YouSaid · the spoken record

Petrella

lines on the record: 240
first: 1997-03-06
most recent: 1999-12-22
sittings or episodes: 46
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

“It establishes an objective limit, the competence the Council wishes to give UNAMSIL, a geographic limit - UNAMSIL'S area of deployment - and a functional limit - it does not overlap the specific security responsibilities entrusted to ECOMOG pursuant to the mandate adopted by ECOWAS on 25 August 1999. We believe we must seriously consider what Ambassador Olara Otunnu said at the beginning of this debate. The atrocities committed against children and innocent civilians must be compensated for as much as possible. In this regard, the very recent visit of Mrs. Albright to Sierra Leone left us with unforgettable images. Thus, paragraph 18 of the draft resolution is appropriate in that it refers to the rehabilitation of child soldiers and the needs of all children affected by the conflict.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“This draft resolution is significant in that it introduces a new, fundamental political, legal and moral dimension. This bears on the credibility of the Security Council and shows that the Council has learned from its own experience and that it will not remain indifferent to indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population. At the same time, we are realistic. The objective to be fulfilled must be consonant with the means provided. For that reason, we agree with the limits that operative paragraph 14 of the draft resolution sets on UNAMSIL'S actions.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“There can be no doubt that the personnel of UNAMSIL will be carrying out their duties in a hazardous environment. That is why we deem it appropriate that the draft resolution reinforce UNAMSIL's rules of engagement with the additional authority of Chapter VII. Similarly, the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel provides the legal mechanisms required for the trial and punishment of those committing crimes against United Nations personnel. In this regard, we would venture once again to appeal to those States that have not yet done so to ratify that Convention. We believe that the protection of civilians under Chapter VII is a pertinent development in the context of the mandate of a peacekeeping operation.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“I wish to refer in particular to paragraph 14 of the draft resolution before us, which authorizes UNAMSIL to act under Chapter VII of the Charter towards two well- defined objectives: to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its personnel and to afford protection to civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. The safety and security of personnel in the field of operations must be an essential condition of all peacekeeping missions. In the course of this year alone, many staff members of the United Nations have fallen victim. The women and men working in the service of the Organization should not be unduly vulnerable. As the Deputy Secretary-General said to the General Assembly on 14 October, "improved security is not a luxury. It should be viewed... as an essential operating cost" (A/54/PV34).”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“In our opinion, the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has a clear mandate on four distinct levels: on the military level, through assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone in the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme for former combatants and in monitoring the ceasefire; on the political level, by promoting confidence-building measures among the parties and providing electoral assistance, when required; on the humanitarian level, by facilitating the delivery of assistance; and on the human rights level, by supporting respect for and the promotion of these rights.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“As we stated at our formal meeting in August, the Lome Peace Agreement marked a decisive moment in Sierra Leone's recent history. We trust that the peacekeeping operation that we shall establish today will effectively contribute to the Agreement's implementation.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me first to welcome the new Permanent Representatives of Sierra Leone and Nigeria to the Council. They both presented their credentials yesterday and we wish them the greatest success in their important and difficult posts. I believe that we can assert today that, after nine years of struggle, the population of Sierra Leone can look to the future with hope. Along this long and difficult path towards peace, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), its Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and the United Nations have made significant contributions in defending and in allowing the values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights to be effectively restored.”
1999-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4054 (1999) · source
“This meeting and the resolution which we will adopt contain a message that can be summarized in three points. First, all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. States must cooperate to combat them and to prosecute those responsible. Secondly, the Security Council recognizes that certain acts of terrorism, because of their nature and gravity, can threaten international peace. Thirdly, the United Nations, by its universal and global nature, is called upon to play a key role in combating international terrorism. Within the United Nations, the Security Council is prepared to assume its responsibilities in accordance with the Charter. This is a clear political message, which Argentina supports.”
1999-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4053 (1999) · source
“However, it is obvious that a great deal remains to be done, in particular to ensure the observance and effective implementation of all these measures. The Security Council, within the framework of its responsibilities, can and must play an important role in strengthening their practical application. This is shown by resolution 1267 (1999) adopted by the Council last Friday. In this respect, it also seems to us necessary to take into account the attacks to which United Nations personnel have fallen victim. States must investigate these crimes, and the guilty must be prosecuted. For this reason, treatment of this issue by the Security Council must not be considered to be incompatible with the work done in other forums. Rather, it should be considered as a way of complementing and strengthening that work.”
1999-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4053 (1999) · source
“The resolutions and conventions adopted have outlined a range of concrete measures and norms that have encouraged judicial and police cooperation, criminalized many acts of terrorism and embodied the principle that all States have a duty to prosecute and punish those responsible. In this respect, we wish to express our particular satisfaction at the conclusion last week of negotiations on the convention for the suppression of the financing of international terrorism. We congratulate the Government of France on this instrument, which we hope can be adopted during this session of the General Assembly. My delegation is also prepared to contribute in every way possible to the conclusion of the draft convention submitted by the Russian Federation to suppress acts of nuclear terrorism. These and other initiatives are of great importance.”
1999-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4053 (1999) · source
“Terrorism is always criminal and unjustifiable, because it deliberately and indiscriminately attacks the civilian population. The terrorism that has afflicted the post-cold-war period is also increasingly linked to drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime. There has been a geometric increase in its transnational potential and its capacity to inflict lethal harm because of technological advances. In recent years resolutions and agreements have been adopted at the United Nations reflecting the growing will of the international community to regard any terrorist act as a criminal act. Among other examples, in 1997 the Assembly adopted the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings.”
1999-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4053 (1999) · source
“On that occasion, our Foreign Minister expressed the conviction of the Argentine Government that the action of the United Nations in its struggle against terrorism should be as intense as that in the struggle against other grave international crimes, and appealed to the Security Council to include the question on its agenda. It seems to us that those ideas remain completely relevant today. The work of the United Nations was for many years conditioned by the ideological confrontation of the cold war. This prevented both an unequivocal condemnation of international terrorism and the drawing up of drastic measures to combat it. The thrust of the new initiatives, facilitated by the present context, is an encouraging sign and augurs well for a more effective future response.”
1999-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4053 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): I wish first to express our appreciation to you, Mr. President, for your initiative in convening a formal meeting to discuss international terrorism. This question is closely related to that of civilian protection, which a few weeks ago was the subject of an open debate in the Council. We hope that this represents the starting point for greater participation by the Security Council in the fight against international terrorism. As a consequence of the grave terrorist attack suffered by Buenos Aires in July 1994, Argentina turned to this organ, which agreed to consider the question in the framework of an informal meeting.”
1999-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4053 (1999) · source
“Argentina, to the extent of its ability, has been, and will continue to be, present in Africa in the context of peacekeeping operations and in humanitarian assistance efforts, either directly or through the "White Helmets". We are also working on a set of cooperation programmes in the fields of agriculture and livestock, computer science, State reform and privatization, all of which are mutually beneficial. We reiterate our offer to provide training through our Peacekeeping Academy in Buenos Aires. Finally, I should like to reiterate once again our desire actively to participate in United Nations efforts in Africa and to cooperate fully in the initiatives and recommendations of the Secretary-General.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“At the multilateral level, Argentina, together with interested African countries, promoted the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the South Atlantic. In October 1998, the Fifth Meeting of the Member States of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic, held in Buenos Aires, brought together 21 African countries and three Latin America countries. The Plan of Action adopted at that meeting is designed to implement the objectives of the Zone relating to the peaceful solution of disputes, the promotion of democracy and human rights, the fight against drug trafficking, cooperation for development, humanitarian assistance and the protection of living resources.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“In the Western Sahara, with the cooperation of Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) continues to work to hold a referendum on self-determination in conditions of freedom, transparency and impartiality. In the case of Eritrea and Ethiopia, we hope that peace is at hand. All of these steps towards peace must be supported by the Security Council. Argentina has participated in and encouraged the process of decolonization in Africa since its inception. Today my country is gratified at the consolidation of the rule of the law and the opening of African economies. To our mutual benefit, we have increased our commercial and technological exchanges and strengthened our political and cultural relations.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“The declaration approved last July in Algiers at the OAU Summit is clear evidence of this. We are witnessing a positive trend in the resolution of conflicts. Complex questions such as those related to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone have taken once again the path of negotiation at the urging of regional leaders and with the support of the Security Council. That support must be renewed with a significant United Nations presence in the field in order to maintain and consolidate the hard-won peace. In the case of the Central African Republic, we note with satisfaction that on 19 September last, presidential elections were held that international observers found both peaceful and fair. The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic certainly played a key role in the holding of those elections.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“Secondly, close cooperation between the Security Council and African regional and subregional organizations is imperative. This cooperation is particularly relevant with regard to preventive and early- warning mechanisms. Thirdly, minimum conditions for development must be created in order to overcome the causes of conflict and to deal with their humanitarian consequences. For that reason, we believe that cooperation is imperative between the activities of the Council and of other bodies of the United Nations system, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions. We must assess and give impetus to the efforts undertaken by the large majority of African countries to consolidate their democracies, promote human rights, reform their economies, attract investments and improve the standard of living of their peoples.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“The Secretary-General has again shown us the correlation between peace and development, which is essential if we wish to overcome the deep-seated causes of the majority of the conflicts in Africa and elsewhere in the world. The report also underlines the necessary connection between efforts to achieve, maintain and consolidate peace. In the past two years, the United Nations, the OAU, subregional organizations and various African leaders have undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at resolving the conflicts described in the report. In our View, a comprehensive approach is necessary that would contain the following elements. First, the role of the Security Council in the maintenance of peace is indispensable, and its authority must be strengthened. In this context, the concept of human security is essential.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Mr. President, I should like once again to express our gratitude for the tireless efforts deployed by your country and delegation in the Security Council. I should like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. I wish also to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on this important occasion. We have listened with great interest to the statement made by Ambassador Salim Ahmed Salim, the Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and to that of the Permanent Representative of Algeria, Abdallah Baali, on behalf of the Chairman of the OAU.”
1999-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049 (1999) · source
“We reiterate here our support for and solidarity with the work he is doing and the difficulties that he has had to overcome. We should like to conclude our statement by expressing our belief that Indonesia, which is coping with enormous difficulties because of the necessary process of change that is under way, will understand that the violent groups that have destroyed parts of East T imor do not deserve any support whatsoever and do not represent the best interests of their country. We therefore hope that the process of independence will be completed, that Indonesia will agree to international assistance as soon as possible and that anarchy will be brought to an end.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“I should like to recall the constant concern of Argentina that United Nations and associated personnel should enjoy all the guarantees of security and freedom of movement that they need so as to discharge their functions. We in the Security Council must find the formulas to ensure that the activities and the lives of United Nations personnel are strictly respected. Those who do not understand this will have to pay a high price. This debate is taking place at a time when the Council's delegation has not yet returned to New York. Only the urgency of the situation can explain that circumstance. For that reason we believe that, in the interests of ensuring greater clarity, we should wait until we receive the report from the Ambassador of Namibia, who is chairing the delegation.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“The Security Council mission has repeated that request in Indonesia at all levels, emphasizing the fact that Jakarta would continue to be responsible for maintaining order in East Timor, as established in the 5 May Agreements. It seems to us that those within Indonesia who do not yet understand the extent to which they will be responsible if they fail to take the steps that the Council has set out for them will have to take into account every one of the concepts set forth in the statement on East Timor made by the Secretary-General yesterday - a statement endorsed by this Council. In this context, the crimes and abuses against innocent civilians and against the personnel of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) - to whose dedication and courage we pay tribute today - are aberrant.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“We reiterate that appeal, especially to those sectors in Indonesia that seem to have placed themselves outside the traditions of their country, outside international law and outside basic humanitarian norms. We appeal to them to put an end to their actions. The Secretary-General has also stated repeatedly that if Indonesia cannot control the situation, it must seek the cooperation of the international community. Many countries have already expressed their willingness to participate in an international force to assist in the restoration of peace and security in East Timor, thereby allowing for the results of the consultation to be implemented peacefully. Argentina supports the Secretary-General and explicitly associates itself with that appeal.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“The mission has held, and will hold, very important talks with the highest authorities in Indonesia. However, at this time all of us are asking how this situation of violence and disorder can be brought to an end. In the 5 May Agreements, Indonesia made a commitment to maintain order and security in East Timor before, during and after the consultation. Accordingly, the first step in controlling the situation must be taken by the authorities of that country, particularly by its armed forces. The Secretary-General and the Security Council have on many occasions appealed to the authorities in Jakarta to take all the steps that are within their power to normalize the situation immediately.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“The Council not only expressed its serious concern at the deteriorating situation in East Timor and the growing humanitarian crisis there, but also urgently called on the Government of Indonesia to implement the commitments it had entered into in the 5 May Agreements, namely to maintain peace and security throughout the territory. In the light of the gravity of the situation, the members of the Council supported the initiative of the Secretary-General and adopted all the measures that he recommended, endorsing his efforts to help Indonesia to find a solution to the crisis. I must say that the initiative to send a mission to Indonesia must be commended and supported. In so doing, we will show that we are not blind to the serious humanitarian violations that have emerged in the issues on our agenda.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“In this way, one of the best-organized undertakings of the United Nations took effect. Registration of voters had proceeded without problems, despite conditions that were less than ideal, and there was a high degree of participation in the ballot. Indonesia' s cooperation in these two stages was certainly essential. At that time, we recognized that the Indonesian authorities had done their best to facilitate the process, and we expressed our thanks to Portugal and to the Secretary-General for the very important role that they played. Unfortunately, the wealth of information that we have today shows that we are very far from the positive scenario glimpsed two weeks ago. We believe that the Council's reaction, in its three statements to the press on 8, 9 and 10 September, was appropriate under the circumstances.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“Given the events - which we all regard as extremely serious, because they have a direct bearing on the fundamental values enshrined in the Charter - the Council had to echo the voices of the innocent victims. It had to respond to the demands of public opinion and to requests made by Member States. Accordingly, we supported your efforts, Mr. President, calling for maximum visibility for the Council in this matter. We also supported Portugal and Brazil immediately when, on 9 September, they formally requested that this meeting be held. When, on 30 August last, the people of East Timor expressed their views freely and democratically, we welcomed the successful outcome of one stage in the process that was initiated thanks to the courageous decision taken by President Habibie of Indonesia to invite the Timorese to determine their own future.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for your efforts to convene this open meeting of the Security Council to consider this urgent and important matter. I should like also to reiterate that we admire the effective and authoritative manner in which you have been guiding and presiding over our meetings. I would also express my particular appreciation for the resolve and efforts of the Secretary-General throughout this entire process, as well as for the clarity of his dramatic report, which requires no further comment on our part. I would now like to emphasize Portugal's interest in this matter. Its request that the Council hold an open meeting to discuss the situation in East Timor, which was clearly set out in its letters of 8 and 10 September, had to be heeded at once.”
1999-09-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4043 (1999) · source
“It is our hope that today's debate will help us to formulate an appropriate strategy for the resolution of this crisis. It is high time to send the international community a clear signal that the Security Council is ready to consider suitable options so as to help to resolve the Afghan crisis.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“The Argentine delegation would voice its recognition of those men and women who are doing humanitarian work and making tremendous sacrifices to extend their solidarity to people in need. We wish once again to emphasize these points in the light of what we heard from Under-Secretary- General Prendergast today. We condemn the fresh military escalation and the fact that shelter has been given to international terrorism. We deplore the external interference that is merely protracting the conflict, adding to the humanitarian disaster and causing even greater suffering. We are grateful for the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, and of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“Unfortunately, all indications are that this latest offensive received external support, which is hard to overlook. Tashkent was a necessary step that taught us that we should be wary of expecting overly encouraging results and that perhaps the time has come to try other kinds of strategies. The Argentine delegation has never ceased, and will not cease, to urge the parties involved to return to diplomatic channels and to desist from seeking a military solution which, after many years of fighting and many innocent victims, has proved to be futile. Likewise, we have requested that priority attention be given to respect for the human rights of the civilian population, in particular those of women and children, and that the security of United Nations and humanitarian personnel should be safeguarded.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“We deeply regret that this fresh military offensive on the part of the Taliban should be taking place in the wake of the high-level meeting in Tashkent, held under United Nations auspices in the framework of the "six plus two" group. The Tashkent Conference was an important event, because it marked the first time that the parties, represented at a high level, have come to the negotiating table in a context in which it was clear to all that the Afghan question has no military solution. This is a step in the right direction which should be emphasized. It is important also to note that in Tashkent the members of the "six plus two" group undertook not to render military assistance to the parties to the conflict and to prevent the use of their territories for military purposes.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me at the outset to express my gratitude to Under- Secretary-General Prendergast for the information that he provided at the beginning of this debate. The delegation of Argentina welcomes the initiative of addressing the Afghan crisis in an orientation debate open to all delegations. We believe that the renewed military escalation that began at the end of last month, as is the case every summer, is sufficient proof of the repetitive pattern of chronic fighting that is prolonging the political uncertainty and deepening the misery of the Afghan people by causing many casualties among the innocent population.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039 (1999) · source
“This highly appropriate initiative taken by the delegation of Namibia is aimed at putting an end to a very harmful practice that hinders prospects of national reconciliation, as it affects generations of young people who for many years will bear the burden of their traumatic experiences. The Council must contribute, within its competence, to putting an end to this unacceptable reality.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“It is our understanding that the Security Council must henceforth make every possible effort to promote the protection, well-being and rights of children whenever actions are taking to promote international peace and security. This could be achieved, for example, by ensuring that peace agreements contain explicit provisions in this respect. As we indicated last year in the Council, account must also be taken of the fact that children remain at risk in those post-conflict situations in which sanctions are imposed that deprive the population of basic necessities. We must improve the design of sanctions so that they do not have an impact on innocent civilians and on children in particular. We must also encourage the continued consideration of this question in the Security Council.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“Any other solution would be chancy. In the same context, we have maintained that there should be programmes to compensate, rehabilitate and provide special educational privileges for children and young people who have been mutilated as a result of armed conflicts. The leaders of the future must come from these groups, who better than anyone else understand the horrors and the injustice of war. We must not forget that in order to register lasting achievements in this sensitive area, two aspects need to be borne in mind. The first is education, which makes it possible for tolerance to take root in the human mind. The second is the effective implementation of international instruments that contribute to putting an end to the impunity enjoyed by those who commit these crimes.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“We also support the policy adopted almost a year ago by the Secretary-General on age limits for peacekeeping forces and civilian police. It is necessary to adopt as soon as possible an additional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Security Council should encourage this process. States and regional organizations also must be invited to join this effort. Furthermore, it is essential to provide better training for the troops that form part of peacekeeping missions. That training should range from the disarmament stages up through the demobilization and rehabilitation of children, and should include the identification of all reasonable ways of avoiding their participation in the militia and in armed conflicts. As the United Nations Children's Fund advocates, prompt return to school is a viable alternative.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“The current debate and the draft resolution to be adopted by the Council join the ranks of those mechanisms. The International Criminal Court is a formidable tool for eradicating these types of actions, which its Statute considers to be war crimes. We urge States to accede to that international instrument as soon as possible. Argentina believes that the minimum age for recruitment and participation in conflicts must be 18 years. Historically we have respected that minimum age in our own domestic provisions. In addition, some years ago we abolished mandatory military service, making it strictly voluntary. It is our hope that this trend will be further strengthened, and we are gratified that other countries are doing the same.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“This is the second time that the Council has held a meeting on the question of children and armed conflict. That fact demonstrates the Council's commitment to a matter that is of increasing concern to the international community. Let us recall that, on 29 June 1998, we adopted a presidential statement and that the Council is currently preparing to adopt a draft resolution. It is crucial to establish international norms aimed at halting the barbaric and illegal practice of bringing children to the battlefield. The obligations set out in the Geneva Conventions and in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which are mentioned in the draft resolution under consideration, are essential provisions, compliance with which must be insisted upon.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): It is a very great privilege for my delegation to speak in this important debate under your leadership, Sir. Your country is one of the most important in this Organization and we feel honoured to have shared in the past the objectives of freedom and equality for which you risked your life and well-being. We also feel honoured to share now the objectives of democracy, good governance and human rights. These discussions are in part directly related to the entirety of this all-important subject. In this respect, I wish to thank Ambassador Olara Otunnu for his comments and to acknowledge his steadfast efforts and convictions on this matter. We congratulate the Secretary-General on having appointed him.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037 (1999) · source
“The draft resolution before us is well balanced and addresses realistically the main problems. At the appropriate time, we will carefully study the proposals of the Secretary- General on new mandates and concepts for the operations of the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone. We are convinced that the United Nations has an irreplaceable role to play in maintaining and consolidating peace in Sierra Leone.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“The leaders of the future should emerge from that group, for they understand better than anyone else the horror and injustice of war. The Lorne Agreement is complex and was the result of intensive negotiations. The granting of wide-ranging and general amnesty, as provided for in the Agreement, raises very important questions. Argentina's position and practice in this connection have been uniform and unswerving. However, we understand that that very delicate decision can be taken only by the parties involved, which assume the historical responsibility inherent in that decision. At the same time, we wish to express our satisfaction with the provisions of the Agreement that establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“This is where the international community, the United Nations and the Security Council in particular should focus their assistance, which does not consist merely of sending military observers and additional civilian staff. The implementation of the Agreement will require a clear commitment to the values of democracy, liberty and the rule of law. For example, we believe that a specific and fundamental way of giving shape to those values will be to place a portion of the proceeds derived from the mining of gold and diamonds into a special account to be used, among other things, to establish rehabilitation, compensation and education programmes. We consider that this should include the setting up of special education programmes aimed at the children and young people who have been victims of mutilation.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“We trust that all of us in the Security Council will understand the importance of committing ourselves explicitly to protecting those who carry out dangerous missions on behalf of our Organization. The implementation of the Lorne Agreement will call for joint action on the part of the Government and the people of Sierra Leone, of the African States involved in the process through ECOWAS and ECOMOG, and of the United Nations. The process of reconciliation and reconstruction in Sierra Leone will no doubt be arduous and complex. It will require considerable human and economic resources. In particular, it will require strong political will to overcome through negotiation and dialogue the difficulties that will surely arise. We believe that the Agreement establishes the necessary institutions for the task of reconciliation and reconstruction.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“Francis Okelo; the other leaders of the region; and most especially President Kabbah, who had to take very difficult decisions at delicate moments in the negotiations. We would also like to highlight the contribution made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and those who generously provided it with the resources to allow it to carry out its operations. We would also like to recall the importance of continuing to provide it with assistance so that it can continue to perform its tasks. We would also like to take this opportunity to pay very sincere and express tribute to those who have lost their lives in defence of the ideals of the United Nations.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“Mr. Petrella (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish): Allow me also to extend the congratulations of my delegation to you, Mr. President, on the efficient way in which you are presiding over the Security Council during the month of August. The Peace Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone (RUF), signed on 7 July at Lome, marks a decisive moment in the recent history of that country. We trust that this will be the beginning of a stage of reconstruction and reconciliation for Sierra Leone, as well as one of stability and progress for the region. We wish to underscore the role played by President Eyadema of Togo; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
1999-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4035 (1999) · source
“We agree with the Secretary-General's recommendation that the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) be extended for a further six months. In conclusion, we should like to extend our congratulations to Mr. Bota and the UNOMIG personnel for their important work, carried out under difficult and dangerous circumstances. Recognition goes in particular to Russia for its efforts as the facilitator.”
1999-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4029 (1999) · source
“As for the peace process, the confidence-building measures, bilateral contacts at all levels and cooperation between the parties should be encouraged. In this connection, it is important that the draft resolution encourage positive developments in connection with the agreements arrived at in Athens and Istanbul in October 1998 and June 1999 respectively, with a View to enhancing confidence, improving security and promoting cooperation. However, in order to arrive at a settlement of the conflict, political will is also needed so that a constructive dialogue can begin and be maintained in the sprit of the 1994 Moscow Agreement. In this context, the forthcoming elections in Abkhazia should be regarded as illegitimate, as the draft resolution makes clear.”
1999-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4029 (1999) · source
“Liviu Bota, as well as to those of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in promoting the stabilization of the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, and giving new impetus to the peace process led by the United Nations. We are pleased to note that the situation along the ceasefire line has improved and that the parties are now showing greater restraint. However, insecurity prevails in the lower Gali region. The activity of terrorist groups is intolerable, and in this atmosphere of insecurity, the refugees and displaced persons hardly feel encouraged to return home. Furthermore, the security of the mission is still a serious cause for concern.”
1999-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4029 (1999) · source