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

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

“In addition to improving the CTC's operative structures, the ongoing revitalization must preserve and further strengthen the CTC's legitimacy in the perception of all United Nations Member States. We are therefore looking forward to seeing an expert on human rights and the rule of law included in the senior staff of the Executive Directorate. In this respect we fully share the views just expressed by Ambassador Baja. The Executive Directorate will also offer increased possibilities for further intensifying the CT C's cooperation and coordination with other United Nations bodies, in particular with the Al Qaeda and Taliban sanctions Committee. Important steps have already been taken in that respect by the two Committees: by the two Chairmen and by the current expert teams.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“We thank the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), Ambassador Konuzin, for his detailed and substantial report. My delegation would like to join others in congratulating him - as well as his team - on having taken up his important office. We also welcome the presence of the new Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Ambassador Javier Ruperez. He will, in our view, play a crucial role in setting up the CTC's new support structure in the months to come. We would like to assure him of our full support in that important and difficult task. We are confident that he will always be guided by the CTC's key objective, that is, to enhance the ongoing dialogue with all United Nations Member States in the spirit of cooperation, transparency and even-handedness.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“Can he please elaborate a little, perhaps, on the cooperation he has with the Congolese authorities to apprehend these criminals?”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999 (2004) · source
“Are there, in his view, any lessons that he or the Council can or should draw from the factors that led to the improvement of relations between Croatia and the ICTY? My second question goes to Prosecutor Jallow. First of all, I should like to commend him for his dedicated efforts to improve relations with the authorities of Rwanda. This is very much appreciated and a very important basis for the referral of cases to Rwandese justice. My question concerns cooperation with authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has reported that many of the 15 fugitives accused of war crimes and genocide are hiding out in the Congo, and he has also said that efforts to apprehend and transfer them to the seat of the Tribunal have borne little fruit so far.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999 (2004) · source
“We have taken note with great interest of President Meron's proposals with regard to the election of judges. The early holding of elections is welcome, and the Council should be open-minded with regard to the proposals concerning ad litem judges. My first question goes to President Meron. He and Carla Del Ponte have drawn the Council's attention to Serbian non-cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Following the presidential elections in Serbia and Montenegro and the victory of Mr. Tadic, does he see a chance for better cooperation with Serbia and Montenegro, and what could the Council or third parties do to promote such cooperation?”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999 (2004) · source
“Critical factors that lie outside the scope of the Courts' responsibility but within that of States on the Council are, notably, first, the punctual payment of assessed contributions; secondly, cooperation with the Tribunals; and thirdly, and in particular, the arrest of fugitives, notably Mr. Karadzic, Mr. Mladic and Mr. Gotovina. We welcome the report of improved cooperation on the part of Croatia, and we are concerned about Serbia and Montenegro's poor record of cooperation, as reported by both President Meron and Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte. We urge all countries to cooperate fully with the Tribunals and to pay their dues, and we will push for appropriately strong Council reactions if countries do not cooperate with the Tribunals, as requested in particular by Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999 (2004) · source
“Because of the lateness of the hour, I promise that my statement will be limited to one short remark and two short questions. First of all, I should like to join other delegations in thanking the Presidents and Prosecutors of both ad hoc Tribunals for their comprehensive and candid presentations, which underline the fact that both Tribunals are at an extremely critical stage of their operation. We realize that the successful implementation of the completion strategy depends on factors that lie within and outside the scope of the responsibilities of the Tribunals.”
2004-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4999 (2004) · source
“We trust that, on that basis, a creative and cooperative relationship among civil society, the Security Council and the United Nations system as a whole can be further enhanced and developed.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“Those recommendations included systematic consultation with civil society members through assessment teams preparing new peace operations; secondly, regular consultative meetings between civil society and the highest United Nations representative; thirdly, the establishment of a non- governmental organization coordinator at a senior level in the United Nations field presence; fourthly, the instruction of incoming United Nations mission leaders and personnel by local civil society leaders with regard to in-country norms and cultural traditions; and lastly, transparent and factual information on mission activities and funding in national languages so that civil society may effectively interact with the United Nations mission. We support those recommendations.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“On the issue of civil society strategies to be pursued by the United Nations field presence, I would like to recall recommendations that were made at a seminar held in 2003 in Istanbul, chaired by Mrs. Nafis Sadik and representing, inter alia, the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“In Germany's view, the Council's recent record on interaction with civil society is, by and large, a good one. We are pleased to note that the report of the Secretary- General's Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations- Civil Society Relations, which was published yesterday, seems to share that assessment. Our initial impression of the report's recommendations is very positive. The recommendations on making better use of Arria-formula meetings and field visits are eminently sensible, and our experience of contacts with non- governmental organizations throughout the Security Council's mission to Afghanistan has been extremely positive, dealing as it did with the complexity of the situation on the ground. We are also prepared to explore creative new ways of enhancing cooperation, such as Chatham House Rules-based seminars.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“In order to focus on the role of another crucial group of non-State actors in conflict prevention and peace- building, Germany, as a past President of the Security Council, initiated a debate on the role of business in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict peace-building. Having said that, we are fully aware that stable and strong Governments are an equally important precondition for sustainable peace-building. The final decisions and responsibility must remain with Governments. Even the most ingenious creativity of the civil sectors, including civil society, will not succeed in bringing about peace and stability if the decision-making mechanisms of an effective State are missing. Somalia, I believe, is a case in point. I would now like to focus on a few points that are of practical relevance to the Council.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“We wish to pay tribute to the instrumental role that internationally active non-governmental organizations have played in bringing about three major breakthroughs that are cornerstones of the international conflict prevention and post-conflict peace-building architecture: the Ottawa Treaty on landmines, the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the International Criminal Court. None of those three would have been feasible or possible to implement without the help of civil society. Germany is also a strong supporter of the global partnership for the prevention of armed conflict that was established to enhance the role of civil society in developing effective action to prevent violent conflict.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“For that reason, the federal Government has devised and is implementing an action plan on civilian crisis prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict peace- building. In this concept, civil society plays an indispensable part in peace-building and therefore forms a cornerstone of our strategy. One of the many important contributions that civil society provides is invaluable information that forms part of an early-warning system on emerging conflicts. In order to preserve the strength of those contributions, it is important to respect civil society's independence from Government. Civil society has a role that is as indispensable as it is distinct from Government and from the military.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“The Presidency of the European Union will touch upon a number of important issues that are not covered by my statement. Needless to say, I fully associate myself with the remarks to be delivered later in this debate by Ambassador Ryan of Ireland on behalf of the European Union. Experiences with numerous post-conflict situations since the end of the cold war have shown that post-conflict peace-building processes that do not sufficiently involve local actors - of which civil society organizations are a central part - are doomed to failure. That applies to the work of United Nations peacekeeping missions, to wider United Nations efforts for development and stability and to national Governments. Germany is a strong promoter of a culture of conflict prevention and dialogue.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“Permit me at the outset to thank the Philippines presidency for having convened this important meeting. We welcome your presence in the Chair, Madam President, because it shows how much importance you attach to this important subject. We would also like to warmly thank the Secretary-General, the President of the Economic and Social Council, Mr. Caillaux and Mr. Martin for their remarks. We salute the Secretary-General's leadership in pushing for enhanced and meaningful interaction between the United Nations and civil society. We stand ready to support any action that will bring that critical relationship more closely in line with the realities of globalization and the complexities of many other new global challenges of today.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993 (2004) · source
“It is in that spirit that Germany stands ready to cooperate with the new Iraqi authorities in order to assist the people of Iraq in the political and economic reconstruction of their country.”
2004-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4987 (2004) · source
“Germany supports this resolution as an important step towards the restoration of the full sovereignty of the Iraqi interim Government in all relevant areas and towards Iraqi ownership. In particular, we do so in view of the clarifications with regard to the security partnership between the interim Government of Iraq and the multinational force, as spelled out in the body of the resolution and in the letters of Prime Minister Allawi and of Secretary of State Powell addressed to the President of the Security Council. It is now of crucial importance that the resolution be implemented in Iraq with unequivocal respect for the full sovereignty of Iraq. Regional and international support for the Iraqi people is also essential.”
2004-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4987 (2004) · source
“Permit me at the outset to pay special tribute to the tireless efforts of Lakhdar Brahimi and his team. Their idealism and their political skills have been instrumental in the formation of the new interim Government of Iraq. Germany welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 1546 (2004). As a result of proposals and amendments made by various Security Council members - including the French and German amendments, which have to a large extent been included in the resolution - and as a result of suggestions made by the Iraqi side, and thanks to the sponsors' constructive and flexible approach in the course of the negotiations, the text was substantially improved throughout the negotiation process.”
2004-06-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4987 (2004) · source
“We are therefore deeply interested in his preliminary views today and look forward to an ongoing dialogue with those responsible in his country.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“In that context, my second question is, the draft resolution refers to a request of his Government with regard to a further presence of the multinational force and to a multinational-force-related letter to the President of the Security Council. Could he inform us of its content or elaborate on the current state of affairs? We would very much appreciate the views of his Government on those issues as well as on other aspects of the draft text. Of course, we understand that the interim Government has been designated only a few days ago and that it may not yet have had a chance to discuss all the aspects of the draft resolution in detail, but this, we feel, is an important draft resolution, and its message may well influence the acceptability of the political transition in Iraq.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“My third remarks pertain to the security architecture - the description of the general principles that will govern the sharing of security responsibilities between the interim Government and the multinational force - the partnership, as it was called by Ambassador Negroponte. That does not mean going into micromanagement, which should be left to the parties on the ground. But I would like to pose two questions to the Foreign Minister in that respect. Which general principles does he think should be the determining factors in the relationship between the multinational force and his Government, especially if it comes to conflicting views on some issues?”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“My second point pertains to the duration of the mandate of the multinational force. We agree with what was said by the Foreign Minister and by Ambassador Negroponte that a premature withdrawal of troops would not be desirable, but we think that a deadline - that is, a specific date for the expiration of the force's mandate - is an important signal that should be included in the text, notwithstanding the possibility of renewing the mandate or of basing the presence of foreign troops in Iraq subsequently on a different legal basis, such as a status-of-forces agreement. Furthermore, the clear-cut right of the transitional Government to terminate the mandate earlier if it so wishes should be clarified in order to make clear the fact that it is a fully sovereign Government.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“While we acknowledge that the revised version of the American-British draft resolution is an honest attempt to achieve that reconciliation, we believe that there is still room for improvement towards a more credible restoration of Iraqi ownership and full sovereignty, in particular in three key areas of the text as it stands now. My first point pertains to the transfer of sovereignty. In our view, it has be clear that full authority is transferred, and I think that I heard from the Foreign Minister as well as from the representatives of the Coalition that that is the intention. We feel that any restrictions that might arise in some areas should only be self-imposed restrictions that arise out of the character of the interim Government as a caretaker - as an interim Government.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“The key issues with respect to the future draft resolution will, from our perspective, be twofold: first, it has to send a clear signal which marks a genuine break with occupation and thus generates the necessary acceptance among the Iraqi people; and secondly, it will have to define the respective roles and responsibilities of the interim Government, the multinational force and the former occupying Powers, and the United Nations, in their triangular relationship, in a manner that is consistent with the desired signal of a transfer of full sovereignty and authority. We are fully aware that the presence of some 140,000 foreign troops and of several thousand foreign civilians has to be harmonized with the concept of a real and credible restoration of full sovereignty.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“I think that it is fair to say that it is very important for the credibility of that interim framework that it is the result of direct consultations between the designated interim Government and the Security Council and is not just the result of bilateral arrangements or agreements. We therefore support the idea expressed by other Council members in former meetings not to limit this dialogue with the representatives of the interim Government to a one-time event. Of course, we would also appreciate it very much if the new political leadership were willing to continue these discussions with the Council early next week.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“I would like to express our appreciation for the presence of our Secretary- General, at least at the beginning of this meeting, and, of course, we very much welcome the opportunity for an exchange of views on the content of the new draft resolution on Iraq with the old and new Foreign Minister, Mr. Zebari. We have been advocating this dialogue all along, because we firmly believe that the new Iraqi interim Government must have a say with regard to the framework that this draft resolution is going to provide for the months to come. Germany, in the negotiations so far, has always been in favour of an overriding principle - that is, that the political process and the security architecture for this interim period should not be imposed on Iraq by the Security Council or by anyone else, even if it is done with the best of intentions.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4982 (2004) · source
“My third and last remark is on cooperation between United Nations missions in West Africa. We welcome their joint operations in the border regions and we would like to encourage them to consider further steps in that direction. It is our hope that progress can also be made in the efficient pooling of resources so that the heavy financial burden on Member States can be eased. As far as the sanctions are concerned, we thank Chairman Bryant for his very substantive comments on the issues related to the measures under resolution 1521 (2003). We will take them into due consideration during the upcoming mid-term review.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“In this respect, I would like to draw attention to the situation of former female combatants, of whom more than 2,600 have already been disarmed, according to the Secretary-General's report. We hope that a situation similar to what we have witnessed in the DDR programme in Sierra Leone can be avoided. Council members will recall that, in Sierra Leone, a significant number of female ex-combatants ended up being completely excluded from the reintegration programmes of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). That is to say that we acknowledge efforts made with regard to gender aspects of United Nations peacekeeping missions, including UNAMSIL and the United Nations Mission in Liberia, but we would like to see those efforts given more attention in the future, as well as being clearly reflected in the reports.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“With the progress that has been made, it seems to us that UNMIL could become a model for the new type of multidimensional peacekeeping missions the Council has been aiming at. In that respect, UNMIL's increased use of quick-impact projects is of particular interest to us. Quick-impact projects appear to be a useful tool. We would like to see that option further explored, not only by UNMIL, but also for its potential for other United Nations peacekeeping missions. Secondly, the successful first phase of DDR, with the disarmament of militias, was a crucial step towards further stabilization in Liberia. The next step must now be the swift integration of the former combatants.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“First of all, I would like to join other delegations in congratulating you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. I would also like to express my appreciation for the able and efficient way Ambassador Munir Akram conducted our business last month. Next, I would like to thank Special Representative Klein and Chairman Bryant for their briefings. Those briefings have given us confidence that recent developments both on the political side and with regard to the overall security situation are encouraging. Let me make three short remarks. First, we of course welcome that the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has now been able to deploy throughout the country, and that has contributed, in our view, to a significant improvement in the still-fragile security situation.”
2004-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4981 (2004) · source
“My Government participated in the drafting of those Guidelines, and, in our View, the following principles contained therein are of particular importance: first, respect for the sovereignty of the State in crisis; secondly, impartiality, meaning that only troops not involved in a conflict can assist humanitarian actions; thirdly, subsidiarity, meaning that humanitarian assistance is, above all, the task of relief organizations and that MCDA should be only a support of last resort; and fourthly, that military assistance for humanitarian relief should be given only on the request, or with the consent, of the target country. I would like to ask Mr. Lubbers what his assessment is as to the state of implementation of those Guidelines.”
2004-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4973 (2004) · source
“In that regard, we would like to draw attention to the 2003 Guidelines on the use of military and civil defence assets (MCDA) to support United Nations humanitarian activities in complex emergencies. Those so-called MCDA Guidelines complement the 1994 Oslo Guidelines for situations in which State control over a country in crisis has collapsed.”
2004-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4973 (2004) · source
“That is all right. Then he said that this should not be eroded by the bureaucratization and centralization of our security management system. Perhaps he could elaborate a little bit on what that means, in detail. My third and last question pertains to integrated missions and the relationship between UNHCR and the military. We share the High Commissioner's view that, in principle, integrated United Nations missions constitute a good approach. The advantage of integration lies in a more efficient allocation of both financial and human resources, and also allows for easier coordination. United Nations peacekeeping missions are increasingly of an integrated nature, with military and aid personnel working hand in hand. In some of those missions, humanitarian assistance is already part of the mandate.”
2004-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4973 (2004) · source
“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has given us a number of more than 2 million people that have been affected by the conflict. My question is, how does Mr. Lubbers see the further development in the near future? Are there large numbers of additional refugees crossing the border? And how will UNHCR be able to deal with that situation? Can UNHCR cope with it? My second question pertains to what the High Commissioner said about the security of United Nations staff members. I agree that a country-by- country approach should by chosen when assessing the security of staff members and that not everything is like Iraq or any other place of crisis. But the High Commissioner said that Security Management Teams established in the field must be empowered to take decisions on the ground relevant to the local circumstances.”
2004-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4973 (2004) · source
“Therefore, Germany very much supports the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programme for the voluntary return of refugees in Africa, and we will continue to support all of its initiatives in that respect. The sustainable reintegration of refugees in Africa is a major concern for my Government. In 2003, Germany's support for UNHCR for projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Chad was approximately â‚¬7.6 million. This year, we have allocated â‚¬4.8 million so far for UNHCR projects in Africa, with a focus on Angola, Somalia and Sierra Leone. I can assure the High Commissioner that we will continue to further support his Office's achievements. My questions pertain to Darfur and go in the same direction as what my French and Romanian colleagues have already said.”
2004-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4973 (2004) · source
“I too join other delegations in thanking the High Commissioner for his very comprehensive report. I have one short remark and three short questions. My remark pertains to the relationship between peacekeeping and the return of refugees. The High Commissioner rightly said that the sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons is directly dependent upon peacekeeping. The inverse is also true, too. Peacekeeping and, in particular, peace-building are not possible without the return of refugees and displaced persons. The problem of refugees, of course, is always a cross-border problem, and I agree with the High Commissioner that we have to find a formula for peacekeeping missions to operate in cross-border conflict situations.”
2004-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4973 (2004) · source
“Improving our activities on prevention is not only a way to save lives, but also an important tool to keep peacekeeping manageable in the future.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“In our view, it is in the best interest of peacekeeping to heed that call and to give all major stakeholders a forum to express their views. The Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations could and should provide such a forum. Let me conclude by expressing the notion that preventing armed conflict is better than quelling it. How many human lives could have been saved had the international community reacted in time to clear signs of imminent unrest and Violence? Conflict prevention is a difficult task. Germany therefore welcomes the Secretary-General's step of appointing a special representative on genocide. A next logical step could and should be to institutionalize an office dealing with early warning and conflict prevention.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“The engagement of troop contributors has traditionally been honoured by their inclusion in the planning of a mission. However, Member States contributing to peacekeeping through means other than troop contributions should likewise participate in the planning and debate preceding a mission. Procedural regulations such as those contained in resolution 1353 (2001) and in the note of January 2002 provide for that possibility, but it is not yet sufficiently established in the practice of the United Nations. At the beginning of this year, the Security Council received a letter - signed by a number of countries from around the world, all of them associated with peacekeeping - requesting greater participation.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Clearly, all means of gathering and analysing the necessary information in the field, within the chain of command and at United Nations Headquarters here in New York, that help to correct assessments about the security situation in the areas of operation must be provided. Also, means of safe transport, especially air transport, must be furnished. Health care for peacekeepers must always meet the necessary standards. We need to be more inclusive in making our decisions on peacekeeping. The motivation of Member States to participate in peacekeeping operations should not be taken for granted. Member States need to be motivated to contribute and, if necessary, to make sacrifices. Member States may have different ways of participating in a peacekeeping operation.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Mid- to long-term peace- building, however, will have to remain under voluntary funding. By holding an open debate on the role of the private sector in peace-building, the Council has heard proposals on new strata in peace-building. New models for the structure, organization and conduct of peacekeeping operations deserve our consideration. The concept of Provincial Reconstruction Teams, now being tested in Afghanistan, could open up new avenues for how to make the best use of limited resources. One area in which we cannot make compromises is the security of mission personnel. The horrible events of August last year made it clear once more that peacekeepers live a dangerous existence.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“The ever-increasing complexity of peacekeeping operations results from the experience showing that military operations alone cannot provide sustainable peace. A whole range of humanitarian and peace- building elements has been included in the more recent mandates. The list of such activities seems to grow with each new mandate. Certain peace-building elements are indispensable, from the outset of a mission, to guarantee its success. Basic preconditions of civilian life need to be restored, and combatants need to be taken off the streets through effective measures of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). The funding for such elements needs to be secured for the sake of the whole mission's success, regardless of whether they fall under assessed or voluntary budgets.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“In the initial phase of a peacekeeping mission, especially when a rapid response is called for, the strength of an approach in which operations are led by one or a few nations has been proven. Also, the inclusion of regional organizations in peacekeeping operations has proven to be an asset. By involving organizations located in a region in which a peacekeeping operation is under way, a feeling of ownership is created. This, in turn, serves as an important motivating factor. Therefore, helping to build regional capacities and transferring know-how through training programmes are important contributions that Member States can make to strengthen regional capacities. Germany tries to make its own contribution through its Centre for International Peace Operations, located in Berlin.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“But every mission must be subject, on a regular basis, to scrutiny with regard to the cost-benefit ratio. Along with this goes the difficult question of how long and at what size a peacekeeping operation must stay in order to prevent a resurgence of violence and armed conflict. There are no easy answers to this. But we must develop policies in that regard and be more flexible than in the past, in order to match the demand for peacekeeping operations with available capacities and resources. One solution may be a gradual transfer of peacekeeping responsibilities to regional organizations. Increasingly, it is accepted that a division of labour may improve resource allocation.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“The Secretariat is in an increasingly difficult situation, having to staff new missions on short notice and depending entirely on the willingness of Member States to help out. Rapid response capacities are exhausted, the arsenals in Brindisi empty. Many Member States, Germany among them, already have sizeable numbers of troops in the field. Some countries - and again, Germany is among them - are in a process of restructuring their forces, reducing their sizes due to tighter budgetary restraints. Clearly we must recognize that our resources are limited. Mentioning this is not an attempt to dodge solidarity with those in need: solidarity must remain our guiding principle. Solidarity is a necessity if we want to preserve the institution of peacekeeping altogether.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Since last August's public debate on peacekeeping, a whole series of new peacekeeping operations have been or are in the process of being decided upon. The number of new peacekeeping operations is growing faster than the number of missions accomplished. Soon, we will have reached an all-time peak number of peacekeeping personnel. The ongoing debate on peacekeeping and related policies has made it clear that Member States see a need to respond to this surge in peacekeeping operations. However, as the last session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations has shown, we need to discuss the conclusions that should be drawn from this and whether and how peacekeeping policies need to be reshaped. Obviously, resources are the key issue.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“I would like to thank Ambassador Arias, as did other delegations, for his cooperation and his friendship in the past. My delegation would also join others in wishing him well for the future. I would like to associate myself with the statement to be made later in this debate by Ambassador Ryan of Ireland, representing the presidency of the European Union. I would like to thank the Pakistani presidency of the Council for having convened this very timely debate on a key topic. We would like to welcome you, Mr. Foreign Minister, in the chair, since your presence here testifies to the importance that you attach to this subject, especially as Pakistan is one of the main troop- contributors in peacekeeping operations.”
2004-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4970 (2004) · source
“Clearly, much of the future progress in Kosovo will depend on the economy. In that respect, we look forward to progress soon to be made in the field of privatization. Germany, both through its bilateral assistance and by working through the European Union, will do all it can to promote economic development in Kosovo. But economic development requires, above all, political stability. To secure their economic future, all communities in Kosovo must demonstrate to potential investors that events like the March uprisings will not reoccur and that the ethnic communities can live together in peace.”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source
“That would help bring government closer to the people and at the same time reassure members of all ethnic groups that they can have greater control over their lives. We welcome the fact that Special Representative Mr. Holkeri, under whose reserved powers issues of local government fall, will soon prepare a concept based on the proposals made by the Council of Europe last year and will consult with the parties concerned. We urge political leaders in Kosovo to move constructively and quickly to engage in open discussion on measures for devolution, without prejudice to the status issue. Ethnic Serbs and other minorities must demonstrate that they, too, are approaching Kosovo's problems in good faith. One important step is for them to participate fully in the working groups that will be implementing the "Standards for Kosovo".”
2004-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4967 (2004) · source