YouSaid · the spoken record

Pascoe

lines on the record

957

first

2007-03-14

most recent

2012-04-23

sittings or episodes

55

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un-security-council

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1. “The Secretary-General has instructed UNODC, UNOGBIS and the United Nations Office for West Africa to assist ECOWAS in its preparations for the conference. Without prejudging the actions that the Council might decide to take in response to the findings that the proposed panel of experts might put forward, the reference in the report of the Secretary-General to punitive targeted sanctions is intended to be directed not at Guinea-Bissau or any other country, but rather at individuals who would be seen as involved in the cycle of drug trafficking from the source to the transit point to the final destination. The drug trafficking threat is a major challenge to Guinea-Bissau and to its neighbours, many of which are recovering from long periods of civil conflicts.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

2. “The recommendation of the Secretary-General in the report now before the Council "consider establishing a panel of experts to investigate the identity and activities of those involved in drug trafficking and organized crime in Guinea-Bissau" (5/2008/628, para. 45) is intended to send a strong message of continued international support in the face of the growing concern. With the Council's endorsement, the proposed course of action would add to the momentum for action in advance of the ECOWAS high-level conference called to address the drug trafficking threat in West Africa. The President of the ECOWAS Commission has confirmed that the conference will take place in Cape Verde on 28 and 29 October.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

3. “The potentially damaging impact of the illegal trade, including its corrupting influence on the country's fragile institutions, should not be underestimated. The authorities themselves recognize the lack of national capacity to tackle the problem effectively on their own. Current international efforts to help strengthen national capacity, especially support for the judicial sector, are welcome and important but not sufficient. The authorities of Guinea-Bissau, including President Vieira, have said that more needs to be done to help them, in particular since they consider the drug trafficking crisis to be tarnishing the country's image and undermining its moral and social order.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

4. “In turn, the Peacebuilding Commission's country-specific configuration on Guinea-Bissau formally adopted the strategy on I October. That development has now laid a solid foundation for concrete implementation to proceed. The Secretary-General, following the adoption of the strategy, will be examining the possible disbursement of the second financial grant to Guinea- Bissau from the Peacebuilding Fund. Let me return to the issue of drug trafficking, which I mentioned at the outset of my statement. As various sources, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), have reported, Guinea- Bissau is fast becoming a strategic link in the transport of illegal narcotics from South America to Europe.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

5. “The mission, to be facilitated by UNOGBIS, in collaboration with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and with the participation of INTERPOL, the European Union and ECOWAS, is designed specifically to take stock of security sector reform requirements in the areas of defense, justice, the rule of law and law enforcement capacity. The mission will make recommendations on ways and means of supporting Guinea-Bissau's security sector reform programme in an integrated manner. I would like to recognize the steady progress being made in the ongoing peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau. The engagement between the country and the international community in that exercise remains firm and productive. On 18 September, the National Steering Committee endorsed the strategic framework for peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

6. “Members of the Council will recall that the Secretary-General has consistently identified security sector reform as one of Guinea-Bissau's critical priority challenges. We are pleased to note that Guinea- Bissau authorities themselves not only recognize the urgent need for action in that domain, but have indeed begun to take concrete measures to that end. In response, international partners have increased their support. The European Union has already deployed 15 security sector reform advisers to Bissau to assist national authorities as they begin to implement the country's agreed security sector reform programme. A United Nations led inter-agency security sector reform assessment mission will visit Guinea-Bissau from 14 to 24 October at the request of the Government.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

7. “Guinea-Bissau's difficulty in paying public sector salaries in a timely manner continues to exacerbate social, political and security tensions. Those payments are now reportedly two months in arrears, raising concerns that, if not addressed, the matter could create social instability prior to and during the elections. The situation has been worsened by the sharp rise in food and fuel prices, especially in a country where salaries are extremely low and are not paid regularly. The World Bank has just approved a $5 million grant to help the country cope with rising food and fuel prices in the short- and medium-terms. The Government has also taken measures within its limited capacity to alleviate the suffering of the population by reducing taxes on rice imports.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

8. “In early August, the authorities announced that they had discovered an attempted coup by elements of the armed forces, allegedly led by the Chief of Staff of the Navy. He was subsequently put under house arrest but escaped to the Gambia, where 08-53847 he was detained and has since requested political asylum. The Guinea-Bissau authorities have requested that he be tried by a regional tribunal. Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Guinea- Bissau armed forces is said to be conducting a full investigation into the circumstances related to the attempted coup. Security forces are also increasing security checks and other operations around the country in order to ensure a stable climate conducive to the conduct of peaceful elections.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

9. “The electoral financing gap is also narrowing, although there is a still a shortfall of over $4 million, including arrears of about $1 million from previous elections, which donors expect the Government to handle as part of its sovereign obligations with respect to elections. The Secretary-General welcomes recent additional pledges of support by the European Union of about $2.2 million, as well as new pledges by Spain of about $740,000. He appeals once again to the international community to provide the necessary resources to help Guinea-Bissau fill the financial gap and allow preparations for the elections to proceed smoothly and on schedule. As elections approach, there is an uneasy calm in the country.”

   2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

10. “Twenty- three parties and two coalitions submitted applications to the Supreme Court by the 18 September deadline, which means that 27 of the 34 registered parties will be participating in the elections. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is coordinating international resource mobilization efforts, and the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) is responsible for the coordination of international electoral observation. To date, international electoral observers are expected from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU).”

    2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

11. “08-53847 Let me turn briefly to major recent political developments in Guinea-Bissau. As members of the Council are aware, Prime Minister Carlos Correia was appointed on 5 August to head a caretaker Government. The previous Government had fallen after the decision of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in late July to withdraw from the political and government stability pact. Since taking office, Prime Minister Correia has on several occasions affirmed his commitment to hold the legislative elections on 16 November 2008, as scheduled. Only last week, during the general debate, President Vieira also reiterated his commitment to holding the elections on schedule. Preparations for the polls are on track.”

    2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

12. “Although Guinea- Bissau has come a long way since the civil war of the late 1990s, all of the gains achieved at this point in establishing democratic governance and stability in the country will be at risk if that menace is not confronted head on. However, I must stress that Guinea-Bissau is not the only West African country affected by the growing drug-trafficking crisis in the subregion. In fact, to its credit, Guinea-Bissau has been very open in acknowledging the dangers it faces and the already heavy impact of this phenomenon on the country's political, economic and social structures. Therefore, even as we focus on Guinea-Bissau on this occasion, it is clear that a sustainable, longer-term solution can best be achieved through robust regional approaches.”

    2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

13. “Mr. Pascoe: We should thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to introduce the Secretary- General's latest report on developments in Guinea- Bissau and on the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in that country. The Council has before it the Secretary-General's report in document S/2008/628, dated 29 September 2008. Today's meeting is taking place at a time of continuing political and security tensions in the country, even as preparations move ahead for crucial legislative elections scheduled for next month. Our discussions also come against the backdrop of growing national and international concern about the impact of the illicit drug trade on this small and vulnerable country on the coast of West Africa.”

    2008-10-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5988 (2008) · source

14. “That will be followed by an iftar hosted by the Secretary- General with Arab partners, as well as by a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee. Those occasions will enable us to take stock of the progress that has been 08-46697 made and the gaps that remain to be bridged, as well as to assist urgently in the implementation of donor pledges to address the impending Palestinian budget crisis. The Secretary-General remains committed to a just and lasting comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003). 08-46697”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

15. “The Secretary-General and the Security Council vigorously condemned that brutal attack. We welcome the steps taken by the Government of Lebanon to contain the violence in Tripoli and to address the root causes of the situation. During the period since the last Security Council briefing, the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has remained generally quiet. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces have continued coordinated operational activities throughout the area south of the Litani River, in accordance with their responsibilities under resolution 1701 (2006). UNIFIL continues to record Israeli air violations, which have occurred on an almost-daily basis. The Quartet will meet here in New York on the margins of the General Assembly in September.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

16. “Among other commitments, the two heads of State agreed to establish diplomatic relations, to reactivate a joint committee charged with the delineation of their two countries' common borders and to take joint action to address cross-border smuggling activities. The Secretary-General welcomed those constructive decisions and encouraged both parties to begin implementation as soon as possible, in keeping with relevant Security Council resolutions. These positive developments were shadowed by security incidents, which continue to take place in and around the northern city of Tripoli. On 13 August, hours before the Damascus summit, an improvised explosive device was detonated at a bus stop frequently used by Lebanese army soldiers in Tripoli. Fifteen people were killed in the bombing, including 10 soldiers.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

17. “That vote represents a new and important milestone in the implementation of the Doha agreement. We welcome the intention to begin the national dialogue led by the President of the Republic, as referred to in the ministerial declaration and to consolidate the sovereignty, stability and security of the Lebanese State. The United Nations looks forward to working closely with the new Government to meet those objectives and Lebanon's obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions. On 13 August, Presidents Sleiman and Assad met in Damascus in their first summit meeting since the Lebanese President was elected in May.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

18. “The situation in the occupied Syrian Golan remained quiet during the reporting period, with one incident of a Syrian infiltrator lightly wounded by the IDF on 14 August. Settlement activity in the Golan continues. If I may turn now to Lebanon, the past month was marked both by positive political developments and continued security concerns. After several weeks of discussion among members of the national unity Government, the cabinet's ministerial declaration was agreed upon and presented to parliament. The parliamentary session that followed witnessed differences of opinion on certain elements of the proposed ministerial declaration, including the role of Hizbullah's weapons. On 12 August, the declaration received a vote of confidence through an overwhelming majority of the members of parliament.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

19. “Further to the Secretary-General's discussions with Prime Minister Olmert in Paris last month concerning stalled United Nations projects in Gaza, the Israeli authorities are positively considering the import of additional quantities of construction materials for United Nations priority projects focusing on housing, school construction and water sanitation. We welcome movement in this regard and hope for the early resumption of all suspended United Nations projects in Gaza. On 29 July, a further round of indirect Syrian- Israeli talks was held under Turkish auspices. Another round of talks scheduled for this month has not yet been held, following the announcement of Prime Minister's Olmert's decision not to take part in the Kadima party primary.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

20. “A lack of both fuel and spare parts means that approximately 84,000 litres of raw and partially treated sewage continue to be dumped into the Mediterranean Sea every day. Power cuts continue to occur for at least four to five hours a day across Gaza. Normal economic and daily life is extremely difficult throughout Gaza, due to petrol shortages and the corresponding lack of transportation. The benefits of the ceasefire have not yet translated into any significant improvement in the living conditions of the people of Gaza.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

21. “While the number of trucks entering Gaza during this reporting period increased by over 75 per cent compared to the previous period, it represented only 54 per cent of that in May 2007. Most basic commodities, from school stationery to mechanical spare parts to bedding, remain in short supply. F orty-two per cent of the imports were gravel, while the import of necessary complementary building materials, such as cement, steel bars and flooring materials, et cetera, remained low. Ninety-five per cent of Gaza's local industry remains closed. 3 There is a severe lack of fuel in the Gaza Strip, which has an impact on agriculture, as farmers are unable to run water pumps for irrigation.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

22. “The fiscal performance of the Palestinian Authority has continuously improved and measures have been taken to strengthen the line ministries' capacity for preparing the 2009 budget and a medium-term expenditure framework for 2009-2011. The implementation of Quartet Representative Tony Blair's May 2008 package advanced during the reporting period. Selected obstacles to movement have been eased, and on 28 July a telecommunications contract was signed between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, enabling a second mobile phone operator to launch in the occupied Palestinian territory. This deal was an important part of the package intended to stimulate economic growth. However, to achieve significant economic impact, all outstanding measures need to be implemented rapidly and as originally negotiated.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

23. “However, the overall number of closures during the reporting period remains unchanged at 608, as some previously removed obstacles were reinstalled. The weekly average of flying checkpoints stood at 80. Construction of the barrier around East Jerusalem and within the West Bank continues, in deviation from the Green Line and contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The Palestinian Authority faces a budget shortfall of approximately $400 million from October to the end of the year, meaning that Palestinian Authority salaries may not be paid from the end of September. We urge, again, donors to fulfil outstanding pledges and direct external assistance to budget support.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

24. “We are also concerned at reports that the trailers of the Migron settlement outpost are to be evacuated in exchange for the construction of permanent residential units in other nearby settlements. Also in this reporting period, tenders were announced for over 400 new settlement units in East Jerusalem. The Secretary-General has repeatedly stated that all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, 08-46697 including East Jerusalem, is contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention and Israel's commitments under the Road Map and the Annapolis process. On 10 August, two major checkpoints in the West Bank were partially reopened for Palestinian traffic, leading to significant improvements in access to those areas.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

25. “In the West Bank, three Palestinians, including two children, were killed, and 185, including 47 children, were injured during the reporting period. Both children that were killed were shot by the IDF using live ammunition against Palestinian demonstrators at Naalin village. There has also been a rise in settler violence during the reporting period, including at least 34 settler attacks on Palestinians, resulting in 35 injuries, including nine children, and extensive property damage, including an attempt to set fire to the Ar-Ras mosque in Hebron on 13 August. Settlement activity continues across the West Bank, and particularly in East Jerusalem. On 24 July, approval was given for 20 permanent housing units at Maskiyot in the West Bank, outside the footprint of any existing settlement.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

26. “Ten rockets and one mortar were fired from Gaza into Israel, without causing casualties. During this reporting period, no Israel Defense Forces (IDF) air strikes or incursions were reported, although one Palestinian child was injured by IDF shooting near the border. Twelve other Palestinians were killed and 34 were injured due to the collapse of tunnels along the Gaza- Egypt border. Over 25 tunnels were closed as a result of Egyptian efforts against smuggling. Talks for the release of Israeli captive Gilad Shalit are stalled. The International Committee of the Red Cross has still not been provided with access to him after two years in captivity. We welcome Israel's decision on 17 August to release approximately 200 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to President Abbas.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

27. “We are also concerned at the potential consequences for United Nations operations in Gaza. In reaction to Hamas's actions in Gaza, Palestinian security forces in the West Bank arrested dozens of Hamas activists, most of whom were later freed on the orders of President Abbas. Palestinian Authority security forces closed a number of Hamas- 08-46697 linked institutions in the West Bank. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority should both release detainees seized as a result of the recent violence. That could serve as a first step in a process leading to reconciliation and the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, to which the Secretary-General remains committed. The Egyptian-mediated ceasefire that began on 19 June has largely held but remains fragile.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

28. “Hamas forces raided over 200 community- based organizations in Gaza and closed them down. The closures of those organizations disrupted activities involving thousands of beneficiaries, as 23 of the institutions are supported by United Nations agencies. Eighty of the organizations have been re-opened following Hamas review of their operations. Hamas also seized control of the last remaining Palestinian Authority institutions within the Strip, most notably the Governorates, which Hamas had previously recognized as legitimate Palestinian Authority structures and which had continued to report to President Abbas. Three Governors were detained by Hamas forces and two Governors are still in prison. Those actions severely prejudice the prospects for Palestinian reunification within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

29. “The rise in internal Palestinian violence stemmed from an incident on 25 July in which five Hamas members and a child were killed in a beachside bombing in Gaza. Hamas claimed that the Fatah- affiliated Hillis clan were sheltering the perpetrators and attacked the clan's stronghold in eastern Gaza City, the last bastion of the Fatah military presence in the Gaza Strip. The ensuing violence left 10 members of the Hillis family dead, and dozens of members of the clan fled to the West Bank through Israel. Members of the Hillis family were detained by Hamas along with dozens of Fatah and other activists, and there have been allegations of torture committed by Hamas against detainees. Following the 25 July bombing, Hamas initiated a well-orchestrated campaign for total control of the Gaza Strip.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

30. “The negotiations with the Palestinians as part of the Annapolis process are ongoing at both a political and a technical level, and on 6 August, Prime Minister Olmert met again with President Abbas. It would appear that the gaps between the parties' positions remain, and l reiterate the Secretary-General's call for the need to press ahead to make real progress in overcoming differences to reach the goal of an 2 agreement by the end of this year, despite the political constraints. During this reporting period, there was a major increase in Palestinian internal violence, contributing to an overall total of 43 Palestinians killed and 366 injured. One Israeli soldier died of injuries sustained on 11 July in East Jerusalem, and nine Israelis were reported injured.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

31. “Mr. Pascoe: This reporting period has seen a number of significant developments in the region. On 30 July, Prime Minister Olmert announced that he will not be seeking rc-election as leader of the Kadima party in a primary scheduled for 17 September, and will therefore be stepping down as Prime Minister. Mr. Olmert is expected to remain in office until either a new government is formed by the new party leader or after general elections are held. Despite that development, the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations continue, as do the indirect talks with Syria. There was a rise of internal Palestinian violence as Hamas took action to consolidate its hold over the Gaza Strip. The fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel continues to hold, but the situation on the ground in the West Bank and East Jerusalem remains a cause for concern.”

    2008-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5963 (2008) · source

32. “As of 18 August, more than $24 million in contributions has been registered on the Financial Tracking Service of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, with an additional pledge of $3 million having been made. The Secretary-General's position on Georgia has been clearly reflected in his various public statements on this issue. Full implementation of the six principles would allow for the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected, defuse the situation and offer hope that a political solution to the problems can be found. The United Nations stands ready to facilitate international discussions in that regard and to take part in any concrete arrangements for a settlement.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

33. “United Nations humanitarian agencies were in Gori for a short visit and were able to bring some essential water and hygiene supplies. The town appeared deserted, save for the presence of the elderly and persons who were too sick to move. Water and electricity lines have been reconnected. There is no cooking-gas supply. Some apartment buildings have clearly suffered damage. On 18 August, an interagency flash appeal for Georgia was issued. Ten United Nations agencies and 15 NGOs participated in the appeal. The flash appeal was also launched today in Tbilisi by the Resident Coordinator and by the Prime Minister of Georgia. The flash appeal is requesting approximately $56 million for six months of assistance to those affected by the crisis.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

34. “The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Vladikavkaz yesterday but was unable to enter South Ossetia. Several non- governmental organizations (NGOs) have complained of difficulties in gaining access to South Ossetia, where Russia's Emergencies Ministry has been coordinating a major relief effort. United Nations agencies continue to appeal to all parties for the opening of a humanitarian corridor. As of 18 August, a number of locations, including the town of Gori, are accessible for the first time since the conflict began. Given the opening of the humanitarian corridor allowing east-west access in Georgia, the distribution of humanitarian relief is gaining momentum beyond Gori and as far west as Poti.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

35. “The number of those in need of immediate assistance, including people fleeing from the Upper Kodori area of Abkhazia, from South Ossetia and from the town of Gori, has risen to 89,000. From the currently available data, it appears that approximately 50 per cent of the IDP population has been registered. Today and tomorrow, UNHCR is sending two planeloads consisting of 30.4 tons of non-food items to Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia, Russia, following the acceptance by Russian authorities of an aid offer from the High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. The High Commissioner is visiting Georgia today. He will then travel to Moscow for high-level meetings and to Vladikavkaz. He is also planning to visit South Ossetia, Georgia.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

36. “The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has dispatched an officer to Georgia to provide human rights support and advice to the United Nations country team, as well as to conduct a preliminary assessment of the human rights situation there. As a result of the recent hostilities, 158,600 people have been displaced. That figure includes 98,600 displaced within Georgia, about 30,000 displaced within South Ossetia and another 30,000 displaced in other parts of the area. The overall planning figure for IDPs remains at 128,600, including 30,000 displaced to Russia from South Ossetia, on the basis of data obtained from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

37. “Georgia disputes those figures, while humanitarian agencies on the ground cannot independently verify that information. 08-46619 The investigative committee of the Russian Federation, which is conducting an investigation of events at Tskhinvali, had recovered 60 civilian bodies by 17 August. Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia lost 74 men, according to official sources. On the Georgian side, officials reported 215 military and 69 civilians killed during the hostilities. Seventy military personnel are missing in action. An exchange of Russian and Georgian prisoners of war took place today near the village of Igoeti, south of Gori. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported serious human rights abuses. There have been reports of looting in South Ossetia, the town of Gori and other surrounding villages in Georgia.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

38. “Russian military authorities explained that Russia started the withdrawal of rear units and troops of the third echelon. The vanguard troops now in Georgia will be the last to withdraw. The Russian General Staff indicated that the withdrawal would intensify after 22 August. At the same time, the Russian military has stated that Georgia has not returned all of its troops to their bases. The de facto president of South Ossetia dismissed his Government on 17 August and declared a month- long emergency to cope with the aftermath of recent hostilities. He has criticized his cabinet for the slow response to the needs of displaced and affected people. The South Ossetian de facto authorities reported over 2,100 dead as a result of the conflict.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

39. “Mulet will again brief the Council on the developments in and around Abkhazia. I shall limit myself to sharing available information on South Ossetia and Georgia proper. As I mentioned before, the United Nations has a limited presence in the area and must therefore largely rely on secondary sources. The Russian leadership announced that it would start withdrawing its troops on Monday, 18 August. Press reports make it clear that that has yet to get under way on a significant scale. As of today, the Russian troops remain in and around Gori in Georgia, although there are some reports indicating that a convoy of armoured vehicles and tanks left Gori for South Ossetia early today. Foreign Minister Lavrov indicated that the withdrawal of troops would take three to four days.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

40. “Close cooperation between all the 08-46619 relevant institutions is clearly important in the efforts to solve the present crisis. The Permanent Council of the OSCE took an important decision today in Vienna to deploy immediately 20 additional military monitoring officers to Georgia. That will bring the total number of such officers to 28. The request of the OSCE is to eventually raise that number to 100. The deployment of additional military monitoring officers is subject to further decisions. The de facto South Ossetian authorities have stated that they would only accept Russian peacekeeping forces and that international observers would not be welcomed on their side of the ceasefire line. Yesterday, they asked the Russian Federation to establish a permanent military base in South Ossetia. With regard to the situation on the ground, Mr.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

41. “While welcoming the fact that the ceasefire plan has now been signed by both the Russian Federation and Georgia, the Secretary-General stressed the need for it to be implemented and for all forces to immediately withdraw as required. With all of his interlocutors the Secretary-General has reiterated the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. The Secretary-General's Special Representative, Mr. Jean Arnault, who is on the ground in Georgia, is in close contact with parties there. The Secretary-General has also dispatched Mr. Johan Verbeke to Brussels as his representative. Mr. Verbeke took part in a coordination meeting with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the EU.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

42. “That includes the additional provision that "pending the definition of an international mechanism, the Russian peacekeeping forces may implement additional security measures". The sixth is the convening of international discussions on lasting security and stability arrangements for Abkhazia, Georgia, and South Ossetia, Georgia. Discussions on the implementation of those principles are continuing. The Secretary-General has been engaged in consultations with all concerned parties. In those consultations he has called for the cessation of all military acts and for unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need in all of the affected areas.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

43. “Mr. Pascoe: The most important event since my last briefing on Georgia, on 11 August, was the agreement to six principles sponsored by the presidency of the European Union (EU), which led to the end of the military hostilities. While the members of the Council are fully aware of those principles, I would like to reiterate them for the record. The first is the commitment by all parties to renounce the use of force. The second is the immediate and definitive cessation of hostilities. The third is free access to humanitarian aid. The fourth is the withdrawal of Georgian forces to their places of permanent deployment. The fifth is the withdrawal of Russian forces to their lines of deployment prior to 7August 2008.”

    2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source

44. “The bombing of the military airport situated 70 kilometres from Tbilisi has been confirmed by UNOMIG. Russian military officials confirmed the loss of two aircraft over Gori. The United Nations Resident Coordinator has recommended international staff to evacuate. At this moment, however, no international staff members have as yet left Georgia. And in the past hour the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi had been given a note verbale containing the information that that Georgian forces are participating in a ceasefire in South Ossetia; it also states that all Georgian forces have left the zone of conflict, that they have created a humanitarian corridor to allow the evacuation of civilians and that they are ready for immediate talks with the Russian Federation.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source

45. “Interlocutors from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) informed United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) that approximately 2,000 ethnic Georgian internally displaced persons 08-45578 (IDPs) from South Ossetia have arrived in collective centres near Tbilisi and Gori, and many others are staying with relatives. The UNHCR expects up to 20,000 IDPs in the final analysis. The UNHCR believes that 5,000 have crossed into North Ossetia- Alania. Today, early in the morning, Russian aircraft resumed attacks on strategic and military targets outside the zone of conflict, including a military airport, which includes a military aircraft repair factory, and a tank repair factory near Tbilisi, the port of Poti and targets near Gori.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source

46. “The Georgian side denied defeat and said it had to address a humanitarian catastrophe. According to news reports, the withdrawal was disputed by Russian military sources, who said that there are still Georgian military units and that sporadic fighting continues. Russian military sources have also said that there have been no contacts with Georgian military officials. The media report ongoing clashes south of Tskhinvali. The Georgian authorities claimed that the Russian troops were moving towards Gori in Georgia proper, and Georgian troops started taking defensive position around the city.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source

47. “Mulet noted yesterday, the United Nations has no first-hand information from the area of the conflict in South Ossetia and largely relies on media reports. Since most of the Georgian Internet sites are blocked, the information therefore comes mostly from Russian media and other international sources. Over the past few days, there has been a sharp escalation of hostilities in Georgia, which has spread to areas beyond the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The exact situation in Tskhinvali and other areas in South Ossetia remains difficult to ascertain due to a lack of United Nations or other international presence on the ground. In the afternoon, Georgian officials repeated an earlier announcement that Georgian troops have withdrawn from most of South Ossetia, including Tskhinvali.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source

48. “The Secretary-General urges all parties to respect the principle of the territorial integrity of States 08-45578 enshrined in the Charter and to refrain from actions that could undermine efforts to settle the longstanding conflicts in Georgia. The Secretary- General also calls for immediate steps to be undertaken in order to address the humanitarian cr1s1s. "The Secretary-General strongly believes that a lasting solution can only be found by peaceful means." Today, what I shall do is give a short briefing on the general issues that builds on the briefing that Assistant Secretary-General Mulet gave yesterday in the Security Council's consultations, and then Mr. Mulet will brief on the Abkhazia issue. That will be our division of labour. As Mr.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source

49. “In the context of the announcement by the Abkhaz de facto authorities of a military operation in the Upper Kodori Valley which could be dangerously destabilizing, he calls for the exercise of maximum restraint by all concerned as well as the guarantee of the safety and security of the unarmed United Nations military observers. "The Secretary-General urges all parties to immediately end hostilities and to engage, without delay, in negotiations to achieve a peaceful settlement. In this regard, the Secretary- General welcomes international efforts to assist the parties in resolving the situation. The Secretary-General believes that for the success of this endeavour, all armed contingents which are not authorized by respective agreements on South Ossetia should leave the zone of conflict.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source

50. “Mr. Pascoe: I would like to begin by reading out the statement by the Secretary-General that was released fairly late last night; some members of the Council may not have received it at this point. The statement reads as follows: "The Secretary-General is alarmed by the escalation of hostilities in Georgia which have resulted in large numbers of casualties and massive destruction in South Ossetia and other regions of Georgia. The Secretary-General is particularly concerned about violence spreading to areas outside the zone of the Georgian- Ossetian conflict. "The Secretary-General is profoundly concerned over mounting tensions in the Abkhaz zone of conflict, including the bombing of the Upper Kodori Valley and the ongoing military build-up along the security zone.”

    2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source