YouSaid · the spoken record

Prendergast

lines on the record: 716
first: 1999-08-27
most recent: 2018-09-10
sittings or episodes: 36
sources: un-security-council

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“The second group of questions involve whether it is right or necessary to extend UNPOB for 12 months, when the Council was told by Ambassador Sinclair a while ago that the exercise would be completed by the end of 2002. Unfortunately, I think we know from much of the business of this Council that international affairs do not unroll in a tidy, predictable and mechanical way. As Robert Burns said "The best laid schemes 0' Mice an' Men gang aft agley". I do not think anyone can argue that Bougainville was unique or even unusual in this. The Council has been quite understanding, in other conflicts, of the fact that timetables slip.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“The Ambassador of Mexico's second question was about the 30 June 2003 target. I think for reasons already explained, it is going to be difficult to meet that deadline, but we very much hope the delay will not be long. The Ambassador had a third question about the consequences of withdrawal of the Peace Monitoring Group. Our view would be that Papua New Guinea has a clear and irreplaceable role in weapons disposal and it would be very difficult, not impossible, but very difficult to complete weapons disposal without them. The Peace Monitoring Group is less centrally involved, less relevant to other aspects of the exercise, such as elections and the drafting of the constitution.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“If you would like to look at the aide memoire circulated by the Ambassador of New Guinea yesterday, you will find at the top of page 3, confirmation that the operation of the provisions on autonomy, in the Papua New Guinea constitution, and the guarantee of a referendum among Bouganvilleans on Bougainville's political future, which are in part XIV of that constitution, depend on verification and certification by the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOD) that stage II of the agreed weapons disposal plan has been achieved. Obviously the practical implication is that weapons disposal must be completed before the regional autonomous government can be elected. Delay in completing the weapons disposal plan will inevitably mean delay in holding the elections.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: There have been a lot of questions and I will try to answer as many of them as I can. First, let me say we are very grateful for the many expressions of appreciation for the work of Noel Sinclair and his team. I know they work in very difficult conditions. It has been quite disruptive for them. For example I had to ask Noel Sinclair to cancel his participation in the meeting we had last month in Mont Pellerin, Switzerland, of representatives and special representatives of the Secretary-General, because of the timetable. We may have to ask him to cancel his Christmas leave for the same reason, and I know he and his team work with enormous dedication. The first question was from the Ambassador of Mexico about the impact of the delay in certification of containment of weapons, the completion of stage II.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“The mission, led by the Director of the Asia and Pacific Division of my Department, arrived on the island in time to attend the Peace Process Consultative Committee meeting. The mission held wide-ranging consultations with the Papua New Guinea Government, the Bougainville parties and the countries participating in the Peace Monitoring Group, all of whom confirmed that the continued presence of UNPOB was essential for the successful completion of the peace process.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“According to the current timetable, these elections should be held before the end of June 2003. But, naturally, the actual date will depend on the extent to which the Bougainville Constitutional Commission and the Constituent Assembly stick to their present programmes of work. In View of the critical tasks to be performed by UNPOB in the coming year, the Secretary-General has, as the Council knows, written to the Council recommending the extension of UNPOB's mandate for a further year. We fully expect that all of the stages in the peace process will be completed during that period. As the Council is also aware, the Government of Papua New Guinea has requested such an extension. Before deciding to write to the Council, the Secretary-General dispatched an assessment mission to Bougainville.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“A decision on the fate of the weapons is to be made within four and a half months after the coming into force of the constitutional amendments. UNPOB is required to be available to verify and certify whether there has been substantial compliance by the parties in the handing in of weapons and whether the level of security of the weapons creates a situation which is conducive to the holding of elections. Assuming, therefore, that the December target date is respected, UNPOB needs to have a reasonable amount of time to verify and to certify stage II containment. Finally, the Peace Process Consultative Committee meeting held at the end of October formally requested that UNPOB and the Peace Monitoring Group remain on Bougainville until after the elections for the autonomous government have been held.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“We also re-emphasized that progress towards autonomy depended on the completion of stage II and on its verification. Even if the ex-combatants were to declare that the 24 December target date had been met, UNPOB would still have to verify and certify that the weapons had, indeed, been committed to containers, as called for by the plan. This process, on current form, seems most unlikely to be completed by 31 December, especially in View of the recent break-ins and the stealing of 212 weapons. UNPOB's continued presence will be needed on the island to help Bougainvilleans return those weapons and complete stage II, including certification by UNPOB. Stage III of the weapons disposal plan, at which time the parties must decide on the final fate of the weapons, is still ahead.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“The draft constitution will then be considered by the Constituent Assembly, which is expected to be established by February 2003 and to complete its work by March 2003. However, the actual start of its work will, among other things, depend on the verification by UNPOB of the satisfactory completion of stage II of weapons containment. A word about the challenges ahead: I ought to point out that little more than four weeks remain before the 24 December deadline set for the completion of stage II of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. At the last Peace Process Consultative Committee meeting and the follow-up session, UNPOB sent a very clear message to the ex-combatants that the credibility of weapons disposal and, perhaps, of the entire peace process would be at stake if the deadline were not met.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“In addition, the Group facilitates the settling of many cases on its own. We very much look forward to continued fruitful cooperation with the Peace Monitoring Group. I might say a word about the Bougainville Constitutional Commission. The Commission has been consulting with the people of the various districts of the island to ascertain their views on what should be the content of the Bougainville constitution. The Commission is expected to produce the first draft constitution by 1 January 2003. Following that, consultations will be held with the Bougainville interim provincial government, the Bougainville People's Congress and, of course, the national Government. The target date for the completion of the final draft constitution and for a report on it is the end of January 2003.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“Meanwhile, beginning in September, UNPOB held a series of meetings throughout the island with the chiefs, with churches and with women's groups. The purpose of those encounters was to mobilize and engage these important groups in order to promote maximum community participation in the weapons- disposal process. In all of its activities relating to weapons collection, UNPOB has enjoyed a close and fruitful working relationship with the Peace Monitoring Group. The Peace Monitoring Group has provided valuable logistical support to the collection of weapons and their storage. It has also served as a reliable link among the various communities of the island. Thanks to its island- wide patrols, the Monitoring Group brings to UNPOB's attention particular issues requiring our joint intervention.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“Following the Peace Process Consultative Committee meeting and the subsequent extraordinary session, the ex-combatants initiated direct contact with the military commander of Francis Ona. The ex-combatants also adopted a detailed calendar of activities to be completed throughout the island leading up to 24 December, when the close of stage II containment should be declared. It is understood that the Alpha Company, the core of the Me'ekamui Defence Force, which has reaffirmed its commitment to work along with the other districts in weapons disposal, could take a bit longer to reach stage II. UNPOB is expected to witness the signing of the declarations that individual districts will make confirming that they have completed stage II.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“As a follow-up to the Peace Process Consultative Committee and the decision on the new deadline for stage II containment, the two Bougainville faction leaders convened an extraordinary session in Arawa at the beginning of November. Participation extended beyond the usual Peace Process Consultative Committee membership to include unit, platoon and company commanders, as well as the provincial Administration. At this session, the participants received a briefing on all aspects of the Peace Agreement, examined issues which were impeding weapons collection and took corresponding actions. The session adopted a joint ex-combatants resolution that, among other things, called for their political leadership to enter into dialogue with the Me'ekamui Defence Force of Francis Ona.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“Discouraging as these developments are, I am pleased to report that, to the great credit of the ex- combatant leaders, they have responded with vigour to these challenges. A Peace Process Consultative Committee meeting was held in Arawa on 30 October. The meeting, chaired, as usual, by the United Nations mission - the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOB) - adopted a number of decisions designed to make containers more secure, to foster more positive attitudes to weapons containment, and to place weapons collection back on track. Decisions were also taken to address problems related to usage of the two funds mentioned earlier. We were encouraged by the decision of former combatants to complete stage II containment by 24 December, declaring this to be a Christmas present for Bougainville.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“Problems related to disbursement from these funds and the erroneous perception that eX-combatants would now, in effect, be paid for turning in their weapons has led some of them to refuse to participate in the weapons-disposal process. Other broke into containers and retrieved their weapons. The second factor has been a deliberate campaign of falsification and misrepresentation regarding the nature of the peace process by the followers of Francis Ona, the main Bougainvillian leader remaining outside of the peace process. Some people calling themselves Ona's affiliates or supporters have also broken into containers and stolen weapons, claiming that they were acting on his orders.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“The momentum for weapons disposal has definitely slowed down, and, as a result, the entire peace process has come under some strain. It may be helpful if I give our assessment of what lies behind these developments. I would also like to inform the Council of what steps are being taken to address the difficulties that have arisen. The setbacks in weapons containment can be explained essentially by two factors. The first lies in well-intended efforts to address the impatience of many eX-combatants, who are frustrated with the slow pace of their reintegration and rehabilitation. Two funds were created to assist the ex-combatants, one by the national Government and one by a bilateral donor.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: During the last briefing on Bougainville, on 29 August, the Council was informed of progress achieved in implementing stages I and II of the weapons disposal plan, the target dates for which were 31 August and 30 September, respectively. As the Security Council may recall, the forward movement in the peace process was welcomed by the Council. I have to report today that developments since August have included setbacks. The Bougainville parties have completed stage I. However, stage II containment has been completed in only half of the districts on the island. The number of new weapons collected since the last briefing grew only by a little more than 100, reaching a total of 1,684. More worrying still, seven containers were opened and 212 weapons removed from them. I shall say more about this later.”
2002-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4647 (2002) · source
“For that reason it is of critical importance that the Quartet finalize its road map as soon as possible and then obtain the explicit agreement of both sides and of the international community to follow that map to a just, lasting settlement of this conflict.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“The maintenance of the status quo - with its high levels of violence, increasing human suffering and loss of life and steady erosion of even a minimum of mutual trust and respect- should not be an option, as this can only lead to a further worsening of conditions. The current efforts of the Quartet and others to develop strategies for addressing simultaneously political, security, humanitarian and reform issues need the international community's full support and attention. In order to succeed, however, we need to pursue these efforts within a coherent framework to which the parties have agreed, and the parties need to stay the course and carry out long-standing commitments.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Both the air violations and the ensuing anti- aircraft fire carry the potential for a deterioration of what is already a tense situation. All parties should be reminded of their obligations fully to respect the Blue Line and to refrain from all violations thereof. The coming elections in Israel will consume a great deal of attention, both in the region and beyond, and there may be a temptation to suspend efforts on other fronts until they have been concluded. We cannot afford that luxury. As I argued during my last briefing, a deterioration of the situation on the ground only makes it more difficult to pursue our collective objective of a two-state solution.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Certain media reports have indicated that, while water has begun to be drawn from the Wazzani Springs under the current project, the amount being pumped may, for the time being, be limited. Both sides should be encouraged to work towards a diplomatic resolution of the matter. Israeli air violations continue to be a cause for concern. Israeli aircraft have continued to violate the Blue Line and Lebanese airspace, drawing anti-aircraft fire from the Lebanese side of the line. This anti- aircraft fire, and the shrapnel that it produces, continues to fall over northern Israeli towns and villages. On 3 November, there was a marked increase in the number of air violations. It was reported that Israeli aircraft overflew southern Lebanon, the Bekaa valley and the capital city, Beirut. Again, those sorties were met with anti-aircraft fire.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Between now and the date of the elections, Labour and Likud will hold primary contests to select their candidates for Prime Minister. I would like now, if I may, to turn to developments in Lebanon. Despite the reduced rhetoric and lower profile of the issue in both Lebanon and Israel, the Wazzani Springs water project continues to be a source of tension along the Blue Line. Since the last briefing to the Council, there has been constant diplomatic activity aimed at defusing tensions. The United States, the European Union and France have recently dispatched water experts to the region in order to work towards a resolution of the issue. The United Nations has remained in close contact with all parties in an effort to facilitate a reduction in the level of tension.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Many observers are, nevertheless, sceptical about the prospects of holding elections as soon as January, citing the absence of an approved legislative framework for elections and the difficulty of preparing for and holding elections while many West Bank cities remain under Israeli military occupation and are subject to severe restrictions on movement. The Palestinian people last had the chance to vote in January 1996. Everything possible should therefore be done to help ensure that elections can take place. New elections in Israel will be held on 28 January, 2003. On 4 November, after failing to establish a new coalition Government following the departure of the Labour Party from the coalition, Prime Minister Sharon announced his decision to go to early elections within 90 days, and President Katzav dissolved the Knesset.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Bertini to facilitate the delivery of water. Unfortunately, we observe no improvement. On 29 October, the Palestinian Legislative Council gave a vote of confidence to a new Cabinet appointed by President Arafat. The Cabinet includes eight new ministers, three of whom were first appointed last June but never confirmed in office. By decree, the Cabinet will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until new elections are held. Those elections are currently scheduled for 20 January, 2003. President Arafat has appointed a new electoral commission, which is chaired by a respected independent.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Another humanitarian commitment by the Government of Israel was to facilitate the passage of water tankers inside the West Bank. Some 200 villages, with approximately 200,000 residents, are without a local source of water, at least during the dry months. The majority of those villages are located in Area C. In other words, they are under full Israeli civilian and security control, and are thus not served by the Palestinian Authority water networks. Villagers are dependent on water delivered daily by tankers for their household use and many also for their livelihoods. Israeli security forces continue to delay tankers severely or even outright prevent them from gaining access to villages. The consequence is that a regular supply of water is not assured. The United Nations has urged the Government of Israel to fulfil its pledge to Ms.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“However, residents of the Palestinian towns of Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Tulkarem continue to suffer, with curfews lasting an average of 17 hours a day. Strict restrictions on movement also remain in place for Palestinians travelling within the West Bank, and humanitarian personnel continue to face difficulties accessing Palestinian areas. In addition, ambulances are reportedly still facing lengthy delays at checkpoints - sometimes for as long as two and a half hours - despite the pledge first made to the Secretary-General's Personal Humanitarian Envoy, Catherine Bertini, last August and repeated on subsequent occasions by Israeli authorities that ambulances would not be delayed longer than half an hour at each checkpoint, which would still be far too long.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“According to Israeli human rights organizations, the northern segment of the wall will leave at least eight villages, home to more than 10,000 Palestinians, stranded between the wall and the green line. And it will cut off access by West Bank residents to their agricultural land and water resources. Once completed, the wall could effectively annex approximately 7 per cent of the West Bank. Although Israel is entitled to safeguard the security of its citizens, it must do so without prejudicing the rights of Palestinians or pre-empting the contours of a permanent territorial settlement. Moving to the humanitarian situation, curfews have been eased in a number of places in recent weeks, notably Ramallah and Hebron.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“As I mentioned in my last briefing, settler violence against Palestinians, especially in connection with the harvesting of olives, is a growing problem. On 27 October, settlers attacked olive pickers from the village of Yanun, near Nablus, injuring four Palestinians, including two children, as well as four volunteers. In previous incidents, Palestinian olive pickers had been killed by settlers. As the Council knows, olives are the backbone of the Palestinian economy in the West Bank. Israel's confiscation of thousands of dunums of agricultural land near the green line, so as to facilitate construction of its separation wall, is also heightening tensions.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“On Sunday morning, Israel announced that its soldiers had killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in Jenin, which Israeli forces had reoccupied two weeks earlier and where they demolished the homes of ten alleged militants and their families. Islamic Jihad immediately pledged to inflict an even more painful strike, as they described it, on Israel and have already claimed responsibility for an explosion on Sunday afternoon that killed an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip. Islamic Jihad also claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack against a bus near Hadera on 21 October that killed 14 Israelis and injured more than 40. It is clear, therefore, that the distressing, self- perpetuating and ultimately futile pattern of violence shows no signs of abating.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“The Secretary-General has condemned that terrorist attack and has reiterated his concerns about the broader context of the ongoing cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, including extrajudicial killings. It bears repeating that terrorist attacks damage the Palestinian cause politically, as well as being morally unacceptable. If its orders are to have any credibility, the Palestinian Authority must take all measures within its power to apprehend and prosecute the gunmen responsible for this crime, as well as those who ordered them to carry it out, and to prevent the commission of further acts of terrorism. Equally, it bears repeating that the Government of Israel must fully respect international humanitarian law in confronting terrorism.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Since my last briefing to the Council, some 46 Palestinians and 30 Israelis have been killed as of yesterday, and at least one more Palestinian has been killed since then. On 5 November, the Palestinian Authority issued a directive to all Fatah offices forbidding members of the movement from opening fire on Israelis "for any reason whatsoever", and the Authority has begun negotiations with Islamist factions intended to secure a commitment to end suicide operations. As the Council knows, however, late on Sunday night a Palestinian gunman infiltrated Kibbutz Metzer in Israel and shot dead five Israelis, including two children sleeping in their beds. The Al-Aqsa Brigades of the Fatah movement are reported to have claimed responsibility.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“The plan presents strategies for responding to the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. Representatives of the Palestinian Authority and the international aid community, as well as the Quartet Envoys, are also providing comments on the plan of action. Thirdly, the Quartet's capitals-level Task Force on Palestinian Reform will convene in Jordan later this week, along with delegations from the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government. The Task Force will assess the progress of reforms following the conclusion of the "100 days plan" of the Palestinian Authority and will identify means of overcoming key obstacles to reform - particularly in sectors where there has been little progress in recent months, such as the civil service, judiciary, and elections. The challenges on all of these fronts are formidable.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“First, the Quartet Special Envoys met yesterday to work towards finalizing the road map to a comprehensive peace settlement, which is due to be adopted at a principals- level meeting of the Quartet in December. The Special Envoys, who had previously met on 24 October in Jerusalem, are working to revise the draft road map in the light of consultations with the Palestinians, the Government of Israel and other Governments in the region. Secondly, the United Nations Special Coordinator, Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen, is convening a United Nations inter-agency meeting today to review the humanitarian plan of action prepared by a United Nations technical assessment mission that visited the region last month on the recommendation of the Secretary-General's Personal Humanitarian Envoy, Ms. Catherine Bertini.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: I last briefed the Council on 18 October. Since then, while the overall situation on the ground has remained essentially unchanged, there have been a number of significant political developments in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Against the backdrop of a new Palestinian Cabinet taking office and the collapse of Israel's governing coalition, Israeli-Palestinian violence continues to claim lives on both sides nearly every day. Curfews and other restrictions on movement continue to impoverish increasing numbers of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Israel remains in the midst of its worst economic recession since 1953. This week, various international meetings are taking place in the region in an effort to respond to the ongoing crisis in three critical areas.”
2002-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4645 (2002) · source
“I think that we need to be careful not to suffer from bipolar disorder - that is to say, to prescribe a whole series of rather grand-sounding policies and then to deny the system the resources which will be necessary to carry out that policy. Just one last word, which is a comment on a point made earlier on about moving from peacekeeping to peace-building. I do not think that this is an entirely linear or sequential process. I do not think that one has to wait until one is completely into a post-conflict phase before starting to try to do things about peace- building. It is really more like a relay race, and the next runner has to start running before the baton is handed over, otherwise the process is all too likely to come to a halt.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I think that more generally his role is to focus on the cracks and gaps between country-specific policies, and I would see his role as lying somewhere between a catalyst, a lubricant and a facilitator. I suspect that his role in relation to Liberia as well as to the other countries of the region will lie somewhere along that spectrum. He will not be interfering with the work being done directly, either by the Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia or by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General in Sierra Leone, but he will be looking at the linkages. Resources will undoubtedly be needed if we are to be successful in pursuing the policies that have been discussed today in the Mano River Union area.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I think that is a very good and accurate way of putting it. Apart from country-specific policies in countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone, I think that we also need policies and a strategy to deal with the linkages between the individual component problems and between the other countries of the region. That is why the Secretary-General decided to propose a West African office. Mr. Ould-Abdallah has not taken up his duties yet. He is due to do so full-time on 1 September. I know that he is available if the Secretary-General wants to ask him to conduct particular missions. Meanwhile, I think that we should let him get his feet under the desk before we prescribe what is his precise role in relation to Liberia.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The image I have used in the Council, as Council members know - and I hope that they will forgive me for repeating it - is antibiotics. When one gets a fortnight's dose of antibiotics from the doctor, the doctors says, "If you start feeling better after a week, do not stop taking the antibiotics. You have to complete the course." But my feeling is that all too often the Council does not prescribe a fortnight's antibiotics. It can prescribe a week's antibiotics, occasionally five days' worth. The risk is that the investment made is allowed to slip away, because during the period of peacekeeping, the root causes of the problem have not been eliminated, and we do not give the follow-up mission the resources to do so. I agree very much with what Ambassador Kolby said about staying the course.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In terms of who would be the next representative of the Secretary-General, all I can really say is that our discussions with the Liberians are at a delicate point, and I do not think that it would be helpful to expand on that. More generally, I would say that we do need coherent and well-thought-out country-specific policies for Liberia. We have been hampered by the factors I have just mentioned, but we have also been hampered by a lack of funds. Here, ifI may, I should like to take up a point made by Ambassador Mahbubani and by others. I agree rather passionately with what he said about the way one goes from relative feast to relative famine when one moves from peacekeeping to post-conflict peace- building. He used the image ofa sprinkler system.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: I should like to respond to the direct questions and also to make a couple of points that I think arise out ofthe discussion. There was a question about the peace-building office in Liberia and where we are. I would say, first of all, that we are in discussions with the Liberian authorities about amending the term of reference to make them more apt to the current situation. We want to see changes in three areas: first of all, to expand the involvement of the office in national reconciliation in Liberia; secondly, a higher profile in terms of a public information effort, which we think would be useful; and thirdly, even more emphasis on human rights. We are waiting for the response ofthe Government on that.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In fact, it is quite difficult to think of a major improvement in internal stability unless there is some improvement in those relations with the immediate neighbours. Thank you, Madam President.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Thirdly, I think we need to encourage the elements within Liberian society who are looking for an improvement in the situation and who are pressing for national reconciliation. I am thinking here primarily of the churches in Liberia and other elements of civil society. Liberia is fortunate in that it has a vibrant civil society, and I think they are making exactly the right noises in pressing for dialogue and national reconciliation. But there has to be a response from the players within the country. I think it is also difficult to dispute that an improvement in Liberia's relations with its neighbours would also be a positive factor in helping to stabilize the situation inside the country.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: I suppose that is the $64,000 question, Madam President. The first step towards making a situation better is usually to acknowledge that you have a problem and to be willing to accept internal and external advice. We have been trying to do that. We have been somewhat hampered because for a while we have had no head of the United Nations Peace-Building Office in Liberia. We have encountered some difficulties in appointing a head. I hope that we shall be able to overcome that obstacle soon, because that will give us some leverage and enable us to develop some traction. As I mentioned, we are aware ofthe efforts that the subregion is putting into that. We want to give maximum encouragement to the neighbours.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Indeed, it was precisely in view of the linkages between the countries in the subregion and the transborder challenges that they face, as well as the consequent need to interact with regional and subregional actors, that the Secretary-General recently decided to establish a high-level United Nations Office for West Africa, headed by his Special Representative, who is going to be, as the Council knows, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. We regret the delay in the opening of the Office, but the necessary administrative and logistical arrangements are now being finalized, and Mr. Ould-Abdallah will soon be dispatched to the region. Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Mano River Union will feature high on his agenda.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We think that the time may have come for them to constitute themselves as that group. Finally, a word on cooperation with subregional organizations: we believe that such cooperation has proved to be indispensable in pursuing the peace and security objectives of the United Nations in the Mano River region, as elsewhere in Africa and - for that matter - in the wider world. Indeed, the United Nations can greatly benefit from the many comparative advantages ofthose organizations, which include sound knowledge of, and close involvement in, the subregional dynamics, the personal stature and influence of leaders in the region and the existence of regional mechanisms for conflict prevention, peace- building and the promotion of regional development.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“To that end, we look to the new Foreign Minister, our friend and colleague, His Excellency Mr. Francois Fall, to energize his country in playing that constructive role. In that connection, I also wish, on behalf of the Secretary-General, to commend Morocco for the King's efforts to convene a follow-up Rabat summit with the leaders of the three Mano River Union countries. I know that the summit has been repeatedly postponed - for good reasons I am sure. But we would nevertheless want to encourage Morocco to persevere. Given that the situations in Liberia and Sierra Leone cannot be addressed in isolation, some Member States have shown interest in establishing a contact group on the Mano River Union to serve as a forum for forging a coherent agenda in support of the Rabat dialogue process and the subregion's peace efforts.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The view of the United Nations is that the current containment policy towards Liberia has its limitations. It needs to be complemented with a coherent and a constructive political agenda. In our view, the international community needs to encourage and support the efforts by ECOWAS and by Liberian political and civil society organizations to exert pressure on President Taylor to create a conducive environment for carrying out security sector reforms and for promoting good governance, dialogue and national reconciliation. We hope that President Kabbah can be encouraged to persevere in his efforts to facilitate a peaceful settlement of the Liberian crisis now that LURD seems to be ready for dialogue. We also hope that Guinea, as a member of the Security Council and as a neighbour, will be able to play a role.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“As military offensives and counter-offensives are carried out, both sides have looted and pillaged, including in residential areas and against civilians. As a precautionary measure, United Nations international civilian staff have relocated their residential and most working premises to safer locations. I now turn briefly to the question of reconciliation in Liberia, including the role played by the Rabat process, the Mano River Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). I would like to say that, unless urgently and decisively addressed, instability in Liberia risks reversing the significant gains made in the peace process in Sierra Leone. That instability could have a further domino effect in the region, negatively affecting the situations in other neighbouring countries, in particular Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Clearly, the international community and the Government of Liberia in particular need to learn lessons from the way in which the transition from peacekeeping to peace-building was managed in that country. As the Council knows, the ongoing fighting has caused thousands of civilians to flee to camps for refugees and internally displaced persons. There are approximately 130,000 internally displaced Liberians today. Since the beginning of the year, 40,000 Liberian refugees have crossed the border into Sierra Leone. During the past few weeks, LURD forces have come perilously close to Monrovia. Government forces recently embarked on a new military offensive against the LURD positions at Tubmanburg in Lower Lofa. The Government are also trying to recapture other cities.”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: Madam President, I understand that you spent the morning session discussing lessons learned in Sierra Leone, so I propose to restrict myself to a brief look at the situation in Liberia and at political efforts to stabilize the subregion. I will start with the current situation in Liberia, which has come full circle for the United Nations - from civil war to a peace agreement, followed by democratic elections accompanied by a United Nations peacekeeping operation, and now, since July last year, a drift back into civil strife as a result of the armed confrontation between Government forces and the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).”
2002-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4577Resumption1 (2002) · source