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

“We welcome, as well, UNAMA's commitment to aligning aid behind the Government of Afghanistan's priorities and UNAMA's support for the Government's push for greater aid coherence and effectiveness. We look forward to seeing the United Nations integrated strategic framework, as mentioned in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/463), and its definition of priority areas for United Nations engagement in support of Afghanistan's transition. Let me now turn to the key role that the Security Council's Al-Qaida/Taliban sanctions Committee - the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) - can play in fostering stability in Afghanistan.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“We are also adapting our programmes to account for local realities and broadening our support at the provincial and district levels to enhance the visibility, effectiveness and accountability of the institutions that can improve Afghan lives the most. When representatives of more than 70 Governments and international organizations gathered in Kabul in July, we made clear our lasting commitment to our partnership with Afghanistan. The Kabul Conference launched an ambitious process to chart a vision for Afghanistan's future. The Kabul process reflects a commitment to accountability, including clear benchmarks and milestones, and the United States fully supports the priorities and goals identified by the Afghan Government.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“This transition does not at all lessen our commitment to the Afghan people. The United States will continue to provide assistance to help build the capacities of Afghan institutions to withstand and reduce the threat posed by extremism. We are also helping to build up the Afghan institutional capacity to delivery high-impact economic assistance, especially in the agricultural sector, to create jobs, improve governance, fight narcotics and draw insurgents off the battlefield. Our support is focused, at the national level, on Afghan ministries that can most directly affect service delivery, particularly in the geographic heart of the insurgency: the south and the east.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“We are working in partnership with the Afghan security forces, so that Afghans themselves can assume more and more responsibility for their country's security. The United States is committed to ensuring that this transition to Afghan-led responsibility for security is conditions- based and irreversible and managed through a process agreed to by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community at the Kabul Conference. Some parts of Afghanistan are nearly ready for transition now; others will require more time and effort on all of our parts. We are providing civilian experts and mentors for the police and the army, which are critical to ensuring that the transition occurs smoothly. Based upon Afghanistan's transition plan, we will help Afghanistan meet its goal of taking the lead on security by 2014.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“Let me also thank Special Representative Staffan de Mistura for his briefing today and for his continued strong leadership of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). I am also pleased to welcome Foreign Minister Rassoul; we thank him for his leadership and for his statement. The staff of UNAMA has the full support of the United States in their challenging and important work in assisting the Afghan people. We applaud them again for their service and sacrifice. Our goal in Afghanistan remains unchanged: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida and to prevent its return. More international forces are focused on reversing the Taliban's momentum and providing security for the Afghan people.”
2010-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6394 (2010) · source
“We also strongly condemn targeted attacks on humanitarian aid workers, kidnappings and extortion by Al-Shabaab and other violent extremists, which further hamper the provision of life-saving humanitarian aid. In closing, let me reiterate that the United States remains committed to seeing peace and stability take hold in Somalia for the sake of the Somali people and the region. We continue to support the Djibouti peace process and Somalia's Transitional Federal Government and its efforts to bring security and stability to a country that has already endured far too much.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“Today's briefing also underscores the extraordinary strains on the humanitarian situation in Somalia. The United Nations Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit reports that approximately 2 million people will need humanitarian aid between July and December of this year and that thousands continue to be uprooted and displaced every month. The Famine Early Warning System of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that approximately a quarter of the Somali population remains food-insecure. and malnutrition rates remain at crisis levels. Lack of security and stability continues to worsen this already troubling situation. The United States remains deeply committed to responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia. We condemn Al-Shabaab's obstruction of aid delivery to more than a million Somalis.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“The United States remains committed to working together to address piracy off the Somali coast, including on issues of prosecution and incarceration. The United States is deeply concerned as well about the victims of incidents of sexual violence in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Deliberately targeting vulnerable populations undermines stability and exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation. The United States also strongly condemns the use of children to pursue violent agendas. We call on all parties to immediately release all children within their ranks, to halt child recruitment and to provide for the proper reintegration into civilian life of former child soldiers. Let me say again what I have said before: the only tolerable number of child soldiers is zero; the only tolerable amount of sexual violence is zero.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“Such incidents demonstrate the need for continued support to AMISOM. to counter groups such as Al-Shabaab and others that work to destabilize the TFG and inflict further chaos on the Somali people. We remain deeply concerned as well about piracy off the coast of Somalia. Long-term security and stability in Somalia are necessary, as has been underscored, to address the root causes of piracy, and we anticipate an active discussion of the linkages between security and development during the next meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia later this month. At the same time, we must respond to the immediate challenges that piracy poses. The United Nations recently published a report (S/2010/394) on options for better prosecuting and imprisoning pirates.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“We again encourage other nations to step forward with additional bilateral contributions. The United States recognizes the calls to increase AMISOM. troop levels beyond the current mandated strength and the various proposals to expand United Nations assessed funding for AMISOM. We are currently reviewing those proposals and will give them thorough consideration. We look forward to receiving more details from the Secretariat, the African Union (AU) and AMISOM. The United States condemns the increased fighting in Somalia. We also denounce the several recent Al-Shabaab attacks, including the 24 August attack at the Hotel Muna, the 30 August attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu and the 9 September attack on the AMISOM. position at the airport, which left TFG ministers, AMISOM. peacekeepers and innocent civilians dead.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“We also urge the TFG to work out its differences, in the interest of the people of Somalia. Supporting the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is key both to stabilizing Mogadishu and to advancing the Somali peace process. We welcome and we commend Uganda's and Burundi's increased troop contributions to AMISOM, which now has a force of nearly 7,000. We salute their sacrifices, and we thank the forces and their Governments for their sustained commitment and support. We call on troop- contributing countries to increase their support to AMISOM. so that it can reach its mandated strength. Since AMISOM's deployment, in 2007, the United States has obligated more than $185 million to provide logistic support, equipment and pre-deployment training to its forces.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“I want to begin by thanking Special Representative Mahiga for his comprehensive and very informative briefing, and for his active leadership on behalf of Somalia. I also want to salute the Foreign Minister of Kenya and the Permanent Representative of Somalia for their very powerful presentations, which, as I think Council members could see, had an impact on all of us as we listened. The United States shares the Secretary-General's view of the exceedingly dangerous situation in Somalia. Long-term security and stability in Somalia depend on a stable and effective Government. We continue to support the Djibouti peace process, and we call upon the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to focus on completion of the transitional tasks in the spirit of inclusivity envisioned in the peace process.”
2010-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6386 (2010) · source
“We are committed to working closely with our partners in the Security Council and the international community towards that goal.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“We are concerned by the delay in setting up the panel, and we urge renewed focus to enable that body to become operational as soon as possible. These steps can improve sanctions implementation and limit the risk posed by Iran's arms smuggling, its development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems and the proliferation of sensitive nuclear and ballistic missile- re1ated items. My final point is to underscore the continued commitment of the United States and the international community to a dialogue and a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. We nevertheless plan to continue clarifying for Iran the consequences of its actions, both positive and negative. Our goal remains to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“Member States should move quickly to carry out their obligations to implement the new sanctions and report on their national implementation efforts to the Committee. The 1737 Committee continues to play a critical role in monitoring and improving the enforcement of Security Council resolutions on Iran. We strongly support that Committee, which is the principle mechanism to help States fulfil their obligations, to implement the measures and to respond when States fail to enforce United Nations sanctions. The Committee should move quickly to implement the action items in its ambitious work programme, especially to respond to Iran's well-documented patterns of sanctions evasion. 3 Finally, the Committee should support the Secretariat's efforts to establish a new panel of experts to help monitor and improve sanctions implementation.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“These activities are prohibited under resolution 1929 (2010) and undermine Iran's claims of peaceful intentions at the very time that the international community has offered Iran opportunities to build trust and confidence. The Council and the 1737 Committee will need to consider an appropriate response to Iran's serial violations of Security Council resolutions. My second point is that Iran's recent actions remind us of the urgent need to redouble our efforts to implement the United Nations sanctions, particularly those new measures adopted in resolution 1929 (2010). Already we have seen unprecedented efforts to respond to Iran's defiance with pressure in line with the dual- track approach.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“The Security Council has clearly established in its resolutions on Iran that cooperation with the IAEA is a fundamental benchmark and test of Iran's peaceful intentions. The IAEA's report is the clearest evidence yet that Iran is refusing to address our proliferation concerns and appears determined to acquire a nuclear weapons capability. Yet, Iran's disregard for its international obligations extends beyond its nuclear activities. Iran has repeatedly attempted to export arms in violation of resolution 1747 (2007). We are also concerned that Iran continues to engage in activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including conducting launches using ballistic missile technology.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“On 6 September, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported to the Council that Iran is continuing and expanding its proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities in violation of its international obligations (see S/20lO/465). Iran's enrichment of uranium, including to nearly 20 per cent, continues unabated. Additionally, the Director General provided significant and troubling examples where Iran is hampering the work of IAEA inspectors, refusing the IAEA's legitimate requests for information about and access to its nuclear facilities and continuing to reject legitimate inquiries about a possible military 10-53435 dimension to its nuclear programme. I emphasize that this report states that Iran is hampering the IAEA's ability to monitor Iran's programme. Iran is not cooperating fully with the IAEA.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting to review the efforts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) over the past 90 days. I would also like to thank Ambassador Nishida for his first report as Chair of that critical Committee. Three months have passed since the Council adopted resolution 1929 (2010) to respond to Iran's ongoing refusal to comply with its international obligations. I would like to make three points about the situation today and where we go from here. First, I would like to draw the Council's attention to the clear evidence that Iran is refusing to take any step to begin resolving concerns that it is pursuing nuclear weapons and that it continues to take actions that in fact deepen those concerns.”
2010-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6384 (2010) · source
“That said, we believe that any discussion of drawdown must be based on the security conditions on the ground in Haiti, on the achievement of security benchmarks and, after the hurricane season, on the completion of the elections and the peaceful transition of power early next year. The deployment of police forces has been sometimes challenging, but it is largely on track. We encourage nations to support resolutions 1908 (2010) and 1927 (2010) and to deploy police in support of this critical mission. The United States has 45 police personnel in Haiti, and we are working to double the size of our individual police contingent in the coming months. We welcome contributions from other Member States.”
2010-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6382 (2010) · source
“The United States agrees that the increased flow of weapons and drugs into Haiti is a destabilizing factor, and we encourage MINUSTAH to look at ways to leverage its existing capabilities, wherever possible, to help interdict this flow. We understand that the deployment of military forces, based on the increases authorized in resolution 1908 (2010), seems to be proceeding well. We look forward to seeing their contributions to stability and security. The Secretary-General's report mentions the discussion of force drawdown. We recognize that this increase is indeed temporary in nature.”
2010-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6382 (2010) · source
“Although we understand the difficulties regarding the lack of reliable and comprehensive data, any level of sexual or gender-based violence is unacceptable, and we appreciate the ongoing efforts of MINUSTAH to address this situation. We applaud the plan to utilize the military component in a more community-based approach, which, we agree, should have an impact on sexual and gender-based violence in and around the IDP camps. Addressing the critical issue of sexual and gender-based violence must be part of a wider effort to empower women throughout the reconstruction process, and we encourage MINUSTAH to expand its efforts beyond the IDP camps and their vicinity to other areas both in and outside Port-au-Prince.”
2010-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6382 (2010) · source
“We recognize the hard work of MINUSTAH to push this prospect towards reality and to provide broad support to the upcoming elections. Peaceful and credible elections and the transfer of power to a new Government will be key milestones in Haiti's progress. We also welcome the efforts by MINUSTAH to assist the Haitian National Police and others in providing a secure and stable environment, and we commend their work to maintain general stability throughout this very challenging period. The United States is deeply concerned about vulnerable populations in the internally displaced person (IDP) camps and neighbouring communities, and especially about the extent of sexual and gender-based violence.”
2010-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6382 (2010) · source
“We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his latest detailed report on the situation in Haiti (S/2010/446). I would also like to thank Special Representative Mulet for his skilled and dedicated leadership and for his thorough briefing today. I also thank Ambassador Merores for his summary of the situation from the perspective of the Haitian Government. The United States expresses our strongest support and deepest thanks to all the staff and personnel of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for their extraordinary work under very difficult conditions. We share the view that the political situation in Haiti remains fragile, but the progress being made towards holding elections in November is positive.”
2010-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6382 (2010) · source
“We pledge our continuing support to the African Union Mission in Somalia, the United Nations and the TFG in their efforts to bring peace and stability to this important country and hope for the future of the Somali people.”
2010-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6374 (2010) · source
“We look forward to working closely with him in coordinating our efforts. Let us be clear on the underlying dynamics involved. Ultimately, it has been said, the problem of piracy off the Horn of Africa will not be solved until Somalia is stabilized. To that end, the United States continues to strongly support the Djibouti peace process and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The tragic events that took place yesterday in Mogadishu, which resulted in the death and injury of innocent civilians, including members of the Somali parliament, underscore the urgency with which we must address the terror and hardship all Somalis face on a daily basis. The United States joins our fellow Council members and the Secretary-General in condemning those murderous acts in the strongest possible terms.”
2010-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6374 (2010) · source
“The United States has been pleased to play an active role in the Contact Group, which is both an effective means of coordinating counter-piracy initiatives and a valuable and appropriate forum for building on the observations in the United Nations report. We are particularly grateful that the Secretary- General's report discusses at length the vital issue of imprisonment. We agree with the report's assessment that having sufficient arrangements for imprisonment in the region is just as important, if not more so, than the mechanism for prosecution. In fact, if such imprisonment arrangements can be identified, many more States may be willing to prosecute suspects in their national courts. The United States welcomes the Secretary- General's appointment of Jack Lang as the United Nations Special Adviser on Piracy.”
2010-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6374 (2010) · source
“As the United Nations report notes, the prosecution of suspected pirates and the imprisonment of convicted ones are essential to end impunity for acts of piracy. The Secretary-General's report provides a balanced, thorough review of the pros and cons of seven distinct options on the issue. There are no easy answers in the exercise of bringing pirates to justice, and we welcome all creative ideas for tackling this thorny problem. Any long-term solution will require political will and financial resources from the international community and the States in the region. The options in the Secretary- General's report reflect discussions over the past two years within the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, particularly in its legal Working Group.”
2010-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6374 (2010) · source
“Even so, the States and international organizations participating in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, including the United Nations, have made considerable contributions to the effort to suppress piracy in this critical region. But significant challenges remain. The United States commends the efforts of individual States, the European Union's Operation Atalanta, NATO's Operations Allied Protector and Ocean Shield and the Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 151 to combat piracy and protect vulnerable ships making their way through the waters off the Somali coast. Still, those tremendous naval efforts will be of limited effect if suspected pirates are captured and released without judicial consequences when there is sufficient evidence to support prosecution.”
2010-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6374 (2010) · source
“Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his thoughtful report (S/2010/394) examining the options for prosecuting suspected pirates and imprisoning convicted ones. We hope very much that this report will help enlighten all concerned about the very real challenges we all face in this area. We also commend the Russian Federation for leading the call for this report and drawing attention to this important issue. Piracy is an old problem that has taken on troubling modern form. It continues to affect us all through increased risk to our citizens, the disruption of global commercial shipping and damage to property and goods. Ultimately, only security and stability in Somalia will resolve the root causes of its current piracy problem.”
2010-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6374 (2010) · source
“We also urge the Secretariat to complete the assessment of resources and capabilities required for those tasks as soon as possible. We look forward to the next report of the Secretary-General on this crucially important topic. United Nations action has saved untold lives and eased unimaginable suffering, but in all too many places innocents still bear the brunt of war and conflict. We cannot yet afford to sleep easily.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“I hope that we will take concrete action to directly challenge those who violate their obligations to protect civilians in armed conflict, that we will continue to craft peacekeeping mandates that back missions with the necessary training capability and leadership of deployed peacekeepers, and that we - both as a Council and in our national capacities - will help Governments emerging from conflict to rebuild their infrastructure and institutions to protect and provide for their civilians. In that regard we urge continuation of the Secretariat's important work to develop a strategic framework for the protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations supported by mission-wide planning and senior leadership training.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“But other parties to armed conflict must also comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law - and all too often they do not. Those legal obligations should have legal consequences. It is incumbent upon the international community to end impunity by helping Governments create, maintain and operate credible and effective national courts where possible, or by supporting international and other mechanisms where necessary. The International Criminal Court can also be useful in the fight against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ongoing dialogue on this important subject is worthwhile. But this Council will be judged by its actions and their impact on civilian lives.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“Such a situation is now playing out in Chad, with the continued drawdown of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). By the end of the year there will be no United Nations peacekeepers in Chad, and the United States is extremely concerned about that situation. The Government of Chad should protect its own population and refugees within its territory. The international community recognizes that the Government of Chad is accountable for the welfare not only of its own citizens, nearly 170,000 of whom are internally displaced, but also for the more than 270,000 Darfuri and 74,000 Central African refugees within Chad's borders. Finally, let me turn to the question of accountability. Governments bear the primary responsibility for protecting civilians.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“My Government fully backs the work of United Nations peacekeeping missions, working in concert with United Nations country teams and host Governments, to strengthen police and judicial mechanisms so that respect for the rule of law can counter those who seek to profit from lawlessness. We undertake significant efforts to promote the rule of law around the world, and we urge others to do the same. Peacekeeping missions, when properly trained, well equipped and deployed with robust mandates, are critical to our overall efforts to protect civilians. But today we face the question of how to ensure that civilians are protected where strategic consent for United Nations peacekeeping evaporates and those forces are ultimately withdrawn.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“That is something we must bear in mind as we approach the renewal of the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) at the end of this month. The United States supports full and proper backing to peacekeeping mandates, including that of UNAMID, so that deployed peacekeepers can protect themselves and endangered civilians, as identified in each specific mandate. Host countries with peacekeeping missions must shoulder the primary responsibility for the safety and security of their populations, as well as for supporting those missions as they implement their mandates.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“However, the Council's mandates directing peacekeeping missions to protect must be matched by resources, guidance, training and leadership. We welcome innovative approaches by all involved to identify the threats and vulnerabilities of civilian space in the area of a mission. We applaud efforts by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, supported by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, to develop a strategic framework for mission-wide protection strategies. As Member States, we must all support those efforts and back up peacekeeping missions with political support and capacity-building efforts. We must also pay close heed to the challenges faced by peacekeepers in the field, whether civilian, police or military personnel. Serious challenges remain on the ground, such as those today in Darfur.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“Together, they help promote civilians' basic rights, meet their physical needs, respect their dignity, and work to ensure their safety. We respect the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence under which those and other humanitarian groups, including non- governmental organizations, operate in the field. We encourage humanitarian organizations to strengthen programmes to end conflict-related sexual violence, and we urge our fellow Council members to fully support, in terms of both finances and policy, the efforts of such organizations to protect civilians and to implement the commitments that we unanimously agreed to in resolution 1888 (2009). My second point is that peacekeeping missions play a vital role in providing support to States in which civilians are at risk.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“The Council has expressed its intentions, in the words of resolution 1894 (2009), to "take appropriate steps in response to deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel" (para. 16(c)). We have also acted, for instance, by designating al-Shabaab last April, under resolution 1907 (2009). We must make a concerted effort to identify those responsible for all attacks on humanitarian workers so that humanitarian agencies can go about their work, protecting the innocent. Here, the resources of United Nations country teams often prove invaluable, and the United States strongly supports the protection mandates of UNICEF, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“The United States is deeply disturbed by the increasing frequency of attacks on humanitarian workers. Such assaults violate basic principles of law and decency. Such violence not only obstructs the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, but also can create an atmosphere that restricts the movement, even the presence, of international humanitarian actors. As we have recently seen in Pakistan and the Sudan, workers have been attacked, kidnapped or killed, often in cynical attempts to extend the suffering of civilians for political gain. Humanitarian agencies' local staff members can be especially vulnerable to attacks. That is a deplorable phenomenon, but not a new one.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“The victims in situations are different: children forced to take up guns, women and girls tormented by rape and sexual abuse, refugees and internally displaced persons longing for a home and shelter, ordinary people caught in crossfire. But they all are innocent, and they should all be sheltered by the rule of law and the rules of war. Their suffering is particularly tragic because it is so often preventable. Their voices call out to our common conscience and remind us of the urgent need to act. Let me highlight briefly three critical areas today: first, providing the safety that humanitarian efforts need to function; secondly, moving from the ambition to protect civilians to successful actions by peacekeeping missions; and thirdly, enhancing the legal capacity to support accountability.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General, Under- Secretary-General Holmes and High Commissioner Pillay for their briefings and their tremendous work on behalf of endangered civilians around the world. Let me also thank Mr. Holmes for his service to the United Nations. He has been an outspoken and dedicated leader. He has shown a rare and resolute determination to end the suffering of civilians under threat of war or famine. The Under-Secretary-General has my Government's abiding respect and my warm personal thanks. Eight months after the Council adopted resolution 1894 (2009), we still have far more work to do together to save the lives of civilians in conflict zones.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354 (2010) · source
“The United States expresses its gratitude to Special Representative De Mistura, the United Nations team and the Turkish delegation for organizing an effective trip to Afghanistan, and to ISAF-NATO for its support and security assistance. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Special Representative to achieve our shared goal of helping the people of Afghanistan transform and strengthen their own society and ensure their own security. Finally, let me underscore our profound thanks to President Karzai, Ambassador Tanin and the rest of the Afghan Government, including the Afghan security forces, for hosting such a productive visit and extending such warm hospitality.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“Council members also witnessed United Nations efforts to help returning Afghan refugees at the Sheikh Mesri resettlement camp. We were briefed by the provincial reconstruction team in Jalalabad on the ways that civilian officials are partnering with Afghans to develop and implement important initiatives on governance, economic development, the rule of law and agriculture. These multilateral and bilateral efforts to build economic and political momentum following military actions are crucial to our strategy's long-term success. To ensure that the international community's efforts are effective, the United Nations should continue to promote coordination and unity of effort.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“The Council also saw the extensive efforts of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and NATO to build a multi-ethnic national army. The Council visited the Kabul military training centre to talk to ISAF and Afghan trainers. We had the opportunity to see new Afghan National Army recruits from across the country. We learned that recruiting has increased, as has the number of international 10-42978 instructors. Moreover, Afghan soldiers are now being trained and tested against concrete standards. The crucial non-commissioned officer corps is being strengthened. But much more work remains to be done. More trainers are needed, both to fulfil existing NATO pledges and to fill gaps. Building self-sustaining, capable Afghan security forces is crucial to a meaningful and sustainable transition to Afghan leadership on security.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“The United States continues to support de-listing reconciled Taliban who cut their ties to Al-Qaida, lay down their arms and accept the Afghan Constitution. The United States also continues to work with our partners on the Committee and in the Afghan Government to ensure that the 1267 regime can effectively and accurately list individuals and, when appropriate, remove them. During the trip, Security Council members underscored to our Afghan partners that the Government of Afghanistan's providing credible information on each individual being considered for removal from the consolidated list by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) is vital and urgent. We look forward to receiving that information.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“The United States, for its part, reinforced the importance of the United Nations being prepared to provide enough technical and operational support to meet the needs of both Commissions. Afghan representatives and Government leaders briefed the Council on Afghan-led reconciliation and reintegration efforts designed to pull insurgent commanders and flghters off the battlefield. President Karzai and others emphasized in this context the importance of removing names from the list pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). In consultation with other Committee members, we are thoroughly reviewing each and every individual and entity on the list and determining on a case-by-case basis whether the listings remain appropriate.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“As part of these consultations, the Council looked in depth at the ongoing preparations for the legislative elections scheduled for September. We welcome the 10-42978 new leadership at the Independent Electoral Commission and the reconstituted Electoral Complaints Commission. The Independent Electoral Commission leadership spoke of the lessons learned from the 2009 election and its determination to improve the upcoming election's credibility. The Commission also emphasized the need for increased security for polling sites, noting that they did not plan to open polling stations in insecure areas. Similarly, the Electoral Complaints Commission's leaders underscored their commitment to act independently.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“When we sat with young Afghan students in a refugee resettlement camp, they described their painful inheritance from three decades of war, but they also spoke compellingly about their ability to shape Afghanistan's political and economic future. Their resilience was inspiring, and such resilience will be Afghanistan's crucial reserve as the country faces this year's challenges. Afghanistan and the international community are entering a new phase of our partnership on the way to full Afghan ownership. As a result, the Security Council focused its trip on those elements that will allow the Afghan people to exercise full control over their destiny, choosing their Government, beginning a dialogue on the conflict, strengthening their ability to provide security and fostering economic and political development.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source
“Our trip reinforced our strong support for Special Representative De Mistura and his team, who are helping the Government of Afghanistan to face its most important and difficult challenges. Their vital work needs resources, especially experienced and capable staff with a wide range of technical expertise. I am grateful to the Special Representatives in the Secretariat for their work in ensuring that priority positions in Afghanistan are filled. I urge the United Nations system as a whole to continue to move energetically and creatively to deploy the needed staff to Afghanistan. During our three-and-a-half-day trip, the Security Council saw a proud and determined Afghan people working together across economic and social sectors and Government ministries to build a durable future for their country.”
2010-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6351 (2010) · source