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

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“As highlighted by the Secretary-General last week in his remarks to the Council at the open debate on transnational organized crime in West Africa and the Sahel region (see S/PV.6717), piracy and armed robbery against ships increasingly undermine efforts by States in the Gulf of Guinea region to maintain peace, security and stability and to promote socio-economic development. The threat has become even more alarming as the pirates have become more violent. The Secretary-General recalled, in that connection, the tragic killing of the captain and the engineer of a ship that was attacked by pirates off the coast of Nigeria two weeks ago.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“As mentioned in its report (see S/2012/45), the mission visited Benin, Nigeria, Gabon and Angola. In addition to meetings with Government and other officials in the four countries visited, the mission also held discussions with representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Abuja, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), in Libreville, and with the Gulf of Guinea Commission, in Luanda. Allow me to convey our deep appreciation to the Governments of Angola, Benin, Gabon and Nigeria and to ECOWAS, ECCAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission for the valuable support and cooperation extended to the assessment mission, which facilitated the smooth conduct of its work.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I appreciate this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the report of the mission dispatched by the Secretary-General last November to 2 assess the threat of piracy in Benin and throughout the Gulf of Guinea. Members of the Council will recall that, when the Secretary-General first addressed the issue of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in the Council, in October 2011, he informed the members of his intention to dispatch a mission to the region following a request from President Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin. The main objective of the mission was to assess the threat in Benin and in the Gulf of Guinea as a whole, to take stock of national and regional efforts being made to address the menace, and to make recommendations on how to fill the gaps that remain.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“It is critical that the international community respond to the strong and consistent calls of the concerned countries to support ongoing initiatives. As I have noted, some of the problems are directly related to the fall of the Al-Qadhafi regime in Libya, but the mission's interlocutors emphasized that most of the problems are long-standing ones, and current draught conditions make it obvious that the overall situation could deteriorate quickly. On 29 January, at the African Union summit, a ministerial-level meeting is planned to review this situation and to develop approaches to deal with the many problems of the region. The report of the December mission will be discussed at that meeting. We will endeavour to keep the Council informed of developments in the region as time progresses.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“In addition, none of the existing United Nations presences in the region - the United Nations Office for West Africa, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya - has a mandate that covers the broad region of the Sahel and the multiple challenges confronted by the countries concerned. Despite these limitations, we have been encouraged by the readiness of all the countries inside and outside the region, as well as regional organizations and the United Nations system, to work together to develop a more comprehensive and coherent approach. Let me conclude by emphasizing the urgency of the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“Other countries in the neighbourhood outside the Sahel region certainly need to be brought into the security and development discourse. As we all know, one of the obstacles to increased cooperation is structural. African and United Nations efforts to deal with the problems of the region are spread over many groupings and organizations. For example, Nigeria and Niger belong to ECOWAS, Chad is a member of the Economic Community of Central African States, and Mauritania and Algeria are in the Arab-Maghreb Union.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“Although no recent attacks have been reported, there is growing concern that the resurgent Tuareg rebellion in Mali could in fact spread to Niger. The security equilibrium in the northern regions of Niger and Mali is especially volatile due to the enhanced presence and heightened activity there of the Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb group and other criminal networks that use these vast, poorly guarded and largely desert territories as safe havens and training grounds for their illicit operations. If we are to be able to deal with the challenges in the Sahel region and to have a comprehensive, long- lasting impact, we will need to put in place a mechanism that would bring together all the affected countries and major outside actors in a coordinated manner to discuss the issues and devise solutions.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“The Tuareg fighters, members of the self-proclaimed Azawad National Liberation Movement, assert that they are seeking to drive the Government out of several towns in the North where Tuareg communities are dominant. The attacks come at a particularly sensitive time for Mali, with the approach of presidential and legislative elections and a major constitutional reform referendum. This is further complicated by the drought throughout the region and the worsening food situation currently affecting Mali, Niger and Chad. In neighbouring Niger, President Mahamadou Issoufou voiced concern on 22 January over the danger 12-21580 of similar violence occurring in his country, and affirmed his Government's determination to avert the spread of Tuareg attacks to Niger.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“However, in their View, it is critically necessary to also address the socio-economic situation, including youth unemployment, the food security crisis looming over the horizon and underdevelopment. They have called for more comprehensive efforts to address the problem of drugs and weapons-smuggling, as well as the smuggling of other products, such as petroleum foodstuffs, to fund terrorist organizations. Recent developments in the region reinforce the concerns consistently expressed to the mission by its interlocutors. The security situation in Mali has significantly worsened following heavy fighting on 17 and 18 January between Government forces and Tuareg militias in northern Mali in an area close to the borders with Niger and Algeria.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“This would include regional mechanisms to address the growing activities of terrorist organizations that are building networks that reach out from the Maghreb and the Sahel zone to terrorist groups like Boko Haram that are not traditionally part of the region. The third is support at the international level. The United Nations, in cooperation with the African Union, needs to mobilize greater international support for the Sahel region to address the challenges of human insecurity and underdevelopment, as well as terrorist and security issues. Regional actors have made clear that there is an urgent need to deal with the upsurge in terrorist groups and the growing threat they pose.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“The first is support and capacity-building for ongoing national initiatives to address the immediate humanitarian, socio-economic and security challenges in the region, as well as for enhanced efforts by the United Nations country teams, especially in building a 12-21580 more coherent approach for the implementation of humanitarian and development programmes. The second is support for existing regional mechanisms, including capacity-building and enhanced coordination arrangements, on issues related to the control of borders and information-sharing on cross- border activity, such as the smuggling of weapons and human trafficking.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“It held extensive consultations on how to promote the security, economic and employment conditions for managing labour and migration issues within the region. The mission also recognized that greater efforts needed to be made to identify the criminal and militia elements that are reigniting the embers of past rebellions, using weapons that had been smuggled into the region from Al-Qadhafi's arsenal during the fighting in Libya. The Council will recall that Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ian Martin informed the Council yesterday that there is little evidence so far that man-portable air defence systems, or some of the other heavy weaponry, have been smuggled out of Libya in significant numbers to the subregion (see S/PV.6707). The recommendations of Mr. Ibok's mission fall into three categories.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“On the question of returnees from Libya, the topmost priority for the countries visited was to feed and to reintegrate the vulnerable returnees and to help the affected communities cope with the loss of remittances. Underlying structural challenges and a looming food crisis in the area compound those immediate problems. There were strong appeals for the United Nations, working in tandem with the African Union and others, as well as with the new authorities in Libya, to find a mutually satisfactory framework for rebuilding relationships between the Sahel region and the countries of transit and destination. The mission also found that the leaders of the Sahel region understood the need to protect the rights of both the migrants and the host communities, especially in the light of recent abuses.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“It also visited Abuja, Nigeria, where it met with senior officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and with Nigeria's Minister of Defence to discuss regional efforts to counter terrorism. The team also made stops in Dakar, Senegal, for guidance and debriefing with the 2 Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit. The mission found, especially among the civil and political leaders of the region, a remarkable openness to engage on the nature and enormity of the challenges confronting the countries. It was clear throughout that most of the challenges pre-dated the Libyan conflict.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I appreciate the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the inter-agency assessment mission dispatched by the Secretary-General to look into the impact of the Libyan crisis on the Sahel region. The mission, led by Mr. Sam Ibok, Deputy Director of the Africa II Division of the Department of Political Affairs - who is seated right behind me - took place from 7 to 23 December. It included representatives of the African Union, the International Organization for Migration and United Nations entities working in the humanitarian, development, political, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism fields. The mission had working sessions in Mali, Niger, Chad and Mauritania.”
2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6709 (2012) · source
“The United Nations system, guided by the Security Council, will continue to provide the necessary coordination and support. We look forward to the upcoming London conference, which also offers an opportunity to discuss and work on those critical issues. It is evident that the only lasting solution for Somalia is one that is created and led by Somalis themselves. The Government's efforts at building consensus for reconciliation are slowly gaining ground, despite the serious challenge by extremists. The international community must make a vital investment at this time to nurture the fragile peace process, help the Government to establish its authority in more areas of the country, build its security and rule of law institutions and expand AMISOM's operations as requested by the African Union.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“As we continue to support the peacemaking efforts in Somalia, it is important that we provide practical means to help the Government to become more cohesive and inclusive, strengthen its ability to address the security challenges, carry out reconstruction and development planning, and generate and collect revenue. Irrespective of the structure of the State to be defined by the constitution, it is vital that the Somalis have a national security sector. That will require longer-term commitment and investment by the international community. It is also important that the international community, with support from the African Union, IGAD, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, continue to work in a concerted manner, building on the recent gains made in the peace process.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“On the security front, Al-Shabaab continues to be a threat, despite its withdrawal from Mogadishu in August. It has stepped up its suicide and improvised explosive device attacks in the capital. A concerted military offensive by AMISOM. and regional Powers may present a chance of defeating them as a military movement, but the political and ideological challenge must also be addressed. That can be achieved through the delivery of a peace dividend and real change in people's lives. Limited resources continue to hinder our ability to do more. In October, the United Nations and TFG laid out proposals for stabilization and recovery in Mogadishu. However, despite improvement in transparency, direct resources to the Government are still not flowing.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“We are pleased that the Government of Turkey is working with UNPOS to host the second Istanbul meeting in April, whose primary focus will be economic development. Finally, let me turn now to the risks and challenges of the current moment. To achieve the strategy I have outlined, it is vital to address the issue of internal and external spoilers that are trying to undermine the implementation of the road map, and ending the transition as planned. We are particularly concerned about the impact of the current parliamentary crisis. The international community must support the TFG to resolve the crisis through dialogue. At the same time, the Council has indicated that it is willing to act against spoilers to the peace process. We need to consider how to make that a reality.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“In the next few months, the focus will be on the fifth area, namely, revitalizing economic activity and delivering basic services. There are reports of greater economic activity throughout Mogadishu. Reconstruction has started in a number of the devastated areas previously defined in 1991 and 1992 as the green line, as well as in parts of the city affected by the most recent fighting. For instance, a number of businessmen have joined together to rebuild the central oil depot, and there is a plan to build a holiday weekend sports resort along Gezira beach. As we increase our presence in Mogadishu, the various United Nations agencies will work closely with the Government and its partners to focus on recovery and development.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“There is already some progress in this regard with the re-establishment of the Bureau for Investigation of Corruption, whose commissioners are currently being vetted. We also intend to continue working with the Government in finalizing its national development plan. On the fourth issue, security, we will continue to work on building the capacity of the TFG's security forces. The national security and stabilization plan has been finalized and is awaiting parliamentary approval. The relocation of UNPOS to Mogadishu will facilitate further coordination with AMISOM. and the Government in implementing this plan. It is important that AMISOM. be provided with the necessary financial and logistical capacity to expand its operations in Mogadishu and South-Central Somalia.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“The second major task will be expanding the control of the Government by establishing administrative arrangements for those areas in southern Somalia recently recovered by military actions from Al-Shabaab. Special Representative Mahiga has been promoting a transparent and inclusive approach in setting up local administrations in the newly recovered areas, and has made several efforts to involve civil society and clan elders in these reconciliation and outreach efforts. The TFG has pledged to organize meetings with political actors on the two areas where the extremists have already been pushed back. We expect to see more progress in the next few weeks. The third component is improving governance, promoting transparency in the use of financial resources and establishing a functioning civil service.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“In the next few months, the focus will be, first, on ensuring that the final draft of the constitution is completed by 20 April and adopted by a national constituent assembly the following month. This will be followed by the election or selection of a new Parliament, reduced from the current 550 to 225, to be sworn in by mid-June, followed by the election of the Speaker and President, in accordance with the Kampala Accord. This timetable is ambitious and requires full buy-in and determination on the part of the Somalis and the full support of the international community. Let me reiterate that the consensus, both inside and outside Somalia, is that there will be no extension of the transition period.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“This will be an ongoing problem as long as the security dynamics remain fluid. Ultimately, establishing sustainable peace and stability is the only way to bring an end to the suffering of the Somali people. But we must recognize that the increase in military operations carries some risks and difficulties for civilians and humanitarian operations, and we are working to mitigate those as much as possible. Let me briefly discuss how we see the path forward for Somalia. We believe that we - along with the African Union, IGAD and the Somali Government - have all the elements of a political, security and development strategy that the Somalis and the international community can together implement.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Let me turn to our humanitarian efforts. Despite many risks and difficulties, the United Nations and other humanitarian actors have provided humanitarian assistance to Somalis in the country and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries for the past 20 years. Over the past year, humanitarian actors have managed to reach more than 2 million people with food assistance and 1.4 million people through water and sanitation interventions. In addition, the massive scale- up in humanitarian efforts has reduced the number of areas affected by famine from six to three. We welcome the vast international support in response to the famine and hope that this assistance will continue. It is important to underscore the serious difficulties humanitarian operations continue to face, especially in getting access to affected populations.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“We cannot relax our efforts. Establishing national security forces is the work of a generation and we should not expect transformation overnight. However, the visit of the Secretary-General in December, and the relocation of his Special Representative to Mogadishu later this month, are indications of just how far we have come. The efforts of the international maritime forces are having a significant impact on the fight against piracy, with the number of ships being captured actually declining. The contributions of the various naval forces are an integral part of a wider effort that includes assisting local communities to undertake alternative forms of employment, tracking the flow of money to identify those benefiting from piracy, prosecuting those responsible, and creating a coastal security force.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Meanwhile, in line with the 2008 approach, Member States have provided significant assistance in forming a Somali National Security Force. The Force now numbers more than 10,000 troops, who are being paid and supported regularly. We are grateful to the Government of Japan for its generous contributions, which have enabled UNPOS, working with AMISOM and the United Nations Development Programme, to pay the salaries of the Police Force. We will continue to work on improving their living conditions, providing them with the necessary equipment and refurbishing the police stations. With this support, and of course the backing of AMISOM, the TFG has expanded its presence to cover almost all of Mogadishu. The improvement in security is not complete, as witnessed by the grenade tossed into the United Nations compound today.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“With the help of the United Nations and members of the international community, the TFG has established a functioning Joint Security Committee and the Cabinet has approved a national security policy in consultation with all road map signatories. The efforts to strengthen AMISOM, build Somalia's security institutions and address piracy are an integral part of the broader United Nations strategy I have just mentioned. Since 2009, the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM. has been building the capacity of AMISOM. to provide security through its logistics support package. This has entailed the provision of fuel and rations, medical and logistical support, accommodation and transport, and administration of the Trust Fund through which Member States fund the provision of contingent-owned equipment.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Last November with the support of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), 60 civil society leaders met and agreed that they should play a principal role in the implementation of the road map. The next step is for the TFG to draw up a national reconciliation plan with regional authorities including the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a. We hope that this will be completed soon. The third imperative is to help the TF G develop functioning State institutions. In this regard, the Government is committed to moving forward. It has been collecting revenue from Mogadishu port and airport, and paying its security forces and civil servants, although more work needs to be done to ensure accountability.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“It will be recalled that this process led to the joining of the then Asmara-based Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia in the political process and the formation of a broad-based Somali Government, led by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and an expansion of Parliament to represent a broad spectrum of political positions. Today, with the support of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mahiga, the TFG is continuing its dialogue with various groups and has provided support to local-level reconciliation and peacebuilding initiatives. It has developed a close working relationship with Puntland, as demonstrated by the visit of President Sheikh Sharif to Garowe last year. It is attempting to implement similar initiatives with Galmudug.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“This entails finalizing the constitution-making process, in which we have we have seen some good progress. We welcome the adoption of the Garowe Principles by the leaders of the Transitional Federal Institutions, Puntland, Galmudug and an Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a representative last month. They provide a credible path for adopting the new constitution and ending the transition according to the Transitional Charter. Secondly, we have supported the outreach and reconciliation efforts of the TFG with those groups outside the peace process. This outreach was the key element behind the Djibouti Agreements of 2008, facilitated by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“His approach was endorsed by the Security Council and in several international conferences held thereafter on Somalia. The political strategy we have followed over the past four years has been consistent. It is, first, to support the TFG in completing the key tasks that will bring the transition to a close; secondly, to assist the TFG in broadening the base of the peace process through outreach and reconciliation; and thirdly, to work to help develop basic State institutions, especially in the security sector. To implement the first part of the political strategy on moving the transition to a close, we have the road map for ending the transition, signed in Mogadishu on 6 September, which comprises priority tasks that need to be completed by August.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“contingents by sector; further fine-tuning a reasonable package of enablers and force multipliers; and identifying the required support for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and its allied forces, whose contribution is essential to sustaining AMISOM. efforts. We look forward to working closely with the African Union and IGAD in finalizing those issues. In order to help frame our discussions today, I believe that it would be useful to outline once again the Somalia strategy that we have been pursuing and how we see that process moving forward. Council members will recall that, in 2008, the Secretary-General laid out the United Nations three-pronged integrated approach, aligning the political, security and humanitarian tracks.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Commissioner Lamamra and certain AU member States Will present in detail the requirements for expanding the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) operation, following the recent decisions of the Peace and Security Council. The joint undertaking of the AU and the United Nations to develop the strategic concept of AMISOM. operations, which will be presented shortly, has been an exemplary model of collaboration between the two organizations under the leadership of the African Union. There are some outstanding issues that will require further refinement before we request Council action, such as establishing further linkages between 3 the political and military strategies; agreeing on clear command-and-control arrangements; determining the allocation of AMISOM.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“Mr. Pascoe: I appreciate the opportunity to brief the Security Council today on the situation in Somalia. The participation of high-level representatives underscores the commitment of the international community to address the conflict that has been going on in Somalia for the past two decades. Much has been achieved in the past few years, yet many challenges continue to plague our attempts to stabilize the political, security and humanitarian situation. We continue to work closely with the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and our many international partners to move the peacemaking efforts in Somalia forward. I would like to sincerely thank this Council for its consistent support to our efforts in Somalia.”
2012-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6701 (2012) · source
“The parties must refrain from provocation and should stand ready to offer serious proposals on borders and security for negotiation. We urge them to approach their meetings with the Quartet envoys later this week in that spirit. Otherwise, the impasse will only deepen, and with it, the level of confrontation and the scale of mistrust. The international community must stand ready to play an active role in helping to steer the situation towards an agreement that resolves all final status issues, ends the occupation that began in 1967, ends the conflict and creates an independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side with Israel within secure and recognized borders.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“This is of great concern to the United Nations. The Secretary- General continues to call on the Syrian leadership to take urgent action to stop the killing. He also continues to emphasize the need for the international community to act in a coherent manner to prevent further bloodshed. In that regard, we note that the League of Arab States met on 16 October to discuss the situation in Syria. The Arab League called for dialogue and established a follow-up committee. Its ministerial delegation will travel to Damascus on 26 October. Turning back to the Israeli-Palestinian peace, let me conclude by emphasizing our deep concern at the impasse between the parties and its potential implications for the future. Leadership is urgently needed and the moderate Palestinian leadership must be supported.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“In several instances during the month of October, the Syrian army opened fire across the border, carried out incursions into Lebanon and raided houses to capture fleeing nationals and army deserters. On 6 October, Syrian troops killed a Syrian national on Lebanese soil. The United Nations continues to coordinate closely with the Government of Lebanon on the provision of assistance to the displaced Syrian nationals who crossed into Lebanon fleeing violence, as well as on matters of protection and the determination of their status. Those developments reflect the continuing political and human rights crisis in Syria, which has led to the deaths of more than 3,000 people since March. Unfortunately, signs are that the face-off between the regime and the opposition will continue, with all of the negative consequences for Syria and the region.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“We reiterate our support for Palestinian reconciliation within the framework of Quartet principles, Palestinian Liberation Organization commitments and the Arab Peace Initiative. Turning to Lebanon, I am pleased to report that the situation in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has remained generally quiet and stable. UNIFIL recorded no major incidents or violations, except for continuing Israeli overflights of Lebanese airspace on an almost daily basis. I will not go into detail, as the Security Council will hear more in-depth briefings on Lebanon in the coming weeks. Lebanon of course continues to be affected by developments in neighbouring Syria.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“That situation presents genuine concerns with regard to prospects for the emergence of a viable Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza, and deepens the Palestinian divide. We reiterate our call on Israel for more far-reaching steps to ease its land closures and facilitate the entry of construction materials into Gaza, exports and the free movement of people in both directions, with due consideration for Israel's legitimate security concerns. We also reiterate our call for weapons smuggling to be brought under control. Notwithstanding inter-factional contacts, there has been no concrete progress towards the further implementation of the May reconciliation agreement.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“Those steps should be taken within the framework of the full implementation of resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009), and in close coordination with the Palestinian Authority. In spite of the recent economic growth and the drop in unemployment in Gaza, the sustainability of that progress is unclear. Significant parts of the population remain food insecure and rely on humanitarian assistance. While agencies are implementing approved projects, ongoing restrictions limit the ability of the United Nations to support Gaza's economic recovery and reconstruction. There is a worrisome humanitarian and development vacuum that is being filled by other actors, fuelled by an illicit tunnel trade largely controlled by the de facto authorities.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“On the same day, Israeli authorities arrested five Palestinians in connection with the stoning of a vehicle travelling in the West Bank on 23 September, which caused the death of the Israeli driver and his infant son. Turning to Gaza, in spite of the fragile relative calm, six indiscriminate rockets and 13 mortar shells were fired by Palestinian militants into Israel during this reporting period, while two IDF incursions and five air strikes resulted in injuries to three Palestinian militants and two Palestinian civilians. We call for an end to militant rocket fire into Israel, maximum Israeli restraint and respect by all parties for international humanitarian law. I echo the Secretary-General's expressed hope that the prisoner exchange will be followed by more far-reaching steps to end the closure of Gaza.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“I urge the Israeli authorities to take decisive actions against acts of violence perpetrated by Israeli citizens. I also note that, on 3 October in Israel, a mosque was set on fire in the Upper Galilee village of Tuba Zangaria. That triggered unrest, vandalism and the arrest of local residents, as well as the subsequent desecration of Muslim, Christian and Jewish holy sites and property in several towns in Israel. Palestinian attacks on Israelis in the occupied West Bank resulted in two injuries, including the stabbing of an Israeli child on 22 October, as well as extensive material damage, mostly from stones and Molotov cocktails thrown at Israeli vehicles. On 6 October, hundreds of Israeli pilgrims accompanied by the IDF in the Palestinian city of Nablus discovered swastikas painted on the exterior walls of Joseph's Tomb.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“In the West Bank, both the application for statehood and the prisoner release evoked significant public demonstrations, but few acts of violence. Demonstrations against the barrier, which deviates from the Green Line, in contravention of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, also largely remained peaceful. Coordination between the parties remains essential to maintain a secure environment. However, tensions and violent incidents continue. Settler attacks on Palestinians resulted in one death and 19 injuries, including to five Palestinian children. Violent settlers especially targeted Palestinians harvesting their olive groves, and damaged 664 trees. Settlers also attacked an IDF patrol vehicle on 5 October, resulting in light injuries to an Israeli soldier.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“The Palestinian application for United Nations membership is being examined by the Security Council, and is a matter for Member States. Also, the Palestinian request for membership in UNESCO is being reviewed before a vote by the General Conference. That step could have repercussions for the organization, as it has legal and political implications for the funding provided by some Member States. The Secretary-General is increasingly concerned about ramifications of such a step for the United Nations as a whole, and asks all involved to act wisely in determining a course of action. Regardless of those developments, a negotiated two-State solution, to which both leaders are committed, must remain the highest priority.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“On 14 October, the Secretary-General made clear that those developments were unacceptable and ran counter to the Quartet's call and Israel's commitments under the Road Map. I would remind the Council that settlement activity is illegal under international law and should cease. Unilateral actions on the ground will not be recognized by the international community. 11-56034 At the same time, restrictions continue on land allocation and planning for Palestinian construction in Area C and East Jerusalem. Demolitions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Area C during the reporting period displaced 145 people, including 81 children. We remain concerned at plans to relocate approximately 2,300 Bedouins in the vicinity of the so-called "E-l corridor", connecting East Jerusalem to West Bank settlements.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“The Quartet stressed the need for the parties to refrain from provocations and reiterated their Road Map obligations. In that regard, we have registered our deep concern at Israel's settlement actions. The Israeli announcement of 1,100 East Jerusalem settlement units on the day that the Council last met was followed by the announcement, on 10 October, of 11 new housing units in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Pisgat Zeev. On 11 October, the Israeli authorities significantly advanced plans for the construction of approximately 2,600 housing units in the East Jerusalem settlement of Givat Hamatos, which would amount to a new settlement in an area of vital importance for the viability of a two-State outcome. The Israeli authorities are also not acting effectively against the construction of illegal outposts on private Palestinian land.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“The Quartet statement of 23 September provides a framework for the parties to find a way forward. We welcome the separate meetings, expected to be held on 26 October, among negotiators from each side and Quartet envoys and the Quartet representative to agree on a method for proceeding in the negotiation. Special Coordinator Serry will participate in those meetings, and is in close dialogue with the parties in preparation for them. We remind the parties that the Quartet reaffirmed the international legal basis for peace talks and called for the parties to overcome the obstacles and resume negotiations without preconditions. The Quartet further called for proposals within three months on borders and security, with a view to achieving substantial progress within six months and an agreement no later than the end of 2012.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“The Secretary-General, who had long called for an end of the unacceptable captivity of Gilad Shalit and for the release of Palestinian prisoners, welcomed the releases as a significant humanitarian breakthrough. The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process actively supported channels of dialogue throughout that period. We reiterate the Secretary-General's thanks to Egypt for its contribution to this outcome, and to Germany for its efforts. 11-56034 We have seen political will brought to bear to resolve a humanitarian issue, as well as a readiness in that context to take difficult decisions. We call for the same determination to be displayed with regard to the most important issue, namely, the quest for a lasting peace. The parties must rise to that challenge.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“In their public remarks following the exchange, Hamas officials unfortunately and unacceptably lauded violent resistance, and some of the released prisoners made deplorable statements glorifying acts of violence. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Israel would continue to fight terrorism. Approximately 5,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons. A further 550 of these are to be released within two months in the second phase of the exchange agreement. Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails suspended a hunger strike the day before the prisoner exchange, following the reported agreement of the Israeli authorities to end solitary confinement. We continue to follow closely the security, political and human rights dimensions of the prisoner issue.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source