YouSaid · the spoken record

Rosenthal

lines on the record: 930
first: 2000-03-23
most recent: 2017-08-29
sittings or episodes: 146
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

“Therefore, while respecting the norms of international humanitarian law, the Syrian Government must allow its population access to humanitarian assistance. We cannot allow those people to go without timely access to medical care, assistance, water and food. That is also why we appeal to the international community to continue to provide humanitarian assistance in support to the affected population. In conclusion, we think that a greater outpouring of violence in Syria can still be prevented. In our view, we cannot allow more acts of violence or violations of human rights to be committed by any of the parties, much less for such acts to continue with impunity while increasing in magnitude and brutality.”
2012-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6826 (2012) · source
“In that regard, the efforts that countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan have undertaken to receive those people are commendable. The efforts undertaken by the United Nations, especially by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to meet the most immediate needs of the affected population, above all the internally displaced persons, is also commendable and must be emphasized. Humanitarian staff have worked heroically under difficult and dangerous circumstances, often facing the ill will ofthe authorities and now facing a lack offunds. That situation is compounded by the increase in the number ofvictims of violence, most of them women and children.”
2012-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6826 (2012) · source
“It has been called easy, but we all know how difficult it has been to persuade the parties to the conflict to lay down their weapons. When that does not happen, we usually appeal, not only to the Government but also to the armed opposition to respect the human rights of the civilian population and to avoid actions that could later be classified as war crimes, including murder, extrajudicial execution and torture. The idea of creating buffer zones within Syrian territory is also being discussed. That entails some obviously appealing aspects, but also raises legal and practical questions that have not been considered by the Council. While this debate is being held, the number of Syrian refugees is increasing every day.”
2012-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6826 (2012) · source
“It is difficult to separate the humanitarian situation from the political situation in Syria, an issue which has been on our agenda for almost a year and which led to the adoption of resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012) and to certain well-known subsequent developments. The internal conflict has given rise to a humanitarian crisis and that crisis is laying the groundwork for a worsening of the conflict. The most recent report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/19/69) and the recent attacks in Damascus and Aleppo show that there has been an increase in acts of violence in the country. The battles being waged in cities, with little respect for civilians, including through the use of heavy weaponry, tanks, helicopters and airplanes, must end.”
2012-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6826 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing and presiding over this meeting, which draws our attention to the dramatic humanitarian situation in Syria. We regret the absence of our own Minister for Foreign Affairs, who had a prior commitment and is on an official mission. We thank the Ministers of Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Colombia and Togo for their presence here. We also thank Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres for their briefings.”
2012-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6826 (2012) · source
“We urge them to continue to fulfil their mandate in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999), which is the basis of the legal framework in Kosovo.”
2012-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6822 (2012) · source
“We expect that every complaint will be conscientiously investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice. In that connection, I should also like to refer to the Special Investigative Task Force charged with analysing allegations of human rights violations and organ trafficking in Kosovo. We are closely following the progress in that regard. We note the report by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (S/2012/603, annex I). We continue to believe that it would be best to find an arrangement that involved the United Nations in investigating those allegations. Finally, I wish to express our complete support for the Mission, as well as for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.”
2012-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6822 (2012) · source
“The report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities throughout Kosovo. Since the Secretary-General's last report (S/2012/275) there has been an increase in criminal acts greatly harmful to minority communities, as compared with the same period last year. What is especially alarming is that the attacks have now intensified and become more brutal. In that regard, we would like to receive recommendations on a more regular basis about how the Security Council can support UNMIK in fulfilling its mandate. That is also critical to increasing the rate of voluntary returnees to Kosovo. That brings me to another point, which is the need to strengthen the rule of law and the judicial sector, especially the need to improve the response of public institutions, especially the police, when such incidents occur.”
2012-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6822 (2012) · source
“We welcome the clear reaffirmation of commitment by the new President of Serbia to fully comply with agreements already achieved. The Secretary-General's report describes events that make it clear that UNMIK continues to play an essential role as a guardian of stability and neutrality in Kosovo and the region. I would first like to refer to the situation in northern Kosovo, which as the Secretary-General states, remains fragile. We call on the parties to act with restraint, to prevent a political setback or a resurgence of instability. We share the Secretary-General's concern about Pristina's intention to cut funding of the UNMIK Administration Mitrovica, diverting it to a local administrative office, which lacks the support and trust of the public.”
2012-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6822 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) contained in document S/2012/603. Likewise, allow me welcome and thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Farid Zarif for his briefing. We are also grateful for the presentations that we heard earlier this morning from Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacie and from Mr. Hashim Thaci. We commend Serbia on its successful elections and we hope that once the establishment of the Government in Belgrade is finalized dialogue with Pristina will resume, focused on the implementation of existing agreements as well as tackling new subjects.”
2012-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6822 (2012) · source
“Although we recognize that there may be indications of attacks by guerilla or armed groups in the Sudan, the decisions of the Council should be taken on the basis of evidence, facts or concrete information of the events on the ground. In the current case, the objective information from the Secretariat does not provide a basis for believing that there is any involvement of the Lord's Resistance Army in the zone covered by UNAMID.”
2012-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6819 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (Spoke in Spanish): Guatemala joined the consensus and voted in favour of resolution 2063 (2012), which extends the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 31 July 2013. We hope that the adoption of the resolution will allow UNAMID to continue to exercise the mandate granted by the Council, particularly in protecting civilians and assisting the efforts to arrive at a prompt peace and stability in the region, based on the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. However, we note in our national capacity that, while having voted in favour of the resolution, we have serious reservations regarding paragraph 17, which refers to the Lord's Resistance Army.”
2012-07-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6819 (2012) · source
“While recognizing Israel's security concerns, this collective punishment has been imposed on all innocent families living in the area. At the same time, we consider it important that all armed groups operating from Gaza cease their military claims. Their actions only prolong the suffering of these families and jeopardize the peace process. Finally, my delegation believes that respect for international law is the key to the peace process in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. That respect depends not only on Israel and Palestine, but, in the face of their continued violation of these norms, on the international community and the United Nations as well. Only by respecting the rights of each of these populations, and by pledging to seek a peaceful solution, will they be able to live together with strong and secure borders.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“It is even more disturbing to note that, according to Israeli authorities, the work of such a mission would be "biased and flawed" and that the fact-finding mission "embodies the inherent distortion that typifies the United Nations Human Rights Council's treatment of Israel and the hijacking of the important human rights agenda by non-democratic countries". We have serious doubts about the characterization of the work of one of the most important bodies for the protection of human rights as "biased and inaccurate". Additionally, we believe it necessary to review the need to continue the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip. We are concerned that some 80 per cent of families in Gaza depend on humanitarian aid.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“We are willing to support and promote every opportunity to resume negotiations, but we remained concerned over actions that clearly threaten the prospect of a peaceful solution. As stated by the International Court of Justice, the settlement policy promoted by the Government of Israel is illegal and jeopardizes the outcome of the peace process. In that regard, we are concerned that the Israeli Government, on the one hand, should seek to justify such illegal actions by publishing the report of a presidential commission appointed to study the situation of the settlements in occupied territories, while on the other hand it denies access to United Nations officials appointed by the Human Rights Council to analyse the legal status of these settlements.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“The so-called two-State solution favoured by the Quartet must be the product of direct negotiations between the parties involved, with the support of the international community. We believe that the daily efforts to find a definitive peaceful solution must continue. However, they should be complemented by the will and commitment of the parties to negotiating in an atmosphere of good faith and mutual trust. Both sides should do their utmost to find common ground that will lead them to finding a satisfactory solution as soon as possible. We note that the situation is extremely fragile, but that does not mean that it is impossible to resolve. The efforts of the Quartet and its individual members, as well as the direct approaches that have taken place between the parties themselves, suggest that all is not lost.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“The situation in Syria is ofparticular concern given the information that reaches us daily on the human and material losses and the high number of displaced persons. The lack of consensus on a draft resolution by the Council is doubly unfortunate against that humanitarian background. On this occasion, we will also mention one key issue that has been on the Security Council's agenda for the longest time and that took up most of Mr. Serry's briefing, namely, the Palestinian issue. That issue has been somewhat overtaken by events in other countries of the region. In that regard, and as for the peace process in the Middle East, we continue to believe that the creation of a Palestinian State, living in peace and security within secure borders with its neighbour, Israel, is an objective of singular importance.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“Kofi Annan and, therefore, adopted a 30-day extension of the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic, supposedly for its orderly withdrawal. Secondly, in Lebanon, the national dialogue was resumed under the threat of a spillover of violence from Syria. Thirdly, in Yemen, the authorities continue to wage war against terrorist groups that threaten the nascent democracy. Fourthly, only a few days ago, more than 100 persons were reported dead in Iraq, reminding us that the country remains on our agenda, as the recently adopted extension of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq underscores. Fifthly, there was a terrorist attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria - an act that we condemn.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We would like to thank Mr. Robert Serry, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for the very comprehensive information that he has given us. We also thank the Permanent Observer of Palestine and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel for their presentations. As is our custom, every month we meet to consider the issue of the Middle East and we frequently find ourselves obliged to repeat our arguments. However, during the past month, we have been faced with very unusual situations, whose future impact is still uncertain. Only last week, we had several significant events. First, we did not reach agreement on providing unanimous political support to Mr.”
2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816 (2012) · source
“In conclusion, our delegation profoundly regrets that we have not been able to respond to the calls of the League of Arab States, the Joint Special Envoy, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Secretary General of the Arab League. We call on all members of the international community to persevere with new initiatives to find a solution that responds to the interests of the Syrian people and especially to avoid the spread of this conflict to the neighbouring countries.”
2012-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6810 (2012) · source
“The larger moral of the scene we have just witnessed is not that the Security Council is impotent, because the Council has demonstrated time and again that it can act decisively and firmly to achieve tangible results. The important point here is that we were unable to forge a consensus to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to us by the Charter, which is a major collective failure for us all. The ultimate irony is that what the draft resolution sought to prevent - an expansion of the wave of violence - will have the perverse effect of achieving the exact opposite. For that reason, what we have just witnessed saddens and disappoints us immensely.”
2012-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6810 (2012) · source
“The main thing is to put a stop to the violence, no matter where it comes from, and the key to taking the first step is in the hands of the Government. Secondly, we regret that the work of Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan has been seriously compromised. Even the final communique of the so-called Action Group for Syria (S/2012/523, annex), adopted just three weeks ago partly as a result of Mr. Annan's creativity, has ended up being a dead letter. Thirdly, we regret this action because of its impact on the Council and, in more general terms, on the United Nations, whose prestige has suffered a new blow. Our inability to adopt a unified position is a serious setback on this unique occasion, with all that it implies in the real world.”
2012-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6810 (2012) · source
“It is one of the measures of preventive diplomacy at the disposal of the Security Council as it seeks to exercise its role in maintaining international peace. We believe that the potential application of sanctions on the grounds of non-compliance was the least we could do, given the sequence of broken commitments on the part of the Government of Syria in recent months. We deplore the fact that the draft resolution was not approved. We regret the outcome, in the first place, because ofthe people of Syria, whose children suffer on a daily basis the horrors of the spiral of violence, which began with peaceful protests by citizens against their Government, but has now spawned an armed conflict where barbaric acts can be attributed to both sides.”
2012-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6810 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): Guatemala voted in favour of the draft resolution (S/2012/538) that the Council just failed to adopt. In our judgement, that resolution was the best opportunity and perhaps the only remaining opportunity to put an end to the mindless violence that affects the Syrian Arab Republic and to initiate a political transition led by the Syrians themselves and corresponding to long repressed popular demands. As is known, the by-no-means trivial issue that impeded a consensus today is based on the resistance that some members have had to invoke Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, which covers the possibility of applying coercive measures in the event of non-compliance with the Council's decisions. That same Article 41 expressly excludes punitive measures, such as the use of armed force.”
2012-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6810 (2012) · source
“Both the report of the co-facilitators of 2010 and the most recent report of the Commission suggest ways to achieve this goal.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“Up to now, the demands to expand the number of country configurations has collided with the finite capacity of the secretariat to handle a larger volume of activity. In other words, we must support the Secretariat and continue to support our active participation in this forum with the dedication, care and, I would even say, sacrifice that many countries have demonstrated over the past five years. The Peacebuilding Commission has become one of those cases that we frequently encounter that is characterized by the "glass half full" syndrome. We believe that there is the potential to fill the other half of the proverbial glass and transform the Commission into what it was expected to be when our Heads of State and Government adopted the 2005 World Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1).”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“The other instrument that clearly has had an important impact, with intrinsic value as well as a catalytic element for the other root functions of the Commission, is the Peacebuilding Fund. A call should be made to the entire donor community to replenish the Fund with fresh resources, since, in our opinion, and as the Secretary-General indicated this morning, it has been the most successful element of the United Nations efforts in the area of peacebuilding. Thirdly, what can Member States contribute, individuallyandcollectively,toempowertheCommission and bring it closer to meeting its core objectives? The Commission, like any intergovernmental organ, is the product of the responsible guidance and support of the Member States and the enlightened support of its secretariat.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“Secondly, what tools should the Commission utilize to expand its potential in each of its three main functions to have a greater impact in the field? In our brief experience in the Commission, we perceived the greatest potential at the level of the country configurations, which have clearly had a positive impact on the ground, but could be strengthened even more. The leadership of the configurations plays a critical role, and so the selection of their Chairs merits special care. Theu do not necessarily have to be limited to the pool of United Nations accredited Permanent Representatives; one could also consider notable persons from outside of the Organization.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“Of course, the dividing line between peace-making and peacebuilding is hazy, but precisely for that reason a good understanding between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission would enhance compliance with each organ's mandates, especially in the field. However, our perception is that in practice each forum carries out its activities separately. In other words, the frequent invocations of coordinated efforts are more rhetorical than operational. That must end and give way to genuine alliances. The same can be said regarding alliances outside of the United Nations, especially among the international financial institutions. Some progress has been achieved in that connection, especially regarding the World Bank and the African Development Bank. But we believe that there is still a long way to go.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“The way to highlight its role is to improve its capacity to create partnerships within and outside of the United Nations. Within the Organization, owing to the constitution of its membership, it can be said that the Commission is a product of the three principal intergovernmental organs I have mentioned, and as such forms a hinge between them, thereby strengthening the role of each. Furthermore, the Commission represents a meeting point among the Security Council - whose mandate is limited to maintaining international peace and security 4 the General Assembly and, above all, the Economic and Social Council, which have mandates in the area of development and democratic governance.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“In a brief statement it is neither possible nor appropriate to address the multiple issues raised both in the co-facilitators' report and in the Commission's report before us. For that reason we are grateful to the Colombian presidency for its concept paper, which ends with three questions that will help us to focus our remaining remarks. I shall be brief. First, how can the Commission realize its potential to provide added value to the web of institutions dedicated to similar roles? In our judgment, if the Commission would fully comply with its mandate its added value would be self-evident, since, contrary to the question's implication, its role is unique. It does not need to compete with other forums to gain attention or space.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“Consequently,in2010threeofourcolleagues-from South Africa, Mexico and Ireland - provided the Council with their report (S/2010/393, annex), which tries to reflect the opposing views within the United Nations regarding the performance of the Commission. The main conclusion of the three co-facilitators can be characterized in a single phrase: the hopes that accompanied the creation of the Commission "have yet to be realized". The report contains recommendations that seek to close the gap between expectations and results. The General Assembly and the Security Council so aligned themselves in adopting General Assembly resolution 65/7 and Security Council resolution 1947 (2010).”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“A corollary to that idea is reflected in the institutional aspect, since three of the principal inter-governmental organs - the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council - addressed different aspects of peacemaking or peacebuilding. What could be better than creating a specialized body linked to those three organs that would foster greater coherence within the United Nations system in addressing specifically the situation of countries emerging from conflict? As will be recalled, the Commission was created through concurrent resolutions 60/180 of the General Assembly and 1645 (2005) ofthe Security Council, after a relatively prolonged negotiation period. Furthermore, the possibility of modifying the forum was agreed to, by establishing a five-year review process.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“We especially appreciate the detailed information on each of the countries belonging to specific configurations when it comes to the main functions ofthe Commission, namely, political advocacy and support, resource mobilization and fostering coherence. We are grateful for the statements made by Ambassadors Gasana and Momen and by Mr. Von Amsberg of the World Bank, whom we welcome here today. What gave life to the Peacebuilding Commission in 2005 was a very simple idea, conceptually speaking. The United Nations had accumulated 60 years of solid experience in both peacekeeping and development. The time had come to capitalize on those experiences, crystallizing them in a specialized entity that would apply the lessons learned in both areas to countries emerging from conflict - in other words, in peacebuilding processes.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, Madam President, allow me to say that we are pleased to see you presiding over this meeting. We appreciate your personal presence, we appreciate the delegation of Colombia's having organized this open debate and we appreciate the excellent concept paper you have prepared to guide our deliberations (S/2012/511, annex). We also wish to express our thanks to the Secretary-General for his statement and to the secretariat for the report of the Peacebuilding Commission (S/2012/70), which covers the proceedings of its fifth session. Guatemala was a Member State of the Commission during the period under consideration and even had the honour of holding one of the Vice-Chairs. We therefore can relate to the contents of the report, in both its informational and analytical aspects.”
2012-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6805 (2012) · source
“For that reason, we urge for the execution of the arrest warrants that were issued by the International Criminal Court for the three leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army who have been charged with, among others things, war crimes and crimes against humanity. We encourage all States to cooperate with the Court in order to execute those warrants and to bring the perpetrators of those atrocities to justice. Finally, we would like to express our support for the draft presidential statement to be adopted today.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6796 (2012) · source
“We encourage the authorities of each of the affected countries to lend their support and cooperation to this strategy for the benefit of their peoples, who for decades now have had to suffer under the scourge of this armed group. Once again, we vigorously condemn the violations that have been committed and that unfortunately continue to be committed by the Lord's Resistance Army and we express our solidarity with the victims. Guatemala has also been a direct victim of the attacks perpetrated by that armed group. In January 2006, eight Guatemalan peacekeeping officers who had been deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo lost their lives in Garamba National Park when they were ambushed by members of the Lord's Resistance Army. We still hope that one day the perpetrators of those acts will be brought to justice.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6796 (2012) · source
“As for the Lord's Resistance Army, my delegation remains concerned, of course, by the devastating effects that this armed group and its current activities continue to have in the areas within which it operates. The brutality of its activities continues to threaten thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children. We therefore support the regional strategy presented by UNOCA in cooperation with the African Union to combat the initiatives of the Lord's Resistance Army, improve efforts to promote the protection of civilians by establishing mechanisms for humanitarian assistance and for the protection of children in all of the affected areas, and provide assistance to the Governments that are affected by this rebel group.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6796 (2012) · source
“We commend the determination of UNOCA to work closely with the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) in order to tackle the serious security problems that face those two subregions. The joint efforts of UNOCA and UNOWA will be indispensable in dealing with the negative repercussions of the conflict in Libya for Western and Central Africa and for insecurity in the Sahel region. We call upon UNOCA to continue its efforts in order to enhance coordination of the United Nations missions that are working in the region, and to promote cooperation with regional organizations such as the Economic Community of Central African States and the African Union.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6796 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We would like to thank Mr. Abou Moussa for the informative briefing that he has given us concerning the work of his office and for his report on the areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). We also thank Ambassador Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira for the very useful information he has given us. We welcome the measures adopted by the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) to facilitate regional initiatives and coordinate the activities undertaken by the entities of the United Nations to prevent conflicts and help build peace in the Central African region. UNOCA has an important role to play.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6796 (2012) · source
“It was only on the basis of our desire not to see the work of the 1540 Committee affected that we joined the consensus on this occasion, despite our reservations concerning the final composition of the Group of Experts.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6795 (2012) · source
“We believe that it is necessary to respect the criteria for selecting the experts, as established under resolution 1977 (2011), as they meet the legitimate interests of the international community to have at its disposal, in addition to the most qualified people, a group that is diverse and reflects a balance of representation among its members. The criteria on which the selection of experts is based are an important factor for ensuring that the 1540 Committee maintains its legitimacy. In that regard, we should have preferred the criteria to be respected in the selection of the members of the Group of Experts referred to in resolution 2055 (2012), which we have just adopted, without additional budgetary implications beyond those already foreseen.”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6795 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): Guatemala appreciates the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and its Group of Experts. We believe that they have done important and useful work since their establishment to promote the heightened efforts of the international community to combat the dangers and threats posed by nuclear proliferation. We consider it important that such efforts continue. We also value the role played by the Group of Experts of the 1540 Committee. Without the support provided by the experts to Member States, and to developing countries in particular, it would be difficult for many to establish plans of action, present national reports and make progress on the measures necessary to comply with the provisions ofresolution 1540 (2004).”
2012-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6795 (2012) · source
“The international community shares that vision and should make that clear in the form of political will. The current situation is testimony to the need to continue to make progress in electoral reform in accordance with the Constitution, strengthen regional ties and implement confidence-building measures, as well the need for a strong commitment on the part of Afghanistan to good governance, the combat against corruption and drug trafficking, the strengthening of human rights and the consolidation of the rule of law.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source
“We are certain that the Tokyo Conference will be the appropriate forum for consolidating the advances made, with the United Nations leading the process. In that respect, we take note of the fact that the Mission will be re-evaluating its activities and optimizing its resources in order to focus its efforts on the discharge of its basic mandate. We hope that that exercise will guarantee the availability of the resources necessary to ensure that the Mission's mandate is not adversely affected. Also important are coherence and coordination between humanitarian actors and those involved in development efforts within the framework of UNAMA. Finally, we reiterate that Guatemala supports Afghanistan's aspirations to move forward along the path towards democracy, prosperity and stability.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source
“Although we note the recent fall in the number of victims, we remain concerned about the calibre of attacks, such as the assassination of a member of the High Peace Council and attacks on schools and people who work in the education system in Afghanistan. We condemn all indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including NATO air raids. Likewise, we find the situation faced by women and children in Afghanistan to be deplorable. We call for tangible measures to be taken in order to protect and guarantee their rights. Fourthly, I should like to underscore the need for international cooperation, without which the progress that has been made to date could be reversed. That progress must be sustained, and we must be prepared for a long-term commitment in that respect.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source
“Likewise, we take note of the announcement by President Karzai of the beginning of the third phase of transfer of security responsibilities to the Afghan forces. However, we would highlight that the transition cannot and must not be limited to security. The sources of insecurity are not limited to physical security, but also include food security, guarantees for human development, human rights and respect for the rule of law. Thirdly, two days ago we held in this Chamber an open debate on the protection of civilians, which gave us much food for thought (see S/PV.6790). Guatemala remains concerned about the protection of civilians in Afghanistan.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source
“We are encouraged that the process will be newly invigorated since, in the absence of a consolidated reconciliation effort and in the light of the exit ofNATO security forces by 2014, it is likely that ongoing crises will continue to become more complicated. The report confirms that the presence of the United Nations will be indispensable beyond 2014. We trust that we will prepare ourselves in a timely manner for the new phase. Likewise, we fully support the good offices of UNAMA. Secondly, we note that the transition is proceeding normally and we are satisfied that the recent NATO Summit ratified its commitments and recognized the need for its continued participation, including beyond 2014.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source
“The Secretary-General observes in his report that there is scope for measured optimism with regard to the situation in Afghanistan. However, our optimism hinges on the extent to which the international community upholds its commitments, Afghanistan fully assumes its sovereign responsibilities, and the United Nations consolidates its presence on the ground. According to our assessment of the reporting period and that to come, the challenges are immense. I would like to comment on four areas. First, we fully support the process of Afghan reconciliation led by the Afghans themselves. We welcome the fact that a Chair for the High Peace Council has finally been appointed, particularly since it is Salahuddin Rabbani.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source
“Mr. Rosenthal (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2012/462). We also thank Mr. Herve Ladsous for his briefing and Ambassador Tanin for his helpful contribution. We would also like to congratulate Mr. Jan Kubis on the excellent work he has done leading the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), although he is not able to be with us at today's meeting. We meet today at a time when we find ourselves at a special crossroads of national sovereignty and mutual responsibility and accountability between Afghanistan and the international community. Security transition is under way, and important international and regional conferences have been held, such as those in Kabul and Chicago, not to mention one of the most important ahead of us, to be held in July in Tokyo.”
2012-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6793 (2012) · source