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

“I deeply appreciated the Council's support for my mission, which was also reiterated by the General Assembly in its resolution ES-lO/l8 last Friday. I believe it significantly strengthened my efforts to stop the violence. "In the days since, I visited and met with the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria. I took part in a meeting convened by President Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh and the Arab economic summit in Kuwait. I also spoke on the telephone on many occasions with several of the leaders and of course met with all of the leaders at the two meetings to discuss the situation in Gaza. I Visited Gaza City and Sderot yesterday to show my solidarity with civilians and underscore the urgent and important tasks ahead.”
2009-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6072 (2009) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I should just say first that the Secretary-General's voice was very strong up until the end, but in Gaza City, he was trying to project to at least 500 employees at the back of the room and then gave a press conference where the smoke from things that were still smouldering was pretty bad. I think that between the two of them, they did him in in the end. I will, with the Council's indulgence, read out the following statement of the Secretary-General. "I was pleased to brief and consult with the Council eight days ago, before embarking on a trip to the Middle East that was intended to send a simple and unmistakable message about the crisis in Gaza and southern Israel: the fighting must stop; resolution 1860 (2009) must be fully respected and implemented.”
2009-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6072 (2009) · source
“We will continue to work for that goal through comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East and the implementation of all the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“08-61686 As the past month has demonstrated, the political process is still under way, but developments on the ground remain the biggest challenge to building lasting peace. There is a need for tangible improvements in the living conditions and security of civilians to give them faith in the political process. In order to make progress in the negotiations and improve the situation on the ground, it is important that the Quartet continues to push the process forward in this time of transition. In addition, the Secretary-General has urged United States President-elect Obama to engage early in the Middle East. Our shared goal remains clear: an end to the occupation that began in 1967 and the achievement of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“We commend the initiative and efforts of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, which led to the convening of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly under the agenda item entitled "Culture of Peace" here in New York on 13 November. As the Council is aware, the meeting was attended by numerous leaders from the Middle East region, including King Abdullah of Jordan and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the Amirs of Kuwait and Bahrain, President Sleiman of Lebanon, President Peres, Foreign Minister Livni and President Abbas, among many others. Additionally, on 20 November the Palestine Liberation Organization published full-page advertisements in Israeli newspapers to promote the Arab Peace Initiative among the Israeli public.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“08-61686 Quartet Representative Tony Blair visited the region twice during this reporting period and continued his efforts to bring about the implementation of measures agreed to with the Government of Israel in May 2008, with the goal of improving the situation on the ground and achieving a better economic environment and increased movement and access. Special Coordinator Robert Serry held meetings with Syrian Government officials in Damascus on 24 November to discuss regional developments and express support for the continuation of the indirect Israel-Syrian talks. The situation in the occupied Syrian Golan remained quiet, but Israeli settlement activity continues. During the reporting period, the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative was widely discussed as a vital platform for reaching the goal of a comprehensive regional peace.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“On 22 and 23 November, the Palestinian Investment Conference - Northern Forum took place in Nablus, attracting over 250 international participants, including a number from Arab countries, with the aim of promoting the Northern West Bank as a region for investment. The Palestinian Authority continues to strengthen its fiscal management and completed the payment of all its wage and private sector arrears during the reporting period. The budget and planning process for 2009 is fully on track. The Ministry of Finance has reported that by mid-November approximately $1.6 billion in direct budget support had been transferred. However, there is an urgent need to increase budget support pledges for 2009 and to support the Authority through the delivery of planned, regular commitments as soon as possible.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“Settlers clashed with the IDF and Palestinians following the issuance of Supreme Court orders to vacate a building in Hebron. In total, there were 30 attacks by settlers on Palestinians during this reporting period. Those attacks have been condemned by senior Israeli officials. The construction of the barrier within occupied Palestinian territory in deviation from the Green Line continues, contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Also contrary to Israel's phase I Road Map obligation, Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem remain closed by Israeli military order.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“We urge the cessation of house demolitions in the West Bank in accordance with the moratorium, and that no unilateral actions be taken in Jerusalem that undermine confidence or alter the status quo in the city. In that context, it is deeply regrettable that settlement activity in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is ongoing in the vast majority of settlements. More positively, we note that, on 2 November, the Government of Israel announced its intention to immediately cease all funding for illegal outposts in the West Bank. An attempt to dismantle an outpost near Hebron on 26 October was met with violence by settlers that injured eight members of the Israeli security forces and seven Palestinians, including a 95-year-old woman.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“On 29 October, following a six-month suspension in demolitions based upon commitments made to Quartet Representative Tony Blair, Israeli authorities resumed the demolition of houses and structures lacking building permits in area C of the West Bank. Forty-seven structures were demolished in area C and approximately 150 Palestinians have been displaced or otherwise affected. A further eight house demolitions were reported in East Jerusalem, displacing or otherwise affecting approximately 50 people, including a man and his wife who were evicted from their home in which they had been living since 1956. The man, who had been hospitalized due to diabetes and other health problems, died on 23 November.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“We note that in the past weeks, more than 350 Hamas affiliates were reported to have been arrested across the West Bank, including some 250 in Hebron. It is important that suspects being detained on criminal or public security grounds be treated with full respect for human rights and the rule of law. It should be noted that, despite the Palestinian Authority's security efforts in the West Bank, there has not been a significant reduction in incursions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or in the easing of closures in the West Bank. There were approximately 400 search campaigns during the reporting period. The number of obstacles to Palestinian movement in the West Bank stands at 630.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“We are concerned about reports of human rights abuses committed in Gaza under the de facto Hamas regime, which has also apparently strengthened its control, divorcing Gaza's institutions from those of the Palestinian Authority. In the West Bank, Palestinian security forces continue to make progress in implementing phase I Road Map obligations by extending security operations in areas under Palestinian Authority control. On 25 October, the Palestinian Authority deployed 550 new security personnel in Hebron. A further security operation in Bethlehem commenced on 24 November and is expected to run through the Christmas holiday period. The forces deployed in Hebron have taken measures to enforce law and order and to seize illegal weapons and explosives.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“No progress has been reported in the efforts to secure his release and that of a number of the more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The International Committee of the Red Cross has still not been granted access to Shalit 27 months into his captivity. 3 In the absence of Palestinian reconciliation, approximately half of all teachers and a quarter of all health workers are still on strike in Gaza, and both strikes have been extended until the end of the year. According to the World Health Organization, as a result of both internal disputes and restrictions on imports into Gaza, 95 essential drugs and 174 medical supplies are out of stock.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“The Secretary-General restated his condemnation of rocket fire, but stressed that Israel must uphold humanitarian principles. In public statements on 14 and 21 November, he strongly urged Israel to facilitate the freer movement of urgently needed humanitarian supplies and of concerned United Nations personnel into Gaza, and emphasized that measures that increase the hardship and suffering of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as a whole are unacceptable and should cease immediately. The Secretary-General is pleased that some humanitarian supplies and some fuel have been allowed into Gaza and expects Israel to resume facilitating regular deliveries of both. In that context, we note the resumption of the Egyptian-brokered calm and hope that it continues. We continue to call for the release of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“According to the Government of Israel, rockets were fired from Gaza towards Ashkelon yesterday evening. Defence Minister Barak ordered all crossings closed again today. Despite the fuel deliveries, the Gaza power plant is still not working, because of a technical malfunction and a lack of spare parts. Appeals have been made to Israel to allow such parts into Gaza. Major news agencies and organizations have protested to the Israeli Government that foreign and Israeli media have not been allowed entry for more than 14 days. The Secretary-General spoke with Prime Minister Olmert on 18 November and with Foreign Minister Livni on 20 November to express his deep concern over the consequences of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“There is a severe shortage of cooking gas in the Gaza Strip affecting homes, and now 30 bakeries out of a total of 71 are not operational. Lack of fuel is also one of the principal factors leading to water rationing throughout the Strip, affecting approximately 600,000 people. Despite the 08-61686 closure, approximately 23 medical cases were allowed through the Erez crossing on a daily basis. Rocket fire decreased dramatically on 23 November, and on 24 November Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing, allowing 28 trucks carrying basic humanitarian supplies to enter, and also facilitated the delivery of some 440,000 litres of industrial fuel to Gaza's power plant, as well as the delivery of 240 tons of wheat and 560 tons of animal feed through the conveyer belt at Karni.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“Between 4 and 23 November, the Israeli authorities severely restricted the access of humanitarian workers as well as of commercial and humanitarian goods to Gaza. Those restrictions caused suspensions of food aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the World Food Programme, which have affected hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Owing to shortages of fuel, the Gaza power plant shut down for more than 12 days, and rolling blackouts of up to 8 hours a day in some areas of the Gaza Strip were reported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs during the reporting period. Fuel availability was also significantly reduced in the open market, as the import of petrol, diesel and cooking gas had been blocked since 5 November.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“Israel conducted a military incursion into Gaza on 4 November for the purpose of destroying a tunnel that was alleged to have been used to abduct Israeli soldiers. Six militants were killed, and Israel conducted a number of limited smaller incursions into Gaza over the following days. More than 123 rockets and 118 mortars were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel or at the crossings for people and goods between Israel and Gaza, injuring one Israeli civilian. The Secretary- General has repeatedly condemned rocket and other attacks by Palestinian militants on Israeli civilian targets, and I reiterate his condemnation here. We urge an end to rocket fire and call upon the parties to fully respect the calm.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“Unfortunately, recent developments in the occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel underscore 08-61686 the fact that the gap between the political tracks and the situation on the ground remains large, posing considerable obstacles to the path that lies ahead. Israeli-Palestinian violence during the reporting period resulted in the deaths of 16 Palestinians - 15 militants in Gaza and one armed civilian in the West Bank - while injuring 122 others, mainly civilians. One Israeli was killed in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem on 23 October, and 25 Israeli soldiers and civilians were injured during the reporting period. The tahdiya - or period of calm - in Gaza and southern Israel, in effect since 19 June, has been threatened by a number of violent incidents.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“The Secretary-General calls on Hamas and, indeed, on all Palestinian factions to work urgently to reunify the Gaza Strip and the West Bank within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority, in a manner that allows the peace process to move forward. However, rhetoric between Hamas and Fatah has intensified. The Central Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) announced its election of Mahmoud Abbas as President of the State of Palestine, but the Hamas leadership has rejected that move. Foreign ministers of the League of Arab States will meet in Cairo on 26 November to discuss the situation in Gaza, the internal Palestinian situation and the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“Negotiations are expected to continue through the coming period, although domestic politics both in Israel and among the Palestinians may complicate matters. Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni's inability to form a coalition Government - owing in part to differences over Jerusalem - prompted President Peres on 28 October to call for new elections, which are now scheduled for 10 February 2009. Palestinians remain divided. Further to an Egyptian proposal to Palestinian factions concerning reconciliation, Egypt invited them to a meeting on 9 November in Cairo. However, Hamas did not attend.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“We regret that Israel and the Palestinians will likely fall short of their commitment made at Annapolis to reach an agreement by the end of the year. However, the parties' affirmation that they have engaged in direct, sustained and intensive negotiations is welcome. The parties' joint assessment that, without minimizing the remaining gaps and obstacles, their negotiations are substantial and promising is also noteworthy. The parties stated that negotiations would continue uninterrupted and that their goal remains a comprehensive peace agreement addressing all issues, without exception. Further, the parties recommitted to the implementation of their Road Map commitments, on which more urgent action is Vital to ensure the credibility of the process.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“That was a landmark meeting, the first time that the parties had jointly met with the Quartet, and an important marker of the ongoing political process pursuant to last year's Annapolis conference. The initiative of Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Livni to jointly brief the Quartet is an important precedent for more active involvement of the Quartet in the future. President Abbas and Foreign Minister Livni also met bilaterally in Sharm el-Sheikh, and another bilateral meeting took place between Prime Minister Olmert and President 2 Abbas in Jerusalem on 17 November. Also on 17 November, Prime Minister Olmert announced Israel's intention to release some 250 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to President Abbas prior to the Muslim festival of Bid al-Adha next month.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I would like, Sir, to thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council once again on the Middle East. My comments this month will, for the first time, not touch on Lebanon, given that the Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon, Mr. Michael Williams, together with a colleague from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, will brief the Council tomorrow on the Secretary-General's report (S/2008/715) on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006). Two weeks ago, on 9 November, the Secretary- General chaired a meeting of the Quartet in Sharm el-Sheikh, in which the parties, at their initiative, briefed on the progress in their bilateral negotiations.”
2008-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6022 (2008) · source
“We encourage the continuation and intensification of the indirect Israeli-Syrian talks. Further work is also essential to build on recent positive developments in Lebanon. The Secretary-General will continue to work intensively for the implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions and for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“Williams is responsible for coordinating the work of the United Nations in Lebanon and for representing the Secretary-General on all political aspects of the Organization's work in the country. He is also responsible for following up on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006). Notwithstanding the transition currently under way in Israel, we hope that Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will not only continue but intensify between now and the end of the year, within the Annapolis framework. We look forward to the parties 08-5642] briefing the Quartet in the near future. Conditions on the ground in the West Bank must significantly improve through parallel actions and the meeting of Road Map commitments, especially on settlements. Conditions in Gaza must be eased, the calm extended and unity pursued under Egyptian auspices.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“On 29 September, a bomb that targeted the Lebanese Armed Forces in the city killed six people, including four soldiers. Alleged members of a terrorist cell that 08-5642] the Lebanese authorities believe is affiliated with Fatah al-Islam were subsequently arrested on 12 October by Lebanese security forces. The terrorist cell is believed to have been behind two other deadly attacks against the Lebanese Armed Forces earlier this year. The situation in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon remained tense but generally quiet during the past month. Israeli air violations continued at an average of 10 per day during the month. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, began work as of 1 October. Mr.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“In an important milestone in the implementation of the Doha Agreement, the Lebanese Parliament adopted a new electoral law on 29 September. The law reflects the electoral districting agreed upon at Doha and incorporates some of the reforms that had been proposed by the Boutros commission. A year after the end of the fighting in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared, the first phase of rubble removal began on 17 October and is expected to last for approximately eight months. That is a welcome development for the more than 27,000 people who were displaced as a result of the fighting. Funding is urgently required to meet reconstruction costs and the humanitarian needs of the displaced. Security incidents continued to occur in the northern city of Tripoli during the reporting period.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“The Quartet expressed its desire to see those talks intensify with the goal of achieving peace in accordance with the Madrid terms of reference, and we hope they will resume soon. The situation in the occupied Syrian Golan remained quiet during the reporting period, although Israeli settlement activity is ongoing. A car bomb exploded in Damascus on 29 September, reportedly killing 17 civilians and injuring more than a dozen others. On 16 October, Lebanon and Syria signed an agreement providing for the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. That is a landmark event that should bring benefits to both countries and to the region. The Secretary-General reported on that development in more detail in his recent report to the Council on the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004) (S/2008/264).”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“President Abbas has also continued regional consultations, including a recent visit to Damascus. We look forward to all regional States lending their support to Egypt's efforts under the auspices of the League of Arab States, which will meet at the foreign minister level in Cairo next month. We continue to call for the International Committee of the Red Cross to be granted access to Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit, now in his twenty-sixth month of captivity, and for his release. We reaffirm our support for efforts to secure his release, as well as that of a number of Palestinian prisoners. No further indirect Israeli-Syrian negotiations under Turkish auspices took place during the reporting period.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“The health workers' strike continued, causing concerns over the quality and timely provision of services and delays in elective surgeries and referrals. The percentage of essential drug items jumped from zero to 22 per cent, double that of the essential drug items out of stock in August, when responsibility for delivering medical supplies to Gaza was transferred from the World Health Organization to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health. The Egyptian-mediated process aimed at the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority is ongoing. Earlier this month, Egyptian mediators completed a round of meetings with Palestinian factions, which have now received a draft proposal for consideration.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“The current situation underscores the importance of a sustained and orderly reopening of crossings into Gaza under the Palestinian Authority, in accordance with the 2005 Agreement on Access and Movement, as called for by the Quartet. The continued split between the West Bank and Gaza is having increasingly adverse effects. Two Palestinians, including one child, were killed in Gaza in internal violence. The teachers' strike reported last month continued, affecting around 250,000 pupils. Thousands of new substitute teachers are being brought into the schools by Hamas, and frictions were evident on 21 October when a student was declared clinically dead after having fallen three stories following an altercation involving a Hamas-appointed teacher.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“3 The number of people who entered Israel for medical treatment during the first four weeks of September decreased by 38 per cent compared with the first four weeks of August. Some 150 students were denied permission to leave Gaza to reach their places of study abroad. On 8 October, the IDF, citing security concerns, denied entry into Gaza to eight Israeli medical volunteers who had been issued permits. Fourteen Palestinians were reportedly killed as a result of collapses, closures or accidents in tunnels along the Gaza-Egypt border during the reporting period. Media reports suggest that several thousand Palestinians gain income from the tunnel industry, which is reportedly regulated by Hamas.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“The calm brokered by Egypt is by and large holding between Gaza and southern Israel, although incidents have taken place, including the firing of a rocket into the Negev yesterday and the subsequent closure of border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The Erez crossing was reopened, but commercial crossings remain closed today. Unfortunately, there has been no improvement in the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza. During the period, supplies of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and industrial gas fell short of weekly needs. The number of the truckloads of imported goods allowed into Gaza decreased compared with the previous period. Construction projects valued at $240 million, including $149 million-worth of United Nations construction projects, remain on hold owing to the absence of construction materials.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“We continue to follow closely all developments pertaining to the Old City of Jerusalem. The month of Ramadan passed with smoother coordination than in previous years, but a majority of Palestinian Muslims were not able to pray at Al-Aqsa mosque due to permit and access restrictions. Under increased Israeli security presence in the Old City, a synagogue was opened by settlers in the Muslim quarter on 12 October. The Secretary-General continues to call for an end to unilateral action in Jerusalem and reminds all parties that the status of the city remains an issue for permanent status negotiations.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator is seeking solutions to the operational problems of the United Nations in a manner consistent with Israel's security concerns and is looking to work even more closely with the Israeli Government and, in particular, with those who are able to provide solutions. There has been no progress in the reporting period on Israel's key Road Map and Annapolis commitments, that is, a genuine settlement freeze, removal of outposts and opening of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem. Settlement construction continues across the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. The United Nations position on their illegality is well known. The Quartet's clear statement expressed concern about increasing settlement activity and called on Israel to meet its obligations. These must be heeded.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“While the Government of Israel has taken some positive steps aimed at easing certain internal movement for Palestinians in the West Bank, there are, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, currently 630 obstacles to Palestinian movement throughout the West Bank. Barrier construction has also continued in occupied Palestinian territory, contrary to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion. The United Nations continues to engage Israeli authorities on access restrictions imposed on United Nations staff in both Gaza and the West Bank and the 08-56421 facilitation of the import of materials still required for the resumption of stalled United Nations projects in Gaza.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“Israeli Defence Minister Barak has denounced those attacking olive pickers and has stated that the IDF is making a major effort to protect farmers, but he has said that it is impossible to guard all locations. We reiterate the call of the Quartet for the enforcement of the rule of law, given continued settler violence against Palestinian civilians. On 23 September, 19 Israelis, among them eight IDF soldiers, were injured when a Palestinian man from East Jerusalem drove a car into a group of pedestrians. The driver was shot dead by an IDF officer at the scene. Tensions were heightened by communal clashes in the city of Acre in Israel on and in the days following the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“There were clashes in Ni'lin village on the first day of the annual olive harvest and an incident in Ni'lin on 23 September in which Israeli border police reportedly fired tear gas at a civilian delegation including a European Commission official and local Palestinian officials and members of non-governmental organizations. There were also physical assaults by settlers against Palestinian farmers and the burning down of an olive grove on 15 October. This year's olive harvest is in its early days, and concerns exist for the safety of Palestinian farmers as they harvest crops in the vicinity of settlements and outposts, as well as about their ability to gain access to land isolated between the Barrier and the Green Line.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“We also note positively that considerable progress has been made by the Palestinian Authority in defining a strategy for the development of the judicial sector and that the number of judges and prosecutors has doubled during the past year. 08-5642] Despite those efforts, the situation on the ground is not improving in the way that is required. Israeli- Palestinian violence this past month claimed the lives of seven Palestinians, two of them children, while injuring 116 Palestinians and 34 Israelis. Among the incidents were the killings of a 61-year-old Palestinian woman and a 15-year-old child when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired at stone-throwers in the West Bank.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“The Committee commended the efforts of the Government of Prime Minister Fayyad to implement its reform and development agenda and encouraged the continuation of ongoing security and institution-building efforts. It urged further steps, including the easing of movement and access restrictions. Donors have contributed over $1.3 billion in budgetary aid during 2008 towards Palestinian Authority recurring costs and development initiatives. The security efforts of the Palestinian Authority, in accordance with the Road Map, focus on deepening progress in the Jenin governorate, which Special Coordinator Serry visited today. Efforts are being extended to Hebron, where Palestinian security forces recently discovered a tunnel allegedly used by militants.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“Quartet members and Arab League representatives held a constructive discussion, over an iftar hosted by the Secretary-General on 26 September, on how to work together in the crucial period ahead in support of the Israeli-Palestinian process, Palestinian reunification and regional peace. The meeting also reaffirmed the central importance of the Arab Peace Initiative. In that context, the Secretariat continues to work closely with Arab countries. Last week, Special Coordinator Robert Serry visited Amman for an audience with King Abdullah II of Jordan and meetings with other senior officials. On 22 September, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee comprising the parties and key donors, as well as Quartet Representative Blair, met on the margins of the General Assembly.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“On 26 September, the Secretary-General convened a meeting of the Quartet principals at United Nations Headquarters. The Quartet called upon the parties to make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008 and underlined its commitment to the irreversibility of the process leading to the creation of a Palestinian State living in peace and security alongside Israel. The Quartet principals welcomed the parties' suggestion to brief the Quartet on the negotiations and expressed interest in coordinating such a meeting at mutually acceptable time, hopefully in the coming weeks. The Quartet also agreed that spring 2009 could be an appropriate time for an international meeting in Moscow. The Quartet commended Egypt for its efforts to help reunite the West Bank and Gaza within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I am grateful for the opportunity to brief once again on the situation in the Middle East. Let me turn first to the political process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Bilateral contacts between Israel and the Palestinians continued, with meetings held between Israeli negotiators and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and the lead Palestinian negotiator, Ahmad Qurei, on 23 September; between President Abbas and President Peres on 26 September in New York; and between advisers. In Israel, the process of political transition is ongoing. On 21 September, President Peres commissioned newly elected Kadima Party leader Livni to form a new Government. As of this report, coalition negotiations are continuing, with the deadline extended by President Peres to 3 November.”
2008-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5999 (2008) · source
“We agree completely that the most important long-term thing objective is building up the institutions, but this request is for some additional help along those lines. We are happy to discuss it with the Council in the weeks ahead to see if the idea has merit and if something could usefully be done in that area.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Let me join with Ambassador Viotti in her appeal this morning for disbursement of the pledges that were made at the Lisbon conference, because I think that it is very important that we all work together to build the anti- drug capacity. Again, UNODC has been working hard on that matter. It has a permanent representative in Guinea-Bissau who is now working on these issues. Finally, there were several questions raised about our suggestion on the panel of experts. That suggestion arose from requests from people in the Government for assistance by the international community to provide support for addressing the problems. Clearly, even with the most effective development of the internal fight against the drug problem, there are many international issues and problems there that the Government is having trouble dealing with.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Omoregie would be with us to be answering these questions, except that he is recuperating from a medical procedure so he could not be with us today, and I apologize for that, as does he. The question was also raised by the representative of the Russian Federation about the national anti-drug strategy. Yes, indeed, the Government of Guinea-Bissau does have a good national anti-drug strategy, which was solidly backed at the Lisbon conference last December with pledges by the international community of over $6 million. The effort there, of course, is a very strong one to get control of the drug problems that have been discussed by many of us here today. The authorities have asked for assistance. They have been looking for additional assistance.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“The question was raised about the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau and what we are doing with it. As the Council knows, it has been very deeply involved in the past in trying to work with the Government, the people and the leaders there on moving the political process forward. It is very deeply involved in helping with things like the elections and with some political issues. It has also been working very hard on and raised some of the first alarms about the drug issue. It has been very effective in having the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and others be involved in this issue. We are hoping that, in a reorganization of the Office in the next few months, we can also make sure that we tighten the integration of the programmes overall to be most effective. I should say that Mr.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I am very reluctant to follow the eloquent statement made by the representative of Guinea-Bissau, but let me answer, if I might, one or two questions that were raised in this meeting. In the first instance, let me say how gratified I am by the very widespread understanding around this Chamber of the importance of bringing together all of the elements - political, security and development elements - to work together. The representative of Costa Rica stated it extraordinarily eloquently, but many others had the same thought. We are delighted to be working with the Peacebuilding Commission. We find the Commission to be extremely active and energetic and we believe that it adds a great deal to all of the United Nations efforts in Guinea-Bissau.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source
“As the United Nations continues to contribute to the consolidation of the fragile peace processes in those countries in order to prevent a relapse into new cycles of instability, we believe that tackling the emerging new danger of drug trafficking vigorously and resolutely is essential to the success of ongoing peacebuilding initiatives.”
2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source