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

“Mr. President, I want to begin by thanking you and your delegation for hosting this very important event and for ensuring that it remains front and centre on the Council's agenda. I also want to thank the Secretary- General very much for his important report (S/2009/3 62) and his very helpful recommendations, as well as for his presence here today. Throughout history, sexual violence has often occurred in places racked by armed conflict. But over the past decade, reporting from several countries has confirmed that rape is becoming increasingly frequent and brutal, and in some places a systematic weapon of war. In response, the Security Council has adopted resolution 1820 (2008), repeatedly condemned these crimes and called on all parties to immediately end acts of rape and sexual violence during armed conflicts.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180 (2009) · source
“We look forward to working closely with our fellow Council members and with all interested parties to forge an even stronger partnership, and we look forward to working together to make United Nations peacekeeping more effective in the twenty-first century.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“On that note, I was pleased to make the case for United Nations peacekeeping on Capitol Hill last week, while acknowledging its shortcomings and underscoring the United States' commitment to strengthening United Nations peacekeeping capacities. I was also honoured to be able to thank the United States Congress for the funding it has recently appropriated. The United States is now in a position to clear all its peacekeeping arrears accumulated from 2005 to 2008 and to meet our obligations in full for 2009, which are currently estimated at approximately $2.2 billion. We remain ready to invest in United Nations peacekeeping, even in a time of economic crisis, because this truly global enterprise serves a shared interest and offers millions of people the prospect of a more secure, prosperous and dignified future.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“The mandates of United Nations missions in Liberia, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will come up for renewal over the next few months. We welcome early dialogue with troop and police contributors on these missions. We also welcome early recommendations from the Secretariat on actions that the Security Council and Member States can take to increase the chances that mandates will be successfully implemented and that missions can be drawn down responsibly at the appropriate time. Finally, while the United States will be appealing to all Member States to do more for United Nations peacekeeping, we are also asking more of ourselves. That includes, importantly, meeting our financial obligations.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“We look forward to in-depth discussions over the coming months on the proposals in the New Horizon non-paper and in the companion draft field support strategy that was circulated this week. We are reviewing both documents with great interest, and we are ready to work closely with all involved to further develop these proposals. At the same time, we look to the Secretariat to do all it can to improve mission leadership and management, strengthen personnel and procurement systems, achieve economies and savings, prevent waste, fraud and abuse and clarify the roles and responsibilities of United Nations actors at Headquarters and in the field. Fourthly, the United States is ready to act on both the spirit and the letter of the presidential statement and the New Horizon non-paper.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“The recently issued non-paper, "A new partnership agenda", rightly reminds us that we are all in this together. While the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Secretariat and individual Member States each have distinct roles and responsibilities, success in peacekeeping depends on our collective unity of purpose and effort. In the non-paper, one key partner, the Secretariat, is appealing for help in energizing faltering peace processes, rallying missing capabilities, meeting local capacity-building and peacebuilding needs, considering new business models for mission planning and support, and clarifying such key concepts as robust peacekeeping and the protection of civilians. As I have said before, the United States remains ready to do its part, and we will receive new ideas with an open mind.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“Secondly, the presidential statement acknowledges that both the Security Council and the Secretariat must do a better job of consulting with troop- and police- contributing countries, especially when adopting new mandates or renewing old ones. The troop and police contributors bring a wealth of experience to these discussions, and they deserve to have their concerns heard and heeded. This is one of the most important messages we have taken away from discussions in the Council's previous thematic debates, its Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, and the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. Thirdly, the United States appreciates the efforts that the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support have made to advance the debate on the future of United Nations peacekeeping.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“In adopting today's presidential statement, we will increase the chances of success of peacekeeping operations both now and in the future. In that statement, we have committed ourselves to providing missions with clear, credible and achievable mandates. We have pledged to think carefully before establishing new missions that may lack the resources needed to get the job done or may have to operate in conditions i11- suited to success. We have resolved to resist the temptation to simply roll over mandates when they expire. These are important steps. We have agreed to reflect seriously on the progress that has been made and the obstacles that remain to ensure that we can make any necessary adjustments. But, as we have noted before, the United States will not support the arbitrary or abrupt downsizing or termination of missions.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“First, my Government greatly appreciates the efforts that the United Kingdom and all fellow Council members have made on today's presidential statement. It is the product of several months of increased attention to United Nations peacekeeping, which the United Kingdom and France helped generate early this year. Important discussions have also been held in the Security Council's Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations and in the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, chaired by Japan and Nigeria, respectively. Turkey and Canada have helped to advance the debate through initiatives and efforts of their own. We thank these Member States and, again, the troop, police and financial contributors, who have all been involved in formulating the presidential statement.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting. I would also like to thank Under-Secretaries-General Le Roy and Malcorra and General Agwai for their very helpful briefings. I want to join you in expressing how honoured we are by the presence of so many United Nations force commanders and chief military observers. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and sacrifice. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank again all the troop- and police-contributing countries for their invaluable contributions. As the Council may recall, the United States outlined its overall approach to the challenges of United Nations peacekeeping on 29 June at this Council's thematic debate on peacekeeping, convened by Turkey (see S/PV.6153). Therefore, today I would like to restrict myself to five brief points.”
2009-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6178 (2009) · source
“But in such cases we believe that the affected States should be responsible for helping to defray the trial's costs. In conclusion, let me say that all of us can see that paying ransom perpetuates acts of piracy. The United States does not offer concessions to hostage- takers, whether they are driven by political or financial motives, and we encourage other States to take a similar position. We would, in particular, be interested in forming a group of so-called non-concession States to work together to help slow the rise of piracy off the Somali coast. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with the United Nations and all Member States to finally forge a stable, secure and more prosperous Somalia.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“But even as we work to cure the disease we must continue to treat the symptoms. The international response to the piracy problem has been impressive, but we still face significant legal, logistical and political problems over one key component of an effective deterrence strategy. That is the prosecution of suspected pirates. My Government believes that States victimized or affected by piracy bear the primary responsibility for prosecuting pirates. These States must step up and shoulder their share of the burden of the prosecutions, as France, the Netherlands and others have done. In the rare cases in which a State truly cannot prosecute, we applaud the willingness of regional States, such as Kenya, to let themselves be considered as alternative venues.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“We are also quite concerned about the large influx of refugees into Kenya. Geography will continue to make Kenya, along with Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen, a primary destination for Somalis fleeing their country. But we urgently need to expand refugee camp capacity in Kenya. The three primary camps near the border are terribly overcrowded, with more than 275,000 refugees crammed into a space designed for 90,000 people. The United States and others are supporting the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to acquire more land for new camps and to ease the burden that Kenyan communities bear from hosting so many refugees. Finally, let me say a few words about piracy. As we all know, piracy off shore is but a symptom of the larger problems facing Somalia on shore.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“In January 2009, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that 3.2 million people needed humanitarian assistance in Somalia, roughly 43 per cent of the population. To help meet these needs, the United States Government has provided more than $149 million in fiscal year 2009 for humanitarian assistance programmes in Somalia, including more than $9 million to support agriculture and food security, economic and market systems, health and nutrition protection and clean water, sanitation and improved hygiene. Security in Somalia properly tends to be the international community's main focus - and it should be, as the security situation severely exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. But even so, the international community must redouble its aid efforts to avoid a wider humanitarian catastrophe.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“The United States is particularly concerned about the financial, military, logistical and political support that the Government of Eritrea is offering to al- Shabaab and other extremists in Somalia. The United States and others have tried repeatedly to engage the Eritrean leadership, including with the aim to convince them to stop, but to date the Eritreans have rebuffed attempts to open a substantive dialogue. But even now it is not too late. The United States calls on the Government of Eritrea to seize this window of opportunity to change course. The United States is extremely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia, as described by Under-Secretary-General Pascoe here today. To date, nearly 500,000 Somali refugees have fled the country, and more than 1.5 million people have been internally displaced.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“My Government has also provided more than $135 million in training, equipment and logistical support to AMISOM. since the Mission's creation. But more still must be done. We call on the States of the African Union to consider sending more peacekeepers to this vital Mission. We also call on United Nations Member States to extend generous support for AMISOM's activities. We have to do more than support the TFG and AMISOM. We must also bring immense pressure to bear on those working to subvert the TFG and the Djibouti process and to undermine efforts to stabilize Somalia. It is no secret that al-Shabaab has been bolstered by Al-Qaida operatives and by the hundreds of foreign fighters who have been pouring into Somalia. We must all do a better job of stemming the flow of extremists, arms and financial support into Somalia.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“The international community must support their efforts to improve security and extend the reach of their Government institutions, as well as provide life-saving humanitarian assistance. Without our support, Somalia risks 09-3985] becoming a lasting safe haven and training ground for those plotting terrorist attacks around the world. AMISOM. is playing an indispensable role in helping to stabilize the security situation on the ground. In particular, we salute the dedication of the Ugandan and Burundian forces. But their bravery alone is not enough. AMISOM. needs the support of the United Nations and its Member States to achieve its objectives. That is why the United States continues to support the provision of a United Nations support package to AMISOM, as approved by the Council in resolution 1872 (2009).”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent military offensives designed to topple the TFG that were launched by al-Shabaab, which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. We are particularly concerned by the recent influx of foreign fighters into Mogadishu's already precarious security environment. Such extremists aim to prolong the cycle of Violence and poverty that has ravaged Somalia for almost two decades. The international community must stand united in its support for the TFG. If the extremists are successful, we could lose yet another generation of Somalis to war, disease and desperate poverty. The people of Somalia have suffered far too much for far too long.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“Let me also thank Under-Secretaries-General Pascoe and Malcorra for their comprehensive briefings today, as well as the Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU) and Ambassador Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia, for being with us today. The United States remains committed to several goals in Somalia: first, supporting Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in its battle against al-Shabaab and other Violent extremists; secondly, bolstering the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); thirdly, helping the TFG to establish itself as a legitimate and stable Government that can control its territory and provide basic services to its citizens; fourthly, partnering with the international community to ease the suffering of the Somali people; and fifthly, battling the scourge of piracy off the Somali coast.”
2009-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6158 (2009) · source
“Most civilian causalities in Afghanistan, as the Special Representative just said, are caused by insurgents, not by the international forces working to improve the capacity of the Afghan Government to protect the Afghan people. The international community has made UNAMA a guiding force in achieving our goals in Afghanistan. The United States stands steadfast in its support for the Afghan people as they seek to overcome the challenges of the past 30 years and work with the international community to defeat a common enemy. We must now work together to succeed in Afghanistan for the sake of the Afghan people, for the sake of the region and for the sake of international peace and security.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“We understand that civilian casualties undermine Afghan public and government backing for all that we do together. In fact, shortly after assuming command of the United States forces in Afghanistan and ISAF on 14 June, General Stanley McChrystal announced that reducing civilian casualties will be a top priority as he pursues the military efforts necessary to provide a secure environment in which Afghanistan's society and Government can be strengthened. But we must not forget that, as we pursue these goals, we are fighting against an enemy - the Taliban and other militants - that employs appalling tactics, including using child soldiers as suicide bombers and using civilians as human shields.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“The United States deeply regrets any injury or loss of life among innocent Afghans from operations involving United States forces and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Any loss of innocent human life is tragic. We try to promptly provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities after incidents occur. We take all reports of such incidents seriously, and we will continue to conduct thorough, joint investigations with the Afghan Government to determine exactly what happened in each incident involving allegations of civilian casualties. United States and international forces take extensive precautions to avoid loss of life among Afghan civilians, as well as international and Afghan forces, during operations against insurgents and terrorists.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“My Government will also do its part to increase regional trade through the launch of a regional infrastructure and trade development initiative and by encouraging Afghanistan and Pakistan to conclude an updated transit trade treaty. We must also do more to develop Afghan agriculture, which will require better technology, marketing, building of infrastructure, irrigation, rural electrification, cold storage and roads from farms to markets. We should all be working together with the people and Government of Afghanistan to deliver the basic needs and infrastructure necessary to improve the lives of the 76 per cent of Afghans who live in rural areas. Finally, my Government would be remiss if it did not comment on the report's discussion of civilian casualties.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Allow me to single out a creative programme that will also support the work of UNAMA, that is, the United Nations efforts to support the Afghan economy through, in the Secretary-General's words, its "local procurement campaign with members of the Government, donors and a number of Afghan private-sector suppliers. This campaign is intended to encourage the international community to buy Afghan products and reduce reliance on more expensive imports" (S/2009/323, para. 35). The United States is very supportive of efforts to expand bilateral and regional trade, including more United States purchases from Afghan producers and businesses.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“The proposed civilian increase to implement an enhanced, targeted, capacity-building programme comes in direct response to the Afghan Government's requests and geographic priorities. UNAMA must lie at the heart of efforts to coordinate the international aspects of the civilian increase, but the Afghan Government must also take ownership of that increase for it to be effective. Afghanistan needs a dramatic increase of civilian expertise to help develop key systems and institutions, extend basic infrastructure and create lawful economic alternatives to poppy production. On counter-narcotics, the United States recently announced that it is phasing out eradication and channelling significantly more resources into agriculture, interdiction and public information efforts.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Expanding the presence of UNAMA in Afghanistan's regions and provinces, as called for in resolution 1868 (2009), is also essential. We welcome stronger leadership by UNAMA in donor coordination, and we have committed ourselves to new levels of cooperation and transparency as we work with UNAMA and other donors. It is critical to coordinate capitals' preparation of their 2009 to 2013 assistance plans with the Government of Afghanistan as well as among donors. Donor-implementation meetings at the international level would help reach this goal, and such efforts would be a useful supplement to coordination in the field. We must help donors align their high-level plans and funding requests with Afghan priorities.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“The United States also welcomes the efforts of UNAMA to encourage Afghan women to participate in the political process, as both candidates and voters. We are working in parallel to empower women and end gender discrimination in Afghanistan. Allow me to note that President Obama's Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Melanne Verveer, completed a trip to Afghanistan just yesterday. While in the country, she promoted the launch of a $27 million grants programme to support gender equality by strengthening Afghan-led civil society organizations, particularly through providing technical assistance and smaller grants to Afghan non-governmental organizations. UNAMA will only be as effective as its resources and presence throughout Afghanistan will allow.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“The United States does not support or oppose any particular presidential or provincial council candidate. Instead, we support the right of the Afghan people to choose their own leaders. That is why we are working with Afghan electoral authorities and the United Nations to help Afghans ensure a credible, secure and inclusive electoral process. The United States applauds efforts by UNAMA towards that goal. We welcome the establishment of the Political Rights monitoring programme, which will watch the protection of the freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement. We will also remain vigilant for cases of intimidation, partiality and discrimination, and we encourage the Government of Afghanistan to fully enforce its decree on non-intervention in the election affairs of 2009.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“Afghanistan's presidential and provincial elections on 20 August will be a critical milestone in the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to expand governance. The elections offer the Afghan Government an opportunity to give its citizens a voice and to underscore to the international community its ongoing drive to strengthen democracy and good governance in the country. The international community and the United Nations are working hard with the Independent Election Commission to help make sure that those election-related efforts succeed. We must all make that our top priority in the weeks ahead. Let me note in that regard that the United States has given $120 million to the United Nations- administered donor fund for the elections. We call on all other donors to rapidly deliver on their pledges as well.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“At the Hague ministerial, the international community spoke with a strong and united voice: UNAMA will continue to play a key role in Afghanistan's security and development. The international community clearly put UNAMA in the lead for coordinating international action and assistance in support of the Government of Afghanistan. As the Council knows, President Obama has made Afghanistan a top national security priority. Our goals are clear: to disrupt, defeat and dismantle Al-Qaida and to build up the Afghan Government's capacity to secure its people and its territory. UNAMA is doing outstanding work, and it will remain key to our common efforts. In that light, permit me to touch on a few critical areas.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“The United States strongly supports UNAMA and its pursuit, together with the international community and especially with the Government of Afghanistan, of the goals set out in resolution 1868 (2009). Much work remains for all of us to do as we help the Afghan Government to better serve and protect its people. On the heels of the launch of the United States own comprehensive new strategy in Afghanistan, the Hague ministerial meeting and the Paris Conference earlier this month, the United States welcomes the Secretary-General's first quarterly report (S/2009/323) on the situation in Afghanistan. As the Secretary- General indicates, the security situation remains challenging. But our partnership is indeed making progress as we work to address key security, humanitarian, human rights and governance concerns on the ground.”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“It gives me great pleasure to join my colleagues in thanking you, Sir, for your extraordinary leadership as President of the Security Council, for your distinguished career and for the many contributions you have made - not only to your Government but to the relationship between our two countries, given your service in Washington - as well as for the tremendous wisdom, friendship and leadership that you have shown throughout your tenure here. We - and I - will miss you enormously. We wish you all the best. I hope we all have an open invitation to come and see you. I want to begin also by thanking Special Representative Kai Eide for his comprehensive briefing today and for all of his exceptional efforts as head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).”
2009-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6154 (2009) · source
“We thank the peacekeepers and those who support them for all their efforts and courage. We look forward to the lifesaving work we can continue to do together.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Finally, the United States will carefully review and keep an open mind about reform proposals from the Secretariat and others, especially those to be contained in the New Horizon non-paper and related field-support proposals, in order to address the many challenges we have discussed today. We are ready to work together with members of the Council, the Secretariat, the countries that provide troops and police, and the many other partners on whose efforts success in peacekeeping depends, notably the countries in which United Nations peacekeeping operations now exist or may be deployed in the future. We thank our colleagues, in particular the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Turkey, Canada and Nigeria, for urging us to confront the challenges facing United Nations peacekeeping.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“That includes carefully considering the early-recovery and peacebuilding activities that enable peacekeeping operations to depart successfully, such as demobilizing and reintegrating former combatants, reforming the security sector and strengthening the rule of law. We will use these discussions as opportunities to take stock of the ways that United States assistance can accelerate the transfer of responsibilities from peacekeepers to the host country in success. We plan to start this new approach in September, when the Security Council is scheduled to discuss Liberia and Haiti. But let me be clear: We will not support arbitrary or abrupt efforts to downsize or terminate missions before their downsizing or termination is warranted.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“The United States will engage in longer-term discussions about how best to increase the interoperability and supply of rapidly deployable brigade-size forces - the very forces that could join, reinforce and buy time for United Nations peacekeeping operations in an hour of crisis. And the United States will consider different ways to support the increasing need for effective formed police units. Fourthly, the United States will dedicate greater attention to Security Council discussions on the renewal of existing peacekeeping mandates. We will seek more comprehensive assessments of the progress that has been made and the obstacles that remain.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“We will provide improved training and equipment assistance through the United States Global Peace Operations Initiative and its Africa-oriented programme, the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance programme. Through the Global Peace Operations Initiative, the United States has already trained 75,000 peacekeepers and facilitated the deployment of some 49,000 peacekeepers to 20 operations around the world, mostly in Africa. Over the next five years, the Global Peace Operations Initiative will continue direct training, but will make it its top priority to help partner countries to become self- sufficient in peacekeeping training.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“We will assist with generating the missing forces in enabling units required for UNAMID, MINURCAT and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to better protect civilians under imminent threat of physical harm, including sexual violence. We will be open-minded about practical suggestions to deepen consultations among troop and police contributors, the Security Council and the Secretariat, including redoubling efforts to implement undertakings in resolutions 1327 (2000) and 1353 (2001). In those consultations, we should also be clear about what we are asking of troop contributors and what we are Willing to do to assist them.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Thirdly, the United States will strengthen its efforts with the United Nations and other partners to expand the pool of troop and police contributors for both current and future United Nations peacekeeping operations. That will require work on several fronts. The United States, for its part, is willing to consider directly contributing more military observers, military staff officers, civilian police and other civilian personnel, including more women, to United Nations peacekeeping operations. We will also explore ways to provide enabling assistance to peacekeeping missions, either by ourselves or together with partners. Let me single out one immediate priority.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Secondly, the United States will intensify diplomatic efforts to give new momentum to some of the stalled or faltering peace processes in areas where United Nations peacekeeping operations are deployed, starting with Darfur and the Sudan's North-South peace process. As the Council is aware, President Obama appointed General Scott Gration as his special envoy for the Sudan for precisely that purpose. Successful diplomatic and political efforts are crucial to enabling the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the United Nations Mission in Somalia and the United Nations Mission in Chad and Central African Republic (MINURCAT) to better implement their mandates.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Peacekeeping missions are not always the right answer; some situations require other types of United Nations-authorized military deployments, such as regional efforts or multinational forces operating under the framework of a lead nation. Effective mediation must precede, as well as accompany, peacekeeping efforts if they are to succeed. Those lessons have guided our approach in a number of instances, most recently in Somalia, where conditions are not yet appropriate for successful United Nations peacekeeping. But that is a country that still urgently needs sustained, if not increased, international support.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Poorly armed and disorganized gangs, rebel groups and others outside a peace process should not be allowed to thwart a peacekeeping mandate or block a United Nations deployment. Peacekeepers are often authorized to use appropriate force to defend themselves and to fulfil their mandate, including protecting civilians under the imminent threat of violence. They must be willing and able to do so. At the same time, we recognize that United Nations peacekeepers cannot do everything and go everywhere. There are limits to what they can accomplish, especially in the midst of a full-blown war or in the face of opposition from the host Government.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Peacekeeping missions often need stronger leadership and endure persistent delays in acquiring critical personnel and materiel. And Security Council members question whether the way we produce mandates for those missions does justice to all those concerns and to the responsibilities that all of us on this Council must shoulder. Those responsibilities do not end when we adopt a peacekeeping mandate. In many ways, it is where they begin. Tackling those challenges is one of my highest priorities, and the United States stands ready to do its part. Allow me to spell out five of the principles that will guide our approach. First, we will seek mandates for United Nations peacekeeping operations that are credible and achievable. We will urge the Council to continue to weigh the full range of responses to a given challenge.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“However, for all the good that United Nations peacekeeping does, it faces, of course, serious challenges. Host Governments warn that violence may return if Blue Helmets leave too soon. Civilians plead for better protection from marauding gangs, rebel groups and renegade soldiers. Troop and police contributors point to a widening gap between the risks they face on the ground and the degree of input they have when mandates are discussed here in the Council. Financial contributors, in the throes of a global economic crisis, struggle to enforce budget discipline, cut waste and prevent abuse. The Secretariat appeals for political support to advance peacemaking efforts and to assemble better equipped and rapidly deployable forces.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“We are grateful to Ambassador Ilkin for convening this timely debate and for including troop- and police-contributing countries in the discussion. The United States deeply appreciates the chance to hear their views, and we salute the sacrifices made by their brave and women serving under the United Nations flag. Allow me also to thank Under-Secretaries-General Le Roy and Malcorra for their thorough briefings. Much of what we have just heard echoes what key stakeholders say. United Nations peacekeeping operations save lives. They stop wars from escalating and spreading, and they can provide hope after decades of despair, as we have been told by the democratically elected leaders of such countries as Haiti, Liberia, Timor-Leste, Sierra Leone and Burundi.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153 (2009) · source
“Finally, the United States fully supports the presidential statement circulated by the Turkish presidency. It is an important signal of support for UNAMI and for the people of Iraq.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“The United States firmly supports Iraq's continuing development as a sovereign and democratic nation, a country in which all of its diverse and vibrant communities can participate freely in political, social and economic life and in which human rights are protected, a country that contributes to the peace and security of the region, a country that is sovereign, stable and self-reliant. To build on the progress we have made, regional and international support for Iraq is essential. We encourage all countries to help Iraq meet its goals and to support the Iraqi people as they pursue prosperity and peace. The United States unequivocally encourages UNAMI's work and its expanded footprint in Iraq. My Government stands ready to continue to assist UNAMI as necessary, and we encourage all countries to do the same.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“Thirdly, UNAMI will provide valuable support to the Iraqi Government as it facilitates the safe, voluntary and orderly return of displaced Iraqis. Here, too, UNAMI's work is critically important. The sustainable and voluntary reintegration into Iraqi life of refugees and internally displaced persons is essential for the country's long-term stability. To support and sustain the return of those uprooted by war and chaos, UNAMI is working with the Iraqi Government to provide them with security and access to housing, jobs and basic services. We welcome additional efforts on this issue by the Government of Iraq. All of us here can be proud of UNAMI's outstanding record of accomplishment. We deeply appreciate its work and look forward to its continued success.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“That vote was marked by a heartening and diverse voter turnout and a significantly improved security climate. Based on that success, UNAMI will once again provide technical assistance and advice to Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission as it prepares for two upcoming votes: the Kurdistan regional government elections in July, and the Iraqi parliamentary elections in January 2010. Secondly, UNAMI will also continue to play a crucial role in supporting efforts to address Iraq's disputed internal boundaries. By promoting constructive dialogue about a mutually acceptable solution, UNAMI is helping to provide a key requirement for lasting stability in Iraq, and we call upon all relevant parties to advance this process in earnest.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source
“The United States would like to acknowledge the vitally important work that the United Nations is doing in Iraq. Under the leadership of Special Representative De Mistura and at the invitation of the Iraqi Government, UNAMI continues to expand the United Nations presence and capacity throughout Iraq. From helping to address disputed internal boundaries to helping hold free and fair elections, from pursuing national reconciliation to easing the suffering of refugees and the displaced, UNAMI continues to play a critical role in promoting the long-term peace, security and prosperity of Iraq. In the days and months ahead, UNAMI's work will be critically important. Allow me to highlight just three areas where its efforts will matter most. In January, Iraqis chose new provincial councils in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces.”
2009-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6145 (2009) · source