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

“It is my pleasure to brief members of the Council, as outgoing Chairman, on the work of two of the Security Council's subsidiary bodies of which I have had the honour to serve as Chair during Japan's current term on the Security Council. First, I should like to deal with the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations. The Working Group was established in 2001 in the context of the Council's desire to strengthen cooperation with troop- contributing countries. At the time the Working Group started its work in 2001, United Nations peacekeeping operations had already reached quite a substantial level. The number of peacekeeping missions was 15, with 39,000 military and police personnel deployed and with a budget of $2.6 billion.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“We reiterate our appeal to the States concerned to provide the necessary cooperation. We strongly hope that the efforts undertaken for more than 10 years by the international community - supported by the Security Council - to end impunity will not only constitute a valuable legacy, but will also be fully integrated into community, national and regional capacities.”
2006-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5594 (2006) · source
“That is why Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, has launched a project to assist in the capacity-building of the War Crimes Chamber in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which includes training judicial staff members and providing needed equipment. Under that project, more than 630 judges, prosecutors and judicial staff members have been trained in 28 training courses over the past 18 months, since May 2005. The project also includes awareness-raising programmes to help the local population to understand that the accused war criminals are being pursued and brought to justice. In conclusion, we urge both Tribunals to continue their dedicated efforts to attain their objective of bringing to justice all remaining fugitives by the deadlines of their completion strategies.”
2006-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5594 (2006) · source
“With regard to the transfer of mid- to low-level accused to the domestic courts, we take positive note of the efforts made to expedite such transfer despite certain legal and technical constraints in the national judicial systems with which both Tribunals must contend. We welcome that step, because we believe that closer involvement by the local authorities and by people in the communities in the process of strengthening the rule of law is vital for real justice and for building confidence in the reconciliation processes in the States and regions concerned. However, that will require capacity-building where there are constraints in national judicial systems.”
2006-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5594 (2006) · source
“The international community is strongly committed, through decisions by the Security Council, to bringing about justice and ending impunity in both cases. The will of the international community to end impunity must be matched by resolution and cooperation on the part of the States concerned. However, we deem it necessary to reiterate our position that if the Tribunals should choose to endlessly await the transfer of the remaining fugitives, it would be very difficult to justify and sustain our support for the Tribunals through the United Nations regular budget. This cannot go on indefinitely. We reiterate our view that possible funding beyond the deadline set by the Tribunals' completion strategies should be met through voluntary contributions by concerned States and particularly interested States.”
2006-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5594 (2006) · source
“In the report from the ICTR, a need to increase the number of judges in the Appeals Chamber is mentioned. Japan understands that that will be explored by decreasing the number of judges in the Trial Chamber. An adequate distribution of resources, in accordance with the workload, should be duly considered. With the prospects that both Tribunals will complete their first round of trials within two years, the arrest and transfer of the key remaining fugitives - especially Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic - to the ICTY and of Felicien Kabuga to the ICTR becomes a matter of great urgency. We wish to reiterate our strong appeal to all the States concerned - including Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina - to take all necessary action and measures to that end.”
2006-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5594 (2006) · source
“I wish first to thank the Presidents of the two Tribunals, Judge Pocar and Judge Mose, as well as the Prosecutors, Ms. Del Ponte and Mr. Jallow, for their reports on the activities of their respective tribunals, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Since the last reports, both Tribunals have continued their dedicated efforts to achieve justice and end impunity in both cases. We take note positively of the measures taken by the administration of the Tribunals to expedite the trial processes in an effort to meet their respective completion strategies. We encourage both Tribunals to meet their completion strategies by exploring all measures necessary and appropriate for trial efficiency.”
2006-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5594 (2006) · source
“In that connection, Japan expects Syria to play a proactive role towards the realization of peace and stability in the region. In conclusion, we would like to reiterate the need for the international community to do its utmost to revitalize the Middle East peace process. For its part, Japan, under the new leadership of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reaffirms its readiness and determination to continue its proactive, constructive engagement in the process and to extend the maximum assistance possible to contribute to that end.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“Japan hopes that the parties and factions concerned in Lebanon will engage proactively - through dialogue and without resorting to Violence - in the efforts aimed at stability and reconstruction in the country and the region. No actions that may contribute to destabilizing the situation in Lebanon can be tolerated. We condemn the assassination of Pierre Gemayel, Minister for Industry, on 21 November. In order to achieve a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, it is essential for the international community to address the issues of disarming and disbanding all remaining militias and of the delineation of the border. A comprehensive peace that includes both the Lebanese and the Syrian tracks is the only way to permanent peace there.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“Japan sent a feasibility study mission to the region in November, and further action will follow. With respect to the situation in Lebanon, the recent domestic political upheavals notwithstanding, we welcome the fact that the cessation of hostilities has been maintained and that the overall situation has further improved and stabilized following the adoption of resolution 1701 (2006), in particular through the extension of State authority in the south. We reaffirm our commitment to the resolution's implementation. There remain, however, many challenges to be addressed, foremost among them Lebanon and Israel, for full implementation of the resolution and lasting stabilization of the situation in Lebanon. Japan strongly supports the efforts exerted to that end by the Lebanese Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Siniora.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“Japan has been one of the major donors to Palestinians for many years, and we wish to reaffirm our determination to continue to extend assistance to the Palestinian people. We have been steadily implementing the assistance we have pledged, including the emergency humanitarian assistance of $25 million announced in July this year. We strongly urge the international community to continue to provide the humanitarian assistance urgently needed to cope with the crisis facing Palestinians. Japan is also working to implement the concept of a corridor of peace and prosperity, which is a development plan for the Jordan Valley through regional cooperation involving Israel, Palestine and Jordan, with a View to realizing coexistence and mutual prosperity in the mid- and long-term perspectives.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“We wish to express our fervent hope for the continuation of efforts that will result in the formation of a new Palestinian Authority government, as well as our firm expectation that, once established, the new government will make clear that it will pursue peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity with Israel. When that happens, the international community should respond positively with all the support such a welcome development deserves. We are particularly concerned about the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian people, which continues to deteriorate. In that regard, we must impress upon Israel the need to take immediate action on the transfer of tax and customs revenues to the Palestinian Authority and to restore freedom of movement for the Palestinian people.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“It is also our hope - especially at this critical moment - that a direct summit meeting between President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert will occur as soon as possible, with a View to the early resumption of the peace negotiations. We take positive note of the recent remark made by Prime Minister Olmert, as it showed his will to break through the current stalemate. The political deadlock in Palestine continues to be a matter of deep concern. We wish to emphasize here again the critical importance of demonstrating strong political will, backed by determined efforts on the part of all the parties concerned.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“We highly appreciate the leadership shown by President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert to produce that significant achievement. Japan reiterates its call upon both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides to exercise maximum self- restraint in order to ensure that the fragile ceasefire is adhered to. We also urge both parties to make further efforts to extend such an agreement to the West Bank and to achieve a ceasefire there as well. We call for the safe return of the abducted Israeli soldier, as well as for the release of the Palestinian ministers and parliament members held in custody in Israel. Direct talks at the highest level between the parties are the only way to open a window to a solution of the problems.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“Among other matters, we are deeply concerned about the continuing violence, which is creating a high number of casualties on both sides, Palestine and Israel. It is true that the international community cannot serve as a substitute for the parties to the conflict themselves, but that by no means diminishes the importance of the international community making efforts to create a conducive environment for the parties to solve the conflict. The crisis in Lebanon last summer reminded us once again that nothing is more essential than concerted and dedicated efforts and a strong will for peace among the parties themselves, in order to overcome the difficulties that divide Palestinians and Israelis. We therefore welcome the recent agreement by Israel and the Palestinian Authority on a mutual ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“First, the Palestinian issue is the key; without its solution there can be no comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Secondly, Violence cannot solve the problems; direct negotiations and dialogue, based on moderation, mutual tolerance and understanding, are the only way to achieve progress towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. Thirdly, the international community should accelerate its efforts to move the peace process forward. However, it is regrettable that, three months after the last ministerial meeting, the situation concerning Palestine has seen further deterioration, despite the strenuous efforts exerted by the relevant parties, including countries of the region.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“I would like to thank you, Sir, and the mission of Qatar for the initiative of holding this important meeting on the Middle East situation. The region is going through another difficult and dangerous crisis period and requires the Council's close attention, given its serious, broad ramifications. We thank the Secretary-General for his statement and appreciate his comprehensive report. His report includes observations and recommendations that reflect the profound insight that he has acquired in dealing with Middle East issues over his past 10 years in office, and as such they merit our serious consideration. The September ministerial meeting on the Middle East resulted in shared views among Council members and the relevant parties on the following issues.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“I will conclude my remarks on behalf of the Council mission by expressing its deep appreciation to the Governments of Afghanistan and of Pakistan, to the Commander of ISAF and its contributing countries, to UNAMA and the country team, to non-governmental and civil society organizations active in the country, and to all other interlocutors for their support and cooperation and for the opportunities for discussion that the mission was provided during the course of its Visit.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“With regard to UNAMA, the United Nations should continue to play a central and impartial role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Secretary-General is encouraged to consider measures to promote UNAMA's coordination role, at both the capital and country levels, and to make recommendations in his next report. Finally, the mission recognizes the extremely difficult and stressful circumstances under which UNAMA and the rest of the United Nations family are operating in Afghanistan. Acknowledging their dedication and commitment, the mission report concludes by calling on Member States to provide all necessary support to allow the United Nations to carry out its mandate in such a challenging environment.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“With respect to regional cooperation, fostering trust and cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbouring and regional partners is of crucial importance for peace, security and development in the region. The mission welcomes the efforts made by the Governments of Afghanistan and of Pakistan to fight terrorism and to reinforce border security, and it urges both Governments to intensify dialogue and collaboration. The mission looks forward to the outcome of plans by the two countries to hold cross- border jirgas to improve security and stability, on the basis of better understanding and mutual trust. The list established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1267 (1999) should continue to be updated as necessary and on the basis of the most current information, as envisaged by the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The focus should be to extend development to the provinces, strengthen accountability at the community level, and achieve tangible and visible results. The JCMB coordination mechanism should be further improved and focused on delivery. In the area of counter-narcotics, the Government and the international community should do much more to strengthen their efforts to fight this scourge by helping diversify means of livelihood, so that rural communities can move away from the illegal cultivation of the opium poppy and pursue legitimate economic opportunities. The Government, with support from the international community, should step up activities aimed at the arrest and prosecution of major drug traffickers, regardless of their position or status.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The Government is also encouraged to reinforce its commitment to human rights and reconciliation and increase support for the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and the implementation of the Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Action Plan, as required by the Compact. The Government and donors should empower women as a true cross-cutting priority. Next, with regard to the coordination and delivery of humanitarian and development assistance, such assistance should, wherever possible, be delivered by skilled and experienced civilian actors, and the capacity for civilian coordination of humanitarian assistance should be strengthened in 2007. At the same time, given the prevailing circumstances in Afghanistan, assistance will need to be provided by those best placed to deliver it.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“With regard to the establishment of the police force, donors and the Afghan Government should redouble their collective efforts. The international community should also revitalize its support for the Afghan Government's efforts to disband illegally armed groups. On the rule of law and good governance, the Government of Afghanistan, with the support of its international partners, should, as a matter of the highest priority, establish the rule of law and good governance throughout the country. Immediate steps must be taken to strengthen justice sector institutions and provincial governments, including through the replacement of corrupt officials and local power brokers. The Government and the international community should sharpen their focus on human rights and the protection of civilians.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The Afghanistan Compact is the best framework for cooperation between the Government of Afghanistan and the international community and should be moved forward to serious action under the overall guidance of the JCMB. The Afghan Government should transform its ownership into further action, with a View to achieving the benchmarks set out in the Compact. The international community, for its part, should provide additional support on an ongoing basis, both for quick gains and for sustained progress. Secondly, with regard to international military forces, NATO and other countries are urged to maintain and increase their commitment to ISAF to meet the challenge of the current security environment in Afghanistan. It is important to establish a strong and sustainable Afghan national army and a trusted and effective national police force.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The mission acknowledged the voices calling for UNAMA to play greater coordination role between them and the military. Now, I should like to turn briefly to the key findings of the mission. First, the spread of insurgent and terrorist activity by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups, coupled with corruption and failures of governance, collectively pose a grave threat to nation-building. To overcome those challenges, the Afghan Government and the international community have established a sound strategy, including, in particular, the Afghanistan Compact. The Council will need to ensure that this shared strategy remains firm and enduring.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“As regards the peace deal in North Waziristan, the Pakistani side pointed out that the assertion that the peace deal has resulted in an increase in incidents did not reflect the facts. The mission encouraged Pakistan to monitor the North Waziristan agreement with a View to ensuring that the cross-border impact of that or any future agreement is positive for security and stability. The mission was encouraged by the efforts of the Afghan and Pakistani leaders to promote mutual cooperation and trust, including through people- to-people contact. The mission was briefed on plans to hold cross-border jirgas on security. Finally, Afghan interlocutors strongly praised the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Donors similarly welcomed the expanded UNAMA presence, describing it as a huge plus.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“For its part, the Pakistani side, pointing out its burden of accepting a large number of refugees, stressed that a stable Afghanistan was essential for Pakistan's security. It said that Pakistan was doing its best to improve the security in the border area, having suffered casualties in the operations, While admitting the difficulty of ensuring effective control over the long border, which has many crossing points. It was pointed out that cooperation among Pakistan, Afghanistan and international forces was ongoing at various levels, including through the Tripartite Commission. The ISAF commander in Kabul, for his part, told the mission that he appreciated the emerging tripartite cooperation.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The importance of much more energetic measures and of regional and international cooperation in combating drug trafficking was underscored. With regard to regional cooperation to address the many problems, it is clear that such cooperation is of the utmost importance in resolving Afghanistan's challenges, since issues of security have regional as well as internal dimensions. Many interlocutors stressed that the existence of sanctuaries in Pakistan for insurgent groups must be addressed by law enforcement and other means. The mission was briefed by the Afghan side about the negative impact on border security that could result from the recent peace deal in North Waziristan, Pakistan.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Insecurity, ongoing drought, flooding and combat operations have all combined to displace larger population groups inside Afghanistan this year, generating fresh vulnerabilities and new humanitarian needs. In this regard, increased efforts are needed to ensure the delivery of assistance to people living in more remote areas of Afghanistan. I would like briefly to refer to the issue of counter-narcotics efforts. Afghanistan's burgeoning narco-economy was identified by the vast majority of the mission's interlocutors as a primary threat to stability. It was described as a cancer which would spread and kill Afghan society over the long term. The mission was informed that in 2006, opium poppy cultivation represented 60 per cent of Afghanistan's gross domestic product.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The JCMB had demonstrated a growing capacity to monitor progress and address bottlenecks hindering the implementation of Compact benchmarks. While the efforts of the JCMB should be commended, in order for the Compact to deliver visible change to the Afghan people, Government-led coordination efforts would need to be strengthened and integrated under the overall National Development Strategy. Pervasive unemployment, particularly among the young, is one of the central factors contributing to instability in the country. Attracting private sector investors is important, but the lack of security deterred those investments that could generate jobs.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“A premium was placed on enhancing human capital at all levels as a precondition for an effective public sector and for sustained progress towards development goals. On human rights and the protection of civilians, Afghan and international interlocutors expressed concern about the increase in human rights Violations and the failure to ensure the protection of civilians - including in the context of the attacking and burning of schools - the Government's failure to uphold equal rights in law and the restrictions on public discourse. The mission took note of their concern that the space made for human rights and gender equality, which had opened following the ousting of the Taliban in 2001, had recently begun to close. The mission participated in the third session of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB).”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Solutions, 3 however, remained elusive. Support and expertise would be required from Afghanistan's international partners in this regard. It was also pointed out that the continued tolerance of positions of authority given to the former commanders and warlords was contributing to instability. Government efforts to diminish the authority of those figures would also require international support. The Government's strategy to disband illegally armed groups was considered a key vehicle for dismantling the power base of those commanders. The next issue to which I would like to refer is governance. Afghanistan was in desperate need of training of professionals. The Afghan leadership identified the restructuring of the civil service and the strengthening of its capacity as the top priority for Afghanistan and its international partners.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The Afghan side also noted that, despite unfortunate incidents such as those resulting in civilian casualties, there was still overwhelming support for the presence of international security forces. Better coordination between the international forces and the Afghan Government was called for by Afghan interlocutors. Next is the issue of impunity and corruption. Throughout the mission, interlocutors cited corruption and the perpetuation of a culture of impunity as the root causes of popular Afghan disaffection and unease. It was pointed out that widespread corruption in law enforcement and in judicial institutions was central to the population's decreasing trust in the Government. An anti-corruption commission had been established two months earlier and was working to identify the nature and the scope of the problem.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Many expressed frustration about the current state of the Afghan National Police. Proposals had been made to the international community to support police expansion to meet the latest challenges of the insurgency and the deteriorating security in some regions. The mission was briefed on the importance of strong recruitment, vetting and monitoring procedures for the new Afghan National Auxiliary Police. The mission paid tribute to the leading role that the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) had assumed in contributing to security in support of the Afghan Government. It also took note of ISAF's continuing need for adequate forces and resources.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“After a worrying upsurge in the number of security-related incidents throughout spring and summer this year, some interlocutors said there were signs that insurgent- and terrorist-related Violence might be subsiding after October. There were, however, more cautious Views on that prognosis. The growth of the Taliban-led insurgency has been fed in part by the failure of the Government and the international community to provide basic services, credible governance and security in many urban centres and rural communities. Highlighted in that connection were the weakness of the incipient Afghan National Police, a lack of the rule of law and pervasive corruption. It was also alleged that the narcotics industry and the money it generates play an important part in feeding the insurgency forces.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“I already had an opportunity, in a public meeting on 22 November (S/PV.5570), to make remarks on the activities and some of the findings of the mission. What I intend to do here is to provide a brief explanation of the situation that the mission encountered and then to give a summary of its recommendations. First is a matter of great concern: the security situation. Security was the dominant concern in Afghanistan. Many of the mission's interlocutors expressed apprehension about the rise in violence in parts of the country. The insurgency appeared to be more or less confined to one third of the country. 06-64703 However, the security situation in general remained precarious throughout the country.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The primary messages that the Council mission wished to stress, therefore, were essentially twofold: first, that the firm and unyielding commitment of the international community in support of the Government and the people of Afghanistan and their country's transition was unwavering; and second, that the Afghanistan Compact, which is owned and led by Afghans, remains the central strategic framework for cooperation between the Afghan Government and the international community. The Government of Afghanistan, with the support of the international community, must ensure its steady and faithful implementation. The report of the mission is before members. It describes its findings in some detail and, on the basis of those findings, presents several recommendations.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“There are bound to be some zigzags and ups and downs. However, few can deny that Afghanistan is now at a crossroads. The country is set to move forward with promises of reconstruction and development based on democratic institutions. But at the same time it is also being confronted, in its fragility, with a host of challenges and difficulties, including those related to security. No one can guarantee that, without determined efforts on the part of Afghanistan and sustained support over the long haul from the international community, the country will not slide towards broader conflict once again.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“The mission also noted with grave concern that growing insecurity in parts of the south and south-east was disrupting rehabilitation and reconstruction work by Afghans, the United Nations and other international partners. It was against that background that our mission took place. The mission recognized that Afghanistan had to start its reconciliation and reconstruction effort not just from the zero point, but further below, from deep minuses, after decades of conflict. In such 06-64703 circumstances, the time frame required and the patience needed for national healing and readjustment and for the march forward will be different from the ordinary. As the history and the experiences of nations have taught us, such a process cannot be completed in a short period of time or in linear progression.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“However, progress in 2006 towards realizing the Vision set out in the Afghanistan Compact has not been as smooth or rapid as had been hoped, owing to a number of reasons. Among them, uneven efforts to improve governance and establish the rule of law, the growing Taliban-led insurgency and widespread insecurity in the south and east of the country, an upsurge in illegal drug production and trafficking, and pervasive corruption in the governing systems were noted in the briefings that the Council mission received on the ground. Those factors, combined with the still very fragile State institutions, feed into the disappointment and disillusionment of Afghans and are beginning to test the confidence of the Afghan public in its nascent institutions and processes.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“Afghanistan is set to enjoy continuing high rates of economic growth and increasing per capita income, expanding trade and investment with regional partners, significant infrastructure projects in place, including roads and power generation facilities, and programmes in the fields of education, rural development and the development of new Afghan security institutions. The Afghanistan Compact - a new five-year blueprint for cooperation between the international community and the Government of Afghanistan - was launched in January this year at the London Conference, with the aim of laying firmer groundwork to ensure that Afghanistan would embark on a period of genuine stability and development. Those are positive achievements and developments, and they merit high praise.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“This morning, it is my great pleasure to report to the Security Council on the findings of the mission that Visited Afghanistan from 11 to 16 November 2006, in which I had the privilege of serving as team leader. The Security Council mission to Afghanistan was the second carried out since 2002 in support of the Afghan people. The mission noted significant efforts 2 undertaken by Afghans and the international community during the past four years to achieve national reconciliation and promote democratic institutions, which the Bonn Agreement had envisaged. The Bonn Agreement was successfully concluded one year ago, in December 2005, with the opening of a democratically elected National Assembly. In all 34 provinces, there are now functioning provincial councils.”
2006-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5581 (2006) · source
“For the past three and a half years, he presided over humanitarian coordination, which I know is no easy job, with great dedication and distinction in a number of crisis situations, including the Indian Ocean tsunami, the earthquake in Pakistan, in Darfur, Uganda, and so on. We all agree that in his service to the United Nations be greatly succeeded in raising the profile of the humanitarian cause in the eyes of the international community, for which he should be congratulated. The Government of Japan thanks him for all his efforts, and wishes him well in whatever he will do after he leaves the United Nations.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“I will also mention that Japan welcomes the introduction of a draft resolution by France and other European countries with a focus on the protection of journalists from violence in conflict situations. We look forward to participating actively in the discussion of that proposal, and we hope that the Council can act on it expeditiously. Lastly, since this is the last time that Under- Secretary-General Egeland briefs the Council before he leaves office, we wish to pay him a high tribute for all his valuable work and many important achievements during his tenure as head of OCHA and Emergency Relief Coordinator.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“Given that there is no legally binding international instrument to ban and regulate their 06-63968 production and use, the international community needs to give urgent attention to this terrible problem. Third, we stress the importance of strengthening dialogue with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including through Arria-formula meetings. The recent Security Council mission to Afghanistan met with local and international NGO representatives for useful exchanges of views and sharing of information. We welcome the dialogue with NGOs and civil society members at the workshop in Cote d'Ivoire. We encourage OCHA to continue to strengthen interaction with NGOs on the protection of civilians through holding workshops in the field and other possible ways.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“The widespread availability of small arms causes a large number of civilian casualties and gives rise to connected problems such as child soldiers and insecurity in communities. This year, too, Japan, South Africa and Colombia co- sponsored a draft resolution in the General Assembly on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects in order to contribute to raising awareness on the subject. Japan, along with other Member States, will continue to work on this priority through the provision of assistance to affected countries such as Afghanistan. We urge all Member States to ratify the Ottawa Convention. Likewise, we are concerned about the humanitarian toll that unexploded cluster bombs can cause.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“And here, the Council's ability and credibility is truly being tested. Second, in terms of action that Member States will need to take, we agree that the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) needs to be addressed as a matter of high priority. We fully support the recommendation made in the report of the High-level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence, "Delivering as One" (A/61/583), that the humanitarian agencies should clarify their mandates and enhance their cooperation on IDPs. We need to explore this further in various forums, including the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Executive Committees of UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies. Another issue of high priority related to the protection of civilians is conventional weapons such as small arms and anti-personnel mines.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“Because of this crying gap, a countless number of people suffer or perish daily and the crisis intensifies despite the best intentions and efforts of the African Union through the deployment of its Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Additional urgent support to AMIS is essential as the least minimum, pending agreement on transition to United Nations peacekeeping operations. But in the end, as Under-Secretary-General Egeland noted, international protection, whether by peacekeepers or humanitarians, can be only an interim response - a band-aid, to use his term. Efforts to improve the humanitarian situation cannot be separated from efforts on the political front, namely, securing a durable cessation of hostilities, developing fully the political process and engaging in effective peacekeeping activity.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“Bearing that in mind, the Council needs to further discuss the role it should play in protecting civilians in armed conflict more energetically and in more depth. I have already mentioned as a practical measure the need to update the Aide Memoire and the possibility of developing some kind of model matrix. Those would be useful first steps, but they are not enough. The Council will need to go further and discuss how it can best ensure conditions necessary for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, in general and in specific situations. In Darfur, for example, a serious gap remains between what the Government is able or willing to provide in terms of humanitarian access and safety of humanitarian personnel, and the real needs on the ground.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“We therefore much appreciated receiving briefings provided from time to time by OCHA and by the heads of humanitarian agencies, and in some cases by civil society representatives, on matters of concern to the Council with respect to country-specific situations or thematic issues, such as the humanitarian impact of sanctions measures. On that basis we welcome the open debate today and hope that this practice will be maintained with the same frequency. In this connection, Security Council resolution 1674 (2006) reaffirms the responsibility to protect populations. In the 2005 Summit Outcome document our leaders expressed preparedness to take collective action through the Council in this matter.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source