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

“The United States calls on the Government of Lebanon to investigate those incidents and bring those responsible to justice. We welcome the Secretary-General's recent visit to Lebanon, including his remarks on the importance of disarming Hizbullah, an international obligation established by resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006). The United States continues to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and recognizes the critical role that they and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) play in maintaining stability throughout Lebanon. We thank Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas for his leadership during his tenure and welcome incoming UNIFIL Force Commander Brigadier General Paolo Serra.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“We are concerned by recent reports of shipments of arms and munitions to the Syrian Government. We call on supplier countries to voluntarily halt arms transfers to the regime. We encourage all nations to join the widening effort to stop the flow of weapons to the Al-Assad regime. I will conclude with the situation in Lebanon. We remain committed to the full implementation of resolutions 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006), and urge the Government of Lebanon to adhere to those and other international obligations and commitments, including with respect to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We condemn the terrorist attack against peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on 9 December 2011, the third such attack in less than a year.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“The United States fully supports the Syrian people's demands for a democratic, representative and inclusive Government that respects human rights and provides equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of sect, ethnicity or gender. The United States continues to call on the opposition to refrain from violence, while recognizing that exercising such restraint becomes more and more difficult as the regime ratchets up its repression. The Arab League's Secretary General stated very clearly in his report this week that "the opposition had to carry arms in response to the excessive use of force by the Syrian Government to counter protests, the use of repression, detention and torture and violations of human rights by security agencies". We hold the Syrian regime fully responsible for the worsening cycle of violence.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“We first imposed sanctions on the Al-Assad regime and its enablers last spring, and have increased them as Al-Assad has refused to end the violence. Many others in the international community have enacted similar measures. The European Union approved yet more sanctions yesterday, and sanctions have been part of the Arab League's initiative since last November. It is long past time that the Council adopt a strong resolution that supports the Arab League's efforts to end the crisis and restore peace to Syria. We call again on the Syrian Government to permit access to the commission of inquiry created by the United Nations Human Rights Council in August.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“We welcome the Arab League's continued leadership and efforts to facilitate a transition and broker a political solution to the more than 10 months of brutality by the Al-Assad regime. We believe that it is essential that the international community work together to support a stable transition, and we commend the Arab League for putting forth a transition plan. The Council should fully support the Arab League's efforts to broker an end to the bloodshed and a peaceful transition to democracy in Syria. The United States has been very clear in our approach to the crisis in Syria. We have long said that Al-Assad, who has shunned all opportunities to institute real reforms that address basic human rights issues, needs to step aside and let a peaceful transition in Syria occur.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“Despite the presence of Arab League monitors, the Al-Assad regime is ignoring its commitments to the Arab league plan, including by failing to end all acts of violence and to protect Syrian civilians. Scores of civilians are killed every day. Thousands of political detainees remain incarcerated across the country, many at serious risk of torture. As a result of the regime's failure to fulfil the requirements of the Arab League plan, there are more and more calls from the region for Security Council involvement. On Sunday in Cairo, the Arab League approved a resolution that calls for Al-Assad to hand over powers to his Vice-President in order to form a unity Government, enabling a political transition to begin in Syria.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“In an effort to operationalize the President's vision, on 23 September 2001 the Quartet issued a statement calling on the parties "to overcome the current obstacles and resume direct, bilateral Israeli- Palestinian negotiations without delay or preconditions." (see SG/2178) That statement, taken as a whole, presents a robust framework for resuming direct negotiations between the parties. We are now at a critical juncture. The Government of Jordan deserves our gratitude for facilitating re-engagement by the parties. With Jordan and the Quartet's help, the parties have begun a difficult but necessary process. It is imperative that we do everything we can to contribute to the success of that pathway. I shall turn now to Syria. The situation there continues to deteriorate dramatically.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“We should not lose sight of our shared goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution to this conflict. Last year, in May, President Obama laid out his vision for a lasting peace that would involve two States, for two peoples: Israel as a Jewish State and the homeland for the Jewish people and the State of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people, each State enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition and peace. President Obama reiterated that goal in his speech before the General Assembly in September (see A/66/PV.11). He reaffirmed the basis for successful negotiations, which is well known to all of us. Israelis must know that any agreement provides assurances for their security, and Palestinians deserve to know the territorial basis of their State.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“I want to encourage my colleagues on the Council to join in encouraging the parties to refrain from unhelpful actions and to promote an environment that is conducive to progress. We join in condemning in the strongest possible terms both incitement to violence and continued terrorist attacks on civilians in Israel, including rocket attacks from Gaza. We also reiterate our ongoing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and our support for increased measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Gazans. We likewise urge Israel to continue and to step up its efforts to deter, confront and prosecute anti-Palestinian violence and extremist hate crimes. Let me also reiterate that we do not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Fernandez-Taranco for his briefing. I will begin on a welcome and even hopeful note. King Abdullah and the Jordanian Government have taken a bold step and shown tremendous leadership in bringing the parties together for direct meetings in coordination with the Quartet. The discussions are showing promise, and we are encouraged that the parties have already met several times this month in Amman. We believe strongly that the Council's focus should be on offering support to the Jordanian effort and on urging the parties to take full advantage of this opportunity. Last Wednesday, the Council discussed the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as in southern Israel. The discussion today has already focused a great deal on counterproductive actions taken by both sides.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706 (2012) · source
“As we approach the African Union's tenth anniversary, we should seize this milestone to take stock and consider where we are going. We all hope that the peace and security challenges in Africa will continue to lessen over time. Improved cooperation between the Security Council and the African Union is critical to that goal. I urge colleagues not only to laud progress but to acknowledge frankly the challenges to that cooperation and to devise concrete ways to match reality to our shared aspirations. I thank President Zuma again for convening this discussion.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“Since the programme was established in 2006, far too little progress has been achieved through United Nations delivering as one in its engagement with the African Union and regional economic communities. The African Union and the United Nations have already agreed on a range of actions to strengthen their operational relationship. More must be done to galvanize improvements at the programmatic and administrative levels. South Africa has rightly emphasized conflict prevention and mediation in envisioning the future of AU peace and security policies. An atrocity-prevention framework should also be developed, and African Union mediation efforts should be expanded. The role of women in conflict mediation has not advanced nearly enough, and the African Union should consider developing a regional action plan on women and peace and security.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“That leads to unnecessary duplication. United Nations officials on the ground need stronger backing to streamline their own structures, to better aid the African Union. That is definitely, however, a two-way street. For its part, the African Union should improve its internal management in the areas of administration, accounting, financial management and human resources. Improvement in those areas would help to foster a more productive relationship on the ground in Addis Ababa and would energize progress on the United Nations-AU 10-year capacity-building programme. Key to that, as the African Union Chairperson suggested in his report, is for the African Union to identify priorities, and the United Nations should be responsive to that.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“One lesson that the United States and others learned in Bosnia is that joint command and control operations, or so-called dual keys, do not typically work well. Hybrid missions are very challenging at best. We need to analyse our experience in the field, discuss it and agree on optimal mission structures that are linked to the objectives of the situation at hand. Recent United Nations-AU coordination in fighting the Lord's Resistance Army provides one positive example to consider. The United Nations, for its part, could be more effective in Addis Ababa. The creation of the United Nations Office to the African Union is a positive step, but the annual review of the United Nations agencies supporting the AU needs to improve. At present, no single United Nations office is in charge of United Nations efforts to assist the African Union.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“The United Nations-AU Joint Task Force on Peace and Security is a valuable forum that can greatly contribute to better United Nations-AU cooperation on peace and security. The United Nations could assist further by standardizing training of peacekeepers. It could go further still in offering Department of Peacekeeping Operations guidance to the AU, including through peacekeeping programmes that give instruction on the rule of law, sexual- and gender-based violence and the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We would also welcome sustained collaboration on lessons learned and best practices. It is also time for a formal lessons learned exercise concerning United Nations-AU joint operations so far, including the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and AMISOM.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“To make the United Nations-AU relationship more effective, we must do more than consider formalizing African Union-Security Council meetings. The meetings must prove their worth. The meetings must have set agendas and concrete priorities that lead to tangible improvements, not only in how we work together but in how our work helps people in Africa and around the world. Nonetheless, the opportunities for us to seize together are considerable. The European Union has set an example in its work to strengthen the AU's Peace and Security Architecture. In peacekeeping, the African Standby Force is being improved and shows promise. Bilaterally, the United States continues to train and equip African militaries for deployment in multilateral peacekeeping operations.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“For example, the positions of organizations such as the Economic Community of Western African States or IGAD on an issue in their subregion might not be exactly the same as the consensus View of the 54 member States of the African Union. The United States urges the Security Council to seize this opportunity to define our relations with the African Union more precisely, so that we can move forward together in better meeting the urgent challenges that confront us all. In that vein, let us be candid. The periodic African Union-Security Council consultations have not, thus far, been altogether productive or satisfactory. If they cannot be improved, they risk being jettisoned by one side or the other as not useful or worse.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“Nonetheless, the Security Council wants and needs to cooperate closely with regional organizations, as demonstrated by our growing collaboration with the African Union over nearly a decade. Such collaboration, however, needs to be based on the exigencies of the issue at hand, and that cooperation cannot be on the basis that the regional organization independently decides the policy and that United Nations Member States simply bless it and pay for it. There can be no blank check, either politically or financially. The Security Council should, and will, take into account the views of regional and subregional institutions, while recognizing that sometimes there is disagreement among them.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“The United Nations needs a strong African Union, and the African Union needs a strong United Nations. Yet, African Union member States have sometimes indicated that they feel ignored or disregarded by the Council. At the same time, some Security Council members feel that African Union member States have not always provided unified or consistent views on key issues, and that the African Union has on occasion been slow to act on urgent matters. Beneath those perceptions and frustrations, however, is a deeper issue, that is, who is on first? Under the Charter, the Security Council has a unique, universal and primary mandate to maintain international peace and security. The Security Council is not subordinate to other bodies, or to the schedules or capacities of regional or subregional groups.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“That is consistent with the Obama Administration's overall policy of intensified engagement with regional organizations, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Organization of American States. The United Nations has likewise strengthened its ties to regional organizations, notably after the General Assembly established the United Nations Office to the African Union, in 2010. It is precisely because the relationship between the United Nations and the AU, and between the Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council, is so important that we must confront the challenges facing that relationship forthrightly and honestly if we are to make progress.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“Above all, the African Union has taken on a very tough mission in Somalia, where it has deployed troops to advance peace since 2007. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia have come a long way in developing their relationship and in improving coordination. All of those missions were undertaken with the collaboration of the international community, notably the Security Council, and sometimes with that of subregional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Recognizing the importance of the international community's engagement with the AU, the United States Mission to the African Union was established in 2006; it has been significantly strengthened since 2009.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“The AU marked a new beginning with its doctrine of non- indifference. The AU charter recognizes that it might be necessary to intervene in the affairs of a member State "in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity". Those are brave and worthy words. The African Union's first major mission was in Burundi, with initial deployment in April 2003. The African Union then acted responsibly in Darfur, when other international actors were still hesitant. The AU Mission in the Sudan was operational in August 2004, before any other force. The AU was also active early on in pressing for peace between the Sudan and South Sudan. President Mbeki's efforts continue to be valuable, and South Africa deserves praise for its leadership and dedication to peace in both the Sudan and Burundi.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“I want to thank the Secretary-General for his presence and remarks. I also welcome the Ministers present here, as well as Commissioner Lamamra. At the outset, I want especially to thank President Zuma for convening this important and timely debate. The relationship between the United Nations and the African Union (AU) is important to both bodies. As the AU approaches its tenth anniversary, the time is ripe for considering what we have learned, where we are going and what needs to be improved. Collective African efforts at advancing peace and security on the continent have indeed come a long way since the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was founded, in 1963. Since 2002 in particular, when the African Union succeeded the OAU, African Governments have shown that, acting together, they can prevent conflict.”
2012-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6702 (2012) · source
“President Obama has been unequivocal with respect to our policy towards the Iranian nuclear programme. As he has said, "There should be no doubt. The United States and the international community are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran's illicit nuclear activity and the threat it poses to regional stability and the rules underpinning the nuclear non-proliferation regime is one of the greatest global challenges we face".”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“As I have stated before, we strongly believe that the report must be made available to all Member States as soon as possible, because it highlights information and best practises that can help States carry out their obligations. The time has come for a prompt solution to that impasse in order to allow the release of that report. Sanctions are only a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that Iran enters into full compliance with all of its international nuclear obligations and that it takes the necessary steps to resolve outstanding questions. In the face of Iran's deception and intransigence, the international community must speak with one voice, making clear that Iranian actions jeopardize international peace and security, and that they will only further isolate the regime.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“Resolutions 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010) also decided that the Committee may designate additional individuals and entities that have assisted in the evasion of sanctions or violations of Security Council resolutions. New designations of such individuals and entities would send a powerful signal of the Committee's commitment to enforcing Security Council resolutions. My Government remains seriously concerned that the Panel's final report has not yet been released to the wider United Nations membership owing to the continued objections of a couple of members of this Council. That is an appalling failure of transparency.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“The United States would like to express appreciation for the Panel's recent work, including its midterm report and its recent report on Iran's space launch activity, which involved both projects related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear 3 weapons and launches using ballistic missile technology, in violation of resolution 1929 (2010). The Committee should review those reports carefully and take action in response. The Committee must also do more to respond to sanctions violations and sanctions violators, such as by designating violators for the imposition of targeted sanctions. Resolution 1929 (2010) directed the Committee to respond effectively to those violations.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“The Committee established pursuant to paragraph 18 of resolution 1737 (2006) and the Panel of Experts are key to that effort. Those bodies must continue to implement their mandates and programmes of work effectively and robustly. The Committee must reinvigorate its efforts to implement the Panel's recommendations, including the publishing of further detailed implementation assistance notices to help Member States meet their obligations. The Panel must continue to investigate sanctions violations and must promote international awareness of the measures we have imposed.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“Iran's behaviour plainly belies the purported peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. No one, after reading the November IAEA report, can reasonably believe Iran's contention that its continuing uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes only. The decision by the IAEA Board of Governors last month to censure Iran demonstrated yet again the overwhelming view of the international community that Iran's illicit nuclear activities are unacceptable. The Council must, therefore, redouble its efforts to implement the sanctions that have already been imposed. Full implementation of those measures will show Iran that there is a price to be paid for its deception. Full implementation can also slow down Iran's nuclear progress, buying us more time to resolve this crisis through diplomatic means.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“That is the same facility that Iran hid from the international community until it was discovered two years ago. At Qom, Iran now intends to consolidate its provocative production of uranium enriched to a level near 20 per cent. That is of concern because it brings Iran significantly closer to the capability to produce highly enriched uranium. To date, Iran has yet to provide a credible rationale for the production of near 20 per cent-enriched uranium. It has already produced sufficient fuel to power the Tehran Research Reactor for another five years, at a minimum, and Iranian leaders have already described that production as uneconomical. The start of enrichment at Qom will serve as yet another illustration of Iran's flagrant disregard for the Council's very clear position on Iran's enrichment activities.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“Of even greater concern, that report addressed the question at the heart of the international community's concerns, namely, whether Iran has carried out, and whether it is still carrying out, activities related to the development of a nuclear weapon. The report is clear: the IAEA's information indicates that Iran has carried out activities that are "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device". The report further states that "prior to the end of 2003, these activities took place under a structured programme, and that some activities may still be ongoing". I want to draw the Council's attention to yet another alarming development, namely, Iran's self- proclaimed intention to start enrichment at the 11-64673 underground Qom facility, perhaps as soon as this month.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank Ambassador Osorio for his report. We meet at a critical moment in the Council's ongoing effort to address the threat posed by Iran's illicit nuclear activities. Since our last meeting, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently released a damning report on the status of Iran's implementation of its Safeguards Agreement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and on its response to Security Council resolutions on Iran (see S/2011/695). That IAEA report, issued in November, concluded that Iran remains in non-compliance with its international nuclear obligations. The report adds to the mountain of evidence that Iran is misleading the international community about its nuclear activities and its nuclear intentions.”
2011-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6697 (2011) · source
“But Eritrea must clearly and affirmatively prove, not through its words but through its actions, that it is ready to re-emerge as a law-abiding State. Until that time, the Council and United Nations Member States are committed to enforcing robustly the sanctions we have applied. We hope that Eritrea will not squander this second chance to change course.”
2011-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6674Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In addition to the obligations set forth in this and in previous United Nations resolutions, today's resolution 2023 (2011) provides further opportunities for Eritrea to show its good faith, including by releasing information on the status of Djiboutian combatants missing in action since June 2008. Eritrea must cease all direct and indirect efforts to destabilize States, particularly through support for armed opposition and terrorist groups, and it should cooperate fully with the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea. We hope that this tightening of sanctions will finally convince the Government of Eritrea to reorder its priorities. The United States believes that the international community's concerns can and should be resolved through political engagement and dialogue.”
2011-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6674Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Building on resolution 1907 (2009), the resolution just adopted imposes new obligations on Eritrea, including the obligation to cease illicit practices aimed at extorting funds from its diaspora. We particularly welcome the Council's expression of concern over the potential use of mining revenues to fund violations of Security Council resolutions. The United States will work with the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea and the Sanctions Committee regarding Somalia and Eritrea to develop voluntary guidelines for companies from the United States and other Member States. Such guidelines could provide useful advice, best practices and information to help companies protect themselves from inadvertently contributing to Eritrea's violations. We intend to draw on that work in advising our own companies.”
2011-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6674Resumption1 (2011) · source
“That was two years ago. What has happened since? As we have heard again this morning, we have continued to receive evidence of Eritrean support for extremist groups in the region. Eritrea still has not resolved its border dispute with Djibouti. The United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea has documented Eritrea's support for terrorism, including an appalling planned attack on the January 2011 African Union summit in Addis Ababa. According to the Monitoring Group, Eritrea is financing all of those activities through illicit means, including threats and the extortion of a diaspora tax from people of Eritrean descent living overseas. In direct response, the Council has today imposed tougher sanctions. Our goal is to show Eritrea that it will pay an ever higher price for its actions.”
2011-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6674Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The United States welcomes the Council's decision to impose new sanctions on Eritrea. Today we have sent a clear message to the Government of Eritrea that it must cease all illegal actions threatening international peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. In adopting this resolution, we should recall the events that led us to this decision. Exactly two years ago this month, the Council adopted resolution 1907 (2009) in response to a disturbing pattern of behaviour. Eritrea was not engaging constructively in resolving its border dispute with Djibouti and most alarmingly, it was providing political, financial and logistical support to armed groups seeking to undermine peace in Somalia. The Council imposed targeted sanctions on Eritrea to demonstrate that Eritrea's actions were unacceptable and would have negative consequences.”
2011-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6674Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We also note that the military presence of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) continues to contribute to a safe and secure environment and should be maintained. We therefore support renewal of the EUFOR mandate. In closing, let me reiterate that the United States remains committed to working in close coordination with the High Representative, the European Union and partners on the Peace Implementation Council to support the Bosnian people on their path towards Euro- Atlantic integration and a peaceful and prosperous future.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“While the United States looks forward to the day that the Office of the High Representative is no longer needed, the outstanding items on the 5+2 agenda must first be fulfilled, and we note the lack of progress made in this area during the reporting period. My third point is that the United States supports the European Union's enhanced presence under its Special Representative, Peter Sorensen. We underscore how important it is that he and his office have the resources, the political support and the operational flexibility to guide Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path to European integration. We look forward to working closely with the Special Representative, and strongly endorse close coordination between the Offices of the Special Representative and the High Representative.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“To be considered for European Union candidate status, Bosnia and Herzegovina must pass laws on a census and State aid, as well as beginning a serious effort to comply with the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in the Sejdic' and Finci case to provide equal rights for all citizens, including members of national minorities. To participate in NATO's membership action plan, Bosnia and Herzegovina must address State registration of defence properties. We welcome the fact that party leaders have engaged in a series of discussions on these issues, along with Government formation, and we call on those leaders to reach agreement that will result in concrete progress in these areas as soon as possible.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“We understand that some States are not in a position to adopt domestic legislation, as the United States has done, and we would welcome a more thorough discussion with partners on this issue. Secondly, Bosnia and Herzegovina needs functioning political institutions. We agree with the High Representative's assessment that cooperation within the tripartite Presidency has improved, and we remain optimistic about the Presidency's continued and increasing coordination. However, 13 months after general elections, the country remains mired in a political stalemate. That stalemate has impeded formation of a new State-level Government, hampered progress on governmental reforms necessary for Euro- Atlantic integration, and contributed to credit-rating agencies downgrading the country's outlook.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“He will likewise have our full support in any steps he takes to uphold Dayton and to defend and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As I stated in the May debate, we will continue to consider our own measures in support of Dayton and Bosnian State institutions, should any become necessary. The United States also agrees that there is a need to safeguard the Office of the High Representative's efforts by protecting it and its staff from politically motivated legal actions. We recognize that the Dayton Accords provide for immunity only within Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries, and believe that we must find mechanisms for providing protection against unwarranted court proceedings in other countries as well.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Bosnian politicians should demonstrate their commitment to the Dayton Framework and their willingness to abide by the decisions of State institutions. During our debate on this issue in May (S/PV.6529), we agreed with the High Representative's assessment that the conclusions adopted by the Republika Srpska National Assembly in April presented a serious challenge to the Framework. While we note today that the National Assembly repealed its decision to hold a referendum on the High Representative's decisions, we share Ambassador Inzko's concern that other controversial conclusions have not been repealed. The High Representative has our full support in condemning unwarranted and unlawful challenges to his authority.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“We remain hopeful that they will continue to work together to overcome their internal political difficulties. In order for the country to keep pace with progress elsewhere in the region, it must be able to function as a State that can deliver results for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity. I would like to make three points in reaction to the report of the High Representative (see S/2011/682). First, the United States remains fully committed to the General Framework Agreement for Peace established by the Dayton Accords. We are concerned by continuing challenges to the Framework, including statements that undermine its constitutional arrangements and challenge Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood. Such statements are unacceptable.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Let me begin by welcoming High Representative Inzko back to the Security Council. We thank Ambassador Inzko for his comprehensive briefing and his service in support of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The signing of the Dayton Accords helped Bosnia and Herzegovina end a terrible conflict and established a framework for a lasting peace. That framework has been the cornerstone of the country's stability for over 16 years. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina has demonstrated that it is a strong and responsible member of the international community in a variety of ways, including through its tenure on the Security Council and with its continued participation in the international security force in Afghanistan. Bosnian leaders have shown that cooperation and consensus are possible on complicated matters of international peace and security.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“We look forward to consulting with our fellow Council members and partners throughout the United Nations system as we continue our work on it. In conclusion, I should like to commend again the brave work of the United Nations and the tens of thousands of local and international United Nations staff, from peacekeepers to humanitarian workers and human rights monitors, who risk their lives daily to protect civilians in harm's way. We must never take them for granted or underestimate the challenges they face in defence of our shared values and international peace and security.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“Finally, in order to see justice through from beginning to end at the international and national levels, we must ensure protection for victims, witnesses and judicial officers. For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States is supporting the witness protection project of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aimed at high- profile and sensitive cases against perpetrators of rape, as well as providing support for the Mission's prosecution support cells. The United Nations has learned valuable lessons in all of these areas in recent years, and the United States is studying them carefully right now within the context of the presidential study directive on mass atrocities, which President Obama issued in August.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“Fourthly, we must support societies that have been ravaged by atrocities in strengthening their domestic accountability and, when necessary, enabling international courts to bring those leaders responsible for atrocities to justice so that all people can live under the protection of law. We have seen first-hand the consequences when those who direct violence against civilians are not held to account, as in the case of Walikale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where over 350 civilians were raped but the prosecution by Congolese authorities of alleged perpetrators is still pending 15 months later. Since then, soldiers have continued to commit mass rapes in North and South Kivu, and the number of rapes committed by civilians has increased as well.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“But even where such missions are not present, there are several options available that we can rely upon, such as fact-finding missions, special rapporteurs and commissions of inquiry. The membership must be ready to take action on such information in this Chamber, in the Human Rights Council and in the General Assembly. Thirdly, the Security Council can impose targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans, on individuals responsible for ordering and committing violence against civilians. Full and effective sanctions implementation can be an extremely useful tool for limiting the ability of these individuals to prey on vulnerable populations.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source
“A mission-wide strategy also needs to provide peacekeepers with the necessary equipment and training, as well as ensure their resolve to use all means at their disposal, including force where necessary and so mandated. My Government welcomes the development by the United Nations of training materials focused on sexual and gender-based violence, as well as other tools to help missions improve their protection strategies. The United States helps the United Nations to survey current practices and has initiated a workshop for missions with civilian-protection mandates. Secondly, where prevention has failed, we must bring the evidence of atrocities to light. That is easier to do when human rights investigators are already on the ground as part of a peace operation or human rights presence.”
2011-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6650 (2011) · source