YouSaid · the spoken record

Pleuger

lines on the record: 791
first: 2003-01-14
most recent: 2006-03-14
sittings or episodes: 125
sources: un-security-council

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“We hope that the progress attained so far solidifies to the point of restoration of State unity, and that the process will gain momentum. We are cautiously optimistic, although some important open questions - such as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme, the amnesty law and citizenship - still have to be resolved. In that context, we appreciate very much the briefing on the implementation of DDR this morning. Together with our European partners, and as a member of the Security Council, Germany will continue to accompany and support the peace process. Only yesterday the Council discussed the follow-up to the mission to West Africa and endorsed its recommendations.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“First, Mr. President, I would like to join you and the Chinese Ambassador in thanking Ambassador Greenstock for his cooperation in the Council and for his personal friendship. We will miss him when he is gone, and we wish him well in his new and very important job. I wish to welcome His Excellency Prime Minister Diarra to the Security Council and to thank him for his readiness to personally inform the Council about the progress in inter-Ivoirian reconciliation process. I also wish to thank him for the warm hospitality he extended to the Security Council mission that visited Abidjan at the beginning of this month and for the substantial discussions the mission was able to have with him. We recognize the important reconciliatory role that the Prime Minister has played to this point.”
2003-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4793 (2003) · source
“Some days ago, the United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries stated that 11 per cent of the world's population live on less than $1 a day. It is obvious that this extreme poverty makes them vulnerable to exploitation by terrorist activists. This is one of the reasons why the fight against poverty, social injustice and other breeding grounds of terrorism must remain high on the international agenda. In conclusion, let me assure you, Mr. President, that Germany is determined to remain an active and reliable partner in the international coalition against terrorism, within the framework of the Charter and of international law.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“Germany maintains technical assistance programmes with more than 30 countries worldwide, primarily in the fields of the police, customs, law enforcement and financial law and practice. We are thus responding to the needs of many developing countries, as has been reiterated in today's discussion by our colleagues from Guinea, Angola and China. Together with our partners in these projects, we strive to strengthen the rule of law through efficient judicial and law-enforcement structures. Our common fight must respect national and international law, human rights and the Charter of the United Nations. In our view, the rule of law must always prevail. My third point is that we want to draw attention to the plight of the world's least developed countries.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“Germany remains fully committed to the fight against terrorism within the broadest possible international coalition. We fully subscribe to the statement to be made later by the presidency of the European Union, and I will therefore limit my intervention to three specific points. First of all, I would like to thank Ambassador Arias for the able way in which he has maintained and improved, in his four initial months as Chairman, the continuity and momentum of the Counter-Terrorism Committee's efforts. We support the Committee's new work programme in all its aspects. We especially welcome its ever-growing emphasis on technical assistance, and that leads to my second point.”
2003-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4792 (2003) · source
“We concur with the Secretary-General that it is important that Iraqis be able to see a clear timetable leading to the full restoration of their sovereignty. There is indeed a pressing need to set out a clear and specific sequence of events leading to the end of military occupation. In conclusion, let me emphasize that the creation of a stable and democratic post-war Iraq and an early transfer of power to a legitimate Iraqi Government are our common objective. The success of political and economic reconstruction in Iraq is the common interest of the European Union - of which Germany is a part - the United States and the States of the region.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“The interests of the Iraqi people should be the leading principle of all our activities. We should honour the unanimous hope of the Iraqis, as expressed during discussions with the Secretary-General's Special Representative, that the aspirations of the Iraqi people to govern themselves can be realized as soon as possible. It is true - democracy cannot be imposed from the outside; it has to come from within. Iraqis themselves must conduct the constitutional process. We are ready to effectively contribute to the establishment of conditions allowing all Iraqis to live in freedom, dignity and prosperity under a representative Government that will be at peace with its neighbours and an active member of the international community.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“The Iraqi people was forced to live for decades under a brutal regime with a complete disrespect for even the most basic principles of human rights. The almost daily new discovery of mass graves is only the most apparent evidence of the atrocities committed by the Saddam regime. Against this backdrop, it comes as no surprise that the issue of transitional justice and accountability for past crimes is a frequently cited priority area. We believe that this issue has to be dealt with under genuine Iraqi ownership in order to be accepted as impartial by the people of Iraq. We therefore see an urgent need to build up -with the help of the United Nations - an Iraqi human rights capacity. In this regard, we welcome the convening of the first human rights conference in Baghdad three weeks ago by the Special Representative.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“It is our understanding from the negotiations of resolution 1483 (2003) that the Board will ensure that the funds of the Development Fund for Iraq are disbursed in accordance with paragraph 13 and for the purposes specified in paragraph 14 of that resolution - that is, for the benefit of the Iraqi people. In this context, I should like to emphasize that Germany would also welcome the establishment of an adequate multilateral instrument through which the international community could channel its bilateral contributions. We believe that the creation of a separate international fund could dispel some concerns expressed by some members of the United Nations with regard to the DFI. However, full transparency and efficient coordination between these two funds will be needed to solicit adequate contributions from donor countries.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“We have already allocated over $50 million in humanitarian assistance and Germany is the leading contributor to the European assistance programme. German companies stand ready to contribute to the rehabilitation of the Iraqi economy and infrastructure if their participation is welcome. However, we believe that international support will be forthcoming to the necessary extent only if full transparency and international participation in the decision-making process are assured. That is the reason why we have been actively supporting the Secretariat in its efforts to grant a strong mandate for the International Advisory and Monitoring Board of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI).”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“We are very concerned indeed about daily reports of loss of life - among soldiers of the coalition and civilians alike - and the overall deterioration of the security situation in parts of Iraq. We understand that establishing a sufficient security environment is a challenging task, as remnants of the old brutal Saddam regime try to undermine stabilization and reconstruction efforts. We take it that the Authority is living up to its responsibilities according to international humanitarian law and as stated by Security Council resolution 1483 (2003). The Secretary-General confirmed once again that, despite its oil wealth, Iraq will require considerable external assistance for the reconstruction of its economy. Germany stands ready to contribute its share.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“My delegation has always - in particular, during negotiations on resolution 1483 (2003) - advocated a strong United Nations role in the post-war scenario in Iraq. We fully concur with the Secretary-General's assessment that the forthcoming constitutional and electoral processes will be of fundamental importance to the political transition envisaged in resolution 1483 (2003). We share his view that the United Nations, in coordination with the Authority, can make significant contributions in these sectors. United Nations involvement can confer legitimacy on the process. It can also put at the disposal of the Iraqi people the wealth of experience and expertise accrued by the United Nations in such fields over the years. We see an urgent need to improve the security situation as basis for progress in all other areas.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“We support the establishment of a United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, with a comprehensive scope of responsibilities. We note that the Secretary- General puts a wide range of assistance measures at the disposal of the Iraqi people upon their request, some of which go beyond the tasks described resolution 1483 (2003). With regard to the current discussion about the possibility of a new Security Council resolution on Iraq expanding United Nations responsibilities, I should like to point out that Germany would welcome and support such an approach in order to enable those States that wish to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq under the auspices of the United Nations to do so.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“We also acknowledge that the Governing Council is broadly based - composed of many groups of the Iraqi people - and may provide the international community with an Iraqi partner with whom it can engage. It is in this sense that we encourage the Governing Council to assume its responsibilities and to lay the groundwork for the convening of a constitutional conference. However, the most important decision - whether the Governing Council is accepted as the legitimate transitional representation of the Iraqi people - will have to be taken by the Iraqis themselves in the coming weeks and months. Germany welcomes the overall approach and structure for the United Nations presence in Iraq as proposed by the Secretary-General in his latest report.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“Ramiro Lopes da Silva as the Humanitarian Coordinator, and all of their staff, for the dedicated manner in which they are carrying out their tasks in often difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances. Finally, I should like to welcome the presence of the representatives of the Governing Council. My Government has already welcomed the creation of the Governing Council as an important first step towards the formation of an internationally recognized representative Government established by the people of Iraq. We are pleased to note that Mr. Vieira de Mello played an active role in the process of the creation of the Governing Council and that his advice has been favourably received by the Authority, as confirmed by the Secretary-General.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“Allow me, first of all, to welcome you, Madam, to this important meeting and to thank you for presiding over it. I warmly welcome the presence of the Secretary- General; we are grateful for his important remarks at the beginning of the meeting and, in particular, for his recent comprehensive report on Iraq (S/2003/715). Furthermore, I should like to thank the Secretary- General's Special Representative, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, for his briefing on his activities and for the views he expressed about the way ahead in post-war Iraq. I should also like to express my appreciation for the tireless efforts already made by Mr. Vieira de Mello, and by Mr.”
2003-07-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4791 (2003) · source
“Reports about continuing weapons deliveries by neighbouring States to the rebel groups, if confirmed, will have a profoundly negative effect on our bilateral relations with those countries. Given the situation on the ground and the challenges that the Transitional Government and the international community are facing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the challenges are enormous. If we want to translate the vision of political and social stability, of democracy, of the rule of law and the respect for human rights, into reality, both the Congolese and the international community, including MONUC, have to live up to their responsibility.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“That is the right approach to restrict the military resources of Congolese militias as well as to protect neighbouring States from rebel attacks emanating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This approach, together with the activities of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, could prove to be more effective than the rather isolated DDR programmes have been so far. However, we wish that the draft resolution now being negotiated could also establish an efficient monitoring regime, and that the Security Council could manifest its political will to impose punitive measures on those who violate the embargo. We hope that this aspect will be considered in future resolutions if it cannot be included in the present one.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“We reiterate our encouragement to the Transitional Government and the ICC Prosecutor to explore practical ways of cooperation. We further believe that it would be appropriate for the Council, which has been against impunity in a very outspoken way, to appreciate these endeavours and, against the backdrop of these developments, to engage in a policy dialogue with Mr. Moreno-Ocampo, concerning both the case at stake and other broader issues. This situation illustrates that the Security Council and the ICC are committed to very similar objectives - or rather, to the very same objectives. We welcome the imposition of an arms embargo against all rebel groups operating in eastern Congo.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“In a policy paper presented at a public hearing in The Hague, on 17 and 18 June 2003, the Prosecutor elaborated on the principle of complementarity of Court action vis-a-vis national action and drew two important conclusions with immediate relevance to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First, that the Office of the Prosecutor must monitor and assess efforts made by national authorities; and secondly, that the Office of the Prosecutor must cooperate with national jurisdictions and use its best efforts to help State authorities fulfil their duty to investigate and prosecute at the national level. Germany views the positions taken by the Prosecutor as yet another indication that he will exercise his important office in the most responsible and fair manner.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“I would like also to draw attention to the fact that the recruitment of child soldiers is a crime according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In that respect, we note with interest the announcement made by the ICC Prosecutor, Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo, that his Office has designated the situation in Ituri as a most urgent situation to be followed, that he will use all the powers at his disposal to prevent future crimes and combat impunity and that, if necessary, he will seek authorization from a Pre-Trial Chamber to start an investigation. The political sensitivity displayed by the ICC Prosecutor, as well as his circumspection in describing the complementarity between his role and the role of the Transitional Government, deserve particular mention and approbation.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“At present, we are examining the possibility of providing support in this field and would be interested in hearing about possible initiatives by the United Nations Children's Fund or the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr. Otunnu. We are very concerned about reports that the recruitment of child soldiers in the region continues unabated, in particular, and most recently, the information that the majority of Forces nationals de liberation (FNL) rebels killed in last week's fighting near Bujumbura were only 11 to 15 years old. We share the Secretary-General's view that militia leaders such as Lubanga must be held accountable for such acts and other gross abuses of human rights and humanitarian law.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“As requested in Security Council resolution 1484 (2003), we have supported the deployment of a EU-led Interim Emergency Multinational Force to stabilize the situation in Bunia prior to the arrival of new MONUC contingents. The draft resolution, which is presently being negotiated in the Council, introduces an ambitious but viable adjustment to the mandate of MONUC. We welcome the focus of military forces on the problematic regions in eastern Congo and on Kinshasa, in order to provide security for the Transitional Government. We also support the expanded peace- building components related to establishing a proper police force, respect for the rule of law, justice, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). In our view, the problem of child soldiers should be accorded special significance in the DDR process.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“We recognize that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Great Lakes region in general remains difficult. The recent violence in Burundi in particular is very worrying. But there are positive developments and encouraging signs as well. While the responsibility for the success of the peace process ultimately lies with the protagonists on the ground, we share the views expressed by Mr. Guehenno and Mr. Solana that the peace process has to be strongly supported and accompanied by the international community. From the outset, Germany has given its full support to the recommendations of the Secretary- General on adjusting the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to confront the altered realities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretary-General and his team for their tireless and determined efforts to resolve the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We understand that the new Special Representative, Mr. Swing, has had a good start, and we would like to congratulate him on that and wish him well. I would like also to express our gratitude to Mr. Guehenno, to Special Representative Ngongi and to High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union (EU) Javier Solana for their briefings. Germany fully agrees with the assessment that has just been given by the EU High Representative, Mr. Solana, and we fully support the EU efforts to support the peace process.”
2003-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4790 (2003) · source
“Germany stands ready, and is willing to contribute to such efforts with a view to fostering democracy and the rule of law.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“We feel that this is a useful reminder to the Council that the ICC is emerging as an important mechanism to address conflict and post-conflict situations, and that concerns about the ICC's standards and impartiality are unfounded. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a fellow State party to the ICC, and it is quite normal that the country should turn to the ICC to seek assistance in addressing the shortcomings of its judicial system. We encourage close cooperation between the new transitional institutions and the ICC. We also join the call made by the High Commissioner and MONUC to the future transitional Government to establish a judicial mechanism to seek to punish perpetrators, as well as other mechanisms of transitional justice. That, however, will not be possible without assistance from the international community.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“What are the possible next steps to be undertaken in order to engage the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the external parties to the conflict, in particular Rwanda and Uganda? How does he view the possibility of taking further steps in that direction? Germany supports the recommendations made in the reports before the Council today. The reports' call on all countries not to grant refuge to the perpetrators is highly important and requires our full support. In particular, we commend the High Commissioner's highlighting of the positive role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in preventing impunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“We urge the transitional institutions to make the rule of law and human rights a priority and to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), whose human rights component the Council strengthened in resolution 1468 (2003), and other actors in the United Nations system in this regard. We urge neighbouring countries to work with the transitional institutions in a cooperative spirit. Interference by neighbouring countries in the conflict must come to a complete end. They must no longer be part of the problem, but must become part of the solution to it. In that context, I should like to pose a question to Mr. Ramcharan.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“Horrible as the events in Ituri are, it is a sad truth that similar violations of human rights have occurred in other parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past years. The situation in the Kivus, for example, remains of grave concern to us. The announcement of a transitional Government by President Kabila on 30 June 2003 is an important step towards democracy and peace, which we warmly welcome. The two reports before us today highlight the crucial importance of the establishment of the rule of law and of capacity-building in human rights.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“The two reports confirm that some of the most horrendous human rights violations in recent history have been committed on a large scale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The reports will be crucial when it comes to bringing the perpetrators of these unspeakable crimes to justice. In our view, these reports are balanced and credible; they have to be the basis for action in order to make sure that these outrageous crimes must not go unpunished. We regret that the investigation of the events in Drodro had to be cut short due to security constraints. It is indeed an abomination that a team investigating a recent massacre should have to leave in a hurry because of fresh massacres looming on the horizon. We welcome further investigations as soon as possible, as recommended in the report.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“Let me thank Mr. Guehenno and Mr. Ramcharan for their reports. We strongly welcome the second public meeting of the Council with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We believe this dialogue between the Office and the Council should be maintained and fostered and that it can serve as a model for other items before us. These meetings also remind us of the fact that military action alone - as important as it might be in a given situation - will not achieve a lasting solution to a conflict. We need a comprehensive approach to security and human rights, and human rights are a central element of that approach.”
2003-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4784 (2003) · source
“We consider the confirmation of Kosovo as a rightful home for the displaced to be a binding commitment and we hope that this appeal will become a milestone in the matter of returns and integration. What are the immediate next steps? We call on Belgrade and Pristina to start a direct dialogue on practical issues, possibly before the summer break. The beginning of dialogue should lead to a process of various parallel discussions at the expert level, and this dialogue should not be delayed. There is no easy and effortless way to achieve the benchmarks of a modern society for European integration. Kosovo will face a difficult process of further reforms and transformation. Michael Steiner dodged no efforts to bring the process forward; neither will his successor, whom we hope will be appointed soon. In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“It is essential that the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo meet the benchmarks set out by the Special Representative and that they advance legislation and develop policies for all Kosovars in order to promote the economy and the development of social policies, with particular focus on the situation of Kosovo's minorities. This week, as mentioned by Michael Steiner, has seen a hopeful political sign - the unprecedented appeal by Kosovo's non-Serb leaders to the internally displaced persons in an open letter to the displaced residents of Kosovo in Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. We consider this appeal to be an expression of political responsibility and maturity.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“Many of today's problems are due to a serious and worrying lack of political maturity, democratic behaviour, compromise and respect for minorities on the part of local society and political representatives. One may hold the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo accountable for failures, but never for a lack of good faith in the course of creating a multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo. Kosovo could be much more advanced if it were not for a political class that pursues its own interest, widely ignoring the wishes and the common interests of the ordinary people.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“When Michael Steiner arrived in Pristina, he was confronted with a situation in which, three months after the parliamentary elections, politicians were haggling over setting up a coalition Government. Michael Steiner, with his known determination and resolve, plunged ahead, facilitated the formation of a Government, kick-started the institutions, brought back home the last political prisoners from Serbia, set up the benchmark catalogue and created the policy of "standards before status" that is still the guiding political principle for the time being. Today, the full set of institutions required for substantial autonomy and self-government, including the justice and police systems, is in place. However, a lot of issues still evade resolution.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“As I did not take the floor yesterday, I would like to wish you well, Sir, in your presidency this month and also to thank Ambassador Lavrov and his whole team for the way he conducted the business of our Council last month. I also want to associate myself with the statement that will later be made by the Italian Presidency of the European Union. First of all, I would like to thank Michael Steiner for his last briefing on Kosovo to the Security Council in his capacity as Special Representative of the Secretary-General. His departure is, I feel, the occasion to take stock of the developments and achievements in Kosovo. Indeed, looking back over the past year and a half, we note that Kosovo has made remarkable progress, which sometimes we tend to lose sight of in dealing with day-to-day problems.”
2003-07-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4782 (2003) · source
“We must persevere both in the Council and in the wider system in our efforts to further prioritize and mainstream the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Here, we share the questions and concerns raised by Ambassador Greenstock. Only by further prioritizing and mainstreaming the protection of civilians in armed conflict will our efforts to ensure that all belligerents adhere to their international obligations bear fruit. In conclusion, allow me to thank Mr. Oshima for everything that he has done and congratulate him on the success in his work so far. We wish him well. We would also tell him that we will continue to support the important work of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“The Council has stated time and again that it is primarily the responsibility of the belligerents themselves to respect their obligations with regard to the protection of civilians. In this context, it is, in our view, of utmost importance that all States sign and ratify the core humanitarian legal instruments, including the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1977. However, those belligerents who violate the obligations today will not even begin to heed these obligations tomorrow if the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, do not send them a strong message that the protection of civilians is our top priority and that we will not sit idly by when the most basic rights of the most vulnerable are violated.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“In the face of mass killings of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to name just one of the most shocking examples of blatant disregard of international humanitarian law, there is no reason whatsoever for complacency. Without secure access to areas of crisis, there is no way of effectively delivering humanitarian assistance by the international organizations or by non- governmental organizations, which play an ever increasing role in this. Over 90 per cent of all victims of armed conflict today are civilians and, very often, the most vulnerable members of society - children and women - are most seriously affected. Unfortunately, we see no sign of this trend abating. In asymmetric conflicts, such as in the cases of failing States or terrorism, civilians are very often the main target of attack.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“I think it is most appropriate that Under-Secretary-General Oshima's last briefing to this Council should be on the issue of protection of civilians in armed conflict. No one in the United Nations system, I think, has done more to put the protection of civilians in armed conflict high on the United Nations agenda than Kenzo Oshima. This has truly become his flagship issue and we are looking forward to the finalized road map to be submitted by December, as announced by Mr. Oshima. Despite impressive progress within the United Nations system itself, we cannot overlook the fact that we confront massive challenges on the ground.”
2003-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4777 (2003) · source
“It is our hope that the Security Council's visit to the West African region will be able to impress on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau that adherence to these basic principles of good governance are a prerequisite for the return of Guinea-Bissau to democracy and to sustained development that benefits its people.”
2003-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4776 (2003) · source
“Provided that these principles are adhered to, the European Union and Germany, as a member of the European Union, are willing to fund the electoral process. We will thereby be heeding the appeal made by Ambassador Kumalo. Secondly, human rights must be respected. As a member of the Group of Friends of Guinea-Bissau, Germany is prepared to support sustainable solutions that will help Guinea-Bissau to overcome its crisis. However, solutions must be based on full respect for human rights and the principles of good governance. That brings me to my third and last point. The separation between the executive, judicial and legislative powers in Guinea-Bissau must be restored and the budget must be handled responsibly and transparently.”
2003-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4776 (2003) · source
“This was again confirmed this week at the meeting of the Security Council Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa with the Group of Friends of Guinea-Bissau, the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau and representatives of the United Nations system. We feel that, in this situation, three points are essential. The first problem that must be addressed is the need for a functioning elected National Assembly. Parliamentary elections must take place as soon as technically feasible. That such elections are feasible, I think, was proven by the fact that free and fair elections took place only a few years ago in that country. Yesterday, the European Union issued a declaration on Guinea-Bissau that lists the conditions which are indispensable for free, fair and democratic elections.”
2003-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4776 (2003) · source
“My delegation would like to thank Mr. Stephen and Ambassador Kumalo for their reports. I must say that these reports paint a very bleak picture of the situation in Guinea-Bissau. The country stands on the brink of collapse. The economic situation is desolate. Good governance is absent. Freedom of the press and freedom of opinion are increasingly restricted and human rights violations further illustrate the dire situation of the country. All efforts of the international community to engage the President and the Government of Guinea- Bissau in a constructive dialogue have so far yielded no results. The International Monetary Fund has withdrawn, World Bank projects will not continue to be financed as planned, and yet the donor community is fully prepared to assist Guinea-Bissau if Guinea-Bissau does its own part.”
2003-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4776 (2003) · source
“Combating drug production and trafficking will be the litmus test of the ability of lead nations in the security sector to achieve synergies in their overlapping fields of responsibility. That will continue to require well coordinated efforts and commitment from all Afghan and international actors in the security sector. However, the success of all our efforts to eradicate illicit drugs depends not only on credible enforcement measures but, at the same time, on the availability of alternative sources of livelihood for farmers and on a comprehensive improvement of the socio-political environment. Germany is ready to continue its contribution in that regard in the interest of the people of Afghanistan.”
2003-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4774 (2003) · source
“The overall cost of reconstruction, equipment and training for the national police over the next four years has been estimated at approximately 180 million euros, excluding salaries. The reconstruction of the Afghan Border Police is estimated at approximately 200 million euros over the next four years. The targeted amount of donor participation has, to this point, fallen short of that mark. The level of development and achievement in the security sector and the success of the fight against opium production and trafficking in Afghanistan will depend not only on positive developments in the general security situation, but in particular on the participation of the international community.”
2003-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4774 (2003) · source
“In others, it will also entail important security problems that cannot be tackled by police means alone. To successfully integrate all provinces by the end of 2004, instability resulting from fighting among regional commanders, ethnic groups and their militias must end. In the reconstruction of the Afghan police, financing has been a problem, though not a restricting factor as yet. The principal source for police salaries, the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan, administered by the United Nations Development Programme is struggling with insufficient funding, among other difficulties. International contributions towards police reconstruction also do not fully meet the needs.”
2003-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4774 (2003) · source
“A structure for the national police and the new Afghan Border Police, comprising border patrol and immigration units, has been established, and Afghanistan has become a member of Interpol. Building the Border Police will be another Vital task, linking both the anti-drug efforts and the rebuilding of the Afghan National Army with the police project. However, we will not have any real success until the Afghan police force can ensure law and order in those provinces hit especially hard by drugs. We know that the Afghan Government has good intentions but neither the means nor the strength necessary to assert its authority outside Kabul. Extending the reconstruction of the security sector to the provinces is the big challenge now. In many provinces, that challenge will be chiefly financial and organizational.”
2003-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4774 (2003) · source
“In addition to Britain, which has assumed the leading role in the fight against illicit drugs, I would like to give special mention to the United States and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We are pleased that France, too, wants to help establish a national drugs laboratory. We can be proud of what has been achieved so far in this context. The infrastructures of the national criminal police and the national drug police have been re-established with contributions from the United Kingdom, the United States and the United Nations Drug Control Programme. The police force in Kabul is able to work again, thanks to the reconstruction of its buildings and to new equipment. The reorganization of the police and of the Ministry of the Interior is making good progress.”
2003-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4774 (2003) · source