the population and the restoration of State authority throughout the territory. My delegation takes this opportunity to reiterate its gratitude to UNOCI and the French forces supporting it, to the Economic Community of West African States, to the relevant United Nations entities, and to humanitarian organizations and non-governmental organizations for their major contributions to the peace process in cote d'Ivoire. We welcome the appointment of Mr.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“My delegation unreservedly supports the request made by the Secretary-General to Member States to provide the support necessary for the Facilitator's activities - as noted earlier in the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso - and to support the Office of the Special Representative of the Facilitator in Abidjan. My delegation reaffirms its full support for the Ouagadougou political Agreement. We encourage the coordination of the simultaneous patrols which the United Nations Operation in C6te d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) continue to carry out in the border areas in order to prevent the illegal cross-border movement of arms and combatants.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“It is now incumbent upon the Ivorian Government to meet certain requirements, including by taking the necessary steps to set timelines and benchmarks for the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement, so that those funds can be disbursed. The appointment of Mr. Boureima Badini as Special Representative of the Facilitator in Cote d'Ivoire and his 12 September arrival in Abidjan show the willingness and determination of the President of the Republic of Burkina Faso, His Excellency Mr. Blaise Compaore, to work tirelessly towards the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement; we encourage him in that endeavour.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“In that respect, my delegation welcomes the pledges, totalling approximately $388 million, made by bilateral and multilateral partners of Cote d'Ivoire in support of the Government's post-conflict recovery programme. The ongoing regularization of relations between the Ivorian Government and the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is also an encouraging sign. Indeed, in early August the IMF disbursed the first segment of the Fund's emergency post-conflict assistance programme, $60 million, and the World Bank has adopted a $120-million post- conflict assistance programme aimed at supporting the Government's emergency recovery programme.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“However, it should be noted that the security situation in the country nonetheless remains fragile, as shown by the attempt on the life of Prime Minister Guillaume Soro in Bouake on 29 June 2007. We consider that the Ivorian political class should endeavour to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. My delegation also notes that the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement has slowed somewhat, owing to lack of respect for timelines and to the limited capacity of Ivorian national institutions mandated to carry out essential tasks such as the dismantling of the militias, the disarmament of former combatants, redeployment of State authority throughout the country and identification of the population. As previously noted, implementation of the Agreement has also encountered difficulties related to the financing of certain operations.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“Abou Moussa, to whom we are most grateful for the quality of his work as Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and we have duly noted his presentation of the fourteenth report of the Secretary- General on Cote d'Ivoire (S/2007/593). The report indicates that the situation in Cote d'Ivoire is improving, and we welcome that fact. The President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire maintain good working relations. The Ouagadougou Agreement has the overall support of the entire Ivorian political class. The security situation has remained fairly stable in Cote d'Ivoire since the signing of that Agreement. All of that is good news, and it reassures us.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“Mr. Okio (Congo) (spoke in French): Allow me to first welcome His Excellency Mr. Djibrill Bassole, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of Burkina Faso and to thank him for the information he has kindly given us here on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Blaise Compaore, current Chairman of the Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Economic Community of West African States and Facilitator of the direct inter-Ivorian dialogue. My delegation once again congratulates Burkina Faso on its election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2008-2010. We would also like to welcome Mr. Jean-Marie Bockel, Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophony of France. We followed with great interest the briefing by Mr.”
2007-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5765 (2007) · source
“More generally, given the lessons learned from the Fund's current functioning, there is a need for clarification about its relationship with the Peacebuilding Commission and about the process of disbursing funds. In conclusion, and given the approach adopted by Guinea-Bissau - whose desire to be inscribed on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission Congo supports - my delegation would like to point out that the Council should pay a bit more attention to the issue of placing new countries on the Commission's agenda, with a View to clearly defining the modalities for inscription. We agree that it would be useful to draft the procedure in such a way as to take into account States with a genuine and urgent need for assistance.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“However, we believe that, in order to raise the profile of the Commission's work, it may sometimes be necessary to hold coordination meetings in countries concerned. Lastly, the innovative mechanism that is the Peacebuilding Fund was established, among other things, to provide crucial support during the early stages of a peace process. In that connection, my delegation would like to express its support for the Secretary-General's appeal for contributions to the Fund in order to meet its initial goal of $250 million. In that regard, it would be useful to hold donor meetings of bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as to promote interaction between the Fund's Advisory Group and the members of the Commission.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“In some countries conflicts are fuelled by the destabilization of an entire region or of neighbouring countries - as is the case with the conflicts in the Great Lakes region, the complexity of which is not well understood. With regard to the two countries on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission, we would suggest that the international community should take advantage of the regional actors as intermediaries and of their involvement in the search for sustainable and lasting solutions. My delegation fully agrees with the methods of work of the Peacebuilding Commission, especially as regards field missions, video-conferencing with major actors on the ground, thematic and country-specific meetings, and presentations by senior officials and experts.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“However, the partnership with Sierra Leone and Burundi must be based on national ownership of the process and respect for their own responsibilities and commitments, with a view to overcoming the numerous current and future challenges. Moreover, close coordination between the Commission, national actors and civil society is essential, both in determining goals and in evaluating the efforts undertaken. That entails strengthening on-the-ground verification and follow-up mechanisms. We would like to emphasize that the summary notes of the Working Group on Lessons Learned underscored the need to include the regional element in peacebuilding strategies for Burundi and Sierra Leone. We believe that that is valid, including for future cases.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“Even though there are gaps in those two successful experiences, as in all human undertakings, the Council can learn useful lessons from them for the determination of the criteria for inscribing new countries on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission. As the report of the Secretary-General (S/2007/458) points out, by putting in place integrated peacebuilding strategies the Peacebuilding Commission has progressively developed a better understanding of the issues and challenges in the field. By adopting a country-specific approach, the Commission has been able to tailor its efforts to the requirements on the ground and to engage in productive dialogue with local authorities and other stakeholders in the search for appropriate strategies.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“In that regard, it is clear that the Security Council is the body best equipped to assess the benefits produced by the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission in the two 07-54678 countries on the Commission's agenda - Burundi and Sierra Leone - in regard to the developments in those countries in recent months. For example, free and transparent presidential and legislative elections were held in Sierra Leone, leading to the establishment of a new Government. Nevertheless, given the fragile nature of the situation in those two countries, we must continue to accord them attention at the highest level.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“For a year now, the Peacebuilding Commission has been carrying out its challenging functions under the constant and careful monitoring of the bodies that established it. The interaction with those bodies did not have the paralyzing effect we had feared, although it seems that it is necessary to further clarify the relationship between the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council as the activity of the Peacebuilding Commission expands. My delegation believes that, in that tripartite relationship, the Security Council has continued to play its role while being aware of the challenges that arise from the situations on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission and while daily following their development in the light of its own agenda.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“We would like to express our gratitude to Carolyn McAskie, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, whose commitment and contributions to getting the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund functioning have been decisive. Allow me to congratulate Ambassador Yukio Takasu, the new Chairperson of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission, for the excellent briefing he has just given us. Through him, I would also like to thank Japan for its unwavering commitment to and support for the work of the Commission, as well as for its contribution to the Peacebuilding Fund. My delegation would like to wish Mr. Takasu every success in his difficult task and in overseeing the future phases of that new body.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“As is the case with a newborn baby, we all know that it is the very first moments of life that require the greatest attention and care. The key issue here will never be which parent provided more care to the newborn, but rather whether the pooling of efforts in an ongoing interaction was able to ensure the well- being and the best possible development of the newborn. Because of the number of meetings held, the high quality of the results obtained and the commitment in the field, as is indicated in the report of the Secretary-General in document A/62/l37, these men and women serving the cause of peace have enabled the United Nations to begin this project successfully, and we congratulate them.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“Mr. Okio (Congo) (spoke in French): My delegation would like to thank the President for having convened this meeting to consider the first report of the Peacebuilding Commission, a body whose establishment is clearly one of the best outcomes of the 2005 World Summit. The comprehensive approach which, at the time, inspired the decision on peacebuilding on the part of the world's highest-level leaders, is starting to bear fruit in terms of the work carried out in one year by the Peacebuilding Commission. My delegation would like to pay tribute to His Excellency Mr. Gaspar Martins, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Angola, who chaired the Commission from the very outset and, through him, to all those who have been working tirelessly with him to bring about the birth of this body.”
2007-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5761 (2007) · source
“The Council should make A substantive effort in that respect when it considers requests made by the Afghan Government, in particular concerning former Taliban, because the strengthening of institutions remains a key factor in achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“The situation requires intensive consideration and consistent commitment on the part of the international community in regard both to voluntary returns and to finding alternative solutions for some groups of Afghans who cannot return to their country. The Congo supports the effective commitment of the United Nations in the role of central and impartial coordinator that it has played to date. In conclusion, I recall that, in seeking successfully to accomplish its task of reconciliation and expand its territorial reach, the Afghan Government expects a great deal from the varied contributions of the Security Council.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“Moreover, the general agreement on bilateral cooperation signed with the Islamic Republic of Iran indicates a favourable attitude to good-neighbourly relations, which Afghanistan so badly needs to ensure its own stability. The Congo therefore supports all such initiatives, which are helping to stabilize the internal situation in Afghanistan and the region. The Congo also welcomes the initiatives of the international community that are helping to improve security, stability and reconstruction in the country. The Conference held in Rome on 2 and 3 July, the high-level meeting held in New York on 23 September and previous meetings also emphasized the common resolve to seek a lasting solution to the Afghan crisis. It should be noted that millions of Afghans remain in exile in Iran and Pakistan.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“My delegation also notes with interest that Afghanistan is acting to promote peaceful relations with its neighbours in a turbulent region where myriad situations are often inextricably intertwined. The commitment of the Afghan and Pakistani Governments to addressing such joint problems as opium production and trafficking and terrorism and to coordinating their efforts to limit opposition raids in Afghanistan is also a positive factor to be encouraged. The Congo therefore urges the two countries to ensure the implementation of the joint declaration on promoting cooperation and assistance through collaboration and understanding, including projects pursued in such fields as the repatriation of refugees and economic development on both sides of the border.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source
“My delegation therefore endorses the Secretary- General's recommendations on reforming the police, the National Army and the judicial sector, with the support of international donors, in order to establish the rule of law in Afghanistan. We note with satisfaction the creation of the International Police Coordination Board, under Afghan authority, and the deployment of the European Police Mission. The creation of the Good Performers Initiative to promote the development of the provinces, and in particular the eradication of all activities linked to drug trafficking, is a very positive move that deserves support. However, it is important for the Afghan authorities to consider easing administrative and financial procedures in order to assist access to the fund by several categories of recipients.”
2007-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5760 (2007) · source