YouSaid · the spoken record

Oshima

lines on the record: 900
first: 2001-04-23
most recent: 2007-06-22
sittings or episodes: 95
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The delegation of Japan warmly welcomes the presence of the President-elect of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. Rene Preval, in this Chamber today, and we express our sincere congratulations to him on his election. Today's debate provides a timely occasion to discuss how the United Nations and the international community can assist Haiti at such a crucial time in its recent history, as the country strives forward in its quest for peace and stability, national reconciliation and economic and social development. We thank Argentina for having taken a leadership role on the issue of Haiti in the Security Council during past weeks and for having organized the meeting. We appreciate the fact, Mr. President, that you are guiding our deliberations.”
2006-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5397 (2006) · source
“It is the hope of my Government that friendship between our two countries will be strengthened through close dialogue and cooperation with the President, the Government and the people of Liberia. We wish the President and people of Liberia well with their success and we wish them a better future.”
2006-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5389 (2006) · source
“For its part, the Security Council will have to address such matters as the future activities of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the lifting of the sanctions and the issue of impunity, in close consultation with the new Government. As the special envoy of Prime Minister Koizumi, Mr. Shintaro Ito, already conveyed in January, Japan, as a friend of Liberia and of Africa, will be pleased to join in accelerated and sustained international cooperation for Liberia as it embarks on a new journey. We will be working in partnership and solidarity with the Government and people of Liberia, including for community-based development, the reintegration of child soldiers, anti-proliferation of small arms, and other reconstruction and development projects.”
2006-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5389 (2006) · source
“I join in warmly welcoming President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to this Chamber. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I wish to extend once again our sincere congratulations to the President of the Republic of Liberia on her inauguration. We trust that, in meeting the many daunting challenges Liberia faces in overcoming the legacies of the decade-long civil war, the Government and people of Liberia will be united under the leadership of the President and will make every effort to consolidate the hard-won peace and move steadfastly towards its recovery, reconstruction, national reconciliation and a new nation-building effort. To support that national effort, the international community must respond, not only with good will, but also by mobilizing substantial support for and assistance to Liberia.”
2006-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5389 (2006) · source
“In conclusion, Japan is now working on a draft resolution on the extension of the UNAMA mandate. We hope to be able to present such a draft resolution for adoption by 23 March, taking into consideration the views expressed in this meeting by both members and non-members of the Security Council.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Nevertheless, the "light footprint" approach should be maintained, in View of the need to encourage ownership on the part of the Afghan Government. Also, a scrap-and-build approach should be considered, where necessary, in deciding on the optimal allocation of personnel and funding resources. We believe that, as Afghanistan moves into a new phase of its post-Bonn reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts, a Security Council mission should make a visit to Afghanistan to appraise the situation and demonstrate the continued commitment of the international community to providing assistance during this phase. In our view, such a mission could be organized soon after the UNAMA mandate is extended. It should be small and mobile, considering the prevailing security situation.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“We strongly hope that the Government will show the necessary resolve and commitment to make the programme yet another success. This, of course, requires international support for weapons collection and the collection of information. In that connection, I am pleased to announce that Japan is planning to hold an international conference in Tokyo later this year on DDR and the disbandment of illegal armed groups. We call on the donor community to lend its valuable support to this vital project, which is directly related to improving security on a sustainable basis. As for the question of the extension of the mandate of UNAMA, Japan supports the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report, taking into consideration the launch of the Compact.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Considerable progress has, in fact, been made by the Afghan Government and the international community in achieving reform throughout the security sector. Japan has been a major contributor to the promotion of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). We appreciate the efforts of the Afghan Government to bring disarmament and demobilization to a conclusion. With disarmament and demobilization having been completed, it now remains to work on completing reintegration, and we hope that this will be done at the earliest possible date. With DDR almost achieved, Japan attaches special importance to the disbandment of illegal armed groups programme as an urgent item on our current agenda. This is an Afghan-led programme and, as such, it must be carried out by all the Government authorities concerned, acting together.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Through this process, we hope that Afghanistan will overcome the difficulties so often experienced in the early stages of establishing a democratic political system. Among the problems that continue to plague the country and its people are those posed by the insecurity and lawlessness that prevail in many provinces, as the Secretary-General's report has highlighted. To improve security, the size of the Afghan National Army and National Police must be expanded, their capabilities improved and judicial reform achieved without delay. At the same time, it is important to call on all Afghan parties and groups to exercise restraint and avoid resorting to violence, and all should engage in the conduct of political affairs in a peaceful manner and strive for national reconciliation.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“For the next phase of national reconstruction and reconciliation to be a success, it is considered essential that single- minded efforts be made towards the implementation of I-ANDS and of the Compact, with full ownership of the process by Afghans themselves, assisted by well- coordinated international support from the United Nations and the donor community. The Secretary-General has reported that the National Assembly is now engaging in active deliberations and debates on issues ranging from administration of the country to threats to its stability. We are encouraged by this positive development. We also look forward to the early confirmation of Cabinet ministers by the National Assembly.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“The fact is, however, that many challenges continue to face Afghanistan's future, including in the areas of security, governance, economic and social development, and - especially worrying - that of illicit narcotics. To meet those challenges, determined efforts are needed on the part of the Afghan Government, supported by continuous assistance from the international community. Japan appreciates the commitment shown by the Government of Afghanistan in vigorously pursuing its national objectives in these critical areas, such as through the Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy (I-ANDS).”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“First, I would like to thank Mr. Tom Koenigs for his very informative briefing. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has been making an indispensable contribution to consolidating peace and promoting reconstruction and development in that country. We also commend the UNAMA staff for their dedication, and we expect that, under Mr. Koenigs' leadership, UNAMA will continue its good work. The Bonn process was completed successfully. The London Conference at the end of January, with the launching of the Afghanistan Compact, was a significant event in the laying out of a post-Bonn framework for continued international commitment and assistance for the country.”
2006-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5385 (2006) · source
“Unfortunately, however, the reputation of United Nations peacekeeping operations has been tarnished by serious allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation due to the misbehaviour of some. Again, the issue of improper procurement practices and allegations of fraud and mismanagement in procurement services related to peacekeeping operations have come to undermine the credibility of peacekeeping operations. I do not envy Jean-Marie Guehenno his position in the last few days. However, we must spare no effort in correcting the wrongs and overcoming the weaknesses in the system, thereby restoring the good name of United Nations peacekeeping operations by taking all the necessary measures with the same rigour and in a spirit of zero-tolerance. Nothing less will be acceptable to Member States.”
2006-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5379 (2006) · source
“The Council's Working Group on Peacekeeping Operation stands ready to be proactive in providing impetus, as necessary, to the implementation of preventive and remedial measures. The international community expects high standards of responsibility and discipline on the part of troops and staff deployed to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Every peacekeeper deployed and every troop-, police- and civilian-contributing country is expected to maintain high moral, ethical and professional standards while serving under the flag of the United Nations. In most situations they have lived up to those high expectations, and they deserve praise for their dedication and hard work - which they frequently carry out in difficult circumstances, in the course of which the ultimate sacrifice has sometimes been required.”
2006-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5379 (2006) · source
“The Working Group held a joint meeting with major troop-contributing countries, to which the Chairman of the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, Ambassador Wali of Nigeria, was also invited. That invitation to the Chairman of the Committee of 34, which he accepted, was intended to develop better coordination and a complementary working relationship between the subsidiary body of the Security Council and the General Assembly in the handling of DPKO issues. That meeting included an update by DPKO and troop-contributing countries regarding how the measures to prevent cases of sexual abuse and exploitation in MONUC were being implemented. There was an active exchange of views at the meeting about how those measures should be improved further. I felt that it was a useful exercise.”
2006-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5379 (2006) · source
“The briefings provided this morning have made it clear that, while much improvement has been recorded in the field and at the Headquarters level to implement some of those recommendations - and we must acknowledge and appreciate the accomplishments that have been made - the full truth is that much remains to be done. There is no room for any complacency in that regard. As part of the follow-up to implementation, the Security Council's Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, which I have the honour to chair, last year took up the issue of sexual abuse and exploitation, with special attention devoted to the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).”
2006-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5379 (2006) · source
“We particularly appreciated the highly valuable report submitted, along with recommendations, last March by the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, Prince Zeid, on this issue. I wish to take this opportunity to pay a high tribute to the great efforts and contributions that the Ambassador of Jordan continues to make on that matter. Subsequent to that report, Member States and the Secretariat worked together in the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and adopted a comprehensive report providing for preventive measures to be implemented in all peacekeeping missions, including appropriate punishment for all violators of the rules. Those are commendable efforts, but what is clearly most important is the implementation of the measures by all parties concerned, including DPKO and troop-contributing countries.”
2006-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5379 (2006) · source
“First, I thank Under- Secretary-General Guehenno and Ambassador Zeid for their detailed briefings. My delegation acknowledges with appreciation the fact that, since the serious problem of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers came to light, considerable efforts have been made over the past months by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the missions deployed in the field and troop- contributing Governments to address the issue and take the necessary preventive and remedial measures. We strongly support the zero-tolerance policy of the Secretary-General in striving to stamp out that inexcusable misconduct in United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2006-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5379 (2006) · source
“After all, we have a common goal: an efficient, effective and accountable Secretariat that will discharge the tasks entrusted to it by us, the Member States.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“There is thus, in our view, complementarity between the General Assembly and the Security Council in the handling of the issue before us. In the light of the seriousness of the alleged wrongdoing, both the Security Council and the General Assembly need to work with a sense of urgency, by complementing each other and ensuring coherence in our overall approach to the matter. To do that, we expect that as an example of good top-level management within the Organization, the Presidents of the Council and the Assembly will consult closely with each other and with the Secretary- General to ensure coherence of policy and approach. Mr. President, we appreciate the fact that you conferred with the President of the General Assembly about the discussion of this issue. We support and encourage such consultations.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“In the light of this responsibility, it is quite appropriate that the Security Council should take up this issue and that Council members express their views. At the same time, the issues of management, budget and procurement have generally been the prerogative of the General Assembly, as the chief deliberative and representative organ of the United Nations. This applies to peacekeeping operations as well. On the basis of a thorough investigation, Member States will in due course conduct a review of the current procurement system in the General Assembly, which has the responsibility of overseeing the administrative and financial aspects of peacekeeping operations, including a comprehensive review of the relevant policies, practices, rules and regulations.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“We agree that the same spirit and rigour should also apply to the financial management of the Organization, including, in particular, procurement. I feel compelled to say that, unless immediate and convincing measures are taken to redress this problem, my Government, which currently contributes 20 per cent of the peacekeeping operations budget, will find it very difficult to maintain domestic support for underwriting peacekeeping operations, both ongoing operations and new ones, including a possible operation in Darfur. The issue before us falls clearly under the purview of the Security Council, as the organ responsible for the creation of the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping operations and for their overall oversight.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“We, therefore, ask that the Secretary-General continue the thorough and rigorous investigation into the alleged wrongdoing and abuse in the procurement office in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), as well as in other procurement-related offices, in order to arrive as soon as possible at a full accounting of the facts, including the identification of all those who should be held accountable, as well as remedial measures to prevent the recurrence of such fraud and mismanagement in future. In this connection, we recall that the Secretary- General referred to a zero-tolerance policy in the context of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers, as Mr. Malloch Brown again reminded us in his briefing.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“It goes without saying that, in our countries, good governance must ensure that taxpayers' money is spent not only wisely but also accountably, adhering to rules and regulations. The same should hold true for intergovernmental bodies, including the United Nations. Member States, whatever the size of their contributions to the Organization's budget, are obliged to ask the Secretary-General and his staff, particularly those with management responsibility, to ensure that the resources entrusted to the United Nations are spent accountably. Any failings or shortcomings in this respect should be immediately and energetically addressed and remedied.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“We are struck by the references to a grievous lack of internal controls and non-adherence to the existing controls. We are also alarmed by the reported lack of enforcement of accountability by management in handling the large amount of resources that has been provided to the Organization by Member States. Peacekeeping operations is a flagship operation of the United Nations in the area of peace and security, for which tens of thousands of personnel, including civilian, military and police, are working hard, day and night, in difficult circumstances. It is truly regrettable that the good image of the blue helmets, who are engaged around the globe, should be tarnished by these unfortunate allegations.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Mark Malloch Brown for his briefing. I also thank you, Mr. President, for convening this public meeting this morning on an issue of great concern, not only to members of the Council but also to the entire membership of the Organization. The nature of the problem is such that it is important to ensure in our discussion a maximum of transparency and inclusiveness, and a public meeting allows for that. We are very disturbed at the report of the non- insignificant incidence of fraud and mismanagement with regard to procurement in our Organization, especially in relation to peacekeeping operations. The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report indicates that, for the period 2000-2004, the aggregated procurement value for peacekeeping operations is estimated at $3.7 billion, no small amount.”
2006-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5376 (2006) · source
“My Government will spare no effort in cooperating with other Member States in advancing the work of the three Committees so that the Security Council's crucial work on counter-terrorism will be further enhanced.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“Finally, it is clear that all the critical tasks entrusted to the three Committees cannot be fully addressed without the expertise and dedication of the experts who serve in each body. My delegation would like to express its appreciation to the experts on the Monitoring Team of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, including Mr. Richard Barrett, the Coordinator, the members of the CTED and the experts on the 1540 Committee for their unstinting efforts and excellent work. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Guillermo Kendall of the Permanent Mission of Argentina, who has contributed immensely to the work of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee in assisting the Chairperson, as he has recently assumed another important post.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“Furthermore, we look to the CTC to pursue closer cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Action Group and with relevant international, regional and subregional organizations in carrying out its mandate. Thirdly, we welcome the fact that the 1540 Committee has approved its first programme of work under the new Chair. We look forward to examining the second set of reports submitted by Member States and to intensifying our discussions on effective ways by which technical assistance can be provided before the Committee's current mandate expires at the end of April. The role the Committee is expected to play under its extended mandate needs to be determined in the light of its work record over the last two years. We intend to participate actively in that discussion.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“In that connection, we are pleased that, as a result of the comprehensive review conducted in December last year, we now have a system to enable the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to engage vigorously in activities on the basis of the policy guidelines approved by the CTC. We hope that, under the leadership of Executive Director Ruperez, the CTED will facilitate work between States requesting assistance and the donor community, thereby making tangible progress in building the counter-terrorism capacities of Member States. We also hope that the best possible use will be made of the limited resources for State visits.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“My Government looks forward to the discussion of that report in the Committee in the near future. Secondly, the role of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) remains crucial in enhancing the capacity-building of Member States in the area of counter-terrorism. We welcome the fact that the technical-assistance policy guidelines approved by the CTC in December last year are now being implemented. As Ambassador Loj, the CTC's Chairperson, has mentioned, the conditions and requirements are different in each individual State, making it inevitable that the process involves some degree of trial and error. We hope, however, that the CTC will accelerate its work, so that requests from Member States for technical assistance will be acted upon as quickly as possible.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“It was a significant development, given that linking the Committee's Consolidated List with related Interpol resources gives Member States access to a broader range of information and enables them to implement travel restrictions more effectively. As discussed during the Chairman's visit to Asia, it is essential to increase the precision of the Consolidated List by inviting Member States to submit any additional related information they may have. For its part, Japan is taking preventive measures that include the full implementation of the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, as stipulated in Council resolution 1617 (2005). We are also strengthening our travel-ban measures. The fourth report of the Monitoring Team, which was submitted to the Committee recently, includes recommendations to improve sanctions.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“First, with regard to the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, it is necessary to continue to search for ways to make Council-imposed sanctions more effective, as they are unquestionably an indispensable part of the terrorism-prevention measures being undertaken. My Government is therefore grateful for the recent visit to East Asia - which included Japan - by the Committee's Chairman, Ambassador Mayoral of Argentina. That visit was of benefit to my country and, I believe, the region as a whole, in its efforts to improve effective implementation of sanctions measures. Among the measures for which the Committee has been responsible recently was the issuance last December of the first set of Interpol-Security Council special notices. That was the result of cooperation between the Committee and Interpol.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“In that connection, let me say that I have recently been appointed Chair of the Informal Working Group of the Security Council concerning the Council's documentation and other procedural questions. In that capacity I intend to work closely with members of the Council and to listen to non-members' views in order to help improve the working methods of this body in all its aspects - including subsidiary organs such as those under discussion - to bring about greater transparency and inclusiveness in the work of the Council in general, as required by our leaders in the outcome document. To that end, we hope to be able to draw upon the opinions and views expressed in today's discussion. We are pleased that the three Committees are further broadening the range of their activities, and are doing so with resolve and consistency.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“Another point I wish to stress is that States not members of the Security Council follow the activities of the Council's subsidiary organs with great interest, including those of the three counter-terrorism-related Committees. They do so because the activities of those Committees affect the concerns and interests of non- members in important ways. Transparency and inclusiveness are therefore critical. I welcome the fact that the briefings of the Chairs of the three Committees are taking place in a public meeting. I also welcome the efforts being made to improve the websites related to the activities of those Committees. They serve as an effective means to enhance transparency and to respond to the interests and concerns of Member States.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“One of the key issues in the follow-up of the 2005 World Summit Outcome as regards counter- terrorism is to reach agreement on the pending comprehensive convention on international terrorism. We have come fairly close to reaching agreement on the convention. We very much hope that, at next week's resumed session of the General Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee on International Terrorism, all Member States will strive to achieve agreement at an early date. At the same time, we must act in parallel in the Security Council by promoting greater cooperation among the Committees charged with fighting terrorism, so as to enhance the Organization's overall counter- terrorism policy.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“I would like to thank the Chairpersons of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the 1540 Committee for their briefings today, as well as to express our appreciation for their hard work and achievements in their respective Committees. I also wish to congratulate Ambassador Peter Burian of the Slovak Republic on his assumption of the chairmanship of the 1540 Committee and to thank his predecessor, Ambassador Mihnea Motoc of Romania, for his remarkable contributions during his tenure. My Government firmly upholds its position on the fight against terrorism. Whatever the purposes of terrorists may be, terrorism must never be condoned. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
2006-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5375 (2006) · source
“We also look forward to the efforts of the countries of the region to move the process forward through the exercise of their ownership, with the support and assistance of the United Nations and the international donor community. Japan will be pleased to continue to be associated with this important conference process. Finally, I thank the delegation of Tanzania for its work in finalizing a draft resolution on this matter (5/2006/51), which we fully support.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“In addition, within the TICAD framework, my Government will shortly be hosting a conference in Addis Ababa, on 16 and 17 February, on the topic of consolidation of peace in Africa, focusing on issues such as DDR, small arms, security-sector reform, governance and recovery. At that conference we will share experiences gained on these issues elsewhere and examine ways of assisting African countries in addressing these questions. It is our hope that many leaders and interested individuals and organizations from Africa and outside Africa will participate and that the exercise will serve also as a useful contribution to building momentum towards the next International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our hope for the early convening of the second International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“Japan's key framework of cooperation with Africa is the well established Tokyo International Conference on African Development (T ICAD), which we have been conducting for more than a decade. A fourth full-fledged TICAD conference is to be held in 2008. Through this process we have identified three pillars for development cooperation with Africa: first, human-centred development: secondly, poverty reduction through economic growth; and thirdly, consolidation of peace efforts. Within that framework, my Government has implemented assistance for the Great Lakes region in the areas of elections, food, refugees, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and community development, and it intends to continue its assistance efforts.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“Where there is a lack of such ownership, there is little chance of a reliable and sustainable outcome. It is our belief that this principle of ownership should apply not only to the efforts of individual States but also to cooperative regional efforts. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region is a forum that should foster this sense of both individual and regional ownership in resolving problems and promoting mutual confidence and regional resiliency. We expect that the members of the core group of the Conference will work for peace, the consolidation of peace, peacebuilding and development in the region, in cooperation with, and with the support of, the Group of Friends, which includes international partners, United Nations agencies and the African Union.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“While the issue of armed groups is serious and requires urgent measures, there are other equally pressing problems for which cooperation among the countries in the Great Lakes region must also be strengthened. Thus, the countries of the region are expected to intensify their own efforts to build mutual confidence, which will enable them to address issues of common interest by expanding the framework of cooperation in the humanitarian areas, such as the return of refugees and in the management and control of natural resources. Japan's approach to cooperation with African States in matters of conflict resolution and peacebuilding, as well as in development cooperation, is to respect and encourage ownership of the process and the outcomes by the African countries themselves.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“For example, while MONUC is providing assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in implementing the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of armed combatants, the cooperation of neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi in tackling that issue is also critically important. To deal effectively with the menace posed by the LRA, there should be closer cooperation among the countries in which that group is operating actively. In addition, in the context of the LRA issue, we hope that the Government of Uganda will further strengthen its efforts to improve the security and humanitarian situation in the northern part of the country.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“The recent tragic incident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which involved the killing of MONUC peacekeepers by suspected Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) soldiers, and the attacks launched by rebels in the North Kivu region show yet again how dangerously fragile the situation remains. The threat posed by armed groups is not confined within the borders of one country, but is already regional in dimension and as such is fast becoming more potent. That makes it imperative that, if it is to be effective in dealing with those armed groups, greater cooperation among the countries in the region be put in place.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“I would like to convey our sincere appreciation to Foreign Minister Batumubwira of Burundi and Foreign Minister Ramazani Baya of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who spoke earlier, for the efforts of their respective Governments. At the same time, we commend the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and the United Nations Operation in Burundi for their valuable support to the two countries. However, armed groups continue to pose a serious threat to security and the nascent democratic processes in the form of the continuing resistance of the Forces nationales de liberation in Burundi and foreign armed groups and local militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“In its resolutions 1625 (2205) and 1631 (2005), the Security Council has provided guidance regarding conflict prevention in Africa and cooperation with regional organizations in dealing with conflicts. Today's meeting provides an important opportunity to discuss the implementation of those resolutions in the specific context of a region rife with conflicts, but also holding the promise of the resolution of conflict and peacebuilding. In this debate, I would like to focus on the issues of armed groups, the framework for regional cooperation and Japan's efforts for the region. We commend the encouraging progress made in the peace processes in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“My delegation wishes to thank you, Madam, and the delegation of Tanzania for your timely initiative of convening this debate and especially appreciates the fact that you are presiding over it. We recall the significant achievements to date, including the Dar es-Salaam Declaration adopted at the first summit of the Great Lakes Conference in 2004, in which Japan participated. We are pleased that, through the processes following the Conference, a framework has been established and gradually strengthened to effectively address the key challenges facing the countries of the Great Lakes region. Today's meeting is particularly timely in order to accelerate the momentum towards further concrete outcomes.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“We therefore follow with interest the ongoing discussion in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on this matter, including the cluster approach. We hope that interested States will engage in active debate to that end. In Geneva, Ambassador Fujisaki of Japan now chairs the UNHCR Executive Committee. Let me express our expectation that the close cooperation between the Executive Committee and High Commissioner Guterres will lead to even more effective implementation of the UNHCR mandate. I wish to conclude by expressing to Mr. Guterres Japan's great respect for his leadership. We wish him well. I wish also to congratulate Ms. Judy Cheng- Hopkins on her appointment as Assistant High Commissioner and to wish her much good luck.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“Based on that idea, Japan has taken the initiative on the sustainable return of refugees in Afghanistan and elsewhere. We also expect the newly established Peacebuilding Commission to make a contribution to that end. While there has been a global decline in refugee populations, the number of internally displaced persons continues to rise, reaching more than twice the number of refugees. The plight of IDPs, as observed in many parts of the world, including in northern Uganda, is disturbing. It is nonetheless a welcome development that the September 2005 summit outcome document (General Assembly resolution 60/ 1) recognized the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as an important international framework. The United Nations needs to strengthen its capacity to protect and assist IDPs as a priority on its humanitarian agenda.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“In that connection, the High Commissioner emphasized the importance of the link between refugee returns and sustainability. We agree. In his statement this morning, the High Commissioner said that "refugees must not be seen as uninvolved beneficiaries of a peace and recovery process, or simply as an afterthought. Refugees return with schooling and new skills, and this in itself is a critical factor in any post-conflict situation". (Supra) In that regard, we have argued that the notion of human security should play an important role. Under the concept of human security, refugees are not and should not be regarded as a burden on the communities to which they return, but should be seen as potential contributors to enhancing the welfare of the communities they belong to.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source