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

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“In helping States to overcome the consequences and examine the underlying causes of conflict, we should be aware that there is an entire series of related issues, ranging from support for the administration of justice, the strengthening of institutions within the rule of law, and the protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens to national reconciliation and rebuilding the social fabric and productive networks that make a nation's economic life viable as it emerges from conflict. We note that human security is inherent to that process. In accordance with paragraph 143 of the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document (resolution 60/1), the Member States have committed themselves "to discussing and defining the notion of human security".”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“However, in discussing the concept, we should seek a consensus regarding the elements that constitute it, determine the contexts in which it should be implemented and identify the actors that should participate in its development. We recall that the issue of security is only one part of the processes of peacekeeping and peacebuilding in a conflict.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): I wish at the outset to thank the delegation of the Slovak Republic for organizing this open debate, which enables those States that are non-members of the Council to express our Views on this important issue. I also wish to thank you, Mr. President, for the lucid concept paper (S/2007/72, annex) circulated to delegations. First, the delegation of Guatemala wishes to associate itself with the statement made by the representative of Cuba on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Guatemala supports the idea of involving the United Nations system in formulating a concept of security sector reform. We are mindful that no agreement has yet been reached on a single or systematic approach to this issue.”
2007-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5632Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Peacebuilding must be the result of an internal effort, complemented significantly by the United Nations and the international community, which must always work in solidarity, but never as a replacement.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We must not forget the role of the Economic and Social Council in its own area, contributing to greater interaction, coordination and harmony, not just between both Councils, but also throughout the United Nations system. International cooperation and coordination are essential, and the role of the United Nations worldwide is irreplaceable. Therefore, building peace does not just depend on the daily work of the Peacebuilding Commission, nor the work of the Economic and Social Council, nor that of the Security Council or of peacekeeping missions, nor on the support provided by agencies, funds and programmes. It depends also on establishing and strengthening the context in which dialogue, tolerance and understanding can flourish.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Secondly, it must serve as a real link between the activities carried out immediately after a conflict, on the one hand, and recovery and development activities in the long term, on the other hand, in which all actors are involved in an organized process of transition and recovery. They must be able to interact openly and transparently in this process. Thirdly, such cooperation must also provide a follow-up mechanism to ensure that due attention is paid at the international level to countries emerging from conflicts, even when the peacekeeping forces have stopped playing an active role. Consolidation of peace must be seen as part of the process.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Bearing in mind the experience gained in the ad hoc advisory groups of the Economic and Social Council on African countries emerging from conflict, we believe that it is important for the Commission to collaborate proactively, not just in the important work of mobilizing international cooperation, but also in aiding national authorities to establish their own priorities and design realistic strategies and consistent policies appropriate to the circumstances and environment of each country. With regard to the cooperation that the Commission can provide to the Security Council, it must be, first, of an advisory capacity, to propose integrated peacebuilding and recovery strategies following conflicts, and it must provide information to ensure predictable financing for initial recovery activities.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission must go far beyond that and support comprehensive changes that will eliminate practices of social, economic and political exclusion and transform State institutions so that citizens not only have renewed faith in those institutions but also can participate in them. Those institutions must meet the greatest needs of the population, beginning with demobilization, disarmament and reintegration following with reconciliation, compensation and due process.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Never before have we had such complex tools for assisting countries where peace has been violated and where there are serious violations of human rights, countries which lack human security and good governance, where people do not enjoy democracy and rule of law and are victims of food insecurity and extreme poverty, to mention just a few of the challenges facing people when they emerge from prolonged conflict. We must now ensure that all of these mechanisms will be effective and long-standing as well as flexible. We must ensure that they are always based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. We must bear in mind that building peace is not achieved only by preventing outbreaks of violence, nor by physical rebuilding, nor by establishing a legal basis for a State.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“After its initial organizational and informational meetings, it is now to contribute effectively to creating a favourable environment to strengthen institutional capacities, as well as to articulate strategies that will help to achieve sustainable peace and development in post-conflict societies. We believe that this Commission has filled a large gap in the United Nations system. For the first time in history the Organization now has a pre-established system with an adequate mandate to deal with and eradicate all stages of conflict, that is, to prevent conflict and maintain and build international peace and security.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“It must be said that half of the countries concluding peace agreements after experiencing conflict situations relapse into conflict even after such agreements are signed. In the light of our own experience, which taught us valuable lessons and places us in a special position to comment on this issue, we would underscore all the elements of our history that led to our multifaceted peace process. In point of fact, despite the fact that we have achieved significant progress, Guatemalan society, 10 years after signing the Peace Agreements, is not fully reconciled. We still need to set the foundation for a more equitable and participatory society, rebuild our social fabric and create opportunities for development without exclusion. Allow me to refer to the role to be played by the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Skinner Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): As this is the last day of January, we would like to congratulate the Russian Federation on its assumption of presidency for this month and on having convened this very important meeting on the Peacebuilding Commission. We are certain that it will contribute to our collective effort to strengthen international peace and security, making it possible to secure sustainable development for States immersed in post-conflict situations. In August of last year, under the presidency of Ghana, we had an opportunity to discuss this item in an open debate (see S/PV.5509) on peace consolidation in West Africa, a region that is in one of the world's most vulnerable continents.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Lastly, we would urge that the reports of peacekeeping operations include follow-up to Security Council resolutions such as 1612 (2005) dealing with children and armed conflict.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Any decision taken by the Council in this regard must take advantage of what we have already accomplished, consolidating the achievements made and moving decisively forward in protecting children and supporting national efforts to enact legislation that expressly prohibits the recruitment of minors by armed forces and armed groups and the direct participation of children in hostilities. There are many concrete and effective actions that we must take against those parties to armed conflict who continue to systematically commit grave violations against children. That is why we must step up our joint efforts, because it is clear that no one can resolve this sad situation alone; it must be done with the full and comprehensive support of the international community.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Despite that, we agree with the Secretary- General's recommendation that we should expand the criteria that we currently use - which is limited for the time being to the recruitment and use of child soldiers- to include other violations and serious crimes, such as the killing and maiming of children, rape, abduction and the denial of humanitarian access. Despite all of the efforts that we have made, we continue to hear horrendous stories about children who have suffered as a result of being recruited in situations of armed conflict, and we reaffirm the need to impose measures with specific and gradual objectives through which we can identify the parties to a conflict that have committed grave violations against children.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We understand the limitations that the Working Group and the Security Council face, not only with respect to the mandate to consider situations in countries that are not on the agenda of the Security Council, but also in terms of the amount of resources and time required to produce specific results regarding the actors involved in using children in armed conflict. Furthermore, we are concerned that a heavier workload for the Working Group could be detrimental to its efficiency and effectiveness.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Even though we are aware of the various positions on this issue, we are pleased to see the determination shown by the Working Group and by the Council in categorically condemning the recruitment of children as soldiers, as well as the rigorous condemnation of those who continue to commit these crimes against humanity. We also supported the adoption of resolution 1698 (2006), which set the standard for the imposition of sanctions as a response to the abuse of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We trust that henceforth the recommendations of the Working Group will be implemented, since they are an effective way of combating and preventing that horrendous practice.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“A little over four months have gone by since we last met together in this forum to assess the situation of children and armed conflict in the world; indeed, there are no easy solutions to the problem of the use of children as soldiers. On that occasion, my delegation referred to the importance of establishing a monitoring and reporting mechanism, as well as to the important work carried out by the Working Group set up by the Council in July 2005 and chaired by the Permanent Representative of France. I would like to make a few brief comments in this connection.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): We would like to thank the Peruvian presidency for having convened this meeting to discuss, for the second time this year, the important issue of children and armed conflict. We would also like to thank those who briefed the Council at the beginning of the debate. We would like to express our gratitude, in particular, for the work done by UNICEF to protect boys, girls and adolescents caught up in armed conflict. We would also like to acknowledge the work done by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, for her tireless work to put an end to the recruitment of children.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Likewise, the positive changes that have occurred in Liberia are true examples of stability and strengthening in the region. These examples make us optimistic about the achievement of a promising future for all our brothers and sisters in the region.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“That would ultimately contribute to better interaction, coordination and coherence not only between the two Councils but also throughout the United Nations system. Finally, Guatemala notes with satisfaction the recent creation of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone, established by the Security Council in order to consolidate peace in that country, help the Government to strengthen human rights and achieve the Millennium Goals, improve transparency and cooperate with the country so that it can hold democratic elections in 2007. We have the same expectations for Cote d'Ivoire in October 2006. Guatemala welcomes the developments in Guinea-Bissau and the activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission must go further and support comprehensive changes that eliminate practices leading to social, economic and political exclusion and transform State institutions so that citizens can regain confidence in them and participate in them. Therefore, the cooperation that the Peacebuilding Commission can provide to the Security Council should be to offer a mechanism to follow up on the initial work of maintaining peace and security, in which all actors involved in a particular transition and recovery process can interact openly and transparently, addressing the broader areas involved in peace consolidation - areas in which the Economic and 06-46124 Social Council, in its particular area of responsibility, has tasks to accomplish.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Given the experience acquired through the Economic and Social Council's Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on African countries emerging from conflict, we believe it is important that the Peacebuilding Commission cooperate proactively not only in the important work of mobilizing international cooperation, but also in helping national authorities establish priorities and devise realistic strategies and coherent policies adapted to the circumstances and environment of each country. We must bear in mind that peace consolidation is not achieved only by preventing outbreaks of violence or physically rebuilding a country or its legal framework.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Here too, we see a special role for actors in the region, who should supplement United Nations actions aimed at continued identification of the priorities and actions needed for the elaboration of effective strategies and programmes to overcome challenges and contribute to the region's development. In that connection, we welcome what appears to be a Council practice: the incorporation of elements anticipating that need within the framework of peacekeeping operations. I should like to refer briefly to the role of development of the Peacebuilding Commission, which, following its initial organizational and informational meetings, must provide concrete follow-up to actions needed to stimulate peace consolidation and attain the wider objective of sustainable development in the region.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We also attach similar importance to another joint effort that we believe will contribute to peace consolidation in the region, namely, the cooperation among United Nations entities that are designed to harmonize disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, while taking into account the special needs of women and children as the most vulnerable individuals, as well as the disabled. 06-46124 Good governance, the strengthening of justice systems and the formulation and pursuit of human rights policies will not be possible without strengthening national capacities and keeping those capacities up-to-date.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We must now take care of those mechanisms to ensure that they are effective, binding and flexible and that they always act in keeping with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. We must remember that security matters are of a priority nature, and cooperation in military and political areas should be sustained and coordinated. However, we believe that cooperation should go further and should try to address the precarious humanitarian situation of refugees and internally displaced persons in the regions. The synergy between ECOWAS and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in that area seems to be a sound approach.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The revitalization of ECOWAS and its links with the African Union, the way in which it works with the help of the United Nations and the support of other international actors are steps in the right direction for these efforts and thus, bode well for a better future for the people of the region. We are glad that the document circulated for this meeting (5/2006/610) has acknowledged the need to strengthen and bolster that kind of concerted action. Guatemala strongly supports the high-level meetings of the United Nations Secretariat and regional organizations, as well as the creation of the Standing Committee. We believe those will help keep us focused in the correct strategic direction and offer general guidance on the practical level.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Ould-Abdallah, as well as the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Ibn Chambas. Guatemala has closely observed the violent conflicts involving various countries of that region of Africa. Guatemala itself experienced an internal 2 conflict that lasted four decades, and we understand the urgent need to strive for peace, stability and development. We also understand the importance of regional cooperation and the benefits of strengthening integration mechanisms. At no other time in the past have we been as close to establishing a favourable environment for the creation and strengthening of international capacities and for articulating strategies that will help to achieve sustainable development in the region.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin by congratulating the Republic of Ghana on its presidency of the Security Council this month. It is an honour to see the Minister for Foreign Affairs of your country, Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, chairing the meeting. We welcome the initiative to discuss peace consolidation in West Africa, because it enables us, in the Council and in general, to review the situation prevailing in the countries of that important subregion of Africa, in order to contribute to finding comprehensive solutions to the various challenges facing the region. In that context, we welcome the presence and support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Mr.”
2006-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5509Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Ann Veneman for her report this morning, and we congratulate UNICEF in particular for its work in the field, because their broad global coverage of all issues relating to children gives them a very clear picture of the problems experienced by children in armed conflict. Above all, we urge them to continue to work in close cooperation with States' Governments. I wish to thank you once again, Mr. President, for this opportunity to express my country's views on this very important issue.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We support the Secretary-General's policy of zero tolerance and welcome the fact that we are in the "era of application", as set out in resolution 1460 (2003), aimed at putting an end to impunity. We regret the delays that have taken place and the fact that the independent review will probably not be concluded by the end of this month, since those responsible for it have not yet been appointed. However, we do not believe that this review should be postponed until the end of the year; on the contrary, we urge that it be done as soon as possible. We believe that the appointment of advisers for the protection of minors in peacekeeping operations is an excellent idea. We thanks Ms.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“For that reason, we commend the French presidency for its report on the work of the Working Group, and we endorse the presidential statement that was issued this morning, which, without a doubt, reflects the magnitude of the problem and the imperative need to put an end to the recruitment of children in armed forces by groups and individuals. It is essential to ensure the reintegration of such children in their original communities, the lasting rehabilitation of demobilized children, and the strengthening of military and civilian justice systems so that States can put an end to impunity for those who have disregarded the resolutions and condemnations issued by the Council concerning such reprehensible practices.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We would like in particular to draw attention to resolution 1612 (2005), which affirms the primary responsibility of States to put an end to impunity and to bring to justice those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes, particularly abuses committed against children in conflict situations. It reiterates also the Council's resolve to ensure respect for its resolutions, norms and principles for the protection of children in armed conflict, and also establishes the Council's Working Group on this issue.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“While it is true that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of national peace and security lies with States, it is also a fact that the work of the Security Council, which is closely bound up with armed conflicts and with peacekeeping operations, obliges it also to tackle issues such as the recruitment and abuse of children in armed conflicts. My delegation concurs with and supports all the resolutions adopted by the Council that are designed to help establish a general framework for the protection of children affected by armed conflict.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“That experience prompts us to support the continued function of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and therefore we welcome the new Representative, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, whom we thank for her timely briefing this morning. We urge her to continue to visit countries in conflict or emerging from conflict, because we are convinced of the benefits of such a mechanism when it involves the broad-based participation of civil society. We welcome also the first report of the Secretary- General on a specific situation of armed conflict, which is focused on violations of the rights of the child in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Indeed, Guatemala is a participant in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in that country.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Guatemala was visited by the first Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara A. Otunnu, in February 2002. He held interviews with various officials of the Government, of civil society, representatives of indigenous peoples and the agencies and funds of the United Nations. He also visited the most devastated conflict areas in the country, which enabled him to draw up a set of recommendations that helped in the adoption of measures in favour of children and helped also to give priority to the issue of the protection of children in the Government's policies, particularly in the areas of education and health.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Because we have suffered more than three decades of armed conflict, Guatemala understands very well the importance of protecting and helping children and of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of children in their original communities. We also highlight the importance of establishing monitoring, reporting and verification mechanisms such as, in our case, the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA). We can say the same of the vital need for securing timely, objective, precise and reliable information to combat the recruitment and use of child soldiers, as well as the need to halt the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and to strengthen States in order to put an end to such crimes.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): To evaluate the situation of children in armed conflict around the world is to assess the future that we are building. The UNICEF report The State of the World's Children 2000 contains a map entitled "Unstable Environments", which indicates that the legacy of the decade of 1990s was more than two million dead children, more than six million seriously injured or permanently maimed, more than a million orphans or children separated from their families, unknown numbers of children psychologically traumatized and more than 15 million children who are refugees or are internally displaced. All of that constitutes an extremely serious reality that needs to be tackled. For this reason, our commitment to the first decade of this millennium is to leave a totally different legacy.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Guatemala, as a nation that has suffered from conflict and the resulting violence, calls for reason to prevail, for the protection of human life and for the safeguarding of human rights, with a view to putting an end to all violence and intolerance, so as not to condemn the region to a future of even greater violence and suffering.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“For all those reasons, we reiterate the call made by the Non-Aligned Movement, as we believe that the Security Council has the responsibility to prevent an even greater polarization among all the parties involved and to help them find alternatives to the escalating violence. We view the work of the Council as a complementary effort, in a spirit of convergence, to those of other actors in the international community, including the Secretary-General's measures. The Council cannot abdicate its responsibility to protect civilians or its competence in the area of the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“On the other hand, we demand also that Hizbollah stop launching rockets into Israeli territory. My delegation calls for an immediate end to the hostilities and for the beginning of peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations. In that respect, we call once again for the implementation, without further delay, of the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 1559 (2004) and other, subsequent ones. Guatemala welcomes and supports the Secretary- General's initiative to send a high-level delegation to contribute to defusing tension. It calls for respect for international humanitarian law and for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as for the deployment of a multinational force in the area.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It also urges the Government of Israel to withdraw as soon as possible from Lebanese territory and to respect the Blue Line in order to re-establish stability in the region and guarantee the security of the civilian population. Israel has every right to act in self-defence. However, it should act with moderation and ensure that its actions are proportionate and reasonable. Our country is extremely concerned at the Israeli military actions, in particular at the excessive use of force; the destruction of civilian infrastructure, especially airports, power grids, bridges and roads; attacks against densely populated areas that endanger the lives of innocent civilians; and the imposition of a sea, air and land blockade against Lebanon. We urge that an immediate end be put to such practices.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Guatemala deplores and vehemently condemns the confrontations provoked by Hizbollah in the border area between Lebanon and Israel since 12 July, and the launching of missiles against the Israeli civilian population in that area. We are extremely alarmed at the increase in tensions in that area, and so my Government once again urges all parties to stop the escalation of hostilities that would mark a new and dangerous deterioration in the regional situation. In that context, Guatemala urges the Government of Lebanon to spare no effort to ensure that the two Israeli soldiers captured by the Hizbollah militia are unconditionally released as soon as possible.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is also essential for the Government of the Palestinian Authority to adopt effective and immediate measures to improve the security and prevent terrorist attacks on Israel, including the launching of missiles against its territory. We reiterate our commitment to cooperate with all the parties in seeking a broad, just and lasting peace for the Middle East, based on compliance with pertinent Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003), as well as the agreements of the Madrid Conference and the principle of land for peace. In effect, Israel has the right to live in peace within secure borders, as does Palestine.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It is absolutely necessary to re-establish electricity and water supplies and to ensure unrestricted and continuous access to humanitarian organizations, guaranteeing the safety of their staff, in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the region, especially in the Gaza Strip and in the south of Lebanon. My delegation condemns the arrest by Israel of democratically elected authorities and other officials of Palestine. At the same time, we condemn the kidnapping and detention of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants. The quick freeing of all of them is an essential step to avoid a worsening of the situation in the region.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Guatemala deplores the tragic death of innocent civilians in the last few days due to the crisis between Israel and Lebanon, and what has been happening in the Gaza Strip since 25 June. We are concerned at the grave situation and call on all parties to exercise utmost moderation. We also stress the importance of diplomatic and political measures and urge all parties to carry out all possible efforts to solve the present situation through peaceful means in order to put an end to hostilities. We urge the parties to respect international law at all times, including international humanitarian law. We remind them of their responsibility to protect the lives of civilians and to refrain from attacking essential civilian infrastructure.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): Mr. President, first of all I would like to thank you for having organized this open debate, which allows those countries that are not Council members to put forward our views with regard to the dramatic deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, which is extremely dangerous for the security of the whole region. As have the majority of delegations that have participated in this debate, the delegation of Guatemala wishes to express its concern and regret at the deepening crisis in the Middle East. My delegation joins the statement made by the representative of Malaysia on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries.”
2006-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5493Resumption1 (2006) · source
“There are no easy ways of tackling this issue, but the scope of the political commitments made to combat the problem could help to chart a new course. In that regard, the Security Council has a key role to play in focusing world attention on this scourge.”
2006-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5390Resumption1 (2006) · source
“That, we believe, will provide additional political impetus to the implementation of the 2001 Programme of Action and ensure that the United Nations continues to play a key role in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. Guatemala will shortly be hosting the regional Latin American and Caribbean meeting to be held from 5 to 9 May in the city of Antigua Guatemala. We hope that that meeting will represent a contribution on the part of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States to the forthcoming Review Conference on the illicit trade in small arms. Solving the problem of small arms and light weapons will no doubt require a comprehensive effort on more than one front.”
2006-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5390Resumption1 (2006) · source
“In that connection, it is heartening to see that that is already being implemented, and we welcome the fact that, in its presidential statement issued under the symbol S/PRST/2005/7, the Council stressed "the importance of a comprehensive international and regional approach to DDR that is not limited to the political and security aspects of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, but addresses also its social and economic aspects, including special needs of child soldiers and women". Lastly, my delegation believes that the efforts of the international community to address the problem of small arms as well as the impetus given to this issue in the General Assembly will be strengthened by today's Security Council debate.”
2006-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5390Resumption1 (2006) · source