YouSaid · the spoken record

Skinner-Klee

lines on the record: 179
first: 2004-10-28
most recent: 2017-08-29
sittings or episodes: 22
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

“As we have said here before, walls, checkpoints, violent responses by security forces, the demolition of homes, restrictions on non-governmental organizations, violent attacks by individuals and groups, as well as rocket launches and disproportionate responses, all impede a solution to the conflict. Furthermore, we reiterate that the building of settlements is illegal, fuels the conflict, flouts the recommendations of the Quartet for Middle East peace and violates international law. All such actions have become a clear obstacle to the achievement of a two- State solution, with both States living peacefully side by side. To conclude, Guatemala urges the parties to continue the dialogue aimed at stabilizing the region, ensuring respect for human rights and, in particular, reducing violence towards civilians in the Middle East.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Guatemala regrets the fact that no agreement was reached at the recent discussions between the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the United States of America, in Lausanne, Switzerland. We therefore urge the parties to do their utmost to pursue dialogue. Equally critical is the question of Israel and Palestine, not only due to the complex history and the convergence of religions. We share the concern expressed by the Secretary-General about the decision of the Israeli authorities to build 98 dwellings as part of a new settlement, and the establishment of an industrial complex west of Ramallah, both in the occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Equally unacceptable are the scale and size of the indiscriminate bombing, including the use of prohibited weapons, in densely populated areas. Furthermore, it is regrettable to see the Council's inaction lead to an increase in unspeakable violence. Guatemala supports the efforts made to date by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura. We agree with the Special Envoy that we must exert all possible pressure to achieve a cessation of violence and, at the very least, regular cessations of hostilities to ensure the access of the civilian population to humanitarian aid. We consider the unilateral ceasefire to be an important first step and hope that such action will continue, not only in Aleppo, but throughout Syrian territory. A ceasefire is crucial to implementing a humanitarian pause in the area.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Guatemala regrets the lack of access for humanitarian aid and calls on the forces on the ground not to violate international humanitarian law and to facilitate the affected populations' access to humanitarian aid. Furthermore, Guatemala joins the UNICEF strong condemnation of the heinous attack on a primary school in the city of Dara'a, Syria. Most shameful of all, regarding the maelstrom of violence, is the fact that the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, whose essential mandate is the maintenance of international peace and security, are being rendered null and void by the Council's failure to meet its Charter-mandated responsibilities, thereby transforming the tenets of the Charter into mere rhetoric in the absence of substantive action.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The abject violence sadly reminds us that Iraq is one of the countries with the largest displaced populations in the world, with almost 3.5 million people who have fled their communities because of indiscriminate violence. At the same time, the terrible situation in the Syrian Arab Republic has highlighted the heart- wrenching reality faced by its civilian population. That tragic situation is largely due to inaction on the part of the Council. In Aleppo, alone, about 275,000 people are trapped in the crossfire between the Syrian army and its allies and opposition groups, while the international community is shocked to see the Council incapable of reaching the minimum consensus, thereby becoming an ineffective and nearly irrelevant body.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation thanks the Russian Federation, as the President of the Security Council, for convening this open debate. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Although the Council has discussed the situation in the Middle East on many occasions, this open debate is timely, given the critical situation affecting the region. Indeed, indiscriminate military offensives, whether in Aleppo or Yemen, or recently in Mosul, have victimized civilians in a barbaric manner, violating the most basic human right to life. It is unacceptable that civilians have not been spared the indiscriminate attacks of armed forces that further threaten international peace and security.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We hope that the results of the international conference on cluster munitions, which will be held in Vienna in December, will see substantial progress to reach consensus on an action plan to develop and implement a new instrument of international humanitarian law that could resolve all of the unacceptable aspects of cluster munitions. We must ensure collectively that populations at risk have access at all times to the best protection possible, that those who continue their abuses be responsible for their actions and that the promotion, supervision and building of capacity yield tangible results and make a true difference in the lives of people. The Security Council and the entire international community will be judged according to their ability to protect the most vulnerable. That is a challenge to which we must respond immediately.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Thus country has played an active role in the recent Latin American conferences on cluster munitions, which took place in Peru and Costa Rica this year. In those conferences we reiterated that cluster munitions cause unacceptable harm to the civilian population, in particular the most vulnerable groups. We also acknowledged the enormous damage to the comprehensive development of populations. Also, the international community was called upon to join - aware of the importance of the Oslo process, which my country resolutely supports - that initiative, which is a complementary undertaking that does not ignore the efforts made in the context of the CCW Convention.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“That happens mainly in cities, where the belligerents do not manage to distinguish - or are not interested in distinguishing - between combatants and the civilian population, or where they use methods of combat or types of weapons such as cluster munitions, which are completely disproportionate with respect to their military objectives. We fully concur with the report of the Secretary- General on the need to put an end to the terrible humanitarian consequences of cluster munitions and the need for concerted international action for that purpose. Guatemala, which places a priority on the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), will continue to participate constructively in debates on this matter in different international forums in order to ban those weapons' excessive lethal effects.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“If what is proposed here will help Governments to develop a registry system, we consider it a useful measure. What we cannot support is that mandates of United Nations peacekeeping missions include the authority to issue ownership documents, or that they interfere in rating situations of illicit confiscation and appropriation of land and property abandoned by refugees and displaced persons. Even though that certainly is a critical problem, it should be resolved jointly with the local authorities and in accordance with the legal system of the country in question. Fourthly and lastly, we refer to the humanitarian consequences of cluster munitions. Civilians, in particular women and children, are the primary Victims of gunfire and indiscriminate violence in populated areas.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We must recall that the Security Council is not a legal entity, but a political entity responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, although it could, as a result of information received, denounce extreme violence. Similarly, we would caution against the imposition of selective sanctions, which could jeopardize the progress made by the Council last December with regard to the imposition of just and transparent sanctions in accordance with due process. Thirdly, we should like to comment briefly on the topic of the right to housing, land and property. There is no doubt that we must create conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“That would enable us to consider and assess the Organization's actions at every stage of the mission, including the steps taken up to the completion of a trial that would show whether the accused was guilty or not. Furthermore, we believe that such information should also be considered by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and its open-ended working group. Another suggestion would be for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to submit regular reports to the Security Council every time a mission's mandate is renewed. Regarding the recommendation that serious cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence be referred to the International Criminal Court, we wish to point out that we must be mindful of the principle of legality.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Women, children and other vulnerable groups are particularly victimized by armed conflicts. We believe that this is a multidimensional issue, and we have identified three main areas in which we can work to put an end to this type of violence. Those three areas, in which active work is being carried out within the Organization, are prevention, the implementation of measures and recovery, including assistance to victims. With respect to the measure calling for the inclusion of complete information concerning sexual violence in a specific annex to all reports submitted to the Security Council, we recommend that such information be submitted after due process has been carried out and completed.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“All our efforts must focus on strengthening existing norms and on applying them more effectively. In that connection, we also support the recommendation that reports be requested from peacekeeping missions and other relevant missions on measures and modalities adopted to ensure the protection of civilians during hostilities within their areas of operation. Secondly, the issue of sexual violence has been a high priority for the Organization. In recent years, there has been significant progress in the areas of standards of conduct, investigations and the accountability of personnel serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions. However, sexual exploitation and abuse continue to be perpetrated primarily by irregular armed groups, and these acts claim thousands of victims.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We must bear in mind that the primary responsibility for protecting civilians rests with States, which must, in turn, request international aid if they cannot provide such protection. Having taken note of the conclusions and key actions identified in the Secretary-General's report, my delegation wishes to comment on their possible implementation and importance. First, regarding the conduct of hostilities, it remains imperative that we raise awareness about the fact that full respect for civilians and international humanitarian law must prevail among armed groups, other non-State actors and civil society. It is very advisable to include that essential premise in resolutions authorizing United Nations peacekeeping missions; it is a message that should be widely disseminated.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): I wish to thank your delegation, Mr. President, for its initiative to organize this open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The topic is extremely important, not only for the Security Council, but also for the United Nations system as a whole. My delegation wishes to acknowledge the valuable report submitted by the Secretary-General (S/2007/643), as well as the briefing made by Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, whose information and proposed measures will help to strengthen our collective ability within the United Nations to protect civilians in armed conflict - people who are vulnerable and deserve our immediate attention.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission now plays a key role in the United Nations system in defining peacebuilding strategies for countries emerging from conflict and in improving coordination. Close collaboration with regional organizations and the participation of civil society in peacebuilding will be important contributions to the Commission's success. In conclusion, I should like to express our full support for all efforts to enhance the capacity of regional and other organizations. If the United Nations and its Member States really want to develop an effective partnership, they should promote the capacities of such organizations by providing them with technical, financial and human assistance.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The geographic proximity of their members and the close historical and cultural ties among them give regional organizations comparative advantages in better understanding the root causes of regional conflicts, and thus in finding peaceful solutions to those problems. As for how we can encourage broader participation by regional organizations in United Nations peacekeeping efforts, we propose that, when they are on a special Security Council mission, Council members try to meet with representatives of regional organizations. Furthermore, provision should be made for representatives of regional organizations to inform the Security Council about their activities.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“With regard to the final point - relating to peacekeeping - in paragraph 14 of the concept paper for this debate (S/2007/640, annex), we believe, first of all, that a single hybrid model cannot always be applicable to all conflicts and regions. Past experience has shown us that conflicts must be assessed and managed on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, we believe that this issue should also be discussed in depth within the framework of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. Today, more than ever before, regional organizations must play a crucial role not only in conflict prevention and resolution, but also in peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The specific objectives of this strategy are: harmonization of the different efforts in the region in the area of security so as to achieve better results; facilitating coordination, the exchange of information and experience between the various operational agencies and authorities in the region so as to more effectively combat regional crime; and identifying and managing the financial needs, in addition to the resource and training needs, required by security institutions. In short, combating organized crime and drug trafficking, strengthening information exchange mechanisms and combating the illegal arms trade and terrorism are priority areas in the strategy.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The heads of State and Government of the member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA) have pointed out the importance for the whole region of the democratic process in Haiti. They have since urged MINUSTAH, in its continuing presence, to consolidate that process and offered their assistance to it. It is important for regional and subregional authorities to develop their own mechanisms. In the subregional sphere, the member countries of SICA and Mexico are working on a Mexican and Central American security strategy, which, from a comprehensive perspective, seeks to guide the coordinated security actions adopted by the countries of the region into their respective legal frameworks.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We think it crucial that there be greater clarity on a series of questions, which would facilitate the creation of a global and regional mechanism for peace and security, agreed to by the Security Council as well as by regional organizations, as recommended by the former Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his report of July 2006. In the Western Hemisphere, an example of successful cooperation has been the case of Haiti, where the Organization of American States has established a valuable strategic partnership with the United Nations. This has facilitated the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), whose main military and civilian component is Latin American, thanks to the leadership and experience acquired in the preparation of Haiti's elections.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Their military and peacekeeping capabilities have made it possible to respond more rapidly, when a crisis breaks out, as well as during decisive moments. Their resources are crucial for peacebuilding in the post-conflict stage. Nonetheless, despite these definitely positive events, for this relationship to be more substantive and effective, we still have to resolve many outstanding problems. As we have said in previous debates, although Chapter VIII of the Charter refers to regional arrangements and bodies and establishes its functional relationship with the Security Council, there is nothing said about the constitutional relationship of such arrangements with the Security Council.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In recent years, political and operational cooperation has included, to mention a few examples: cooperation with the hybrid peacekeeping operation with the African Union in Darfur, with the European Union in support of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, continued partnerships with Economic Community of West African States, and cooperation with NATO in Afghanistan and Kosovo and with the Organization of American States in Haiti. Those are a few examples of the range of policies and operational activities that have been carried out in recent years. Therefore, we think that the United Nations today already has a better idea of the scope, magnitude, advantages and disadvantages of this cooperation. Thus, the knowledge of given situations is improving, thanks to the political contributions of regional actors.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The maintenance of international peace is the most powerful and practical proof of our commitment to collective security. The association in this area between the United Nations and regional organizations has become crucial for the success of our common efforts. The partnership between the United Nations and the regional organizations is today stronger than it was during the early 1990s. Many of the very regional and subregional organizations are much more robust, and, therefore, interaction with them is more intensive, substantial and significant.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would like to thank the delegation of Indonesia for having organized this open debate, which allows the countries that are not members of the Council to express our points of view on this very important topic. I would also like to thank that same delegation for the very clear reference document that was distributed to all of the delegations. It is also an honour and a privilege to see our friend, Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, presiding over this meeting. We are aware of the fact that the more complex the challenges of our globalized world, the more crucial it is to have the partnership and pooling of efforts between our respective organizations in order to achieve a security that is authentically collective, effective and equitable for all.”
2007-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5776Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Currently, 11 out of 18 active missions in the 07-55817 Department of Peacekeeping Operations include that post. That is encouraging, but it is not enough. We believe that every mission should incorporate that post. Peacekeeping operations, in addition, can help provide information on the violent acts committed against women and girls. The basic thing is to know exactly what is happening on the ground. As Minister Koenders of the Netherlands rightly pointed out, it is essential not to remain silent and not to allow silence to become impunity.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“Those woman have grades ranging from second lieutenant to colonel, in areas such as army administration, military police, war material, transmissions, navy and air force, and are all graduates of the Polytechnic School. In peacekeeping operations, we have maintained an average of 11 per cent of female personnel in contingents in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), including military observers. We will continue to broaden our policy of including female personnel in each contingent. Currently, in the military police unit in our MINUSTAH contingent, a woman commands the operational and investigation unit. Allow me to refer to gender advisers, who should be included in peacekeeping operations in the field.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“At the national level, the Ministry of Defence of Guatemala confirmed its commitment to the principle of gender equality through a process that harmoniously integrates women into military life. That has been accomplished with respect for human rights and in the context of the national and international legal order. Since women were accepted in the military in 1996, there has been a yearly increase in the participation of Guatemalan women in the army, as cadets in the Polytechnic School. Currently, there are 59 women officers in active duty, which represents 4 per cent of the total. There are 604 women specialists, which represents 18 per cent. There are 42 women who are commissioned officers, representing almost 16 per cent. In summary, there are 955 women in active duty, amounting to 7.17 per cent of the total.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“The re-shaping of the concept and the focus on five thematic areas - of which prevention, participation and protection are transversal, interrelated with other thematic resolutions; relief and recovery emphasize the concrete needs of women and children; and the normative thematic area - will make it possible to broaden the scope of efforts to apply resolution 1325 (2000) and will help States to meet their commitments regarding equality between women and men and the empowerment of women in the field of peace and security. As a country that has emerged from conflict, we are aware of the importance of receiving help in preparing national plans and strategies to coordinate policies, because that is the most important time to promote the application of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“We thank the Secretary-General for his annual report (S/2007/567), which serves as a basis for this dialogue, because it continues to update, monitor and revise the previous Action Plan, for 2005-2007, and for his presentation of the new, updated Action Plan, for 2008-2009, on the advances and obstacles in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Our delegation believes that the changes made in the Action Plan for 2008-2009 are positive.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“In that context, we want to recognize the important work being done by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Office of the Special Advisor on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. We urge them to continue their contribution in view of the major challenges that lie ahead. In that connection, we support the creation of effective institutions that ensure the promotion of the rights of women and girls and the capacity-building necessary to their inclusion, on an equal basis, in peace process negotiations and at the decision-making level in peacebuilding. The mainstreaming of the gender perspective in national and international plans is vital to achieving integral, balanced peacekeeping operations.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“We are also aware that women and girls suffer from effects more devastating than those already entailed by the conflict itself, especially owing to increasingly widespread gender-based violence, rapes, sexual exploitation, sexual slavery, undesired pregnancy as a result of these heinous acts and the stigma that those women and girls suffer in their own communities. Those are all acts that affect their psychological and emotional stability and even put their lives at risk. We shall not rest until we see that in the field, the specific needs of women and girls are receiving the special priority attention they deserve, with the active cooperation of the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes that work on this issue and Member States, with the support of non-governmental organizations and civil society groups.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We are grateful to the Ghanian presidency for convening this annual meeting on women and peace and security, which helps us further the work of achieving the full and complete implementation of Council resolution 1325 (2000). This debate also allows us to consider the full application of that important resolution. We are convinced of the essential role played by women in the prevention and settlement of conflicts, in the promotion of justice and of reconciliation, support for disarmament and demobilization and the reconstruction of national institutions - all essential pillars for peacebuilding.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source
“Recently, the Government of Guatemala requested, through the proper channels, technical and financial assistance from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to complete our national report and make our due contributions. We listened with interest to the ideas put forward during today's debate and will continue to assess them. Guatemala believes that the outcome of the Council's deliberation on this matter will help us to harmonize our counter-terrorism and non-proliferation efforts and will lead to greater security for our citizens.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“However, we must take into account national capacities, because the increasingly frequent requests by the Security Council for reports sometimes leads to overburdening State institutions in their administrative work, and in the majority of cases, it is difficult to comply, as the representatives of South Africa and Indonesia noted this morning. There is still a great deal to do in order to achieve a universal system for the submission of reports in compliance with both resolution 1540 (2004) and with other Security Council resolutions that also request reports. However, we are certain that with this type of broad discussion - and with your efforts, Mr. President - we will be able to make progress in a coordinated and effective fashion.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In that context, we are happy to see that the Committee is continuing to strengthen its links to international and regional organizations such as the European Union, the Organization of American States, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Customs Organization and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, among others, in order to benefit from their experience. We should be aware that national reports are important for understanding the scope of the difficulties we face and the best way to approach them. It will benefit all of us if we are frank and open with regard to our capacity to respond to the threats of proliferation. A critical review by each State of its own laws and regulations will also enable us to identify shortcomings.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“It was sponsored by the Governments of Argentina and Spain and specifically addressed the preparation of reports. Guatemala was also privileged to participate in the regional seminars on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in Latin America and the Caribbean which were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in September 2005, and more recently in Lima, Peru, in November 2006. Those seminars have helped encourage full implementation of the resolution and have provided clear guidelines for future regional cooperation in our collective efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. They also highlighted the need to promote technical assistance initiatives to facilitate the implementation of the resolution and to strengthen the role of regional and subregional organizations in activities in this sphere.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We commend the achievements of the 1540 Committee in its outreach activities at the regional and subregional levels through the organization of workshops and seminars, especially in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to create a space for the exchange of ideas on the scope of resolution 1540 (2004), to share national experiences in preparing reports and to become familiar with the degree of national implementation of international instruments on weapons of mass destruction. We especially thank the European Union for its technical and financial assistance in holding such seminars. The first regional meeting on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) for countries of Central America and the Caribbean was held in Antigua, Guatemala, in June 2005.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“As a result, our own inter- institutional committee worked on the preparation of a draft counter-terrorism law. The draft law is aimed at ensuring harsh punishment for any terrorist act. It comprises a body of regulations that will allow us to prevent terrorist acts and maintain tight security controls, through the establishment of a national counter-terrorism security council whose composition and functions will focus on the prevention and control of terrorism. My delegation believes that assistance and resources, especially for developing countries, are essential for effective implementation of the relevant national measures, because the main objectives behind the adoption of resolutions 1540 (2004) and 1673 (2006) will be very difficult to achieve without international cooperation and assistance.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“I wish to point out that the preparation of the report, although difficult, was an enriching task because it enabled us more precisely to identify and understand the weaknesses and strengths of the Guatemalan system and also made possible the full and active participation of all national institutions working in this area. This exercise not only ensured better inter- institutional coordination, the creation of awareness in the public and private sectors and the identification of legal gaps and shortcomings in the implementation of legislation; it also underscored the need to update our legislation to accord with the State's international obligations. With regard to experience gained at the national level, the inter-institutional consultation mechanism enabled us to identify both administrative and legislative needs.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Resolution 1540 (2004) is particularly important in fighting terrorism because it establishes a prevention mechanism aimed at preventing non-State actors, in particular terrorist groups, from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials. Guatemala's commitment to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction results from our conviction that a clear and committed policy in that field helps increase security around the world and in specific regions, while at the same time increasing the opportunities for growth and development. In that context, Guatemala submitted its national report to the 1540 Committee in October 2004.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Today's meeting gives countries not members of the Security Council an opportunity to receive information on the activities of international agencies in the field and to offer observations on issues of general interest, in particular concerning exchanges of experiences, the preparation of national reports to the 1540 Committee and training in report preparation for States that so request in their efforts to comply with the provisions of paragraph 4 of the resolution. Guatemala also wishes to thank the Under- Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for their informative reports this morning.”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, my delegation wishes to thank the delegation of Slovakia for having convened this open debate on an issue that is of great importance to my country. I should also like to congratulate you in particular, Mr. President, on your commendable work as Chairman of the Security Council established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004).”
2007-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5635Resumption1 (2007) · source
“With regard to the role of the Peacebuilding Commission in security sector reform, we believe that it can help national Governments to identify their needs and priorities in that field from a broad perspective, coordinating assistance from the international community. My delegation has followed today's debate closely, and we hope to continue to consider these ideas in the framework of the General Assembly, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the Peacebuilding Commission, in addition to the results of the work of the United Nations inter-agency working group on security sector reform.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“However, when United Nations peacekeeping operations are deployed, it is important that security aspects be appropriately integrated into a mission's mandate and realities on the ground. One example of excellent work done by the United Nations is its security support through the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, in particular its provision of concrete support for reform of the Haitian national police. We believe it necessary to stress that any security sector reform must include the gender perspective. Guatemala supports the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security because of its three elements stressing the protection of human rights, the participation of women in peacekeeping operations, and the role of women in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We also need to stress that efforts in the security sector have generally been pushed by peace agreements, which address such issues in the context of the end of a conflict. The Guatemalan peace accords are a clear example of that, containing as they do many of the necessary tools for the complete reform of the sector, appropriately named "democratic security". With regard to the role played by the Security Council through its mandates to its missions in the establishment of parameters for security sector reform, we recall that this is not the only body competent to discuss the issue. We believe that any strategy developed by the United Nations must be multifaceted.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Given the competition for access to donor funds, those interested often do not announce their projects, leading to uneven distribution or an unnecessary duplication of assistance. In that context, we note the important practical advice set out in the reference document with regard to the need to establish recommended best practices based on experience acquired in the various activities undertaken to date by different United Nations operations. We need to recognize that poverty, underdevelopment, the lack of opportunities and marginalization pose the greatest threat and challenge to security sector reform. Moreover, we believe that the component of prevention must be included to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to preventing violence and criminality, thereby making coercion less necessary.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“At the same time, we must ensure the greatest possible integration of capacities within the United Nations system. Responsibilities and clear competencies must be assigned with respect to various activities and effective coordination established to harmonize the efforts of the Organization with bilateral and other efforts, even with regard to the mobilization of resources. Furthermore, as with many aspects of peacebuilding, international security sector efforts are often not coordinated or are isolated and dispersed. For one thing, bilateral donors at the United Nations and other participants follow their own objectives and do not agree on a common framework or approach.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We should not set that commitment aside; on the contrary, we must take it into account in this context. Indeed, we believe that both concepts are closely linked, and we are therefore pleased to note in the reference document (S/2007/72) that the principal objective of security sector reform is precisely to promote human security. My delegation feels that the security sector cannot replace effective national leadership. It should be human-centred, broad, inclusive, long-term and implemented case by case. The issue is very sensitive from the perspective of national sovereignty and local traditions. If the necessary foundation for political agreement at the national and international levels does not exist, any United Nations participation will face severe obstacles to achieving success and ensuring security.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source