YouSaid · the spoken record

Pascoe

lines on the record: 957
first: 2007-03-14
most recent: 2012-04-23
sittings or episodes: 55
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

“Members will recall that, in its presidential statement of 7 April 2009, the Security Council welcomed the successful convening of the dialogue and reiterated "its full support for this process, as an effective framework to foster national reconciliation and stability in the Central African Republic". (S/PRST/2009/5, first paragraph) The post-dialogue period has, in the main, been characterized by two, sometimes contradictory, trends. On the one hand, significant efforts have been and continue to be made to implement the recommendations of the dialogue with a view to consolidating the momentum for peace in the country.”
2009-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6147 (2009) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I appreciate the opportunity to present the latest report (S/2009/309) of the Secretary- General on the situation in the Central African Republic and on the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (BONUCA) in that country. There were significant developments in the Central African Republic during the period under review. Those included the efforts to implement the outcomes of the historic inclusive political dialogue held in December 2008. The dialogue itself was widely welcomed, especially by the people of the Central African Republic, as the most far-reaching endeavour towards genuine national reconciliation since the eruption of the current crisis in the mid-1990s.”
2009-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6147 (2009) · source
“The international community must make a vital investment at this time to nurture the fragile peace process, help the Government establish its authority throughout the country and build its security and rule of law institutions. Now is not the time to analyse and discuss, but to provide concrete help while it can still make a difference. We must continue to engage in a credible and practical manner. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to bring stability to that long-troubled country and its people. The consequences of inaction would be borne not only by Somalis, but by the region and the world at large.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“In order to ensure greater coherence between the different components in response to piracy, a coordination mechanism is being established under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. This architecture brings together efforts to address the piracy challenge on the high seas, on land, in the region and internationally. In conclusion, it is evident that the only lasting solution for Somalia will be one that is created and led by the Somalis themselves. The Government's efforts at building a consensus for reconciliation are slowly gaining ground, despite the serious challenge by well- funded radicals.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions being made by the various naval forces to deal with this problem. Their operations are an integral part of a wider effort that includes assisting local communities to undertake alternative forms of employment, tracking the flow of money to identify those benefiting from piracy, prosecuting those responsible, and creating a coastal security force. We welcome the establishment of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Following the working group meeting of the Contact Group held in Cairo on 16 and 17 March, the United Nations was requested by the Contact Group to propose a number of counter-piracy initiatives on land. These initiatives will be presented to the next Contact Group meeting in May.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“Establishing effective governance inside Somalia is one of the keys to bringing law and order to the waters off its coast. A strong Somali State would not only curb the problem of piracy in the short term, but would also address the underlying long-term social and economic causes. It is important to understand that piracy is turning into a business that, if left unchecked, will create localized criminal economies with leaders increasingly able to resist efforts to integrate them into a broader national structure. That having been said, the efforts of the international maritime forces are having a significant effect. As a result of these operations, the cost to pirates of their actions is steadily increasing as they have to travel further to capture ships.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“Such practical support can help the Government strengthen its ability to address the security challenge, become more cohesive, carry out reconstruction and development planning, and generate and collect revenue. The Government is committed to moving forward and we should give it credit for the progress it has made in three short months. The Government has formulated a budget linked to the payment of security forces, public investment and civil service wages. It is collecting revenue from Mogadishu port and airport. It has worked with UNPOS and members of the international community to establish the Joint Security Committee in Mogadishu, to carry out a security sector assessment, and to develop a security sector framework.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“As the Government gains success in its strategy of negotiation, persuasion and inclusion, radical elements within the opposition feel threatened and increase the level of violence. International support for the Government of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is particularly 3 crucial now. The success of the Brussels conference convened by the Secretary-General gives ground for hope in this regard. The imperative now is, as I said, to ensure that the assistance reaches President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's Government and AMISOM quickly in order to limit the ability of hardliners to threaten once again the ongoing efforts to build a Somali State.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“Through these last few days, the Government has continued with some success to negotiate a resolution to the conflict. Yesterday, religious leaders called for a ceasefire and condemned the fighting. While the ceasefire was initially accepted by all sides, it would seem that, this afternoon, Al-Shabaab resumed attacks. It is not clear whether the attacking forces are as cohesive as they were prior to the call for ceasefire from the religious leaders. A point of interest in the report is that the trained TFG forces seem to have constituted the backbone of the Government's defence. This is an encouraging sign of the emergence of a nascent national force. This latest surge in violence is clearly a response to the Government's strategy to reach out and build a critical mass in support of peace.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“On 9 May, there was an attempt to overthrow the legitimate Government and take power in Mogadishu by force. This attempted coup was, we understand, led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and included Al-Shabaab fighters. While the Government has been able to repel these forces so far, the situation remains quite fragile. Media reports indicate that at least 120 people have been killed in heavy fighting around Mogadishu and that thousands of civilians have fled to other parts of Somalia. It is noteworthy that the reports indicate that the attacking forces include an increasing number of foreign fighters. In fact, an Al-Shabaab spokesman openly embraced and admitted the presence of the foreign fighters only a few days ago. The Government's capacities, on its side, have a limit, because ofa lack of resources.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners - including the Government of Somalia, the African Union and the European Union - in making the conference a success. The next urgent step is to 09-33564 ensure the full receipt of the pledged amount of $213 million. It is expected that AMISOM. will receive $160 million and Somali security institutions $66 million in both cash and in kind pledges. AMISOM. continues to play a critical role in Somalia. We thank the Governments of Uganda and Burundi for their continued commitment in the country. We are also pleased with the offer of a battalion from Sierra Leone, which would raise the strength of the force to more than 5,000 troops. Let me turn now to the dangers of the current moment.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“It is in support of this political strategy and these peacemaking efforts that the Secretary-General has proposed, in his latest report to the Council (S/2009/210), a three-phased approach to addressing the ongoing security challenge: first, by supporting the establishment of Somali security institutions and strengthening AMISOM; secondly, by establishing a United Nations light footprint in Somalia; and thirdly, by deploying, at an appropriate time, a United Nations peacekeeping operation. The Brussels donors' conference on 23 April was organized with the aim of mobilizing international support for the first phase, that is, the strengthening of Somali security institutions and AMISOM. forces.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“The Government must be backed by a credible security force that can help it to negotiate from a position of strength and contain hard-line elements bent on undermining it. The Government must also be able to deliver security and demonstrate clear dividends of peace and national reconciliation to Somali communities. The efforts to strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and build Somalia's security institutions respond to these needs and are part and parcel of the broader United Nations political strategy I mentioned a moment ago. Success in these efforts will give peace a chance to take root as well as create the conditions for a dramatic improvement in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and early recovery and development activities.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“These consultations focused on the preparations for the Brussels donors' conference and follow-up on the implementation of proposals presented in the conference of the International Contact Group on Somalia held in Brussels in February. UNPOS has also worked with the Government of Kenya in organizing training for senior civil servants. Discussions have been held in Nairobi with Government representatives on the establishment of the Joint Security Committee. We anticipate agreement on the future workings of the committee in additional missions of UNPOS to Mogadishu. For the Government to succeed in its efforts to consolidate peace, it has to deal with the continuing security challenge.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“In order to assist Somalia to consolidate its still- fragile peace process and lay the foundation for sustainable peace, reconstruction and development, the Secretary-General has elaborated a political strategy aimed at, first, importing the peace process from Djibouti into Somalia; secondly, assisting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to enhance dialogue with opposition forces and build a critical mass in support of the peace process; and, thirdly, consolidating the Transitional Federal Institutions. In this connection, the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and the United Nations country team paid three high-level Visits to Mogadishu to hold consultations with the Government at the most 09-33564 senior levels.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“More importantly, the new Government is actively reaching out to opposition groups to forge national reconciliation. Negotiation, persuasion and inclusion are at the core of the Government's strategy to achieve a lasting political settlement in Somalia. As a result, the Somali people have the best chance in two decades to end their suffering and move towards a better and more stable future. And we, the international community, have a unique opportunity to support Somali leaders who have shown a commitment to building peace. This opportunity must not be lost.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: We meet today at a critical moment for Somalia. This is a time when the response of the international community to an embattled Government's pleas for help could make the difference between consolidating hopeful steps towards peace and a descent once again into anarchy and hopelessness. Since our last briefing to the Council, and despite the heavy fighting of the past few days, we have witnessed in recent months new-found reasons to hope. The Somalia peace process, facilitated by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, has produced a broad- based Somali Government, led by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, which enjoys the support of large segments of the population and States members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.”
2009-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6124 (2009) · source
“In conclusion, I want to say that we have very clearly heard the call of the Security Council and the instruction of the Secretary-General to develop a more rigorous and effective approach to mediation. Mediation is a Charter activity of the United Nations and must be carried out with the highest degree of professionalism, transparency and preparation to promote peace and security. We are deeply grateful for the Council's support to date and hope to continue to earn it in the future.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“United Nations Peacemaker was developed on a limited budget and will now need to be more properly maintained and upgraded. To be successful in our collective mediation effort, we need to be constantly learning new lessons and applying them. For this reason, we have put in place a debriefing programme for senior envoys, which allows us to capture the experiences that they have had. We are also working on a peace agreement evaluation project, which will look at factors in peace processes and agreements that contribute to the sustainability of peace. We are considering other innovative programmes to take stock of lessons learned from successful mediations and mediators. Again, I want to note that these initiatives would not have been possible without the support of Member State donors, and we deeply appreciate their generosity.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Reticence to involve outside actors has at times translated into lost opportunities by Member States to make use of what the United Nations has to offer. We are here to help, but only if we allowed to do so. The report makes it clear that the United Nations does not have a monopoly on mediation. This also applies to the accumulation of knowledge and best practices on mediation. We have provided leadership in developing a Web-based repository of information on mediation, called the United Nations Peacemaker, but we will need to work closely with our partners to consolidate and disseminate this knowledge. This online support tool for international peacemaking professionals has over 800 documents, with more than 300 peace agreements, and 15 operational guidance notes, with another 22 in development.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“All political officers should have basic training on aspects of mediation. United Nations mediation capacities, its lessons learned and tools are not proprietary information; they are available to all who need them. Working together, we should promote an understanding among Member States that United Nations mediation, including good offices, facilitation and dialogue, is a service offered by the Secretary- General at all phases of a conflict. All Member States should be comfortable requesting and utilizing this service when required. We need to combine our capacity-building with confidence-building, that is, confidence that United Nations mediation is an impartial and effective tool for conflict resolution.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Working with other parts of the United Nations system, Member States, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations, we are putting a system in place that will include five levels of support for envoys: mediation planning, which would include assessment of requirements and mobilizing to meet them; the development of a small pool of operational- level on-call mediators to manage the day-to-day functions of a mediation effort; the standby team of mediation experts, which will continue for the next year; the development of a small but reliable roster of internal and external experts; and establishing a small team of geographically diverse experienced senior envoys to provide mediation advice. We will also combine this specialized response capability with a rigorous training curriculum for our regional specialists.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Mediation requires skill and knowledge, but it can be a complex operation with its own logistics, staffing and technical requirements. If envoys are to succeed, they need more than just their individual talents and experience. We are making a systematic effort to support them in the planning and management of peace processes.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“As one sign of our strong partnership with the African Union, a couple of days ago we concluded a joint assessment of our cooperation in two cases: Darfur and Kenya. That was a very productive meeting and we are planning to follow up on our work together on Somalia. In Europe, we have made significant strides in enhancing our mediation partnership with the European Union (EU), including the Commission. We welcome the recent discussions in the EU on developing its own mediation capacity. We look forward to working with all relevant regional actors, sharing expertise and lessons learned, developing joint training opportunities, and working together on the establishment of a geographically diverse roster of mediation experts. We certainly recognize that many areas require improvement.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Where requested, we have assisted in their mediation efforts and in strengthening the mediation capacity of regional organizations. In Africa, we have benefited from the cooperation of the African Union, ECOWAS and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in mediation efforts in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Madagascar, Guinea, Burundi and other areas. I would like in particular to recognize the outstanding efforts in extraordinarily difficult circumstances of Djibril Bassole, Joint African Union/ United Nations Chief Mediator for Darfur, We also continue working closely with SADC, the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States to build mediation capacity.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“However, the creation of the Mediation Support Unit and its standby team of mediation experts has given a tremendous boost to those efforts by providing readily available, in-house mediation expertise. Presently, most of our funding comes from the generosity of donors, which continues to be of critical importance. Our challenges in the mediation of conflicts are shared by the entire international community and it is the responsibility of all of us to act in concert to solve them. To do this, it is essential that we have partnerships with Member States, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations. Regional organizations are often best placed to take the lead in mediation efforts, and some have a wealth of mediation expertise in their own right.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“We were able to deploy and sustain a small team in Madagascar to mediate the current crisis in the country; send envoys such as Assistant Secretary- General Menkerios to support regional efforts on Zimbabwe; or get former President Obasanjo's mission to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo up and running in the midst of the fighting with those extrabudgetary funds. Advance planning and ready resources are key to effective early mediation when trouble develops. The kinds of mediation activities I have described today are now routinely expected by our envoys and representatives. Our Department has traditionally worked hard to meet these demands.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“That is part of our ongoing work with ECOWAS and regional leaders to prevent conflicts in the region. Our Central Asian office in Ashgabat is leading an effort to help the five countries resolve tensions over water issues, among other issues of regional concern. A key role is being played by a specialist on natural resource management from the MSU standby team. The effectiveness of these regional efforts has encouraged our suggestion to establish a regional presence in the Central African region, as requested by members of the African Group. It is important that our ability to move quickly to mediate disputes has been improved by the establishment of a small mediation start-up budget, funded by donors. DPA's modest travel budget cannot sustain the emergency dispatch of crisis prevention teams.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“In Kenya, for example, where former Secretary-General Kofi Annan led the effort, our team assisted him in preparing the mediation effort and on elections, security and constitutional issues. Since September 2008, in the Comoros we have been supporting African Union efforts on an inter-Comorian dialogue. We have also found that a regional presence can be an effective way to mediate disputes. Through the United Nations Office for West Africa, we have been able to work with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union on such issues as Mauritania and Guinea, without the deployment of a stand-alone mission. Most recently, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Djinnit has undertaken a preventive mission to Togo to consult with authorities there on recent developments in the country.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“3 We also have supported missions led by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in Darfur, Kosovo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General work either to reach peace agreements or to move through the incredibly difficult task of implementing peace accords. It is important to note that United Nations political mediation efforts are being carried out not only in classic peacemaking situations, such as in Cyprus or the Western Sahara, but also through the day-to-day work of the political missions in the field. These missions spend much of their time trying to broker dialogues and to use preventive diplomacy to put out the fires that arise. Our services have also been put at the disposal of regional organizations that are in the lead of political processes.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“In Cyprus, we deployed facilitators to the technical working groups during the preparatory phase of the talks and continue to work closely with Alexander Downer, Special Adviser to the Secretary- General, including technical support on power-sharing and property issues. In Nepal, we continue to support Karin Landgren, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, with mediation and facilitation assistance in the implementation phases of the peace agreement. In Iraq, Special Representative of the Secretary- General De Mistura is leading an increasingly visible role in fostering political reconciliation, supported from New York by a variety of expertise on issues relating to the disputed internal boundaries, Kirkuk, water-sharing and the constitution.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“If I might digress for a moment, I would like to mention to Council members and to others in the audience that, on Thursday, 23 April, we are holding a donors conference in Brussels to follow through on resolution 1863 (2009) on support for Somalia. As Council members know, the conference aims to raise funds for the Somali security forces and for the African Union Mission in Somalia. I hope members will urge their Governments to attend at a high level and to provide generous support. In the Central African Republic, our political mission on the ground played a key role in carrying out an all-inclusive national political dialogue. DPA's training to the preparatory committee contributed to the success of that dialogue.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“We also try to provide high-quality technical support in a timely manner. Experts can now be dispatched to a mediation scene in days, not weeks. Those innovations are already making a difference in our ability to provide real support to peace processes. Let me provide some concrete examples. In Somalia, Special Representative Ould Abdallah has spearheaded a mediation effort that many observers see as the most promising effort in years aimed at bringing about political reconciliation in that country. We provided close support to those efforts in working with the parties to develop the 26 October 2008 Djibouti Agreement.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The Unit has been further complemented with a standby team of mediation experts able to deploy to negotiations around the world on short notice and to provide advice and assistance to mediators on such themes as peace process design, security arrangements, power-sharing, wealth-sharing, natural resources management and constitution-making. In the past year, DPA has provided mediation support to more than 20 peace processes, with the MSU exerting a multiplier effect on those efforts. We have striven to take a flexible and innovative approach to peacemaking. We have made our technical advisory services available to United Nations envoys and 09-30825 representatives, of course, but also to Member States, regional organizations and others that may be leading a mediation effort.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“These are part of a conscious effort to reshape the Department of Political Affairs into a more action- and field-oriented operation that can move more quickly and at an earlier stage to help prevent conflicts from spreading and to deliver faster and more reliable support to peace processes. As directed by the Secretary-General, we are working to put in place the expertise, financial resources, partnerships and knowledge base to attain those objectives. We deeply appreciate the support we have received from members of the Council and other Member States for those efforts. The political support and financial resources that Member States have provided through the regular budget and voluntary contributions have enabled us to strengthen our regional divisions and to establish the Mediation Support Unit (MSU).”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“For example, the head of the United Nations peacebuilding mission in Sierra Leone, Michael von der Schulenburg, has been busy in recent weeks encouraging dialogue to defuse the most recent political tensions there. We might also witness the efforts of Special Representative Doss in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and former President Obasanjo to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Strengthening mediation capacity is also an important objective to keep in mind, therefore, as we strive collectively at the United Nations to do a better job in the area of peacebuilding. I would like to turn to some of our key initiatives and recent efforts in the mediation field.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The release of the report also coincides with critically important efforts by Member States and the Secretariat to examine the present and the future of United Nations peacekeeping. These issues are, of course, closely related. A United Nations that is more effective in the practice of mediation will be more adept both at heading off conflicts before they become full-blown crises and at bringing such crises to a peaceful and lasting end before it is necessary to resort to peacekeeping. Effective mediation can help us to arrive at sound agreements that can be successfully implemented, and 09-30825 then assist the facilitation and dialogue needed throughout the later phases of the effort. Mediation must continue as a central part of the process of peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“In addition to internal consultations, the report drew on the experiences and views of Security Council members, individual Member States, all those acting as mediators, regional and subregional organizations, and non-governmental organizations. It attempts to synthesize many years of United Nations experience in mediating conflict both between and within States. The report provides an opportunity to take stock of efforts under way in the Secretariat, under the lead of the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), to bolster and professionalize the mediation capabilities of the United Nations. The Secretary-General has called for a more proactive use of preventive diplomacy by the United Nations, and our ability to support and carry out mediation is central to that vision.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: Last September, the Security Council met under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Burkina Faso for a high-level debate on mediation (see S/PV.5979). During that debate, the Security Council identified many of the key issues and challenges facing the international community in resolving disputes peacefully. In its presidential statement (S/PRST/2008/36), the Council invited the Secretary-General to provide a report on "mediation and its support activities, which takes into account experiences of the United Nations and other key actors, and makes recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of United Nations mediation". The report before members responds to that and benefited from a broad consultation process.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The framework for peace remains unchanged: the establishment of two States living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the principle of land for peace and a just and comprehensive regional peace consistent with resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973).”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“I cannot overemphasize the importance of addressing the situation in Gaza and of implementing the provisions of resolution 1860 (2009). Moreover, for the sake of the people of the region, there must be peace and not simply further process. We therefore encourage the early resumption of the Israeli- Palestinian negotiations on all core issues without exception, as agreed by the parties and as called for in resolution 1850 (2008). The international community remains fundamentally committed to and engaged in efforts to achieve the goal of the two-State solution, the only solution aimed at guaranteeing both the security of the State of Israel and the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian State.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“Relations between the local community and the Lebanese Armed Forces have 09-30661 improved in recent months following an easing of access in areas adjacent to the old camp. Following the establishment of diplomatic ties between Lebanon and Syria on 15 October 2008 and the approval by President Sleiman of the first Syrian ambassador to Lebanon, the Lebanese ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic arrived in Damascus today. The overall situation during the past month in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has remained generally quiet. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces continue to carry out intensive joint operations, with a particular focus on possible rocket launching positions. Israeli air violations continued on an almost daily basis during the reporting period.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“The Lebanese Armed Forces are continuing their search for the perpetrators. Syria has deployed troops along the border between the two countries in order to prevent fugitives from escaping across the frontier. The five-week period for candidates to register for the June parliamentary elections ended on 7 April. Seven hundred and two candidates have been registered, although, according to the electoral law, they can withdraw from the race until 21 April. Discussion of candidate lists continues within each of the two major alliances contesting the election. The construction of an additional 232 temporary shelters in the area adjacent to the Nahr al-Bared camp was completed in March, bringing the total amount of temporary shelters built by UNRWA to more than 800, housing some 650 families.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“The search for other members of this cell is reportedly continuing. On Lebanon, the overall situation there remained stable during the reporting period, despite a number of disconcerting security incidents. The assassination of the Deputy PLO representative in Lebanon, Kamal Medhat, on 23 March, which was reported in last month's briefing, was the first targeted killing in Lebanon since September 2008. On 27 March, a shooting incident took place in Baalbek between gunmen suspected of drug trafficking and the Lebanese Armed Forces, resulting in the death of an alleged drug baron. Subsequently, on 13 April, in what seems to have been a related incident, armed gunmen ambushed a Lebanese Armed Forces patrol in a nearby area, leaving four soldiers dead and one critically injured.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry met with Jordanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh, on 8 April and on 15 April with Syrian Minister for Foreign Affairs Walid Al-Moualem to discuss efforts to move the peace process forward. 09-3066] The situation in the occupied Syrian Golan was quiet during the reporting period, although Israeli settlement activity continues. One Syrian was detained by Israeli security forces for crossing the Alpha Line in the disengagement area on 14 April and returned to Syria the same day. In Egypt, it was announced that a cell of 49 persons led by an alleged member of Hizbollah had been arrested in November 2008. The Egyptian Government expressed its grave concern at external interference on sovereign Egyptian territory.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“During this reporting period, Israeli authorities demolished two Palestinian structures, in addition to the so-called deterrent demolition of the family home of a Palestinian who carried out a terrorist attack against Israelis on 2 July 2008. During that demolition, a Palestinian man was shot and killed as he drove his car into Israeli security forces. Three Israeli border police were injured. Turning to regional affairs, the Secretary-General attended the League of Arab States summit on 30 March in Doha, which brought together 17 Arab leaders. The summit recommitted the members of the Arab League to the Arab Peace Initiative while calling for Israeli steps towards the Initiative.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“As we have said repeatedly, settlement activity runs contrary to the basis of the two-State solution and must be frozen. The number of obstacles to continued movement in the West Bank remains constant at more than 600, which continues to prevent normal social and economic life. Also in the West Bank, the barrier continues to be constructed within occupied Palestinian territory in deviation from the Green Line and contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The Government of Israel has taken no action to evacuate settlement outposts during this reporting period in accordance with its Road Map obligations. East Jerusalem remains an issue of serious concern. Palestinian institutions there remain closed by Israeli order and contrary to Israel's Road Map obligations.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“On 8 April, clashes erupted between approximately 200 Israeli settlers, some armed, and the residents of the Palestinian village of Sofa, where the killer had reportedly sought refuge. The Israeli army intervened and 15 Palestinians were injured, including 11 by live ammunition from Israeli troops and settlers. Six other Israelis were reportedly injured during the period. Elsewhere in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israeli settlement activity continues. Major construction work is under way in the three settlement blocs surrounding East Jerusalem to the North, East and South. In addition to the construction of housing units, road infrastructure construction is ongoing, creating further obstacles to a viable, contiguous Palestinian State. On 31 March, Israeli settlers from the Efrat settlement began their own construction of a road.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“They targeted criminal gangs, making a number of arrests and recovering a quantity of weapons and stolen cash, and also shut down a reported explosives manufacturing laboratory in a mosque in Qalqiliya. During the reporting period, 10 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and 95 were injured as a result of clashes with the Israel Defense Forces and settlers. Those incidents included seven violent instances in which Israeli settlers targeted Palestinians and their property, which, however, was down from 26 such incidents in the previous period. On 2 April, a 13-year-old Israeli was killed in an attack on a settlement, in which another Israeli child was injured.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source
“The international community continues to support those efforts and plans to convene the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in the next several weeks are being discussed. During this reporting period, the Palestinian Authority has begun revising and upgrading its budget process in preparation for the 2010 budget and 2011- 2013 Palestinian Reform and Development Plan. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including the absence of timely and predictable budget support. Despite the large sums of money pledged last month in Sharm el- Sheikh, the Palestinian Authority still has great difficulty paying monthly salaries, which severely impacts its long-term planning process and undermines the reform agenda. On Palestinian security issues in the West Bank, the reporting period has witnessed an increase in activity by Palestinian Authority forces.”
2009-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6107 (2009) · source