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

“First, how much should the Council, as an organ primarily responsible for international peace and security, concern itself with humanitarian-related issues? There has been some debate on that issue, keeping in mind the mandates of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. As a general point, the manner and the extent to which the Security Council has taken up humanitarian-related issues for the past two years is, in the view of my delegation, appropriate, particularly as they relate to the protection of civilians agenda.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“Related to that, my delegation also suggested that some kind of a model matrix be developed to better define the respective roles and responsibilities of each actor involved in the protection of civilians. Such a matrix could include a time frame in which respective actors would begin and phase out their activities, as the situation allows. I urge Council members to reflect on that and to take appropriate action on the basis of recommendations that we should request the Secretariat to formulate. That being said, I would like to touch upon three other points noted by Mr. Egeland in his statement and his conclusions which we believe would merit careful consideration by the Council and member States.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“In the Council's last open debate on the issue, at its 5476th meeting in June 2006, my delegation pointed out that a wide range of actors who are actively involved in the protection of civilians needed a clearer understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities, or a better defined division of labour among them, in order to be effective. In that regard, the Aide Memoire adopted by the Council in 2002 (S/PRST/2002/6, annex) provided a useful tool to assist the Council in formulating a peacekeeping mandate, as a checklist to properly address protection needs. However, as Under-Secretary-General Egeland noted in his statement to the Council in June - and my delegation agrees with his suggestion - the Aide Memoire needs to be reviewed and updated and put to better use.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“As noted, we also welcome the establishment of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) as an important addition in the humanitarian arsenal of tools this year. The strengthened CERF can increase the predictability of funding and the ability of the United Nations agencies to carry out their protection mandate, including assisting civilian populations in forgotten crises, more effectively. Resources in the expanded CERF should be allocated and used so as to maximize the protection of civilians in specific situations.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“We note and welcome some tangible progress made in the past years in establishing the normative standards and instruments for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, such as the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel and of Security Council resolution 1674 (2006). They represent, among others, significant achievements in the arsenal of basic tools to help the international community deal more effectively with the protection of civilians. We must now pay greater attention to their implementation and to translating them into action and behaviour, so we can better assist people and thus make a difference on the ground in the protection and the delivery of needed services.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“We thank Under-Secretary- General Egeland for his briefing on the progress made and the challenges that remain in the effort to protect civilians in armed conflict. We commend the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), headed by Mr. Egeland, for playing an active lead role in moving the agenda of the protection of civilians forward. I also pay high tribute to all of the humanitarian agencies and international organizations, as well as representatives of non-governmental organization (NGOs) and civil society, who actively contribute to enhancing cooperation in this area. Thanks to their commitment and dedication, there have been a number of significant developments in the area.”
2006-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5577 (2006) · source
“Japan is fully committed to engaging in the issue of children and armed conflict and will continue to work closely with other Member States, the United Nations system and national organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and civil society.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“In his report, the Secretary-General calls upon donors to ensure that adequate resources and funding are made available for the purpose of assisting the rehabilitation and reintegration of children in armed conflict. Bearing in mind the concept of human security, my Government has supported the rehabilitation of former child soldiers, for example, in the Great Lakes region, through the relevant United Nations agencies. In closing, my delegation wishes to stress once again that the issue of children and armed conflict should be a priority for the international community, and it is especially important to mainstream this issue into all policies and programmes of the United Nations system.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“Japan, along with other Member States and partners, has advocated the concept of human security in order to enhance the protection and empowerment of men, women and children at the community and the individual level. As part of its efforts to implement that concept on the ground, we have put in place assistance programmes and projects in a number of regions and countries, particularly Asia and Africa. One important aspect of that assistance effort is the process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. There is much more that should be done in this and other related areas, because assistance in these areas constitutes a key element of the protection of children in armed conflict, as well as of adult soldiers.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“We wish to note at the same time that it is important to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the monitoring and reporting mechanism itself for possible improvements in its operations. In this connection, the recent independent review of the mechanism, submitted by the Office of Internal Oversight Services pursuant to resolution 1612 (2005), has provided useful inputs, and we look forward to detailed work in the Working Group to consider and formulate concrete proposals that will further improve the practice of the monitoring and reporting mechanism. My Government appreciates the valuable contributions of the Working Group, especially with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Sudan, which have been forwarded to the relevant parties for concrete action.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“Japan welcomes the establishment of monitoring and reporting mechanisms in several countries - Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Somalia, the Sudan, Nepal and Sri Lanka - as signs of encouraging progress. We look forward to receiving objective and reliable information on the violations being committed against children with a view to contributing to efforts to remedy such abuses. We commend the reports submitted by the monitoring and reporting mechanism regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Sudan, which provided vital and pertinent information that will allow the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, chaired by France, to work on appropriate recommendations for action.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“Although progress has been made with respect to the protection of children, the situation of children affected by armed conflict continues to be grave and alarming. The recent conflict in the Middle East region, for example, showed once again that children bear the main brunt of conflict. Sadly, in many parts of the world, cases of the recruitment and abusive use of children and other grave violations against children in armed conflict persist. Japan fully supports actions, as recommended in the report, whereby the United Nations energetically calls upon parties to conflict to prepare concrete time- bound action plans to halt the recruitment and the use of children in violation of applicable international obligations.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. Minister, and the delegation of Peru for holding today's debate. We appreciate your presiding over this meeting personally to address this important issue. I also thank Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF, and Mr. Gabriel Oling Olang, representative of Save the Children, for their briefings. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his report (S/2006/826), submitted to the Council pursuant to resolution 1612 (2005), on the implementation of that resolution and related resolutions. The content of the Secretary-General's report is of great interest to us.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573 (2006) · source
“In conclusion, we commend the efforts of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and in particular those of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Egeland, in aggressively dealing with the critical humanitarian situation in Africa and elsewhere in the world.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“The Security Council adopted a presidential statement on 16 November (S/PRST/2006/45), and we need to continue to pay close attention to the situation. In northern Uganda, Japan has also provided humanitarian assistance bilaterally and through international organizations, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF. It is encouraging to hear that the security situation in northern Uganda has drastically improved in recent months and that the return of IDPs has accelerated. We intend to consider further assistance in order to push this constructive movement forward. We wish also to encourage the United Nations, which has a presence in northern Uganda, to strengthen its support to activate the Joint Monitoring Commission and also provide detailed and continuous information on the situation - here in New York and on the ground in Uganda.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“Withdrawal of the Uganda Peoples Defence Force from the assembly points is a concrete outcome of these efforts, and we hope that such a withdrawal facilitates the implementation of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government and the Lord's Resistance Army. Although the progress of consultations is slow, we commend the persistent mediation efforts of the Government authorities of southern Sudan, and we hope that the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team will continue to oversee closely the implementation of the Agreement. Although it is difficult to be optimistic, bearing in mind past experience, we need to continue to work towards the success of these consultations in order not to miss the opportunity for peace.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“For its part, Japan has worked with the Government of Sudan diplomatically through the dispatch in October of a special envoy of the Foreign Minister and also through the visit to Japan this month of Foreign Minister Lam Akol Ajawin. We will continue in our own efforts to work with the Government of Sudan to help bring about prompt political agreement and thereby improve the humanitarian situation in Darfur and consolidate peace. Japan will also consider positively further humanitarian assistance to the affected populations in Darfur. With regard to northern Uganda, we commend the Emergency Relief Coordinator for his vigorous endeavours in assisting the peace talks in Uganda by meeting with President Museveni and the Lord's Resistance Army commander, Joseph Kony.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“In order to manage this situation, we cannot accept the current situation, in which humanitarian assistance is being denied or access is being severely limited. The safety of the humanitarian personnel, as well access to the affected areas, should be secured. Ensuring security is the first step for effective humanitarian assistance. The efforts to improve the humanitarian situation cannot be separated from the efforts on the political front - namely, securing a prompt cessation of hostilities, developing the political process, and putting in place effective peacekeeping activity. Also, it is vitally important for non-signatories to accede to the Darfur Peace Agreement that the Government of Sudan and the relevant countries are promoting. We strongly urge all the non-signatories to participate in this process.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“In order to ensure this, it is all the more vital to implement steadily, without delay, the principally agreed assistance to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) by the United Nations and others. We recognize that the Addis Ababa meeting of 16 November 2006 marked an important step forward in building a cooperative relationship between the Government of Sudan and the international community, and we hope an agreement on the strengthened peacekeeping activity in Darfur will be reached through constructive dialogue soon. In this regard, we hope that the Peace and Security Council meeting to be held later this month will result in further advancing a political solution in Darfur. We are also concerned about casualties and internally displaced persons (IDPs) newly generated by the intensifying conflict in Darfur.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“We thank Under-Secretary- General Egeland for his briefing. We also thank him for his unstinting efforts to keep the Council informed of the humanitarian situation in Africa and in other parts of the world and to address the practical problems in a very aggressive and constructive manner. First, with regard to the situation in Darfur, we are seriously concerned about the continuation of the conflict and the deteriorating humanitarian situation, as reported in detail by Mr. Egeland. Attacks on innocent civilians continue, and serious violations of international humanitarian law abound. We strongly urge all parties to ensure the protection of civilians.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5571 (2006) · source
“That was my short oral briefing. As I have indicated, we will prepare a report to the Council, with a certain number of recommendations for a full discussion early in December.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“We pay tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Tom Koenigs, his UNAMA staff and other personnel who work on the ground daily, in the very difficult, insecure and highly stressful environment that is Afghanistan today. We thank them for their dedication. I wish to commend their tireless efforts and commitment to their mission. 06-62669 Finally, I wish to express my own appreciation to all members of the mission for the cooperation extended to me personally and for their input in the course of our discussions with the Afghan interlocutors and others. I am particularly grateful for their patience during the travails of the mission, not least of which was travelling in military helicopters and aircraft wearing heavy flak jackets and helmets all throughout. I also thank them for their good company during the mission.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The President stressed that Afghanistan wants optimal relations with Pakistan, while Foreign Secretary Khan repeated that Pakistan wants stability in Afghanistan. This cross-border relationship needs close monitoring in following the developments in the Afghanistan situation. We were encouraged by both sides' willingness to work together for the holding of cross-border jirgas, as agreed by the Presidents of the three countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. We reaffirmed the importance of the role of UNAMA, especially in coordinating the implementation of the Afghanistan Compact. I believe that UNAMA's coordination role should be further strengthened with a view to accelerating the implementation of the Afghanistan Compact. In this context, we give our full support to the ongoing expansion of UNAMA into the provinces.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The Second Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan, just held in New Delhi following on our mission to Kabul - although it falls outside the Council's immediate mandate - is timely and of particular importance. Our hope is that this meeting and other similar initiatives will further strengthen regional cooperation for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The regional approach is particularly important from the security perspective. Fostering trust and cooperation between the Afghan Government and its neighbouring partners is highly relevant and of critical importance for peace and security in the region, as our many Afghan interlocutors repeatedly pointed out. While the issues involved here are complex and sensitive, we felt reassured by the comments of President Karzai and Foreign Secretary Khan of Pakistan.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“We agree with the views expressed by many participants in the meeting that the Afghanistan Compact should now move to serious action and consistent implementation efforts through the overall political guidance of the J CMB. The next aspect I wish to mention is that of human rights. Members of the Human Rights Commission and non-governmental organizations raised concern over the negative impact of the deterioration of the security situation on human rights conditions, including in particular those of women. The Afghanistan Government, as well as the international community, must sharpen the focus on human rights. As regards the issue of a regional approach, it is clear that the solution to the Afghan problems requires a focus on the regional dimension of the problems, whether in the security sector or elsewhere.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“At the same time, it is abundantly clear that Afghanistan needs additional and sustained support and assistance from the international community, both for quick gains and for sustained progress over the long term. That is the other side of the Compact pledge, and without such support there is no guarantee that Afghanistan, with all the vast investment made by the international community - that is, the price paid, including in terms of human lives - will not slide back into conflict and become a failed State again. In this context, the Afghan Compact implementation mechanism, the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB), is expected to play a key part. The mission members attended the third meeting of the J CMB, in which the first mid-term review report was presented and discussed.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“Against this background, the efforts and achievements made so far by the Afghan Government and people are to be highly commended. In facing the mounting challenges, as we have noted, the Afghanistan Compact remains the best framework for cooperation and promise. It is essential to maintain the principle that Afghans keep their part of the commitment in the Compact in fighting corruption, establishing the rule of law and building a culture of respect for human rights, especially women's rights. They must be encouraged to own the process and take responsibility at this critical stage of consolidating peace after years of war and misery in their recent history.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The President also conceded that the continued influence and tolerance of the activities of warlords had also contributed to the loss of faith by the Afghan people. All interlocutors pointed out the seriousness of the narcotics issue, which, according to President Karzai, is a direct result of the desperation of the Afghan people. It is necessary to address all these issues as a matter of the highest priority. The Afghanistan Government, with the backing of the international community, should take immediate and effective steps, with a view to re-establishing trust among the people. My third point is that of reconstruction work. As President Karzai put it, Afghanistan had to start on its reconstruction, not merely from zero but from below it, with deep minuses due to years of conflict and the damage sustained by the country.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“At the same time, it is important that the Afghan Government, ISAF and the coalition forces observe 3 international humanitarian law, avoid civilian casualties and respect local culture and traditions. Measures must also be taken to address the growing frustration among ordinary Afghans. President Karzai has stated - and other Afghan interlocutors have echoed this view - that the Afghan Government's failure to show its capability to provide security, as well as other economic and social services, in the countryside, have increased disillusionment and contributed in part to the surge in violence. The lack of a capable police force and the widespread corruption in the ranks of State and provincial institutions are of particular concern in this regard, according to many of our interlocutors.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The security situation, however, remains precarious throughout the country, with the threat of suicide attacks and other forms of terrorism by the Taliban and other armed insurgencies and armed groups posing a serious threat to the nation-building process. The insurgency and acts of terrorism must be dealt with, where necessary, through robust military and law enforcement measures. In this regard, I wish to commend the efforts undertaken by the Afghanistan Government, ISAF and the coalition forces, despite the casualties being inflicted on them. ISAF's expansion throughout the entire country now and its assumption of the leading international role in the provision of security, in the absence of reliable and strong Afghan national military and police forces, should be welcome.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“After an upsurge in the number of security-related incidents in the country up to the summer of this year, there are, however, some signs that insurgent and terrorist-related violence, which plagued much of the year, may have begun to subside somewhat. We were briefed by ISAF and told that armed clashes between insurgents and the Afghan and international military forces decreased in October and November. The insurgency is more or less confined to one third of the country, the south, south-east and east- which is still a very large part - while the remaining two thirds of Afghanistan are considered relatively stable.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The increasing insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in the south and south-east, is worryingly affecting rehabilitation and reconstruction work done by the Afghans and by the United Nations and other international partners. In the circumstances, it is important to stress two cardinal points: that the commitment of the international community for support of Afghanistan remains firm and sustained; and that the Afghanistan Compact, owned and led by Afghans, is and will remain the best strategic framework for cooperation between the Afghan Government and the international community, and that its steady and faithful implementation therefore needs to continue to be ensured. Overall security is the major, number-one issue of concern in Afghanistan.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“Over the course of 2006, however - and this is a worrying development - the rise in the Taliban-led insurgency and other social ills including the upsurge in illegal drug production and trafficking, against the backdrop of still too weak and fragile State and provincial institutions, most notably in the public security sector and in the rule of law, and the accompanying endemic corruption and impunity - both real and perceived - have marred the post-Bonn phase and appear to have given rise to widespread despondency and disillusionment among the people. In other words, the confidence of the Afghan public in the institutions and processes appears to have been shaken 06-62669 of somewhat compromised, giving rise to a certain sense of backsliding.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The consolidation of gains over this period in establishing and ensuring functioning democratic institutions and the efforts to improve the welfare of the population are moving forward, despite the inevitable fragilities and challenges that are clear to the country's leaders and outside partners.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“Following the practice, it will then be circulated to all Member States as a United Nations document in time for a public meeting on the matter, tentatively scheduled for 6 December. Today, as the Head of the mission, I wish to present my views and impressions on some of the important issues. I shall begin with an overall assessment. This Security Council mission to Afghanistan was the first in three years, the last one having been in 2003. The Afghan partnership that began in Bonn in late 2001 and that continued through the Tokyo reconstruction conference in January 2002 and the January 2006 London Conference is largely on track.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The fourth point was to affirm the central and impartial role of the United Nations in Afghanistan, including coordination of efforts in implementing the Afghanistan Compact. The fifth was to encourage the fostering of mutual trust and the promotion of bilateral and regional cooperation between the Government of Afghanistan and the Governments of neighbouring and other regional partners, in particular the Government of Pakistan, as a matter of crucial importance in addressing those challenges facing Afghanistan and its neighbours in the region. A full mission report is now being prepared and will be submitted to the Council after consultation with Council members.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“The second was to emphasize that the Council highly appreciates the Afghan Government's ownership in the successful political transition achieved under the Bonn process that led, eventually, to the Afghanistan Compact, and that it encourages the Afghan Government to transform its ownership into further action for steady implementation of the Compact. The third was to emphasize that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the multiple challenges facing Afghanistan, including the deteriorating security situation, corruption, human rights, rule of law, transitional justice and drug trafficking and cultivation, 06-62669 so as to meet the legitimate expectations and aspirations of the population.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“We also met with representatives of UNAMA, United Nations agencies, ISAF, the development community, the diplomatic community, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society representatives. In those meetings and in encounters with the media, the Council mission sought to convey to the Afghan and other interlocutors a message consisting of the following points, among others. The first was to reaffirm that the Council will make utmost efforts to ensure that the international community will continue to support the Afghan Government in its efforts to attain the stability and reconstruction of the country, which is a long-term process and for which sustained commitment will be required.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“In terms of its movement inside the country, owing to security concerns and other logistical constraints, members of the mission travelled in military transport planes and, in some cases, military helicopters under heavy protection, courtesy of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command and contributing countries. On behalf of the mission, I wish to express our utmost appreciation to the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, ISAF and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for their support, assistance and hospitality during the visit. In Afghanistan, the mission held extensive discussions with President Karzai, Foreign Minister Spanta and other key ministers, the newly appointed Attorney General, elected parliamentarians and provincial governors and other local leaders and elders.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“I am very pleased this morning to present an oral report to the Council on the mission of Council members to Afghanistan last week. The Security Council mission, comprising 10 members, visited Afghanistan from 11 to 16 November. Based in Kabul, the mission travelled to provincial cities - Qalat, near Kandahar, in the south, and Mazar-e-Sharif in the north. The planned visit to Kandahar city itself, for a meeting with the governor of that province, had to be cancelled due to the prevailing 2 security situation. On its way out, the mission made a stop in Islamabad for a meeting with senior Pakistani Government officials.”
2006-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5570 (2006) · source
“Japan will continue to be engaged in the process, working with all concerned countries in the region with a view to defusing tensions, restoring stability and nurturing a spirit of cooperation, which we believe will lead to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East region.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“On Lebanon, serious efforts by the parties concerned and the continued support of the international community are needed to address the issues referred to in Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), including a permanent ceasefire and a long- term solution. On the other hand, Lebanon is going through major domestic political upheavals, which we strongly hope will be resolved by the parties concerned peacefully, through dialogue. We wish to reaffirm the importance of Syria's role in achieving stability in Lebanon and peace throughout the region. Japan fervently hopes that Syria will positively and constructively engage in the political process and cooperate with the efforts being made by the international community to this end.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The deteriorating humanitarian situation afflicting the Palestinian people is a matter of deep concern to the entire international community. To resolve this crisis, the international community should continue to provide the humanitarian relief and assistance that is urgently needed. In this regard, we stress once again that an early Israeli resumption of the transfer of tax and customs revenues to the Palestinian Authority, as well as the full implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access concluded in November 2005, are matters of utmost priority. Japan, as a major donor of assistance to the Palestinians for many years, will make every effort to continue to provide such assistance.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“We also hope that the Government of Israel will make serious and expeditious efforts to determine the causes of the incident in Beit Hanoun and to prevent the recurrence of such tragic events by ensuring that the panel of investigation established within the Israel Defense Forces carries out its work promptly. Japan renews its call upon Israel to release the Palestinian ministers and others held in custody. At the same time, we urge the Government of the Palestinian Authority to take credible, effective measures to rein in the violence of Palestinian extremist groups, including launching Qassam rocket attacks into Israeli territory. We also renew calls on the Palestinian Authority to bring about the safe return of the Israeli soldier abducted in June.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“In order to resolve the problems that exist, especially at this critical moment, nothing is more important than direct talks between the parties at the highest level. We therefore strongly hope for an early resumption of the long- delayed direct talks between the leaders of the two parties, Israel and Palestine. There can be no military solution to the Middle East peace process. All parties concerned should exercise the maximum restraint, refraining from military action and violence on both sides. Japan strongly deplores the incident that took place on 8 November in Beit Hanoun. We strongly urge the Government of Israel to refrain from taking any military action which may lead to civilian casualties.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“To break the current stalemate, we urge Palestinians to find ways of overcoming their differences, achieve a breakthrough and support a new Palestinian Authority government that would resume the work previously begun to achieve coexistence and mutual prosperity with Israel. At the same time, we expect that Israel, on its part, will support the efforts of President Abbas, who is striving to achieve such a breakthrough in the deadlocked situation. If a new Palestinian Authority government, once established, makes clear that it would pursue the realization of peace and peaceful coexistence through negotiation with Israel, then the international community should respond positively and support such a new direction as most welcome.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Japan wishes to make clear that, under the new Government led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, it remains deeply committed to encouraging and supporting all such peaceful and political endeavours in the region. To that end, Japan will continue to provide all of the support and assistance necessary to address the Middle East peace process in a constructive and proactive way. On the political front, in recent weeks we have witnessed certain efforts being made by the parties concerned, including in particular some Arab countries, to help establish a new government of the Palestinian Authority. It is our strong hope that those efforts will continue and that they will produce results acceptable to all.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Gambari presented to us of the situation in the Middle East is indeed a grim one. It is a matter of deep concern that the cycle of violence between Palestinian military groups and the Israel Defense Forces and the political deadlock in Palestine continue to plague the region and drive it deeper into crisis. Of further concern is the resultant continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population, in particular the heavy toll registered among innocent civilians, including women and children. The vicious circle will have to be broken. That can be achieved only if political leadership and the will to settle differences are mobilized by the leaders of all the parties concerned.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Let me state at the outset that we are shocked and appalled by the fact that yet another high-ranking Lebanese official - Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel - has been killed. Japan strongly condemns that brutal act of violence, which can only destabilize the already volatile situation in Lebanon. We express our deep condolences to the family of the deceased, and we expect that the perpetrators of this crime will be brought to justice, as should the perpetrators of other heinous acts of political violence in that tormented country. For the sake of the country's stability, in our View, the sooner that is done, the better. I join other members in thanking Under- Secretary-General Gambari for his comprehensive briefing on recent developments in the Middle East. The picture that Mr.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 11.45 am.”
2006-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5560 (2006) · source