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

“Amre Moussa, and notes the statement of 07-3567] the Council of the Arab League supporting the efforts of the Government of Lebanon to maintain peace and stability. In addition to the events in northern Lebanon, on the night of 20 May a large explosion in Beirut killed one person, injured at least 18 others and caused extensive damage to buildings in the Achrafiye neighbourhood. On 21 May, another powerful terror attack took place in Beirut's Verdun neighbourhood. There were no reports of fatalities, but hospitals confirmed that at least seven people were wounded. On 23 May, at least 16 people were injured when a third explosion targeted the main commercial street in the town of Aley. Last month, on 23 April, two youths whose families support the Progressive Socialist Party of Walid Jumblat were abducted and murdered.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The Secretary-General and his Special Coordinator for Lebanon have issued statements strongly condemning the criminal actions of Fatah al- Islam as attacks on Lebanon's stability and sovereignty. The Secretary-General has called on all sides to do their utmost to protect innocent civilians. He deplored the attacks on UNRWA's humanitarian supply convoy and called for the immediate establishment of safe corridors to allow medical staff to assist and evacuate those in need. The Secretary- General has maintained close contact with Prime Minister Siniora of Lebanon and has talked over the phone with leaders in the region, including King Abdullah II of Jordan and the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Syria. He has spoken with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“Major Palestinian factions in Lebanon expressed concern over the incidents and dissociated themselves from Fatah al-Islam. Palestinian representatives in Lebanon, together with several Palestinian local leaders, continued their meetings with Lebanese officials to ensure the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians during the fighting. The Lebanese Government has expressed determination to confront the group and has also reiterated its position that only the Lebanese Army and security forces should carry weapons. There has been general Lebanese and Palestinian support for that approach. However, there are real concerns in Lebanon that instability could spread to other camps.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“During a truce on Tuesday and Wednesday, at least 15,000 refugees fled the camp. Dozens of homes are reported to have been destroyed, and civilian casualties and public health issues are reported to be mounting. Much of the camp's supply of medicine, water and electricity is reported to have been interrupted. Because of the heavy fighting, UNRWA has been able to send only one convoy to the camp to provide humanitarian assistance. Three of the six convoy vehicles were completely destroyed or heavily damaged when the convoy came under attack. Fortunately, there was no report of any injury to staff. Although it has not been possible to confirm them independently, reports indicate that at least 27 civilians have been killed and approximately 70 others wounded since the fighting erupted.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The fighting began following a police effort to arrest, in Tripoli, Fatah al-Islam militants suspected in a bank robbery which had taken place a day earlier. The militants resisted arrest, and a gun battle ensued which spread to the surrounding streets. Fatah al-Islam gunmen subsequently attacked the Lebanese Army positions at the entrance to Nahr el-Bared refugee camp, killing soldiers. Heavy fighting continued through Monday and Tuesday. According to security and the media, approximately 32 Lebanese soldiers and 22 members of Fatah aI-Islam have been killed since the fighting erupted on Sunday. The situation faced by civilians in the camp is extremely difficult. According to Palestinian sources in the camp, thousands initially fled their homes on the edges of the camp, where fighting was most intense, to shelter deeper inside the camp.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The Secretary- General strongly encourages all concerned to continue to discuss the next steps required to benefit from this important initiative, which provides the framework for a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, consistent with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). He will continue to convey this in his discussions with the Quartet when he joins them next week in Berlin. I shall turn now to Lebanon, where the security situation has deteriorated drastically over the reporting period. On 20 May, heavy fighting erupted between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Fatah al-Islam gunmen in Tripoli in northern Lebanon and around the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“During the reporting period, dialogue took place between Israeli, Jordanian and Egyptian officials at the highest levels, including a meeting of Foreign Minister Livni with her Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts in Cairo on 10 May, and Prime Minister Olmert and King Abdullah of Jordan on 15 May. A ministerial-level follow-up meeting is anticipated in Israel in the coming weeks. Quartet members held a positive informal exchange of views in Sharm el-Sheikh with members of the committee of the Arab League tasked with implementing the Arab Peace Initiative.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“There have been no further bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas since 15 April. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 11 June. United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice postponed a planned trip to the region. However, the United States-proposed benchmarks on security and Agreement on Movement and Access implementation have been shared with the parties. These benchmarks reportedly provide for enhanced operations at the Karni and Rafah crossing 3 points, as well as for easing the restrictions on movement in the West Bank and between the West Bank and Gaza. Efforts to promote the Arab Peace Initiative, which was reaffirmed by Arab League members at their summit meeting in Riyadh in March, have continued.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“We also welcome Arab efforts to provide financing but stress that the major step required is the resumption of the transfer of tax revenues withheld by Israel, now amounting to approximately $1 billion. In addition, the temporary international mechanism continues to provide a transparent, efficient means to transfer payments to public service providers and the most vulnerable Palestinians. In the reporting period, Israeli politics have been dominated by the release of the interim Winograd report, which was critical of the conduct of last year's conflict with Hizbullah, while noting that there had been inadequate attention given to trying to reach peace agreements with Israel's neighbours. The final report is due to be released in August.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“United Nations staff members and other humanitarian workers crossing into Israel continue to face arbitrary and sometimes humiliating treatment by Israeli authorities. The United Nations continues to follow up access issues faced by our staff and other humanitarian workers with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The recent United States decision not to block bank transfers to Palestinian accounts, the re- establishment of the single treasury account and the ongoing efforts by Finance Minister Salaam Fayyad to re-start a transparent and accountable budget process should be welcomed and supported by all. The Norwegian Government plans in the near future to transfer $10 million to the Palestine Liberation Organization account.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“A recent World Bank report underscores the relationship between Israeli restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement and continuing Palestinian economic collapse. Obstacles and a permit regime have divided the West Bank into 10 economically isolated enclaves, denying Palestinians access to some 50 per cent of the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, the number of trucks exporting in April was only 11 percent of the targets decided on 07-3567] in the Agreement on Movement and Access. Due to the upsurge in violence, Karni was closed between 15 and 20 May and has reopened only sporadically since then. As of 21 May, the Rafah crossing was open for only five days of the month. It is good, however, that the European Union Border Assistance Mission at Rafah is being renewed.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The Secretary-General has expressed his concern about these plans and stated that a halt to settlement expansion is one of the basic obligations in phase one of the Quartet's Road Map. He noted that, as occupied territory, the final status of East Jerusalem is subject to negotiations between the parties. Construction on the wall continued throughout the reporting period, contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. This month there was slight improvement in movement in the Jordan Valley. However, commitments to ease movement and access in the West Bank remain unmet. A total of 549 physical obstacles to movement were in place as of 15 May 2007, a slight increase from last month. Closure levels have doubled since the Agreement on Movement and Access was concluded 18 months ago. Serious action is long overdue.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“There has been no further movement on the release of Israeli Corporal Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006, or on Palestinian prisoners. Yesterday, Israel arrested some 30 Hamas officials, including elected mayors and legislators. The most prominent arrestee is Mr. Nasser Eddin Al-Sha'er, the Palestinian Minister of Education, who was active in the negotiations to form the National Unity Government. There has been no action towards a freeze in settlement construction or in the dismantlement of settlement outposts. Nor have the settlers I reported on last month been evicted from the buildings in central Hebron despite an order from the Defence Minister. In early May, a plan for three further settlements in East Jerusalem, comprising another 20,000 housing units, received preliminary approval.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The Secretary- General has spoken to both President Abbas and Foreign Minister Livni and has urged them to do all possible to calm the situation and to exercise control and restraint, respectively. With rocket fire continuing, militants threatening to resume suicide bombings and the Government of Israel announcing its determination to intensify its actions, there is a great danger of escalation. 07-3567] United Nations operations and personnel face real dangers. On 7 May, an internal Palestinian clash outside a school in Rafah operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East left one person dead and eight injured, including two children. British journalist Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped on 12 March 2007, has not yet been released.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The Israeli Air Force has conducted air strikes aimed at militants and facilities. However, there have been civilian casualties, including six family members of a Hamas Legislative Council member, who were killed in a single strike on their home. All told, in Israeli- Palestinian violence this month, militant rocket fire has killed 1 Israeli and injured at least 16, together with dozens treated for trauma, while Israel Defense Forces (IDF) air strikes and ground incursions have killed 57 Palestinians and injured at least 175 others, with children accounting for six of the dead. While recognizing the right of Israel to defend itself, the Secretary-General has called on Israel to ensure that its actions do not target civilians or put them at undue risk. All parties must abide by the basic tenets of applicable international law.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“In order to address the situation comprehensively, Palestinian leaders must live up to their responsibilities to bring law and order to areas under Palestinian control and to reform the security forces. Rocket fire against Israel escalated significantly, with more than 270 rockets fired during the reporting period. Rockets have hit homes and schools in Sderot and the Israeli Government has declared the area an emergency zone. An Israeli woman was killed on 21 May. In addition to the other aforementioned casualties, many residents have been evacuated. The Secretary-General has emphasized the need for the rocket fire to cease. In response to the rocket fire, Israeli tanks entered the Gaza Strip for the first time since the ceasefire was agreed in November last year.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“The factional fighting in Gaza erupted soon after the resignation of Palestinian Interior Minister Hani Kawasmeh on 14 May. It included brutal urban warfare involving clashes of Hamas militants and Executive Force members with Palestinian Authority security forces and Fatah armed gangs. The Karni crossing was attacked by Hamas gunmen, as was the home of a senior security official affiliated with Fatah. Battles 2 took place in residential areas, with no regard for the safety of civilians. All told, the upsurge in inter- factional violence this month has left 68 Palestinians dead and more than 200 wounded. The Secretary-General has repeatedly called for an en to the violence. Egypt is to be commended for its continuing efforts to mediate.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: Recent events starkly illustrate just how volatile the Middle East conflict remains and how sizeable the obstacles are to progress towards peace. One immediate concern must be ending the violence that has erupted in Gaza and has extended to southern Israel. The longer it continues, the greater the risk of escalation, and the greater the threat to both the survival of the National Unity Government and to the prospects for any fruitful Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. Leaders on all sides have a responsibility to do their utmost to rein in the violence. In Lebanon, we have also seen a dangerous outbreak of violence. The armed clashes between the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Fatah al-Islam gunmen around a Palestinian refugee camp have added a new and explosive element to an already tense situation.”
2007-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5683 (2007) · source
“I should like to conclude this briefing by noting to the Council that the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Alvaro de Soto, has informed the Secretary-General of his decision to depart the United Nations next month, after 25 years of service. In his distinguished United Nations career, Mr. de Soto has advanced the cause of peace in many places, including the Middle East, Western Sahara, Cyprus, Myanmar and El Salvador, as well as contributing to the development of United Nations conflict resolution work and practice in many areas. I am sure that the members of the Council share the Secretary-General's deep appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the United Nations and wish him well in the future.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“It is incumbent on the parties and all regional and international players to show restraint and to intensify their efforts to bring about immediate progress on the ground and to promote, as a minimum, the political will for the parties to discuss their future together. We need to move forward towards our shared goal of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003). As the Council knows, in the last month, the Secretary-General has visited the Middle East twice, including Iraq, Egypt, Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and, most recently, Qatar and Syria. He has reported to the Council on his priorities and observations, and will continue to do so.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“The United Nations will continue to assert, in the strongest terms, to both parties that one Violation cannot justify another. It is clear that the situation in the region is fragile. There are a number of elements in play that, taken together, could generate progress within the occupied Palestinian territory, between the PLO and Israel and between Israel and the Arab world. The Secretary-General is committed to nurturing these elements in close collaboration with his Quartet partners. At the same time, we are increasingly concerned that actions and inaction on the ground remain real obstacles to progress and have the potential to lead to paralysis or even a rapid deterioration. The renewed violence of the past few days shows how precarious the situation is.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“We encourage donors to work with the Government of Lebanon to ensure the speedy implementation of the Paris Conference's framework of assistance. In south Lebanon, we are pleased to note that as of 10 April, the total strength of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stands at 13,000 peacekeepers. The Secretary-General visited UNIFIL on 31 March and noted the vital role it is playing to preserve calm along the Blue Line. That near-total calm has held since the last reporting period. However, Israeli air violations of the Line have continued, with Israel claiming that those air violations are necessary for security measures in the face of continued breaches of the embargo on the transfer of arms, while the Government of Lebanon maintains that they are provocative actions that increase tension along the Blue Line.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“The Secretary-General will continue his efforts to encourage the implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions and to support Lebanon's independence, sovereignty, stability and security. Lebanon remains committed to moving ahead with an important programme of political and socio- economic reform, irrespective of domestic challenges. At a recent meeting of the core group of countries that have offered their support to Lebanon, Prime Minister Siniora's Government presented a progress report on the implementation of the reform package delivered at the Paris III Conference for Lebanon. The report showed allocation of donor pledges by sector and provided an update on ongoing bilateral negotiations for the disbursement of funds. However, thus far only a small percentage of the pledges have been disbursed.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“I turn now to Lebanon, where the Secretary- General has been encouraging dialogue to resolve the political impasse. Intensive efforts to ease the political stalemate ahead of the Arab League summit in Riyadh helped to reduce tension but did not produce any breakthroughs concerning a national unity Government or the special tribunal for Lebanon. The Secretary- General made Lebanon a priority during his first visit to the region. More recently, Nicolas Michel, Under- Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, visited Lebanon and met with political leaders of all parties to discuss the statute of the tribunal, in order to advance its ratification in accord with the Lebanese Constitution.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“United Nations agencies continue to support populations affected by a sewage spill that killed five persons in the northern Gaza Strip on 8April. Longer-term measures to rehabilitate the sewage plant must urgently be implemented. I should also draw to the Council's attention the recent visit of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, to Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. During that visit, the Special Representative obtained first-hand information on the situation of children and discussed concerns with senior Government officials. She will be reporting in due course to the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“President Abbas and the new Palestinian Finance Minister have continued to underline the precarious state of Palestinian finances, including to senior European and United States officials. Donor Governments are studying various options. There will likely be a requirement for the renewal of the temporary international mechanism beyond its current three-month mandate. I take this opportunity to remind the Council of the Quartet's call for the international community to support the mechanism, which has disbursed some $330 million to date. We also continue to urge Israel to transfer the customs and value added tax funds that have been withheld from Palestinians. Meanwhile, immediate humanitarian issues must still be addressed.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“The targets set out in the Agreement on Movement and Access, to which Israel has committed, must be reached if there is to be an improvement in the socio- economic situation of the Gaza Strip. United Nations staff members and other humanitarian workers crossing from Gaza into Israel are subjected to increasingly arbitrary treatment by Israeli authorities. Internal searches of United Nations vehicles and property, including laptop computers, are conducted out of sight of United Nations staff. That practice Violates United Nations security standards as well as United Nations privileges and immunities. We continue to work closely with all the relevant Israeli authorities to correct the situation, but there has been little progress thus far.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“In addition, Israel continues to construct the wall in the West Bank, ignoring the 9 July 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Despite commitments by the Government of Israel to ease movement in the West Bank, a total of 547 physical obstacles to movement were in place as of 3 April 2007 - up from the 529 obstacles cited in our last report. For Gaza, access through Karni has improved slightly since our last report. The crossing was open every scheduled day, but only for 43 per cent of the scheduled opening hours. Approximately 10 per cent of the ultimate target set by the Agreement on Movement and Access - 400 truckloads of exported goods per day - was reached. Movement through Rafah improved, as it was open 42 per cent of the time - up from 27 per cent during the last reporting period.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Continued operations into Palestinian population centres in the West Bank - almost inevitably with resultant civilian casualties - are matters of great concern. Despite the provisions of the Road Map that call for a settlement freeze, the construction of new housing units is taking place in some 75 of the 121 settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Settlement development continues on both sides of the barrier. There is major ongoing construction in Maale Adumim, Beitar Illit and Modiin Illit. On 10 April, Israeli Defense Minister Peretz ordered the eviction of settlers who had moved into buildings in central Hebron in February, but that order has not yet been implemented. Despite the obligation of the Government of Israel under the Road Map, none of the additional 101 outposts in the West Bank has been removed.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“That situation is being kept under close review. The release of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit is also crucial to moving ahead. In that regard, it is 3 reported that various proposals for prisoner exchanges have been discussed. On 16 April, Prime Minister Olmert stated that he was open to a "reasonable exchange" in order to free Shalit. The Government of Israel must also play its part to calm the situation, in particular with regard to the Israeli settler community. Attacks in Hebron on Palestinian children and a mentally disabled Palestinian man, which were carried out by groups of settlers, have been widely reported. Likewise, the Government of Israel must ensure that measures for Israeli security are not carried out at the expense of innocent Palestinians. All security measures must be proportionate.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“That is not only the overwhelming desire of Palestinians but is also vital for continued international engagement in Gaza. In that connection, we continue to be deeply concerned about the fate of kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston, and we reiterate the Secretary- General's call for his safety and immediate release. We were also greatly alarmed when a vehicle carrying the Director of the operations in Gaza of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and a senior United Nations security official came under heavy attack on 18 March. Those and several other incidents - including attacks against Internet cafes, other business establishments and the American International School in Gaza - have led the United Nations to take further mitigating measures to ensure staff security.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Israeli officials continue to express concern about the alleged smuggling of weapons between Egypt and the Gaza Strip and about the reported increase in the payload and range of the rockets that are fired from Gaza into Israel. In that regard, the efforts of the Government of Egypt to maintain the ceasefire and halt rocket fire are appreciated. The lack of substantial improvement in the security situation is a matter of great concern. The obstacles to achieving progress recently led the new Minister of the Interior to offer his resignation. It is important that the Palestinian Authority acts to counter the smuggling of weapons and rocket fire against Israel and takes steps to implement the internal security plan endorsed by the Palestinian Cabinet to restore law and order.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Prime Minister Olmert noted last week that there had 07-31853 been a significant drop since mid-April in the rate of rockets being fired, which appeared to be the result of the continuing efforts of President Abbas with the various factions. However, last weekend Israel carried out a number of arrests in West Bank cities, during which nine Palestinians were killed, and a rocket hit the town of Sderot, underlining the dangers that those attacks still pose. Israel has reported that over 24 rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza on the morning of 24 April. The military wing of Hamas has claimed responsibility. The Palestinian Government has called for the ceasefire to be respected, and the Israeli Government has exercised restraint.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Despite a number of positive political developments, we are deeply concerned at the overall situation on the ground. In the reporting period, at least 43 Palestinians have been killed - 22 in intra- Palestinian fighting and 21 by the Israel Defense Forces - while over 200 Palestinians and at least 13 Israelis have been injured. According to reports from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the bulk of fatalities and injuries from 14 March through 17 April were attributed to 83 incidents involving Palestinian factional fighting or family feuding and 69 incidents involving the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinians. In addition, according to United Nations figures, between 14 March and 17 April, 54 rockets and mortars were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Prime Minister Olmert has welcomed the initiative as a "positive approach". At the invitation of the Israeli Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, a Syrian-American businessman, Ibrahim Suleiman, visited Israel to brief the Committee on unofficial efforts to draft elements of a peace agreement between Israel and Syria. Both Governments as well as the participants have underlined that this was a private initiative. I would also like to record that the Palestinian Central Election Commission conducted registration of 61,400 new voters between 28 March and 2 April, with technical assistance from the United Nations and under the scrutiny of some 2,800 domestic observers and party agents, who qualified the process as inclusive, fair and transparent.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“They reportedly also exchanged Views on aspects of a future Palestinian State and a time frame 07-31853 for achieving it, and agreed to meet again soon. We encourage them to build on those discussions, which were agreed to during Secretary Rice's March visit to the region, and the Secretary-General has urged continued efforts in that regard. Following the reaffirmation of the Arab peace initiative at the Arab League Summit, a follow-up Ministerial Committee meeting in Cairo on 18 April established working groups to engage international partners and Israel and created greater public awareness of the potential of the Arab peace initiative. The Secretary-General welcomed the engagement of the League of Arab States and stated that he looked forward to meeting with the Ministerial Committee that has been formed to promote that process.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“After being approved by an 83-to-3 vote in the Legislative Council, the Palestinian National Unity Government was sworn in on 17 March, in accordance with the programme agreed at Mecca. The Quartet, reiterating respect for the agreement and Palestinian democracy, has encouraged progress in the direction of its three principles, while indicating its intention to assess the Government's commitment not only by its platform and composition, but also by its actions. President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert met in Jerusalem on 15 April. They discussed immediate humanitarian and security issues, including efforts to build confidence through action on security reform and implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: Since I last briefed the Council, political and diplomatic initiatives aimed at rejuvenating peacemaking in the Middle East have continued to evolve in a mostly positive fashion. The Secretary-General, who returns today from his second trip to the region, is actively encouraging those local, regional and international initiatives. However, the forward momentum we are witnessing on the political-diplomatic level is threatened by the deteriorating security situation on the ground, especially the continuing violence experienced by Israelis and Palestinians alike. Leaders on all sides must do their utmost to prevent this latest upsurge of Violence from escalating further. Let me first turn to the major political developments for the period, beginning with the formation of the National Unity Government.”
2007-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5667 (2007) · source
“He has already shown that commitment through his efforts to re-energize the role of the Quartet, and he will soon be 07-26922 making his first trip to the region as Secretary-General. As members know, he will attending the Arab League summit in Riyadh on 28 March, and he also expects to make visits to other countries, which will be announced in the very near future.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“07-26922 I have noted today a number of positive developments that contrast with a year of diminished hopes and expectations in 2006. Much will now depend on how recent agreements are implemented on the ground. An international community engaged in the period ahead with both firmness and flexibility can help to ensure that encouraging steps forward turn into longer strides for peace. For his part, the Secretary-General has made it abundantly clear that he will be deeply and personally engaged in the continuing search for effective implementation of the resolutions of the Security Council and for a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“On 21 February, Israeli planes violated Lebanese airspace, drawing a response of anti-aircraft fire from the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon. In addition, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is conducting an investigation into a Blue Line violation incident that took place on 3 March, in which a Lebanese youth was forced by IDF soldiers to cross the Blue Line and the technical fence into the Israeli side. The findings of the investigation will be communicated to both sides. The Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the situation in the Middle East, Michael Williams, travelled in late February to Israel and Lebanon in order to prepare for the Secretary-General's next quarterly report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). The report will be submitted to the Council on 16 March.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“Nabih Berri, Speaker of Parliament, and Saad Hariri, leader of the Future Movement, have met three times in recent days to bridge the gap between the Government and the opposition. In contrast, there has been a worrying increase in the number of security threats and bomb scares reported in Lebanon over the past four weeks. Lebanese security services discovered several explosive devices in Beirut, in populated areas outside the capital and throughout the country. While a number of those explosives were not primed to detonate, on one occasion detonators linked to chemical substances were discovered. With regard to the situation in southern Lebanon, the past month was relatively calm along the Blue Line. Regrettably, Israeli air violations of the Blue Line continued to occur.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“For example, an agreement negotiated with Israeli authorities in recent weeks by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, which would allow a reasonable number of United Nations international staff to cross Erez securely and without a vehicle search, has not yet been implemented. Turning our attention to Lebanon, we see that there have been several important developments since the last briefing to the Council. Opposition demonstrations that began in Beirut in December have continued to occur in a calm and orderly manner without major incidents during the reporting period. Regional efforts to broker a solution to the political impasse are becoming more intense in the lead-up to the Arab League summit, resulting in a general atmosphere of cautious optimism.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“The lack of action to improve movement and access in accordance with existing commitments undermines efforts to revive the Palestinian economy. United Nations workers are also facing increasing restrictions on their movement, which are jeopardizing humanitarian operations in Gaza even as needs on the ground continue to grow. That situation has recently been drawn to the attention of the Government of Israel at a senior level. We hope that that will lead to a lifting of such restrictions, for, despite concerted efforts to engage with Israeli authorities to improve access for United Nations workers in the occupied Palestinian territory, there has been no progress in addressing a number of important concerns.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“As the European Union Border Assistance Mission has repeatedly warned, the limited and unscheduled openings at Rafah make it extremely difficult to control the crossing. When some 5,000 Palestinians tried to exit Gaza through Rafah during an unscheduled opening on 8 March, the human crush left one person dead and seven injured. The unsatisfactory situation at Rafah raises the risk of violence, creates greater incentives for smuggling through illegal entry points and causes disillusionment among Gaza residents. Despite commitments made at the December 2006 meeting between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, there has been no meaningful reduction in the number of obstacles to movement in the West Bank, which currently stands at 529.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“The Israeli Government has yet to freeze that activity or to begin to dismantle the more than 100 settlement outposts in the West Bank, despite its clear obligations to do so under the Road Map. The Agreement on Movement and Access is still not being implemented in full. There has been progress at Karni, where truck crossings increased by 15 per cent during the past month and have more than doubled since November. However, further efforts are needed to meet the Agreement's targets, and progress remains slow or non-existent on other fronts. Rafah was open for only 16 per cent of scheduled hours during the reporting period, and the crossing has become increasingly volatile and insecure.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“The report does note, however, that the works do not threaten the stability of the Western Wall or the Al-Aqsa mosque. The recommendations include a call on the Israeli Government to clearly define the final design of the access structure to the Mughrabi Gate; to engage in a consultation process with all concerned parties, including the authorities of the Awqaf and Jordan; and to have the process supervised by an international team of experts coordinated by UNESCO. With regard to settlements and the barrier, we are also concerned at the continued creation of facts on the ground. Israeli construction of the barrier - parts of which extend deep into the West Bank - is now 3 complete along more than half of its route and is continuing, contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Settlement activity also continues.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“We also continue to follow closely the situation in the Old City of Jerusalem following reports of Israeli excavation and construction activity on a ramp leading to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, bearing in mind that real or perceived threats to change the status quo at sensitive holy sites in Jerusalem have been a trigger of conflict many times in the city's history. A UNESCO delegation recently visited this World Heritage listed site and transmitted its report to the Secretary-General yesterday. The report recommends that the Government of Israel be asked to comply with its obligations regarding heritage conservation in World Heritage Sites, such as the Old City of Jerusalem, and to immediately stop the archaeological excavations.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“In late February, the IDF launched a large military operation - code-named "Hot Winter" - in Nablus. The IDF uncovered a number of sites used for preparing explosives and arrested a number of suspects. However, the operation placed tens of thousands of Palestinians in the old city of Nablus under curfew for several days, causing major disruption to civilian life and humanitarian operations. IDF operations also took place during the reporting period in Jenin, Ramallah and Bethlehem. There have also been incidents of IDF firing that have injured fishermen in the coastal waters off the Gaza Strip.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source
“We commend Israel's continued restraint in the face of those provocations, which are both unjustified and in breach of the agreed ceasefire. Israeli security forces in Tel Aviv, meanwhile, arrested a man from the northern West Bank who, allegedly, had been preparing to perpetrate a suicide bombing. 07-26922 Those incidents underscore how important it will be for a new Palestinian Government to ensure that its security forces work in harmony to prevent the smuggling of weapons, to impose internal law and order and to act firmly against those who perpetrate attacks against Israel. That will be a difficult challenge, and we hope that all players, including in the region, will support such steps and take no actions that would make them more difficult.”
2007-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5638 (2007) · source