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

“But in the vote today, the Council has sent a crystal clear message that it wants that agreement to be forthcoming quickly. Indeed, in the 3 text of its resolution, it explicitly invites the Sudan to provide this. We believe that if the Government of the Sudan is genuinely concerned about the welfare and protection of its citizens, there is no reason for it not to give its consent. A United Nations force will act in support of the Government of the Sudan by assisting it in implementing the DPA, which the Government of the Sudan signed and which it supports. I would like to underscore that point once more: the United Nations force is there to act in support of the Government of the Sudan; we want to work cooperatively with it. This is a United Nations force that will have a strong African participation and character.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“We believe very firmly that it cannot. It would be a military solution imposed by one of the parties to the conflict, and one that violated resolutions 1590 (2005) and 1591 (2005), as well as the Darfur Peace Agreement itself. The adoption of resolution 1706 (2006) today sends a clear message from the Council about the need for an unbiased, well-equipped third party to implement the DPA and ensure the protection of Darfur's civilians. That does not mean that we do not attach importance to the consent and agreement of the Government of the Sudan. It remains the case that the United Nations cannot deploy in Darfur until we have that agreement; that is not in dispute. We look forward hopefully to the Government of the Sudan's giving its acceptance soon.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“Secondly, it mandates the United Nations to deploy additional resources, as soon as possible thereafter, in preparation for the third element: transition to a full United Nations operation no later than 31 December. A United Nations force operating in support of the Darfur Peace Agreement remains the best vehicle for the people of Darfur. The DPA is not perfect; no one would claim that it is. But is the best - indeed, it is the only - vehicle that we have to bring peace and stability to Darfur. The plan that the Government of the Sudan sent to the Security Council (see S/2006/665, annex) seeks to provide the military solution that Kofi Annan warned against in his report to the Council. A number of commentators have made the suggestion that we should wait to see if the Sudanese plan can be implemented and can provide a solution.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“We are heartened 06-48422 that, as shown by the vote today, there is broad consensus among Council members that transition to a United Nations operation is the only viable solution to Darfur's problems. And if I may speak on behalf of others for a moment, I would like to say confidently, based on our conversations, that those countries that abstained did not, I believe, have a fundamental disagreement with the principle that United Nations should take over; the issue was more one of timing. The resolution adopted today does three clear things. First, it authorizes much-needed United Nations support for AMIS, which it makes clear must begin to be deployed within the next 30 days.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“Against this backdrop, the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS), which stepped in to Darfur when the United Nations asked it to, and which has done an extremely good job in exceptionally difficult circumstances, is now struggling to cope - so much so that the African Union has called for transition to a United Nations operation. This resolution responds to that call. The test before the Council today was whether it was prepared to act to mandate that United Nations mission and assume its responsibilities towards the people of Darfur. The adoption of the resolution shows that it is. The resolution gives the United Nations force in Darfur a clear Chapter VII mandate to use all necessary means to protect civilians.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“July was the worst month for attacks on humanitarian workers, with nine deaths. To date, humanitarian organizations have had to cut back their activities, with many considering pulling out of Darfur altogether. Much of the population is without basic food and health services. There are more gender- based acts of violence and robberies, and 50,000 new internally displaced persons have been created in the last few weeks alone. As a result, the DPA is under increasing strain and in real danger of collapsing. As the United States Permanent Representative said, we cannot afford to delay any longer. Already today there are more reports of the build-up of the Sudanese military in Darfur.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“The United Kingdom greatly welcomes the adoption of resolution 1706 (2006) by the Council today. The United Kingdom had the honour to introduce the draft resolution to the Council as one of the co-sponsors. The crisis in Darfur, which should never have started, has gone on far too long. Over the past three years, 2 million people have been displaced and 200,000 have been killed. After months of negotiations, a peace deal - the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) - was finally signed in April this year. Three months ago, the Council met at the foreign- minister level to welcome this and to look ahead to a brighter future for the people of Darfur. It is a great tragedy that that brighter future is not materializing and that things, rather, have got worse, not better. Violence against civilians and humanitarian workers has increased.”
2006-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5519 (2006) · source
“However, as is clearly illustrated by the reporting the Working Group receives, that impact is limited. We have been talking about an era of application for some time now. We must do more practically to ensure that our words culminate in action to improve the lives of children. Having an impact depends ultimately on the will and actions of the national Governments and armed groups that are subjecting children to forced recruitment and abuse. We should strengthen our resolve to hold accountable those who commit such intolerable acts. The United Kingdom is fully committed to tackling the issue of children and armed conflict and will play a full role in the Council and its Working Group. Finally, I would like to state that we support the presidential statement in its entirety.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494 (2006) · source
“It is already providing valuable information and many people have contributed to its effectiveness so far. I look forward to the review of the mechanism and to its expansion to cover all situations of armed conflict in which the rights of children are being violated. The progress with the reporting mechanism and the Working Group is encouraging. However, as many other speakers have said today, thousands of children around the world continue to be affected by conflict. The current situation in the Middle East demonstrates just how vulnerable children are to the effects of such conflict. Ultimately, we must measure our success in terms of impact on the lives of children. The evidence suggests that naming perpetrators of grave violations against children has had an impact.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494 (2006) · source
“The two key elements of that framework - the monitoring and reporting mechanism and the Council's Working Group - will enable us to increase that impact. The presentation to the Working Group in June of the first country report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo was an important step forward. It was very good to hear from the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo today. I look forward to the Working Group reaching early agreement on the recommendations to be passed to the relevant bodies. That will enable action to be taken, including by the Council. I offer the United Kingdom's full support to the efforts of the French mission in advancing the efforts of the Working Group. The pilot phase of the monitoring and reporting mechanism is now under way.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494 (2006) · source
“I particularly want to mention Ms. Coomaraswamy's visit to Uganda in June this year. The violations of the rights of children in that situation are egregious even by the awful standards that we have been briefed on today. I strongly urge the parties to that conflict to cooperate with the United Nations and to fulfil all their obligations to protect the rights of children. Since the Council last debated this issue, we have good reason to be encouraged by the impact the Security Council is having on the situation of children in armed conflict. Through our collective efforts, continued and high-level attention has been focused on the issue. We have helped shape and agree a framework for action in resolution 1612 (2005).”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494 (2006) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative Coomaraswamy and UNICEF Executive Director Ms. Veneman for their briefings. UNICEF rightly has a high reputation among all our publics, and we thank Ms. Veneman for her leadership. We also pay tribute to the work of the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, and thank Mr. Melkert and Mr. Bannon for their briefings. I would like to associate the United Kingdom with the remarks made by the Finnish presidency of the European Union a short while ago. Above all, I should like to welcome Radhika Coomaraswamy to her first meeting with the Security Council. She has brought much energy to her task, and it is particularly welcome that she has been able to get into the field to see the situation at first hand and to advocate for the rights of children. That is making a real difference.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494 (2006) · source
“Our goal remains a negotiated two-State solution achieved through the road map. There is no alternative to this, and it is incumbent on all of us to work together to find a way through the current crisis to get back onto that track.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“I repeat - we recognize Israel's right to defend itself, but we insist that its actions must be proportionate and in accordance with international law. We need an urgent end to the current crisis, as many speakers today have said eloquently. At the same time, and as Mr. Nambiar heard from many interlocutors in the region, real peace can come only through a lasting settlement. Our priority must be to create the conditions for an early resumption of negotiations. The events that we have witnessed around Israel's borders in recent days have reaffirmed the great urgency of constructing a lasting settlement and the perils of assuming that there is somehow a military solution to this conflict. We believe that negotiation is the only viable way to move the peace process forward.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Egeland about the situation in the occupied territories. The United Kingdom also has deep concerns about the situation in Gaza. The escalation in violence since the 25 June attack at the Kerem Shalom crossing has caused great suffering on both sides and mounting casualties. We offer our condolences to both sides for their civilian losses. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit. We also condemn the continued rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli towns. We have called on the Palestinian Authority to prevent all terrorist attacks, including the rocket attacks, and to work for the release of Corporal Shalit. We very much welcome the work President Abbas is doing to achieve that. The United Kingdom continues to have serious concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We welcome the proposals put forward by the Secretary- General, in particular to the effect that the Israeli soldiers must be released immediately and that Hizbollah must end its attacks on Israel. We must also help the Government of Lebanon have complete control over all Lebanese territory. In that context, the United Kingdom is working with key partners, including the United Nations, on ideas for an international force to support the Government of Lebanon in implementing resolution 1559 (2004) in order to ensure security in southern Lebanon. Beyond the immediate crisis, as the Secretary- General said, we need a political framework for Lebanon's future. The United Kingdom is committed to working with him to give effect to this as quickly as possible. We heard also from Mr. Nambiar and Mr.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We fully support the Secretary- General's call for the immediate establishment of humanitarian corridors. We welcome what the Israeli representative has said today about evacuation and what other people have said about getting these humanitarian corridors in place. But it is crucial that everyone on the ground cooperate in putting in place not only evacuation facilities but also ways of ensuring that humanitarian assistance gets to the Lebanese civilians on the ground. We all agree that the hostilities must end, but, as we have heard from the Secretary-General's team, there are serious obstacles to reaching a ceasefire or even to reducing the violence quickly. That underscores the need to create the conditions necessary for a ceasefire which is both credible and durable.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Israel has every right to defend itself against these terrible acts of provocation, but we call on it to make greater efforts to avoid civilian casualties. We welcome the United Nations efforts to deliver humanitarian relief, as outlined to us by Jan Egeland. The European Union is also ready to play a key role, as the situation on the ground allows. The United Kingdom has agreed to provide Â£2 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to Lebanon. We are also arranging for two humanitarian advisers and construction advisers to be sent to the region as soon as possible to assess what more we can do to help. It is clear from aid agencies in Lebanon that they need immediate access to the displaced and the wounded. They need that access to be safe and secure, not under threat of attack, in order to bring relief to those who need it most.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Ultimately, long-term stability will be possible only if Syria and Iran end their interference in Lebanese internal affairs, in accordance with resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006). I should like to take the opportunity of this statement to urge Iran and Syria to use their influence to rein Hizbollah in. Against this difficult and dangerous background, the focus of the international community must be on what action can be taken to bring about a durable ceasefire and help the Lebanese people. The United Kingdom is seriously concerned by the number of deaths, casualties and displaced persons that have resulted from this conflict. We have repeatedly and forcefully made clear to Israel that it must act with restraint - the utmost restraint.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“This is a calculated attempt by Hizbollah to further destabilize the region, without the slightest regard for the potential impact of its actions on the people of Lebanon, the Lebanese Government and the wider region. The quickest and the easiest way to end the current crisis would be for the soldiers to be freed. We reiterate our call for their immediate and unconditional release. Hizbollah does not act alone. As other speakers have said, behind it, lending support and giving direction, are Syria and Iran. Syria provides material support to Hizbollah and facilitates the transfer of weapons, including thousands of missiles, which appear to be supplied by Iran to Hizbollah.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“I will focus first of all on the situation in Lebanon. We offer our condolences to the Governments of Lebanon and of Israel for the losses of civilian life and to the families of all those affected. We were also very concerned to hear from the Secretary- General that two United Nations personnel are still missing in south Lebanon. The United Kingdom appreciates the pressure that both the Israeli and Lebanese Governments are under at this very difficult time. Both have a responsibility to help to end the crisis. In that respect, we welcome the Lebanese representative's statement today of Lebanon's desire to extend its authority over all of its territory. It is important to remember that this crisis was precipitated by Hizbollah. Its militants crossed into Israel and killed eight Israeli soldiers and kidnapped two more.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“First, I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his public briefing yesterday and for his proposals. We are studying his proposals urgently. I should like also to thank Mr. Nambiar for his briefing on his very important mission, and also Mr. Egeland for his briefing on the United Nations efforts to deliver much-needed humanitarian relief. The United Kingdom fully subscribes to the statement that will be delivered shortly by the representative of Finland on behalf of the European Union. The United Kingdom is gravely concerned by the escalating crisis in the Middle East. It threatens the wider security of the region and is causing huge harm to the civilian population, with civilian casualties mounting, particularly in Lebanon. We fully echo the Secretary-General's call yesterday. Hostilities must stop.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We welcome the paper produced by the Watson Institute in March this year with the sponsorship of the Governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. This paper provides a good quarry for practical and sensible improvements to existing procedures, and we believe that it addresses all the key issues. We trust that the 1267 Committee and other relevant sanctions committees will use the paper to inform their discussions.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“As set out in the World Summit Outcome, we all support the need for fair and clear procedures for placing individuals and entities on sanctions lists, for delisting and for granting humanitarian exemptions; the question is how we achieve that. It is in all our interests that the Security Council's targeted sanctions be both effective and fair. We are pleased that the 1267 sanctions Committee has now started its consideration of these issues. We believe that any improved procedures agreed in the 1267 Committee should also be reflected in the practice of the other sanctions committees. It would be wrong, in our View, to see this issue in isolation. The United Kingdom is committed to strengthening fair and clear procedures across the various committees as soon as possible. The United Kingdom supports a pragmatic approach to these issues.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“We call on all States to cooperate with and provide support to those tribunals, as the Security Council has mandated. We welcome the adoption of Security Council resolution 1688 (2006) at the end of last week and the transfer, on Tuesday this week, of President Charles Taylor to face trial before the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in the ICC at The Hague. That is a timely demonstration of the Council's commitment to ensuring that those accused of serious international crimes face justice, no matter how wealthy or powerful they may be. The United Kingdom was pleased to have been able to help in this endeavour through our undertaking to take former President Taylor if he is convicted. Thirdly, I would like to turn to the issue of sanctions.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“The international community and the Security Council have a range of mechanisms at their disposal for combating impunity, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), national, international and mixed courts and tribunals and truth and reconciliation commissions. The adoption of Security Council resolution 1593 (2005), referring the situation in Darfur to the ICC Prosecutor, was a landmark step in the Council's efforts to combat impunity. The United Kingdom is a strong supporter, in principle and in practice, of the ICC. We urge States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Rome Statute. The United Kingdom is also a firm supporter of the work of the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the Special Court for Sierra Leone and other existing mixed tribunals.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“Where a rule-of-law vacuum exists, security considerations will often mean that military peacekeepers will inevitably retain a role for some time in ensuring law and order. A recent study for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations urged that planning missions consider what law-and-order functions the military needs to take on. That recommendation warrants careful consideration, in our View. Secondly, I would like to turn to the subject of international crimes. It is important that the Security Council take the lead in combating impunity for those who have perpetrated genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It is also important that the international community assist States in their efforts to strengthen the capacity of their legal systems so that they can hold such perpetrators to account.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“Post-conflict States also need access to more and earlier funding. We hope that the Peacebuilding Fund will pay particular attention to this. The Danish presidency has also asked us to consider the important issue of rule-of-law vacuums, where national justice and security sectors have collapsed. The best possible response to this, in our View, would be the early deployment of international police, justice and corrections personnel and an early start to the process of rebuilding the domestic justice system. We strongly support the establishment of the standing police capacity and urge that equivalent efforts be made on the judicial and corrections side. In general, we believe that the work of the policing components in United Nations missions would benefit from a detailed discussion by the Council.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“If the Secretary-General's planning reports provide more detail about how many rule-of-law personnel will be needed in a particular mission and what they will do, the Council should be prepared to agree on this and to provide the greater clarity and specificity on the rule of law in peacekeeping mandates that the Committee of Thirty-Four has rightly called for. Within United Nations missions there should be maximum cooperation among judicial, corrections, human rights and policing units, the combined efforts of which are critical. All of those elements, we suggest, should operate within the same pillar and be answerable to a single Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General responsible for the rule of law. Together with United Nations agencies on the ground, they should adopt a single, "one United Nations" approach.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“The United Kingdom warmly welcomed the Secretary-General's idea of a rule of law assistance unit, as endorsed in the World Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1). We await a decision on the unit's establishment, remit and location within the Secretariat. Our View remains that the Unit's focus must be on countries at risk of or emerging from conflict, and we hope it will work closely with the Peacebuilding Commission. We hope, too, that the Peacebuilding Commission will devote considerable attention to rule-of-law and transitional justice needs in the countries on its agenda. Increased and better coordinated rule-of-law capacity is also needed in the field. What, for example, can a single prison official do in a country the size of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“As the Secretary-General stated, "It is by reintroducing the rule of law, and confidence in its impartial application, that we can hope to resuscitate societies shattered by conflict." (A/59/PV.3, p. 3) Some progress has been made since the Secretary-General's landmark report on the rule of law and transitional justice, of August 2004 (S/2004/616). The rule of law now routinely features in the mandates of new peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions. We have been pleased to support the development of lessons-learned studies and training for United Nations rule-of-law personnel. That is all very welcome. But some key recommendations in the August 2004 report remain unimplemented. Notably, the Security Council still awaits proposals from the Secretariat for enhancing the United Nations system.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“And, as we have heard from Judge Higgins, the International Court of Justice is the principal United Nations judicial organ charged with settling disputes between States; it has an absolutely central role in maintaining international peace and security. The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of the ICJ, as demonstrated by our acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction under Article 36, paragraph 2, of the ICJ Statute. We urge other States that have not done so to also accept the compulsory jurisdiction. Like you, Mr. President, we hope that this debate will generate new momentum on the rule of law and transitional justice in post-conflict situations. Sustainable peace cannot be based on anarchy, impunity or dictatorship.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“I would like to take the opportunity to pay a tribute to the leaders of both countries, but also to the Secretary- General and his Special Representative, for the decision to seek and implement the ICJ's judgment as well as to lay down a very important template for success for the rule of law. I would also like to express the hope that other countries will be able to follow that example. First, the rule of law. The United Kingdom is fully committed both to the rule of international law and to the Purposes and Principles in the United Nations Charter. The peaceful settlement of disputes is at the heart of the Charter.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking you, Sir, for bringing this important issue to the Council for debate during the Danish presidency. The United Kingdom is proud and pleased to strongly support your initiative. Our thanks go as well to Judge Higgins, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and to Mr. Michel, Under- Secretary-General for Legal Affairs. Their valuable and insightful contributions are informing today's debate. I would like to cover three issues: the rule of law, international crimes and sanctions. But before I do so, I would like to pick up on what both Judge Higgins and Mr. Michel said about the recent agreement between Cameroon and Nigeria. I had the honour, along with other United Nations delegates, of witnessing this under the auspices of the Secretary-General.”
2006-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5474 (2006) · source
“The United Kingdom is serious about the commitments the Contact Group expressed in its guiding principles and the 31 January statement. We are working intensively towards a settlement during 2006. The international community cannot allow the future status process to be delayed.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“The United Kingdom recalls the Contact Group ministerial statement of 31 January, which was supported by the United Nations, the European Union and NATO. The solution to status must be acceptable to the people of Kosovo. There is a sound basis for that in the United Nations Charter. I would also like to echo what the representative of China said about the great specificities and complexities of the Kosovo situation. It is true that the day-to-day problems of Kosovo, particularly in the economy, are not unique to that place. But Kosovo is uniquely placed in the panoply of post-conflict situations by virtue of the events of 1998 and 1999, resolution 1244 (1999) and the existence of the status process, led by Martti Ahtisaari. The resolution of status will enhance regional stability, not detract from it.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“Raskovic-Ivic said about the importance of Kosovo Serb participation in the political life of Kosovo. That is very welcome, but I encourage Belgrade not to make it conditional on agreement to decentralization. Decentralization is an important part of Kosovo's future. Talks are under way in Vienna, and they deserve our support. But Kosovo Serb participation is needed now, without preconditions. Finally, I would like to emphasize that the United Kingdom continues to support, unreservedly, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Kosovo's future, Martti Ahtisaari. I will reserve our comments on status until his presentation later this summer. But I would like to respond to a couple of points that have been made today, including one point from Mrs. Raskovic-Ivic about international order and legality.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“It is hard to see how Belgrade's persistence in actively discouraging Kosovo Serbs from joining Kosovo's institutions or political life serves their interests. It does not serve the interests of the Kosovo Serbs. The future of the Kosovo Serbs in Kosovo is as active participants and contributors, not as an insular and disenfranchised community. Thirdly, the Contact Group's letter to Belgrade of 9 June called on the Serbian leadership to stop obstructing processes that can only improve the lives of Kosovo Serbs. Belgrade's active and constructive engagement in the Kosovo status process is the best way to preserve, protect and promote the interests of Kosovo's Serbian community. But it is also a vital part of Belgrade's own rapprochement with the rest of Europe, so that it can take its rightful place there. I welcome what Ms.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“The international community and the Council remain focused on monitoring concrete results, as shown by the Contact Group letter to Pristina of 9June, which specifies - as the representative of France mentioned - 13 priority areas with set time boundaries for progress. I would like to strongly echo what the representative of Peru said, that the future of Kosovo is as a functioning democracy and economy. I also endorse what he said about the European vision. Of course, we want that European future to apply to Serbia, too. Secondly, the Kosovo Government's efforts to reach out to minorities have been impressive. The inter-faith conference hosted by the Serb Orthodox Church, and President Sejdiu's visit to Kosovo Serb areas, are very positive signals. Such initiatives, however, can make meaningful progress only if they are reciprocated.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“More hard work will be needed, especially to continue Soren Jessen-Peterson's good work in reaching out to minority communities to help create an environment in which all communities can coexist in stability and prosperity. I would like to make four brief points on priorities for the coming months. First, the Secretary-General's report makes clear that substantial progress has been made on standards implementation and outreach to minority communities. That is welcome, but it must be sustained. Further progress is needed across the board, for example in minority rights legislation and the reconstruction of damaged and destroyed property. We look forward to some important steps in that regard being taken by the Assembly in the coming weeks.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“The fact that Kosovo was in a position last autumn for the status process to begin is due, in no small part, to his efforts. His and his team's tireless commitment, energy and perseverance do them - and, as a consequence, the United Nations - enormous credit. We thank his family, too, for the support that they have given him as he has carried out his Vital task. The United Kingdom would like to wish him every future success. His successor will have a hard act to follow. The United Kingdom looks forward to having a productive working relationship with him or her, as UNMIK continues to reform and Kosovo learns difficult lessons about accountability and responsibility.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source
“I, too, would like to welcome Prime Minister Ceku here today, for the first time since his appointment. I also welcome Ms. Raskovic-Ivic and thank her for her statement. The United Kingdom associates itself with the statement to be made later by the representative of Austria on behalf of the European Union. The United Kingdom would like to express its gratitude to the Special Representative, Mr. Saren Jessen-Petersen, for the absolutely outstanding work that he has done for two years in Kosovo. He has transformed and reinvigorated the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and has worked relentlessly with the Provisional Institutions to ensure genuine progress on standards and minority rights.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source