YouSaid · the spoken record

Olhaye

lines on the record: 631
first: 1993-01-29
most recent: 2013-10-22
sittings or episodes: 73
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

“At the outset, Sir, I wish to congratulate you most warmly on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. Indeed, your intense probing, intellectual capacity and extensive experience will be of immense benefit to this Council. I wish also to express our deep gratitude to Ambassador Taylhardat of Venezuela for his leadership of the Council during the past, important, month. We have all come to respect the high level of ability he has demonstrated. I cannot fail to acknowledge the presence in our midst of the honourable Foreign Minister of Rwanda and the strong, joint delegation he is heading. We are very impressed by the way they have convincingly presented their case to us and for their perseverance in seeing this draft resolution become a reality before their departure for home.”
1993-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3288 (1993) · source
“In addition to tightening up loopholes now existing in United Nations peace-keeping security operations, which this draft resolution does, we look forward to seeing the new procedural measures for the communications, training and regulations review to be undertaken by the Secretary-General. The frightening rise in United Nations and non-United Nations casualties must be reversed, and these measures are a necessary step in that direction.”
1993-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3283 (1993) · source
“It will be very helpful and clarificatory for the international community to enact a new international instrument codifying and consolidating this widely scattered body of law and understanding, specifying the safeguards, privileges and immunities for United Nations peace-keeping and civilian contractors and non-governmental organizations and their personnel, as the Secretary-General also notes. All this is quite good and necessary. But my delegation still wonders if the new international strongmen - the warlord types such as we have seen in Bosnia, Angola and Somalia - will be deterred by such formality. These are situations in which the host Government itself is powerless to act to protect. However, criminals and violators of protected personnel must know that an enforcement mechanism is in place, one which can and will act.”
1993-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3283 (1993) · source
“We must thank the Secretary-General for the emphasis he places on the safety and security of non-United Nations military and peace-keeping personnel, the civilian personnel, and private staff of non-governmental organizations and contractors who are participating in these operations at considerable risk to themselves. These organizations, when engaged by the United Nations as implementing partners to provide resources, must receive more recognized and official status with regard to safety and security. International law with regard to United Nations and foreign personnel in a country is, as the Secretary-General notes, contained in a collection of documents, multilateral and bilateral treaties, international agreements, historical practices, the United Nations Charter and so on and so forth.”
1993-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3283 (1993) · source
“My delegation welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the subject of security of United Nations operations and personnel. With its brief account of United Nations practice, synopsis of relevant factors and issues, and outline of the present situation, it is extremely useful. It is hard to dispute the contention that the nature of United Nations peace-keeping has changed and present-day missions are likely to face dangerous, life-threatening hostility. The Council must focus Member and non-Member attention on this vital matter and consider the necessary steps whereby all parties might lessen this danger. The draft resolution before us is one such step, which is why we support it.”
1993-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3283 (1993) · source
“My delegation therefore supports the draft resolution before us establishing UNOMIL for a period of seven months under the direction of the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3281 (1993) · source
“Deployment of UNOMIL is a key factor in the fair distribution of humanitarian aid. We support the steps the Secretary-General has undertaken to establish a trust fund to cover a range of vital processes and activities and his call for contributions from Member States is consistent with the timetables set to accomplish various tasks. The United Nations is much wiser now and is aware of the steps which need to be taken to forge the road to peace and settlement. Difficulties and uncertainties are always present, but the United Nations appears to have assessed the Liberian situation with some care, and the chances of resolution, based upon the actions of combatants to date in Liberia and Cotonou, seem quite encouraging.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3281 (1993) · source
“This will, hopefully, demonstrate to the Liberians our commitment to the peace process and to a return to normalcy. We shall then be in a position to encourage the new five-member Council of State to take the steps necessary to complete the disarmament and demobilization process and to organize the important elections commission. While we focus on the political settlement, we are pleased to note that the plight of Liberia's many refugees and displaced persons is not being overlooked; nor is the need for humanitarian assistance. Attending to these matters will gain a good deal of immediate support from the general populace and ease the transition to the new phase of life in Liberia. The ordinary Liberian has suffered unduly in this conflict and requires our utmost attention.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3281 (1993) · source
“The supportive but independent role of the United Nations needs to be safeguarded, particularly where hostilities may resume and peacemaking action is required against one of the parties. We must also be assured that proper measures are in place to protect United Nations personnel and permit them to exercise unimpeded their functions. It would seem that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has done a splendid job to date to resolve this crisis, is resolute in its desire to resolve this conflict and establish a representative elected Government. The deployment of UNOMIL therefore seems to be crucial to the whole process proceeding in high gear. For this reason we applaud the speed with which the mission has been organized and will be put in place.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3281 (1993) · source
“My delegation would again like to express its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his timely and informative report on the situation in Liberia. The planning mission dispatched last month to gather information prior to the proposed establishment of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) would seem to have accomplished its mission. On the basis of the results of this initial visit, sufficient data is available to form a basis for the structure of UNOMIL. This mission establishes an important precedent for the United Nations, that of a peacemaking mission set up after one is already in place through another organization. Consequently, the issues of coordination, command and responsibilities are significant and will require careful monitoring and assessment.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3281 (1993) · source
“We should not falter or waver at the eleventh hour because of the opposition of one lone warlord or for other reasons. We must complete our mission, because success seems at hand, and with it the return of one of our Members to the family of nations. Perhaps that is the true purpose of our Charter.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“Similarly, as requested also in the draft resolution, it would be helpful to all concerned to have from the Secretary-General a detailed plan covering the future strategy of UNOSOM II with regard to its humanitarian, political and security activities. The rehabilitation of Somalia under the United Nations has apparently begun. We are pleased to see that the widespread participation of all Somalis is envisioned and is, in fact, taking place, and that a reasonable transition period is contemplated so that leadership can be developed, security implanted, and systems put together. Both the United Nations and the Somali people require our continued support if we are to achieve success, and my delegation hopes that this support will be consistently forthcoming.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“We also support the reference in the draft resolution to the Secretary- General's intention to convene, as soon as possible, a meeting of Member States interested in supporting UNOSOM II in the re-establishment of Somalia's police, judicial and penal systems. The need for training, facilities, technical assistance, staffing and expertise remains, and such a meeting could focus efforts and resources on areas of high priority. Funds are, of course, urgently needed, and this meeting and its follow-up, pursuant to the fund established under resolution 794 (1992) and maintained in resolution 814 (1993) for the purpose of receiving contributions to be used for the police, judicial and penal systems, must continue to be supported by Member States as an urgent matter. This draft resolution highlights these needs.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“Very little of this programme will have any lasting significance, of course, unless, as the Secretary-General indicates, serious attention is given to security matters, such as police, penal institutions and a functioning judiciary. The consideration, in the report, of the gamut of issues - training, equipping, paying, selecting, codifying, instilling pride and professionalism, and the manner in which intimidation is to be dealt with - is encouraging. The budgeted total of $45 million seems to be a reasonable cost for such a large task for the first year, covering outlays for police, penal and judicial matters.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“We are also pleased at the broad participation and work of the Transitional Charter Drafting Committee, which completed its work in June this year, and that of the cease-fire and disarmament committee. We have examined the Secretary-General's outline of the status of the 1993 relief and rehabilitation programme, including the March meeting of donor nations, the United Nations relief agencies and representatives of the Somali people themselves. The broad and comprehensive approach of this programme - covering projects of employment, food distribution, continuing emergency relief operations, resettlement, social services such as schools and health services, the resuscitation of trade and commerce, the media and public outreach - speaks of the United Nations participation and the broad nature of Somalia's requirements.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“At this juncture, anything less would have devastating implications and fallout for the United Nations and the people of Somalia. We believe the combined impact of these developments demonstrates the resolve of the United Nations to re-institutionalize the democratic voice and participation of the Somali people in their own governance and the high priority the United Nations accords this goal. So many concrete steps taken at so many levels would not be possible without genuine progress in political reconciliation. In fact, it is our understanding that inter-clan hostilities have all but ceased and inter-clan meetings of note on various issues have taken place.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“For this reason, it is regrettable that the events transpiring in Mogadishu - in fact in one section of that city - have so captured the headlines and thereby distorted the impressive nature of Somalia's steady return to normalcy. Certainly, under any circumstances the loss of human life, civilian or official, is to be deplored and regretted. In fact, every step must continue to be taken to see that such tragedies are as infrequent as possible, within the context of the United Nations accomplishing its mandate. And it does seem that the United Nations is accomplishing its mission. A nation, a non-State, is being resurrected and, with the completion of its task visible on the horizon, the United Nations must make every effort and leave no stone unturned to complete its mission.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“We are pleased to note the continuing resolve of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) to maintain rapid disarmament as a leading priority and to focus on the removal of mines. That the overall situation in Somalia continues to be stabilized is worthy of note. We are pleased to see that implementation of the comprehensive peace accords signed in Addis Ababa is steadily under way. That so many ordinary Somalis from the grass roots are involved in this process of deciding on so wide a range of issues and setting up a rudimentary mechanism which may eventually lead to the formation of a transitional authority is to be admired. We see that a transitional national council is intended to serve as the prime political authority during the two-year transition period, supported by a structure of regional and district councils.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“Taken together with the report of the Secretary-General (S/26317) submitted in pursuance of paragraph 18 of resolution 814 (1993), by which the Secretary-General was to keep us informed of developments in the security situation in Somalia, we have a comprehensive and informative description of the situation in that country. Both underscore the fact that Somalia's rehabilitation will require a multipronged approach, covering many fronts Simultaneously. However, little of lasting substance will be achieved unless the threat of violence is removed, for which purpose law enforcement and judicial mechanisms must be developed to provide a secure environment for long-term social, economic and political activity to take place.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“My delegation would like to express its gratitude to the Secretary-General for his latest report on Somalia and for the untiring efforts of his Special Representative and other United Nations personnel in their devotion and sacrifices under such threatening and difficult circumstances. We are certain this will serve for some time as a landmark of commitment to the cause of a people and the call of duty. The draft resolution before us, which we fully support, calls for redoubling efforts to re-establish the police, judicial and penal systems of Somalia.”
1993-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3280 (1993) · source
“Clearly, UNAVEM II's mandate should be extended for three months as requested and the level of international civilian staff restored. The work of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Mr. Beye, has been commendable, and my delegation appreciates the efforts of the Organization for African Unity, the observer States of Portugal, Russia and the United States and the leaders of neighbouring countries to assist in bringing this matter back to the peace table. However, if all these good offices do not resolve the matter, we must then be prepared to implement and enforce these sanctions; assist the Government; continue and expand humanitarian assistance; and, as quickly as possible, end UNITA's aggression, until finally, they have no alternative but to agree to what they have already agreed to.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“We urge that all possible assistance be given by Members to the Government to help it fight this aggression. We note in the report of the Secretary-General that Government forces appear to have recovered their balance and have begun to push back UNITA forces. Combined with the sanctions, this may soon lead to a quick reversal of UNITA policies and a renewed call for peace talks. If so, at a minimum, they would have to be on the basis of the Acordos de Paz, the Abidjan agreements and the elections. Until that time, we can expect a worsening humanitarian situation. We therefore urge the Secretary-General and the courageous United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) personnel to continue to do everything possible to bring relief and assistance to the civilian population.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“Additional measures of merit to strengthen the impact of the sanctions which deserve consideration include technical assistance to countries around UNITA to identify overflights of supply planes; the sharing of intelligence resources to identify States, companies and individuals supplying UNITA; and terminating UNITA's satellite telecommunications and fax facilities. The measures regarding the sanctions regime we have so far covered are but one aspect of what the Council and Members can do to end this conflict. There is little doubt that the Government acted in good faith regarding the cease- fire, the accords, the disarming and the elections. Faced with renewed aggression, it has not only the right, but also - unlike Bosnia - the capability of rearming and defending itself.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“But Angola must not be a replay of Bosnia. Savimbi must be shown that there is another "reality". For this reason, my delegation supports the draft resolution before us calling for sanctions against UNITA. As is usual, sanctions work to the extent that they are supported by the relevant community involved and the concern of its members for the consequences of violations. In the case of UNITA, this would be the use of the territory of adjacent countries for military, supply, transport and personnel purposes; flights to and from South Africa and to its creation, Bophuthatswana; and trade in diamonds through Zaire and on to the diamond markets of Europe. It must be very clear to all members that the Council is prepared to move against all violations of these sanctions with additional sanctions.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“In some respects, he is an example of a phenomenon the United Nations can expect to encounter on a rising scale. As with Karadzic and Mladic in Bosnia, Pol Pot in Cambodia, Aidid in Somalia and various potential strongmen rising in central Asia, Savimbi is one of the new warlords - educated, cynical, clever and ruthless. These warlords perceive the United Nations as weak and apprehensive, concerned more with TV news briefs than victory, prepared to accept the "reality" of what is rather than the means used to reach the situation or the principles underlying what should be. Having acquired what they want by "every means available", exhausting both the United Nations and their opponent, they will then call for peace talks, unilateral cease-fires and United Nations- sponsored arbitrators. The pattern is all too consistent.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“With the signed accords, freely arrived at, and the elections of September 1992, there was a general presumption that peace would prevail, that words given would be followed by deeds and that Angola would at last begin the process of true reconciliation and development. Probably no one accepted this promise more than the Government, which proceeded to significantly disarm and demobilize its forces in anticipation of the implementation of accords and the elections. These events have not transpired. The fighting and suffering have, in fact, escalated to levels unprecedented in this long tragedy. The blame for this must be laid squarely at the feet of Jonas Savimbi, whose duplicity, cynicism and contempt for human life and values are unbounded.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General of 13 September 1993 is an informative and suggestive update of the Angolan tragedy and underscores the need for the Council to implement concrete measures aS soon as possible. We are all conversant with the agreement worked out between the Government of Angola and UNITA leading to the Acordos de Paz and the fair and free elections held a year ago in Angola, and the additional principles reached in Abidjan. As the Secretary-General indicates, the Angolan conflict has been the focus of an unimaginable level of international activity, so great has been the concern at the amount of human suffering and physical destruction in that country.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“I wish at the outset to express to you our warmest congratulations on your assumption - at very short notice, if I may say so - of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of September. Indeed, your cautious and calculated but effective approach to guiding our work is already yielding valuable results. I should also like to express our deep gratitude to Ambassador Albright of the United States for the effective manner in which she guided our work last month and for her candor and versatility. I salute the Minister for External Relations of Angola, whose presence here today has undoubtedly strengthened the resolve of the international community to refocus on the untenable and miserable state of affairs prevailing in his country.”
1993-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3277 (1993) · source
“At this eleventh hour every effort must be made to take stock of all available options and competing objectives in order not to miss any opportunity offered, even if sometimes that entails a bitter compromise. The draft resolution before us is deemed necessary with the clear realization that, perhaps for the last time, there is a need to reaffirm the principles contained in our previous resolutions on this conflict. We applaud the spirit of understanding that prevailed during the course of our negotiations, and my delegation fully supports its adoption.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“It is perhaps the final chapter of one of the great deceptions and evils of our day, for Bosnia has stood for a multi-ethnic State politically harmonizing religious, cultural and ethnic differences. Bosnia, in short, represents the direction in which the world community has to go if we are to have real peace and an end to hostilities and hatreds. Above all, we are attempting to conclude, perhaps without honour, the horrible war in Bosnia and bring to an end the bloodshed there. We fully understand the anguish and dilemma confronting the Bosnian Government. We hope President Izetbegovic will seriously ponder the proposals with a view to Saving his people. We feel he is prepared to do so, but on an honourable basis.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“It was in the seventeenth century that Blaise Pascal underscored the consequence of the lack of enforcement when he stated; "Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical." For all our supposed efforts and the supposed mediation through the history of this conflict, our record of action to restrain the Serbs has amounted to virtually nothing. Again the Bosnian Government is forced into peace negotiations that are conducted while aggression continues. Sarajevo dies, Mostar dies. Humanitarian aid is blocked. Faced with a situation of attack everywhere, coupled with international inaction, Izetbegovic is negotiating under the gun. In fact, he has been presented with an ultimatum.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“Resolution 816 (1993) confirms a no-fly-zone policy; yet we have the arrogant Mladic flying to meet the United Nations Commander on Mount Igman in open defiance of that resolution. Resolution 836 (1993) authorizes States or regional arrangements to use air power to protect the "safe areas" and peace-keepers, and we have yet to see any action to this end. The recent Serb occupation of two mountains overlooking Sarajevo drew strong threats of retaliatory air strikes if it, along with the siege of Sarajevo, was not terminated, but those threats have not resulted in compliance on either count. Any threatened action, however, has been stalled by the "quagmire-mongers". Lack of enforcement or lack of the political will to enforce any of the Council's resolutions on Bosnia constitutes the core of the problem.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“For what is at stake in Bosnia is not only indescribable human suffering but the idea of universality of the civilized norms that are the foundation of our freedom and democracy. In Bosnia, on the threshold of an unfolding new world order, we have been offered the opportunity to reaffirm that fundamental truth, and have failed the test." The authority of the Council and the means to act have been readily available. Resolution 770 (1992) provides that "all measures necessary" (resolution 770 (1992), para. 2) can be taken to deliver humanitarian relief aid; yet we have today the spectacle of Mostar starving and disintegrating before our very eyes. The same is true to varying degrees in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Gorazde, Srebrenica and so on.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“It has been one of the great crimes of our time, a gross evil and obviously an unpardonable laxity to let the situation deteriorate to this morally and politically unacceptable level. It is almost as if the supposedly neutral international community has wanted Bosnia either to die or to disappear. I. the words of Henry Siegman, the Executive Director of the American Jewish Congress and a survivor of the Holocaust, "the current negotiations in Geneva disguise the real goal of the Serbs and Croats: to extinguish Bosnia as a State and to kill or drive into exile all of its Muslim inhabitants". And he continues, "however we rationalize our indifference to what is happening in the Balkans, its consequences will surely haunt us in the days and years to come.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“Perhaps the most grotesque aspect of this peace proposal lies in its weak allusion to the lofty ideals and values repeated and reinforced on every occasion in Security Council resolutions and at previous international conferences regarding Bosnia. As one critic has noted, the "history of the Bosnian peace process has been one of mediators reacting to events on the ground they are unable to control". In effect, we have worked with the reality of the situation on the ground, a Serb-determined reality, because we have categorically ruled out military intervention and have tied the hands of the Bosnian Government so it is unable to defend itself; thus have we tacitly accepted the atrocities, the "ethnic cleansing" and the aggression.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“Once again the world is witness to yet another attempt to force the unfortunate Bosnian Government to accept what in effect amounts to an ultimatum parading in the guise of a "peace plan". It comes complete with a "map" comprising bits and pieces of disconnected patches of land ~ a pitiful acknowledgement that aggression and violence have paid. This latest flurry of activity presents us with three separate States in what has been characterized as a "ghostly union without a centrally controlled army, police force or directly elected parliament". Despite the litany of promises supported by principles and decisions, the weakest party is asked to compromise on territory or else perish.”
1993-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3269 (1993) · source
“It is to be hoped that areas in the accord which have not been totally spelled out, such as the presidency, will not serve as excuses to reignite the conflict. With the proposed electoral reform and the restructuring of the legislature and the judiciary, the necessary institutional base has been laid for a resumption of national government. By removing the weapons, demobilizing the troops and sealing the borders, Liberia could be ina position to begin preparation for voter registration, elections, and a truly representative government. The United Nations needs to be on hand to assist in this worthy venture, which will begin with 30 military observers and which may perhaps act as a pace-setter for an international effort to promote the reconstruction of Liberia.”
1993-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3263 (1993) · source
“The United Nations observer force, we believe, will provide the critically needed credibility and transparency, not only in cease-fire verification but also in the implementation of the encampment, disarmament and demobilization provisions of the Agreement. While ECOWAS and the United Nations have been instrumental in bringing the warring parties to the table, neither the United Nations nor ECOWAS has imposed a set of agreements on the parties. This plan is a product of the Liberians themselves, reflecting, we hope, their earnest desire to halt the fighting. It would be a cynical shame - a tragedy - if it were the intention of anyone to use this accord as a distraction to buy time to consolidate or re-equip.”
1993-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3263 (1993) · source
“We must always remain mindful that this war has exacted a terrible toll on the Liberian people and that, in addition to establishing peace, every effort needs to be made to increase quickly the flow of humanitarian assistance. Conditions must also be established that will allow the thousands of refugees and displaced people to return to their homes. This will not effectively take place until there is a lifting of the tight economic Sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. For that to happen, the United Nations Observer Mission needs to be in place and the cease-fire and disarmament process begun without obstruction. Clearly, there is every incentive to move quickly. In this respect, we welcome the further enlargement of ECOMOG by drawing on new troops from ECOWAS countries and other OAU countries outside the West African region.”
1993-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3263 (1993) · source
“The presence of the United Nations in Liberia will therefore serve to give all the parties acutely needed assurance of the interest of the international community in the conflict and its willingness to become involved in seeking a fair and equitable resolution. But, very rightly, the Agreement is framed as a cooperative exercise by ECOWAS, the ECOWAS Cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and the United Nations, mirroring the complementary role each has played thus far under the lead of ECOWAS. It will serve as a shining example of regional and international division of labour in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
1993-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3263 (1993) · source
“Determined and persistent leadership has forced the combatants to the peace table, with the result that there is today a cease-fire, a plan to disarm and demobilize. Most of all, though, there is unity on the continuation of Liberia as a unified country. In this respect we vigorously laud the untiring efforts of the Secretary-General and his extremely competent and energetic Special Representative, Mr. Trevor Gordon-Somers, who achieved this breakthrough after several months of patient negotiations. But we must remain realistic and alert and move with the utmost speed to capitalize on this opening. Wars and hostilities always engender a certain amount of distrust and suspicion, which needs to be overcome if peace is to last. Such feelings have been visible in this conflict, even extending to provisions of the Agreement.”
1993-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3263 (1993) · source
“My delegation attaches great significance to the draft resolution before us, which bears upon the long-suffering nation of Liberia. We support wholeheartedly the dispatch team of 30 military observers called for, signalling the inception of formal United Nations involvement in the resolution of that bloody and tragic conflict. The Cotonou Peace Agreement of last month has to be considered a watershed in the long and painful efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to bring about peace in Liberia, on which it must be sincerely congratulated. This has been essentially an African and, more specifically, a West African, achievement, financed, directed and manned by the countries of that region.”
1993-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3263 (1993) · source
“Nevertheless, for what it may achieve, my delegation therefore supported the resolution for the return of the monitors. In this way, we shall at least have available reports to corroborate our worst fears.”
1993-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3262 (1993) · source
“Undoubtedly things will only become worse if the Serbs are allowed to continue unmonitored; and the true nature of the abuses, not to speak of their extent, will be hidden from public view. Certainly the Serbs recognize this, which is why they have seized the opportunity to blame the CSCE for an unwillingness to cooperate with them, using this as justification for terminating the mandate of the monitors. Belgrade recognizes only too well what is implicit in this dispute ~ we are really talking about Besnia; the case really lies in the Siege of Sarajevo and other towns in Bosnia. As long as this genocide is allowed to continue, Belgrade has no reason to blink first. The international community has blinked so often in Bosnia - and continues to blink - that our eyes are now nearly always closed.”
1993-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3262 (1993) · source
“That is the total abuse of the human rights of the non-Serb people in the area, part of the pattern of "ethnic cleansing" we have seen often in Bosnia. Non-Serbs in Kosovo have systematically been denied property, removed from their homes, excluded from employment, had their schools closed, faced religious persecution, been subjected to physical abuse, and had many of their Organizations prevented from operating. Torture, disappearances, arbitrary detention, killing and political imprisonment are widespread and increasing. These facts are well known, and every day appear to worsen. Naturally, however, they are disputed by the Serbs, who continually offer us a different "spin" to events there.”
1993-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3262 (1993) · source
“All the signs of a military offensive are there, such as the increase of troops in the area, intentional and provocative troop movements, and low flights of military aircraft. There is the unmistakable indication of a repeat of the Bosnian tragedy. Given the pervasive ethnic ties in the Balkan area, which never seem to follow national boundaries or borders, containment of these hostilities will present an impossible task. We may be faced, therefore, with a general Balkan conflict. Fear of such a widespread conflict has been the focus of the desire for monitors in the area, to watch for any signs of a heightening of tensions. There is perhaps, though, a more immediately humanitarian aspect to this Situation, which needs to be addressed as well.”
1993-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3262 (1993) · source
“Such has been the tragedy there that the drought a short distance to the south has scarcely been noticed. May we offer your delegation, Madam President, our deepest sympathies and heartfelt wishes for that region's speedy recovery and return to normalcy. My delegation lends its full support to the draft resolution just voted upon, on the need to retain monitors of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Kosovo, Vojvodina and Sandjak. Once again we are faced with a situation pregnant with the possibility, indeed almost the certainty, of the outbreak of hostilities, as a result of pervasive repression of the Albanian ethnic group, numbering more than 2 million and constituting the majority of the population of Kosovo.”
1993-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3262 (1993) · source
“I wish to express, Madam President, our warmest congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. Indeed, your wisdom, candour and affability are the kind of personal qualities that will no doubt enhance the effectiveness of this Council. May I also express our deep gratitude to Ambassador David Hannay of the United Kingdom for the exemplary manner in which he guided the work of the Council last month. Confronted so often as we are in the Council with man-made disasters, we perhaps tend to overlook those phenomena of nature which periodically seem to remind mankind of the existence of powers beyond our own. We have been witnessing for some time now the awesome Spectacle of rampaging rivers in the American Midwest, which has unleashed widespread destruction and suffering among the people of the area.”
1993-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3262 (1993) · source
“We also pay special tribute to Miss Margaret Anstee, who displayed rare courage and tenacity under extremely difficult circumstances and who became the target of vicious attacks by UNITA against her integrity and personality.”
1993-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3254 (1993) · source
“My delegation is particularly concerned at the regional repercussions of this war, where the refugee count is mounting daily in the surrounding countries. Internally, the conflict is fostering a level of inter-ethnic hostility which will take years to dispel. The destruction of national assets and infrastructure will set Angola back economically for decades, while pledged foreign aid sits unused. Agreements concluded for the delivery of humanitarian aid have begun to be denied at the point of delivery, particularly for besieged cities. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to express its deep gratitude to the Secretary-General for his thorough and forthright report (S/26060), and also to take this opportunity to welcome the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Angola, Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye.”
1993-07-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3254 (1993) · source