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

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

“Most recently, on 7 and 8 June, another two-day volley of Qassams and mortars was launched by Palestinian militants at Gaza Strip settlements and at the Israeli town of Sderot. Tragically, three civilians were killed - two Palestinians and one Chinese citizen - all of whom were working in the Gush Katif settlement block in southern Gaza; five Palestinians labourers were also wounded. The casualties illustrate the indiscriminate nature of these violent attacks. Violence has claimed lives elsewhere and has underscored how fragile the situation continues to be. On 31 May, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian who tried to stab them in the West Bank town of Hebron.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“Against the backdrop of increased internal challenges and disorder, violence between Palestinians and Israelis continued over the past month to pose a serious threat to the safety and security of both peoples as well as to the viability of the overall process of moving forward. I want to express our particular concern over the serious escalation in rocket and mortar attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli targets. Starting on 18 May, a two-day barrage of Qassam rockets, mortar shells and anti-tank rockets was launched at various Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. Mortar and Qassam rocket fire against settlements and Israeli cities close to the Gaza Strip has continued since then to occur at a lower level of intensity.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“The Palestinian Authority's Ministry of the Interior has put together a planning team composed of representatives from the military and civilian police, civil defence, intelligence and national security, which, in conjunction with a team of international experts, is preparing for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank. While preparations for the withdrawal are the priority, we hope that this work will also contribute to improving the internal state of law and order in areas under Palestinian Authority control and to ensuring the rule of law for all Palestinians.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“In earlier incidents connected to last month's municipal elections, violence erupted on 18 May, following a court ruling the day before which abrogated election results in some municipalities. Reruns of some municipal elections in Gaza were delayed on 31 May amidst high tension between Palestinian factions, as Hamas declared its intention to boycott the poll and its result. Those developments are deeply disturbing. The Palestinian Authority needs all possible support to confront those challenges. I am glad to report that the work of Lieutenant General Ward is continuing, and we welcome the expansion of his responsibilities to include, in addition to Palestinian security sector reform, security coordination in preparation for the Israeli withdrawal.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“The Palestinian Authority still faces a number of serious internal challenges, which have deepened partly as a result of the Palestinian Authority's efforts to institute comprehensive security reform. In a protest against the decision to restructure the security forces, on 2 June hundreds of Palestinian military intelligence forces went on a rampage in the Gaza Strip, blocking main roads and storming public buildings, including that of the Palestinian Legislative Council. A number of shooting incidents occurred, and on 3 June, the Director General of the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Religious Affairs and his brother were killed when gunmen fired at their car near Nablus.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“Again I stress that dialogue and cooperation between the two sides are of crucial importance not only in preparation for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank but also in the broader context of reinvigorating progress towards the realization of the two-State vision. In Israel, opponents of disengagement still voice their opposition to Israel's prospective withdrawal and resort to protests, demonstrations and, in some cases, acts of sabotage and civil disobedience. In spite of that, the Government is pressing ahead with its plans to relocate the evacuated settlers and remains committed to the full and timely implementation of its initiative. On 9 June, the Israeli High Court of Justice turned down a legal challenge directed against the disengagement initiative.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“On 29 May, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of an additional 400 Palestinian prisoners pursuant to the understandings, and on 2 June, 398 prisoners were released. There are reports that the Israeli Government intends to hand over to Palestinian security control the West Bank cities of Qalqilyah, Bethlehem and Ramallah prior to Israel's withdrawal. Such actions and developments are to be encouraged. Slow, steady movement forward seems to be under way. However, it is our hope that the meeting between Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas will be used by the parties to overcome difficulties that have arisen in order to accelerate the positive momentum and achieve the full implementation of outstanding commitments.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to continue their coordination on security matters at the ministerial, planning and operational levels. According to the United States Security Coordinator, Lieutenant General Ward, an improved atmosphere and increased willingness to engage in coordination have characterized the cooperative efforts in recent weeks. On the Palestinian side, an integrated team comprising top-level personnel from the three security services has been set up, and planning is proceeding based on a timeline provided by the Israeli side. There has been some progress on the implementation of the Sharm e1-Sheikh understandings reached between the parties in February.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“However, rebuilding the trust and mutual confidence that are needed if real and sustainable progress is to be achieved requires sustained and direct contacts between the parties themselves. In that context, I am glad to note that Israelis and Palestinians have continued to meet to discuss the economic and civilian aspects of Israel's withdrawal. Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie and Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres on 21 May discussed the coordination of the withdrawal initiative as well as broader efforts aimed at resuscitating the peace process between the two parties. A variety of other bilateral meetings have also taken place to discuss questions such as the assets of settlements and their eventual fate.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“Wolfensohn is continuing to develop a rapid action programme aimed at bringing about immediate and tangible economic change for the better for Palestinians not just in Gaza but throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. He is working energetically with Israelis and Palestinians to encourage them to coordinate Israel's withdrawal from and handover of the relevant areas. He has stated his conviction - which we share wholeheartedly - that security for Israelis and economic development for Palestinians go hand in hand, and that both are required to ensure the successful implementation of Israel's withdrawal plan. Each of us should do whatever we can to support and encourage the parties to move forward.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“The international community has used these visits and meetings to convey a consistent message to both Palestinians and Israelis. It is one of commitment to the vision and framework articulated in the road map, which was endorsed by the Council in resolution 1515 (2003), and of belief that both parties must implement the obligations elaborated in the road map. We are asking the parties to do everything possible to ensure that the upcoming Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank becomes a step in a broader process and is used as a springboard to revitalize the road map. To assist in this pressing immediate goal of withdrawal, the Quartet's Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement, Mr. James Wolfensohn, arrived in the region on 7 June and began his work with the parties and other actors. Mr.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“Militants on both sides remain strong, and they exert much influence politically. The recent marked increase in diplomatic activity continued over the past month. Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders met with senior United States policy-makers. On 25 May, the Palestinian and United States Presidents held their first meeting since the election of President Abbas, in January this year. A range of other representatives of the international community have already visited, or will soon visit, the region, among them Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and others. Our own new United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Alvaro de Soto, has taken up his post in the region, and I expect that he will brief the Council next month on his first impressions.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: Let me begin this month's briefing by reporting that, in the Israeli-Palestinian arena, the parties are slowly, and not without difficulty, meeting to coordinate the implementation of Israel's initiative to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank. Confidence-building measures are also being discussed. In the next few days, Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas will meet to discuss the situation. We hope that they will work together to drive forward the process of coordination and confidence-building. Those developments are indicative of the hopeful trend that we have spoken of since the beginning of the year, but there are other trends too. Renewed violence and the low level of mutual trust continue to work against progress.”
2005-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5206 (2005) · source
“During the past month, Israeli air violations of the Blue Line also continued to occur, albeit less frequently. The Secretary-General has reiterated his concern regarding these continuing air violations and has reminded all parties of their commitment to fully respect the Blue Line, which was unanimously endorsed by the Security Council. The people of the Middle East are now approaching a number of important turning points. It is our sincere hope that recent events in the region will be remembered as a new start on the road towards peace, rather than as a slide back into conflict and violent confrontation.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“There was also an exchange of fire between the IDF and Hizbullah in the general area south of Rmeich. Fortunately, no casualties were attributed to any of these incidents. Hostile acts and infractions across the Blue Line must stop. While last week's firing incidents were ultimately contained, the risk was great that events could spiral out of control. It bears repeating in this Council that one violation cannot justify another. Stability in south Lebanon depends to a large extent on the Government of Lebanon exercising its authority over all of its territory. The Secretary-General has reiterated his call upon the Lebanese authorities to exercise effective control throughout the country, to exert the Government's monopoly on the use of force and to put an end to all attacks emanating from Lebanese soil.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Though the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was unable to verify that claim, local residents reported hearing explosions. Finally, on 13 May, there was an exchange of fire between Hizbullah and the IDF. UNIFIL first recorded small arms fire from the vicinity of an IDF position in the Shab'a farms. Local Lebanese residents claimed a house was hit. This was followed by several loud explosions near IDF positions. Hizbullah claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it came in retaliation for the IDF machine gun fire into Kafr Shuba that morning and for the IDF shell of 9 May. Subsequently the IDF launched tank and artillery rounds, six aerial bombs and several rockets into a broad swathe of Lebanese territory from Kafr Kila to Shaba.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“We plan to deploy investigators and other substantive personnel on a rolling basis in the coming weeks to enable the work of the Commission to proceed as quickly as possible. A series of incidents last week escalated tensions along the Blue Line to an alarming degree. First, on 9 May, the IDF accidentally fired a shell into Lebanon, into an open area east of Al-Khiam, in the course of an operation to destroy booby traps in the Shab'a farms area. Then, on 11 May, a Katyusha rocket fired from the vicinity of Naqoura in Lebanon landed in the Israeli town of Shelomi, causing significant property damage. There was no reaction from the IDF. The following day, the IDF claimed that two missiles were launched from near Ghajar into the Shab'a farms, though no impact was reported.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“The United Nations will also support international observers deployed by other countries and organizations, with the aim of ensuring proper coordination amongst all observers. The United Nations has continued its efforts to establish the international independent investigation commission to look into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri, pursuant to resolution 1595 (2005). On 13 May, the Secretary-General announced his intention to appoint Detlev Mehlis as Commissioner. Mr. Mehlis, an experienced prosecutor, will deploy to Lebanon shortly. He will review the information collected by other investigative bodies to enable him to determine the starting point for his work.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“While there have been some hopeful recent signs in Lebanon, the situation there too remains fragile. On 6 May, another bombing in a Christian neighbourhood, in the city of Jounieh, killed one person and wounded several others. We reiterate our condemnation of such attacks and stress the belief shared by the international community that Lebanon must be free of such acts of violence and intimidation. Lebanon is now preparing for parliamentary elections later this month, which the new Government under Prime Minister Mikati has committed itself to hold, beginning on 29 May. A United Nations team began its work in Beirut on 9 May to prepare the provision of support and technical assistance for the elections.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“We hope that the programme now in preparation by the Quartet's Special Envoy will make a significant contribution to alleviating the effects of the continued crrsrs. We remain extremely concerned about the continued construction of Israel's barrier in the West Bank. On Monday, 16 May, the Israeli High Court of Justice rescinded the temporary injunctions it had previously imposed on the construction of the barrier around the West Bank settlement of Ariel. The route of the barrier in this area cuts deeply into occupied Palestinian territory. That is worrying not only because of the effects of the barrier on the daily lives of Palestinians, but also because it threatens unilaterally to prejudge the outcome of eventual bilateral negotiations between the parties.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“We reiterate the Quartet's call on both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to undertake the steps necessary to ensure free, credible and transparent multi-party legislative elections in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, including through the facilitation and conduct of the voter registration. Despite the relative calm and the slight improvement in terms of closure conditions over the past two months, there has been little improvement in the dire Palestinian economic situation. Unemployment remained high, and even increased slightly to 32 per cent during the first quarter of 2005. Protest marches by unemployed workers in Gaza on 1 May highlight the need for urgent action to generate employment.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“But it also reflects popular frustration with the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinians continued with their preparations for the legislative elections still scheduled for 17 July. On 20 April, the Palestinian Legislative Council gave preliminary approval to a revised electoral law for the legislative vote, which envisages a two-to-one mix of constituency-based and national representation. A date for the third and final reading of the law has not yet been set. Additional voter registration in preparation for the elections began on 7 May and will last until 21 May. Regrettably, on 10 May the Israeli authorities closed two voter registration centres and briefly detained two members of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission staff in East Jerusalem.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“It would be difficult for the Palestinian Authority to undertake sustained and sustainable action on security unless it is aided and supported in its efforts to rein in the militants. A significant and positive step forward in that context is Israel's reported approval of the deployment of hundreds of armed Palestinian police in all West Bank cities in order to strengthen the Palestinian Authority ahead of a transfer of further areas to Palestinian security control. On 5 May, Palestinians held a second round of local elections in 84 municipalities in Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas won a substantial share of the vote and of the municipal councils. That is an indication of the support the militants enjoy among the Palestinian population, partly as a result of their engagement in social welfare activities.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“There is no doubt as to the legitimacy of Israel's security concerns. The Palestinian Authority must strengthen its efforts to end all violent activity and must produce tangible results on the ground. Meanwhile, Israel can and should do more to support the Palestinian leadership in its difficult task. The doubts and the suspicions on both sides may be understandable, but they need to be addressed through constructive engagement and sustained bilateral contacts. Specifically, we urge Israel to work directly with the Palestinians to find a way to implement the commitments made at Sharm el-Sheikh. Further delays in handing over the remaining three Palestinian cities and in releasing prisoners threaten seriously to undermine President Abbas.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Among the fatalities were two Palestinian teenagers who were shot when a group of youths threw stones at Israeli bulldozers working on the construction of the barrier near Beit Lakia in the West Bank. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is reportedly investigating that tragic and most unfortunate incident. It is also cause for grave concern that the Israeli security forces reported intercepting a number of would- be suicide bombers in the West Bank. On 4 May, the IDF discovered and detonated a 40-kilogram bomb north of the Sufa crossing between Gaza and Israel. In Gaza, Palestinian militants resumed firing mortar shells and Qassam rockets, fortunately causing no casualties, but damaging properties in Israeli settlements and in Israeli villages and towns outside the Gaza Strip.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“The current level of violence between Palestinians and Israelis still remains far below that which prevailed before the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. However, as I pointed out in last month's briefing, we are concerned by reports of a slow but steady increase in violent incidents, compounding a corresponding deterioration in trust and confidence between the two sides. The violence included attacks by Palestinian militants against Israelis, clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protestors and Israeli arrest operations against wanted militants. Eight Palestinians and one Israeli were killed, and some 133 Palestinians and 25 Israelis were injured.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Furthermore, both President Abbas and Interior Minister Yousef issued strong statements concerning the illegal possession of arms. The Quartet welcomed those developments at its meeting on 9 May, but emphasized the need for the Palestinian Authority to continue implementing such reforms in order to reinstate law and order in Gaza and the West Bank and to meet its road map obligation to end violence and terror. In his briefing to the Quartet, General Ward noted that reform was an urgent priority for the short-term and long-term success of the Gaza disengagement process, as the Palestinian Authority must be able to secure its borders, assets and crossing points. Events on the ground can be an accurate indicator of the underlying dynamic of a situation.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Combined with the efforts of the Quartet's Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement, in particular on the economic front, the Israeli pullout should be seen as a highly significant step along the road towards realizing the vision of two States, Israel and a sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. In recent weeks and months, the Palestinian Authority continued to take specific steps towards reforming the structure of the security services. As confirmed by Lieutenant-General Ward, there was ongoing work to consolidate the fragmented Palestinian security services into three agencies under the authority of the Ministry of Interior. New heads of the security services have been appointed and the security retirement law is being implemented.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“The various players included the Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister as well as Prime Minister Sharon's senior adviser and, on the Palestinian side, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Civil Affairs and the Palestinian Chief Negotiator. We hope that in the near future, Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas will continue the dialogue that they began at Sharm el- Sheikh in February. I would like to stress once again the need for dialogue and coordination. The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the northern West Bank marks an important landmark in Israeli-Palestinian relations. The evacuation of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory sets an important precedent. Continued bilateral coordination will be one way to ensure that disengagement proceeds successfully and contributes to the momentum for peace.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Prime Minister Sharon announced on 9 May that the Gaza disengagement would be delayed by three weeks from the original target date to avoid a traditional Jewish period of mourning. The practical preparations for the withdrawal, however, are progressing, as are the Government's efforts to find acceptable solutions for the relocation of settlers - this despite escalating opposition from a vocal minority of the Israeli public, as witnessed in the widespread protests and demonstrations that occurred on 16 May and earlier on 27 April. Fortunately, the stated readiness of Israelis and Palestinians to coordinate the Israeli disengagement has begun to be reflected in practice. On 21 April, direct talks were renewed between the parties after a gap of more than a month.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Wolfensohn stressed that his mission would support and strengthen the role of the Palestinian Authority. He also emphasized that he would be working with, and complementary to, existing donor structures. I am very pleased to report that the new United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary- General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, was able to join the Secretary-General and me in Moscow. Mr. De Soto, whose duties include acting as the Secretary- General's envoy to the Quartet, brings to his new position a very wide range of experience in United Nations peacemaking. I am sure that he will want to brief the Council himself in the next month or two on his first impressions.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“The Quartet's substantive discussion focused on how best to help the parties maintain the momentum at this fragile moment of opportunity. The Quartet expressed its full support for the important tasks of its Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement, Mr. James Wolfensohn, and for Lieutenant-General William Ward, United States Security Coordinator, both of whom were present at the meeting in Moscow. Mr. Wolfensohn briefed the Quartet principals on his first round of talks with the parties in the region. His priority is a rapid-action programme aimed at bringing about immediate and tangible improvement for Gazans in the situation on the ground prior to the pullout and, simultaneously, to build momentum for Palestinian economic recovery and a more viable future State. Mr.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: I would like to start, if I may, with the Quartet meeting held in Moscow on 9 May. The aim of the meeting was to review the current situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Gaza disengagement. The Secretary-General, Secretary of State Rice, European Union High Representative Solana and their host, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, took the opportunity to reiterate the Quartet's commitment to the two-State solution and their support for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank as a way of re-energizing the road map. The principals reminded both parties of the need to avoid unilateral actions that might pre-judge final status issues, and they urged the parties to implement their obligations under the road map.”
2005-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5181 (2005) · source
“Coordination, cooperation and agreement between the two parties, and active support from the international community, are needed to achieve a successful disengagement that will lead to further steps towards the implementation of the road map and towards realizing our end goal.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“Let me end by saying that the international community is coming together to assure the parties that they are not alone and that we will accompany them along the road to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The end goal remains clear - ending the occupation that began in 1967 and establishing a sovereign, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian State living side by side with a secure Israel. The Israeli disengagement plan offers a real opportunity to revitalize the peace process. For that to happen, it is urgent that we encourage both parties to resume contacts and to work together to prepare for Israel's withdrawal.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“Hizbullah announced that its drone had flown over Israeli territory for 18 minutes before returning to Lebanon. A number of Israeli air violations were recorded shortly afterwards and have continued over the past week. On the same day, Geir Pedersen, the Secretary-General's newly appointed Personal Representative for Southern Lebanon, arrived in Beirut to take up his duties. He called on all parties to cease such violations and ensure total calm along the Blue Line. I would add that the increased air activity from both sides creates an additional concern in the risks posed to United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) helicopter patrols along the Blue Line.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“A few days beforehand, there was a public call by Bahia Hariri, a Member of Parliament and sister of the former Prime Minister, urging people back to the central district of Beirut so as to re-stimulate economic activity in the commercial hub of the city and to overcome the atmosphere of anxiety that prevailed after the spate of bombings. That resulted in large numbers returning to the central district. If I may turn to south Lebanon, we are pleased to note the overall calm that seems to have prevailed along the Blue Line for some time now. Violations of the Line, however, have continued to take place, mostly in the form of recurring air violations by Israel and also by Hizbullah, which, on 11 April, launched an unmanned aerial vehicle into Israeli airspace.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“On 7 April, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1595 (2005), establishing the International Independent Investigation Commission into the assassination of the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The Government of Lebanon has undertaken to extend its full cooperation and support to the work of the Commission, whose work in Lebanon is expected to begin very shortly. Many Lebanese came together on 13 April, the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the civil war, to celebrate a day of national unity and to reject a return to the violence of the past.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“Following the resignation of Omar Karami on 13 April, Najib Mikati was appointed as Prime Minister-designate on 15 April, and on 19 April announced a new cabinet of 14 ministers. That important breakthrough comes after a period of political stalemate in the country. It is expected that the new cabinet will be put to a vote of confidence in Parliament shortly. Its main tasks will be to draft an electoral law that is acceptable to all and to oversee the conduct of Lebanon's parliamentary elections. We take this opportunity to emphasize again the importance of holding these elections within Lebanon's constitutional deadline, and we take positive note of Prime Minister- designate Mikati's undertaking to work towards that end.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“If I may turn our attention to Lebanon, there have been a number of important developments. Particularly worrying were a number of bombings that have caused great anxiety among the population. Since my last briefing of the Council, there have been a further two explosions. One occurred on 26 March in an industrial suburb north-east of Beirut. Another took place on 1 April underneath a shopping centre in the mountain town of Broumana, also north-east of Beirut. Fortunately, there were no fatalities as a result of either bombing. The Secretary-General has spoken out strongly against such acts of violence, reiterating his belief that the Lebanese people must be able to decide their future in a democratic and peaceful manner.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“The budget aims for fiscal revenues to the extent of $1 billion, though donor support will have to cover a deficit of more than $1.17 billion. Sixty percent of the budget will be allocated for Palestinian Authority (PA) wages and salaries. In the context of the Palestinian budget vote, discussions continued to follow up on the London Conference of 1 March this year. These primarily involved the European Commission, the World Bank, Norway and the United Nations, and focused on reform of the existing donor coordination structure. The review has three main goals: first, to mainstream the reform agenda into the core of the aid coordination process; secondly, to ensure a more central role for the PA in aid management and coordination; and, thirdly, to make the aid coordination structures more effective in responding to needs.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“During the calendar month of March, as recent data show, 1,550 Palestinian workers entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, and an additional 540 worked in the Erez Industrial Zone. This amounted to a threefold increase in the total number of Gazans actively employed in Israel and the Industrial Zone, though this level remains much below the pre-intifada daily average of 30,000 workers. I can report that the month of March did bring an improvement in trade flows between Israel and Gaza. Karni, Rafah and Sofa commercial crossings saw a significant easing of restrictions on the movement of goods. As a result, the value of goods passing through Karni more than doubled, from $26 million to $55 million. On the fiscal front, the Palestinian Legislative Council on 30 March approved the delayed budget plan for 2005.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“In that connection, the Council will recall that President George W. Bush, after his recent meeting with Prime Minister Sharon, said that Israel should "not undertake any activity that contravenes road map obligations or prejudice final status negotiations". President Bush added that "Israel should meet its road map obligations regarding settlements in the West Bank and remove unauthorized outposts". I believe, if I may say so, that this very much represents the position of all four members of the Quartet. The fragile nature of the current situation is reflected in the Palestinian economy, which, despite modest improvements, is still in a state of crisis. Unemployment remains high, at a rate between 36 and 41 per cent in the Gaza Strip. Israeli measures to ease closure have not yet had positive effects on those rates.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“One of Israel's primary obligations under the road map, and an important confidence-building measure, is the requirement to halt all settlement activity, including natural growth, and to dismantle settlement outposts erected since March 2001. We have repeatedly expressed our concern over the fact that Israel has not yet lived up to its obligations in that respect. We have therefore noted with great concern that, despite strong international objections, Prime Minister Sharon has publicly reiterated his commitment to the eventual implementation of the El plan aimed at connecting Jerusalem with the largest West Bank settlement, Maale Adumim. In addition, the Israeli Lands Authority announced on 18 April that it was inviting bids for the construction of 50 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Elkana.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“The relevant confidence-building measures are clearly laid out in the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings and in phase one of the road map. Against the background of unmet obligations under the road map and insufficient progress on the Sharm el- Sheikh understandings, the joint Israeli-Palestinian committees dealing with fugitives, prisoners and the transfer of major urban centres in the West Bank did not meet in the past month. Security control was not transferred in any of the Palestinian cities during that period; nor were any prisoners released. Such steps are part and parcel of the wider process to coordinate and move forward together. We welcome General Ward's continued efforts to help reform the Palestinian security services and to assist in resolving outstanding issues between the parties related to security.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“Moreover, he announced that the Palestinian Authority will shortly reorganize and unify its security forces into three agencies operating under the direct command of the Minister of the Interior, a step that is required in the road map. We expect those new appointments to be made shortly. Those actions and announcements are positive and welcome, but they are clearly not enough. Security reform and a visible and sustained effort to stop all violent activity are basic requirements of the road map. As such, they cannot be a matter for compromise. The will to act must come from the Palestinian Authority. However, there is also much that Israel could do to support, rather than hinder, President Abbas's ability to take difficult steps.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“Internally, Al-Aqsa militants have become the main disrupters of law and order, threatening Palestinian Authority officials and ordinary citizens alike. In response to those violent incidents, President Abbas declared a state of alert and began reshuffling the security forces in the West Bank. He subsequently announced his intention to disarm those Fatah militants who are on Israel's wanted list and proposed that the wanted persons be integrated into the Palestinian Authority's security agencies. President Abbas also appointed an interim chief of the Palestinian National Forces to replace Haj Ismail Jaber, who had been forced to resign. In addition, President Abbas issued a presidential decree enforcing the security forces pension bill, which will lead to the retirement of some 2,000 security staff.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“There is no quick fix to this conflict. We can and should, however, reiterate the need for the parties to implement their commitments under the road map and the more recent Sharm el-Sheikh understandings. Israel justifies its continuation of military incursions, arrest campaigns, curfews and movement restrictions as necessary to confront and pre-empt security threats. It charges the Palestinian Authority with not taking serious action against violence and militants. Palestinian leaders, for their part, claim that they are taking action but acknowledge that the process is slow and difficult. They believe that the ongoing Israeli military operations are counterproductive, in that they make it more difficult for the Palestinian Authority to disarm or arrest militants and in that they threaten the viability of the ceasefire.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“On 14 April, also in Nablus, an Israeli undercover unit killed a wanted Al- Aqsa Brigades militant in a shoot-out during an arrest operation; the IDF charged that the militant had been planning a suicide bombing attack. President Abbas condemned the killings and accused Israel of undermining the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings. The month also witnessed a number of actual or attempted Palestinian military operations against Israeli targets, resulting in injuries in some cases. There were also numerous Israeli arrest campaigns and worrying reports of increased settler vigilante attacks against Palestinian civilians in West Bank villages. Those incidents underscore that - as I said at the beginning - the state of affairs remains fragile and that, unless there is positive movement, the situation could easily deteriorate again.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source
“On 9 April, Israeli soldiers deployed in Rafah on the "Philadelphi route" opened fire on a group of Palestinian youths, killing 14-year-old Ahmad al-Jazar as well as Ashraf Musa and Khaled A'anam, both 15 years old. All three were found to be unarmed. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that its soldiers had believed the youths were armed and were engaged in weapon smuggling. When news of the deaths spread, Palestinian militants fired nearly 80 mortars and Qassem rockets at the Gush Katif settlement over a three-day period, causing material damage but, fortunately, no casualties. On 11 April, the Israeli army launched an arrest campaign in Nablus, searching for a suspect with alleged links to Hizbullah; however, 22 Palestinians were injured during the operation.”
2005-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5166 (2005) · source