YouSaid · the spoken record

Rodney Hunter

lines on the record: 138
first: 2020-06-23
most recent: 2021-04-22
sittings or episodes: 18
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 and other key partners have long been clear that participants in the democratic process must accept previous agreements, renounce violence and terrorism, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“It is also consistent with United States interests and values, as well as those of our regional partners — to include Israel. As we work towards a more positive and constructive atmosphere on the ground, we also encourage both the Palestinian Authority and Israel to refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-State solution, such as the annexation of territory, settlement activity, demolitions, incitement to violence and the provision of compensation for individuals imprisoned for acts of terrorism. Before I close, I want to acknowledge the upcoming Palestinian elections, which we believe are a matter for the Palestinian people to determine.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“We will work bilaterally with the Agency, and multilaterally with partners, to improve its transparency, accountability, internal governance and oversight, and its sustainability. It is critical that the Security Council and other international donors also work with partners to amplify efforts toward meaningful reforms and financial sustainability. The United States’ comprehensive re-engagement with the Palestinians is one part of our strategy to advance prosperity, security and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians. That assistance provides critical relief to those in need; it fosters economic development; it supports Israeli-Palestinian understanding and security coordination and the rule of law; and it promotes regional stability.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“As the Council knows, global humanitarian needs far exceed available resources. The United States remains the single largest humanitarian donor globally, and we are very proud of that. However, burden-sharing is not an option; it is a necessity. We call on other partners to step up their funding to the Agency as well. The United States will also reengage with UNRWA, its donors, host countries and other Member States to address the long-standing challenges that UNRWA has faced over the years. The resumption of United States financial support for UNRWA is the first step — not the last — in our engagement with the Agency on critical reforms. We are committed to working with UNRWA to uphold its neutrality, including zero tolerance for racism, discrimination and anti-Semitism.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“Our economic assistance includes support for small and medium-size enterprises’ recovering from the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19); it includes support for households to access basic human needs such as food and clean water, and also includes assistance for Palestinian civil society. The United States is also resuming support for UNRWA services to ensure that humanitarian aid, including critical COVID-19 assistance, reaches Palestinians in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the West Bank and Gaza. UNRWA is a lifeline for millions of Palestinians, and we are committed to serving as a strong partner to the Agency so that it may provide the most effective and efficient assistance possible. We must recognize, however, that the resumption of United States contributions is not a silver bullet with respect to the Agency’s funding crisis.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“On 7 April, the United States announced the resumption of economic, development and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people totalling $235 million. That includes $75 million in economic and development assistance and $10 million for peacebuilding programmes in the West Bank and Gaza — both through the United States Agency for International Development. It also includes $150 million in humanitarian assistance for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); that is in addition to the $15 million in humanitarian assistance that we announced in March. We are also resuming vital security assistance programmes. Taken together, that $250 million commitment is a meaningful one.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, and the other members of the Council for bearing with us as we have dealt with some technical issues this morning. I also thank once again Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland and Acting Director Rein Paulsen for their briefings today. They were very useful for us in understanding what is going on. This Administration has been very clear about the United States’ commitment to advancing a negotiated two-State solution in which Israel lives in peace and security alongside a viable Palestinian State. We have also been clear about our desire to re- engage with the Palestinians and to restore United States assistance programmes that support economic development and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“Mankeur Ndiaye, for his untiring efforts and invaluable support in contributing to peace and stability in the Central African Republic. The task has not been easy, and the road has been rough, but through the good offices of the Special Representative, MINUSCA has sought political solutions to the increased tensions and election-related violence while maintaining its impartiality. Enabling political dialogue among national stakeholders that reflects the needs and perspectives of the country must remain a priority.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“The United States is deeply troubled by proposals to expand units with a pattern of sexual exploitation and abuse allegations, which would be counter to the objective of keeping civilians safe. As we consider increasing MINUSCA’s size and capabilities, we must invest in the long-term operational effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping by promoting performance, transparency and accountability. As the United States reiterated at last week’s general debate in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the unanimous adoption of resolution 2436 (2018), drafted by the United States, made it clear that performance and accountability in United Nations peacekeeping is a priority of the Security Council. Finally, the United States would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA, Mr.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“If it continues, the lack of coordination could severely undermine MINUSCA’s ability to carry out its mandate, endangering United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian actors. As we consider the Secretary-General’s request for more troops and police, we urge the United Nations to ensure that any reinforcements are identified and deployed according to the Organization’s own best practices. The Security Council should be wary of any proposal to bypass the procedures for selecting peacekeeping units that the United Nations itself has developed; the United Nations must use the Peacekeeping Capabilities Readiness System, for which the rapid deployment level was created for just this type of emergency scenario. The United Nations must also continue to live up to its commitment to zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“The United States takes note of the Secretary-General’s request to increase MINUSCA by 2,750 military and 940 police personnel so as to enhance the Mission’s ability to perform its Security Council-mandated tasks. We appreciate the urgent need to prevent and reverse a further deterioration in the security situation while creating space for the political process to advance. The United States remains concerned about operational coordination on the ground, as Russian civilian military instructors and Rwandan troops are operating on a bilateral basis with only minimal transparency with the MINUSCA peacekeeping mission and humanitarian actors. We welcome efforts by the Central African authorities and MINUSCA to establish a coordination mechanism, and we call on all parties to participate fully.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“We therefore urge the Central African Republic’s neighbours to implement their commitments under the agreement to help secure borders and limit the flow of weapons and fighters into the Central African Republic. These initiatives will be most effective if partners build on the existing framework and take into consideration the work that has been done so far. Discarding the agreement for the sake of creating a new process will set the Central African Republic back and keep both domestic and international actors in the current harmful cycle of merely reacting to conflicts. The peace agreement provides a long-term framework to help put the Central African Republic on a path to sustainable political and social stability, while making clear that impunity is not acceptable.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“As the Secretary-General noted in his report, “crisis in the country is inextricably linked to the dynamics in the Central African region” (S/2021/146, para. 103). The United States welcomes the decision of the Economic Community of Central African States to appoint a mediator for the Central African Republic and looks forward to the naming of this mediator as soon as possible. We note the engagement of the leadership of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and welcome its support with regard to the future of the 2019 peace agreement. The 2019 peace agreement is the only agreed-upon framework for peace in the Central African Republic.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“Those involved in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against United Nations missions will be held responsible. We also thank the United Nations Mission in South Sudan for its inter-mission cooperation in support of its colleagues in the Central African Republic during this period of heightened need. The next round of legislative elections will be held on 14 March. Unfortunately, there are those who still seek to disrupt the democratic process in the Central African Republic and deprive the country’s citizens of the right to select their representatives. We urge all actors in the Central African Republic to cease attacks and avoid a repeat of the increase in violence from December.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Commissioner Chergui and Director Laranjinha for their briefings today. I extend special thanks to Ms. Ekomo-Soignet for adding a voice that has been too often missing since the inclusive dialogue of the 2015 Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation. First, I would like to express my gratitude to the women and men of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), who serve at great personal risk to protect Central Africans. I extend our deepest condolences to the families and the colleagues of the peacekeepers who have been killed serving in the Mission. The United States condemns attacks on peacekeepers in the strongest terms, and we stress that these attacks may constitute war crimes under international law.”
2021-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/187 (2021) · source
“To that end, we welcome Ukraine’s Crimean Platform initiative, and we hope that like-minded partners will consider joining that diplomatic effort to push back on Russia’s aggression and make clear that the international community will not tolerate Russia’s brutal occupation.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“Russia must immediately cease its aggression in eastern Ukraine and end its occupation of Crimea. We call on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine, cease its support for its proxies and other armed groups and implement all the commitments that it made under the Minsk agreements. We further call on Russia to grant and facilitate safe, timely and unhindered access to all humanitarian personnel and OSCE and United Nations monitors throughout the Ukrainian territory that Russia controls, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk and occupied Crimea. The United States looks forward to continuing to support its Ukrainian partners in their efforts to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and restore its territorial integrity.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“The resolution to the conflict must be a diplomatic one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are also greatly concerned by the restrictions on access that Russia and its proxies continue to impose on humanitarian workers and the personnel of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission. That is especially troubling, as it comes at a time when vulnerable conflict- affected populations face even greater threats to their lives and livelihoods due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Russia and its proxies have used the guise of COVID-19 mitigation measures to further limit the life-saving operations of humanitarian actors, contrary to humanitarian principles and the OSCE’s mandate in Ukraine.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“Meanwhile, Russia escalated its oppression of any dissent to its brutal occupation of Crimea. The United States continues to condemn the human rights abuses taking place under Russia’s repressive occupation. We urge Russia to release the more than 100 Ukrainian political prisoners whom it is holding and to end its campaign of intimidation against Crimean Tatars and opponents of the occupation. The United States reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will never recognize Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea. As a result, United States sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression in eastern Ukraine and its occupation of Crimea will remain in place unless, and until, Russia reverses course. We continue to support the Minsk agreements as the way forward in eastern Ukraine.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“Russia continues to deny that it controls the conflict in eastern Ukraine and falsely presents itself as a mediator to the conflict, even though it is, in fact, the instigator. We have witnessed Russia act disingenuously towards negotiations as well. President Putin agreed at the 2019 Normandy summit to take steps to improve the humanitarian and security situations on the ground. However, Russia subsequently sought to hinder the implementation of those very same steps at the Trilateral Contact Group, both directly and through its proxies. Russia stalled the opening of new civilian crossing points along the line of contact and blocked additional exchanges of detainees. President Putin has even refused to endorse the agreement on measures to strengthen the ceasefire that Ukraine secured through the Trilateral Contact Group last July.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“I thank the briefers for their presentations today. The United States is deeply grateful for the work of regional multilateral institutions, the Security Council and our partners and allies to bring peace, prosperity and stability to Ukraine. In 2014, Russia occupied Crimea and instigated a conflict in the Donbas region. Russia has blocked meaningful progress in diplomatic negotiations, while arming, training, funding and leading its proxy forces and supporting the self-proclaimed “authorities” on the ground. Since 2014, Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine have led to the deaths of more than 13,000 people. Its actions have displaced 1.5 million Ukrainians and left an additional 3.4 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Russia has stepped up its efforts to destabilize Ukraine and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty over the past year.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“Joining together with the United Nations and other international partners, the United States will continue to lead the fight against COVID-19 during this critical time, and we will do all we can to ensure a safer and more secure world, both now and in future.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“Today’s humanitarian landscape is unprecedented in its magnitude, acceleration and complexity. COVID-19’s second-order impacts on the most vulnerable have been catastrophic — rising food prices, as we have heard today, falling incomes, drops in remittances, interrupted vaccine programmes, school closures and a civilian protection crisis. Those impacts continue to be felt acutely by vulnerable and marginalized populations, including here in the United States. We have all acutely felt the impacts of this horrific pandemic, and we must be united in our efforts to eliminate it. As I said before, we know there is light at the end of this tunnel, and we must not let this virus stall long-standing efforts towards peace and security.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“The United States continues to lead the world’s scientific, humanitarian and health-assistance response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will engage internationally, including partnering with WHO and the entire United Nations system, to combat COVID-19, promote health and advance global health security to save lives, promote economic recovery and build better resilience against future biological threats. The United States will also seek to bolster GAVI and the COVAX Facility to support vaccines reaching all parts of the globe, new approaches to health security and an acceleration of the Global Health Security Agenda. The United States has already announced over $1.6 billion in additional economic, health and humanitarian assistance as part of about $20.5 billion in United States funding to combat COVID-19.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“From a vaccine-management perspective, including extreme cold-chain requirements for delivery of some vaccines, organizing mass vaccination events amid violence and conflict will be immensely difficult. Relevant public-health authorities must be given the space and safety they need to operate efficiently and quickly, not just to vaccinate against COVID-19 but to maintain critical vaccination campaigns against polio, measles and other devastating diseases. We also condemn terrorist organizations that have taken advantage of this difficult situation to escalate violence while Governments try to focus on containing the virus. We will continue our legitimate operations against these terrorist groups, which threaten peace everywhere.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“But, unfortunately, many of those ceasefires have not held, and parties have resumed fighting even as the virus raged on. We strongly urge States and other parties to armed conflict to respect existing ceasefires, or to conclude new ceasefire agreements so that they may focus on managing this pandemic and protecting their citizens. Faithfully implemented, ceasefires would provide a necessary respite for women, children and men on the front lines of violence and conflict, and thus particularly vulnerable to the virus. We must also ensure that vitally needed humanitarian aid, and those delivering it, are fully protected and able to do so, especially in these vulnerable regions. And humanitarian access must be urgently granted to reach those who need aid.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“We are all concerned with ensuring that conflict-affected countries are able to access testing, combat disinformation, safely treat their patients, continue to implement public-safety guidelines and access and deliver the critical vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics needed for recovery. Many of the countries affected by conflicts also suffer from poverty and lack of humanitarian assistance, including access to sufficient volumes of vaccines to protect their populations. We were pleased that, well before the Security Council adopted resolution 2532 (2020), several armed groups declared ceasefires to heed the Secretary-General’s call. As early as April 2020, fighters in 12 countries had put down their weapons, including those involved in some of the world’s most intractable conflicts.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“As a WHO member State, the United States will work closely with all Security Council members to ensure WHO is strengthened and reformed appropriately, not only to face this current challenge but also to effectively stand up to other challenges yet to come. The language in resolution 2532 (2020) remains as relevant and critical now as when it was adopted in July 2020. Conflict-affected countries, weakened by war and violence, remain highly vulnerable to this virus, particularly as COVID-19 becomes more transmissible. Public-health officials must have the space and safety needed to continue fighting this virus, to provide affected populations with accurate and factual information and to deploy vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“No one will be safe until the virus is finally and completely defeated. As the Chief Medical Adviser to President Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told our WHO colleagues last week that the United States “will commit to building global health security capacity, expanding pandemic preparedness and supporting efforts to strengthen health systems around the world and to advance the Sustainable Development Goals”. WHO must play a central role in our combined response to this pandemic, and we look forward to working with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), WHO, the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility to help facilitate a rapid global vaccine roll-out.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“As a first sign of our renewed commitment to supporting multilateral efforts to fight the pandemic, on 20 January President Biden signed a letter to the Secretary-General retracting the previous Administration’s notification of the United States intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as a letter informing the WHO Director-General of that decision. Despite all that the global community has endured during this pandemic, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is nothing short of a modern scientific marvel that, in less than one year, numerous safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics have been developed around the world. The United States is working to ensure those vaccines get to those who need them most, and we will also work with our partners to facilitate access to those most in need.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“The city we call home, New York, was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and I want to express our deep appreciation for those on the front lines — the doctors, the health-care workers and others who have risked their lives and, in doing so, have saved countless others. Their selfless courage and selflessness show the best of who we are as human beings, and we should strive to emulate that same spirit here in the Security Council and in our work each and every day. We thank them so much. The United States is committed to working together with other countries to combat this deadly virus.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“I thank Tunisia for convening today’s discussion on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and for the leadership it has shown on this critical issue. It has been over a year since the world became aware of this terrible virus, and none of us have been spared its impacts. We express profound sorrow for the deaths, illnesses and economic devastation that have occurred as a result of this horrible pandemic. On behalf of the United States, I want to express our deepest condolences to the members of the United Nations community who have lost loved ones and colleagues to the pandemic.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“In their efforts, we urge the Economic Community of Central African States, the African Union and the United Nations to call for a political dialogue and hold armed actors accountable. Clearly, the security situation in the Central African Republic deteriorated during the electoral period. We look forward to working closely with the United Nations and other members of the Council to come up with better solutions before the next Security Council meeting on this topic, to be held in February.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“If the status quo continues, that poor coordination could severely hinder the delivery of life-saving assistance, it could undermine MINUSCA’s ability to fully implement its Security Council- mandated tasks, including the protection of civilians, and it could place peacekeepers and humanitarian workers in grave danger. We urge all actors on the ground in the Central African Republic to coordinate transparently by providing timely information to MINUSCA and other partners in Bangui to ensure the safety and security of all actors operating in this complicated theatre of operations. We condemn attacks against humanitarian actors and the theft and destruction of equipment and other resources that enable humanitarian actors to meet urgent needs. We urge all parties to allow the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance now.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“We understand the Central African Government requested today’s meeting to discuss the lifting, even temporarily, of the arms embargo. Based on recent reports of fighting and the performance of the Central African military — or the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic — the United States is concerned about the armed forces’ ability to properly utilize and account for their weapons and equipment. We remind the Security Council that all requests to provide armaments have been approved, and there are no outstanding requests before the Sanctions Committee. We also remain concerned about insufficient coordination by bilateral troops with MINUSCA peacekeepers and humanitarian actors.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“We look forward to receiving the Government of the Central African Republic’s assessment of what went wrong and call on the Office of the Inspector General of the Ministry of Defence to make recommendations for the future. We welcome the Central African Republic Government’s invitation to the international community to be part of that assessment and commit the United States to playing an active role. All individuals responsible for human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable. For the United States, we will be thinking carefully about how our support going forward needs to be calibrated to ensure better performance and assumption of responsibility on the part of the Central African Republic Government for basic administrative tasks, such as the payment of salaries and the resupply of forward operating bases.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“Again, we would note that the effort to protect civilians and support the peaceful conduct of elections resulted in the loss of seven United Nations peacekeepers in less than four weeks. Despite those efforts, we regret that in many cases armed groups’ actions indeed hindered Central Africans’ right to vote. While recognizing MINUSCA’s important role in the security response to armed group attacks, we must also acknowledge that we are dismayed by the Central African military’s pattern of widespread desertions and defections. That was also the pattern in previous violence in 2013, but we would have hoped to see a change owing to significant investments in training, equipment and direct budgetary support by numerous friends of the Government of the Central African Republic.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to carry out its mandate and protect innocent civilians across the country in recent weeks, particularly in Bangui, Bouar and Grimari. MINUSCA peacekeepers have repeatedly repelled armed group attacks, at great risk to their own personal safety, reflecting the very best of peacekeeping’s potential to contribute to international peace and security. In doing so, MINUSCA has not only valiantly delivered on its mandate to protect civilians but also contributed to the Central African Republic’s democratic process.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“They must stop, and they must stop now. The United States takes note of Monday’s ruling by the Constitutional Court. The presidential elections were carried out in the face of significant disruptions, with numerous armed groups and political actors using violence to try to scuttle the democratic process. Now that the Constitutional Court has ruled on election challenges, we urge all parties to respect the Court’s ruling and adhere to the democratic principles of good governance and equal treatment for all under the law. We further call on Central African political leaders to build an inclusive Government that represents and serves all Central Africans, thereby peacefully addressing any underlying sources of tension.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ndiaye for his briefing today. The United States extends its deepest condolences to the families of the two Burundian peacekeepers killed on 25 December, the Rwandan peacekeeper killed on 13 January, the Burundian peacekeeper killed on 15 January and the Gabonese and Moroccan peacekeepers killed in an ambush on 18 January. We also express our deep condolences to the Cameroonian peacekeeper who died on 3 January. Each of these deaths is a terrible loss for the loved ones left behind, but taken collectively they are an outrage against all States Members of the United Nations and the entire United Nations system. Attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, and they may meet the criteria for designation under United Nations sanctions.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“The Abraham Accords provide a foundation for further advances towards regional peace, and we encourage other League members to join their fellow Arab States in normalizing relations with Israel. As we face each conflict across the world as a Council, I am reminded of the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whom we honour today in the United States with a national holiday. He said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” The United States thanks Tunisia for holding this important meeting, and we look forward to continued cooperation with the League of Arab States.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“As such, we are encouraged by the breakthrough made at the 5 January Gulf Cooperation Council summit, which marks a positive step towards restoring Gulf and Arab unity, and we hope the Gulf countries will continue to reconcile their differences. Finally, The Abraham Accords and the decisions by the Governments of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the Sudan and Morocco to normalize relations with Israel present a historic opportunity. After decades of division and conflict, these normalized relations offer new paths of peaceful diplomacy that can help promote greater regional security and widen opportunities for expanded economic growth and prosperity among all countries of the region.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“Success will also mean a sovereign Iraq that can defend its national interests and hold free and fair elections, thus fulfilling a key demand of Iraqi protesters who want to end Iranian malign influence. The United States continues to aggressively press the Iranian regime to end its role in these conflicts and curtail its support for terrorist groups and militias. Individually, States are susceptible to Iran’s coercion, intimidation and malign behaviour, and those States should not have to go it alone. Indeed, Iran has deployed so many of its resources to perpetuate its revolutionary ideology and malign activities in the region that it can be effectively countered only by a strong, unified front.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“Iranian-backed militias routinely engage in widespread theft of Iraqi State resources, conduct targeted killings and stoke sectarian violence. To combat that, the United Nations and the United States have worked closely with the Iraqi Government to help Iraq strengthen its sovereignty. The Secretariat is currently in talks with the Government of Iraq on how best to support its request for election observers. We stand ready to support the Government of Iraq and the United Nations in providing the resources needed to hold a free and fair election. We welcome greater cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States to ensure better outcomes for the Iraqi Government and people. Success will give members of vulnerable minority communities the chance to thrive again.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“We thank the League for its contributions as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Shams (ISIS). The Coalition has brought together 83 countries and international organizations to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. Iran remains the most significant threat to regional peace and security, as it is engaged in malign activities across the region from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia. We welcome the League’s May 2020 statement that condemned continued Iranian malign actions, its aggressive behaviour and its provocative acts to undermine regional security and stability. The current situation in Iraq shows the real damage that Iranian-backed elements can do to a country’s prosperity and long-term stability.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“As we and others on the Security Council have made clear over and over, it is the Al-Assad regime’s actions that starve the Syrian people and prevent assistance from getting to all those who need it — not international or unilateral sanctions. Despite the regime’s pretence that Syria has stabilized sufficiently for foreign assistance, the conflict is not over. There will be no reconstruction assistance until the regime has fully committed to a political solution as outlined in resolution 2254 (2015). We commend our friends and allies within the League of Arab States for standing firm against readmitting Al-Assad’s Syria and not normalizing relations until an inclusive political process is under way. A unified stance on that issue is essential to ensure that the Al-Assad regime realizes there is no military solution to this conflict.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“That includes the League’s ongoing engagement in a range of protracted conflicts that continue to threaten regional stability and create multiple complex humanitarian crises. Across the region, the United States supports United Nations-led international efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts in Syria, Libya and Yemen, and we will always demand respect for international humanitarian law. We seek political solutions that allow the parties to establish legitimate, accountable and effective Governments that respect the rights of their citizens. The Syrian conflict continues after nearly a decade with untold and completely unnecessary suffering and humanitarian need as the Al-Assad regime continues its brutal campaign against the Syrian people.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their briefings today. It has been 18 months since the United Nations established its Liaison Office to the League of Arab States in Cairo, and we support the ongoing efforts to enhance coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. We hope to see increasing dividends from that coordination as both organizations engage on key issues such as peacebuilding, counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and natural-resource management. The United States also values our important partnership with the League. We thank the League of Arab States for working with us as we mutually seek a stable, prosperous and secure Middle East.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“We are thankful that the 7 January attack on a base of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali resulted in no casualties. International security forces alone are not the solution to the scourge of terrorism. Stability there can come only from within the country through democratic reforms, a greater governmental presence in the north and better public services. We are encouraged that the signatory parties to the Algiers Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation on Mali recently released a revised road map to fulfil the Agreement’s benchmarks. We hope that the Security Council will continue to urge the signatory parties forward on that positive trajectory and assist the transitional Government in fulfilling its stated commitment to critical reforms during the transition period.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“To help stabilize the Sahel, regional Governments must continue to strengthen State institutions, provide good governance to their citizens and give humanitarian organizations unfettered access to reach those in need. Governments undermine their own credibility when State officials, particularly security forces, violate or abuse human rights and fail to protect their citizens. All parties must respect the humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law. Finally, turning to Mali, the United States extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the five French soldiers from Operation Barkhane who were recently killed. Attacks against international security forces must stop.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source