YouSaid · the spoken record

Satoh

lines on the record: 183
first: 1998-11-05
most recent: 2002-05-20
sittings or episodes: 28
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

“While we are encouraged by these positive developments, the fact remains that many countries in Africa are faced with difficult obstacles as they struggle to achieve political stability and to pursue economic and social development. Of the most immediate concern are grinding poverty and the recurrence of conflicts, which have resulted in 8 million refugees and displaced persons. Unless these problems are resolved, prospects for international stability and prosperity in the new millennium will not be promising. As underlined by the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, poverty and conflict are interrelated.”
1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source
“We also need to recognize the admirable activities which regional organizations have been undertaking in order to advance the cause of peace and prosperity in Africa. The roles that the Economic Community of West African States and the Southern African Development Community have been playing in maintaining security and promoting economic development in the western and southern African regions are crucially important and highly commendable. It is also encouraging that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) summit, held in Algeria this July under the leadership of President Bouteflika in his capacity as Chairman of the OAU, attracted the participation of an unprecedented number of heads of State or Government. Having attended the summit as head of Japan's observer mission, I witnessed and admired a new dynamism that is emerging in Africa.”
1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source
“In the course of this past year alone, for example, we have seen the transition to a civilian regime in Nigeria, the holding for the second time of democratic elections in South Africa, and the successful presidential election held in Algeria. I would also like to note the peace agreement that was signed in Lome between the Government of Sierra Leone and the rebel group, the Revolutionary United Front, and the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement between the Government and rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are also hopeful signs of progress towards a settlement of the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. And on the economic front, many African countries have registered annual gross domestic product growth rates of well over 5 per cent during the course of this decade.”
1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source
“At the outset, Sir, I should like to express my sincere appreciation to you for convening, for the fourth time this month, an open debate of the Security Council. I wish also to welcome the Secretary-General's progress report on Africa which was issued last Saturday, and to thank the Secretary-General for the statement he delivered yesterday morning. Although the purpose of this meeting is to consider the seemingly intractable problems confronting African countries, I would like first to note some positive developments that have taken place in Africa in recent years. The importance of Africa in the international community cannot be overstated, and the progress we are witnessing in Africa in development, democratization and regional cooperation is indeed reassuring to the entire international community.”
1999-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4049Resumption3 (1999) · source
“In pursuing the goals stipulated in the Security Council resolution adopted today, it must also be borne in mind that Indonesia itself is at a precarious stage in its democratization process, which the Government and the people of Indonesia are pursuing in the face of tremendous economic difficulties. The commitment to democracy, the rule of law, economic reform and human rights reiterated by President Habibie on 12 September clearly demonstrates that Indonesia is a country which shares the cherished values of the international community, and we must welcome his commitment. It is important for the international community to keep this broader picture in mind as it continues to address this difficult issue.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“Now that the Security Council resolution has been accepted, Japan will continue to provide support and assistance to the political and humanitarian process of restoring peace in East Timor and to the implementation of the result of the ballot of 30 August. As Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi announced on 13 September in Auckland, Japan is committed to making the utmost efforts to ensure the stability of East Timor. My Government will, through the United Nations, make financial contributions to the multinational force and will also provide emergency humanitarian assistance. We are also determined to provide assistance for the rehabilitation and development of East Timor. My Government will announce the details of Japan's contribution in the very near future.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“We welcome the Indonesian Govemment's intention to accept international humanitarian assistance. But here again, it is imperative that an environment be established in which humanitarian organizations can function safely and effectively, and that the Indonesian Government fully cooperate with the multinational force in facilitating humanitarian assistance operations. Japan, as a long-standing and very close friend, has conveyed to the Government of Indonesia its views as well as those of the international community on the importance of accepting international assistance to restore security in East Timor.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“Japan calls upon the Indonesian authorities concerned to cooperate fully with the multinational force to facilitate the process of its deployment and the implementation of its mandate. Another task is to ensure an appropriate environment in which the UNAMET staff can return to East Timor and in which the Mission can resume its operations in accordance with the 5 May tripartite Agreement. Japan is particularly concerned for the safety of UNAMET personnel remaining in Dili and the conditions surrounding them. Finally, an environment in which humanitarian activities can be safely carried out must be established immediately so that assistance can be extended to those who have been the victims of violence and whose homes and property have been destroyed.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“The international community must cooperate in organizing and deploying the necessary forces as quickly as possible. Japan pays high tribute to those Member States, particularly Australia, which have offered to organize, lead and contribute to the multinational force in East Timor. The task confronting that force will by no means be easy, and it is absolutely essential that the Indonesian authorities extend it their full cooperation. In the View of my delegation, the immediate task in East Timor is threefold. First, law and order in East Timor must be quickly restored. All acts of violence must end immediately. The forced displacement of people to West Timor must cease immediately. The Indonesian Government, particularly the military authorities, have a grave responsibility for the security of East Timor.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“I would like to join the members of the Security Council and many other Member States in welcoming the courageous and very difficult decision of President Habibie to accept an international peacekeeping force. I also commend the efforts of the Foreign Minister, Mr. Alatas, who has come to New York to discuss arrangements for the early deployment of the international force. My delegation welcomes the decision taken by the Council today in authorizing the establishment of a multinational force to restore peace and security in East Timor. It is clear that this resolution is but the first step in the difficult and complex process of restoring peace and order in East Timor and of implementing the result of the popular consultation of 30 August.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“My sincere appreciation goes also to the members of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), who in the face of difficult circumstances ensured that the popular consultation was carried out successfully. I wish to pay special tribute to the small number of staff members who are at this very moment striving under very severe conditions to maintain a United Nations presence in East Timor. Japan strongly deplores the deterioration of the security situation and the grave humanitarian crisis that have occurred in East Timor since the result of the popular consultation was announced. Having received reports of unspeakable violence and destruction and of the forced displacement of large numbers of people over the course of many days, the international community welcomed the encouraging news from Jakarta over this past weekend.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“I would like to begin by extending my sincere congratulations to you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of September. May I also express my Government's appreciation of your leadership during the past two weeks in guiding the work of the Council on the difficult question of East Timor. I would like also to thank the members of the Security Council mission, led by Ambassador Andjaba of Namibia, for providing the international community with their valuable findings and assessments. Their presence in Indonesia during the past week was undoubtedly critical as the Government of Indonesia came to its important decision on 12 September.”
1999-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4045 (1999) · source
“The protection of children from all kinds of danger and maltreatment is at the heart of human security considerations. I therefore want to emphasize again the Japanese Government's commitment to the cause of protecting children from conflicts.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“While conflict prevention is one of the most pressing and difficult issues in many parts of the world, a better understanding of the plight of children who are victimized or abused during the course of conflicts would hopefully work to make all concerned more seriously committed to the cause of conflict prevention, as well as to the efforts to eliminate the dangers of landmines and small arms. This makes the issue we address today doubly important. The Japanese Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, considers it important to cope with the issues the world faces today and in the future with a primary focus on human security: the protection of the dignity, basic rights and well-being of human beings.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Japan advocates the "Zero Victims" programme with respect to the question of land mines, and for this purpose has pledged financial support of approximately 10 billion yen for mine clearance and victim assistance for the five- year period starting last year. With regard to the question of small arms, we are encouraged by the recent submission to the Secretary-General of the report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Small Arms. Obviously, the most effective way of protecting children from conflicts is to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of conflicts.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“For its part, Japan hosted a symposium last November entitled "Children and Armed Conflict", with the cooperation of the office of the Special Representative, the United Nations University and the Japan Committee for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Senior officials from Governments, United Nations agencies and non-govemmental organizations, and leaders of civil society from the Asia-Pacific and other regions, gathered in Tokyo for that symposium, called for urgent, concerted action to protect children from being victimized in conflicts. Landmines and small arms are two issues which we regard it imperative to tackle from the viewpoint of protecting children from the impact of armed conflicts.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“140) In order to meet this challenge, we still need a great deal of advocacy and robust efforts to make the Governments and peoples concerned, let alone the conflicting parties involved, recognize the utmost importance of protecting children from the danger of armed conflicts, and, in the final analysis, the importance of preventing the occurrence and recurrence of armed conflicts. We therefore welcome this opportunity. I believe that the Security Council's focus on this issue will help greatly to enhance the level of concern of the international community about this most taxing problem of today's world.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“With all of this in mind, we, the Government of Japan, will continue to support the work of the Special Representative as he tackles the most humanitarian yet most daunting task of protecting children from the savagery of armed conflicts. Mr. Otunnu rightly suggests in his report that "the most important and pressing challenge today is how to translate existing standards and commitments into action that can make a tangible difference to the fate of children exposed to danger on the ground." (A/53/482, para.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In this context, the Government of Japan welcomes the humanitarian missions and advocacy vigorously and effectively carried out to date by Mr. Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. Most importantly, his missions have gained specific commitments to protect children from conflicting parties in the Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda and Colombia. This is a highly commendable and reassuring achievement, although the obtained commitments must be put into action by all the parties concerned. It must also be noted that Mr. Otunnu's activities have shed light not only on the plight of children, but also on the brutality of armed conflicts themselves. This lends the cause of conflict prevention yet another forcefully persuasive voice.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“First of all, I would like to commend you, Mr. President, for your strong leadership and thoughtful guidance in convening this meeting. This meeting, stimulated by the strong appeal made this morning by Mr. Otunnu and featuring the participation of many non- members of the Security Council, will no doubt help demonstrate that the international community is strongly committed to making headway in resolving what is plainly a serious problem: the victimization and abuse of children in armed conflicts. Given the continuing tragedy of children victimized or abused in armed conflicts, it is evident that concerted international efforts to protect children from the damaging impact of armed conflicts are more pressing than ever.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Finally, I would like to stress that none of us here today can dissociate ourselves from the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or, for that matter, from the situation of the African continent as a whole. One problem I would like to point out is the fact that the parties involved in African disputes, which do not have the ability to produce weapons, nevertheless possess vast quantities of them. As a country that prohibits the export of any weapons, Japan requests all States to ask themselves whether their own actions might not be leading to the intensification of conflicts in Africa.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The international community must not focus solely on bringing the fighting to an end, but also on ensuring that post-conflict rehabilitation is successful in the context of both the reconstruction of the economy and reconciliation between peoples. Both goals must be pursued simultaneously in order to establish a solid foundation for peace and development. We know that in African eyes, poverty is the most serious threat to human security and that the promotion of development is what many African countries want most. As African countries themselves recognize, efforts to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts are essential for the stability and development of Africa. The OAU Peace Fund needs much support to this end, and the Japanese Government recently decided to contribute an additional $254,000 to that Fund.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We want to call once again upon all parties involved, as well as on SADC and the OAU, to further intensify their efforts to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution. It is also our sincere hope that the Security Council will continue to help improve the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initiatives of the three African members of the Security Council on this issue are particularly commendable and welcome. Japan is determined to work with other countries to provide continued support for the arduous efforts of African nations to restore peace to the region. The importance of achieving an early ceasefire through dialogue cannot be overemphasized. But the dispute will not be fully resolved unless the Democratic Republic of the Congo is helped to get back on its feet.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Durable peace can be obtained only by agreement through negotiations. The recurrence of conflicts is damaging to all concerned. For regional stability, it is also imperative for all States concerned to respect each other's political independence and refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs. Japan appreciates the efforts of neighbouring countries, including those made by Zambia, which is playing an active role under the able leadership of President Chiluba, as well as those made by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). We are, however, disheartened by the fact that this regional mediation process seems to be too slow in taking effect.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Moreover, a large number of men, women and children have been forced to abandon their homes to live in poverty and in misery. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 58,000 Congolese have fled to Tanzania and another 6,000 to Zambia. There are also many internally displaced persons. The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. However, the ongoing conflict is preventing the international community from effectively extending such assistance. We therefore call upon all parties involved to stop fighting immediately and vigorously seek ways to reach a ceasefire agreement. It is also imperative that they protect Congolese civilians and respect their basic human rights. The conflict must be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, not through coercion.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“I deeply appreciate the initiative of the Security Council to hold this open debate today, for all members of the international community are worried about the dispute in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is especially meaningful that the Security Council is listening to the voices of the African States concerned. We commend the efforts of the Council and hope that other matters of similar significance will be taken up in an open debate in future. Japan remains most concerned about the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has been eight months since that country was drawn into the quicksand of war. Many deaths and casualties have reportedly occurred, and grave human rights violations have been reported in various parts of the region.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“My question is: Has she any suggestions, based upon her own experience in the field, on how to arouse anew political support for this sort of regional approach in Africa?”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“I would particularly like to underline the fact that the question of the security of staff working for UNHCR or in other humanitarian activities could have a far-reaching effect; since they are mixed with other victims of war, refugees or displaced people, their protection could eventually also work to protect the other people. Therefore, this is a matter which we should pursue more robustly in the coming years. I was encouraged that Mrs. Ogata focused on African matters, because Africa is yet another hot spot with regard to refugee questions. She talked about the need for a regional approach to a comprehensive framework for Central Africa. The dilemma for us is that the political support is lacking.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“First, I would like to express our deep appreciation for the efforts of Mrs. Ogata and the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in tackling these very difficult - increasingly difficult - issues. If I may say so, as a fellow countryman, she is a source of pride to us. We have to face the reality of this issue. I share Mrs. Ogata's assessment and her concern, and I want to endorse what she said. I am glad that she touched upon the question of the insecurity of staff, which is a very important issue. We need to pursue further how to turn it from a question of insecurity into a question of security.”
1998-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3942 (1998) · source
“and the IAEA. My delegation considers this draft resolution to be appropriate and, therefore, has joined the United Kingdom in co-sponsoring it.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“Deeply concerned by the Iraqi decision, Japan, for its part, made a demarche to the embassy of Iraq in Tokyo on 2 November, urging Iraq to immediately resume full and unconditional cooperation with UNSCOM. and the IAEA. In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council responded immediately by issuing a presidential press statement on 31 October, sending a firm, unequivocal and unanimous message to Iraq. The draft resolution before us is the formal response of the Security Council to the Iraqi decision of 31 October. The message is quite clear: sanctions can be lifted only when Iraq complies with the relevant provisions of the Security Council resolutions and the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq and the Secretary-General, and this can be achieved only through full cooperation with UNSCOM.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“To our great surprise, the decision came the day after the Security Council completed its work on the presidential letter to the Secretary-General describing the Council's initial views on a comprehensive review of Iraq's compliance with the relevant Council resolutions, which was proposed by the Secretary-General on 6 August. The decision on 31 October, together with Iraq's decision on 5 August, has, in effect, rendered impossible the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, including the provisions of resolution 687 (1991), which stipulate the conditions that must be met in order for the sanctions to be lifted. This is a regrettable situation for both Iraq and the international community as a whole.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source
“First of all, thank you very much, Sir, for your very kind words regarding my first Security Council meeting. I assure you of my full cooperation. I would also like to endorse what the President said with regard to the excellent job that our colleague Ambassador Greenstock did. I would also like to say that I know that with his renowned expertise, the current President, Ambassador Burleigh, will do a good job of leading the Council. On 31 October, the Revolutionary Command Council and the Baath Party of Iraq decided to suspend cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) and to maintain the restrictions on the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Japan strongly regrets this decision.”
1998-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3939 (1998) · source