YouSaid · the spoken record

She Okitundu

lines on the record: 310
first: 1999-03-19
most recent: 2018-03-07
sittings or episodes: 13
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

“These figures have been confirmed by the European Office of Humanitarian Assistance and the International Rescue Committee, which reported on nearly 3 million dead in the areas occupied by the aggressors. This is an appalling, intolerable situation. The Council will recall the massacres of peaceful Congolese civilians, the assassinations and murders of civilians and Congolese prisoners, the deportation of entire populations, attacks on individuals, rape and the deliberate spreading of the AIDS virus.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“It is up to the Security Council, which gave them their mandate, to ensure their security and to require that all States concerned cooperate fully with the United Nations so that the truth can burst forth. The greed of the aggressor countries has sown death and destruction throughout my country. The Council will recall the terrifying figures cited by Ms. McAskie, Emergency Relief Coordinator ad interim, in her report on 28 November 2000. The report noted the 16 million Congolese who were directly affected by the war of aggression - that is 33 per cent of the entire population of the country. Two million died as direct and indirect victims of the war, including approximately 600,000 children under five years old. Many other millions of innocent Congolese civilians have become refugees in other countries or are internally displaced.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“Secondly, General Assembly resolution 1803 (XVII) of 14 December 1962, entitled "Permanent sovereignty over natural resources," in paragraph 7 states that violating the rights of peoples and nations to sovereignty over their natural resources and wealth is contrary to the spirit and letter of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and hinders the development of international cooperation and the maintenance of peace. The report of the Panel of Experts describes most eloquently the structures used by the occupying forces, namely, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, whose iniquitous and villainous methods are unequalled in the darkest chapters of modern history. Death threats against the members of the Panel of Experts are unacceptable.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“This deals with all the extracting, producing, marketing and exporting activities carried out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in violation of its sovereignty, in violation of mining and environmental measures and in violation of international contractual and customary law. We would remind the Council of the following. First of all, in the Corfu Channel case, in 1949 the International Court of Justice issued a ruling in which it affirmed that among independent States, respect for territorial sovereignty is one of the essential bases of international relations. The concept of sovereignty includes exclusivity, autonomy and full authority within the territorial region.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“The item is indeed within the competence of the Security Council because of the Council's principal responsibility under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security. The subject logically falls within the Council's interest in a swift return of lasting peace to my country and my people. My delegation is pleased that a consensus is clearly emerging today within the Council and the international community on the direct linkage between the planned massacre of the Congolese people, the shameless looting of the resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the continuation of fighting. All of this ends up seriously impoverishing our people. My delegation is pleased that in order to delimit the goal of its work, the Panel of Experts decided to define and interpret the concept of "illegal exploitation".”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“In paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, "Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples", whose provisions are essentially duplicated in resolution 2625 (XXV), it is stated that "The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation". We thank you, Sir, and all members of the Security Council for having included on the Council's agenda the item on the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in violation of its national sovereignty.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“The memorandums and all the white books that my Government has conveyed to the Security Council since August 1998 clearly show the double link between the illegal exploitation of our resources and the unleashing of the war, as well as between the illegal exploitation and the mass violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. These documents have been submitted to the Council, which has issued them as official documents.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“It demonstrates that the false pretext of border insecurity is no longer tenable and that the real motive for the aggression is the systematic plundering and illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The aggressor countries have occupied Congo because of their vast economic interests there, which fuel their warmongering. We therefore welcome the report in document S/200l/357. We bitterly regret, however, the fact that the report confirms rather belatedly what my country has loudly proclaimed since the very beginning of the aggression, namely, that the main objective has not been the security concerns of the three aggressor countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo, through its highest authority, Major- General Joseph Kabila, President of our Republic, hopes that the Secretary-General will be able, in a second term, to maintain the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as one of his top priorities and to pursue his most commendable work towards lasting peace and reconstruction in my country. Lastly, I would thank Mrs. Safiatou Ba-N'Dow and all members of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their essential report, which is of great political and historic significance to us in the Congo.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“My delegation also acknowledges the excellent work of the delegation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during its presidency last month. We also pay a well-deserved tribute to Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations. My country is grateful to him for his outstanding efforts to restore peace to the Great Lakes region and to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular. He has shown enormous energy and perseverance in seeking to end the useless and senseless violence that has taken so many lives in our country.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“I express my delegation's pleasure at seeing you, Sir, preside over this open meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are pleased that the Security Council is currently being led by the representative of the United States this month, a crucial and decisive moment for putting a final end to the war of aggression that has been waged against my country for 34 months. I also take this opportunity to extend to you, on behalf of my delegation and on my own personal behalf, my warmest congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council, the principal organ for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“Mr. She Okitundu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): At the outset, on behalf of Major-General Joseph Kabila, President of our Republic, and of my Government and people, as well as on my own personal behalf, I extend our deepest condolences to you, Sir, to the families of the victims, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and to the Governments of Switzerland and Colombia over the cowardly murder on 26 April of six members of the ICRC, including four nationals from my country. My Government pays tribute to the dedication of the people of the ICRC who have given their lives to ease the suffering of my people. Despite this tragedy, it is our hope that the ICRC and all other humanitarian organizations will continue their efforts to help the people of my country.”
2001-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4317 (2001) · source
“We cannot conclude this statement without paying heartfelt tribute and expressing our sincerest thanks to the outgoing members of the Security Council for their tireless efforts to restore peace in our country. Our Government and people are infinitely grateful to them and offer them all our appreciation. We remain convinced that the new members being welcomed into the Council next month will demonstrate the same zeal and dedication to allowing our people, who have suffered so terribly in body and spirit, to recover all its dignity.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“To that end, it is urgent that the international community, through the Security Council, take advantage of the disengagement subplans adopted in Harare by authorizing the deployment, in accordance with the agreed timetable, of neutral forces at the front line and in the Congolese border towns of Bukavu, Goma, Bunia and Uvira. We are gratified by the excellent relations between MONUC and our Government and we take this opportunity to welcome the efforts made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ambassador Kamel Morjane, to restore lasting peace in our country. We express the hope that the resolution to be adopted by the Security Council contains provisions allowing MONUC effectively to discharge its mandate.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“The implementation of the three phases of the timetable of disengagement subplans adopted on 6 December 2000 in Harare could be an initial decisive stage. The deployment of an interposition force along the common borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda would best meet the concerns of all parties. In this respect, our Government S/PV.4247 supports these plans, which Rwanda and Uganda have accepted without reservation. We therefore invite the United Nations to be further involved in all African initiatives aimed at giving new impetus to the peace process.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Following all the efforts made by our Government towards the emergence of genuine national reconciliation among the sons and daughters of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is up to the Council to bring pressure to bear on Rwanda and Uganda to leave the occupied Congolese provinces and to respond to the gathering, which is already being seen as prefiguring the inter-Congolese dialogue. Throughout our statement, we have recalled the diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the African heads of States to break the deadlock in the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo expects the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the armed forces of Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi from its national territory.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“It goes without saying that a truly Congolese dialogue can be undertaken in a valid and tranquil way only without interference from Rwanda and Uganda. Being totalitarian, those two countries are not qualified to sponsor the democratization process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lastly, we take this opportunity to announce that the President of the Republic has decided to release all so-called prisoners of conscience so as to allow all political actors to attend the gathering in Libreville.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Furthermore, the President of the Republic recently took the first steps in that direction by meeting early this month with the unarmed domestic opposition to prepare for the meeting between the Government and all Congolese opposition parties, scheduled for the second half of the month in Libreville. For us, this is an extremely important event, opening the way to national reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This initiative requires the financial and logistical support of the international community and the presence of neutral observers. This is clear evidence that the Government is determined to promote the holding of an inter- Congolese dialogue in strict respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“In this respect, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo pledges to work to facilitate the task of MONUC by ensuring its freedom of movement throughout our territory. Moreover, we are committed to cooperating with MONUC in the rapid deployment of United Nations troops and urge Rwanda and Uganda to do likewise, especially by fulfilling the provisions of resolution 1304 (2000) of 16 June 2000, which demands that Ugandan and Rwandan forces immediately and completely withdraw from Kisangani and respect the demilitarization of the city and its environs. With respect to the inter-Congolese dialogue, we have the honour of confirming that the Head of State of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains convinced of the need for reconciliation among the Congolese.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“In the search for peace, while it is true that the armed groups must be disarmed, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo feels that it would be militarily impossible and ill-advised to undertake such action in the presence and with the active participation of the troops of Rwanda and Uganda, which could be tempted to exploit that opportunity to take reprisals against civilian Congolese who are legitimately resisting the occupation of their lands. In such circumstances, Rwanda and Uganda would become both judges and parties to the situation. That is why the Democratic Republic of the Congo supports the procedure of deploying a neutral interposition force along the common border.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo believes that, if the crisis is to be overcome, it is necessary for the United Nations, through its Secretary-General, to become further involved, in close cooperation with the Organization of African Unity and regional leaders, in African initiatives aimed at relaunching the peace process. These African initiatives enjoy the two-fold advantage of meeting the security concerns of Rwanda and Uganda and of responding to the need to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Our concern is to regain our sovereignty and territorial integrity and it is essential, therefore, that the disengagement subplans be immediately implemented in accord with the three- phase schedule that was adopted at Harare, and that these plans be followed by a plan for the withdrawal of the forces of Rwanda and Uganda. It is our duty, however, to draw the international community's attention to possible manoeuvres by S/P\'.4247 parties opposed to peaceful means, who could intentionally create insecurity at the front line by relaunching the fighting so as to delay the deployment of neutral observers and United Nations troops. The Secretary-General's report has the signal merit of seeking ways to restore lasting peace in our country.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“As the Council members will undoubtedly note, the purpose of all these summits and meetings is the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the armies of Rwanda and Uganda and the establishment of the principles of deploying neutral buffer forces along the common borders to ensure the security of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi - while awaiting the implementation of monitoring machinery that can prevent any reoccurrence of the kind of crisis from which we are currently suffering. It is for us, therefore, to thank sincerely and vigorously all the African leaders and other prominent individuals who worked continuously and tirelessly to restore peace in our country.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“At the conclusion of these meetings, the participants agreed on the immediate deployment of a neutral African force which would guarantee the security of the borders of Rwanda and Uganda and which would determine the size of the armed groups currently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a View to disarming them. Several countries - Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Libya - were even mentioned as contributors; while the United Nations would handle the management, financing and supervision of the forces on the ground.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Condemning the harmful consequences on the neighbouring countries and the risks of igniting the entire subregion, the group asked Rwanda and Uganda to withdraw immediately from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in order to allow the Congolese themselves, without interference or foreign intervention, to find a solution to their internal political problems. In addition, at this summit MONUC was asked to play a greater role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, President Muammar Al-Qadhafi held a summit in Tripoli on 8 November, at which the Presidents of Rwanda, Uganda, Mali and Zimbabwe actively participated, along with representatives of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Laurent Desire Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gave publicly to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Later, during its 29 November meeting in Lusaka, the political committee established by the Lusaka Agreement, adopted unanimously the disengagement subplans. These plans were signed by the military chiefs of staff of all the parties - but one - at Harare on 6 December 2000. It is worth noting that, in addition to the Maputo summit, meetings were held at Kinshasa and Tripoli on 27 October 2000 and 8 November 2000 respectively. The heads of State of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Congo (Brazzaville), as well as the Prime Ministers of the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea met at Kinshasa under the leadership of the President of Gabon, Omar Bongo.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“During the second Maputo summit, which was held last 27 November, the heads of State of South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda and Mozambique, and the representatives of Namibia and Angola, reviewed once again - in the company of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Force Commander of MONUC - the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the conclusion of this summit, the heads of State reaffirmed their support for the disengagement plan of Kampala and charged MONUC with supervising its implementation on the ground. We would like to formally confirm to the Council our assurances to cooperate strictly so that MONUC could successfully carry out its mission - assurances that His Excellency Mr.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“This committee has met twice and has reviewed two plans, which were presented by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda respectively. These two plans support the objectives of disengaging the forces on the ground in order to institute an effective ceasefire, of having Rwanda and Uganda withdraw from Congolese territory, of deploying a buffer force along the common borders, and of disarming the armed groups. It must be noted, however, that the two parties have yet to agree on arrangements for the sequences of agreed activities.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“It should be noted that Uganda and Rwanda, as the Secretary-General emphasizes in his latest report to the Security Council, had firmly committed themselves to retreat 15 kilometres beyond the positions proposed in this plan. Rwanda had formally announced its decision to retreat 200 kilometres further, while for its part Uganda, speaking through Rwanda, committed itself at the first Pretoria meeting to retreat up to 100 kilometres. S/PV.4247 Finally, the heads of State created a committee of Ministers of Defence and military chiefs of staff of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and the Republic of South Africa, and charged this committee with drafting a withdrawal plan for Rwanda and Uganda, as well as the mechanism for disarming the armed groups.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Among these efforts, we might recall in particular the two summit meetings held in Maputo at the initiative of the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and the President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano; and the two related meetings, held in Pretoria, of the Ministers of Defence and the military chiefs of staff of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and the Republic of South Africa. At the conclusion of the first Maputo summit, the heads of State in attendance decided that all the forces of the parties should begin to retreat from the positions indicated in the disengagement plan that was adopted on 8 April in Kampala.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“At this stage of my statement, allow me to review the most recent diplomatic initiatives taken by the African heads of State in order to try to revive the Lusaka process, which is grinding to a halt as regards the realization of the principal objectives, namely withdrawing the invading forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo's territory and ensuring the security of Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. In fact, during these last two months the African heads of State have been engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to try to find a peaceful and speedy means of putting an end to the war that is now rampant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“On the one hand, this means re-establishing the Democratic Republic of the Congo's sovereignty and territorial integrity - basic rights guaranteed by the Charter of the United Nations - as well as halting the massive and flagrant violations of human rights and the other atrocities that are being committed against the civilian population, and halting the expropriation of the country's resources, both those on the ground and those in the ground. On the other hand, this means addressing the security concerns of Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Our presence here bears rigorous and sincere witness to the commitment of the Congolese Government and people - the various factions notwithstanding - to finding a peaceful, negotiated solution to the crisis that is tearing apart the Democratic Republic of the Congo and threatening the stability and development of the countries of the Central African subregion - and of all of Africa. We are convinced that part of the solution to the tragedy from which the Congolese people suffer each day lies in the hands of the Security Council, the principal United Nations body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. And thus we here express the hope that a rapid and appropriate solution that takes into consideration the interests of the warring parties can be achieved.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“In all humility, I have come here to convey to the members of the Council the most cordial greetings of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the Congolese people, who have been so battered by a war of aggression to which they have been subjected, for more than two and a half years by an armed coalition from three neighbouring countries. Our delegation would also like to express our profound gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for the remarkable and unceasing efforts he has made to try to halt the armed aggression against our country, and we salute him for the valuable contributions of his fifth report on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Mr. She Okitundu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): At a time when the Security Council is about to adopt an important draft resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), I first have the pleasure, on behalf of the delegation accompanying me and on my own behalf, of warmly congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We are pleased to have the representative of a fraternal country, the Russian Federation - a country with which the Democratic Republic of the Congo has long-standing relations of mutual esteem and respect - presiding over the Council on this day when the Council is to adopt a resolution that will have a significant impact on the immediate future of our country.”
2000-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4247 (2000) · source
“Should it fail to do so, the aggression against the Democratic Republic of the Congo would set a dangerous precedent that would trample the sacred principles on which this Organization is founded. It is our deepest desire to see a speedy end to the war, and with it to the suffering of our people. We would therefore appeal to the Security Council to be sensitive to our pain. Your involvement, Sir, as well as that of the Security Council, are genuinely sought.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Contrarily to the excuses offered by the aggressors, their aggression pre-dates the intervention of the allied forces, implemented at the formal request of a legitimate Government in the context of the legitimate right to self- defence recognized in the Charters of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity. Regardless, and as we stated earlier, since the aggressors are citing border insecurity as a pretext for their aggression, we would urge the Security Council fully and immediately to shoulder its responsibilities by taking the steps necessary to re- establish the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and security in our region. We would therefore call once again on the Security Council to act appropriately under the provisions of Articles 39 to 42 of the Charter.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Despite the diversity from which it draws its cultural wealth, the Congolese people practices no racist, let alone genocidal culture whatsoever. That is practiced, not to say relished, elsewhere. The origins of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the export of external conflicts from the aggressor countries and the hegemonic impulses of their leaders. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was resolutely committed to pursuing the process of democratization, which was rudely interrupted by the aggression. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is resolved nevertheless to pursuing the process. The national debate recently announced by President M'zee Laurent-Desire Kabila is a step in that direction.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Mr. She Okitundu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (interpretation from French): The Democratic Republic of the Congo called for today's debate in a constructive spirit, not out of a desire for polemics. Accordingly, we shall not respond to the unfounded accusations made earlier by our aggressors. However, I should like to point out that, since 2 August 1998, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the target of aggression that constitutes a breach of the peace and a serious threat to international security. It was therefore our duty to call on the Security Council, whose primary role is precisely to maintain peace and international security. Unlike what has been said here today, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a peaceful country in which more than 450 ethnic groups live in harmony.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In that regard, the Council can make use of the provisions of Articles 39 to 42 of the Charter of the United Nations. Fifthly, we seek from the Security Council the deployment of an interposing force along common borders. As the pretext used by the aggressors to justify their aggression is precisely insecurity along borders, this interposing force could control security along the common borders. Finally, my Government calls for the convening of an international conference on the restoration of lasting peace in the Great Lakes region. I would like to reserve the right to take the floor later in the discussion.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“Can these hidden motives override consideration for the lives of the thousands of Congolese natives who continue to be slaughtered unjustly by the weapons of the aggressors? In View of the Security Council's powers in the area of international peace and security, and until the international community takes additional steps to bring peace to the entire Great Lakes region, the least my Government expects from this meeting is, first, the realization that my country is the victim of armed aggression, as defined in resolution 3314 (XXIX), adopted by the General Assembly with a View to defining aggression. Secondly, we expect condemnation of that aggression; thirdly, we seek full respect by the aggressors for international humanitarian law; fourthly, we expect withdrawal of the troops of aggression from our territory.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“The international community has the duty and the obligation to help these three countries to resolve their internal problems, which are the source of regional destabilization. I can assure the Council that my Government is already prepared to participate actively in these future meetings. Until these steps can be taken, a mere Security Council presidential statement cannot hope to end with any dispatch the holocaust in which Rwanda and Uganda are engaged. It is true that the ostensible motive, as announced by the aggressors, is the issue of insecurity along the borders. I have already proposed an effective solution for this. If there are hidden motives, however, they are hidden to the Congolese delegation but may not be to the members of the Security Council.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“My Government recently demonstrated its good faith towards this opening by proposing the convening of a national debate to include every region, every political tendency and every socio-political sector of the country, including the so- called rebels, so as to enable them to consider and work for the future of the Congolese nation at the dawn of the third millennium. My Government fully supports the idea proposed by France for an international conference on peace and security in the Great Lakes region. My Government is convinced that the Democratic Republic of the Congo will succeed in restoring peace and domestic harmony. However, in order to ensure peace throughout the Great Lakes region, it is of the highest important that peace reign within the national boundaries of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“My Government agrees to sign a ceasefire agreement, followed by the deployment along the border of a buffer force, with a precise timetable for the withdrawal of the aggressor troops. Such a force would be tasked with monitoring and securing the borders shared by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. My Government is also resolutely determined to re- establish a state of law and fundamental freedoms throughout its national territory and has formalized the opening of the political landscape, notably by the promulgation of Law 194 of 29 January 1999 on liberalizing the activities of political parties.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“The Great Lakes region suffers from chronic instability and a complete breakdown of peace, causing the focal point of tension constantly to shift in the absence of a definitive solution. Yesterday, Rwanda; today the Democratic Republic of the Congo; what about tomorrow? No one knows. Paragraph 2 of Article 24 of the United Nations Charter calls on the Council to act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations in such circumstances. That is why my Government wishes the Security Council to become more involved in the search for a peaceful and lasting solution to the current conflict. My Government seeks peace and wishes to live in harmony and good understanding with all its neighbours.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“It wants a definitive solution to this question with the help of the entire international community. That is why, after the troops of aggression are withdrawn, it would wholeheartedly call for the convening of a regional conference of the Great Lakes countries, to which leaders and their respective opponents would be invited. We have set the stage for our participation and my Government is ready to join, whenever possible, the entire opposition in a national debate. Such an approach is essential for Uganda and Rwanda, which are suffering from a lack of national cohesiveness, the real cause of insecurity in their countries and in the Great Lakes region. The body that you, Sir, have the privilege of leading today has received from the international community the heavy responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“How long could peacekeeping forces remain effective in the Great Lakes region, however, if reconciliation among the warring parties in those countries that have attacked my own did not include all the grassroots forces of their nations in the structures of their respective countries? As I emphasized earlier, the borders of my country with its neighbours to the east are more than 2,000 kilometres long. Thus, one must wonder how peace and security, and above all the time necessary to deploy such a force, can be truly guaranteed. Our concern is to end as soon as possible the martyrdom of the population in the eastern and Kivu provinces, which remain under the occupation of the regular armed forces of Uganda and Rwanda. My Government is fed up with mere statements of good intentions.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“A strong condemnation of the violation of the basic principles of the OAU and United Nations Charters would prevent the negotiations from being bogged down and war atrocities from being committed on the ground. The number of these atrocities is now countless and they continue to exact an extremely heavy tribute from the innocent population. In seven months of war, thousands of innocent people have been murdered in the most horrendous manner; some have even been decapitated. This is beyond all imagination. It is in this context that I come to the Council today to ask it to deal objectively with this situation so as to end the hostilities in my country by peaceful means. By way of example, my Government might be amenable to peacekeeping forces' being deployed to guarantee peace and security along the borders.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“I would simply refer to Security Council document S/l999/205 of 25 February 1999, by which my Government transmitted the "White paper on massive Violations of human rights and of the basic rules of international humanitarian law by the aggressor countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo." In view of the complexity of the question and of the horrors being committed in the occupied Congolese territory by the regular armed forces of neighbouring countries, the international community, through the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations, has merely issued a few timid declarations on the violations of the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source
“Today, the consequences for the native populations of that war, and especially of the occupation of the eastern territories, is terrible and absolutely deplorable. By way of example, I would point to the massacre of 858 people in Kasika; of more than 600 at Makobola; and, more recently yet, the horrible massacre at Kamituga, all committed by the Rwandan Patriotic Army. I wish to spare the Council a litany of the massacres perpetrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
1999-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3987 (1999) · source