YouSaid · the spoken record

Satoh

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183

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1998-11-05

most recent

2002-05-20

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28

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un-security-council

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1. “The Government of Japan believes that the international community should address situations of potential conflict by taking a comprehensive approach that combines political, economic, social and humanitarian measures, taking into account the specific requirements of the situation. We consider it particularly important to try to eliminate the root causes of conflict through measures to alleviate poverty, while utilizing an early-warning system in order to detect possible conflicts. In the context of conflict prevention, I would also like to emphasize the importance of post-conflict peace-building efforts aimed at preventing the recurrence of conflicts, for it has been shown that conflicts recur in approximately 60 per cent of cases.”

   2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source

2. “I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on conflict prevention, and for providing us with the opportunity to present our views on this important issue. This meeting is a further testimony to the importance which the Security Council attaches to conflict prevention in the maintenance of world peace and security. Considering the cost of armed conflict in terms of human suffering and material destruction, not to mention of post-conflict national rehabilitation and reconstruction, the importance of resolving a dispute before it escalates into a conflict is all too obvious.”

   2000-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4174 (2000) · source

3. “Fundamental to ensuring East Timor's security is, indeed, national reconciliation, and further efforts towards that end are essential. We were relieved that incidents by former pro-integration militia members in the border areas decreased, thanks to efforts by the Indonesian Government, but certain more recent incidents near the border raise some concern. We hope that the Indonesian Government will continue its efforts to eliminate the security threats posed by these elements. As East Timor proceeds towards independence, the local population, donor countries and agencies, as well as the United Nations and UNTAET, all have essential roles to play. The Government of Japan, for its part, will continue to cooperate to the best of its ability.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

4. “We also welcome the commitment demonstrated by the donors at the conference to the timely disbursement of their pledges. I would also like to stress that it is very important for donors to give priority to those projects that address the immediate needs of the East Timorese and that may be expected to show quick results. Needless to say, the restructuring of UNTAET which is now being considered will have to focus on strengthening UNTAET's aid-coordination function in order to avoid duplication and to ensure that the assistance extended by donors is put to the best possible use. Finally, we must not forget the security requirements in East Timor. Unless its security is constantly maintained, efforts for the nation-building of East Timor cannot proceed smoothly.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

5. “In this regard, we support UNTAET's policy to seek greater participation by the local population in the administration and in the decision-making process. As we all know, nation-building is a painstakingly slow and long process, and will have to continue long after East Timor becomes independent. I would therefore like to caution against setting the benchmarks for the attainment of independence unrealistically high. We must not harbour the illusion that all of East Timor's problems will be resolved during UNTAET's time there. On the other hand, it goes without saying that donor countries are likewise expected to continue their efforts. In this respect, we welcome the reaffirmation of pledges made by donors at the second donor's conference, held in Lisbon last week.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

6. “Because that frustration is sometimes expressed in the form of criticism of UNTAET, greater efforts are necessary, particularly at the grass-roots level, to help the people correctly understand the nature and the limits of the role which the United Nations can play. In an effort to bridge that communication gap, the Japanese Government recently provided funding to UNTAET to cover the cost of distributing 8,500 radio sets among the local population. At the same time, the people of East Timor must recognize that the nation-building process depends much on their own self-help efforts. It is up to the United Nations and the international community to foster a culture of self-help by involving the local population directly in their country's nation-building efforts, with the goal of eventually turning over the process to the East Timorese.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

7. “In the belief that East Timor's reconstruction and development efforts could benefit from the active involvement of countries in the region, the Foreign Ministers of Japan and of Singapore recently agreed to collaborate in providing assistance for human resources development in East Timor. We also believe that it would be worthwhile for East Timor to engage in dialogue with its neighbouring countries, including the members of the Association of South- East Asian Nations (ASEAN), on regional cooperation. Secondly, it is important for UNTAET to improve its public information efforts among the East Timorese population. It is reported that in the face of massive unemployment and the slow pace of economic development, the people of East Timor are feeling increasingly frustrated.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

8. “In December of last year, for example, Japan hosted the first international donors' meeting, and our Foreign Minister, Mr. Yohei Kono, who visited Dili in April, intends to take up the subject of East Timor at the G-8 Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Japan in July. Today I would like to comment on a number of points to which Japan attaches particular importance as East Timor continues its nation-building efforts. First, it is essential that East Timor build a relationship of friendship and cooperation with interested countries, including its neighbours, in order to lay the ground for its future independence and prosperity.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

9. “In that regard, we commend and support the efforts made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As we reiterated at the second donor's conference, held in Lisbon last week, Japan remains determined to extend assistance to the best of its ability to UNTAET and to the people of East Timor, and hopes that the international community will likewise continue to provide support to them. I would like to add in this context that today's meeting is extremely important as a means of maintaining international interest in East Timor. I therefore pay tribute to you, Mr. President, for inviting non-Council members to present their views. Japan, for its part, is also striving to ensure that East Timor remains on the international agenda.”

   2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

10. “Eight months have passed since the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established. We welcome the progress made throughout East Timor during that time, thanks in no small measure to the dedicated efforts of the UNTAET staff under the able leadership of Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, who was mandated with the enormous task of rehabilitating and reconstructing East Timor virtually from scratch. This is not to say, however, that the problems confronting East Timor have been resolved. Indeed, UNTAET's continuing role in guiding East Timor on its path to independence will not be an easy one. Continuous efforts are needed on various fronts, including national reconciliation and the creation of employment. The fate of East Timorese refugees in West Timor, too, still remains a matter of great concern.”

    2000-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4165 (2000) · source

11. “For its part, Japan has been extending cooperation to the country's efforts - for example, by hosting a seminar on democracy and good governance in 1999, receiving T ajik trainees and contributing to the United Nations Development Programme rehabilitation, reconstruction and development programme. I want to assure the Council that Japan will continue to help Tajikistan in its nation-building efforts. Let me conclude by appealing to both the Government of Tajikistan and the international community to renew their determination at this important juncture to work together to further advance democratization, national reconciliation and economic development in Tajikistan.”

    2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source

12. “These include a lack of transparency in the voter registration process and ambiguities pertaining to the independence of the election administration. We would like to urge the Tajik Government to learn lessons from recent experiences and to improve the electoral system. It is evident that the Government and the people of Tajikistan will have to solve many problems in order to make further advances in their political, economic and social development. The demobilization, disarmament and reintegration into society of former soldiers is particularly important for the stability of Tajikistan, whose democracy is still fragile. We believe that, in solving these problems, Tajikistan needs greater attention and support from the international community.”

    2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source

13. “That Tajikistan's first democratic parliamentary elections were held in a relatively peaceful atmosphere with multi-party participation was no doubt an important step towards the realization of democracy. Having extended approximately $150,000 in financial assistance to the electoral observer mission deployed by the United Nations and the UNMOT voter education project, and also having sent a mission to monitor the election held in February, Japan shares a sense of achievement with the Government and the people of Tajikistan and indeed with all those concerned with UNMOT. But we have to acknowledge the fact that certain shortcomings still remain in the electoral system, as pointed out in the Secretary-General's report.”

    2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source

14. “Ivo Petrov, as well as to the former Special Representative, Mr. Jan Kubis, for their tireless efforts, which have greatly contributed to the progress to date in the democratization of Tajikistan. At the same time, let us not forget the invaluable contributions made by all the UNMOT staff members, particularly those who have given their lives for peace and democracy in Tajikistan. In all, eight United Nations staff members lost their lives during UNMOT's deployment. The victims include Professor Yutaka Akino, a renowned Japanese scholar of Central Asia, who was brutally murdered in July 1998 while serving as a political officer of UNMOT. His devotion to the cause of peace in Tajikistan has become a legend among the people of Japan.”

    2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source

15. “I would like to express my appreciation to you, Mr. President, for providing us with this opportunity to present our views on the situation in Tajikistan at this special moment when the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) has successfully completed its mandate. Japan fully agrees with the Secretary-General's assessment that with the completion of UNMOT's mandate, the democratization process in Tajikistan has to move on to a new stage. There is no doubt that continued United Nations involvement is indispensable in the coming years in order to consolidate the achievement made so far. Japan therefore supports the establishment of a post-conflict peace-building office in Tajikistan. I would like to pay high tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”

    2000-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4140 (2000) · source

16. “It is therefore imperative that the international community respond quickly and effectively. The actions it takes must be determined by decisions of the Security Council, as prescribed by the United Nations Charter. Whether to expand the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone to include the task of peace enforcement by incorporating the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) into the United Nations mission, or whether to entrust peace enforcement to ECOMOG itself, is for the Council to decide. What is most important is for the Security Council to respond promptly, before the situation deteriorates further. I can assure you, Mr. President, that Japan will continue to support the decisions of the Security Council on this issue.”

    2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source

17. “Japan has requested this opportunity to participate in this meeting because of its deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Sierra Leone. My delegation joins the previous speakers in condemning the violence by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), particularly its brutal attacks against unarmed civilians and United Nations peacekeepers. We demand that the RUF stop its hostile actions and that it release unharmed the hundreds of peacekeepers it has taken hostage. The danger that the hostilities could escalate once again into a full-blown civil war is very real. J apan's concern is further compounded by the fact that the situation in Sierra Leone could have grave implications for the future of United Nations peacekeeping operations as a whole, and particularly for those in Africa.”

    2000-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4139 (2000) · source

18. “I am convinced that this open meeting will greatly enhance the level of attention paid by all concerned to the serious issue of HIV/AIDS in Africa. It is our strong hope that today's discussion will result in more intensive efforts by Africans themselves and their partners, which we need now in order to improve the situation quickly. I would therefore like to conclude by reaffirming yet again the strong commitment of the Japanese Government to the urgent task of fighting AIDS in Africa.”

    2000-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4087Resumption1 (2000) · source

19. “In response, Japan announced its readiness to provide approximately 90 billion yen in grants over a five-year period starting in 1998 in such areas as education, health care, medical services and the supply of safe and clean water in Africa. It is our intention to use these grants with a particular emphasis on the fight against AIDS. I would also like to point out that African and Asian countries have much to learn from each other in their fight against AIDS and that the exchange of information and experience between the countries of the two regions should be promoted. I am pleased to inform the Council that this proposition received broad support from the participants at the TICAD regional review meeting held in Zambia last November.”

    2000-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4087Resumption1 (2000) · source

20. “Secondly, Japan is firmly committed to supporting the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and has contributed a total of $23 million to its programmes since its establishment in 1996. We highly commend UNAIDS for the coordinating role it has played and for its achievements to date. We are considering strengthening our financial support for its programmes relating to AIDS in Africa. Thirdly, it was decided at the second Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD II), which Japan sponsored with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in October 1998, that African countries and their development partners should strengthen cooperation in their fight against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.”

    2000-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4087Resumption1 (2000) · source

21. “I want to add that some of the programmes in this Global Issues Initiative are integrated into the so-called common agenda that Japan and the United States are pursuing together on a broad range of global issues. For example, our two countries sent a joint mission to Zambia in 1998 for the purpose of formulating projects on population, AIDS and children's health. J apan's financial contribution under the Global Issues Initiative had already reached approximately $3.7 billion by the end of fiscal year 1998. Although the seven-year Initiative is due to be completed at the end of fiscal year 2000, the Japanese Government is determined to expand its support for the fight against AIDS by building upon what has been accomplished thus far.”

    2000-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4087Resumption1 (2000) · source

22. “Africans themselves are already engaged in the fight against AIDS. However, given the magnitude of the problem, it is evident that the African countries need stronger support and cooperation from the international community. Japan, for its part, is engaged in a combination of efforts aimed at combating AIDS in Africa, primarily through the following three approaches, and we are determined to strengthen our efforts in the years to come. First of all, Japan places a high priority on the issue of AIDS in its official medium-term policy on official development assistance, and under its Global Issues Initiative on Population and AIDS, launched in 1994, Japan has been providing technical assistance and grants to many countries in Africa to assist them in fighting this deadly disease.”

    2000-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4087Resumption1 (2000) · source

23. “I will cut my compliments to you, Mr. President, but I have to say that this meeting is very timely and well focused. HIV/AIDS is a serious threat to human security in many parts of the world. However, the situation is most serious in Africa. There, this deadly disease is threatening the security of the life and dignity of communities and their members. In many African countries, it is already having a devastating impact on the population, particularly on young people. More than that, the disease has become a serious impediment to economic and social development, as well as to the peace and security of the countries concerned. This situation demands a clearer recognition of the seriousness of the issue of AIDS and a stronger commitment to fight the disease both by African countries themselves and by their partners outside the region.”

    2000-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4087Resumption1 (2000) · source

24. “This is particularly true since the culture of prevention will have to be nurtured through the experiences of crisis management which the Security Council will undergo in the coming years. The Council's leadership in shifting the focus from reaction to prevention is therefore most wanted.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

25. “And we have to admit that such support and assistance have so far not been sufficient. Given all this, there is no doubt that stronger than ever leadership by the Security Council in focusing international attention on crises in Africa is now needed. It would be advisable for the Security Council to use African crises as test cases to develop a culture of prevention. The culture of prevention remains yet to be developed. It is also true that the prevention of conflicts cannot be achieved by the Security Council alone. It is a task that involves other actors within the United Nations, most importantly the Secretary- General, as well as regional organizations and all the countries concerned. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the Security Council must play the central role in preventing conflicts.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

26. “In Sierra Leone, for example, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its military sub-organization, the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), as well as the countries in the region, have played a significant role in restoring and maintaining peace. The tireless leadership of the late President Nyerere must be recalled as a driving force for peace in the process to bring stability to Burundi. Furthermore, the efforts of the countries concerned and of the Southern African Development Community were conducive to a ceasefire agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But it is obvious that African countries need much support and assistance from the developed countries in order to cease the recurrence of conflicts and engage themselves in efforts for development.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

27. “The conference will be co-chaired by the United Nations and the World Bank, and will provide an opportunity for members of the international community to demonstrate their willingness to assist East Timor's nation-building efforts. Efforts by the Security Council to ensure continued international attention to the problems in East Timor would be very helpful for the success of the conference. As all of us know well, the recurrence of conflicts and the prevalence of poverty are the two major issues that have been hampering the development of Africa. Conflict prevention is therefore a matter of special importance for many countries on that continent. We have to note in this context that there are some encouraging examples of local initiatives to stop fighting.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

28. “Both Kosovo and East Timor need the accelerated and increased support of the international community for their rehabilitation and construction efforts in a wide range of areas, from humanitarian assistance to administration and the economy. In the context of the subject we are discussing today, we all know that the success of such efforts is essential in both cases in order to prevent the recurrence of conflicts and disorder. The Security Council can and must play a catalytic role in mustering international support for both cases. With regard to East Timor, Japan is planning to host the first donors' conference in mid-December in Tokyo.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

29. “And it is in this context, I am sorry to say, that the record of the Council's recent actions is not one of total success. In the case of Iraq, for example, it has now been almost a year since the United Nations Special Commission inspectors left the country, but the Security Council has so far not been able to reach a decision as to how to deal with the situation there, only to let the authority of the Council suffer. We earnestly hope that the negotiations now under way in the Council will be successful in resolving the issue as soon as possible. On Kosovo, too, the Security Council failed initially to function effectively, to the great consternation of the international community. Although the Security Council was able to act more quickly on East Timor, we would have welcomed an even quicker response.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

30. “Most recently, the Security Council mission to East Timor last September was effective not only in ensuring that the Security Council's debate was based on firsthand information, but also in gaining the cooperation of the Indonesian Government for the deployment of an international force to East Timor. Needless to say, the Security Council has recourse to a number of means, such as the adoption of resolutions, the issuing of presidential statements and the holding of open debates, which, if used appropriately and in a timely manner, would also be effective in preventing the occurrence and recurrence of conflicts. With all these factors in mind, I would like to emphasize that it is timely action that is most required of the Security Council when we consider its role with regard to conflict prevention.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

31. “I want to stress here that the Council, although working with what one might call a culture of reaction, has already devised a number of measures that served the purpose of preventing the occurrence and recurrence of conflicts. The deployment of the United Nations Mission to Macedonia, for example, was effective in preventing the conflict in neighbouring Kosovo from spreading across the Macedonian border. The post-conflict peace- building activities in the Central African Republic and Sierra Leone have been working, at least so far, to prevent the recurrence of the conflicts in these countries.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

32. “To strengthen governance in the countries concerned is often vitally important for conflict prevention. So are the efforts to place the sale of small arms under control. While causes of conflict vary with the region, cooperation among the countries in the same region to build confidence in each other and to enhance a sense of mutual reassurance among them is also important to the same end. The international community must try to make progress in these and other areas that have significant implications for conflict prevention, in order to nurture the culture of prevention. And it is the Security Council that must act to prompt and promote such efforts on the part of the members of the international community.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

33. “I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for taking the initiative to convene this meeting to consider the role of the Security Council in the prevention of conflicts. The importance of this issue is evident, particularly when we consider the need for the United Nations, especially the Security Council, to start making the transition from a culture of reaction to a culture of prevention, as the Secretary-General stressed in his most recent report on the work of the Organization. Conflict prevention requires a combination of broadly varying efforts, which range, for example, from early warning and preventive diplomatic actions to reconciliation between conflicting parties and rehabilitation of societies, including the reintegration of demobilized ex-soldiers, and to development and poverty eradication.”

    1999-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072 (1999) · source

34. “Cooperation from the international community and from the relevant international financial institutions is critically important in this context. Japan's commitment to help UNTAET and the future East Timorese government in their efforts at nation-building has already been stated by then Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura in his statement in the General Assembly on 21 September, and I would like to reaffirm it here today. Japan looks forward to the day when we will welcome an independent East Timor as a new member of the Asia- Pacific community and as a fellow Member of the United Nations. It is also our sincere hope that the independence of East Timor will become a success story of United Nations engagement. With this in mind, we will do our best to support UNTAET and the people of East Timor.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

35. “Japan, for its part, will consider additional humanitarian assistance in response to the anticipated appeal by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on top of the financial support of $2 million it provided to UNHCR and to the World Food Programme in the initial stage of their engagement. Thirdly, we have to make UNTAET succeed in creating a civil administration for East Timor and in building the new nation's capacity for economic and social development. It is also important that this be done with the involvement and participation of the East Timorese people. The responsibility of UNTAET is particularly great, not only because it will have to start from scratch but also because its will require comprehensive and long-term planning.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

36. “Equally important is ensuring the early return of displaced Timorese who wish to return to East Timor. This task requires the efforts not only of UNTAET but also of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian agencies as well as of non- governmental organizations. The role of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in coordinating activities of various agencies is therefore particularly important in this field. Here again, the cooperation of the Indonesian Government is indispensable for the improvement of the humanitarian conditions of displaced East Timorese in West Timor and for their early return to East Timor.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

37. “As we all know, it is important for the force to have a truly multinational character, particularly with the participation of Asian countries, in order to ensure its smooth operation, and we strongly hope that the multinational character of the force will be maintained with the eventual transfer of responsibilities from the multinational Force to the international force of UNTAET. Needless to say, it is the responsibility of the Indonesian Government to stop any sabotage activities launched from its territory. And, given that the anti- independence militias' activities have yet to cease in East Timor, stronger efforts by the Indonesian Government to prevent any interference with East Timor are required. Secondly, we must make UNTAET succeed in improving humanitarian conditions in East Timor.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

38. “The elimination of concerns about people's safety is a precondition for nation-building. In this context, we commend the multinational Force for its thus far successful efforts to restore and maintain peace in the territory, and we pay tribute to those countries that are contributing troops to the Force. Japan has pledged a contribution of around $100 million to the trust fund requested in the draft resolution, with a view to facilitating the participation of Asian and other developing countries in the force.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

39. “We also believe it vitally important for the people and the future government of East Timor to build friendly and cooperative relations with their Asian and South Pacific neighbours. Such efforts at reconciliation and cooperation, both among the people of East Timor and in their relations with the outside world, are, I am sure, what the leaders and the people of East Timor already intend to do. What the outside world must do is to encourage such efforts on the part of the East Timorese and respond to their efforts positively and productively. UNTAET is going to face a daunting task, and it is the responsibility of the entire membership of the United Nations to make UNTAET succeed. First, we have to make UN TAET succeed in establishing law and order in East Timor.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

40. “The process will include the filling of the vacuum in the civil administration of East Timor as well as the longer- term goal of capacity-building and development. The process will by no means be easy. It is therefore important for the outside world to provide as much support and cooperation as possible to UNTAET and to the people of East Timor and their future government. Japan, for its part, is determined to do its best to help them in their efforts at nation-building. It is essential for the success of nation-building that the people of East Timor overcome their present differences and achieve national reconciliation so that they can work together in unity.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

41. “The decision of the Indonesian Government to hold a popular consultation in East Timor and the decision of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly to declare void the 1978 decree that integrated East Timor into Indonesia are particularly significant and highly commendable. The successful completion of the democratic presidential election in Indonesia is encouraging in this context too: it is a testimony to the continued progress of democratization in Indonesia and is in itself reassuring for the future of East Timor, which needs to develop friendly and cooperative relations with neighbouring countries, Indonesia in particular. With the adoption of this draft resolution, the process of nation-building in East Timor will commence.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

42. “The draft resolution before the Security Council, which would establish a United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), is a historic step towards the independence of East Timor. I would like to congratulate the East Timorese people on the progress they have thus far made in reaching their goal and to assure them that the Government and the people of Japan will extend their utmost support and cooperation to them as they work towards final independence and nation-building. I would also like to applaud all those concerned, especially the Governments of Indonesia and of Portugal and the Secretary-General, for their efforts to realize this historic achievement.”

    1999-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4057 (1999) · source

43. “Recognizing this, Japan will continue to work for the betterment of conditions in Africa, with implementation of the TICAD process as the central means towards that end.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

44. “In this context, I would stress that field activities to cope with humanitarian emergencies, which often start before the fighting ends, should be well coordinated with other activities related to reconstruction and development. There is no doubt that African countries, with their tremendous potential, can become important partners in the global efforts for peace and prosperity. We sincerely hope that the Security Council will continue to apply its experience, expertise and wisdom to the resolution of Africa's problems. Japan is advocating that the international community should place a more distinct focus on human security as we enter the next millennium. Poverty and conflict are two major threats to human security in Africa. In other words, freedom from poverty and conflict is essential in order to enhance human security in Africa.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

45. “Post-conflict reconstruction and development is another important area in which international cooperation is required. Among many other issues involved, the reintegration of ex-combatants, particularly children abused as soldiers, should be given high priority, for the success of this process is the key to preventing the recurrence of conflicts. The Government of Japan, for its part, is prepared to support all the aspects of post-conflict reconstruction and development, ranging from the rehabilitation of refugees and displaced persons to the reintegration of ex-combatants, to the restoration of damaged lives and to the reconstruction and development of the economies of the countries concerned.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

46. “On the issue of small arms, to which Japan gives the highest priority, we strongly hope that the General Assembly will adopt, during this session, a resolution endorsing the report of the Secretary-General prepared with the assistance of the Group of Governmental Experts on Small Arms (A/54/258). Japan also intends to contribute to the success of the international conference on the illicit arms trade in all its aspects, which is to be held no later than 2001. We also regard it as a matter of high priority to extend assistance to landmine Victims, many of whom are children. In December 1997, Japan announced the Zero Victims Programme and pledged financial support of approximately $80 million for mine clearance and victim assistance during the subsequent five-year period. To date, Japan's contributions amount to about $45 million.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

47. “In conflict prevention, my Government has long advocated a comprehensive approach which embraces conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and peace-building, post-conflict reconstruction and development, the establishment of good governance and the elimination of potential causes of conflict, most particularly poverty. With regard to the issues of peacekeeping and peace-building, we believe that the roles of regional organizations such as OAU and the Economic Community of West African States, must be strengthened further. Close cooperation between those regional organizations and the United Nations is without a doubt crucial to maximizing international efforts to bring peace to the troubled countries. With this in mind, the Japanese Government has been making financial contributions to the OAU Peace Fund.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

48. “Japan is also planning to hold four subregional review conferences in Africa by the end of the year 2000 with the aim of further promoting implementation of the Tokyo Agenda for Action. Debt is the most serious issue facing many African countries. Japan, for its part, has been contributing to the alleviation of debt problems by rescheduling debts and extending grant aid for debt relief, and will make further efforts to address this difficult problem by implementing the commitment it made at the G-7 summit meeting in Cologne in June. Japan is also determined to continue to extend effective, efficient and high-quality official development assistance to African countries, despite its domestic budgetary difficulties, while at the same time strengthening its cooperation with the various bodies and agencies of the United Nations.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

49. “These include increased efforts by African countries themselves, cooperation among African countries, developed countries and international organizations and cooperation between Asia and Africa. The TICAD process has already entered the implementation stage. Last month Japan co-hosted, with the Government of Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Monetary Fund, a seminar on debt management, and Japan has established, with the cooperation of the Government of Malaysia, the Asia-Africa Investment and Technology Promotion Centre in Kuala Lumpur for the purpose of facilitating flows of investment and trade information with regard to Africa.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source

50. “Indeed, in many regions of the continent we are witnessing a vicious circle in which poverty is exacerbated by frequent conflicts at the same time that poverty itself is one of the causes of the occurrence and recurrence of conflict. Hence, poverty is an issue which should be our primary focus now and in the twenty-first century, with the United Nations, other international organizations, States and civil society coordinating their efforts towards its alleviation. The Tokyo Agenda for Action adopted at the Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD II), which Japan co-hosted with the United Nations last October, calls for a combination of efforts and cooperation to cope with the questions of poverty and conflict.”

    1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source