YouSaid · the spoken record

Pfanzelter

lines on the record: 308
first: 2000-03-09
most recent: 2008-11-19
sittings or episodes: 39
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 is a very special privilege to address the Security Council under the presidency of Colombia. Our gratitude also goes to the Secretary-General and to Under-Secretary-General Oshima for the excellent preparations for our highly important deliberations in the Security Council. I am speaking in Austria's capacity as current Chair of the Human Security Network, an interregional group of countries also comprising Canada; Chile; Greece; Ireland; Jordan; Mali; the Netherlands; Norway; Slovenia; South Africa, as an observer; Switzerland; and Thailand. The issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict lies very much at the core of the Network's efforts to ensure the security and the rights of the individual.”
2002-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4660Resumption1 (2002) · source
“But women are not only victims in situations of armed conflict; there are also many examples of women making a critical difference in the promotion of durable peace and in creating more equitable societies in the aftermath of conflicts. We therefore share the concerns of the Secretary-General that there is an urgent need to enhance the involvement of women in peace negotiations and their participation in United Nations peace operations. We will do our utmost to identify and nominate qualified women for upcoming vacancies in this regard, and we will actively support the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace, and security.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“As pointed out in the report of the Secretary-General, the differential impact of armed conflict and the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls can be seen in all phases of displacement. The Human Security Network is therefore committed to enhancing the protection of and assistance to displaced women during their displacement and upon their return to the communities of origin. Today's debate provides an important opportunity to evaluate the impact of armed conflict on women and girls. We need to ensure that the security and the rights of women are protected, that any violations are prosecuted and that those responsible are brought to justice.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Therefore, the Human Security Network calls on all parties to armed conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender- based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and all other forms of violence in situations of armed conflict. These forms of violence clearly undermine human security, the upholding of which is a fundamental aspect of peacekeeping operations. The Human Security Network welcomes efforts to strengthen early warning capacities in this respect, including concerning the trafficking in persons. Fourth is the protection of and assistance to displaced women. Women and children constitute the vast majority of the world's refugees and internally displaced persons.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“A common human security network support strategy is being developed involving an alarm function, support for monitoring activities and training of monitors and rehabilitation experts for children. We welcome the Secretary-General's recommendation to increase the number of programmes for child soldiers and to fully incorporate attention to the specific situation and needs of girl soldiers. Third is the protection of women from sexual exploitation and trafficking. The report of the Secretary-General reflects the grave consequences of violence, including sexual abuse in the context of armed conflict, on the physical and mental health of women and girls, such as the increased threat of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The first is human rights education. The report of the Secretary-General recognizes the need for adequate training and education in several areas, including multidimensional peacekeeping operations and reconstruction and rehabilitation processes. Human rights education is one of the two priority issues on Austria's agenda as the Chair of the Human Security Network. For its next ministerial meeting, which will be held at Graz in May 2003, Austria will draft a document regarding the principles of human rights education, as well as a manual on understanding human rights, that will contain substantive elements on the human rights of women. Second is the special needs of girls. The second priority of the Human Security Network this year is children affected by armed conflict, with a particular emphasis on the special protection needs of girls.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, in October 2000, was a landmark decision that prompted HSN countries to work on the implementation of concrete measures to ensure that the needs of war-affected women and girls are taken into account and that women are full and equal participants in all aspects of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. A concrete action undertaken in this field by the Network was the workshop on gendering human security, held in Oslo in January 2001. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his excellent report, which highlights important aspects regarding the roles and experiences of women and girls in armed conflicts and its aftermath. From the point of view of the Human Security Network, I would now like briefly to focus on four issues.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I am speaking today in Austria's capacity as the current Chair of the Human Security Network (HSN), an interregional group of countries also comprising Canada, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, as an observer, Switzerland and Thailand. The aims of the Network are to increase awareness of human security at the political level, to add real value to the international debate and to improve the implementation of existing standards in the field of human security through concrete actions.”
2002-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4635Resumption1 (2002) · source
“They seem to be thinking about an eventual readiness to register and to participate in by- elections. These are promising signs for the future. Much will depend on the functioning of the municipal assemblies, especially with regard to their dealings with minorities. As far as minorities in general are concerned, the security situation clearly needs to be improved. Freedom of movement must be guaranteed. Refugees and internally displaced persons must be able to return home. Clearly, the future of Kosovo is far from resolved. The positive developments in the region and the success of the democratic elections, however, constitute a milestone in the search for a lasting solution.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Considering the positive democratic changes in Belgrade, that decision could lead to a new and fruitful dialogue between Pristina and the new authorities in Belgrade. Regarding the democratic representation of minorities in Kosovo, the OSCE supports Mr. Kouchner's co-opting of minority representatives into municipal councils. That is an important means of ensuring a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. In the pre- election phase, the OSCE and UNMIK tried to convince the Kosovo Serbs and the Kosovo Turks to participate in the registration process and in the local elections. Clearly, there was strong reluctance to cooperate. Now, however, the democratic changes in Belgrade have resulted in a new orientation among the Kosovo Serbs, who have begun to approach the OSCE mission in Kosovo.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Instead, the elections were exemplary. There was a high turnout of almost 80 per cent, a very low percentage of invalid ballots, no major instances of fraud or manipulation and no incidents of violence. By their conduct, the Kosovars have truly demonstrated a clear and unconditional commitment to democracy. Similarly, by accepting the election results, the political parties have shown an encouraging democratic maturity. Let me stress that Austria, as Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, is very satisfied with the conduct of the elections. The impressive victory of Ibrahim Rugova's Democratic League of Kosovo demonstrates the support of Kosovo Albanians for a moderate political course.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Kouchner referred in his presentation, I have the honour to convey to him the sincere appreciation ofthe OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, for the excellent cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE. The OSCE mission in Kosovo is an important component of UNMIK, and it is ready to continue playing that role. Considering the circumstances, the organization of the first-ever municipal elections in Kosovo was an extremely difficult task that required the close and reliable cooperation of all international actors. Everything had to be prepared from scratch, and a great deal was at stake. Eruption of violence, low voter turnout and problems in the voting procedure all could have jeopardized the democratization process and the implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“I have the honour to speak in Austria's capacity as Chair-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I am grateful for the opportunity to address the Council on the situation in Kosovo following the elections on 28 October. Permit me at the outset to thank Mr. Kouchner for his inspiring presentation and for his untiring efforts over the past 16 months. When evaluating the performance of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), we have to take into account that the Mission is doing its work under difficult conditions, both material and political. It faces understaffing and a lack of funds. The operation is unique in the history of the United Nations. We very much admire the dedication of Mr. Kouchner and his staff. With regard to the elections to which Mr.”
2000-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4225 (2000) · source
“Let me reiterate in this respect that the OSCE will continue its efforts to strengthen civil society and support the economic reforms, the rule of law and the return of refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Irrespective of the outcome, however, it is necessary to emphasize that the elections constitute a milestone in the realization of the concept of ownership in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 11 November the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated that they are prepared to shape their political destiny in a democratic, free and peaceful manner. It is up to the newly elected officials to prove that they are worthy of the trust placed in them.”
2000-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4222 (2000) · source
“There are indications of certain problems in Srebrenica, the only municipality in which municipal elections were also held. In general, however, the observers agree that the voting procedure was a success with a majority of the population voting in a fair and free manner. It is now up to the authorities to ensure an efficient and orderly transfer of power and to guarantee that the public resources and funds of the country are protected during the transitional process. This is not the place and time for the OSCE Chair-in- Office to comment on the results of the elections. The official results have yet to be released. Clearly, the international community hopes that the outcome of the elections will strengthen the Dayton Process.”
2000-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4222 (2000) · source
“Although the OSCE retained overall responsibility for the elections, the local municipal election commissions and the more than 4,000 polling station committees carried out most of the work on the ground. In addition to more than 750 international supervisors and 200 international observers, the elections were monitored by nearly 5,500 domestic observers in polling stations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. All in all, more than 40,000 Bosnian citizens assisted in the organization of these elections, and the local police successfully ensured that they were peaceful. The local interest in and support for the election is documented by the satisfactory voter turnout and by the smooth voting procedure. Only minor incidents were reported. Nearly all polling stations opened and closed on time. The voter lists appeared to be generally correct.”
2000-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4222 (2000) · source
“I have the honour to speak in Austria's capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). My statement will be very brief. Three days ago we witnessed peaceful and orderly elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The OSCE Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina had meticulously prepared this election, which required well-coordinated efforts on the part of the international community. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the United Nations Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Office of the High Representative, the Stabilization Force, the European Community Monitoring Mission and other international agencies involved.”
2000-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4222 (2000) · source
“We are looking at the United Nations and its agencies as key partners, with long-standing experience and unique expertise in these matters. Let us together make a concerted effort to effectively address and thus to prevent the serious impact of armed conflict on children.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The Austrian Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE will continue to work for the implementation of the recommendations of the Seminar and undertake further steps to develop and improve concrete policies and measures to benefit children in conflict situations as well as in potential and post-conflict situations. The next Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Romania, has expressed its intention to continue these efforts. It is clear that the OSCE and its field operations do not have the means to effectively address all the assistance and protection needs of children affected by armed conflict in the OSCE region. The OSCE therefore seeks to build and intensify partnerships with others: international organizations, non-governmental organizations and local initiatives.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“This includes the provision of human rights officers of field operations with checklists on children's issues in order to stimulate awareness, action and reporting, the inclusion of the rights of the child in mission members induction courses or, for example, in the curriculum of the OSCE Kosovo Police Service School. Secondly, a broad consensus emerged from the Human Dimensions Seminar that the OSCE should develop a comprehensive document outlining OSCE policies and actions for the protection of children, with special emphasis on those affected by armed conflict. A first orientation discussion was held recently, and negotiations will continue with a view to formally adopting such an OSCE document at the next meeting of the OSCS Ministerial Council, in November in Vienna.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“OSCE bodies, in particular the Chairman-in-Office, the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Cooperation, as well as OSCE institutions, should regularly address the rights of the child, in particular of children affected by armed conflict; and the Forum for Security Cooperation should continue its efforts in developing concrete measures to stem the illegal flow of small arms and light weapons in the OSCE area and to include children's issues in the planned OSCE document on these matters. Two major initiatives are being pursued to follow up on these recommendations. First, the Austrian Chairperson-in-Office has already requested OSCE field operations, as well as Secretariat units, to pay more systematic attention to the protection of children affected by armed conflict and to integrate the issue into their work.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“To this end, the Seminar recommended in particular the following measures: the development of OSCE policies and actions for the protection of children affected by armed conflict; the designation of focal points on children affected by armed conflict, including in relevant field operations; the monitoring and reporting on the protection of the rights of the child in armed conflict situations by OSCE field operations; the strengthening of OSCE expertise and capacities in this area, including in its Rapid Expert Assistance and Cooperation Teams; and the inclusion of the rights of the child in training programmes for members of OSCE field operations.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The OSCE and its participating States should ensure full respect for and implementation of international standards and instruments for the protection of children, in particular in conflict situations. The OSCE should integrate the protection of the rights of the child, in particular of children affected by armed conflict, into its activities and continue and enhance cooperation and coordination with other international organizations, national institutions and non-governmental organizations, both at the political level at headquarters and at the practical level in the field.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“The Seminar was attended by representatives of 47 participating States of the OSCE, of international organizations and non-governmental organizations, as well as of OSCE institutions and field operations. For the first time in OSCE human dimension events, the Seminar was conducted in an interdimensional way, associating politico-military topics and politico-military experts with its proceedings, allowing for a useful dialogue between the human-rights perspective and the politico-military aspects of the issue of children and armed conflict. A comprehensive report of the Seminar has been published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The main recommendations of the Seminar can be summarized as follows.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In the Charter for European Security, signed at the Summit by heads of State or Government, participating States express the will to develop and implement measures to promote the rights and interests of children in armed conflict and post- conflict situations, including refugees and internally displaced children, and to look at ways of preventing forced or compulsory recruitment for use in armed conflict of persons under 18 years of age. As a consequence, this year's Human Dimension Seminar of the OSCE, held in May in Warsaw, was specifically devoted to the topic of children and armed conflict in order to identify ways for the organization to improve its protection framework for children and to develop concrete policies and actions, in particular for OSCE field operations.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“It is our hope that the OSCE and UNICEF will develop close partnerships and collaboration in the field. This could also contribute to the preparations for next year's special session of the General Assembly on the follow- up to the World Summit for Children. At the Istanbul OSCE Summit in November 1999, the heads of State or Government of the participating States of the OSCE committed themselves to actively promoting children's rights and interests, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations, to regularly addressing the rights of children in the work of the OSCE and to paying particular attention to the physical and psychological well-being of children involved in or affected by armed conflict.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Its many recommendations are most useful, not only for the future work of the Security Council and the United Nations, but also for regional organizations such as the OSCE. On behalf of the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Benita Ferrero- Waldner, I would like to use this opportunity to pay tribute to the decisive role of Mr. Olara Otunnu in advocating and recommending concrete action by the OSCE. In the course of the past 10 months, he twice addressed important OSCE forums on the protection of children in armed conflict. I would also like to acknowledge the important contribution of UNICEF to the deliberations of the OSCE and express the interest that Ms. Carol Bellamy will participate in an OSCE meeting devoted to this issue in the near future.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Thank you, Madam, for permitting me to address the Council in Austria's capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in order to make a few remarks on the efforts to raise the issue of children and armed conflict in the OSCE. Permit me at the outset to thank the Jamaican presidency for scheduling this important debate and for your leadership, Madam, on this issue. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for their introduction of the report of the Secretary-General. The report contains rich information on ongoing activities and thinking on the protection of children in armed conflict.”
2000-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4176Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Considering the costs of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction, in terms of human suffering as well as financial and operational means, the investment in conflict prevention may be the most economic and rational investment of all.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“The Security Council would be well advised to continue its policy of actively involving regional organizations and possibly expand it to other international forums. My sixth and final point concerns effectiveness. It is clear that attempts to prevent conflicts will only be effective if the organizations are adequately equipped for their tasks. Successful prevention requires mechanisms to identify potential conflicts, a variety of instruments of prevention, including appropriate means to counter non-compliance by the parties and organizational structures, especially adequate personnel and financial means. Most important, however, as we all know, is the full political support by the member States of the organization. The United Nations, the regional organizations and States must invest more effort, time and money in conflict prevention.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“Other possible means of action come to mind, such as investigative missions to identify potential conflicts, special hearings of the parties involved, preventive arms or trade embargoes, preventive partial disarmament of the parties involved and the creation of demilitarized zones. Fifthly, as regards international cooperation, recent examples have shown that conflict prevention is an enormous task that no international organization can solve on its own. Cooperation between international organizations, including non-governmental organizations, must become the norm. In the Istanbul Charter for European Security, the OSCE clearly supported the notion that only a sensible distribution of tasks could maximize the profit of our endeavours.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“Equally, the challenges for world peace and stability and the potential root causes of conflict are of a different nature. Poverty, organized crime, drugs, terrorism, disease, the availability of large numbers of small arms and the scarcity of natural resources require adequate attention and a variety of different responses in preventive diplomacy. The OSCE has tried over the past years to adapt institutionally and functionally to the new situation. The Security Council has also adopted innovative procedures and initiatives. Let me just mention the establishment of the criminal tribunals, the recent prohibition of trade in "blood diamonds" and the equally recent reaction to the threat caused by the spread of AIDS.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“As a consequence, any illegal resort to the use of force must effectively be sanctioned immediately. Third, the role of human rights. Recent history has demonstrated the crucial role of human rights, the rights of minorities, and humanitarian law in conflict prevention. In a time when 90 per cent of armed conflicts are internal, safeguarding these rights is an inevitable prerequisite for peace. Human rights violations are often early warning signs of tensions. In this respect the Security Council has undertaken significant efforts and must continue to do so in order to effectively prevent conflicts. Fourth, flexibility. Today's conflicts are significantly different from those which the drafters of the United Nations Charter had in mind.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“As our distinguished President, the Foreign Minister of Jamaica, has just underlined, the need for security is the same all over the world; armed conflicts cause human suffering everywhere without distinction. In order to assume its role as the world's guardian of international peace, the Security Council must treat all potential conflicts the same and must devote equal attention to all crises in every region of the world. Second, a culture of dialogue. Peaceful international relations require respect for the principle of equality of States and the will of the States to cooperate peacefully with one another. Together with the Secretary-General, the Security Council must continue to enhance the United Nations role as a facilitator of dialogue and negotiations, both in international and in internal conflicts.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“In addressing the OSCE's role in conflict prevention at the ceremony in Vienna yesterday commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the Chairperson in Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero- Waldner, elaborated general principles which could also be of relevance to the United Nations, in particular to the Security Council, the main United Nations organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. These elements are the indivisibility and universality of security, the need for a culture of dialogue, the importance of respect for human rights, flexibility of the organization, international cooperation and effectiveness of measures. First, the indivisibility and universality of security.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“In order to address the root causes of conflict, it established the Center for Conflict Prevention in Vienna and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in Warsaw and instituted the High Commissioner for Minorities and the Representative for the Freedom of the Media. In addition, very useful work in conflict prevention is done by the field missions in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Georgia, Chechnya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Moldova and Tajikistan.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“This year we commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the signature of the Helsinki Final Act, the basic document in post-war Europe that set the parameters for a dialogue across the iron curtain, a dialogue which contributed significantly to the reduction of mistrust and facilitated the political developments in and after 1989, including the peaceful changes of international borders. The OSCE was not able to prevent the outbreak of armed conflict in some cases, most notably in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. However, the organization has learned its lessons and adopted a multifaceted approach to conflict prevention.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“I have the honour to speak in Austria's capacity as Chair in Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE. At the outset, permit me to thank the Jamaican presidency for scheduling this open debate. The presence of the Jamaican Foreign Minister clearly expresses the importance of the topic and the need to thoroughly discuss the various issues. I would also like to thank you for giving me the floor to address the Council on the issue of conflict prevention as representative of the Chairperson in Office of the OSCE. The OSCE itself was created as a means of conflict prevention during the cold war, as a standing conference to de-escalate the bipolar political tensions in Europe.”
2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source
“Considering the complexity of the tasks and the differences in mandates and structures of the missions, it is not surprising that initial difficulties arose. Today, however, the common achievements demonstrate that sound cooperation can benefit both organizations, alleviating the burdens and responsibilities of each organization.”
2000-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4164Resumption1 (2000) · source
“For that reason, the OSCE and its chairperson-in- office, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Benita Ferrero- Waldner, will continue to support all efforts to create an environment which enables the participation of all citizens in this process. Democracy is the cornerstone of a peaceful future in the Balkans, but there must also be an end to ethnic tension; there must also be sustainable economic recovery; there must also be the safe return of refugees; and above all, there must be a regional solution with a clear European perspective. In conclusion, let me express the appreciation of the chairperson-in-office of the OSCE for the excellent cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE, both at Headquarters and in the field.”
2000-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4164Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Members of the Council are fully aware of the various projects of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the region, especially in the fields of free media, refugee return, human rights and police training. Let me therefore only briefly address the main current project ofthe OSCE in the western Balkans: the local elections in Kosovo in October and the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina in November. I would like to concentrate on this issue because it is central to the question at hand: how to involve the local population and get them to accept active responsibility for their own political future. There is no better instrument than free and fair elections. Clearly, not everyone chooses to participate in that process, but everybody should have the opportunity to do so.”
2000-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4164Resumption1 (2000) · source
“Like previous speakers, I am pleased to hail recent positive developments in the region. The elections and the new Government in Croatia have demonstrated that people and politicians are taking responsible positions on their future. We have also seen promising developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There has been a significant rise in the return of refugees; the security situation has improved; the military budget has declined; and the Brcko district has been established. However, many of these positive developments occurred only after the High Representative had made use of his powers. Genuine cooperation among the Bosnian ethnic groups is, unfortunately, still the exception.”
2000-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4164Resumption1 (2000) · source
“I have the honour to speak in Austria's capacity as Chair-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Permit me at the outset to thank Mr. Carl Bildt for his excellent presentation this morning. His analysis of the regional problems enables us to see the issues in a larger context. We fully share his view that only a broad regional approach can enable us to achieve the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region. The overriding goal of self-sustaining stability based on a firm regional framework can be achieved only through active commitment and active participation of the local population and local politicians. In that context, Wolfgang Petritsch developed the concept of "ownership", which calls on the local population to become fully involved in the rebuilding of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2000-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4164Resumption1 (2000) · source
“In conclusion, I should like to inform the members of the Council that Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner, the Austrian Foreign Minister and Chairperson-in-Office, intends to visit Tajikistan in the near future to determine how the OSCE can further help in the transformation process. I can assure the Council that the Austrian Chair will spare no effort to strengthen the cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations in our common goal to assist Tajikistan and its people.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“In this respect, the OSCE hopes to continue the excellent cooperation with UNDP, the United Nations Office for Project Services, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. A good example of this cooperation is the fight against international terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime and drug and arms trafficking. In October, the OSCE, together with the Vienna-based United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, will organize a conference in the region. This conference will address the complex interrelationships between drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism, with special emphasis on the rule of law, good governance and human rights.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“Regional management of transboundary water resources can be a tool for promoting cooperation and improving economic and social development. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner, has taken up a proposal of the British Foreign Minister to intensify the dialogue among the Central Asian States with regard to these issues. The need of Central Asian States to accept responsibility for these problems and to seek solutions through regional cooperation will be emphasized. The OSCE values the efforts of both Tajik sides and the achievements made so far. As has just been pointed out by the representative of the European Union, after the termination of UNMOT, the OSCE will be the focal point for the efforts of the international community in assisting Tajikistan.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“There are still many issues in the transformation process in Tajikistan which need further improvement: the democratization process, the human rights situation, the freedom of the media, the refugee situation, the establishment of civil society, the fight against organized crime and the support for economic transformation, which is very important. In his keynote speech at the Eighth OSCE Economic Forum in April, President Rakhmonov highlighted the many economic challenges which Tajikistan is facing. In addition to the political and economic challenges, there are also environmental issues. The Istanbul OSCE Summit Declaration highlighted the risks of potential conflicts arising from environmental issues, in particular transboundary water issues, in Central Asia.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“Although concerns had been raised regarding the independence of the media and election commissions, as well as the transparency of the counting and tabulation procedures, the elections are undoubtedly a significant step forward in the process of democratization. Today, the main goals of the peace Agreement, namely, to establish peace and security and to enable national reconciliation, have been accomplished, as was pointed out by the representative of Tajikistan. On 31 March, the OSCE Troika welcomed the formal end of the transition period and the implementation of the General Agreement on Peace as an important benchmark in the process of national reconciliation and a move towards implementing reforms.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“The Mission received a broad and flexible mandate to support political reconciliation, democracy-building and respect for human rights. Much of the Mission's work is focused on the human dimension. The range of activities covers human rights monitoring and support for the establishment of democratic institutions, free media and civil society. The mandate also provides for assistance in legislative reform and the establishment of the rule of law, as well as support for gender equality programmes. I would also like here to commend the excellent cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations in monitoring the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan, concluded on 27 June 1997. In this context, both the OSCE and the United Nations served as observers in the elections.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source
“His expertise as former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Tajikistan and Head of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) is an enormous asset which enabled the OSCE to enter into a substantial, action-oriented dialogue, not only with Dushanbe but also with Astana, Bishkek, Ashgabat and Tashkent. Let me now say a few words about the OSCE Mission to Tajikistan. It was established at the 1993 Rome Ministerial Council meeting. Today, apart from the main office in Dushanbe, there are field offices in Kurgan-Tyube, Shaartuz, Dusti, Garm and, since February, Khujand. In this context, I would like to pay tribute to the untiring efforts of the current Head of the Mission, Ambassador Buhoara.”
2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source