YouSaid · the spoken record

Richardson

lines on the record: 255
first: 1993-02-22
most recent: 1998-07-13
sittings or episodes: 50
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 also wish to take special note of the financial and other contributions of France, Kenya and other donors which have made the Inter-African Mission possible. Today's resolution states that the expenses and logistical support for the force will continue to be borne in the future on a voluntary basis. It is our understanding that this Mission will not become a United Nations- assessed operation. We welcome the provision of this resolution that calls for bi-weekly reporting from the Inter-African Mission on the situation in the Central African Republic. This will provide the Council with a regular update and ensure effective Council oversight of the operation it is approving today.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“We will be following its progress closely. We are pleased that the Security Council today can reinforce the authority of the mandate of the Inter-African Mission: to monitor the implementation of the Bangui Agreements and to take other actions regarding disarmament of ex-rebels, the militias and individuals. Our vote today in favour of this resolution provides formal acknowledgement of the vital role that the force has played. We must express, however, our concern at the continued instability in the Central African Republic. Hostilities have abated since the signing of the Bangui Agreements and the creation of the Inter-African Mission on 25 January. But the job is not over and all elements have not renounced violence or turned in their weapons.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“The United States is very pleased to join with other members of the Council in supporting this draft resolution. The Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) has accomplished much to restore peace and security to the Central African Republic. The United States wishes to express its support to the participants in the force - Togo, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Gabon. The dedication of these countries to peace, and their troops on the ground, has been the critical element in restoring stability to the Central African Republic. It is also an important milestone in the development of the indigenous African peacekeeping capability. In this sense the Inter-African Mission will be an important precedent and a test case for further African peacekeeping efforts.”
1997-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3808 (1997) · source
“Haiti's economy is showing signs of recovery from years of decline. Despite these advances, obstacles remain. Some in Haiti even seek to reverse the progress of the Haitian people towards a democratic way of life. Haiti's long- neglected judicial system also needs help. Progress is being made in this area, but much needs to be done. The creation of UNTMIH will further bolster the rule of law, development, democratization and peace in Haiti. My Government welcomes the continued support for Haiti that the adoption of this draft resolution will signify. The international community is devoting considerable resources to help build the foundations for a stable, open and democratic society in Haiti. Our actions today give the Haitian people a chance to create a future of enduring freedom, justice and prosperity for all its people.”
1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source
“Furthering the work of its predecessors, this Mission will help to professionalize the new Haitian National Police Force. Most of the Haitian National Police officers are under the age of 30. The most seasoned officers have less than two years of on-the-job experience. Since its creation just over two years ago, the Haitian National Police has made great progress. However, if we are to help Haiti to develop durable democratic institutions, the international community must continue to guide this young and inexperienced force. Since 1994 the Haitian people have achieved much. They have held six free and fair elections. For the first time in Haitian history, one popularly elected President peacefully succeeded another. As never before, an elected Parliament now plays a prominent role in Haitian democracy.”
1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source
“Three years ago, Haiti found itself staring into the abyss. The democratically elected President was living in exile in the United States. The aspirations of the Haitian people to finally achieve political, social and economic reform were snuffed out by a military dictatorship that practised terror throughout the nation, torturing and murdering its political enemies and those Haitians who dared to speak out. Three years later, with the support of the international community, Haiti is taking meaningful strides forward. Today we come together to ensure that this progress continues. If approved, the United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH) will assist the Haitian people and their Government in building on their notable achievements.”
1997-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3806 (1997) · source
“It represents a decision on the part of the Council to proceed with a course of action which we all believe is ultimately in the best interests of the region, despite any differences among us on specific ways in which this may be most effectively achieved. Objectivity and a spirit of cooperation and compromise have prevailed in the Council on this issue. We believe this resolution will strengthen UNPREDEP's ability to carry out its difficult mission and enhance our collective efforts in the region.”
1997-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3783 (1997) · source
“The United States welcomes the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) for a further six months, until 30 November 1997. We believe that UNPREDEP plays an important and highly effective role in promoting stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The crisis in Albania has heightened the need for UNPREDEP'S continuation, but in our View there are other sources of instability and tension in the region which also reinforce the importance of UNPREDEP now. We fully support a message of sustained, undiminished international commitment to UNPREDEP and the region. This resolution to renew UNPREDEP is the product of the considered recommendations of the Secretary-General and candid discussion among members of the Council.”
1997-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3783 (1997) · source
“disease and homelessness in stark and often dangerous surroundings. They deserve not only our thanks but our active efforts to improve their security as they help the world's most vulnerable citizens.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“When a party cannot and will not provide security for humanitarian operations in its territory, the United Nations agencies and the Security Council must work together to explore the best response. Appropriate, effective measures to ensure security should be incorporated into the programmes of the humanitarian agencies. Finally, continuous coordination between the political, military and humanitarian aspects of any intervention in a crisis is crucial to its success. We urge the United Nations, at this time of self-examination. to consider how best to ensure such coordination. The United States will continue to work with the Security Council and all the United Nations agencies to address the grave problem of assuring the security of humanitarian assistance operations, These brave people remain in the front lines fighting hunger.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Humanitarian agencies should not be giving succour to combatants who perpetuate conflict and hide behind innocent populations. The moral dilemma is whether to leave those human shields to their fate, or to rescue them and simultaneously protect their victimizers. For each new humanitarian operation, security assessments should be incorporated into the planning from the very beginning and updated continually. The international community and those involved in the conflict must observe the principle of respect for the neutrality and inviolability of international humanitarian personnel. They all have the responsibility to provide protection for international humanitarian workers and to facilitate their work. They should also ensure access by humanitarian aid workers to vulnerable populations.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“We welcome such initiatives as these, coordinated with the United Nations, that can enhance regional capabilities to provide security in complex emergencies. Growing confusion of victims and victimizers has complicated the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It has become increasingly difficult in some cases to distinguish legitimate refugees from parties to the conflict. The tendency of humanitarian agencies has been to give persons fleeing their country the benefit of the doubt, and to classify all as refugees. Or large refugee camps administered by humanitarian agencies can serve as staging bases for armed combatants. Inevitably, this leads other parties to the conflict to view the humanitarian agencies as taking sides and losing their impartiality.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Some organizations, such as the ICRC, do not work with security forces, except under very limited circumstances. United Nations peacekeeping forces have themselves become the target of violence, as in the recent kidnapping of military observers in Tajikistan, or the targeted killings of United Nations military personnel in Rwanda and Somalia in years past. In some emergencies, regional organizations have played a positive role in providing security in conflict situations: notably, the coalition forces in Haiti; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia; or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) participation in the former Yugoslavia.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“But certainly, local security issues must be addressed each time the United Nations sends people to work in an area of unrest, whether they are assigned to distribute emergency food, repatriate refugees, monitor human rights violations or provide technical assistance for elections. In some cases, United Nations peacekeeping forces already on the ground have been assigned a protective function for humanitarian workers. But the United Nations cannot send peacekeepers into each and every emergency, and the record on using the military to provide security for humanitarian deployments is mixed. Armed forces, even those wearing blue helmets, are sometimes not seen as neutral in a conflict. At times, the presence of armed security forces can complicate delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Security concerns for United Nations and non- governmental organization staff working in today's humanitarian emergencies, often in or near war zones or areas of civil unrest, pose unique and complex challenges for the agencies involved and for the United Nations system as a whole. The increasing number of internal crises - in the Balkans, the Great Lakes, the Caucasus - has greatly complicated this problem with irregular and often undisciplined combatants. There is no single solution to this problem, no model we can set up ahead of time to meet the complexities of each new emergency situation.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Our hearts go out to the relief workers who have been the victims of violence in recent months and to their colleagues who continue to work in dangerous circumstances - among them the Department of Humanitarian Affairs workers who were shot in Sierra Leone; the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) workers who faced armed attackers in their compound and suffered grave injury in Zaire; the human- rights monitors who were killed in Rwanda; the staff members of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and others who were held hostage in Tajikistan in February; and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff who were murdered in Chechnya last December.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“Mr. President, I join my colleagues in welcoming your Foreign Minister, whom I briefly had a chance to meet as he departed. The United States welcomes this opportunity to discuss the problem of security for humanitarian operations around the world. There is a growing need for integrated and creative approaches to complex emergencies, approaches that will take into account the political, as well as the military and humanitarian, aspects of each situation. The United States is extremely concerned about the increasing incidence of violence against humanitarian workers as they carry out their work. Emergency assistance to refugees and displaced persons is difficult enough without security threats and violent actions against relief workers and those they are trying to help.”
1997-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3778 (1997) · source
“The international community can only assist the efforts of Somalis to reach their own solutions to the crisis and to move towards peace, stability, law, order and national reconciliation. We urge all Somali leaders to end the divisions that keep them from political reconciliation and to work towards a broad-based national government that represents all the Somali people.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“It has been six years since Somali faction leaders overthrew the Government of the dictator Siad Barre and two years since the withdrawal of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) forces from Somalia, yet the Somalis have still not formed a national government. The United States believes that the Somali faction leaders themselves must make the difficult decisions required to reach a viable reconciliation process. We have followed and will continue to follow closely events in the Horn of Africa region. We support the efforts of regional leaders, the Organization of African Unity, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, Italy and others who have tried to facilitate negotiations. But outsiders cannot bring peace to Somalia.”
1997-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3770 (1997) · source
“We wish the unity Government full success in completing all the tasks agreed to in the Lusaka Protocol and in establishing a firm foundation for Angolan peace and prosperity.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“As this peace process matures, we continue to be concerned by persistent reports of Angolan involvement in the conflict in Zaire. Further destabilization of Zaire is not in Africa's interest. We call upon all Angolans to put an immediate halt to such actions and to give their full support to the international effort led by the United Nations/Organization of African Unity Special Representative, Mr. Sahnoun, to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict on the basis of the United Nations five-point peace plan. Finally, the United States would like to recognize the unflagging work of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Maitre Alioune Blondin Beye, in bringing about the formation of the unity Government.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“We call upon all members of the unity Government to work cooperatively for effective and representative government. The international community still has an important role to play in supporting the process of national reconciliation and reconstruction. Today we are renewing the mandate of UNAVEM. III until 30 June 1997. We are also signalling our intention to consider a follow-on observer mission to assist the parties to complete the remaining tasks of the peace process. Demobilization and resettlement, refugee assistance, demining, strengthening of democracy and governance, economic reform, and management development are other areas in which Angola needs international support. The United States is committed to providing over $90 million in assistance this year. We call upon other Member States to make a substantial commitment.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“The parties must work closely together to ensure that the people in the areas not yet under Government control are given the legal protections and humane treatment afforded to other Angolan citizens. A special responsibility falls upon the largest party, the MPLA, to ensure that UNITA is taken on as a true partner, that it is given meaningful roles to perform in the Government, and that it is provided with sufficient resources to carry them out. UNITA also bears a major responsibility in assuring the success of the unity Government. We strongly encourage the president of UNITA, Mr. Savimbi, to take advantage of the special position now legally established for him by meeting frequently with President Dos Santos in Angola to share his views. We hope that Mr. Savimbi will meet with President Dos Santos at the earliest opportunity.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“There will be times in the future when the new partners in governance will disagree strongly on questions of policy and become discouraged with the process. Nonetheless, the formation of the unity Government is an essential step forward and represents a commitment to political pluralism and reconciliation. The parties must stay the course and work together to build on the foundation they established last week. Of course, more needs to be done. Of highest priority is the rapid induction of selected former UNITA personnel into the armed forces and police, and the demobilization of the others. The unity Government will need these military and police units that include former UNITA personnel for the next difficult task, that is, the extension of State administration to all parts of the country.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“The United States commends and congratulates the former Government and UNITA for the recent events in Luanda, including the National Assembly's 8 April passage of a law establishing a special position of trust and honour for the leader of the largest opposition party, the 9 April seating of the UNITA members of Parliament, and, most important, the 11 April formation of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation. These events mark the passage of the highest hurdle of the peace process, the moment in which the parties reunite into one entity focused on the common goal of bringing a better life to all Angolans. We all recognize that the formation of the unity Government is not an end in itself and alone does not guarantee the success of the peace process.”
1997-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3767 (1997) · source
“We wish them, in collaboration with ECOWAS, the Organization of African Unity, the United Nations and their international friends, the greatest possible success in this democratic endeavour.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“We would like to see some of UNOMIL's activities, particularly the monitoring of human rights, continue as programs under the appropriate United Nations agencies after UN OMIL formally concludes as a mission. Liberia and the international community look towards elections in the hope that the long, devastating cycle of destruction has ended. UNOMIL, in conjunction with ECOMOG, has contributed greatly to the peace process as it has moved farther ahead than at any time in the past. ECOMOG's role in providing security is of primary importance and continues to be essential for the final stretch in the difficult run-up to elections. The people of Liberia will soon demonstrate that they can peacefully elect new leaders for the future.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“In voting for today's draft resolution, the United States supports the extension of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) through June to enable UNOMIL to assist with preparations for and observation of these elections. We welcome the Secretariat's assurance to the Council that the new electoral activities can be carried out within UNOMIL's existing resources. We commend all those who have offered financial contributions and other support to Liberia's elections. The voluntary contributions for the elections should be fully utilized before election activities are funded out of the UNOMIL budget. Once the elections have concluded, including a run-off if necessary, the role for the military observers should be completed and UNOMIL should begin the drawdown of its operation.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“We are also very concerned that a level playing field be created for all candidates to compete openly and for all citizens to vote freely in the elections. We would like to see equal access by the various political parties to the media, particularly radio, to enable them to share their views with as many people as possible. The Secretary-General's report notes the importance of radio communication for voter education, and we look forward to further details on United Nations plans for radio programming. The United States supports the fullest possible voluntary participation by all Liberians in the election process. The Liberian Government and electoral authorities, and Member States in which Liberian refugees are located, should make every effort to achieve that objective.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“ECOMOG continues to discover weapons in various parts of the country, even in Monrovia. The stakes in this election are high, and the threat of violence has not disappeared. We appeal to the former faction leaders and their fighters to complete disarmament by turning in to ECOMOG all remaining weapons. The Liberian people deserve the best election possible, and the United States is concerned at the delays in inaugurating the independent Elections Commission. As each day passes, the 30 May deadline becomes more challenging, given the considerable logistical work that free and fair elections require. We hope that the Elections Commission and the Supreme Court will be installed and will start to function without further delay.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“Liberia has taken important steps forward in this mandate in the political and security fields. Most importantly, there is a real possibility of elections in an environment relatively free of fighting and intimidation. Progress on disarmament has taken place, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) has deployed in nearly every part of the country. Under Operation Assured Lift, the United States Air Force transported an additional 1,200 West African peacekeepers to Liberia, which helped ECOMOG expand its presence as election preparations get under way. But risks to peace remain, and we must continue to be vigilant. Large numbers of fighters have not disarmed, and the factions, although formally non-existent after 31 January, have not fully disbanded their command and control structures.”
1997-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3757 (1997) · source
“Frankly, rather than addressing this issue in a forum that is inappropriate for the real work at hand, let us concentrate instead on finding a way to support Israelis and Palestinians as they try to cope with a difficult situation and to restore the confidence, trust, hope and dialogue essential to resolving differences, reaching and implementing agreements, and forging a just and lasting peace.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“It can only be resolved by the parties themselves. They have demonstrated time and time again in the nearly six years since the Madrid Conference, at times of high hope and optimism as well as moments of dark despair, that they can overcome the problems and differences that divide them, and move forward. They have done this by relying on their own reserves of strength and determination, and on the active support and encouragement of the international community. Today's Council action lacks this spirit of support and encouragement.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“It undermines the trust and confidence so badly needed in creating the appropriate environment for successful negotiations, especially on the difficult issues involved in the permanent status talks. As I noted during our earlier debate on this subject, the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East requires an honest negotiating process. The parties must take special care to avoid pre-emptive actions that can be seen to prejudge the outcome of negotiations, while working hard to nurture an atmosphere of trust and confidence that will make productive negotiations possible. The decision on Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim does just the opposite. We regret that it was taken. But this controversy will not be resolved by interference from this Council, the General Assembly, or any other outside party.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“In doing so, the Security Council would add to existing tensions in the region, complicate the efforts of all parties to get the negotiations back on a productive track, and distract attention from the main objective, which is making progress towards a peaceful, prosperous Middle East. No one should interpret the opposition of my Government to this draft resolution as an expression of support for the construction now going on at Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim. It is not. We have repeatedly stated our belief that construction at this site is not helpful to the peace process. As President Clinton, again, said earlier, we would have preferred that this decision had not been made.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“While my Government shares the concerns expressed here and in the Assembly about the decision of the Israeli Government to begin construction at this site, we disagree on the best method of addressing this situation and moving beyond the present controversy in a way that will support the Middle East peace process. That is why the United States must vote "no" on the draft resolution before us. Simply stated, the United States does not believe that the Security Council or the General Assembly should be in the business of inserting themselves into issues that the negotiating partners have decided will be addressed in their permanent status talks. Such interference can only harden the positions of both sides, and make their work even more difficult.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“My Government welcomes the condemnation of this tragic incident issued today by Chairman Arafat. As President Clinton has also noted, there must be absolutely no doubt in the minds of the friends or enemies of peace that the Palestinian Authority is unalterably opposed to terror and unalterably committed to preventing such acts. I would also like to offer my personal condolences, and those of the American people, to the families of the Israelis killed or wounded in this deplorable crime. During the Security Council's earlier debate on the controversy over Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim, and throughout the subsequent debate in the General Assembly, we all listened to the views of Member States at length and in detail. The position of the United States should be clear to all, so I will be brief.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“My Government has always believed that the goal of peace in the Middle East is one of vital interest to the international community. This is a view we share with most members of the international community, and I know it is deeply felt by all Member States gathered together in this Chamber. The terrorist outrage earlier today demonstrated just how real is the threat posed by the enemies of peace. Only a few hours ago, a bomb exploded in a crowded cafe in Tel Aviv, killing at least three people and wounding many others, including young children. As President Clinton said earlier today in Helsinki, we strongly condemn this act of terror. There is no place for terror or violence in the peace process. No circumstances can justify the resort to violence or terror against innocent civilians.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“At the same time, the Palestinians and Israelis have agreed to immediate and parallel negotiations on the Gaza airport, safe passage and other issues. These should be accelerated. These are the instruments the parties use to resolve their differences and we must help to create the best possible environment for these negotiations to succeed. What we ought to be doing is clear. We should reiterate our support for the achievements of the partners to date and respect their commitment to working together towards their common goal - a peaceful and prosperous Middle East - without the interference of outside parties. I am sorry to say that this draft resolution would not move us forward towards our common goal. Accordingly, the United States was obliged to vote against it.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“As friends and supporters of the parties involved, we owe it to ourselves and to them to express our Views frankly. But we should not be under the illusion that Council action to lay blame on one party or the other, or to interject ourselves into permanent-status issues, is the right way to go about this. The record of the last few months proves that the parties themselves, working together, can resolve the many outstanding issues now before them. Against long odds and despite considerable political controversy, they succeeded in reaching agreement on Hebron. Yesterday, Israel announced its first phase of further redeployments. This step represents a serious expansion of Palestinian authority. It is the first of three phases and we hope that Israel will do more in the second and third phases.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“We have never believed, despite the useful role the Council can and has played in working for Middle East peace, that it is an appropriate forum for debating the issues now under negotiation between the parties. It is not. Furthermore, this draft resolution makes sweeping statements concerning the legal status of Israeli settlements, which the parties themselves have agreed are to be treated as a permanent- status issue in the talks that are about to resume. I do not suggest that the international community should not make its views clear on important issues such as the Middle East peace process. Indeed, in this spirit we have made a good-faith effort to work with other delegations to reach consensus on a presidential statement.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“But we must take great care to respond to developments in a way that will bolster, not batter, the negotiating process and that will encourage the partners in peace, not discourage them from walking the path they have agreed to travel together - that of settling their differences in face-to-face talks. That is the process we supported at Madrid and that is the process that has proven time and time again that it can achieve results that promise a historical transformation of the political landscape of the Arab- Israeli arena. Unfortunately, this draft resolution would not have helped that process. Members have heard our Views on the inappropriateness of outside interference in the direct negotiations between the parties.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“For its part, the United States will do everything it can to ensure that the process retains its credibility and that issues reserved for permanent status negotiations can be addressed fairly and honestly in those negotiations. Building this kind of environment also requires that the parties themselves take special care to avoid pre- emptive actions that prejudge outcomes, while also nurturing an atmosphere of trust and confidence. The decision on Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim does just the opposite. We regret that it was taken. Member States of the United Nations, and in particular the members of this body, are understandably moved by a desire to react to this situation in a constructive manner.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“It undermines the trust and confidence so badly needed in creating the appropriate environment for successful negotiations, especially on the difficult issues involved in the permanent status talks. Let me emphasize this latter point, because it is absolutely critical. To achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East requires an honest negotiating process, one in which the parties do nothing to pre-empt, prejudge or predetermine talks over any of the issues the parties themselves have decided will be addressed in permanent status negotiations. This is the logic of the process the United States has co-sponsored since Madrid, and it is the only process that is credible and can produce results.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“During our formal debate in this Chamber earlier this week, we heard the views of many delegations on the Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim controversy. We heard the deep concern with which many members of the Council greeted news of the Israeli Government's decision to commence construction. We listened as delegation after delegation expressed this concern. The United States shares this concern as well. Let me restate our views. The decision of the Government of Israel runs counter to the progress and achievement of the parties to date. We do not believe such activity is helpful to the peace process, and, as President Clinton said earlier, we wish that this decision had not been made.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“We want to encourage the parties to resolve their differences directly, among themselves, without resort to force or the threat of violence. Our goal is a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement to the conflict in the Middle East. Let me reiterate our view that it is critically important that the parties and the Council remain focused on the-need to sustain and enhance progress towards this goal. At a time when permanent status negotiations are scheduled to resume, we should not take any action that would detract from this objective and which would make the tasks of the parties that much more difficult. The Council should keep these long~term goals in mind as we consider the steps before us. As members of the international community, we seek to assist the parties to build a peaceful, prosperous and secure future in the Middle East.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“We must offer our support and encouragement at every turn, just as the General Assembly has each year in its annual resolution in support of the Middle East peace process. All parties share the goal of finding ways to advance peace. We must do everything possible to foster a supportive environment for permanent status negotiations, which will begin later this month. We must be especially sensitive to any actual Or implied interference in these negotiations. Such interference can only provoke mistrust and harden the positions of both sides, which will make further progress much more difficult. The Security Council has a special responsibility in this regard. I believe all of us in' this Chamber want the same things. We'want to see continued progress in the Middle East peace process.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The United States is concerned by the decision announced by the Israeli Government. As President Clinton said on Monday, the United States would prefer that the Bar Home decision had not been made. We believe that this decision undermines the trust and confidence that is so badly needed if a lasting peace is to be achieved. We know the sensitivity of the issue of Jerusalem, and it is precisely because mutual confidence is needed to deal with the permanent status questions that we would have preferred this decision not to have been taken. The international community has a responsibility too. We must respect the will and the commitment of the parties to move forward together along their chosen path of negotiations.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“In the coming weeks and months, we fully expect the parties to proceed with further steps designed to advance the peace process, including additional Israeli redeployments from areas of the West Bank. ' What these developments underscore is that the parties retain the will, the commitment and the ability to move forward, despite the considerable obstacles they face. Most significantly, these achievements have come about because the parties remain dedicated to the single most important principle upon which the Madrid process was based: that there is no substitute for direct negotiations betWeen the parties. Unfortunately, the announced decision of the Government of Israel on the proposed Har Homa settlement construction in East Jerusalem does not accord with the progress the parties have achieved to date.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“We meet today at a moment of great promise and great challenge in the Middle East peace process. There can be no doubt of the extraordinary progress made by the parties in their talks to date. _ In January, after intense negotiations, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority reached an agreement on Israeli withdrawal in Hebron, one of the most contentious and divisive issues discussed by the parties to date. That accord has now been implemented and a road map for future progress on such issues as further redeployment, the Gaza airport, safe passage, and economic matters has been agreed to In February, the Government of Israel made good on its pledge to release dozens of Palestinian women prisoners in a further measure to respect prior agreements and build confidence.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source