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

“Together with settlement expansion, the construction of the barrier continues to erode Palestinian territory and Palestinian hope. According to the best estimates of the latest Israeli construction plans, the barrier will put more than 12 per cent of the West Bank - plus occupied East Jerusalem - on the Israeli side of the barrier. Although Prime Minister Sharon has stated that the barrier is temporary, it is equally clear that Palestinians see it as the greatest single threat to the viability of their future State. In our briefing last month, as well as bilaterally and together with the Quartet, we called on the Palestinian leadership to reorganize and to act decisively against terror and violence.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“Consequently, we are facing a stalemate, awaiting political decisions needed to transform the initiative into a plan aimed at ending the occupation of Gaza and leading to the full end of the occupation that started in 1967. During this period, Israeli settlement expansion continued unabated in Gaza and in the West Bank, prompting Palestinians to wonder if all the talk about settlement evacuation was a cover-up for more expansion. Reports estimated the number of inhabitants of the outposts erected since March 2001 at 2,000, with some of the outposts connected by roads, electricity and water supplies. I would like to remind the Council that those outposts should have been dismantled upon the release of the road map a year ago.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“In Israel earlier this month, a majority of the Likud party voted against Prime Minister Sharon's initiative to withdraw unilaterally from the Gaza Strip. That rejection sparked an internal debate during which the Prime Minister reiterated his intention to pursue the initiative. Support for a withdrawal had been demonstrated by the tens of thousands of Israelis who took to the streets of Tel Aviv and by opinion polls that show strong popular support for a Gaza pullout. Unfortunately, that debate cast a shadow over the more fundamental issues: namely, the nature, the scope and the terms of the Gaza withdrawal, as well as its relationship to implementation of the road map.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“Finally, the Quartet principals started discussion of an action plan designed to move the parties ahead and to help them in meeting their obligations. Discussions are still ongoing, and the Quartet envoys will start acting upon them as soon as those discussions conclude. I take this opportunity to remind the Council that action by the international community or the Quartet is no substitute for steps taken by the parties. Experience from other conflicts is that solutions are adopted and implemented only when the parties themselves decide to do so. In the case at hand, deadlocks and paralysis continue to prevent the parties from taking the courageous decisions needed to begin moving along the Quartet's road map.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“The Palestinian Authority, and President Arafat himself, have embraced all of them and committed themselves to their implementation. The Quartet awaits the fulfilment of those commitments. Fourthly, the Quartet urged the Government of Israel to dismantle, immediately and without further delay, all settlement outposts erected since March 2001 and to move towards a full settlement freeze, including a freeze on natural growth. The Quartet expressed its grave concern over the course and the consequences of the construction of the barrier, despite Israel's pledge that the barrier is to be temporary and for security - not political - purposes. The Quartet also reminded Israel of its obligation to comply fully with the provisions of international law and to assume its responsibilities as an occupying Power.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“Secondly, the Quartet set out principles for the success of the Gaza withdrawal initiative, namely that it should be complete, it must lead to an end of the occupation of Gaza, and it must be accompanied by similar steps in the West Bank. Such a withdrawal would be a welcome development, as it could represent a beginning, not an end, of a process which carries the potential of restarting the peace process in a meaningful way. Thirdly, the Quartet expressed its readiness to engage with a reformed, reorganized and accountable Palestinian Authority, and with an empowered Prime Minister and Cabinet which is committed to reform and to combating violence and terrorism. None of these requirements is new or imposed. They are requirements of the road map.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“The meeting of Quartet principals held at United Nations Headquarters on 4 May articulated that strong commitment in some detail. First, the Quartet principals reiterated that all final-status issues such as borders and refugees should be negotiated by the parties, and that such negotiations must be based on the terms of reference of the peace process, including relevant Security Council resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. The principals emphasized that the outcome of negotiations cannot be pre-empted. This reiteration is not rhetorical; it is designed to reassure the parties of the international community's backing for their legitimate claims. The Quartet wants to give the parties confidence that taking the measures required by the international community now will in no way undermine their final-status rights and claims.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“At our most recent briefing, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, Terje Roed-Larsen, described the political crossroads lying ahead of the parties, whose choices will determine the foreseeable future of the peace effort in the Middle East. Unfortunately, and despite strong calls by the international community, both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are stalled at those crossroads. The international community, led by the Quartet, recently reiterated its commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and to assisting both Israelis and Palestinians out of the current morass through the implementation of the Quartet's road map.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“The Israeli army has demolished hundreds of Palestinian homes, in breach of its obligations under international law. Economic conditions have continued to worsen still further, bringing yet more suffering, and deepening the prevailing despair. The humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, although stable, is at a very low point, with visible signs of donor fatigue and a severe shortage of finances for humanitarian assistance efforts. Elsewhere in the region, along the Blue Line, Violations have threatened to disrupt a precarious stability. At the political level, deadlock prevails.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: Since the Secretariat's most recent briefing to the Security Council, on 23 April (see S/PV.4951), the situation in the Middle East has been characterized by the - tragically - by now all- too-familiar phenomenon of growing violence, destruction and despair. On Wednesday, the Council addressed the crisis in resolution 1544 (2004). From that resolution I would like to draw two points: first, the need for the Government of Israel to ensure that in defending its citizens it stays within the parameters of international law; and secondly, the need for both parties immediately to implement their obligations under the road map. Meanwhile, the statistics make grim reading. Over the past month, 128 Palestinians and 19 Israelis have been killed, and hundreds more injured.”
2004-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4974 (2004) · source
“What matters, rather, is to arrive at a careful and accurate assessment of the full implications for the United Nations of last Saturday's outcome and to make appropriate recommendations. As I have already indicated, the Secretary-General will want to send a detailed written report to the Security Council in due course. It will then be for the Council, in turn, to consider the implications of the point that has now been reached.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“He welcomes recent steps by the European Union in that direction. For his part, the Secretary-General has begun to give careful thought to the implications of the result and what it means for the future. While the result of last Saturday's vote is disappointing, the United Nations has nevertheless come closer than ever before to resolving one of the most delicate and complex conflicts on its agenda. That achievement must be preserved, pending, one hopes, a fundamental re- evaluation on the Greek Cypriot side. I do not wish to pre-empt what conclusions the Secretary-General might come to on the various issues. Nor do I believe that he will want to rush the matter.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“The Secretary-General hopes that the Greek Cypriot community may nevertheless arrive at a different View in the fullness of time, after a profound and sober assessment of their decision and of its potential consequences. The Secretary-General applauds the Turkish Cypriots, who approved the plan notwithstanding the significant sacrifices that it entailed for many of them. In arriving at their decision, the Turkish Cypriots were no doubt encouraged by the strong leadership of Mr. Talat and the clear and unequivocal backing for a "yes" vote by the Government of Turkey. The Secretary-General regrets that the Turkish Cypriots will not equally enjoy the benefits of European Union membership as of 1 May. He hopes that ways will be found to ease the plight in which the people find themselves through no fault of their own.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“De Soto briefed the Council on 2 April on the package of improvements made to the plan during the finalization process, in accordance with the agreement of 13 February. Contrary to claims made during the campaign, changes were made to meet, to the extent possible, the core concerns of both sides, and those changes were within the parameters of the plan. It is widely accepted by pro-solution forces on both sides that the final version of the plan was significantly improved for both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, while its overall balance was preserved. In the light of the afore-mentioned, the result of the referendum by the Greek Cypriot electorate, which had been strongly encouraged by Mr. Papadopoulos, raises serious questions.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“It means that the objective of the Secretary-General's efforts over the last four and a half years, namely to reunite Cyprus in time for accession to the European Union on 1 May, has not been achieved. The Secretary-General remains convinced that the plan submitted represents a fair, viable and carefully balanced compromise - one that meets the minimum requirements of all concerned. The plan conforms with the long-agreed parameters for a solution and with the Security Council's vision for a settlement. The Council will recall that, in resolution 1475 (2003), the Council gave its full support to the Secretary-General's "carefully balanced plan" as a "unique basis for further negotiations". Mr.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“Members of the Council will be aware that they have also been raised in other forums. In the event, the Foundation Agreement was not approved in the 24 April referendums. In the Greek Cypriot referendum, the result was 24.17 per cent of votes to approve it, and 75.83 per cent of votes not to do so. In the Turkish Cypriot referendum, the result was 64.91 per cent of votes to approve it, and 35.09 per cent not to. Since the plan required approval by each side in the referendums, the Foundation Agreement will not enter into force. The Secretary-General respects the outcome of the referenda. At the same time, he regrets that a unique and historic opportunity to resolve the Cyprus problem has been missed.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“In the event, following the outcome of consideration of the matter by the Council, AKEL called for a "soft no" vote, as they put it, but expressed the hope that this would in due time translate into a significant "yes" vote in a second referendum on the plan. Now is not the time to go into detail about what information was or was not made available to the people during the referendum campaign, or to elaborate on unfounded concerns generated about job security for public servants in the proposed new structures, or to comment on the issue of access to the media by international figures from the United Nations and the European Union who were ready to explain the plan and the commitments of the international community. However, concerns on those points were raised directly by Mr. De Soto with Mr. Papadopoulos.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“Dimitris Christofias, called for a postponement of the referendum so as to give more time to explain the plan to the people, and also to seek certain clarifications and assurances. However, no request was made by Mr. Papadopoulos, nor by any other formal party to the process, for postponement. AKEL later indicated that if certain unspecified security guarantees were given by the Security Council in advance of the referendum, this would enable AKEL to support the plan. The Council will recall that the Secretary-General reported to it in writing on 16 April, asking that the Council take decisions as foreseen in the plan, including on security issues. While this procedure was long foreseen, it took on added importance when security and implementation issues came to the forefront of public concern in the run-up to the vote.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“Mehmet Ali Talat, who strongly advocated a "yes" vote, and who, together with Mr. Serdar Denktash, led the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team in Burgenstock and has done so since. Another important party leader on the Turkish Cypriot side, Mr. Mustafa Akinci, also strongly supported a "yes" vote. On the Greek Cypriot side, Mr. Papadopoulos' two immediate predecessors - Mr. Glafcos Clerides and Mr. George Vassiliou - and the leader of one of the two largest political parties, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, strongly advocated acceptance of the plan, as did a number of other important figures. However, the other main political party, the traditionally pro-solution AKEL party, led by Mr.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“Tassos Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriot leader, in an address to the nation, called on Greek Cypriots to reject the Secretary-General's plan - indeed, to "send a resounding no" to the Annan plan, as he put it. The reasons Mr. Papadopoulos gave were wide-ranging and far-reaching. Mr. Papadopoulos' rejection of the plan meant that he joined company with Mr. Rauf Denktash, who also gave wide-ranging and far-reaching reasons to reject the plan. Paradoxically, each leader claimed that the plan as finalized threatened the security and safety of his people, and gave in to all the key demands of the other side. There were, however, a number of political leaders on each side who stood in favour of reunifying Cyprus in accordance with the Secretary-General's plan. They included Mr.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“At the same time, with the active assistance of the United Nations, the parties continued work in a number of areas, including making technical corrigenda to the plan, as well as finalizing work related to future federal property, federal Government buildings, and the entire structure of the proposed federal Government. Up until the last day, these efforts continued. The authenticated text of the plan was sent to the parties on 23 April, and the original is deposited with the Secretary-General. Also during April, the Secretary-General received from the guarantors the commitments required of them to authorize the submission of the plan to referendums, and, subject to its approval and completion of their internal ratification procedures, to sign into force the Treaty contained in the plan. On 7 April, Mr.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: Since the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, last briefed the Council on 2 April, a lot has happened. I do not intend today to go into detail. Time is needed for the dust to settle from the referendums of 24 April. The full implications of the outcome of those referendums may take a while to become apparent. Meanwhile, Mr. de Soto, who left the island today, is paying farewell calls in Ankara and Athens before returning to New York over the weekend. He will brief the Secretary-General next week, and the Secretary- General, in turn, will report in writing to the Council in due course. Following the finalization of the Foundation Agreement in Burgenstock on 31 March, the parties returned to Cyprus and prepared for the conduct of separate, simultaneous referendums on 24 April.”
2004-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4954 (2004) · source
“It is quite clear that the peace process in the Middle East has suffered serious setbacks. The hopes that were generated in Madrid in 1991 and in Oslo in 1993 now appear as distant memories. Yet the stakes are too high for us to allow the region to sink into despair and conflict. The road to peace is clear. It is spelled out in Security Council resolution 1515 (2003), which endorses the road map. The international community agrees on the end goal: a comprehensive peace based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002). We must revive our collective efforts to persuade the parties to move towards that goal. The dangers of inaction are great. Time is on no one's side.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“We reiterate our calls on the Government of Israel to comply with Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 1310 (2000) and to refrain from such violations. There were no reports of anti-aircraft fire from Lebanon on any of those occasions, and we commend that restraint. On 12 December and again on 4 January, the Israel Defence Forces informed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that it had identified explosive devices on the Israeli side of the Blue Line. That development posed a risk to lives on both sides of the Line and had the potential to destabilize the area. We urge all parties to refrain from any actions that could lead to such destabilization, and we call on the Government of Lebanon to establish full control over south Lebanon in order to ensure that international peace and security prevail.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“Although the reliability of those reports remains unclear, it should be noted, in any case, that settlement activities are illegal and must stop. A resumption of the peace process on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks is needed to avoid a potential deterioration of the situation along this front. President Al-Assad of Syria has asked Israel to resume peace talks. We believe that it would be in the interest of peace and security that Israel respond positively to that overture. Resuming negotiations between the two countries would also renew hopes for peace in the region, reduce tension and enhance stability at a critical juncture. Since the last briefing to the Security Council, the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel has been calm, though still tense. On at least four occasions, Israeli jets have violated Lebanese airspace.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“It also outlines a framework for resuming negotiations between Israel and both Syria and Lebanon, taking all parties towards a comprehensive peace based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) - an outcome that is essential for long-term peace and stability in the Middle East. Yet the implementation of the road map needs recognition by the parties that unilateralism does not pay and that they should fulfil their obligations in parallel. It also requires the strong and consistent engagement of the international community, led by the Quartet. As the Council knows, the calm that has long characterized the Israeli-Syrian front was broken last October. Since then, tension and threats of further hostile actions have been frequent. Recently, worrying reports outlined an Israeli plan to expand settlements on the Golan Heights.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“It must be stressed that in such a protracted conflict, unilateralism is a policy that will fuel additional violence, hatred and hostility. Peace and security can be achieved only when both sides work out a solution together, across the negotiating table, in the framework of recognized international agreements and with the active support and involvement of the international community. It is still possible to move towards a negotiated settlement that would bring peace and security to the Middle East. The road map remains a viable and pragmatic plan. It outlines practical and reasonable steps that, if taken, would move the parties towards the achievement of a vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“Recognizing that the Palestinian Authority faces bankruptcy, the World Bank suggested at the Rome Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting that a trust fund be created to generate additional budgetary support from donors. That effort is now under way, and it deserves the support of the international community. Against this backdrop of violence, misery and stagnation, both parties have threatened unilateral steps. Prime Minister Sharon stated his intention to implement unilaterally a separation plan if he concludes that the Palestinian side has failed to take effective action against violence. The Palestinian Authority, for its part, declared that it reserves the right to declare statehood unilaterally if Israel resorts to unilateral separation or, indeed, to reject the two-State solution altogether.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“The Palestinian Authority's expenditures are now outpacing revenues by $30 to $40 million per month. As a result, the Authority could not meet all its financial and budgetary obligations in December and was forced to cut further salaries, pensions and social support, even after it resorted to borrowing from the banks. At this stage, it is not clear how January public sector salaries will be paid, let alone other expenditures. In response to this budgetary crisis, Prime Minister Abu Allah, Minister of Finance Fayyad and other Palestinian Authority officials have made major efforts to raise funds from western and Arab donors, but have had only modest success.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“One of the glaring examples was the direct costs of closure borne by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East alone - a total of $22,000 each day. Furthermore, we are starting to witness serious signs of donor fatigue, which would have dramatic consequences both for the financial status of the Palestinian Authority and for the ongoing humanitarian relief effort. The Authority's financial situation is perilous, with the budgetary shortfall for 2004 estimated at $650 million. Donors' direct budget support dropped from $531 million in 2001 to $230 million last year. Palestinian tax revenues transferred by Israel are diminishing. Although Israel has handed over most of the withheld revenues, $190 million are still blocked by Israeli court orders.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“But closure remains the defining reality for these areas, with roadblocks and, in some places, construction of the barrier almost completely halting movement. The closure system continues to impede the international community's efforts to deliver emergency and humanitarian aid. Improvements here and there will not change the rapidly deteriorating overall trends; only a political agreement can reverse those trends. There have been some particularly disturbing economic developments that may have serious political and humanitarian consequences and further derail the peace process. At a major donor meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee held in Rome in December, donors and the parties discussed the first substantive review of the rising costs and complexity of aid delivery.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“On 26 December - the day after a terror attack - it launched a full-scale military operation in the historic old city of Nablus. To date, 10 Palestinians have been killed and more than 50 injured in Nablus. Several historic buildings and houses were damaged or destroyed. The old city was placed under almost continuous curfew and movement limited to humanitarian agencies. The situation on the ground continues to cause great harm to the Palestinian economy. Israel's ongoing internal and external closures of the occupied Palestinian territory remain the central impediment to economic stabilization and recovery. Slight economic improvement has been observed in places, in part through IDF troops moving out of some of the major Palestinian cities.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“During the reporting period, the Israeli authorities demolished 36 houses in Nablus, Hebron and the Jerusalem area. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched at least 15 incursions into Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps, which often included the use of disproportionate and deadly force in civilian areas. An incursion into Rafah on 23 December took the lives of eight Palestinians and injured dozens of people, with children and civilians among the casualties. The Secretary-General strongly condemned the Israeli incursion and reminded Israel of its responsibilities as an occupying Power under international law. Since the middle of December, the IDF has carried out almost daily major incursions into Nablus.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“Almost 440 Palestinians and 65 Israelis have been wounded. On 25 December, a suicide bomber struck in the heart of Israel, killing four people and wounding more than 20 civilians. Yet again, on 14 January, a suicide bomber killed four Israeli soldiers and wounded 10 at Gaza's Erez crossing. In addition, more than 62 mortars and 38 rocket attacks on Israeli targets were launched from Palestinian areas. Israel has resumed extrajudicial killings. On 25 December, Israeli helicopters fired two missiles at a civilian vehicle in Gaza City, killing two Palestinian militants and three bystanders and injuring 12 civilians. On 8 January, Israeli special forces assassinated a 31- year-old Palestinian national security officer. House demolitions have continued.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“If Israel ended these practices, the Palestinian Authority could, it says, more easily rally support among the Palestinian people and better confront extremists. The Government of Israel explains that it continues these measures because it sees no genuine Palestinian action on security and terrorism. Thus, Israel will be ready to fulfil its commitments under the road map, it says, only when the Palestinian Authority acts swiftly against militant groups and dismantles what it terms the "terrorist infrastructure". Unfortunately, developments on the ground during the last month have reinforced both parties' justification of the stalemate. In particular, both sides experienced a continuation of violence. Since our last briefing, 58 Palestinians have been killed. During the same period, ll Israelis were killed.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“Quartet representatives continue their informal and ground-level consultation on how to bring the parties to implement the road map. However, it is all too apparent that the parties need a more vigorous involvement of the key players in the international community. Both parties have explanations as to why the peace process appears deadlocked and why neither is implementing its road map commitments. The Palestinian Authority explains that, to muster enough domestic support to act swiftly against violence and terror, it must have a political horizon. In its view, Palestinian extremists are strengthened by such Israeli actions as settlement expansion, barrier construction, tight closures, house demolitions and extrajudicial killings.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“Together with other settlement infrastructure and a tight closure policy, this construction is fragmenting the West Bank into non-contiguous patches of territory and is eroding Palestinians' trust in the peace process. If this process continues, the West Bank will look more like Bophuthatswana than the basis for a viable and independent State. In the face of this discouraging situation, the international community must maintain its involvement in the peace process. The Security Council adopted resolution 1515 (2003) calling for the implementation of the road map, and this sends a very positive signal to the parties. The General Assembly has asked the International Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion on the legality of construction of the separation barrier.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“In addition, the last month has seen a worrying deterioration in the Palestinian Authority's capability to maintain domestic law and order. If this trend continues, there could be more unrest on the Palestinian street, with negative repercussions for the governing control of the Authority. The Government of Israel - including Prime Minister Sharon - has repeatedly committed itself to implementation of the road map. However, such statements have not been matched by action. Israel has not fulfilled its core commitment to remove all settlement outposts erected since March 2001 and, as the security situation improves, to implement a complete settlement freeze. Quite the opposite has happened. Settlement outposts have increased and the Government of Israel is proceeding with the construction of the West Bank barrier.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“It has so far failed to reform its security apparatus or - as called for in the road map - to consolidate it under the single authority of an empowered interior minister. There is no indication that the Palestinian Authority intends to do so in the near future. At the same time, Palestinian militant factions have so far failed to agree on a comprehensive cessation of violence, although they continue their dialogue thanks to the tireless and very welcome efforts of the Government of Egypt. Although Palestinian violence declined considerably overall last month, the absence of clear action on security makes it difficult for the Palestinian Authority to claim responsibility for this trend. In fact, the Government of Israel perceives the decline in violence as being the result of its military and security measures.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“In response, and also as a necessary first step, the Government of Israel should take effective action to halt settlement expansion, the construction of the separation barrier and all actions that work against the contiguity - and therefore the viability - of the State. Despite initial contacts between the new Palestinian Government and the Government of Israel, both parties have continued to ignore each other's core concerns. Be it with regard to terror or territory, they have fallen short of carrying out their preliminary, Phase I commitments under the Quartet's road map. The Palestinian Authority took no tangible measures during the past month to establish control over the various groups that use violence and terror.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“The peace process will resume only when both parties recognize that their mutual concerns must be addressed through parallel steps, and not in a sequential manner littered with preconditions. Parallel steps are the approach adopted by the road map. If it is to succeed, a basic requirement is that Palestinians and Israelis acknowledge and address each other's core concerns. The Government of Israel's most basic concern remains the security of the State and of the Israeli people. In response, as a necessary first step, the Palestinian Authority should take effective action to halt all acts of terror and violence against Israelis. The Palestinians' most basic concerns are territory and viability - meaning the end of occupation and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable State in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“Mr. Prendergast: I regret that, in briefing the Council today, I must confirm what we all know: that the past month has brought little or nothing by way of substantive moves towards peace. The narrow window of opportunity cited by Terje Reed-Larsen, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, in his briefing to the Council last month, has not opened wider. The peace process remains stalemated. This situation is tragic. It is also frustrating, because the solution is evident, although to implement it would require courage and the political will to take risks for peace.”
2004-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4895 (2004) · source
“They have revealed a strong underlying desire for a peaceful settlement. They have revived the hope of each side that in the other there is a partner for peace. It is neither worthwhile nor constructive to spend time on analyzing who has what authority in the Palestinian Government or on speculating as to the seriousness of the Israeli Government's commitment to the process. Let us rather take this opportunity to judge the parties by their actions. Those actions and the readiness of the international community to play its part will speak louder than any words. We must fervently hope that future generations will judge that our actions prepared the way for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, so long-awaited and longed-for, so long delayed.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“Nevertheless, I wish to emphasize to all parties the importance of exercising restraint and of refraining from further violations that might lead to destructive consequences. The period of inertia, excuses and conditionality in Middle East peacemaking must end. Efforts for peace cannot be held hostage to actions by extremists. Instead, we must take advantage of the current opportunity to make progress. There is now a Palestinian Government. The Israeli Government has reiterated its commitment to the road map. Track two initiatives - namely the Geneva Accord and the Ayalon-Nusseibeh statement of principles - underline the existence of a glaring vacuum in peacemaking. As such, they are very welcome. They have caught the imagination of both peoples - Israeli and Palestinian.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“Further Israeli overflights took place daily from 2 to 6 November, eliciting further anti- aircraft fire on one occasion. Continued and intrusive Israeli overflights over the past few days have not contributed to the defusion of tension. On 5 November, the Israel Defence Forces informed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that they had identified on the Blue Line, in the vicinity of the village of Ghajar, a number of booby-trapped explosive devices that allegedly had been placed there by armed elements from the Lebanese side. Shortly thereafter, the IDF began to destroy those devices. I do not think I need remind the Council of the current bleak situation in the region or of the further dangers that escalation along the Blue Line could bring.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“There were no reports of any injuries on the Israeli side. At that time, Mr. Roed-Larsen, the 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, publicly reiterated our call on the Government of Lebanon to exert control over the use of force from its territory and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint. Israeli air violations of the Blue Line have continued. On 22 October, Israeli jets crossed the Blue Line into Lebanese airspace on nine separate occasions. Shortly after the first of those violations, there was anti-aircraft fire from the Lebanese side of the Blue Line.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“Continued construction of the barrier, on another people's land, raises the level of suffering, diminishes trust and makes the realization of the Vision of two States - a viable, sovereign and independent Palestinian State alongside the State of Israel - much more difficult. I regret to inform the Council that the situation along the Blue Line has continued to remain tense. The current reporting period has been marked by events that raise serious concerns. Each side has continued to violate the Blue Line, and we have again called on all parties to refrain from such violations. On 27 October, Hizbullah fired rockets and mortars at Israeli military positions in the Shaba'a Farms area. The Israeli Defence Forces responded with mortar rounds, artillery and aerial bombs. Minor injuries to a civilian on the Lebanese side were reported.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“The Assembly requested that the Secretary-General report periodically on compliance with the resolution, with the first report focusing on the separation barrier. Later this month, the Secretary-General will present his report to the General Assembly, drawn from United Nations sources, as well as from consultations with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Nevertheless, planning and construction of the barrier on Palestinian land has continued unabated. Such unilateral acts by the Government of Israel are not only inconsistent with its obligations under the road map, but also in complete contravention of the spirit of that document.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“That decision was made in part to allow more time for the new Palestinian Government to prepare for the meeting. We have regularly reported on Israel's construction of the separation barrier in the West Bank and called for the Government of Israel to halt its construction. We have expressed grave concerns about its route, its likely humanitarian effects on Palestinians, its possible impact on the peace process and its implications for the future of the two-State solution. On 21 October, the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly adopted resolution A/ES-10/13, calling on both parties to fulfil their obligations under the road map and demanding that Israel stop and reverse the construction of the separation barrier in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source
“The humanitarian crisis among Palestinians is exacerbated by the funding shortfall of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is the pre- eminent agency for support to Palestinian refugees. The high natural growth rate of the registered refugee population, combined with the overall economic deterioration, means that the reduction in donor support to the Agency is potentially disastrous. Some 60 per cent of Palestinian refugees are living below the poverty line and dependent on UNRWA for basic services. We urge donors to provide UNRWA with the level of funding necessary to effectively carry out its important work. The Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting of donors planned for November in Rome and described in the previous briefing to the Council has been postponed.”
2003-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4861 (2003) · source