YouSaid · the spoken record

Reyes Rodriguez

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124

first

2013-01-15

most recent

2016-08-23

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16

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un-security-council

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1. “That is a delicate and contentious point, in the light of the basic principles governing the operation of peacekeeping missions of the Organization since its inception: respect for the sovereign equality, the political independence and the territorial integrity of all States, and non-interference in their internal affairs. Member States must ensure that those principles are strictly upheld and remove any barriers to their application. We share the concern of the Secretary-General regarding the use of new technologies, in particular of remote-controlled unmanned aircraft and so-called autonomous weapons systems. If we truly want to take action to protect civilians in armed conflicts, we cannot leave such developments out of our deliberations.”

   2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

2. “It is important to recall that the General Assembly has the primary responsibility in the United Nations for developing concepts and polices and for dealing with the budgetary aspects of peacekeeping operations. In that context, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations is the only forum in the United Nations with a mandate to broadly review all aspects of peacekeeping operations. Its recommendations cover the question of the protection of civilians and are very relevant for today's debate. Coordination among the host countries of United Nations peacekeeping operations and troop- and police-contributing countries is essential. In his report, the Secretary-General also highlights the modifications made to the mandates of some field operations so as to authorize offensive actions.”

   2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

3. “The wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, to mention but a few examples, show that that is not the case. The civilian deaths in those wars were more than 90 per cent of the casualties. United Nations peacekeeping operations, in particular those that have a mandate to protect civilians, must be guided by the principles of the Charter and under no circumstance become a means to change Governments or to engage in military aggression. The protection of civilians is the primary responsibility of the host State of the peacekeeping operation. United Nations peace force mandates must therefore be implemented without prejudice to the responsibility of the host State.”

   2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

4. “As Member States, we must strictly uphold the Charter of the United Nations, in particular respect for its principles and purposes. We must not foment or fuel conflicts when they unavoidably occur. The pursuit ofpeace, and its strengthening once it is achieved, must be the main objective when a conflict flares up. United Nations peace forces must devote their efforts and resources to achieving those objectives. There is no justification for world military spending continuing to reach astronomical figures. Today, it amounts to $1.75 trillion, which is equivalent to 2.5 per cent of the world's gross domestic product. The arms race is not slowing down. On the contrary, every day we see the appearance of new and more sophisticated kinds ofweapons. Against whom will those weapons be used? Are they intended to protect civilians?”

   2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

5. “That is still unfinished business of the Organization and is the responsibility of all its States Members. Nothing justifies the killing of innocent people, and Cuba strongly condemns such action wherever it may occur. Nor do we accept genocide in the name ofpeace or the spurious justification to protect civilians to conceal the real objective of overthrowing a political, economic and social order that the people subject to the aggression have decided to build in the exercise of its soveriegn powers, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their self-determination. As States Members of the United Nations, we must act decisively to prevent conflicts. Preventing their outbreak is the safest and cheapest way to protect civilians.”

   2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

6. “Mr. Reyes Rodriguez (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the Secretary-General for having submitted his tenth report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2013/689). We agree with his conclusion that the current situation leaves little room for optimism. Cuba supports the need to protect civilians in armed conflict in accordance with international law, in particular, international humanitarian law, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. We are nearing the seventieth anniversary of the Organization's establishment as a result of the resolute decision of its peoples to protect future generations from the scourge of war. We have been successful in preventing a third world war but not in avoiding wars altogether.”

   2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

7. “We reiterate the call to preserve the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and the right to self-determination of its people, without any kind of foreign interference or intervention. We call for the conflict to be settled diplomatically without further bloodshed. We join international aspirations by investing our hopes in the prospect of the second Geneva Conference on Syria leading via dialogue to agreements ending the conflict in Syria, through a peaceful process led by the Syrian people in exercise of its legitimate right to self- determination. Cuba reiterates its condemnation of all acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, by whosoever committed, including States. In that regard, Cuba condemns all acts of terrorism perpetrated in the Middle East.”

   2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

8. “The obligation of the Security Council is to promote peace and bring an end to violence; to prevent destabilization, prevent the financing, support and training of destabilizing actors; and to protect innocent people and prevent their manipulation for geopolitical ends. That is also the responsibility of the Organization as a whole. Cuba opposes calls promoting regime change in Syria and supporting the use of force and violence instead of contributing to dialogue and negotiation among all of the parties. We also reject the complicity of the mass media, committing its customary distortion of reality with no need to face the consequences of its actions.”

   2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

9. “We also condemn any use of chemical weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. We are strongly committed to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, as well as to strict compliance with its provisions. We welcome Syria's joining of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the agreements reached on the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile. Likewise, we welcome the progress made in implementing the agreement for the destruction and verification of the Syrian Arab Republic's chemical weapons programme and the cooperation provided by the Syrian Government to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations joint mission.”

   2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

10. “We hope that that decision will mark a historic watershed in the full realization of the rights of the Palestinian people, including its full-fledged membership in the United Nations. Cuba continues to closely follow the situation in Syria and its international repercussions. We share the concern at the loss of innocent lives in Syria, as in any other part of the world. We likewise condemn all acts of violence taking place in that country against the innocent civilian population, perpetrated by any of the parties to that conflict. We reject all attempts to turn the alleged protection of human lives into a pretext for foreign intervention, whether directly or through support to ad hoc armed groups, including the use of mercenaries, which can only lead to destruction and augment the death toll.”

    2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

11. “The Palestinian people suffer as a result of the growing number of illegal Israeli settlements, the harsh and distressing reality of Palestinian prisoners and the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, where residents' living conditions have further deteriorated as the unjust blockade has been maintained. Only by ending that colonialist policy, releasing Palestinian prisoners and lifting the blockade against the Gaza Strip would allow for a meaningful political process to take off and bring peace to the region. Cuba will continue to support the Palestinian people in its just struggle for self-determination and welcomes the declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.”

    2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

12. “But that optimism has been cautious, as the Palestinian cause and peace in the region need to be attained through fair agreements that do not undermine the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Support must continue to be given to the Palestinian people in its legitimate claim for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Cuba demands that Israel comply with international law and put an end to its occupation of all Arab territories. We reiterate once again our position in favour of a just and lasting peace for all the peoples of the Middle East region.”

    2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

13. “The General Assembly took a historic decision when its members granted Palestine the status of non-member observer State in the United Nations. Cuba supported that decision, in keeping with its historical position in support of the cause of the Palestinian people and in favour of their rights. Cuba reiterates its support for Palestine's entry as a full State Member of the United Nations. The Security Council must consider and approve, without further delay, the request submitted by Palestine in 2011 to be recognized as a United Nations State Member. The news over the past year on the return to negotiations between Israel and Palestine was encouraging.”

    2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

14. “Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories constitutes the main obstacle to achieving peace and ajust, lasting and comprehensive solution in the Middle East. It is imperative that the Security Council play its due role in defence of international peace and security, adopting concrete, practical measures to bring Israel to put an end to its acts of aggression against the Palestinian people. Israel's actions deliberately contravene resolutions of the United Nations, pose a threat to regional and international peace and security and violate the human rights of an entire people. There will never be peace in the Middle East as long as such aggression continues and the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are not upheld and taken into account.”

    2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

15. “Mr. Reyes Rodriguez (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): As this is the first time that Cuba takes the floor this year, we wish to congratulate all the new members of the Security Council. We also commend the presidency's initiative to convene this debate. Cuba supports the statement to be made by the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. The Middle East continues to draw the attention of the international community owing to the various events in the region in the course of the past year and the long-standing hope for concluding a peace process. The Security Council's consideration of this matter has been extremely protracted, and the major problems remain, especially the question of Palestine.”

    2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source

16. “At the same time, Cuba confirms its conviction that terrorism cannot be eradicated through war, selectivity, impunity and double standards, and that there can be no effective cooperation if only some terrorist acts are condemned while others are ignored, tolerated or justified, or if this issue is simply manipulated for narrow political benefit. In conclusion, I reiterate the willingness of the Cuban Government to cooperate with any State in preventing and combating international terrorism on the basis of mutual respect, sovereign equality and the principles and rules of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

17. “Cuba reaffirms the importance of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 60/288, as a primary instrument for guiding States' efforts in the global fight against terrorism. Cuba endorses the adoption of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism that defines terrorism in a clear and comprehensive manner, including the activities of persons in charge of a State's armed forces and other acts not regulated by international humanitarian law, and making a clear distinction between terrorism and the legitimate fight of peoples for their independence and in defence of their right to self-determination. Such a convention should eliminate the deficiencies and omissions of the existing legal framework.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

18. “Paradoxically, the United States Government maintains five innocent Cuban fighters against terrorism, who have been arbitrarily and unfairly deprived of their freedom simply for seeking, with extraordinary altruism and courage, to obtain information on terrorist groups based in Miami in order to prevent violent acts and save the lives of Cuban and United States citizens alike. Therefore, Cuba demands the immediate release of Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, Ramo'n Labafiino Salazar, Fernando Gonzalez Llort, Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert and Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez. The General Assembly is mandated to address and advance the measures necessary to eliminate international terrorism and develop effective international cooperation to combat that phenomenon. The General Assembly provides the proper framework for achieving those objectives.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

19. “The United States Government has also spurned the cooperation offered by Cuba and failed to respond to reiterated Cuban proposals to create a bilateral cooperation programme to combat terrorism. Cuba reiterates its denunciation of the most notorious terrorist of the Western Hemisphere, Luis Posada Carriles, who moves freely about the United States under the protection of its authorities. Nothing justifies the failure of the United States Government to meet its international obligations to prosecute or extradite that terrorist for his crimes. In documents declassified by that Government's Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau ofInvestigation, he has been identified as the mastermind ofthe mid-air explosion of a Cubana de Aviacion airliner on 6 October 1976.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

20. “The arbitrary and unjustifiable inclusion of Cuba in an annual list of States that allegedly sponsor international terrorism, drawn up by the United States Department of State on groundless pretexts and without the slightest evidence of the participation or involvement of our country in any terrorist act, is a spurious and politically motivated exercise. Cuba rejects as illegitimate the mechanism whereby the United States Government arrogates to itself the right to certify the conduct of other nations in relation to terrorism and to issue discriminatory and selective lists for political purposes, while adopting a double standard by failing to prosecute self-confessed perpetrators of horrendous terrorist acts against Cuba and other countries in our hemisphere and allowing them to remain free.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

21. “We also believe that the international community should not accept that, under the pretext of the so-called fight against terrorism, certain States commit acts of aggression and interference in the internal affairs of other States; commit or allow flagrant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law; or carry out unilateral acts that are contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles and norms of international law. Cuba has been the victim of terrorism. The Cuban people have lost 3,478 sons and daughters as a result of terrorist actions committed against our homeland for half a century. Another 2,099 have been disabled for life for the same reason. Most of these actions have been organized, financed and carried out from United States territory.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

22. “Cuba is a State party to 14 of the existing international conventions on terrorism and strictly complies with its obligations under Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), and other related resolutions. Cuba is convinced that the only effective way to prevent and combat terrorism is through bilateral and multilateral cooperation among all States on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and the sovereign equality of States.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

23. “Cuba has adopted and implemented legislative, administrative and institutional measures aimed at preventing and suppressing all terrorist acts and activities and others directly or indirectly connected with them, including those related to the financing of terrorism, border protection and surveillance, arms trafficking, judicial cooperation, and adherence to international legal instruments on the prevention and suppression of international terrorism. Cuba has effective legislation against acts of terrorism - Law 93, adopted by the National Assembly of People's Power of the Republic - which defines all acts of international terrorism as serious crimes and establishes very heavy penalties in accordance with international obligations.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source

24. “Mr. Reyes Rodriguez (Cuba) (spoke in Spanish): Cuba endorses the statement made by the representative of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Government of the Republic of Cuba reaffirms its strongest opposition to all acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed, whatever the motives, including those in which States are directly or indirectly involved. Cuba likewise condemns any action aimed at encouraging, supporting, financing or covering up any act, method or practice of terrorism. Our country has an impeccable record of fighting terrorism and has never allowed, nor will it ever allow, Cuban territory to be used to carry out, mastermind or finance terrorist acts against any country.”

    2013-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6900Resumption1 (2013) · source