YouSaid · the spoken record

Ripert

lines on the record: 745
first: 2007-08-10
most recent: 2009-08-05
sittings or episodes: 101
sources: un-security-council

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“EUFOR, the European Chad-Central African Republic mission, the largest military operation of the European Union to date, is thus another important example of how the European Union can support United Nations action. Thirdly, we stress the importance of the role of MINURCAT and the Detachment Integre de Securite (DIS) reiterate our full support for the work of the Special Representative, and welcome cooperation between the Chad authorities, the United Nations and the European Union on the ground, as did the Special Representative himself. We welcome the initial deployment of the DIS, which was somewhat delayed at first. We hope that it will be fully deployed very soon and command Mr. Angelo's personal commitment in this context.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6042 (2008) · source
“That operation, in keeping with its mandate, has helped to improve the security conditions in which humanitarian assistance is provided. Mr. Holmes also stressed to the Council that the international presence had helped to stabilize the security situation, to reassure vulnerable civilian groups and to improve security for humanitarian workers. Of course, not all of problems are resolved - far from it - and this is certainly no time for the international community to relax its efforts. Nevertheless, we would stress in particular the initially encouraging return of some internally displaced persons in Chad, which was precisely one goal of the European Union and United Nations missions.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6042 (2008) · source
“The Darfur crisis continues to have humanitarian and security consequences in the region, many civilians still need international assistance in order to survive. Like the representative of Chad, we welcome the work of humanitarian workers on the ground and urge all parties to scrupulously respect their security and their freedom of movement. Naturally, we condemn the banditry to which they continue to be subject. We are also very disturbed by information that cites armed groups recruiting in refugee and internally displaced persons camps, and we once again call for the respect for the civilian and humanitarian nature of the camps. Secondly, we agree with the Secretary-General's assessment of the positive results of EUFOR in Chad and the Central African Republic.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6042 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank Special Representative Angelo for his briefing. I would also like to thank the Permanent Representatives of Chad and the Central African Republic. I believe their statements offered important positive information about the activities and the results of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) and the European Union-led military force (EUFOR). My comments will focus on four points. First, the civilians in North-East Central African Republic and eastern Chad are still in a very vulnerable situation. Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, who recently visited the region, spoke to us about this last week.”
2008-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6042 (2008) · source
“The discussion about the voluntary nature of returns cannot, however, be used as an excuse to conceal the sometimes too slow response by certain United Nations agencies in assisting returns through appropriate emergency relief activities. Finally, when the Council prepares to soon discuss the resumption by the United Nations of the European Union military operation - EUFOR - I should like to offer France's support for Mr. Holmes's observations about the importance of the international presence and of the integrated Chadian security force in the protection of civilian populations. We must not waver in our efforts in that regard. Just a moment ago, the Permanent Representative of Chad reiterated his hope for the continued mobilization of the Security Council. We must shoulder our responsibilities by responding favourably to that request.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“France and the European Union - which, together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Government of Chad, were involved in the establishment of the MINURCAT operation - share in that measured optimism. We highly commend the mobilization of Chadian authorities and civil society and the efforts of international organizations, the 8 United Nations and NGOs, supported by a very strong European commitment. Moreover, my delegation fully agrees with Mr. Holmes's comment that the return of displaced persons needs to be on a voluntary basis. Mr. Bernard Kouchner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, recently went to eastern Chad to evaluate the situation. He had occasion to see for himself that voluntary returns, while certainly still limited, were taking place locally.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“But in addition to that, they must put an end to the bureaucratic red tape that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) face daily from junior administrative officials. This red tape is endless; NGOs tell us about it every day. In particular, we deplore the restrictions placed by the Government on the activities of NGOs that have protection programmes, given the scope of the needs in Darfur, where the victims of Violence - particularly sexual violence - are innumerable and continuously increasing. In all those areas, the Sudanese authorities, like all the parties, will be judged by their actions, not by their intentions. Finally, I wish to refer briefly to Chad. First, I refer to the assessment made by Mr. John Holmes, according to whom, despite the difficulties that persist, the situation has improved.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“We note that the Sudanese Government undertook clear commitments in that regard during the meeting of the Tripartite Commission in October. We attach the utmost importance to its full adherence to those commitments. I should also like to emphasize the need for the cooperation of the Sudanese Government with humanitarian workers. Darfur is the site of the largest humanitarian operation in the world. It is unacceptable that the Sudanese Government, which has failed to carry out its responsibility to protect its own civilians, should further aggravate the situation by impeding the activities of humanitarian workers. We note that the Sudanese authorities renewed the moratorium on humanitarian access earlier than they did last year.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“Moreover, we are particularly disturbed to note that recently the Sudanese Armed Forces and their auxiliary militias have continued, despite the new announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by President Al-Bashir, to carry out indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations, including aerial bombardments. 7 In that regard, this very morning, the Security Council heard a very clear report from the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who referred to continued grave and repeated violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular against the most vulnerable populations, women and children. Furthermore, I should like to recall that the Council has demanded that the Sudanese Armed Forces cease to use white aircraft, which are easily confused with humanitarian and United Nations aircraft.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“We will shortly have the opportunity to revisit the subject of Chad when we discuss the second United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT II). My third observation concerns the recruitment of child soldiers, which unfortunately continues to occur on both sides of the border. France appeals to all parties concerned to fully honour their obligations in that regard and, in particular, to cooperate with the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. I should now like to make a second set of comments, which apply more particularly to the case of Sudan. We are very much committed to compliance by all parties with their obligations under international humanitarian law. I just referred to certain obligations of armed groups.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“In that regard, we should recall the primary responsibility of host countries for the protection and security of humanitarian personnel. My second observation concerns the need to respect the civilian and humanitarian nature of the camps; the problem arises in Chad as well as in Darfur. It is unacceptable that armed groups recruit within the camps. I would add that that in no way justifies attacks by Sudanese Government forces against the camps, as we saw in Darfur at Kalma three months ago. That situation illustrates the need on both sides of the border for operations that can effectively protect the population and create a safe environment so as to permit the delivery of humanitarian aid and access by the population to that aid.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France) (spoke in French): I should like at the outset to thank Mr. John Holmes for his presentation and our colleague the Permanent Representative of Chad for his statement. Those two statements remind us of a harsh reality. The situation of the civilian population in Darfur and in the border region of Chad remains tragic, and it is on that subject that I should like to focus my remarks. First, I should like to address several problems that arise both in the context of the Sudan and in that of Chad. France's primary concern relates to the impact of banditry and the acts of armed groups on the security of humanitarian personnel. John Holmes quite rightly stressed that point. We firmly condemn those attacks, and those responsible for them must be held accountable.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6029 (2008) · source
“The Sudanese Government must cooperate with the Court to carry out this mission, as do all other parties to the conflict in Darfur and, more generally, all States and regional and international organizations concerned.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“"In this respect, the Council urges the Government of the Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate fully with the Court, consistent with resolution 1593 (2005), in order to put an end to impunity for the crimes committed in Darfur" (S/PRST/2008/21). That presidential statement remains fully relevant. The Sudanese Government's dispute of both the authority of the Security Council and the jurisdiction of the Court is not admissible. We must remind the Sudan of its obligations to respect the Security Council's resolutions and to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in the implementation of resolution 1593 (2005). In 2005, the Security Council gave the Court the task of fighting impunity in Darfur in the interests of justice and peace.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“As the Prosecutor has done in his report, I would like to recall the language of the presidential statement adopted by the Security Council, our Council, on 16 June: "The Security Council takes note of the efforts made by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur and the transmittal by the Registry of the International Criminal Court to the Government of the Sudan on 16 June 2007 of arrest warrants and the opening by the Prosecutor of other investigations on crimes committed by various parties in Darfur.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Attacks continue despite the proclamation of a +- unilateral cessation of hostilities; the J anjaweed militia show no signs of concern; the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. For their part, the rebels must assume their full responsibility in seeking to reduce violence, to respect international law and to effect the active resumption of the political process.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Furthermore, the Sudanese authorities bear a heavy portion of the responsibility for hindering international deployment and humanitarian activity in Darfur, for the cross-border activity of armed groups aimed at destabilizing the neighbouring country of Chad and for the absence to date of a potential political solution to the crisis. Progress has recently been made in the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the renewal of moratoria on the restrictions on humanitarian operations and the resumption of diplomatic relations with Chad. However, that does not constitute a radical change in the policy of the Sudanese authorities in Darfur.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“The responsibility for the present situation in Darfur falls neither on the Security Council, which has taken the measures it deems necessary for the maintenance and restoration of peace, nor on the ICC and its various bodies, to which the Council entrusted a mission which it is exercising in full independence. The Sudanese authorities have the obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court with regard to the execution of the warrants issued for Mr. Haroun and Mr. Kushayb. They could, for example, themselves undertake to pursue the two accused under national jurisdiction in accordance with articles 17 to 19 of the Statute of Rome.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“At the moment, nothing leads us to believe that it intends to carry out these arrests. Mr. Haroun even continues to occupy his ministerial functions. In the two other cases, we await the decision of the Court, which will make a fully independent ruling based on the merits of the indictments. As the Prosecutor has emphasized, no procedure has actually been begun within the Sudanese judicial system regarding the cases currently before the ICC. France is dedicated to the authority of both the Security Council and the ICC, the judicial body authorized to punish the most serious crimes against international humanitarian law and human rights.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Three investigations on the crimes committed in Darfur have been opened by the Prosecutor since the adoption of resolution 1593 (2005). The first led to the issuance by the Court of arrest warrants against Mr. Ahmed Haroun and Mr. Ali Kushayb for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The second led the Prosecutor to request the issuance of an arrest warrant of the President of the Sudan for genocide, crimes against humankind and war crimes. Finally, in the third, the Prosecutor placed before the Court charges on war crimes against three rebel commanders allegedly responsible for the Haskanita attack against African Union forces. In the first instance, the Government of the Sudan is still not cooperating with the Court in the carrying out of the arrests of Mr. Haroun and Mr. Kushayb.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“In its preamble, the Rome Statute emphasizes that crimes as serious as those perpetuated in Darfur "threaten the peace, security and the well-being of the world" and affirms that "the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished". These words provide a full explanation of the Security Council's action. We adopted resolution 1593 (2005) because the struggle against impunity is inseparable from the restoration of peace and security to Darfur. By its resort to article 13 of the Rome Statute, the Security Council, the principle organ for the maintenance of international peace and security, is fully carrying out the mission entrusted to it by the United Nations Charter.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France)(spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Moreno-Ocampo for his report, submitted pursuant to resolution 1593 (2005). In 2005, the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC), pursuant to Chapter VII of the Charter, in response to the extremely serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in that region. The most recent quarterly report of the Prosecutor unfortunately confirms that, six years later, these violations are continuing and that serious and repeated crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC and within the purview of resolution 1593 (2005), continue to be committed in Darfur. Therefore, the submission to the Court remains fully justified.”
2008-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6028 (2008) · source
“The European Union has also expressed its willingness to support the economic and political development of Kosovo by offering it a clear European future. Allow me therefore to conclude by emphasizing the following point. The European Union is fully conscious of its responsibilities when it comes to going beyond obstacles to a prosperous stable and successful Western Balkans. It is in this spirit that we have deployed EULEX; it is in this spirit that we hope to move ahead in the coming months on the road to a common future for Serbs and Kosovars within the European Union.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6025 (2008) · source
“Hyseni's positions, and I would like to tell him that we have the greatest respect for the views of the Kosovar authorities and that we will take their concerns into consideration with great seriousness. What I take from his statement is a strong affirmation of the Kosovo Government's willingness to fully cooperate with the international community, and that must be commended. I would like to assure him that we want to maintain a close dialogue with Pristina in the context of the EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo. In order to go beyond the divisions inherited from the past, we are proposing to the people of the Western Balkans a common future in the context of Europe. We must determine how we can help Serbia to place its future in a European context.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6025 (2008) · source
“As we have recalled several times, EULEX will operate in the context of resolution 1244 (1999) under the overall authority of the United Nations and in a fully transparent manner. We have just heard the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Kosovo react to the report of the Secretary-General. We would like to welcome, first of all, the constructive attitude of the Serbian authorities with respect to the reconfiguration of the international presence and the deployment of EULEX. By supporting the initiatives of the European Union to contribute to peace and stability in the region, they are participating in creating the conditions for a common European future for the Western Balkans. We have also taken note of Mr.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6025 (2008) · source
“This dialogue made it possible to elicit a common goal over and above all differences, a goal to preserve stability in Kosovo and the region. We now derive from this goal something everyone agrees on, which is that a reconfiguration of the international presence initiated in June by the Secretary-General is the best way to achieve this goal. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/692). It is time to accelerate the reconfiguration of the international presence. In this context, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) will continue to deploy throughout Kosovo in close coordination with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in order to take over all operational rule of law functions.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6025 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France) (spoke in French): Let me first of all thank Mr. Jeremie, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, and Mr. Hyseni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, for their presence. We have listened carefully to their statements. I would like to tell Mr. Lamberto Zannier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, how very much we appreciate the efforts he made under the guidance of the Secretary- General to have a dialogue between the parties leading to the emergence of a consensus on the international presence in Kosovo. In June, the Secretary-General launched a reconfiguration of the international civilian presence in the context of resolution 1244 (1999). Before and after the decision, he maintained a permanent dialogue with all of the parties concerned.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6025 (2008) · source
“The transfer to the Country Team of the United Nations and to bilateral partners could enable MONUC to further focus its action in the East. Other more specific recommendations of the Secretary- General on the modality of such a transfer could also be useful. My delegation will prepare a draft resolution that will reproduce the major guidelines that I have just indicated and will, of course, take into account the observations made today by the members of the Security Council, by Mr. Alan Doss and by the States involved. We are aware that all members of the Security Council share the same concern, namely, to facilitate the task of MONUC with greater effectiveness. We will do everything in our power so that the negotiations may move forward swiftly and constructively.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“MONUC must work with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the international community to draw up a plan of genuine reconstruction for the Congolese army. The genuine establishment of the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of Congo requires the formation of an army, a justice system and a police force that are effective and democratic. As for MONUC's other missions, those we have already discussed must be maintained in the East of the country but we should also take into consideration the progress that has been achieved in the West of the Democratic Republic of Congo: the gradual transfer of certain tasks, the promotion of good governance and the establishment of a judicial system.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“As was emphasized by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, the illegal exploitation of natural resources is one of the underlying causes of the conflict and above all of the fact that it has lasted so long. Until now, the action of the international community has not been decisive. From now on, we must tackle this problem clear-mindedly, if necessary by adopting any appropriate sanctions and, in any case, by demanding that MONUC, in so far as possible, make use of its deployment to prevent or discourage the flow of illicit traffic that benefits armed groups. Finally, security sector reform is an important priority. The weakness of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as stated by its own Minister of Defence, hampers MONUC's proper accomplishment of its mandate.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“9 The second priority for MONUC should be that of demobilization and disarmament of armed groups, as well as control of the resources that those groups are deriving from the illegal exploitation of the Congo's natural resources. As was underscored yesterday by the Special Representative, the link between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and MONUC must be clarified in terms of actions against armed groups. It seems to us that MONUC should be able, on its own, to carry out defensive operations against those armed groups that might take initiatives that run counter to the Goma and Nairobi processes. That being the case, MONUC has neither the means nor the mission to take the place of the Congolese army.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“Sexual violence, child recruitment, plundering and murder have risen by dramatic proportions. Everything must be done to put an end to this and that must be the highest priority of MONUC, which must, in our view, tighten its ranks near the camps, and in some cases even within the camps, to carry out such deterrence or security operations, in close cooperation, of course, with the international humanitarian organizations involved. Questions must also be asked regarding the establishment of the personal responsibility of those who have committed and who are continuing to commit such crimes against the civilian population. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said that there is a need to follow the situation very closely; of course, we encourage him to do so.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“To that end, we fully support the efforts of President Obasanjo, whom we had the opportunity to meet yesterday, to strengthen cooperation, in particular among all States of the region. And we believe that they too must respond to the expectations of the international community and further involve themselves in the peace process now under way. There is a need to reaffirm the high priority nature of the civilian protection in MONUC's mandate by indicating that MONUC's other missions cannot be carried out if they would have a detrimental impact on civilian protection. The testimony of non-governmental organizations yesterday was overwhelming. Crimes have been committed. Atrocities have been perpetrated. We all know this and we are also all aware that these crimes have been committed by all parties.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“I would also like to welcome our colleagues, the Permanent Representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. It seems to us that the mandate of MONUC must be clarified and priorities set. As indicated in the report of the Secretary-General, after a 10-year presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is vital to carry out a detailed review of MONUC's missions, which have become diversified over the years. MONUC is the United Nations biggest peacekeeping force, but the Democratic Republic of Congo is an enormous country and the challenges to be faced are gigantic. We know that the solution will not be a military but a political one. It hinges on the resumption of the Goma and Nairobi processes and on the reaffirmation by all parties of their will to disarm, disengage and cooperate.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France) (spoke in French): First of all I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for his presentation of the report on the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). And I would like to reaffirm our support for him and for all the members of his Mission and of the peacekeeping force present on the ground in difficult conditions. We are convinced that without him and without the presence of MONUC, the situation could have deteriorated further and would be even worse than it is today. I would also like to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium and to recognize his ongoing commitment and that of his country to this difficult situation. We know that Belgium is the driving force on this issue within the European Union.”
2008-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6024 (2008) · source
“Lastly, I would like to return to the link between the fight against piracy and the tragic situation of the Somali people. It is clear that the deep-rooted causes of the phenomenon that the country is currently experiencing are war, a weak State, lack of economic opportunity and, without doubt, the acts of criminal groups, which are the deep-seated causes of piracy. The latter will be eradicated once and for all only when the roots of the conflict are addressed. No anti-piracy operation can in any way replace the action of an international force on the ground. France fully supports the idea that a robust multinational force, appropriately equipped, be authorized by the Security Council to deploy to Mogadishu. That is a necessary stage to create the conditions for the future deployment of a peacekeeping operation, which seems vital.”
2008-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6020 (2008) · source
“The European Union has set up its own coordination cell to be the sole interlocutor with all its partners. It would like the Secretary-General to set up a unified focal point within the Secretariat for all its services, which would act as interlocutor with the European Union. We believe that beyond that, the Secretary- General can also play a role in helping to reinforce international mobilization, but, in our view, real military coordination would not be feasible. In that regard, we appeal to the Council to remain seized to extend the mandate of resolution 1816 (2008), which expires at the beginning of December and is necessary to continue fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. We collectively voiced our intention to do so when we unanimously adopted resolution 1838 (2008).”
2008-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6020 (2008) · source
“The operation will be launched on 8 December with the full agreement and full support of the Somali authorities. It will mobilize five to six ships, with air capability, and will protect the World Food Programme convoys and vulnerable ships and curb acts of piracy and armed attacks off the coast of Somalia. Yesterday, the Secretary-General welcomed the operation. A great many States - the countries of the European Union and NATO, the Russian Federation and major Asian States, such as India - have indicated that they wished to respond to the Security Council's appeal to act. Thus, the European Union is not the only Power to act and does not wish to be so. The stakes are huge, as the Secretary-General of the IMO reminded us. That naturally raises the issue of coordinating the efforts of the international community.”
2008-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6020 (2008) · source
“Naturally, we will need to have more technical discussions on the second issue, and here I would like only to touch on the fight against piracy. As he announced here before the Council in September 2007, last year the President of the French Republic took the initiative of ensuring the military protection of the maritime convoys of the World Food Programme, which was taken up by the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada. However, all States members of the European Union have mobilized to fight piracy more broadly on the basis of resolutions 1814 (2008), 1816 (2008) and 1838 (2008). On 10 November, the European Union Council took a very important step by setting up a European Union naval operation off the coast of Somalia for a period of one year.”
2008-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6020 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank the previous speakers, especially the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to which resolution 1816 (2008) entrusted an important role, as well, of course, as the Assistant Secretary-General of the Department of Political Affairs for his briefing and the Permanent Representative of Somalia. We have before us a report of the Secretary- General (S/2008/709) that deals with several separate issues: the general situation in Somalia from the political, security and, above all, humanitarian points of View; fundamentals concerning the planning of a possible international force, be it a multinational force or, later, a peacekeeping operation; and, lastly, the issue of combating sea piracy.”
2008-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6020 (2008) · source
“Speaking in my national capacity now, I would like to briefly remind the Council of the unprecedented transparency measures and initiatives announced on 21 March by the President of the French Republic. I am referring here, first and foremost, in the nuclear field, to the visit to our former fissile material production facilities which have now been dismantled which was carried out by representatives of the Disarmament Commission on 16 September. I am referring here to the significant reduction of the configuration of our forces which was announced as well as to an announcement regarding the size of our national arsenal, which was made public on 21 March. Finally, I would add that France, of course, backs the draft presidential statement that has been submitted to us.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“We must work tirelessly to reduce the bloodshed resulting every year from the illicit trafficking and excessive accumulation of small arms and light weapons. The non-proliferation regime is essential to our security, and given the important deadlines over the next two years, we must do our utmost to strengthen it. We must also make the best possible use ofthe three remaining years before us to arrive at a strong, binding and universal arms trade treaty. Finally, building upon our own experience, we would like to call for a strengthening of regional solidarity which quite clearly is a factor that bolsters peace and stability throughout the world.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“However, regionalization should not weaken universal norms, such as the NPT, the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition, Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on Their Destruction Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines and, of course, the draft Arms Trade Treaty. This perspective also includes non- universal norms, but which cover several areas at once, such as the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Finally, this view also encompasses bilateral norms which are especially important given security issues, such as the START regime. The European Union would like to make a number of simple points. We must safeguard the achievements of the arms control agreements, especially those of the CFE Treaty.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“The European Union also plays an active role against the indiscriminate dissemination of weapons, including through its code of conduct on arms transfers and its unqualified support for a draft arms trade treaty. The European Union is also pursuing a very active policy to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and backs the United Nations action in this field. The European Union is also a key player in the fields of development and the promotion of human rights. It is difficult, however, to impose rigid mechanisms to cover all regions of the world. In some regions, military expenditure indicators do not necessarily reflect a country's level of insecurity. Indeed, the United Nations current policies are to build up the military capabilities of regional organizations in certain developing areas.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“That is also true of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE). This year, the European Union made a series of realistic and concrete disarmament proposals in the General Assembly, which promoted, inter alia, the universal ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the conclusion of its verification regime, as well as the dismantling, as rapidly as possible, of all nuclear testing facilities in transparent and open manner; the immediate start of negotiations without preconditions on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, as well as an immediate setting up of a moratorium on the production of such materials; the development by nuclear Powers of confidence-building and transparency measures; additional progress in ongoing discussions between the United States and Russia on the development of a legally binding post-START arrangement, as well as an overall reduction of the global stockpile of nuclear weapons, in accordance with article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), especially by those States with the largest arsenals; the inclusion of tactical nuclear weapons by States which possess them in the overall processes of arms control and disarmament, with a View to reducing and eliminating them; the opening of talks on a treaty banning short- and intermediate-range surface-to-surface missiles; universal adherence to and implementation by all of the Hague Code of Conduct.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“The European Union acknowledges the main responsibility of the United Nations in peacekeeping and international security in all its forms. Non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control represent complex challenges. The Charter of the United Nations grants the General Assembly a substantial scope of powers in this area. At the same time, these challenges by their very essence deal with international peace and security with which the Security Council is entrusted. The European Union is an exemplary body with respect to stability and in combating these challenges. It exerts a stabilizing influence on its region, and has inspired in many of its neighbours a desire to join it. Its territory is subject to regional arms control arrangements, in the broad sense, which play a pivotal role as a result of geography during the cold war.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“Mr. Ripert (France) (spoke in French): It is an honour, Sir, to see you here today to preside over the work of the Council, as President of the Republic of Costa Rica and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. We hope that this spirit of peace will suffuse our work here today. I would also like to convey my gratitude to Mr. Duarte for having delivered the Secretary- General's message, and to note with thanks the presence of the Vice-President of Panama, who honoured us with his statement. It is my great privilege to take the floor on behalf of the European Union, Turkey, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement. A complete version of my statement will be distributed.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017 (2008) · source
“Finally, the European Union remains committed to develop its partnership with Iraq in compliance with the principles of the International Compact with Iraq. The EU welcomes the meeting held last May in Stockholm for the first International Compact with Iraq Annual Review Conference. The EU encourages the progress made in its implementation and invites all parties to honour the commitments made on that occasion.”
2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source
“In that regard, at the General Affairs Council meeting held on 10 November 2008, European Union member States agreed to extend the mandate of the European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq, with effect from June 2009. That will enable the Mission to conduct progressive and experimental pilot activities, where security conditions permit, in the area of the rule of law on Iraqi territory. The European Union also welcomes the major progress made in the negotiations on a cooperation and trade agreement and expresses its determination to conclude those negotiations as quickly as possible. Such an outcome will help to establish the first contractual relations between the European Union and Iraq and allow us enter into a structured and regular political dialogue that is both technical and political.”
2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source
“Constructive engagement by Iraq's neighbours and partners in the region remains essential for peace and stability. The EU encourages all of Iraq's neighbours and partners to do the same. The European Union continues to support the process that Iraq's neighbours have initiated and is ready to participate in the forthcoming expanded ministerial conference. The European Union would like to actively participate in efforts to further stabilize Iraq. In particular, I would like to emphasize the importance of our renewed commitment as regards the rule of law through community assistance efforts by the European Security and Defence Policy Rule of Law Mission and the bilateral programmes of member States.”
2008-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6016 (2008) · source