YouSaid · the spoken record

Pierce

lines on the record: 1,742
first: 2006-06-20
most recent: 2020-03-12
sittings or episodes: 239
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

“His Chief of Staff was arrested and others who are trying to secure peace and democracy in Venezuela have suffered similar forms of intimidation and threats. Mr. Guaido has our full support in his efforts to bring about the necessary change. The people of Venezuela deserve a better future. I repeat that it is our belief that it is time for a new start, with free and fair elections in accordance with international democratic standards.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“We hope to help people fleeing their homes get access to critical support, and we hope to help meet the immediate needs of those forced to flee Venezuela, who are at greater risk of exploitation. We therefore plan to offer migrants access to personal documentation and information on how to access basic services. It is important that we are clear that the suffering faced by the Venezuelan people is the result of years of mismanagement by the de facto Government. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed, but, as many speakers have said today, it will not solve the crisis. Political change is equally urgent. The legitimate interim President - Juan Guaido - was stripped of his immunity as Speaker of the National Assembly.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“We call on the Maduro regime and all actors to facilitate the humanitarian process and allow further international organizations, such as the United Nations, Red Cross and non-governmental organizations, unhindered access to deliver humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of the Venezuelan people. I repeat that it is against international law to try to deny one's own people the help that they need, particularly with respect to food. I would also like to use this occasion to call on Member States to support the United Nations efforts. For our part, we have committed a package of nearly $9 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the most severe needs in Venezuela and host countries. We hope that our aid package will respond to the most severe health and nutrition needs by supporting emergency rooms and maternity wards.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“However, I want to echo what Vice-President Pence said in his emphasis on democracy and the rule of law. We stand with the Venezuelan people. This is about what is needed to help the Venezuelan people. We therefore support the United Nations efforts, under the leadership of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to mount an international humanitarian response commensurate with the severity of the situation and underpinned by the principles of independence, neutrality and impartiality. I call Member States' attention to the three areas that the Emergency Relief Coordinator outlined.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“I wanted to thank the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, through the Joint Special Representative, for the efforts that they have made. I think that we agree that it is a positive first step that the Maduro regime no longer denies the existence of a crisis and that the Red Cross and the United Nations are allowed to start the international humanitarian response. The scale of what is needed was set out graphically by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, which points to how much more needs to be done. The United Kingdom agrees with the majority of the Council on the need for a new start in Venezuela, and we will be working closely with the international community to ensure that assistance can reach those most in need.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“The fact that it can go from that status to having the sorts of problems that we heard described today really does draw the concern of the international community. I want also to reference the refugee situation. The figure we have heard is that 3.4 million Venezuelans have left their country to go to their neighbours. I too welcome the presence ofthe Colombian Foreign Minister here today, and we commend him and his Government; our Security Council colleague, Peru; and others in the region that have offered refuge and hope to those millions of ordinary Venezuelans. But we cannot rely solely on the region's efforts because, as we also heard today, that number is set to rise quite dramatically.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“Today I heard some things that I did not know, particularly about the health side. In that regard, I thank Ms. Page. They are truly shocking. The malaria figure especially stuck in my mind. I think the answer with respect to measles is to refer to the George Washington University study about Russian social media, so I am not going to go into that. But I think that the malaria figure alone ought to really horrify us. It is all the more shocking because, as a number of speakers have said, the crisis is man-made, and even more so because Venezuela used to be a prosperous country. My understanding of the figures of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and World Bank is that Venezuela was considered to be an upper-middle-income country.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“But the figures that we have heard today and their effect on the Venezuelan people and their neighbours, as well as the View of the regional authorities and international authorities, as represented by the Joint Special Representative and the Emergency Relief Coordinator, make it, I believe, absolutely an issue that the Council should be discussing. We have heard today how ordinary Venezuelans are unable to access food and basic health care. Preventable diseases, such as measles and diphtheria, have reappeared. HIV goes untreated and maternal and newborn mortality rates are extremely high. Electricity and water shortages, as many speakers have said, have made it all much worse. The figures are appalling, but we are also starting to hear words such as 'unprecedented" and "unparalleled".”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“I thank our three briefers, as well as the United States for proposing this discussion today and Vice-President Pence for joining the Security Council. It is clear from the briefings that we heard that the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has reached epic proportions, and it is right that the Security Council should discuss such issues. I know that there is an age-old debate that we have never resolved as to how bad a situation must get within a country in order for it to constitute the sort of issue that the Security Council has looked at.”
2019-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8506 (2019) · source
“From our perspective, it is a major opportunity to deliver longer-term solutions, looking at jobs, education, infrastructure and opportunities for livelihoods, but, as we all know, they must be delivered in a way that supports those host communities and countries that are generous hosts. I believe that the whole-of-society approach in the Global Compact must be right, getting the right mix of actors around the table and, by doing that, allowing UNHCR to concentrate on its core mandate. We look forward to the first global refugee forum in December and we are ready to play our part. Lastly, I was struck by what Mr. Grandi said about toxicity. I think that is something to which the Council ought to return. As we look at individual country situations, we ought to remind everyone of the humanitarian principles in play.”
2019-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8504 (2019) · source
“The 34 projects the High Commissioner mentioned are welcome but they are certainly not enough. We would welcome any more he could say about how exactly we could help to expand those projects from the Council and what exactly the state of play is on the memorandum of understanding with the Government. That said, we recognize the challenges ofa situation like the Rohingya and Myanmar and Bangladesh. We are not ideological about how the repatriation process occurs as long as international principles are upheld. Tomorrow we will have a briefing on Venezuela, where the figures that the High Commissioner was quoting will be very relevant. I look forward to hearing what the representatives of Peru and Columbia have to say later in the week about the refugee burden. I wanted to turn to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.”
2019-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8504 (2019) · source
“I think that he is right to challenge us to be more strategic, and I would welcome anything more he could say in that regard. Looking at the individual countries that he mentioned, I think they show that the reality is difficult. I thought what he said about Libya was worrying. I am sorry that the staff are under pressure. If there is anything more that he can tell us about what immediate steps would be helpful, that would feed into the discussions we hope to have later this week on Libya. In Syria we do not support returns where the conditions do not allow time and we look to UNHCR to continue to set the standard of the three safe, dignified and voluntary principles. Looking at Myanmar, we have worked hard with UNHCR and the United Nations Development Programme to try and help create conditions.”
2019-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8504 (2019) · source
“I was also very interested to hear what the representative of Equatorial Guinea said about the African Union interest in this subject as well as its desire to establish a humanitarian agency. It is very good to see humanitarian issues receive such prominence. The principal role that UNHCR plays with regard to returns is very much one that sets the international standard and that by which we should judge these major conflicts. Returns are a part ofthe key durable solution. It is important to remember that for the majority of refugees and host countries alike return is, by some margin, the preferred option. But as Mr. Grandi said, it is not always available and sometimes results in some rather pernicious trade-offs where refugees are encouraged to go back in circumstances that are very far short of safe, voluntary and dignified.”
2019-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8504 (2019) · source
“I thank Mr. Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, for his briefing. I think that this is clearly a topic that moves very many members of the Council. I also wanted to pay tribute to the High Commissioner and all his staff, including those around the world. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) probably sees people at the worst point in their lives and the High Commissioner and his team do an incredible job in the face of increasing insecurity and displacement. I ask to please pass on our thanks. The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of UNHCR through both core and country funding, and we gave nearly $100 million dollars last year.”
2019-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8504 (2019) · source
“But as many millions of ordinary citizens in Syria know to their cost, Syrian authorities do not uphold the values of the Charter of the United Nations, they do not uphold the Chemical Weapons Convention, and they have tortured and starved their own people. If there is any threat to the values of the Charter of the United Nations, it comes from Syria and not from any member of the Security Council today.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“I want to respond to the unwarranted and intemperate comments of the Syrian Permanent Representative against Germany and the German Ambassador. I want to stress that Germany is our partner and our ally in Europe, the European Union and NATO, at the United Nations and throughout the world. Germany makes a major contribution to the work of the United Nations. It is the second-largest contributor to the United Nations and it upholds the values of the Charter of the United Nations. We all know that the United Nations was founded out of the ashes of the Second World War and we all know what events led up to that war and its outcome. It is true that Syria was a founding Member of the United Nations, and that is a matter for all countries to be proud of.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“Finally, turning to UNDOF, the United Kingdom strongly supports that mission. It should be the only armed force active in the area of separation. The presence and activity of any other armed forces, armed personnel or military equipment of any kind in the area of separation contravenes the Disengagement of Forces Agreement of resolution 2394 (2017). The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting UNDOF's mandate, and we look forward to engaging in discussions regarding its renewal in June.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“That is true irrespective of the importance of the Golan to Israel's security, or the lack of progress in peace talks. Turning to the peace talks, resolution 242 (1967) enshrined the concept of land for peace. That has proved successful in ending the conflict between Israel, Jordan and Egypt. We believe it remains a basic principle for achieving peace between Israel, the Palestinians and other neighbours. I want to emphasize that we strongly welcome the United States efforts on the Middle East peace process. We encourage the United States Administration to put forward detailed proposals for a Viable Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both parties. We continue to believe that the best way to achieve that is through substantive peace talks between the parties, leading to a two-State solution.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“The right to self-defence is inherent. Israel has a right to defend itself. It has a right to security. And its people have a right to live in safety. We do not wish to diminish Israel's genuine security concerns. We fully support its right to defend itself. We urge the Al-Assad regime, Iran and Hizbullah to refrain from actions that will only lead to increased instability in the region, as well as put civilians at risk. As the United States representative noted, Syria has allowed the use of its territory to launch missiles at Israel and Israeli civilians. That is not acceptable. But, at the same time, we emphasize the importance of adhering to the rules- based international system and abiding by Security Council resolutions that are designed to protect that system.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“We recall that resolution 497 (1981), adopted unanimously on 17 December 1981, decided, in paragraph 1, that the Israeli Golan Heights Law, which effectively annexed the Golan Heights, is "null and void and without international legal effect". It further demanded that Israel rescind its action. The decision by the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan heights is in contravention of resolution 497 (1981). In terms of the international order, the United Kingdom firmly believes that the rules-based international system has increased States' ability to resolve their differences peacefully and provided a framework for the greatest sustained rise in prosperity that humankind has seen. That is why the United Kingdom thinks we should work hard with our international partners to nurture and protect those rules.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“The annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. In addition, under the law of State responsibility, States are obliged not to recognize the annexation of territory as a result of the use of force. Turning to Security Council resolutions, it is important that we uphold the relevant resolutions. Resolution 242 (1967), which the British delegation at the time had the honour to pen, was adopted unanimously by the Council on 22 November 1967. British sponsored, it called on all parties to end territorial claims, acknowledge the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area, and, in paragraph 1, called for "withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict".”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“I thank the two Under-Secretaries-General for their helpful briefings. I would like to structure my remarks under six headings, namely, the United Kingdom's position on the Golan; Security Council resolutions; what this means for the international order; Israel's right to security; the Middle East peace process; and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). On the first point, the United Kingdom's position has not changed: the Golan Heights is territory occupied by Israel. The turbulent history ofthe region is of course well known. Following the 1967 Six Day War, Israel took control of the Golan, including the disputed Shaba'a farmlands, deciding to annex the territory in 1981. The United Kingdom did not recognize that annexation then. We do not recognize it today.”
2019-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8495 (2019) · source
“My Foreign Secretary wrote to the Israeli Government to condemn the planned demolition of the Palestinian village of Khan Al-Ahmar and we continue to press Israel to abandon these plans entirely. A number of Council members have referred to the issue of the Golan Heights. The United Kingdom views the Golan Heights as territory occupied by Israel. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, and that includes the Charter of the United Nations. The United Kingdom does not recognize Israel's annexation in 1981 and we have no plans to change that position.”
2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source
“We continue to support the need for an independent and transparent investigation into last year's events in Gaza, and we welcome the recent decision by the Israeli Military Advocate General to order five criminal investigations relating to 11 separate instances of Palestinian fatalities during the Gaza protests. It is customary to turn to the issue of settlements. Our views on settlements remain well known. Suffice it to say that we share the Secretary-General's views on the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. We also remain gravely concerned by the threat of evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem and across the West Bank.”
2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source
“That is not to take away one iota from Israel's right to self-defence and it is not to undermine or gainsay the fact that Hamas operatives cynically exploit these protests, but it is worth repeating that this perpetual cycle of violence serves no one's interests. As the German ambassador said, the emphasis ought to be on what can be done to implement resolution 2334 (2016) and reduce the violence that we see every day in the territories and in Israel. Ijust want to join others who referred to the March of Return. That anniversary will be with us shortly. We urge all parties to demonstrate restraint and avoid future violence.”
2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source
“Along with others, we support the Egyptian and United Nations efforts to broker a ceasefire and restore the situation to calm. Violence not only creates fear and a cycle of violence among the Israeli and Palestinian populations; it also undermines the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have been concerned by the number of Palestinian deaths in the West Bank over the past few weeks. A number of colleagues mentioned the heightened tensions at Al-Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount. We urge all parties to work together to restore calm and to support the status quo under the custodianship of the King of Jordan. The protests at the Gaza perimeter fence continue, and we remain concerned about the volume of live fire that has been used and is resulting in horrific injuries and in fatalities.”
2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source
“Like our German colleague, I shall try to be brief because I think that there have been a lot of common themes across the Council today. While I share people's dismay that so many of these issues come back to us repeatedly, I think that if there is any unity in the Council, it has been on the condemnation of violence from both sides and the need for both to make progress. Mr. Mladenov asked us to be very clear about the condemnation of the recent rocket attacks. Dual British-Israeli citizens were injured in the latest rocket attacks, so we have no hesitation in joining him and others in condemning unreservedly what has happened and such acts of terrorism and violence wherever they occur. I note that there was another attack near the Ariel settlement on 17 March.”
2019-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8489 (2019) · source
“I will be very brief but, as a number of lurid claims were made against my country, I would like to respond. First, I have sent you a letter, Mr. President, in response to allegations made by the Venezuelan representative, which sets out very clearly British policy towards his country - very much along the lines of European Union policy, which we heard about earlier. Secondly, if theft and plundering of the Venezuelan people's wealth is occurring, it is because of their own Government. It is not because of mine. The meeting rose at 4.20 pm.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“A full reading of the United Nations Charter would show that the Security Council should cooperate to address the suffering of the Venezuelan people. Finally, the text failed to explicitly recognize two crucial aspects of the situation in Venezuela: the humanitarian crisis - I should say the man- made humanitarian crisis brought about by corrupt economic policies - and the need for free, fair and credible elections.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“We fundamentally disagreed with its content because it pretended that there were threats to use force against the territorial integrity and political independence of Venezuela. There have been no threats to Venezuela's political independence or territorial integrity. Secondly, the Russian draft resolution focused on alleged attempts to intervene in Venezuela's domestic affairs. As we have seen, the crisis has spilled far beyond Venezuela's borders, and the current situation in Venezuela represents a clear threat to peace and security in the region. Thirdly, the text included a selective reading of the Charter of the United Nations - one that we have heard before. It presents a biased interpretation of the events unfolding in Venezuela and its support for the Maduro regime.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“Finally, the text addressed the economic collapse brought about by Maduro's corrupt policies, which led to the humanitarian crisis that has so far forced more than 3.5 million Venezuelans to leave their country for other countries in the region. That has placed huge strain on the social services of Venezuela's neighbours. We would like to thank the United States, as penholder of the draft resolution, for drafting a text that properly recognizes the gravity of the situation in Venezuela. There are limits as to how far a Government can inflict damage and suffering on its own people. Turning to the Russian text, the United Kingdom was compelled to vote against the draft resolution proposed by the Russian Federation today.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“It called for free and fair elections, which we also believe in. We believe that the Nicolas Maduro presidency is illegitimate and that the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, is constitutionally interim President of Venezuela until credible, free and fair elections can be held. Those elections are a condition on the part of transition to peace. Secondly, the American draft resolution acknowledged deep concern about violence and the use of excessive force by the security forces in Venezuela against unarmed, peaceful protesters, including those actively engaged in getting humanitarian assistance into the country to the benefit of ordinary citizens. There is clear evidence that liberty and justice have been systematically dismantled by Maduro's regime.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“As is clear, the United Kingdom voted in favour of the American draft resolution (S/20l9/l86) and against the Russian one (S/2019/l90). I think the fact that the Russian draft resolution failed to obtain the required number of votes whereas the American text was vetoed accurately pinpoints the unease that many Members of the United Nations feel about the situation in Venezuela and how untenable it is for it to continue. We were content to vote in favour of the United States text because it addressed important issues in Venezuela about which we too are concerned. It emphasized the importance of establishing the necessary conditions for a new and credible electoral process in Venezuela. Despite the Russian polemic, the United States text did not seek a permanent transfer of power to a different leader.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“I agree with other speakers who have made the very important point about our concern for Idlib and for the safety of civilians there. The fight against terrorism is not a license to harm civilians, and I think that point bears repeating. I endorse what other speakers have said about humanitarian access. Lastly, I would like to make common cause with the French representative and his remarks about north-eastern Syria. We too welcome the American announcement. It is very important. There is more to be done against Da'esh, even as the territorial manifestation of Da'esh is being defeated. I hope that we can continue to collaborate on combating terrorism but that ought to be in the context of assisting an overall political settlement in Syria.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“To avoid any doubt, there is nothing ideological in the United Kingdom's position on this. We want a political settlement that is inclusive and credible and one that will last. We will support the Special Envoy to the hilt in reaching that settlement. I would like to put that on the table because I think it is a very critical point. I join all those speakers who have called on members of the Council with strong influence on the Syrian authorities to use that influence to support the Special Envoy in making serious progress, because the situation has gone on too long. I really hope that by the time the Special Envoy returns next month, there will be something more to say than the messages that we have repeated for so many months and so many years. The other point I wanted to make is about Idlib.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“As the Special Envoy said, that concerns the critical importance of an eventual settlement that is inclusive of all the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, which is related to what the German Ambassador just said about reconstruction. For Syria to be rehabilitated within the international community in the way that we all want to see, there needs to be a political settlement firmly based on resolution 2254 (2015) and a representative set of politics in Syria that address all the underlying issues that led to the crisis in the first place. We are not going to get there quickly, and I am not going to talk about the constitutional committee, which has bedevilled the Security Council for far too long. I am going to say that we trust the Special Envoy to use his very best efforts to make progress on that absolutely critical part.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“I will add our voice to all those welcoming the Special Envoy and thanking him for his briefing. I think that there has been a lot of identity of view today, and it is all centred around our support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. I just want to note that, to date, we have had resolutions, we have got principles, we have got baskets, we have got pillars and we have not had any meaningful progress, in particular with regard to the notion of a political settlement. I believe therefore that the most useful thing I can do today is to add the United Kingdom's voice to all those pledging to support the Special Envoy, as well as to highlight one theme that I think nearly every speaker has touched upon.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to underscore that longer- term progress towards a political settlement - towards a more representative settlement in Yemen - is absolutely vital for the peace, security and stability of the country and the health and well-being of the Yemeni people.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Regarding the political process overall, taking careful, incremental steps forward is probably the way to go. Mr. Griffiths set out the difficulties, and we recognize that the peace and momentum that have been achieved so far remain fragile; nevertheless, if we are to try to bring peace and help to the people of Yemen, who have suffered for so long, we need to keep going no matter what the difficulty is. Mr. Lowcock very eloquently described how the challenges on the humanitarian side remain dire. And I was very worried by what he had to say about operations grinding to a halt. The urgency of making progress cannot be overestimated. We hope that the pledging conference to be held in Geneva on 26 February will be able to give a boost to these important efforts.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Griffiths said some encouraging things about tackling the prisoner exchanges - we need to finalize those. I think we all know that that is a crucial confidence-building measure, as is a commitment to the next round of talks. But I would particularly like to echo what Mr. Griffiths said about the need - regarding Taiz - for taking small steps now, not big steps later. I think that is absolutely important. There is often in peace processes a feeling that one should always go for the biggest outcome possible. And, of course, in principle that is right. But the people of Yemen, as we heard very eloquently today from our briefers, need to see tangible results, and they need to see them fast. I therefore think that taking small steps now is absolutely the right approach.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“It is extremely welcome that the parties have been able to work closely with the Special Envoy, and the commitments they have given him are extremely necessary. But I think what both briefings emphasized is how important it is that those commitments get translated into meaningful practice on the ground. I want to say a word, ifI may, about standing up the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement. It is obvious that the Mission has an important role to play in getting implementation under way and making sure that it is comprehensive. I know there have been some teething problems with some of the logistical arrangements for the Mission. I would therefore like to use this opportunity to call on the all the parties to do their utmost to ensure that Mission personnel can get into place and do their work. Mr.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“President, because we will have closed consultations later with Mr. Griffiths and General Lollesgaard. We very much welcome the progress that has been made very recently over the weekend. There was particularly good news about the ports of Saleef and Ras Isa. We look forward to what will happen in the next phase involving Hudaydah port and parts of the city. As. Mr. Lowcock's briefing emphasized, access to the Red Sea Mills is vital - we are running out of superlatives for the word critical - but it is obvious that we have to be able to have the humanitarian agencies obtain access to the food supplies there. Therefore, these steps towards ensuring that access are extremely welcome. As Mr. Griffith's briefing emphasized, we need meaningful implementation to begin.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“Once again, we thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Martin Griffiths, and the Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock, as well as their teams, for all their work and dedication. We have heard what Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Lowcock said about the involvement of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Food Programme in some of the things that have been happening on the ground. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those organizations and everything they are doing to try and make the lives of ordinary people in Yemen easier. We also welcome Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard to his new post and thank Major General Patrick Cammaert for his contribution. I will be brief, Mr.”
2019-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8464 (2019) · source
“In closing, I would like to again pay tribute to Council colleagues who have helped us reach a sensible and proportionate way forward on the frequency with which the Council discusses Kosovo, and I would like to reiterate our thanks to the Special Representative and his team for their efforts on behalf of the Council.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“IfI may, I would also like to highlight one aspect of the Special Representative's report to which the Kosovo Ambassador alluded, that is, the transition of the Kosovo Security Force, which the Council discussed in December (see S/PV.8427). I would like to reiterate what I said at that time, that the United Kingdom believes that it is Kosovo's right as an independent, self-governing State to develop its own armed forces. Our legal interpretation of resolution 1244 (1999) is that it does not contain anything that precludes the future transition of the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force. I also repeat something else I said in December, that we look to Kosovo to act responsibly, transparently and in consultation with NATO allies to uphold existing commitments to arrangements with the NATO Kosovo Force.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“Progress on the dialogue is not only Vital for the prosperity, stability and security of both Kosovo and Serbia and the wider region, it would also be an important example ofhow, at a very unpredictable time in world affairs, two former adversaries could come together and show that a way forward can be found to mutual benefit. I want to say that we also welcome the law mandating the Kosovo State delegation, which passed its first reading on 2 February. The State delegation, in the context of the dialogue, will help ensure that a plurality of voices from across the political spectrum is able to deliver a deal that the Kosovo Parliament and the country can accept. And of course, any deal should be comprehensive, inclusive and contribute to regional stability and security.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“I would really like to use this meeting to appeal to the political leaders in Belgrade and Pristina to recognize the opportunity that the EU-facilitated dialogue offers them to be able to resolve their differences and move forward for the sake of their peoples, their history and their relations as equal and sovereign neighbours working together for the prosperity and democracy of Europe. In addition to that, I look to both parties to cease all provocations, which increase tensions, and call on them to show the good faith that the dialogue expects.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“I think it is incumbent upon all of us to look forward to potential solutions, and for political leaders in the region, but particularly in Kosovo and Serbia, to refrain from exacerbating tensions and divisions. I mentioned a few minutes ago that Kosovo is not an acute crisis situation of the sort that the Council, sadly, has to deal with all too often. Rather, it and Serbia are fortunate in that the European Union has offered a dialogue within which they can normalize their relations and make progress towards integration into the European Union as equals and as sovereign nations that respect one another. There are other conflicts where we have no such prospect of reaching any sort of agreement along those lines.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“With the agreement we have been able to reach today on reducing the frequency of UNMIK meetings going forward, followed by the endorsement of the President of the Council - and I thank you, Mr. President, for your role in that - we have taken a step commensurate with the nature of the issue regarding Kosovo, thereby enabling the Council to focus its efforts on much more fierce, intractable and live conflicts. At the same time, we support a strategic review of the Mission to ensure that UNMIK's efforts are fully tailored to the situation on the ground. As the UNMIK report (S/2019/102) makes clear, and notwithstanding overall developments in Kosovo, tensions between Belgrade and Pristina, sadly, rose over the reporting period.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source
“All of those efforts came to nothing and remain in abeyance. That is not at all to take away from the fact that each of the communities in Kosovo could do more to build a tolerant, inclusive society where rights are respected across the board. But there is a very big difference between that point and the description of how we got where we are. The situation in Kosovo in 2019 has changed dramatically since UNMIK entered in 1999. UNMIK has played an important role, with the help of the European Union and NATO, in promoting security, stability and human rights in Kosovo and the region. Kosovo is no longer a country in conflict, and it is becoming increasingly integrated into the international community. The Council deals with very many important issues related to international peace and security.”
2019-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8459 (2019) · source