YouSaid · the spoken record

Rasi

lines on the record: 135
first: 1999-08-25
most recent: 2007-10-23
sittings or episodes: 15
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

“Therefore, we are concerned at the increasing production of and trafficking in drugs in Afghanistan, which threatens regional stability and damages the health and well-being of the populations of Afghanistan, of neighbouring States and elsewhere. Furthermore, the European Union calls on all Afghan parties to refrain from financing, providing training or shelter for terrorist organizations, or otherwise supporting terrorist activities. We reiterate our call on all Afghan factions, and in particular the Taliban, to close down training camps for foreign terrorists inside Afghanistan and to take necessary steps to ensure that those responsible for terrorist acts are brought to justice.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union strongly supports efforts to improve the effectiveness of aid through close coordination and complementarity between United Nations peace efforts and the aid effort, as envisaged in the strategic framework common to the international donor community and United Nations organizations. Furthermore, the European Union reiterates its call for the Taliban to thoroughly investigate the murders of the United Nations staff members, as well as the killing of Iranian diplomats during the Taliban attack against Mazar-e-Sharif in August 1998. The European Union attaches high importance to the fight against illegal drugs and terrorism.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“However, the European Union remains deeply concerned about the continuous restrictions imposed on the activities of United Nations and other humanitarian personnel. In this context, the Union calls upon the Taliban to fully implement the agreements signed with the United Nations on the safety and security of United Nations personnel. We urge the warring factions to ensure freedom of movement as well as free and safe access of national and international humanitarian personnel to all those in need, without restrictions based on gender, race, religion or nationality, and to cooperate fully and sincerely with humanitarian organizations.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Humanitarian activities were, nevertheless, resumed later, in the beginning of 1999, and we desire to continue helping the Afghan people. We wish to recall, however, that aid can continue only where it can be delivered in an effective manner, without discrimination, and where humanitarian organizations are able to carry out their work freely and safely. The absence of national reconciliation has a negative impact on donors engaged. The European Union notes the Secretary-General's decision of 12 March to allow a limited and phased return of United Nations international staff to Afghanistan. They were withdrawn from Afghanistan in August 1998, following the fatal attacks on United Nations personnel and other threats to the safety and security of the Organization's workers in Afghanistan.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union will continue to take into account discriminatory policies for our future decisions regarding the supply of aid and to support aid programmes in Afghanistan which integrate gender concerns and actively attempt to promote equitable participation of both men and women. For years the European Union has been the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. The European Commission had to suspend funding for projects in Kabul in July 1998 because it had become increasingly difficult for agencies to deliver humanitarian aid in an efficient, effective and principled manner, especially in the health and education sectors. Subsequently, the European Commission had to scale down humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan for security reasons.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union also strongly supports the Secretary- General's proposal to add a new function to the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA) by establishing a separate civil affairs unit within the Mission whose primary objectives would be to promote respect for humanitarian standards and deter massive and systematic violations of human rights and humanitarian law in the future. We are looking forward to the establishment of this unit. The European Union denounces the continuing gender discrimination in Afghanistan. We urge Afghan factions, and in particular the Taliban, to end discriminatory policies and to recognize, protect and promote the equal rights of men and women, including access to education and health facilities, employment, personal security and freedom from intimidation and harassment.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union calls on all Afghan factions, and in particular the Taliban, to recognize, protect and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to life, liberty and security of persons and fully respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments to which Afghanistan has subscribed. In this context, we welcome the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate reports on grave human rights violations in Afghanistan which occurred during 1997 and 1998.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Furthermore, the European Union strongly urges the Afghan factions to put a complete halt to the use of landmines and to support and participate in mine-clearing programmes in Afghanistan. No society can achieve an acceptable degree of peace, justice and stability without full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Union is deeply disturbed by reports of the killing and harassment of innocent civilians and persistent human rights violations, as well as breaches of humanitarian law in Afghanistan. We are also gravely concerned over reports of the involvement of children in the conflict, and we urge the warring factions to take immediate steps to end this practice.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Union strongly condemns all foreign interference in Afghanistan and urges that the supply of weapons, munitions and other material for military use to the warring factions, as well as the involvement of foreign military, para-military and secret service personnel should stop. In this context, we wish to recall that the European Union continues to enforce the embargo on the export of arms, munitions, and military equipment provided for in its Common Position of 17 December 1996 on Afghanistan, and urges other countries to adopt a similar policy of restraint. Moreover, we encourage all countries in the region to support the United Nations efforts to promote peace in Afghanistan and to use any influence they have in a positive way to convince the Afghan parties to cooperate with the United Nations.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We are also concerned about the reports of forcible separation of men from their families and other forms of harassment. The European Union reiterates its position, as expressed in its Common Position of 25 January 1999, that there is no military solution to this conflict, and that only a political settlement, aimed at the establishment of a fully representative, broad-based Government, can lead to peace and reconciliation. We therefore appeal to all factions to agree on an immediate cease-fire and enter negotiations under United Nations auspices. The European Union reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of the military confrontation in Afghanistan. We are dismayed that the Taliban have ignored the call in the Tashkent Declaration for the Afghan conflict to be settled through peaceful political negotiation and have instead launched a major offensive. The European Union is particularly concerned about the suffering that the fighting has caused to the civilian population and about the deteriorating humanitarian condition of the increasing number of internally displaced people. The European Union is profoundly disturbed by the reports of forced deportation of civilians by the Taliban from their places of residence. We urge the Taliban to end this practice immediately and to allow those forcibly deported to return.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Mr. President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - and the associated countries of Cyprus and Malta, as well as the European Free Trade Association country member of the European Economic Area, Iceland, align themselves with this statement. For too many years the conflict in Afghanistan has caused enormous suffering for the Afghan people, who continue to bear the consequences of the civil war. The civilian population longs for peace, justice and order. Furthermore, the chronic fighting threatens the stability of the region and its economic development, causing repercussions far beyond Afghanistan and its neighbours.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4039Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union also remains fully committed to supporting the United Nations in this very difficult mission on the question of East Timor.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“Gusmao is a member of the Commission on Peace and Stability, it is essential that he should be allowed to participate fully in its activities. The European Union welcomes the initiative of the Secretary-General to create an East Timorese consultative commission and hopes that all parties will be able to engage in its work. The European Union has observed with great respect the enormous efforts undertaken by the Indonesian people and its Government to organize free and fair elections in Indonesia. The European Union trusts the Indonesian Government and local authorities will also honour their commitments towards the implementation of the New York Agreements. The European Union remains fully committed to supporting them.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“The European Union recalls its position that the Indonesian Government remains obliged to maintain and preserve security, stability and public order in East Timor, to disarm militias and to hold accountable the perpetrators of the killings, whether they are advocates of autonomy or of independence. The European Union urges the Government of Indonesia to establish a secure environment devoid of violence and all forms of intimidation, which is a prerequisite for the holding of a free and fair ballot in East Timor. A point of grave concern to the European Union is the future of Xanana Gusmao. It is the view of the European Union that his immediate release, as well as that of all East Timorese political prisoners, is an essential factor for the success of the consultation process. Furthermore, given that Mr.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“The European Union continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in the territory, in particular the intimidatory behaviour of the pro-integration militias, which numerous independent observers have linked to elements of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). We urge the Indonesian authorities to live up to their obligations under the New York tripartite Agreement and to ensure that the necessary security conditions will be there before, during and after the ballot. The European Union therefore notes with profound concern that acts of political violence continue to be perpetrated in East Timor, in direct contravention of the spirit and the letter of the Agreements. We are particularly disturbed by the violence in Dili on 26 August 1999.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“In this context, I would like to mention that the European Union is sending a number of observers to the consultation and that the Presidency has appointed the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland as its personal representative for these matters. The European Union underlines its full support for the work of the Secretary-General and his Personal Representative; and the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) in pursuing the process and would like to congratulate it for a successful registration of voters. The European Union urges the Government of Indonesia and the local authorities in East Timor to cooperate fully with the United Nations.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“On 11 June 1999, the Security Council established the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) to organize and conduct a popular consultation, scheduled for 30 August 1999. Today the Security Council will decide to extend the mandate of UNAMET until 30 November 1999 and to adjust the tasks and structure of the Mission for the needs of the interim phase between the conclusion of the popular consultation and the start of the implementation of its results. The European Union reiterates its strong support for the consultation process, which will enable the East Timorese people to express their views as to the future of the territory.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“It is a great pleasure for me to address the Security Council today under your presidency, Mr. President. I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union countries. On 5 May 1999 the Agreements on East Timor were signed in New York. They will lead to a popular consultation of the East Timorese people on whether they will accept the proposed constitutional framework for autonomy or reject it and opt for independence. The European Union warmly welcomed the signing of these Agreements in its declaration of 7 May 1999. The Union believes that these Agreements constitute a major breakthrough in the search for a settlement for East Timor. Since 5 May 1999, substantial work has been done towards the implementation of these Agreements.”
1999-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4038 (1999) · source
“The European Union continues to devote considerable effort to addressing the needs of child victims in all parts of the world, both in terms of resourcing for and to promote a durable solution to the crises. However, the humanitarian efforts must be accompanied by broader political efforts aimed at addressing every step and aspect of the conflict. Therefore, a political solution to these crises should be rigorously pursued so as to prevent further suffering and destruction.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We welcome the recommendations of the Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms to develop guidelines for disarming combatants with respect to small arms, light weapons and ammunition. To conclude, let me reiterate our full commitment to working together in all bodies of the United Nations to urgently meet the needs of all the child Victims of armed conflicts so as to pave the way for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development. The European Union would like the United Nations system to place the issue of the rights, protection and well-being of children affected by armed conflicts within the mainstream of United Nations policy-making and programme activities.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Of particular importance is the extension of mine-awareness training to all children in mine-affected areas. Among the factors which lead to a steady increase in the use of children as soldiers, we particularly wish to underline the excessive and uncontrolled accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons. Semi- automatic rifles are light enough to be carried by children even below the age of 10. In this manner, children become perpetrators as well as victims of violence. We welcome international, regional, national and subregional efforts to curb the excessive and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons. The European Union has already adopted a Joint Action on small arms and the Code of conduct on arms exports.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union also welcomes efforts in situations of peacemaking and peace-building being made to integrate a child perspective in post-conflict policies. The "peace and security agenda for children", presented at an earlier occasion to the Security Council by the Executive Director of UNICEF in her statement, contains a comprehensive set of measures on which the Council may wish to be updated at an appropriate time. Most landmine Victims are civilians. Many are children. The European Union is fully committed to the total elimination of anti-personnel landmines. We welcome the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. The European Union continues to contribute significantly to mine-action programmes in many countries.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We fully support the efforts of the Special Representative to raise awareness and mobilize official and public opinion for action. We especially welcome his field Visits to various countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. These have highlighted the plight of children in conflict situations. We commend the Special Representative's efforts to seek concrete commitments from all parties to conflicts to stop recruiting child soldiers, to demobilize and rehabilitate ex-child soldiers and to ensure children's access to humanitarian aid. We call upon States concerned and other parties to ensure follow-up to the recommendations resulting from the field visits of the Special Representative and to heed the commitments they have undertaken. It is vital that the implementation of these commitments be monitored.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We also recommend that whenever sanctions are adopted in the handling of crises, their impact on children be assessed and monitored, and that humanitarian exceptions be child-focused. The European Union would like to express strong support for the role of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, as advocate for the protection of children affected by armed conflict. The European Union also gives particular recognition to the long-standing work of UNICEF for children in situations of armed conflict. UNICEF has an extensive and permanent field presence and a comprehensive mandate that allows it to be present and operational before, during and after armed conflicts. The European Union calls on all concerned to continue to develop a concerted approach and to increase cooperation.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“It is the responsibility of the international community to monitor and to seek guarantees that all sides involved in conflict - governmental and non-governmental - should abide by the relevant provisions of international law in their treatment of children. The European Union gives its full support to the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and to its mandate to monitor, with the support of UNICEF, the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in all States parties, including those affected by armed conflict. Human rights cannot be promoted in isolation. Also, the Security Council should address the rights of the child - for example when the Council is mandating a peacekeeping mission with tasks to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate combatants.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“As a step towards improving the protection of children, we welcome the adoption by the General Conference of the International Labour Organization of the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. These forms of labour include forced or compulsory recruitment for use in armed conflict. The European Union stresses the particular importance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been almost universally ratified, and of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Unfortunately, not all States have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child yet.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“It underlines the importance of the implementation and enforcement of existing minimum age standards for the recruitment and deployment of children in armed conflict, as set by international law. The Convention on the Rights of the Child must be extended to provide adequate protection to all children. Especially in View of the tenth anniversary of the Convention, the European Union remains fully committed to the aim of concluding successfully the negotiations on the draft optional protocol relating to the involvement of children in armed conflict. We wish to express our full support to the chairperson of the working group in her informal consultations to that end.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We urge States to provide the necessary legal framework and administrative measures to protect children's rights, and furthermore to commit available human and financial resources to the realization of their rights. However, this is not enough. We must also reinvigorate international efforts to protect children. The European Union supports the work that is in progress to strengthen international human rights standards and mechanisms for enforcing international law in respect of children in situations of armed conflict. We consider the classification of the use of child soldiers as a war crime in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to be a very important step for the improvement of the protection of children.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We look forward to the adoption of a Council resolution on this subject after this debate. We also hope that the Council will persist in its vigilance and will continue to keep this issue and other issues of human rights in specific conflict and post-conflict situations at the forefront of its agenda. In the View of the European Union, it is important that the situation of children in armed conflict should also be a part of the Secretary-General's reports to the Council on individual countries. Also, in preparing thematic reports to the Council on subjects relevant to children in armed conflict he should consult with UNICEF and other concerned actors of the United Nations system. The primary responsibility for protecting the rights of the child under all circumstances rests with States.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The European Union underlines the need for a close partnership among the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund and other relevant actors such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Representative of the Secretary-General for Internally Displaced Persons, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization. The European Union warmly welcomes the attention given by the Security Council to the situation of children affected by armed conflict through its formal debate on 29 June 1998 and through the adoption of a presidential statement on children and armed conflict.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Equally, we recognize the importance of action to promote the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of conflict. The European Union's policies already address the plight of children in armed conflicts; in some specific situations we are focusing our efforts on the demobilization and reintegration of child soldiers. Any meaningful effort to improve the plight of children affected by armed conflict requires high-level governmental and international attention. It requires the mobilization of public opinion, it requires practical action on the ground by Governments and armed opposition groups, and it requires that Governments support the activities of various organizations.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Anti-personnel landmines and small arms have a particularly devastating effect on children. We must put an end to the terrible suffering of children as the weakest group in armed conflicts. Therefore we believe that concerted political and diplomatic pressure must be exerted on, and legal action taken against, those who in situations of armed conflict violate the rights of children. Further attention has to be given to the situation of girl children in armed conflicts, and especially to protecting them against rape and other forms of sexual abuse and gender-based violence. We must ensure that adequate resources are devoted to the demobilization of child soldiers and to child rehabilitation programmes as an integral part of planning for post-conflict situations.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In our days, the victims of armed conflicts are overwhelmingly civilians rather than soldiers. Civilian populations are increasingly used as battle-tools, shields and targets. Among civilians, children are particularly vulnerable. It is unacceptable that children should be among the principal victims of violent conflict and should furthermore be directly exploited to serve the interests of warring parties. Recent studies, including that of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), have shown that the use of child soldiers is increasing. Several hundred thousand have participated as combatants in recent armed conflicts. Child soldiers suffer disproportionately because of their young age. Others have fallen victim to disease, deprivation, abduction, sexual abuse and gender-based Violence connected with armed conflicts.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“It is a great pleasure for me to see you, Sir, presiding over the Security Council today when the Council is debating this very important issue. I was very encouraged when you said that you would continue to work for the world's children during your forthcoming presidency of the General Assembly. You have our full support in this. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - and the associated countries Cyprus and Malta, as well as the European Free Trade Association countries members of the European Economic Area, Iceland and Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source