YouSaid · the spoken record

Rice

lines on the record: 1,272
first: 2005-10-31
most recent: 2013-06-19
sittings or episodes: 170
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

“United Nations peacekeeping personnel have an obligation to do so as well. We have seen some recent promising examples of early-warning and prevention strategies in peacekeeping missions. For example, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, with the support of the United Nations country team, mobilized in response to escalating tensions in Jonglei State, including consultations with community leaders and Government authorities. This early-warning system may well have helped prevent retaliatory intercommunal violence. We encourage such early-warning activity in other missions as part of an overall mission-wide strategy for the protection of civilians. Such strategies can succeed only if they rely on strengthening mission personnel's understanding of and communications with the host communities.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“The Council has also failed to act, or even to speak, in defence of the thousands of innocent civilians in the Sudan's Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States, where a brutal military campaign by the Government has again resulted in horrific loss of life and a dire humanitarian crisis. Our silence is deafening and inexcusable. Overall, the United Nations and the Council face challenges of both will and capacity. We believe that, to build our capacity to protect civilians, the United Nations should advance on five fronts. First, we must strengthen early-warning systems to detect and draw attention to threats against civilians, especially where the United Nations already has a significant presence on the ground. Humanitarian workers are often the first to sound the alarm bell.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“Her Office now places the likely death toll at least 3,500. The Al-Assad regime's crimes are condemned more widely every day. The Gulf Cooperation Council has demanded an end to what it called Al-Assad's "killing machine". The Arab League has worked hard to bring a halt to the violence, but thus far to no avail. Yet the Council has not adopted a single resolution, even to condemn the Al-Assad regime's brutal attacks on civilians. But let there be no doubt: the crisis in Syria will stay before the Security Council, and we will not rest until the Council rises to meet its responsibilities.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“The United States is proud to have taken part in the NATO-led coalition that was authorized, without any opposition, by the Council under resolution 1973 (2011). This was necessary and appropriate, given that Al-Qadhafi's forces continued to unleash brutal attacks on civilians and civilian- populated areas and hindered the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Thus, in accordance with resolution 1973 (2011), NATO and its partners protected civilians for as long as necessary. Of course, every situation is different, and every solution will be different. But the need to act in each instance remains. The situation most immediately confronting the Council is in Syria. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that the Syrian Government's appalling actions might amount to crimes against humanity.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“I should like to thank President Cavaco Silva for presiding over this meeting of the Council. I should equally like to thank the Secretary-General, High Commissioner Pillay, Assistant Secretary-General Bragg and International Committee of the Red Cross Director Spoerri for their briefings and for their dedication to the protection of civilians. Protection of civilians is at the heart of what we should be doing in the Council. In the past year, we have made significant progress in operationalizing norms on the protection of civilians. The Council played a critical role in protecting the people of Cote d'Ivoire in the aftermath of the elections there. When Muammar Al-Qadhafi moved to make good on his promises to massacre civilians in his own country, the Council acted.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“Ensuring justice for those who have endured unspeakable atrocities will be crucial to Libya's ability to emerge from the ashes of dictatorship to become a country in which all of its citizens enjoy the full protection ofthe rule of law.”
2011-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6647 (2011) · source
“We must now move together to support the creation of an inclusive and democratic State in which Libyans of all backgrounds have a future and an opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of their country. We welcome the Prosecutor's report that the NTC is fully cooperating with his investigation, in accordance with resolution 1970 (2011), and we encourage other States in which individuals subject to International Criminal Court arrest warrants may be found to ensure that they are brought to justice. We encourage the Prosecutor to continue to consult with the NTC. We urge the speedy apprehension of Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi and of Abdullah Al-Senussi, who remain at large in the region. They must be brought to justice in a legitimate process governed by the rule of law.”
2011-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6647 (2011) · source
“We welcome the NTC's announcement of an investigation into Al-Qadhafi's death and will look to it to follow through by undertaking an effective inquiry. Independent and impartial investigations into abuses committed in Libya on both sides are the first step in fulfilling the NTC's commitments to accountability and laying a foundation for a transition that embraces the rule of law. We remain deeply troubled by reports, including those mentioned by the Prosecutor, that sub-Saharan African migrants and others detained in ad hoc jails are being abused. Continued support by the international community, including through the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, will be vital to helping the Libyan people achieve the future they seek.”
2011-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6647 (2011) · source
“The new Government must ensure that the rule of law, treatment safeguards and due-process protections are firmly in place. Helping the National Transitional Council (NTC) implement its commitments to respect human rights and to proper detention procedures that meet Libya's international obligations must be a very high priority. We emphasize the importance of ensuring that the human rights of all in Libya, including former regime officials and detainees, are fully respected during and after this transition period. The victims of Al-Qadhafi's terrorism and their families in Libya and in the United States now know definitively that the era of Al-Qadhafi's violence has ended. Al-Qadhafi engaged in countless barbaric acts, but this does not and cannot justify the apparently brutal way in which he met his death.”
2011-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6647 (2011) · source
“The Security Council's decision to refer the situation in Libya to the Prosecutor reflected the importance that the international community attaches to ensuring accountability for the widespread and systematic attacks against the Libyan people that began in the dark days of February. Resolution 1970 (2011), adopted even as atrocities were being perpetrated, represented a historic milestone in the fight against impunity. Justice and reconciliation efforts will be critical components of a successful transition that allows all of Libyan society to leave behind what has been in many, many respects a tragic and bloody past. An effective criminal justice system with a competent judiciary and safeguards to guarantee humane treatment and due process is crucial to the future of Libya.”
2011-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6647 (2011) · source
“Let me join my colleagues in congratulating you, Sir, on taking over the presidency of the Council. We look very much forward to working with you and with your delegation throughout the month. We have every confidence in your able leadership. I also want to join others in paying great tribute to Ambassador ngu and the delegation of Nigeria for their exceptionally skilful and wise management of the Council in the complex month of October. I should like to begin by thanking the Prosecutor for his informative briefing and for his important contributions to laying the foundation for seeking the justice that Libyans so deserve.”
2011-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6647 (2011) · source
“We remain deeply committed to the full implementation of resolutions 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006). The United States continues to support the Lebanese Armed Forces' ongoing efforts to assert control and maintain stability in southern Lebanon. Finally, the United Sates congratulates the Tunisian people on the reported high turnout in Sunday's elections for a constituent assembly. This is a milestone on the Tunisian people's path from dictatorship to a democratic Government founded upon respect for the will of its citizens. We look forward to working with the people and Government of Tunisia, including the new Constituent Assembly, over the next phase of their country's historic transition.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“Turning to Yemen: We welcome the Council's adoption on Friday of resolution 2014 (2011) addressing the grave situation there. Each day that passes without a peaceful and orderly transition of power is another day that the Yemeni people are forced to live in danger and instability. We again urge all parties to cease violence and exercise maximum restraint. We will continue to work intensively with the international community to support the Yemeni people's aspirations for democracy and protection of their basic human rights. We are pleased that the Government of Lebanon has reaffirmed that it will uphold Lebanon's international commitments, including Lebanon's agreement with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We believe it is of utmost important that Lebanon fulfil its funding obligations to the Special Tribunal within the coming weeks.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“It is tragic that Al-Assad's barbaric acts have recently been met by silence from this Council. The United States welcomes the Arab League's renewed efforts to stop the violence to allow the Syrian people to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly and to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy. We are very sceptical, however, that the A1-Assad regime has any intention of allowing the opposition to meet in an environment free of intimidation. We again call for full and unfettered access by credible, professional observers, including human rights monitors, the United Nations Human Rights Council's commission of inquiry and international observers. In addition, we strongly deplore the violent incursions and raids into Lebanon by Syrian security forces that have resulted in death and injury.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“With regard to Hamas, we reaffirm the importance of fulfilling the Quartet's principle's commitment to non-violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist and recognition of previous agreements. We call again on Palestinians and Israelis to take constructive actions to promote peace and to avoid actions that complicate this process or undermine trust. The United States is very pleased that Gilad Shalit has finally been reunited with his family after five long years in captivity. I will now turn to the crisis in Syria. For more than seven months, ordinary Syrians have taken to the streets to demand respect for their most fundamental human rights. The Al-Assad regime has met those peaceful protests with brutal and escalating violence. According to the United Nations, the death toll has surpassed 3,000.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“Therefore, we have consistently opposed such unilateral initiatives. We will continue, at the same time, to exert every effort to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. Like every American Administration for decades, the Obama Administration does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity. The fate of existing settlements is one that must be dealt with by the parties along with other permanent status issues, including the status of Jerusalem. For that reason, steps by the Government of Israel to advance significant new construction in Givat Hamatos are deeply disappointing. The illegal trafficking of weapons in Gaza continues to pose a serious threat to civilians in Gaza, in Israel and in Egypt. It must be stopped.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“Thus, our focus remains on laying the groundwork for these and subsequent meetings leading to the two parties' exchanging comprehensive proposals on territory and security by the end of the year, as outlined in the Quartet's timeline. We urge all members of the Council and all Member States to unite to help to create a positive climate for resuming negotiations. Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must live side by side. Only they can reach agreement on the painful issues that divide them: borders and security; refugees and Jerusalem. We have been very clear that we believe Palestinian efforts to seek Member State status at the United Nations will not advance the peace process, but rather will complicate, delay and perhaps derail prospects for a negotiated settlement.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe for his briefing. I will begin with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United States continues to work vigorously with the parties, the Quartet and our international partners to resume negotiations on the basis of the 23 September Quartet statement. That statement provides a clear and credible path back to the negotiating table, which is the only path to achieve the two-State solution we all seek. The Quartet statement reaffirms President Obama's vision for peace, as laid out in his May remarks. President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu have each agreed to send negotiators to Jerusalem for preparatory meetings with the Quartet envoys on 26 October.”
2011-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6636 (2011) · source
“In order to strengthen international assistance in the region, we would all benefit from additional insight and information. The United States therefore welcomes the Secretary-General's decision to send a fact-finding team to the Gulf of Guinea. We look forward to receiving his report. We hope it will contain important insights about how to build national and regional capacity to counter maritime security threats and strengthen the maritime sector as a whole. The scourge of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has threatened the economies, Governments and peoples of the region for far too long. Now it is time for the States of the region, with the close support of the international community, to work together to address the threat effectively.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“The United States is committed to collaborating with our African and other international friends to build national and regional maritime capacity through programmes like the Africa Partnership Station and the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership. Earlier this year, in exercises hosted by ECCAS, the United States Navy worked with Belgium, Cameroon, France, Gabon, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, the Republic of Congo and Spain to help local forces improve their capacity to counter illicit maritime activities. Those and other Africa Partnership Station activities will strengthen regional maritime coordination and improve maritime safety and security in Africa. Those are just a few examples of international support to the region's maritime security efforts.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Clearly, the primary responsibility for patrolling and security territorial waters rests with individual countries in the region. Each country should make maritime security a national priority, both as a matter of law enforcement and to enable continued economic development. Yet the international community, too, must do more to support regional and national efforts. The United States supports the work of the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to strengthen coordination among countries in the region. Since 2007 the United States has provided approximately $35 million in coastal radar, equipment, boats and associated maritime security training to our West and Central African partners.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Benin has experienced a dramatic drop in the customs fees and other port revenues on which the Government relies for 55 per cent of its revenue. There are important differences, thus far, between piracy and maritime attacks in the Gulf of Guinea and those along the coast of Somalia. In the Gulf of Guinea attackers primarily seek to steal valuable commodities, which are often sold illicitly in West and Central Africa. Cargo and valuables are what the attackers typically want, not necessarily the ships themselves or the crew and passengers. Somali pirates usually strike on the high seas, and then utilize safe havens on shore to hold ships and people hostage. In the Gulf of Guinea criminals often operate closer to shore, usually with the goal of robbery rather than hostage-taken. They have mainly left crews and passengers unharmed.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Militants in the Niger delta have demonstrated the capacity to reach offshore oil facilities in recent years, threatening the secure supply of the over 2 million barrels of oil that emanate from that region every day. The increasing frequency of attacks against the shipping sector in Benin is a particular concern. Beyond its impact on the oil sector, by one estimate attacks on offshore oil facilities result in an estimated loss of $2 billion annually to the broader regional economy, including the fishing industry and commercial shipping. That is obviously a very high price for a region with urgent development needs and fragile economies. In early August, only 50 ships were at anchor in Cotonou's port, instead of the usual 150.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Such attacks, whether within territorial waters or on the high seas, threaten regional and maritime security and the safety of seafarers, as well as impede economic growth across West and Central Africa. Maritime attacks have included assaults on coastal cities, and even an attack on the presidential palace in Malabo, the coastal capital of Equatorial Guinea. Illicit maritime trafficking in goods, drugs and persons also undermines governance and unravels the fabric of fragile societies. The impact of maritime crime on local economies is substantial. It has become a crippling problem in countries including Benin, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Let me join others in thanking you, Madame President, for convening this important meeting. We would also like to convey our gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Toure' and Mrs. Adenike Ukonga for their very important briefings. Today's meeting is both timely and important. In recent years, the number of reported incidents of piracy and maritime armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea has increased alarmingly. While attacks are under-reported, we do know that in this year alone at least two dozen maritime armed robbery and piracy attacks were reported in the Gulf of Guinea, with a particularly sharp increase in incidents off the coast of Benin.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“The United States looks forward to working with our fellow Council members to sustain and increase our focus on SSR within the Chamber and beyond. Especially in Africa and in other lands that have known too much suffering, we seek an international approach to SSR that heeds the voices of citizens calling out for a better future and bolsters the capacity of host Governments and regional organizations to help make those hopes real.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“Fourthly, we must all do more to help build up expertise outside the United Nations system, particularly by regional and subregional organizations working to address the challenges around them. For example, the Economic Community of West African States has helped make important SSR gains throughout West Africa. Regional bodies are increasingly important players when it comes to SSR in Africa, and we support their efforts. We will also need to work at both the national and regional levels to address a range of twenty-first century challenges in the waters off Africa, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, trafficking in persons, illegal or unregulated fishing and environmental degradation. As such, maritime security sector reform will increasingly become critical to overall SSR.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“Thirdly, the United Nations needs to strengthen its expertise and enhance the coordination among all actors that play a role in SSR, especially human rights defenders, development agencies, international financial institutions such as the World Bank and regional and subregional organizations. The United States appreciates the work now being undertaken by the Security Sector Reform Unit of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the inter-agency Security Sector Reform Task Force and other United Nations entities such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We look forward to having them do even more to spread lessons learned and best practices on SSR, inside the United Nations system and beyond.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“We must broaden it to take into account what host populations time and again demand, namely, a clear recognition that human rights, good governance and gender equality are inextricably linked with security sector reform. Integrating a gender perspective into the daily work of armed forces, defence ministries and peace makers makes these institutions more inclusive and democratic and improves the overall effectiveness of security sector reform. A defence or law enforcement agency that shuns corruption, advances equality and protects the rights of all, rather than trampling them, is far more likely to command the support and confidence of its citizens. The Secretary- General rightly highlighted these issues in his most recent report on SSR. We hope that his next one will suggest concrete benchmarks for measuring progress.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“As the Secretary-General also pointed out, reform of the security sector is not just about providing basic training and equipment for a battalion or formed police unit. It is about establishing a legal and constitutional framework for the legitimate, accountable use of force, via security personnel, in accordance with universally accepted human rights norms and standards. True security sector reform does not mean merely recruiting more security personnel, it means thinking through their overall numbers, determining what is fiscally sustainable and creating mechanisms for their direction and oversight. Secondly, our approach to SSR has been too narrow.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“The United States also supports SSR programmes in several other African countries emerging from conflict. Today's Security Council debate on security sector reform and the draft presidential statement we will adopt should spur action, we hope, on four fronts. First, we should take a more long-term, comprehensive approach to SSR. As the Secretary- General pointed out in his 2008 report on the subject (S/2008/39), the security sector is not only uniformed personnel - it involves the entire defence establishment, civilian law enforcement and corrections personnel, intelligence services, institutions dealing with border management, customs agencies and organizations that handle civil emergencies and elements of the criminal justice sector.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“From Liberia to Haiti to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the drawdown of international peacekeepers is now linked to the build-up of indigenous security institutions. At least 11 United Nations peacekeeping operations, peacebuilding offices and special political missions are now mandated to conduct SSR activities, and 10 of them are in Africa. The United Nations and many other actors are making important contributions to SSR in those countries, and that includes the United States. Over the past several years, for instance, my Government has invested more than $300 million to support defence and police reform in South Sudan, more than $280 million for defence, police and justice sector reform in Liberia and some $110 million for defence and police reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“Let me start by thanking the Government of Nigeria for its leadership in bringing us together today to discuss security sector reform (SSR) in Africa. Let me also thank you personally, Minister Ashiru, for presiding over our debate. This Council discussion on SSR is long overdue. A State's ability to police its territory, protect its citizens and uphold its laws is central to its ability to exercise its sovereignty and promote regional peace and stability. However, in all too many instances, local security forces lack capacity, or worse, they threaten the very citizens they are meant to serve. All too often, we have had to rely on international peacekeepers to fill temporarily a gap that a nation's people would have preferred to address permanently on their own.”
2011-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6630 (2011) · source
“We deeply regret that some members of the Council have prevented us from taking a principled stand against the Syrian regime's brutal oppression of its people. But the suffering citizens of Syria are watching today, and so is the entire Middle East. The crisis in Syria will stay before the Security Council, and we will not rest until the Council rises to meet its responsibilities.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“Regional organizations such as the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have urged the Syrian Government to stop the bloodshed. But the Syrian Government's reply has been an increase in the violence and repression, while some Council members have chosen to look the other way. We urge the Governments that failed to support Council action to change course and heed the voices of the Syrian people. The Al-Assad regime flatly refuses to meet its international obligations, including those laid out in the Council's 3 August presidential statement (S/PRST/2011/16). The international community must bring real consequences to bear. In failing to adopt the draft resolution before us, the Council has squandered an opportunity to shoulder its responsibilities to the Syrian people.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“This is about whether the Council, during a time of sweeping change in the Middle East, will stand with peaceful protesters crying out for freedom or with a regime of thugs with guns that tramples human dignity and human rights. As matters now stand, the Council will not even mandate the dispatch of human rights monitors to Syria, a grave failure that may doom the prospects for peaceful protest in the face of a regime that knows no limits. In August, we clearly condemned the violence and made clear that the Syrian regime's repression is utterly unacceptable. Several of us on the Council and many throughout the international community have voiced our condemnation and imposed sanctions on the Al-Assad regime.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“Some on the Council argue that the Al-Assad regime's abuses are not that egregious or that the regime deserves more time for its so-called reforms. But as reporting by the United Nations itself makes clear, the Syrian Government's efforts to mask its continued atrocities are as transparent as its promises of reform are empty. Others claim that strong Security Council action on Syria would merely be a pretext for military intervention. Let there be no doubt: this is not about military intervention; this is not about Libya. That is a cheap ruse by those who would rather sell arms to the Syrian regime than stand with the Syrian people.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“For more than six months, the Al-Assad regime has deliberately unleashed violence, torture and persecution against peaceful protesters, human rights defenders and their families. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has already warned that the Syrian Government's appalling actions might amount to crimes against humanity. The Al-Assad regime's critics have joined the chorus of condemnation from the region, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, which demanded an immediate end to what it called Assad's "killing machine". But the Security Council has not yet passed even a hortatory resolution to counter the Al-Assad regime's brutal oppression. The arguments against strong Council action grow weaker and weaker by the day.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“The United States believes it is past time for this Council to assume its responsibilities and impose tough, targeted sanctions and an arms embargo on the Assad regime, as we have done domestically. Yet today, the courageous people of Syria can now see clearly who on this Council supports their yearning for liberty and universal human rights, and who does not. During this season of change, the people of the Middle East can now see clearly which nations have chosen to ignore their calls for democracy and instead prop up desperate, cruel dictators. Those who oppose this draft resolution and give cover to a brutal regime will have to answer to the Syrian people and, indeed, to people across the region who are pursuing the same universal aspirations. The record is clear.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“Before I begin my statement, let me congratulate you, Madame President, on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of October. We know you will lead us ably, and we very much look forward to cooperating with you. Let me join others in paying tribute to Lebanon and Ambassador Nawaf Salam for his stellar leadership of the Council through a very difficult month. We are grateful to him. The United States is outraged that this Council has utterly failed to address an urgent moral challenge and a growing threat to regional peace and security. Several members have sought for weeks to weaken and strip bare any texts that would have defended the lives of innocent civilians from Assad's brutality. Today, two members have vetoed a vastly watered-down text that does not even mention sanctions. Let me be clear.”
2011-10-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6627 (2011) · source
“We reaffirm our gratitude for the crucial and continued commitment of the United Nations. UNAMA is working in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan for the benefit of all Afghans in their quest for peace, security and stability. We will continue to support the Afghan Government and people, regional partners and the international community as we work to establish stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and throughout the region.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“The international community has an important role to play in supporting Afghanistan and the region's efforts to make this vision a reality. The New Silk Road initiative will reinforce the search for diplomatic solutions to ending the war in Afghanistan. The year 2011 remains a pivotal one. The international Conference on Afghanistan to be held in Bonn at the end of the year will be a key opportunity for the Government of Afghanistan and its neighbours, as well as the international community, to strengthen economic cooperation in the region. This will be complemented by regional efforts to strengthen mutual confidence and neighbourly relations at the conference on security and cooperation in Istanbul in November. We also welcome the start of the comprehensive review of UNAMA's mandated activities and United Nations support in Afghanistan.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“Guido Westerwelle, and Secretary of State Clinton met with 27 of Afghanistan's neighbours and partners to advance their shared vision of a New Silk Road. The New Silk Road is an Afghan-led venture, a rallying point for securing Afghan, regional and international commitments to support Afghanistan's transition and develop a sustainable Afghan economy that will benefit the whole region. The creation of a New Silk Road will help Afghanistan and its neighbours maximize the value of their natural resources, build human capacity, create jobs, generate revenue to pay for needed services and capitalize on the region's economic potential. The New Silk Road will also promote women entrepreneurs, since we know that sustained and successful development depends on women becoming equal partners.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“We continue to make progress on our strategic partnership document, which outlines our long-term cooperation during the transition period and beyond. As President Obama and President Karzai reaffirmed in their meeting last week, we will have a strategic partnership between our nations that provides a long-term framework for bilateral cooperation on security, economic and social development, and institution-building. As Afghanistan moves towards the 2014 transition, we know that the Government alone cannot grow Afghanistan's economy, so we must all continue to work to create an environment that attracts private- sector investment. Last week, Foreign Minister Rassoul, the German Foreign Minister, Mr.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“The deployment of additional United States military service members, together with additional troops committed by our allies and partners, has helped stabilize more of the country and shifted the momentum away from the insurgency. Together we have made significant progress. The tragic assassination of Afghanistan's former President and Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, Mr. Rabbani, has only strengthened our collective resolve. We will continue to work in support of the Afghan Government and people to end the insurgency, pursue justice against those who fund, direct and carry out the violence, and realize a peaceful future for all Afghans. President Obama has been clear that the strong United States relationship with Afghanistan will extend well beyond 2014.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“This morning my remarks will focus on security, upcoming events that frame the 2014 transition, and the New Silk Road initiative. As we know, the United States Embassy compound in Kabul was attacked earlier this month. The Afghan National Security Forces have responsibility for Kabul, and they responded ably. They ended the assault on the Embassy; there was minimal damage to Embassy property and the compound, and no United States personnel were killed. However, the insurgent attack killed five Afghan National Police and 11 other Afghans, including children. While the security situation in Afghanistan continues to present challenges, notably including the insurgents' continued targeting of fellow Afghans, our goal remains to gradually shift to a supporting role as the Afghan National Security Forces continue to develop their capabilities.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“I thank Mr. Rassoul, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, for being here today and honouring us with his presence. We are grateful for his remarks. I also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, for his briefing and his continuing extraordinary service. I hope he will also convey to the staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) the enduring gratitude of the United States for the important work they do every day throughout Afghanistan, under considerable hardship, for the benefit of the Afghan people. We are also grateful for the important contributions of Deputy Special Representative Martin Kobler, who is on his way to Iraq to take up the post of Special Representative there.”
2011-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6625 (2011) · source
“The high- level review of international civilian peacebuilding capacities commissioned by the Secretary-General contains many good ideas and we look forward to their prompt implementation. All these instruments can save lives. They provide hope and, when employed effectively, can make a meaningful difference in the world. But they require us to overcome our differences and unite behind a common resolve in the Chamber. So let us summon the political will to confront the atrocities unfolding before our eyes, from Syria to Southern Kordofan. Let us revitalize our will and ability to prevent conflicts before embers start to blaze.”
2011-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6621 (2011) · source
“In fact, they are inextricably linked. The investments we make to strengthen the ability of peacekeepers to detect breakdowns in a peace process, to sound the alarm bells in times of crisis and to quickly redeploy forces to dangerous hotspots are indeed investments in conflict prevention. Fifthly, while the United Nations and other actors can do a great deal through diplomacy and peacekeeping operations, our long-term objective must be to enable countries to prevent conflicts by themselves. The United Nations, together with regional organizations and the wider international community, must help countries to walk the long, difficult road from war to peace. We support making greater use of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund in more countries rattled by conflict.”
2011-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6621 (2011) · source
“The credible threat of consequences for aggressors and others who refuse to abide by their international commitments should include, when necessary, the imposition of targeted sanctions. Effective mediation does not mean just listening to all sides; it also means acting firmly when needed so as to back diplomatic efforts. Here, the Security Council has a particular responsibility, including helping to mobilize wider political support for diplomatic efforts and moving swiftly in the face of emergencies. Fourthly, societies emerging from conflict continue to face the greatest risk of more bloodshed, even with the presence of peacekeepers. Peace operations are on the front lines of United Nations prevention efforts, and they must be thought of accordingly. We should cease to make false distinctions between peacekeeping and prevention.”
2011-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6621 (2011) · source